MEN OF THE OREGON COAST CALENDAR 2008

Calendar cost $15.00 plus $3.00 shipping/handling

Contact The Newport Senior Center to order at (541) 265-9617 or e-mail to p.ocallaghan@thecityofnewport.net

The 2^nd Men of the Oregon Coast calendar was developed after the first being so successful and from an overwhelming response to do another.  The funds raised from this calendar will be used to enlarge the basement activity room and to install a bathroom downstairs at the Newport Senior Center. The Friends of the Newport Senior Activity Center is a 501 c3 non profit and has received some grants and is in the process writing more grants as well as doing fund raisers such as the calendar to accomplish the above goal.

Initially this calendar was going to be single men of the Oregon coast and an article ran in the news times. We received many calls and set about forming a selection committee. The committee was made up of Shirley Fry, the chef who prepares all the Meals on Wheels in Lincoln County, Brenda Verlini, a volunteer at the Senior Center and Angela Parrish a park and recreation employee. We were still in need of more models so it was decided to drop the “single” and focus on community members.  Many of the potential models were recommended by other community members and had to be coaxed into modeling for a good cause. Many of  the men that were recommended were unknown to O’Callaghan and she had to do ”cold calls” but the men warmed up quickly as she asked them if they would pose naked for a good cause…. That one always caught their attention! It’s all in good fun O’Callaghan said.  Peggy is the Newport Senior Activity Center’s coordinator and has been a driving force behind helping to raise funds and improve the center. As with the last Men’s calendar there were a couple of volunteers to pose and a couple who opted out to pose and quite a few who were simply recruits rounded up by one of the organizers behind both calendars, Peggy O’Callaghan.

After enough men had gathered to begin shooting for the calendar, the next part became organizing around all of their busy schedules. It became a task in itself to be able to find a group of men who would all be available at the same time on the say day simply to have a shoot, and if few showed up, they would have to work with who and what they had available. The men would show up, and a couple of different shots would be set up with different backgrounds and props. For each different background, there would be a different grouping of men happily posing and smiling for this fundraiser.

For each shoot, the men all had different comfort levels and approaches to getting ready for the shot. Some were ready to bare all at the drop of a hat, yet others needed a little more privacy. In the end though, no mater their readiness or lack there of to de-robe, as soon as the camera starting clicking away it appeared the men forgot that they were no longer wearing clothing and just posed and smiled pleasantly for the camera while strategically posing or holding chosen objects. They were enthusiastic when it came to providing suggestion and ways to sit or stand. As soon as the clothes came off, they all seemed to be comfortable in their skin, and would even joke around and change location until they felt it was right and Colin began shooting.

Colin from Cohen and Park once again provided the photography free of charge to put together the men’s calendar.  He traveled from location to location, his car filled with his equipment, ready to pose these men and take shot after shot until Colin was satisfied. With his generous efforts, Colin has made this project possible and profitable and is greatly appreciated for his contribution to this adventure.

The Center hopes to provide accessibility and comfort to the over 60 community of Newport. The Senior Activity Center or as O’Callaghan calls it “The Master’s Center” is full of activities, events, fun trips and classes. The citizens of Newport are encouraged to enter and participate, or even just stop by and take a look around.

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