Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk



I was going to post some of these photos in the new post below, but I decided that they deserved their own post. So, here you go. 

On Saturday morning, June 29, I had the opportunity to cover the Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraiser event in Reading, Kan.

The event started as a fundraiser to rebuild the town's city park after a tornado devastated the town in 2011, and it's turned into a fundraiser benefiting the whole town.

The event has a "Wizard of Oz" theme to the whole thing, so a number of people were dressed in "Wizard of Oz" costumes.

It was a fun and refreshing morning being outside in the beautiful weather.

Here are some of my favorites from the day. 

Thanks for looking. 


Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Dressed as the "wicked witch of the west" Kimberly Smith, of Americus, Kan., waits for the start of the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event to begin Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan. The Tornado Trot started as a fundraising event to restore Reading City Park, but has grown to include fundraising for restoration projects around the town, explained Nancy Standiferd, co director of the event. All proceeds from the "There's No Place Like Home" themed event go toward Reading community development.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Racers participate in the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Asher Delmott, of Emporia, Kan., approaches the finish line during the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan. Delmott went on to finish the race in first place with a time of 16 minutes and 32 seconds.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Corrie Hawthorne, 18, of North Lyon County, Kan., walks off stage after accepting her "bravest lion" award after the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Racers mingle near the starting line prior to the running of the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Racers participate in the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Erin Lewis, 16, center left, and Corrie Hawthorne, 18, center right, cheer on race participants during the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Race participants are handed water by the Reading Girl Scout Troop No. 30255 during the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Tyler Tilton, of Emporia, Kan., approaches the finish line during the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan. Tilton placed second during the race with a time of 17 minutes and 50 seconds.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Boglarka Davies, of Reading, Kan., approaches the finish line during the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan. Davies was the first female finisher in the race with a time of 19 minutes and 21 seconds.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Kimperly Smith, of Americus, Kan., poses for a portrait with her dog Heidi while dressed up in their costumes as the "wicked witch of the west" and a "flying monkey" after Smith ran in the third annual Tornado Trot 5K Run/Walk fundraising event Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Reading, Kan.

Recent Work

I've shot kind of a lot of assignments lately.

This post is kind of just a jumble of some of my favorite photos from the last week's worth of assignments.

Thanks for looking.

Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Norma Hodges carries fallen branches to a trailer Friday morning, June 28, 2013, after Thursday night’s storm blew them down at her home near Bethel Corner north of Emporia, Kan. A tree had blown down over the road during the storm, and Hodges and her grandson, Hayden Morris, 13, (not pictured) used a four-wheeler to move it off the road, Hodges said.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Other workers look on as Eric Rowley operates a steel roller while working on Mechanic Street between 4th and 2nd Avenue Wednesday, June 19, 2013, in Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Tom Barnhart, left, and Eric Rowley work on setting a valve box over a new water valve on Mechanic Street between 4th and 2nd Avenue Wednesday, June 19, 2013, in Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Chad "CMAjoR" Carson works out at Agoge Training Center in Emporia, Kan., Friday, June 21, 2013, as a part of his Mixed Martial Arts training. Carson is training to participate in a Mixed Martial Arts bout in November to benefit 12-year-old Jade Horn, a local girl suffering from stage-three cancer.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Chesney Erkel, 3, of Emporia, puts out a fake fire with the help of Travis Hitt, with Emporia Fire and Rescue, Sunday, June 23, 2013, during an open house at David Traylor Zoo of Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Ny'Kel Thomas, 8, of Emporia, Kan., runs a race to see if she can run as fast as an osterich, which, according to a sign at the zoo, can run as fast as 60 yards in three second, Sunday, June 23, 2013, during an open house at David Traylor Zoo of Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Cyrus England, 5, of Manhattan, Kan., measures his wingspan Sunday, June 23, 2013, during an open house at David Traylor Zoo of Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | People get a better look behind the scenes Sunday, June 23, 2013, during an open house at David Traylor Zoo of Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Faith Hamlin, 3, of Americus, eats her "tiger blood" flavored snow cone Monday, June 24, 2013, at Tropical Sno in Emporia. Hamlin was there with her sister, Claire Hamlin, 15, after they had spent some time at the pool, Claire explained, and they chose Tropical Sno because it was Faith's favorite.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Doctor Fissha Mulugeta, far left, speaks with Newman Regional Health board members during a tour of the catheterization lab Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at Newman Regional Health in Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Ashlyn Garriott, 8, of Emporia, does her favorite move off the diving board, a cannon ball, Wednesday evening, June 26, 2013, at Jones Aquatic Center in Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Vincent Hodges, 2, plays Wednesday evening, June 26, 2013, at Jones Aquatic Center in Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Life guard Alisha Trujillo looks over the pool Wednesday evening, June 26, 2013, at Jones Aquatic Center in Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Swimming lessons are conducted Wednesday evening, June 26, 2013, at Jones Aquatic Center in Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Aiden Shoemaker, 6, of Emporia, splashes Justin Logan, a life guard and swimming instructor, Wednesday evening, June 26, 2013, at Jones Aquatic Center in Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Emporia American Legion Post 5 AAA's Austin Gordon reacts with his teammates after scoring a run Thursday, June 27, 2013, during a game against Girard at Soden's Grove Field in Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Emporia American Legion Post 5 AAA shortstop Heath Kraft catches a ball for an out Thursday, June 27, 2013, during a game against Girard at Soden's Grove Field, in Emporia, Kan.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Jeff Ensley, a graduate student at Emporia State University, receives information about a possible increase in student loan interest rates from student protesters, from left, Clara Corn, Rachel Head and Billy Garner, vice president of ESU's Young Democrats, Thursday, June 27, 2013, along 12th Avenue across from Commercial Street in Emporia, Kan.

