Generation Why Blogs
Northern Michigan teens blog about what their lives are like. Great, funny writing by some talented young writers.

Aging In Place, by Jeanne M. Hannah
Jeanne M. Hannah has been a Traverse City resident since 1986 and has been practicing family law since 1985. In 2000, her mother died from a tragic and preventable toxic build-up of medications. After researching the medical problems that had overtaken her mother, Jeanne felt the information she gathered was too important not to share. The end result is her recently published book, Taking Charge: Good Medical Care for the Elderly and How to Get It. With her blog, she hopes to empower seniors and their caregivers to detect potentially fatal complications affecting the elderly, to advocate for early diagnosis and treatment, and to work with medical care providers on prevention strategies. She will discuss how seniors can live longer in nursing homes and also highlight innovative alternatives to nursing home care. For more on Jeanne’s background as it relates to her Aging In Place blog, read her first post, “Why I advocate for seniors.” Jeanne also writes the “Ask the Family Lawyer” blog, and her background as it pertains to law is detailed below. You may contact her at jeannemhannah@charter.net.

The Armchair Conservative, by Troy Keith
Troy Keith is a lifetime resident of the northern Michigan area where he lives with his wife of 21 years, Kirsten, and his two children, Toran and Dylan. He has previously written for several publications throughout the area and currently owns two businesses, both devoted to Internet design and virtual marketing. A Libertarian at heart, Troy believes that the role of government has been unreasonably expanded over the last century and now extends well beyond the original intent of the founding fathers. A love of politics and debate has brought him to the Record Eagle Blogs and he looks forward to engaging the readers on all topics of interest.

Ask the Career Coach, by Terri Ferrara
Terri Ferrara, a certified Career Coach and owner of Summit View Career Coaching in Traverse City, loves her job: helping “stuck” clients move into a career that fits their strengths, passions and values. Not only does she help her clients find the career that’s right for them, she also offers comprehensive coaching on job search strategies, networking, resume building and interview prep coaching. Ask her your questions about your career by leaving a comment on any of her blogs, or by e-mailing Terri@SummitViewCareerCoaching.com.

Ask the Family Lawyer, by Jeanne M. Hannah
Jeanne M. Hannah is a Traverse City lawyer who limits her practice to divorce, child custody, paternity, child and spousal support, property distribution, adoption and other family law issues. A graduate of the Detroit College of Law (now the Michigan State University College of Law), she has maintained her own solo practice since 1987, primarily in Grand Traverse, Emmet, Charlevoix, Leelanau, Benzie, and Kalkaska Counties. You can find Jeanne’s initial advice to parents facing divorce on her Web site, traversecityfamilylaw.com, which also contains many resources to inform divorcing parties of their legal rights. Jeanne also maintains parental-kidnapping.com, which offers many helpful resources for thos faced with a parental kidnapping case. You can contact Jeanne by leaving a question on her Record-Eagle blog, “Ask the Family Lawyer,” or by emailing her at jeannemhannah@charter.net.

Ask the Realtor, by Mike Gaines
Mike Gaines of Century 21 Northland answers your questions about the Traverse City area real estate market. Leave your question as a comment on any of the Ask the Realtor posts, or e-mail either of the Mike at MikeGaines@C21Northland.com.

Away From Home, by various authors
Away From Home is written by various local residents as they venture outside the Grand Traverse area into the greater world beyond our Bay.

Rikki Miller is a native of Traverse City who graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in 2007. She attends New College of Florida, a liberal arts college in Sarasota.  Her interests include writing, literature, ecology, and anything outdoors.  She will be traveling on the Semester at Sea ship through mid-December and will sharing her experience through this blog.

Mariana (Mare) Mueller fears moving away from walking distance to Grand Traverse Bay, but as a recent Grand Valley State University graduate — eager to find a writing opportunity with pay — Mare understands that soon, she must venture far from her lifelong residence and the downtown Traverse City streets. Impassioned by effective, non-violent communication, Mare is inspired to pursue her life’s work by creating awareness and education of how such a tool can create social and personal change; ensuring a better personal life, community, nation, and world. Through her travel experiences outside of Traverse City, Michigan, USA, Mare will share her insightful observances on life as it compares and contrasts to that of our Northern Michigan norms. Mare loves dialogue; it expands her understanding. Please feel free to email her at lamodamare@gmail.com and to check out her personal blog at http://rhetoicofmare.blogspot.com.

