Jade Desroches: Can't-miss kid about to add to family's legacy

The first time I met Jade Desrochers was five years ago. I was helping coach the Enosburg girls basketball team at the time and was running a summer open gym.

I remember four or five kids showed up, most of whom I knew. There was one kid whom I did not know.

She was 4-foot-nothing. The ball seemed bigger than her.

I turned to one of the girls and asked: "Who invited the fourth grader?"

The girl stared at me with a look of disbelief.

"You don't know who that is? That's Jade Desroches," came the hushed reply, revealing in its tone a level of reverance that surprised me.

Five minutes later, I was in awe, too.

I've told this story so many times I'm sure I've added to the legend, but what I remember is this little wisp of a child walking over to the ball rack, bouncing the ball a couple of times, toeing the 3-point line, a little hop, followed by a big push from a slender right arm and ending with a delicate flick of the wrist. Swish.

Seconds later, from a little further back on the opposite side of the floor. Swish. And it continued. Little further back. Swish. 

I lost count after five straight as I was too busy picking my jaw up from off the floor.

I later learned that she was the cousin of Lindsey Larivee - who was heading into her sophomore season with the Hornets after a brilliant freshman campaign that ended with a state title. Larivee had a great shooting stroke, too.

But Desroches, even though she was heading into her eighth grade, was better (at least on that day) and I told her so. And I told her to tell Lindsey. The aghast look on her face told me she wasn't about to do that.

In hindsight, I learned a lot about Jade that day - that she's a quiet kid, but prideful. That she's a tremendously talented athlete, but humble. That she comes from a great basketball family, but she is now, as she was then, eager to make her own mark.

And tonight, with any luck, she will do just that when she becomes the fourth Enosburg girls basketball player - and fifth member of the Larose family - to reach the 1,000-point plateau.

To read more about Jade and her quest to reach 1,000, here's a link to a story I wrote on Examiner.com.

SHAWN CORROW, when he's not being very happy for a really nice kid from a fine family, is owner of Cold Hollow Photography and a freelance photo journalist. He maintains this blog, his photo website www.coldhollowphoto.com and you can follow him on Facebook (Shawn Corrow) and Twitter @scorrow or you can email him at shawn@coldhollowphoto.com

MVU coach returns from Afghanistan

For those who might not follow my updates on examiner.com, here's a link to my brief story on MVU boys hockey coach Jason Brace who recently returned from Afghanistan.

Want a free image from my website? Email me.

As a way to show my appreciation for the athletes who make running this business so much fun, I'm offering to send any athlete any one image from any of the sports photo galleries on my website.

To get your free image (which will be a high-resolution image suitable for printing, Facebooking, emailing, etc ... ) you need to email me - shawn@coldhollowphoto.com - with the sport you play (boys basketball, girls soccer, etc ...) and the team you were playing against.

This offer is for a limited time - email me before the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve and I'll get you the image in very short order.

Spread the word to your teammates and thanks for continuing to check out my website in record numbers!

Christmas fun via Jib-Jab

I want to wish you all Merry Christmas and my gift to you is the gift of laughter. Here are some videos I 'made' using JibJab.com and starring myself, my wife Sandy and daughter Molly.

JibJab.com is offering 52% off on its $12 yearly membership if you use this code -10JJEOY - I did it today - best $6 I've spent in a long time.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Gift Cards and Gift Certificates

I'm really happy to introduce a couple of new features for my customers - gift certificates and gift cards.

First things, first: You must purchase these from me directly - not through the website. To make a purchase email me your interest (shawn@coldhollowphoto.com) or call me 782-5317. I will walk you through the process and create a customized card and/or certificate.

Gift cards start at $10 and go up from there.

Gift certificates start at $75 - which is the standard sitting fee for family photos and includes a $25 print credit.

Frequently asked questions ...

1. How do I get my card/certificate? We can mail it to you - it comes printed onto a magnet so you won't lose it. Or, if time is a factor, we can email you the file and you can print it yourself or email it to a friend.

2. How long are they valid for? No expiration. They are good for any product/photo/download on our website and can be used for shipping charges.

3. What do they look like?

Here's a sample gift card (which are perfect gifts for folks with kids with action photos on my website. With the code on the card they can order pictures (and downloads, if available) themselves whenever they want. You don't have to give them your credit card. We put their name on the card and create a unique code - beware, if they share the code and someone else uses it, we are not repsonsible.)

Here's a sample gift certificate - great for giving the gift of family portraits. They start at $75, but can be made in highger amounts if you want to help defray the cost of a wedding package, cover the cost of an entire senior photo session ($99), etc ... They cannot be redeemed through the website, but can be converted into a gift card.

If you have any questions or would like to place an order, please email me shawn@coldhollowphoto.com or call me or Sandy at 933-8849 or 782-5317.