East Temple

I really enjoyed working on a series with our former city reporter, Jessica Priest, about East Temple. And while the series ran in the Telegram about a week ago, I still feel like there are more stories to tell in this very forgotten part of the city. I desire to delve deeper into the narrative of this part of town through its people and history. You will definitely see more of this project here in future posts. 

Hiding from the camera...

I always get a kick out of people hiding from the camera when I'm out on assignment. While I was covering a Juneteenth Parade this morning I ran into these two kids on a street corner James (right) called me over to take his photo laughing and dancing while his friend Jakayla pulled her blanket over her face. I'm pretty sure I heard a few words being mumbled to James  as I hung out snapping frames about how he was going to get it later.

Battle of Temple Junction

Saturday afternoon I drove my little fuel efficient car into a cut-down corn field and step back in time. My assignment: cover a Civil War reenactment that never actually happened here in Temple. "The Battle of Temple Junction" part of a three-day event showcasing the tactics of the war, the medical treatment of the time and living conditions.

I spent some time weaving between Confederate and Union lines before joining the crowd gathered to watch the Battle begin. As the smoke filled the field of battle, some bystanders started joking that with all that gun fire no one was hit. All I kept thinking was, "Wow, the Union forces here are few and far between." No surprise. The Confederate forces won this demonstration. As the smoke cleared, some of the reenactors stumbled off the field to a field hospital set up to show the 100 or so event spectators how the wounded and dying were treated.

During the battle and following medical demonstrations, you would hear onlookers discussing the Civil War (mostly bashing the Union army and Lincoln). I know I shouldn't be, but I found myself surprised at the resentment so many years after the end of the conflict. I guess that's how it is after any war.

It was a weird way to spend an afternoon, however it was fun to cover!

State Track

 Spent Friday and Saturday covering the state track meet. As of 3:30 Friday afternoon, I was getting cozy under the photographer tent at Mike Martinez Stadium. I love covering track and field. Besides the long history, the sport contains some of the most dramatically emotional moments in sports as the athletes concentrate, wince in pain, cry in sorrow and celebrate in victory. These are just a few of the many images I took over the weekend. I hope you enjoy them.

Film...

Two snaps off a roll shot back in October at a Halloween street festival, one of those "safer to bring your kids here rather than have them trick or treat in the neighborhood" deals. These were my two favorites off the roll.

Random Images from the week

The China House, Temple, TX

Horses, Little River Academy, TX

Its funny how a roll of film can make my day...

Holga

Lubitel

Holga

Holga

Lubitel

Ok so it was actually two rolls of film. One from a Holga and one is a test roll from my Russian Lubitel.

Portrait: Marcus

Snapped this frame Wednesday morning of Marcus Hood A.K.A. M HOOD! one of the Sports guys at the paper.

January so far...

As a new year begins, Temple Parks and Leisure Services employee John Young hands wreaths down to Marcus Wagner from the top of one of the light poles in the Municipal Building parking lot.

Several firefighting units were called in to battle a travel trailer fire Thursday morning on Fort Road near Stillhouse Hollow lake.

Felix C. Martinez watches as the travel trailer he and Elizabeth Mysinger shared burned to the ground, Thursday near Stillhouse Hollow Lake. The fire was started when Martinez was burning trash in a short burn barrel while cleaning the yard outside the trailer. Thinking the fire had subsided he went inside, but when he returned to the yard the trash can next to the barrel had caught fire from the ashes drifting into it. Martinez then rushed back into the trailer to get Mysinger out, both received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Sri Sreeram Hariharan prays outside the Hindu Temple of Central Texas. Hariharan is the chief priest of the only Hindu temple between Dallas and Austin, which has a membership of about 1,000 people.

Recent Work...

Members of Temple Fire and Rescue and the Temple Police Department work to free a woman from a white Toyota sedan Thursday (Dec 1,2011) after a head- on collision on Old Highway 95. She along with her two children were taken to Scott and White Memorial Hospital all with life-threatening injuries. (week later one of the woman's children a 6-month-old infant passed away due to injuries sustained in the accident.)
The sister of the driver of the Toyota reacts to the news of the accident after she arrived at the scene.
Serenity Springfield lays red carnations at the VA memorial on Veterans Day for both her great great great grandfather and her great great grandfather.
Ashlee Roan(left) hugs the tombstone of Carl David Roan her grandfather who served in the Marines in Korea and Vietnam as Jeanett Hauck (right) comforts her during a wreath laying ceremony at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.

Few Rolls of Film...

I've been "lugging" a Holga around on daily gigs snapping a frame when I have a chance.

September/October Daily work

It's been a busy few months here are just a few images...

Crystal Fisher a long time Temple resident is having to figure out what to do after she was informed by Texdot that her house will need to be moved or demolished as they start the expansion of I-35.

Candi Woodum and her daughter Baylie look for a key lost down a hole in their lawn.

Belton area kids enjoy a jumping balloon set up for the Light up the Night event, where the community can get together and meet law enforcement officers to find out about public safety.

First United Methodist Church has been holding middle school dances after the first Belton home football game for the past 25 years. While the music has changed the interaction between the young boys and girls hasn't changed much.

As the rain started to fall at the second University of Mary Hardin- Baylor home football game, fans took cover as best they could.

First week at the Daily Telegram

First week here in Temple and it was an interesting one. Getting back into the Daily Grind of things. First set of images are from the Funeral of MSGT Charles Prince III who died in Afghanistan on the 12th of August.
Gold Prices Jumped Tuesday making the gold buyers very busy.
School year started at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton with a speech from David E. Garland at their fall Convocation.

Potluck...

Just got back from a potluck with Liz and Richard. I will be shooting their up coming wedding this Saturday. Photo above: Richard and his son Travis chatting on the back lawn of Richard and Liz's house. Fun night. I'm sure Saturday will be just as fun if not more fun!

The Track day 2...

At the Track...

Spending the weekend at the Ruidoso downs race track