I’ve been a professional writer for more than 20 years, with a background in traditional journalism (print and broadcast writing). I have also written for online-exclusive publications, and created marketing materials for clients in the entertainment and financial services industries.

Encore Magazine

The International Congress on Medieval Studies meets in Kalamazoo every year. Here's a look inside. Cover Story. Link
Almost every kid likes playing soccer, especially in a league that's made just for those with disabilities. Link

Residential Opportunities (October 2018): A profile of the long-running support program for the mentally and physically disabled.

Junior Pool (October 2018): Kalamazoo's young adults are excited about the sport of pool, and how it can help them get ready for the future.

Horseshoes (September 2018): Throwing shoes isn't just a way to pass a summertime evening for these guys; it's a major-league sport.

Kalamazoo Folklife (September 2018): Kalamazoo's folk music organization, for anyone who doesn't plug in to play.

Marmalade Dog (March 2018): Calling all role players and board gamers: Western Michigan University's Marmalade Dog Game Convention returns.

Slot Car Racing (March 2018): For more than 50 years, hobbyists have been building tracks and racing road-accurate slot cars in Kalamazoo.

Ghostbusters, Princesses, Superheroes (February 2018): At conventions and comic shops, cosplayers bring the costumes of movie and video game heroes to life, just for fun. Cover Story.

The Business of Cosplay (February 2018): A companion piece to the larger cosplay story: Pretty Princess HQ turns the joy of cosplay into a successful business.

Learning To Coexist (February 2018): Coexist Cafe isn't just a place for a cup of coffee and a sandwich; it's a place where people of all backgrounds can feel welcome.

Last Gasp Collective (January 2018): Meet Last Gasp Collective, a hip hop/jazz combo with a big sound and even bigger (some would say, nationwide) goals.

Podcasting (November 2017): From business to music and radio-controlled airplanes, podcasters talk about their shows done for fun. There are also marketers using the podcast model to promote their companies.

Artist SinGh (November 2017): The inventor of Latro Art and no shortage of controversy talks about his past, his future plans and his ban from the Grand Rapids ArtPrize.

Presenting Pawpaws (September 2017): Pawpaw fruit is native to our part of Michigan, but it's not on store shelves. Why not? What does it taste like, anyway?

Surviving But Not Thriving (June 2017): More than one-third of all families in Kalamazoo County have jobs - but not enough money to pay for basic needs like food and housing.

Frankie Goes To Kalamazoo (January 2017): The cable access/comic book/web series "Frankie" readies for a new season of horror films and music.

Hip-Hop In Kalamazoo (November 2016): Dezert Eez, Skitzo, Synergy Productions are all west Michigan-based rappers in an area not known for its hip-hop sound.

Inter-racial Adoption (August 2016): We’re famous for being us! From Encore’s FYI magazine. Cover story.

Klassic Arcade (July 2016): Pinball and old-time video games (are any video games really “old-time”?) in Gobles.

Asian Fusion Food (July 2016): Andrew Lum offers a variety of Asian food in Kalamazoo, from sushi to the traditional delicacy, the Philly cheesesteak eggroll.

Foraging (June 2016): How to live like a caveman in today’s world, and eat safely at the same time.

Video Game Makers (March 2016): Online game design houses based in Kalamazoo and Portage — there are three far from Silicon Valley. Cover Story.

House Call Doctors (March 2016): Medical professionals who come to you.

Downtown Kalamazoo Business (December 2015): The future of living and working in downtown Kalamazoo. Cover Story.

Face Off Theatre (November 2015): A profile of the new live performance group through the city’s Black Arts and Cultural Center.

Kombucha (November 2015): A popular drink being brewed in west Michigan… that isn’t beer? Believe it or not.

Kalamazoo Theater (October 2015): A profile of the many theater troupes in the area.

Taiko Drumming (October 2015): A style of music that mixes martial arts and drum sounds.

Comic Artists (September 2015): Comic book writers and illustrators in Kalamazoo and beyond. Cover Story.

Building Church 2.0 (July 2015): A new style church, Common Ground, opens its doors. Cover Story.

Tuesday Toolmen (July 2015): A profile of the local volunteer senior construction crew.

Crybaby Concerts (July 2015): Music for the youngest listeners.

Expanding Access to Art (May 2015): Kalamazoo’s signature event, the Art Hop. “Borrowed” by the Kalamazoo Gazette and used as a press release.

