Category Archives: Contests

Andy, Contests, Dawn, Jesse, Jonah Kahler, Kelly, Monica, Pufferbilly Days, Saydie

Behind the Scenes of Art in the Park

October 1, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

This is the last post on the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. Going to share pictures from Art in the Park. So before I get into it, I need to thank everybody that helped with the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest setup.

Jesse Howard – For picking up all the photos from the downtown retailers on Saturday Night and transporting them out to McHose Park for Art in the Park and helping setup there.
Monica Jennings – For putting together the displays at both the downtown retailers and for Art in the Park.
Kelly Howard – For loaning us Salon 908 as a base of operations while setting up displays at the downtown businesses.
Saydie Howard – For helping carry a display to the Boone Theater.
Andy Sharp – For helping setup the display at Art in the Park.
Logan Kahler – For helping man the display at Art in the Park and helping to tear it down.
Dawn Krause – For helping tear down the display at Art in the Park.
Kevin Krause- For helping tear down the display at Art in the Park.
Jeremy Blankman – For loaning us the truck to protect, transport, and store the photo displays between Saturday and Sunday.

And to the downtown vendors that hosted images:

Ema’s Elegance
Boone Theater
Melissa Bell Photography
Salon 908
Paradox
Infamous Tattoo
Houndstooth Habadashery

This year, the photo display was under the awning of the Shelter House and that made a night and day difference from last year’s tent debacle.

Here are a few pictures from the day:

Here is the part where I give a bunch of stats that only me and Joe Duff find interesting. I took over the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest in 2021. Here is a year by year entry totals:

2021 – 23
2022 – 60
2023 – 121
2024 – 162

Last year there were 74 ADULT entries. This year there were 94.
Last year there were 13 TEEN entries. This year there were 38.
Last year there were 34 YOUTH entries. This year there were 30.

This was the distribution of entries by Photo Class:

ADULT ANIMALS: 15
ADULT BLACK & WHITE: 8
ADULT PEOPLE: 18
ADULT PLACES: 30
ADULT PLANTS: 12
ADULT TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES: 11
TEEN ANIMALS: 4
TEEN BLACK & WHITE: 4
TEEN PEOPLE: 3
TEEN PLACES: 12
TEEN PLANTS: 8
TEEN TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES: 7
YOUTH ANIMALS: 7
YOUTH BLACK & WHITE: 3
YOUTH PEOPLE: 3
YOUTH PLACES: 5
YOUTH PLANTS: 8
YOUTH TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES: 4

One of the best things about this years contests that ever photo class in every age division had enough entries to give out at least a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place ribbon.

This year there were 36 total participants.

21 Adults
8 Teens
7 Youth

I’m kind of energized for next year’s photo contest now. I have ideas for improving the displays for next year, which I will need help and volunteers to get done. But most of that is just improving the current boards. Double siding them. Painting them. Such things.

Might need to add some more volunteers for next year. Try to spread some of the responsibilities around. But we’ll cross that bridge another day.

Andy, Angie, Boone FUMC, Carla, Contests, Dawn, Monica, Nathanial, Pufferbilly Days, Teresa

Behind the Scenes of Judgement Night

September 28, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

I didn’t take a ton of behind the scenes pictures of the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. Not as much as I’m used to taking. But I took a few.

Here are a few of them from the judging night.

I have to be thankful to the judges:

Melissa Bell
Nathanial Brown
Angie DeWaard

And very thankful for the people assisted with administrative functions:

Teresa Kahler
Andy Sharp
Carla Stensland

And thankful for Monica for providing the meal.

There were 162 entries this year. Judging lasted almost 5 hours. If I’m being honest, the night of the judging is by far my favorite night of the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. I love the first time I get to see the pictures. And there is definitely a sense of relief when we tear down at Art in the Park and we’re done for the year, but judging night is my favorite. Just hanging out with other photographers and talking photography.

I like to tell people that I don’t judge the photos. My job is to judge the judges. And I’m always fascinated with the pictures they pick as the winners and what pictures I think they are missing out on. This is why I sometimes play with the idea of giving out The Chairman’s Award. An award for the picture I think the judges missed out on. But that would mean I would have to do some judging, which I don’t want to do. Yet I do. But I don’t. It probably won’t happen.

We grew by 41 entries this year. I don’t think we will grow by another 40 entries next year. But I hope we do. And if we do I think I will need to make some adjustments to the way we do the judging. I have some ideas on how to increase the efficiency, while giving the judges the time to give each photo the proper amount of time they deserve. I’ll keep tossing these ideas around in my head. Then I will toss them at the heads of other people.

I didn’t really make many changes to the photo contest this year. About the only thing I changed was adding “Honorable Mentions” to the mix. That was definitely a great idea, and maybe one year too late. I’ll definitely bring that back. But I might change how the Overall and the Best in Show prizes are awarded.

Still one more post about the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest still to come!

Angie, Contests, Dawn, Logan, Monica, Nathanial, Pufferbilly Days

2024 Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest

September 25, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Time to look at the results of the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest!

But wait, not yet. First let’s look at the wonderful judges I had for this year’s Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest:

Monica made the judge spreads.

Now you know the judges… now you can look at what they judged to be the best of the 162 entries!

