Still photos

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Still portfolio

Licking County Christian Academy kindergartners Glory Overton, left, and Alanna Bland make snow angels Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, in Heath, Ohio. Overton, Bland and Grant Gill went out to play as the snow began to fall with their teacher Sandy Strickling.

Jo Hancock, left, of Muncie, watches class instructor Diana “Carenza” Eckart during a belly dancing class at Carenza’s Caravan. The dance studio offers classes in belly dancing, swing dance, and hip-hop dancing.

David Opbroec, from Cincinnati, casts his net into Buckeye Lake Sunday afternoon, Dec. 28, 2008, as he fishes for shad from the north shore of the lake.

Fairfield Christian Academy's Ben Tobin is tripped up by Fisher Catholic's Hayden Muckensturm during Saturday night's game, Sept. 1, 2012, at Fulton Field in Lancaster. FCA won the game 19-14.

Berne Union right fielder Nate Romine, center, leaps in the air to avoid first baseman Braden Little, left, and second baseman Brody Weidner as they converge for a fly ball in shallow right field during Friday's game, April 28, 2017, against Millersport at Berne Union High School in Sugar Grove.ac

Atticus Doan, 6, flies toward his mother Elizabeth Doan Monday morning, May 7, 2012, in front of their home in Bremen. Atticus and his older brother Gideon, 8, and little sister Norah, 4, were taking turns swinging from the rope swing hanging from the maple tree in the family's front yard.

A young Fairfield Union fan body surfs over the Falcon student section Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, in Rushville.

Participants fight for the ball Sunday on one of the basketball courts at the Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Delta High School.

Newark Catholic's Garret Vernau entertains his teammates during a three hour weather delay. Rain delayed the start of the Green Wave's Division IV state championship game with Fort Loramie Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Huntington Park in Columbus.

Lakewood second baseman Brayan Gault takes aim to throw out a Licking Valley runner at first base as she slides on the infield dirt Thursday, April 14, 2011, during the Lancers 1-0 win over the Panthers at Lakewood High School in Hebron.

Aaron Roll waves the checkered flag during the second heat of the school bus races Sunday night, Aug. 8, 2010, at the Hartford Independent Fair in Croton.

Jerame Jackson, from Newark, lays out a blanket on Brooks Beach with Alexis Jackson, 8, center, and Emilie Wolf, 6, Wednesday, June 8, 2011, in Millersport. Jackson didn't see the sign warning visitors to the beach about harmful algal blooms in the water near the beach.

A duckling tries to jump out of Dean and Lois Stephan's pool to follow its mother on the pool deck Tuesday afternoon, May 21, 2007, in Huntington. Dean Stephan said the family of ducks showed up in the pool Sunday afternoon. The Stephan's said this isn't the first time they've had ducks in their pool but it is the first time they've had ducklings in the 19 years they've owned the house.

People remove feeder pigs from an overturned semi Tuesday morning, Feb. 16, 2016, in Walnut Township. According to Fairfield County Sheriff's Dep. John Williamson the semi - carrying about 600 pigs - overturned on the slushy and slick road as it turned north on Cattail Road from Ohio 256. The truck was headed to Berry Farms on Canal Road when it overturned. The semi knocked down a South Central Power utility pole knocking out electricity to people living along Cattail Road. Many of the pigs were transferred to another waiting truck before the semi was pulled back onto its tires. All but one of the pigs survived the crashed. Williamson said the driver of the semi wasn't injured in the crash and that a fuel spill from semi was contained by the Thurston-Walnut Township and Millersport fire departments.

Bloom-Carroll sophomore Taran Alvelo is the 2013 Eagle-Gazette softball player of the year. Alvelo dominated opposing hitters with her blazing fastball at times clocked in the low 70s.

Firefighters from six area fire departments battled a house fire Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at 1907 Winnemacca Lane in Rushcreek Township. According to Bremen-Rushcreek Township Fire Chief Will Duvall the home's owner said the fire started in the garage. Duvall said it wasn't clear what started the fire, which damaged most of the home. He said fire crews were able to save a few items from the home's basement, but little else was salvageable.

Huntington firefighter Travis Monsey pulls an attack line into the burning Midwest Industrial Metal Fabrication building as other firefighters try to knock down the remaining flames, Monday afternoon, Nov. 12, 2007 in Huntington. The fire started when sparks from a cutting torch ignited insulation in the building's wall. Smoke and chemical fumes caused the evacuation of the Cedar Run Apartment complex and the Tipton House Assisted Living facility.

