Corey Perrine | Photojournalist

Life

Members of the Ku Klux Klan watch a cross burn Saturday, Oct. 23 in Warrenville, S.C. Duwayne Johnson was initiated as the Imperial Wizard of the All American Invisible Knights and announced his group would soon have a larger presence in Augusta, Ga. That day about 20 Klansman protested for white rights, against illegal immigration and the Keaton case (a Christian student who was ordered to council gays but refused) outside ASU. Johnson claims his chapter is not about white supremacy but about keeping races separate in "relations" (i.e. mixing seed). He says he's trying to show that this new breed of Klan is more forward thinking and the history they carry from the 50's and 60's is no longer. According to Johnson, the cross lighting is a ceremonial ritual as a sign of purification not disrespect to the Christian symbol. The cross is wrapped in burlap, doused in kerosene and lit for about 10-15 minutes. After the ceremony, it is put out with water. This was the first Augusta area public cross lighting ceremony in about 50 years. It also was one of the first open for a female African American to witness without opposition.
   
Jo Ann Harris, 38, pauses for a moment holding her grandson Tyler Beasley, 22 months, in what remains of their house, before showing in a walk-through Tuesday, Nov. 23 in Harlem, Ga. On Thursday, Nov. 18, a fire destroyed the edifice after Beasley accidentally knocked over an oil lamp. According to Harris, she went to use the bathroom only to come back to a wall of flames and her grandson on fire. Harris immediately doused the flames from his bare legs after ignited oil landed on his skin and ran out of the house. Beasley suffered second-degree burns. Within minutes the house was engulfed in flames. Harris, single and unemployed, said she lost everything and is looking for help to rebuild. Harris had fallen behind on paying the electric bill and had just paid to have it reconnected. According to Harris, it was the last night of living by oil lamp as the power was to be reconnected the next day. Beasley is expected to have a full recovery. "He didn't cry or anything like that," Harris said. "He just wanted me to hold him."
   
Sheri McGuire weeps at the headstone of Army Master Sgt. Richard Hughes Burwell Saturday, May 29 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Augusta. Over 4000 flags were placed at the headstones of past veterans in honoring them for Memorial Day. American Legion Post 178, volunteers and The Boy Scouts of America helped in the efforts. "He was my surrogate Uncle," McGuire said. "I told him all my secrets, the ones I didn't even tell my parents." Burwell passed away in 2004.
     
  
LaTina Harris sheds a tear while holding her daughter Makila, 3, Saturday, June 5 at friend Shontae Croft's apartment in Aiken, S.C. LaTina's brother D'Than Harris, 16, drowned Memorial Day weekend Sunday, May 30 after being dared to jump in Langley Pond. This is the second death for LaTina in a year after losing her newborn son in April due to kidney failure."The biggest thing I'll miss is just know he's not there," LaTina said. "He was my comfort, like a son."
  
Cynthia Tebbetts of Goffstown is helped into the recovery room by Rita de Senneville after her three-hour male to female gender reassignment surgery at the Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie in Montreal. The event marked her first full step into womanhood. "Wake up Cynthia, it is all over. You can open your eyes now." Senneville said.
  
Richmond County Deputy Sheriff Leo Newman looks in at the scene of a crash Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010 at Summerville ACE Fine Wines & Spirits liquor store on Walton Way in Augusta, Ga. According to Newman, a call came in at 2:56 p.m. of 81 year-old William H. Wiseman who had crashed his Ford Explorer SUV through the store. Newman said that Wiseman said, "I blacked out, next thing I know, I woke up inside." Markus Favors and a female employee, who asked not to be identified, were working inside when the crash orrured. The two were uninjured. Wiseman was taken to MCG, not for any injuries, but to be tested to see what caused the blackout.
     
  
Friends and family reflect on the life of Scott Craig near water's edge after throwing in carnations in his honor Saturday, Jan. 29 at the J. Strom Thurmond Dam & Lake Visitor's Center. Close to 200 individuals paid their respects. A week ago today, Craig went missing while fishing on the lake. His boat was recovered but his body wasn't. Currently, boats that patrol the water, are devoting an extra hour in the morning and evening in search of Craig, according to his mother, Terri.
   
Surrounded by family, midwives and after about five hours in a birthing tub, Danielle Lamoureux, center, of Fitchburg, Mass. lets out a sigh after birthing her newborn son, Julian, at 7:01 a.m. Sunday, June 11 at The Birth Cottage in Milford N.H. After recent legislation was passed to include midwifery on insurance plans, New Hampshire and states alike have seen an increase in alternative birth methods.
  
