Portfolio

Articles and News Releases

I have written articles on local news and civic issues, nature and outdoor recreation, science and technology, education, health and safety, home improvement and gardening, and general human interest topics.

Encore Magazine

I have written over two dozen profiles of notable individuals and organizations in the Kalamazoo area, including the following:

• Canadian singer-songwriter, Ferron (March 2013)
• Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (January 2013)*
• Physical education teacher, Karen Anderson (November 2012)
• Transformations Spirituality Center (September 2012)
• Food Dance restaurant owner, Julie Stanley (February 2012)*
• Jeff Smith and the Bells of Kalamazoo College (December 2011)
• Betsy Start, Michigan Festival of Sacred Music (November 2011)*
• Marty Kakuk researches her grandmother, Florence Inch (September 2011)
• Maria Brennan’s Victorian Bakery & Dale Anderson’s Confections With Convictions (February 2011)
• Black Arts and Cultural Center Director, Sid Ellis (December 2010)*
• Kim and Mimi’s Neighborhood: Kim and Mimi Cummings (November 2010)
• A Philosophy Emerges From a Difficult Life, Andrew Targowski (April 2010)
• Theatrical Family Kathy Mulay and Denene Mulay-Koch (December 2009)*
• MRC Industries President, Chris Zeigler (May 2009)

* cover stories

Kalamazoo Gazette

I wrote the following articles as community relations coordinator for Kalamazoo Nature Center. These appeared in a monthly column about nature center events and programs and a weekly nature column.

• Community Wildlife Program
• Time in the Woods is Good for the Soul
• Noted Environmentalist Inspires Hope
• Nature Center Hosts Traveling Art Exhibit

I wrote the following articles as a correspondent for the paper’s marketing department. These how-to and advice articles appeared in special advertising supplements.

• Get Regular Roof Inspections
• October is Child Health Month
• Changing Careers
• Learn Healthy Eating Habits
• Gardening Advice

Press Publications

I wrote over 100 news and feature articles for a suburban Chicago newspaper group.

• High Tech Teacher of the Year
• School District Reviews Technology Options
• Forest Preserve to Allow New Bike Trail
• Family Shelters Help Break Cycle of Abuse
• Business License Fees to Increase
• Couple Runs Grocery Shopping Service

Other

• Article for Newsletter of Kellogg Biological Station: Determining Healthier Way to Raise Dairy Cows
• Article for Wild Bird News: Birding Event
• Article for Corporate Newsletter: Software Usability
• Letter to Editor: Installation of Church Bells
• Press Release: Environmental Science Academy Contracts with Nature Center

Editing

I served three years as volunteer editor of a quarterly association journal. I have copy-edited an instructional guide book for property tax assessors, newsletters and annual reports for a large non-profit nature center, several papers for research journals, and various other documents.

Technical Writing

I have authored on-line help systems and training manuals for multiple products of a governmental software company. In addition, I produced configuration and implementation documentation for system administrators. I also created and maintained a style guide for documentation standards and monitored user interface standards and usability.