For me, moving to Dubois County, Indiana, was a bit like moving back in time.
Located in southern Indiana, Dubois County (pronounced DO-boyz, NOT dOOb-waa) is quintessential rural/small-town America. Jasper is the county seat and the "big city" of the county because there is a Walmart and a few fast food options.
Tradition is important here. Every small town in the county from Ireland and Holland to Zoar and Birdseye has its own festival where the entire town gathers to celebrate. People still read the newspaper and scan the pages to spot photos of themselves or their neighbors. Find a picture of Katie Sue in The Herald? Cut it out and send it to her mother just in case she didn't see it!
Even The Herald feels a bit like frozen in the glory days of community journalism. It's still an afternoon paper which only publishes Monday thru Saturday. Most people get the paper delivered as they are arriving home from work in the evenings. Print first is the mentality, especially since The Herald only got a website in 2010! What?!
Maybe it is stuck in time, but at The Herald, I have time to truly delve into the community. I have time to spend making intimate storytelling images without overbearing deadline pressure. I have the time to spend waiting to capture the moment. Now it's just up to me to make those images!
I'm so excited to spend the next five months challenging myself to make storytelling images that matter - because that's what The Herald is known for.
From the 4-H Fair to pageants galore, here are some of my favorites from my first month in Dubois County.
Kensley Gogel of St. Henry, 6, fed hay to one of dairy cows that Zach Cline of Kyana, 18, showed this year at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds in Bretzville on Wednesday.
Alex Hopf of Huntingburg, 16, prayed with fellow contestant Katelyn Tretter of Ferdinand, 16, before walking down the runway at the 2016 Dubois County 4-H Fair Queen Contest at Jasper High School in Jasper on Sunday. Tretter was named Teen Miss first runner up.
Abigail Conrad of French Lick, 6, reacted after being hit by Ryland Gerber of Winslow, 4, left, and Adam Onyette of Petersburg, 6, during the Power Wheels class of the demolition derby at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds in Bretzville on Saturday.
Abe Eckman of Jasper, 12, swam across the pool during the 4th annual Dubois County Youth Triathlon and Duathlon on Saturday at Huntingburg City park.
Derek Bolling reacted after his putt sent the ball just wide of the hole during the final round of the Dubois County Amateur at Sultan's Run Golf Club in Jasper on Sunday. Jacob Bartley won the tournament after defeating Anthony Seng on the second sudden-death playoff hole.
Prestyn Balsmeyer of Huntingburg, 17, grimaced while pulling the rope during the tug-of-war competition at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds in Bretzville on Thursday evening.
Allyson Werner of Ferdinand, 14, guided her steer from the outdoor pen at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds in Bretzville on Wednesday morning.
2015 first runner-up Kelsey Graman, 19, comforted contestant Haley Sample of Jasper, 18, while waiting backstage for the formal round of the Miss Strassenfest pageant at Redemption Christian Church in Jasper on Saturday.
Lily Harpe of Alexandria, 9, climbed the tower at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds in Bretzville on Thursday evening.
Reagan Hopf, 7, and Ava Claire Werne, 8, both of Jasper, played backstage while waiting for the Little Miss and Mister Strassenfest pageant at Redemption Christian Church in Jasper on Saturday. Ava Claire won second runner-up.