The Makings of a Great Simulation

At Ignite, 2012, the Institute For Cultural Communicators welcomed the participants with one awesome simulation.
What do you need for an awesome simulation? A great plotline and some incredible interns, prospective interns, and
recommended staff assistants!

You start with a welcoming committee :),

some assistants,

some crazy makeup,

and some crazy characters.

You rehearse your storyline and get into position . . .

. . . and take advantage of a photo opp while you wait for the students to be escorted in.

Beef up your welcoming committee/security force . . .

. . . and get ready!

Wait a minute! He's one of the good guys!

Did I mention the crazy makeup?

Well, you've got to have some crazy hair, too!

Then, bring on the guinea pi ...uh, i mean, bring on the students!
Great job planning this activity, interns!

Topiary Gardens

Welcome to the Pearl Fryar Topiary Gardens, located in Bishopville, South Carolina. All this was created by one man.

Pearl Fryar began work on his gardens at his home in the early 1980s. In 1985, he was awarded Yard of the Month.

By the mid-1990s, Pearl's topiary gardens gained national recognition, being featured in numerous newspapers, magazines, and television programs. In 2006, there was even a documentary made about Pearl and his gardens - aptly titled A Man Named Pearl.

Pearl bought this piece of property - a corn field at the time - totally barren of trees. He planted every single tree and shrub you see in these photos. (It's amazing how he trains them to grow in certain ways, distorted, into shapes.

Many of these plants and trees were retrieved from compost/trash piles at various nurseries.

Pearl took plants that were "ugly", or sick, or undesired by others, and crafted and coaxed them into living works of art and beauty - impressive topiaries.

He maintains his topiary by trimming the trees every 4-6 weeks. People come from miles around to see Pearl's creations. He even donated one to the State Museum in Columbia, South Carolina!

Pearl had no previous experience with topiaries. He got a quick 3-minute lesson on topiaries from a local nursery, and went to work cutting up the bushes around his home.





Pearl also designs metal sculptures and fountains, which he has placed throughout the garden.

He uses scrap metal to create what he calls "junk art." If you look closely in the next few pictures, you may find the words "love," "peace," "goodwill."




My favorite photo from the whole shoot, L O V E. Pearl must be one remarkable man.

Do you see the dog drinking from the fountain?


And across the bridge is the Garden with a Message. A message of love, peace, and goodwill. Pearl wanted his visitors to leave with a positive message.

Pearl literally dug trenches in the ground - in the shape of letters - and filled them with pine straw. It spells out the words love, peace, goodwill in 8 foot tall letters.


Continuing with the love theme.

The reverse side.

The sun was wonderful that day.

Do you see the message? Kali said this picture was all sunshine, rainbows, and butterflies :).




Do you see the elephant?

This was a really impressive place. A huge work of living art. Pearl has his own website at www.pearlfryar.com. You can find more information there. I picked up a brochure during our visit. Most of this information (don't I sound brilliant?) actually came from that brochure. If you get near Bishopville, you should definitely drop in and say hello to Pearl!

College Freshmen Shots

I thought I had already posted these, apparently not. Sorry.

We've known him for several years - primarily through debate, of course :). I was supposed to shoot his
high school graduation pictures last year, but life happened and it never worked out.

Fast forward to this year. I was shooting his sister's senior photos and he happened to be home from school -
so here we are!

One pretty squared away young man! I'm sure I will be posting more photos with him soon.

Heritage Society Winter Ball, 2012

For a couple years now, Kali and I have wanted to attend one of the Heritage Society's balls.
Last month they hosted the 2012 Winter Ball and we were able to go! Yay!!!

The English-Country style dance began with the Grand March, where all the dancers walked in a large circle, and strolled the entire room.

I'm sure there is probably a better/more correct way to explain the Grand March.

It was beautiful! I got to see all the lovely gowns, and wonderful suits, but I also got to see so many of our
debate/speech family that I hadn't seen in a long time! It was marvelous!


Just as the serious dancing was about to begin - I saw this beautiful lady (Kali and I absolutely love her!) -
and she saw me with my camera! Hug-time all around!

Then it was on to the dancing! This wonderful lady (one of debate/speech moms) called the dances.
Doubt that I could ever do that, although I did get to start the music once so she could dance with her husband :).

One of the things I really liked about this group was that you had a number of dance partners. You could change every song.
And, the gentlemen are expected to ask the ladies to dance.

The dances are structured - choreographed, if you will. The caller tells you exactly what to do. And it's beautiful
because the entire ballroom is filled with dancers, all moving in sync, and having the time of their lives!




During the intermission we had time to visit with our friends - and snap a few shots :).

Another thing I like about this dancing is it includes all ages.

The young guys get a chance to be gentlemen, and learn social skills all at the same time - with no pressure, and in complete acceptance!

Good friends. Family really.

There's nothing better!

Kali got to attend her first ball! We can't wait for the Magnolia Ball date to be announced!

If you'd like to watch some videos from the Winter Ball, here is a link to my youtube page! Have fun!