This year more than ever

Kevin Caillouet, right, and Scott Mulder, both gardeners at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, use string trimmers to cut grass around grave markers as crews prepare for Monday's annual Memorial Day ceremony set for 10 a.m. at the cemetery, which is located at 700 S. Government Ave.

The days leading up to Memorial Day always mean a trip to the pool to see if I can catch workers preparing the city pool for the upcoming season or a trip to the national cemetery to watch workers preparing for the annual Memorial Day ceremony. This year is a bit different, however, with my girlfriend's son away at basic training in South Carolina. It makes Memorial Day mean that much more.

Feriba McNair

Family members of Feriba McNair, from left, granddaughter Carrie McNair, granddaughter Becky O'Neal, great-granddaughter Josephine O'Neal, 4, and grandson Conner McNair ceremoniously turn soil during a tree planting in honor of Feriba McNair near the entrance of McNair Middle School, which bears her name. Feriba McNair, a longtime educator and former school board member and president for Fayetteville Public Schools, died March 15.

Feriba McNair's died a few days shy of her 91st birthday, according to family and friends, just after playing golf that day at Fayetteville Country Club. Her 90th birthday was cause for a large celebration at the school, even bigger than is normally the case, and she sat and smiled as the kids sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She was the first woman to serve on the school district's board of education and the first to serve as its president. She was instrumental in the integration of the school system and in the early organization of Girl Scouts in the area. Over the years, especially after the school district named a school in her honor, any time I saw her I would make photographs of her knowing that they would be used after she died. It's a seemingly grim thing to do, but I am so very glad that I think to do it. She was truly an amazing woman who made a difference in this city.

The stinkeye

Melissa Gralewski, left, listens alongside her attorney, Bo Morton, during her trial in at the Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville. Gralewski is facing accomplice charges in the wake of a drive-by shooting last year.

Worried that there would be a last-minute plea, as so very often happens in trials, I got to the courthouse and into the closet/photo room in time for jury selection in Gralewski's trial. It took a few moments for her to see me there, since there isn't a two-way mirror separating us from the courtroom but instead normal window glass. She probably heard my camera go off.

It's a disconcerting thing to experience standing trial for accomplice to attempted murder, I would imagine. It's not made better by having one's photograph taken, either. Yet, it's all the more awkward to be the person tasked with making those photographs. Being liked is important to me. That's something that I have discovered about myself and it's a quality not universally shared. Some people actually do not care if they are liked at all, but it's terribly important to me. I'm not sure I could explain why that is, though I suspect it's because of how well-liked my grandfather and father were in my hometown. This makes the look of scorn, even from those on trial for ugly things, difficult for me. I wanted to write the words, "I'm sorry" backwards on the glass so she could read it, but that's silly and I know it.

Together

Betty and Fayne Gibson of Fayetteville look over their ballots while casting their votes at First United Presbyterian Church.

I really like this photo. I love how years of marriage binds two people together with one person's strengths taking over where the other person's leave off. He clearly researched the candidates and helped her sort out her ballot. Yet, when it came time to leave, since he has trouble walking, she brought the car around and helped him into it. It was nice to see.

Andy Taylor

Everett Burr of Harrison, left, and Larry Fisher of Omaha, center, use a level to set a head stone as Kevin Middleton brings a tamping rod to help set it as other volunteers work to set 63 new grave markers for previously unknown or unmarked graves at the Confederate Cemetery in Fayetteville.

I met one of the persons involved with this project as he was working to locate graves last year. We reintroduces ourselves today when we met again at the cemetery and he ventured a guess at my last name. He guessed 'Taylor' and I thought he was making a joke, so I said yes. Andy Taylor is my favorite town sheriff, after all. Funny. Then I realized that he wasn't joking and will probably call me Andy Taylor from now on unless I correct him, which I don't have the heart to do. It will be fun to be Sheriff Taylor, I think. I've always looked better in black and white, anyway.

No luck this time either

Bentonville High School graduating senior Paige Tavernaro smiles as she waits in line for the start of commencement exercises for the school at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

After coming up with so little from the FHS graduation Thursday, I had high hopes for better luck during Bentonville's graduation, but I came up with nothing very remarkable. I do,  however, like the light on this one. They had the bay door open this time, so there was light to use at the top of the tunnel.

More photos here.

Pat Riley

Shiloh Christian senior pitcher David Petrino (3) and senior catcher Joseph Paulino celebrate Saturday, May 19, 2012, after the final out in the Saints' 4-0 win over Lonoke to win the Class 4A state championship, its third straight, at Baum Stadium, .

 A few years ago, when Fayetteville won its third straight state title in baseball, the coaches and parents were made aware that if they wanted to use the word 'Threepeat' on their T-shirts after the game, former Kentucky player and NBA coaching legend Pat Riley would have to be compensated. Turns out, he owns the copyright on the term. It amazed me to hear that. I bet he makes a pretty penny this time of year.

More photos here.