Another Day - Another Closing

                        Logansport, Indiana.

We Buy - Most Cash Paid

                       Logansport, Indiana.

With a population of less than 20,000, Logansport is located in northern Indiana, just northeast of Lafayette at the junction of the Wabash and Eel Rivers.

Room in the Tower

                                                                     Celina, Ohio.

Buliders Delight

                                                    Celina, Ohio.

A wonderful collection of three buildings, each trying to outdo the others. 

The Sky is Falling!

This past week Kodak has announced it will sell its Personalized Imaging and Document Imaging business units, to focus on commercial, packaging and functional printing solutions and enterprise services, ending Kodak's role as a consumer-facing photographic company. The Personalized Imaging business includes consumer film, while the Document Imaging business includes scanners and commercial document management.

For many of us this does not come as a surprise.  Indeed, Kodak has been on a downward spiral for a number of years.  In my case, they have stopped producing four black and white films that I counted on being available - Pan X, Plus X, Verchrome Pan, and HE Infra-Red. Years ago they closed out the enlarging papers that I had been using.

In fact, I have not used Kodak products in the last ten years.  My non-use is certainly not the reason for their closings.  Kodak seemed to lose contact with their base users and went their merry way.  While early into digital capture, they decided that it was not the future for them.  This, along with  other strange business decisions, has led them to the above statement

Rather, other companies came along and filled my needs.  Ilford, Fuji, and Efke made products that replaced, often improved over, the dropped Kodak offerings. 

My personal guess is that the digital world has overtaken their consumer base.  With cell phones and point and shoot cameras in almost every ones kit,  the film world is long gone. Film has now joined the branch of photography called alternative.

Black and White film is for a different breed of photographer.  The photographer that enjoys process as well as finished product. The photographer that wants to be in control from exposure to print.

Over the years, I have learned to make my own paper and to coat that paper with light sensitive materials to produce a visible print.  Cyanotype/blueprints, VanDyke Brown prints, and gum prints are a few of the historic/alternative photographic processes that I have learned and used to produce finished "photographs".  These early processes were replaced - in their day - by newer and  easier methods. Flexible film came along and the "World of Kodak" - you push the button and we do the rest - was under way.  Later along came the ability to produce color film and prints.   Photography came a long way - from glass plate negatives to color film.  Photography was  reliably available and reached through out the world. 

Along comes digital.  While film is not quite dead, it is becoming an alternative process.  Film will continue as long as enough folks continue to use it.  It is the old question of supply and demand.  Companies making film do it for profit.  Users will use film for love.   Not enough love means no profit and no film.  While I can make paper and coat it to produce prints, I am unable to make film and coat it to produce negatives. 

Update note:  Efke has announced that they are closing down their film manufacturing plant.  The machines are old, need repair, and updating.  The costs to do this are more than the profit earned.  Hence closure.

Sense the end it nearer than I thought.

Johnson's

                                           Galveston, Indiana.

Every city, town or village has at least one "Johnson's Tavern".

Galveston is no different.  A place where locals meet, eat and catch up with one another. 

Storefront Library

                                                     Galveston, Indiana.

The library board has been planning to move the Galveston branch out of its Jackson Street storefront since 2007.  At that time that the 1,200-square-foot spot next to the Galveston Town Hall left no room for the library to expand as more people used it.

Down - By - The - Tracks

                    Galveston, Indiana.

Galveston appeared to be a small peaceful community . However on a bit of research the following popped up:

Stray bullets from a gun event in Galveston struck at least one home, a garage and a car.

The incident happened back on April 14.

No one was injured, but a mother was shaken when gunfire broke out a window, struck a door and nearly hit her and her 5-year-old daughter. The bullets came from a Russian machine gun being fired more than a mile away.

A nearby garage and vehicle inside it were also hit, according to police. There was a shooting event going on at a rural home and sponsored by Down by the Tracks Gun Store, according to the police report.

The store and police had different accounts of how many people were at the event, but it was between 15 and 70 people.

No arrests were made and it’s unclear if any laws or regulations were violated. Local authorities did contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

 

Once again, look beyond/behind the surface.  Often the backstory provides an more informed judgement.  

 

Recycled Lodge Hall

                       Galveston, Indiana.

Galveston is a town in Cass County, Indiana.  The population is less than 1500.

Monday Morning Coffee: Service Stations

Spent bit of time this morning reviewing the posts from the last few years.  Trying to gain a better of understanding of what it is that I am seeing.  Discovered a couple of trends.  Seem to have a number of movie theatre's, tattoo shops, lodge halls, and service stations among the posts. No matter where I go, these catch my eye and are often photographed and posted.

For example - service stations:

                             Germantown, Indiana.

                               Fairmount, Indiana.

                               Pie Town, New Mexico.



What I am seeing is that the classic service station with gas pumps out front and a full mechanical service business with lifts and grease pits and tools for rebuilding car parts is mostly gone.

What we have now is that the pumps now sit in front of a General / Convience Store.

                               New Hampshire, Ohio.

