Well here is a surprise!

Looks like the Statesman is putting up their special sections online faster. So today I have a couple of sections that are live online.

First off is Senior Life, where I got to interview a 100 year old lady and do a story about keeping your mind sharp.

Secondly, is the Women's Show special section. It's mostly just sponsor stories that I did in there.

I have also submitted three more stories for the East Valley Papers, so I may be updating again on Wednesday.

Have a good week!

Pat

Staying busy in Silverton

Sorry about the lack of updates, I have been running around like crazy the last month.

I had a number of articles for the Statesman Journal (all of which probably won't be on the web), and I wrote the biggest newspaper article I have ever done.

The Statesman is starting a new feature where they profile someone in the community who has made a difference. This is an advertising-sponsored feature, so I get to do it. Otherwise the news department would take it and I would be sad.

Anyway, I wrote about 3,000 words on a very interesting lady who lives in Salem. If they put it online I will link it here. I am pretty happy with the story and looking forward to seeing it. It's never amazes me that you can always have new things to learn after 10+ years in your profession. I had never written something that large, so I did a lot of reading of longer features to figure out how to structure it and whatnot.

After I finished the Senior Life, Women Show, RV page and the monster feature, I got a call from the folks out in Silverton. They want me to do some stories for them every week now, so this blog should be updated on a regular basis.

Art on her terms

A good meal worth the journey

The long road home

So, that's me this week. See ya next week.

pat

Busy week -- in Stayton

Well this week's Stayton Mail features three stories from me. Which I think is some sort of personal record out there.

Anway, I did a feature story on the Turner Fire District women volunteers.

Then I was dispatched to the Stayton Public Library to do a story on their foundation and history.

All in all, a fun time. I love covering small communities and it's great when they are positive stories to boot.

Pat

I really like this rant

Agree or disagree, I like the writing that went into this rant.

Just thought I would share. I know some of you who read this are very hard-core Republican, but I like to examine all sides of an issue. So I hope you can appreciate the writing if not the message.

Silverton Fine Arts Festival II -- Art of the rewrite

So, rumor has it that there was a photo page that when with this story. The Gannett papers really haven't gotten into the whole spirit of the Web yet, so you just get another text-filled story.

At some point, when I get some time, I will post some of the photos just to share.

I know that about two people are looking at this, so I will get to it when I can.

You are both important to me. :)

Pat

Silverton Fine Arts Festival

Saturday was really fun.

I got an e-mail last Thursday night from the editor of the Silverton Appeal. He needed me to cover the Silverton Fine Arts Festival on Saturday, and then write a story by 5 p.m. that same day. This is newspaper work.

So, how it works is Cindy, Violet and I run out to Silverton and walk around the festival -- they just go off on their own and leave me to my interviewing and picture taking.

Then, after I think I have enough for 20 inches -- about 700 words -- we run back home and I write it up before 5 p.m. Good times. Then on Monday I will call the organizers for reactions and then re-write the story and submit the news story with pictures on Monday by 5 p.m.

So expect an update later this week with the second version of the same story. I am also thinking about trying to write a different version for Oregon.com -- interviewing the organizers about tips and tricks for people out of state who visit. That's just a thought, though.

Anyway, you can find Sunday's article here. Make sure you give me good reviews at the bottom of the page -- if they think people like me maybe I can get more work with the Statesman Journal news department.

Learn about the Gorge

I know it's been a bit since I updated the blog -- I haven't had a lot of work that has been online to post. Many of my stories have been for the RV page in the Statesman Journal and they don't put those online.

Starting next week I am going to be doing more news for the Silverton Appeal and Stayton Mail -- and Oregon.com. So things should be updated more often.

Oh and today Violet saw a picture of Aunt Jean holding her and said: "Grandma Jean."

Anyway, Aunt Jean, my mom, Violet and I also visited the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center and I put together an article for Oregon.com. You can find it here.

Hope you are having a good summer.

Pat

Is it desert or dessert?

So you know that week it was 100+ degrees? Yeah, well in true Pat fashion, I had a great idea to go to the high desert. I had a couple of stories for Oregon.com and my aunt and mom wanted to see the places too.

We packed in the car and by the time we got to The Dalles, it was in the mid-90s. Nice. Anyway, here is one of the stories for the International Carousel Museum. The other story I did, The Gorge Discovery Center, I am also working on and should have it posted soon.

Been busy with the Statesman Journal RV Page -- which isn't online -- so sorry for the lack of updates. I think all of four people are reading this, so keep checking as more stories will be updated as they come online.

Sorry it's been so quiet

Well, lately a lot of my work hasn't been on the Internets. So, there is nothing to link up. I have never been a fan of just random spewing of my thoughts online -- I think it's kind of self-absorbed.

This blog was mostly created so family members could see what I was doing, not for the rantings of a stay-at-home dad/madman.

Anyway, I did a follow up to the Greenhalgh-Johnson story -- about the teacher who has lymphoma and got a stem-cell transplant from her sister. Great people and I wish them well.

Community rallies around local family.

Coming up I will be doing more work for Oregon.com so there should be some updates in the next week or two. They gave me about 11 stories -- so I am going to be jetting around the state playing tourist. Fun job if you can get it!

Thanks, stay safe...

Pat

Violet makes her Internet debut!

So I finally finished my coast stories for Oregon.com. The last one being the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

Make sure when you visit the article to notice Violet petting a fake cow.

Well, explosions are going to happen soon.

Pat