Best Photograph from Christmas past

Favorite memories in 2012

My favorite memory:

It wasn’t the person who would rather not hear about my faith or the one who suggested I pray to myself so the person across from me at a restaurant did not begin to feel uncomfortable that made my most memorable moment list. No — they are the ones who are a part of what boosted my most memorable moments throughout the year. They are the people who I’ll be praying for and wish they could experience God and have as much a joyful lifestyle.

Those moments I’ll remember, but they are not as memorable as talking to a homeless woman about God near the Market Street bridge or the police officer who was nearly crushed by a falling tree during a recent storm. Just a few words can ignite a conversation about God and His spirit – and you can usually gauge quickly if a person is a believer or unsure of where he or she may stand in their beliefs. It’s that sort of assertive approach that’s made my most memorable moments throughout my daily walk in 2012 stand out and worthy of sharing. Discussions reflecting our Lord, with so many throughout the year, including Pastor Ric Barnes — or the Fairbands in the middle of the fairgrounds during the fair or chatting in a back yard of a stranger’s home with Dave Denoyer while on assignment — will not fade.

All of these have lifted me up, but a memory that I consider a sign, or rather a kite in the form of a sign, was with Jeff Sabins, who was flying his (kite board) kite uncontrollably on the street where I live. I had to swerve recklessly out of its way so that I didn’t plow over it. Truth is, I have a strong desire to learn to kite board. I am sure He wanted me to stop and talk to Jeff about his faith that day and I feel Jeff’s relationship with God is deeper since then.

Then when my grandfather was suffering from congestive heart failure in October, I was able to find out whether or not he was a believer. Although I knew he was not a church-goer and didn’t spend time in prayer, I boldly discussed Jesus with him, and since I brought it up, we talked about our favorite God moments. He is no longer with us, but I am confident in his opportunity for eternity. It’s reality and I can no longer hold back, especially from what is real.

If I am told I should not pray aloud it will only make me more bold.

In Galatians 2:20, it reads “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

His spirit is everywhere, we just need to recognize it. Each memory has made me richer than I was a year ago.

These memories will help me start a legacy with my children for years to come.

Enjoy yourself it's later than you think – Merry CHRISTmas!

OCTOBER Photo of the Month

JESUS in disguise

Psalms 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

We should be Thankful everyday

We owe people an encounter with God and a joyful lifestyle. Be thankful to Him and bless His name.

Psalms 100

A Psalm of Thanksgiving.

1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

SEPTEMBER Photo of the Month

There isn't to much more to be said it's OSU's Braxton Miller making a touchdown against California September 15, 2012. Ohio State won the game 35 to 28.

MY HONORABLE MENTION

This season has to be one of the rainiest season's for Friday night football ever – or at least since I've been shooting – here is an image that captured a lost Friday night.

Tippecanoe Athletic Director Matt Shomper and Tippecanoe football coach Charlie Burgbacher, center, meet with officials to discuss postponing Friday night's game, (September 8, 2012), against Milton-Union.

AUGUST Photo of the Month

Knee-high by July – this situation causes the crop to appear much shorter. In a different perspective overtop – height doesn't seem to be as dramatic as its texture does here.

This is what it took to get the elevation in this secondary image. It was my first hot air balloon ride.

JULY Photo of the Month

Exceeding the expectation

A crowd exceeded the expectation of a fair board and filled the Grandstand seats Saturday during the Miami County Fair. Hunter Hayes, an ambitious young country music entertainer, brought in more than 3,200 people for his musical performance alone – breaking a record held since 1997.

Shouldn't we all exceed the expectation?

A Dignified Transfer

Suds alive

Hissssss

Capturing emotion with each subject in an image is called – success! These children received a visit from self-proclaimed, "Reptile Guy," recently and had the chance to hold a python.

Fans, Friends and Family

The Three F's

Fans, friends and family according to one of these artists' – and as far as I am concerned, not in that particular order – as we mature each of those may – do make a shift – in order of preference or rather significance.

Here are a few performers I found at this year's Country Music Festival in Fort Loramie just recently.

Faith, family and future is the order I am following – nothing will disrupt it.

JUNE Photo of the Month

Even if you have to get right in a subject's face to get the best shot – do it. Just a little tidbit from me to you – it's free!

May Photo of the Month

April Photo of the Month

Nothing beats a real world experience – whether you're blowing dandelion seeds, rolling down a hill or playing in the mud. There isn't to much that will equal outdoor activity.

