#33 Machine Shutdown...........................

I kept waiting to hear the phones ring. A last minute call of reprieve, a pardon, somebody saying it was all a bad dream.  But it never came, and at 7:01 this morning Machine Tender David Heron signaled the backtender he was about to blow the sheet down for the last time. We all looked on. There was nothing we could do to stop it.

A little piece of history torn off to treasure.

What we did.

David washes her down one last time, while the reel drum is stopped for eternity.  

I saw the #33 Machine for the first time in 1982,when I was a 18 year old construction worker working for the Brown and Root constuction company, building the #34 machine, (which would sit right beside her),  I poked my head through a hole in the wall one day and saw her sitting there, just a rolling away, making paper; that's what she did.

The #33 Machine started up in 1975, and ran wide open until November 19th 2013.  

38 years, she did what she was designed to do.

Today, I watched and photographed it's final shutdown.

I'm not gonna lie, it made me cry.

6 years of my 30 year career at the mill, I spent working in the 33 complex. 

I saw three friends and co-workers lose thier lives on the floors of this machine.

I don't understand it. I never will.

She was a beauty. Rest in Peace #33 Machine.

And may God bless every soul she touched.

Greg 

  

Good Job LCHS XC Teams..................

 

The LCHS Girls XC Team placed 2nd in the State of Alabama.

 

The LCHS Boys XC Team placed 3rd in the State of Alabama.

I know you all wanted to Win State; but your accomplishment is great. Great job, we are proud of you!

Greg

Friday Nov 8, another great day of portraits.....................

 

Friday was portrait day for the always Fabulous Red Hots Dance Team. It was Yearbook make-up day, and we finished up Senior Portraits.

 

Then during 7th period, it was LCHS Basketball Portrait time. I always enjoy working with the Basketball teams. Good Luck Devils! Have a great season!

Greg

While in the Athens area today, playing music..........

after my gig. I called up my cousin Jarrod and Lacey and met them in the park with thier girls Hadley and Hunter for some fall portraits. My how they've grown.
Greg

Mr. and Mrs. Jake Randolph...............

 

Congratulations and Good Luck to  Jake and Amanda Randolph. Married today at The Wedding Chapel on Monte Santo Mountain in Huntsville.

 

It was great to get to be a part of this beautiful wedding.

Greg

Good Luck Saturday morning to the LCHS Volleyball team..........

The Lady Devils were out in the spirit line tonight to support the LCHS Football team; before Coach Hutto took them home to her house for some much needed rest, preparation for tomorrows game and some much needed slumber. Go Lady Devils, lets go back to State!
Greg

Senior Night at LCHS...........

40 seniors were recognized tonight before the LC vs Athens game, Seniors from the Football team, cheerleaders, Band, Red Hots dance team and JROTC members. Good luck to each of you and bless you all.
Greg

LCHS Cross Country 2013.............

 

I met the LCHS XC teams today at the Oakville Indian Mounds for team portraits. It was the NW Regional race.

I hired a young lady "on the spot" and gave her a five minute lesson in XC race shooting, turned her loose with $3ooo worth of camera equipment, and guess what? She did an excellent job.  

Meanwhile, I had appointments at the studio, while I was taking senior portraits of Hillary, Blake and Janae.

She was busy doing what I asked her to do. Since she was a  West Morgan XC fan, I told her it would be ok to cover them too; and she did a really great job. Dawn, thanks for your help. 

Greg

Sunday afternoon.............

 

I got to meet, and photograph young Mr. Porter Dutton III. He's 6 weeks old and his dad had proclaimed him an Auburn fan. (to his mom's shegrin).

 

And then my friend Mitch Compton was able to get all his lovely family together, so we could get some great family portraits.

 

 

Another great day at GBP.

Greg

An evening with Family...........

