LIGHT FROM THE NIGHT: Behind the camera
Jeff Fullerton
lightfromthenight.com/

My interest in nighttime photography is a combination of my engineering background and scientific curiosity. A high school photography class, taught by Bill Lane, introduced me to the science behind photographic images.  I learned that rather than requiring the artistic skills of a painter, the art of photography revolved around the understanding and control of exposure, depth of field, composure, and other technical variables associated with the camera, film and developing process.  This understand inspired my curiosity and imagination.


Shortly after gaining a basic understanding of the art, I experimented with the NikoMat FT 35mm film camera photographing in low light conditions using black and white film.  these early photos were not exceptional, but they were successful enough to inspire further experimentation in the future.


In 2001, over a decade later, I picked up the camera again.  I was eager to attempt to capture the motion of the stars in the night sky. After experimenting on two different nights in Meredith, NH, the results from that role of film amazed and inspired me to continue shooting. Since then, the camera has traveled with me on numerous business and pleasure trips to locations around the World.


At this time, I consider myself a nighttime photography hobbyist and these images are successful results from numerous experiments; part science and part art in how the events are exposed on the film.


Originally, the photos were captured using the fully manual Nikomat FT camera, which my father purchased prior to my birth. Being entirely manual, long exposures are shot with the “bulb” setting and a locking shutter release. Most of the photos were captured with a 28mm lens.  typically I used Fuji Superior 400 ISO Film. The film images were transferred with a high resolution scanner by a local camera shop that has since closed down (Cameras Inc).  I still use this camera for exposures lasting longer than 10 minutes, but admit it takes months to go through a roll of 24 shots.


Since late 2007, a majority of the images have captured digitally by a Nikon D80 and more recently a Nikon D7000.  Though I have embraced digital photographic technology, I introduce very minimal enhancements of the digital images.

Jessica Fligg is an award winning artist primarily working in oils. Jessica studied painting at the New Hampshire Institute of Art in Manchester. She works from her studio in Ashland, NH and paints exclusively en plein air. She started drawing at a very young age with her Great Grandmother and her interest and passion for the arts has grown over the years. Jessica studies how lines, positive and negative spaces, light and shadows work together to create a space and visual pathways. She is currently working on another round of “A Year in Plein Air Painting.” She paints at least one plein air painting a week throughout the year.

In this series, Jessica captures the world around her through each of the changing seasons. Jessica also enjoys working on still life paintings and mixed media pieces in her studio. She takes great care in seeing each piece from start to finish by hand crafting her own paint panels and building her own frames.

To learn more about Jessica and her art, please visit her webpage at: www.jessica-fligg-artist.weebly.com

Here is a list of titles that we could barely keep on the shelf in 2018! Which books or movies on the list are your favorites?

Erin talks about her favorite book on PBS the Great American Read list: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

"Hello, I am Erin Apostolos, director of the Meredith public library in New Hampshire and I hope that everyone has had a chance to check out the Great American Read on PBS.  America selected their top 100 novels and you can vote for your favorite now through October 17.  Go to PBS.org to learn more.

I was thrilled to see that my all-time favorite novel, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry is one of the top 100.  Published in 1985 it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1986.  Captains Woodrow Call and Gus McCrae were once famous Texas Rangers but have been retired for over a decade on a small and unsuccessful farm in Texas in the late 1870’s.  When an old friend returns with wild tales of the beautiful state of Montana, Call, tired of retirement, decides it’s time to have an adventure, pick up stakes and start over as a rancher in Montana.   Gus, content to sit on his porch, is less interested until he is enticed by the opportunity to see his long lost love on the way to Montana. 

