Fresh Food Partnership: This organization was founded by dear friends Bronwyn Jones and Joe VanderMeulen. They have been inspirational in their efforts to see that the bounty of our blessed Northern Michigan gets disseminated to people who need it most. The Partnership purchases fresh food from small farms and creates ways for that food to get to food pantries in the five county areas. In addition, when you buy a copy of Pulling Down the Barn, a portion of the royalties always goes to the partnership.

Sweeter Song Farm: Run by Jim Schwantes and Judy Reinhart, this lovely 100 year old farm north of Cedar, Michigan, is now part of the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. Jim and Judy grow beautiful vegetables, mostly organically, and supply fifty families with bountiful produce from June to October. Having a share in the farm, sitting on their porch on pick-up day, picking my own herbs and flowers from the u-pick beds, collecting eggs from the “girls” as they cluck away—all of it brings home-grown richness to my life. Sweeter Song is also my way of staying in touch with the best of my agricultural roots.

Michigan Writers, Inc.: This organization has been instrumental in bringing diverse writers from Northern Michigan into a community of potluckers and professional associates who help each other in a variety of ways. The work of Michigan Writers Cooperative Press offers opportunities to regional writers for publication in elegant chapbooks. Michigan Writers, along with Glen Arbor Art Association, sponsors the regional magazine Dunes Review: Literary Journal of Northern Michigan, yet another story and poem adventure here in the North.

Glen Arbor Art Association: This lovely organization sponsors art classes, residencies, art projects, readings and lectures. The association co-sponsors the ever amazing Manitou Music Festival and the Dunes Review: Literary Journal of Northern Michigan. It is a personal, energetic, focused and fun-loving group of true community builders. Located in the new Arts Center in Glen Arbor, the Association members are also currently restoring the old Thoreson Farm in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: I live next door to it but never tire of its majestic dunes, soothing walks, glorious beaches and amazing sunsets. It’s my favorite place to picnic and "recoup.”

Interlochen Arts Academy : Though it is my place of employment, it is also a source of constant inspiration. Through music, dance art, theater, visual arts, motion picture arts and reading opportunities, I am always lifted into a more hopeful space by what these gifted students create.

I have two favorite bookstores:

Your Place Grand Traverse. A fascinating on-line magazine where development and planners meet environmentalists and artists. The site includes a rich array of writing and photography on the Northern Michigan Area.

Glen Arbor Sun: This quirky and insightful newspaper, edited by Jacob Wheeler, sports a profile that includes an amazing mix of relevant reports on politics through the eyes of those who have been there—especially young regional activists, as well as Rotarian-style features on regional entrepreneurs. Its range is its charm. You won’t find many small newspapers with such an authentic voice and diverse views.

Duncan Sprattmoran is one of my favorite regional artists. His work has twice been selected to grace my books and I think more people pick my books because of his art than because of the writing. He teaches at Interlochen Pathfinder School.