Hi Everyone,
The count down to Galveston is a little more than a week away. I think what makes this trip so exciting is the partnership with the Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF). The timing of our copy run looked like it was going to cause problems, because of the annual historical homes tour. Instead GHF found a way to work us in as part of the tour. This year the theme of the home tour is "rebirth." It has been mentioned that what we are doing for Galveston fits perfectly with that theme. From their home page:
Quote2009 Galveston Historic Homes Tour: a Celebration of Historic Galveston's Rebirth. The tour of privately owned homes will take place on the weekends of May 2 and 3 and May 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 .p.m. Each of the ten houses on the tour has suffered a calamity to some degree or another. Some are survivors of the Great Storm of 1900, others of the flood waters of Hurricane Ike.
GHF has a very interesting website and while looking though it; I came across some Hurricane Ike photos that shows the damage to GHF: http://www.galvestonhistory.org/HurricaneIkeResponds-gallery.asp In one of the photos you will see the Michel B Menard House and some large tree limbs down, but no damage to the house.
We are lucky to have Dino and Juan, two of our newest members, joining us. I look forward to meeting everyone and also getting our galleries filled again. I never thought I would see the day when I was wishing for more photos.
Margie
Very impressive to see how high the water was. Just looking at these photos make me realize the extend of the damage and how much work needs to be done. It looks like it is a very humid environment, very hard to work in.
The GHF site is really interesting and it is fun to read about the history of the area, thanks for posting the link Margie.
The Menard House looks like a great place to be working from, you are so lucky!
Hannie
This is the first copy run you've made since I joined. How many photos have you averaged per copy run in the past? When will they start to be available for restoration? (Not than I'm trying to be pushy, just anxious to get started!)
Tori
Margie, how many volunteers will be on the run?
The photos from the Historic Foundation are incredible and very affecting!
I'm so excited that we'll be able to help some of the victims of Ike. Heartbroken that I can't be there this time, but hoping that everything works out perfectly.
Dino & Juan, you're angels for joining the effort. I guarantee the experience will be life-changing!
Be sure to bring lotsa hand sanitizer, kleenex, paper towels, measuring tapes and compassion! All will be very handy.
Bless!
GK
hey all, im so stoked to be a part of this....one question......what is the measuring tape for? Is it to keep people away from you ata distance?
Just so everyone knows, ill be bringing my hobby lights, they have some ourdoor floods in them, but i have 18 inch umbrellas as well.
i have no blackboard so what ever we have we have right?
Tori, since Jan 06 when OPR started, there were 3 copy runs for the those hit by Hurricane Katrina and 3,000+ photos were taken in. In 2007 there were 2 copy runs: Biloxi with 2,500 photos and Coffeyville with 800. In April of 08, we only did one copy run and that was in Winnona and we got a little over 400 photos. Starting in Winona, we limited each family to 20 photos. Before that we pretty much took as many photos as we could, but when some families brought in over a 100 photos, it really caused a backlog. Plus, when you are waiting for all of that family's photos to be restored and returned, takes a lot time. The reason that we did only 1 copy run that year was that we had too big a back log and not enough volunteers.
Now that we have lost our grant money, copy runs depend on available funds through donations and enough volunteers to keep the backlog down. I'm hoping that we could do at least 2 copy runs a year.
I'm hoping that within a week after our return from Galveston; we will start adding photos to our galleries. Once uploaded they will be cropped to size, labeled and then uploaded to PhotoShelter and into our galleries.
Dino, the reason we need so many tapes is that each volunteer on the copy run stakes out their territory in the room. Those with the most seniority get the most space to work. Sorry, but you and Juan being new, won't need a tape measure as yours can be stepped off for total space. ;D Seriously, we only need a few tapes or rulers and those are to measure the size of the photos. Some are easy standard size, but others are off sizes or else part of the photo is cut off.
Dino, we will touch base with you on more about the camera equipment.
Margie
Dino, just to add a bit of extra explanation about the tape measures: I found that it was great to have something flexible for getting the photo sizes. I kept it draped around my neck so I wouldn't lose track of it. Plus it was a great flogging instrument when discipline became necessary (kidding!).
I'm stoked for you as well. If Galveston goes the way our Biloxi trip did, you'll all become a closely knit team in no time. Our crew was "family" almost immediately. It was awesome.
Cheers
GK
just booked two tickets to Texas! Can't wait to finally meet some OPR peeps in person!
Dino, don't believe a word about "measuring photos" etc., the tape measures are used to flog the newbies when they step out of line...
Hannie
Well if theres flogging then i know its gonna be like home nd family, as kids we were raised by the 3 ft long 2 inch wide leather strap. Dad was a stickler for us not getting in trouble and at the slightest bit he used it. Well no=one went to jail, no one failed school, i dont think he was correct in his ways but it worked just the same. LOL
Dino, it sounds as if you were raised by the same loving method that I was. Except my dad was military, so we had to stand at "attention" while the belt (usually buckle) was applied. Darn, those were good times! I bet you're tough, though. I know I am. I laugh in the face of danger, ha! ha! (Just, pleeze, puh-leeze, don't yell at me!)
