My role as Managing Editor at the Valley News keeps me in the office most of the time, but on a few recent occasions, I was out and about with my camera. Here are a few of my favorites:

Molly Gray, 15, roars towards the finish with her quarterhorse Benji during a Mascoma Valley equestrian team workout at the Goose Pond Equestrian Center in West Canaan, N.H. Gray said she has been riding “since before I could walk.” In their first competition, the team placed second amongst 15 schools at a meet in Fremont, N.H. 

White River Valley’s Braden White (32) prepares to grab a rebound between Richford’s Robert Gendron (25) and Will Steinhour during their VPA D-III quarterfinal in South Royalton, Vt. The Wildcats won, 84-49. 

Oxbow’s Abby Longto slides in safely under the tag by Bellows Falls catcher Jaelyn Fletcher in the first inning of their Division III state championship game in Castleton, Vt. Bellows Falls committed seven errors during Oxbow’s seven-hit, 14-run inning. The Olympians won, 37-2, for their fourth championship in four years.

Hartford High senior Andrew Keenan, gets help putting on his mortarboard from classmates Olivia Brackett and Madison WIlley before their ceremony in White River Junction, Vt. The school’s 122 graduates received their diplomas outdoors on the football field. 

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It’s been a minute since I’ve posted my favorite photos from my job at the Valley News. While I spend most of my time in the office, I still enjoy being out in the community, telling stories with my camera.

As Burr & Burton’s players rush the field to celebrate their Division I state championship win with their fans, Hartford’s Adam Wheatley (43) and Andrew Keenan react to the loss that ended their undefeated season.

Emily Strizich, of White River Junction, Vt., compacts soil after a test run of a built-up curve on the pump track at Ratcliffe Park in White River Junction.

Student Christine Dobrich, of Sharon, Vt., second from left, and instructor Christine Traverson enjoy a laugh during a Bob Ross Paint Night session at the Seven Stars Arts Center in Sharon.

Strafford historian John Freitag, right, and town moderator David Grant talk about Town Meeting’s history during the town’s Cabin Fever University session held in the basement of Barrett Hall in Strafford, Vt.

Stevens and Mascoma field hockey players react to the goal scored by Callie Demars to give Stevens a 3-2 double-overtime win in their quarterfinal playoff game in Claremont, N.H.

Ledyard Charter School sophomore Collin Truell, of Lebanon, N.H., left, and senior Gabby Bagley, of Unity, N.H. work together to mix pancake batter as their Event Planning class prepares a fundraising brunch at the school in Lebanon.

Woodstock’s Jake Blackburn leaps through a hole in the Windsor defense while being pursued by Windsor’s Dante Roy in the Division III state championship in Rutland, Vt.

Dartmouth College President Phil Hanlon receives a hug as the academic procession is seated on the stage at the start of the school’s annual commencement in Hanover, N.H. It was Hanlon’s last ceremony, retiring after a decade as the college’s leader.

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While I’m in the office the majority of my time at the Valley News, I do get the opportunity to use my camera occasionally. Here are a few of my favorites from the past few months:

From left, Air Force veteran Henry Dessert, of Lebanon, N.H., Army veteran Kate Van Arman, of Thetford Center, Vt., and Marine veteran Ted Occhi, of Canaan, N.H., visit before the start of the annual Memorial Day parade hosted by American Legion Post 22 in Lebanon. Dessert served from 1948-54, Van Arman from 1995-2016 and Occhio from 1953-55.

Woodstock’s girls hockey team celebrates their 5-1 VPA Division II state championship win over Hartford in Burlington, Vt., in March. The number-one-seeded team ended the season 22-1-0, with their lone loss to Hartford towards the end of the regular season.

Ashley Jones, of Stamford, Conn., gets a congratulatory elbow-bump from Dartmouth College President Phil Hanlon after receiving her Master of Business Administration degree during the school’s commencement in Hanover, N.H., in June. Hanlon has announced he will step down as president in June 2023.

The ingredients for Marshmallow Melt – chamomile, rose and marshmallow root – are ready to be used in a steam blend for a customer at Flourish Beauty Bar in White River Junction, Vt. The Steam Bar is a way for customers to compare products on their skin.

