Mitch Traphagen
The dawn of the final mission
STS-135 Atlantis is the final manned U.S. space mission currently on the calendar. ...
Observations: Buzz cutting the future
I don’t want to live in the mangroves with an imaginary pet dog named Ernie that looks a lot like a feral pig....
Lifting the weight from his shoulders
At 455 pounds, he dreaded a lot of things that most people take for granted. ...
Observations: Compromising Principles
Principles can be malleable, but I’m still surprised when I toss mine out the window....
A sense of honor, a sense of urgency
Honor flights are a small measure towards recognizing the debt of a grateful nation....
Observations: Someone to lean on
From philosophers to poets to the Rolling Stones, that message has been true for as long as people have walked this earth....
Trains, Planes and Automobiles
It was more fun than a busload of strippers on a broken-up Ohio freeway... ...
For Wimauma teacher, a $10,000 surprise
“I thought I was coming through the door to see my principal,” Bolender said. “I was very surprised.” Video report below....
Observations: Trouble on the horizon?
Is there anyone among us who joyously skips through life without care or concern?...Author info
Mitch Traphagen
Mitch Traphagen is a photojournalist, columnist and online editor for the Observer News Publications. He is the recipient of 55 awards of excellence from the Community Papers of Florida for his photography and writing. He has worked for some of the nation’s largest corporations, as Press Secretary for a U.S. Congressman, owned and published a weekly newspaper, and produced a commercial documentary video on sailing. He is a Commodore in the Seven Seas Cruising Association (ssca.org). Mitch is a writer, photographer, sailor and traveler with a bit of a geek thing going on. You can visit his personal website at mitchtraphagen.com