Writing Samples

"Mystery Monday” and “Tag-it Tuesday”…if these sound like curious names for days of the week, then you may want to check out Smithsonian Gardens and Archives of American Gardens on Facebook. For two years now, SG and AAG have been active on Facebook, and last year they started using Twitter. Their goal as they jump aboard the social media bandwagon is to “increase visibility and promote collections and programs,” according to Kate Fox, Garden History and Design intern at the Archives. Kate adds that by utilizing social media, the Gardens “are cultivating a national audience and introducing them to our online resources and programs.” They also hope to “keep local visitors informed of events, what is in bloom and of interest in the gardens. When visitors spend time in our gardens we hope that they continue to keep in touch through social media when they return home,” she adds. Remarkably, while Smithsonian buildings draw millions of visitors to their wonderful museums, many don’t know that Smithsonian Gardens design the gardens, provide horticulture expertise, and maintain the thousands of plants and landscapes surrounding the buildings.

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From my presentation on a historical garden I documented for the AAG:

THE FARM OWNERS HAVE BEEN VERY MINDFUL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECOLOGICAL CONCERNS. THE “ENGINEERED WETLANDS” WERE INSTALLED OVER A DECADE AGO AT THE FARM AS AN EXPERIMENT… AN ALTERNATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM, AND WAS ONE OF THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN. THE ENGINEERED WETLANDS ARE A WORKING EXAMPLE OF WATER RECLAMATION…AS WASTE WATER FROM THE HOUSE AND BARN FLOW THROUGH A SERIES OF PIPES ON THE PROPERTY TO A HOLDING AREA UNDENEATH A GRASSY HILL. THE NATIVE PLANTINGS TAKE THEIR NUTRIENTS FROM THE WASTE WATER, AND THE CLEANSED WATER THEN MOVES THROUGH TROUGHS AND INTO THE LANDSCAPE. THE BLANKETED HILL OVER THE HOLDING AREA INCLUDES NATIVES SUCH AS CUP FLOWER, COMPASS PLANT, PRAIRIE DOCK, RUDBECKIA, AND MONARDA, WHICH ALONG WITH NATIVE GRASSES WORK TO PURIFY THE WATER UNDERNEATH. THESE ENGINEERED WETLANDS WILL BE MAINTAINED AND PROMOTED TO SERVE AS A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF WATER CONSERVATION IN SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN. AS PART OF THE FAMILY’S STEWARDSHIP PLAN, THE FARM WILL BE USED AS A MODEL FOR OTHERS INTERESTED IN SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY PRACTICES.

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From media training for a cell phone company CEO:

As one of the stranded Colorado skiiers said when faced after his rescue with onslaught of media attention and criticism recently, "I'd rather be back out in the avalanche!" This is a common feeling for CEO's during crisis situations, judging from the number of those who can't be found during their company's troubled times. And reading or watching news reports, how many times in a week do you hear "the chairman (or spokesperson) didn't return our calls"? OFTEN you hear "the company had no comment" and that's called a wasted opportunity! As much as it can be terrifying or maybe seem unimportant to many company leaders, it's mandatory these days to look for windows of opportunity--those times when issues are demanding not only your response, but your perspective. And why shouldn't YOU be the one to give that perspective, rather than holing up in your office hoping the crisis will blow over soon or praying your cell phone doesn't ring with a reporter calling? It's never been truer than now that a smart company needs to use the media, rather than wait to be abused by it. Way too many companies still are reluctant to get their message out sooner rather than later.

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*For more examples of my writing or editing, please contact me.

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