Fairfield Union shortstop Bradley Wolfe throws to first base during as second baseman Spencer Conrad watches during Thursday night's game, May 4, 2017, at Beavers Field in Lancaster. The Falcons' game with Lancaster was suspended due to rain with the Golden Gales winning 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Licking County prosecutor Ken Oswalt makes a slashing motion across his throat as he covers his mouth as he simulates how he believes Stephen Richards killed his father during his closing argument June 29, 2011, in Licking County Common Pleas Court in Newark. Richards was found guilty of one count each of murder and gross abuse of a corpse. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Austin Caplinger leans against his mother Yvette Caplinger as they wait with Austin's uncle Anthony Arriaga for the first day of classes to begin Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, at Liberty Union Elementary School in Baltimore. Thursday was Austin's first day of kindergarten.

Pickerington Central's Nick Reade heads the ball as Lancaster's Patrick Sabol leaps up to try to get take possession Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, in Pickerington. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Dave Fey, director of the Fairfield County Historical Parks Commission stops at a granite boulder on his way to seeing the Mary Rufner covered bridge Tuesday morning, June 6, 2017. The bridge is currently located on private property on Perry County, but Fey hopes to bring the bridge back to Fairfield County. The bridge would be placed over Fetters Run near Forest Rose School in Lancaster.

A downhill biker makes his way down one of the trails Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, at Horn's Hill Park in Newark during the Ohio Gravity Fest. The two day downhill biking competition started Saturday at Mohican Wilderness in Greer. Event organizer Bob Bevard said about thirty riders took part in the contest riding three courses at each park over the two days. Bevard said the event drew riders competing in three divisions from all over the Ohio and from Michigan and Kentucky.

Fairfield Christian Academy sophomore David Harris plays the cello Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, in Lancaster. Harris performs with the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra. In June the group will be performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Translucent beads dangle from the edges of a model’s jacket and pants Sunday afternoon, March 11, 2007, during the Bernina of America Fashion Show at O’Laughlin Auditorium at St. Mary’s College in South Bend. The show is a fund-raiser for support services provided free of charge to breast-cancer patients and their families.

East Elementary School students use water colors for their Andy Warhol inspired self-portraits Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2012, in Elizabeth Boyden's kindergarten classroom in Lancaster. The portraits are for the school's art auction in March.

Todd Bitler hammers a knife he's forging for a customer Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, at his workshop in Amanda. Bitler will appear on the Jan. 24 episode of "Forged in Fire" on the cable channel History.

Ivy Yen, a member of the Granger Chinese Dance Company performs a ribbon dance Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2007, at the Chinese Language School’s Chinese New Year program at the Michiana Chinese Christian Church in Mishawaka. Yen and her fellow members of the dance company, along with students at the language school performed skits, dances and songs for the crowd of family and friends who gathered to celebrate the new year of the pig.

Chandler Dawson, left, and Grace Vail stop for photographs on the red carpet Saturday night, May 6, 2017, at the Lancaster High School prom at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds in Lancaster. A brief rain storm caused a double rainbow to form as prom goers entered the dance.

Fairfield Union third baseman Shayla Munyon, right, and coach Donny Holbrook, left, celebrates the Falcon's 3-0 win over Teays Valley and Mid-State League-Buckeye Division title.

Wood Memorial High School senior first baseman and pitcher Rickie Mason is comforted by the home plate umpire after making the last out in Wood Memorial’s 18-3 loss to North Daviess Tuesday night in Oakland City, Ind., bringing an end to the team’s season. The Trojans fell behind early as the Cougars scored all of their 18 runs in the first two innings against Mason.

It's just magic

Tim and Ginny Etienne didn't expect their portrayals of Santa and Mrs. Claus would have the impact on their lives that it has had. Over the last few years, they realized the importance the Christmas characters play in the lives of children and adults alike. "...you never quite know the impact you’re going to have on the person that’s right in front of you,” Ginny said. “It’s magic,” Tim added solemnly, his voice cracking from the emotion of the memory, but with a twinkle in his eye. “That’s all it is. It’s just magic.”

These photos are part of a story I wrote that appeared in multiple markets across Ohio on Christmas Day 2017. To see the full story and the accompanying video, click here.

Elaine Haire, 4, walks up to Tim and Ginny Etienne as they portray Santa and Mrs. Claus while her father Lucas Haire tries to talk Grant Haire 1, into going to the Etienne's Friday night, Dec. 1, 2017, in Canal Winchester.

Stacia Cohagan rinses bleach from Tim Etienne's beard Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at Shag Hair Studio in Westerville. Etienne and many other Santa performers from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana travel to Cohagan for her hair dyeing expertise.

Tim Etienne talks to a child Friday night, Dec. 1, 2017, as he meets with children during the Canal Winchester Christmas in the Village celebrations. Tim and his wife Ginny greeted hundreds of children during the village's two night celebration.

Tim Etienne puts on his suspenders as he dresses in his traditional Santa Claus suit Friday evening, Dec. 1, 2017, at his home in Canal Winchester.

