Nace = an original. We beat the 91 degree heat, walked through the woods… watch out for the nettles and parsnip… checked out Pine Island High School in the summertime and kayaked down the Zumbro River… all in a day’s “work”.
Biggest disaster… Brynn dropped her phone in the river : ( price we pay for being connected!
Nace… Loved the new experiences, sites and fun time we had with you!
Tara… One of the most memorable sessions we’ve ever had! Tara and her mom, Cindy, are bubbly, vivacious people who literally rolled with the fun and the wind all day long. Seriously a long session, but who wanted to stop? Lunch at Chester’s, downtown Rock Town, Plummer House with the beautiful blue dress… and don’t forget the cool big blue door! and the doormen we utilized as “props” at the Kahler Grand Hotel… Tara is beautiful inside and out and it was one for the books!
Brynn has this connection with people. She has many friends and she is generally well liked. I feel like I am a well connected mom, who is in touch with Brynn, her friends and their activities. Since we live north of Rochester and more than an hour away from our hometown of Albert Lea, summertime provides a great opportunity to have friends over. This was the case two weeks ago when I picked Brynn up from her stay in Albert Lea. We brought back two of her friends to stay for a few days. Tommy and Dyllan.
Tommy, Dyllan and Brynn spent a lot of time down at the dock, swimming, listening to music on the pontoon and watching movies. After the weekend of extra guests and bouncing on the water trampoline, we decided to get the three of them together for a downtown Rochester shoot. It was Rochesterfest and Civic Center Drive in front of the Mayo Civic Center was barricaded and full of yummy food vendors. We hit there first for a great lunch and started walking towards Peace Plaza. Usually bright sun is not a photographer’s friend, but the tall buildings blocked the direct sun and bounced it off of other surrounding buildings. The lighting and backdrops were amazing and we all had a blast!
Neither Tommy or Dyllan brought more than the clothes on their backs and a toothbrush (well, Dyllan brought his toothbrush) so we grabbed a couple of John’s old Hawaiian shirts out of the closet and some funky cool hats. People in the downtown area who saw the kids with their hats and outfits were drawn to them and what we were doing. We even had 2 people ask if they could take a picture of all of us! That was funny to me as I definitely had the Boda gear bag attached to my hip and my camera and reflectors in hand. Tommy is the stuntman and we had to do the backflip in at the base of the new Gonda Building connected to the Mayo Clinic. That drew attention as well!
On a somber note, within a week of Dyllan’s return to Albert Lea, his 25 year old sister-in-law was killed in a car crash. Prayers are needed now for Dyllan’s brother Langdon and their 3 little girls.
Tom giving his girl away.
Melissa playing “The Rose”
Tom & Maria
Tom, George & John
Maria, Tom, George, Mary, John & Robin
Kirby Stenger
We had the blessing of hosting Tom, Maria and Melissa Stenger from Hawaii, last week. Tom’s daughter Katy, married Brian Knutson last Friday afternoon in Rochester and they were in town for the festivities of Katy and Brian’s union.
I hadn’t met either Katy or Brian, but had heard a lot about them. Katy is a Political Science Professor at Gustavus College in Saint Peter and Brian is the love of her life. It isn’t often I am a guest at a wedding of a couple whom I’ve never met before and though there was no prior connection, I felt an immediate connection through their commitment to each other. When the wedding began, Brian, with Katy at his side, addressed the entire congregation of guests and asked for our prayers and support now and throughout their marriage. To help them keep in tact, the vows they were about to make. I thought that was beautiful! The ceremony was just as beautiful, presided over by a close friend of Brian’s.
Tom is a long time friend of John’s. They were both raised in Waconia along with George & Mary and a host of many other friends who are still close despite the distance in miles between them. We were all invited to the reception at the Rochester Golf Club, where we were treated to an amazing spread of food and fellowship with friends I knew and new ones I met.
Blessings to Katy and Brian as they begin their lives together as man and wife!
2008 Scholarship Recipients
Corey’s father, Don Goodnature
Corey’s parents, Don & Deb Goodnature
Corey J. Goodnature traveling memorial
I remember Corey. I hadn’t seen him for years, but I remember photographing he and his sons Shea and Brennan at the very first studio I opened in the early 90′s. As most folks know, I am a very big supporter of the Albert Lea Wrestling team. Three years ago, they dedicated their season to Corey. I began to put the pieces of the puzzle together. We are all so interconnected in life. This very young man whom I had photographed years before, is the same man who was killed serving our country. To hear of his death was hard for me. I remember praying for his family as I felt a connection with them. I continued to come to know his family more closely every time I saw them.
About a month ago, Larry Goodnature, AL wrestling coach and Corey’s uncle, contacted me about shooting the 3rd Annual Golf Memorial this year. I was honored. As a photographer, sometimes I find myself in a journalistic mode. I was there to cover the event so those who were there could remember, and those who were not could see. I moved around, listening to the speakers and feeling overwhelmed with the hugeness of what was happening. I am an emotional person, the kind who cries at a Hallmark tv commercial. I held my cool while I was being the journalist on Saturday.
Last night, I sat down at my Mac to process some of these images to share with everyone. It was then the tears began to flow. To even consider the enormity of what Corey did for each and every one of us is beyond my comprehension. I confess, I hadn’t heard the story of how Corey’s last day went down. Barb explained the events and I went silent inside. I could only say that hearing that changed me. I am forever appreciative of Corey and the life he sacrificed for every one of us. I am in awe of his parents for the man they raised Corey to be and for the strength they have shown all who know them. This is truly a family who has gone beyond the call of duty and I am eternally grateful to them for the people they are.
