Last year the challenge was made and the gauntlet thrown down. Shooting the West, the annual photography symposium held in Winnemucca, had to show a profit this year and pay back the WCVA's underwriting grant or re-think continuing the 25-year-old event. On Wednesday, April 16th, Brenda Heintz, the new Executive Director of STW, fulfilled the promise she made back in August of 2013: "Let's clear the slate of what has occurred in the past five years and give me a chance to prove to you that, together, we can make this work," by handing Terry Boyle, WCVA's Chairman, a check for $5,000.
"Isn't this a first?" Board Member Don Stoker exclaimed.
"Yes it is!" answered the others.
Before accepting the check, Chairman Boyle wanted to know if this was going to leave STW cash-strapped. "No, we are doing fine," Heintz replied.
Outside of the Board meeting, Ms. Heintz was asked how she accomplished what the previous director could not. "Stuart Scofield always remarked that this event would not be possible without the help and backing of the volunteers involved with Shooting the West. I was truly amazed by the hours that our Committee volunteered this year. I spoke with each one of our Presenters, Instructors, Vendors and Committee Members personally. We would be tightening our belts and hoped each of them would understand this would be a lean year. I was overwhelmed at the support we received. Everyone wanted STW to succeed this year and most definitely into the future."
New monetary donations from Barrick, Newmont and Marigold Mining Companies added to grants received from the WCVA, Nevada Arts Council and Manfrotto (photography equipment.)
"But it went way beyond that," continued Heintz. STW reached out to community organizations to be involved in workshops and they responded in ways far above expectations. "Sheriffs Kilgore and Kull, and Det. Kuskie, staged a realistic crime-scene for Tom Bol's Editorial Photography class to document, in pictures, how an investigation would be handled. Members of the White Sage Theatre group, directed by Deborra Nielson, provided actors who were "witnesses to the shooting." Det. Kuski and Dep. Malone also enlisted the help of HGH's Capt. Whittaker and the EMS Team to handle the "body" when removed from the car."
Another element which thrilled Heintz included the participation by students from Lowry High School. Heintz reached out to Ron Espinola, Advisor to LHS's The Brand newspaper, which is included monthly in the Humboldt Sun. Approximately 20 photojournalism and yearbook staff were led through the paces of covering a news story by Marilyn Newton, long-time STW Presenter and participant, who recently celebrated 50 years as the Reno Gazette-Journal's premier photojournalist. "The experience that Marilyn brought to these students was priceless!" said Heintz.
As in the past, Dana Toth and Joyce Lacaillade opened the Humboldt Museum to be used as a colorful backdrop during the Lighting workshop. Again, thanks to the effort of Deborra Nielson and White Sage Theatre, actors "hammed it up" as models. "Everyone had a great time! The workshop participants experienced giving direction to the models to create just the right picture," Heintz said.
Also this year, Toth and Lacaillade, provided historic photos of downtown Winnemucca which were used during Larry Angier's Historic Scavenger Hunt workshop. Heintz explained, "The photographers were given a set of historic photos and sent out to find the exact location where the pictures were taken. This wasn't as easy as it sounds as some of the buildings are no longer there or have changed their appearance. Participants then had to shoot a modern version of the scene as it looks today. It was a fun event and the Participants had a great time." These new photos will be donated to the Museum for their archives.
Tonya Gonzalez, owner of Creative Photo on Bridge Street, donated her time and equipment to process film that was shot during another workshop. "We didn't expect Tonya to do this, which made her offer even more appreciated," said Heintz with honest gratitude.
One of the hardest-felt losses to STW this year was the resignation of Bill Sims, due to other, more-pressing commitments. "But Bill still stepped up when needed. He offered to set up and run the Thursday Movie Night at The Martin. He also provided the audio equipment and computer to link-up with the equipment donated by John Arant to make the movie showing possible," added Heintz. Leann Autrey, from the HC library, located and secured the movie shown.
"Carol Mason and Roberta Rothwell 'walked the streets' contacting many of the businesses in town requesting they offer STW attendees and guests an incentive to visit their shops and restaurants while in town for the event, with several of them agreeing by submitting a wonderful variety of offers. There was no cost to the business for advertising as the coupon page was provided by STW. The coupons were much appreciated by those who attended and we hope to include even more businesses next year."