BEST IN SHOW – Aces High – Jon Wilson

PEOPLE’S CHOICE – Bridge from Ages Past – Mary Long

1ST OVERALL YOUTH – Afternoon Stroll – Ella Van Cannon

2ND OVERALL YOUTH – Ema Rose – Hazel Davis

3RD OVERALL YOUTH – Beautiful Shinedown – Brantlee Staebler

1ST PLANTS YOUTH – Beautiful Shinedown – Brantlee Staebler

2ND PLANTS YOUTH – Sunflower Joyful Engagement – Ella Van Cannon

3RD PLANTS YOUTH – Star Light – Trevor Upah

HONORABLE MENTION PLANTS YOUTH – Nature’s Finest Branch – Ella Van Cannon

1ST PLACES YOUTH – Just in Time for Sunset – Emarose Davis

2ND PLACES YOUTH – Ledges – Emarose Davis

3RD PLACES YOUTH – The Might Mountains – Trevor Upah

HONORABLE MENTION YOUTH – Rock Climber – Trevor Upah

1ST TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES YOUTH – American Car Show – Emarose Davis

2ND TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES YOUTH – Les’s Auto – Brantlee Staebler

3RD TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES YOUTH – Plane in the Air – Emarose Davis

HONORABLE MENTION TRAIN, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES YOUTH – Union Pacific – Stanley Upah

1ST PEOPLE YOUTH – Emarose – Hazel Davis

2ND PEOPLE YOUTH – Joyful Little Bro – Ella Van Cannon

3RD PEOPLE YOUTH – Family Reunion – Brantlee Staebler

1ST ANIMALS YOUTH – In the Eyes of a Cat – Emarose Davis

2ND ANIMALS YOUTH – Raven (Kitten) – Chase Casey

3RD ANIMALS YOUTH – Goat – Hazel Davis

1ST BLACK & WHITE YOUTH – Afternoon Stroll – Ella Van Cannon

2ND BLACK & WHITE YOUTH – Black and White Resort – Brantlee Staebler

3RD BLACK & WHITE YOUTH – Timber – Ella Van Cannon

1ST OVERALL TEEN – Alp Grum – Annabelle Wen

2ND OVERALL TEEN – Lost in Time – Annabelle Wen

3RD OVERALL TEEN – The Look of Love – Annabelle Wen

1ST PLANTS TEEN – Last One Standing – Kayelee Burns

2ND PLANTS TEEN – Bird Cage and Plant – Kylin Casey

3RD PLANTS TEEN – Summer Haze – Kayelee Burns

1ST PLACES TEEN – Alp Grum – Annabelle Wen

2ND PLACES TEEN – The Badlands – Tommy Williams

3RD PLACES TEEN – Golden Waters – Jorja Daigh

HONORABLE MENTION PLACES TEEN – Stain Glass View – Jorja Daigh

HONORABLE MENTION PLACES TEEN – Duomo Plaza of Florence – Annabelle Wen

1ST PEOPLE TEEN – The Look of Love – Jorja Daigh

2ND PEOPLE TEEN – Love on the Horizon – Jorja Daigh

3RD PEOPLE TEEN – Woman of the Flowers – Noah Davis

1ST TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES TEEN – Blue Beauty – Jacob Sturtz

2ND TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES TEEN- Kate Shelley Bridge with Reflection – Tommy Williams

3RD TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES TEEN – Off Brand Thomas the Train – Jorja Daigh

HONORABLE MENTION TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES TEEN – Up, Up and Away – Daphne Harris

1ST ANIMALS TEEN – Daphne (goat) – Rylin Casey

2ND ANIMALS TEEN – Angel (cow) – Rylin Casey

3RD ANIMALS TEEN – Sound of Silence – Jacob Sturtz

HONORABLE MENTION ANIMALS TEEN – Purrito Cat – Daphne Harris

1ST BLACK & WHITE TEEN – Lost in Time – Annabelle Wen

2ND BLACK & WHITE TEEN – Post and Barbed Wire – Tommy Williams

3RD BLACK & WHITE TEEN – Corn Leaves – Tommy Williams

1ST OVERALL ADULT – Aces High – Jon Wilson

2ND OVERALL ADULT – RRRRelaxing – Jon Wilson

3RD OVERALL ADULT – Unparalleled Harvest – Logan Kahler

1ST PLANTS ADULT – Wilting and Wet – Bea Upah

2ND PLANTS ADULT – The Beetles at Sunflower Stadium – Allison Kayser

3RD PLANTS ADULT – Oak Leaf – Jason Mastbergen

HONORABLE MENTION ADULT PLANTS – Diamond of the Season – Megan Sandegren

HONORABLE MENTION ADULT PLANTS – Coneflower – Vicky Felice

HONORABLE MENTION ADULT PLANTS – Church Ladies – Vicky Van Dyke

1ST PLACES ADULT – The Trestle – Elaine Pearson

2ND PLACES ADULT – Long Way from Home – Bea Upah

3RD PLACES ADULT – Anniversary in Venice – Dawn Krause

HONORABLE MENTION PLACES ADULT – That Glorious Morning on Fiesta Island – Jianhua Yang

HONORABLE MENTION PLACES ADULT – State Fair Night Riders – Vicky Van Dyke

HONORABLE MENTION PLACES ADULT – On Golden Pond – Mary Long

HONORABLE MENTION PLACES ADULT – Vienna in the Rain – Heather Davis

HONORABLE MENTION PLACES ADULT – Trickling Stream in the Alps – Jianhua Yang

1ST TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES ADULT – Unparalleled Harvest – Logan Kahler

2ND TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES ADULT – Big Boy Coming to Town – John Roberts

3RD TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES ADULT – For My Great, Great Grandfather – Janae Erickson

HONORABLE MENTION TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES ADULT – John Deere Green – Megan Sandegren

HONORABLE MENTIION TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES ADULT – The Spirit of Boone – Elaine Pearson

HONORABLE MENTION TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES ADULT – Bridge to Hogwarts – Mike Carroll

