1921 - 2009

Ruth Ross died this morning at 87. And as a last great adventure, is on her way to Berlin to be buried next to her late husband, my namesake.

I brag about her to everyone. She's the woman who shares my enthusiasm for fruit and rescuing plants from dumpsters. The tough lady who would swim 25 laps a day and traveled the world up until very recently. My grandmother who survived the Holocaust and has been like another mother to me. She always laughed and covered her face when I tried to take her photo.

Batting Cage

Andrew Baez, 10, practices for baseball tryouts for the West York Boys Club at the Hoffman Baseball/Softball Academy.

Mannerisms

Violet Taylor, right, sits with her great granddaughter, Savahanna Howard, 6, at the 26th Annual York St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Extras

I followed Teresa Snead for eight months. She is one of the most determined people I've ever met. She works over 75 hours a week, raises her four children on her own and put in the extra time to receive a home from Habitat for Humanity. If I could go back I would have shot the story a bit differently. However, I will just have to settle for the understanding that I've learned plenty that can be put to good use next time. These are two of my favorite photos from her ground blessing that never made it into the final project. You can also read the final article or view a slideshow about Teresa, her family and new home.

Wide/Medium/Tight

Shot the PIAA Wrestling Championship at the Giant Center in Hershey PA. The photo above is of Jonathan Childress of Dallastown. 

He is controlling Central Mountain's Jordan Rich.

Daily Grind Outtakes

Goodness, what a day. I started at 7 a.m. with a school bus evacuation drill in Dallastown School District. Shortly after, I was called to a fire in the city. I caught Errick Milindi watching firefighters enter his rented townhouse on W King Street.

Later in the afternoon, I spent some time with Shirley Harris and other volunteers at the Northeastern Food Pantry. Harris waited for one of her seven appointment she had that day in the pantry, located in Starview United Church of Christ.