Sunday, July 31, 2011

July 2011 Scanfest

Sunday, July 24, 2011

IYC 1985: Sunday, July 21st - Macomb, IL - Day 4 of IYC

This morning it drizzled during the holiness meeting. Before the general spoke, we were entertained by a short drama "Present Age." Since the air conditioner was so loud, I couldn't hear and so didn't understand it very well. Since it was so hot, some of us kids stayed in the dorm this afternoon in the lounge & "goofed around." This evening we went to the Gowans & Larson musical, "Man--Mark II." The acoustics & sound system were lousy, but the acting was superb.

 Man--Mark II

Later, at the dorm we had pizza, then sat around in the lounge again, and talked to kids from other territories & countries.

[Note: I think this was the day that some people in our group--who shall remain unnamed!-- decided to drop watermelon from the 11th--or was it the 15th?--floor of our dorm to "see what would happen! By the way, I was not in any way involved...honest!]

IYC 1985: Saturday, July 20th - Macomb, IL - Day 3 of IYC

Today we let Macomb have it! 5,000 delegates marched through the square, saluted the general and sang Army songs, dressed in traditional costume or uniform. It was 92+°F with nearly 100% humidity. I took a long, cool, refreshing shower when I got back. At the International Youth Year Spectacular a gala show titled S.A. 21 was performed by the Santa Ana, Ca. Corps. A tremendous, beautiful firework & laser show accompanied. It was the most fantastic thing I ever saw.

[Note: when the fireworks were lit, there were also firecrackers set off. A number of delegates from Central America started to panic, thinking it was gunfire. That made an impression on me, as I knew they probably lived in constant danger of guerrilla terrorists.]


 
 
Scenes from S.A. 21

Scanfest is Coming!



The July 2011 Scanfest will take place here at AnceStories this coming Sunday, July 31st, from 11 AM to 2 PM, Pacific Daylight Time. 
 
What is Scanfest? It's a time when geneabloggers, family historians, and family archivists meet online here at this blog to chat while they scan their precious family document and photos. Why? Because, quite honestly, scanning is time-consuming and boring!

Scanfest is a great time to "meet" other genealogists, ask questions about scanning and preservation, and get the kick in the pants we all need on starting those massive scanning projects that just seem too overwhelming to begin.

To get started, you need to know the basics about scanning:

1. Don't use commercial glass cleaners (i.e. Windex) or paper towels to clean your scanner's glass plate. Use a soft, clean cloth, preferably microfiber. If you must use a liquid, use water sprayed directly onto the cloth  and make sure to let the plate dry thoroughly before placing photos or documents on it.

2. Wear cotton gloves (available at many art and/or photography supply shops) when handling photos and old documents.

3. Don't slide the photos around on the glass plate. Place them exactly where you want them. Photos should NEVER be scanned by a scanner that feeds the document through the machine, but ALWAYS on a flat-bed scanner.

4. Set your scanner to scan at no smaller than 300 dpi (dots per inch). Many experts recommend 600 dpi for photographs.

5. Photographs should ALWAYS be scanned and saved as .tif files. Use "Save As" to reformat the .tif file to a .jpg file for restoration and touchups, emailing, or uploading to an online photo album. ALWAYS retain the original scan as a .tif file.

6. Documents can be scanned as .pdf files or .tif files.

7. When you are done scanning your photos, don't put them back in those nasty "magnetic" photo albums. Place them in archival safe albums or boxes found at websites such as Archival Products or Archival Suppliers. Do NOT store any newsprint (articles, obituaries, etc.) with the photos. The acid from the newspaper will eventually destroy the photograph.

Now about the chatting part of Scanfest:

We will be using Cover It Live, a live blogging format that you access right here at AnceStories.

On Sunday at 11 AM, PDT, come right here to AnceStories and you'll see the CoverItLive live blog/forum in the top post. It's not really a "chat room," per se, it's more like a live forum and anyone visiting this site can read and see what is happening in the forum.

You will not need to download any software.

Up to 25 individuals can be invited to be Producers. Producers are participants who have the extra capability of sharing photos, links, and other media within the forum (great for sharing the photos you're scanning!). You must have Internet Explorer 6.0+ or Firefox 2.0+ to be a Producer.

We can also have up to 25 other Participants who can comment freely in our conversation, but will not be able to share media. You can have any kind of browser to be a Participant, except AOL. Those who normally access the Internet with AOL may wish to download Firefox or Explorer ahead of time to be able to participate on CoverItLive.

In addition, any other readers of this blog can drop on by and view/read what is happening at Scanfest. If the 25 Participant spaces are full, those readers will not be able to comment, unless someone else drops out.

Confused? Have questions? Go to CoverItLive and check out 6. Try It Now to see live blogs in action or 7. Demos to see videos demonstrating how to use CIT (especially the ones titled "How do my readers watch my Live Blog?" and "Adding Panelists and Producers").

If you would like to be a Producer, please e-mail me no later than Saturday, July 30th at 4 PM, PDT and I'll send you an invitation. Preference will given to previous Scanfesters. You must set up an account (free!) ahead of time to be a Producer. This account will be good for all future Scanfests. You can do some practices ahead of time by going to My Account and clicking on the link under Practice your live blogging. Again, you must have IE 6.0+ or Firefox 2.0+ to be a Panelist.

As a Producer, Participant or simply a reader, if you would like an e-mail reminder for Scanfest, fill out the form below and choose the time frame for which you would like to be reminded (if you're reading this through Google Reader, Bloglines, or some other RSS feed reader, you will need to go to my blog and view this post there to see and utilize the form).