Margaret Parsons is a recent graduate of Traverse City Central High School, where she was the Editor-in-Chief of the Black and Gold Newspaper and is a current summer Record-Eagle reporter. This fall, Margaret will be heading oversees to attend the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, studying English Language and Literature. When she’s not studying, Margaret will be blogging about her experiences for the folks back home.

Gary Hoensheid has lived in Suttons Bay for 30 years with his wife Jana and two sons, Ryan & Taylor. Beginning March 12, Gary will hike along an Ancient Pilgrim Trail in northern Spain. His journey will begin in the town of Burgos, Spain. The trail is an ancient pilgrim trail founded as missionary route by Jesus Christ’s apostle, Saint James. Gary will travel west for 350 miles ending his journey April 10 in the town of Santiago on the Atlantic Ocean, the burial place of Saint James. He will be traveling with good friends Pat Nestor of Traverse City and Greg Wright of Frankfort. Joe Bottenhorn of Lake Leelanau will be walking the last two weeks of the pilgrimage. The good friends will stay in hostels along the way. The hike is in part is a walk-a-thon fundraiser for a 126-acre Herman Center Community Parkland purchase in Suttons Bay Township. Walk-a-thon pledges can be directed through the Grand Traverse Community Foundation Web site at www.4good4ever.org. Read more on Gary’s hike at GTHerald.com »

Zach Pina was first introduced to Japan via an exchange program that brought Japanese students to Northwest Michigan College back in the summer of 2003. Upon getting a language degree from the University of Findlay, he unwittingly moved to Okayama, Japan in January 2007, to work at an ill-conceived junior high school where he uses music and theater classes in teaching small Japanese children how to speak, then promptly forget English. In his spare time, he kicks the tires with his fixed gear cycle crew, translates for local tattoo and graffiti artists, and daydreams about the Japanese someday building a water park fashioned in the likeness of Grand Traverse Bay.

Dan Kaschel is a 2005 graduate of Traverse City Central High School. As a Christian, Dan believes that morals are more than just an ends to a means, and that his actions reflect on God and other Christians. To that end, he is taking a break from his linguistics studies at NMC for a six-month mission trip to Haiti. Dan will write about his experiences there with weekly posts to our “Away From Home” blog.

Kristina Adair is a 2006 graduate of Traverse City Central High School, currently in Tanzania, Africa working in a humanitarian program.

Nick Micinski graduated from Benzie Central High School in 2004 and is currently a student at Michigan State University, studying International Relations and Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. On May 29, 2007 he leaves Michigan to circumnavigate the world and study the Muslim culture. For more about his trip, read “Around the world with $8,000,” and Nick’s first blog.

Bee Blogger, by various student authors

Chris Rice, a 6th grader at Cherryland Middle School in Elk Rapids, first became interested in spelling bees in the 5th grade. He did very well in the local bees and competed in the 2007 Grand Traverse Regional Spelling Bee, finishing 3rd and bowing out on the word “pinnacle.” He was hooked, and vowed that he would be in D.C. in 2008. After working hard with friends and family, his efforts were rewarded and earned the opportunity to represent all of northwest Michigan when he correctly spelled “basilica” at the 2008 regional bee.

Wyatt McDonnell got hooked on spelling bees in the 5th grade when he took first place in his school, district and county bees. At the regional bee, he was ousted in the first round on the word respite, a word that has haunted him since. The next year, he lost at the classroom level on zucchini, and the following year he was headed for the regional bee, but decided to go to China, South Korea, and Japan instead. As an 8th grader at West Junior High, Wyatt’s winning word basilica qualified him for the 2007 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee Finals. After four years of competeting spelling bees, his dream has come true. Wyatt will be blogging from the finals in Washington, D.C., May 27 - June 1, 2007.

