Green Bay Press-Gazette Photos of the Year 2009

Produced the video below to showcase our staff's best photos from 2009. Go full screen! Thanks for watching!

UWGB women beat the Salukis

Southern Illinois players Teri Oliver (22), left, and Katrina Swingler (20), top, reach in as University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Heather Golden (24) controls a loose ball under the basket in the second half of a game at the Kress Events Center in Green Bay, Wis., Monday evening, Dec. 28, 2009.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Celeste Hoewisch (4) gets fouled under the basket in the first half.

Hoewisch (4) doesn't get fouled under the basket in the second half.

Stuffed Hash Browns

Not a great picture here. Not a newsworthy story. Just thought I'd let you know that I've found heaven on a plate and it's in Green Bay.

Clockwise from left, Chili Cheese Stuffed Hash Browns, Mexican Style Stuffed Hash Browns, and Benedict Stuffed Hash Browns at The Pancake Place in Green Bay, Wis., photographed Monday, Dec. 21, 2009.

Backseat baby

Alyzabeth Sue Malinski, less than one day old, is held by her mother Samantha Malinski of Oconto, at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009. Malinski gave birth to the baby girl in the backseat of a Chevy Impala early Thursday morning near U.S. 41 and Lakeview Drive in Howard. Crowding around is Malinski's other daughter Hailee, 3, right, and Kyli Carter, also 3, the daughter of Alyzabeth's father, Wes Carter of Little Suamico.

Prison expansion

Alyssa Nass, 15, pulls her brother Sam, 6, right, and neighborhood friend Sasha Waller, 5, on a sled in their Allouez, Wis., backyard, Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 16, 2009. The Coolidge Street residence of Tim and Kelly Nass, Alyssa and Sam's parents, is adjacent to Green Bay Correctional Institution and one of its guard-towers. Consultants are recommending renovations to the prison to accommodate as many as 700 more inmates.

Keeping Perspective

My good friend Kevin Martin down in Baton Rouge started "The Visual Student" blog a few months ago and it's really taken off. It's a great resource for students, young professionals, and aged pros, to boot.

Since the launch, I've basically helped out when I can by playing the role of "HTML paramedic" when Kevin's posts didn't look right. He kept asking me to write something, or contribute something and I just didn't feel like I had anything worthwhile to say. That all changed after the Atlanta Photojournalism Conference when Dave LaBelle's words really resonated with me.

So, last week I wrote a column for "The Visual Student." You can read it here.

Speed skating championships

Got my safe shots and then played with some slow-shutter during time trials. Came out with one frame that I was somewhat happy with. Gotta love red...

Morgan Izykowski (23) of the Bay County (Mich.) Speedskating team turns a corner during time trials Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at Cornerstone Community Ice Center which hosts the U.S. Junior Short Track Championships in Ashwaubenon, Wis., this weekend.

Visiting principal

Wang Li, an elementary school principal from Harbin, China, sits down next to kindergarten student Lauren Diemel, 6, while spending time at Hillcrest Elementary School in Hobart, Wis., Monday morning, Dec. 7, 2009.

Blizzard

More than a foot of snow was dumped on northeast Wisconsin overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, easily the biggest storm we've had since I moved here.

The one thing I love about snow is the sound of silence... the blanket that the snow creates over the earth and the deadness in sound that results. It's an awesome sensation that gives me shivers. Here's a photo I took as I walked out the door of my apartment building to start my day. Snow up to my knees...

Traffic proceeds slowly on U.S. 41 near Wrightstown after an intense winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow on Northeast Wisconsin and the Green Bay area early Wednesday morning, Dec. 9, 2009.

Brandon Quinn runs his snowblower outside of his home on Lost Dauphin Road in De Pere, Wis., after an intense winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow on Northeast Wisconsin and the Green Bay area on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009.

A street clock in De Pere.

Our A1 the next morning.

Snow weighs down tree branches on Lost Dauphin Road in De Pere, Wis., after an intense winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow on Northeast Wisconsin and the Green Bay area on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009.

