Rick Browne was “pleasantly surprised” to learn he had won first place in the animals category of the Society of American Travel Writers’ Bill Muster Photo Competition. Surprised not just to be singled out among the high-caliber competitors, but also because, of the four photographs of animals he entered, one of an elk herd in Idaho got the gold prize.
Browne, a 62-year-old Ridgefield resident and former Columbian photo editor, preferred some of his other entries, but acknowledged that “it’s hard to be objective about your own photography.”
Browne also took third place in the action category for a photograph of a cliff diver in Mazatlan, Mexico, and honorable mention in the people category for a photo of a Gypsy band playing in a restaurant in Budapest, Hungary. In total, he received two plaques, a certificate and $575.
The awards were presented at the Society of American Travel Writers’ conference in Guadalajara, Mexico, last month.
Young actors play siblings on and off the stage
Real-life Salmon Creek brother and sister Henry and Aimee Martin have an advantage when it comes to playing two of the Cratchit kids in Portland Center Stage’s upcoming production of “A Christmas Carol.”
“It’s kind of fun because you already know how to act like a sibling with them,” said Aimee, 12, who’s home-schooled and takes classes at Alki Middle School.
Both the Martin youths, as well as older sister Ande and their parents, Annette and Mark, are active with Christian Youth Theater Vancouver and the organization’s east Vancouver branch. This was Aimee and Henry’s first time auditioning for a Portland show, and they landed the parts of Mary Cratchit and Tiny Tim, respectively. Both also play other ensemble parts in the show.
Acting together is nothing new for the two. They both appeared in Christian Youth Theater Vancouver East’s productions of “The Jungle Book” and “Peter Pan” and recently finished their run in Christian Youth Theater Vancouver’s “Les Misérables.”
Just two days after “Les Miz” wrapped, they began rehearsing six days a week for “A Christmas Carol,” which opens Nov. 24.
One of the biggest challenges of the show, Henry said, is memorizing all of Tiny Tim’s lines. The 9-year-old Salmon Creek Elementary School student has been practicing walking with a crutch and looks forward to making his Portland theatrical debut.
“I’m really excited to do it,” he said.
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