This article appeared in the anthology, Hometown Heroes: Real Stories of Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things All Across America published by HarperCollins in 2007. It originally appeared in the November 27, 2005 issue of American Profile.

Distributing Heavenly Hats

by Kathleen Conroy

Anthony Leanna, of Suamico, Wis., was only eight years old when he first visited his ailing grandmother in the hospital. “I really loved my grandma, and I was afraid she’d die,” says Anthony, whose grandmother, Darlene Chartier, had undergone surgery for breast cancer in 1999. “I was also afraid she’d lose her hair like the other cancer patients I saw in the hospital.” more

This story was published in the May 14, 2006 issue of USA Weekend Magazine.

Tales That Sell More Than a Story

A new publishing trend promotes products and places.

by Kathleen Conroy

Stories that portray a place in a desirable light aren’t new; think what precocious children’s book character Eloise did for The Plaza, the posh New York City hotel where the fictional moppet lives. more

This story was published in the April 2, 2006 issue of USA Weekend Magazine.

What That Garden Really Costs You

One perfectionist adds it all up.

by Kathleen Conroy

William Alexander, 53, had been a passionate backyard gardener for more than 25 years when he decided, on a whim, to do a cost-benefit analysis of his gardening exploits. The shocking revelation that a single lush Brandywine tomato cost him $64 to grow led to his humorous memoir, The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden (Algonquin Books, $22.95). We spoke with Alexander, who lives and gardens in New York’s Hudson Valley. more

This story was published in the March/April 2006 issue of Pages.

Centennial Honors Samuel Beckett (1906-1989)

Master of the Absurd still speaks to us today.

by Kathleen Conroy

Throughout 2006, loyal fans across the globe will join in centennial celebrations honoring Irish playwright and novelist Samuel Beckett. more

This article appeared in the August 2002 issue of Woman’s Day magazine.

Family Ties: 15 ways to Put the Joy Back into Togetherness
By Kathleen Conroy

The moment Kara Burrell and Sherman Wright said “I do” in August 2002, their shared extended family grew to 350. “That’s 350 reasons not to be lonely in this world,” says Kara, a diversity consultant with the Felicity Group in Chicago. more