PICTORIAL: Rain water, wine glass

Here a couple of pictorial images I made the last couple of days while in Rhode Island visiting family.

FEATURE: Children chalking

Mallorie Hollenbeck, 5, of Midland lays seemingly lifeless as she tries not to move while she takes her turn of getting her body sketched in an outline onto the cement on Saturday during Community Canvas' Chalkflood, a celebration of Midland’s artistic, musical, theatrical, and scientific diversity. "It's so much fun. Chalking is great. Making circles, coloring them in and getting colorful all over the ground," she said. "I don't mind getting my hands covered because it's worth it." (Jake May/Midland Daily News)

SPORTS: Jasper basketball features

Members of the Jasper High School varsity basketball team warm up after half time at Cabby O'Neill Gymnasium. The gym is vintage 1930's and was just restored this past year. This is the first game played in the gymnasium in more than 20 years.



Caption to come (Info is at Mount Pleasant apartment. I am currently in Rhode Island.)

NATURE: Jasper, Indiana

For Thanksgiving, I took the time to visit my good friend Neil Blake, who was interning at the Jasper Herald in Indiana. The trip was great. Before shooting a basketball game, Neil and I went feature hunting. Well, we found some serenity in a little slice of nature. Here are a few photos from that. Also, the last is a photo of Neil. :)

FEATURE: Nativity Scenes

Katie Grzegorczyk, center, holds her daughters Madison, 2, and Abigail, 1, in her arms while her husband Paul, son Luke and daughter Emma all look upon the Thailand version of a nativity scene, as part of the 15th annual Midland Nativity Exhibit on Sunday evening at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where more than 500 nativity scenes from around the world are set up for a walking tour. "I think this reminds people, and especially our children, what the Christmas season is all about," said Paul Grzegorczyk. "There's not Santa anywhere. And it shows that everywhere around the world recognizes the birth of Jesus Christ in its own way." His daughter Madison added: "Thank you to baby Jesus." (Jake May/Midland Daily News)

NEWS: In the operating room

Staff general surgeon Jim Shepich takes a phone call in one of six new operating rooms Friday afternoon at MidMichigan Med Center, 4005 Orchard Drive. The hospital will have 13 new operating rooms, seven of which will have renovations in the coming months. "It's a huge technological leap," he said. "It's better for the patients. They're privacy especially will be much higher than before." (Jake May/Midland Daily News)

NEWS: Project Blue Light

Mary Fisher of Midland closes her eyes as she prays onstage by herself while the White Pine Celtic Arts Council Pipes and Drums play "Amazing Grace" Sunday evening at Memorial Presbyterian Church during Project Blue Light, a ceremony that honors all police, deputies, firefighters and paramedics who died in the line of duty or while employed, their survivors and those who still work to keep the public safe. Fisher said she began to cry when the music played as she remembered her son, Clare County Deputy Kevin M. Sherwood who was killed in a traffic crash while responding to a call of a wrong way driver on U.S. 127 on Oct. 9, 2003. "I still cry when I think of him and his death," she said to the crowd of about 100 people. "This past year, my mother past, but I was able to get past that. I still can't get past his death. We are expected to bury our parents but not our children. It's just tough." (Jake May/Midland Daily News)



Sgt. Matthew Berchert holds his hand over his heart alongside other members of the Midland Police Department commemorate and honor all police, deputies, firefighters and paramedics who died in the line of duty Sunday evening at Memorial Presbyterian Church during Project Blue Light. About 100 people attended the ceremony. "It's just — I can't put it into words. The fact that the community truly appreciates what we do as police officers, and that they recognize those of us who have given the ultimate sacrifice," Berchert said. "It's a true respect."(Jake May/Midland Daily News)



Sophie Sherwood, 6, of Midland runs through the coat room as she plays freeze tag with her sibling and cousins after the ceremony for Project Blue Light on Sunday evening at Memorial Presbyterian Church. About 100 people attended the memorial service. (Jake May/Midland Daily News)

FEATURE: Butterfly release

Lucas Kraenzlein, 9, of Midland waves his net through the air as he wades through chest-high Goldenrod Saturday morning at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Kraenzlein found and captured two Monarch butterflies and one Monarch caterpillar within the first hour of a drop-in Monarch tagging program. "I like to play with bugs and insects, so coming out here to see all the new species I haven't found is exciting. I like to explore and find new things I've never seen before. It's what I live for."

FEATURE: Heigh Ho!

Spencer Berkypile, 3, of Jackson dances from side to side as her marches forward, his fists pumping through the air, as he imitates the seven dwarves of the Disney classic Snow White on Saturday afternoon outside of the Cascade Falls in Sparks Foundation County Park. "Heigh ho! Heigh ho!" he screamed as if the other dwarves were marching along with him. "Sleepy is my favorite one. He's funny."

SOCCER: Bullock Creek vs. Chesaning

Bullock Creek defender Zach Frederick heads the ball in the rain during the game against Chesaning Wednesday night at Bullock Creek High School. Chesaning only had four total shots, two on goal in the 6-0 shutout victory by Bullock Creek.



Bullock Creek midfielder Spencer Delzer, left, celebrates with teammates Matt Ehler, Jaic Drendall and Max Bourne after scoring the first goal of the 6-0 shutout Wednesday evening against Chesaning at Bullock Creek High School. Delzer scored three of the four goals in the first half to lead the team in scoring in the 6-0 victory over Chesaning. "Goal after goal, it just boosted our whole team's confidence," he said. "It got easier and easier to play as we built upon each goal. To score, it feels so good, but I want to share the effort with all of the other players. We have good chemistry and we picked up our game today."



Bullock Creek junior Zach Frederick takes a shot on goal as the Chesaning goalkeeper, right, grimaces while saving the ball Wednesday night at Bullock Creek High School. Bullock Creek won 6-0 with 14 total shots, 11 of which were on goal.