Sara Robinson, was an eighth-grader at East Jordan Middle School when she bested 33 of the top fifth- through eighth-grade spellers to win the 2006 Grand Traverse Regional Spelling Bee and a trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. She shared her experiences in this blog as she vied for the national title, May 28 through June 3, 2006.

Cook’s Corner, by Kathy Gibbons and Rebecca Lindamood

Kathy Gibbons is the Record-Eagle’s features editor emeritus, which included editing our weekly Food section published every Monday. In the Cook’s Corner blog, she hopes to create an interactive area on the Internet where readers can post questions and comments on their personal experiences, tips and observations related to cooking. Kathy’s food experience comes from cooking for her family over the years, and although she won’t always have the answers, she’ll consult experts like chefs or culinary educators whose advice she can pass along.

Rebecca Lindamood is a food lover, wife and mother of five perpetually hungry little boys. She is a native of beautiful Northern Michigan who now lives in the Southern Tier of New York State. She grew up cooking in the commercial kitchens of the camps and retreat centers her father managed and went on to cook in two very different restaurants — one corporate chain and one bistro — during her college years. In addition to homeschooling her sons, she currently works as a self-employed baker and hopes to open a storefront and become a culinary educator when she grows up.

Cherry Festival & The Resident Tourist, by Margaret Parsons
Margaret Parsons is a recent graduate of Traverse City Central High School, where she was the Editor-in-Chief of the Black and Gold Newspaper and is a current summer Record-Eagle reporter. This fall, Margaret will be heading oversees to attend the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, studying English Language and Literature. Born in Traverse City to two Traverse City natives, Margaret has 18 years of Cherry Festival experience and offers a local’s take on navigating the chaos which is the Cherry Festival.

Ed’s Astronomy, by Ed Hahnenberg
Edward J. Hahnenberg, BA, MA, MA, Ed.S., has been an educator and school administrator all his life.  He has always been interested in astronomy but upon retirement from teaching in 2003, he got serious about the subject and began to experiment with various kinds of telescopes.  In  2008, he helped construct his permanent domed observatory, the Hahnenberg Observatory in Lake Leelanau. His equipment includes the largest telescope in the area, and the most advanced model of the LX200 series by Meade as of 2009…the LX200-ACF. His 14″  Meade LX200-ACF is an aplanatic (coma-free) optical system like NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, which combines a revolutionary new optical system with the field-proven mechanical features of the original LX200 series - the most widely used research-grade telescope in astronomy today.  He also has an 8″ Orion reflector, a Coronado h-Alpha telescope for viewing sun flares and prominences, along with an SBIG ST-4000XCM 4.2 Megapixel Color CCD Camera, and two digital SLR cameras (Nikon Coolpix 995 and Canon Eos Rebel XT) for planetary and deep-sky photography. Ed writes weekly about what to find in the night sky, and shares photos he has taken of the moon, the planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.

Fake Sports News, by Grant Stoye
Grant Stoye obsesses more about fantasy sports than he does the economy. He is a writer who lives in Traverse City and loves to talk about fantasy drafting strategies more than any rational person should. Leave a comment on any of his blogs or email a question to him at gstoye44@gmail.com.

Foreign Post, by Adam Fivenson
As a 2003 graduate of TC Central, Cherry Festival ambassador, Give ‘Em 40 board member, Record-Eagle intern, and former Trojan football player, Adam Fivenson’s roots in the region run deep. Following high school he spent four years at U of M, during which he backpacked South America and Western Europe, and spent five months studying in southern Spain. After completing his bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, he traveled to Israel, Greece, and Eastern Europe, then moved to India where he is working now as a content writer for a land investment firm. His blogs generally focus on his latest travel adventures, but he’s known to stray at times (with apologies).

