Mums the word

Jean Snyder from McDonald is carrying a basket of hardy mums she bought from Sherwood Nursery and Greenhouse during the Cecil Fall Festival at the Cecil Township Park.

Blending In

A bullfrog lounges in a pond on Harmon Hills Farm in Hopewell Township.

Covered Bridge Festival

Autumn Harris from California is making wild flowers bouquets for sale during the Covered Bridge Festival at Mingo Creek County Park.

Oktoberfest

Ol Herm Helay from Canonsburg entertains the crowd with his button box at the Oktoberfest celebration in Canonsburg.

"A Bittersweet Day"

Justin Prettiman of Buffalo Township, a specialist with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, hugs his daughter, Nicole 3,before leaving the South Franklin Township armory Friday for his eventual deployment to Iraq.


Ryan Clark of Rochester plays with his son, Ryan Jr.,3, before leaving the armory Friday.

It's a Stickup

Peters Township High School field hockey player Danielle Dolcich runs onto the field during introductions their match was against Mt.Lebanon in McMurray.

CT Miller Vineyards

Ted Miller, of CT Miller Vineyards , harvests marechal foch grapes on their seven acre vineyard. With over 5,000 vines, all grapes are picked by hand. CT Miller Vineyards, located in Avella, is owned by Jan and Ted Miller.

Bus Stop

Former Steeler, Jerome Bettis, signs autographs as part of the opening ceremonies for the Tanger Factory Outlets.

Multi-Vehicle Accident

Three people have been reported injured in a serious accident that occurred about 5:40 a.m. involving a tractor-trailer and four vehicles at mile marker 8 on Interstate 70 east in Buffalo Township.

Frisbee Catcher

Ian Clark catches a fribee tossed by a friend at South Franklin Township Park.

Pony World Series

Fans from Taichung City, Taiwan, cheer on their team playing against Long Beach, Ca, at Lew Haye Pony Field in Washington Park.

County Fair

Harley Haney,12, from Amity, spends a quiet moment with his market hog at the Washington County Agricultural Fair.

Cherry Valley Organics

Cherry Valley Organics located in Burgettstown is Washington County's only Certified Organic Farm. Cherry Valley will be featured in the August 10th edition of the Observer - Reporter. Make sure to pick up a copy.

Tunnel Vision

Mike Donovan, from Canonsburg, bikes the Montour Trail and exits the National Tunnel which is 623 feet long in Cecil Township.

Charity Tournament

A girls softball tournament was held in Burgettstown for the benefit of St. Jude Hospital. Hunter Saieva, playing for Chartiers Houston, drives the ball into the outfield at James F. Hillman Memorial Park.

Suzuki Pittsburgh Triathlon & Adventure Race

Sunday, I got to step out from behind the lens and participate in Suzuki Pittsburgh Triathlon & Adventure Race . It consisted of three separate physical events, a two-mile kayak paddle down the Allegheny River, a 20K bicycle course and a 3.2 mile run.

The first leg of the race I felt as though I was competing with my Kayak, as it had a mind of its own. With each paddle I made it became a struggle to rip through the water within the course. Perhaps more than one experience in a kayak would have better prepared me.

The bike course consisted of 12-miles, being six miles up a steady incline and the remaining downhill. I was excited early on as I began passing contestants.I was so focused on the finish line that I failed to realize that my shoes were still clipped into the pedals. I dismounted my bike by falling onto the pavement. This is not highly recommended.

Moving on to the third and final segment was a 3.2 mile run. Ah, my favorite-this was definitely my event! Since I have been running the majority of my adult life from bad decisions, bill collectors and relationships, I felt as thought I would excel (just kidding). Seriously, I am a seasoned runner and love running. However, my legs felt as though I had sandbags strapped to my thighs and my knee was hurting from my earlier fall. All I could think of was crossing the finish line without collapsing.

My stroll across the finish line was thrilling. Not too often do I ever get to experience events in front of the lens. Although, I would have been just as thrilled to photograph, because it is hard to complete with capturing an image, but to participate was just as exciting. I finished in 2 hours and 11 minutes. And Yes, I am looking forward participating in another adventurous race.

