Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959 By Aaron Emerson Editor in Chief If you have traveled along the west side of Adado Riverfront Park, right across from LCC’s Gannon Building, you have probably noticed some kites in the air at some point. On nice days, usually in the afternoon, James Ellsworth and Kenneth McDuffey fly several kites in the park. It all started in 2009, when Ellsworth began flying kites over the Lansing City Market. A few years later when apartment buildings were constructed next to the market, Ellsworth had to move his hobby to the park. Ellsworth, who is retired and has lived in Lansing his whole life, said he got the idea while looking for a way to get outside of his apartment. “I didn’t want to stay at home and just get fat,” Ellsworth joked. “I See Kites, page 4
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Volume 58, Issue 14
april 3 - 16, 2017
Photos by Aaron Emerson James Ellsworth flies a kite in Adado Riverfront Park.
Kites at great heights Gibson’s to stop selling books at end of semester
Pitching shines in Stars’ road to national success
‘La Batterie’ bangs into LCC’s Dart Auditorium
Page >>> 3
Page >>> 7
Page >>> 9
2|News
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Fair details transfer options By Haneen Hammad Staff Writer LCC hosted its annual Transfer Fair Tuesday, March 21 with over 30 area colleges taking part in the event. The event was held on the first and second floors of the Gannon Building. The goal was to make students aware of the opportunities to transfer to a variety of universities in Michigan. Graham Berke, an applications systems analyst at the LCC University Center, got a chance to see the event come to life. "Transferring is such an important part of LCC ,” Berke said. “A majority of students attend LCC with either the goal of learning a new skill or to transfer. "It is a big piece of what LCC is trying to do and it is important to provide them with the resources that make transferring easier." The University Center helps students get in contact with advisers from the five partner universities. Monica Guerra, an enrollment advisor with Sienna Heights through the University Center at LCC, had a chance to interact with students during the fair. "Sienna Heights offers small class sizes,
“Do you plan on transfeRring after LCC and, if so, TO where?” SPECTIVES
ER CAMPUS P
"I do plan on transferring. I'm considering multiple places such as Grand Valley State and Michigan State.” Zamani Coakieanos Game Design
Photo by Nick Thompson
Colleges from throughout Michigan await potential transfer students at LCC's Transfer Fair March 21 on the second floor of the Gannon Building. A total of 35 colleges were represented at the fair.
and is part of the University Center's 3-plus1 program, which is great for students who don’t want to make the commute to our university." Lora Phelps, an admissions officer for the University of Michigan – Flint, said she was impressed with the turnout for the event. "We're hoping that students are encouraged to complete a bachelor’s degree be-
yond their associates or just community college classes, which is why it is important for LCC to host an event like this,” Phelps said. "It is good for students to know that they have options, especially with the diverse programs offered specifically at the University of Michigan - Flint.” For more information and future college visits, visit http://www.lcc.edu/uc/
"I intend to transfer to Michigan State University for a degree in either film studies or costume design." Marina White Photographic Imaging
"Yeah, I do. I plan on transferring and I'm looking at MSU." Dylan Simon Computer Science
Your on campus Credit Union! We are conveniently located in the Gannon Building on LCC's Downtown Campus. At this branch, LCC students, faculty and staff can open an account, register for our free online banking, conduct daily transactions, and apply for credit cards and loans.
We have ATMs located all over campus, including two in the Gannon building, one in the TLC building, and one on East and West campus. Plus, because we are a Co-Op Shared branch, you have access to 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.
Federally Insured by NCUA
www.casecu.org
Our service. Your success.
3|News
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Bookstore to close doors IN BRIEF By Aaron Emerson Editor in Chief A mainstay in the downtown Lansing and LCC community is set to close at the end of the spring semester. Gibson’s Bookstore, which got its start in East Lansing in 1955, is closing, according to co-owner David Poquette. Started by Poquette’s grandfather and father out of the back of a car, the bookstore is scheduled to close in May. A piece of the family-owned business is going to remain intact, however. The adjacent cafe, “Gibson’s Books and Beans,” is still going to remain alive. It will be renamed “Books and Beans Cafe.” The cafe will be owned by Poquette’s niece and Gibson’s Bookstore co-owner Matt Buche’s daughter, Danielle Kingery, and her husband, Steve Kingery. Poquette said LCC’s deal with Missouri-based MBS Textbook Exchange in 2015 is to blame for the financial problems Gibson’s Bookstore is undergoing, which is why they are closing. “We figure that 70 to 80 percent of LCC students are on financial aid,” Poquette said. “But now 70 to 80 percent of that money that was spent locally is now mainly going to Missouri.” LCC previously gave financial aid students funding to buy textbooks wherever they chose. A few years ago, the college allowed bookstores to bid on a voucher program, which meant financial aid book money could only be spent on the best bidder. That bid was awarded to MBS. Gibson’s sued the college in 2015 over the voucher program, but dropped it a few months later due to not having
NEWS
New tax credit encourages grads to stay
Photo by Nick Thompson
Owner Dave Poquette assists a customer March 28 at Gibson's Bookstore. Gibson's will be closing its bookstore after more than 60 years in business, but plans to keep its cafe open.
