May, so far, a mixed bag

Yeah, the weather's been crummy. A look out the window in the morning paired along with the constant Facebook updates are an easy reminder of this soggy May.

I'm sure we are all looking forward to some nice weather, but in the mean time, here's a collection of images from the month so far, a mixed bag really.

Early on in the month I covered the first ever Water Hill Music Fest. Really great concept and event. A couple of my favorite frames from the event!

What a happy guy!

Here's the multimedia "mash-up" from the fest.

Boys will be boys! A few of my favorite from the annual March for Babies walk at Hudson Mills Metropark.

Meet the new pastor at Crossroads Baptist Church, Dr. David Daffern. I made this quick portrait in the sanctaury of the church with the help of a little window light.

Professional CrossFit athlete and University of Michigan student Julie Foucher is one strong woman!

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney made a stop at the University of Mcihigan Cardiovascular Center in Ann Arbor recently. Is it campaign season already?

And lastly, because I couldn't choose, here are four frames from a spot news assignment I shot earlier this week. A fella took a short cut over the tracks and got his truck stuck, like really stuck. Like the kind of stuck you have nightmares about! Lucky for him and everyone else involved, there were no injuries.

Fortunately, authorities were able to radio to the incoming train to stop on the tracks!

I had to vault a couple of traffic barrieres to get an angle on this photo, let me tell you, it was not graceful.

I really like this image. I saw it coming and sent a little prayer to the photo gods for a classic "conductor leaning out of the window while waving his hand." They didn't give it to me, but I'm happy I got this!

All photos in this post © AnnArbor.com 2011

Marge is 90!

For real this time! I met Marge Colburn when her family hired me to document a birthday celebration at Comerica Park this past summer. It was the first of what turned out to be THREE birthday parties for the 90-years-young Colburn. (Well deserved I must say!) I had the honor to attend two of these parties, to photograph and take video, and I had a blast at both. Below are a few photos from party number three on 10/10/10. Is there a better date for a party??? :)

Never, have I met a more light-hearted, energetic and all around happy person. Here's to an open and generous heart, a constant smile and aging gracefully! Happy birthday, Marge.

Marge is mother to four children, and let me tell you, they know how to throw a party! Not a detail missed!

A sweet moment shared by sorority sisters.

Friends flew in all the way from Oregon to celebrate with Marge, she was thrilled!

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ARCHIVES: Memories from Africa

It's been over a year since I returned from my adventure in Africa. While digging through my archives this week, I came across photos and some video of my teammates Steve, Gina, Nick and Dan. I thought I'd share some of our memories here and hope to add more as I can continue to dig.

Behind every great photo, there is a great story. There is certainly a great story behind this one, see below.

Dan's Clean Mouth from Melanie Maxwell on Vimeo.

We spent an afternoon at a boys school in Mozambique. As you can see, Steve, at left, got his groove on.

Here's the epic tale of our 9 hour trip to Chimoio, Mozambique

Epic trip to Chimoio from Melanie Maxwell on Vimeo.

Then of course there was our trip deep, deep below the surface. I don't think anyone had a clue what we had in store. There is something very strange about being that far underground. It sort of felt like I was at some sort of Disney attraction.