Unusual Journalism

The truth is that my head is filled with non-local stories this morning: the racist response to the LSU women’s basketball team, the treatment of anti-gun protestors in Tennessee, the bizarre demise of Roy McGrath. That’s not really my territory. You can go elsewhere for that.

So here’s a bit of fun local from Old Ellicott City. UMD Journalism student Yugo Hines has produced a short video about Unusual Company on Main Street.

After the Flood: Unusual Company, Yugo Hines

Unusual Company opened in August of 2019.

Photos from County Executive’s Facebook Page, August 2, 2019

August, 2019. After the floods. (July 30, 2016, and May 27, 2018) Before the pandemic shutdown. (March, 2020) Wow. That’s a lot to process, right there.

Unusual Company describes itself on its website:

Unusual Company provides award-winning gelato, augmented reality experiences, unusual shirts, accessories, and art from local artists to the Ellicott City, MD area.

They are family owned and run. Truth in advertising: I’ve never been inside, but family members have. It sounds as though gelato was a smart move. On a hot day, the promise of a cool treat surely gets folks in the door who might not have ventured in otherwise.

Watch the video. (It’s barely over a minute.) Is this your kind of place? Have you been there? Did you learn something you didn’t know?

I have never given much thought to how journalists learn to use video as a communication tool in telling a story. This video made me want to learn more.

More information about the Merrill School of Journalism at UMD can be found here.

You can learn more about them on Facebook at liveunusually and at their website. They’re located at 8137 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043.

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