enough money to continue the lawsuit, Poquette said. According to the Lansing State Journal, Gibson’s Bookstore owes the City of Lansing over $3,800 in jeopardy property tax liens. The reported jeopardy tax liens mean municipalities are worried the business won’t be able to pay owed taxes; or sometimes meaning businesses that are reportedly closing won’t be able to continue their payments. Poquette disputed the LSJ report, saying that is not a reason why Gibson’s Bookstore is closing, however. He said his business is all caught up in property taxes. “We thought we were all paid up,” Poquette said. “These taxes aren’t due until June. We didn’t even find out about this until we came across the article.” The Lansing State Journal quoted LCC spokeswoman Devon Bradley as saying, “our commitment has been and continues
to be lowering textbook costs for our students.” Bradley was not immediately available for comment at the time of The Lookout’s publication. Kingery, who is 29, has worked at Gibson’s since she was a child. She said she is happy to be able to continue on the legacy of her family’s business. Her mother, who passed away when she was a senior in high school, started the cafe portion of Gibson’s. “It was what my mom loved,” Kingery said. “It’s really important for me to carry that on for her. We just are hoping that everyone in the community still supports us. “We know there are a lot of students and faculty who still support us. We just hope that we can still stay here and carry everything on. It’s important and we’ve been here for so long and we don’t want to leave.”
Event addresses travel ban; staying safe By Haneen Hammad Staff Writer In light of the current political climate, as well as the newest travel ban on six Muslim majority countries and immigration policies, LCC hosted an event March 27 to inform students and faculty on how to stay safe. Held in the Centre for Engaged Inclusion, LCC Counselor Monica Del Castillo hosted the event. “It is important, regardless of who you are, to be informed on current news,’ Del Castillo said. “(Be) aware of what is available (and) to have a
voice in whatever way, whether it is a march or writing a letter to congressional representatives.” Not only did the workshop offer tips on how to stay safe, but it also welcomed multiple speakers who referred to free resources that students and faculty can utilize on campus. Resources include free and confidential counseling for all students, Academic Success Coaches who will assist with referring students to the correct resources, and academic advising. Immigration Attorney Amy Maldonado was one of the speakers present
to offer advice. “I cannot stand the word illegal; it is inaccurate as a matter of law and it is also very dehumanizing,” Maldonado said. Maldonado advised students “not to travel unless absolutely necessary.” Felipe Lopez Sustaita, a State of Michigan Hispanic Latino commissioner, also spoke at the event. “Everybody has rights, regardless if you are undocumented or not,” Sustaita said. For more information, or to schedule a counseling appointment, call (517) 4831924 or visit www.lcc.edu/counseling/
State Rep. Andy Schor (D-Lansing) has introduced House Bill 4409, which would give college students an incentive to stay in Michigan after graduating. The plan’s goal is to reduce the “brain drain” by helping students saddled with loan debt to get back on their feet while starting a career in Michigan. It aims to do this with a five-year tax credit. The plan would create an income tax credit equal to 50 percent of the amount of qualified student loan payments made during the tax year for which the credit is being claimed. For more information, contact Rep. Andy Schor at (517) 373-0826.
CATA’s annual health fair coming soon The Capital Area Transportation Authority’s 18th annual Community Health Fair is scheduled for Friday, April 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the CATA Transportation Center. The center is located at 420 S. Grand Ave. in Lansing. Attendance to the event is free. A total of 16 different CATA bus routes make stops at the center, for those in need of transportation to the fair. This year the fair includes several free screenings and services: cholesterol & glucose screenings, Osteoporosis screenings, basic vision screenings, oral cancer screenings, nutritional education, senior services, Alzheimer’s warning signs and more. For more information, call (517) 394-1100.
‘Tomatoland’ author to visit LCC On April 4, 5 and 6, Barry Estabrook, author of “Tomatoland,” will visit LCC. He will be accompanied by Santiago Perez from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and Natali Rodriguez of the Student Farmworker Alliance (SFA). “Tomatoland” is the focus of the “One Book One LCC” program discussions for the 2016-17 school year. To learn more about SFA or CIW visit www.sfalliance.org and www.ciw-online. org, respectively. For a list of presentation times, please contact the Student Life office at (517) 483-1285.
4|News
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Blanket event makes neighborhood cozy By Aaron Wilton Associate Editor Blanket the Neighborhood was an LCC community service project held on Saturday, March 25. Anne Heutsche, an assistant professor of history at LCC, was one of the event organizers. “This is the first time that we have held a community service project during spring semester and (the first) at west campus,” Heutsche said. She offered some details about the event. “We had 35 people attend,” Heutsche said. “The event is actually sponsored and run by The Student Life Office. Patti Ayers, Margo Whalen and I coordinate activities on LCC’s end, but we are always looking for more
people to become involved.” Heutsche said multiple groups provided help for this project. “For this community service project, we received support from the LCC Office of External Affairs, Development and K-12 Operations,” she said. “And we worked with our community partners, The Catholic Community of St. Jude and St. Vincent Catholic Charities.” The event produced 75 blankets. There will be another opportunity for students to help make blankets, according to Heutsche.
“If individuals missed the event, do not despair as we will be making blankets during Finals Frenzy,” she said. “More details to come soon.” She spoke about the goals of the LCC community service projects. “We believe that LCC is here to serve our various communities and try to meet their specific community needs,” Heutsche said. “We try to provide opportunities for the LCC community to participate in civic and community engagement activities throughout the year.”
