Faces update...

Leap year day, 2012! The Faces of Laconia project is moving forward nicely. About 14 people photographed since I started the project. The list of names continues to "adjust" as my gut tells me who should be added and people who have found out about the project suggest who they feel should be included. Call it a selfish thing, but the project is my idea and, so, I have and will continue to retain the final decision as to who winds up on the list.

That said, I have to say thank you to the Laconia Historical and Museum Society and their Executive Director, Brenda Polidoro. Brenda presented the idea to the Society's BOD, where it was warmly received, along with the question "Who's on the list?" They were respectful of my position not to divulge, at this time, who is on the list of people who have or will be photographed. Brenda has been terrific with in-kind support, calling the subjects and arranging times to shoot, all with the support of the Society's BOD.

On a sad note, one subject who was on the list, Wanda Tibbetts, passed away before we had the chance to take her portrait. Early in the project, Brenda reached out to set an appointment, only to learn that Wanda had been taken, by ambulance, to the hospital a few days before she called. Wanda passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at the young age of 67. She was rightly dubbed "The Queen of Lakeport". She is missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her, including me.

To those of you who I have photographed and interviewed, I want to offer my most sincere "Thank You!" The stories you have shared have been amazing. What started as an idea to just photograph a select group of people who have made positive contributions to the Laconia area is turning into what I hope will become a significant historical work, all thanks to your graciousness.