A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
2011: A Year in Review
Goofiness wins! While readers submitted photos ranging from breathtaking landscapes to community events and celebrations, it was the pictures of southwest Michigan’s youth who captured the votes at Leader Publications
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By CRAIG HAUPERT
Leader Publications asked readers to
give us their best shot, and they delivered. Readers submitted more than 250 approved photos in the company’s online photo contest, which ran from Dec. 7 to Jan. 1. Readers voted for their favorites Jan. 2-15 and, from that voting period, three winners were chosen. Heather Garrard’s photo received the most votes and a $200 prize. Erika Kirtdoll wins $50 for her second-place photo and Tammy Brooks $50 for her third-place photo. Here is what the winners had to say about their photos: ‘Being Goofy at Disney’ Heather Garrard Nine-year-old Nolan Garrard didn’t know his mother, Heather Garrard, of Niles, was going to enter a picture of him wearing a Goofy hat into Leader Publications’ photo contest. When Nolan found out about it, he wasn’t happy. “He told me the photo had better win because it was so embarrassing,” Heather said. “Then, everyday he kept asking if he was getting votes.” Nolan’s brief embarrassment paid off as Heather’s photo took first prize in the photo contest. The photo was taken during a family trip to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., in December 2011. Nolan was trying on hats at a gift shop when Heather snapped the photo. She liked the picture so much that it is hanging on a wall in their home. “That is Nolan’s spirit right there,” Heather said. “His personality is a very fun-loving, outgoing child.” Heather, Nolan, Nolan’s sister, Emerson, father, Kevin, and grandmothers, Barb Garrard and Janice White, went on the trip.
FIRST — “Being Goofy at Disney,’” by Heather Garrard: Nolan Garrard, 9, attends Howard Elementary School. His mother, Heather, a sales representative for a hair product company, took this photo while the family was visiting Disney World.
‘On a Mission’ Erika Kirtdoll Erika Kirtdoll, of Niles, never planned on taking a photo when she and her three boys — Acie, 4, Beau, 3, and Ceon, 1 — went for a walk on a sunny day in July. They were walking on Sioux Trail toward Ballard when Erika saw an image she wanted to capture. “It was such a random shot,” said Kirtdoll, who works for a CPA firm in Niles. “It could be anybody’s kids, the way they are walking in the street like they own the neighborhood. “I thought of all the possibilities, like the road stretching out in front of them. They were endless. They looked so small compared to the road.” Erika used the image, which was taken on her cell phone, for the family’s Christmas card. She said she received more compliments on that photo than on any photo she has ever taken. ‘Tony Books Keeping the Arts Alive in Dowagiac’ Tammy Brooks
SECOND — “On a Mission,” by Erika Kirtdoll: Kirtdoll took this photo of her three boys. She and her husband, Timmy, are lifelong residents of Niles.
THIRD — “Tony Brooks Keeping the Arts Alive in Dowagiac,” by Tammy Brooks: Tony is a senior at Dowagiac High School and is dual-enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College. He has since cut his hair for senior photos.
Tammy Brooks, of Dowagiac, was looking out her kitchen window when she saw her 17-year-old son, Tony, playing guitar on the steps of a vacant building on East Prairie Ronde Road. She grabbed a camera, got in her car and drove as if she was leaving the area. Instead of leaving, Tammy parked near the building where her son was playing and took his photo without him knowing. The result was a photo she said captures the essence of her musical son. “Anyone that knows Tony would tell you that this picture is him. He is always carrying around a guitar and always playing,” she said. “That day, you could’ve thrown a rock at him and he wouldn’t have known, he was so deep in the music.”
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A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
January 2011: A Year in Review
“No Way!” by Tammy Brooks
Toby Brooks carries the family dog, Lucy, who refused to get out of the car during a blizzard.
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A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
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February 2011: A Year in Review
Two brave spouses attend the SWEATHeart class at Jazzercise Niles Fitness Center for an “unforgettable� Valentine’s Day event. “Neither of them ever came back. Said it was ‘too hard.’ Yep, they underestimated us,� Beverly Manuel, owner of the business on Broadway Street in Niles, said.
“Two Brave Men� by Beverly Manuel
“Bertrand Catholic Cemetery� by Ryan Oleson
Ryan Oleson edited this photo using Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 Editor to look like a negative, which made the snow on the ground appear as if it were water.
