April 2025

From the President... 

Greetings Members!

Annual Social Dinner

We had a great turnout with over 75 members at the Club Social Dinner on March 25th. The Santa Cruz Valley Catering Company, the people that own the Longhorn Saloon, catered our dinner and I received positive comments about the food. I gathered over 1,000 photos from our members that we showed at the start and throughout dinner. After dinner we showed Diane Marr's entertaining video, Three Desperate Men, created and cast by club members. Next, we presented the Volunteer of the Year Award. As the final entertainment I showed a few of my Showtime/Travelog videos that I’m proud of.

If you attended the social, I would appreciate a note telling me what you liked or what we should change for next year. Even if you did not attend, I’d also appreciate your thoughts on why. I’ve heard a few reasons – price, inconvenient date/time and a few others. In any case, I'd like to hear from you. Please send me your comments here.

Volunteer of the Year Award

The decision this year was difficult, as we had numerous members who dedicated hundreds of hours to making this club successful. We counted and found that we have well over 100 volunteers out of 500+ members.

Our selected star is Todd Taylor. Todd was instrumental in getting the audio-visual equipment fixed at Desert Hills. Until the equipment was updated, Todd put in lots of time and effort, working with GVR over 4 months to correct the problem. At several of our events when GVR’s equipment wouldn’t work, Todd took the extra steps to pick up our projector and sound system from the club. That effort saved several shows from being cancelled.

Honorable mention goes to our Field Trip Facilitator, Monica Parker, Field Trip Coordinator, Lynn Rozema, and all the Trip Leaders, Danny Valenzuela, Tom Parker, Darrel Rude, Denise LeCount-O’Brien, Jane Forster, Elvira Bayless, Mike MacCaskey and Patty Ferguson. Their significant efforts made this season one of the most successful Field Trip seasons ever.

Equally important to the operation of the club and no less deserving are those who lead our Special Interest Groups and all of you who volunteer as club Monitors. Your time and efforts have been vital to the success of the club. Thank you, all.

I would also like to thank our current board members for the support they have provided over the past year: Todd Taylor, Vice President; Kevin Hannah, Treasurer; Tom Parker, Secretary; Gene Komaromi, Education; Kim Holmes, Speaker Series, Neil Wicai, Newsletter; Tom Ransburg, Monitors; Pat Lindemann, Danny Valenzuela, Kevin May and Lynn Rozema. Thanks for your guidance throughout the year.

Special Thanks for Gene Komaromi

Gene Komaromi, Education Chair, is stepping down from his position this month after his many years of selfless service to the club. He leaves big shoes to fill. Thank You, Gene!

Photography Club Board of Directors Election  

We will be voting this month to fill six vacant seats on our Board of Directors. The selected slate of candidates is listed for your review in the newsletter below. Look for an email that will provide on-line voting on April 3rd.

Your Photos are Needed!

We would really like to display your photos at our club and at GVR’s centers. Pick some of your best work and be ready to bring a few framed photos to the club next fall to show all of GVR the level of expertise our photographers have!

Kirk Hively, President

GVR Photography Club Volunteer of the Year

Todd Taylor

2025

Photography Club

Volunteer of the Year

Presented at the club’s annual Social Dinner last month, this year’s Photography Club Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Todd Taylor, recognizing his constant and continuous dedication of his time and efforts to ensure the success of club activities and events.

Surprised and shocked that he had been selected, Todd was close to speechless as he struggled to find words of thanks and appreciation. The following day, Todd reported,

"I was very humbled to receive the Volunteer of the Year award last night. I am honored to be the first recipient of this award since it was created last year to honor Carl Sparfeld. Without him, our club may not have survived. There are many other members of our club who deserve this honor as well. I would like to say thanks to all the volunteers because without them, we would have no club, and thanks to whoever nominated me and those who thought I was worthy enough to receive the award. I appreciate the acknowledgement of my dedication to help make the GVR Photography Club the best in America."

