Latest news with #ChainsawCarversRendezvous
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Photographer captures testimonies, stories with free photoshoots
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A picture is worth a thousand words. What would your picture say about you? Jess Juhas is the owner of Jessie Janelle Photography. She's a photographer who's using her skills to help people tell their stories of struggle and triumph. She came up with the idea of 'Freedom in Focus: Capturing Faith-Based Stories of Redemption and Recovery'. 'Freedom in focus is a project that I started, to glorify God,' Juhas said. Her personal experiences helped her to realize her true passion; storytelling and sharing testimonies. She also takes photos of those recovering from addiction, struggling with marriage and relationships, or with mental health. Juhas takes those photos for free. 'I feel as though I am inspiring people. And when they get the finished product like they I, they absolutely love their photos. They're excited to do it. They want to be a part of the project,' Juhas said. 24th annual Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous hosted in Ridgway Larissa Dneaster was the first person to be part of the project. She's been sober since July 2014 and said the photos made her feel empowered. 'I wanted to show people that not only there was a dark side to me, but also the brighter side came after. You have to have the dark to see the light, and without the light, which is God for me, you have nothing,' Dneaster said. Using their photo session, Larissa and Jess are setting an example for other people to share their stories too. 'Not many people get to, like, show that side. They're kind of scared to be vulnerable and show the scary, dark side of the addiction. But that's why we did a bright side as well,' Dneaster said. Thanks to 'Freedom in Focus' the two have also become friends. If you're interested in sharing your story, you can message Jessie Janelle Photography on Facebook or email her at Jessiejanellephotog@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
24th annual Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous hosted in Ridgway
ELK COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — For 24 years carvers from all over have come to Ridgway to participate in the Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous. What started with 9 carvers in a backyard has grown into hundreds of carvers making their way to Elk County. 'It's just pure magic that's all I have to say,' resident Jen Deau said. It's an event that brings carvers from all across the world together to enjoy what they do best. 'So when you come to this event it really feels like there are carvers all over the place because we have over 100 carvers here,' Ray Suchan of Rays Carving Co. said. 'But the truth is when I go back to New York there's not too many carvers out there so I don't have a lot of people to share ideas with.' With that many carvers comes an abundance of wood. 'We go through maybe three tri axes of wood. So yeah there's a lot of wood that passes through here. I just saw the log truck bring more today, so there's a lot,' event coordinator Liz Boni said. With that much wood, there's a lot of opportunity for these arbor artists to try new things, and visitors who return year after year say it keeps improving. 'The level of carving and the expertise of carving, and the intricacy of carving has just gone up exponentially,' Deau said. 'And the women carvers have added a new dimension to the whole artistry of chainsaw carving.' The crowds that come also have a significant impact on the local economy. 'I can't imagine how this rendezvous doesn't only benefit Ridgway. Literally 100,000 people come and go to restaurants, stay overnight and they're here for a while,' Deau said. Participants say they also enjoy being with others who share the same artistry. 'We have dinner tonight together so we'll have the opportunity to break bread and share some carving stories,' Suchan said. The event takes place Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. everyday. For more information, you can visit the Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
