On June 18, 2009,
I developed a new feature called the "Shot of the day". I
began capturing one image per day here in Havana for that spot on the
front page which will give you a feel for what is going on around town
on that particular day. This page will contain a record of those images,
published here on a smaller scale. The original large images will be
placed on the website homepage and will change
daily so be sure to check it out, you never know, tomorrow may just be
"your" day.
Meet Will Fisher...but
look quick because he doesn't stand still for long. When you hit home runs
you
get to shake the hand of the 3rd base coach a lot and these two are getting
to know one another pretty well. Will is a transfer student from Lincoln and
finishing his Junior year. I haven't had the chance yet to talk with Will
but I have heard nothing but good words about him. He plays shortstop for
the Ducks and he just looks like a shortstop should look. He has all the
moves and looks very comfortable in his spot. Will is a very hard worker on
the field and off, as he begins his mornings in the weight room. He is no
stranger to the batters box either, in the PORTA game he was not bashful
about going with the pitch and placing the ball over the fence to the
opposite field. Keep an eye on this young man because I am told that among
others, the NY Yankees already are. Welcome to Havana Will, you are really
fun to watch and look forward to this season and again in 2011.
April 2, 2010
Among many other things...it was a perfect day
for a track meet, so PORTA and South Fulton hopped on their busses and
headed for Havana. There are always lots of things going on at any track
meet
and you can focus in on your favorite events or just take in everything and
get in a little walking on a gorgeous day at the same time. Great event
everyone!
The
Havana Park District's...Easter Dance kicked
off with an Easter Egg Hunt at the old gym on Friday night. After the egg
hunt and all the chocolate properly consumed for a little energy boost it
was time to rock the house with music from
Matt Fliege. As always the kids had a great time. I stopped
by to get photos for the Park District so if you are interested in seeing
them just contact Angie Spring at the District Office.
April 4, 2010
Busy day on Saturday...Sorry
for the update delay everyone. It was one of those days with a lot of things
going on plus lots of other "chores" to do. Anyway here is some of the
things happening around town, we found everything from Volleyball, cookouts,
and even a cute puppy for you.
Oney's Foods
hosted the iDuck Network for their first community cookout of the year.
Victor Oney was kind enough to provide his grilling talents for the day, and
I can tell you first hand that the pork chop sandwiches were awesome. The
iDucks asked me to thank everyone for them who stopped by to have lunch and
support their great efforts in producing their great show. Your support at
events such as this, direct donations, and by advertising on their extremely
popular show helps them acquire more needed equipment and supplies. To learn
more about this remarkable program directed by HJHS Science Teacher, Mrs.
Tracy Trimpe, please visit their website,
www.iducknetwork.com .
The "Queen of the Court
Tournament" ran all day long on Saturday. This
event featured games with 7th Grade, 8th Grade, High School, and Adult
divisions and was actually a fund raising event for our 7th & 8th grade
girls to play club volleyball at Eastside Center in East Peoria. All
proceeds go for entry fees and uniforms for the players. For more
information about this please contact Michelle Miller at 309-696-3966. To
see the photos from the event click this link:
Queen of the Court Photos .
Yes, I'm always a sucker for a Cute
Puppy and this one was pretty special. This little
guy pulled up behind me and was very interested in what I was doing and of
course I couldn't resist getting his photo. I learned that he had been
rescued as his mother passed away just 3 days after he was born. This little
guy was bottle fed by some very nice folks and is now part of their family.
:)
More to come
later this evening with a new feature here on 62644.com. I think you will
find this to be a lot of fun for everyone to participate in and if you
choose to just take a look every day, that is fine also, but this will be
lots of fun for everyone. Don't miss this one...in the mean time have a very
Happy Easter everyone!!!
