Writer | Mary Rose Kulczak Photos | Next Door Photos – Grand Rapids Regional Feature: Regional Feature: A Modern Home in the Woods Nestled into the woods on nearly three acres, the home of Ian Nagy and Kenny Garvin blends a modern style with a nod to its organic setting. An earthy mix of colors and textures in wood and stone is contrasted with soaring staggered rooflines and expansive windows.  The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home was designed with a 4,000-square-foot split-floor plan that would allow for private spaces while still maintaining an open concept in the main living ar ..read more

Writer | Candie Conat Photo | Bad Habit Focus On: Bad Habit In 2021, Bonnie Brown tried a unique milkshake-style dessert during a business trip in Las Vegas. Her first thought was “Wow, these are amazing,” quickly followed by “This is the business opportunity I have been looking for.” Brown had never seen anything like this in West Michigan. She knew it would be a welcome delight along the lakeshore.  Her business partner, John Zervas, was not immediately sold on the idea but Brown knew that once he and others had the chance to experience these delectable treats, they would agree. Brown b ..read more

Writer | Tracy Donohue Photo | New Growth Project Building Community: New Growth Project In a community, those who feel passionate about a social cause and have a common purpose will often band together to create change. This is happening in the city of Rockford with the recent launch of New Growth Project. The nonprofit organization was founded by Christine O’Driscoll and Carly Van Duinen who combined their shared passions of creating inclusive jobs for neurodiverse individuals and growing nourishing vegetables to create a unique farm environment that positively impacts the surrounding commun ..read more

WRITER | RACHEL WHITE PHOTO | ASHLEY AVILA PHOTOGRAPHY Regional Feature: Wishing on Stars Magnuson Build & Design has a simple philosophy: Listen to the dreams of the homeowner and make those dreams a reality. When Chantal and Joe Leduc bought their property on more than 30 acres, they had no shortage of dreams and the award-winning home they built from that vision speaks for itself. It’s a peaceful haven that also exudes hospitality, built for both quiet strolls down to the pond and rowdy barbeque pool parties. “Eric [Magnuson] found everything that I asked for,” Chantal says. “I’d been g ..read more

WRITER | CANDIE CONAT PHOTO | AMY ZANE Earthly Delights at Amy Zane After college, Amy Zane spent a few years in what she calls her seeker phase. One morning, she saw an ad for a job where she could learn to make jewelry while also learning how to manage a retail store. Shortly after being hired, she realized this was going to be her life’s work. She focused on learning this new craft and loved it. Her long-term plan was to stay in California, but she was feeling a pull to move back to her hometown of Kalamazoo. Upon returning home, Zane continued creating jewelry, selling it wholesale. One of ..read more

WRITER | Sarah Spohn PHOTO | Kalamazoo Farmers Market Kalamazoo Farmers Market It’s a sunny day, and you’re wandering up and down the aisles at an outdoor farmers market. Your senses come alive –– your eyes gaze upon vibrant flowers and your nose tingles at the scent of ethnic food. You hear the sounds of a local farmer chatting with a customer about fresh fruits and veggies from their farm. Summer is here.  This scene occurs weekly at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market as it fulfills its mission to connect customers with small businesses. Operated by the People’s Food Co-op of Kalamazoo, the K ..read more

WRITER | JULIE FORD Photos | Diana Paulson – LINEA & Vidosh North Landscaping Transforming a Bay Harbor Summer Retreat For years, the homeowners had their eyes on this Hamptons-style home in Bay Harbor. The Chicago-based couple summered nearby and when this home became available during the pandemic, they bought it, knowing it needed updating. To accommodate their lifestyle, the couple gathered the team of Lou DesRosiers, architect, Harbor View Custom Builders, Chatham House Interiors and Vidosh North Landscaping to renovate the summer residence into an elegant, functional space for family ..read more

WRITER | Kim Kytinen PHOTO | Norte Youth Cycling Building Community:  Norte Youth Cycling Imagine the whoosh of wind rushing past your body, the warmth of the summer sun toasting your skin and the unparalleled exhilaration of pedaling on two wheels down hills and around curves. The adventures and freedom of a self-propelled excursion are good for mind, body and spirit. These important life skills are learned through sweat, joy and perseverance.  Learning to ride a bike is a childhood rite of passage and Norte Youth Cycling wants to make sure more kids have this experience of a lifeti ..read more

Focus On: Building a Family Legacy Honor Hardware and Building Supply, Inc. was founded in 1963 by Earl and Shirley Soderquist. They were the first to build and open a retail store in what is now the Honor Shopping Plaza.  Two of Earl and Shirley’s four daughters chose to work alongside their parents. Eldest daughter Lynn and her husband Tom Hopkins started working for the business in the ‘70s and by 1987, their youngest daughter Mary and her husband Doug Rodriguez had also joined the company.  In the ‘70s, Earl and Shirley purchased some property in Frankfort to build another store ..read more

Writer | Rachel White Photo | UP Travel Weekend Waterfall Getaways Michigan is chock full of water, where lakes, rivers, ponds and streams abound. But perhaps the most enchanting waters are those that tumble over rock formations, representing the more than 300 waterfalls scattered across our Upper Peninsula and one in the Lower Peninsula.  Most falls are viewable year-round, with each season offering great opportunities to experience the natural flora and fauna along the way, serving as beautiful precursors to the majesty of the falls. Perhaps the hardest part is deciding which waterfall ..read more