Kelsey Lauer
Monday, September 7, 2009
Rally for one
Music
Rally for One
California band returns to TC for album release
By Kelsey Lauer 9/7/09
Although their families have known each other for years, Traverse City natives Marty Sage and Blake O’Brien had no idea they would end up starting a band out in California together two years ago.
“When I first met (Blake), I thought he was kind of obnoxious and ridiculous,” Sage says with a laugh. “It’s kind of crazy that now we are friends -- I’m just joking.”
“Our moms and sisters were good friends, so that’s kind of how the whole thing started,” O’Brien adds. “We joined the Young Americans and (there) we met two other guys in the group who wanted to start a band. It started out as a fun thing and turned into now what we do for a living.”
California band returns to TC for album release
By Kelsey Lauer 9/7/09
Although their families have known each other for years, Traverse City natives Marty Sage and Blake O’Brien had no idea they would end up starting a band out in California together two years ago.
“When I first met (Blake), I thought he was kind of obnoxious and ridiculous,” Sage says with a laugh. “It’s kind of crazy that now we are friends -- I’m just joking.”
“Our moms and sisters were good friends, so that’s kind of how the whole thing started,” O’Brien adds. “We joined the Young Americans and (there) we met two other guys in the group who wanted to start a band. It started out as a fun thing and turned into now what we do for a living.”
Monday, August 31, 2009
The snows of summer
Features
The Snows of Summer
Teenage snowboarder shreds New Zealand international competition
By Kelsey Lauer 8/31/09
Sliding down a hill on a snowboard is one of Matt Brengman’s favorite things to do -- although Brengman, 17, prefers to do a little more than just slide.
“I like spinning upside down,” he says. “I would say my favorite trick is a backside 360. You just drop your shoulder and then reach back behind your foot so you grab your tail, and then you do a 360 and land back down. I’ve done better tricks, but that one’s my favorite.”
In April, the Traverse City resident took first place in slope-style snowboarding at the U.S.A. Snowboard Association National Championship at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado, beating out 60 other 16-and-17-year-olds from around the nation.
Teenage snowboarder shreds New Zealand international competition
By Kelsey Lauer 8/31/09
Sliding down a hill on a snowboard is one of Matt Brengman’s favorite things to do -- although Brengman, 17, prefers to do a little more than just slide.
“I like spinning upside down,” he says. “I would say my favorite trick is a backside 360. You just drop your shoulder and then reach back behind your foot so you grab your tail, and then you do a 360 and land back down. I’ve done better tricks, but that one’s my favorite.”
In April, the Traverse City resident took first place in slope-style snowboarding at the U.S.A. Snowboard Association National Championship at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado, beating out 60 other 16-and-17-year-olds from around the nation.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Those Nauti-Girls
Features
Those Nauti-Girls...
They’re fishing for a cure
By Kelsey Lauer 8/24/09
Captain Jack Nowland is no stranger to salmon fishing -- after all, he’s been doing it since 1985.
But only last year did Nowland, who has been a certified captain for around 15 years, decide to recruit a team of women -- called the Nauti-Girls -- to enter into the annual Big Jon Salmon Classic, held Aug. 28-30 on West Grand Traverse Bay (the women’s tournament is on Aug. 28). The team donates their winnings from the tournament to Munson Healthcare for breast cancer research.
“This year, our slogan is ‘fishing for a cure,” Nowland says. “This year, I wanted to again limit it to 30 women, and I have 41 signed up. I expect a few might not show up, but we’ll definitely have a full boat. (We have) team t-shirts; it’s definitely about the fun.”
They’re fishing for a cure
By Kelsey Lauer 8/24/09
Captain Jack Nowland is no stranger to salmon fishing -- after all, he’s been doing it since 1985.
But only last year did Nowland, who has been a certified captain for around 15 years, decide to recruit a team of women -- called the Nauti-Girls -- to enter into the annual Big Jon Salmon Classic, held Aug. 28-30 on West Grand Traverse Bay (the women’s tournament is on Aug. 28). The team donates their winnings from the tournament to Munson Healthcare for breast cancer research.
“This year, our slogan is ‘fishing for a cure,” Nowland says. “This year, I wanted to again limit it to 30 women, and I have 41 signed up. I expect a few might not show up, but we’ll definitely have a full boat. (We have) team t-shirts; it’s definitely about the fun.”
Monday, August 17, 2009
Vroom, Vroom... Danielle Sawicki
Features
Vroom, Vroom
Gaylord woman’s pro motocross career starts off with a bang
By Kelsey Lauer 8/17/09
A need for speed is nothing new for Gaylord resident Danielle Sawicki, 21, who has been competing in motocross racing since the age of five when her father introduced her to the sport. She turned pro in 2007.
“I just love the adrenaline rush that you get; it’s just an awesome feeling, sitting on the starting line of a pro race and having 30,000 people screaming and everything like that,” she says. “Walking down to the line, kids hanging their arms over the fence to slap your hand and things like that -- that’s really cool, because I know that not a lot of girls can say that they did it, and I’m living it right now.”
Gaylord woman’s pro motocross career starts off with a bang
By Kelsey Lauer 8/17/09
A need for speed is nothing new for Gaylord resident Danielle Sawicki, 21, who has been competing in motocross racing since the age of five when her father introduced her to the sport. She turned pro in 2007.
“I just love the adrenaline rush that you get; it’s just an awesome feeling, sitting on the starting line of a pro race and having 30,000 people screaming and everything like that,” she says. “Walking down to the line, kids hanging their arms over the fence to slap your hand and things like that -- that’s really cool, because I know that not a lot of girls can say that they did it, and I’m living it right now.”
Monday, August 10, 2009
Inside the heads of Generation X
Books
Inside the Heads of Generation X
By Kelsey Lauer 8/10/09
backpocket e-pistles
By Mike Darigan
Skellum Imaginations, Inc.
264 pages — $11
“It’s about getting off the track and onto something different, maybe not a road,” writes Josh Meritz, one of four young men in backpocket e-pistles.
And that is exactly what the four close friends — Mike Darigan, Josh Meritz, Cleveland Winfield and Perry Panzarella—proceed to do over the course of a year as they study at four different universities—step off the beaten path and onto one of their own making to escape the pressures of modern society and learn who they truly are.
By Kelsey Lauer 8/10/09
backpocket e-pistles
By Mike Darigan
Skellum Imaginations, Inc.
264 pages — $11
“It’s about getting off the track and onto something different, maybe not a road,” writes Josh Meritz, one of four young men in backpocket e-pistles.
And that is exactly what the four close friends — Mike Darigan, Josh Meritz, Cleveland Winfield and Perry Panzarella—proceed to do over the course of a year as they study at four different universities—step off the beaten path and onto one of their own making to escape the pressures of modern society and learn who they truly are.
Monday, August 10, 2009
A collage degree: is it worth it?
Features
A College Degree:
Is It Worth It?
Weighing a four-year degree
against lower-cost alternatives
Kelsey Lauer 8/10/09
As a student in my third year at a pricey private university—with a cost of $37,070 for this year—I can understand the frequently asked question of, “Is my degree really worth it?”
I was lucky enough to get a scholarship to cover a good portion of those costs; but not everyone is so fortunate. Approximately two-thirds (65.6 percent) of the 2008 graduating class carried an average debt of $23,186, according to a survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education.
Is It Worth It?
Weighing a four-year degree
against lower-cost alternatives
Kelsey Lauer 8/10/09
As a student in my third year at a pricey private university—with a cost of $37,070 for this year—I can understand the frequently asked question of, “Is my degree really worth it?”
I was lucky enough to get a scholarship to cover a good portion of those costs; but not everyone is so fortunate. Approximately two-thirds (65.6 percent) of the 2008 graduating class carried an average debt of $23,186, according to a survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Job hunting 101
Features
Job Hunting 101
College grads: do what you love, see the results
By Kelsey Lauer 8/10/09
It’s nearly every college graduate’s greatest fear, especially in the current economic situation: What if I can’t find a job before I graduate?
Try taking a look at your interests and passions—what you enjoy doing in your free time, says Kelley Bishop, executive director of career services at Michigan State University. Your future career might already be laying in wait.
“It’s counter-intuitive in some ways when you might have a difficult economy. Focus on what you’re passionate about,” Bishop says. “That’s where you are more likely to have skills for. Furthermore, you’re more likely to have a lot of knowledge about it because you care about it.”
College grads: do what you love, see the results
By Kelsey Lauer 8/10/09
It’s nearly every college graduate’s greatest fear, especially in the current economic situation: What if I can’t find a job before I graduate?
Try taking a look at your interests and passions—what you enjoy doing in your free time, says Kelley Bishop, executive director of career services at Michigan State University. Your future career might already be laying in wait.
“It’s counter-intuitive in some ways when you might have a difficult economy. Focus on what you’re passionate about,” Bishop says. “That’s where you are more likely to have skills for. Furthermore, you’re more likely to have a lot of knowledge about it because you care about it.”
Monday, August 3, 2009
Off to the Big Apple: Robert Abate Band
Music
Off to the Big Apple
TC musician debuts at music festival in New York City
By Kelsey Lauer 8/3/09
After more than 40 years of playing music at locales across the
Midwest, Traverse City musician Robert Abate has experience with just
about every type of gig.
TC musician debuts at music festival in New York City
By Kelsey Lauer 8/3/09
After more than 40 years of playing music at locales across the
Midwest, Traverse City musician Robert Abate has experience with just
about every type of gig.
Monday, August 3, 2009
I am so blessed to be here. Holly Werlein
Features
‘I Am So Blessed To Be Here’
Organ recipient Holly Werlein to
compete in Australia for World Games
By Kelsey Lauer 8/3/09
After what felt to her like a week-long nap, 24-year-old Holly Werlein
woke up with a new liver.
“Mine was definitely a different story than most transplant people. I just
happened to be in the right place at the right time,” she says of her
transplantation procedure.