April 5, 2010
Ready for some fun?...Above
are a few samples of people showing us their Mobile 62644.com. Sure you can
get
www.62644.com anywhere these days,
but recently I added a 62644.com page on Facebook. This means that by
becoming a fan on the
website FB page you will receive all
the updates posted on your FB alerts. This will also include postings that
do not even appear on the website itself. People are loving this so much
that I decided it was time to have a little fun with all this. So here's the
deal...send me photos of yourself, family, friends checking out 62644.com on
your mobile devices while camping, fishing, floating down the river in a tube, use
your creativity and have fun. I will post all the photos by the week and the
best photo of each week will receive a FREE Pizza from Joe's Pizza. I
will post the photos I receive once per day at least and the week will end
at Midnight on Saturdays. The winner for the week will be announced on Sunday evenings. So
get those creative minds going and send me your photos to the address link
below only ( crtrc1@aol.com ), entries sent by other means will not be entered. Please remember
to include your name so we can get your Joe's Pizza to you...
Signs of Spring...are
everywhere you look these days, if you look at the trees you can begin to
see a tint of green, yes the buds are growing fast these days. For most this
is our favorite time of the year and the color is beginning to come out all
over. I will be catching more for you in the near future, but please get out
there and see it for yourself.
Kate Badger...is
presenting a very special show for the kids tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at
6:30. Take the kids and stop by the Havana Public Library, you will be glad
you did as her original works will be performed and will be something very
special from a talented young lady.
April 7, 2010
Kate Badger...captivated kids
and parents alike at the Havana
Public Library on Tuesday evening. I had been told a number of times how
talented Kate is but this was honestly the first time I had
heard her magnificent voice in person.
Her interaction with the kids and audience was just fantastic as you will
see in the 10 minute video of the first part of her show. I can't say it
enough...GREAT
JOB KATE!
Clouds...I
have always liked clouds, especially the big fluffy ones with all the detail
in them. I remember lying on my back in the yard as a young kid studying
clouds like this for hours at a time. Watching them ever so carefully to see
how their shapes changed constantly, it was always a highlight of my
day between chores on the farm. I also remember wondering how
high they actually were and what they would look like if you could be really
close to them. Years later I was able to see them up close and yes, they
were magnificent, but somehow finally seeing them that close took away a bit
of the mystery and magic of a childhood dream.
April 9, 2010
Give me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks...believe
me you are very lucky that I am typing and not singing :-)
. The Varsity Ducks were back home to host Tremont on
Thursday afternoon. They will be back on the home field on Saturday
morning @ 10 to host Brimfield at the same time when the Lady Varsity
Ducks will be traveling to Brimfield for a softball game there.
SPRING...is really
beginning to show it's face everywhere. It seemed like in just the snap of
the fingers, where there was bare trees a couple of hours later the trees
were solid green. But it is that time of year, don't ya just love it...
April 11, 2010
No Cracker Jacks for me...just
give me a hot dog with extra ketchup! It was double-hitter time on
Saturday morning when Brimfield came to town.
One beautiful morning to be at the old ball park!
For the photos of the game, just click the link below...
Spring, just keeps
coming...It is a very beautiful time in the
Illinois River Valley. The scenes continue to develop and change on a daily
basis. This transformation is a vivid display of the beauty of life
returning to the land after a time of winter. All the rich color and
bounties of springtime helps attract the largest variety of birds to be
found anywhere else on planet earth.
April 13, 2010
You called for a FAST break???...I was not able to make the game on Saturday night but Tim Oest was there
to cover the action. I remember Donkey Basketball when I was in high school
and it was as funny then as it is now. Interesting how the players look
different but the donkeys all look just the same.
The link below will take you to Tim Oest's gallery on his
SmugMug site. The photos are
uploaded and the gallery contains 241 photos of everyone having a great
time.
You asked for it...
Many of you have written to ask that I keep the Spring photos coming, so
here you are. Spring is just blooming all over so that makes my job pretty
easy and fun. One thing though, I am going to keep all the mushroom photos
and locations for my private collection if you don't mind.
;-)
April 15, 2010
Ducks
flyin high...
Wednesday afternoon found the Varsity Ducks hosting South Fulton on yet
another beautiful day in Havana. The Ducks had their offensive socks on
today and the balls were flying all over the park. Shortstop, Will Fisher,
hit a ball over the center field fence that actually hit the softball field
concession stand on the fly,
I hope someone measured that one. I had to leave before the
end of the game so not sure about the final score but regardless of the
outcome it was a great game.
The photos of the game are processed and posted...to see
them
CLICK HERE.
