Vikings Players Surprise Lincoln Football Team (10.29.13)

Today I spent part of my afternoon covering a surprise visit by two Minnesota Vikings players, two cheerleaders and the mascot to a Lincoln High School football practice at the Sanford Fieldhouse here in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The event was sort of funny. It was a complete surprise to the Lincoln High School football team, but they had to know something was up because there were two P.R. photographers there (one with Sanford and one I think was with the Minnesota Vikings), an Argus Leader reporter, an Argus Leader video guy and several broadcast media people. Oh, and one of the local T.V. stations had their broadcasting van in the parking lot. Not to mention all of the other random Sanford P.R. folk around.

This was obviously not a regular football practice.

Everything seemed to go off without a hitch, though, and the kids seemed pretty surprised--if not a little confused.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the event. More of my photos can be seen in a large gallery at the Argus Leader website.

Lincoln High School football players look on during a surprise visit from Minnesota Vikings' Josh Robinson and Toby Gerhart to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Lincoln's Keshaun Britt, center, looks on during a surprise visit to a Lincoln High School football practice by Vikings' Josh Robinson and Toby Gerhart to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Minnesota Vikings' Cheerleader, Kayla C., talks with Lincoln High School football players during a surprise visit to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Minnesota Vikings' mascot, Viktor, gets in the middle of a drill during a surprise visit to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Lincoln head coach Aaron Beavers looks over at Vikings' Josh Robinson, center, and Toby Gerhart during a surprise visit to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Vikings' Josh Robinson, left,  demonstrates how he tackles with Lincoln's Keshaun Britt during a surprise visit to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Lincoln High School football players look on during a surprise visit by Vikings' Josh Robinson and Toby Gerhart to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Vikings' Toby Gerhart speaks during a surprise visit to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

The Minnesota Vikings' mascot Viktor during a surprise visit to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Vikings' Toby Gerhart, left, and Josh Robinson walk into the Sanford Fieldhouse during a surprise visit to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Vikings' Toby Gerhart speaks during a surprise visit to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Lincoln High School football players warm up before a surprise visit by Vikings' Josh Robinson and Toby Gerhart to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Vikings' Josh Robinson claps during a surprise visit to a Lincoln High School football practice to award Lincoln football players a 24-person suite for the upcoming Vikings vs. Eagles football game and an iPad with the X2 Ice application, which is used to help athletic trainers with the brain health of athletes, at the Sanford Fieldhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Another Batch of Recent Work (10.25.13)

I know, I know, I just posted some of my recent work on Monday, but I've had a busy week. I've shot quite a bit of stuff that I'm pretty happy about, so I'm sharing some more work.

Here's a few of my favorite photos from the last week. Enjoy.

Washington's #7 Hannah Nieman sets the ball during a match against Lincoln at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Miami Heat President Pat Riley delivers his keynote speach during the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 107th Annual Meeting at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Miami Heat President Pat Riley places his hand on the podium as he addresses the media during a press conference at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Miami Heat President Pat Riley addresses the media during a press conference at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Miami Heat President Pat Riley delivers his keynote speach during the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 107th Annual Meeting at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Mike Erickson, the owner of the house on the 600 Block of South Willow Avenue where Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire, stands in the doorway between his garage and the main part of his house after the fire had been put out in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Mike Erickson, the owner of the house on the 600 Block of South Willow Avenue where Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire, rolls his motorcycle out of his garage at his house after the fire had been put out in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Mike Erickson, the owner of the house on the 600 block of South Willow Avenue where Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire, lets his dog, Max, stand on his back outside of the house in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue responds to a structure fire on the 600 block of South Willow Avenue in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. There were no injuries during the fire. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Sheila Sechser, who is retiring after 46 years as an occupational therapist, talks with Cherie Ortman, a musical therapist who worked with Sechser for 32 years, during a reception in Sechser's honor at the Children's Care Hospital and School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Sheila Sechser, who is retiring after 46 years as an occupational therapist, hugs Diane Lien, a family friend, during a reception in Sechser's honor at the Children's Care Hospital and School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Marcille Wallner looks on as volunteers with Premier Bank Card plant trees in her yard while planting trees as a part of Tree the Town in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Luke Hutcheson, with Premier Bank Card, plants a tree while planting trees as a part of Tree the Town in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Three-year-old Logan Jensen, left, stands by as his mom, Brandy Jensen, sells jersey raffle tickets before a game between the Stampede and the Waterloo Blackhawks at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Daylan Gibson, 6, of Sioux Falls, fist bumps Stampede players as they leave the ice before a game against the Waterloo Blackhawks at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Stampede's #24 Chad Duchesne skates with the puck during a game against the Waterloo Blackhawks at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Stampede's #21 Peter Hand pins down the Waterloo Blackhawks' #20 Peter Krieger during a game at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Sioux Falls area high school girls participate in a preseason evaluation for the Sioux Falls Flyers at the Sioux Falls Ice and Recreation Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Sioux Falls area high school girls participate in a preseason evaluation for the Sioux Falls Flyers at the Sioux Falls Ice and Recreation Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Harrisburg's #2 Devon Thilges is brought down by Brandon Valley's #8 Wyatt Winter, left, and #12 Drew Reinschmidt during a game at Brandon Valley High School in Brandon, S.D., on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Small Town Cops (10.23.13)

A couple weeks after I started my job at Argus Leader Media I was fortunate enough to be a part of a big project that reporters John Hult and Steve Young were working on examining rural law enforcement in South Dakota and the challenges they face.

