For a recent story, I got to revisit a childhood favorite: American Girl dolls. Each of historically-themed dolls comes with its own book series and "my-size" clothing, and each year the Camden Ronald McDonald house partners with the doll company to put on a fashion show fundraiser.
One of the original models from the fundraiser's inception 16 years ago is Sammi-Jo Danze, the reigning Miss New Jersey United States. I visited the Ronald McDonald House in downtown Camden to interview Danze, talk to the people at the House and meet a current model and her parents. It was fun to see how excited the younger "model"was to walk down runway dressed in her Julie doll outfit.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Black History in the Barbershop
At the close of Black History Month, I covered a storytelling/sing-a-long event at RC's Tonsorial Barbershop in downtown Camden. It was the kind of event story I live for. The kind where, but for my notepad and pen, I would be so utterly out of place.
Civil War re-enactors, members of the Buffalo Soldier motorcycle team and dozens from the community crowded in the small corner barbershop to sing freedom hymns and share stories about their history. The highlight was speaking with RC himself, a very wise man with an incredible beard. He told me about growing up in Camden during the Civil Rights movement and raising his children in the same neighborhood.
I'm enjoying getting to know Camden as something other than "that place over the bridge where I'm not to get lost."
Civil War re-enactors, members of the Buffalo Soldier motorcycle team and dozens from the community crowded in the small corner barbershop to sing freedom hymns and share stories about their history. The highlight was speaking with RC himself, a very wise man with an incredible beard. He told me about growing up in Camden during the Civil Rights movement and raising his children in the same neighborhood.
I'm enjoying getting to know Camden as something other than "that place over the bridge where I'm not to get lost."
A Camden Legend
Midway through my internship, I was assigned to help out with a article memorializing Melvin "Randy" Primas, former Camden mayor and a pillar of the community. I was given a list of names to call to get a better picture of who he was, what he stood for, what his legacy will be. It's always tough talking to people about death--let alone complete strangers--but everyone I talked to was willing to share their memories of Primas with me.
I got to work with a pretty senior reporter on this story, which was neat. Though S. Jersey is a bit slower, I'm liking how the smaller newsroom makes approaching other reporters less scary. In the vast newsroom at 400 N. Broad, I'd have to allot 30-45 seconds of deep, yogic breathing before I said hi to anyone.
I got to work with a pretty senior reporter on this story, which was neat. Though S. Jersey is a bit slower, I'm liking how the smaller newsroom makes approaching other reporters less scary. In the vast newsroom at 400 N. Broad, I'd have to allot 30-45 seconds of deep, yogic breathing before I said hi to anyone.
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