A few days ago I got to meet Gloria "Glow" Bullard. The New York Times had sent me to her home in Winnsboro, SC because she happened to be in a kinda famous photo of a kiss in Times Square when the war ended.

Nope, it's not the photo that your thinking of, but it's the same kiss. This photo was taken by a Navy photographer named Victor Jorgensen and it's similar to the famous one--just shot from the side.

What's cool about the photo is that way in the background, underneath the W in the Walgreens sign you can see a little face. A smiling totally beeming face. That face belongs to Mrs. Bullard.

She was headed home from nursing school, still in her nursing uniform when she stopped to watch what was going on in Times Square.

If you get a chance to meet Mrs. Bullard, she will tell you as she did me that she thinks she is about as interesting as a "bedpost" but really she has some of the best stories to tell. She talks about that day and all the bells ringing and the noise and everyone in the street. She, like the nurse in the photo, was grabbed and kissed by tons of boys in uniform--"we had these half sleeves on our uniforms with little cufflinks. Ours sleeves were so torn from all the kissing!!!". She remembers it all like it was yesterday.

If you'd like the read the whole story, check out http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/13/from-photos-periphery-an-eyewitness-to-a-timeless-kiss

Another favorite she told me that day was going to a concert with her mom to see Frank Sinatra. "He was just beautiful,"she said, "all the girls were screaming. But I wasn't feeling too well." Her mom told her that if she got sick to go right ahead and throw up in her hat--they weren't leaving! She didn't get sick, but after the concert her mom took her to the doctors. Turned out she had to have her appendix out!!! She has dozens more stories, I just know it. Can't wait to hear more.

Here are a few pictures, that's Mrs. Bullard with her nursing cap she had framed and a picture of her when she graduated from nursing school next to Victor Jorgensen's photo--look closely and you can see her way in the background.

They have a great exhibit, which runs till January called South Carolina Silver: Varieties in Society from 1750-1935. It's many of the pieces from the Charleston Silver Lady, Dawn Evers-Corley's collection. Dawn is a nationally reconginized expert on everything silver. Her knowledge is quite amazing.

What I love about her is that to her, each piece tells a story. That is what she wants everyone to know, getting to know each piece beyond just hallmarks and makers. That each piece tells a story about family and place and that is the most important thing to know.

Not only does the museum have the collection to visit, but Dawn also has lectures scheduled and you can even book a private tour and bring a piece of silver for her to appraise. Check out the website at www.museum.state.sc.us/events/silver.aspx or email at publicprograms@scmuseums.org. You won't be disappointed. Below are a few pictures from her most recent lecture.

Finale is owned by Jill's mother and she wanted to do something for her mom and she thought what a better gift than photographs of something she really loved. Even Jill's mother's dog jumped into the action and after a little cajoling--so did Jill. That way, I thought, her mother would have pictures of everything she loved!

If your looking for a unique gift for someone you love, a photography session is a great gift. Call (803) 528-6464 or email for rates and to check out the current discounts.

One of my favorites is the Lexington Peach Festival held on the Fourth of July weekend in Gilbert, S.C.

You can get peach ice cream, peach fizzes, peach tea--well you get the idea.

Live music, with dancing encouraged, rides for the kids and those brave parents, lots of arts and crafts and a car and tractor show and of course, a parade. It's a great way to spend the day.

If you'd like to learn more about some of the great South Carolina festivals and parades check out www.discoversouthcarolina.com.

The Hampton Watermelon festival is all about the watermelon. Really, everyone and everything is covered in watermelons. From umbrellas, to keep the sun at bay, to signs, to a classic watermelon eatting contest, the watermelon is king!

To learn more about this festival and others in South Carolina, go to www.discoversouthcarolina.com.

Check out the RiverRats, www.riverratscanoerentals.com, for some great fun.

Used with permission of South Carolina Living.

I know it's summertime and this is South Carolina, but it's really hot!

Looking for a great place to get away? Within driving distance. The kind of place that once you unpack you don't need to worry about anything.

You've got to check out Island Vista Resort, www.islandvista.com, in Myrtle Beach. This place has it all. Two pools, hottubs, a lazy river, a spa, huge rooms and suites and a terrific restaurant and the nicest owner/operators, the Chapmans. All of this nestled right on the beach.

Wish I was there right now!!

