This Read My Work page includes a sampling of my published clips as a freelance writer. I had trouble finding stories from my newspaper days because they were printed in the local newspaper – before the internet era and newspapers had dedicated online databases. Remember those days?
When you are a newspaper reporter, you learn to write about anything and everything. My beats included health, education, business, nonprofits, arts and entertainment, religion, and general assignments. I also wrote feature stories and personality profiles, covered community events, and occasionally headed out to report on a fire or election.
As a freelancer, I have written for many local and regional publications. Some of those include: Grand Rapids Magazine, Michigan BLUE, MiBiz (now Crain’s Grand Rapids Business), Rapid Growth Media, Muskegon Times, Muskegon Tribune, West Michigan Plus, Second Wave Media, Leelanau Ticker, Traverse City Business News, and Experience Michigan. Other past and present clients include marketing agencies, Michigan Townships Association, MOKA, Country Magazine, Health Union, and Content That Works, a media company that syndicates editorial features and custom publications to media outlets nationwide.
Recent work
Michigan Townships Association’s Township Focus September 2023:
Outdoor recreation fosters quality of life, economic development
Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau:
Start Planning Your 2024 Sleeping Bear Dunes Vacation
Yeti Fest Warms Up Presidents’ Day Weekend
Sleeping Bear Region Offers Heartwarming Holiday Fun
Shelterforce:
Sealing the Cracks in Weatherization and Home Repair
Michigan BLUE:
As snow and ice disappear with climate change, some Michigan businesses struggle
Michigan’s state parks have needed repairs for years. Then the pandemic hit.
Michigan could open the floodgates on short-term rentals, overruling local governments
Legislation tightening rules for medical marijuana caregivers passes committee, heads to house
Lawmakers blast ‘wild west’ of cannabis market, while caregivers decry proposed regulations
Michigan medical marijuana caregivers gear up for fight against effort to restrict grow rights
Lawmakers introduce package adding marijuana caregiver regulations, as activists protest
Leelanau County’s Only DNR Designated Snowmobile Trail Closed Due to Trespassing Issues
Short-term Rental Bill Could Change Leelanau County’s Vacation Rental Landscape
A Ranch Reimagined: Upcycling a Vacant (But Notable) Traverse City Home in Leelanau County
Leelanau’s Innkeepers Predict a “Tourist Season” That Doesn’t Wane Through Winter
Mackinac Island on a Budget: 10 Tips to Save Money
Mackinac Island on a Budget: 10 Tips to Save Money (part two)
MOKA annual reports
Success stories (longer versions)
Travel features (open as PDFs)
Country Magazine Holland In Bloom
Country Magazine Tin Can Tourists
Guiding Light: Big Sable Point Lighthouse volunteers celebrate 150-year anniversary
Secluded Paradise: Renovating Round Island Lighthouse becomes labor of love for Charlevoix couple
Glen Arbor: Living in the land of delight
Snow Coaster: Fat bikers enjoy the scenery and getting outside via dedicated, groomed trails
Snowmobiling around Pictured Rocks always a highlight of winter
Inn at Bay Harbor offers quintessential northern Michigan escape
Dining destination – Food and drink
Changing Times: Old Mission’s historic establishment delivers relaxed farm-to-table dining
Pony up: Mackinac Island’s iconic eatery a destination for food, music and island vibes
Tasting Room: Say Cheers to Summer
Tasting Room: Grand Haven’s First Brewery Marks 10 Years with Big Expansion
Mary Mahoney’s Signature Seafood
Tallahassee’s Proof Brewing Co. Finds Success with Award-Winning Flavors
Environmental/Water Quality/Cannabis
Entrepreneurs weigh opportunities with cannabis tourism in Michigan
HIGHER ED: Michigan colleges prepare students for influx of cannabis careers
Michigan Partnerships Encourage Coordinated Efforts to Improve Water Quality
