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For years now, Farmville resident Shirley Blackwell has been taking photos of people, places, animals and things.

Now that Longwood University is hosting the sole U.S. Vice Presidential Debate on Tuesday, she’s got her camera charged and ready to go.

“I just like to take photographs,” said Blackwell. “Last week, I contacted Justin Pope (chief of staff to University President W. Taylor Reveley IV). I had heard that they were giving tours of the buildings.”

Blackwell was able to visit Willett Hall, where the debate will be held, and the media center in the Health and Fitness Center.

The self-described amateur photographer, whose photography interest sparked when she took a class at Longwood on the subject years ago, is involved in many Farmville community groups and activities, namely the Virginia Children’s Book Festival.

“I got some pictures there,” she said of the venues she visited Friday. “I went down last night (to Stubbs Lawn). I got a really good one of the president. They were taking out the names last night.”

Blackwell said she plans on taking more photos through Tuesday.

“I probably took 100 and some (already).”