Kelly was looking to update her acting headshots because she was just cast as the lead actress in the Charleston Theater Footlight Players upcoming Mark Twain play "Is He Dead Yet".

I know she's going to do great!!!

If your interested in acting or model headshots, email me at annemcquary@heybabysmile.com.

Recently they hosted a sustainable seafood dinner, one of many, check their website and sign up for their email alerts to the next one. The Blue Marlin is proud to be part of the Sustainable Seafood Iniative which means that they serve fish that are caught or farmed with consideration for the long-term viability of individual marine species and for the oceans' ecologicial balance as a whole. Pretty cool!

Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Here are some photos of Morgan and his beautiful son Eli at home in Columbia and at his work as a producer at WOLO television station downtown.

Your family is relaxed and happy, it's a great time for pictures.

Give a shout to talk about lifestyle family and kid sessions.

The event was at the Statehouse and according to the Associated Press and The State, about a 1,000 people turned out to hear both women speak.

A few protestors showed up.

Here are a few images from the event.

I knew about the amazing Shaw Air base and that the city was nicknamed "The Gamecock City" and that I need to go around it to get to the beach.

That was it. I'm not proud.

So when I got the call to photograph food at Hamptons Restaurant I was surprised to learn about this fine dining restaurant with amazing and delicious food.

They have a great space at 4 W. Hampton Street right downtown.

I introduced you to the chef in the last post, Laurence Gottlieb so now I'd like to introduce his food.

And for those of you looking for a place to have that perfect wedding or rehearsal dinner check out Hamptons at www.hamptonsfoods.net.

Did I mention they have a bakery!

Enjoy.

In the last few weeks I've had the opportunity to photograph Chef Brian Dukes and Chef de Cuisine, Adams Hayne at The Blue Marlin Restaurant in Columbia, smack dab in the middle of the Vista. They are the first photos you see and Chef Laurence Gottlieb at Hamptons on the corner of Main St and Hampton Avenue in Sumter. Yes, that is a real chicken that Chef Laurence is holding. All of these chefs are true artists. I highly recommend a visit to both restaurants if you love great food.

I got a chance to sample some of their food at the Bollywood /PAALS fundraiser at the Windermere Country Club. The event was to raise money for PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services) who train and provide dogs for individuals with varying disabilities. Carolina Cuisine stepped up with some great Indian inspired dishes that tasted as great as they looked.

Some of the latest things she had asked me to shoot where wedding antiques. In the large photo you'll see pieces that might have been given as a gift to the bride. From a silver fruit basket, to ornate silver flatware and in the upper right of the image a silver basket that held the wedding bouquet, wrapped of course in cypress grass. All of these items date in the 1800's and some even before. But what I found truly beautiful was the tiny silver vial in the shape of an ear of corn. This was tied to the wedding bouquet and the bride would catch the tears from her wedding day in it.

If your looking for that unique gift for that special bride, something that can be passed down through the generations, check out the Charleston Silver lady. She has a shop in Lexington, S.C. open by appointment only. It's a beautiful trip into the past.

One of them is Stan, who refuses to tell me what he shoots on the golf course and I think it might be in the 70's, who had some extra Masters practice round golf passes that he wasn't going to be able to use. So he called me up to see if I might like to have them. YES!, I shouted into the phone and I think Stan's hearing might have finally returned this week, but I was very excited.

Even if you don't like golf, and I actually do-but am a terrible player, the Augusta National Golf Club course is beautiful. For golfers it is holy ground. The grass is perfect, the trees are perfect, it is in a word, perfect.

On practice days, the days before the tournament, you can bring in cameras and ask for autographs. So I brought my cameras but was only allowed to bring in one, the other, Augusta said, was too big. I was sad, but happy to have at least one allowed in and me and my husband Dale headed out to the course.

Here are some pictures of the course, including Australian golfer John Senden putting, former Master's champions, Bernhard Langer and Ben Crenshaw, who was laughing about the pencils having erasers. Lunch is very inexpensive at Augusta and everything has the Masters's logo on it. The last photo is of 18 year-old Byeong-Hun An of Korea signing autographs. He is a high school senior. This is his first Masters's appearance and he is the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur championship, beating out Clemson's Ben Martin--who is also at this year's Masters. Hope you enjoy.

So hope you enjoy some Yankees and cannons and a few snow pictures from my neighborhood.

