OUTTAKES: Clips from Summer 2013 in St. Charles

Sometimes good things come in ugly-looking packages.

One of the best and worst experiences of my life as a journalist was to be laid off in late 2010. Although I did not know it at the time, that devastating blow would, over the next 19 months, open my eyes to two things I had lost during my career.

The first was a passion for writing, which I all but gave up when I became a copy editor and later a Web content editor — positions that, together, consumed 20 of my 30 years in journalism. The second was a passion for photography. Combined, those two skills I have enjoyed so much led me to the news business.

I began blogging two weeks after my layoff, re-igniting my passion for the written word. Then along came Patch, a little more than a year ago, which rekindled my passion for photography, which has grown to include videography.

The videos I have shot this past year have been simple —- by no means have they been elaborate, elegant or uber-fancy. But I have had fun capturing living snapshots of life in a really excellent and beautiful community.

RiverFest was phenomenal in that regard, but I think my videos skills matured most over the summer as I shot the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce’s Cruise Nites, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership’s STC Live! events, and the St. Charles Park District’s free summertime Concert in the Park series.

The musical events have proven the most fun, if only because your kids — I have five myself — get up and shake it loose on the dance floor, or perhaps they simply stand and do the things that kids do that make them cute and adorable and so easy for parents to love.

By the way, the measure of kids in this community can’t be counted in years. Some of the liveliest kids in town are otherwise regarded as senior citizens. Kids come in all ages.

So, here is a short, 90-second collection of outtakes from this summer’s activities. Some have never been posted before. Others have, like clips from recent weeks of two teens dancing to a cover of Pat Benatar or the toddlers dancing to 7th heaven and According to Sarah during performances at Lincoln Park, simply make me smile for the joy being expressed in each one.

If this short video sparks only the seeds of a smile as you watch it, I’ve accomplished something good. Please take a moment to enjoy.

Let Patch save you time. Our free newsletter can be delivered to your inbox. Fast signup here. Then like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @StCharlsILPatch.