Jill Anderson of Battle Creek wondered what it takes to give a kidney when a Portage woman she had just met shared that her husband was in desperate need. Now she knows. “We are born with four times the kidney power that we need to survive," says Anderson. "By giving away half of that, you can save another life and you’ve still got plenty of kidney function.”
Fluffy Butt Farm, 25 acres in Bedford Township, is home to a lot of fluffy butts (100 chickens, 30 goats, seven cows, four breeding pigs, dogs, cats, and kittens). Owned by pilot Chris Wolters and his flight attendant wife Tawney who sell their meat and produce at local farmers' markets, the couple is enjoying this growing chapter of their adventurous lives.
Linda Cobe spent one year as a five-year-old at Holy Childhood School of Jesus in Harbor Springs. The impact of that year, along with the pervasive and systematic stripping away of her identity, culture, and language as an Ojibwe, continue to affect her. She's written a book, "Red, White and Blue" to share her story with others.
“I say to other survivors, what happened to one of us happened to all of us. We met in Harbor Springs and we bonded together,” says Sharon Skutt, an indigenous survivor of a Michigan boarding school. “The more I speak about it, the more healing there is."
Join the On the Ground Battle Creek team to celebrate its 5th Anniversary during the first-ever Holiday Vendor Pop-Up event, featuring local artists and food artisans, on Dec. 7 at 32 West Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek.
The Road to Healing Tour is giving indigenous boarding school survivors throughout the United States an opportunity to publicly share stories that many had suppressed out of fear and shame. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Southwest Michigan Second Wave will feature three of these women's stories.
“We’re structuring little people's lives. We are their teachers, motivators, and in some instances, mothers and fathers to these kids," says Freddie McGee, Director of Extended Learning programs for Battle Creek Public Schools. "We’re going to be that extra adult in their lives. These kids want to be recognized.”
Western Michigan University's College of Aviation announced a new partnership with Allegiant Travel Company. The Accelerate Pilot Pathway program will streamline the career trajectory for graduates in an industry that is experiencing pilot shortages.
“There are a lot of free Thanksgiving dinners that happen throughout Calhoun County and this one is a family-friendly, fun event and it’s completely free to the public," says Chris Fulbright, meal coordinator and 'executive chef.' "We just want people to come in and enjoy their food and each other's company.”
“I can’t believe I can make something so good," says Karen Pacella, owner of Ciao Bella Chocolat. "Real chocolate is so different. I love the taste and the opportunity to be creative... I smile when I walk through the door."
Our Sponsors
Our Media Partners
We want to know what's on your mind.