Congratulations, Todd. This award is the very least of how we can say, Thank You!

New Interactive Workshop

on Adobe Premiere Elements

Creating your own videos is becoming more popular and easier to do these days with your cellphone or digital camera and some video editing software. But what video editing software package to use?

Now, Sherrie Lee Lucia is hosting a workshop this month on the popular video editing program, Adobe Premiere Elements, on Friday, April 25 at 1:00 pm.

“This will be an interactive class based on what attendees are interested in.  When you sign up, I will send you an email with a link to a couple of my videos for ideas of what you can do.  Then I would like you to reply with techniques you want to learn more about. Making it easy - layers, movement, transitions, special effects.... what would you like to know - If I know it, I'll share it. Of course, what it's really all about is having a good time.”

The workshop will be held in the large classroom at the Photography Club. Find more information and register on our website here.

2025 Sahuarita Photography Competition

The Town of Sahuarita has announced the return of their Sahuarita Photography Competition. This year’s theme, Everyday Wonders, invites photographers of all ages and skill levels to capture the beauty, stories, and moments that make our community special.

There are six categories to inspire photographers:

• Nature’s Inspiration – From desert blooms to wildlife encounters
• Heart of Service – Honoring Sahuarita public service members
• Shadows, Light, and Night – Light, shadow, and the magic of nightfall
• Joyful Moments – Laughter, connection, and moments of pure joy
• On the Go – Movement, action, and life in motion
• Youth Showcase – Spotlighting photographers under 18

Winning photos will be displayed in a yearlong exhibit at the Sahuarita Town Hall. Cash prizes will be awarded in each category: 1st Place: $200 | 2nd Place: $100 | 3rd Place: $50.

Deadline to enter is April 15th. Get all the details at www.sahuaritaphotos.com 

Board of Directors Election

The GVR Photography Club Board of Directors nominating committee has selected a slate of six candidates to fill the six vacant board positions for two-year terms. Online voting will start on April 3rd and close on April 11th.  The results of the election and the new board appointed officers will be announced at the club’s annual Membership Meeting at 1:30pm on April 15th, held just prior to April’s Speaker Series event.

The selected slate of candidates is listed below.

Kevin Hannah

I am originally from Victoria, BC, Canada and have lived in the US for over 25 years. I was a Certified General Accountant (CGA) in Canada for over 30 years and now a licensed CPA in Washington State since 2001. I have a MBA degree from Hariot-Watt University (business school of University of Edinburgh) Scotland. I have worked in small businesses, provincial government, and in the States in non-profits. I have had my own accounting and tax practices both in Canada and United States. In Poulsbo, WA, I also was a Realtor for 9 years.

Since 2016, we are full timers in Green Valley. I have worked with John Pilger, our treasurer since 2018 to help and to be his back-up with the accounting for the club which I enjoyed. I was the club’s treasurer from 2019-2020 and again in 2023 to 2025. I am also the treasurer of our casitas from 2016 to present.

Kim Holmes

I was born and raised in Michigan. Two years after graduating from Ferris State University I moved to Indianapolis. I have a BS degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology and a MS degree in Health Service Administration. I worked as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist for 35 years, 33 of those with the same hospital system in Indianapolis. For 18 years I was the Technical Director of the Nuclear Cardiology department. During that time I obtained, and sustained, a national accreditation for our department. I also maintained all the necessary compliance records for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

My husband retired at the end April of 2020 and I then retired at the end of May. We sold our house in Indianapolis and moved to Green Valley in June of 2020. A cross country trip, in two cars, during a Covid lockdown is not something we will soon forget. But we don’t regret it. We love it here and are full-time residents.

I have always been a “picture” taker, but got more serious about it after a friend encouraged me to enter my work in the Indiana State Fair. I then got hooked. I became a member of Riviera Camera Club in Indianapolis, serving on their board, arranging for outside photographers to critique members photos. After our move to Green Valley I wanted to make sure I got involved out here. It certainly is a different landscape to deal with compared to the Midwest. I am so impressed with all that the Photography Club has to offer and the talented photographers that are part of its membership. I try to take advantage of some of the field trips and the various SIGS. I am currently serving on the board as the Speaker Series Coordinator. I am also a member of both the Pickleball and Lapidary clubs.

Kirk Hively

My grandparents sparked and fostered my interest in photography and travel. In my early teens my birthday gift was a hi-tech “Instamatic” camera. Later in high school I joined the school’s yearbook as the photographer and learned about candid shots and sports photography. My high school also had a darkroom where I learned to develop photos. My first SLR camera was purchased when I was 19. Photography has remained a major passion my entire life. My later focus has been on landscape, travel and nightscape photography.

I joined the Navy after college where I spent 5 years on active duty, followed by 22 years in the Navy Reserves, retiring as a Navy Captain. By degree I am an Aerospace Engineer and worked in that industry for 35 years, mostly in Tucson.

After retirement in 2019, my wife and I moved to Green Valley with GVR’s activities in mind. The Photography Club was my primary focus and has been a great resource for me.

Pat Lindermann

Although I have taken photographs most of my life, it was not until I became a member of the GVR Photography Club and acquired my D850 Nikon that I unleashed my life-long passion of observing, documenting, and preserving through photographs.   Since joining the club, I have participated in SIG classes, taken numerous field trips, and monitored frequently.  This past year I began to assist and instruct members with matting projects and am completing the final year of Linda Gregory’s Board of Director service.

A strong believer in life-long learning, I have utilized the GVR Photography Club classes and programs to practice the capabilities of my D850 Nikon.  I am also experimenting with a cell phone to record events and beautiful landscapes.  Motion photography is essential in the Wildlife SIG and bird outings as well as to acquire unforgettable shots captured of grandchildren at play and in sports.  Studio classes have enabled me to acquire indoor and outdoor photos of my high school and North Dakota State University reunions as well as various Enderlin community organizations and events.  I am also the photographer of North Dakota State University events held in AZ and provide photos to the University. 

As a frequent monitor, I have learned to operate the various computer systems and software in the Lab and can operate the scanner, television monitor, and printers within the club.  Bob Martin taught me how to mat pictures which has encouraged me to assume responsibility for organizing the mat room resources.  I also enjoy informing club members of the processes they can use to display their photos whether within the club, on the TV screen, Facebook, or rotation through the various GVR centers.

My involvement in historical visual documentation has developed as my photography expertise has evolved.  Over the past 50 years, I have documented our expanding family’s annual summer outings as well as holiday events.  Vernell, my husband of 54 years, and I have three sons, 8 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.  Vernell and my family represent many generations of farming in Enderlin, North Dakota landscape. We consider it important to record our families’ continued involvement.  (This requires young and old to stand for family portraits before they can indulge in holiday food!)  I continue to provide the local Enderlin Independent Newspaper with pictures from our high school reunions, Enderlin Historical Society programs, and other community events.   

I have also become the unofficial recorder of the ongoing Prairie Dunes Golf Outings in Hutchinson, KS, and Prairie Club at Valentine, NE, by developing photobooks for the event participants to enjoy without revealing winners and losers nor how much money exchanges hands during the annual event! 

I look forward to providing the GVR Photography Club with my ideas, talents, and service into the future. 

Patty Ferguson

I was born and raised in Lima, Peru and moved to the states when I was 12 years old. I moved to Green Valley in December 2008 after 21 years in Law Enforcement with the Los Angeles Police Department.

I joined the club in 2010, back when it was known as the Camera Club.  I love planning and leading field trips the club offers as well as monitoring when my golf game permits it. I prepared the photo opportunities section of our monthly newsletter for several years and volunteered to lead many of the club’s special events such as the Volunteer Luncheon and Annual Social Dinner. I also enjoy hiking in our desert and swimming.

