American Success Stories: Kathleen MacMillian Owner of the Cozy Corner Coffee Shop in Fitchburg MA

Posted: May 28, 2026 by datechguy in American Success Stories, business, culture, economy, short films/interviews
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Earlier this week I wrote about Hanna who had gone from being an Iraqi refugee in a camp in Syria to graduating Suuma Cum Laude from Framingham State University last week (as opposed to me who graduated Thanka da Lordie) but not all success stories come from college or from immigrants.

Meet Kathleen MacMillian who started as a waitress at a local dinner became the manager and during the Biden Administration at a time of one of the worst economies took a leap of faith and in her 20’s became the owner of her own business, the Cozy Corner Dinner and Restaurant in Fitchburg MA.

This Tuesday after closing she took twenty minutes to sit down with me and talk about her story.

The newspapers and social media get a lot of clicks from showing the young being weak and irresponsible, but there are plenty of folks like Kathleen who are does who still drive America forward.

100 Word Fan Fiction Part 3: Don’t Mention the War

Posted: May 27, 2026 by datechguy in fan fiction, fun
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Hogan smiled: “The Russians never got over the war, they held some German POW’s for decades they don’t pass on any chance for revenge.”

Kinch wasn’t convinced: “Colonal, even if we get a trial off the ground, there’s no guarantee the Soviets will let her out to testify.”

“Ah but if the case was failing & Marya was needed to secure a conviction, or extradition!”

The agent face lit up: “That’s true, they’d love to get their hands on any Nazi, the spectacle would play well with their public.”

“Justice for the victims of Stalag 13!” Hogan proclaimed.

Previously: The Still Faithful Short one Next Time: The Accused

Interviews With Immigrants: Hanna From Iraq Seven Years Later

Posted: May 24, 2026 by datechguy in American Success Stories, culture, education, short films/interviews
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One of the proudest things I did as a reporter was a series of Youtube videos called: Interviews with Immigrants.

During these interviews I sat down with a person born in another country and talked to them about their life, their coming to America etc.

One of those interviews was with Hanna From Iraq: At the time she agreed to an audio only interview: You can listen to it here:

It’s been seven years since I conducted this interview Hanna was 23 and we worked together at my former company. She moved on a while ago although we became friendly and she picked up a love of things American including pinball:

Yup that’s Pintastic 2019 back in Sturbridge on the last day as they are taking the last machines out.

Well every year I take some friends out for a Woosox game as a Christmas present so that we can enjoy not only baseball but some time together which is the real gift and Hanna was invited. It was also her graduation day from college so she attended in her cap and gown. After the game she wanted to take some pictures from center field and it hit me that it would be a pretty good sequel to our initial interview to talk to her about her journey to this point. So I pulled out my camera and here we are: Hanna from Iraq seven years later:

When Marco Rubio talked about what America is, this is what he was talking about.

The full interviews with immigrants playlist is here:

100 Word Fan Fiction Part 2: The Still Faithful Short One

Posted: May 23, 2026 by datechguy in fan fiction, fun
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“She’s definitely on our side, I have no doubt” insisted Lebeau.

“Blimey 30 years later still singing the same tune” quipped Newkirk.

“Her house arrest could be staged”, noted Carter, and a brisk debate began.

“Wheather Marya is with us or not isn’t the issue, at least not yet”, said the intelligence agent, “The issue is how can we get her to West Germany without suspicion?”

“A Trial!” said Hogan with a gleem in her eye.

“A Trial sir?

“Yes Thomas A war crimes trial, to bring to justice that infamous Barbarian, Col Wilhelm Klink!”

Previously: A Reunion Interrupted, Next: Don’t Mention the War

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