Michigan’s Emerging Industrial Hemp Industry Holds Promise for Farmers
GTF Solutions mills hemp waste into new revenue streams
Bipartisan federal bill would bolster funding for Michigan’s state, national parks
GVSU-MSU Team Up to Tackle Important Water Issues Across Great Lakes Region
How Colorado Farmers Protect the Environment for Future Generations
RecoveryPark Farms is Planting Seeds of Change
SAFETY FIRST: Some employers consider adjusting policies for marijuana, offering second chances
Medical marijuana: Patients laud benefits of controversial drug
Patients find help, support with Compassion Clubs
Doctors have mixed views on dispensing medical marijuana
Articles in Michigan BLUE
Throttle Therapy: Michigan Ranks as a Top Snowmobile Destination in North America
Book It: Traverse City Hot Spot
Get Outdoors: Thrill-seeking in Muskegon
Live-in history: Island House Hotel oldest operating hotel on Mackinac Island
Slow Sail: Explore Traverse City in a hot air balloon
Get Outdoors: Going with the Flow
Waterways: A Unique Shoreline Gallery
Get Outdoors: Coastal Preserve
Waterways: Virtual Explorations
Sporting Life: North Country Trail Association Director Finds Her Footing in the Midwest
Timeless Tradition, Fresh Tracks
Car Candy: Gilmore Car Museum celebrates America’s love affair with the automobile
Make a Date with the State – April and May
Coronavirus coverage
Arts and nonprofit organizations close, reschedule events in wake of coronavirus crisis
Topshelf in Muskegon sticks to pizza-subs-beer formula
Meat Block’s retail store keeps up with demand despite volatile market
Seven Steps Up worries about future of live concert venues
Soldadera Coffee co-owner expands business from side hustle to full-time gig
Member-based nonprofits bolster efforts to deliver aid to minority-owned businesses
Lakeshore retailers adapt, move online as some scramble to stay afloat
Federal stimulus funding available as nonprofits face unique business challenges
Utility foundations use deep nonprofit network to distribute millions in Covid relief funds
Kids Count report highlights toll of Covid-19 pandemic on Michigan families
Shelters face fundraising challenges but stay open, step up safety precautions
DNR adjusts park operations, prohibits fishing charters until April 13
Muskegon approves $150K in emergency loans for Lakeside businesses
MiBiz
Sisters Who Lead study offers big ‘wakeup call’ to employers on challenges for women of color
Nonprofit leaders cautiously optimistic about 2021 as some organizations face tough challenges
Possible land swap could connect downtown Muskegon to waterfront
INCUBATING ACTIVITY: Convention center, FARM incubator and road projects add to Muskegon
Smaller spaces, niche products move Muskegon’s retail sector forward
Small business owners see benefits from pass-through deduction, flat tax rate
United Way simulation tool shares experience of ALICE households
New GVSU philanthropy chair waits to move to Michigan
Fennville retreat center offers equine assisted experiential learning to boost team building
Ghostwritten blogs for Ivy Rehab:
Nick’s Story: How Physical Therapy Unlocked a Family’s Autistic Child
Life Beyond Opioids: How Physical Therapy is Changing the Game for Chronic Pain Patients
The Rehab Trifecta for Parkinson’s Disease
Speech Therapy is More Than Just Speech
Occupational Therapy: Reach Your Goals and Live Life to the Fullest
Tech Neck: How Technology is Affecting Your Posture
Ghostwritten blogs for APDerm:
Common Summertime Rashes: How to Avoid and Treat Them
How to Choose a Dermatologist Approved Sunscreen
What Does Microneedling Do for Your Skin?
What is the Best Rosacea Treatment?
Psoriasis: It’s More Than Just a Skin Thing
What You Need to Know About Atopic Dermatitis
Foods to Avoid if You Have Psoriasis
Minimizing Eczema Flare-ups as Weather Changes
Importance of Sunscreen Even Through the Winter
Mohs Surgery: A Micrographic Procedure for Skin Cancer
What is the Best Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment?