1ST PEOPLE ADULT – Look Mom – Jon Wilson

2ND PEOPLE ADULT – Happy Go Penny – Janae Erickson

3RD PEOPLE ADULT – Peace in the Shadow – Janae Erickson

HONORABLE MENTION PEOPLE ADULT – The Line of Fire – Logan Kahler

HONORABLE MENTION PEOPLE ADULT – Joy of Music – John Roberts

HONORABLE MENTION PEOPLE ADULT – Patiently Waiting – Megan Sandegren

HONORABLE MENTION PEOPLE ADULT – Rain 10-Cubs 0

1ST ANIMALS ADULT – RRRRelaxing – Jon Wilson

2ND ANIMALS ADULT – Happy Go Penny – Janae Erickson

3RD ANIMALS ADULT – Rock Band – Allison Kayser

HONORABLE MENTION ANIMALS ADULT – Don’t Mind Me Mom – Bea Upah

HONORABLE MENTION ANIMALS ADULT – Swan ISU – John Roberts

HONORABLE MENTION ANIMALS ADULT – Deer Album Cover – Janae Erickson

1ST BLACK & WHITE ADULT – Aces High – Jon Wilson

2ND BLACK & WHITE ADULT – Profile of a President – Bea Upah

3RD BLACK & WHITE ADULT – Beat by the Heat – Logan Kahler

HONORABLE MENTION BLACK & WHITE ADULT – Five Hours Old – Janae Erickson

HONORABLE MENTION BLACK & WHITE ADULT – Pointe Saint Angelo

HONORABLE MENION BLACK & WHITE ADULT – Doors – Heather Davis

If you want to see all the entries, check out the 2024 Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Book that Monica put together:

PRINTABLE PUFFERBILLY DAYS PHOTO CONTEST BOOK
EASY READ PUFFERBILLY DAYS PHOTO CONTEST BOOK

I’ll go more into detail about the photo contest at a later date. But it was definitely a success!

Adam, Andy, Angie, Bill, Brandon, Candid Portrait, Carla, Cathie, Contests, Dawn, Deanna, Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe Duff, Jonah Kahler, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Michelle, Micky, Mindi, Monica, Nathanial, Pufferbilly Days, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, Still Life, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 471 – PARK

September 23, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

PARK! What a great theme! But did enough people get in gear to make it a popular theme? You will have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, September 16, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Sabas Hernandez – 1 week (IA, OH)
2-Alexis Stensland – 1 week (IA)
*3-Mary Green – 2 weeks (MI, IA, IN, IL, PR)
*4-Deb Powers – 3 weeks (MT, IA)
5-Jesse Howard – 4 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN)
6-Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks (IA, MD)
7-Monica Jennings – 6 weeks (IA)
8-Sara Lockner – 7 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
9-Willy McAlpine – 10 weeks (IA)
10-Deanna McClain – 14 weeks (IA, MN)
11-Mike Vest – 17 weeks (IA, MO, OK, AR, KS)
12-Adam Gordon – 27 weeks (IA, MS, MO, KS, MI, CAN)
13-Lowell Davis – 37 weeks (IA, MO)
14-Michelle Haupt – 37 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI)
*15-Brandon Kahler – 38 weeks (IA, MN)
16-Scott Degeneffe – 56 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL, MN, WI)
*17-Sheri Fakhouri – 66 weeks (IA, NE)
18-Logan Kahler – 67 weeks (IA, MN, MO)
19-Nathanial Brown – 68 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK, FL, IL, KS, NE, MN)
20-Tamara Peterson – 79 weeks (IA, MN)
*21-Mindi Terrell – 83 weeks (IA)
22-Linda Bennett – 112 weeks (KS, IA, MI)
23-Sarah Toot – 113 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC)
24-Angie DeWaard – 117 weeks (IA, IL, SCT, ENG)
25-Dawn Krause – 121 weeks (IA, IL)
26-Kim Barker – 127 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
27-Joe Duff – 128 weeks (TX, NY)
28-Teresa Kahler – 139 weeks (IA, NE)
*29-Carla Stensland – 1389 weeks (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO)
30-Micky Augustin – 141 weeks (IA, IL, FL, AK)
31-Andy Sharp – 142 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL, MN, WI)
32-Bill Wentworth – 143 weeks (NE, MO, FL)
33-Cathie Morton – 146 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
34-Elizabeth Nordeen – 148 weeks (IA, OH)
*35-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 150 weeks (IA, CA, NV, AR, MO)
36-Kio Dettman – 152 weeks (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

1. The picture must be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch and take pictures challenge!
2. There is a limit of 2 submissions per person per theme. If you send me more than 2, I will use the first 2 that you submit.
3. Deadline to submit your submission is 11 AM next Monday.
4. To be considered the photographer of an image, you have to be the one that clicks the shutter. If you hand your camera over to somebody else to take a picture of you, you are NOT the photographer of that image.
5. No screen captures. This is a photography challenge. Not a “look at what I found on the internet” challenge.

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks or the rules of the challenge or how to submit. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 38 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Iowa) – 68 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Iowa) – 118 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Iowa) – 2 weeks

“Bunny” (Jester Park – Iowa) – 1 week

Sara Lockner (Jester Park – Iowa) – 8 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Iowa) – 57 weeks

Cathie Morton (Altoona, Iowa) – 147 weeks

Adam Gordon (Ames, Iowa) – 28 weeks

Adam Gordon (Ames, Iowa)

Elizabeth Nordeen (Ames, Iowa) – 149 weeks

Jesse Howard (Hunziker Park – Ames, Iowa) – 5 weeks

Micky Augustin (Ames, Iowa) – 142 weeks

Michelle Haupt (Ankeny, Iowa) – 38 weeks

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 67 weeks

Andy Sharp (Bayliss Park – Council Bluffs, Iowa)

Deanna McClain (Eagle Point Park – Dubuque, Iowa) – 15 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Interurban Park – Camp Dodge – Johnston, Iowa) – 80 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Interurban Park – Camp Dodge – Johnston, Iowa)

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 140 weeks

Willy McAlpine (Linwood Cemetery – Boone, Iowa) – 11 weeks

Carla Stensland (Pufferbilly Days Parade – Boone, Iowa) – 140 weeks

Dawn Krause (Art in the Park – McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 122 weeks

