Gil Riggs stands with the bus he used to

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By ROGER ALLEN Herald Correspondent

    Bulloch County resident Gil Riggs has driven a public school bus for the past four years. Considering his skills behind the wheel, some would say Riggs is a natural bus driver.
    Actually, Riggs is so good at what he does that he has won the Bulloch County Bus Rodeo skills competition the past two years.
    This rodeo requires Bulloch County public school bus drivers to perform the most difficult of maneuvers that they may have to deal with while out on their routes. Rodeo drivers actually drive their regular buses in the competition.
    According to Riggs, the challenges consist of the “Straight Line,” in which contestants must drive between five sets of tennis balls set 25 feet apart with two inches of clearance.
    “Parallel Parking,” in which drivers are required to park within 18 inches from the curb in a space only five feet wider than the bus.
    Finally, there is the "Offset Alley," in which drivers must shift lanes in spaces that are shorter than the length of your bus. That means the front end of your bus is in one lane while the rear of your bus is still in the other.
    After winning the Bulloch County competition last year, Riggs went on to take second place in the George State Bus Rodeo. That qualified him to go on to the International Bus Rodeo, where he finished in the top half of the best school bus drivers in the United States and Canada.
    During the 2010 Georgia State Bus Rodeo competition, from which he just returned, Riggs earned a fourth place finish out of 57 drivers from across the state.
    Riggs is not the only one in his family who loves bus driving: while he has regular route at Mattie Lively Elementary School, his wife, Kathy, drives substitute bus routes for the county.
    The Riggs’ had operated Regency Photo in Statesboro for a good many years until the slowing economy forced them to close the store. Having been self-employed for 25 years, Riggs said it was a shock to have to enter the job market.
    However, getting a full-time job did have some real benefits, like health insurance, and a regular paycheck. Gil and Kathy have two boys: Josh, who is currently enrolled at Ogeechee Technical College; and Will, who works for Wal-Mart in Statesboro.
    Paul Webb, director of Transportation for the Bulloch County School System, said: "Gil is like so many of our drivers. He works hard at getting better with his skills; he loves the children; and he takes great pride in being a safe driver”
    Webb added, "All of Bulloch County’s bus drivers are proud of his Rodeo accomplishments over the past two years. Bulloch County has a long tradition of drivers doing well in that competition and he is continuing that legacy."

(Gil is my uncle, who inspired me to become a professional photographer.  Gil merged his business, Regency Photo, with our studio last year.  He continues to be an inspiration to me.  He has always encouraged me to be my very best – no matter what God put in my path.  He is leading by example – by being his best – at everything he does.)

Please join us this Friday night as we celebrate Edie Grace’s 9th birthday.  There will be cake, popcorn, lemonade and fun Party Harbor bounces for your kids!

Seriously, though, no gifts.  Your company to celebrate what she means to us is truly the best gift we can receive.  If you feel compelled, we will be accepting small (very small) gifts for a charity.  Edie Grace has it narrowed down to two charities…she will let you know Friday night which one she decided on.

Friday, May 7th

5:30pm – 7:30pm

in the alley behind the studio

(F1RST Friday will also be going on so there will be tons of fun things to do in downtown!)

Friday, May 7th, Edie Grace will turn nine.  Honestly, I have been overwhelmed by this.  She will graduate from High School just days after she turns 18 so literally HALF of the life that she will spend with us is over!  Some of my friends say I am being negative when I say this, but I believe what this verse says:

Psalm 90:12 (New International Version)

¹² Teach us to number our days aright,
       that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

The wisdom I seek is to make each day with Edie Grace count!  Some days I do better than others…but I try harder each and everyday.  (Yes, Edie Grace received “Gracen” a baby girl goat a little early for her birthday from her Grandmother…so watch out O.C….LOL!)

To make it easier for you to capture memories of your family, I am doing a HUGE…probably once in a lifetime… SALE!!!  This one has a ton of fine print…but what do you expect with a sale this unbelievable???

$9 Sale!!!!

• The first three people that respond can purchase a studio session fee for $9 (regularly $100) and will not be required to make a minimum purchase
• The second three people that respond can purchase a studio session fee for $9 (regularly $100).  Their minimum purchase will be 50% less than normal.  (Normal studio minimum  order is $300…these folks minimum order will only be $150) This is not 1/2 price…just 1/2 as much required.
• The third three people that respond can purchase a studio session fee for $9 (regularly $100)  Regular $300 minimum order will be required.

Here is the fine print…and this offer may be subject to more restrictions…

• You must pay in full the amount you owe…($9, $159 or $309) when you call with a credit card…you can not mail us a check, drop a check by,  bring cash, ect.  Delta doesn’t let you…so please don’t ask for an exception on this special.
• Your session will ONLY be in the studio…on-location sessions DO NOT qualify for this unbelievable deal.
• Your session must occur on a weekday, BETWEEN (not before…not after) the hours of 10am – 5pm, Monday, May 10th- Friday, May 28th, 2010.  These are use or lose.  They can not be extended unless you have a doctor’s excuse.
•  Families with more than seven members will incur an additional charge.
• Your order will have to be finalized during your place order appointment.  You will need to bring all decision makers to the appointment with you.  You are welcome to add to your order for 48 hours after your viewing.
• The time/date stamp on the emails to info@lorigrice.com will determine where you will be ranked in the offer.  
• Children three and under can only be photographed for this offer before lunch. (no afternoon sessions)

Lots of rules, I know, but for a deal this good there just have to be some boundaries. 

So…why are you still reading?  You should be emailing! 

See you in front of my lens SOON!

YaY!

Here are my award and ribbon winning images:

Thank you, GPPA, for awarding my images the following awards:

Best of Show: Wedding/Social Events

American Society of Photographer’s State Elite Award

Kodak Gallery Award

First Place Award Bridal Portrait

First Place Fine Art Scenic

                                                                                Distinguished ~ Portrait of a Woman

                                                                                Judges Choice Ribbon {& other ribbons too}

Here are a few images of the awards.  I apologize…I took the award pics really quick because I was so excited about sharing all of this with you!  I am truly overwhelmed by all of this!  This is the cool part… 1/2 of these images are fine art pieces but 1/2 of these are from actual client sessions.  Thank you for sharing in this journey with me! 

The event is nearly sold out.  I am looking forward to seeing you there!  Register by clicking here.

I am so ready for somebody to host a grown-up prom!  I started photographing this season’s dresses in December of last year and my love for the current styles hasn’t waned at all.  The styles are so much better than they were {ummmm} a “few” years ago.

It isn’t too late to schedule a prom portrait package.  Call today for details…912.764.7274.  {and to check other dates if you go to other schools…we may have availability for your school too!}

Scroll down to see some images from the Bulloch Academy prom.

Another great Father Daughter dance last night.  Brooke, Boyd and so many others work so hard to make this annual event a wonderful success.  The sold out dance is an event that dad’s and daughters look forward to each year.  We had so much fun photographing all the dad’s with their princesses.  Here are the portraits from the evening.  Thanks to everyone for making this the best year yet!

View Full Album

There are still tickets available to the Annual Father / Daughter Date Nite.  Doodle Bugs has them…and the list to set up your portrait appointment. {and I just can’t wait to see how beautiful they will all look!}  Just call 912.764.2665 or you can go through the drive-thru at Bruster’s Icecream for your tickets.  Please try to purchase them by Wednesday.   The event will be held at First Baptist Church – Statesboro this year.

Treat your Princess to a night she will never forget!