A yellow spotted salamander swims in a vernal pool while flashlights reflect as enthusiasts watch in delight April 3 in Pepperell, Mass. Although not endangered, enthusiasts help the nocturnal amphibians cross roads to reach such pools to reproduce.
     
  
John Iaquinta changes the diapers of his son Max, 14 weeks, while his daughter Cameron, 3, sleeps Tuesday, June 10 at their home in Nashua. John is one of about 145,000 stay-at-home dads with the trend steadily increasing as a viable family living option.
   
Patrons Rick Huffman of Harlem, Ga. left, and Dustin Henderson, right, of Hephzibah, Ga. look on and walk by, repectively, a 1939 Plymouth Friday, June 3 at French Market Grille West in Martinez, Ga. Over a dozen cars classic cars were on display at one given time during the three-hour First Friday Classic Car & Hot Rod Cruise-in car show. Music and discounted food were also available.
  
Kim Peck’s four year-old black lab, “Harley,” of Kansas City takes a chomp on a tennis ball Sunday, Sept. 18 at the Clay Platte YMCA in Kansas City. The Annual Dogs Day Out featured swimming to all dogs from 2:00-5:00 p.m. The event gave dogs an opportunity to enjoy an Olympic-sized pool before it was drained for the season. “This is one of the most fun events we throw at Clay Platte,” Center Executive Toniann Richard said. “The dogs are almost as happy as their owners who sincerely enjoy seeing their pets have the time of their life.”
     
  
Tonya Nelson of Augusta has hands laid on her by Kimmi Gardner of Grovetown Saturday, Aug. 14 underneath The Calhoun Express way at 15th Street in Augusta. Bridge Ministry from the New Hope Worship Center based in Grovetown have been assemblying under the bridge for the past three and a half years, providing temporal and spiritual needs for the homeless, the underprivlidged and other congragationists. They not only heal but offer prayers and help people become saved through Jesus Christ. They assemble underneath a bridge after Pastor Roger Gardner, Kimmi's husband, was inspired years ago in Nashville, Tenn. when he witnessed one. "She told me the Lord had work for me but that I have to break the yoke from certain friends who are bad influences," Nelson said. "I've taken every piece of advice she's given and she's never been wrong." Nelson was only two weeks removed after living under the same bridge for four years. They meet at 1 p.m. every second Saturday.
  
Randall Ward, a loper, from Foley, Ala. walks his horse "Rudy" to the loping area for the horse cutting event at the Augusta Futurity Thursday, Jan. 27 at The James Brown Arena in Augusta, Ga. Dozens have come out to compete in the annual event that draws thousands over the course of a week.
  
Derrick Greene, 27, of Quechee, Vt. jumps off a covered bridge 100 feet into the Ottauquechee River Sunday, July 10, 2011 while others look in Woodstock, Vt. In the background is Simon Pearce Restaurant at the mills where fine dining is served and glass is blown below. Temperatures in the 90's made for perfect swim weather for patrons and daredevils alike. "I did this a few years ago on a dare," Greene said. "I wasn't drunk but I was high, kinda like I am right now."
     
  
Chris Elmore, left, yells during an improv exercise with fellow classmates April 19 at Musical Theatre Workshops on Vaughn Rd. in Augusta, Ga. The troupe is currently rehearsing for their upcoming show, An Evening of Fables and Fairytales, based off the classic Greek short tales, Aesop's Fables. The show goes up Saturday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Greenbrier High School's auditorium. Adult tickets are $10 and students $5 dollars. For more information see www.onwiththeshow.biz.
   
Santa Claus is seen boarding the elevator as he goes up to give presents to children Saturday, Dec. 25 at the Medical College of Georgia's Children's Medical Center in Augusta, Ga. Santa came to visit several children who were there for the holidays.
   
Casey Lane, 9, of Wilton, treads water during a swimming test July 25 at Goss Park. This year marks the 50th anniversary since the spring-fed pond opened. The park offers diving, swimming, a beach, playground area and more.
     
  
President Barack Obama speaks to a crowd of 1,500 Tuesday, Feb. 2 at Nashua High School North. He came to support his health care reform, push for small business growth and job creation agenda.
   
Pfc. Virniqua Watkins of Sparta, Ga. consoles her teary-eyed daughter Harmony, 1, after a deployment ceremony Friday, Oct. 15, 2010 at Ft. Gordon, Ga. About 100 troops from A Company, 345th Military Intelligence Battalion will deploy to Baghdad, Iraq tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. but will head first to training, for six weeks, at Ft. Bragg, N.C. Their mission, the first unit to deploy since the end of combat operations announced last month, will serve as the Corps Analytical Augmentation Element for United States Forces Iraq located at Camp Victory for 12 months. "Am I going to miss her?" Watkins said. "Just look at her."