I had the opportunity to photograph Mrs. Sanford at the Governor's Mansion in Columbia while she was being interviewed by Jan Hoffman of the New York Times. The interview was a chance to talk about Mrs. Sanford's memoir, "Staying True" which was released this week.

I've been lucky enough to photograph Mrs. Sanford a few times and I must say she is a pretty cool woman. She is tall and very well put together and she has a great sense of humor. I loved when she showed us the kitchen and talked about how difficult it was to try to do something as simple as make cookies in a kitchen that has ovens that look like something NASA might have on the Space Shuttle.

I know Mrs. Sanford has an appearance scheduled on ABC's Good Morning America and The View on Monday along with chatting with Larry King on CNN. On Friday she will be at The Barnes and Noble on Forest Drive for a book signing which begins at 7pm. Take a look or drop in and see her on Friday and tell her thanks for being true and giving us all a great example of how to handle a rotten situation with style, humor and grace.

She wanted to do some Senior photos that reflected more of her personality. So we headed down to Garden City to take advantage of some great light and funky spots.

So in honor of the King's birthday I thought it might be fun to share some of the pictures I made then at Graceland and Sun Records.

Hope you enjoy!

One of those folks is Ron Morris, the sports columnist for The State newspaper. Ron is a great writer and can even be seen on WOLO TV, channel 5, every Monday at 6pm and 11pm, and recently I had the opportunity to do some portraits of the Morris family.

We had a terrific time making pictures around Lake Murray. Here are a few of my favorites.

The first home is Redcliffe Plantation, it is a Greek Revival home that was completed in 1859 and sits on 369 acres in Beech Island, SC. All these homes are open to the public and have tours for a small fee.

The second home is Rose Hill Plantation, a Federalist-style house built in the early 1800's in Union. It is a beautiful home with fantastic gardens and many orginial buildings, including the brick kitchen and sits on 44 acres.

The last home you will see is the Hampton Plantation in McClellanville. The orginial home was built in 1740 and was modest and in the 1760's additions were added and the portico was added in 1790. George Washington visited and was responsible for saving an oak tree in the front yard, now refered to as the Washington Oak. The last owner of the home was Archibald Rutledge who was South Carolina's first poet laureate and a book of his poems, called "Deep River" was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, he came in second, to poet Robert Frost.

To learn more about these homes and other great places to visit in South Carolina, go to www.southcarolinaparks.com, which is loaded with information, maps, photos, everything you need to plan a visit.

Awhile back I had the opportuniy to photograph Jenny Sanford and two of her sons playing soccer at the Governors Mansion here in Columbia, where she was living with her husband and Gov. Mark Sanford. But all that ended this summer when Gov. Mark Sanford admitted to an affair.

Tonight at 10pm, Barbara Walters will talk with Jenny Sanford about her cheating husband and her upcoming book, " Staying True". This picture will be included in the book, due out in April.

Really.

PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assistance Life Services) was honoring it's volunteers with a party and a wedding for Charlie and Akira. These two wonderful dogs, who just celebrated with a litter of six potential service puppies, tied the knot at the community room at the Sandhills Mall.

Cecilia Reynolds, warden of Kershaw Correctional Institution, performed the ceremony. Some of PAALS service dogs are being trained with the help of inmates at Kershaw.

The bride wore a white over the back dress with a veil and the groom, a tux jacket and top hat. In lieu of rings, bride and groom rhinestone collars were exchanged and Charlie did manage did remove the garter from Akira. Both the bride and groom and other dogs in attendance feasted on a lovely cake.

If you would like to learn about volunteering with PAALS or making a donation, please check out their website at www.paals.org. And yes, you can find out where Charlie and Akira are registered. It's not too late.

So it was a bit like Christmas for me when I got to spend some time with the newest crop of PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services)puppies. These nine-week old labs have already begun their training as service dogs, but they are allowed a little puppy badness, like chewing on my camera bag!

Chloe, Radford, Roberta, RC, Red and little Carol are a true delight. You'll notice that Carol is wearing a sweater and is a bit smaller than her brothers and sisters. Carol won't be able to be a service dog, she was born with a heart murmur and she is quite small. She'll be looking for a home that can take care of her and her heart.

Here are a few of my favorites and if you are looking for a break in your holiday shopping this Saturday, you are invited to attend a doggie wedding. It seems as if these puppies have been born out of wedlock and this weekend their parents are making it official.

