Two versions of the same story

In the newspaper business, sometimes they have to cut a story down to make it fit. Putting together a newspaper is like a big jigsaw puzzle with stories and photos as the pieces.

Anyway, I did a story on this great family from Silverton. The mom has Lymphoma and the dad is staying up at OHSU with her to help give her care. I totally empathize with these folks and hope that after reading the story you will consider giving them even a modest amount. They are very friendly and kind people.

Stayton Mail version here.

Silverton Appeal version here.

Stay safe,

Pat

P.S. I will be posting updates on them as I get them. As a freelancer I am never sure if I am going to be following a story all the way or not. But I am going to keep track of these folks.

Turner Training Fire

The Turner Fire District had a training fire last weekend and I was there ... sucking in smoke, getting drenched by water hoses and interviewing volunteer firefighters. Fun times!

Got some great pictures. I will share some once I get some time.

Here is the article that was printed in the Stayton Mail today, with one of my pics.

Stay safe,

Pat

What exactly is a Thunderberry?

Find out in this article I wrote for the Silverton Appeal.

Thunderberries rumble into Silverton.

It was a pretty fun event for the first year.

I keep doing motorcycle articles I might have to get one.

Right.

Make sure to wash Thunderberries before you eat them.

Pat

What doesn't make the paper

Sometimes you really like a picture and it doesn't make the paper. For some reason I liked this shot at the Stayton Intermediate School American Revolution demonstration I covered. The expressions of the kids in the background are priceless.

Thought I would share it.

Don't walk in front of a loaded cannon...

Pat

Tillamook Air Museum

Yes, I am still writing stories from my vacation in May. I know, I know -- SLACKER!

Here is the latest article I just finished on the Tillamook Air Museum. Very cool place if you are into airplanes and history.

Violet calls planes, DADO! So she had a field day at museum when we visited.

Stay safe!

pat

Senior Life

Um, I am not sure anyone is reading this, but it's a useful tool for when I have to do invoices.

So, I am going to keep updating this.

Here is the latest Senior Life and I have two articles in there. I didn't take any pictures for this one. I really like the cover shot -- that's why they have professional photographers!

Stay safe,

pat

American Revolution Stayton Style

Last week I got to hang out with a bunch of fifth-graders who had an assembly showing them what it was like in the American Revolution.

One of the things I learned is you never walk in front of a loaded cannon. :)

I didn't know it was loaded.

Really.

Well, here is the story I wrote, I interviewed some kids -- which is always a good time -- and talked with the teacher and the dudes dressed up as soldiers from that era.

Stayton Intermediate School under attack!

Stay safe -- don't walk in front of loaded cannons.

Pat

More about Lamb and Wool

Got a chance to do a story on the kids that were selected as the Marion County Lamb & Sheep Court. They get to go around to fairs and events and promote -- you guessed it -- sheep.

So here is the story, I think they are going to put up a photo too, but you never know.

Last week they used four pictures and put one online.

Stay safe,

Pat

Lamb & Wool Festival news story

Well the freelance thing is feast or famine. One week I am trying to figure out what to do -- while ignoring my Oregon.com work -- and another week I am running around like crazy.

I am doing an RV/ATV/Boating feature for the Statesman Journal every week, but they don't have it online. But the Stayton Mail came calling the other day and I did this story for this week's paper.

Next week I have two more stories for them -- so it's nice to get back out to Stayton.

Marion County Lamb & Wool Festival
This is in the town of Turner, which is really small. It was a cool little festival and it was free -- free parking, free admission, free parade. Very cool -- especially when 50 miles to the north the Portland Rose Festival is going on and you can actually feel the money in your wallet being drawn to downtown Portland carnies.

I will be updating this blog more frequently now that I have some work on the net to post! If the RV section ever gets online, I will make sure to link it too.

Stay safe,

Pat
pat@canby.com

Working Vacation

So last month I went on vacation with Violet, Cindy and our good friend Jen. If we ever win the lottery Jen is going to be our nanny -- Violet loves her.

We spent the week in Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast and while we were there I decided to do some articles. You know, write off the trip and make some cash at the same time. Now, if I could just get an actual vacation... hehehe

Here are the links to the stories I have done.

Historic Nye Beach
This is basically an old downtown that has beach access. The city of Newport is trying to redevelop it so it's more trendy and cool.

Devil's Punchbowl
This is one of the more famous spots on the Oregon Coast. It's an old sea cave that collapsed and made a bowl for the waves to crash in and out of. Pretty cool.

Whale Watching Spoken Here Center
Went whale watching. Was weally wicked. Oh, and Jen is in the picture at the bottom of the article.

I have two more articles that I am working on -- yes I am a bum for not having them done yet. Oregon.com doesn't give me deadlines! ARG! I need deadlines to induce the stress that it takes to get my brain engaged!

Stay safe...

Pat
pat@canby.com