Leann Rimes - Amazing Grace

Harley-Davidson: Live by it.

Inspirational Video for Photographers

I know it's been awhile sense I've put anything up here but, There is so much crap out there today and I don't really care to add to it unless I feel it has at least some value. And then I came across this video... Finally someone with something to say.

Siloam Springs Ar, Rodeo Queen Contest....

2008' Siloam Springs Winners

Ok ladies, It's time to shine up your gear, brush off your horses, and put on a pretty face. Anyone interested in running for the 2009' Siloam Springs Rodeo Queen, Princess or Sweetheart should contact Karen Reed. Karen can be reached at (479) 790-5338 or by E-Mail at reedranchlk@earthlink.net .

Now times a wastin' girls so get a hold of Karen and let her know that you are interested. 

Karen tells me that all 3 divisions Queen, Princess, & Sweetheart will all WIN a Saddle, So get signed up and come have some Fun at this years 2009' Siloam Springs Rodeo.

Yours Truely (James McFadin of McFadin Photography) was lucky enough to get to photograph and hang out with all of the girls last year, and I can tell you that fun was had by all. I know that if you were to enter this years competition You WILL have a blast.  So contact Karen and lets get this ball rolling. Siloam Springs will Treat you right. As soon as I receive a schedule for this years competition I will post it here. So Stay Tuned, The Fun is about to Begin...

2007' Siloam Springs Winners

This could be you girls...

Here is an update to the above Post

Here is the entry form and schedule.

Siloam Springs Rodeo

Queen, Princess, and Sweetheart

Contestants

June 18-20, 2009

Qualifications for Pageant

Contestants must sell at least 100 Duck Race Tickets.

Contestants must attend the Golden Members Dinner on

Wednesday @ 6:30 pm. 

Contestants must attend the Special Kids Rodeo on Friday

@ 10:00 am.

Contestants must attend the Duck Race on Saturday @ 11:00 am.

Contestants must be a participant in the Parade, Saturday @ 5:00 pm

Contestants must be a member of the Riding Club. 

Single Mem. - $10.00 Family Mem. - $20.00

Suitable western attire will be worn at all times unless otherwise 

designated. 

Age Qualifications

Queen Contestants:  16-23 years of age, unmarried and no children.

Princess Contestants:  10-15 years of age, unmarried and no children.

Sweetheart Contestants:  6-9 years of age.

Horsemanship

Location:  Siloam Springs Rodeo Grounds.  There will be different 

patterns for each age group.  Each contestant will make an 

introduction run after their pattern has been completed. 3-6 

questions will be asked by the judges after you have completed 

your pattern.  Split reins are required.  Tie-Downs and Spurs are

optional.  No Chaps or gloves will be permitted.

Horsemanship interview/questions will be asked during the 

horsemanship part of the competition.  This can be over parts of the 

horse, saddle, knowledge of professional rodeo – its history, 

organization, rodeo terminology, etc.  Be prepared for anything.

Horsemanship Attire

Blue jeans and White long sleeve button up shirt.  Boots, belt, and 

hat color of your choice. 

Modeling and Speeches

Modeling outfits will be provided by Cavenders. 

Please provide outfit information and biography information for 

your modeling. 

While your modeling, we will read your description of your outfit that

you have provided. 

Each contest will then give a 2 – 3 minute speech over the topic listed

below.

Queen Contestant Topic:  Tell us why all little girls want to grow

up and be a Rodeo Queen and how you would influence them to 

achieve that goal. 

Princess Contestant Topic:  Tell us who has inspired and 

Encouraged you to be in rodeo and why you want to be Siloam 

Springs Rodeo Sweetheart. 

Sweetheart Contestant Topic:  Tell us about you and your horse

and why you want to be the Siloam Springs Rodeo Sweetheart. 

There will be no notes or index cards allowed while contestants 

are giving their speeches. 

General Information

Duck race tickets must be turned in on Wednesday Night at the 

Golden Members Dinner. 

The decisions of the judges are final.