Marketing club named one of nation’s best LCC’s American Marketing Association Collegiate Chapter was named one of the top five small chapters in the country during the 39th annual AMA International Collegiate Conference, held March 16 to 20 in New Orleans. Members spent all year working hard to fundraise for this trip, according to AMA Adviser Bill Motz. The LCC chapter competed on an international level with some of the best four-year colleges and universities in the nation, he said. During the conference, LCC’s AMA chapter participated in a number of professional development activities. These ranged from learning the ups and downs of being a startup entrepreneur, to running social media marketing for small businesses. “They brought back diverse marketing experiences and knowledge to our Lansing market,” Motz said. LCC has hosted an AMA Collegiate Chapter for 30 years under the ad-
Kites
Continued from page 1 wanted to find something that would get me outside to enjoy the day and weather.” McDuffey, also a Lansing resident, is Ellsworth’s neighbor and friend. When he saw Ellsworth flying a kite, he also thought it was a perfect way to enjoy life outside. “It’s so fun,” McDuffey said. “It reminds me of being a kid. I really never even thought about flying kites until I moved
The LCC American Marketing Association Collegiate Chapter was awarded as one of the “Top Five Small Chapters of the Year” on March 18. Members of this year’s AMA club (left to right) include Coleton Fischer, Courtney Sorenson, Kelcie Hausner, Adrienne Jenkins, Gladys Herod, Douglas Klein, Jeffrey MacCowan, Bill Motz, Edna Frenchwood and Bruce Terry Jr.
vising of Motz, a marketing professor. This year, the club planned and implemented a variety of marketing objectives to work its way to the top. “I am proud of the LCC AMA officers and the work they performed that earned the AMA a Top 5 Chapter Award,” Motz said. One of the special events the club hosts to raise funds is the annual “Business Etiquette Dinner.” This event provides a majority of the funds to attend the national conference. The AMA hosted the etiquette event last fall to help students at LCC develop professional etiquette while dining. This was also beneficial as a networking function for local businesses, as well as their potential future employees. The club hosted over 180 participants, as well as 20 sponsors, at the dinner event. - Submitted by Bill Motz
in next to James and would look out the window and see him flying his kites over the city market.” All of the kites are purchased and owned by Ellsworth. He said he has seven kites that he rotates, including his newest airplane model kite that cost him over $200. The highest he has ever flown a kite was over 1,200 feet in the air. Most of his kites fly roughly 300 to 500 feet high, he said. Since he flies almost every day, he has
one’s day, then I am happy. I am glad to be able to make a student’s day.” Both men said they hope to find some new people to fly with. They said any LCC student or faculty member is welcome to come out and fly kites with them. “People should come try this out,” McDuffey said. “I would love for more people to come out with us. … “I call it battling Mother Nature. I hope more will come out and fly with us.”
Courtesy photo
had some interesting and bizarre incidents. “I have had several kites get stuck in trees and different places,” Ellsworth said. “But one day I got a kite stuck in the Lugnuts’ stadium.” Though their hobby does give them an outlet to have fun and get outside, they don’t just fly kites for themselves. “I do it to put a smile on people’s faces,” said Ellsworth, who is well aware he is known by many LCC students and faculty. “If I can do this and brighten some-
5|features
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Global Fest brings cultures together at LCC By Brodee Gillam Sports Editor America has been said to be the melting pot of cultures and beliefs since the early 1900s. With the Global Fest on March 29 and 30, LCC emulated that. Dr. Willie Davis is one of the people who helped organize the event. “We have a committee and we have three objectives,” Davis said. “One, to work and help international students; secondly, to internationalize the campus, globalize the campus and then also to look into developing our global studies or add to our … study abroad programs.” Student organizations were stationed in the Gannon second floor during the Student and Community Fair on March 29. These included the Black Student Union, the Fashion Art and Design Association and International Club, among others. Along with those groups, Philomena Pesambili had a table featuring artifacts representing her Tanzanian culture during the festival. “I really like to represent my coun-
LCC Star
Photo by Idman Gabayre
Philomena Pesambili represents her home country, Tanzania, with beautiful artwork at the Global Fest in the Gannon Building during the Global Festival on March 29.
- Alumni Spotlight -
try because I want other people to know how, in my country, we dress and (what) we have in Tanzania,” Pesambili said. Also on March 29, “Train Station,” a comedy-drama film headed by a Guinness World Record 40 different directors, was shown in the Dart Auditorium. After the movie finished, a question-and-answer session was held with Marty Shea, one of the directors of the film. Performing Arts Production Coordinator Melissa Kaplan described the movie’s premise. “‘Train Station’ is an independent film, produced by a company called CollabFeature,” Kaplan said. “They are based out of Detroit (and) exist to bring together filmmakers around the world to collaborate on films. “(You have) 40 directors, shooting in 25 countries, telling one story of one main character who, in each director’s work, is played by a different actor. So you have one main character who could be any number of races, languages, genders, ethnicities, preferences and it’s a really exciting film.”
