Thursday, March 20, 2008

High Water!

Like most of the midwest, we had plenty of rain this week. Berryville reported about 6 1/2". I drove around and took a few photos. This one was taken from the hwy 62 bridge, just west of Berryville, on Wednesday. This is where the Kings and Osage Rivers come together.
Yocum Creek bridge near Oak Grove had damage. The county road crew had it repaired by Thursday afternoon.
Have you seen senior photos we've taken at Yocum Creek? Well, not today! This was taken Thursday afternoon. The day before, the water was over the bridge.
Low water bridge near Yocum Cemetery.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Ian Wade, One Week Old




Ian Wade Newberry, our grandson, is a whole week old, so Kayla and Jerod brought him out for his first studio session. He did great!

Looks like I'm going to be getting lots of practice photographing babies this year!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Hogs Fans Say "Farewell" To Seniors

For the last four years, I've covered the college basketball careeer of Steven Hill at the University of Arkansas. We got acquainted with Steven his senior year at Branson, when he came to our studio for his senior portraits.
I was photographing a basketball game at Branson the year after Steven graduated. While visiting with the sports editor from the Branson Daily Independent, I asked, "Would you guys like to have some photos of Steven Hill playing at Fayetteville, to run in your paper?" If so, I told him I'd be glad to shoot them, if he'd get me a press pass. I did some research to find out what I'd need to do, and we were set! That was near the end of the season, so I only shot two games that year.
The next 3 seasons, I was a regular at home games at Bud Walton Arena. It has been a blast! What more could a guy ask for? #1, I got in free, #2 I got the best seat in the house, and #3, free food in the media room!
I met many wonderful people at games. Thank you Steven, for four memorable years at the UofA!

Here's the story:

Six senior Arkansas Razorbacks were honored in pre-game ceremonies on March 8, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Those honored were Gary Ervin, Sonny Weems, Darian Townes, Vincent Hunter, Charles Thomas, and former Branson Pirate Steven Hill. The senior team members and their parents were introduced to the fans. First year coach John Pelphrey congratulated each senior and their family at center court and presented them with a framed jersey. Steven Hill closes out his career as the #2 all-time shot blocker at Arkansas. After Saturday’s game, his total was 311 rejections. The Arkansas record is held by Oliver Miller, who had 345 block during the years of 1989-92. Hill is the only Razorback to record 90 or more blocked shots in more than one season. In SEC play, Hill is #4 on the all-time shot block record list. SEC leader is Shaquille O’Neal (412 blocks) who played for LSU from 1990-92. Hill has played in 127 games with 96 starts as a Razorback and scored 527 points (4.2 per game).

The Hogs closed out the regular season with a 77-64 victory over the Auburn Tigers. Sophomore Patrick Beverly led the Hogs with 27 points, including 6 for 6 on 3-point attempts. Steven Hill was 2 for 2 on field goals and had 3 blocks. Hill gave the hogs a 2-0 lead with a slam-dunk on an ally-oop pass from Sonny Weems. Saturday’s win was first-year coach John Pelphrey’s 100th career win as a coach. It was also Arkansas’ 20 victory of the season, the most every for a first-year coach. Arkansas finishes the regular season with a 20-10 record, with 9-7 in SEC play. There record was Bud Walton Arena was 15-1 for the year.
Coach Pelphrey posed at center court with each senior Razorback, and their family. Pictured above is Steven with his father, Troy, and brother Mark.
A proud Troy Hill looks on as coach Pelphrey congratulates Steven.
The six senior Razorbacks pose for a photo at the end of pre-game ceremonies.
Steven began the scoring with this dunk on an ally-oop pass.
If you can't beat them, grab a hold of them.
Coach Pelphrey got a little frustrated at one point during the game, and kicked this sign and broke it.
Steven at center court while free-throws were being shot.
If you can't beat them, grab a hold of them, part 2.

Sometimes the action is just a few feet away from me. Luckily, I was never hurt during a game. I did fall over backwards once in the stadium seat that I set in, as the action got too close. And once a player stepped on my foot. Had a player or two jump over me. And I got to deflect a ball or two. Oh, almost forgot. . . . . Boss Hog kicked me once. That's the big inflated mascot that's about 9' tall.
Time out.
Steven's lasts. I think the first shot was his last block (doesn't look like a block, but I think he touched it), then his last point scored, and his last free throw.
A smiling Steven Hill leaves the court for a final time, to a standing ovation.
High-fives from the coach and players, as Steven leaves the game.
Ok, hope you don't think I'm being vain on this one. This game was on ESPN. We set the Tivo at home, as I like to watch games that I photograph. At the end of the first half, the camera followed Coach Pelphrey as he headed off the floor. Coach walked right by me, and there I was in the background in my b/w striped shirt. Now I guess I can advertise, "As seen on ESPN". . lol Yes, I had to set up my camera and take a photo of the tv screen.

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Monday, March 10, 2008

Baby Ian Wade Arrives!

Ian Wade Newberry.



Grandpa with his first grandson.
Reagan, our first grandchild, meets her cousin, Ian, for the first time.
Do you think Lajunta is happy?
Reagan looking a little more happy with Ian.
Is Great-Grandpa Gene smiling?????
The new family. . .Jerod, Kayla, and Ian.

We have a grandson!
Ian Wade arrived Sunday morning, shortly before noon. He weighed 6 lb. 13 oz. Everyone is doing fine. Ian's mommy is our youngest daughter, Kayla, who is married to Jerod Newberry.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Arkansas Upsets #18 Vanderbilt










In the above photo, it's a "touch" I got in the game. I was photographing with my right hand, and seen the ball coming at me. I was able to get this photo, just before I deflected the ball with my left hand.

On March 1, the Arkansas Razorbacks hosted the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The #18 ranked Commodores were coming off a big victory against #1 ranked Tennessee earlier in the week.
The Hogs, in front of a crowd of 18,366, pulled off one of their biggest upsets of the season with a 78-73 victory. Arkansas had been in a slump, loosing four of their last five games. The win on Saturday was needed for the Hogs to have a chance for an appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Leading the Hogs in scoring was Sonny Weems with 20. Patrick Beverly followed with 17, which included an impressive 5 for 7 on 3 point attempts.
Steven Hill added 4 blocked shots to his impressive resume. Hill now has over 300 career blocks at Arkansas, which puts him at #2 in the Arkansas record books, and #4 in the SEC.
The Razorsback complete there regular season on Saturday with a home game against Auburn. It will be Senior Day, when the senior team members will be honored. Tip off is at 5:05 and will be broadcast on ESPN Classic.
I have a few more photos of the game uploaded to my web site. To view those, go to:
At the bottom of the page, click on "Sessions"
Enter password: vandy

CofO Lady Bobcats Take Semi Final Contest









On Friday, February 29, the College of the Ozarks Lady Bobcats defeated the Central Christian College Lady Tigers by a score of 94-60. The game was the semi finals of the MCAC conference tournament.
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