Emily Park (Skokie, IL)

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now

When I was in grade school I went to camp at Emily Park (which is now known as Emily Oaks Nature Center). I have so many found memories of my time here. One includes learning to row a boat, or shoot an arrow with a bow. I also learned the words to the song "both sides now" when I was around 7 or 8. We were always told not to go swimming in the lagoon since it was packed with leaches.

 Emily Park also had one of those secret paths only kids who grew up in Skokie knew about. We would cut over the train tracks to go to Oakton Bowl or Oakton Park.

I'm so amazed at how different this park is now. It used to be an open field with three campfire rings. Now it's like a jungle. The wildlife is unreal. It's hard to believe this is the same park that I wandered in back in the 1960s and 70s.

A Celebration of Life - Gillson Beach

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Paco de Lucia (A Pesar De Todo)

The pictures today were taken as a way to celebrate my life. It's the 2 month anniversary since I had surgery.  It was also the first day that I saw sailboats out on the lake. 

Vicki Polin: Jewish Community Hero Award - 2009

Birkat HaGomel (Surviving Danger) - Road Trip to Gettysburg, PA

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Birkhat Ha‑Gomel is blessing (prayer) said after surviving illness, childbirth, or danger.

Blessing: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the Universe, who bestows good things on the unworthy, and has bestowed on me every goodness."

Congregational Response: "Amen. He Who has bestowed on you every goodness, may He continue to bestow on you every goodness. Selah."

A friend of mine and I were involved in a serious a car accident with earlier in the week on a highway in Maryland. As we were coming down an entrance ramp from the corner of my eye I noticed a car to my left spinning out of control. I slowed down enough so that my car wasn't hit, yet a second later the other car bounced off the guard railing and smashed into my car. B'H' no one was hurt seriously.

I really needed to get away for a few hours to focus on something other then insurance companies and medical care so I went on a day trip with a friend to capture the fall. We went out on Falls Rd. passing through Lineboro, Maryland, stopping at the Twin Springs Farm to take pictures of the Buffalo and then went on up to and around Gettysburg, PA.

It's amazing how beautiful the day was considering it was a grey and dreary day.

The first video is from Cockysville to Lineboro, MD. The second is from Lineboro to and around Gettysburg. Hope you enjoy the show.

The music in Part 1 is "What is it we fear" by "Get Smart".



The music in Part 2 is "Jerusalem" by Matisyahu.

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