On June 28, 2005 Corey and his team of elite pilots called the Night Stalkers, went on a rescue mission to answer a call of help from a group of Navy SEALs. They were hit by Taliban and Al-Qaeda fire and crashed to their deaths on the mountainside below. One Navy SEAL survived. His name is Marcus Luttrell. He has written a book called “Lone Survivor”. Universal Pictures has film rights to produce a movie of the same name, release date unknown. Universal Pictures – Lone Survivor
Albert Lea Tribune Memorial Coverage
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Robin One Corey Goodnature Memorial Images
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There was this girl. Her name.. Kaitlyn. She likes this boy. His name… James.
I have known James for a few years and photographed his senior portraits last year. Kaitlyn saw them… She knew who would be doing her senior portraits for her when it came her time.
Last night was her time. Welch Village, the place.
James and Kaitlyn share so many passions. They are both very “artsy” people. Met at the Rochester Art Center, in fact. They realized they both love to snowboard. They clicked.
Yesterday, I clicked… 500+ images of Kaitlyn as we wandered through urban Rochester, drove through Vasa Minnesota, Welch Village and the town of Welch Minnesota.
I’m thinking, this was one of those very cool sessions and I am ready for more like this one!
Matt Tiegs, Andrew Peterson, Trey Hable, Nick Grangruth, Danielle Hansen, Brynn, Dyllan Engebretson, and Tommy Tiegs.
Waiting for the water trampoline.
First came Tommy and Dyllan. Then four wrestling boys followed, Andrew, his brother Trey, Matt (Tommy’s brother) and Nick. Danielle made her way here and Billy after that. I am quietly typing as 4 of them are sleeping sprawled across our family room next to my office. So far, the memories are piling up like crazy and we’re adding a little something special today out on the lake.
There will be more images to follow!
High Golf Score Winners, Robin & Eric Muschler’s foursome!
Ty Christensen & Brian Bednar
Eric & Karen Muschler our golf partners
Mike Wilhelm
Patty Peek, Kim Flaa & Lisa Hankins
Jeff Brua
Anne Capistrant
John
Charlotte Olson Portiajules
Teresa Rogers
Ccocolady
Diane Andresen
Mary Schwertman
Jon & Rhonda Troe
Teresa Rogers, Charlotte Olson, Suzy’s friend & Suzy Gilman
John Herman
Tommy Lenort
Liz Blumer & Tom Falk
Amy Wasson & Jeff Miller
Anne Capistrant
The girls lost the 80′s hair and the guys turned into 43 year old men. 25 years ago, more than 400 members of the Albert Lea High School class of 1983, walked across the stage and we accepted our diplomas. 25 years later, more than 100 of us gathered at Green Lea Golf Course in Albert Lea to golf, mingle and celebrate our friendships and memories of our days together during our school years.
John and I began our day with Eric and Karen Muschler. Eric was a part of my class, well actually, Eric was the class president! We were golf partners, which is funny because not one of the 4 of us seriously golfs. I believe in having fun, and fun we had! We even took the prize for the highest score! After 9 holes, we chilled outside on the patio with other classmates who were between golf and the evening festivities. The day was perfect, couldn’t have been better, even despite the torrential rains we had encountered prior to Saturday.
It is always fun to catch up with people and to appreciate each one of them for what they meant to us back then and who they have become now. The 25th was a good reunion!
Images online at Robin One Photography
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Home Federal Bank in Rochester had its annual night at the Honker’s Game and invited John to attend. This is our 3rd year of enjoying a night of baseball on the deck, complete with all of the food and beverages we desired.
Isaac also had a blast. When we got there, he was gathering autographs and getting ready to field another foul ball… he got one last year. Instead of getting the foul ball, he was asked to participate in a “between innings” game. He had his choice and selected the bun toss. He was given 3 hard rolls and had to pitch one through the hole in a Panera Bread stand. He pitched the first two and was very close. Then he nailed it with the 3rd pitch! The crowd cheered as the announcer congratulated Isaac. As Isaac walked off the field, all of the Honker’s players were also cheering him! It was pretty darn cool!
Another thing that made this year the most fun, was knowing more people. Not just John’s friends, partners and clients, but friends I have met during my years in Rochester. I have been able to connect with several wonderful people. The Watt’s family and Gail Flanders were a few of the people I have met and had fun with last night. I also formally met the Price family and Shawn Buriska and his wife too. We had so much fun, John had to drag me out of there!
Congratulations Albert Lea High School Class of 2008!
Wow! What a memorable, exhilarating night it was. June 6, 2008, and no Molly, it isn’t June 08, or not exactly : )
Molly and Ross were the speakers, and I have never experienced the class speakers in the way I did the two of them. Yes, Ross is Thee Ross from the previous post. An incredible young man, and Molly joined him as class speaker. They started off with some level of seriousness… for about 10 seconds, then broke into comedy and more. They stepped away from the podium and never went back. With their caps and gowns, they started to dance, and sing… the song… The theme from Happy Days! The connection… Albert Lea’s own, Marion Ross, or Mrs. “C” as many remember her best.
Marion Ross was raised in Albert Lea, and though I had seen her in parades, and in the local newspapers, I had never experienced her the way I did last night. She is a delightful woman with such a beautiful radiant smile. She is warm and kind and everything you would think her to be from her roll as Mrs. Cunningham. She addressed the class with a “speech” if you could call it that. She shared of her days of growing up in Albert Lea and the foundation it gave her in life. She also read from her diary, the writings from her early teenage years. One particular entry noted when she was 13, said how she would be an actress. AL Tribune Article Marion Ross
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