Scribbler's Corner, with Darlyn Finch

By: Anthony Gaenzle

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Saturday’s show unveiled the inaugural installment of Yo Soy Latino’s newest segment, The Scribbler’s Corner. One weekend each month, celebrated local poet and author of "Red Wax Rose", Darlyn Finch will be in the studio to offer advice to aspiring writers and welcome a guest author from the Central Florida community.

The Corner’s first guest was Mary Ann de Stefano, author and editor. De Stefano is the creator of Mad About Words, a website that offers editorial services and workshops that help writers learn how to improve their craft.

The site features a free social networking section, the “Mad About Words Lounge”, where local talent can come together to pursue commons interests and gather feedback from one another.

“It’s a good place to connect to the creative community,” said de Stefano, “You can post work there or just interact with other writers.”

The lounge currently boasts over 200 members, giving writers the opportunity to experience numerous viewpoints and to benefit from the variety of advice available on the site.

“What I really love about the Mad About Words Lounge is that there are all ages of writers,” Finch said, referring to the various levels of expertise of the site’s members. She cited that visitors to the site range from “newbies” just starting out, to established writers with multiple works published.

The site is a free and provides an easy way to perfect your art and meet other writers with the same goals and aspirations.

For more information on Mary Ann de Stefano and Mad About Words, go to madaboutwords.com.

To hear more from Darlyn Finch, tune in on the second Saturday of each month to your favorite radio talk show, Yo Soy Latino to catch Scribbler’s Corner or visit darlynfinch.com or sunscribbles.com.

Check out the Yo Soy Latino archives to listen to a taping of Saturday’s show.

By: Anthony Gaenzle

Central Florida Zoo Presses On After Loss of Long Time Resident

By Anthony Gaenzle

SANFORD, Fla. – Despite heavy hearts, the workers and volunteers at the Central Florida Zoo continue forward, enlightening visitors to the zoo about the lives of the various species of animals with which we share our planet.

Mary, one of the oldest elephants in the United States, passed away March 3 due to age-related illness. At 63 years of age, Mary was a fixture of the zoo’s weekend elephant shows.

The announcer of the show Laura Miller said, “She will be sorely missed. She was such a gentle animal.”

Every Saturday and Sunday Miller picks up a microphone and speaks to a crowd of onlookers, perched on wooden bleachers, under an awning that blocks out the hot, Florida sun. She educates them on the importance of the conservation of elephants and their habitats.

Miller speaks to the crowd about the “intelligence and beauty” of elephants, both at the zoo and in the wild.

Sanford resident Lydia Weston said, “We have annual passes and we always loved seeing Mary."

“I’m not sure my children understand that she’s gone.” She lightly patted the heads of her young son and daughter who stood by her side.

Maude, the zoo’s other elephant, continues to perform in the empty void left by her counterpart.

At the direction of her trainers, Maude performs feats that get the crowd cheering. She moves giant logs with her trunk, stands on a tiny stool on only two of her immense feet, and lifts one of the trainers gracefully into the air.

“I’m glad that they didn’t cancel the show,” said Ashley Reichert. “I was really sad when I heard the news and I really appreciate what they do here.”

For more information on the zoo, its residents and workers, and the conservation efforts visit: http://www.centralfloridazoo.org/.

A New Approach at The Crossings Church

By: Anthony Gaenzle

BRANDON, Fla. -- When Pastor Greg Dumas spoke Sunday to a mass of churchgoers, it was anything but ordinary.

The former University of Missouri football player, and graduate from the School of Education, takes a different approach to church.

Dressed in a short sleeve button down shirt, and jeans, Dumas takes the stage with a charismatic smile. There are no robes, and no cloth adorned pulpit, just a microphone and a man with a vision.

"A lot of things need to change about the church," Dumas said. "A lot of good things are being done, but there are many things that need change."

During the sermon, Dumas also spoke of the importance of a parent's role in their child's life. A concerned father himself, he cited the lack of values in our society as one of the leading causes for the "corruption of our youth."

Upon entering the church one might think that they have mistakenly walked into a rock concert. Guitar wielding musicians belt out tunes with a positive message, in the style of many of today's popular rock music artists.

"The whole experience is just uplifting," says Marilyn Vasquez. "I just moved here a year ago and the friends I made here have made it so much easier for me."

Another Attendee, Greg Steinke said, "The music was a bit overwhelming at first, but there's no pressure to participate." Steinke has been a member of The Crossing Church since its inception.

The crowded parking lot, traffic being directed by off duty police officers, was a testament to the church's popularity.

A new trend is rising among today's churches, approaching services in this manner, with the hope of attracting a broader following and to spread their intended message.

For more information on The Crossing Church and Pastor Dumas, go to http://www.crossingonline.org/about.

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Local Author Julie Compton Visits Altamonte Springs Barnes and Noble

By Anthony Gaenzle

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Author Julie Compton visited the Barnes and Noble bookstore at Altamonte Springs Mall on Sunday to promote her latest novel "Rescuing Olivia". The Orlando based author spoke briefly to a gathering of fans before settling in at a table to autograph copies of her book.

A crowd began to gather shortly before 2 p.m. when the event was scheduled to start. Fans were able to speak individually with Compton as well as briefly listen to the author en masse.

Fans, like Julie Huff, waited anxiously to meet Compton. “I’ve been dying to meet her,” Huff said. She elaborated, explaining that she had been sick all week, but struggled out of bed because she did not want to miss the opportunity to meet one of her favorite authors.

Kim Allen, who was on vacation from Virginia said of Compton, “She was really down to Earth.” Allen added, “She signed two for me.” She held up two copies of Compton’s novel.

Copies of "Rescuing Olivia" could be seen clutched in the hands of dozens of other patrons as well. Compton’s name could be heard in the context of idle chatter throughout the store.

On her web site she writes that she originally intended to earn a degree in journalism, but opted to go to law school instead. Her passion for writing, however, could not be quelled forever, and she has since had two of her works published.

“I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri,” said Compton. St. Louis is the setting of her first novel "Tell No Lies". She later moved from Missouri making stops in Boston, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, and finally Orlando, Florida. Her latest novel has pieces of life imitating art as well. "Rescuing Olivia", the tale of a biker who sets out to solve the mysterious disappearance of the woman he loves, is set in Florida where Compton currently resides.

For more information on this author and to find out where she will be appearing next, you can visit her website at: http://www.julie-compton.com/.

Mission Statement

The purpose of this blog is to showcase my writing skills for academic reasons as well as for possible employment opportunities. If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to contact me. I am open to both criticism and praise, although I prefer the latter of the two. Mostly I simply hope that you enjoy reading my posts and are at least mildly entertained. Thanks for stopping by!