February 2026

From the President...

It’s hard to believe that January is almost over and February is upon us. Have you ever wondered where the name February came from? It is named after a Roman purification festival called Februa.  Februa means “month of cleansing.” It also had the Old English name “Solmonath,” which literally means “mud month." That seems fitting to those of us from snow covered states, as it seemed like this month was always messy.  Speaking of snow-covered states, I’m sure that you have noticed things are a lot busier at the club. It is good to see so many of our friends from the colder climates down here making use of our facilities.

Our Education Coordinator, Jim Gardner, has been busy. He has rounded up folks that are interested in teaching classes, and we have many new offerings.

Two video editing classes are being offered, Microsoft Clip Champ and DaVinci. As you can probably tell, our Multi-Media SIG is a big draw. We are offering a camera class for beginners.  If you are someone who wants to start using a regular camera instead of your phone, but doesn’t know where to start, this is the class for you. Take a look at the calendar. There is a lot going on.

If you have not sent in your suggestions for the Volunteer of the Month and Outstanding Club Member, please do that in the next few days. Patty Ferguson would like to have those by January 31st. We have a lot of members that go the extra mile to support our club, and we would like to get them recognized.

Field trips are going great guns. If you see one that really sparks your interest, you had better sign up. Many of them fill up quickly. We are keeping our field trip leaders busy. If you have any ideas for trips, please let Monica know. She is always looking for new locations.

The Santa Rita Springs Open House is set for February 7 (Saturday) from 9am-1pm. Stop in to see what is going on at all the clubs in the Springs. The GVR Club Showcase is set for Monday, March 2. Our club will be at Las Companas in the Ironwood room. Stop by and say Hi!  We will be showing the video that Tom Parker and the MM SIG put together.

Remember the Volunteer luncheon is March 5 and the 50th birthday party/annual meeting is April 7. If you have things for the birthday party, please send them to Joy Coffaro or Tom Parker.

Until next month.

Kim Holmes, President

"Photography is a love affair with Life."  Burk Uzzle

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the GVR Photography Club’s founding as a Green Valley Recreation club. This is the third in a series of articles focused on the club’s history. The series will culminate in April 2026 when we’ll officially celebrate our 50th Anniversary in conjunction with our annual meeting.

The GVR Photography Club – Odds and Ends

By Tom Parker

FINANCES. What are we going to do with all that money? We ended 1979 with $305.98 in the club’s treasury. No wonder the financial report was handwritten. I can only guess that earlier financial reports were prepared on Post-it® notes.

MEMBERSHIP. 1980 was the first year we could find membership records. At that time, we had 102 members. An apparent low point was reached in 1989 with 72 members in the club. Membership continued to hover between 90 and 135 for the next ten years. Then something magical happened. The first Canon Rebel digital camera was released in September 2003, marking a breakthrough as the first affordable Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera available for under $1000, opening DSLR

SPEAKING OF GOING DIGITAL. To celebrate its first year at Santa Rita Springs, the Camera Club hosted an open house in March 2008. Highlighting the club’s new and extensive digital imaging and teaching equipment, the Club premiered an informational and entertaining 10-minute movie starring “Digatina Camara,” a talking digital camera. “Digatina” was the creation of photographer Don Spear and videographer Phil Wenstrand who produced   the     movie     while      Anne 

Cavanagh provided the voice for Digatina.  Frankly, I can't wait  for  Phil to bring this movie to the club's Multimedia Special Interest Group. [FYI, we'll talk more about the club's growth and the move to Santa Rita Springs next month.]

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS. Photography competitions were a key feature of the club’s early years. First mentioned in January 1979, a Board member proposed three competitions each year for prints (black & white and color) and slides featuring outside judges and judging within the membership with awards for Photographer of the Year plus 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons in each category.

The first competition appears to be the result of members bringing in their slides from a 1980 Mount Hopkins field trip for a critique and  selection  of the  three  best 

slides. The winners received $15 for 1st place, $10 for 2nd place, and $5 for 3rd place. Over time, print competitions expanded to include ones sponsored by the Camera Club’s Foto Forum, the Arizona Camera Club Council, and the Photographic Society of America. Because new members found the competitions to be intimidating, competition rules were changed to provide a division for more experienced photographers and a second for less experienced or beginner photographers. Based on a review of Board meeting minutes, it appears the increasingly complex demands associated with planning and hosting these competitions with limited member support led to their ultimate demise.

Over the next two months, we will be exploring different aspects of the club’s history. Please stay tuned for future installments in this newsletter and on the club’s Facebook page. If you have historical information you’d like to share, please contact Tom Parker no later than February 15, 2026, so we can include it in the March newsletter.

