The Freedom Rock on CRI

Check out this segment on The Freedom Rock! Thanks to AJ and his crew for such great work.

http://criwmpennu.org/onedaygetaway/ (after clicking on this link, make sure you view the "Greenfield" video to view the clip on The Freedom Rock).

2011 Governor's Charity Steer Show

Here are a few photos from the 2011 Governor's Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair on Friday, August 13th. The steers were immediately sold at auction and proceeds went to the Ronald McDonald House of Iowa, which has raised more than $1.7 million. Just thought we'd share a few pics, including the painting Bubba donated in order to help raise some extra funds. Thanks again to the Solsma family for asking Bubba to be their celebrity showman!

*Photos by Sorensen Studios

L-R Claire Solsma (steer owner), Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II
(The Freedom Rock artist/celebrity showman)

Painting donated by Bubba to help raise funds
for the Ronald McDonald House of Iowa 

Bubba being interviewed at the 2011 Governor's
Charity Steer Show

CRI Television Crew

Last week we had producer, Patrick Boberg with CRI of William Penn University and his crew stop by the studio to interview Bubba about The Freedom Rock. Below are a few pictures from the interview. We hope to inform you soon about when it will air. Right now we're thinking mid August, but definitely stay posted to learn more.

Thanks for stopping out, Patrick & crew!

*Photo courtesy: Maria Sorensen, Sorensen Studios 

Veterans Tractor Ride at The Freedom Rock®

Tractors at The Freedom Rock®

Tractors at The Freedom Rock® 2

Bubba signing the 2012 Freedom Rock Calendars for the riders

Tractors at The Freedom Rock® 3

Last Saturday, a group of Veterans participating in the Adair County Historical Society's 2nd Annual Veterans Heritage Tractor Ride made The Freedom Rock one of their destinations. We were able to meet the group at The Rock and thought we'd share a few photos from the event.

Thanks for including us and we hope you enjoyed your visit!

*Photos by Maria Sorensen/Sorensen Studios

CHPA'S Swash Plate Newsletter

The Freedom Rock was mentioned in CHPA's Swash Plate Newsletter. Click the picture to read the full story. Thanks for the support guys!

The Freedom Rock featured in Iowa State's VISIONS Magazine

Click for a larger view

The Freedom Rock® was featured on page 17 of the summer 2011 edition of Iowa State University's VISIONS magazine. This edition was in honor of Iowa Staters who've served their country. We felt privileged to be mentioned in the same magazine with such a fine group of Americans! Thank you all for your service & God Bless!

*Click the picture to see a larger view and read the article.

2010 Freedom Rock featured on Veterans Affairs of Iowa Booklets

Click for a larger view

The north side of the 2010 Freedom Rock was featured on the front of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs booklets. The booklet is a State and Federal Benefits guide for Veterans and Dependents. It offers brief descriptions and access to the wide range of benefits and services offered to Veterans and their family members by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the State of Iowa.

We were happy to be a part of this project and would like to thank the Veterans Affairs of Iowa for contacting us. Anytime we are able to help our Veterans-we are honored to do so! Booklets are available for free at Sorensen Studios in Greenfield, IA or simply visit: https://va.iowa.gov

*Front cover picture copyright 1999-present: THE FREEDOM ROCK/SORENSEN STUDIOS
*The Freedom Rock® is a registered trademark and is used with permission

Best in the West: Patriotic Attraction

Marge and Terry Moore, chairs of the Adair County Tourism Council, nominated The Freedom Rock as "Best in the West: Patriotic Attraction" for the Western Iowa Tourism Region and it won. Thanks Marge and Terry for thinking of The Freedom and for all who voted.

Indie's Hidden Love Note

Ever since the Redbook Magazine article mentioned it, a lot of visitors now ask us, "Where's the hidden love note?" It's sort of become a fun game for you all...well, here you go!

"I mentioned in an earlier post that "I subtly painted a note to my wife and unborn child on the front (west) side of The Freedom Rock. Well I thought I'd share where my note is to our unborn daugther who will be named Independence (or Indie for short). I highlighted it and circled it in red in this picture...it's not that easy to see if you visit The Freedom Rock. I'll share my wife's note a little later. Hope you enjoy."

Or view it on the Freedom Rock Facebook Page by clicking here!

