Monday, June 23, 2008

Joe Waters memorial on Cherokee Road.
Last Friday, June 20, 2008, a friend of mine at the Fitness Forum brought to my attention that Joe Waters had passed away. In hearing that I didn't immediately know who she was talking about. I knew of him from the Fitness Forum, where I am also a member, and Mr. Waters was for a long time. He made an impression on me at the Forum years ago. He always had a smile on his face and always had something nice to say. Many in the community might remember him as the guy who was commonly seen hitting golf balls on West Cherokee Road at the corner of South Franklin St. His obituary said, "Mr. Waters had many friends and never met a stranger." I sincerely believe that to be true. The full obituary can be found on http://www.scnow.com.



Flowers and a few golf balls sit in an open lot at the corner of West Cherokee Rd. and South Franklin Street on Friday, June 20, 2008. The flowers were put there as a memorial for Joe Waters, who died on Monday, June 16, 2008. Waters was known by many in the community but those that didn't directly know him new of him if they ever drove down Cherokee Road. The empty lot was one of Waters' favorite spots to hit golf balls and was seen there quite frequently by passersby.





A golf ball is inscribed as "Old Joe #1" in an open lot at the corner of West Cherokee Rd. and South Franklin St. on Friday, June 20, 2008, in rememberance of Florentine Joe Waters who died on June 16, 2008. Waters was known to frequent the lot to hit golf balls.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Florence Mayor Re-count
Thursday was the day that the Florence County Elections Commission met to go over the provisional ballots from the primary the previous Tuesday. This was of much interest because both mayoral candidates, Stephen Wukela and incumbent Frank Willis, were seperated by one vote in the election. I was assigned to cover the event and the whole thing was an experience. I learned alot about voting and how certifying an election works. Here are two pictures I thought were interesting. Enjoy!





The 5 ballots, out of the 17 up for consideration, were deemed fit to be counted by the commission. The attorneys for both mayoral candidates watched intently as elections officials tallied the votes in secrecy behind glass. All the media that was there gathered around on the opposite of the glass hoping to catch a glimpse of the happenings. I thought it was ironic that the banner on the back wall read, "Every vote matters and every vote counts."





When the day of the recount was over and it was announced that each candidate received one more vote Stephen Wukela was still ahead. Immediately after the announcement both candidates were wrangled for interviews. I thought it was kind of humorous that at exactly the same time both candidates were being interviewed by two different and competing television stations.

Friday, June 06, 2008

It’s Hot



Thursday, along with everyone else on the photo staff, I had the task of getting pictures to represent the current heat wave. Every year I know at some point the photo staff will need to cover it. Everyone knows that it's hot that's for sure. A mentor of mine once said, "our job as photojouranlists is to make people experience the world around them in a different way." In other words anyone who lives in any community sees the same things, or just about, every day. Our job as photojournalists is to show those every day things in a different way through our pictures. With that in mind I set out for the day, about 3 hours to be exact, taking that challenge head on. For several years now I have been stalking this picture of the railroad tracks. I find it interesting that of all the places in the Pee Dee the tracks seem to have the best heat waves. I have known that there was a picture there to be made but hadn't quite pulled it off to my liking. So after some experimenting with time of day, camera exposure and temperatures through the years it just seemed to have come together. I like how the heat waves make the background look almost like a painting. Is this a perfect heat wave picture? I'm not convinced of that but I feel that I got a little bit closer. Have a good summer, by the way it hasn't officially started yet, and stay COOL! John D. Russell/Morning News

Monday, May 19, 2008

Hines Funeral Home gets a new car
On Monday I had an assignment with reporter Dwight Dana to go to Hartsville and interview Franklin Hines, owner of Hines Funeral Home, about his new hearse. One of the things I thought was really neat was the 1930's era Rolls Royce hood ornament. The car as a whole was a sight to see!





The hood ornament on Franklin Hines' new hearse is from an early 1930s Rolls Royce, just one of many details on the hearse. John D. Russell/Morning News





Franklin Hines, owner of Hines Funeral Home, stands near his newest funeral vehicle, Monday, May 19, 2008, in Hartsville. Hines had the vehicle handmade by his specifications taking more than 2 years. John D. Russell/Morning News

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Olanta Photographer Milton Morris
On Tuesday I went with reporter Dwight Dana to talk to photographer Milton Morris in Olanta. Morris grew up in Olanta on a farm and eventually headed off to New York City to learn his craft. As a photographer myself I was amazed by his large format camera. The camera is absolutely massive and I found it un-heard of that he occasionally takes it with him on some shoots. Here are two pictures from the interview. Check out the Morning News next week for the full story and other pictures.