From Routes to Roots, by Todd Sears
Todd Sears, a retired Naval officer, currently lives in Northamptonshire, UK, where he teaches Critical & Creative Thinking to Intelligence professionals. He and his wife Carol, a Leelanau County native, have decided to move back to the area at some point within the next three years with their three boys, Alexander, Benjamin, and Ethan. Todd will write about a wide and eclectic variety of topics relating to his family’s move to Michigan, impulsive interests, and a sea-story or two. He thinks life is absurd. And very, very funny. He has no idea what he will do with himself when he gets Up North. His wife has no idea what she’ll do with him in England.

Good Dirt, by Dee Blair
Dee is the owner of Sunnybank Garden in Traverse City and a regular columnist for our Sunday Home & Garden page. She’s also blogged about her garden since May of 2005 (see the Archives for her past blog entries). Dee has cultivated her English secret garden at Sunnybank for 15 years at 325 Sixth St., which is usually open daily from around 9 to 6 pm. Please check the sign as you drive by for further information.

The Grayling Gadfly, by Cathy Stripe Lester
Sometimes growing up in a small town like Grayling gives a person the security to want to explore, both ideas and the rest of the world. After graduating from western Michigan University, and getting a degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from the University of Michigan, Cathy Stripe Lester worked and/or lived in Alaska, Colombia (South America), Iran, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Cornwall, England. She is now back in Grayling, where at 66 she indulges her love of the outdoors by being the oldest ski patroller at Grayling’s Hanson Hills Recreation Area. Her hobbies — not necessarily in order of either frequency or usefulness — include reading, travel, skiing, thinking, water sports, stamp collecting, chess, talking, music and generally wasting time. She has had numerous articles and short stories published, as well as a collection of stories: SURF PATROL (Windjammer Publishing, U.K., 1995, 2nd Edition 1996).

Letters from France, by Jo Anne Wilson
Jo Anne is a retired teacher of French, watercolor artist and freelance writer. She divides her time between the Grand Traverse/Leelanau County area and her favorite villages in Southern France. She spends the winter months enjoying the sunshine and mild temperatures of the Provence region in the shadow of the Luberon Mountains. In 2004, she created her own concierge, travel and guide service called “Meet Me In Provence.” Jo Anne will blog from the perspective of a Northern Michigan resident living in rural France.

Livin’ It U.P., by Megan Oldfield
Megan is a sophomore at Michigan Technological University where she is
majoring in Business Administration, focusing of accounting. She has lived
most of her life in Ohio, Illinois, and has lived in Michigan since 1998.
When Megan is not attending school, she resides in Interlochen.
While she enjoys the Grand Traverse area in the summer and on breaks, she
has greatly enjoyed living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Houghton
for the majority of the fall, winter, and spring. Megan writes of her
experiences as a student at MTU and of her experiences on the Keewanaw
Peninsula.

Making Strides, by Claire Walters
Claire Walters is a Record-Eagle copy editor who obtained a B.S. in journalism from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. A reformed couch potato, she discovered a love of running during grad school at MSU, which grew after her move to Traverse City in November 2007. Despite the fact that her longest run to date is 10 miles, Claire recently registered for the May 23, 2009, Bayshore Marathon. Her Making Strides column, published bi-weekly in the Record-Eagle, chronicles her experiences and observations as she trains for the longest run of her life (so far). This accompanying blog contains her training schedule and training log, and invites recommendations and comments from other runners. Claire is using Hal Higdon’s 18-week “Novice I” regimen, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Northern Michigan Cares, by various authors

Judy Hammond and her husband Chris are life-long Traverse City area residents. Judy became involved with Relay For Life when her niece invited her to visit their team at the Timber Ridge Resort in 2006. Seeing how much was had, Judy joined The Pedal Pushers for the 2007 Relay. Judy’s family, like most families, has been touched by cancer; her mother died of melanoma when she was still a teenager. She views the Relay For Life as her chance to help fight cancer, and to help others understand how they can help and have fun at the same time.

Are you interested in blogging about your cause? See our Be a Record-Eagle Blogger page.

