AIGA's ClockWork event

Last night was the unveiling party for ClockWork, the event in which area creatives used their skills to provide 24 local and regional nonprofit organizations with communications products to help them raise awareness and funds for their cause.
http://blueridge.aiga.org/clockwork/index.html

The event was a huge success, despite unexpected construction in the venue's parking lot, technical difficulties and even the sounding of a fire alarm during a presentation.

It was wonderful to see all of the creatives involved in the entire process, as well as to meet all of the very deserving nonprofits receiving the help.

A highlight of the evening was learning about Joey's Corner, a nonprofit design agency that creates pro bono work for nonprofit organizations across the country. Joey's Corner was founded by Michael Osborne to honor the life of his deceased son, Joseph Michael Osborne, 1980-2004.
http://www.joeyscorner.org/index.php?page=mission

In addition to starting Joey's Corner, Michael is also President and Creative Director of the San Francisco-based graphic design firm, MOD/Michael Osborne Design. He has helped to create a multitude of award-winning designs some of which we use and see on a daily basis—the Love stamps for the USPS, packaging for Archer Farms (Target brand) and Gymboree.

I was lucky enough to not only receive the peoples choice award for the brochure I designed for Healthy Adams County, but I also received this fabulous, one of a kind dust etching on the back window of my jeep from Michael Osborne himself!



I guess it pays to be too busy to wash your car!
http://www.modsf.com/bio.php

Politics in Gettysburg

This morning during my weekly trek to the Farmers Market on the Gettysburg square, I noticed the local political scene is in full swing. Volunteers for both Presidential campaigns had their booths set up, where typically you would see vendors selling potted plants, baked goods and produce.

It was kind of funny to see both parties right next to each other, both vying for the attention of the passerby.

Election day is exactly a month away, so be sure you are registered. The deadline to register in most states is October 6 (very soon!).

http://www.voteforchange.com

American Kitefliers Association Convention & Grand National Competition

On September 23 through the 27, the American Kitefliers Association Convention & Grand National Competition will be taking place in Gettysburg. This event is going to be really neat, with the convention being one of the largest kite gatherings in the world!

There will be kite making competitions, kite flying events and workshops. There will also be extremely large kites, including a 130-foot Octopus and the Megaflag kite, one of the three largest in the world at 10,000 square feet!

If in the area, be sure to check out this free event open to the public.

http://www.aka.kite.org

Welcome from Jaime

Welcome to my portion of the Celebrate Gettysburg blog! I’ll warn you—I’ve never had the opportunity to blog before, so please be patient—and kind.

I intend to use my blog as a sort of insider’s view of what it takes to put together Celebrate Gettysburg.

But first, here’s a little background on how the magazine started. Publishers (and Adams County natives) Jessica and Troy Dean realized their hometown lacked a lifestyle magazine geared toward residents that highlighted all the great things Adams County had to offer. With their experience—Jessica had previously been art director at a regional publication in Maryland and Troy had extensive web and design expertise—Celebrate Gettysburg was born in 2006.

I joined the magazine as editor in 2006 and helped shape the editorial focus and direction of the publication. (To read more about our backgrounds, and to read the bios of our frequent contributors, visit www.celebrategettysburg.com/contributors.html).

With such a small staff, we wear many hats.

As publisher/art director, Jessica is in charge of designing the entire magazine, figuring out the page count of each issue and deciding the page length and positioning of stories. She also sells advertising space in the magazine and, if an advertiser needs an ad designed and created, Jessica does that as well. She also updates the website as needed. In addition, she interacts with readers, advertisers and freelancers via phone and e-mail. This is just a sampling of her responsibilities.

As publisher/website developer, Troy designed www.celebrategettysburg.com and helps secure advertising.

As editor, I am basically in charge of all the editorial copy in the magazine. I plan stories, hire freelancers, and coordinate the Experience Adams and Upfront sections. Occasionally, I will write a feature or department story. I oversee the columns in the Upfront sections, write the assignments for our freelance writers and photographers, and edit and proofread the copy that arrives. I write the photo captions for each story and the copy for Upfront, Experience Adams, the Contents page and the Editor’s Note for each issue. And, believe me, the pages that would seem to be the easiest to write—the Contents page descriptions, for example—can be the most difficult … it’s harder than you think to condense a 1,500-word story into a few catchy words. But it’s a lot of fun at the same time.

Jessica and I also share certain responsibilities, such as selecting photographs to run with our stories and securing text and photos for the Rarities and Adams County Remembered sections.

This is just a brief overview of our roles at the magazine. I plan on outlining the planning and the production process of a typical issue in future posts.

Remember, you can always contact us at jess@celebrategettysburg.com, troy@celebrategettysburg.com or jaime@celebrategettysburg.com.

Jaime Ridgley, editor

Spring in Gettysburg

Well, it looks as though winter is officially out and spring is in! The nice weather has visitors and locals buzzing about town, as well as trees and flowers blooming.

The daffodils to the left were photographed on the Battlefield across from the Eisenhower farm, just off of the Emmitsburg road.

Adams county is beautiful this time of year, with fruit trees in full bloom, and the landscape turning a bright emerald green.

Many wonderful, natural treasures can be found throughout the county. Celebrate Gettysburg is highlighting these treasures by helping to promote a photowalk in Gettysburg. Join fellow photographers and stroll the streets of Gettysburg, taking photos of the surroundings. Some of the photos taken on the walk will be featured in an upcoming issue of Celebrate Gettysburg magazine. For more information visit:

http://www.photowalking.org

Menallen Friends Meeting and Burial Ground

Above is a shot of the very ornate iron fence which surrounds the Menallen Friends meetinghouse located in Biglerville, Pa. The fence was actually made in Gettysburg and recently restored.

We are working on a three-part series about the underground railroad in Adams County, and have been highlighting the meetinghouse in the series.

Cyrus Griest is laid to rest on the grounds, along with his wife Mary Ann. Both opposed slavery and assisted freedom seekers escaping to the north and west.

If in the Gettysburg area, be sure to book a tour with Debra McCauslin, and learn about the Menallen Friends as well as other historic sites relevant to the Underground Railroad. The new tour allows visitors to get acquainted with those who sought freedom and those who fought for it. Portions of tour proceeds are donated to historic preservation.

For more information about the Underground Railroad in Adams County be sure to visit:

http://www.freedomliesnorth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=15&Itemid=28
http://www.nationalapplemuseum.com/adamscty02.html
http://www.celebrategettysburg.com/pastIssues_janFeb2008.html

Irish in Adams County

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Irish may not be a word that comes to mind when thinking of Gettysburg and Adams County, but there are many examples as to why it should.

Irish descendants constitute one of the largest demographics in the area, and they have made their mark on a number of places in which the names are derived from the Irish. McSherrystown, Irishtown, Tyrone Township, and Straban Township are all Irish names.

In July, The Irish Heritage Foundation of Gettysburg holds it's annual Adams County Irish Festival at Gettysburg's Moose Park. The festival is a wonderful event filled with Irish music, dancing, food and vendors. The festival benefits the Children's Friendship Project for Northern Ireland, which promotes friendship between Catholic and Protestant teens in Northern Ireland. It is a really fun event which aids a great cause.

Another great Irish group which helps out the Gettysburg Soup Kitchen and the South Central Community Action Program's food pantry is the local division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. This society promotes Irish culture and heritage while taking part in community service.

"If you're lucky enough to be Irish, then you're lucky enough"

For more information about the Irish in Adams County be sure to visit:

http://www.adamscountyirishfestival.com/
http://www.gettysburgaoh.com
http://www.irishtownroad.com