We’re Not Nutz
When Barbara Streed’s son, Thomas, was two years old, he had an allergic reaction to nuts. At the time, in 2000, her husband Dan had been stationed in Hawaii. They were in the middle of dinner and had just opened a bag of cashews that their four-year-old daughter had insisted on having. To make things fair, Streed decided to give Thomas half of a cashew. “He...
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Local Women: Pam Redman
Hitting the Jackpot Gambling is a way of life for Grand Ledge resident, Pam Redman. She doesn’t always win, but she keeps coming back for more. Frequenting Michigan casinos is a relaxing outlet for both Redman and her husband Kerry. Sitting side-by-side, feeding coins into machines allows them an opportunity to talk — most times for hours. Hee Haw is Redman’s...
Continue ReadingBuilding a Mosaic: Pastor Marvin Williams
Trinity Church in Lansing recently added another pastor to its team, Pastor Marvin Williams. Williams grew up in Chicago, but has lived in Grand Rapids for the past 15 years. He says a calling from God is what brought him into the Lansing community. “I haven’t intentionally visited the entire [Lansing] area yet, but so far it seems like a great community...
Continue ReadingNonprofit Profile: R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
Lansing is home to the only Oldsmobile museum in the world, the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum. As you walk into the museum, the first thing displayed is a statue of R.E. Olds and numerous personal items that were important to him. Moving on, there are displays of at least 50 cars throughout the facility, as well as various aviation crafts, engines and similar...
Continue ReadingTeacher of the Year: Rob Stephenson
Rob Stephenson’s amazing day was in May 2009. Stephenson was in the running to be Michigan’s Teacher of the Year. Over the School’s intercom it was announced that everyone needed to attend an impromptu assembly, which he imagined was to discuss the closing of Wardcliff Elementary, where he has worked for the past 16 years. What didn’t fit was that...
Continue ReadingBusiness Profile: Guido’s Pizza
Although there are 11 Guido’s Pizza branches spanning Southern Michigan, the pizzeria in Okemos offers something no other location does: gluten-free pizza. According to co-owner Steve Pollard, a tasty gluten-free pizza is hard to come by — an important item for this Okemos Guido’s co-owner, since mother cannot come into contact with gluten products because...
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Business Review: Hastay’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop
Refreshing scents rush forth as you walk into Hastay’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop, accompanied by bright reds, purples and pinks. Seven greenhouses in the back showcase a variety of annuals and perennials with different colors and scents. We try to keep up with what’s popular,” said co-owner Barbara Hastay. “Oranges, greens and citrus colors have...
Continue ReadingNonprofit Profile: The Creation Station
The Creation Station can be easy to miss, nestled below the Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing. But just look for the red door with the yellow star on the north side of the building, and you’ll get to the right place. This nonprofit organization caters to the green theme of things by collecting odds and ends that would most likely be thrown away and...
Continue ReadingEnvironmental Steward: Edith Suttles
One of Edith Suttles’ favorite places in the world is New York, which is home to her two daughters, Cressida and Meredith, who are paving their way in the entertainment business. “I’m a small town girl,” said Suttles. “I love to travel and visit, but this is more my lifestyle.” When planning for a relaxing vacation, she likes to go to Punta Gorda,...
Continue ReadingPlanting Seeds for Community Growth
Hunter Park Community GardenHouse of Lansing is just one of the many community gardens cropping up new opportunities and a strong sense of community in the area. Community gardens give neighbors a chance to bond over common interests and teach each other new things. Since its birth in 2008, the GardenHouse has been able to gain a stable set of volunteers to...
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Entrepreneurial Heart: Sandy Bailey-Bristol
It took years for Eaton Rapids resident Sandy Bailey-Bristol to come across the career that she would come to adore. Although she’s disappointed it took her so long to become an associate broker, she’s glad she finally did. “I look at it like this — I started this at a good time because our daughter had graduated from high school, and I needed something...
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Hands-On Creator: Barbara Hranilovich
Without her hands, Barbara Hranilovich’s joys in life would change dramatically. “I like my hands in stuff: dirt, clay, knitting, dough, on the computer or piano keys,” said Hranilovich. “Everything is on the creative end.” The next thing Hranilovich wants to get her hands on is learning to play the French horn. Although she used to dabble with the...
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