Feeding the Needy Butterflies

Each year I plant milkweed to help host the monarch butterflies on their 3000- mile migration. Today I found three caterpillars munching away. The number of monarchs has decreased significantly over the last 20 years. You can help too by planting milkweed.

On September 27, the caterpillar crawled to the top on the net and spun into a chrysalis or pupa. I have it inside netting to keep it safe from predators. By Oct. 8th, I had butterflies. I let them hatch inside their netting and when their wings were dry I released them.

'Was it worth it?' A fallen Marine and a wars' crushing end

As the American military pulled out of Afghanistan last week reporter Claire Galofaro, Videographer Allen Breed and I set out to tell this family’s incredible story for the Associated Press. Please follow the link below for the story in its entirety.

SUMMARY: Gretchen and Kirk Catherwood's 19-year-old son Alec was killed in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban in 2010. She and her husband are creating a healing retreat space, Darkhorse Lodge, for veterans. She could no longer care for her son, she said, but she to our reporter that she could care for those who made it home. She and her husband moved to the woods in Tennessee and got to work on the Darkhorse Lodge.

https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-4e345f63b70ccd5cecacfd42d7916848

Photojournalist Karen Pulfer Focht Wins First-Place National Award

  Karen Wins First Place in Catholic Press Awards 2021

Memphis Photojournalist Karen Pulfer Focht has won a first-place national award for the heartfelt story she both wrote and photographed on the closing of the Poor Clare Monastery in Frayser. Faith Magazine, published by the Catholic Diocese of West Tennessee, dedicated an entire issue to tell the compelling story in a special edition after the Vatican ordered the closing of some shrinking monasteries worldwide. Focht has covered the Poor Clare sisters throughout her career in Memphis.

Judges Comments: The article and photographs complement each other completely and provide a depth of coverage neither alone could produce. An excellent compilation that draws the reader along on the journey.

Best Story and Photo Package

First Place

Faith Magazine, Karen Pulfer Focht, Saying Goodbye To A House of Prayer

She also won:

Best Photo Story - Feature

Second Place

Faith Magazine, Karen Pulfer Focht, Saying Goodbye To A House of Prayer

Judges comments: The article's photographs paint a picture of the impactful history of the monastery and display the bittersweet emotions of love and loss.

https://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/poor-clares-leave-memphis