Colleague Corey Wilson tends to me and my car while stuck in a ditch on Reforestation Road in Suamico. My car was pulled out by a wrecker about 8 hours later.

I just wanted this photo:
Evergreen trees near Suamico, Wis., were weighed down by heavy snow after an intense winter storm.

Yeah. Not worth it.

Plows drive southbound on U.S. 41 near Howard.

Dan Shadian with Shadian Landscaping runs a snowblower between rows of Christmas Trees in a tree lot next to the I-57 Service Center on University Avenue in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with all of this snow," said Luke Drummond of Racine, a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay as he dug out his vehicle in a campus parking lot in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009.

Snow crusts the entrance to an apartment on West Shawano Avenue in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday morning, Dec. 10, 2009.

A.J. Hawk visits an elementary school

As a guy who's lived his entire life cheering for the Buckeyes and watching Ohio State games, it was pretty cool to document Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk visiting a local elementary school. He seems like one really good human.

Students wait with signs in hand for the arrival of Green Bay Packers A.J. Hawk at Valley View Elementary School in Ashwaubenon, Wis., as part of the NFL's PLAY 60 campaign, Tuesday morning, Dec. 8, 2009.

Valley View Elementary School fifth grade student Mya Whiters reacts to the scene in front of the school while arriving with Hawk in a limousine.

Hawk entered the gymnasium to roaring cheers.

Hawk gets ready to jump rope with Whiters and her classmates. The rope was a tad small for him.

Stretching after exercise turned into an information question and answer session.

ESPN's 'Chalk Talk' in Green Bay

Pretty cool assignment to photograph ESPN Monday Night Football's Chalk Talk at Lambeau Field. It's a special thing with a bit of history. From the ESPN press release: "The MNF Chalk Talk Series renews a tradition that originally began in the 1970s with local luncheon events in the early years of sports television’s signature series. On-air personalities in town to cover the game shared their insider perspectives with invited guests from the local community."

Today's dignitaries? Steve Young, Suzy Kolber, Ron Jaworski, and former Packers players Antonio Freeman, William Howard and Desmond Howard. Even for a "transplant" to Packerland like me, it was cool experience. I even rode the elevator down with Steve Young after the event.

Monday Night Football reporter Suzy Kolber takes questions from the media before ESPN's Monday Night Football Chalk Talk held at the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay, Wis., Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.

ESPN analyst Steve Young, right, and Kolber, talk with former Green Bay Packers Players, from left, William Henderson, Desmond Howard, and Antonio Freeman during the program.

Steve Young, left, Ron Jaworski, and Suzy Kolber.

Former Green Bay Packers players William Henderson, Desmond Howard, and Antonio Freeman share a laugh while telling stories during the program.

ESPN analyst Steve Young talks with fans, including Ryan Knorr of Appleton, background, after Monday Night Football Chalk Talk held at the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay, Wis., Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.

UWGB Phoenix beat No. 21 DePaul

Fun game to shoot at the Kress Events Center as the UWGB Phoenix solidly beat DePaul, 79-68. Here are a few of my favorites...

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Celeste Hoewisch (4) and DePaul's Maureen Mulchrone (33) scrap for a loose ball in the first half of a game at the Kress Events Center in Green Bay, Wis., Wednesday evening, Dec. 2, 2009.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Hannah Quilling (10) and DePaul's Sam Quigley (22) converge on a loose ball in the second half.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Julie Wojta (32) goes to the hoop against DePaul defenders Felicia Chester (41), left, and Katherine Harry (51) in the first half. Wojta had a game-high 25 points on the night.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Hannah Quilling (10) gets hit in the face by DePaul's Sam Quigley (22) as they race to a tipped ball in the backcourt during the second half. No foul was called.

'Tis the season

Probably one of my favorite hunting pictures I've taken since moving to Wisconsin. What a hoot... I think this guy needs something else on top of, or in, his car... a mattress, perhaps?

Bill Kron of Waukesha, Wis., returns to his vehicle – complete with mounted Christmas tree and registered deer – after picking up food at McDonald's next to the Bay Beach Shell station in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday afternoon, Nov. 29, 2009. Sunday was the last day of the gun-deer hunting season in Wisconsin.