LCC Star
LCC alumna sees early success in accounting By Aaron Wilton Associate Editor The field of accounting is often thought of as boring, but recent graduate Sarah Wedell, said her experience at LCC helped make crunching numbers a bit more fun. Wedell, 23, is a Mason native and still lives in the area. She got her associate degree from LCC in 2014. She then finished her Bachelors of Business Administration in accounting degree at Davenport University’s Lansing campus as part of a “3-plus-1 program.” The 3-plus-1 programs allow students to do three years of their bachelors at LCC; then finish the degree with one year at the university’s campus. Almost immediately after graduating from Davenport, Wedell
started an internship with the State of Michigan auditor general’s office. The internship ran from May to August of 2016. After that, she was hired on full time as a staff auditor. Wedell talked about what drew her to a career in accounting. “I always enjoyed math,” she said. “I tried (accounting) in high school and really liked it. It was something that just came natural to me.” She talked about her favorite teacher during her classes at LCC. “Susan Reed-Quinlan was my favorite teacher,” Wedell said. “All my classes with Susan were great. She had a way of making accounting fun.” In October of last year, Wedell had another life-changing moment when she married her husband, Joe Wedell.
Wedell is the younger sister of The Lookout Editor in Chief Aaron Emerson. Emerson spoke about growing up with Wedell. “She has always been an amazing sister,” he said. “My dad has always called her ‘the machine’ because she has been so successful in school and her work. She is really self-motivated.” Emerson said his sister has always been detail oriented. He said when she was a little girl she laid out her outfits ahead of time for school and planned her weekly wardrobe. Wedell said she plans to go even further in her field. “My goal is to become a CPA (certified public accountant),” she said. “I am going to start studying in the fall.”
SARAH WEDELL
6|sports
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Bats, pitching lead LCC softball squad
File photo by Brian Wells
Now sophomore Grace Quiggle runs to third base during a 2016 game against Glen Oaks CC.
By Brodee Gillam Sports Editor The Stars showed up to shock the Ancilla College Chargers. LCC’s softball team won both games of the doubleheader against Ancilla on Tuesday, March 28 in Donaldson, Ind. The Stars won 6-5 in the first game and 14-4 in the second game. The win improved the Stars to 119-1 on the season, and 4-0 in the MCCAA West. In the 14-4 win, sophomore Rebecca Piron and freshman Taylor VanZytveld both hit a home run against the Chargers. VanZytveld also pitched two innings, only allowing three hits and one run. Stars Head Coach Marc Kibby said the improving quality of LCC’s pitching provides a boost for the team. “Both of our pitchers, Taylor and (freshman) Connor (Proctor), they
are starting to get more comfortable pitching at the college level,” Kibby said. “(They) are understanding how to stay more relaxed and, what we call, muscling the ball, which makes their balls flatten out. “They’re getting used to relaxing and letting the defense help out. They don’t have to strike everybody out.” Freshman outfielder Ashley Cross has provided much-needed consistency with her bat for LCC. Cross had 12 runs, 11 RBIs and a batting average of .322 through March 30. Cross said her stability is caused by her positive batting habits. “I try to go up to the plate with a clear mindset and tell myself that I’m going to hit the ball,” Cross said. “(I) picture it happening, and do what we work on in practice and apply it to my swing in the game.”
Check funds Jeffrey Buchin Scholarship LCC powerlifting coordinator Jeff Buchin (right) and Director of Fitness and Wellness Operations Mari Croze (left), submit a commemorative check to the Lansing Community College Foundation for the Jeffrey Buchin Scholarship. The scholarship is available for Kinesiology and Fitness Leadership program students. The $6,000 check was exchanged on Friday, March 17 in the LCC Foundation office. Peggy Hellwig (middle) accepts the check on behalf of the LCC Foundation.
Courtesy photo
7|sports
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Stars win 2-1 behind Brighton’s pitching By Brodee Gillam Sports Editor LCC’s baseball team is performing well in all situations this season, as the 2-1 win against Delta College on March 24 indicated. The victory, which came in the nightcap of a doubleheader, improved the Stars’ record to 11-4. Sophomore pitcher Andrew Brighton set the tone for LCC in the win with dominant pitching. Brighton only gave up one earned run and four hits in a seven-inning, complete-game outing. Brighton said his defense elevated his performance on the mound. “My team behind me helped me out tremendously,” Brighton said. “They made some big plays out in the field, which helped keep runners off the bases.” Huard said Brighton’s resolve is a quality that sticks out. “The thing I love best about Andrew is his competitive nature,” Huard said. “There’s no doubt in my mind when we send Andrew out on the mound he’s going to give us a very competitive start, a good effort and, most of all, he’s going to compete and that’s what he did. “He kept us in the game, he gave us opportuni-
Photo by Nick Thompson
Sophomore pitcher Blake Dahlstrom winds up for a pitch in the fifth inning of a game against Delta College March 24 at Lansing's Westside Park.
ties to put pressure on their defense … Which in turn ended up allowing us to win the game.” Sophomore catcher Carson Eby had the Stars lone RBI in a game where offense was scarce on both sides. Sophomore Christian Keller and freshmen Hunter Ruhstorfer scored both of LCC’s runs. LCC dropped the ball in the first game of the twinbill against the Pioneers, losing 6-5 in the 10th inning. The Stars gave up 11 hits and made two errors. Stars Head Coach Drew Huard said sophomore pitcher Blake Dahlstrom had a strong eight-strikeout game, but the Stars’ bats could not clinch the win for Dahlstrom. “I think he did a really good job, especially in the early innings, of using his people; using the defense that we had,” Huard said. “That made his pitches in the latter innings that much better. That’s the type of pitcher he is. “He’s going to have a lot of strikeouts. He’ll probably contend at the end of the season in having the most strikeouts in the league.” The Stars’ next home doubleheader is scheduled against Glen Oaks CC on Thursday, April 6 at Westside Park in Lansing, with the first game starting at 2 p.m.
