Why Photography is So Important.

I’m continuously surprised by all the things I have forgotten over the years.

I see that Donna and Darcie attended the first campout. I didn’t even remember them being there until I saw the pictures…. That is why photography is so important to me. Without old pictures we might never remember some of those things that happened a long time ago. We had such a great time on the first campout, that we had a second one a year later. Strangely, I don’t think I have any pictures from the second campout in the summer of 1983, only a very few memories.

Donna and Darcie were both holdovers from Photoland.

I first met Darcie at MATC when I was getting my associates degree in photography. Darcie graduated a year ahead of me I think. I seem to remember we both liked jazz singer Al Jarreau. The last time I saw Darcie I was in small claims court in 1997 I was sitting there, waiting for my case to be called and in walks Darcie. I’m sure she didn’t notice me. She was dropping off or picking up some paperwork. Darcie works with the clerk of courts office.

I think Donna ran one of the old Kodak printers at Photoland in the 70’s. I think her shift started at about 5-6 pm. I have lots of good memories of Donna. She gave me a ride in her old Gremlin once I always thought Gremlins’ were cool. She explained the meaning of Solidarnose to me. Donna had a Commodore 64 computer, the same model as I had. She set up a computer “get together” at her apartment and I got to meet her “hacker” friends. That was really cool. I remember going out a number of times with Bob, Brian, Kathy, and Donna in the early days of Walgreens. Donna was interested in relationship… and she found one… with Brad. My memory of Brad is a little vague. I think Brad may have had a day job working on cars or machinery. I remember there was a rumor around work that Brad and Donna were shackin’ up… For some reason I happened to go over to Donna’s apartment one day, and that rumor was… confirmed. I’m not sure exactly when Donna and Brad were married… ‘83 - ‘85 maybe… they are still together - must be around 25 years.


Up in the balcony of the “Gay 90’s bar in Dundee, a few miles north of Mauthe Lake.
From left to right - Donna Mack, Judy Steiner, Darcie Muckler, Scott Sager,Vlado ( I wish I could remember his last name) and Mike Olson. I had completely forgotten about this bar until I saw this picture from Mary Nowacki. (Thanks for another great memory Mary!)