“Southwest Storm Floor Hockey� by Caryn Defreez
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“Blind Squirrel� by Robert Cook This squirrel could not see, but it knew where the food was, according to Robert Cook, who snapped this photo.
The Buchanan Boys 10 and under floor hockey team played in Battle Creek. “Not many towns participate in this sport, so it’s very close to Buchanan’s heart,� said Bobbie Goodrich, whose youngest son, Hunter, plays on the team, which was the champion at the final tournament last year.
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A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
March 2011: A Year in Review
“Spring Approaches” by Chuck Brown
“Springtime at Fernwood” by Jill McDonald
A spring day inspired Chuck Brown to take this photo on a bluff overlooking Dewey Lake.
Jill McDonald spends a lot of time at Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve. “Every week, something new is in bloom,” she said. “Here are two of my favorite spring flowers: winter aconite and purple crocus.”
“Purple Iris” by Jill McDonald
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Jill McDonald, of Niles, took this photo at Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve in Niles. “The flowers are absolutely beautiful in the spring,” said McDonald, who is a seasonal naturalist at Fernwood. “Nature photography is a great passion of mine. It’s a wonderful way for me to share the beauty I find in nature, so others can enjoy and be inspired by it.”
A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
“Converse Pattern” by Mallory Lambert Mallory Lambert, who owns 16 pairs of Converse shoes, took this photo on the back deck of her house in Union for a digital photography class. The shoes belong to her and her exchange student. “We are alike in every way. We both have a wide collection of Converse,” Lambert said.
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A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
April
2011: A Year in Review
“Ryan and the Giant Mushrooms� by Kimberly Robison
“Spot of Spring Color� by Robert Parrish
Robert Parrish snapped this shot of tulips blooming on the west side of his home in downtown Edwardsburg.
Kimberly Robison’s son, Ryan, was pleased to find three mushrooms. “The smile is priceless,� Robison, of Dowagiac, said. Kimberly’s husband, Randy, was a winner that day, too. He cooked and ate the prize mushrooms.
“Great Game Brother� by Linda Mosier
“Rudy Road� by Vicki Wood
Vicki Wood cultivated an ant’s perspective when she took this photograph of Rudy Road.
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“Pink� by Roxanne Slone
The soccer game at the Dowagiac Soccer Field set the scene for this photo taken by Linda Mosier, of Dowagiac. Her grandsons, Christopher and Matthew Mosier, were the winners that day. Roxanne Stone took this photo of a bloom on her pink magnolia tree. “We look forward to this tree blooming every year. Unfortunately, it only lasts a week or so,� she said.
A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
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May
2011: A Year in Review
“Visitor” by Janet Wood
“Country Fun” by Patty Patano Patty Patano captured the joy of simple, country fun.
“Wheel of Fortune” by Tracy Hossfeld Miss Niles and her Court of Honor ride on the “Wheel of Fortune,” their parade float. Pictured are Miss Niles, Samantha Low; Mr. Niles, Torence Witherspoon; First Runner-up Kelsey Prestly; Second Runnerup Brittanie Ritchey; and Dominique Morris, Miss Congeniality.
Two male peacocks showed up at Janet Wood’s home in Niles, staying for two days. “I heard of later sightings at Comcast, the old YMCA and Bond Street,” she said.
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A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
June
2011: A Year in Review
Scott Pomeroy’s grandson plays first base for the Buchanan All-Star 8-Year-Olds at the Berrien Springs Baseball Tournament.
“Picnic on the Church Lawn� by Gretchen Anderson
Gretchen Anderson found a moment to snap a picture during a First Presbyterian Church of Niles event, Picnic on the Lawn. Kids took part in games, food, balloons and music at the church, 13 S. Fourth St. in Niles.
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“First Chance Camp at Michiana Camp� by Jim Matthews
“Reach!!!� by Scott Pomeroy
A few young fellows enjoy a day at Michiana Christian Service Camp in Niles, located of M-140. Jim Matthews reports that about 90 kids attended the camp that day, which was packed with new friends, games, crafts, Bible lessons and swimming. The camp was started in 1967 and now serves about 1,000 campers from ages 5 to 18 every summer.
A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
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“Niles 2011 Varsity Baseball Team Wins Districts” by Brenda Garrett
It was the first time in 11 years that the Niles Vikings won a district championship when Brenda Garrett memorialized the moment with a picture.