If you'd like to have more information about Akira and Charlie's doggie wedding, please go to www.paals.org.

And yes, you can find information on the site where the happy couple is registered.

These two have no fear and love doing things together. Diana is a champion figure skater, she was the Taiwanese national champion in 2003 and Jimmy has become quite the skater thanks to Diana. They rollerbladed, climbed trees and climbed into windows. No fear and the dress was totally fine after the session.

They were just a blast and here are a few of my favorites.

Our cabin looked out onto Fripp Inlet with a view of Fripp Island directly in front of us. The porch offered a perfect place to watch the sunsets each night.

If you've never taken the opportunity to visit the many state parks that South Carolina has to offer, don't wait any longer. From camping to cabins it's great. If your like me, I'm sure this year has stressed you out and I recommend that you take some time for yourself, and at least for the day or the weekend or if you're really lucky to be able to take a week, head to a state park. It refreshes the body and the soul.

If you'd like more information about all the parks in our state, go to www.southcarolinaparks.com and pick the perfect place for yourself and your family and hit the road. Have an adventure, you'll feel better, I know I do.

When Diana first contacted me, I was pretty sure that someone was teasing me. Her voice was so high that I was convinced that she was too young to be on the phone! She has a very delicate voice and a terrific laugh. She and her now husband, Jimmy, love teasing me about this.

What I love teasing Diana about is that she never mentioned that she was a world champion figure skater. Really, I practically tripped over a pile of medals in her bedroom and she casually mentioned that she was the 2003 Taiwanese national champion. Check out one of my earlier posts and see Diana in action in wedding dress and roller blades.

Diana and jimmy were married at the Gassaway Mansion in Greenville, S.C. It was perfect weather and a beautiful place. The mansion is the largest home in the Upstate and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Here's some of my favorites.

They are getting married next September and you can tell they are just delighted with each other. They wanted to do some fun engagement photos around Columbia. If after seeing these photos, you think that Mike and Kathleen have a true love of Groucho's STP sandwiches, think again. They do love the food, but it's also where Mike proposed.

I can't wait for the wedding.

So when Jimmy and Diana were thinking about the kind of portrait they wanted, well they wanted to skate. Diana had taught Jimmy how when they first met and both of them were terrific. I promise more later.

Here's a quick peek and I promise more later.

Mike and Kathleen will be getting married next year, so it was time to do some engagement photos. I'll post more next week, but their session was fantastic. We went all over Columbia, including Wiliams-Brice Stadium. What a really cool and wonderful couple. I don't know that I've laughed more, I can't wait for the wedding. Here's a sneak peek......

Last week I met Tate and his Yellow Lab, Grace. While Grace is still training, she and Tate will graduate soon. She can open and close doors, turn on and off light switches, retreive practically anything and distinguish between a cell phone and a cordless phone and the list really does go on and on. She will help Tate, who suffered an aneurism that left him paralyzed on his left side. I also met Jeff and his Labradoodle, Ginger. She takes comands from Jeff, who uses a computer to speak.

Below are some photos of their most recent training, including some portraits of Tate and Jeff with their moms and dogs. If you'd like to learn more about PAALS or how to volunteer or donate, please go to www.paals.org.

Many thanks to Pam and Milton who had a terrific wedding at the Seibels' house in Columbia, S.C. and this is the SECOND time that I won for a picture that I made at their wedding! They are a wonderful couple. Below is the winning photo and the judge's coments and if you'd like to see the other winners you can by clicking on this link.

http://www.wpja.com/wedding_photography_galleries/contest/?contest=38andcategory=01andplacing=1andtie_order=0

I wanted to tell you about an upcoming photographic event called Click 646. On October 16 and 17th Greenwood, South Carolna will play host to a photographic celebration. For two days the small town will be turned into a celebration of all things photographic. Four wonderful photographers, Christina Mittermeier, Joyce Tenneson, Keith Cardwell and Jon Holloway will be on hand for lectures as well as a student exhibition and a juried photography contest. You can find out more information by going to www.Click646.com to see the schedule, learn more about the photographers and buy tickets.

I had three photographs selected for the contest. The first picture is from the "Bench by the road" memorial by the Toni Morrison society to recognize the enslaved Africans who came to America and those that perished on the trip. The second photo is a bad chicken and the third photo is from the Grand American, a coonhound event in Orangeburg. A cash prize will be awarded to the winners of the contest so wish me luck!