Each contestant will have a personal interview and be interviewed

privately by the judges. 

Thursday June 18^th at Cavenders @ 9:30 am.  Questions asked can be

over yourself, rodeo, knowledge of the sport and pageant, current 

affairs, etc.

Contestants will be judged on their introduction runs each night of 

the rodeo performance. 

Queen, Princess, and Sweetheart will be crowned during Saturday 

nights performance.

Contestants will conduct themselves in a ladylike manner and all 

contestants will get along.

If for any reason, fighting or arguing goes on, the contestant will be 

disqualified immediately.  All contestants must abide by all rules or 

otherwise be disqualified.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

No dating during the pageant.  NO ALCOHOL.  Any contestant 

caught drinking alcoholic beverages during the rodeo will be 

disqualified form the competition. 

All contestants must execute any and all consents, and agree to abide

by all the rules herein.

Each contestant needs to send a bust photo in western attire 

and hat with a write up about themselves for the

 newspaper.  This must be sent in with their application.

Contestants may enter any event at the rodeo while competing for 

the Queen’s title and be eligible for all the awards.

Neither the Siloam Springs Riding Club nor the Queen’s Committee

will be responsible for you.

Events

Contest Deadline – June 1^st Need pictures and write-ups

for the newspaper.

Wednesday June 17^th @ 6:30 pm – Community Building in 

Siloam Springs on Mt. Olive Street, downtown next to the 

fire station. 

There will be a potluck dinner, parents are welcome, please

bring a dish. 

Street Dance following the dinner – not mandatory to stay for 

the dance. 

Thursday June 18^th @ 9:30 am – Cavenders/Springdale 

Modeling and Speech outfits provided by Cavenders.

Lunch will be at P.F. Changs/Promenade Shopping Center

Rodeo – 7:00 pm – Be on grounds preparing for performance

Friday June 19^th  10:00 – 12:00  Rodeo Grounds – Special Kids

Rodeo   Lunch Provided – North Cook Shack

1:30 – Horsemanship

Rodeo – 7:00 pm – Be on grounds preparing for performance

Saturday June 20^th   9:30 am – Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

    11:00 am – Duck Race in the Park

      5:00 pm – Parade

Rodeo – 7:00 pm – Be on grounds preparing for performance

 

Siloam Springs Rodeo

Queen, Princess, and Sweetheart

Application

Name:                                                                               

Address:                                                                           City:                                                         

State:                    Zip:                       

Age:                      Birthdate:                                                 

Phone #:                                                           

Email:____________________________

Parents:____________________________________

School Activities:_______________________________________________________

 _____________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Rodeo, Horseshows, and other horse related activities which you enjoy or participate in:__________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

What awards/honors have you received:___________________________________

______________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Why would you like to be “Miss Rodeo Siloam Springs”:______________________

______________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Please send a western photo of yourself along with application to:

Karen Reed 

19521 Nokes Fm Rd

Siloam Springs, AR 72761

E-Mail: reedranchlk@earthlink.com

Phone: 479-790-5338

****Please send applications back ASAP but no later than June 1^st .  You must sell at least 100 Duck Race tickets.  So the sooner you turn in your application, the sooner you can start selling tickets and getting ready for the pageant.****

Siloam Springs Rodeo

Queen, Princess, and Sweetheart

Obligations

If you have been chosen to represent the Siloam Springs Riding Club as their Queen, Princess, or Sweetheart, it would be because your accomplishments were the highest standards of horsemanship, speaking, modeling, and appearance.

In accepting you will be representing the Siloam Springs Riding Club with great honor and at the same time, accept the responsibilities to be available for at least 3-4 local rodeos, and the Siloam Springs Christmas Parade in December.  You may go to as many rodeos as you like, but must attend at least 3-4 locally to represent our riding club.

If you win the Siloam Springs Title and you wish to enter another Queen Contest during you reining term, you must bring your request before the club and acquire permission.

You must conduct yourself in a manner that will be a credit to this community and to the Riding Club which you will represent.

