Vicki Polin: Jewish Community Hero Award - 2009

A Winter's Day in and around Hunt Valley, MD

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Everything was closed today.  Shabbos comes in early today, so going to a movie and having Chinese food was out of the question.  It was also a cold and dreary day, so A friend and I went driving out into the country to take some pictures of the snow out in and around Hunt Valley.

Walking Around in the Eruv - Snow Storm in Baltimore

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: Winter Wonderland

Drive by Shootings - Ellicott City, MD

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was a rainy and cold November day for my first time going to Ellicott city.  My friend and I really just drove through it and some of the surrounding areas.

Here's information about the women's institute pictured in the video

Strolling Around Quarry Lake (Baltimore, MD)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: Where do I go

Went strolling around Quarry Lake today with a friend.  I couldn't believe how beautiful it was out.

A Stroll Around The Inner Harbor (Baltimore, MD)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was a beautiful fall day in late November.  I needed to get out and wandered down towards the Inner Harbor.

NCR Trail

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: The way we were

It was the day before the year anniversary of being injured in a major car accident.  I went out walking with a friend on the same trail I was on a year before, right before my car was totaled.

Columbus Day 2009 - Frederick County, Maryland

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: Delilah

I went out for the day with a friend to capture the beauty of early fall.  It was a very overcast day, not really ideal for picture taking.

Rocks State Park (Maryland)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Peter Himmelman - Only You Can Walk Away

The first few pics were taken in the orthodox Jewish community in the Pikesville area during Succos.  
Spent most of the day in and around Rocks State Park. The King and Queen Seat is a natural 190-foot rock outcrop that overlooks Deer Creek Valley. During the 17th Century, the Susquehannock Native Americans lived in three settlements along Deer Creek. They used the King and Queen Seat at the Rocks as a site for ceremonial gatherings. Bald Eagel, who was the chief of the Tribes, and his wife, took took their places on the King and Queen Seat and the braves gathered on the rocks and ground below to listen.

Avinu Malkeinu (5770)

© (2009/5770) Photographs by Vicki Polin



English
Hear our prayer
We have sinned before Thee
Have compassion upon us and upon our children
Help us bring an end to pestilence, war, and famine
Cause all hate and oppression to vanish from the earth
Inscribe us for blessing in the Book Of Life
Let the new year be a good year for us

-------------------------------------------------

Avinu malkeinu sh'ma kolenu
Avinu malkeinu chatanu l'faneycha
Avinu malkeinu alkenu chamol aleynu
V'al olaleynu v'tapenu

Avinu malkeinu
Kaleh dever v'cherev v'raav mealeynu
Avinu malkeinu kalehchol tsar
Umastin mealeynu

Avinu malkeinu
Avinu malkeinu
Kotvenu b'sefer chayim tovim
Avinu malkeinu chadesh aleynu
Chadesh a leynu shanah tovah

Sh'ma kolenu
Sh'ma kolenu
Sh'ma kolenu

Driving Around From the Conowingo Dam to Mount Washington, MD

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: Say what you need to say


I tried to photograph the eagles hanging around the Conowingo Dam, yet I needed a much more powerful camera.  Towards the end of the day I ended up at the Mount Washington Arboretum.  

Licked By A Cow (Stevenson, MD)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I took a detour on my way to the store. The cows of Stevenson were right by the fence so I stopped to take a few pictures. The problem with getting close to animals is that there always seems to be at least one that will want to get up close and personal.

Pre-Shabbos Storm

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I had a lot to think about today, so I took some time out and drove down Tufton Rd. and around Hunt Valley, MD.

Moments Near Loch Raven (July, 2009)

©(2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

When Life Feels Screwy, Go To Intercourse, PA

© (2009) Photographs By Vicki Polin

Since I moved to Baltimore, when ever life gets funky, I find myself taking a ride out towards Intercourse, PA.  I always seem to find peace driving around in the Amish community taking pictures.  I'm aware that they have the same sorts of problems as every other community, yet the nature around the community feels empowering and healing to me.

Hope you enjoy all three videos that are posted below.

Hunt Valley, MD (July 14, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: Natures Way

I was having an off day so I took time off to take a few pictures out in and around the Hunt Valley area.

Pond of Pikesville

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

These were taken at a local pond in Pikesville, MD.

2009 - Fireworks at the Taste Of Chicago

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

This is Part 2 of pictures from my week in Chicago


Fireworks at the Taste Of Chicago (Individual Pictures)

Fireworks (Part 1)



Fireworks (Part 2)



Fireworks (Part 3)

Trip to Chicago to celebrate my B-day (Part 1)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I spent a week in Chicago to celebrate my birthday.

I wanted to do something completely different. A friend suggested with go to the Gay Pride Parade. This is what we saw.

Gay Pride Parade (Part 1)


Gay Pride Parade (Part 2)

Road Trip: Indianapolis, IN to Baltimore, MD

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I took these on the way back home after speaking at the NOW conference.

Fort Harrison State Park - Indianapolis, IN

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I had to go to Indianapolis to speak at the 2009 NOW conference. I got there a day early and had time to go to Fort Harrison State Park for a few hours. This is what I saw.

Catoctin Mountains (June, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Peter Himmelman


I took these last week when I ran away from home with a friend for that day. We ended up in the Catoctin Mountains, which are in western Maryland. At one point we were taking photographs near a wood pile, when someone who lived nearby came over to free a black snake which found it's way in his home. We ended our journey near one of the entrances of Camp David.