What is the Best Treatment for Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Skin Cancer Facts with Dr. Connolly
Perioral Dermatitis: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
How to Protect Skin from Winter Conditions
Know Your Coverage: Dermatology and Health Insurance
5 Skin Care Resolutions for the New Year
Eat the Rainbow for Better Skin
Skin Gratitude: Affirm Your Way to Clearer Skin
National Healthy Skin Month – Good Skin Care Tips
Ghostwritten blogs for Caption Pros:
Bias in Automatic Speech Recognition
Effects of Hearing Loss on Mental Health
Tips for Creating an Inclusive Workspace
9 Tips to Prevent Hearing Loss and Preserve Your Hearing
Inequalities for Women With Hearing Loss
Why Accessibility Matters for Those With Hearing Loss
COVID-19s Impact on Captioning
How to Talk to Your Boss About Captions
4 Benefits of Providing Life Captions for Webinars in Zoom
Top 10 Tips for Running an Online Meeting
Increasing Access and Opportunity with Captions
ADA Compliant Captioning One Way to Improve Accessibility
A Caption Pros Tools of the Trade
Hiring a Captioning Company Owned by a Captioner Offers Many Benefits
A Day in the Life of a Captioner: Q&A with Caption Pro Liane Tomlinson
Ghostwritten blogs for DECKED:
10 Tool Box Organization Tips and How the DECKED System Can Help
Roll around Tool Boxes Versus the DECKED System
Protect Your Valuables with a Hidden Car Gun Safe
Content writing for women’s health:
Ghostwritten blog samples for dermatology and physical therapy
Health features from The Republic
Own The Thrown (And Your Bad Habits)
The Case Against Just in Case Peeing
5 Ways to Laugh More & Leak Less
10 Tips to Make the Most of Your Kegel Exercises
General Features
Opening doors to opportunity: WMU’s Seita Scholars to celebrate 10 years with nearly 150 grads
Heartland’s Good STEPS helps single parents take the road to work and self-sufficiency
Making herstory: The women who are changing the dynamics of West Michigan politics
Falling Behind: How a Muskegon school psychologist is fighting for reading reform in school
From Muskegon to Grand Rapids, a merry band of travelers carpool via a Rapid van
Grand Rapids paves way for bicycle-friendly roads with bike lanes, safety grant
Grand Rapids Urban Growers and urban farming take root in Grand Rapids
Bullying in the age of tech-savvy children
A sweet little party for all ages
Holiday entertaining: Signature drinks, punches keep expenses in line
Holiday Gift Guide: Give the best gifts ever
Holiday Gift Guide: Spread the Love with 10 Michigan-Made Products
Holiday Gift Guide: Festive Fresh From Florida Finds
Give Local Products from Oklahoma this Holiday Season
Nonprofit Features
Say what? Talking to kids about race doesn’t have to be daunting
Honoring Our Youth: A starting point to success
Author, athlete, inspiration: Chris Sain, Jr. helps city youth
New City neighbors sow community seeds for year-round harvest
Calling All Colors comes to Kent County
Berston Bicycle Club: Kids discover the power of pedaling
Turning the tide on typical low-income housing
Home Decorating and Interior Design
The Buyers Are Coming! 23 packing tips for moving when the pressure’s on
Create a backyard refuge: How to get more privacy in your backyard
To beat germs, hands-free technology has made inroads
Don’t step on the cracks (or break your mother’s back!)
Turn on the bright lights Page 6-7
Business and Finance
Could you survive six months without income?
Supermercado Mexico and Mexicana Bakery team up to provide more local flavor
Shorouq Almallah works from the epicenter of entrepreneurship at Grand Valley
Health and Wellness
Recovery on Water empowers patients and survivors to fight back and get fit
A quarter of breast cancer patients might experience long-term pain
When to consider working with a pain specialist
Good medicine: Medical research collaboration booms in Grand Rapids
Education
Online alternatives expand options for home-based learners
On the verge of quitting: Virtual schools offer high school students a second chance
Innovative language programs expose online learners to new languages and cultures
Online institutions support Michigan as a leader of online education
MSU’s Confucius Institute leads in Chinese-language instruction for online learners
University officials, students keeping close eye on immigration ban developments
How City High students are leading the way with a new composting pilot
GRPS’ Parent University boosts student outcomes by empowering parents
Restorative Circles program builds empathy, conflict resolution skills in middle school students
Entrepreneurs
Enlivening spirits with Ashley Cole
Jamiel Robinson aims to bring black-owned businesses out of the shadows in Grand Rapids
Local cupcake and tea party business caters to Muskegon’s princesses
Environmental
Gayle DeBruyn: Helping solve wicked problems is a prize in itself
Wege Prize winners tackle wicked design problems
Groundswell takes learning outside for Kent County students to learn about the environment
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative receives $150,000 EPA grant to support environmental stewardship
Contact me: 231.286.4946 marlarmillerwrites@gmail.com
