June 2009 to present
Silver City Sun-News clips
My Father’s Words Best Serious Column Writing, Colorado Press Association, 1st Place, 2005; National Newspaper Association, 3rd Place; 2006
- My father, photo by Christine Steele
Teopisca Boys National Geographic Traveler/Travcoa Next Great Travel Writer Contest, 1st Runner up, 2008
- Rico, 11, Teopisca, Chiapas, Mexico, photo by Christine Steele
A boy with a leather messenger bag slung over his shoulders rode into town on a too-big, black bicycle. He eyed me as he climbed off and leaned it up against an iron fence. I was standing in the “zócalo” of a village in southern Mexico. Rico strode over full of eleven-year-old curiosity and asked where I was from.
An outline of Che is spray painted on the leg of his jeans. I ask about him. Revolucioniario, he says. Héroe. Do I know him? Yes, I nod.
Rico politely tries to sell me a bag of tortillas and when I decline, seems just as content to ask me questions. How many brothers and sisters do I have? Do I have a husband? Niños? My Spanish is enough to carry me, so we chat as his friends look on. Before I know it I am surrounded by a circle of boys. Each has a bag of something to sell. Rico has tortillas, a dozen to bag, made fresh that morning by his mother. The others have cookies, candies, sweets, all homemade. I start asking their names, how old they are, why they are not in school, where is their mama and papa, where am I, what is the name of this village? Rico takes my notebook and pen and writes in neat letters: Ciudad Teopisca chiapas. Ricardo, 11, Jovani, 12, Daniel, 11, and Jorge, 6, tell me they go to school from 2:00 to 6:30 p.m. Mornings they sell food in the square to help their familias. Rico let me take his picture standing stoic but proud, holding his bag of tortillas. A solemn, dark-eyed boy, who has had to work too hard and grow up too fast. The same for all the Teopisca boys.
I wonder what Che would say.
Air Quality Honorable Mention, National Newspaper Association, Best Feature Series, 2005
Radical Simplicity – Interview with Jim Merkel
- Jim Merkel, Sustainability Coordinator for Dartmouth College
Fare Play - State regulations scuttle competition in transportation war
Cover story Rocky Mountain Chronicle, Fort Collins, CO, Jan. 2007
- Fare Play, cover story, Rocky Mountain Chronicle, February 2007
Naked City - Nude statue causes controversy in arts town
Cover story, Rocky Mountain Chronicle, Fort Collins, CO, Oct. 2006
- Naked City, cover story, Rocky Mountain Chronicle, October 2006
Meet Nancy Marshall: The Woman Who Markets Maine
Telling Their Stories: Successful Women Business Owners of Western Maine, Coastal Enterprises, Wiscasset, ME, June 2006
How Maine’s high-powered public relations maven got her start
- Nancy Marshall
Business Stories
From the award-winning business section of the Patriot Ledger
2009
Liquor Stores Fume Over Alcohol Tax - Retailers say proposed tax will take a bite out of local economy
Electric Ford Explorer – Take charge guy converts SUV
Timmy the Tailor Expands Empire - Discount name brand clothing store latest in Timmy’s chain
Boomtime for Bartering - When cash is tight bartering is king
Leap of Faith – Passion leads to yoga studio chain
Finland Steam Baths – Old world comfort for the new year
December 2008
Blue Pointe Bistro – Bistro adds twist to the traditional
The Carruth Building – Developers switch gears to ride out real estate storm
French Memories - Locally-owned cafe fills Starbucks hole
Turning Gold into Green - Many trading gold for cash
Gold Rush Stores – New chain cashes in on gold-selling trend
November 2008
Layaway is Back in Style - Stores dust off old throwback
Bongi’s Turkey Farm – 61 years and still gobblin’
South Shore Young Professionals – Young professionals network launches on South Shore
Go Green Web Directory – Green business directory offers new resource for residents
October 2008
Thriving Over 55 – Senior housing market offers good deals to cautious buyers
September 2008
King Richard’s Faire - Actors’ passion is heart of long-running Renaissance Faire
- King Richard’s Faire, the village of Carvershire, Carver, MA, photo by Christine Steele
- J.D. Lauriat as Capt. Maavus T. Meritt, Master of Arms on the pirate ship the Black Rose, King Richard’s Faire, photo by Christine Steele
- The Mage (wise man), King Richard’s Faire photo by Christine Steele
August 2008
Pellet Stoves - Pellet stoves in demand as oil prices rise
The Rebirth of South Hanson – Businesses boom in once forgotten corner of town
- The Whole Scoop ice cream shop, 965 Main St. Hanson, MA photo by Christine Steele
Grocery Home Delivery Business Still Strong – Higher gas prices don’t slow grocery delivery business
July 2008
Horse Farm Merger – Long-time horse industry associates join forces
Feat of Clay – Paint-your-own pottery business relocates
Cigarette Tax Hike Stings Local Businesses - Higher taxes send smokers over borders
Book and Theatre Reviews
The Exonerated – Stories of the innocent will get you thinking
The Geography of Nowhere - James Howard Kunstler’s history of American destruction