On the Road, by Andrew Dost
Andrew Dost, 23, is a 2001 graduate of Frankfort High School and 2005 graduate of Central Michigan University. He’s been a member of a rock band called “Anathallo” for the past four years, and they’ve recently become full-time musicians. They’re in the middle of a two-month nationwide tour right now, and in the fall will be going to Japan and the United Kingdom. Dost, who plays flugelhorn and piano, also holds a degree in journalism, and writes an occasional column in the Record-Eagle’s Arts & Entertainment section on Fridays. He’s also blogging from the road, posting every few days from his current location on tour.

Our Town: Antrim County, by Gerry Sell
Gerry Sell lives in Torch Lake Township, where she writes for community newspapers and researches Accessible North, a guide to fun for families who have a member with a disability. She’s grateful that Antrim County doesn’t produce a lot of dramatic news, but thinks there are some pretty good stories to tell about it anyway. The Chain of Lakes twists from one corner of the county to another, providing rich opportunities for outdoor recreation and road-end disputes. Small business owners and cherry farmers and filmmakers and auto mechanics and volunteer firefighters and chefs and realtors and taxidermists and poets and librarians and retired executives from Ohio and at least one certified crank somehow manage to govern themselves in 15 townships, five villages and a lot of unincorporated but highly opinionated hamlets. There is bound to be a pony in there somewhere.

Our Town: Traverse City, by Various Authors

Jim Sheehan been a resident of Traverse City since 1995 and is currently attending Davenport University in the Health Information Management program. When he’s not attending schoo and working at Munson Medical Center, he isfishing, reading, and collecting guitars and antique outboard motors. Jim writes about all the things that make Traverse City a great place to live. From acts of kindness to different area attractions, he’ll be your guide to the good things going on in TC.

Erin Crowell was born in Traverse City but grew up in the small village of Kaleva, Michigan. She graduated from Northwestern Michigan College and is currently taking classes at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, majoring in journalism. When she isn’t at school, Erin spends most of her time in Traverse City, where she’ll be living this summer. Her interests include running, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping and going out with friends.

Mariana (Mare) Mueller fears moving away from walking distance to Grand Traverse Bay, but as a recent Grand Valley State University graduate — eager to find a writing opportunity with pay — Mare understands that soon, she must venture far from her lifelong residence and the downtown Traverse City streets. Impassioned by effective, non-violent communication, Mare is inspired to pursue her life’s work by creating awareness and education of how such a tool can create social and personal change; ensuring a better personal life, community, nation, and world. Through her travel experiences outside of Traverse City, Michigan, USA, Mare will share her insightful observances on life as it compares and contrasts to that of our Northern Michigan norms. Mare loves dialogue; it expands her understanding. Please feel free to email her at lamodamare@gmail.com and to check out her personal blog at http://rhetoicofmare.blogspot.com.

Remembering the Fallen, by Susan Lucas
Kewadin resident Susan Lucas first heard of the Michigan Heritage Foundation when the organization came to the office where she works seeking donations. Their vision of a memorial park for Michigan’s fallen soldiers touched Susan’s heart. As she read through the foundation’s information, she could picture the construction of a chapel, the building of an educational center and museum. She imagined families pausing along the trail reading memorials, while parents told of special times they had with their loved ones lost. One of Susan’s three children is a soldier was deployed with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in 2003, losing a friend in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She views her work with the Heritage Foundation as her way to make sure he and many others are not forgotten. Now, through her blog, she’ll share with you courageous profiles of those Michigan Fallen Heroes we should always remember.

Restoring Hope, by Lindsay VanHulle
Record-Eagle reporter Lindsay VanHulle and photographer Doug Tesner are spending a week with students from Traverse City Christian School as they return to the Gulf Coast area to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. The students’ main project is to assist with a Baptist church in Chalmette, La., about seven miles from downtown New Orleans and east of the city’s hard-hit Ninth Ward.

Rose Street Ramblings, by Gloria Veltman
Gloria Veltman, a 60-something who feels like a young 50 (most days), owns and operates a used bookstore in Traverse City. A self-professed “perma-fudgie,” she hails from her hometown of South Haven, but has been in TC almost 14 years.  Gloria is interested in, and blogs about, everything — except maybe horror and baseball (even though she goes to at least one Beach Bums game a year).

