At Ashmann’s, Just ‘Ask Lenny’
Brief version published in the 8/9/09 issue of the Suburban Journals/Collinsville Herald
Extended version is as follows:
He’s the go-to guy. He’s the one to ask about how to treat a wasp sting, how to test blood sugar and how to relieve a sunburn or rash. “Let me ask Lenny” is a common phrase heard throughout the aisles of Ashmann’s Pharmacy in Collinsville.
Lenny Locus, owner of Ashmann’s for the past 11 years, has been a fixture in the store since 1967. It’s not his hard work or long hours that most notice – it’s that he is a people person. Read more »
My Love/Hate Relationship with Running
I love running, yet I hate running. We have this love/hate relationship – the type of relationship with days when I want to embrace it at times and then other days, when I want to just call it quits and kick it to the curb.
When I’m smitten and in love with running, it is less challenging. I look forward to the peacefulness of the neighborhood, the feel of the wind on my face, and the strength I feel building in my legs. I love the “alone” time it affords me. I love the freedom it brings – the choice to run hard or jog lightly. I love the rush I get and the self satisfaction I feel when I am finished with the workout. But most of all, I love the way it keeps me fit and tightens my toosh. Read more »
Five Things Every Student Journalist Should Do … Now
Student journalists are busy people. Beyond tending to class work, outside jobs, and attempting to have somewhat of a social life, they spend their days brainstorming story ideas, writing stories, gathering video and photos, laying out pages, and managing ethical dilemmas.
They work tirelessly to produce fair, accurate, and balanced coverage of campus communities while also trying to inform and entertain readers. As the college media adviser for The Montage, my job is to provide the resources and training needed, guide and counsel students, and even serve as a sounding board when the pressure is leading to burnout. Read more »
Sue Happy Swindlers
I’ve never sued anyone, nor has anyone sued me … yet. Maybe I’m not gutsy enough or maybe I just prefer to avoid confrontation. However, we live in a society where frivolous lawsuits are the norm – as detailed in this recent case: “Jobless College Grad Wants Tuition Back From Alma Mater”
The article states:
“Trina Thompson, a 27-year-old graduate of Monroe College in the Bronx, N.Y., is suing her alma mater for $70,000 in tuition money, the Associated Press reports. Since her graduation with an information technology degree in April, Thompson has not been able to find work.” Read more »
Need a Therapist? Try Writing
I’m not a therapist, nor will I ever be. I’m not even the type that gives advice and counsels others well. I can’t solve world problems, let alone my own problems.
We all have problems that inconvenience our daily lives – problems with work, school, and home. Significant others, parents, children, friends, and family members test our patience, tempers, and will. Health problems plague many of us, financial woes are in full swing, and the uncertainty of our future path makes life stressful more often than not. Read more »
Fighting Like Cats and Dogs
I never fully understood the phrase “they fight like cats and dogs.” As a child, we didn’t have many pets. My younger sister had a bird or two, but no cats or dogs. I couldn’t fathom why people assumed that these two types of animals would not get along. From what I knew, most cats were sassy, sly quiet pets while most dogs were all bark and no action – a sensitive, yet lazy breed. Sounds like a perfect match, right?
What I’ve realized as a parent, though, is that we all go through a “cat” and a “dog” phase. Read more »
About Me
Three words to describe me? Passionate. Motivated. Curious. These traits help me as a college media adviser and instructor, freelance writer, and mom. This site, focused on writing, reflecting, and teaching, strives to tell the stories of the “average” person. From student journalism and higher education to parenting and freelance writing, you’ll find a mix of blogs with a hint of humor, sarcasm, and inspiration.
Feel free to browse my sample works including feature news, magazine, and web copywriting pieces from the past and present. Check back often for daily updates, blog entries, and additional stories. Feel free to contact me directly at shphilpott@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter. Comments are welcome!
