Miss Heartland of the South pageant

Ok....breaking news... I may be ready to admit that I might possibly be a "pageant Mom"! Those of you who know me, know that is a painful confession. Following years of vehement denial. Britt competed in Miss Heartland of the South this past weekend. She's been competing for three or four years and ALWAYS I am supportive and so proud of her, disappointed when she has an off night, and sitting right up front to cheer her on. However, still I denied being a "pageant Mom". So that's probably over now!

Yes, I know what double-sided tape is for and all the places you can put it. Body glue - yep. Hemorrhoid cream - yes, I know all the places you would use it and why (other than the obvious, of course!). I think my acceptance of being a pageant mom came when I looked around Saturday night and recognized people. By that I mean, I recognized former queens and competitors. Recognized people in the audience by how they were related to competitors or former queens. Recognized previous judges or executive directors of other pageants. I was trying to figure out how the competition was going by the percentage of score for the phase of competition. Then it hit me.....OMG! I am a pageant Mom!

I know some of you are laughing now! It's ok, I've accepted it and have now moved on. As always, I was so proud of Britt. Beautiful and graceful - she is the epitome of what the pageant system wants and represents. It was a great competition with some very beautiful and talented young ladies - both divisions! I know the judges must have had a hard time. In the end Britt won the Crowd Favorite award and First Runner-up! Yea for Britt! Kristen Heuck won the title of Miss Heartland of the South. And, Ashley Roacho won Teen Miss Heartland of the South. So I have moved from being Britt's #1 fan (sorry Alex - yes I am the #1 fan!) to being an official pageant Mom!

Enjoy some photos from the night:

Jan & Jason

This past weekend I photographed Jan & Jason's wedding. I was really excited about booking this wedding. Jan was a preschool teacher when both of my youngest daughters went to Under the Rainbow. Lindsay even cried on her preschool graduation day because she would have to leave "Ms. Jan" to go to kindergarten. It was also a chance to work with two of my favorite local vendors, Daisies & Such and MJ's. They got married at the Depot, which is one of my favorite places. I just love the Historic Downtown Newport area.

I was more than a little concerned about the weather, since Hurricane Ike was surely headed our direction. We had planned a lot of outdoor photography, and heavy rain and wind was not going to fit into our plans. Even though at times you could feel a few sprinkles and it was so unbelieavably hot and humid - we actually made through without heavy rain or wind. So they got a little rain on their wedding day for good luck, and we still managed to have all our outdoor time!

I was even in on a little surprise for Jan from Jason! Don't you just love having a secret!

I enjoyed this weddnig so much. Working at home means you practically know everyone there. But mostly it was just so much fun working with Jan and Jason, meeting all their family, and watching how excited they were about this day. I had a really hard time narrowing down my favorite images, but wanted to share a preview with you.







The wedding day was all about family and close friends. From the intimate setting, to the special gifts Jan & Jason selected for their Moms and friends - everything about the day was to honor each other and the people they love. There were lots of happy tears!


There's nothing like a beautiful bride to photograph - it makes my job so easy! (Thanks for letting us use the car, Jerry!)












Jason used this box for Jan's engagement ring when he proposed...awww...






And, then the party! (Catering by MJ's, Flowers by Daisies & Such, and cake by Melanie Hutchinson)








The whole gallery should post over this coming weekend! Jan & Jason thank you so much for including me in your wedding day! You guys are awesome! - Cheryl

Delta Visual Arts Reception

Yesterday elected officials, city leaders, community patrons and representatives from the Clinton School of Public Service were on hand for a press conference and reception to kick off the Delta Visual Arts Center project.

The reception celebrates the launch of the Delta Visual Arts Center project in downtown Newport. Three students from the Clinton School of Public Service, Todd Moore, Emily Fischer, and Joanna Klak were introduced. The three will be working with the community to start exploring the concept of creating an art center that will celebrate, encourage and promote the arts of the Arkansas Delta. The concept was generated by a committee with members from the Newport Economic Development Commission, DRIVE, and the Iron Mountain Regional Arts Council. The students will help create a plan to establish the Arts Center, which will work as a regional visual arts engine to draw people into the Delta, as a key component of the downtown revitalization effort of Newport, and as a forum to bring economic opportunity to Delta-based artists. The Clinton School students will work during the 2008-09 academic year to develop a capital grant proposal and create a cohesive vision for the project.

The project is in the beginning stages, and no construction is not planned yet. But as community leaders and members, this is a project that I hope everyone will support. If you can get involved in any small part with the project, I encourage you to contact John Chadwell at the Newport Economic Development Commission. Ask how you can help? - Cheryl