Week One - The Emporia Gazette

First, sorry about the lack of posts these last couple of weeks. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. Since my last post I've started a new full-time job (The Emporia Gazette in Emporia, Kansas), moved to a new state, completed the first week of said job, and met more people than I can remember.

The lack of posts, though, is due to the lack of reliable internet. I'm living in a temporary housing situation, while I search for more permanent living arrangements, and the internet is incredibly slow at best. There would definitely be no chance of uploading a photo, not a chance.

I'm currently at a coffee shop enjoying an iced coffee while I craft this post.

Everyone I've met in Kansas thus far has been incredibly nice. One thing that I'm going to have to get used to, though, is the heat. It's quite a bit hotter here than it was in good 'ole northern Minnesota (hence the iced coffee).

Since I have completed my first week at the Gazette this post is mostly filled with photos from that experience. There are a couple of photos from an early morning trip out to the Flint Hills, but other than that they are all from assignments at the Gazette.

Enough talk though, enjoy some photos, and thanks for looking.

Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | From left, Boy Scouts Christian Smith, Lance Moore and Grant Swanson, all with troop No. 158, prepare to march with the American Flag Thursday, June 20, 2013, prior to the Emporia Municipal Band concert outside the Bowyer Community Building.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Four-year-old Charlie Brimer, of Emporia, makes a cast Tuesday, June 18, 2013, while fishing at Peter Pan Park in Emporia. "It's all he thinks of," said Barbara Brimer, the boy's aunt. The Brimer's had been fishing at Peter Pan Park for about 30 minutes Barbara said, and Charlie had caught one fish.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Ann Brimer, of Emporia, fixes the bobber of her grandson, Charlie Brimer's bobber while fishing Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at Peter Pan Park in Emporia.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Deb Haag stocks clothes Tuesday, June 18, 2013, during her shift at the Emporia Walmart. Haag has been an employee at Walmart for 30 years.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Drake Genoble, 4, of Emporia, looks through the fence at the animals Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at the David Traylor Zoo of Emporia.
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | The dreaded "Person on the Street" assignment. This photo was a part of my first experience with that type of assignment. It actually went alright, it took a little longer than I expected, but it was alright non-the-less. Normally a photo like this wouldn't make my blog, but this particular case is different, at least to me. I felt a connection to this photo that I didn't feel with the others. The older boys facial expression. To me, it was the most connected portrait I made during that assignment. I think the boy, Amir, opened up to me and my camera, and showed me his true self through his laid-back, honest, smile. And that is why I'm drawn to it. The question for the assignment was, "What are you doing this summer?" and 10-year-old Amir answered, "Being outside and doing a lot of fun stuff."
Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Phillip Cooper, water plant manager, uses a computer to reverse the filtering cycle in order to clean the filters Thursday, June 20, 2013, at the Emporia Water Treatment Plant. During drought conditions when the Neosho River isn't flowing the plant draws water from the Council Grove Reservoir, and last year the reservoir dropped to 40 percent below capacity, which translates to about 6 and a half feet, Cooper said.
©Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | Children line up before the children's march during the Emporia Municipal Band concert Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Fremont Park in Emporia.
©Joe Ahlquist/Gazette | National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee Martha McLeod, far left, and her husband Scott McLeod, both of Rockport, Texas, dance during the chicken dance Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Fremont Park in Emporia.
©Joe Ahlquist | Sunrise on the edge of the Flint Hills.
©Joe Ahlquist | Cattle on a hillside in the Flint Hills.
©Joe Ahlquist | A jack rabbit jumps while running away.

Just some stuff from lately

The last little while has been a bit busy, I fish in a couple walleye fishing tournaments every year and one of them was last weekend. It's always a lot of fun.

I've been doing a lot of fishing the last few days though, and I haven't been shooting very much.

I have shot some random things here and there around the house. 

Here are some photos from the last few days. Enjoy!

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