WRITING AND PROJECTS
A sample of stories and multimedia projects
Sometimes video isn't enough to tell your story; sometimes a story needs words, too. My work has appeared on ChicagoTribune.com, LATimes.com, Bungalower.com, WESH.com and in several publications, including the Orlando Sentinel, The Huntsville Times and the News & Advance in Lynchburg, Virginia. I'm comfortable writing news stories, feature stories, columns, bylines, press releases and more.
'AN EYE ON I-DRIVE' PROJECT
For three months, Orlando Sentinel reporter Jon Busdeker explored I-Drive to find out what makes it one of the most visited – and most unique – places in all of Central Florida. Follow him on the 35-part interactive series, "An Eye on I-Drive."
HUNDREDS HOLD VIGIL TO HONOR TEEN GUNNED DOWN IN SANFORD
The crowd that gathered in Fort Mellon Park on Tuesday began lighting candles at exactly 7:15 p.m. -- the time, one year earlier, when Trayvon Martin was shot and killed
INSPIRATION TO ALL NEEDS A NEW CHAIR
For more than 20 years, Milton McKnight has given downtown Orlando the one thing he has to give: a sunny outlook that he shares with everyone he meets on the sidewalk.
WEB SENSATION CHRIS P. BACON IS ON A ROLL - LITERALLY
Chris P. Bacon, a month-old piglet from Clermont born without use of his hind legs, has become an Internet sensation since his owner posted a video showing him learning to use a wheelchair made from a toy building set.
HE'S DYING TO TELL YOU ABOUT HISTORIC ORLANDO GRAVES
In a scene that could have been the opening of a horror flick, Don Price greeted his visitors at the locked gates of Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando, a few days before Halloween in the old graveyard where more than 60,000 rest in peace.
DANCING 90-YEAR-OLD CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY AT WHY NOT LOUNGE
Most 90-year-old men don't dance to Lady Gaga. Twirling women half their age is a fantasy. And 4 a.m is when they get out of bed, not when they get home.
But most 90-year-old men aren't Danny Bianchino.
DID THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB SHOOTER KNOW ABOUT MY ORLANDO?
Orlando is my home, and I’m proud of it. But I wonder if the shooter knew about my Orlando.
GROUP STRUGGLES TO RESTORE GOTHA'S NEHRLING GARDENS AS HISTORIC SITE
Drive faster than the 40-mph speed limit on Hempel Avenue and chances are you'll miss the driveway to Nehrling Gardens.
PROTESTERS REMAIN DEFIANT AS CITY REMOVES BELONGINGS
With her hands cuffed behind her back, Elena Rosa screamed "First Amendment! First Amendment! First Amendment!" as Orlando police officers pulled her away from Senator Beth Johnson Park.
HOW FLORIDA ARE YOU?
Florida is a magical place with beautiful weather, picturesque landscapes and amazing beaches.But just because you live in Florida doesn’t mean you’re a Floridian.
NO MYTH: AT THIS CONVENTION, YOU CAN TRANSFORM INTO A MERMAID
Situated on a faux rock, three beautiful mermaids wearing colorful tails and seashell bras greeted each guest who walked into the Wyndham Orlando Resort convention hall Saturday.
ORLANDO-AREA MAN, 89, BUILDS OWN EGYPTIAN-STYLE COFFIN FIT FOR A KING
Fred Guentert plans to spend eternity like a pharaoh. For the past 25 years, Guentert has been building an Egyptian-themed coffin fit for a king at his home near Orlando. And one day, he'll be buried in it.
CELEBRITY MURAL ALONG SEMINOLE TRAIL HAS ALMOST 85 FAMOUS FACES
The ever-expanding mural is the work of Jeff Sonksen, an unemployed cabinetmaker who paints the portraits at his Longwood home and displays them on a fence owned by his parents, Larry and Mary Gerry
ONCE LAID OFF, UCF'S OLDEST BAND MEMBER IS MARCHING ON
At 48, Don Cupo is the oldest member of the UCF Marching Knights, 300 students in their late teens and early 20s.
NORTH ALABAMA REGULATORS RECREATE THE OLD WEST WITH SHOOTING COMPETITIONS
A big, bearded man wearing an even bigger sombrero reaches into his leather holster, draws his shiny silver revolver and starts shooting.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!