April 16, 2010
Willy Wonka...The
Havana High School 2010 spring musical is
Willy Wonka, based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory. The musical will take place on Saturday, April 17th
at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 18th at 2:00 p.m. at Havana High.
A pre-show Chocolate Factory in the front half of the gym will have many
tasty sweet treats for the audience to buy before the production and during
intermission.
Show tickets are
$10.00 for adults, $8.00 for students and seniors, and $6.00 for K-8th
grade youth. Tickets are available for purchase at the door or from any
cast member.
The story follows the
sweet-natured Charlie Bucket (Eric McDaniel) and four other golden ticket
winners (Augusta Gloop – Josh Duel, Veruca Salt – Tara Stockham, Violet
Beauregard – Adan Smith, and Mike Teevee – Kylan Brent). The group tours
through Willy Wonka’s (Seth Lesemann) larger-than-life candy factory, where
nothing is quite as it seems.
The cast of
Willy Wonka is completed by Derek Ferree as Grandpa Joe, Tyler Ferree as The
Candy Man, Mackenzie Case as Grandma Josephine, Brock Jump as Grandpa
George, Skye Mibbs as Grandma Georgina, Blake Brown as Mr. Bucket, Anna Oest
as Mrs. Bucket, Hadley Karrick as Mrs. Gloop, Zac Kolves as Mr. Salt,
Breahna Lesemann as Mrs. Beauregard, Kayla Hance as Mrs. Teevee, Kayleigh
Cogar as Phineous Trout, Hunter Smith as James, Nikki Atwater as Matlida,
Arti Parikh as Sophie, Andrea Smith as Danielle, Ben Friedrich as Alfie, and
the Apple Duckling Kids as Squirrels.
The fantastical
world of Willy Wonka is imaginatively recreated by director Carol Rainer;
stage manager and costume designer Beth Lesemann; drama assistants Julie
Yocum, Julie Nelson, and Jill Duel; set designers Andy and Shannon Karrick,
Danny Smith, and Kevin Mibbs; and sound designer Kate Taylor. The orchestra
includes Rebeka Barker on piano along with Logan Clark on percussion,
Kayleigh Lane on bassoon, Rhonda Ferree on clarinet, Brain Lesemann and
Dennis Skaggs on brass, and Debbie Opp on flute.
April 17, 2010
Lilacs...are
always one of my favorite parts of Spring, maybe it's because their scent is
as beautiful as their blooms. I look forward to the time when technology
will allow me to not only share the beauty captured in an image but also
it's scent. They did smell wonderful. Possibly I can make a large display
print of this and place a Lilac candle near it???
Tracy High-Fisher...It's
just a fact of a small town that our talented young people leave to go
explore the world and see what it has to offer them. Since I did exactly
that same thing myself many years ago I know what that feels like. Many
of you will remember the young lady at right as Tracy High from right
here in Havana where her family still lives. Tracy now resides in South
Carolina after spending time in many different parts of the world but
has been a regular visitor to the pages of 62644.com which has allowed
her to keep tabs on some of the happenings back home. Not long ago I
learned of Tracy's love of music and as she puts it, "Music is my life!"
With this in mind and using a bit of W.W.W. magic I have asked Tracy if
she would become a regular contributor to 62644.com in the form of a
weekly song sung by her and of her choice which will be available to all
who visit these pages. She has said yes, and I am sure you will find her
choices and wonderful singing abilities a very welcome addition to these
pages. A new link, "Song Of The Week", will be added to the
column on the left where you will always find her latest creation just
for us. Thank you so much Tracy for sharing your time and talents with
all of us....
Lady Ducks host Beardstown...Saturday
morning our girls welcomed the Lady Tigers upriver for a morning game. The
fast moving game resulted in a loss for the Ducks, but with the game over
everyone shook hands, congratulated each other and sat down to a meal
prepared by volunteers on a grill for both teams. What a great way to end a
friendly game of softball...a new tradition? I hope so, imagine being able
to enjoy the competition of a "game" and liking the team you just did battle
with rather than hating them and yourself for losing...nice thought, great
game everyone. The photos of the game are posted, just click the link...
Willie was a hit...as
three popular Senior members of the Drama Club take their last bow at HHS.
