An elephant and a dentist

Jerry Booth, of Booth and Cardon oral surgery, smiles as he waits in his office between patients Friday morning. Booth is retiring from his career in oral surgery in Jackson County, which he has practiced since 1965. (Jackson Citizen Patriot)



Laura the elephant stands in a Leoni Township front lawn Friday afternoon as her owner Chuck Walters,, a former Jackson County resident, made a rest stop visiting an old friend Byron "Bosco" Smith. The elephant is nine-feet tall and weighs 8,000 pounds, and will be at 8260 E. Michigan Avenue until Tuesday.

Lematic (First Jackson Assignment)

Jackson resident Chad Phillips, 23, grins as he repairs part of a factory machine with a wrench Monday afternoon at Lematic. "I just like seeing everything get finished and watching them run. I see a lot of new stuff nearly every day."



Electrician Steve Bentley of Albion, a 24-year Lematic employee, looks through instructions while fixing a power box for a factory machine being assembled Monday afternoon at Lematic. "For me, it's the opportunity to do a lot ... to be a part of the whole operation from beginning to finish," Bentley said.



Engineering Director Gregory Brasic, left, CEO Dale LeCrone, mechanical engineer Aaron Weaver and Jerry Abbey, a design to build specialist, laugh while discussing layout options for factory-style machinery for a possible client, a bakery in Minneapolis, on Monday afternoon at Lematic. LeCrone said Lematic machinery, which slices and processes bread, can be found in about 75 percent of all McDonald's stores.

Read the story here.

Cascades Conference golf tournament

Nik Stetler of Manchester tees off at the fifth hole Wednesday morning at Cascade Golf Course for the Cascades Conference golf tournament. Stetler shot a 76, which he attributes to an eagle on the first hole and birdies on holes 11 and 18.



Johnny Brockie of Hanover-Horton sinks a putt on the fourth hole Wednesday morning at Cascade Golf Course for the Cascades Conference golf tournament. Brockie shot a 79 on the day.



Alex Wallace of Manchester peers through the trees after hitting his ball out of the rough on the 13th hole at Cascades Golf Course during the Cascades Conference golf tournament.



Eric Pietroytys of Vandercook Lake tees off on the 14th hole Wednesday afternoon at Cascades Golf Course during the Cascades Conference golf tournament.

My first golf assignment at the Jackson Citizen Patriot. Here's a link to the gallery online.

Welcoming 'Warriors'

Air Force Senior Airman Tyler Adams, a 2005 Grass Lake High School alumnus, kisses the forehead of his eight-month-old daughter McKynlee, who he holds closely as he was unable to see her birth and only just reunited with his wife and other daughter on May 1. Adams spoke Tuesday afternoon to Grass Lake Middle School's seventh grade class as one of the eight soldiers the school has been sending care packages to in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Not being there for my daughter's birth is one of the toughest things I've ever had to do in my life," he said. "Not only for me, but because I couldn't be there to help my wife through any of it. It's hard to see my wife struggle. It was the best feeling I've ever had when I saw her for the first time."



Cpl. Tom Niehaus, a marine of Grass Lake, laughs with seventh grade teacher Julie Alexander as she hands him the microphone to talk to the Grass Lake Middle School's seventh grade class Tuesday afternoon in the school's cafeteria. The class has been sending care packages and receiving letters from Neihaus while on active duty. "I always knew I wanted to be a marine," he said. "I've always known I wanted to serve my country and that's why I am doing what I am doing today."

This was my second assignment at the Jackson Citizen Patriot. Check out the story here.

Bob Bousson, Guitar Technician

Bob Bousson, Guitar Technician from Jake May on Vimeo.

JRN 423: Project Proposal

So I can't say if this will be a definite proposal or not, as I am meeting with the principal of Giresd's Dead/Hard of Hearing Program at St. Louis High School this week. I think it will show a lot of promise, and expect, as long as I find the right subjects, I can explore the issues I want in the deaf culture.

The program itself facilitates and teaches deaf/hard of hearing students of all ages in a public school format. The school is the only major program in Michigan with its format. It is the premier program. There are a number of students there, and my hope is to reach out two three or four different people: two students (one in early developmental efforts, the other at the end of the program) with estimated ages of 8 and 18; I would specifically like to do a video on one of the instructors who is deaf, teaching these students, and more so on the teacher's own life being deaf; I would also like to reach out to an older adult, one who has had their hearing their entire lives, but has now lost that function in their body, learning to cope without the ability they may have taken for granted all these years.

I want to show how deaf people are no different than everyone else. They enjoy the same moments in life we do. They have music, they dance and sing. It's just that we don't think to look for these things unless we are confronted by them. I aim to bring awareness to deaf life, and the wonderful amount of life each brings to those around them and themselves.

Wilderness First Responder

Indiana junior Rachel Kauffman looks up frightened and cold while two students attempt to keep her warm while searching for a solution for her fully-impaled leg. Kauffman landed on a tree limb in a simulation Friday at Mill Pond Park for RPL 365: Wilderness First Responder. The scenario had 13 victims spread across the park during a simulation of the Chile earthquake. Each had a different ailment; one victim died, but most survived and were treated appropriately. "Oh my god. I can't even imagine the pain," Kauffman said. "I've never even broken a bone. It would be absolutely horrendous. When they came to help, my first reaction was to scream."

Photo Gallery: CMU at NCAA Wrestling Tournament

What a weekend for collegiate wrestling. Here is a gallery from Central Michigan's matches. I will put up more photos from other matches in the next day or two, including the 157-pound and Heavyweight national championship matches.

Houston Rodeo: A Photo Essay

First day in Houston. A birth of photography. :)

MPPA, a weekend to remember

Neil Blake and Libby March. Two of my best friends. Fantastic photojournalists with great storytelling abilities. These two and I make up the Trifecta, a name we gave ourselves as whole to help strive for better photography and understanding of our work and what we can do with our photography. Each of us were awarded an individual award at the Michigan Press Photographers Association conference this weekend in East Lansing.

Even more amazing is we were each given an award for Michigan's College Photographer of the Year. Neil was named top honors. I was first runner-up and Libby as second runner-up. Another wonderful friend of mine, Sean Proctor, was also in the running, and we all wanted him to receive an honorable mention for his work, which was close to happening.

We have all worked very hard for this. Late nights in the Woldt Lab, constantly pushing each other to become better storytellers. I can't say enough about my closest friends and the work they produce. I am continuously inspired every day to shoot as I see them doing the same. It's addictive, but it's our lifestyle and I wouldn't have it any other way. I learned so much this weekend from seeing so many great pictures and talking with professionals. It's truly wonderful to immerse yourself into what you love around people who truly understand it.

I love all you all — Neil, Libby and Sean. You are my best friends. Thanks so much for being so supportive of not only my, but our collective works as photojournalists. Rat Pack for the win! (Secondary photo courtesy of Kent Miller, a professor that has helped guide us and without him, none of this would be possible.)

Here are links to our winning works:

Neil Blake, College Photographer of the Year
Jake May, College Photographer of the Year, First Runner-Up
Libby March, College Photographer of the Year, Second Runner-Up

Neil Blake, Sports Picture Story, Honorable Mention
Libby March, Feature Picture Story, First Place
Jake May, Feature Picture Story, Honorable Mention