Having served on the Board twice before for four years, I am looking forward to once again being part of the Photography Club Board and helping meet the needs and wants of our members.

Sam Schaen

I and my late wife, Marilyn, moved to our Green Valley home in October 2017 after visiting the area for 5 years. Prior to moving to Green Valley, we lived in Northern Virginia where I spent my career as a computer engineer.

I joined the Photography Club in 2016. Shortly after joining, I became a monitor and eventually Monitor Coordinator. While in that role, I migrated the monitor scheduling system from the prior manual system to the current self-scheduling system using Sign-up Genius.

I also joined the technology team and subsequently became its coordinator. In that role I am responsible for maintaining the club database and website using Wild Apricot. I am also responsible for maintaining the software and equipment in the photo lab.

In addition to my work with the Photography Club, I am active with my homeowners association and the GVR Pickleball Club. For my HOA, I have held a variety of positions, including Secretary and President. For the Pickleball Club, I maintain the website and have also coached newer players to help them improve their games.

Prior to moving here, I served as board member and president for an 800-unit condominium in Virginia in the 1980s. Subsequently, I served as board member and president of a sailing club and camera club.

I hope to serve the members of the Photography Club by ensuring the club facilities continue to meet the needs of its members.

Keep Our Facebook Page in Mind

Thanks to members who have been sending in photos from their recent field trips and winter adventures. Keep them coming, we have enjoyed them all.

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 photo could be chosen 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

Erase the blackboard. Get out a sponge and a pan of water. Wipe that blackboard down clean. There’ll be no more Chalk Dust.

What's that horrible sound? It's of my nails scraping on the blackboard! I‘m retiring from the Photography Club Board of Directors and, therefore, the Educational Chair as well. It has been an honor to direct the club's Education activities over these so many years. The process has been an enriching experience. But you'll be in good hands. Todd Taylor is going to take over the educational duties. Please give him the support you have always conveyed to me.

I’m leaving, however, with one project unfinished. Joy Coffaro is in the final stage of developing a new Special Interest Group, possibly better called a Special Activity Group. Participants will be filmed, photographed, and interviewed, with the end product being a Legacy Project video.

If you participate in the project with Joy, you’ll gain the tools and experience to produce your own Legacy videos with family and friends. I volunteered to be Joy’s first Legacy client. Watch for more details.

Gene Komaromi, Education Chair

Library News

The desert is waking up! Already there are a few cacti blooming, ocotillo have a few green leaves, and cholla are fluffing up. Desert Meadows Park will soon be a wonderland of color and a gift to photographers.

To enhance your skills with creative ideas and techniques, stop by the Photography Club and browse the books in the Library. There are nature, landscape and wildlife books, along with those on shooting macro. While you are there, pick up a free magazine. Arizona Highways publications are always good inspiration.

If you are leaving for the summer, be sure to return any Photography Club Library books which you have checked out. Thanks you!

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, 4/1 at 7:00 pm

Get ready for the best SHOWTIME of the season. I am preparing an exciting list of videos for this final SHOWTIME presentation.

The program will start with the final installment of Directors at War with John Ford. Considered one of the most decorated directors in Hollywood, he has won more Academy Awards that any other director. You'll learn more about his life and times. There may be a few nuggets about him you weren’t aware of.

Then I'll follow with a collection of videos, highlighting some of the best producers in our club. I’m going to keep it local as most of the videos were shot in Arizona. But one interesting video is about George Pal, the Walt Disney of Europe.

Come check us out. As Chuck used to say; "We’re the Best Free Entertainment in Arizona!" I hope to see you at Desert Hills on Tuesday. Don’t forget to bring your beverage of choice to go with our FREE POPCORN.

Todd F Taylor, Showtime Host

Travelogue

Tuesday, 4/8 at 7:00 pm

The Photography Club salutes Paul McCreary for all of the Travelogues he has prepared and hosted for us over the years.  Anne Karakatsoulis and Sherrie Lee Lucia humbly step up to fill his shoes beginning this April 8.

