Behind the Lens

Aiming At Fun

2009-07-17T06:33:00.000-07:00

Logan Williams,gets doused by Kody Oravetz,and Jade Rea,while playing a game during Crocodile Dock vacation Bible school at First Lutheran Church.

2009-07-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

Wild things first baseman Ernie Banks grabs the helmet of Southern Illinois' Jereme Milons instead of the baseball during the game.

Putting The Kick In Kick Ball

2009-07-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

Malik Wells, plays kick ball during the LeMoyne Center Camp Challenge.

Canonsburg 4th of July Parade

2009-07-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

Members of The Wonders unicycler club, juggle thier way down Pike Street during the Canonsburg fouth of July parade.

Reserve Unit Bound For Iraq

2009-06-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

U.S.Army Reserve Pfc. Donald Stark hugs his wife,Angela,before boarding a bus with members of his unit bound for Fort Dix,N.J., from the American Legion Post in Washington. The 619th Transportation Company is preparing to deploy to Iraq.

Spc. Marissa Maloney hugs her father, Pat Maloney.

Pfc. Joel Laliberte with his family.

Summer Fun

2009-06-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

Robert Smith, bowls during the Washington Hospital Teen Outreach Summer Program Playground Program. The organization is hosting the program, which runs through July 31. Children may registered by calling 724-222-2311

He Just Keeps Going

2009-06-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

Ron Beinlich, owner of Triple B Farms of Monongahela, is tending this year's crop in a new self-service orchard where customers can pick their own apples. Read the complete story in the Observer-Reporter.

MS 150 Bike Ride to Lake Erie

2009-06-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank all my family, friends and coworkers who contributed to this cause.

With anticipation and excitement, I waited with hundreds of cyclists for the start of a 2 day journey covering 150 miles. In my mind I was wondering if I could overcome my own personal challenges. It turns out, I'm a much better photographer than a cyclist- MS 150 slideshow

What made this event most extraordinary was the riders. I saw everything from the serious cyclist to the average biker but they all shared a common goal. For some it was more personal, as they wore the names of individuals they were riding for on their shirts. Mile after mile, hill after hill, the riders persevered with such determination to make a difference in the lives of people with MS.

A special thank you to Laurie, Theresa, Lynn !

Photo above is of Mary Lynn Rote from Erie at a rest stop on day one of the ride.

Wild Things vs. Gateway Grizzlies

2009-06-04T18:55:00.000-07:00

Wild Things' pitcher, Sean Heimpel, fires away from the mound against the Gateway Grizzlies at CONSOL Energy Park.

Down The Line

2009-06-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

Nick Cumer returns a winner down the line while playing a match with a friend on the campus of Washington & Jefferson College.

Old Barn

2009-06-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

Vines climb up an old stone barn and into the window at California University.

Busy Bee

2009-05-29T19:00:00.001-07:00

A bee gather pollen at the Zieba family garden full of lupine flowers on Allison Ave. Houston.

A Final Word

2009-05-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

Trinity softball coach Linda Redish offers a few words of encouragement for Jordan Shrontz after placing a second-place medal on her following the Hillers' loss to Franklin Regional in the WPIAL Class AAA softball Championship game.

Taking A Shot

2009-05-26T15:33:00.000-07:00

Ricky Paterini works on his shot at Richardson Park,Bentleyville.

Opening Night Jitters

2009-05-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

Washington's Michael Parker is tagged out at the plate by Erie catcher Nick Maragas in the first inning.

Patiently Waiting

2009-05-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

John Dickerson of Monessen, sits patiently and waits for a nibble, at Ellworth Sportsmen's Club Cokeburg Dam. May 21, 2009

2009-05-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Trinity High School’s Joe Havrilak can’t watch as the Hillers’ WPIAL Class AAA semifinal game against Chartiers Valley comes to an end Tuesday. Chartiers Valley edged Trinity, 4-2. The Hillers can earn a spot in the state tournament by winning the WPIAL’s third-place game next week.

Ride of Their Lives

2009-05-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

Therapeutic horseback riding program aids students with autism.

Chatera Dixon,8, a students at Mon Valley School,a special education center operated by Allegheny Intermediated Unit 3,laughs as she hugs Mae during riding session at Horse 'N Soul Riding Academy in Washington.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

Practice Makers Perfect

2009-05-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

Tiarra Carter-Green,shows her little brother,Cameron how to hula hoop at their home on Ewing Street.

'A Bittersweet Day '

2009-04-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

This image won honors from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors in organization's 2009 Photo Excellence Awards. Was awarded second place in the Spot News category for daily newspapers of circulation between 30,000 and 75,000.

