The 2010 Sparring Extravaganza and Kick-A-Thon, put on by Kensho-Do Karate, was held on March 14, 2010 at Siena College as a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project. This is the fourth year this event has been held and CASL Productions has been at all of them to create a keepsake video. This year’s event consisted of sparring matches by age category, a kick-a-thon (non-stop kicking), Kata demonstrations by Jeff Melander of Red Dragon Karate, more sparring matches - this time by choice (so the kids could choose, and sometimes gang up on the black belts), and a 5 minute sparring match where everyone changed partners every 30 seconds or so. I was tired just watching them.
When all was said and done, there were 25 rounds of sparring, consisting of 406 matches. The kick-a-thon racked up 2,069 kicks and the amount raised for the Wounded Warrior Project was $2,200. It was a great day and a lot of fun. Thanks to Glenn Ward of Kensho-Do Karate for organizing this event and helping such a great cause. I have a son in the military and knowing there are organizations like this out there to help them when they are in need is a great feeling.
Enjoy the video!
For best viewing results, press Play, then press Pause and allow the video to load completely before playing. For slower connections, turn off the HD feature.
“There will be Spice Girls!” Other than her dress and her music selections, Michelle wasn’t really sure what everything was going to look like and how it was going to come together since she had planned her wedding long distance from Georgia where Zach is stationed. Well, she didn’t need to worry - it was beautiful.
When I arrived on the day of the wedding, the girls were hanging out, playing video games and checking statuses on FB - just waiting to get dressed. Right before it was time to go, Michelle presented her mother with a locket that she had put her grandmother’s photo inside so that she would be with them that day (yes, there were tears). The ceremony was short and sweet, and neither Zach nor Michelle could stop smiling at each other. It’s so cool to watch people in love on their wedding day - the excitement of the big day, the anticipation of their life together - very cool. Anyway, after the photo session the party started. Vinny from Cool Cat Entertainment got the crowd revved up starting with the introductions and they kept it going all night. There was an awesome bouquet and garter toss - with the lucky catchers already dating each other, there was a breakdancer, balcony dancers and even a Spice Girls song thrown in for the bride. An awesome party to celebrate their first hours as husband and wife. Congratulations Michelle & Zach!
Here is Michelle & Zach’s highlight video from their January 2010 wedding. Feel free to leave comments for the happy couple.
Michelle & Zach - Wedding Highlights from Cheryl Lighthall on Vimeo. For best viewing, allow the video to load completely before playing. Press Play, then Pause until it loads, then click Play again. For slower connections, you may want to turn the HD feature off.
New Year’s Eve - the night of December 31, often celebrated with merrymaking to usher in the new year at midnight (dictionary.com)
Diane & Jonathan did just that. They were married on New Year’s Eve in a beautiful ceremony in downtown Albany, took photos up the block with sparklers in hand, and rang in the new year to the countdown from a live band with party hats, tiaras, noisemakers and a champagne toast, while surrounded by all their family and friends. Not to mention the yummy chocolate fountain, the awesome black and white cake followed by a full dessert table, and a crowd that loved to dance (they did the limbo and the worm). It was a great night and I was honored to be able to document it for such a wonderful couple so obviously in love.
Creating these blog entries doesn’t come easy for me - sometimes taking longer to write than to create the highlight video that goes along with it. This one is going to be easy though as I’m going to let Darren write most of it. As I was getting ready to put this together, I stumbled across a blog that he wrote about a little ode he had written to Keri that he was going to share at the wedding, but never got to it (it’s amazing how fast the day really goes by once it starts). I’ve picked out some of my favorite parts to share here.
I just want to say a few words about my beautiful, brand-spanking new wife. Keri and I had our first date 2 years, 2 months, and 2 weeks ago from this very day. And I knew very early on, I had stumbled upon something special.
In fact, I remember one day, no more than a couple of months into our relationship, getting ready with Keri to go out and I found myself just staring at her for a few moments before eventually blurting out ‘How in the world did I get so lucky to have found you?”
