Joyce Mendelsohn

Went to KU. The last semester before graduation, in advertising, got a 35mm camera and took photo 1 to learn how to use it.Decided I liked photography more than advertising. Went back for another year to go through the photo sequence.
I started my photo career at the Sarasota Journal (Fla.). While working in Sarasota, I freelanced for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette covering the Pittsburgh Pirates during Spring training. The paper offered me a photo job in Pittsburgh and have been at the Post-Gazette for 40 years. The last 10 years as a photo editor.

Daily I drove to school in a 1960 Ford Galaxy. It was huge. I recall as school was dismissed the parking lot was a madhouse as everyone wanted to escape the premises as soon as possible. Cars lined up, each pressing forward onto 107th. One day my car died while in line, holding up everyone. I can remember the horns blaring and people yelling "get that car out of here". The humiliation! Luckily my parents were generous and bought me a 1964 Mustang. I wish I kept that car.
Another memory...as a member of the SMS marching band (percussion), morning practice included marching in formation down 107th. At the time cows were in the field across 107th. As we marched, the cows followed us from behind their fence. They must have appreciated good music.
Oh, one more...for years I kept a chunk of wood from the smashed guitar at The Who concert. I've had to drag my yearbook out many times as proof, because no one believes The Who would perform in a high school gymnasium.