Kio Dettman (McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 153 weeks

Kio Dettman (Opal Dubois Anderson Park)

Logan Kahler (McHose Park) – 68 weeks

Monica Jennings (Art in the Park – McHose Park – Boone, Iowa) – 7 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest – McHose Park – Boone, Iowa)

Mike Vest (Edgewood Park – Madrid, Iowa) – 18 weeks

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 128 weeks

Deb Powers (Saylorville Lake – Iowa)

Mindi Terrell (Saylorville Lake – Iowa) – 84 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Saylorville Lake – Iowa)

Brandon Kahler (South Park – Story City, Iowa) – 39 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Colby Park – Windsor Heights, Iowa) – 151 weeks

Linda Bennett (Kansas)

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 144 weeks

Sarah Toot (Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey) – 114 weeks

Sarah Toot (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)

Joe Duff (Texas) – 129 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas)

35 participants this week. Not a great week. But not bad. Not a lot of people like nature all that much.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Iowa (35)
+ Kansas (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ New Jersey (1)
+ Pennsylvania (1)
+ Texas (2)

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (20.5)
+ Alaska (1)
+ California (3)
+ Colorado (10)
+ Florida (11)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (15)
+ Indiana (6)
+ Iowa (1377)
+ Kansas (54)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (11)
+ Minnesota (13)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (17.5)
+ Montana (4)
+ Nebraska (46)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (2)
+ New York (17)
+ North Carolina (2)
+ Ohio (5)
+ Oklahoma (2)
+ Pennsylvania (30)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (4)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (56)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ West Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (4)
+ Wyoming (1)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ Canada (2)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Ireland (3)
+ England (2)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Scotland (1)

36 states so far! 1 U.S. Territory! 6 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA, IRL, NIR, FL, IL, KS, NE, MN) – 11
+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL, IN, WV, PA) – 11
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA, IL, MN, WI) – 10
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY, IL, MN, WI) – 9
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN) – 7
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC) – 6
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO, KS, MI, CAN) – 6
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV, AR, MO) – 5
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO) -5
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN, IL, RP) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI) – 5
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO, AR, OK, KS) – 5
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL, SCT, ENG) – 4
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL, FL, AK) – 4
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN, MO) – 3
+ Bill Wentworth (NE, MO, FL) – 3
+ Linda Bennett (KS, IA, MI) – 3
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS, MN) – 3
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2
+ Suzie Brannen (IA, MD) – 2
+ Elizabeth Nordeen (IA, OH) – 2
+ Deanna McClain (IA, MN) – 2
+ Dawn Krause – (IA, IL) – 2
+ Joe Duff (TX, NY) – 2
+ Lowell Davis (IA, MO) – 2
+ Evie Gorshe (IA, IN) – 2
+ Layla Gorshe (IA, OH) -2
+ Deb Powers (MT, IA) – 2

Nathanial has tied Jen for the top spot to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” However Andy and Scott are in striking distance.

There were no major milestones reached this week. But a few streaks went kaput. Alexis couldn’t build on her submission from last week. Her streak is over before it began. Mary’s streak is gone after 2 weeks. Suzie’s streak is gone after 4!

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:

OUT-OF-DATE (Suggested by Angie DeWaard)

OUT-OF-DATE! What a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

What is an OUT-OF-DATE picture? A picture of something that is no longer necessary in these times.

I look forward to your interpretation.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of OUT-OF-DATE in this place that that is timeless next Monday.

Art, Contests, Monica, Pufferbilly Days

Brookside Graffiti

September 21, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

A reminder that this weekend is Pufferbilly Days and with that comes the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. Here is a map of where to find all the entries:

Here is the flyer on how to vote for the People’s Choice Award:

Or you can click on this link:

People’s Choice Award Voting

To see all the submissions, click on this link:

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Entries

Big thanks to Monica for designing the flyers!

There were 162 entries this year! And this contest couldn’t have happened without so many wonder volunteers, but I’ll get into all that stuff in a future post.

+++++++

As you know, I am a big fan of graffiti. And back in April I went under a bridge in Brookside Park in Ames and photographed some of the graffiti there. Here it is:

I believe this to be a Chinese website that sells fish. Maybe.

Art, Black & White, Contests, Formal Portrait, History, Jesse, Monica, Music, Pufferbilly Days, Still Life, Street Photography, Travel

Home of the Blues – Day 2 – Sun Records II

September 20, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

A reminder that this weekend is Pufferbilly Days and with that comes the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest. Here is a map of where to find all the entries:

Here is the flyer on how to vote for the People’s Choice Award:

Or you can click on this link:

People’s Choice Award Voting

To see all the submissions, click on this link:

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Entries

Big thanks to Monica for designing the flyers!

There were 162 entries this year! And this contest couldn’t have happened without so many wonder volunteers, but I’ll get into all that stuff in a future post.

+++++++

Now I proudly present the rest of the pictures from Jesse and I’s trip to Sun Records:

Liberty Bowl Road Trip - Day 2 - Sun Records

Still one more collection of images from Day 2 of the Memphis Trip left to share!

Baby Got Rack, Candid Portrait, Contests, Logan, Nathanial, State Fair, Still Life

Tall & Meaty: Iowa State Fair Contest

September 1, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

On the Tuesday at the Iowa State Fair Logan competed in the Iowa State Fair grilling contest. Even though he won the County Fair with this deviled eggs, they had him enter Beef because something… something… something… meat.

I went down to assist him and document the experience.

Here are a few pictures from the day:

Logan did very well at the State Fair. He won the Best Showmanship Award! I’m not sure if he is competing in any more contests this year, but I’ll let you know when I know!