Children's Rock Artwork

We had a teacher ask if Bubba would take a look at some fellow artist's own little "Freedom Rocks". We snapped a photo with Bubba standing beside their artwork in the studio and sent it to the class. The teacher said they really got a kick out of knowing "the artist of The Freedom Rock" looked at their drawings. Too cute-thank you all for your support and we're glad you're so interested in sharing our love for supporting our nation's heroes!

Tour Bus 6/1/11

Photo by Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II, Sorensen Studios

We had a great group of people at The Freedom Rock and Sorensen Studios today. And by great, we not only mean they were a wonderful bunch to visit with but there were a lot of them! As you can see from the picture, we had a full one today!

Thank you all for visiting The Freedom Rock and our studio. We appreciate your support.

Future Freedom Rock Artist Shirt

So had to share this cute shirt Bubba designed for me to wear at The Freedom Rock this weekend! How cute is that?! It's designed for my "baby bump" and points to our little bun in the oven. We can't wait to have our little Indie along for "Rock Season" next year! I know a lot of you have already said you can't wait to meet her-us either!

And remember if you need any graphic design work such as this, don't hesitate to contact us at the studio:

sorensenstudios@yahoo.com | 641.343.7110

Tour Bus 4/28/11

Today's tour bus was full of more visitors excited to see the The Freedom Rock® and meet Bubba. After stopping by the 'Rock the group visited Sorensen Studios and viewed some more of our artwork and photography. I would say this group was pretty lucky as the 'Rock has not been painted over, but that will change yet today. Bubba is on his way out to get the first coat of white paint on-good bye 2010 Freedom Rock!

We still have a chunk of 2011 Freedom Rock Calendars left and they are on sale for only $5.00! If you're interested in purchasing a calendar, please contact the studio at sorensenstudios@yahoo.com.

Special thanks to Jennifer Garside with First National Bank for all of your help and support...oh and the ice cream treat-my favorite!

Tour Bus @ Freedom Rock

We had another Tour Bus visit The Freedom Rock® today. Here is a cool photo from the event snapped by Bubba on his cell phone. If you want to see this year's Freedom Rock one last time, you might want to hurry, Bubba will begin repainting any sunny day now...

Thanks again to everyone in the group for your support!

Freedom Rock Visitor, Bob Wateski (Gunny)

Bob Wateski (Gunny) at Sorensen Studios picture with
artwork by Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II

Shields of Strength Dog Tags

Meet Bob. I naively was getting ready to leave the studio for a lunch break this afternoon when I noticed his large RV pulling into the studio. I say naively because it's starting to get close to the renewal of The Freedom Rock®, so visitors are coming from all over the country. Of course being pregnant I immediately thought, "Oh no, I'm so hungry and I'm not going to get to eat lunch today!"

But as soon as he hopped out of the RV which pulled his Motorcycle on the back, I noticed his hat which read "Vietnam Veteran" and I couldn't help but be excited to meet and talk with him. I thanked him for his service and shook his hand as he approached the studio.

He said he was on his way back from Florida to Wisconsin as he spends the winters there due to his throat cancer from Agent Orange. My heart suddenly melted. Here I was worried about getting to eat lunch when this man fought for me and now has cancer because of it! It's one of those moments you know you were exactly where you were meant to be.

He was trying to locate the Freedom Rock because he had always wanted to visit it. He said he had noticed the sign here at Sorensen Studios and decided to stop. I showed him around the studio a bit and gave him directions to the Rock. He was disappointed in not being able to meet Bubba and I assured him Bubba was more disappointed not to be able to meet him, a true American Hero.

After he bought postcards and a calendar he ran out to his RV. "I'll be right back", he said. He came back with Shields of Strength dog tags (see 2nd picture above). These dog tags are sold to raise money for our men and women of all services and wanted Bubba and I to have one. I'm proudly wearing mine today! Please if you would like to donate to this wonderful cause, visit their website: http://www.shieldsofstrength.com/.

Thanks again, Bob. It was as an honor meeting you. I hope you enjoyed your visit toSorensen Studios & The Freedom Rock®. And don't worry, my mom brought me some lunch for Baby and me! =)


Blog Post by: Maria Sorensen
sorensenstudios@yahoo.com
641.343.7110