Building a Big Family (May 2015): Big Brothers Big Sisters, and their expansion plans for the next year.

Stulberg’s String of Success (April 2015): The Stulberg Competition, known in classical music circles and known much better now thanks to this article. This led to a position as communications with the Stulberg.

Fretboard Festival (March 2015): Another music fest, this one for guitar, violin and all string instruments.

Family Center for the Arts (February 2015): A profile of a little-known but very exciting youth theater company.

Kalamazoo Women’s Lifestyle

Inspired by an essay from a local father, I explore the online world of human trafficking, and provide places where people can go to learn more. Link
A profile on massage therapist McKenna Kring (the other item on the page isn't by me). This was an editing gig: I revised the provided text to make it more readable and interesting. Link
Season For A Reason and Doughchicks: a closer look at two of the businesses that got their start at Kalamazoo's Can-Do Kitchen, part of an ongoing series. Link
A look at 100 years of history: the American Red Cross of Southwest Michigan. Link
West and central Michigan's Girl Scouts are starting a new campaign: Equality for Women. I look at what they're doing... and why. Link
Each year, the Gilmore Car Museum invites high school students to learn and build classic cars. The Great Race, an endurance race from Jacksonville, Florida, to Traverse City, Michigan, starts this summer. The Gilmore team is taking a 1935 Packard on the road. Link
In March, Olivet College hosted its first "Cultivating Women Leaders" program, featuring talks from professional women and former graduates on success in and out of the business world. Link
A pair of articles, one on a local man's 230 square foot home, and another on discussion of the book and documentary "Being Mortal," about making decisions on what happens after death. Link

The Adventures of Barb & Tammy (November 2016): The first in the "It's Never Too Late" series, this is an introduction to a pair of Can-Do Kitchen participants who create their own granola for sale locally.

Beautifully Unique (October 2016): A profile on the women behind a service making dressing easier for women with breast cancer.

Get Out The Vote (August 2016): Kalamazoo’s League of Women Voters encourages good citizenship for everyone.

Bust A Move (July 2016): It was like a mixtape from the early 1990s at Wings Stadium.

Off-Court Action (July 2016): The USTA Boys’ 18 and 16 Tournament, held every year in Kalamazoo, is a boon to business.

Tennis Volunteers (June 2016): More than 1,000 volunteers are part of the tournament, before anyone even takes to the court.

Brew About Tour (May 2016): Berrien County’s contribution to the beer tour craze.

Your Turn (March 2016): An update on the women-focused running and healthy eating group building an audience in Kalamazoo.

Can-Do Kitchen (December 2015): An introduction to Kalamazoo’s home for food entrepreneurs, as it prepares for a big change.

American Sewing Guild (October 2015): Quilters, clothes-makers and more find friends and great ideas, complete with big-name guests.

Women's Sports (August 2015): Football and rugby for female teams.

Lyme Disease (July 2015): Living with and preventing the summertime scourge.

Kalamazoo Growlers (April 2015): The local minor league baseball team, in time for the start of its second season.

Greater Lansing Business Monthly

Drones and self-driving tractors: thanks to new technology, overalls and pitchforks have been left in the dust. Link
What industries are seeing the most development as we enter the second quarter of 2018? Experts say it's a new look at automotive, medical, and more. Link
How are libraries adapting to a world where information you could find on their shelves is now available on the internet from the comfort of your own home? Link
How online ordering, unique customer experiences, and technology you've never seen before is changing the way people shop for food. Link
In a world where you can get money from your car window, or on your phone, there are still many reasons to stop in your neighborhood bank or credit union. Link
How you can make money in China without being a multi-national corporation Link
When you're annoyed by a computer problem, you call tech support. But professionals say the real secret to their business is preparing for problems before they happen. Link
In a world where thousands of new songs can be found for free every day, how do musicians earn a living from their art? Link
Whether the reason is saving money or cutting down on pollution, electric car fans say they're 100 percent ready for a new generation of electricity-powered vehicles. Link
A look at LifeTech and Michigan Virtual, two online schools trying to move education completely into the digital world. Cover Story. Link
What software companies are doing to prevent viruses and dangerous invasive software like the WannaCry program. Link
How America's major drug problem is affecting employers in Lansing and beyond. Link