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A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
July
2011: A Year in Review Deb Schoner submitted this photo of of her two grandchildren, Mackenzie and Camden, who were in Charleston, S.C. The tender moment was captured by her daughter-inlaw, Kaylan.
“Sisterly Love” submitted by Deb Schoner
The moment when 1-year-old Luke, Thomas Hunt’s grandson, began waving a flag inspired Hunt to snap a photo.
“Flag Waving on July 4th” by Thomas Hunt
“Kermit on Lily Pads” by Mary Cooper Mary Cooper spotted a frog at the pond at Fernwood Nature Preserve in Niles.
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“Devon Ownby Shares a Special Moment” by Vickie Phillipson
Devon Ownby, the second runner-up to Miss Dowagiac, gives some attention to a young girl who attended the All Dolled Up children’s event.
A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
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“Ride for a Cause” by Octavia Lyons The Niles Burn Run celebrated its 10-year anniversary for helping children who are the victims of fires. Here, the run is starting with members of the sheriff ’s department serving as escorts.
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A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
August 2011: A Year in Review
“Between Shows” by Dale Young Dale Young’s grandchildren were caught clowning around between shows at the Berrien County Youth Fair. “Luke” by Mark Alstott Mark Alstott took this photo of Lukas Simpson of the Goldmine Pickers performing solo at Niles Riverfront Amphitheater as part of the Niles Summer Concert Series. “Preying Mantis” by Jill McDonald
“This summer, I enjoyed raising this praying mantis. Before I let him free in the garden, I balanced the camera on my knee and took a picture of it on a stick I was holding,” said Jill McDonald, a seasonal naturalist at Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve.
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“Dig” by Lois Stethem
Students discovered part of a pipe during a dig at Fort St. Joseph in Niles. “The students were fun to talk to,” Lois Stethem said. “It is amazing to drive down Bond Street knowing the Indians were there so many years before us.”
A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
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September 2011: A Year in Review
“Pokagon Band Pow Wow” by Robert Cook
A young woman dances in full costume.
“Apple Festival” by Cristine Young Cristine Young’s nephew had hopes he could ride all the way around in this barrel at the fun house during Apple Festival. “I love the pile up of kids behind him!” Young said.
“Country Grown, Country Strong” by Jen Robinson
Colten Evans, a Dowagiac senior, stands with his proud parents, Jackie and Guy Evans, behind him. He will enter the military after he graduates this year.
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“Sunrise on the Lake” by Charlotte Poole
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A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
October 2011: A Year in Review
“Enjoying a Fall Treat� by Michelle Hassle
Shellie Raymond chronicled this flyover just before the start of Edwardsburg High School’s Football Homecoming.
Michelle Hassle’s son, John Michael, enjoyed the caramel apples that were made in his fourthgrade class at Sister Lakes Elementary School.
“Fall Splendor� by Diane Bolt Diane Bolt spotted this tree near School Street in Dowagiac ablaze with orange on an October afternoon.
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“Dowagiac Rocket Football 2011� by Melissa McIntosh-Carter
“Edwardsburg High School Football Homecoming� by Shellie Raymond
Melissa McIntoshCarter explained that, when the players line up to kick off the ball, they hit their helmets and then their thigh pads.
A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
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November 2011: A Year in Review
“Senior Appreciation” by Scott Rose
“Clear Moon Night” by David Sparks
Dowagiac senior Logan Pellow acknowledges an appreciative Chieftain crowd near the end of Dowagiac’s regional final victory over Hopkins at Chris Taylor Alumni Field.
David Sparks noticed a full moon one night and decided to capture it in a photograph. “Standing on my front deck setting up the camera while wearing only shorts and a jacket was quite chilling but worth it in the end,” he said.
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“Food Drive” by Gretchen Anderson In partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, First Presbyterian Church in Niles filled its food pantry, 13 South Fourth St. in Niles.
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A Year in Review, Week of January 26, 2012
December 2011: A Year in Review
“Playing in the Snow” by Alyson Wheeler
Alyson Wheeler’s 4-year-old niece played outside in the first snowfall of the year in Dowagiac.
“First Presbyterian Church Singing Christmas Carols” by Serita Mason The First Presbyterian Church’s adult choir and youth group joined together to sing Christmas carols in downtown Niles.
“Firefighter Jim Scholz” by Diane Bolt Firefighter Jim Scholz from the Sister Lakes Fire Department maintains the water supply.