                                                                                         

Siloam Springs Rodeo Queen Contestant

_________________________________

                                                                                         

Siloam Springs Rodeo Princess Contestant

__________________________________

                                                                                         

Siloam Springs Rodeo Sweetheart Contestant

_____________________________________

                                                                                         

Parent or Guardian if under 18 years of age

________________________

Blue Rowe... A True American Hero.

This is a story that hits close to home, It is about the loss of a True Hero. His name is Blue Rowe, And he is the nephew of my best friend Ron Sligar. As a lot of you know I have a son who is serving in Iraq, Pvt 1st Class Justin McFadin. So any news such as this is felt deeply by myself as I'm sure it is by many. My heart felt condolences and best wishes go out to all of Blue's family.

If there are any other items that come to me about Blue's story I will gladly post them here, I feel it's the least I can do.

AP/STEVE RUARK Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff, stands Thursday at Dover Air Force Base, Del., near the remains of Army 1st Sgt. Blue C. Rowe (left) of Summers and Senior Airman Ashton Lynn Marie Goodman of Indianapolis. Both were killed Tuesday in Afghanistan.

A soldier from Northwest Arkansas was among three U.S. troops killed Tuesday by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said Thursday.

Army 1st Sgt. Blue Charles Rowe was originally from the Summers community in western Washington County and attended Siloam Springs High School. He lived in the Los Angeles suburb of Whittier, Calif., and was assigned to the 426th Civl Affairs Battalion, Company D, Airborne Special Operations, based at Upland, Calif.

Tuesday's attack also killed three Afghan civilians.

"He's a hero now," said Curley Rowe, 35, a Westville, Okla., resident and Blue Rowe's brother. "I just feel for my brother's

family. I feel for his child."

Glenda Rowe, their mother, was notified of her 33-year-old son's death late Tuesday.

Among Glenda Rowe's four children, Blue is the third to have died at a young age. A 31-yearold daughter and a 30-year-old daughter died in a 2002 car accident, which also claimed a 13-month-old grandson.

"God helps me cope," Glenda Rowe said. "If it wasn't for that, I couldn't do it. That's all I know to say."

"I thought, this can't be so," Curley Rowe said. "It's like when I first heard about my sisters. It takes you back. You relive it all."

Rowe's funeral services are pending.

Rowe served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for a year, beginning in September 2004.

His 15-month tour in Afghanistan started in July, and he was due home for a 30-day leave next month.

Family and friends said Rowe was 100 percent Arkansan, playing defensive end on the Siloam Springs High School football team and running on its trackand-field team.

"He was an all-around athlete who had his hand in a lot of sports," said Steve Avery, a former Siloam Springs football coach. "Blue was always looking for a direction with his life, and when I found out that he chose the military as a career, I knew it was a great fit for him. He overcame a lot to become the man he was."

Rowe, who was named after his great-uncle, was a University of Arkansas football fan. He wore Razorback shirts even while stationed in California.

"He lives and breathes all things Razorbacks," family friend Vera Sligar said.

Rowe headed to Army boot camp in 1994, immediately after high school. He served as a military policeman in South Korea, Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In 1999, he married the former Cindy Ellis. Their son Andrew is 8.

Westville resident Rena Dixon, a classmate who grew up seven houses down from the Rowes' home in Siloam Springs, learned of her friend's death Thursday. She said members of their high school class, who are planning a reunion next month, will discuss raising money for a scholarship in his honor.

"Everybody knew him because his name was so unusual," Dixon said. "He never had an enemy. He'd do anything for you."

Seventy-seven soldiers with Arkansas roots have died in the United States' wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; 70 in Iraq and seven in Afghanistan. Sixty of the deaths resulted from enemy fire, 16 from noncombat situations and one because of friendly fire.

A complete list of Arkansasrelated war deaths can be found at www2.arkansasonline. com/warcasualties/.

