New Directions Choir

New Directions Choir

One of the best and most memorable times of this past spring in the desert was meeting, photographing and getting to hear The New Directions Choir sing and tell some of their stories.
This group is made up of former Vietnam Vets and formerly homeless vets as well. They are an amazingly beautiful group of people who have survived - and are thriving - against all odds.

They are beneficiaries of the excellent organization New Directions in LA. To learn more about the organization please go to www.ndvets.org

I will be posting more pictures of the chior for you and will be working on a photo project about the members later this year.

Be back soon....

but, for now, off to Jenny Lake Lodge in GTNP until Weds. When we return I will post some pics and tell you a bit about a project I will work on for exhibit next year: The New Directions Chior. Stay tuned.

The Living Center - The Light Within

So, Steve, family and friends, that was it- the entire exhibit, 27 prints - that will go up July !. The panel that is being shown , if you can't make it out here, says " I love you." What I discovered on this photographic journey was that even in the very old and infirmed there is a light within that, given attention and encouragement, is ever ready to shine.

The Living Center - a couple of the ladies

A little known truth about old age:even in the very old and infirmed, there is a light within that, given encouragement and attention, is ever ready to shine.

The Living Center Visitors

There are no visiting hours at the center. The approach of the staff is that loneliness is a plague of old age so every effort is made to facilitate not only visits from family and friends but also people from various churches and community organizations.

The Living Center Christmas

Christmas is huge at Teh Living Center. Decorations go up early and on the day of the auxillary sponsored party, there are actually three parties going on: one in the north sunroom with live music, another in the west sunroom where there is a big Christmas tree and another in the ding room where special cakes are cookies are served. Santa visits all of the room giving gifts and chatting with the residents.

The Living Center - Old West Days

Old West Days are an annual event here in Jackson that more or less kicks off the summer season. A very special thing about it is that the tourists have yet to arrive so it is really a locals party. There are many events that take place over a long weekend and the biggest crowd draw is the parade.
Many of the residents who watched the parade in June 2005 were pushed in their wheelchairs right down the middle of Broadway in order to get to their viewing spot. The were applauded and cheered along the way.
The lady above was chosen to ride in one of the parade wagons.

The LIving Center and Echo

Echo is a much beloved member of the Jackson Hole community and known, as well, for her weekly column in the local newspaper. Since residing at The Living Center, she has given the column over to a colleague who visits her regularly to, as Echo puts it " find out what I know".

On an outing to the Jackson Hole Rodeo, Echo is greeted by an old friend.

The Living Center and Summertime

When the weather is warm, The Living Center takes great advantage of the opportunity to take the residents outside. There are picnics in the park, cookouts on the courtyard, a visit to the Wilson Chicken Fry and as much involvement with children as possible. At Mike Yokel Park, above, kids and elders alike toss bean bags and balls.

The Living Center and Kids

Interaction with children is key at the center. Here are some children from ABC daycare who have come to sing for the residents.

The Living Center Art Class

The calendar at The Living Center. There is something everyday for those who have the interest and ability to participate. Art class is a popluar option. I was most impressed at the classes at the participation and concentration on the part of those who took part.

The Living Center at The Art Center

The residents have regular art classes. On this event they had some of their own watercolors from the class on exhibit at The Art Center. After seeing their work displayed, they spent some time in the art studio watching the local artists at work.

The Living Center and The Senior Olympics

I started shooting this project during the fall of 2004. In honor of the Summer Olympics this event, "The Senior Olympics". was held. This event was taking place at my first visit to the center and I was a bit stunned by the enthusiasm, the excitment and the shear joy of the residents who participated. There was a parade that processed through the main hospital building and, after that, a carefully rehearsed bell ringers performance. I admit to being emotionally ambushed by the bell ringers.

The games, as the one, above were practiced and the players were not only ready but very much focused on winning.
The woman in the center picture with the glasses is wearing her granddaughters Opympic medal for the Women's Triatholon.

The Living Center - Bar J Chuckwagon

The Living Center - compassion

A hard picture, perhaps, but not a set up one. This is a picture of an Althiemer's patient, her daughter and a volunteer.
The picture was taken during a Living Center outing to String Lake for a summer picnic. The setting was, as you might imagine, sparking water, huge evergreens, picnic tables, the smell of hamburgers on the grill and the mountains rising across the lake in grandeur.
The daugther had pushed her mom about in her wheel chair on the picnic trails, hoping, trusting, I am sure, that there might be some recognition and experience of the setting. The volunteer was simply sitting next to the mother making an effort to communicate by touch.
I get the impression that the effort to connect, somehow, in a positive way with patients like the mother here is a constant one at this facility.

The Living Center - friendships

The Living Center and Animals

The Living Center is making every effort to live up to it's name. The staff strives daily to make the center a place about people experiencing the liveliest days possible despite the infirmities and indignities of very old age. Having animals around - above are Sissie and Bob Dog - is a small but significant enhancement to the well being of the residents.

The Living Center

Maxine, who won 1st place for best Easter Bonnet at The Living Center this April.

I have been printing an exhibit for The Living Center, St. John's Hospital for the past ten days.
The exhibit will go up at Teton Pines for July and will be at Teton County Library in October.

My assignment was to shoot the dignity and delight in the lives of the residents there. Maxine, who is always ready with " Hey, honey" or " won't you stay for lunch?" whenever I see her, seems to exude both of those assets in this picture. She is my poster girl.

I will add more pictures and tell you about about the center over the next few days.