Natalie Hill, 13, of Greensboro, Vt., grooms Daisey, her Jersey spring yearling before the start of the two-day State 4-H Dairy Show at the fairgrounds in Tunbridge, Vt., in August. In her fourth year involved with 4-H, Hill was amongst 50 competitors who qualified for the event by winning on the county level.

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Lately, I’ve been given more newsroom responsibilities but I still enjoy getting out and about with my camera for the Valley News. Here are a few of my favorites over the past few months.

Alice Craft, of Vershire, Vt., rehearses her part in “St. George and the Dragon” at Coburn Park in Lebanon, N.H. It is a performance before “Lighted Candles in the Winter Trees,” a collaboration between Revels North and No Strings Marionette Company.

Leena DeFoe, 13 months, reacts to being spun in the water by her mother Amanda Socha, of Canaan, N.H., during a Parent and Me swim lesson at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction, Vt. Socha has been enjoying lessons at the pool. “This has been awesome for us,” she said.

Regulators pitcher Todd Tewksbury flies out in a game against the Misfits in a Men’s Mountain League slowpitch softball game at the Tunbridge Rec Field in Tunbridge, Vt.

Actor Noor Taher, of Hanover, N.H., speaks about his love of the Tickle Me Elmo gift he received at a birthday party during the rehearsal of “The Elmae,” part of the six-act satire “Loose Canon” performed at ArtisTree’s Grange Theater in Pomfret, Vt. The comedies satirize American consumerism in the style of canonical playwrights.

White River Valley’s Brayden Russ bicycle kicks a shot on goal that sails over Rivendell defender Jameson Gilbert but is caught by keeper Carter Bacon in the second half of their playoff game in Orford, N.H. Russ briefly left the game after landing on his back and getting the wind knocked out of himself.

Stickers on the gym floor at the Hanover Senior Center in Hanover, N.H., encourage social distancing, including for a line dancing class where all participants are masked as well.

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As vaccination numbers increase and COVID-19 restrictions ease, following and covering baseball is more enjoyable without my glasses fogging up due to the mask. Here are a few of my Valley News favorites from the spring and summer:

Lebanon Post 22’s Zack Howland hits an RBI double off Keene Post 4 pitcher Aaron Kent as Jaden Phillips catches during the fourth inning of their game in Lebanon, N.H.

Mascoma’s Cayden Marquay reacts to a called strikeout during their game against Lebanon.

Hanover pitcher Wes Stocken and catcher John Hill talk on their way back to the dugout after a successful inning against Stevens in Norwich, Vt.

From left, Lebanon Post 22’s Casey Graham, Wes Stocken, Ian Hedgepeth and Harper Flint play a game of Flip during a 30-minute weather delay.

First baseman William Sullivan, of Troy University, takes batting practice during the Nighthawks’ opening practice in White River Junction, Vt. The New England Collegiate Baseball League canceled their 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nighthawks catcher Parker Haskin warms up before their game against Sanford in White River Junction. Haskin, who is a student at Elon University, is one of 20 players from his college team playing in summer leagues this year.

A spectator ducks as Upper Valley’s Gehrig Anglin pursues a foul fly ball along the third baseline in the first game of their doubleheader in White River Junction.

Upper Valley pitcher Alex Theis fields the ball he overthrew from catcher Raphael Pelletier (not shown) to tag out North Adams’ Brandon Hylton in the fourth inning to preserve their lead in the first game of their doubleheader.

Upper Valley first baseman William Sullivan fields a throw from pitcher Alex Theis (not pictured) on a slow grounder from Sanford’s Pierce Gallo (4) in the third inning of their game in White River Junction. Home plate umpire Connor Hoagland, right, calls the ball fair.

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As longer and warmer days turn melt winter’s cold away, I’m feeling hopeful as Vermont’s COVID case counts decline and vaccinations rise. Here’s a look at a few of the photos I did for the Valley News in a winter like no other:

A painting of a student studying indoors is on display in the closed Hopkins Center entryway at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. According to the college’s COVID-19 dashboard, on March 1 there were 122 active cases amongst students, with 120 in isolation.

Elaine Perrault, 83, of Claremont, N.H., takes a cigarette break outside the Earl M. Bourdon Centre where Perrault has lived for the past eight years. Perrault tested negative for COVID-19 and is due to be tested again. In early January, 21 residents and 5 staff have the virus. Residents have been told by intercom to stay in their apartments and communal activities have been canceled. “It’s eery,” Perrault said of the empty halls. “I want to see these people back to smiling,” she said later.