Information for this article was contributed by Gary Burton of the Siloam Springs Herald-Leader.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of Upland Soldier

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Army 1st Sgt. Blue C. Rowe of Summers, Ark.:

“Army First Sergeant Blue Rowe was a true patriot who sacrificed his life to uphold the freedoms that are held dear in this country. He fought proudly and courageously and Maria and I are grateful for his service. On behalf of all Californians, we send our thoughts and prayers to Blue’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Rowe, 33, died May 26 in Panjshir Province, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Rowe was assigned to the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion, U.S. Army, Upland, CA.

In honor of Army 1st Sgt. Rowe, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are a couple of news storys on Blue.http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-nwa-blue-rowe-army-killed-cincinnati,0,5914835.story

http://www.4029tv.com/news/19592735/detail.html

Border City Saddle Series

Sorry everybody, I'm jumping on the wagon a little late with this one, But I have only now just received this schedule. And to everybody competing in this series, I will try to make all of the races I can.  And Good Luck to Everyone

Introduction to TJ's Woodshop

I have met someone ahhh... Very interesting, this fella's a corker. And I thought my readers would really enjoy this guy. His name is TJ Brown, and he is a woodworking fool, This guy is GOOD. I met TJ at my day-job with the state, We got to talking and found out we had some things in common as artist. Even though our arts are different, We Love what we do, and it seems that neither of us are ever completely satisfied or finished with a piece of work, I guess it's an artist thing. (I thought it was just me) I guess thats what spurs us on the path of that perfect piece of work.  Anyway, TJ has a website (TJ's Woodshop) And I really hope everyone goes and checks it out. Contact TJ and let him know what you think. TJ has artwork in Galleries in Eureka Springs Ar. and in Ft Smith Ar. He has had national magazines do articles on him. He has shipped pieces all over the U.S. and even as far away as New Zealand and Greece. TJ specializes in Heirloom Quality Fretwork and Intarsia, where every item is handcrafted one piece at a time. 

His Intasia, is a form of woodwork where you use different species of wood to get the different grains and colors that you shape to make a 3-D picture. He uses no stains or paints in his work, it is all the woods natural colors. 

I have been lucky enough to get to photograph some of his work, and I hope that I will get to do some more photography for him. You can see some of his work here, also I have added some of the photos that I have shot for him in this article.

So Please go check this guy out and drop him an e-mail let him know what you think, you will be glad you did. Besides the links in this article I have also added a link to his site over on my side bar under my favorite links. You can also see some of his work on my website under Product Photography. 

Trace Armbrister & "Redman" "The Loss of a Friend..."

 After arriving home on March 21st, right after the 1st OJRA Rodeo of the 2009 season at Marchants Arena, Our little buddy Trace Armbrister lost one of his best friends in the whole world... "Redman". Trace and Redman have been best buds for the last 3 1/2 years. Redman would have been 20 years old in June. So he was no spring chicken, But you could not ask for a better friend.

Trace was 4 years old when they purchased Redman from Chris & Jennifer Piazza. 

Trace has always been teased about riding such a tall horse, But he loved slinging his leg over and sliding off him during the goat undecorating. Remember last summer at the Siloam Springs OJRA Rodeo? Remember the rain? Well I do, And I know Trace remembers, He remembers using his coat to try and cover Redman, while he waited to compete in the rain. He wanted to keep Redman dry for as long as possible.

During a trail ride once, Trace rode Redman up a hill into some trees with large branches hanging down low. Redman continued to go forward like Trace wanted, one of the branches pushed Trace out of the saddle and down Redman's rear end. At which point Redman stopped and waited for his little buddy to get back in the saddle.

I personally remember how, during the goat untying the other night at Marchants, that when Trace come off Redman and hit the ground running after the goat, that, as Trace's hand went into the air with the ribbon in it, Redman was not more than 3 feet away... Just waiting for his little buddy to get back in the saddle.

I know that as this chapter ends for Trace, He will surely continue to keep getting back in the saddle again and again...

NBHA Race Schedule and Update

The following are the dates for the NBHA Races that we have scheduled.  This may change due to some requests and as you know we have said all along that this is your association and we will do everything we can to make this work for all of you.  

We had our first race last Sunday and I think we had a pretty good turn out for the first NBHA Race of the season.  We got some new members and some members that changed their district to AR07 as well.  We had 4 Pee Wees, 11 in the Youth and 37 in the Open.  We had a pretty good showing in the Pole Jackpot as well.  Don't think for a minute that these ladies can't run poles!

Friday 4/3/09- Marchants- Exb. 6:00pm - Classes to follow
Sunday 4/19/09 - Bowens - Exb. 1:30pm - Classes to follow
Friday 5/1/09 - Marchants - Exb. 6:00pm - Classes to follow
Sunday 6/14/09 - Oak Grove - Exb. 3:00pm - Classes to follow
Sunday 6/28/09 - Fayetteville - Exb. 5:00pm - Classes to follow
Sunday 7/26/09 - Siloam Springs - Exb 5:00pm - Classes to follow
Friday 8/21/09 - Fayetteville - Exb 6:00pm - Classes to follow
Sunday 9/20/09 - Marchants - Exb. 1:30pm - Classes to follow
Sunday 10/11/09 - NBHA Finals - Marchants Exb. 1:30pm - Classes to follow

REMEMBER----In case of rain races will be held at Marchants, Call before you haul!

*********UPDATE************

We finally got all the documents that we needed to get our bank account open!  With the help of many of you as well as some great sponsors, we opened the account with $3004.43.  We have some residual expenses that have to be paid but with the entire season ahead of us I think we are well on our way to great season.  As we have stated before, this is YOUR organization and we will have both points/standing and financial records available to each of you at every race.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

I would Like to Thank Nikki Andrews for providing this information...

Northwest Arkansas 4D Barrel Racing Association Schedule 2009

Ok, Looks like everybody is ready to fire up the 2009 Barrel Racing season. I know that I am looking forward to it myself. The girls are always so nice to me, and how could you complain about something like that? I may not be able to make everyone of the races, but I will sure make as many as I can. So sharpen up your spurs and clean off your lenses because it's time to get jiggy with it again.   

And I would like to Thank Becky Horn for sending me this years schedule, She has been a big help by keeping me informed. So if you folks don't let me in on the happenings, then I don't know about them. If you have any info out there that you would like to get out to everybody just contact me and we will see about getting put up here on my blog.

OJRA Rodeo, Marchants Arena

Ok, Wow, We now have put the 1st 2009 OJRA Rodeo under our belt's. And as far as I can see it went great... Well, except it was not a night that will go down in the history books as far as my photography is concerned. Man it was dark and dusty in there... But I did come out with a few keepers.

 Speaking of history books, Emily Piazza has got her self into one as the first girl in the OJRA to rope in the coed calf roping, ( please correct me if I'm wrong ) Way to go Emily!!!

I am going to be doing things a little different this year, First of all I will not be editing photos before I upload them to my website. Last year I was shooting 1200 to 1500 photos on a saturday night, and it would take me 5 to 7 days to get them all edited and uploaded to the site, man, that was killing me. So, on the one hand I'm not crazy about everyone seeing unedited photos, But on the other hand I'm going to try and get over it... So, What does this mean for you, the customer?   Well, it means that now you will order your photos just like always. But, There will be a small waiting period between the time you order your photos and when they are printed. That period between ordering and printing will be when I edit the photos. I will try setting the waiting period to 3 days, but if I get your photos edited the same day as you order then your photos will be printed as always, so more than likely you will not even notice the delay. So really the only difference to you will be just that you are looking at unedited photos on my website instead of edited. So Please forgive all of the red eye, off balance color, cropping,  and anything else that can go wrong when shooting a rodeo, Because I will still be fixing all of those things just like always. And remember if you did not get any good photos of yourself this time, there are a lot of rodeo's to go yet this year. I'm positive we will get them eventually. 

 But doing it this way will also allow me more time to properly edit your photos.

 I will be using this blog as a way to communicate with everyone, and you can still e-mail me, you can find my e-mail address on this blog and on my website. Also I would like to offer you the opportunity to post your own articles or info here on my blog. So if you have any information that you would like to get out to everyone just give me a holler and we will see about getting it posted.