The photo,was published September 20,2008 of Justin Prettiman of Buffalo Township, a specialist with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, hugging his daughter, Nicole, 3, before his deployment to Iraq. It accompanied this story:

By Michael Jones , Staff writer
Observer-Reporter

Justin Prettiman knelt down and hugged his 3-year-old daughter, holding her in his arms moments before boarding a bus that would initiate his journey to Iraq.

The specialist in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard had wanted to be a soldier since he was a toddler. But nothing fully prepared the 22-year-old Buffalo Township man to say goodbye to his young daughter, Nicole.

"It's the hardest thing a soldier has to do, in my opinion," Prettiman said, his voice cracking slightly as he spoke. "Everything else I can deal with."

He stood in a circle with his parents, Fritz and Frank Prettiman, and girlfriend, Jessica Hensler. His daughter held a coiled American flag.

Not knowing what he would encounter during his first tour in Iraq, other soldiers advised him on what to expect while in a war zone and, most importantly, counseled him on saying goodbye.

"I've been talking to them about it, and they have helped me out quite a bit," Prettiman said. "It's tough, but they've helped prepare me for this day."

Prettiman and 100 of his fellow guardsmen from the 2nd Infantry Brigade's regional armory in South Franklin Township left on seven buses early Friday morning on a cross-state tour to pick up other soldiers. The brigade, part of the 28th Infantry Division, will join the 56th Stryker Brigade in eastern Pennsylvania before training at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Miss.

They are expected to deploy to Iraq in January and will remain there for less than a year. Where they will be based and the scope of their mission is unknown, but they are part of a "full-spectrum counterinsurgency" combat team.

Escorted by two state police motorcycles and a couple of police cruisers, the first white and blue touring buses rolled from the armory in South Franklin shortly after 8 a.m.

"We kinda don't know what's going on yet, so we're still getting everything straightened out with the mission," said Sgt. Ben Vorpahl of Monessen. "We've got a good group of guys here. We can handle anything. You get tight. You've got to trust your buddy to watch your back."

This is the second deployment to Iraq for the 29-year-old prison guard at the State Correctional Institution in Fayette County. Two years ago, he and many others in the unit were sent to the volatile Al-Anbar province.

Vorpahl's family was not able to travel to the armory to say their goodbyes. Instead, his wife, Corrina, was at home caring for their 3-month-old son, Eric, who was feeling ill. Although Vorpahl is somewhat accustomed to being deployed, it is especially difficult for his 5-year-old son, Evan, who has now watched his father go to war twice.

Vorpahl stood beside Sgt. Josh Cook, a 21-year-old student at California University of Pennsylvania, as they waited to board their bus. Cook, who also was deployed to Iraq two years ago, said they would help the "younger guys" during their first tours.

The two talked as they stood around their gear and slowly smoked their cigarettes.

"I think I'm missing out on a lot, but I'd rather be doing this while I'm young. It's for a good cause," Cook said.

"I don't have a wife or kids, so I don't have it as hard as this guy over here," he added and pointed to Vorpahl.

The atmosphere around the buses was somber compared to the joyous homecomings that have been celebrated at this armory.

Sgt. Ryan Clark, 26, of Rochester played with his 3-year-old son, Ryan Jr., and talked with his wife, Rachel.

"Just doing what my country asked me to do. It's a bittersweet day," Clark said. "You join the military to serve your country, but it's hard to leave your friends and family."

Nearby, other families hugged, posed for pictures or just stood in silence waiting for the buses to leave. One young couple kissed and then hugged each other, embracing for a few extra seconds before the soldier nodded his head and walked away.

"It's not easy, but he's wanted to do this since he was 3 years old," Prettiman's mother, Fritz, said. "It's just hard because he has Nicole. This was his dream, and we're just here to back him."

Before leaving, Prettiman hugged his father, Frank, and shook his hand. His dad gave him a thumbs up, reached for his arm and held it for a moment.

The son slowly backed away and stepped onto the bus

Cooling Off

2009-04-25T14:51:00.000-07:00

Dontre Palmer, 11, cools off by taking a turn on the waterslide at Lincoln Terrace.

Field of Dandelions

2009-04-25T14:41:00.001-07:00

Emma Malinak walks her dog, Otis, through a field of dandelions at Mingo Creek County Park in Eighty Four.

Coaches Track Meet

2009-04-17T18:53:00.000-07:00

Tara Powell, from Burgettstown High School, won first place in the 100 yard hurdles. Holly Mahoney,left, from Trinty High school, took 3rd place during the Coaches Track Meet at Peters Township High School.

Green Pasture

2009-04-17T18:46:00.001-07:00

Fresh air ,blue sky and a green pasture makes great weather for Smokey to horse around at Square Halt Farm on McCarrell Road in Hickory.