Monthly Archives: September 2010

Monday, September 27, 2010

Maize Valley

Maize Valley

Countless fun family activities seem to define September and October in this area, and while I am POSITIVE that there are exciting and diverse pumpkin and corn-themed attractions in the area, I must confess that I have always held a sweet spot for Maize Valley Market and Winery.

Located on 619 just a little past Hartville, Maize Valley seems to be the best of all worlds rolled into one. It’s a working farm and winery, a gift shop and restaurant, and it features a changing line-up of weekend activities in addition to its corn maze. When I went last weekend, four hot air balloons did a lift-off at sunset. In the meantime, its pumpkin cannon did some fancy field shooting at a busted old car in an adjacent field and the kiddie barrel train was zigzagging around the grounds while two tractors pulled happy-to-be-hayriding groups of visitors for a tour of farm and fields.

Maize Valley also has a fun little petting zoo with a couple of llamas, some goats, a donkey and a poor little boar whose shy demeanor (and issues with the donkey – which are entirely not his fault) will steal your heart.

Probably best of all, watching kids climb the giant stack of hay rolls, ride tricycles and peddle carts, and roll about in ginormous plastic tubes just about brings my heart to the point of jubilation. These kids are having a BLAST, and there’s not a cell phone or video game to be spotted.

Families can picnic on the grounds or buy some fall fare just down the hill and outside the main shop.

Come on out to Maize Valley Market and Winery. If you don’t have fun, I’ll swear it’s your own fault!

Selected photos follow. These are pretty much SOOC (straight out of the camera) with a little group color correcting. No cropping or fancy stuff, as I wanted you to get a chance to see them asap!


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Posted in Local Events|Seasons|What's this?

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4 comments

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admin - Thanks, Karen! I love that place, too. They certainly do an incredible job of it year round. I’m going to a Vintner’s dinner there and am absolutely excited. Five-course meal, I believe – chef-prepared. Maybe I’ll get a couple of snaps while I’m there and post them (it’s hard for me to go somewhere and *not* do that!).
Thanks for popping in!

Karen - A-MAIZE-ing Valley is what we like to call this place and you sure captured it along with a photo of my family. Love it!

Beautiful photos; you definitely have a gift.

admin - Hi Bill: How did you get to be a Fun-Tsar?! No fair! (LOL!) In my dreams, I was always going to hold the political office of Minister of Fun; I just never found the time to persuade folks of and promote the idea of the necessity of the position. (But if you ever want to sit down for some “fun” brainstorming, feel free to include me in your session :-)

I’m glad that these photos give back a little of the perspective that you don’t always have time to look for. If that is the case, I feel fulfilled. Isn’t life a wonderful circle of fulfilling needs? When it works, it’s a beautiful thing!

It’s heartwarming to know that there are people in the world who still love what they are doing. As much I as adore technology (and oh, I do!), I’m no oracle in saying that the constant drip of efficiency and progress have rubbed raw many a spirit. Being around happy, grounded people helps others to feel grounded. What you do brings a measure of that back into people’s lives, so kindly accept a huge round of applause from me. (Clap-clap-clap!)

To happy seasons,
KLM

Bill Bakan - WoW! I take a lot of pics but not like those, I guess I’ll stick 2 shooting pumpkins! Beautiful “work”, as it sure looks like you had fun doing it! Thank you so much for shareing your artistry with the camera with us.

So many times I get caught up in the tasks of the day and struggle to take a moment and see the enjoyment on our guests faces. You taking the time to capture and share this gave me a rare glimpse at my “work”.

Sometimes I joke with others that I am “unemployeed” as I so enjoy my “job”, you reminded me that there is as great deal of truth to that!

Take Care

Bill, The FunTSAR @Maize Valley

Monday, September 27, 2010

Becky

Session with Becky: Badger’s Pumpkin Patch

At 16 months, there’s not much more exciting than a day out, well, anywhere. With eyes so fresh as to be astounded by nearly every first experience, what’s not to rejoice about?

Accompanied by Mom, Dad and Grandma, Becky takes a few minutes to wake up from a leisurely nap after arriving at Badger’s Pumpkin Patch. While the pumpkin field itself didn’t take top honors with barely awake Becky (Pa-leeze! What’s with sitting me in the middle of a field, she asks!), the children’s play area and mum display rated higher on her list, as you’ll see below.

Enjoy!


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Posted in Children|Fabulous People

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Monday, September 20, 2010

Mini Enduro

West Branch Mini Enduro

What an amazing event with an incredible array of athletes!

Due to interest, I’m making the photos available for purchase. Please click HERE if you would like to buy a photo.  Also, feel free to email me if you need something special (e.g., you are interested in black and white versions, different color processing, etc.). For those buying photos, note that there is a square option for square photos and a rectangular option for regular or portrait photos under the “buy” button on the purchase page.

If anyone attending the event knows who the little girl in the photo on the toddler bike (Madison was her name, if her bike plate was correct), I’m hoping that her parents will get a chance to see the photo. She was just too precious.

PLEASE GIVE THE PHOTOS A MOMENT TO LOAD. Also, they are probably more quickly and easily viewed here.

Enjoy!


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Posted in Local Events|Sports

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admin - Hi Anthony,
Thanks for the kind words. It was a fun event, and having done one now, I’ve learned a bit about what I would do next time. I posted the photos to my smugmug account, so if you would like to buy any, you can do so there. One note: I cropped most to a rectangular or square dimension. If you select any square photos, make sure to select the square-sized prints (5×5, 8×8, etc.).

Here is the link: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/13845127_Yyy4Y#1015349623_ZraDc

I am also happy to make personalized color corrections, black and whites and so forth. There were so many photos that I had to sort of fly through the processing.

Finally, when you see the photos on smugmug, first up you’ll see an adorable little girl. Does anyone know who she belongs to? I would love to make sure that her parents get a peek!

Anthony Patterson - Hi!
Your photos from the West Branch mini enduro are Really Nice.
How much do you charge for copies?
My bib number was 262

Thanks,
Tony

Thursday, September 16, 2010

(Not with This Bride)

Not Just Another Wedding Picture


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Posted in Fabulous People|Weddings

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Corsair Model Aircraft Club

Corsair Model Aircraft Club

Many folks don’t know that Kent is lucky enough to now have its own AMA Charter Club, and I was fortunate to stop by for a few minutes for its Tuesday evening New Pilot Training session when a group of local Boy Scouts were learning about the craft.

According to CMAC’s Website (www.cmac.org):

The Corsair Model Aircraft Club (CMAC) is a friendly, family oriented, flying club for builders and fliers of remote radio control (R/C) model aircraft. CMAC is sanctioned by the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and is one of the largest and oldest clubs in the nation. …  CMAC sponsors a formal, free, training program for new pilots. CMAC provides several presentations to scouting organizations and church youth groups every year and our club field is utilized by the University of Akron College of Engineering Aero Design Team to test their award winning designs.

As this is a visual blog, I hope these photos  rouse enough interest to consider a quick trip to the field, which is located across from Franklin Elementary (and next to the Davey Tree Company) on Rt.43.

Anytime the weather is decent, you’re more likely than not to find one of the club’s members plying the aircraft, so come on out and enjoy before it’s time to hunker down for winter.


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Posted in Activities and Clubs|Kent|Local Events

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admin - Hey, you’re welcome, and thank you so much for making me feel free to come out. It’s a fun place to hang around!

Tom - Kami,
Thank You for the blog and the photos of our club activities . We do have alot of fun at this hobby. Looking foreward to your presence again any time You wish we always welcome visitors and who knows you just might get into the hobby Yourself. “Humor is good for the soul”

Tom

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