Once again, the HHS Drama Club has provided everyone in the audience a
wonderful experience with their popular annual Spring Performance. This year
it was the ever popular Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Under the
very talented directorship of Carol Rainer, the talents of the Drama Club
Members continue to impress all who see these great performances.
CONGRATULATIONS to all involved in this great show.
A special tribute...arrived
for the occasion from former HHS Drama Club Member, Tracy High-Fisher in
honor of the Drama Club's great performance. Please click the link
below...
Note:Shooting within some
conditions is not always easy, but in my opinion there are certain things that must
be respected. For example, I would never consider firing
a very powerful flash of light into the eyes of a young athlete driving the
lane and trying their best to score the winning basket just
as they were shooting the ball in an important game. This is also true in other situations
such as band members, golfers, cheerleaders, and yes, actors. I consider it
my job as a responsible journalist and a professional photographer to accept
these conditions and learn to work within them in order to capture the
images of the event. For Media representatives to totally ignore a public announcement requesting that
flash photography not be used durring the event is not acceptable. I am
proud to say that I do not and will not use offensive flash photography
methods at events and that all images seen here were captured as always in a
non-offensive and/or non-distractive manner. Ted
April 20, 2010
Dog Days?...Well
how about just a hint of the Dog Days to come? There was a ballgame today
where I could not resist the shot above. The Ducks hosted Delavan today at
the field, while the Lady Ducks were also in town, along with a track meet
all at the same time. The Varsity Ducks were taking it to the Delavan team
as their season has really headed down the right path after getting some
tough opponents out of the way early in the season. Levi Bridges was back on
the mound today and this should make him two in a row in the Win column with
a good solid defense behind him. I'll be back at the field tomorrow for
another Lady Ducks home game.
Tracy High-Fisher...has
just recently joined the ranks of this online
publication and I can only say that her presence here makes this a much
better place to spent part of your day. Her section was originally name
"Song of the Week" but I feel it is time to change that name. Tracy will
become much more involved than the original concept due to everyone's
extremely positive reception of her contributions to date. She will also be
taking special requests for birthdays, anniversaries and other special
occasions right here on the website and just for you. There is no charge for
these requests.
Thank you so much Tracy for sharing your time and talents with all of us.
Please click the link below for more.
April 22, 2010
The
Mud Hens of 97...Unless
you never go South on Route 97, I am sure most local residents have seen the
rather large and regular gathering of Mud Hens at Sand Lake just South of
town. In fact just a couple of days ago someone jokingly referred to it as
"Little Emiquon". The crystal clear water and plenty of plants to chew on is
a pretty inviting site to these birds...so party on, Mud Hens!
April 23, 2010
The
62644 Shoppe is OPEN!...Everything from 18
month calendars, designer shoes, designer totes, coffee mugs, cups, &
stainless travel mugs, postcards, mouse pads, key chains, ball caps, bumper
stickers, and yes...even tee's for your best pet. The Shoppe
is independently owned and operated by Tracy High-Fisher who
has also created all the products and designs you will see within the
Shoppe's doors. Some items will also be available at the Havana Park
District's Nature Center, opening in May. You will see a special section of
products designed for The Nature Center which will be available online;
proceeds from these sales will be donated back to the Havana Park District
for the purpose of improving and developing new programs for Havana's Youth.
As many of you know Tracy is from Havana
originally and will be moving back home in the near future. She has also
joined 62644.com as a musical contributor with her own popular section,
"The
Musical Notes of 62644.com". Tracy is a single mother of 2
and also legally blind, but as you can see here and on the Shoppe pages,
that does not stop her determination and creativity. Using special
computer equipment and programs her creative mental images become
reality. I think her designs are powerful and exciting...and I think you
will like them too. I hope you will consider this new Havana business
when you are looking for that special gift, a reminder of home, or what
ever the occasion might be, the doors and the lights will be open for
you 24/7. You can visit the store at the link below and also email the
store with any questions you might have at
the62644shoppe@yahoo.com
.
Ahhh Springtime...but
would the person who let the gnats go please fess up.
April 26, 2010
The Buckinghams...played Havana on Saturday
night at the HHS gym. They brought lots of memories with them from their
collection of hits of the 70's. Even though the crowd was small it did not
dampen the excitement the bands two original band members and the rest of
the group created in their performance. Tim Oest was there to capture some
of the images of the evening, just click the link below for more...