Art, Contests, Dad, Elainie, Evie, Jen, Layla, Lists, Logan, Mom, Nader, Sabas, Self-Portrait, Shannon, State Fair, Street Photography, Tenderloining, Teresa

State Fairin’: Best New Food Field Work

August 25, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 4 Comments

A tradition I started last year was my Iowa State Fair Power Rankings. Last year I just compiled my list of my 10 Favorite Fair Things. This year I’m going to power rank the 10 Iowa State Fair Buildings:

10 Best Iowa State Fair Buildings Power Rankings

#10 MURALS

Murals is actually an electrical sub-station. You can’t go in it, but every side is covered with an incredible mural and is by far the best place on the fairgrounds to do a selfie. Or even a self-portrait. Also a good spot to grab a clandestine smoke apparently.

#9 ANN & BILL RILEY STAGE

Some might argue it isn’t a building, but to me it meets all the requirements. It is one of three free stages to watch entertainment at the Fair and by far the best. Not only is it the site of the Bill Riley Talent Show (which lowkey is one of my favorite parts of the Fair). It seats over 3,000 people. There is shade and it is located right smack in the middle of a good majority of the food options. When I’m on the job of eating with a group of people, I like to setup base there. Then everyone can scatter and find their own food and come back and watch some kid from Decatur City belt out a showtune!

#8 GRANDSTAND

The Grandstand hosts the big time acts that come to the Fair. Admittedly I haven’t been to a concert at the Grandstand since I went to see Maroon 5 with Jill. So that tells you it has been probably a decade. But this year there were many shows that tempted me. Foreigner. Greta Van Fleet. The Avett Brothers. To name a few. I didn’t go to any, but I was tempted. The inside hosts a bunch of flea market type stuff. But most importantly it is the home of Nitro Ice Cream. A must get at the Fair for me every year!

#7 ELWELL FAMILY FOOD CENTER

This is a bit of a nostalgic pick. This was one of my Mom’s must-sees every year. It hosts the food contests. But the favorite here is the cake contests. Both the Ugly Cake Contest and then the, not sure what it is actually called, but the Pretty Cake Contest. An added bonus is that it is air conditioned and it has some of the cleanest bathrooms at the State Fair. But in the last couple of years I have gotten to introduce Elainie to the joy of the Ugly Cake Contest and that makes my heart all warm and fuzzy.

#6 DNR BUILDING

This building would be higher on the list in past years, but in recent years there haven’t been many birds on the pond because of the stupid avian flu. But there are a few, so partial credit. There are still turtles. There are also still the lunkers in the fish tanks inside. Plus sometimes there are snakes and other various creatures. Plus some of the gates were designed and built and installed by an artist that lives 2 houses down from me from garbage pulled out of Iowa rivers. This year they added an archery range, but unfortunately got rid of the water feature that housed a couple of water lilies.

#5 BRUCE L. RASTETTER 4-H EXHIBITS BUILDING

This is another slightly nostalgic pick. Both my sisters were very active in 4-H and frequently had pictures on display in this building. I still love looking at the 4-H photo contest and just looking at all the other exhibits that the young people of our state have put together. They are frequently equal parts fascinating and awe inspiring. It is also an air conditioned building with clean bathrooms and water bottle refill stations. Plus the 4-H food stand is decent and your dollars go to support a good cause.

#4 PAUL R. KNAPP ANIMAL LEARNING CENTER

This is by far the newest and smelliest building on my power rankings. But it is air conditioned. The bathrooms are clean. It is by far the best place to see baby animals. Baby pigs. Baby sheep. Baby goats. Baby cows. Baby chickens. Baby ducks. All super adorable!

#3 PIONEER HALL

There is definitely some nostalgia in this pick. Many of my earliest State Fair memories involve Pioneer Hall. My Dad used to sell antiques here during the Iowa State Fair. It is the oldest building on this list and I think the oldest building of the Iowa State Fair. It was built in 1886 and was originally a poultry building. But nostalgia aside it is one of my favorite buildings to visit. Not just because of all the antique dealers. But the blacksmith display. The old-timey music that comes from the stage. Plus it hosts some of the best contests of the fair. Cow Chip Throwing. Rubber Duck Throwing. Husband Calling. Hog Calling. Turkey Calling. To name a few. Plus it is one of the places to get on the sky glider. There are tractor displays in the courtyard. Plenty to do, even if you don’t like antiques.

#2 JOHN DEERE AGRICULTURE BUILDING

The Agriculture Building doesn’t rank this high just because it is sponsored by John Deere. But it definitely helps. Next to the Agriculture Building is the Discovery Garden. Which is well documented as one of my favorite parts of the Fair. But next to that is the Largest Pumpkin Contest. Inside is where you can get a free hard boiled egg. The butter sculptures are housed here. Plus just a myriad of strange contests that are amongst my favorites. Like the seed mosaic art contest. The Odd Vegetable Contest. Upstairs is where the honey producers have their contests and sell honey lemonade. It is truly atrocious (the lemonade), but you can see Shannon, so that is something! Plus, the 4-H has their Dairy Barn there. Applelishus has a food stand. There is also a small State Fair Souvenir Stand. It really has something for everybody and don’t sleep on that free hard boiled egg!

#1 PATTY & JIM COWNIE CULTURAL CENTER

You should have known this was going to be #1. A very ugly building on the inside and out, it was built in 1949 as the 4-H Girls Dormitory. You can see the 4-H Logo engraved on the corners of the building as the remnants of its original use. But perhaps it is because it is so utilitarian, it is perfect for all of the art that it hosts. Obviously, it hosts the Photography Salon. But it also host the Fine Arts Contest. Plus it hosts the Dollhouse Contest. Woodworking exhibits. The Artist Fair. On the ground floor by the main entrance on the east wall one of my favorite artists has setup and sold for years. I always stop and pickup some new stickers. There is just art of every kind there. And if you like art at all (and if you don’t and are here, my feelings are a touch hurt) this is the best building at the State Fair.

Next year I might Power Rank the best State Fair Contests, but there are so many I don’t know I could do such a list justice. It is a year away, so who knows what will change, but it is my first idea.