KEEP CLIMBING. COMPLETE YOUR DEGREE
A T N O R T H W O O D U N I V E R S I T Y. Contact Luke Richards and learn how simple it is to transfer your credits! Located on the LCC campus • 517.483.9758 • richardl@northwood.edu
8|sports
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Young NBA stars lead rising teams With only a few weeks left in the NBA season, there is not much for Detroit Pistons fans, myself included, to be excited about. Sure, the Pistons have a fighting chance for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. But after losses like the one to the Brooklyn Nets on March 21, the worst team in the league, Detroit shows no consistency. So this column is for the fans who are looking for a couple of storylines heading into the end of the season and the start of the NBA Playoffs. NIKOLA JOKIC, the Denver Nuggets second-year center, is another European big man who can slice through the defense like Velveeta. He reminds me of
Vlade Divac, Arvydas Sabonis and the Gasol brothers before him. Jokic has range beyond the three-point line and the shake-and-bake moves in the post. However, Denver has consistently put him at the elbow this year and they unlocked “The Joker’s” full potential. Through March 23, he had five triple-doubles – all with points, assists and rebounds – and has become the focal point of the offense. Out of the elbow position he can pass to cutting teammates, like former Michigan State guard Gary Harris, for easy layups. Look for Jokic to lead Denver to an eighth-seed in the West and put up a fight against Golden State or the San
brodee gillam sports editor
gillamb@lcc.edu
Antonio Spurs. GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO and the Milwaukee Bucks are another team fighting for one of the last playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. The 22-year-old Antetokounmpo is a 6-foot-11 point guard. He has shown to be an enormous problem for teams all season.
A few Space Jam-like and double-clutch dunks later, he found himself as a walking highlight in the NBA. However, he is not all flash. His 7-foot-4 wingspan and great basketball IQ has allowed him to lead the Bucks in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game all season and become a leader on the floor. Antetokounmpo and company have the chance to give any team trouble in the first round, including the LeBron Jamesled Cavs. Antetokounmpo’s sheer size is enough to disrupt anyone, and his teammates are just as young and lengthy. With that length, the Bucks can make a run in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Alex Huard leads on, off field for Stars’ baseball squad
Q&A
The Lookout Sports “Winning the Diamond Classic my seEditor Brodee Gil- nior year with my Grand Ledge team. Just lam recently spoke because that team was full of my, even right with LCC sophomore now, my best friends, five or six of them, starting catcher Alex and we went out in really big fashion. We Huard. The Grand scored a lot of runs, had a lot of hits in that Ledge graduate, through March 23, has a batting game and it was just a lot of fun. Looking average of .447,13 RBIs and 13 runs scored. back on my high school career that’s defiWhat athlete inspires you nitely the high point. That the most? was a lot of fun, playing with “I would say (Detroit Tiyour best friends and wingers first baseman) Miguel ning a championship.” Cabrera. Just because of his What do you want to take love for the game. He’s a proaway from your time at Lanfessional. He’s been playing sing Community College? for so long but you can tell “For my school, I want to he’s still like a little kid out get back on track. I’m actualthere, having a bunch of fun. ly old, I’m 22 years old right ALEX HUARD So it’s kind of inspiring to see now. I started off at Daventhat he’s not just playing for the money, port for my first two years and I struggled you can tell he’s playing for the love of it a bit academically. It wasn’t because I just and that’s pretty cool.” couldn’t do it, it was mostly just not showWhy did you start playing baseball? ing up to classes … I want to get back on “It’s pretty much been a part of my life track, get better study habits, continue to since ... as long as I can remember. My go to class every time and that kind of stuff brother played, my dad played, I start- and just build better habits.” ed out early. I think watching my brothWhat are your goals for this season? er, who’s now actually the coach for the “No doubt, we want to win our region(Stars), ... play when I was little definitely al, we want to win our conference and brought up that interest quite a bit. I kind get to the (NJCAA) World Series. I think of always wanted to be like him, so watch- we found down in Florida that we are caing him play definitely made me want to pable, where we belong. We played the play as well.” No. 4 team in the nation (St. Cloud Tech What is your most memorable moment CC), the No. 6 team in the nation (Niagaplaying baseball? ra County CC), split with both of them. I
feel like we could’ve probably taken two in both of those games. If we look back at it, I feel like they stole one from us rather
than us stealing one from them. So I think we proved we do belong with the best of the best.”
be an r o t a c u d e d oo h d l i h c y l e ar
Learn more at umflint.edu/early-childhood
UM-FLINT IS MICHIGAN’S LEADER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, OFFERING: • Early Childhood Studies (Bachelor of Science degree) for those pursuing careers that involve working with young children and their families (this program does not lead to teacher certification) • Early Childhood Education Specialization (ZS endorsement) for those seeking Michigan elementary education certification with an early childhood specialization • Early Childhood Studies Minor provides a basic introduction for students in any major who are interested in working with young children and their families • Early Childhood Education (Master of Arts degree) graduate program for those seeking careers as teachers of young children birth through eight years old
9|arts and entertainment
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
‘La Batterie’ drum show a smashing success By Hannah Anderson A&E Editor Filling LCC’s Dart Auditorium with crashes of symbols and even the ringing of a gong, the drum extravaganza “La Batterie” took place Sunday, March 26. Led by Mike Daniels, the performance included all kinds of songs and genres of music, from salsa to rock. The Bash Battalion, which featured about 20 drummers, performed a number of beats. Some of the numbers were written by Daniels himself. Daniels kept time in every battalion performance by beating two drum sticks together. A part-time instructor at Lansing Community College, Daniels said it was fun to hear his pieces come to life.