MY HONORABLE MENTION

It's always nice to have straightforward feedback in regard to work I may have done, whether favorable or not. Either way, it has a way of polishing the standard and increasing the excellence. Here is a message received through email today after shooting an assignment at a local school recently. The image is from the school musical.

Tony and Melanie,

Thank you so much for your recent coverage of the TC musical and fourth grade pioneer days.

We always appreciate your kindness and genuine interest that goes over and above your jobs as reporter and photographer. Everyone around here knows and loves you guys!

Melanie, thank you in particular for your attention to accuracy. You always do such a great job reporting in an accurate fashion. The kids love seeing their name in quotes, and their picture on the front page.

Again, we appreciate you both so much!!

Have a great weekend,

Shelly Calvert, on behalf of all of us at Troy Christian Schools

Academy of Country Music Awards

By chance you're wondering and hopefully your top picks, or favorite artists, won big at the ACM awards this year ... here is what I know and am willing to share.

– Entertainer of the Year: Taylor Swift

– Male Vocalist of the Year: Blake Shelton

– Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
– Vocal Duo of the Year: Thompson Square
– Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum

– New Artist of the Year: Scotty McCreery
– Album of the Year: Four the Record, Miranda Lambert
– Single of the Year: "Don't You Wanna Stay," Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson 

– Song of the Year: "Crazy Girl," Eli Young Band
– Vocal Event of the Year: "Don't You Wanna Stay," Jason Aldean and K. Clarkson
– Songwriter of the Year: Dallas Davidson
– Video of the Year: "Red Solo Cup," Toby Keith

A young singer/songwriter, Taylor Swift, sings a little jingle during the 2007 Country Concert at Hickory Hill Lakes in Fort Loramie, Ohio. Fans are still buzzing in response to Swift's music since she set foot on the stage.

Blake Shelton entertains a crowd at the 2009 Country Concert Music Festival in Fort Loramie. Country music enthusiasts who took part in a fan survey asking who they’d like to see in 2012 will get to see their top three pix, including Blake Shelton, when the annual festival returns to Fort Loramie, Ohio July 5-7, 2012.

Husband and wife team Keifer and Shawna Thompson made a harmonious stop at Troy's Hobart Arena in early May 2011 in Troy, Ohio.

Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum performs at the Darke County Fair Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, in Greenville, Ohio.

Country music artist Toby Keith pauses between songs while entertaining a crowd at the 2006 Country Concert Music Festival in Fort Loramie, Ohio.

March Photo of the Month

I usually tell people who ask the question, "where do I stand" – or "what do I do?" It's simple, if you have access to a camera and you're in the right place at the right time – go wherever you want, as long as your on public property, and shoot from every angle possible until told otherwise. You may amaze yourself with the results. My suggestion is always have your camera accessible.

Zippity aye!

Go ahead just put yourself out there – try something that may get you out of your comfort zone. Remember there's someone who'll support you.

Philippians 4

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Isaiah 40

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

1 John 4

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

February Photo of the Month

The Arnold Sports Festival

Yaxeni Oriquen meets Arnold

It was a great experience over the last 5-plus years to have been a part of the working media during the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio. It felt like a rare charge during each of these experiences to have captured some unique images from the Arnold Sports Festival. It may conceivably be, that I had an advantage as the working media to feel the way I did after brushing shoulders with other photographers from well known publications – I mean very well known.

This year, however, I will be passing up the opportunity to cover the show in any capacity.

Unsure who may grab the title of any of the competitions including Ms. International but this year as defending Ms. International Champion and 6-time winner, Iris Kyle, is no longer a contestant due to an injury. This puts others in line for the title including 4-time winner, Yaxeni Oriquen, as a possible front runner in the contest. Yaxeni, representing Venezuela, is shown here with former bodybuilder and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, in 2008, while being presented with the Ms. International Champion trophy.

Last year though, I dropped by to walk through the venue and see any possible new events. I went with no intentions of covering anything then I walked right into a crowd surrounding the former Governor himself. Take a look.

January Photo of the Month

I am eagerly driven to capturing a background when texture can be used to complete it. You'll see here in the chosen 2012 January pic of the month.

Come to the Well

Come to the Well Tour

Another amazing evening of Christian entertainers filled the air and I didn't even have to travel to a big city. They all visited our city – here in Troy, Ohio, USA. Concert-goers filled Hobart Arena for a Casting Crowns "Come to the Well" Tour which featured performances by Casting Crowns, Matthew West, Lindsay McCaul and Royal Tailor (as shown here) Friday, February 17, 2012, in Troy.

We all have a talent

Country music entertainer Kenny Chesney was nominated for 9 ACM awards ...

How will you use yours.

December Photo of the Month