Growing up, I learned much from watching my mom, aunts, and grandmothers cooking. Besides the camaraderie, laughter, and stories, I learned how to quickly peel an apple with no waste (and still have my gramma's paring knife), how to cook perfect scrambled eggs (and own my granny's pan), and how to move in a kitchen filled with many people, all working with sharp implements. Cooking together is a comfort. Knowing you are continuing lifetimes of kitchen and food knowledge is an extraordinary thing, full of love and taste.

Recently, Kalamazoo's historic State Theatre celebrated its 90th anniversary with a party - complete with towering cake, artists in residence, and a Yelp Kalamazoo event that included a very special backstage tour. 

The most powerful and important book I've read this year? No question. Dawn Again: Tracking the Wisdom of the Wild, by Doniga Markegard, is eloquent, inspiring, and a must-read for any global educator. Markegard's memoir traces her beginnings from wildlife tracking to a more concerted effort of support and practical advice for wilderness education and living wisely on this planet. Through it all, her voice rings clearly for teaching about the earth, about the wildlife on it, and living responsibly and well.

Brittany K. Stone is a senior psychology student at the University of Pittsburgh minoring in Social Work and is an aspiring psychologist. 

American milliner Gina Mazzotta creates original, hand-made custom hats for women, men, and children. The brand was founded in 2012, when, after recognizing a lack of stylish, contemporary hat options, Gina was inspired to create her own. She studied with milliner Amy Hamilton and fell in love with the millinery process. Drawing from her background in visual merchandising and window design, she integrates runway fashion with chic, custom every day accessories in her explorative and innovative take on traditional hat forms.

Hello. I'm Marcelle. My first international trip was in my early twenties when I went to the USA to study abroad. Now, I've been to 15 countries (and counting) and love exploring new places. Study abroad is something that I believe everyone should do. And I'll tell you why. 

We're back with our favorite Ghostbuster, Anthony Snyder (read our Artist feature on him!). From early interests in Tales from the Crypt, Sam Raimi movies, dark humor, and pop culture with a nerdy twist, he's expanded into a creative, interesting, detailed cosplayer. Whether he's a Ghostbuster (raising money for charity) or Ash from the Evil Dead, Anthony is having fun - with the creativity, people, and events.