We have an exciting program for you. Our focus for April is predominantly Islands. We get to join Sherrie Lee Lucia on her fascinating Celebrity Cruise - Part 1: from India to Sri Lanka, and Part 2: Phuket, Malaysia and Indonesia. Then we get to delight in the wonders and beauty of the Big Island of Hawaii by Kevin May which will prepare us for amazingly sweet dreams.

Please join us at the Desert Hills Center on the 8th for an exciting collection of island adventures.

from India to Sri Lanka

Sherrie Lee Lucia

The Big Island of Hawaii

Kevin May

Phuket, Malaysia and Indonesia

Sherrie Lee Lucia

In planning for the future, we are looking for new travel videos in the 10-20 minute range throughout the summer so we can start pulling next season together.  Please email Sherrie or Anne regarding any travel videos you would like to share, or if you need help in putting a travel video together. We will be glad to help.

Sherrie Lee Lucia & Anne Karakatsoulis

Travelogue Co-Coordinators

Speaker Series

Tuesday, 4/15 at 2:00 pm

Tucson Wagon & History Museum

Tucson Rodeo Parade

Stan Martin

Join me on the 15th at the Desert Hills auditorium to learn all about the museum and the Rodeo Parade, one of Tucson's iconic and historic annual events.

Kim Holmes, Speaker Series Coordinator

Field Trips

Whew!  What a marvelous season of field trips we have had! But we’re not done yet! Our members have submitted many great ideas for summer field trips, so if you’re a year-round Green Valley resident, be sure to watch for the announcements. 

Please consider stepping up to be a field trip leader this summer.  I will be having a total left knee replacement on April 22nd, so any help I can get over the summer months would be appreciated.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Lynn Rozema, my Field Trip Coordinator, my right hand, left hand and sometimes the finder of my brain.  Without her help, support and expertise, our trips would not have been as successful. She is the one who makes sure the trips are as full as possible by handling the cancellations and wait lists. Thank you, Lynn!  See you next September!

One more thing.  I also keep the GVR event waivers you’ve signed to go on a field trip.  Sixty-seven percent of our 529 members have signed these waivers in the last 13 months. That means 67% of our membership has participated in at least one field trip during that time. YOU ARE AWESOME!  We thank you for your continued support.

As always, for questions or comments, email me at mparker582@aol.com or text (618) 304-1164.

 Monica E. Parker, Field Trip Facilitator

Photo Opportunities

We are always looking for recommendations for future photo opportunities. Please feel free to contact me If you have suggestions for upcoming events of interest.

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

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

Canon EF 100-400mm f 1/4.5 - 5.6 L IS II Lens

Price: $1,200

Contact Al Miller at 516-652-7835 or ambiance@cox.net

Canon EOS 90D camera with a Tamron 16-300mm Lens

Price: $900

Contact Al Miller at 516-652-7835 or ambiance@cox.net

CAMERA INVENTORY OF TOBY HOLTER

For any item listed below please contact Barb Holter at  701-238-0845 or at barbholter.65@gmail.com.

CAMERAS

• Canon 40D camera body - $90

LENSES

• Canon 100mm Ultrasonic - $200
• Canon 100mm - $275
• Sigma Teleconverter - $45
• Bower Teleconverter - $50
• 3 Opteka lens filters in case - $50
• • High Definition 52mm UV
  • HIGH Definition 52mm FD
  • High Definition 52mm Polarizer

TRIPODS

• Davis and Sanford Traverse - $70
• Camquip - $25

MONOPODS

• Targus - $17
• Dynex - $15
• Altura 62 inch - $15
• Altura 72 inch - $20

MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES

• Backpack - $100
• Harness - $100
• Sling - $50
• Telescope - $20
• USB Doc - $50
• Vello Remote - $50

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 neilwicai@gmail.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. 

Neil Wicai, Newsletter Editor - neilwicai@gmail.com - 575-224-1238