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On an Indiana Homecoming: Islands in a Stream

May 11, 2022

  That I would have to come to Italy to be able to write about Indiana… says something deep and mysterious about proximity, separation, space to marinate. And the defects and peculiarities of this wandering scribbler. For I realize, theoretically … Read more

Pocket shrines: Mom in a matchbox

March 21, 2021

  In my hand I hold a matchbox. The old school kind — wooden matches with cherry red tips inside. But that’s not all that’s in this matchbox, nor is setting a fire its function. For this matchbox, I just learned, … Read more

The China – U.S. puzzle: a backgrounder

May 22, 2019

This legacy post from May 2013 serves as a helpful backgrounder for the first-time reader of this writer’s work in China.   On this rainy Saturday in old Chongqing my host students take me to visit an ancient restored village … Read more

In which Mr. Joke becomes a panda

March 15, 2015

I have just come from an experience no self-respecting American journalist should ever have to endure: a command performance with the assigned topic of “The Role of Newspapers and the Government.” That would be a simple enough topic were I … Read more

On being taught by one’s students

March 11, 2015

THE BACK STORY Returning for his fourth time in as many years, UNC-CH Senior Lecturer Jock Lauterer is documenting a whirlwind two-week teaching gig to four cities in China where he will be advising community newspaper start-ups and helping to … Read more

Do I like Justin Beiber?

June 3, 2013

Our intrepid traveler is three weeks into a month of lecturing at conferences, newspaper workshops and universities in Shanghai, Chongqing, Hefei and Zhengzhou, China. This follows last summer’s Fulbright to Beijing, where he taught at three universities, and where at one … Read more

A girl named Snappy

May 22, 2013

  Mr. Joke Returns to China Our traveler returns to China this summer for a month of teaching, lecturing and learning at industry and university sites in Shanghai, Nanjing and Chongqing. Last summer, during his Fulbright to Beijing, he was … Read more

Circles within circles: Mr. Joe to Sanford

July 11, 2012

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012 Headline: Mr. Joe to Sanford! A huge success with daughter Kate, who is a delightful kid, translating so effortlessly – and Publisher Bill Horner III going way beyond just being hospitable, spending three hours with us, … Read more

“Mr. Joe” comes to N.C.

June 30, 2012

In Which We Come Full Circle TUESDAY JUNE 12, 2012 How entirely fitting that this summer’s 12th annual Community Journalism Roadshow kicks off with a Chinese connection in the Old North State. Today China comes to the U.S., bringing the … Read more

“Mr. Joe” Versus the Volcano

May 29, 2012

UNC senior lecturer Jock Lauterer is on a two-week Fulbright to China to give lectures and lead seminars at three Beijing universities. He is the author of “Community Journalism: Relentlessly Local,” 3rd. Ed, and most recently was the project manager … Read more