We’re also looking at creating a slideshow for our 50th Anniversary featuring two photographs from each of our club members. Please send your two favorite digital photos to Tom Parker no later than February 15, 2026. You’re welcome to include a back story so we can put the photos in context.

Photos for GVR Center Exhibits Needed

We now have our display area up at the Desert Hills Auditorium.  Be sure to stop by when you are in the area and take a look.

I encourage you to join our photographers who are currently exhibiting. If you wish to participate, you can find instructions in the Photo Exhibit Guidelines page on the Club's website here.

Feel free to drop off your framed photos at the club. If you have a preference of where to place your photos, leave a note on your submittal paperwork. 

If you have questions, please contact Kirk Hively at kehively@yahoo.com (520-349-5593) or Julie Howard (402-202-4423).

Kirk Hively, Exhibits Coordinator

Keep Our Facebook Page in Mind

Now that the holidays are over and everyone is back from their holiday trips, pick out your best photos and send them to us to put on our Facebook page!

Be sure to send me your favorite photos so I can post them in Facebook. Those photos are also where I get to choose the Photo of the Month featured in the newsletter each month. Your picture might be selected next!

Sue Ready, Facebook Coordinator

Photo of the Month

The Photo of the Month is chosen from new and archived photos submitted to Sue Ready, the club's Facebook Coordinator. Keep sending the best of your work to Sue at suready@yahoo.com so we may continue to showcase the refined capabilities of GVR Photography Club members. Photos should be submitted in .jpg format and please include its title and location. -ed

The busy season is upon us! As the new year begins, the club is getting ready with exciting new things to offer and is on the lookout for fresh courses that will suit everyone’s needs.

Many thanks to club members who have stepped forward and offer their expertise and enthusiasm for their specific subject.

SIG leaders Todd Taylor, Kevin May, Linda Gregory, Al Crawford, Sandy Ostroff, Craig Zimmerman, Ron Friesz, Cliff DeJong, and Wendel Werner are to be commended for their commitment to the club SIGS. The club does not function without their commitment.

As the season goes on, please share your thoughts on what classes, software updates, or equipment you’d like to see that align with your interests.

Don't Stop Learning!

Jim Gardner, Education Chair

Library News

February is National Library Lover’s Month. Yay, a whole month of celebrating our love of books in our favorite libraries!

GVR Photography Club is fortunate to have a library of new and donated books related to photography. There is an entire shelf of books to help members master Photoshop, books about well-known photographers, mixed media creativity, and more.

The January display of new books will remain through February so that members may have a chance to check those out without looking through the shelves.

Thank you for remembering to return books after three weeks so that others may enjoy them.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Becky McCreary, Librarian

This Month's Club Activities

Jump to SIGs

Jump to Travelogue

Jump to Field Trips

Jump to Photo Ops

Jump to Showtime

Jump to Speaker Series

Check the Club Calendar for the latest information on all club activities. Photography Club members are also welcome and encouraged to attend the club’s monthly Board of Directors meetings. Check the Club Calendar for the date of the meeting and attend in-person at the club, or remotely by registering using this link. The Board is always interested in comments and new ideas from the members.

Need help with your digital camera, smartphone camera, slide/print scanning, photo printing or a photo editing software application? Photography Club Volunteer Helpers are available to help. Log in to the club’s website. Click on the three bars at the far right of the home page menu bar and select Volunteer Helpers. Once you've found a helper, scroll down to see their contact email listed. Help is just a few clicks away.

Showtime

Tuesday, 2/10 at 2:00 pm

🎬 Showtime with the Green Valley Photography Club

I’ve gathered some of the finest videos our members have created recently, and this lineup truly shows the heart, humor, and talent in our club.

Diane Marr kicks things off with a different perspective in 4th Avenue Night Shoot. Ron Stein follows with a lively taste of heritage in Celtic Festival. Sherrie Lee Lucia brings a smile with her playful tale, Monkey.

We’ll drift along a Lazy River Playground…and then hang on tight for the not‑so‑lazy adventure of The Legend of Penobscott.

From the sweeping beauty of Canyonlands to the interesting story of Lone Pine, the afternoon continues with a young gentleman who reminds us the next generation is full of promise in Harrison’s Farm Experience.

We close with a moving tribute to our fallen soldiers in Wreaths Across America—a heartfelt reminder of honor, service, and gratitude.

It’s going to be an afternoon filled with hope, excitement, and the creative spirit that makes our club special.

Come join me for another fun Showtime.