Tim Etienne laughs as he talks to volunteers Dec. 2, 2017, during the Wagons Ho Ho Ho build day at the Far East Community Recreation Center in Columbus. Tim was the charitable organization's official spokes Santa this year. The group is in its 10th year of building wagons and filling them with food for Christmas dinner to give to families in need throughout Central Ohio. More than 600 volunteers took part in this year's build day making 1,250 wagons. The group built 25 wagons its first year.

Tim Etnienne greats parade-goers from atop an antique fire truck Dec. 1, 2017, in downtown Canal Winchester.

Tim Etienne signs the bottom of a wagon Dec. 2, 2017, at the Wagons Ho Ho Ho build day at the Far East Community Recreation Center on Lattimer Drive in Columbus. The charitable organization is in it's 10 year of building wagons and filling them with food for Christmas dinner to give to families in need throughout Central Ohio. More than 600 volunteers took part in this year's build day making 1,250 wagons. The group built 25 wagons its first year. Tim was the group's official spokes Santa, appearing on multiple local television stations to do promotional interviews.

Melissa Castle, left, takes a photograph of her daughter Isabella Castle, 5, left, and nephew Anthony Castle, 4, with Tim Etienne Friday evening, Dec. 1, 2017, in a bank branch parking lot in Canal Winchester. Etienne and his wife Ginny were waiting for a ride to take them to the starting locations for the Canal Winchester Christmas in the Village holiday light parade.

Tim Etienne hides behind his wife Ginny Etienne as he interacts with children as they wait to be picked up before the Canal Winchester holiday light parade, Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. Tim often pretends to be shy when children are afraid or shy around Santa Claus.

Tim Etienne passes a bag of food down the assembly line while a mass of volunteers build wagons behind him. Tim and his wife Ginny went to the Wagons Ho Ho Ho build day Dec. 2, 2017, at the Far East Community Recreation Center in Columbus. The charitable organization is in its 10th year of building wagons and filling them with food for Christmas dinner to give to families in need throughout Central Ohio. More than 600 volunteers took part in this year's build day making 1,250 wagons. The group built 25 wagons its first year. Tim was the group's official spokes Santa, appearing on multiple local television stations to do promotional interviews.

Tim Etienne talks to two children as he stands in the back of an antique fire truck before a Christmas parade in Canal Winchester.

Debbie's dream team

For Debbie Brewer, hospice care has not been with her just at the end of her life, but for more than four years. Surrounded by a team including a registered nurse, a social worker, a pastor and others, Brewer, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and her family depend o that team to keep her quality of life as high as possible. "They do everything," Brewer said. "I don't know what we would have done without them."

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Stacey Hartshorn, left, hugs Debbie Brewer during one of the Hospice of Central Ohio nurse's visits to Brewer's home in Newark.

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A tear forms in Debbie Brewers eye as she undergoes a breathing treatment.

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Pastor Tom Myers leans back in his chair after finishing writing one of the four funerals he's writen in a week for patients at Hospice of Central Ohio Thursday morning, May 20, 2010, in Newark.

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Debbie Brewer laughs as she talks with Hospice of Central Ohio Social Worker Ruth Robson during one of Robson visits Brewer's home during which the two discuss what Brewer's feeling.

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Stacey Hartshorn, left, talks to Debbie Brewer during one of the Hospice of Central Ohio nurse's visits to Brewer's home in Newark. Brewer has been homebound for the past four years with COPD and has spent that time in the care of hospice group.

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Stacey Hartshorn holds Debbie Brewer's hand as the nurse and patient talk during Hartshorn's visit.

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Stacey Hartshorn sorts Debbie Brewer's medication for the week.

Second chances

After spending 12-and-one-half years in prison Buddy Love opened his barber shop on the northeast side of Muncie, Ind., with the hope of influencing the young men in what he sees as Muncie's forgotten black community to not follow that led him to a murder conviction at a young age.

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Buddy Love, center, and Mike Bradley, right, laugh at a story Howard McCallum, left, was telling during the Saturday morning rush at Buddy Love’s Barber Shop on Highland Avenue in Muncie.

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Tre Cook, 8, gets his hair cut by Buddy Love at Love’s East Highland Avenue barbershop in Muncie.

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Buddy Love cuts Martice Redfield’s hair at his barber shop on Highland Avenue on Muncie’s east side.

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Mickey Hill, 11, points to his king as his brother Noah Hill, 7, moves one of his pawns. The brothers were playing chess while they waited for haircuts at Buddy Love’s barbershop.

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Michael Long (right) and Cedric Powell talk about growing up in the Whitley neighborhood on Muncie’s northeast side. Powell and his son Jordan Powell, 8 (not pictured), were waiting for haircuts at Buddy Love’s Barber Shop on a busy Saturday morning.

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Buddy Love laughs as Adrian Barrett argues with other customers about whether or not pop music star Michael Jackson was guilty of child molestation in the barbershop on a Saturday morning.