We did a little more dressy session and then we got to play with the horses. I'll be honest, I've met a lot of family pets; dogs, cats, parrots and such but the horses were great. Although they have a little difficulty taking direction.

Dr. Holland's website is www.lisahollandphd.com.

So for the last few weeks I have been without website or blog thanks to some hackers. But I'm back and ready to rock and roll!!

The following pictures are from two stories that I photographed that are in the August issue of the Lake Murray Magazine. The first story is by Kay Gordon, a fantastic writer who wrote about the loss and new arrival of her dogs. I'm a bit partial here, because Kay has Australian Shepherds, perhaps my all time favorite dog. So I got to hang out with Kay and her dog Maggie as they graduated from doggie obedience class at Pet Smart.

The second story is about a great group of women in Columbia who for the last few years have been getting together at each others homes to try out new recipes. Talk about fun and fellowship.

I hadn't seen a lot of folks for a very long time and it was great.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Love you guys!!

Aunts, uncles and cousins descended on the Northern Neck and settled in for some food, fellowship and fun.

It was a great time and in just a few days, I promise, I will post some photos of the event.

Sometimes it's easy to forget how very loved you are until you take the time to spend it with people you love. So don't be afraid to slow down, take in the view and touch base with all the familly, near and far, and get prepared to get some love!!

Scott is orginally from Lexington and his soon to be bride Kristi is from Milwaukee. Both are educators in the music field and are planning a wedding in Wisconsin.

I've photographed a lot of couples and there is no doubt that Scott and Kristi are going to be very happy together. They were so calm and relaxed and just had a great time being around each other.

This is a handmade silver globe clock, the detail is amazing and when you realize it was made in the thirties by hand, no machine stamping. It is quite simply mindblowing. You can also see some of the tools used to make it.

Built in the late 1700's and finished in the early 1800's, it had languished for years in disrepair on a hilltop in Winnsboro.

But this beautiful home is coming back to life.

Each room painted in the colors of the day and even some of the orginial paint (milk mixed with indigo) to make the most lovely light blue color can be seen. Wide heart of pine floors just glow and a brand new tin roof tops it all off. It really is like a step back in time.

As I went from room to room, I felt as though I should be wearing a hoop skirt, which if I had I would have surely knocked everything off every table I passed by!!

Currentlly the new owners, who have been working on the home for the last few years, are almost ready to reveal it to the public. They were kind enough to let me post a few pictures, but this October the house will open to the public. Keep tuned to the blog and I will let you know when you can see it for yourself.

I should mention straight away that these two folks might look familar.

A few years ago, I took Tina and Sarah's photos when I worked in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Tina and I worked for a little dining magazine called Coastal Dining. It's a must have magazine if your planning on spending anytime down at the coast.

Tina and Sarah's photo is the one you click on when you want to see the family section of my website.

Wanting to update her photos she gave me a call and down to the beach I went.

These photos are a few of my favorites and were made at Myrtle Beach State park. We went early, around 7am and it was pretty cool for the next two hours.

It was great!! Sarah has grown so much, I didn't realize how much till Sarah, excited about a certain pose she struck, turned to her mom and said, "thats gonna be the one that I use on my facebook." She just turned six, but I think she's really 22 or 23. A smart and funny kid who wasn't afraid to let me know her thoughts on posing and locations.

I really did have a blast.

Nice and cool and one-year old J.R. couldn't be cuter. A real heartbreaker! It is no secret that his father hopes he will grow up to be a Clemson fan!

Here are a few of my favorites from the session. Thanks so much Robbie and Suzanne I had such a great time.

I was one of the many members of the media that had a front row seat watching a Governor fall from grace and a marriage fall apart.

It was uncomfortable.

It was difficult to see South Carolina lose credability and see a man who has said he was worried about our future and know that now his is quite bleak.

It is a rare sight for anyone to see and more so for me.

My job usually involves people so bright with the possibility of the future, so excited, so anxious to begin new lives, so happy.

Who knows what will happen. Some are calling for him to step down. His wife is offering him another chance.

I am looking forward to hope, to the future.

In other words, to the next wedding.

And yes I know for all the wedding photojournalists who might be checking out my blog, beware, we have some jumping photos, and yes I know that they are so "last year" but, it's fun and it's what the kids wanted to do. Let me tell you this family can really jump!!!