It really is easier than it sounds, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all there and getting some scanning done!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

IYC 1985: Friday, July 19th - Macomb, IL - Day 2 of IYC

today was the International Fair. Under the big tent in the Campus Mall were booths from many countries, territories & divisions. At the "giveaway" table I got a photo album & a pair of Foster Grant sunglasses. At the University bookstore I bought a college windbreaker & a Spanish dictionary [so I could talk to my new Argentinian and Paraguayan friends]. Dinner was held outdoors on bales of straw while country-western musicians performed for our Hog Roast. At the evening meeting, titled "Building a New World," Joni Earekson Tada & Tony Campolo spoke. They both waved Army flags while the crowd sang "On We March With the Blood and the Fire." They both gave dynamic messages! It was quite an evening! (Saw the musical Ruth again.)

  
I believe this was at the musical, Ruth

 
Joni Earekson Tada in wheelchair on left side of state. Tony Campolo is on the far left of the group that's on the right side of the stage.
 

Monday, July 18, 2011

IYC 1985: Thursday, July 18th - Macomb, IL - Day 1 of IYC

This morning at United Bible Session, Pres. Reagan sent a message via videotape. Col. Bramwell Tillsley gave the message. After lunch I went to the "Women in Ministry" seminar led by Mrs. Capt. Hal Smith. Then I saw the musical Ruth, by [Gwyneth and Robert] Redhead. It was very good. After dinner was the welcome rally. What a gala! Bands & timbrels, flag teams, national costumes, sky divers, pom poms, western skit, etc.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A man lands on the field with his parachute


Different countries' delgates

 
Balloons being released at the end of the field

 Then an evening snack provided thru Hardee's. Swimming followed, then Randi & I talked til nearly 2:30 am. Time for bed!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

IYC 1985: Wednesday, July 17th - Near Bourbon, MO to Macomb, IL

At breakfast this morning we met a delegation from India. We headed out and when we stopped at a gas station, Mike & Ruth [Olsen] invited me to come along [in the Olsenmobile] when they picked up Lisa at St. Louis Intern'l Airport. We then arrived at Macomb at about 5:00 pm. Looked around campus and found & exchanged pins from other states, territories & countries. Today was frustrating because people were tired, had bad attitudes and I lost my garment bag.

Here are some of the pins I received in exchange for Spokane and Northwest Division pins. They are pinned to my bandana, which all the delegates received. You can click on the photo above to get a closer look. The pins I received were from Canada, Oklahoma, Carboner (Newfoundland), Michigan, Oklahoma City, Western Illinois University, Newfoundland, Australia, and the Canada and Bermuda Salvation Army Territory. I also show pins from the Northwest Division of the Western USA Territory and a couple from Spokane.
 
This banner was given to me by some of my friends from the Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay delegation.

IYC 1985: Tuesday, July 16th - Bloomington, IL to near Bourbon, MO

After breakfast at the center, we headed to St. Louis. Saw the Arch, downtown, the Mississippi [River] (again) and steamboats.

 
 
 
 
 Our group at the base of the Arch
Steamboats on the Mississippi River

 Miriam, Dawn, Andrea

Looking at downtown St. Louis from the Arch

The State Capitol Building


 
The Arch in profile

Then we headed to Six Flags Over the Midwest Amusement Park. I rode the Jet Scream twice, the Screaming Eagle and Thunder River thrice. also rode the Log flume, where Tanya, Ruth [R.], and I got our picture shot, and the time Tunnel which was really boring. Saw "Hooray USA" at the Palace theater and the U.S. High Diving Team Performance. Ate Nachos & Sopapillas at the Mexican Merrimack Restaurant. We were at Six Flags from 1:30 - 8:00. Went to S.A. Camp Mihaska out of Bourbon, MO, and found some Argentinan [sic]and Paraguayan delegates to IYC. They had a devotion which I greatly enjoyed, even tho' I couldn't understand much of the prayers. Sang some choruses which were familiar. The Argentines are very friendly and outgoing. They are very sincere Christians, also. I hope to see them again in Macomb.

My new Argentinian and Paraguayan friends in their cabin

Friday, July 15, 2011

IYC 1985: Monday, July 15th - Near Mukwonago, WI to Bloomington, IL

 
David, Todd, Ruth R., Tanya and Andrea

 After a real nice breakfast at camp, the gang posed for photos on the double slide and played miniature golf Then we headed on out with the absence of Major & Mrs. Nottle who headed straight to Macomb for committee meetings for IYC. We arrived in Chicago around noon. Stopped first at Central THQ [Territorial Headquarters of The Salvation Army] and looked around. Bought a hatbox [for my uniform hat] & lintbrush [for my uniform] at Trade Dept. We then toured downtown after eating at Mickey D's. Rode the subway, and the "L".

 L to R: Kevin B., Mary, Bill D., Mike D., Tanya, David, Dawn

Chris
(in background, l to r: David, Ruth R.? Char, Bill D.)

Went to the top of the Sears Tower & to the Water Tower (Here's Chicago).

 At the top of the Sears Tower
L to R: Mike O., Sharalyn, Ruth O., Ruth R., Mary, Eddie?, Bill D.

L to R: David, Mark, Todd, Ruth R., Tanya, Dawn?

 
 
 
 
 
 Photos taken from the top of the Sears Tower

At the Water Tower saw Salvationists from Indonesia.

 Downtown Chicago

Salvation Army youth delegates from Indonesia with some of our group

Left the city at 4 pm. Arrived Bloomington 7:30-ish. Ate at Pizza Hut. Arrived at S.A. Sunnyside Center. Played video games, ping-pong, basketball, handball, skateboarded, tumbled, arm- and leg-wrestled, built a [human] pyramid.

 L to R: Ruth R., Dan, Ruth O.

 Playing basketball

Tanya, Ruth R.

L to R: Sharalyn, Andrea, Chris, Michelle, Randi

The center is really nice even tho' not really big. We're all sleeping in the gym.