Images: 2014 Pictures of the year, Fox Valley
The Daily Herald photo staff share some of their favorite pictures from around the Fox Valley.
Professional rider Paul Smith, of Las Vegas, flies higher than the grandstand at the Freestyle Motocross Stunt Show at the Kane County Fair in St. Charles in July.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Batavia catcher Matt Musielak tries to glove a pitch in the dirt in the championship game of the St. Charles East regional state summer baseball tournament in July.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Edward Hayes of Elgin bows his head during a prayer group at Vineyard Church of Elgin. Hayes was homeless and addicted to cocaine before members of the church and their breakfast ministry helped to get him into a rehab program. He's been clean for 3 years and has volunteered at the church every day since.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
The Easter Bunny waits for kids during the Cary Park District's annual Breakfast with the Bunny at the Community Center in Cary this past Easter.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Students look on as the Jesse White Tumblers perform at Hillcrest Elementary School in Elgin in April.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
Sometimes it's the little things that catch my eye. In this instance it was actually my son Erik, 11, who spotted the enormous snow flakes that we recently had during an April snow shower. We were waiting in the truck for basketball practice to start and Erik was very interested in the size of the snow flakes and wanted to see if I could photograph them. I put my 100 mm macro lens on with a few extension rings and all of a sudden the snow flakes were larger than life, which Erik thought was pretty cool. So did I to be honest. Five minutes later Erik was back on schedule and headed into basketball not thinking about snow flakes at all. It is the little things and small moments in life that really make the difference in my opinion.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Luis Acevedo of Elgin gets a congratulatory handshake after a win while playing dominoes at Alfredo Garcia's home in Elgin in May.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
St. Edward's Chelsea Gnan (6) and Westminster Christian's Allie Tanzillo find the fields biggest puddle as they battle for the ball during a May regional final in Elgin.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
The McHenry County Marine Corps League dedicated a monument to all known McHenry County recipients of the Purple Heart for their valiant and selfless service to the nation. The monument, including three flagpoles, stands outside the McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock. August 7 is national Purple Heart Day.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
Patrick LeFevre gets a kiss from girlfriend Abby Hammer before the start of Aurora Central Catholic's graduation ceremony at the school in May. She is a 2013 graduate of Rosary.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
While doing a story on sheep breeder Donna Douglas of Woodstock at the McHenry County Fair (that's her in the ring holding a sheep), I couldn't help but get a kick out the 4H kid watching the judging in this manner. I love documenting humor. I've seen a lot of things at country fairs over the years, but this was new. This part of the reason why I love photojournalism; you never know what's going to happen and often times the best photo isn't anything you ever expected.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
Chris Holling, a Larkin High School junior, reacts with surprise after being selected the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin candidate to represent the club in the state competition for Youth of the Year in March.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
Waubonsie Valley players warm up before a football game at Millennium Field at Streamwood High School in September.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
There are those times when you arrive at an assignment and happen upon a funny candid moment that's just begging to be photographed. Last month while covering the 29th annual Norge Autumn Ski Jump in Fox River Grove, I found Lucas Nichols, 13, of Barrington Hills reclining as he waited for his age group to jump in the junior tournament. The red helmet added that extra pop to the picture. Nichols, a Norge Ski Club member, has been active in the sport for the past four years.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
South Elgin's Derek Kumerow, reels in a long pass as Neuqua Valley fans and coaches can't believe their eyes Saturday, Sept. 20 in South Elgin.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Owner Amber Bauman hugs a friend Sunday morning after a barn fire at Valley View Acres in unincorporated Crystal Lake killed 32 horses in late November.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Erie Rosson, of South Elgin, gives a giant smooch to her great grandson Jacob Denten, 6, of Gilberts, before the start of her 100th birthday party in October.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Left to right: Katie Schroeder, Ashley Howser, and Molly Giesen, all 9 and from Batavia, take the stage to enter in the group costume category posing as classic stickmen at the annual BatFest in Batavia in October. The girls, who said they are best friends, made their own masks and designed their mustaches, and got a little help with the rest of the costumes by Katie's mom, Beth. The girls attend BatFest and enter the costume contest every year, but this is the first time as a trio.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
A runner is framed by tall pine trees during the Centegra Health Bridge Fitness's fifth annual Northwest Trail Run at Veterans Acres Park in Crystal Lake in November.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
TD Roe competes at the Oak Park Sportsmen's Club in Plainfield in July. Roe travels often to compete and is sponsored by Canyon Creek Custom, SNS Casting, AMS Store and Shred, LLC, i-gogs and Quality Eyewear.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comProfessional rider Paul Smith, of Las Vegas, flies higher than the grandstand Thursday night at the Freestyle Motocross Stunt Show at the Kane County Fair in St. Charles. Five riders, including brothers Jack and Jason Rowe of Wauconda, performed ramp to ramp aerial tricks on motorcycles as part of the show put on by Solution Action Sports of Indiana.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.comRustin Angerola, 3, of Elburn reacts as a truck in the 6,500 AS 4 x 4 class takes off from the starting line at the truck and tractor pull at Elburn Days Saturday. His friend and neighbor, Hayden Deutsch, 3, on right.
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