Photos by Nick Thompson
Mike Davis, Joe Cardinas and Sam Brown perform a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Golden Lady" during “La Batterie” on March 26 in the LCC Dart Auditorium.
Special guest Tommy Foster performs an original song during La Batterie.
“It’s very cool to hear all these guys playing them,” Daniels said “The pieces won’t win any awards or anything, but when you have 23 drummers playing a piece you wrote … that’s a rush.” Evagene Wellman, part of the Bash Battalion, said there’s only one rehearsal before the actual performance, and drummers come from all over to play. “It’s just exciting,” Wellman said. “It’s amazing how you can get 20 to 30 drum set players to start and end at the same time.” Kris Stratz, an audience member, said she would watch the performance again anytime. “It was phenomenal; I loved it,” Stratz said. “I enjoyed watching the different band members enjoy the other band members. It wasn’t all about them, but they were appreciating everybody’s talents. It was awesome.” Daniels said the production was a lot of fun and went well. “I just hope people appreciate all the effort that not only myself, but all these drummers put into it,” Daniels said. “All the different bands were volunteering their talents, because nobody gets paid for this — it’s out of a love of music and friendship … It’s real comradery, and a real family feel.” For more information on performing arts events coming up at LCC, visit http://www.lcc.edu/cma/events/
Students in photo program shoot ‘Snow Queen’ By Hannah Anderson A&E Editor Ike Lea, LCC’s photography program director, headed an all-day project on March 16 to capture the production, “The Snow Queen,” in a photoshoot. All photo students were welcome to attend. Lea got permission to use parts of the set of “The Snow Queen,” as well as the performers and costumes for the shoot, in an LCC photo studio. The participants also constructed trees and used fake snow to bring the scene to life. Ben Coleman, the instructor for the intermediate lighting class, said the project was a valuable life experience. “When they go out in the world, they will have experience with a complex set construction, propping, lighting, photographing, directing models …” Coleman said. “This is a constructed environment they can get some experience in.” Cassidy Brinker, a first-year photo student, worked with a lot of the lighting. She said the opportunity to do a shoot like this is rare. “I’ve been here since when we started at 9 in the morning (until) when we started shooting at 2 p.m., so it’s been
Photo by Daniel Smith
A finished photo of Kathryn Willis from the "Snow Queen" photo shoot, which took place on March 16, is shown here.
really taxing and tiring, but fun and worth it because someone of my skills would have never been able to do this or
have the opportunity,” Brinker said. “To be able to do this is a huge deal for us.” Brinker added that working with actors as opposed to models is a different experience. “Normally I deal with models, and I have to tell them what to do every single second at every single time,” Brinker said. “But with the actors, they’re just kind of doing their own thing, and so you get realistic things going and fun scenes that you wouldn’t even think about.” Tania Howard, another photo student, said the whole project came together nicely. “It’s been nice to actually get experience working with different angles and lighting, and different costumes which really bring life to the set,” Howard said. Howard said the LCC Photo Club meets the first and third Monday of every month and is open to everyone interested in photography, whether or not they are in the program. For additional information about the LCC photo program, contact the Communication, Media and the Arts Department at (517) 483-1546 or go to http://www.lcc. edu/cma/photo/
10|a & E
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Music open house sheds light IN BRIEF By Hannah Anderson A&E Editor For students interested in the music program at Lansing Community College, a music open house took place on March 25 to shed light on what current students have been doing. The event was created as an opportunity to give more information about what goes on in the music program. The open house took over the second floor Gannon Commons and featured a variety of performances, from opera to vocal jazz and pop. It was the third annual music open house. Cesar Potes, chair of the music program, said although they were expecting more people at the event, it went well. “If any LCC student is coming to the open house today, I think they will realize what LCC has to offer music-wise,” Potes said. He mentioned there are music scholarships, which pay for registration and fees, available to students. The music faculty members are trying to get information about the programs to the community in any way they can. In addition to the performances, there was also a drawing for a gift certificate from Phil’s Spirit Shop, as well as a music technology demonstration going on in the President’s Room. Hannah Haugsby, a flutist who is getting her music associate degree at LCC, said she enjoyed performing at the open house.
Arts and Entertainment
‘Night at the Opera’ scheduled in Dart Director Kelly Stuible-Clark is putting on a performance that includes opera and operetta scenes from famous composers such as Mozart. “A Night at the Opera” will take place at Dart Auditorium on Saturday, April 22 at 8 p.m. The concert is free. For more information, call Melissa Kaplan at (517) 483-1488 or go to http://www.lcc.edu/cma/events/
Rock band coming to LCC April 28
Photo by Hannah Anderson
Students in the jazz and pop vocal ensemble perform at the music open house Saturday, March 25. The group performed a couple of songs to show what they do in classes.
