Yo Mon, It's Spring

At long last, after a long snowy winter, the worm has turned and the warmth of spring renewal is upon us.

The winter blues give way to the warming reds of spring.

Once a hippy, always a hippy.

Blowing in the wind.

On my way to get a new photo for my driver's license, I stopped at the Alto Tower in Altoona, PA long enough to get the next three shots of the daily Amtrak train as it approached the Altoona train station.

After my mug shot I drove over to the Railroad Museum for a few quick snaps before heading back up the mountain.

Located behind the old Railroad Museum is this outdoor display of an old Pennsylvania Railroad passenger coach sitting on a turntable. The car was named the Mountain View and was built by The Pullman Company. The breeze way crosses over the tracks but also allows visitors to watch as the trains pass under them.

Originally used to help in the construction and placement of the rail cars in the previous photograph, this Elkhart Wreck Derrick, which once served Conrail, is now itself part of the display.

Out of view and out of mind is this old caboose awaiting restoration.

Now that the worst of the snow has passed, the snow plow and other equipment sits at the PennDOT shed in Patton, PA.

A road grader and front end loader sit in the sunshine hoping they have seen the last of the winter.

Sign of the time.

It won't be long before these trucks are out patching up the potholes left over by the winter freezing and thawing.

Three Sure Signs of Spring

Always the first of the spring flowers, the crocus doesn't need the April Showers.

Over the winter we put out slices of fruit like this orange for the birds. Now the flies are feeding on the left overs.

The warming temperatures also give the succulents like these Spider Hens and Chicks a chance to renew themselves.

An Early Spring Sunrise.

Our first Rainbow of 2010.

Women's Basketball Playoffs

It's basketball playoff time and I've spent more than a few hours covering both high school and university games. Unfortunately, as a free lance photographer, I only get to cover the first or second round contests, never getting to the big show. But then again I don't have to put up with the hassles of a trip to the big city. The first four and the last photograph have absolutely nothing to do with basketball.

We've all heard the saying about the best laid plans of mice and men. Here are 4 pictures that represent that idea. With the exception of the words "Welcome Dr. Z." this frame shows the general idea of how to get the stage ready for the evening's speaker, Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education. But then again, things are not as they seem.

In the end, the house lights came up, the big screen was put away and the curtains were open showing the Saint Francis University banner.

Having access to different parts of the venue is great and it gives me a chance to show a different perspective or point of view.

A teacher herself at one of the local high schools, Bonnie Resinski, costume designer for Star Productions at Saint Francis University, sits in the stairwell leading to the balcony and darns a coat for the upcoming play in April as she listens to Dr. Zahorchak give his talk out in the theater.

Saturday had two PIAA playoff games on tap at Central Cambria High School in Ebensburg and I got to cover both. The first game was between the local school district, the Lady Colts of Northern Cambria High School in Northern Cambria, PA, and the Lady Lions of Camp Hill, PA. As is my MO, I like to get to the different venues I work early so that I can get a feel for the place and watch how things change, always looking for a different picture or way of seeing things.

The Lady Colts starting their warmup.

Watching the warmup is part of the show for some people.

Kelley Sedlock and Ariel Rocco during introductions.

With everyone's feet off the floor, the Colts have one last huddle before the tip off.

Janae Dunchack looks for an out as she gets swarmed by Camp Hill.

Ariel Rocco goes on the inside of the defense of Liz Clarke of the Lady Lions.

Kelley Sedlock.

Jenae Dunchack goes for 2 of her 12 for the game.

Jess Rocco on the foul line.

Ally Hoffman of Camp Hill can only watch as Breanna Kochinsky of the Colts heads up for a score.


Northern Cambria's Liz Wolfe looks like she's teaching Camp Hill's Ally Hoffman the art of Simon Says.

Emily Stiles runs past the guard of Kelsey Trimmer.

Ashley Delfonso takes the ball down court.

Jenna Lechorchick of Northern Cambria and Ally Hoffman of Camp Hill both go after the ball.

Northern Cambria High School Cheerleaders.

In the second game of the afternoon was a Class AAA playoff between Forest Hills High School of Sidman, PA and Manheim Central High School of Manheim, PA.

After getting fouled, Teddi Burkett of the Lady Rangers releases the ball on her free throw.

Becky Bard looks to pass as she enters the key.

Amy Wiesheier looking for someone to throw the ball.

Surrounded by the Lady Barons, Jessica Diflauro sets and shoots.

Forest Hills' sophomore Briana Kostan brings the ball down court. With only five seniors on the roster the rest of the team has to come to play and step up to the basket.

Casey Gallaher watches as her shot heads for the hoop.

Forest Hills senior Chloe Wieczorek gets herself composed before heading to the foul line.

Forest Hills High School Cheerleaders.

For the 10th time since I've been associated with Saint Francis University the women's basketball team has won it's NEC division championship and gets to take a trip to the March Madness of the NCAA women's basketball championship playoffs. The University had an open house in the Degol Arena of the Stokes Athletics Center on Sunday inviting fans to join the team to watch ESPN and await the announcement of which team Saint Francis would be playing. The fans filled the stands.

Saint Francis University Pep Band trumpeters.

Channel 6 WJAC-TV sportscaster Matt Maisel rehearses his lines before going live from the DeGol Arena during the 6 o'clock news show.

The Lady Flash patiently wait to hear the announcement of their placement in the NCAA Final 64. The ESPN show was shown on a big screen set up on the court.

Saint Francis University Pep Band.

Saint Francis University Women's Head Coach Susan Robinson Fruchtl tosses a t-shirt into the crowd after being introduced to the students and fans.

Fr. Gabriel Zeis, President of Saint Francis University, and Bob Krimmel, Director of Athletics, hold the University's tenth NEC Women's basketball trophy over their heads for the fans to see at the open house festivities held at DeGol Arena Sunday evening.

Darkness and Light.
Sometimes the stars do line up.

Championship banners overhead. There's always something to take a picture of.

As the fans head up to the Stokes Club for a reception, I got the team to pose for one last shot.

Saint Francis University senior basketball players and team leaders Britney Hodges and Janie Killian react to the pairing of Saint Francis University and Ohio State University. The two teams will meet in Pittsburgh, PA on Sunday. This is the closest that the Saint Francis University team has play to home. The Petersen Events Center is only 75 miles away.

Male Pileated Woodpecker.
So far I've spotted at least eight pairs of woodpeckers now that the weather has changed.