Topeka Kansas Photographer

I hadn’t been to the farmer’s market for awhile, at least since they moved to the parking lot closest to the Kansas Judicial Center.  The Farmer’s Market is kind of like a carnival!  The Farmer’s Market really is like the Renaissance Festival only in real time (no period costumes etc!).

I probably saw at least 8 people that I know and met another 4 or 5.  I met one man that I went to 3rd grade with (Bill James) playing the guitar.  I don’t remember having seen Bill for at least 25 years.  Bill had been working in various National Parks working as a guide for things like white water rafting trips and things like that. I even saw my dentist and his wife there, Mark Hall (good thing I had just been in last week for a clean and check!).

I’ll probably be going again next Sat. morning as I understand another long time friend, Ron Owens will be there playing the guitar.  Come on out and get your tomato plants!!

The Spot Tavern has been around for many years in Topeka but I would guess that not many people have ever heard of it. It is truly one of the last “corner bars” left in Topeka.  Located at 2202 SW Buchanan St. in Topeka, it is very close to the Shunga Trail that runs behind Roach Hardware on 21st.

To say that this place has “regulars” would be an understatement.  It is probably the closest thing that Topeka has to a “Cheers”.  The interesting thing though is they welcome all new people and feeling like you are a regular can happen within the first hour you are there!  Capturing personalities is probably the reason I photograph.  About 90% of the images that I produce are of people.

You have probably seen the gentleman on the left riding his bike all over town over the years.  Usually on hot days he is shirtless.  He has been riding all over Topeka for as long as I can remember.

Frosty mugs of cold beer are the staple of the day here.

Here is a view of Shunga Creek not too far away from The Spot just off of the Shunga Walking/Biking Trail.

Easter Morning 4/4/2010 was a beautiful morning after a long cold winter this year here in Topeka. I was invited to attend the Easter Morning Sunrise Service and Breakfast at the First Church of God In Christ located at 619 California Ave, here in Topeka.

I got to see some old friends and to meet some new friends. The service was great, the fellowship was great and the food was fantastic. For breakfast they served Grits, sausage, ham, eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, biscuits & gravy, coffee, juice and there may have even been some fresh fruit but I never got that far!

Thanks again to the wonderful people at First COGIC Church for inviting me in and making me feel so welcome.  I am looking forward to many visits in the future!

Pastor Rounds

Deacon Robbs and his son Jason Robbs

Decided to dust of my $3 garage sale (literally) Polaroid SX-70 camera and go and shoot the rest of my film, on hand, on the dafodils at the Rose Garden in Gage Park.  If you haven’t heard yet the first “New” Polaroid film was released yesterday by http://www.the-impossible-project.com/ . The story behind “The Impossible” project is amazing. They literally saved the last Polaroid factory from the scrap heap at the very last minute then had to re-invent many of the processes to make the film. Ilford has been a big partner in the project.

US Coast Guard Bed Race Entry

Schendel’s Pest Control entry into the bed race. Sewn on bed bugs and all!!

Topeka High School Drum Corp

A couple of images from Friday Feb. 26th, 2010 Inter-tribal Pow-Wow held at Gage Park, Topeka, KS. In the first image is an old friend and neighbor, Chris Wagner. Chris has been the chairman of Shawnee County Inter-Tribal for the last 10 years. At this Pow-Wow he announced that he was stepping down as the chairperson due to increasing family responsibilities.

A familiar site around Topeka during tax prep time is the dancing liberties around town. I wonder thought how many people stop and visit with any of them. This lady was very nice. She says that she has gotten to know some of the people that drive by frequently. Some of the frequent passers by wave and honk when they go by. It helps pass the time.

In the top image I was walking out of Dillon’s at Huntoon and Lane here in Topeka.  The weather was cold and windy and people were in a hurry to get into their warm cars.  The image below of the house interested me just because of the collection of stuff that is there.