Organ recipient Holly Werlein to
compete in Australia for World Games
By Kelsey Lauer 8/3/09
After what felt to her like a week-long nap, 24-year-old Holly Werlein
woke up with a new liver.
“Mine was definitely a different story than most transplant people. I just
happened to be in the right place at the right time,” she says of her
transplantation procedure.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Hockey on horseback
Features
Hockey on Horseback
Second annual polo match wraps up the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian
Festival
By Kelsey Lauer 7/27/09
Hockey is a familiar sport, particularly in Northern Michigan; but what
about hockey on horseback?
Second annual polo match wraps up the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian
Festival
By Kelsey Lauer 7/27/09
Hockey is a familiar sport, particularly in Northern Michigan; but what
about hockey on horseback?
Monday, July 27, 2009
A job in film?
Features
A Job in Film?
As one industry dwindles,another one grows
By Kelsey Lauer 7/27/09
Michigan is no stranger to the art of filmmaking.
“Back in the heyday of the car industry in the ‘50s, Detroit actually
consumed more 35-millimeter film stock than Hollywood,” says Traverse City
film producer Richard Brauer.
As one industry dwindles,another one grows
By Kelsey Lauer 7/27/09
Michigan is no stranger to the art of filmmaking.
“Back in the heyday of the car industry in the ‘50s, Detroit actually
consumed more 35-millimeter film stock than Hollywood,” says Traverse City
film producer Richard Brauer.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Dances with horses
Features
Dances With Horses
Betsy Van Dyke performs the ‘equine ballet’ at Horse Shows by the Bay
By Kelsey Lauer 7/20/09
Some of the 3,000 riders who flock to Traverse City to compete in the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival come from as far away as Texas. But local dressage rider Betsy Van Dyke didn’t have quite as far to travel.
Van Dyke, who operates a training and teaching business out of the Walton Ranch in Kingsley, south of Traverse City, says that Horse Shows by the Bay is one of her favorite competitions.
“I love this horse show, and I cannot say enough good things about this horse show,” she says. “I love the way it’s run, I love the people who run it and I love the quality that they are bringing to this area. I’m very grateful for that, so I really want to let them know that and have that out there.”
Betsy Van Dyke performs the ‘equine ballet’ at Horse Shows by the Bay
By Kelsey Lauer 7/20/09
Some of the 3,000 riders who flock to Traverse City to compete in the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival come from as far away as Texas. But local dressage rider Betsy Van Dyke didn’t have quite as far to travel.
Van Dyke, who operates a training and teaching business out of the Walton Ranch in Kingsley, south of Traverse City, says that Horse Shows by the Bay is one of her favorite competitions.
“I love this horse show, and I cannot say enough good things about this horse show,” she says. “I love the way it’s run, I love the people who run it and I love the quality that they are bringing to this area. I’m very grateful for that, so I really want to let them know that and have that out there.”
Monday, July 13, 2009
Moonbeam
Music
Moonbeam Sunrising Star
A Musician on the Rise
By Kelsey Lauer 7/13/09
Moonbeam Sunrising Star only moved to Traverse City in November, but she is already shining brightly on the local music scene.
“I’ve been singing and playing music since I was five years old. My mother would wake us up on Sunday mornings blaring gospel music,” she says. “I was always the one who pursued music, did all the choirs when I was in high school—show choir, jazz choir and concert choir.”
A Musician on the Rise
By Kelsey Lauer 7/13/09
Moonbeam Sunrising Star only moved to Traverse City in November, but she is already shining brightly on the local music scene.
“I’ve been singing and playing music since I was five years old. My mother would wake us up on Sunday mornings blaring gospel music,” she says. “I was always the one who pursued music, did all the choirs when I was in high school—show choir, jazz choir and concert choir.”
Monday, July 13, 2009
Horse Heaven
Features
Horse Heaven
Four-week equestrian festival
brings thousands to Traverse City
By Kelsey Lauer 7/13/09
Imagine having $250,000 in your pocket. Can you picture yourself spending
it on a horse?
Four-week equestrian festival
brings thousands to Traverse City
By Kelsey Lauer 7/13/09
Imagine having $250,000 in your pocket. Can you picture yourself spending
it on a horse?
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunny side up/ Eric Wotila
Features
Sunny Side Up
Eric Wotila touts the ‘good news’ with Local Edition
By Kelsey Lauer 7/6/09
Eric Wotila’s cell phone rings as he puts the final touches on a
last-minute TV commercial for Swaffer’s Toyota of Cadillac. It’s the
painters, come to change the wall color in the new office of his video
production company in downtown Cadillac.
Eric Wotila touts the ‘good news’ with Local Edition
By Kelsey Lauer 7/6/09
Eric Wotila’s cell phone rings as he puts the final touches on a
last-minute TV commercial for Swaffer’s Toyota of Cadillac. It’s the
painters, come to change the wall color in the new office of his video
production company in downtown Cadillac.
©Copyright 2013 by Northern Express | Privacy Statement | Terms Of Use