The other great thing about photographing Debbi's family was that Debbi is one of the most talented hair dressers/stylists I have ever met, and a master of color--she is amazing. If your looking to update your "do" or looking for a great cut or color look no further than Debbi, she works at Cho on Main in downtown Lexington, S.C. I'll even make it easy for you heres the number (803) 356-1111, give her a call and get ready for a great hair experience.

On Saturday morning, my neice Olivia was getting ready for her first dance recital. She was wearing her first makeup and knee high hose and looked too adorable in her sailor outfit. The dance recital was inspired by the Disney movie, The Little Mermaid and the stage at Wando High School was about to be filled with fish and mermaids and sailors and most anything else that could be found on or under the ocean. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but Olivia and all the students at the Tapio dance school in Mt. Pleasant really did themselves proud.

I spent part of Mothers' Day weekend, down on Kiawah Island for an intimate and beautiful wedding.

Surrounded by a close knit group of family and friends and with weather that was made to order, Tara and Rich exchanged vows.

Here's a couple of pictures of the happy couple with many more to come.

Enjoy!

The Millstone at Adams Pond played host to the fundraiser which had a performance by Elvis, aka Phil Urban, great food and some very cool silent auction items, including some photos that I made of some of the Arabian horses that were rescued last year and a pit bull named Pacino, who was used as a "bait" dog for dog fighting. The photos raised almost $500.00, I'll have to wait to hear a total of what was raised, but some of the other items that were donated were doggie goodies from 3 Dog Bakery, a week long getaway in Gatlinburg, Tenn., gym memberships, belly dancing lessons, jewerly, Blue Sky prints and so much more!

If you missed the auction but still want to donate, you can. Just check out their website at www.humanesc.org and you can also get information on the programs they offer.

A little while ago my friend and fantastic massage therapist Pat McGovern, and I were sharing a cool drink on her patio and I couldn't help but make a few photos of her friends. That would include Faith the wonder dog and her older companion Moe, yes thats Faith giving Moe a little kiss when Moe got a little tuckered out, and her neighbor Sophie. It was a great afternoon hanging out and catching up.

If your looking for a good massage, and lets face it these days who isn't!!!! You need to check out Forest Acres Massage Therapy, give Pat a call at (803) 738-0098.

So when my neighbors decided to adopt two lab/pitbull mix puppies, sisters, I was very excited. They are about nine weeks old and are as cute as they can be. The smaller of the two with brindle markings and grey/green/blue eyes is Ginger and the larger black girl with a white patch on her tummy, chin and on all four paws, is Layla.

People are always raving about how great naps are and that you should take one everyday, however, I think a puppy break is a much better idea. So here's your puppy break!

It's hit the stands, Lake Murray/Columbia magazine's May issue is out and I had the opportunity to photograph two of the stories.

The first story is about an artist named Anne Boudreau. Born and raised in the South she works with textiles and makes amazing looking fabric sculptures. Her show will open on May 7 at the new 701 CCA on Whaley Street and will run until July 5, you should check it out!!

The other story that I was able to photograph was local bakers offering tips for best cake making and decorating. As a wedding photojournalist I have the opportunity to sample a lot of cakes, some of the best the state has to offer and one of my favorites is Chocolate Nirvana. They make an amazing Godiva Liquor cake that will make you wonder if it would be poor form if you ate the entire thing. It's that good. Don't even get me started about the flourless Chocolate Nirvana Cake--WOW!!!! If you want to try it for yourself, they are located on Richland Street and their website is www.chocolatenirvanabakery.com. Tell them Heybabysmile sent ya.

Here are my favorites from both shoots.

I don't get to do a ton of editorial work but last year Bloomberg News called to see if I would cover the Presidential candiate Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, as she read to kids at the University of South Carolina. It was great fun and I've got to tell you she was a delight to watch, very engaged and really seemed to have a good time with the kids. Even Cocky showed up.

The photograph took an HM in the Campaign 2008 category and I was reminded of this when a plaque showed up in the mail over the weekend. Thought it would be fun to take a look back!

I just wanted to post a quick picture from the Meyer-Kilpatrick wedding. Check back next week for a few more but here's Ashley and James leaving the Palmetto Club in downtown Columbia, S.C. as wedding guests showered them with bubbles. It was a terrific wedding with some of the most lively dancing I have ever seen.