Karen Pike Photography Rotating Header Image

April, 2011:

GMDD: Super Hero Slam (roller derby)

Apr 11th, 2011
by kpikephoto.
2 comments

The Green Mountain Derby Dames played their last two home bouts of the winter season Saturday, taking on the Assault City Roller Derby club from Baldwinsville, NY. Both the Black Ice Brawlers and the Grade A Fancy bouts provided maximum action (and two BIG WINS!) and the crowd got totally into the whole Super Hero theme. Many fans came dressed to kill as their favorite action heroes, and, of course, our own awesome announcers, Rock Thudson and Candy Corn-ary, donned some pretty great Super Hero costumes as well!

It was a great way to end the winter season and now we can only look forward to next September when Grade A Fancy and the Black Ice Brawlers return to get their DERBY on again for us… Take a look at Saturday’s fun to Bonnie Tyler‘s, “Holdin’ On For A Hero” (remember that one???)

–
If you’d like to see over 200 photos from Saturday’s action, visit my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/kpikephoto

Liz’s Bat Mitzvah

Apr 4th, 2011
by kpikephoto.
No comments yet

Traditionally, in the Jewish religion, A 13-yr-old child becomes a Bar/bat Mitzvah with a service and celebration in Temple. It is a right of passage which brings joy to countless families around the world. For my (unrelated) cousin Elizabeth, she chose to embark on this spiritual journey as a 22-yr-old college senior. She began studying for her Bat Mitzvah after taking a 10-day trip to Israel last summer to explore her roots with a program called “Birthright“. She began to learn Hebrew and study the cultural and religious ins and out of her Jewish heritage. Saturday’s celebration was the culmination of a big year for Liz, but also the start of her new life as a Jewish woman.

I have to back up just a bit. I grew up with Elizabeth’s dad Rick as my “fake” cousin–our mothers were best friends and our families lived very close to each other. Rick’s mother, Dinny, was like my second mom and I loved her dearly. She died of cancer when Rick was in his early 20′s, newly married and Elizabeth was just a baby. I can’t imagine that Liz remembers much of Dinny, but she looks just like her and we have always felt Dinny’s spirit in Liz.

Well, Dinny’s spirit was definitely present Saturday in that little chapel at the Northeastern University Hillel, along with the spirit of Rick’s father Walter, who died not long after his mom. Liz was surrounded by friends and family, including her three siblings, parents, step-mother, aunts, cousins, and loving “fake” cousins (me and my sister). It was a joyous day, and though tears were shed for those who were not still of this world, their presence and their love was most certainly felt by all.

Please watch this slideshow to the beautiful Hebrew song, Od Yavo Shalom Aleneinu (Peace Will Come To Us), which Liz chose to include in her service.

-

Liz and her siblings: