

between the border and the sea: some notes from Gdynia
Amidst the undulating hills of this neighborhood, it is called Falista, a quiet community of evangelists in the northern Polish port town of Gdynia have sent their staff home and welcome a tiny congregation from Bila, Tserkva, a Ukrainian town ravaged by war. Continue reading between the border and the sea: some notes from Gdynia

And for those we left behind
To view the article’s original publication, visit the link on the page. Continue reading And for those we left behind

The cemetery
A NYC-based job training program uses cemeteries to forge future masons By John Donegan This story originally appeared in the 7/17/21 edition of the Westmore News. For the original article, follow the link. Some call it the swamp. Spanning a small patch of knoll far removed from the rest of Rye’s Greenwood Union Cemetery are handfuls of scattered graves. The area is seldom visited, segregated … Continue reading The cemetery

It’s 1:59 a.m. and The Fire Is Still Burning
I covered the transformative week of protests in Richmond, Virginia that led to its order for removal of Confederate Monuments and resignation of police chief. Continue reading It’s 1:59 a.m. and The Fire Is Still Burning

To Teach, Protect, and Serve: A county backed against its borders
Lee County, Va reconciles with the controversial decision to allow firearms in school. The state disagrees, stating the admission would only exacerbate the potential for disaster. But the county is determined that there is no other alternative. We spoke to the teachers and staff willing to arm themselves in the face of finite resources, and utter desperation to protect their students. Continue reading To Teach, Protect, and Serve: A county backed against its borders

Our doors are open, and our lights are on
From widespread boycotts to protests of Trump’s speech, this year’s Jamestown Commemoration didn’t feel like much of a celebration. Continue reading Our doors are open, and our lights are on

With The Bombs Came Bepop
On the edge of Hanoi’s old quarter sits the Hanoi Opera House. A relic of French colonialism and an architectural beauty, it presents and accomplishes a perfect draw for tourists — but locals know better. They know what’s behind it. Continue reading With The Bombs Came Bepop

Norfolk’s Knight Hawks Are Hell-Bent For Leather
My Feature Piece in RVA Magazine column, “From The Desk of GayRVA.” Continue reading Norfolk’s Knight Hawks Are Hell-Bent For Leather

From Prison To Pay-Per-View
The continuation of a great story and essential lessons from a guy I otherwise would’ve never met. Continue reading From Prison To Pay-Per-View

Dinosaurs & Confederates: Inside Mark Cline’s Jurassic Triptank
Three green, mucus-esque creatures with jarring King Crimson lips hung above the door– the obvious culprits for the name. I ducked as I went inside–machismo aside, I was a lone journalist and this was Slimeball Territory. Continue reading Dinosaurs & Confederates: Inside Mark Cline’s Jurassic Triptank

Playing Chess With PVC Pipes: A Saturday with Bare Knuckle Boxer Reggie Barnett Jr.
Swapped jabs and lessons with a bare knuckle fighter. Continue reading Playing Chess With PVC Pipes: A Saturday with Bare Knuckle Boxer Reggie Barnett Jr.

Composing Nature: Ansel Adams at VMFA
To view this article’s original release, use the link available on the page. Continue reading Composing Nature: Ansel Adams at VMFA

An end of an era
This morning, over 130 years after it was installed, the Commonwealth of Virginia finally removed the statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee from Monument Avenue. RVA Mag’s John Donegan and Branden Wilson were on hand to see history being made. Continue reading An end of an era

The future: it’s electric
In the spirit of reducing their carbon impact and building towards greater infrastructure, the Village of Rye Brook is considering whether to install electric vehicle charging stations across the community. Continue reading The future: it’s electric

‘Love ’em, hate ’em, that was him’
He usually carried a cigar in his pocket or clenched between his teeth. He usually carried a friendly smile that offered gracious words; other times he was hard-nosed and extraordinarily persistent. That was Jerry Terranova Sr., at least by those who knew him. Continue reading ‘Love ’em, hate ’em, that was him’

Doral Greens car key culprit gets sentenced in Rye Town Court
At his second hearing in Rye Town Court on July 14, Rye Brook defendant Charles Porten pled guilty to two counts of criminal mischief, ending a strange saga involving keyed cars and the police sting that connected him to them. Continue reading Doral Greens car key culprit gets sentenced in Rye Town Court

Making Rye Town accessible
When walking around town or going out for a beach day, very few probably think about whether they will be able to get onto the sidewalk or if there will be an entrance without stairs. But for those with physical disabilities, barriers to access are a difficult reality. Continue reading Making Rye Town accessible

The great catch up
PCSD summer school programs try to move students past learning loss, disruptions caused by the pandemic By John Donegan This story originally appeared in the 7/23/21 edition of the Westmore News. For the original article, follow the link. The humidity of a northern July day hung over Park Avenue Elementary School on Tuesday, July 20, as students huddled around their science teacher and the noncontact thermometer … Continue reading The great catch up

Tour de’America
The story behind Blind Brook Class of ’21 graduate Nick Chien’s charitable ride across the nation By John Donegan This story originally appeared in the 7/23/21 edition of the Westmore News. For the original article, follow the link. Blind Brook High School graduate Nick Chien’s story began on Mar. 5, 2020, on Anderson Hill Road. He was biking when an SUV, attempting to pass him, … Continue reading Tour de’America