CLC students hear life stories while making portraits

STAPLES - A portrait assignment for Central Lakes College students in Photographic Imaging Technology produced more than handsome images of senior citizens. It created friendships between the students and retirees of Lakewood Manor in Staples.

"The people there are so kind and have many stories to tell," said Trisha Stanek of Prairie du Chien, Wis., who visited with two residents, one with 38 great-grandchildren.

The CLC students each spent several hours listening to manor residents in a project providing holiday greeting card pictures for the elderly volunteers. The time gave the students a chance to practice communication skills that will make them better photographers.

Freshman Kristen Maruska of Warren and Bryan Rennaker of Blaine met Betty Drone, a native of Mitchell, S.D., and a lover of music, travel and oil painting.

Other Lakewood Manor residents described a Depression-era childhood of simple joys and survival skills. One account told of a father's pre-Christmas sale of one milk cow in hopes of brightening the family holiday. "But to his surprise, after paying for the shipping, he only made 17 cents."

Leota Starks told her young audience that job hunting was different in her day.

"When she started working, people didn't do resumes, but were hired from their reputation and the skills you said you had," the CLC students wrote.

Marjorie Thrasher told the students that "You can't go back, so take the time and think through the way you live your day-to-day life because your choices lead the direction of the life you live."