Month: September 2019

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Love pumpkin? You must try these fall treats

Today marks the official first day of fall, and while it always feels like summer flies by too quickly, there are also so many special things about fall in Michigan. I’m already dreaming about visits to Barkham Creek Farm for apple cider and donuts, Halloween costume prep, and dressing for crisper days.

It’s also the magical time of year when all things pumpkin appear on the shelves: everything from dish soaps to candles, flavored coffees to cereals. Pumpkin lovers rejoice, pumpkin haters groan. I’m a pumpkin lover, so I’m in major celebration mode this month.

I’ve been starting to bring out the annual standbys, like my Pumpkin Patch Kalamazoo Candle Company candles, but this season it feels like the universe is bestowing new pumpkin gifts onto us in great abundance.

Can you say, pumpkin pie hummus? Are you thrilled or disgusted by this notion? How about a spin on Starbucks’ cold brew, or a delicious, 120-calorie ice cream pop?

If you’re a pumpkin fanatic, please proceed.

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Sneak peek: Check out the new Foster Coffee Co. in East Lansing

In spring 2018, I went with my friends Linda and Ellen to visit the cute little town of Owosso. One of our must-stops was Foster Coffee Co, which was founded in Owosso in 2014. Foster celebrates community through local partnerships and, of course, coffee. I loved their cozy vibe, and the coffee was also so yummy.

Over a year later, I am so excited that Foster Coffee Co. is opening an East Lansing location in the new Center City project along Grand River. This Wednesday night, I was given the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the location, which is set to make its debut with a grand opening weekend on 9/20-9/22. I was also sent a fun little package ahead of the sneak preview with a Foster Coffee Co. shirt, mug, sticker, and gift card.

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Review: “Come From Away” sheds light on our darkest time

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11. As we’ve done each year since 2001, we spend this time reflecting on where we were, remembering those whose lives were lost, and honoring the heroes. Some of the stories are full of heartbreak and sorrow. Some of the stories shed light on our unity and humanity.

In recognizing the heroes of 9/11, it feels especially poignant this particular week aligns with the arrival of the “Come From Away” national tour at the Wharton Center. “Come From Away” tells the true story of the 7,000 airplane passengers who were stranded on 9/11 in Gander, a small town in Newfoundland, and the residents who helped feed, clothe, and house them for five days. Real-life testimonies from the passengers and Gander residents give an intimate look at the confusion, chaos, and Canadian camaraderie in the days that followed 9/11.

With book, music, and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and Tony Award-winning direction by Christopher Ashley, “Come From Away” is an emotional and heartwarming kickoff to the Wharton Center’s 2019-20 season. It runs through September 15, 2019.

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I love Paris: The best food we ate and where to find it

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it forever: enjoying the local cuisine is one of my favorite parts of any trip. Wherever we plan to go for a vacation, you can bet that I either have ideas in mind of where I’d like to eat or will be researching with endless Google tabs open on my browser.

So when we decided to go to Paris for our 10th anniversary, the vision of macarons, croissants, baguettes, and other delicacies filled my dreams like a carbohydrate cloud. Where would we even begin to find the time and stomach space to get our fill of everything Paris has to offer? And how can you even decide on where to eat when every quaint street cafe looks incredible?

Thankfully, we had some help from friends, local recommendations, pop culture, and of course, a whole lot of Googling.

While just about everything we ate on our trip was absolutely wonderful, especially the bread (oh my goodness, the bread the bread the BREAD), here are the best of the best things we ate in Paris.

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Interview: Chatting with Julie Johnson of “Come From Away”

The 2019-20 Broadway season at Wharton Center kicks off this month with the arrival of “Come From Away,” the Tony-nominated musical based on true events surrounding 9/11 and the days that followed. The national tour’s East Lansing stop runs from September 10-15, 2019, making it an especially poignant time of reflection for the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

“Come From Away” tells the true story of 7,000 passengers stranded in a small town in Newfoundland and the local residents who helped feed, house, and support them in the confusing and chaotic aftermath of 9/11.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Julie Johnson stars as Beulah and other characters in the touring company of “Come From Away.” Johnson isn’t a stranger to the Wharton Center: she also starred as Mama in the first national tour of “Memphis,” which stopped in East Lansing during the 2011-12 season.

Julie Johnson

I spoke with her about the humanity in “Come From Away,” her connection with the cast, and her unexpected voice role in the 1990s and 2000s.

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