And, as always I am looking for any helpful suggestions for articles or just anything that you would like to see me change. And please keep those comments coming.

See You at the Next Rodeo

April 14th Bentonville

Watts Ok, School Sports Photos

Ok everyone whew, I have finished all of the Watts Sports Photos, And you can find them on my website. Also, I have Included an example ( to the right ) of the combo photo that is included in some of the packages. I don't know if this is a finished sample or not as I am still playing around with the templates. But I can tell you that it will be something close to this.

 If anyone has any comments or helpful suggestions for the combo template just let me know, in the mean time I will continue playing around with it and I'm sure it will be pretty cool.

Also I just want all of the parents out there to know that if they have any questions about there order forms please just call or e-mail.  You are NOT locked into what is just on the order forms.

You can go to my website and also purchase just the photos and merchandise that you want. So don't order a package if you only want just a certain photo or photos. There is also all kinds of merchandise on my site. So if you want something special or different just let me know because we have lots options. 

 Anyway, I had a lot of fun shooting everybody that day and hope to get to do it again. If there is anyone out there that would like to do a one on one shoot or a family shoot, Just let me know.

 I continue to improve my lighting and shooting skills, not every situation is the same or easy, such as in the school gym, but I continue to improve, and I hope everyone finds some photos that they really like.

 For anyone that would like to have there own shoot, what I like to do is get with you and we will go to any location of your choosing or I will be glad to offer suggestions. I like hitting a few different locations, along with a few different wardrobe changes so you get a verity in your poses and photos. Photos such as Senior pic's is all about you and your personality so that is what I strive for. So put on your favorite dress or best torn jeans because at 

McFadin Photography it's all about you and what you want.

I would also like to thank Mrs. Cameron and the Coaches  for all of there help along with the Watts school admin for allowing me the chance to come into there school in the first place.

Again I would like to Thank everyone... And I welcome any comments or suggestions, So Please Speak Up.

Watts Ok, Basketball Homecoming

2009' Watts Homecoming Royalty

Wow! What a night. I spent last Tues night Shooting the Watts basketball homecoming game. And while the lighting was not perfect, I must say most of the photos turned out not to be to bad.

Now, I have shot action stuff before but this basketball stuff is new territory for me and I'm sure it shows. Sorry guys, I spent the first half of your game trying to work out which lens was best, and which settings I needed, Boy I was really sweating it there for a while. And the action, Harder to keep up with than a mad 2000 lb bull chasing me out of the rodeo arena.  By the time we got to the girls game, I was dialing it in a little better... Still not perfect, but I was feeling a little better about life. I think 2 or 3 more games and I should be able to 

pull out some fairly consistent photos. I only hope that everybody will be able to find at least a few photos they like from this Homecoming.

Now For the girls, WoW!  Beautiful, every one of them. I loved the dresses and the hair.

Considering the lighting, the royalty photos did not turn out to bad. Beth the Queen, Just beautiful. I think her and the other girls did a great job with the homecoming. And the always lovely Rikki, I always enjoy shooting her, and at the OJRA Rodeos, I sure get my chance.

I would like to Thank Rikki's Grandma, who turned me on to this gig, Thanks Grandma.

I would Also like to Thank Watts Principal Mrs. Twyllah Morris for allowing me to come and shoot there event. Also, Thank you, Mrs Cameron for staying in contact with me, I really look forward to working with you in the future.

Last but not least, I would like to Thank the basketball Coach's for not hollering at me, I'm not sure if I irritated them or not, but they were very gracious, and I am looking forward to working with them again also. 

As always I am looking to improve what I do. So I am looking for comments, and suggestion, or anything that will help me provide a better product, and also provide YOU with exactly what you want.

If anyone is looking for some great photos, (Girls Senior Pic's are coming up) I will work with anyone in anyway that I can to get you the kind of photos that YOU want.

So feel free to call or email me at anytime, and lets talk about it.

Great Game Engineers