Sandwich Photographic Society
Written by Virginia & Dr. Dale Grimes
Published in the book: The Sandwich Fair, since 1888
In 1986 Ed Schonfeld, Publicity Director of the Sandwich State Bank, had the idea of documenting photographically every aspect of the 100th Sandwich Fair to be held in 1987. To prepare for this event, Schonfeld and Joseph Antos gathered a select group of photographers—Vince Boland, Paul Gleason, Virginia Grimes and Curt Larsen—to do a practice shoot of the 99th Fair. Pleased with their efforts, the group decided to form a photographic club, and The Sandwich Photographic Society (SPS) soon emerged.
The Sandwich State Bank joined forces with the Sandwich Fair Association to sponsor the project in 1987, the Centennial of the Sandwich Fair. Members Antos, Boland, Lil Demichina, Gleason, Grimes, Scott Hansen, Larsen and Schonfeld planned “Shoot 100.” Schonfeld died suddenly before the 100th Fair was held. “Shoot 100 was dedicated to his memory. SPS organized it and called on other area photographers to join in the effort. About fifty photographers covered everything from paving the roadways on the grounds, erecting the tents, and painting the buildings before the Fair to cleaning up after the five-day celebration. Over 3000 slides and prints were taken at “Shoot 100.”
The Sandwich Photographic Society was born of the Sandwich Fair; the life of the club is intimately intertwined with the life of the Fair. The enthusiasm of Boland, the first president, sparked the growth of the club. The club affiliated with the Chicago Area Camera Clubs Association; a junior was organized later. SPS interacts with other photographic groups; the members lecture, judge competitions, and give courses to other groups.
The club’s involvement with the Fair continues. Every year the club sponsors a “Fair Challenge” for its members. They take a single shot of each item on a list of subjects at the Fair from which a committee selects the best pictures. Some photos are chosen for postcards sold at the Fair. Members also submit their best work in the photography competition at the Fair. A ritual has developed among some members the day after the judging of the photos. Boland, Peg and Bruce Bartell, Leonard Hafenrichter, and Grimes meet to count their ribbons, have a friendly argument over the judges’ decisions, and eat a pile of hot cinnamon rolls.