I’ll bring the popcorn—you bring your favorite drink.

Todd F Taylor, Showtime Host

Travelogue

Tuesday, 2/3 at 2:00 pm

Don’t you just LOVE Europe! We will be visiting the East with Sherrie Lee Lucia in Bulgaria and Romania. We will be visiting the West with Todd Taylor in France. We will be visiting the North with Kathryn Engle in Norway and we will be visiting the South with Anne K’s family in Greece. So much to see, to do, and to experience. How fortunate we are!

Coming up – March is Road Tripping and April is a beautiful Melange of the globe.

Please keep your videos coming. The Multimedia SIG is a great resource for editing tips and help. Send your creations to us directly, Anne Karakatsoulis at daveandanne@msn.com and Sherrie Lee Lucia at sherrie.LCBG@gmail.com.

PS – Fun News! Some of the Travelogues are now available on YouTube. Search GVR Photography Club/Travelogue.

Sherrie Lee Lucia & Anne Karakatsoulis, Travelogue Co-Coordinators

Speaker Series

Tuesday, 1/20 at 2:00 pm

Beyond the Cage:

Rethinking Parrot Welfare and Lifelong Care

Tuesday, February 17 at 2:00pm

Desert Hills Recreation Center

Our guest for this event is Janet Trumbule, Executive Director of Administration for The Oasis Sanctuary. Janet will be sharing her insight and mission to save these fabulous species.

Millions of parrots suffer in captivity while wild parrot populations face serious threats worldwide. The Oasis Sanctuary provides a safe, stable, lifelong sanctuary for nearly 800 parrots, offering freedom from cages whenever possible and environments that support natural flock behavior.

Janet joined The Oasis in 2007, after experiencing a pivotal life event, and became its second-generation Executive Director in 2010. Janet’s passion for parrot welfare extends beyond the sanctuary, as she provides in-home foster care for several special-needs birds. She is a frequent speaker on parrot welfare, ethical captivity, and lifelong sanctuary care.

Plan on attending on the 20th to hear what Janet has to say about these gems of the sky.

Field Trips

Starting January 25th, all Birding/Nature field trips will have a $10 fee to attend. This fee is $2 less than last year's fee. If you have already signed up for a Birding/Nature trip prior to January 25th, you will not have to pay. Only those signing up after that date will be charged.  

As a reminder, please let the field trip leader and Lynn Rozema know if you cannot attend a trip you have registered for as soon as you know you cannot attend. We have had a number of no shows that left members on the wait list unable to attend because no one was notified. 

The Field Trip Committee Meeting will be held on February 4th at the Arizona Family Restaurant at 2 p.m.  Please join us!

Monica Parker, Field Trip Chair

Photo Opportunities

The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase runs from January 28 to February 15, with thousands of shoppers seeking treasures at over 40 shows. Each show has its own policy with respect to attendance, registration, and photography – be sure to check in advance. If you’re into horses, check out the Tucson Rodeo and the Rodeo Parade. Head to Tubac for their annual festival of the arts, celebrate statehood at the Presidio San Agustin Museum, enjoy the fiddlers, take in a quilt show or celebrate the lunar new year. In Tombstone you can make a day of it and combine a vigilante reenactment with bull riding. If you’re looking for something to do with the grandkids, Jurassic Quest is designed for children aged 2-10. We’ve highlighted several other out-of-town events. Head to Gold Canyon for the annual Renaissance Festival, or the world championship hoop dance at the Heard Museum in Phoenix.

If it’s action photos you’re looking for, don’t go anywhere! The Tucson Bicycle Classic’s Sahuarita Road Race takes place on February 20^th from 9:00 am to around 3:30 pm, taking cyclists on a 20.5 mile clockwise loop along Mission Road, Helmet Peak Road, La Canada Drive and Duval Mine Road. Go here and go to the Stage 2 Details section for more information. 

Be sure to take extra batteries and memory cards – you’ll need them this month!

Jurassic Quest

American Indian Arts & Collectibles

American Indian Arts Exposition

The Tucson Gem Show on 22^nd Street

38th Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace

Raptor Free Flight

Pima Air and Space Museum

Butterfly Magic

Historic Canoa Ranch

67^th Annual Tubac Festival of the Arts

First Thursday at the Tucson Museum of Art

Cruise, BBQ & Blues Classic Car Show

Barrio Viejo Walking Tour

Second SundAZe at the Tucson Museum of Art

Vigilante Sunday

• Feb 8 and 22, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm – Free
• Downtown Tombstone 311 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ
• Find more information here for Feb 8 and here for Feb 22. 

