From the Editor

October is one of those months to savor, with its vibrant fall foliage, still-warm days but cool nights and all the fun things to do such as pumpkin carving and apple picking, looking at the night sky while sitting next to a cozy campfire and watching football games.

And like the variety of weather, smells, sounds and views of October, this month's issue of Encore offers a wide-ranging look at some of the people and organizations that make the greater Kalamazoo area a better place.

First, we feature Integrated Services of Kalamazoo's new Behavioral Health Urgent Care & Access Center, which is a dynamic new tool in addressing the mental health needs in our community. The center offers access to same-day care for those needing it and works in partnership with local law enforcement agencies to assist with calls involving mental health.

We also meet Jermaine Jackson and learn about his effort to recognize his great-aunt Henrietta Lacks’ contribution to the health and well-being of all of us. Through an exhibit he curated, Jackson shows how the cells that were harvested from Lacks without her knowledge or permission have launched medical breakthroughs like the polio vaccine and continue to contribute to science even 72 years after her death.

We also feature our first Update story as part of Encore's celebration of its 50th anniversary year. Update features take a story we've published in the past and provide an update on the people or organization featured. So often Encore writes about people and organizations at the beginning of their great endeavors, but it’s also gratifying to tell our readers how those ventures turned out. This month we look at V & A Bootery, a longtime family-owned business in the Kalamazoo area that is twice as old as Encore. Its story is a testament to adapting and weathering change.

Finally, we meet Trey Harris, who leads the Western Michigan University Bronco Marching Band, one of the biggest college marching bands in the Mid-America Conference. Like the music the band plays at games, Harris’ spirit and enthusiasm are infectious.

Enjoy!