Baltimore County to Gettysburg, PA (May, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went with a friend on a mini day trip out towards Gettysburg, PA.  We took a break at Codorus State Park

Moments at Fells Point (Baltimore, MD)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was my first time at Fells Point.  I had a few minutes before I had to be somewhere, so I snapped a few pictures.

Just Outside of Glen Rock, PA

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I've been under a great deal of stress lately and needed to get away and drive down roads with no lines down the middle. I really just needed to BREATHE.

There's three sets of photographs of the excursion outside of Glen Rock, PA.

Meadow Green Farm



Just Breathe!



Hikers, Bikers and More . . .
These were taken off of the York County Heritage Rail Trail

Rush Hour Traffic on Tufton Road (Baltimore County, MD)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I got stuck in rush hour traffic Friday afternoon. Instead of getting frustrated I picked up my camera and started shooting what was around me.

In honor of my nieces 15th Birthday

© (2009) photographs by Vicki Polin

I can't believe that my niece is already 15.  

A beautiful day for a ride in the country

© Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was a beautiful April day. It was late in the afternoon when I finally could escape and take a ride out towards Hunt Valley.

Sherwood Gardens (Baltimore, MD)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: Let me in

The following pictures were taken on April 16, 2009 at Sherwood Gardens. It was a picture perfect day. I was told that I should come back in a few weeks to get the garden in full bloom.

In Memory of Jamie Lynn Baylog (April 13, 1960 - Januray 6, 1992)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Jamie was a dear friend who lost her life at the age of 29. Today would have been her 48th birthday. I met Jamie at an extremely low point in my life. At the time we met we were both working with therapists struggling to overcome the flashbacks associated with child abuse.

Jamie was one of the few people who I need to thank for helping me to overcome so much in my life. If it wasn’t for our friendship I would never have gone back to school or gotten my degrees. Prior to becoming friends I never thought I was smart enough to be considered “college material”. Jamie taught me how to apply for grants and scholarships, and most important how to use a library to do research.

I’ll never forget when she finished her education and received both her undergraduate and masters degrees. I'll never forget the excitement she felt when she landed her first job as a social worker at a child advocacy center. It was amazing to watch her blossom and grow. My dear friend dedicated her life to helping children and adult survivors of child sexual abuse, including those who had histories of ritual abuse.

Jamie died suddenly on January 6, 1992. Those of us who knew her and the works she was doing believe she was murdered, yet there was not enough evidence for the police to conduct an investigation.

After Jamie died I remember going to her grave and telling her that the work I did would be dedicated in her memory.

The song playing in this video was Jamie's favorite and she sang it often.

Pikesville to Hunt Valley, MD

(2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I took a mini vacation that lasted about two hours. I went from Pikesville to Hunt Valley and back again

Driving Around Hagerstown, Maryland (April, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I needed to get away to think. I found myself driving out west on Route 70. Before I knew it I ended up near Hagerstown. Got off and drove back towards Frederick on winding country roads.

Just outside of Intercourse, Pennsylvania (April 5, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went out to Amish country with a friend.

Blizzard Today in Chicago . . . But I'm in Baltimore

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I was talking to a friend of mine in Chicago who was telling me they were having a huge blizzard. I've been very homesick and really had hoped I would have been in Chicago this weekend. I looked up and the sun was shining and decided to enjoy the snowstorm in Chicago from Baltimore.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Rock Collection

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

These were taken in February during a trip to the Smithsonian. I'm still learning to use my camera and really didn't get the lighting correct.

Intercourse, Pennsylvania (March, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

When life seems to get screwy I tend to take a ride in the country and tend to end up in Intercourse, PA.

Hope Diamond - Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC (Feb., 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Years ago when I was 13 my 8th grade class went to Washington, DC.

When I got home my parents asked me if while I was at the Smithsonian if I saw the Hope Diamond. I didn't.

Instead of going into the museum I stayed outside and played on the merry-go-round with some friends. It was a beautiful spring day. The cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom. I was from Chicago, it was still snowing there.

Let's just say my parents were not too happy with my response.

It's been on my mind since 1973 to go back to the Smithsonian to see the Hope Diamond. Thirty-six years later I finally accomplished this goal. :-)

Country Drive in Maryland (February, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I started off going down Falls Road to Grave Runs Road to see the Camel and Llama's in a cornfield. I made my way back by way of Hunt Valley. The last few pictures of the sun setting were taken outside of Gettysburg the week before.

In Honor of My Nieces 18th Birthday

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I wanted to honor the marking of my nieces 18th birthday for some time, yet couldn't seem to find the right pictures to honor the day of her birth. Though my niece was born in Feb., her life represents the blossoming of new beginnings, just as the flowers of spring.

The following photographs were taking in and around the Mount Washington Arboretum in Baltimore, MD.

Sunset in Hunt Valley Maryland (January, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I was driving around with a friend capturing the moment.

Baltimore Blizzard - January 19, 2009

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

We had a major snow storm in Baltimore today -- well for Baltimore it was a major storm. Believe it or not there's still snow on the ground. ;-)

Whiskey Beach Near Rehoboth Beach, DE (January, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I had to drop something off near Rehoboth and figured since I was so close I should put my toes in the ocean. It was a bit cold so I got my shoes wet instead.

Monkton - Walking on the NCR Trail in December (2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

This was my first time out walking on the NCR trail since being in a serious car accident early in November. I wasn't able to walk as far, but at least I was up walking.