Diversity

Three different venues make up this week's blog. A firemen's parade, a birthday party for a dog, and our annual visit with Arts in the Mountains on the campus of Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA. The concerts at Arts in the Mountains are combined as one set of photographs although they were taken on Friday and Saturday nights.

As part of the 88th annual convention of the Volunteer Firemen's Association of Cambria & Vicinity, the Ashville Volunteer Fire Company, Ashville, Cambria County, PA held a firemen's parade on Saturday, 1 August 2009.

The firemen's parade in Ashville worked it's way south on Route 36 completely cutting off all traffic flow through town.

Conemaugh Fire Department marching unit participated in the hour long parade.

The Red Knights, a national motorcycle organization made up of volunteer and paid firemen, rode in the parade for the first time.

Also held on Saturday was a birthday party for Buddy the dog, which was attended by about 80 of his doggy buddies and their human pets.

Buddy, in the birthday hat, poses with six of his good friends during the birthday party held in honor of his fourteenth birthday.

Not invited to the party, but watching thru a car window, was this pretty looking Papillon.

Before the Saturday night concert got underway, this young one showed her skills in the lobby of the JFK Center auditorium.

Alex Keller, on cello.

Bernice Lewis, songstress.

Bill Burke, twelve-string guitar.

Bill Burke and Friends.

Bob Corson and Paul Berkobin.

Brandon King, piano.

Cello and Bow.

Chris Bohn.

Chris Bohn Band.
P J Roduta filled in on the drums.

Dan Murphy

Dave Antolick

Dan Murphy and Jim Donovan.

Dr. Harry Pepper.

Students who attended the Summer Rhythm Renewal performed at the Saturday night concert.

Eric Bruer, Guitar.

Dr. Pepper and Bryan Fazio.

James Miller, Bass Guitar.

Jimmy Gagnon.

Jonathan Jennings, Bass, Chris Bohn Band.

Kaylan, intern.

Kent Tonkin.

Lonesome George Connely, aka Snow Shoe George.

Mike Deaton.

Mike Krach, Saxophone.

On Stage, Elie Kihonia and Drum the Esctatic International.

A close-up of Chris Bohn. Notice the reflection of his fingers in the guitar.

P J Roduta, Drummer.

P J Roduta and Bill Burke.
P J was busy filling in on drums where needed during the performances.

Pumping up the crowd.

Shooting the rhythm section from the wings.

Drum the Esctatic International, Arts in the Mountains 2009.

Say "Goodbye, July"

Finally glad to see that July is over for another year. Hopefully, August will bring us some of the summer weather that we haven't seen yet this year. The ground is pretty much saturated and, if my weather gauge is correct, we got an inch and a half of rain since Monday, but then again the day isn't over.

Planter with petunias.

Old Conrail engine heading east on the Mainline at Cresson, PA.

Norfolk Southern

These next three photographs show the engines belonging to the Ashville Volunteer Fire Company who will be the host for the 88th annual Volunteer Firemen's Association of Cambria County & Vicinity Convention Wednesday (29July09) thru Saturday (1Aug09).

Engine 602 - a 1997 HME 4-Guys pumper-rescue, 1500 gpm Hale pump with a 750 gallon water tank.

Engine 603 - and the pride of the fire company. 2008 HME 4-Guys Pumper-Tanker. 2,250 gpm Hale pump, 1,500 gallon water tank. Also comes equipped with 2,200 feet of 5 inch supply hose and carries a 3,000 gallon port-a-tank.

Tanker 604 - 1986 International 4-Guys. Carries 3,000 gallon of water, plus a 3,000 gallon port-a-tank. So far this year, this rural fire company has responded to 66 calls.

Face mask, laying on the dashboard of one of the fire engines.

Gay feathers, shot in the early evening setting sun.

A chef at Torvian Hall, on the campus of Saint Francis University, prepares an omelette for me at about 8:30 on Saturday morning. This past weekend was Alumni Weekend at the University and I was hired to photograph the gathering. The omelette tasted really good since I'd already been taking photographs for the last hour at the Immergrun Golf Course.

DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness
This is the first opportunity I've had to photograph the building since the exterior construction was completed.

Stairwell architecture interpreted by: Me

Barb Dean of Centre Hall watches as her husband, Jim, cleans up their nicely turned-out 1955 Ford Vickey at the Car Show held at the skeet range at Prince Gallitzin State Park in conjunction with Mountain Days.

Interior of the 1955 Ford Vicky.

Face in a mirror.

Mahlon "Duckie" Duck of Boalsburg, polishes the engine of his 2001 400 hp Z06 Corvette. Charlie Verdavoir of Patton, PA executed the airbrushing that you see on the interior of the hood.

1947 Ford 2-door
I think this was the prettiest car at the show. Never understood why they stopped putting skirts on these beauties. Let's face it, everything looks good in a skirt.

I really wasn't gonna bother with anything other than the car show at Mountain Days this year, but decided at the last minute that since the sun was shining, that I'd run down to Sharon's Pizza to see what I could shoot at the children's petting zoo. I got there in time to catch young Master Tom feeding Porterhouse, a three week old Guernsey.

In Memoriam

J.D. Kirkpatrick
September 29, 1947 - July 25, 2009
"Save me a Plank"