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Today is a long one, so buckle up.

I’m going to start by ranking the Finalists for Best New Fair Food. Then just share all the food I ate at the Iowa State Fair:

#3 Iowa Sm’Oak’ed Roll – Whatcha Smokin? BBQ – $14

The description:

Smoked Pork tenderloin stuffed with jasmine rice, jalapeno creamed corn, smoked poblano queso and Giddy Up Texas taco sauce, poblano ranch and smoked sesame seeds.

It just wasn’t good. It was bland. The sauces didn’t work. It was served barely above room temperature. Jesse is the only person I heard say anything good about it. It was one of the worst things I’ve ever had at the Iowa State Fair. Period. Which was disappointing because they are basically a local restaurant for me AND last year, their Iowa Twinkie was my favorite. I have no doubt they will rebound and offer something delicious again next year.

#2 Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll – Winn & Sara’s Kitchen – $12

Description:

Ground beef cooked with bacon and pickles with a cheese filling, wrapped in a golden pastry egg roll drizzled with house made burger sauce.

This is the one that went on to win Best New Fair Food. I don’t have a qualm with it. This was definitely tasty AutoFocus. I could see myself sitting in a bar and just hammering these down. But I don’t know that it was transcendent. I definitely plan to hit their actual restaurant in Indianola with Shannon at some point in the future.

#1 Lobster Corn Dog – Destination Grille – $20

Description:

Lobster tail pulled through batter season with cayenne pepper and salt, topped with a lemon aioli drizzle.

I had very little expectation for this. I’m not a big fan of lobster, but this really knocked my sweaty from a full day of State Fair walking socks off! If Red Lobster was like this, I might almost be a lobster man. But not likely. Too much work for me. My theory on why it didn’t win best food is because the price tag was pretty steep and the size of the portion varied wildly. You can look at the picture with me, Logan, and Sabas and see that Sabas clearly got robbed!

I can’t wait to see what new foods come to next year’s Iowa State Fair!

But wait… I’m not done. Here is the rest of the food I ate on my 4 trips to the Iowa State Fair:

Dill Pickle Fried Cheese Curds – From Trip 1 with Teresa

Fry Bread – From Trip 2 with Jen, Evie, and Layla.

Beef Brisket Sandwich – Trip 2

Fried Mushrooms – Stolen from Jen

Evie and Layla enjoying their Piggy in a Donut and Apple Egg Rolls

Biscuit Bar – Trip 3 with Logan and eventually Elainie and Sabas

Layla’s Piggy in a Donut looked so good I had to have one!

Logan’s Mississippi Pot Roast

Logan’s Potato Salad – the best potato salad I’ve had in my life… no fooling!

Logan and his trophy, but we will get into that at a later date!

Italian Grinder – Still Trip 3

Cookies and Milk – Still Trip 3

Smash Burger – Trip 4 with Nader – Jesse and Nader crapped out

I didn’t eat at the Methodist Food Stand, but I did stop to see my favorite server!

Nitro Ice Cream!

The Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll sold out!

Fried Veggie Platter

With a Pepsi

Apple Slushie

And my final Iowa State Fair food: Funnel Cake Cheeseburger

This was tasty but messy AutoFocus to eat. I don’t think I would get it again.

One last Pepsi for the road.

Farewell dear Fair!

Next week’s food adventure will involve Logan competing at the State Fair Grilling Contest. Then we will get back to chronological order!

Adam, Andy, Angie, Bill, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Contests, Dawn, Deanna, Derrick, Elizabeth, Jen, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Layla, Linda, Logan, Lowell, Michelle, Mindi, Monica, Nathanial, Olympic Sports, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Scottie D., Shannon, Sheri, State Fair, Still Life, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 466 – SCIENCE

August 19, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 4 Comments

In yesterday’s post I revealed the images I entered in the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. Today I thought I would give flowers to the consistent THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE contributors that also had pictures displayed.

It was a great showing by this group! Angie got a major award. Nathanial got 2 First Places. Logan and Nathanial both got 3 images in. To put a little clarity on that. Nobody (for at least the 2nd year in a row) got all 4 images in this year. Only 16 people got 3 pictures exhibited. 16 out of 817 people who entered.

All artistic contests are a bit of a crapshoot to a degree. Dependent on what the judges like that year. But it is still pretty impressive that a major award, a couple 1st Places, and 3 out of the 16 people that got 3 images exhibited came from this little community. I wouldn’t expect that kind of success again next year, but it is still pretty cool.

Also, I should have taken pictures of them, Shannon also did well in the Iowa Honey (Beekeepers) Association (I can’t remember their name)! All sorts of great accomplishments!

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SCIENCE! A great theme! But did enough people get an example of the third law of thermodynamics to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, August 12, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore everything in parentheses):