The relationship between Gus and Call to me is the heart of the story.  Long time friends who have shared years of adventures together, they couldn’t be more opposite.  Call is hard, unlikeable and unbending while Gus is outgoing, friendly and reasonable.  But both are tough as nails and unshakable in their loyalty to each other.  Their love for each other shows in their verbal sparring throughout the story which can leave you laughing out loud at one moment then sobbing into your tissue at the next.  During their long trip to Montana they face hardship, troubles and loss that challenge their close friendship.  There are also many side-stories that drive the plot including murder, kidnap, betrayal, romance, and gossip about one young cowboy being Call’s son.  Once you start, you will not be able to put it down.  And once you finish it, be sure to take home the Golden Globe award winning mini-series starring Tommy Lee Jones as Call and Robert Duvall as Gus or read one of the exciting prequels or sequel.  Vote Lonesome Dove!"

October's Artist of the Month display is a special one hosted by the Meredith Historical Society! 

In a collaboration with VynnArt, local artists painted their own rendition of old postcards depicting the town of Meredith. The exhibit is titled, "Postcards from the Past."

The trustees of the Meredith Public Library and the Meredith Select Board want to update library patrons and taxpayers on the status of the project to expand and renovate the Meredith Public Library.
 
“It's been a busy and productive summer,” says Ann Butler, chairman of the library board of trustees. Butler notes that “A publicly funded building project takes far more planning and coordination than would be involved in building a home or even a privately funded commercial building.  There's been ongoing dialog with town officials and town committees since the spring as we follow the steps that are required by the town.” Those discussions have been cordial and productive notes Butler.
 
Jonathan James, chairman of the select board and a Meredith library trustee, concurs. Noting that all but two of the seven library trustees were elected for the first time in March he says, “The current board of library trustees has been working with town officials to get an understanding of the process that needs to be followed in a town funded project.” He’s also eager to let the public know that the select board and the library trustees are in agreement that the library will be staying in its current location and that the expansion and renovation needs to happen to meet the current and future needs of town residents.
 
The project has already come before the capital improvements planning (CIP) committee and will again be before the CIP committee in October.  “There are several projects in the next few years that need to be scheduled in a way so as not to significantly impact the town’s tax rate,” says James. 
 
Although still subject to change in the next few months, the current thinking is that the library trustees will be seeking funding at the town meeting in March of 2019 for the design phase of the project.  This phase involves the library trustees sending out through the town a formal request for qualifications (RFQ) for an architect in the project.  James notes that this phase of the project can only start if the money is approved at town meeting. 
 
Once the RFQ responses are back, the library trustees will formally select an architect to move the project from the conceptual phase it’s currently in to the design process.  It is the design process that will eventually result in the development of the detailed plans used for the construction and renovation of the library.
 
Butler states that public input will be a key part of this design process.  “The trustees are planning on using a charrette process and surveys to get as many people as possible to participate.  We will be updating the public regularly as the planning process moves forward.”  Following the formal design process, the funds for construction and renovation will be requested in a warrant article at a town meeting. James notes that the current thinking is that this will be in 2020, although he notes that this may change. 
 
Although the exact timing of the process is still pending based on the work of the CIP committee this fall,  the town and the library trustees agree that the project will have owner’s project manager (OPM) who will oversee and manage the project from beginning to end.
 
While it is anticipated that a large percentage of the library project will be funded through a bond sought by the town, efforts are already underway to seek donations and grants to reduce the cost of the project.  As is common these days with library building projects, an independent charitable 501(c)(3) organization known as the Meredith Library Fund is being formed.  They seek private and corporate donations and grants to reduce the taxpayer’s cost for the project.  Butler notes that this entity is an independent organization from the library, the Friends of the Library and the town, but has the full support of the library trustees and the select board.   Questions regarding the fund should be referred to the Meredith Library Fund president Jim McFarlin.

For more information please visit our Virtual Story Time page! The first three episodes are now live! 

"I started my art career as a graphic designer pursuing my first love, painting. For many years, I painted picturesque villages and seasons of New England but since coming to South Carolina, I have embraced the birds, marshes and ever changing landscapes of the Low Country.

My goal in creating art is to share the joy I experience in creating each painting with you, the viewer. "

Visit Marianne's website: www.mstillwagon.faso.com