I had the wonderful oppurtunity to spend the evening with my kinfolks, Roger and Nancy Brooks, who are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary this weekend. Thier sons, Will and Dale have came home, all the way from Birmingham and Arkansas to be with them. Bringing with them their lovely wifes and precious kids, Roger and Nancy's grandkids. It was nice to see them all together and be a part of this wonderful celebration.
Greg

LCHS Volleyball 2013............

 

I spent the rainy late afternoon with the LCHS Volleyball Team.

Good Luck ladies in your upcoming tournaments!

Greg

LCHS Homecoming 2013........

What a beautiful day it was for Homecoming 2013. A beautiful HC Court, beautiful cheerleaders, beautiful spirit. Beautiful Beautiful. Thanks Jessica and Tammy for your help covering this memorable day.
Greg

What a AWESOME way to start October...........

I started Thursday morning with my 235 cute little friends at Speake School. (I also photographed their Junior High Volleyball team.) Friday it was on to LCHS to photograph my 400+ good looking underclassmen, and I also shot 35 Senior Portraits. Saturday morning, which was glorius, I shot the early races at the Jesse Owens XC race in Oakville.Then I finished up Saturday afternoon with a nice outdoor session with  LCHS Senior Anna.
That's what I'm talking about.
Greg

LCHS vs Hartselle..............

 

 

It was a great night to shoot the action between LCHS and Hartselle. Great big crowds on both sides and I really enjoyed the Hartselle Band performance.

LCHS Band and LCHS Red Hots have a really great show this year. I enjoyed it very much.

Greg

And they're off...........................Cross country season underway

The LCHS XC teams took off into their 2013 season yesterday. Congratulaions Lexie for winning the girls large school race. That's awesome. Good Luck Devils.
Greg

LCHS wins season opener .....................

The Red Devils defeated the ELHS Eagles tonight 40-26. The band played and the Red Hots danced.
                                                                Good Job. Go Big Red!
                                                                              Greg

Congratulations Jake and Amanda.........................

 

I spent a wonderful evening ,on the Old Railroad Bridge in Florence,

photographing my cousin Jake and his lovely bride to be Amanda.

Wedding date is Oct 27.   

 

Thanks Michael Brooks for your help.

Greg

This weeks seniors.............

In this week from LCHS were, Dalton, Autumn, Will, Haley and Austin.

Gabe, Shania, Codie, Victoria, and Hatton High senior, Jamie.

Have a great year!
Greg

LCHS Jamboree.....................

The Devils won both Varsity and Junior Varsity halfs tonight. Good Job Devils. Go Big Red.
Greg

Hatton Volleyball 2013, I had such a fun time working with the Hornets..........

Good luck girls. I hope you have a great memorable year. It was a pleasure working with you.
Greg

Are you ready for some football?............

The LCHS Red Devils split up and played the annual Red White scrimmage game tonight. I dusted off the 300mm lens and brushed up on my action shooting. Good Luck this year Devils. Go Big Red!
Greg

LCHS Seniors, and Danville Hawks Football....................

 

LCHS Seniors in this week were, Destinee, Hunter, Amberly, Brittany.

Madison, Dasmine, and Gabriella.

Kenzie, Brianna, Allie and Courtney.

 

I had a great time Thursday evening meeting and working with the

DANVILLE HAWKS

Football team, Cheerleaders and Band members on their program portraits.

Good Luck Danville, wishing you a sucessful season.  

Greg

40 seniors done, only a hundred more to go. I can't wait!........

In this week; Timothy, Olivia, Blake, Emerald.

Allison, Zack, Aliyah, Korie.

Sam, Breannah, and Makayla. Ya'll have a great senior year.
Greg

Great first week of August at Greg Brooks Photography............

In this weekend were, Krissy, Landon, Haleigh, Adam, Kelton, Gabriella, Tanner and Katelyn. Had a great casual session with Katelyn too. Ya'll have a great year!
Greg

Great evening..........

In the studio this evening were LCHS Seniors Logan, Whitney E., Laura, and Whitney W. (whom her dad thought was getting her "Grape" pictures made. She said, "Dad, it's drape, not grape")
Wish you all a great senior year.
Greg