Hunter Leveille waves to a fellow home energy delivery driver while passing each other on Route 14 in West Hartford, Vt., in February. Leveille, who delivers propane for Simple Energy, waved to the over half-dozen trucks delivering propane and heating oil that he passed on the road during his morning route.

While talking on the phone, Lebanon City Council candidate Al Patterson, right, elbow bumps with Bruce Johnstone, of Lebanon, N.H., while standing outside the Ward 1 polls at Kilton Public Library in West Lebanon. Standing with Patterson are Lebanon School Board candidate Barbara Patterson, who is also Al Patterson’s wife, and supporter and volunteer Ramzi Hraibi, of West Lebanon.

Clara Oren, 5, practices violin with her father and brother at their home in West Lebanon. Clara has been taking two lessons a week remotely – one a one-on-one lesson and the other in a group – with the Upper Valley Music Center for about a year.

Hanover High School senior Allison Whitmore places a plate of tea and cookies onto the miniature stage being filmed as part of Finegan Kruckemeyer’s play “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” at Hanover High School in Hanover, N.H. Whitmore is also an actor in the play, as well as sharing the duties of mini-stage operator with senior Johan Berendsen, in background, and others. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Footlighters theater group is producing the play to be seen online for their winter production. The school’s fall and spring performances have been and will be outdoors.

As cardboard cutouts take the place of spectators during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mascoma’s Connor Thompson saves the ball from going out of bounds during the first half of their game against Lebanon in West Canaan, N.H.

Lebanon junior varsity Head Coach K.J. Matte acknowledges the referee’s 10-second backcourt violation call against Mascoma during their game in Lebanon. Matte, who is a senior at Bowdoin College, is leading the Lebanon squad while his college basketball team takes the season off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lebanon-Stevens-MRA’s Griffin Auch, in the foreground, reacts as Berlin-Gorham celebrates tying up their semifinal playoff at 3-3 in the third period in Concord, N.H. After trailing 3-0 at the beginning of the third period, Berlin-Gorham won, 5-3.

Windsor’s John Cook III looks for a teammate to pass to as Thetford’s Nick Gray defends during their playoff game in Windsor, Vt.

Lebanon’s Clara Smyrski, left, and Sally Rainey tie up Hanover’s Caroline Adams for a jump ball in the first half of their game in Lebanon.

Oxbow’s Ellyn Hart hugs teammate Emma Parkin (20) as their season draws to a close in their 62-30 semifinal loss to Lake Region in Orleans, Vt.

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May not be reprinted without permission

While it’s been a challenge to work during the pandemic, it’s still rewarding to report on the community we all love to be part of. Here are a few of my recent favorites from the pages of the Valley News:

As the sun sets towards the end of practice, Newport quarterback Marius Edwards hands off to running back Josh Sharron in Newport, N.H.

Matthew Slaughter, of Hanover, N.H., does work on his laptop in his front yard while accompanied by the family’s Bichon Frises Teddy, left, and Ollie. As Dean of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, Slaughter has been working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the dogs nearby. “This is their favorite office,” he said.

Kim Smith puts the final touches on a decorated tree to be put in the window of 37 Central, the downtown Woodstock, Vt., apparel store she owns. Smith said decorations are being put up a couple of weeks earlier. “This year, more than ever, we all need a little holiday spirit,” she said.

Charlene Truell, of Unity, N.H., shows her mother Beverly Whiting the deer Truell recently shot during their first in-person visit together since Whiting, 88, tested positive in mid-October for COVID-19 at the Woodlawn Care Center in Newport, N.H. In total the outbreak included 33 residents and 24 staff members.

Vermont State Police officers work at the scene where a chase of a single vehicle ended on Route 14 in Sharon, Vt.

The North Country Chordsmen and The VoxStars rehearse outdoors in West Lebanon, N.H. Singing through a sound system so they can hear themselves on headphones, they are able to sing at a safe distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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May not be reprinted without permission

As the COVID pandemic continues, working for the Valley News at home or in the office with few co-workers is the new normal. Being out in the community to do photography is a nice relief, even while distancing and wearing a mask. Here are a few of my recent favorites:

Jim Kibbe, of Greenwich, Conn., photographs a farm along Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vt. Following COVID-19 protocols, Kibbe and his wife are on a week-long trip to see the leaves in Maine and Vermont as he is between jobs. “We’re trying to make the best of it,” he said.

