New York Adventure
May/09/2008
I've never been much for formal ceremonies, and I always feel a bit uncomfortable about receiving awards. But I was truly thrilled when I learned that the PPA Board of Directors had nominated me to receive a leadership award from the International Photographic Council, a non-governmental organization of the United Nations. Since Jim really hates cities, I asked my daughter, Julie, to accompany me to the awards luncheon at UN Headquarters last Thursday. Since getting from Annville to New York is quite a chore, we decided to take the train, which was a stress-free way to travel and gave us time to get caught up on family news.
It's been years since I've ridden a train, so I got a kick out of the fact that the Lancaster, PA train station has remained decidedly low tech in its approach to collecting parking fees. At least the price was right!
The train was really a welcome change from the stress of airline travel, and it was a beautiful, sunny day for a trip.
Our hotel was just off Times Square, and I was intrigued by the room's unusual headboards, so I asked Julie to pose in front of one. Julie, who is an interior designer, thought the bed profile was a bit low, but otherwise she approved. So if you have any large-scale moldings lying around you have just what you need to decorate that spare room at home! The picture lights worked surprisingly well as reading lights.
After getting settled, Julie and I headed out for dinner. We passed by the gorgeous FDNY guys hanging out at Engine Company 54, and like a typical tourist, I couldn't resist taking a photo.
Nearby was a sobering 9-11 tribute to the fallen members of Battalion 9, which included Engine Companies 23, 40 and 54, and Ladder Companies 35 and 4.
After a quick walk around the Times Square area, we called it an evening.
The Awards Luncheon took place in the UN Delegate's Dining Room, which enjoys this spectacular view.
I was delighted to catch up with one of my all-time favorite Fuji friends, Tom Curley, at the luncheon.
After the awards presentation, it was official photo time. The group includes, from left, front row: Keynote Speaker Hiro Sakai, President and CEO, Fujifilm U.S.A., Inc.; Marty Lavor, WHNPA; James Chung, President, IPC; myself, PPA; George Fulton, APA; Judy Herrman, ASMP;Alice Miller, VP, IPC; and George Davis, PSPA. Not picture was Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Rainer Schmidt, Executive Director, German Photoindustrie-Verband e.V.
In their remarks, each of the award recipients mentioned how much the families of volunteers must sacrifice when a parent or a spouse is involved in organization leadership. How true! That's why it was especially nice to have Julie attend this event with me. Having her take the time away from her job and family made the entire trip very special.
Thanks to Fuji's Brandon Remler for forwarding his great images of the UN event. Thanks also to the PPA Board for making this very memorable two days possible. So now . . . it's back to the real world!
It's been years since I've ridden a train, so I got a kick out of the fact that the Lancaster, PA train station has remained decidedly low tech in its approach to collecting parking fees. At least the price was right!
The train was really a welcome change from the stress of airline travel, and it was a beautiful, sunny day for a trip.
Our hotel was just off Times Square, and I was intrigued by the room's unusual headboards, so I asked Julie to pose in front of one. Julie, who is an interior designer, thought the bed profile was a bit low, but otherwise she approved. So if you have any large-scale moldings lying around you have just what you need to decorate that spare room at home! The picture lights worked surprisingly well as reading lights.
After getting settled, Julie and I headed out for dinner. We passed by the gorgeous FDNY guys hanging out at Engine Company 54, and like a typical tourist, I couldn't resist taking a photo.
Nearby was a sobering 9-11 tribute to the fallen members of Battalion 9, which included Engine Companies 23, 40 and 54, and Ladder Companies 35 and 4.
After a quick walk around the Times Square area, we called it an evening.
The Awards Luncheon took place in the UN Delegate's Dining Room, which enjoys this spectacular view.
I was delighted to catch up with one of my all-time favorite Fuji friends, Tom Curley, at the luncheon.
After the awards presentation, it was official photo time. The group includes, from left, front row: Keynote Speaker Hiro Sakai, President and CEO, Fujifilm U.S.A., Inc.; Marty Lavor, WHNPA; James Chung, President, IPC; myself, PPA; George Fulton, APA; Judy Herrman, ASMP;Alice Miller, VP, IPC; and George Davis, PSPA. Not picture was Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Rainer Schmidt, Executive Director, German Photoindustrie-Verband e.V.
In their remarks, each of the award recipients mentioned how much the families of volunteers must sacrifice when a parent or a spouse is involved in organization leadership. How true! That's why it was especially nice to have Julie attend this event with me. Having her take the time away from her job and family made the entire trip very special.
Thanks to Fuji's Brandon Remler for forwarding his great images of the UN event. Thanks also to the PPA Board for making this very memorable two days possible. So now . . . it's back to the real world!