• Feb 12, 9:15 am to 11:15 am – free with admission, advance registration required
• Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court, Tucson, AZ
• Find more information here.

71^st Anniversary Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest

Turquoise Trail Walking Tour

Living History Day: Statehood Celebration

Tombstone Vigilante Days

Bull Riding in Tombstone

Quilt Fiesta

84^th Annual Tucson Fiddle Contest

Public Art Walking Tour

Asian Lunar New Year Festival – Year of the Horse

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros – Tucson Rodeo

Armory Park Tour

Murals and More of the 4^th Avenue District

Tucson Rodeo Parade

Civil War Reenactment at Old Tucson

Tom Parker, Photo Op Coordinator

Special Interest Groups are fun and educational. Any member of the Photography Club is welcome to attend any of the SIGs.

Click on any of the links listed to get more information on each one.

Multimedia SIG
Black and White SIG

Studio and Fine Art SIG

On Assignment SIG

Photoshop/Lightroom SIG

Canon R Series SIG

Photoshop Elements SIG

Wildlife Photography SIG

Monitor Notes

Monitors typically welcome and check in club members, answer the phone, and inform those seeking information about the club. We are all indebted to the dedicated team of monitors who volunteer to keep the Photography Club open. Many thanks to all of you.

We are always looking for additional monitors. Help us provide all the benefits the club offers to its members. As you take advantage of the club's activities and its extensive digital processing equipment, consider sharing the effort in providing these services by volunteering as a monitor.  You are not expected to know how to use the equipment. Training takes about three hours.

Contact: gvrcameramonitors@gmail.com for more information.

Photography Items

Wanted

or

For Sale

FOR SALE

Vintage Polaroid Land Camera

Speedliner Model 95A

Excellent condition. In original box with instructions.

$200 or OBO

Contact Dan McGovern at 360-463-0373 or Mcgovern123@gmail.com

Canon 55mm 1.2  fl mount lens

Manual focus. Excellent condition.

$150.

Contact Dan McGovern at 360-463-0373 or Mcgovern123@gmail.com

Canon HD CMOS AVCHD Camcorder

Extra telephoto lens included. Hardly used. Canon users may be familiar with this unit.

First $50 takes

Contact Paul McCreary at 970-596-1505 or paulmccreary88@gmail.com

DJI OSMO Mobile 3 foldable 3 axis smartphone gimbal

Excellent condition.

First $25 takes

Contact Paul McCreary at 970-596-1505 or paulmccreary88@gmail.com

Canon ABCJD Camcorder

Extra telephony lens. Hardly used.

First $50 takes.

Contact Paul McCreary at 970-596-1505 or paulmccreary88@gmail.com

Go Pro Max 360

Used only 4 times, lots of accessories, dual battery charger, 3 high performance batteries, 2 tripods, case, snap mounts package.

Price: New over $500, asking $300

Contact Andrew (Andy) Glavac at aglavac@gmail.com

Canon 5D Mark III Camera

Professional workhorse camera, durable, with excellent image quality. Dual card slots, 22.3 MP, 61 point autofocus, 6 fps continuous shooting, high quality full frame sensor. 

Price: $400.00

Contact Denise LeCount O'Brien at 309-830-0177 or rurt2dede@gmail.com

Do you have any used photography equipment that you want to sell or are looking for to buy? List those items in the newsletter.

All items:

• May be placed only by current, past or families of past members.
  
• Must be for used photography related equipment.
  
• Must include your name, or the name of the past member, and contact information.
• Should be submitted to mparker582@aol.com.
• Must be placed by the 25th of the month prior to the month of listing.
• Will run for one month, but may be resubmitted up to three times to be listed again.

GVR Photography Club

The GVR Photography Club is one of the largest photography clubs in the U.S. with over 600 active members. Regardless of your skill level, you'll have fun honing your skills in taking, editing, and presenting photos and videos. Share your photographic passion with others. Take FREE courses and join our Special Interest Groups to get the most from your digital camera, smartphone, action camera, or drone. Learn the ins and outs of post-processing software. Use our state-of-the-art equipment to digitize and edit photos, slides, and videos. Go on club Field Trips to practice your photographic skills. Exhibit your photos/videos at our Showtime and Travelogue events. Come make friends and photographs!

The Photography Club is located on the 2nd floor of the west wing at the Santa Rita Springs GVR Recreation Center. You may contact us at:

PO Box 1423, Green Valley, AZ 85622 or  gvrphotographyclub@gmail.com. 

Monica Parker, Newsletter Editor - mparker582@aol.com - 618-304-1164