“No seriously,” I asked, “how in the world have you stayed single long enough so that I could find you?!?”
I mean, here was this incredibly smart, extremely sexy and cool girl. Sensitive and sweet – with just enough spice and even a touch of the occasional vinegar to keep things interesting. Pretty and funny – not only appreciating my own sense of humor, which is tough enough, but also constantly making me laugh. And it all came bundled in this one little enticing skinny package!
…… It was just always so easy to envision Keri as my wife because she is exactly what i’ve always pictured when I thought about my life in this stage.
And the more I think about my original question – “How in the world did you stay single long enough so that I could find you? – the more I wonder if the answer is not just that relationships are hard, but that perhaps, this is the only way it could have possibly been.
That it, and us, and today were always going to be. Had to be.
And I am just so happy and thankful right now, so excited about our future … and I love you very, very much!
Every groom should write something so perfect for his new bride - don’t you think? Before I get to the video, I would like to mention a couple of things that helped make this day memorable (aside from Keri & Darren, of course):
Broken Bones - my second groom in a cast this year (2009)
My Hero - Chad’s “My Brother is My Hero” toast - awesome!
Thriller - how many times do you get to see a 91 year old dancing to the Michael Jackson hit?
Karaoke - Darren sang - altering the lyrics to the Neil Diamond song from Sweet Caroline to Sweet Keri Lyn
Troy couples rock! And Vickie & Sidney proved it to me once again (plus they’re fellow South Carolina fans, so you can’t go wrong there!).
Vickie’s day started at her parent’s house where she and her bridesmaids (including 3 sisters) got ready. There was laughter and tears and a house full of family by the time we were ready to head to the ceremony at St. Joseph’s in Troy. Before we left, Sidney sent over a gift for Vickie to open - a gorgeous new ring (you should be able to catch a glimpse of it in the video). Once at the church, we got off to a quick start, which was followed by a couple of readings (one was in Arabic), the vows, the kiss, and high-fives between Sidney and all of his groomsmen.
After the ceremony, we hung out with Casey Connell Photography while they did some family photos at the church and then headed to Wolfert’s Roost to finish up the bridal party pix. This was our first time working with them and hope we get the opportunity to do so again - they were awesome. (Check out the photos on their blog - the Nov 03 post). When we made it upstairs to the reception room, we met up with Fernando from Pianoman DJ (more awesomeness) who introduced the new Mr. and Mrs. and got the crowd to their feet. At the end of dinner Vickie and Sidney arranged to entertain their guests with a belly dancer who got everyone on the dance floor and set the tone for the night. FotoMagic was also on site providing guests with magnet keepsakes during the reception, and we got to hang out with a former and future bride & groom as well (love you guys - see you in February).
Here is Vickie & Sidney’s highlight video from their October 2009 wedding. Feel free to leave comments for the happy couple.
Melita & Steve were married on a sunny (but chilly) day in October. The ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Church in Coxsackie where Melita walked down the aisle with her mother and brother while Steve anxiously waited for her at the altar with his best man/nephew. A couple of tissues later, they were pronounced husband and wife and headed to Birch Hill to celebrate. Once there, I tagged along with Christina Primero on the photoshoot with the bridal party - which was quick, but not quick enough for the bridesmaids in their short, strapless dresses. :) Luckily the warm limo was standing by waiting for them. Once we made our way inside, DJ Adam Conway of Conway Entertainment announced the newlyweds and got the party started.
After the best man’s toast Melita and Steve did the Pants in the Family Toast - which Melita won, of course. They did the Anniversary Dance and it was amazing to see the number of couples still out on the dance floor as they called off 30 years, 35 years, etc. At the 50 year mark there were still two couples dancing. Steve’s parents ended up being the longest married couple - with 55 years under their belts and still counting. Wow!
Here is Melita & Steve’s highlight video from their October 2009 wedding. Feel free to leave comments for the happy couple.
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An awesome party to celebrate their first hours as husband and wife. Congratulations Michelle & Zach!