All for the cause...I ran across
something today that I thought you readers might like to see.
While
life during World War II meant daily sacrifice for all, but few complained
because they knew it was the men and women in uniform who were making the
greater sacrifice. A poster released by the Office of War Information stated
simply, “Do with less so they’ll have enough.” And yet another pleaded, “Be
patriotic, sign your country’s pledge to save the food.” On the whole, the
American people united in their efforts. Yes, the government found it
necessary to ration food, gas, and even clothing during that time. Americans
were asked to conserve on everything. With not a single person unaffected by
the war, rationing meant sacrifices for all. In the spring of 1942, the Food
Rationing Program was set into motion. Rationing would deeply affect the
American way of life for most. The federal government needed to control
supply and demand. Rationing was introduced to avoid public anger with
shortages and not to allow only the wealthy to purchase commodities.
April 27, 2010
The skies of Spring...Early
evening found me taking a short break away from processing photos from a
commercial shoot. While sitting on the back step taking a look at a camera,
all of a sudden the sun peeked at me through the cloud cover...it only
lasted for just a few seconds but luckily I was sitting right there with a
camera in my hands...priceless.
April 28, 2010
And to think...that we actually hate
this beautiful creation.
We dig them up, spray them with who knows what, curse them, and feel so
damned to have a yard full of these. Sorry everyone but I think they are
beautiful, sometimes we just need to look closer to see the real beauty of
the world around us.
On another note,
I want to give everyone a heads-up on something I am doing. It began
with the Shot of the Day of the WWII Ration Stamps, continued with the
Skies of Springtime shot yesterday, and now the third in the total
series of 5. These 5 Shots of the Day are extremely different than the
others taken over the soon to be year's time. Have you noticed anything
yet? There are two more to go and then I will let you know what the
dramatic difference is. If you have noticed anything feel free to drop
me a note and you will get the "eagle-eye" award.
☻
April 29, 2010
Ducks, flyin high...The Varsity Ducks
began their season with a very tough schedule but with that over and the
season leveling itself out, the home team is having a very good year. Come
on out to the field for a game, have a hot dog, and enjoy some baseball. We
do have a good team this year that will end the year on a very solid note.
Great job guys, see you Saturday morning.
The photo above,
is now the 4th in a series of 5 special Shots of the Day. It began
with the Shot of the Day of the WWII Ration Stamps, continued with the
Skies of Springtime, and then the dandelion shot yesterday, and now this
fourth in the total
series of 5. These 5 Shots of the Day are extremely different than the
others taken over the soon to be year's time. Have you noticed anything
yet? There is only one more to go and then I will let you know what the
dramatic difference is. If you have noticed anything feel free to drop
me a note and you will get the "eagle-eye" award.
☻
April 30, 2010
Photo #5 is
here, and
is the last in a series of 5 special Shots of the Day. It began
with the Shot of the Day of the WWII Ration Stamps, continued with the
Skies of Springtime, and then the dandelion shot, the Ducks Vs. North
Fulton, and now the final one in the total
series. These 5 Shots of the Day are extremely different than the
others taken over the soon to be year's time. Have you noticed anything
yet? There is only one more to go and then I will let you know what the
dramatic difference is. If you have noticed anything feel free to drop
me a note and you will get the "eagle-eye" award.
☻ The answer will be the Shot of the Day to be posted
Friday night.
life during World War II meant daily sacrifice for all, but few complained
because they knew it was the men and women in uniform who were making the
greater sacrifice. A poster released by the Office of War Information stated
simply, “Do with less so they’ll have enough.” And yet another pleaded, “Be
patriotic, sign your country’s pledge to save the food.” On the whole, the
American people united in their efforts. Yes, the government found it
necessary to ration food, gas, and even clothing during that time. Americans
were asked to conserve on everything. With not a single person unaffected by
the war, rationing meant sacrifices for all. In the spring of 1942, the Food
Rationing Program was set into motion. Rationing would deeply affect the
American way of life for most. The federal government needed to control
supply and demand. Rationing was introduced to avoid public anger with
shortages and not to allow only the wealthy to purchase commodities.
