From the Editor

It’s a new year so it’s fitting that this issue be about new things. Despite the dampening effect that Covid-19 has had on everything, we’ve found some great stories about people who are pushing forward with new ideas and innovations.

This month’s cover feature on the Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition is one of those stories. KNAC is an organization that is taking the First Baptist Church in downtown Kalamazoo, which had faced closure because of the congregation's declining numbers, and turning it into a community asset. This sprawling structure, with 22,000 square feet of space, offers below-market rental space for nonprofits, artists, performing arts groups and organizations and individuals committed to improving the community. It’s an innovative way to not only help keep one of the community’s oldest congregations alive, but provide support to a lot of other organizations and individuals as well.

And at a time when we’ve seen the loss of several local craft breweries, writer John Liberty tells us about three new craft breweries in the works, including Murray Street Brewing Co., the first such brewery to open in Mattawan and which has taken six years to come to fruition. Read his article and find out what else is brewing in this local industry.

Our Back Story introduces us to Victor Ledbetter, director of the Law Enforcement Training Center at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, who has innovated how future cops are being trained by implementing a week-long diversity training program in the center’s police academy.

In addition, we meet Adam Sterenberg, the founder of Tree of Life, a private Christian school in the Edison neighborhood that opened in 2010. The school provides a different educational option for families in one of the county’s largest and most diverse neighborhoods.

Here’s to hoping you enjoy this issue and that your January brings something positive and new to you as well, whether it is adventures, perspectives or knowledge.

From left to right: Michael D. Holmes, William B. Millard, Morgan L. Rogalke, Michele C. Marquardt, Charles S. Ofstein, Tyler J. Stewart

A law firm focusing on estate planning, estate settlement, and the transfer of wealth.

211 East Water Street, Suite 401 Kalamazoo 269.343.2106 dementandmarquardt.com

Four out of four ducks agree...

Forensic Fluids Laboratories are the Oral Fluid Drug Testing Specialists.

January 2021 Southwest Michigan’s MagazineJanuary 2021 Southwest Michigan’s Magazine

Saving Space The new life of an old church

Publisher encore publications, inc. Editor marie lee

Designer alexis stubelt

Photographers brian k. powers, john liberty Contributing Writers jordan bradley, mallory heslinger, katie houston, marie lee, john liberty, elaine m. seaman Copy Editor/Poetry Editor margaret deritter

Advertising Sales janis clark janet gover krieg lee

Distribution gregory macleery

Office Coordinators hope smith kelly burcroff

Encore Magazine is published 12 times yearly. Copyright 2021, Encore Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial, circulation and advertising correspondence should be sent to: www.encorekalamazoo.com 117 W. Cedar St. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Telephone: (269) 383-4433 Fax: (269) 383-9767 Email: Publisher@encorekalamazoo.com

The staff at Encore welcomes written comment from readers, and articles and poems for submission with no obligation to print or return them. To learn more about us or to comment, visit encorekalamazoo.com. Encore subscription rates: one year $36, two years $70. Current single issue and newsstand $4, $10 by mail. Back issues $6, $12 by mail. Advertising rates on request. Closing date for space is 28 days prior to publication date. Final date for print-ready copy is 21 days prior to publication date. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by those interviewed and published here do not reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Encore Magazine or the official policies, owners or employees of Encore Publications.