The project was centered around the fact that the majority of decertified officers in South Dakota came from rural departments and the question, "Are people, and police officers, in rural communities safe?" Police officers in rural communities don't always have backup that's only seconds or minutes away, so that presents a different set of issues than what police officers in larger departments face.

My part of the story was very small. I went to Pierre, S.D., with John Hult to photograph law enforcement students going through the process of certification and training, as well as spending time with the Miller Police Department Police Chief in Miller, S.D., and some of what he does in an average shift.

Follow along with the story as it's published at the Argus Leader website, and check out a photo gallery from the other Argus Leader photographers here.

Here are some of my favorite images from my contribution to the story.

Miller police chief Shannon Speck looks out over the Miller High School parking lot while doing his usual walk-through of the schools in Miller, S.D., Friday, Aug. 23, 2013. Speck said, because Miller doesn't have a school resource officer, him and his officers try to check up on the school almost every day. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Law Enforcement Academy recruits, from left, Tyler Heine, Jason Jasper, Michael Wollman, Cameron Beyer and Lamont Bracey prepare a brief presentation about a semi-automatic handgun during a South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy Basic Certification course at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre, S.D., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Miller police chief Shannon Speck, right, laughs while talking to Miller School District super intendant Mike Ruth about recent patroling of the school zones during a walk-through of the school in Miller, S.D., Friday, Aug. 23, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Law Enforcement Academy recruits listen to instructor, Greg Williams during an ethics class during a South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy Basic Certification course at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre, S.D., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Miller police chief Shannon Speck patrols the streets of Miller, S.D., Friday, Aug. 23, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Law Enforcement Academy recruit Mike Boyd demonstrates the loading function of a semi-automatic handgun during a South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy Basic Certification course at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre, S.D., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Miller police chief Shannon Speck waves to a community member as they drive by outside the Miller School in Miller, S.D., Friday, Aug. 23, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Deb Willert, a florist at Nature Bound Floral & Greenhouse, works on a flower arrangement at the greenhouse in Miller, S.D., Friday, Aug. 23, 2013. Willert said, when it came to crime at the greenhouse, she could only think of two trees being stolen in the seven years that she has worked at the there. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Miller police chief Shannon Speck interacts with children at the Miller Elementary School while doing a walk-through of the school in Miller, S.D., Friday, Aug. 23, 2013. Speck explained that because Miller's elementary and junior/senior high schools are connected it easier for Miller police officers to check up on the schools. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Law Enforcement Academy recruit Chance Davis demonstrates the eject function of a semi-automatic handgun during a South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy Basic Certification course at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre, S.D., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Miller police chief Shannon Speck waves into a classroom while doing a walk-through of the school in Miller, S.D., Friday, Aug. 23, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

A Law Enforcement Academy recruit sits in an ethics class with his fake, blue handgun holstered at his side during a South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy Basic Certification course at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre, S.D., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013. The fake handguns are a way to familiarize recruits with carrying a real handgun, said Scott Rechtenbaugh, head of law enforcement training. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Recent Work (10.21.13)

Here is a collection of some of my favorite frames from some recent work that hasn't warranted its own blog post.

Enjoy.

Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether speaks before the final 30-foot steal beam was put into place during a "Topping Off" ceremony at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether signs the final 30-foot steal beam once before he ceremonially signed the beam before it was put into place during a "Topping Off" ceremony at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Construction workers look on as the final 30-foot steal beam is put into place during a "Topping Off" ceremony at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

The final 30-foot steal beam is put in place during a "Topping Off" ceremony at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Roosevelt's #12 Kolby Scott heads the ball for a goal during a first-round Boys State Soccer match against Washington at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Roosevelt's #7 Mynor Enriquez heads the ball during a first-round Boys State Soccer match against Washington at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Michael and Jean Heisler pose for a portrait in front of their large, south-facing and triple-paned windows in the kitchen of their active solar energy home near Garretson, S.D., on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Brittany Henry, a family and consumer sciences teacher at Memorial Middle School, holds a class discussion about things her students have learned in the financial literacy portion of her class at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

A group of people play flag football at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. The group playing on Sunday were part of a group of people that get together every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday to play flag football--rain or shine. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Austin Winberg (second from right), blue team, passes the ball during a game of flag football at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. The group playing on Sunday were part of a group of people that get together every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday to play flag football--rain or shine. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

The yellow team huddles during a game of flag football at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. The group playing on Sunday were part of a group of people that get together every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday to play flag football--rain or shine. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

A member of the congregation at St. Ann's Catholic Church prays before mass at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Humboldt, S.D., on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Members of the congregation leave St. George's Catholic Church in Hartford, S.D., after the 8 a.m. mass on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Mud accumulates on the Yankton goalie's knees during a first-round high school State Soccer match against Roosevelt at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

A kindergartener eats lunch at Lowell Elementary School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

A kindergartener eats lunch at Lowell Elementary School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Welder Todd Heaton works on a part during his shift at Aaladin Industries in Elk Point, S.D., on Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)