Sacred Quest: Growth Through Loss and Love, by John Chuchman
John is a Northern Michigan resident and Pastoral Bereavement Educator and Companion.  He has earned an MA in Pastoral Ministries and a certificate in Spirituality. John and his Sacred Quest Team offer workshops, in-service Programs, seminars, and retreats on grief, caregiving, and spiritual growth for the bereaved, caregivers, and spiritual travelers.  John’s Sacred Quest website is torchlake.com/poetman. He can be reached at poetman@torchlake.com.

Technorama, by Jason Wertenberger
Jason Wertenberger has lived in Traverse City since 1989. He loves computers and the internet. Jason will blog about these things, along with anything that comes to mind, or interests him, with a technology or science bent. Feel free to email him at jasonwert@gmail.com and check out his personal blog at www.jasonwert.com.

Theology Today & the World, by Ed Hahnenberg
Edward J. Hahnenberg, BA, MA, MA, Ed.S., has been an educator and school administrator all his life. He holds a BA in philosophy, an MA in Theology with a major in Scripture, and two graduate degrees in education. He is the author of eleven books dealing with theology and church history, He owns, with his wife Marlene, Hahnenberg Farm Market in Lake Leelanau. Both are parents to eight children, all of whom have received post-secondary degrees, mainly in education. In Theology Today & the World, Ed will blog about the history and theology of all faiths, including how ethics and morality affect global political issues.

True North Trout, by various bloggers

Bryon Anderson moved to Michigan from Missouri in 1997 and quickly discovered he belonged here. He is a passionate (some say obsessive) fly fisherman, fly tier, and fly rod builder. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, he has worked as a high school teacher and long-haul truck driver, and now works for the State of Michigan as a Disability Examiner. He is the proud father of 7-year-old twins and resides in Spring Lake. He is a contributing editor of True|North|Trout.

Ted Kraimer is a fly fishing guide living in Traverse City, taking customers to many of our great local waters in pursuit of the diverse fishery. With close to 20-years of fly fishing experience, his avocation eventually became his vocation and he operates Current Works Guide Service, LLC.  Working in a fly shop while in college gave him the opportunity to teach the sport, and he has been an FFF certified casting instructor for the past 10 years. While not on the water with customers, you can find Ted fishing himself, continuing to look for that edge, or at his fly tying vise tying flies. Ted is also a fly designer for Rainy’s Flies. Through his work with T|N|T and on his own site, Ted contributes a fishing report on many of the local rivers.

An avid fly angler and fly tier, Jordan J. Lindberg was born and raised in Traverse City, graduating from the Traverse City Senior High in 1987. After stints at Albion College, Michigan State University, and the University of Missouri-Columbia, he took a teaching position for almost 10 years at Central Michigan University. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy. He and his family live in East Bay Township. Currently he serves as Executive Vice President of eFulfillment Service, Inc., and is the publisher of True|North|Trout.

Up North Sports, by Jeremy Steck
Jeremy Steck was born and raised in Leelanau County and loves calling northern Michigan home. A lifelong Detroit Tigers, Lions, Pistons and Red Wings fan, Jeremy loves the Traverse City Beach Bums and cheering on his Michigan State Spartans. He will still write about the Michigan Wolverines, just to be fair. You can email Jeremy at jeremy@sportspig.com, and visit his personal sports blog at sportspig.com.

Webmaster’s World, by Jeanne Hubbard
Jeanne is the Record-Eagle’s Webmaster, which means if it’s on one of the Record-Eagle’s Web sites, she probably put it there. Jeanne will use her blog to tell you about what’s new, what’s coming up, and to generally keep you informed about all things online.

Woof & Meow Spoken Here, by Dr. Craig Brakeman, DVM
Dr. Brakeman holds a biology degree from Florida State University, and graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984.  He spent 14 years in practice on large and small animals in central Florida, then moved back to Michigan in 1998.  After practicing in Cadillac for six years, Craig bought the Banfield Pet Hospital franchise in Traverse City in January of 2005.  He is married with three children loves being a veterinarian and  working in Traverse City.