Writer Casey Grooten attended this year's Kalamazoo Pride as the new Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival. While volunteering at the KPF booth, they learned a few things about themselves — and about what Pride has come to mean to them. 

“Your great ancestors had to fight for everything just like you continue to fight. It is important that we don’t just talk about it, but actually do something," said HUD representative Richard Monnocchio in an announcement of a $1M grant for Pine Creek Indian Reservation housing.

'Better When Shared' is a tagline of Kalamazoo's Love Muffins which features scrumptious carrot cake based on a family heirloom recipe. Love Muffins will soon add a storefront and also be sharing a kitchen at the former Boonzaaijer Bakery, which continues to sell baked goods at the Kalamazoo Farmers' Market. 

"I was walking down a dusty, stony road. Had my head up in the clouds, and my feet were in gravel (gravel)."