I will be out of the office recuperating until Friday. Stop back for more exciting images that I will be uploading soon.

The photo above is participant, Jeff Verszyla and I before the race.

Stellar Effort

Washington first baseman Nathan Massner,left, tosses the ball to relief pitcher Sam Mann in the seventh inning to record an out at first base. Wild Things 5, Evansville Otters 4

Mouths Full of Melon

Sachi Mwape, left, cheers on friends Zack Nimal, center, and Austin Garber in a watermelon-eating contest at Canonsburg's annual Doowopalooza festival.

Monkey'n Around

Steven Spence climbs on the monkey bars at Canonsburg Town Park.

Wild Things

Wild Things right fielder Brad Arnett goes up above the fence to catch a fly ball in the third inning.

Thunderstorms

Muse fireman Frank Egizio carries a large branch that fell across Burnside Drive in Cecil Township during a heavy thunderstorms.

Sky Diver

Zack Crowe from Washington jumps off the high dive at Washington Park.

River Sweep

Volunteer, Scott Rice, removes trash from Catfish Creek in Tylerdale, during River Sweep, where some of the items were tires, clothing, mattresses and a bike.

How big is your Ecological Footprint ? Take the quiz to see how your lifestyle impacts the planet.

Practice Makes Perfect

Jennifer Stroyne, makes a forehand return at Peters Township Summer Tennis Clinic.

Whisper

Grapes

Riding the Wave

Angelic Artistry

Laurence H. Manos an artist and iconographer, paints Orxthodox iconography on the wall of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church.

Steady Hands

Rexanna Quedenfeld, makes a pot with potter Judy Hopson during the Sixth Annual Art in the Park Art in Action event at Washington Park.

Never Forgotten

A Memorial Day program, at the National Cemetary of the Alleghenies, was held to remember and honor all military members. William Ferrelli from Burgettstown sits at his daughter, Alanna D. Ferrelli-Close, grave. She served as a SSGT in the United States Air Force, during the Persian Gulf war.




Cheryl Harris, from Cranberry, spends a quiet moment at her sons graveside at the National Cememetry of the Alleghenies.

A One and A Two

Patty and Emil Husarchik from Daisytown are regulars at the Jeannette American Legion Polka dances.

Family History

William McVay portrays his great-grandfather Jacob Dentzer, a Civil War soldier. McVay holds an original medal awarded to Dentzer.

Walking The Walk

Candidates make their way to their commencement ceremony at Washington & Jefferson College.

Dandelion

Beauty is all around us if we just take the time to look.

Eye of the Tiger

Tiger Woods during the 2007 U.S. Open Chamionship at Oakmont Country Club.

New Start

K.D. Kelly plants new starts in her flower garden on Route 136 in Monongahela.

Sun Fish

When I was a child I could not wait to go fishing with my dad and grandfather. The night before the trip, we would go out after dark to search for nightcrawlers. My job was to hold the flashlight and then it was off to bed. I could hardly sleep. I was the first one up and dressed, setting in the dark, waiting and ready to go and wondering if I was going to catch anything.

There was something about the experience that was truly magical to me!

It has been years sense I have held a fishing pole. But when I hold my camera and look through the lens, I experience that same magical feeling of never knowing what images I will catch.

Giovanni Biagini, 5, of Jefferson Borough catches a fish at 84 Lakes while fishing with his father, Sean.

Setting The Pace

Runners struggle to break from the pack in the 1,600 meters during the Washington and Green County Coaches Meet.

Day At The Park

Steven Manges with friend Riley Hill pour water from their boots after playing in the stream at Mingo Creek County Park.

The Final Push

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton speaks to supporters Saturday night at California University of Pennsylvania.


Senator Barack Obama shakes hands with supporters Tuesday after speaking at Washington and Jefferson College.

What an incredible week ! I have had the opportunity to photograph history in the making. La Dolce Vita

Play Ball

James Lows gets a big hit while playing sofball in a parking lot at West Findley and Green streets in Canton Township.

Restoring George

Restoration work on George Washington atop Washington County Courthouse.