On an Indiana Homecoming: Islands in a Stream
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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.
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
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