“That was probably the best performance I’ve had with an accompanist, so I’m very proud,” Haugsby said. Michael Houser, an alumnus of the music program who performed in a jazz trio at the open house, said the program is a great place to make friends. He still plays with the people he met in his classes. “If you really don’t know what you want to do, but you want to continue on with mu-
sic as a hobby, this is a great place to start,” Haugsby said. “Even if you want to do it as a career, we have a lot of good professors here with music; and not only do they know how to teach well, but they’re really devoted to your learning.” For more information on the music program, call (517) 483-1469 or go to http://www. lcc.edu/cma/music/
Legendary dance concert comes to LCC By Hannah Anderson A&E Editor The annual LCC spring dance concert is April 7 through 9 with the theme, “Legends & Heroes.” The theme explores the difference between legends and heroes, and celebrate stories of Babe Ruth, Pandora’s Box and others. The dance concert is about 10 pieces choreographed by alumni, students,
What: “Legends & Heroes” dance concert Where: Dart Auditorium When: Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 9 at 2 p.m. How Much: Free; donations accepted
and faculty. There will be tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop and modern performances, as well as other forms of dance. There are 20 students in the show who have been preparing since January. Vickie Diebold, the lead faculty of the dance concert, chose the theme. She said it is going to be a fun experience for anyone who has ever thought deeply about legends or heroes. “It’s family-oriented,” Diebold said. “It’s suitable for all ages, so anybody in the community is welcome to come.” Aubrey Hodges, a student choreographer in the concert, said it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to put on the show, but it is worth it. “This is a good opportunity to get more involved in the LCC community and see the hard work of the dance community,” Hodges said.
Lauren Mudry, a faculty choreographer, is working on a unique Native American hip hop piece. She is collaborating with Eva Menefee from the Native American Student Alliance. Lisa Whiting Dobson, the stage manager of the performance, said there will be a variety of quality dance and the show is an hour long. “I think it’s really great to support the students,” Dobson said. “It’s a really great way to get exposed to dance, but not get overwhelmed by it. In a time when arts funding is difficult to get, I commend Lansing Community College for their commitment to bringing arts into our community and having such high-quality (performances).” For more information, call Melissa Kaplan at (517) 483-1488 or go to http:// lcc.edu/cma/events/
Fans of rock & roll will be able to support growing music artists in a rock band event at LCC. Students of guitar teacher Christopher Rollins will have the opportunity to perform in a rock band on Friday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and will take place in Dart Auditorium. For more information, call Melissa Kaplan at (517) 483-1488 or visit http://www.lcc.edu/cma/events/
Potter Park Zoo interactive event on tap As part of the MSU Science Festival Nights at the Museum series, Potter Park Zoo will hold interactive experiences such as the opportunity to be an animal chef or to try a simulated veterinary lab. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 14 at 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Lansing. The admission is free, although parking rates may apply. For more information, call (517) 4834222 or go to http://www.potterparkzoo.org/
Easter egg hunt planned at Capitol There will be an Easter egg hunt on the State Capitol Lawn, 100 Capitol Ave. on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There is no admission fee and all are welcome, as there are egg hunts for multiple age ranges. In addition to the hunt, there will be crafts, Potter Park Zoo animals, a raffle and more. For additional information, call Abby Kelly at (517) 944-9729 or visit http:// www.lansing.org/event/easter-egg-huntat-the-capitol/7796/
11|A & E
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
reviews
Golden Harvest: great food, chaotic setting By Idman Gabayre Staff Writer I finally gathered every bit of my patience to wait outside of Golden Harvest’s colorful restaurant, located at 1625 Turner St. in Lansing’s Old Town area. Luckily, the weather was beautiful, and the people waiting outside were amazingly social and welcoming. For those of you who have not yet been introduced to this restaurant, it is owned by Marie Vicknair and her daughter, Vanessa Vicknair. Golden Harvest is particularly known for its irresistible breakfast menu, as well as the long wait both outside and inside, so be prepared. The restaurants hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and
Photo by Idman Gabayre
The Golden Harvest is located at 1625 Turner St. in Lansing’s Old Town district.
Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Despite the hype and pining over the food, I was quite disappointed with the re-
sources available for the cooks. The same flat griddle stove is used to prepare the eggs, potatoes, French toast, vegetables
and bacon. This is a problem. The music is loud. The place is busy not only with people, but with flags, posters, quotes and decorations. Besides the griddle, music and the busy nature of the decorations, it was a wonderful experience. I ordered the Crispy French Toast with a side of potatoes and a hot chocolate for dessert. The bill was $15. The food is phenomenal, with great quality and presentation for the meals. Unfortunately, the staff does not accept credit or debit cards, so be sure to bring cash. Reservations are available for this eclectic, supercharged restaurant. For more information visit, www.facebook.com/goldenharvestrestaurant/
‘Beauty and the Beast’ tells very familiar tale By Haneen Hammad Staff Writer The new movie “Beauty and the Beast” still has the plotline everyone has come to love. Emma Watson plays Belle, but in this new remake it seems that Belle is more than a bold, beautiful, headstrong village girl and devoted daughter – she is also a teacher, who seems to be one of the only literate women in town. It's still a tale as old as time. An egocentric prince gets turned into a beast for being arrogant; his curse can only be lifted if the prince learns to love and be
Photo from staticflikr.com
loved in return. Spirited Belle enters The Beast's castle after he imprisons her father, Maurice. Belle exchanges her father’s freedom for her imprisonment in the Beast’s castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle's enchanted staff and bonds with The Beast over books, because he, like Belle, is a bookworm. Belle learns to look beyond The Beast's hideous exterior, allowing her to recognize the kind heart and soul of the true prince that hides on the inside. Director Bill Condon took care to make sure that this version had diverse
supporting characters, including a gay LeFou, Gaston's sidekick, who briefly dances with a man. There are also people of color, who were not represented in the animated Disney version. It seemed like the filmmakers have nothing, apart from advances in digital technology, to add to what is a very familiar story. This made “Beauty and the Beast’ feel like a throwback to me. Watson turned out to be the best thing about the recreated movie. She fulfils her role as a classic Disney musical lead more than adequately.
