Posts Tagged ‘pictures scanning’

Pictures Scanning: Times Square Hosts Memory-Making New Year’s Bash

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Ball Drop In New York City Is Seen Around The World

Festivities Began More Than A Century Ago

historyBallNo matter where you live, New Year’s Eve wouldn’t be the same without the ball drop in Times Square. Around the globe, New York City is synonymous with the start of the New Year. Thousands of people will converge on the city to mark the start of 2010.

The famous ball drop began at the end of 1907. Alfred Ochs, owner of The New York Times, introduced a massive, glowing ball on a pole to be lowered at the stroke of midnight. It made for vivid memories, such as this old photo. When transferring such vintage pictures, scanning them to digital format reflects how old and beloved some traditions are and how easy it is to preserve them with a service like ScanDigital.

Gathering in Times Square is a tradition that dates all the way back to 1904, when Ochs held a celebration to honor the paper’s new digs. (The city’s first subway line also debuted that year.) A reported 20,000 revelers joined the fun. Ochs started the ball drop because the city had banned his fireworks display. Artkraft Strauss operated the illuminated ball – which weighed hundreds of pounds – to make sure it dropped at the exact moment the year turned new.

The ball itself has varied over the years in weight and style. It has weighed 200 pounds and it has ballooned to nearly 12,000 pounds. It was first made of wood and iron, but last year featured more than 32,000 energy-efficient LED lights. In the years in between, it has dazzled with red lights, rhinestones and even strobes. At its largest, the ball’s diameter was 12 feet.

Millions of people cozy up in front of the television to witness the ball drop from home, but thousands still gather in person to watch it. For years, they have taken pictures; scanning those images to CD helps make the memories of past New Year’s celebrations worth reliving again.

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Pictures Scanning: Thanksgiving Is A Good Time To Share Memories

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Day Of Thanks Celebrated Around The Country

History Shows How The Holiday Evolved

thanksgiving turkeyFew holidays are as bound by tradition as Turkey Day.

Fill in the blank: It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without…? Any number of foods could make the cut here, from the turkey and pumpkin pie in this photo, to dressing, mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of every November, Thanksgiving is a holiday that Americans learn about early. In grade school, students cut, fold and glue construction paper into hats and headdresses to represent pilgrims and Native Americans. Parents have long photographed their kids in these costumes, and many still have those pictures. Scanning them would be a great way to share holiday memories with the next generation.

Today’s Thanksgiving feast includes a bounty of dishes that could cause a weak table to buckle: rolls still warm from the oven, pecan pie that’s gooey and sweet, cranberry sauce straight from the can. The menu in 1621, year of the first meal shared by the Wampanoag people (Native Americans) and the English (pilgrims), did not resemble this. It included deer and shellfish, neither of which would be considered traditional dishes by current standards. The first official Thanksgiving in Plymouth occurred in 1623, and President Abraham Lincoln declared it a national day of thanks two centuries later. In 1941, Congress made it a national holiday.

Although most Americans look upon Thanksgiving with fond food memories, not everyone feels the same way. Some Native Americans – particularly the Wampanoags – visit Plymouth every year during this time to honor their predecessors with a vigil.

No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, though, it is often spent with family and friends. The holiday marks the start of a busy holiday season. So before shopping and gift-giving duties overwhelm you, take a moment to flip through your old pictures. Scanning them into digital format will make reminiscing this holiday season a lot simpler.

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Have Pictures? Scanning Them Is First Step To Preparing For Disasters

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

 Be Prepared, Save Pictures. Scanning Them In Case Of Emergencies Is Smar Step

Preserve Irreplaceable Mementos, Assemble Survival Plan & Basics Needs

disaster prep pictures scanningAre you ready for the big one?

What you consider the big one depends on where you live, of course. To people along the Gulf Coast, it’s hurricanes. Residents in the Northeast have snow storms. Californians dread earthquakes and wildfires, such as the massive Station fire in this photo.

Regardless of where you reside, it’s a good idea to be ready for any disaster, natural or manmade. With September as National Preparedness Month, there’s no time like the present.

Before you start rounding up batteries and flashlights, take time to review your sentimental treasures, like pictures. Scanning old photos for safekeeping will preserve them indefinitely. By converting the images into a convenient digital format, you can divvy them among many people, store them in multiple places and never worry about losing them.

When it comes to disasters, expect the unexpected. The Station fire not only ravaged more 250 square miles of the Angeles National Forest, it killed two firefighters and burned more than 200 buildings, nearly half of them homes.

As you create an emergency preparedness plan for you and your family, consider the many scenarios that could play out. Perhaps you don’t live in an area prone to wildfires, but your house could still be harmed by flames.

The government campaign suggests these three steps for preparation: Get a kit, devise a plan and stay informed.

  • First, the kit. For this, you’ll need the very basics for survival. Think water and nonperishable food for three days, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, first-aid kit, flashlight and batteries. This list can be as extensive as you want; the longer it is, the more comfortable you’ll be. Other candidates for inclusion range from cash and important household documents to additional clothing and chlorine bleach.
  • Second, plan ahead. Make sure your valuables are properly insured, and you’ve taken steps to preserve priceless, heirloom pictures. Scanning them is easy. Also, set up a point person out of town. Program cell phones to include an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact. Get to know the emergency plans of your employer and children’s schools. Teach kids what to do.
  • During an emergency, stay updated to what’s going on. It’s crucial you know about road conditions and evacuation orders. Local news stations and agencies such as the National Weather Service can provide essential information.

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