Chuck Fellers
Chuck Fellers is a California native who grew up as a farm boy from Iowa. He served in the 3d Army in Germany at end of World War II. Fellers received his undergraduate degree from LSU and graduate degree from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. His journalism experience includes stints in radio, television, news and management in San Antonio, Charlotte, N.C., and KWKH in Shreveport. Fellers enjoys retirement as a freelance columnist for The Forum.

Melissa Fertitta
Melissa Fertitta is an award-winning freelance writer living in Shreveport. She has contributed to The Forum since 1999. Her writing has also appeared in the Shreveport Times, BayouBuzz.com and the Loyola University Center for Environmental Communications' academic newsletter, Occasional Papers. She holds a bachelor's degree in print journalism (concentration in environmental journalism) with minors in English literature and women's studies from Loyola University New Orleans. She is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration. She volunteers at Sutton Children's Hospital and is an avid runner.

Noma Fowler-Sandlin
Noma Fowler-Sandlin has explored the realm of multidisciplinary art for decades, mostly in the form of poetry, photography and digital art. In addition to writing, Noma helps other artists achieve their goals with her Musebite Management Co. and sells her Pan's Pantry Jams, Jellies & Preserves at the Shreveport Farmers' Market and elsewhere.

Karl Hasten
Karl Hasten began writing for The Forum in 1998 while still living in Nashville, Tenn. Hasten has won a Louisiana Press Association award for his work in The Forum, as well as numerous ADDY Awards and a national Telly Award for broadcast production. He feels his greatest accomplishment and greatest joy is his daughter, Patti Jo Hasten.

Barbara McHenry
Barbara T. McHenry was born in Oklahoma and lived in Louisiana for 27 years. Her career spans 29 years - from medical secretary to editorial consultant with a degree in English/emphasis in professional writing. She currently resides in Oklahoma and is furthering her writing career. For five years, McHenry has written health articles for The Forum.

Susan Reeks
Susan Reeks is a freelance writer who lives in Shreveport. She is best known for her seven years as development director of the Red River Radio Network (public radio). While there, Reeks produced four festivals, including the Red River Radio Jazz and Blues Festival on the LSUS campus and the Nacogdoches Americana Festival in Nacogdoches, Texas. Reeks also created and produced "Health Matters" for public radio. Her husband, Stuart, is a local CPA, and they have three children: Zachary, Landry and Jack. Reeks' favorite topic to write about is health care.

Tony Taglavore
A Shreveport native, Tony Taglavore is one of our area's most well-known and respected personalities. He has more than 20 years of media experience, including 18 years as an anchor/reporter at KSLA-TV. He left Shreveport in 2002 to become news director for stations in Monroe and Victoria, Texas. Taglavore returned home in September 2005 to become administrator for Vitreo-Retinal Associates, one of the country's most successful medical practices. He is also a freelance emcee for various events, as well as a radio sports play-by-play broadcaster.

Joe Todaro
Joe Todaro is a freelance writer and author. A native of Shreveport, he's worked as a writer, reporter, producer and director of television stations here and in Dallas, Kansas City and New Orleans. He is a past president of the Shreveport Little Theatre and a veteran actor with stage, screen and broadcast experience. He earned his bachelor's degree from University of Louisiana-Monroe and a master's degree in business administration from Centenary College.

Mary Ann Van Osdell
Mary Ann Van Osdell has been freelancing for The Forum since 1993. She covers automotive and society news. A former reporter for The Times, her full-time job is assistant communications specialist in North Louisiana for the LSU AgCenter. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from LSU in Baton Rouge and has lived in Shreveport since 1965. Van Osdell is secretary for the Friends of the Municipal Auditorium and is on the board of Reach Out and Read. She has authored two books and enjoys memoir writing.

Cindy Williams
Cindy Williams is an artist and freelance journalist. She graduated from LSUS with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She has been married 21 years to Shreveport fireman and DeSoto EMS James Williams. They have two sons. Williams was the photographer of "The Spirit of America Collection," a picture of an American flag captured flying in the formation of a jetfighter.