Peter Otis Photos

Rowing Shells – Elite Old-Timers and Today’s Best Eights

 

Rowing Shells – Elite Old-Timers and Today’s Best Eights

Concord, NH and New London, CT

In the past 10 days I have been privileged to witness races using both classic and the most- ultra modern rowing shells. I have also had a chance to see buffed 20 somethings in top condition as well as my 65+ year old peers continuing their rowing for the gold!

A hiking injury prevented me from rowing #6 for the Shattuck crew at our St. Paul’s School (Concord, NH) Reunion last weekend.  Instead, I was fortunate to photograph both our Shattuck and as well as the Halcyon crews in, reportedly, the first time that two fully matched, classic boats raced 500 meters for a 50th reunion sprint.

While I took the S.P.S. photos with no pre-thought of writing this comparative blog article, Sunday my wife and I had a chance to watch the Second and First Varsity Yale and Harvard crews begin races (3 mile and 4 mile) in their sleek shells on the Thames River at The U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.  Before the final race I was able to admire and photograph the varsity Y and H boats.

My photos here are provided to show two beautifully matched 1972 Pocock wooden shells – best in the world for racing teams “in our day”- and the very latest of German Company Empacher’s shells used by both Yale and Harvard after Harvard introduced them with great success a few years ago.  These images are primarily of the shells and oars but please also enjoy a few images of young as well as slightly older (!) rowers out doing what gets into our blood and never leaves. My blue team, the S.P.S. Shattucks, was trounced; but my other blue team (Yale) performed beautifully and successfully, setting a new up-stream record! On to Henley for these crews, and back to the Concept 2 ergometer for me for the next 5 years, preparing for 2020!

Peter Otis

Peter Otis Photos, LLC

PLACES… Plants… PEOPLE… PLUS OTHER GEMS

Please enjoy the additional slideshow images from both race days.

 

Keeping Their Faiths Alive: Age-Old Traditions of Admitting Episcopal and Jewish Adults

Both sanctuaries demonstrate biophilic/ natural elements.  Trinity Church’s Gothic style has wooden features resembling tree branches and forest canopy and windows that direct one’s eyes higher and higher.  Congregation Mishkan Israel’s sanctuary also rises high with its blue, blue, windows making this viewer think of sky and sea.

 

Branford and Hamden, Connecticut

On two successive Saturdays in May I was privileged to photograph two very different religious ceremonies that also shared the equally significant purpose of admitting new adults into their faith communities.

I was present at a confirmation service at Trinity Episcopal Church in Branford and a Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Mishkan Israel (CMI) in Hamden.  Confirmation is the sacramental rite in which the candidates “express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 860). In the Branford service about 35 teenagers and adults from 6 Shoreline parishes were either “confirmed” or “received” into the Episcopal Church.  In Hamden one very poised young woman shared her knowledge of Hebrew, the Torah and life in front of assembled parishioners, classmates, family and friends at her Bat Mitzvah. “Depending on the congregation, boys and girls may conduct all or part of the service, read or chant the b’rachotover the Torah (an aliyah), read a section from the Torah portion for that week, read or chant the b’rachot for the haftarah, read a section from the haftarah, and deliver a sermon.” [http://www.reformjudaism.org/bar-and-bat-mitzvah].

Diocesan Bishop Ian Douglas, Episcopal Church In CT,  and CMI’s Rabbi Herbert Brockman personified the presence of the Holy Spirit through their speaking and actions such as the laying on of hands or describing and teaching about traditions.  Rabbi Brockman described the Torah from Czechoslovakia, including its being studied, saved during World War II and then being passed down from times long ago to the newest bat mitzvah through her parents.  Both services provided public affirmations of the entrance into adulthood of the participants.

 

 

Both worship areas are blessed to have lovely stained glass windows:

 

No service would be complete without a meal:

One final note about these two weekend services… After the service I spoke with the organist at CMI.  Among many of his professional musical pursuits, he is an organist for both local synagogues and churches.  My  interfaith photography and his interfaith music, reminded me about our shared Judeo-Christian heritage.

Following the worship at each service, honorees and their loved ones celebrated their accomplishments and admission as adults into their faiths.  All blessings and well wishes to these new members who will strive to keep their faiths alive!

I am ready to take on my next photo assignment.

Peter

Peter Otis Photos, LLC

PLACES… plants… PEOPLE… plus other gems

 

The Sultan’s Kitchen – A Colorful and Tasty Boston Eatery

Passing through Boston this past Friday on a bitingly windy day I hiked from South Station to North Station but stopped off for lunch at The Sultan’s Kitchen.  Until this January it had been probably been 10 years since being taken there for our first time. I arrived at 11:30 and was the only lunchtime customer for a few minutes.  In addition to ordering delicious sustaining goodies (and a bag of baklava to take on to my next destination), I captured a few more photos on my smart phone to share.  Introducing himself as “Onan” to me,  founder, chef  and owner Ozcan Onan wished me a safe trip and invited me back. He is also author of the Sultan’s Kitchen cookbook displayed prominently on the counter.  Egg Lemon soup, falafel, hummus, pita bread and rice pudding… what a treat for a hungry traveler.  I personally can’t wait to return again soon.  Thank you, Onan, and crew!

 

 

Thank you, Cathi Bosco, and C&D Studios, Madison, CT

Peter Otis Photos, LLC relies heavily on Cathi Bosco at C&D Studios for our website that keeps evolving and getting better.

