My first professional writing job came while I was still a student at the University of Guelph. I was hired by the Office of Research to interview scientists and write press releases about their work, and for a year I wrote about such topics as the adoption habits of Canada geese, myrmechochory and wild ginger, and the mass defecation flights of Asian honeybees. I was hooked! Although I soon moved into the world of community journalism – first in Ottawa Valley towns like Barry’s Bay, Renfrew, Arnprior and Pembroke, and later in Muskoka – I often freelanced, particularly about science and nature. I produced mini documentaries for CBC Radio (recording frogs in a swamp on a rainy night was a highlight); I wrote news releases for the International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species; I was a contributing editor to Outdoor Canada.

My wife, Sharon, and I moved to Bracebridge in 2000 to be closer to her parents while raising our three children. I became editor of The Muskokan newspaper, and later took over the Muskoka Sun as well, and launched Muskoka Life. I left Metroland in 2013 and joined Dockside Publishing, first as a writer, then editor, then CEO. I have written or contributed to half a dozen books, mainly about Muskoka.

I love paddling canoe and kayak (or being on the water in just about anything else). I enjoy theatre and music – I play guitar and banjo with equal mediocrity. I hope one day to finish building our house on Cedar Lane.