Milton Morris talks about his 11x14 camera that he will occasionally use to take pictures with. The camera is at least 50 years old. Morning News/John D. Russell





Milton Morris sometimes uses an 11x14 Deardorff view camera that he had restored that is close to 50 years old. Morning News/John D. Russell

Monday, March 10, 2008

Goodyear tire testing at Darlington Raceway.
Monday was the first time that race cars were allowed on the track after Darlington Raceway finished re-paving the track Too Tough To Tame. Three NASCAR Sprint Series drivers were in attendance, Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle and Ryan Newman. Media coverage of the actual testing on the track was very limited, probably 5 minutes total of on track racing. Plenty of media was there from all over. Here are two shots I hope you'll enjoy.





This picture is the exact opposite of the one that ran in the paper. This one has the car in focus and the track blurred, as opposed to the other way around.





I am continually amazed at the media circus that an event like tire testing at Darlington can draw. In this picture there are two groups of media, one huddled around driver Ryan Newman, left, and the other gathered around Greg Biffle. Can you count how many video/still cameras there are?? Count carefully........I got 10.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Darlington Raceway finishes re-paving of the Track Too Tough To Tame
On Tuesday, I was able to attend the very last section of asphalt being laid which completed the paving at the historic Darlington Raceway. I couldn't help but realize that I was watching history unfold before my eyes. Here are some more pictures that you did not see in the paper.





Darlington Raceway President Chris Browning, center right, talks with construction worker Danny James as the last piece of asphalt is laid on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.





The asphalt paving equipment creeps down the backstretch on it's way to complete the paving process.



The asphalt crew carefully blends the seam joining the asphalt surface.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Math competition outtakes
On Friday, February 22, 2008, I was assigned to cover the 12th Annual Math Competition sponsored by Florence-Darlington Technical College. To my surprise a few things I saw I couldn't help but get a picture of. Here are two of them.

I thought this little frizzy haired character looked rather at home on the table next to the computer at the 12th annual Mathematics Competition this past Friday. I would imagine quite a few students competing in the competition felt the same as this.



The students at the math competition didn't seem to be the only ones baffled by an equation or two. Even the faculty of Florence-Darlington Technical College seems to be stumped.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Members of the National Symphony Orchestra coach local students

I was thoroughly impressed with the musicianship that bassist Rick Barber, left, and violinist Laurent Weibel showed in coaching students at Wilson High School. One of the things that I found most interesting was that Barber's bass was merely 400 years old. Yep that's right 400 years old!

Thursday, February 07, 2008

South Florence High School Air Rifle Team qualifies for national competition

South Florence High School NJROTC students from left Kyle Bundy, Lee Hubbard, Destiny Rhodes and Buddy Blake have all qualified as a Precision Air Rifle Team that will compete at Fort Benning, GA, in the Eastern Regional competition starting February 13, 2008. The team is also ranked #1 in South Carolina. These kids definitely are a dead-eye when it comes to shooting. I had no idea the specialized equipment and the time and dedication these kids have put into their sport. For the whole story and more pictures check out Saturday's edition of the Morning News.



South Florence Sophomore Lee Hubbard takes aim on the practice range on Thursday in preparation for the competition.



The team suits up in their precision shooting gear. The gear consists of equipment from head to toe that helps with correct posture and balance to maximize accuarcy.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Pee Dee area athletes sign to play college sports on Wednesday

Wilson senior Leah Hawkins signs to play soccer at The Citadel.



West Florence senior Jimmy Howell signs to play football at the University of Virginia.



Wilson senior Derek Belin signs to play football at St. Augustine.



Wilson senior Adam Crysel signs to play soccer at Coastal Carolina University.



Wilson senior Lawrence Davis signed to play football at Delaware State University.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Scenes from the John Edwards campaign stop in Bennettsville, SC on Wednesday.

Former congressman and 'Dukes of Hazzard' star Ben "Cooter" Jones sings with bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley at The Skye restaurant in Bennettsville. The event was part of a John Edwards campaign stop.



Corey Jordan sits with his father, Brad, on stage waiting for Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards to show up.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Actors Chris Tucker and Kerry Washington campaign for Barack Obama

Debra Gibson holds Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign literature as Actors Chris Tucker and Kerry Washington address the crowd gathered at the Smith University Center, on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at FMU.



Actor Chris Tucker is swarmed by fans after he addressed a crowd at the Smith University Center at FMU on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, campaigning for Barack Obama.

Monday, January 21, 2008

The Palace Theatre welcomes guests to the S.C. Democratic debate Monday night

The evening atmosphere before the start of the S.C. Democratic debate

Bonnie Hanshaw, of North Myrtle Beach, stands with other Clinton supporters on Monday evening before the start of the debate.



Dennis Kucinich supporters voice their concerns over their candidate not attending the S.C. Democratic debate.



Political supporters line the road leading to the Palace Theatre.



John Edwards daughter, Cate, made an appearance to help her father's campaign at the Palace Theatre.



A rally to raise AIDS awareness for all of the Democratic candidates to support the cause.