"Due to two big events occurring in town on the same weekend, motel rooms are at a premium," said Heintz. "Angel Neilson, from Winner's Hotel and Casino, really came through by securing a block of rooms for our attendees, as did Terry Boyle at Winnemucca Inn and BW/Gold Country, Louise Griggs from Scott Shady Court, and George and Ana Marie Smith at Townhouse."
"We re-established a long-standing union by contracting with Country Kitchen Catering to provide appetizers and wine for Friday evening's gathering. Lynn Jenkins worked a miracle with the budget constraints I gave her. The food was superb and no one walked away that night hungry!"
Women in Mining, led by Arloa Woolford and Steve Tibbals, provided an array of adult beverages for purchase, as well as pouring the wine for Saturday evening's Give It Your Best Shot reception.
"Walt and Sheryl Curtis hosted our Sunday Rendezvous at their business on Grass Valley Road," said Heintz. A minimum of 50 tractors and various old-time pieces of equipment were lined up along with hundreds of other interesting items scattered around the 20 acres. "Our photographers had all the eye-candy they could handle," laughed Heintz. "We have received at least a dozen emails requesting we visit the Curtis place again."
This event was held in conjunction with an Open House at nearby Winnemucca Airport. Through the joint efforts of master coordinator Lewis Trout, Natasha Schmidt and Heintz, the community was treated to some of the best Winnemucca has to offer.
The BLM and Civil Air Patrol opened their dispatch centers for tours and CAP staged two planes for display. "The CAP Cadets handled vehicle parking duties and folks were able to enter and exit the facility with no delays," Heintz said. Others who participated in making this a fun day were 20 individual privately-owned planes, including Dr. Stringham's North American Yale, one of only nine in existence today, Randy McCoy's 1940's bi-plane, which played a major role in Nevada Humanities' Juanita Westbrook's Chautauqua presentation of Bessie Colman, the first female pilot of African-American descent to receive an international pilot's license, Brad Wigglesworth's home-built plane, and Rocky Phoenix's "Desert Dawg".
Another static display, staged by Andy Murdock and the Winnemucca Police Department, included several pieces of equipment with the city's Search and Rescue Vehicle - MRAP - as the star attraction. Also of particular interest were displays by HGH EMS, Winnemucca Rural Fire Dept., BLM fire-fighting equipment, classic cars owned by Jim French, Jim Kinney and Skip Hammargren, awesome motorcycles, and privately-owned military vehicles restored by Stan Rorex and Hammargren, assuring visitors there was something for everyone.
"To the delight of children and adults alike, Smokey the Bear made an appearance, welcoming everyone to festivities!" said Heintz.
For those wanting a little more action, there was plenty to see: Skip Hammargren rolled out his 1840's reproduction Howitzer cannon, firing off rounds several times during the day. The Tri-County Special Response Team (SRT) held a demonstration at their training facility which included flash-grenades and smoke bombs. Larry Angier held demonstrations of what the future holds using unmanned Drone aircraft for aerial photography, surveillance and package delivery. Lori Ann Taylor's Third Street Bistro set up shop in one of the airport's hangars providing a hot meal or drink to warm up guests and participants on that chilly Sunday as they sat at tables and chairs donated by the Senior Center. Or if your desire was a sweet snack, Girl Scout Troop #104 sold cookies under the leadership of Danielle Robinson.
"All-in-all, I can't say 'Thank You' enough to all who helped make this year's Shooting the West the success it needed to be. Winnemucca is a wonderful town and the people are even better. The Convention Center staff: Shelly, Brenda and Michelle in the office, and facility workers Tony, Mario and Johnny, helped keep the show running. I am especially grateful to the Winnemucca Convention and Visitor's Authority for willing to give STW and me a chance. This event, started by Linda Dufurrena and Sheri Allen over 25 years ago, is too important from not only an historical point, but more importantly to nurture present and future photographers. STW has inspired and instructed hundreds of photographers over the years to go out and be the best that they can be."
Roberta Rothwell is a resident of Humboldt County. Contact her at HumSunRoberta@gmail.com.
[[In-content Ad]]The following is a commentary by local resident Roberta Rothwell about the recent Shooting the West event.