Several years ago I discovered Cathi while contributing landscape photos to the Guilford Land Conservation Trust’s new website. Although my photography skills and internet use were at a high level, when I decided that Peter Otis Photos needed a web site, I reached out to Cathi to help me.   In addition to her fine graphic skills, she has worked with many types of businesses and organisations on their web presence.  No matter whether one’s business has a simple and static or a complex web presence, C&D Studios can help create what is right for one’s field and audience.  Cathi understands artists’ needs.  As a photographer, I have relied on Cathi’s sensitivity to me and her selection of a WordPress theme that allows me to showcase images in galleries, tell current stories with the use of my blog, and begin to highlight fine images that are for sale through the site. Thanks to Cathi, my site is also now easily viewed on hand held smart phones, and other devices as well!

Yesterday I took a trip to her lovely new office near the East River on the Madison/ Guilford border for a review session, coaching and motivating.  If you ever decide you need the types of services you can see listed on the C&D Studios page shown here, reach out to Cathi!

“It’s how the world sees you” … that’s what Cathi stresses.  I have found a member of my team who helps me share Peter Otis Photos, LLC with each of you!  Thanks, C&D Studios.

Thanks very much for reading this blog article and visiting my website.

Two final requests… (1) Please share this article with others who might be interested, connect with me through the web and link through social media (Facebook and LinkedIn).  (2) Please alert others about my eagerness to photograph events and gatherings.   I am available to capture images that tell the stories people want to tell their audiences!

Peter

 

 

Back to the CT River Museum and Train Show in Essex, CT

The Connecticut River Museum  is a favorite spot to visit.
I have produced other albums from previous visits and at other times of the year. Yesterday’s trip with some new friends gave us a chance to see the displays and the annual train show.

To see  more photos from yesterday’s trip, please go to my Picasa album:

‘Can’t wait to get back.  And, of course, to have another meal at The Gris!

Mares' tails in the sky at sunset over the CT River, indicating more snow for the night

Mares’ tails in the sky at sunset over the CT River, indicating more snow for the night

A Very Special Place – Guilford’s Grass Island – Even on a Chilly Winter Day!

As many family and friends know, Grass Island here in Guilford is a favorite iconic spot of mine at all times of the day and year. Yesterday’s trip after this week’s 1 foot of snow, despite briskly cold but clear conditions, gave me the same excitement and opportunities to capture the red shack in its surroundings. The main challenge was dredging equipment brought in to deepen the harbor for boats. Nevertheless, I think I captured the equipment when I wanted to, but I was also able to shoot around it for most of my images. Regrettably, there is the most graffiti I have ever seen on this lovely, but frail building– a shame.

In addition to my destination shack, the water, the snow, the invasive but pretty phragmites, copious shells, birds and a new friend, Fitzy the golden retriever, all provided a perfect 2 hours at 18 degrees F.

Join me some day- or night!

In the mean time, connect to my Picasa Album for even more photos of this special place.
Peter

Bean Town – A Special Place for a Birthday Hike

Thursday was a perfect day for me to get away and head up to Mass to reunite with family. It was a birthday that included rides on two trains, a 1.5 ish mile hike through Boston, a delicious lunch and an opportunity to meander and shoot photos. I hope you enjoy the pictures that I am sharing with you.
Take me back to Bean Town soon!!

If you would like to see more pictures and descriptions, GO to my Picasa Album

Peter

 

When the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen…

It’s darn right cold here- even in shoreline CT.  Nearly zero degrees absolute temp this morning. We had a teasing of snow Saturday before the Arctic Blast settled in.  Enjoy these few images from our Green and from our favorite provider of locally grown roses– Pinchbeck’s/ Roses for Autism.

 

 

Lots of NEW in Guilford to highlight our OLD: Dedications Weekend- June 6 – 8

June 6 – 8, 2014 was an incredibly busy weekend in Guilford with 375th Anniversary related activities.  Bewteen Friday and Sunday four significant events unveiled 4 new sites for residents and visitors to enjoy and use.

First – Murals of Guilford iconic spots painted by Guilford school students were dedicated on the bridge over the East River on Sullivan Drive.  This bridge is at one of the trailheads for the East River Preserve.

 

 

Second – Rollwood Park at the corner of Stonehouse Lane and Old Whitfield Street was dedicated.  This little pocket park was once the site of the home of Governor Rollin Woodruff, 62nd Governor of Connecticut, who held the office from 1907 to 1909.  The Guilford Garden Club and the Town have been enhancing it with cleanups and plantings recently.  It is a lovely addition to the South Guilford District!

 

Third –  The Covenant Stone  that has the very powerful Guilford Covenant (aka “The Plantation Covenant”) and the names of our founders engraved in a large slab of Guilford pink Granite was dedicated. Located at “Covenant Point” at the intersection of New and Old Whitfield Streets across from the Whitfield State Museum (i.e. the oldest stone house in New England), the program included speeches and a re-signing of the Covenant by elementary school students. The original signed covenant and deed were on display in Town Hall, making this 2014 event even more meaningful.

 

Fourth- The Southern terminus of the New England Trail –  the latest and the eleventh addition to the the Nation’s National Scenic Trail system was dedicated.  Located at Chittenden Park, the day included music, speeches and a ribbon cutting for the boardwalk that leads from Long Island Sound to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire.

Thanks for viewing these images from our exciting dedications weekend! Do study the Covenant Stone.  Do hike the New England Trail and see the murals done by the students.  Do visit the Stone House Museum and rest a bit in Rollwood Park!

Peter

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