editor's letter

BEHIND THE SCENES

Outside adventures

As we prepare to say goodbye to 2020 (good riddance!), there still is time to fit in a vacation. While travel might be a little different — masks, social distancing and contactless check-ins now are the norm at hotels, resorts and B&Bs around the state — you still can create lasting memories with your family and friends and send the year out on a high note.

In this issue, we share suggestions for all types of winter travelers. Find out about family-friendly ski resorts, couples’ getaways, wine lovers’ weekends, UP adventures and how to enjoy a long weekend in Detroit — all with a focus on being outdoors. You’ll want to bundle up, of course, so we got the scoop from Merrell on the materials, technology and trends that will be keeping you warm this winter.

If traveling is not in your future, we also provide a fun weekend guide to winter that makes for a perfect staycation. And, we spoke with Jon Holmes, director of marketing and e-commerce for The Sporthaus Collection, about snowshoeing — turns out it’s pretty easy to master.

If you prefer to spend the winter indoors, don’t worry, there are plenty of fun ways to enjoy this month without having to bundle up. Find out how to give your living room a makeover by adding texture. Download Lady Ace Boogie’s newest album and get your groove on. Or, flip through photographer Brian Kelly’s new book of aerial photographs taken using a drone — purchasing the book also helps out Mary Free Bed.

With the holidays right around the corner, we scoped out the restaurants with the most holiday spirit. We also introduce you to new nano brewery Lost Art Brewhouse, which opened its doors for carryout this summer and is eager to share its beer list with you. Grab a couple of six-packs, then head over to E.A. Brady’s butcher shop for some fresh cuts of meat to turn into your holiday feast, followed by a visit to Mosby’s Popcorn for a container of assorted gourmet flavors to curl up with during a holiday movie binge-fest — or try this month’s Create recipe: pumpkin pie.

However you choose to spend this month, we hope you stay healthy and warm.

Happy Holidays.

Charlsie Dewey

Managing Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine Managing Editor Charlsie Dewey spent a sunny fall afternoon at TwoGuys Brewing enjoying a flight of beers from the winners of the Grand Rapids Magazine Battle of the Breweries competition. Her favorite? The aptly named Geminiquest.

Next issue

Grand Rapids Magazine's annual Readers' Poll will give you plenty of fun ways to start the New Year. We look at your favorite restaurants, retailers, service providers and more in the January issue.

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

They told her a degree in creative writing may be a silly idea, but in the past decade it has opened up many amazing and unrelated doors for

Jamie deGraaf-Tulisiak

–– from traveling for historical fiction research and project managing website redesigns to marketing for a human milk bank. She currently keeps busy as a mama, yogi, doula and freelance writer.

There are tons of ways to reach us. By mail: Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Email: cdewey@grmag.com. Be sure to include your name, address and daytime phone number. Or follow us online at grmag.com or on social media: @grmag @grmagazine @grmagazine

Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964 www.grmag.com | info@grmag.com Publisher: John Balardo | Associate Publisher: Jason Hosko

We asked our staff: We all know the inevitable 'low' of this tough year, but tell us... what is your 'high' of 2020?

For me, starting back at Gemini Media has been the highlight of 2020, with a close second being the three kittens I adopted in September. KATRINA PESHKA

Marrying my best friend! We had a private ceremony with our pastor, but we’re planning a big reception for family and friends next fall! MARIAH KNOTT

My high would be finding out I am expecting baby number two! RILEY MEYERS

We found out that we are expecting! 2020 has been pretty terrible but this is the best news that we could have received. As if I needed even more of a reason to be excited for 2021! KATIE WEST Editorial Editor: Tim Gortsema Managing Editor: Charlsie Dewey Digital Editor: Tom Mitsos Contributors: Jaye Beeler, Jamie deGraaf-Tulisiak, Sam Easter, Lauren Figueroa, Megan Sarnacki, Julie Tabberer, Ashley Zlatopolsky Interns: Elizabeth Listerman, Allie Ouendag

Design Creative Director: Lindsay Richards Associate Art Director: Keagan Coop Contributors: Michelle Cuppy, Teri Genovese, James Heimer, Stacy Feyer-Salo, Chloe Marchant, Johnny Quirin, Ashley Weirenga

Sales General Inquiries: Advertisingsales@grmag.com Advertising Director: Jenn Maksimowski Account Executives: Todd Anderson, Jessica Laidlaw, Renee Looman, Amanda Smiley Office Assistants: Elissa Stong, Katrina Peshka To Order Reprints: Receptionist – (616) 459-4545

Production Production Director: Jenine Rhoades Senior Production Artist: Robert Gorczyca Production Artist: Stephanie Daniel Advertising Coordinator: Danielle Szatkowski Advertising Designers: Christian Lott, Daniel Moen, Amanda Zwiren

Web Digital Director: Nick Britsky Web Project Lead: Matthew Cappo Web Project Assistants: Mariah Knott, Luanne Lim, Bart Woinski

IT IT Director: Jeremy Leland

Circulation Director Of Audience Development: Michelle VanArman Circulation Manager: Riley Meyers Circulation Customer Service: (866) 660-6247

Marketing Marketing & Events Director: Mary Sutton Marketing & Events Manager: Andrea Straw Marketing & Events Intern: Aubrey Wilson

Administration Director Of Business Operations: Kathie Gorecki Publishing Coordinator: Kristin Mingo Accounting Associates: Natasha Bajju, Andrew Kotzian, Katie West

Published By Gemini Media, LLC CEO: Stefan Wanczyk | President: John Balardo It was nice to slow down, stay home and appreciate the little things a bit more. I connected with friends I don't get to see through Zoom, which was really nice, and spent time thinking about what I really care about in my life. CHARLSIE DEWEY

Soon after we canceled our long awaited summer getaways, a dear friend generously offered us the use of her family's beach house. It was a dream to spend an entire week on Lake Michigan with our two little girls and the best silver lining of 2020. TERI GENOVESE

We have had weekly Zwiren Family Zooms during quarantine, which has been fun as that part of the family is spread across New York and Florida and we never spoke in group chats before this. I was also able to virtually coach my cousin through virtual sorority recruitment and now we have another Greek Spartan in the fam! AMANDA ZWIREN

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Grand Rapids Magazine (ISSN 1055-5145) is published monthly by Gemini Media. Publishing offices: 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331 Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Telephone (616) 459-4545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: grminfo@grmag.com. General editorial inquiries: editorial@grmag.com. Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI and at additional mailing offices. Copyright ©2019 by Gemini Media. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Grand Rapids Magazine, 401 Hall St., SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Subscription rates: one year $24, two years $34, three years $44, in continental U.S.; Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and U.S. possessions, one year $35. Subscrip tions are not retroactive; single issue and newsstand $4.95 (by mail $7.50); back issue $7 (by mail $9), when available. Advertising rates and specifications at grmag.com or by request. Grand Rapids Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited contributions.

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people+places

THE GUIDE TO YOUR CITY

Photographer Brian Kelly used a drone to capture images of Grand Rapids from above.

PROFILE

The view from above

page 13

» PLUS: LADY ACE BOOGIE

ANTI-RACISM WITH WMCAT

HOW TO ENJOY A WINTER WEEKEND