A passing rain shower falls on Norwich Police Cadet Evan Burke’s face shield while waiting to direct the next voter in their car at the outdoor polls set up at the transfer station in Norwich, Vt.

Upper Valley’s Kobe Benoit, center, is mobbed by his teammates after his game-winning walk-off hit in the seventh inning defeated Nashua 9-8 to win their best-of-three semifinal series in the New Hampshire COVID Baseball League tournament in Lebanon, N.H.

The Windsor field hockey team finishes a warm-up lap around the athletic fields at the start of practice in Windsor, Vt. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, players are required to wear masks while on the field.

Linda Muri, of Hanover, N.H., works for the first time as a ballot clerk at the primary polls in Leverone Fieldhouse in Hanover. “I knew they would have a hard time getting volunteers,” she said of why she signed up.

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May not be reprinted without permission

As soon as the coronavirus hit New England and drastically altered everyone’s lives, my work life also changed. The Valley News has had its struggles with losses of advertising and staff reductions. I’m proud to continue to work with a dedicated groups of journalists covering the Upper Valley. Here’s a few of my favorite photos I made over the past few months.

Weathersfield Elementary Principal JeanMarie Oakman waves goodbye to students leaving on four buses at the end of the school day in Ascutney, Vt., on March 16, 2020. Under the direction of the governor, students will be working from home through the end of the school year.

Hartford Selectboard member Alan Johnson raises his hand to be recognized in the chamber by chair Dan Fraser while meeting remotely as CATV Tech Coordinator Thomas Bishop watches in White River Junction, Vt., on March 25, 2020. Changes to the state’s Open Meeting Law allow for boards and commissions to meet from different locations due to COVID-19 concerns.

Instructor Lisa Dumont, of Rockingham, Vt., demonstrates an exercise for students during a Fit Body Boot Camp workout in the PowerHouse Mall parking lot in West Lebanon, N.H., on March 31, 2020. Dumont, who owns the business and another in Rockingham, said the response to the social-distancing workout in West Lebanon has been positive and she hopes to do the same soon at her other location.

As Enfield Police Chief Roy Holland, middle, and Officer Mike Crate load groceries into her car, Dorothy Braley, of Canaan, N.H., tells them it is her last time for weekly food at the police station in Enfield, N.H., on April 7, 2020. Braley is a dental assistant and her hours have been cut back to one day a week during the COVID crisis – her unemployment check had just started arriving. “This has been a massive help,” she said of the food for herself and her husband.

Quinn Thomashow, right, of Strafford, Vt., projects her camera-less film onto her family’s home as her relatives Julia and Rachel Norton, of New York City, watch while listening to the audio track Thomashow recorded on April 22, 2020. Originally intended to be part of an installation at Hampshire College for her senior thesis, Thomashow is instead sharing the project with friends and family in their cars due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Nortons temporarily moved to Strafford weeks earlier to shelter in place.

On the first day back in business on May 11, 2020, Colonial Barber Shop owner and barber Tracey Barber disinfects the shop’s door following a customer’s departure in West Lebanon, N.H. The shop and other New Hampshire hair salons were allowed to reopen, following restrictions due to the pandemic.

Jacqueline Springwater, of Norwich, Vt., moves soil delivered to her home one bucket at a time on May 15, 2020. Springwater, 86, is growing a garden this summer for the first time because travel is limited due to the coronavirus pandemic. Springwater will be growing herbs and greens for dishes she likes to cook. “I’m not only prepping my garden but also prepping my body,” she said of the workout required for gardening.

Kacey Knight singes remaining hair from a pig slaughtered at Vermont Packinghouse in North Springfield, Vt., on May 19, 2020. Knight supervises an eight-man crew on the “kill floor” at the 30,000 square-foot meatpacking plant. Due to the demand for locally raised beef and pork because of COVID-19, the slaughterhouse is booked through the end of 2020.

Spaced at least six feet apart, Hanover High School sophomore Ian Hedgepeth, right, and his teammates stand at the ready to sprint on coach Rob Woodward’s signal during their first practice for the new summer New Hampshire COVID Baseball League in Lebanon, N.H., on June 1, 2020.

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May not be reprinted without permission