Examples of Work
Navy veteran survives WWII despite mishaps
Published in The West Orange Times, 2012
Mr. Hall passed away shortly after publication.
His family used the article as part of his memorial.
Millions filter into Lake Apopka restoration projects
Published in The West Orange Times, 2013
There was a time when boats and skiers slid across the clear waters of Lake Apopka and anglers came from around the country to hook vast, largemouth bass. If several different environmental groups spreading over Lake and Orange counties have their way, the 30,000-acre lake will see those glory days again.
In a packed Tanner Hall last Wednesday, representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the University of Florida, the Department of Environmental Protection and the St. Johns River Water Management District spoke on the projects about to start in the murky waters of Lake Apopka. The speakers were guarded but hopeful
“We’re on the road to recovery, but it’s not a short road,” said Dale Jones from the FFWCC.
The funds for the new initiatives come from legislative appropriation and amount to $4.8 million. The projects include dredging at key areas, planting vegetation, putting in fish attractors and working on new techniques to remove phosphorous and concentrated nutrients from the water.
With these, officials hope to clean up the lake, pull in more anglers and get people out on the water again.
Save Rufus, but help the other dogs, too
Published in The West Orange Times, 2013
This article went viral on the Save Rufus Facebook page (pictured underneath)
and received 802 likes, 62 shares and 164 comments.
The Poor Porker: It's Not Just a Booth
Published in The Southern, 2011
I wrote the first ever journalistic article on The Poor Porker, a then new booth at the Downtown Lakeland Farmers Market. They have since been featured in Marie Claire, The Ledger, Food & Wine Magazine, The Huffington Post, The Lakelander, Tampa Bay Online and more.
Amid tents offering fresh produce, artwork and jewelry at the Lakeland Farmer’s Market, a booth called The Poor Porker presents passerby’s with something a little out of the ordinary—beignets and chicory coffee.
The decorative booth sits at the edge of the market at the intersection of East Pine and Kentucky. It was built from spare parts that owners Robyn Wilson and Jarrid Masse found in fields, dumpsters, basements and thrift stores. Reworked and refinished, these parts have been adapted into an open and attractive booth much resembling its friendly owners.
Masse and Wilson say they were inspired by the concept of the Café Du Monde in New Orleans, which started as a coffee stand at the French market in 1862 and is famous for its French donuts and coffee made from chicory root. The idea for their booth came alive while Masse and Wilson were making beignets using the Café Du Monde cooking mix.
“It’s the same concept,” Masse said. ‘We saw something where you couldn’t get it anywhere but there, and we wanted to make it more accessible to everyone else.”
Masse and Wilson don’t just want The Poor Porker to be a successful booth, though. Their ultimate goal is to start from scratch and build The Poor Porker into a world-renowned brand.
“We’re starting a self-reliance movement, you know?” Wilson said. “Do it yourself, start your own business. You can do it with nothing. You can do it without a lot.”