Black Friday in Green Bay

Black Friday in Green Bay, Wis. from Michael King on Vimeo.

Development on a slow rebound

Zach Spulak of Citywide Insulation installs insulation at a new home construction site at 3509 Sandgate Castle Drive in Howard, Wis., Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 25, 2009.

Green Bay City Deck opens

Members of the University of Wisconsin Badger Band break through a banner officially opening the City of Green Bay's new City Deck along the Fox River in downtown Green Bay, Wis., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.

We take our commissioned ships seriously here

In January, a new Navy ship was commissioned as the U.S.S. Green Bay (LPD-20). It was a pretty big deal to our community and, rightly so, we covered the heck out of it. One of the area middle schools is a "Partner in Education" with LPD-20. Some of the students attended the commissioning, and others have participated in a satellite-linked geography bowl.

The ship's commanding officer paid a visit to the school, yesterday.

Navy Capt. Joe Olson, commanding officer of the U.S.S. Green Bay, gets rock star treatment upon his entrance to an all-school assembly at Lombardi Middle School celebrating the partnership between the ship and school, Friday afternoon, Nov. 20, 2009.

More than 1,000 cupcakes were arranged to show the U.S.S. Green Bay's hull number in the school cafeteria. The treats were distributed to students, staff and guests after an all-school assembly celebrating the partnership between the ship and school.

Random shooting in Green Bay

Two nearby schools were on lock-down after a random shooting at a residence on Green Bay's near-east-side. Reports say that the victim didn't know the suspect who came to the door, asked if somebody lived there, and then just started shooting. Green Bay Police Department's K-9 unit was called to the scene to search for the suspect who fled the scene.

Green Bay Fire Rescue transports the victim of a shooting from a second level residence at 1315 Crooks Street to an ambulance, Thursday afternoon, Nov. 19, 2009.

Green Bay police officers and K-9 unit search the vicinity of 1315 Crooks Street along South Irwin Avenue after the shooting.

Green Bay police officers and K-9 unit search a shed in the vicinity of 1315 Crooks Street after the shooting. The suspect was not inside.

Green Bay Police Officer Matt Secor stands guard outside Washington Middle School during dismissal after the shooting. The school and nearby East High School were put on lock-down past their normally scheduled dismissal times.

First basketball game of the season

Usually the first game of any sports season is a little rusty – for both the players and me covering them. You don't know the players you're covering, your reaction times are a little off... but thankfully things weren't too bad last night covering UW-Green Bay and Northern Michigan at the Resch.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Seth Evans (31) barrels over Northern Michigan's Raymont McElroy (14) for a loose ball in the first half of a game at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Wednesday evening, Nov. 18, 2009.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Pat Nelson (50) wrangles for a rebound with Northern Michigan's Eric Hawley (25), left, and Chris Warner (15), right, in the first half.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Rahmon Fletcher (20) shoots through Northern Michigan defenders in the first half.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Pat Nelson (50) has his shot blocked in the second half.

Stretching the system

Brown County's foster care system will be challenged in the months ahead when a new law will add 50 homes to it's caseload on Jan. 1.

Trisha Rogers gives Lukas, 20 months old – one of her three foster children – a tickle while playing at home in Green Bay, Wis., Saturday morning, Nov. 14, 2009.

Back on the ice

It's hockey time... one of my favorite sports to watch and photograph.

St. Norbert's home venue has a press box directly over the benches about 14 feet above the ice, allowing you to shoot straight down for an overhead view near the boards. The odds of something great happening in that exact spot are slim, but it never hurts to be ready for it with a short lens.

St. Norbert College's Dylan Exton (27) pulls the puck out of the air while defended by University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Kyle Greco (9) in the first period of a game at the Cornerstone Community Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Friday evening, Nov. 13, 2009.

St. Norbert College's Justin Favreau (4) puts a big hit on University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Reed Lally (12) in the first period.

St. Norbert College players rush teammate Brandon Longley (23), far right, after his second period shorthanded goal – SNC's first of the season.