1-Amy Peterson – 1 week (IA)
2-Evie Gorshe – 1 week (IA, IN)
3-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL, IN)
4-Monica Jennings – 1 week (IA)
5-Sara Lockner – 2 weeks (IA, BHS, MN)
*6-Tim Panages – 2 weeks (IA)
*7-Mary Green – 3 weeks (MI, IA, IN, IL, PR)
8-Jesse Howard – 4 weeks (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN)
9-Willy McAlpine – 5 weeks (IA)
10-Deanna McClain – 9 weeks (IA, MN)
11-Suzie Brannen – 14 weeks (IA, MD)
12-Mike Vest – 14 weeks (IA, MO, OK, AR, KS)
13-Alexis Stensland – 16 weeks (IA)
14-Sabas Hernandez – 18 weeks (IA, OH)
*15-Adam Gordon – 23 weeks (IA, MS, MO, KS)
16-Lowell Davis – 32 weeks (IA, MO)
17-Michelle Haupt – 32 weeks (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI)
18-Brandon Kahler – 33 weeks (IA, MN)
19-Scott Degeneffe – 51 weeks (IA, FL, UT, CO, KY, IN, IL, MN, WI)
*20-Sheri Fakhouri – 61 weeks (IA, NE)
21-Logan Kahler – 62 weeks (IA, MN)
22-Nathanial Brown – 63 weeks (IA, SD, GA, TN, IRL, UK, FL, IL, KS)
23-Tamara Peterson – 74 weeks (IA, MN)
*24-Mindi Terrell – 78 weeks (IA)
*25-Linda Bennett – 107 weeks (KS, IA, MI)
26-Sarah Toot – 108 weeks (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC)
*27-Angie DeWaard – 112 weeks (IA, IL, SCT)
28-Dawn Krause – 116 weeks (IA, IL)
29-Kim Barker – 121 weeks (IA, CO, LA)
*30-Joe Duff – 123 weeks (TX, NY)
*31-Teresa Kahler – 134 weeks (IA, NE)
32-Carla Stensland – 134 weeks (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO)
33-Micky Augustin – 136 weeks (IA, IL, FL)
34-Andy Sharp – 137 weeks (IA, NE, AR, MS, MO, TN, LA, IL, MN, WI)
35-Bill Wentworth – 138 weeks (NE, MO, FL)
36-Cathie Morton – 142 weeks (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA)
37-Elizabeth Nordeen – 143 weeks (IA, OH)
38-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 145 weeks (IA, CA, NV)
*39-Kio Dettman – 147 weeks (IA)

Here is the list of rules for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:

There are still 2 ways to submit:
1. Email your submission to bennett@photography139.com.
2. Text your submission to my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

It is the third week of the month and on the third week of the month I like to share a map of all the states where people have submitted from heading into today. Here is that map:

34 states so far!

WPC - WEEK 466 - SCIENCE - MICKY AUGUSTIN

Micky Augustin (Colo, Iowa) – 137 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley (Hight Trestle Trail Bridge – Boone County, Iowa) – 146 weeks

Kim Barker (Nevada, Iowa) – 122 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa)

Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 108 weeks

Nathanial Brown (Chicago, Illinois) – 64 weeks

Lowell Davis (Iowa) – 33 weeks

Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 52 week

Kio Dettman (Hamilton County, Iowa) – 148 weeks

Angie DeWaard (Roman Baths – Bath England) – 113 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas) – 124 weeks

Joe Duff (Texas)

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Newell, West Virginia) – 2 weeks

Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Sheri Fakhouri (Ankeny, Iowa) – 62 weeks

Adam Gordon (Lake Huron – Rogers City, Michigan) – 24 weeks

Adam Gordon (Michigan State University – Lansing, Michigan)

Derrick Gorshe (Ohio) – 1 week

Layla Gorshe (Ohio) – 1 week – “Vapor”

Michelle Haupt (Iowa) – 33 weeks

Sabas Hernandez (Iowa City, Iowa) – 19 weeks

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa) – 2 weeks

Monica Jennings (Boone, Iowa)

Brandon Kahler (Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Iowa) – 34 weeks

Logan Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 63 weeks

Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa) – 135 weeks

Dawn Krause (Boone, Iowa) – 117 weeks

Sara Lockner (Iowa) – 3 weeks

Willy McAlpine (Boone, Iowa) – 6 weeks

Deanna McClain (Iowa) – 10 weeks

Cathie Morton (Iowa) – 143 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 144 weeks

Tim Panages (Iowa) – 3 weeks

Tamara Peterson (Perry, Iowa) – 75 weeks

Andy Sharp (Council Bluffs, Iowa) – 138 weeks

Carla Stensland (Cedar Rock – Independence, Iowa) – 135 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 79 weeks

Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

Sarah Toot (E. Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) – 109 weeks

Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 15 weeks

Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 139 weeks

36 participants! That is a pretty good week. Not great, but pretty good.

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ England (1)
+ Illinois (1)
+ Iowa (28)
+ Kansas (1)
+ Michigan (2)
+ Nebraska (1)
+ Ohio (2)
+ Pennsylvania (2)
+ Texas (2)
+ West Virginia (1)

Thanks to Jen’s travel we had the first EVER submission from West Virginia. If you are curious, since I have started tracking this information, this is the list of states I’ve never had a submission from:

+ Alabama
+ Connecticut
+ Delaware
+ Maine
+ Massachusetts
+ Rhode Island

And also, thanks to Angie’s travels, I believe that is the first ever submission from England since I’ve started tracking. All exciting stuff!

Here is the Year 11 list of places where submissions have been taken (submissions taken in each places):

+ Arkansas (19.5)
+ California (3)
+ Colorado (9)
+ Florida (11)
+ Georgia (1)
+ Hawaii (2)
+ Illinois (13)
+ Indiana (6)
+ Iowa (1236)
+ Kansas (47)
+ Kentucky (1)
+ Louisiana (8)
+ Maryland (1)
+ Michigan (9)
+ Minnesota (12)
+ Mississippi (2.5)
+ Missouri (16.5)
+ Montana (4)
+ Nebraska (40)
+ Nevada (4)
+ New Jersey (1)
+ New York (17)
+ North Carolina (2)
+ Ohio (5)
+ Oklahoma (2)
+ Pennsylvania (25)
+ Puerto Rico (4)
+ South Dakota (4)
+ Tennessee (2.5)
+ Texas (49)
+ Utah (1)
+ Vermont (1)
+ Virginia (1)
+ West Virginia (1)
+ Wisconsin (4)
+ Wyoming (1)
+ Aruba (1)
+ Bahamas (2)
+ Curacao (1)
+ Ireland (3)
+ England (1)
+ North Ireland (1)
+ Scotland (1)

35 states so far! 1 U.S. Territory! 6 foreign countries! Not bad! So far, the following people have submitted from multiple places:

+ Jen Ensley-Gorshe (IA, CO, MO, TX, TN, VA, IL, FL, IN, WV, PA) – 11
+ Andy Sharp (IA, NE, MO, AR, TN, MS, LA, IL, MN, WI) – 10
+ Scott Degeneffe (IA, FL, UT, CO, IN, KY, IL, MN, WI) – 9
+ Nathanial Brown (IA, SD, TN, GA, IRL, NIR, FL, IL, KS) – 9
+ Jesse Howard (IA, MO, NE, FL, ABW, CUW, MN) – 7
+ Christopher D. Bennett (IA, MO, NE, IL, IN, LA) – 6
+ Sarah Toot (PA, NY, VT, NV, NJ, NC) – 6
+ Cathie Morton (IA, FL, BHS, MO, LA) – 5
+ Carla Stensland (IA, MO, SD, WY, CO) -5
+ Mary Green (MI, IA, IN, IL, RP) – 5
+ Michelle Haupt (IA, MO, KS, LA, MI) – 5
+ Mike Vest (IA, MO, AR, OK, KS) – 5
+ Adam Gordon (IA, MS, MO, KS, MI) – 5
+ Angie DeWaard (IA, IL, SCT, ENG) – 4
+ Bill Wentworth (NE, MO, FL) – 3
+ Linda Bennett (KS, IA, MI) – 3
+ Kim Barker (IA, CO, LA) – 3
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley (IA, CA, NV) – 3
+ Becky Parmelee (AR, IA, OK) – 3
+ Sara Lockner (IA, BHS, MN) – 3
+ Micky Augustin (IA, IL, FL) – 3
+ Susanna Funk (IA, CO) – 2
+ Brandon Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Logan Kahler (IA, MN) – 2
+ Tamara Peterson (IA, MN) – 2
+ Teresa Kahler (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sheri Fakhouri (IA, NE) – 2
+ Sabas Hernandez (IA, OH) – 2
+ Suzie Brannen (IA, MD) – 2
+ Elizabeth Nordeen (IA, OH) – 2
+ Deanna McClain (IA, MN) – 2
+ Dawn Krause – (IA, IL) – 2
+ Joe Duff (TX, NY) – 2
+ Lowell Davis (IA, MO) – 2
+ Evie Gorshe (IA, IN) – 2

Jen has reclaimed the top spot to be crowned “The Most Travelled THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE Photographer!” However Andy, Scott, and Nathanial are in striking distance. Jesse has fallen out of contention.

There were a few big milestones this week. Deanna joined the Double Digit Streak Club! WooHoo! Scott joined the 1 Year Streak Club! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all fun and game and rainbows and unicorns. There was a veritable bloodbath of streaks. Amy and Evie couldn’t build on last week’s submission. Their streaks are over before they began. Mary’s streak ends at 3. Jesse’s is over at 4. Suzie’s is kaput at 14! And worst of all Scarecrow, Alexis’ streak is gone with the wind after 16 weeks. Oh the humanity!

STILL LIFE

STILL LIFE! What is a great theme for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! I try not to define the themes much these days, but I will for STILL LIFE.

A still life ( pl. : still lifes) is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which are either natural (food, flowers, plants, rocks, shells, etc.) or human-made (drinking glasses, books, vases, jewelry, coins, pipes, etc.).

I look forward to your interpretation.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will see your idea of STILL LIFE in this place that tries to stay in motion next Monday.

Art, Black & White, Bokeh, Contests, Flowers, Lowell, Macro, Nature, Ruins, State Fair, Still Life, Tenderloining, Teresa

Food Truckin’: Winery Field Work

August 18, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett

By the time this publishes, I will be in possession of my entries to the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. So it is safe to reveal what pictures got entered and what picture got shown the door. Which picture was told “You’re no good. Get outta here kid. You got no future!” I bet when the rejected image is revealed, there will be more than a few haters out there that will be filled with joy. That is okay. Marty McFly would go on to revolutionize rock music. Some day my photography will do the same.

Here is what I entered:

Class 11 – Colored Leading Lines – Selected for Display – Honorable Mention

Class 17 – Color Flowers, Plants & Trees – Not Selected for Display

Class 18 – Color Animals, Insects, & Wildlife – Selected for Display

Class 23 – Black & White Places & Landscapes – Selected for Display

This is where I tell you that next year I will put more effort into selecting my submissions. I might even look for the opinions of others. And like the mooks that you guys are, you will totally believe me. Then next year in June I will panic and select and order all my pictures in about an hours worth of time. Any ways, it was a good enough showing this year.

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Back in May Teresa and I met Lowell, Leah, and the rest of the Davis fan out at The Cellar Winery to watch the great Shannon Curfman rock the vineyard. A bonus to the fantastic music was food trucks. One food truck sold grinders which meant your boy had a chance to continue his quest to find a replacement for the grinder from Jennie’s Grinders. Widely, nay, universally considered the finest grinder the world has ever know.

Here are some pictures from the evening:

Mojo Grinders

Lowell and Leah checking out Shannon Curfman merch.

The grinder ended up being a little blah, but the onion rings were the truth!

It could have been better, but I still crushed it!

The cookie was dang good too!

Shannon!

Leah got this funnel cake monstrosity. I didn’t try it, but I bet it was deliciousness personified!

A sign in the winery that I found amusing.

The ultimate verdict. It was an okay grinder, but not transcendent. The quest to find a replacement for Jennie’s Grinder will indeed continue. They need to take the kick up a notch and lightly toasted isn’t the way to go for a grinder. As you can tell in the picture the cheese isn’t fully melted. A grinder needs some texture.

But I would eat it again, but if Mojo Grinders comes back into my sphere of influence, I would probably try something else on the menu. Probably the Porker. I definitely get onion rings again. And that parmesan garlic sauce was fantastic!

Next Sunday, I will cover my State Fair food experience OR a food truck that I had up at Fridays on the Green! You will have to wait and see. I know… the suspense is already killing you. Can you imagine what it is doing to me!