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Category: Friendly Praise Archive

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Colonel Leavenworth


	Colonel Leavenworth 2nd Place Winner I took this portrait at Fort Atkinson, Nebraska, last fall. This version was printed 24" x 36" on canvas, framed, and offered to "the commander" as a housewarming gift from another member of the reenactment group. The picture now hangs in his dining room. I've included an update on this story in the discussion section. Category: People Nikki McDonald

- Nikki McDonald

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My husband and I were invited to dine with “the Colonel” as a thank-you for taking and sending photos to the folks who play the roles at the reenactment weekends at Fort Atkinson. The dinner was very nice indeed. There were eight people at the table: the colonel, the fort surgeon, and six guests. These once-a-month dinners normally cost $30 per person and anything over the cost of the ingredients goes to the Friends of Fort Atkinson and is used to further the restoration of the fort. In addition to the guests, a steward, the cook and her helper, and a delightfully attentive bus boy were present. The first course was a tossed salad accompanied by homemade bread, homemade butter and cheese. The main course was pork loin roast and fresh asparagus. Dessert was a delicious sponge cake called a pudding (steam baked for four hours!) served with a lemon sauce on it and accompanied by fresh strawberries and blackberries. All the food except the pudding was prepared and cooked on site. We drank water and had cranberry juice at the end for the toasts. Both before and during the meal, period etiquette was explained and, to an extent, observed. I am including a photo of the table as it was set that I took before the dinner. What a delightful experience.

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June 16, 2011

- Nikki McDonald

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I had to re-upload. Thanks to everyone for the very generous comments.

Linda D. Lester
Now I'm hungry! :) Awesome shot and I bet he loved his print!
6/13/2011 7:29:57 AM

Candice C. Calhoun
Fantastic portrait and an unforgettable dinner experience!
ccc
6/13/2011 7:39:10 AM

Usman Bajwa
Terrific treatment and capture, Nikki. This is even better than the one without the texture, IMHO. I hope the judges agree and its a FAVE!
UB.
6/13/2011 8:02:28 AM

Katarina Mansson
This is a winner and a beauty!
6/13/2011 8:10:32 AM

Bob Cournoyer
Perfect!!
6/13/2011 8:11:22 AM

Jeff W. Robinson
You have done an Amazing job with this portrait Nikki - Sounds like a Great time!
6/13/2011 8:44:14 AM

Patrick Rouzes
Can see why it is framed and hanging in his house, Nikki! Quite the honor, my friend! Congratulations & hope to see this again!
6/13/2011 10:49:00 AM

Joy Rector
well done
6/13/2011 10:54:51 AM

Bonnie C. Lackey
It's so nice to hear of wonderful work being appreciated and shown. Congratulations, Nikki. And I bet the dinner is a memory that will stay with you forever.
6/13/2011 11:05:44 AM

Anita Hogue
I can certainly see why he would love it! WOW, the clarity and lighting are amazing, Nikki!
6/13/2011 11:19:41 AM

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June 16, 2011

- Nikki McDonald

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Tarun Bose
Outstanding image, I feel this one deserves to be a winner. Well done Nikki. I am sure dinner was delicious.
6/13/2011 11:41:19 AM

David Phalen
What a great way for them to say thank you!! Adding the textures raises this image to elite status!!
6/13/2011 12:49:21 PM

Marcie Fowler
Love this portrait. So well done.
6/13/2011 2:57:29 PM

MELODIE C. ROBERTS
Did you bring a doggie bag back for the rest of us??
I think I see a Winner here NiK
This is Outstanding!
6/13/2011 4:42:24 PM

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna
Magnificent images and what a wonderful honor for you! :-) k
6/13/2011 5:59:41 PM

Patricia A. Coblentz
I like Dave's comment and fully agree, Nikki...truly magnificent portrait work and what a wonderful experience! Start to finish.
6/13/2011 6:47:45 PM

Memoriee G. Sconce
Nikki what fun and on top of that you have a beautiful image that I am sure we will see again.
Memoriee
6/13/2011 9:48:31 PM

Renee Doyle
Cool texture and wonderful story Nikki!!! Excellent work!
6/14/2011 12:36:47 AM

Dave Montero
Sounds like a delightful evening and your image of the Colonel is fantastic with treatments fitting the period. Well done Nikki!
6/14/2011 7:33:18 AM

Christopher J. Budny
I can't decide which I like better! The texture addition to this one is lovely, and very appropriate, in feeling/age. Congratulations again, on both versions, the large print, and the dinner outing!
6/14/2011 6:05:43 PM

Jessica Jenney
Fantastic capture, beautiful textures and treatment, Nikki! Amazing detail!
6/14/2011 6:25:14 PM

Leslie McLain
A stunning capture, Nikki.
6/15/2011 7:48:06 PM

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June 16, 2011

- R. J. Laudenbacher

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Nikki...this is just a wonderful capture and I love the expression on his face and the texture you applied. Right into one of my favorites. Wonderful work.!

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June 16, 2011

- Nikki McDonald

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Thank you, Becky :) I had a couple of other favorites on it and I lost them because of the upload :(

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June 16, 2011

emptynestphotography.com - Agnes Fegan

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A wonderful job on this portrait Nikki...love the expression you captured. Sounds like a fun experience!

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June 16, 2011

Karen Celella

A wonderful experience for an extraordinary portrait. How exciting, Nikki. Congrats!

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June 16, 2011

Danny B. Head

Wow!

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June 16, 2011

MELODIE C. ROBERTS

Guess I need to mark this a favorite Again!! ;0)

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June 16, 2011

- Mitch Spence

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I think it's absolutely terrific that you got to do that sort of delightful followup at the dinner. I don't know which of the two images I like better. I adore them both, and they are both gold to me.

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June 18, 2011

- Mariann Kovats

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What a wonderful experience, thanks for sharing, you made me hungry, though. LOL
Beautiful capture and work!

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June 18, 2011

Jayne Martin

WOW for the both story and the portrait of this handsome guy! I agree this is a definite winner!! Love the texture!

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June 20, 2011

Heather Thorsen

A lovely portrait, and I am sure "The Commander" is very proud of it. Thank you for a description of your meal. It sonds wonderful.

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June 27, 2011

Tammy Espino

Congratulations on your awesome finalist! Good luck next round :)

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July 28, 2011

Mary Timman

Congratulations on this beautiful Finalist!

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July 28, 2011

- Michele Peterson

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Congratulations, Nikki!!!

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July 28, 2011

Phyllis H. Burchett

Fabulous Nikki, congrats on your finalist!

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July 28, 2011

Bill Johnson

Nikki, Congrats on your finalist selection. Good luck.

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July 28, 2011

- Heather Loewenhardt

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Whoohoo Nikki another finalist. Congratulations on this award. I think this should win!

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July 28, 2011

William F. Clair

Wow!!! Everything that can be said about a photo is in this photo...color...crop...substance... and on and on...

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July 28, 2011

Susan K. Snow

Congratulations, Nikki, on another well done finalist.

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July 28, 2011

BetterPhoto Member

thanx for sticking with it. super job.

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July 28, 2011

- Usman M. Bajwa

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Glad to this wonderful image again, Nikki. CONGRATZ on the Finalist and good good good luck up next!!!

UB.