By “BUZZ” KING, guest columnist

From a young age, I was interested in photography. As I have grown older, I now think it could have stemmed from my relationship with Frank Hohenberger.

I was too young to appreciate it, but he was a visitor in our home every Christmas, birthdays, several Sundays, Easter and Thanksgiving. I never took advantage of the few invitations offered me, and I regret that.

But in high school, I served as student school photographer on the yearbook staff (three years). Virgil Parker in Columbus was our school photographer. He is the one who taught me much and I think, took an interest in me and the pictures I caught on film.

This was all black-and-white film. I was never allowed to use the school darkroom, as there was always a class in session. Prints were processed in his Columbus studio and returned to the yearbook staff.

Jack Bond and I worked side by side often. We both (he much more than I), took a few pictures for The Democrat newspaper in town. He did all the social events and was a very good egg. My senior year, I trained Rick Kelley to replace me after I graduated — if I did graduate. Rick took to it and remained involved in one way or the other ‘til this day.

After high school, Bob Bain built a darkroom in the corner of the basement, and I was off and running, as they say. During recovery from automobile accidents, I spent much time in the darkroom. Pods Miller sold me his solar enlarger, which sat unused in Miller’s Drugstore, and a small format Speed Graphic camera sold to me by Mr. Parker, along with a flash which used a 510-volt battery.

I shot wedding pictures for three years, some with the help of my now-wife, Linda. I worked in the publicity building on the state fairgrounds while attending school at ITT nearby. But all this was for naught, as I was hired by Eastman Kodak, and I signed a non-compete contract still in force today.

The only history I know is my own. I hope this didn’t bore you. I was then, and am now, a poor Brown County boy who did what he had to do to get along. My thanks to all mentioned herein.

‘Til next time. — Buzz

”Buzz” King is a nearly lifelong resident of Brown County and past president of the Nashville Town Council. His father, Fred King, was the unofficial county historian.