New town, new faces, new stories and same passion

My passion for journalism has brought me to many interesting places. 

For years, I’ve been focusing on my education, experience, and potential career. I just didn’t know which career or what direction I was going. I felt as though something was missing. I felt as though I needed to be passionate about it or I’d be stuck in a career that I may have had some interest in, therefore I’d be settling.

Then I attended journalism at The College of the North Atlantic in St. John’s Newfoundland. I definitely had the passion for all the requirements. Photography: check. Writing: check. People person: check. I also quickly learned I had additional qualities that would make me an asset for this field. I have a great instinct for story ideas that are not yet told and ought to be, I love researching the history of the origins and for lack of a better phrase: I’m nosey as hell, or a better one – I’m passionate.

My education and career has taken me many places throughout Canada and Europe. I have repelled from overpasses, traveled through 26 countries, hung with NHL legends with the Stanley Cup and stood frozen while on the back of a dog sled in the Northwest Territories.

Every day is different which presents new challenges that I am up for, but all places have the same thing in common and that’s interesting people. Everyone has a story and I love meeting new people.

Being a journalist,  I venture into the unknown and tell stories to educate, inform, evaluate, uncover, expose and trigger people’s interests and emotions. I am also a great listener and a friendly Newfoundlander from Whitbourne, who can fillet a codfish, and cook a Jiggs Dinner.

Next stop Bonnyville, Alberta. I am not sure if the Capelin will roll in Moose Lake while I make this place my home, but It’s nice to see some familiar faces of fellow Newfoundlanders that I grew up with. Maybe I’ll hit the town with my camera and mic and see how long it takes to find a Newfie. Two minutes tops is my guess.

The universe works in mysterious ways, I actually didn’t even apply for the job in your town, but once Chad contacted me and told me about the area and the great things happening there how could I resist? Plus it’s full of Newfoundlanders. I give gratitude to the Lord for sending me to your area and know that everything happens for a reason. It already feels like home.

I look forward to meeting everyone in the Lakeland Region, finding jam jams, and I love helping people through my writing. I am someone you can trust and I would never reveal a source. I would go to jail before I would reveal anyone’s name with information they have provided in confidence to me. A solid Newfie with a solid accent. Yeah I talk fast like a baymen, but I wear my heart on my sleeve and I am a very compassionate person. No story is too small.

I take the pursuit of my dream in the journalistic industry very seriously making sure the integrity of journalists everywhere is upheld. The duties of a journalist are to inform truthfully, be the voice of the voiceless, be unbiased and use credible sources. I do just that. I will always tell your community the truth, good or bad, even if it hurts.  

I also travel with a famous Alf doll. 

#Alfsadventures

It may seem odd to have a grown man traveling with a teddy bear from his childhood but Alf has been photographed with thousands of people during my journeys. He loves to spread kindness and make people smile.

Alf was always there when I needed him as a child having spent lots of time in the hospital and symbolic in the sense of security, going into the great unknown – but not alone. This is not our first time being away from “The Rock.” I studied Political Science and Business at Memorial University with a minor in European studies which brought us overseas where we lived in Essex England and traveled immensely throughout Europe.

He also likes to take over my Twitter account from time to time, so I suggest everyone download the app and follow @lconnectnet and @artcgreen. 

From building leprechaun traps to moccasins, to helping the food bank fill its shelves, Alf always loves to meet new people. He was just recently given a new suit for my birthday by my best friend in Fort Saskatchewan and is looking to add more selfies with people to his collection. If you see us around the Lakeland Region, say hello or whadda ya at?

I just want to let the Lakeland know that I am also an intellectually curious person, with a thirst for information and events. I love to take amazing photographs to record these moments in history. So please invite me to everything happening in your community. I am also told you have the best sunsets which I hope to capture.

Now where do I find Jam Jams?

arthur@lakelandconnect.thedev.ca