Dipping Into The Sugar Of The Quintessential Fair Cookie Jar
The last night on the Midway slowed down to a trickle, with cloudy skies, the threat of storms, and a vendors looking for last chance customers. Brian, of St. Paul, played the rollerball game again and again, hoping to add to his cache of winnings for his waiting child – or his inner child. He was […]
Good News Comes In Threes
Three very nice things happened yesterday. I got a call from the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit telling me that someone (thank you, dear someone) purchased my “Pinky Toes” piece; my Nuns photos was in the Mpls Star Tribune viewer photos (thanks, Eileen Schiebe Chanen for alerting me to submit), and a Midway Fair worker gave me a […]
The Mad Hatters, The Mounted Patrol, and The Misters
Click here to see the “M’s” of Minnesota
The Bulbs Of The Beetle Bobs
Meet James and Jazzmine, the the Bulbs of the Beetle Bobs. Click for full story and photos.
Our Great Midway!
Let’s spend a moment in our happy place. This iconic Midway image was brought to you by short little me getting higher than my little legs like to go! Available as a print on archival metallic paper, so you can be happy all year ’round.
Portraits Of William
Meet William, and a slice of his life. Click for the full story and photos.
Fireflies On A Hot Summer Night
Like moths to a flame; fireflies in the hot summer nightscape: the iconic Skyflyer holds us spellbound, once again. Available on metal or metallic paper.
4H Cleans Up
Not only did the 4H kids clean up in award ribbons, but their exhausted exuberism cleaned up messy barns and loaded trailers full of gear and animals. There was a lot of waiting until their truck arrived, and I was most amused to see how they amused themselves. Meet the clean up crew from St. Clair […]
Janey Had A Little Lamb
Which followed her everywhere. Off lead. No leash. Says Chisago County High School senior Jane, “The week before the Fair, she didn’t listen to me at all. I think, once at the Fair, “Pepper” bonded with me as her Mother. She’s only 6 months.” Pepper would occasionally get distracted, but Jane soon coaxed her onto the […]
Our Purple Hearts
Day 2 of the 2016 Minnesota State Fair was decreed Unite In Purple day to honor Prince, our native son. The Fair was packed with record setting attendance; a large portion of the solid sea of people wore purple. We actively shared in the communal loss, for, as social activist Sandra said, “I’m here because for me, his death […]
The Calm Before The Crowds
The night before opening day is always so sweet and quiet: the calm before the crowds. The Midway owners turn the ride lights on, as if to acknowledge that set up is done, and here she is in all her glory. Game on! We’re ready for you!
Product Placement
Totally walking his talk, or the side of his truck’s talk, as he and his partner carried an endless number of 5-hour Energy displays bottles. He told me they’re not heavy. Only about 100 pounds.
How Many Men Does It Take To…..
How many men does it take to place an umbrella and two garbage cans? I’m not mocking; I’ve never built a Fair. Just an observer here……but it was amusing to see these guys work it out among themselves.
Strong Woman
The tent wasn’t up yet, and the guys were hanging. Serena looked like the one in charge. At one point it looked like she was going to lift the tent herself. Soon I realized it took a crew of 12 to lift the tent. Serena was beaming when it was up. “This game is my baby. […]
Wise Woman
Hope, of Indiana, had it under control as she calmly instructed her crew to change out the Wisconsin State Fair sign for the Minnesota State Fair sign. “The less you have to remember, the better you are.” I asked how long it takes to set up their basketball game. She laughed: “If you have […]
Pinky Toes
I’m proud to have been accepted once again into the largest juried Fine Arts Exhibit in the great cultural state of Minnesota, The Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit. And I salute all my fellow artists who entered, and either got accepted, or didn’t. We’ve all been there. Some years in; some not. There were over […]
Friend and Patron Thank You Party + Holiday Gift Sale
You are most cordially invited to my Friend and Patron Thank You Party + Holiday Gift Sale!
I’m a photographer. So, yes, there ARE photos in the last post.
Back in the saddle. Darned learning curve.
The Fearless, and The Feared
Little kids and big horses keep me on my toes. And change my focus.
Time Flies
Another year has flown by.
How did I use it? Whom did I impact? What did I share?
Did I dare to soar? Did I loosen my grip?
I wish for you…
So (MN) Nice They Published It Twice
The Twin Cities Daily Planet picks up The Minnesota Women’s Press article. And I am a grateful to all.
Sign Of Good Times
The first published photo of the 2014 Minnesota State Fair on Beyond The Stick.com!
Love Is All There Is
Saying goodbye to a large member of our family, Manny Bear Goldstein. Thank you for choosing us to be your flock.
We Get By With A Little Help From Our Friends
Feel Good – and Do Good – Photos For The Season
So Happy Together
For three years I wrestled with my inner middle-age denial, and wouldn’t let my music-loving self buy tickets for the Fair’s “Happy Together” tour, featuring The Turtles, Mark Lindsey of Paul Revere and the Raiders; Gary Pucket of The Union Gap; Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night….you get the 60’s-70’s vibe. Oh, what a night! […]
A Heritage Square Peg In A Round Transit Hub
It’s curtains for the Heritage Square we’ve known and loved.
Water Colors
On the last day of the heat wave, on the last day of August, it poured. Minnesotans stayed and played. And so did I.
Bedding Down
Making the beds. And I have no doubt they will then lie in it, as we have seen time and time again.
They’re Building It As We Speak
A new photo has been added to the BeyondTheStick Fair photoblog.
New Blog Gets Facelift
New blog, old news: Homer Simpson, Stewie Griffin, Jeff Passolt, and me on Fox 9 News in 2011. And me with Belinda Jenson on KARE-11 in 2009; with Diana Pierce on KARE-11 in 2011; and with Roshini Rajkumar on WCCO Radio in 2013. The Fair still looks the same; the hosts still look the same. […]
Beyond The Stick Gets Blogified
This is where the 2013 BeyondTheStick State Fair photos can be tasted, savored, commented on, and shared. View and purchase all State Fair photos.
Canuck Dogs: My Peers Across The Border
Honored that breeder Tina Duncan chose my gaiting photo of gorgeous Molly for her June spotlight in www.CanuckDogs.com. Thanks to Tina Duncan, Sabrina Simard, and handler Emily Burdon on their great wins with Molly!