You should have no problem at all, then, when Dave threatens to keep you in line with beatings at noon! And who knows what wonders Margie might have in store. Whoa!
John, it's wonderful that you'll be there for the copy run, but dammit, it figures you'd head for the one I can't join. I'd love to meet our webmeister. I'm getting "butterflies," and I won't even be there.
Hugs, guys!
GK
I'm just hopeful that I can get better food service than I did in Biloxi. The whole town had it out for me on day 1.
Dave
Dave, I'll hope for the same thing. Lunch really was an "adventure" every day, wasn't it. (Actually, so was dinner, now that I think of it!) I've finally figured it out (slow on the uptake!) - THAT'S why you were crying in the library hallway! I'll hope that you'll be very well fed this time.
Hugs
GK
are meals provided? If its a free for all, meaning we fend for ourselves, then i suggest you guys keep a close tab on me cause i know of at least one really goods BBQ place, and you wouldnt even know it if you passed by it. LOL
Dino,
OPR will cover meals when possible, but not every meal. On the Biloxi run, OPR took care of lunch each day and one dinner.
We're operating on a pretty thin shoestring budget, but we'll make the best out of what we have.
Dave
Hoping for a good turnout this weekend. The Galveston Daily News put us on the front page of their lifestyle section yesterday: http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=0a3617a2f1f225c7 (http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=0a3617a2f1f225c7)
I've already received one call from a potential client. She has promised to spread the word about us.
Dave
Dave, awesome publicity for OPR. However, I wonder if someone should ask them to revise their statement that photos will be "digitally copied and restored on the spot." I suspect that statement could create some false expectations and possibly hard feelings.
Cheers
GK
Hi GK,
I had discussed with Dave if they could do a correction in the newspaper about this and Dave thought that people might not notice a simple line or two. However, I have done a letter to the editor explaining that we do not do restores on the spot. Also, I mentioned that if damaged photos are in frames and can be safely removed, please do so, but if the photo is stuck to the glass, then it is OK to bring the photo in the frame.
I have also posted to the forum for the Galveston Island website: http://community.galveston.com/forums/t/1959.aspx
Margie
WOW. so a few items really need to be ironed out before we start, as far as the quote about on the spot, i wouldnt be sure that a stink wont be raised here. people from around this part dont like to wait if they dont have to. not saying they wont be appricative just saying they might be a bit dis-appointed thats all.
Dino,
I have wrote to the editor of the paper and hopefully there will be a clarification, but if it doesn't I'm really not worried. I doubt that people would raise a stink with us since it was the paper's error. Second, I find it hard to believe that people in Texas would be so ungrateful to raise a stink. Plus, if they were to wait till we restored on the spot; they would be in for a bigger wait--like forever! Having been on two previous copy runs, my experience has been that people are very grateful for the service we provide.
Margie
I think the statement just needs some clarification. We will be making copy on the spot so that the owner may have the original back on the same day. My experience with one copy run was that people are all very nice though we Americans are famous for wanting instant gratification.
Wish the team have a good trip. I wish I could go and stay at the building.
I want to second that: hope you will have a good trip and all will go well! Bring home lots of photos to restore and don't forget to take pictures, come home safely.
:hug:
Hannie
I really don't think that the misquote is going to raise too much of a stink. All it will require is a thorough explanation to anyone who shows up about how the process works.
As a journalist, I'm embarrassed about how many inaccuracies have appeared in print, online and on the tube about OPR. It's no wonder that the news industry is struggling.
Thanks for all the well wishes. Hopefully, we'll be able to do a lot of good down there.
Dave
note to myself, KEEP MY BIG MOUTH SHUT. LOL anyways, its almost go time and im really ready to do this, hope everyone dont mind helping out the new guy
Since you all will be coming in contact with a lot of folks, be sure to follow the basic rule of washing your hands frequently to avoid catching any version of the flu! Have fun!
Tori
Thanks everyone. Tori you wouldn't believe how much hand washing we do on a regular run, now we will have an eye out for the flu--Oink!
Margie
Tori, you're right about doing whatever one can to avoid viruses – not to mention the caustic debris that may be on the photos. Even though the Biloxi crew used hand sanitizer constantly and washed our hands at every possible opportunity, several of us came home with bronchial ills.
Of course, we were dealing with photos that had been deteriorating for 3 years, so the images from Ike shouldn't be nearly as bad. That said, no matter what the potential for ill effects, I'd be in Galveston in a heartbeat if I were allowed by my medical "tormentors."
To the volunteers who will be in Galveston: have a safe journey, enjoy the camaraderie and be proud of what you're doing. Not only will you have the experience of a lifetime, but you'll make a lot of people who've suffered unfathomable loss very happy. (And your efforts will keep the rest of us busy with restorations again and off the streets! What an incredible service.)
Bless and hugs!
GK