                                                                   Abington, Indiana.



Among other trends, I am documenting the death of the service station.





Township Office

                  Milton, Indiana.

Elder Theatre

                  Jackson Center, Ohio

Across the street from Phil's - yesterdays post.

T anks

                  Jackson Center, Ohio.

 The Midwest closing parade continues.

Post Office

                    Uniopolis, Ohio

A small village with a population of about 250.

We The People.......

                                                     Kenton, Ohio.

There apear to be more American flags in the Midwest than elsewhere.  Some are real flags, others are copies painted on posters, sides of buildings, or even sidewalks.  Yet, somehow pizza and the American flag doesn't feel quite right.

Moning Morning Coffee: Game On

The lineups are fixed and the contests are under way.  Each team is similar in makeup.  Both have age and youth.  Both have representation from the Midwest and the East Coast.  Both have same gender.  Yet they differ.

The "R" team offers rookies.  They have not played before at this level.  For them it is a new game with different rules.  While working together, they present  revolutionary tactics.  New ways of playing for an endgame. 

The "D" team is made up of veterans.  Been there, done it and got the T-shirt.  With a combination of  a careful/reflective leader along with a heady backup that has the ability to see the whole picture, they are ready to defend their position.  Working together, they present a evolutionary tactics.

The "R" team reached the finals after several prelim victories.  With these successes, they are  prepared and ready for the big one. 

The "D" reached the finals by way of a bye.  They, also are prepared and ready to compete.

 The contests will occur in various locations across the country.  Now all locations are equal, but some are more equal  than others.  There are about a half of dozen really important sites.  These are referred to as "Battlegrounds".  It is in these special places that victory will be won or lost.  The most resources will be utilized in these battlegrounds.  Other locations will receive passing attention.

While everyone will have a role in deciding the outcome, the ones in the battlegrounds will make the final decision.  Once again, all are equal, but some are more equal than others.

Not living in a battleground site, I traveled to one, in order to gain an understanding of what is going on.  Wished to see how the grounds keepers are preparing for the upcoming contests.

 Since the "R" lineup was just announced this weekend, their supporters hadn't had enough time to prepare their dugouts for the upcoming contests. Sure that in the coming days they will be up to speed.

The "D" team, as evidenced by the photograph below, having been together for some time, were prepared and had their side of the field ready and in action.

                                                          Kenton, Ohio.

A previously empty storefront is now filled with tables, posters, and phones.  In action daily from 10am till 9pm.  They are up and running..

Another location yielded:

                                                       Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

While the "D" team is on the field, certain that the "R" will soon be taking their positions. Game On.

Along National Road

                  Cambridge City, Indiana

Lodge Hall

                   Fort Recovery, Ohio

Lodges are still alive and active here in the Midwest.

North End

                   Fort Recovery, Ohio.

A small village - less than 1500 - near Grand Lake.

For Scout

                                           Ada, Ohio

Those that know will understand.

Ada

                         Ada, Ohio.

Starting to pay more attention to movie theaters.  In smaller communities many are being closed.  There are a few "classic" ones left, mostly in medium and large cities.  As always, click on image to enlarge.

Monday Morning Coffee: Variety Yet Alike

Been spending time in front of the TV watching the Olympics.  Great to observe a variety of different people playing different sports.  Many years of effort preparing to perform and for some, over in a matter of seconds.

Wonderful to see the gender equality.  Women and men separately - beach volleyball, basketball, boxing, track, swimming, weightlifting, .... etc - and together - tennis mixed doubles - vying for victories.

Yet, in different events there seems to be a common connection between the participants.  No matter the event, from beach volleyball to track, many of the participants possess a common trait - a tattoo..

Not everyone has one, but many do.  Is this a signal of some sort?  A rite of Passage?  A sign - I am different?  Look at me?  I don't know nor do I pretend to understand.  Yet there it is - a tattoo. 

These are people from all over the world.  Varying languages.  Very different cultures.  All sizes and shapes.  Yet there is a common bond - a tattoo. 

Looking around in my world, the same bond exists.  There are many - not all - with a tattoo.  Should not be surprised to find Olympic folks with them.  Should not but for some reason I am.

Yes there is variety in the Olympics.  Yes there is variety in my world.  Yet both - in some small way - are alike.  A tattoo.

Even in Ada, Ohio:

Drive Thru

                   Ada, Ohio

Must be in Ohio - not Indiana - as it's Sunday and the Drive Thru is up and running. 

Tidty Town

                                                    Ada, Ohio.

Ada - location of Ohio Northern University - is a village in Hardin County with a population of a bit less than 6000.

 Ada is by far the neatest/cleanest/ tidy community of all the places I have photographed,.  Almost wished that I had worn a better pair of shoes and dress clothing!.

The CS Young building - above - dates from 1900.  Well kept up and as fresh looking today as it must have been when new.

Now Showing

                   Kenton, Ohio.

After the Colorado shootings,  movie theaters have taken on a different meaning.

Amvets.

                       Kenton, Ohio.