‘Breath of the Wild’ breathes new life into series By Aaron Wilton Associate Editor Link is awakening for a brand new adventure in a new and interesting Kingdom of Hyrule. “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” (“LoZ: BotW”) features an expansive open world, unlike any the franchise has shown us before. “LoZ: BotW” was released on March 3 for Wii U and Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch is the newest home console from Nintendo; it is also portable. I purchased “LoZ: BotW” for the
Switch on release day after waiting in line for two and a half hours. That was also the release day for the Switch. Let’s just say my bank account did not like me after that night. At the beginning of the game Link awakens from a long, deep rest in a place called the Temple of Resurrection. A voice calls to him, guiding him out of the temple with a new “Sheika slate” in hand. The graphic style and high resolution immediately grab you in the Switch version of the game. After exiting the temple, the wide ex-
Photo from staticflikr.com
panse of the Great Plateau is revealed. Beautifully rendered grass, trees and
ruins are a treat for the eye. The voice acting of Zelda, Link and the “Old Man” are well done, and add another level of immersion. The other fancy, new feature that comes along with the open-world adventuring is crafting. Players can craft potions, cook meals and build campfires for warmth. This is my second favorite feature, right behind the customizable clothing. Overall, “LoZ: BotW” is an amazing entry in the series that shows great potential and promise for future openworld games from Nintendo.
12|distractions
APRIL 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Girls & Sports
By Justin Boros and Andrew Feinstein
This week’s King Crossword puzzle is sponsored by:
Hold your newspaper up to a mirror to get the answer to this week’s King Crossword puzzle:
13|opinion
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout — if you wil —
Car trouble befuddles burgeoning writer Twenty-six: that is not my age nor the number of words in this sentence, but the age of my faithful, road-fairing minivan. It is a 1991 Plymouth Grand Voyager with around 143,000 miles on it. Until recently, it was in better shape than anyone could imagine for a vehicle of its age and type. I don’t know if you’re aware, but people don’t restore and preserve minivans very often. To make it even better, my family was given the van for free when my parents were struggling to share one vehicle. A friend of my dad, Gene, gave us the van when he decided to get a new
Aaron wilton Associate editor/ ad. sales
wiltona@lcc.edu
car for himself. He said he couldn’t make use of it anymore, and that it was good to give it to someone who could. Fast-forward nearly eight years: I have been driving the Grand Voyager back and forth to college and work for three years running.
The van has had extended seasons as a camping and recreational vehicle, making trips to Wisconsin, the U.P. and Cincinnati. It has hauled everything from deer carcasses to lumber. It even had a brief stint as a pizza delivery vehicle. Our van has lived many lives in 26 years. Now it seems to be determined to die, but not in the way one might expect. The engine and transmission are still going strong. It accelerates and shifts gears without missing a beat. The thing that will put my classic car in its final resting place is the brakes.
In the last two weeks, the brake pedal has gone from being extremely stiff, with little to no brake action, to being extremely soft with a nearly normal amount of grip. In addition, the windshield is cracking after taking its fifth chip. The Grand Voyager put up a great fight, and it isn’t over yet. But I’m beginning to wonder if putting more money into this relic is a smart decision, or if I should cut my losses and look for new transportation. Either way, I will miss the van once it’s gone, and I will remember it fondly as my first car.
— idman’s insPIRATIONS —
Be brave and become the director of your life In the type of world we live in, being brave is the ultimate key to success. Humans are naturally committed to take on challenges created by various factors of life. The constant decision making, duties and responsibilities every day encourage us to be brave. Everyone has their own classification of what it means to be brave, myself included. The moment I choose to get out of my comfy pajamas, my warm bed
and peaceful room to step out of my house, I feel the need to do something differently. Turning off the clock as early as 7 a.m. every morning to either attend a class that seems so demanding, or battle test anxiety by utilizing every second before an exam, urge me to step back and build a mental case against my decisions. When your greatest enemy is yourself, standing up for yourself is a brave act.
Idman Gabayre Staff Writer
gabayrei@lcc.edu
I realize that focusing on the roots of my persona reduces a significant amount of unnecessary drains of time and energy.
I also realize, after every procrastination recovery session, how easy it is to reach a goal, and how much better it would have been if I maintained my mental stability and had been brave enough to stand up for my dreams. Erma Bombeck, a humorist, syndicated columnist and a writer once said: “It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else.” So, why not? Be brave and conquer your inner demons today!
— vertical division —
How learning a new language affects the brain The idea of learning new languages has appealed to me since I was a homeschool kid. I used to play computer games that taught Spanish through activities. In high school, it was not as easy to learn Spanish. I found that the computer games had not prepared me as well as I thought they had – especially when it came to counting past 10 in another language. I remember standing in front of the students on the first day of Spanish class, completely stuck on how to say my age. The teacher, who was not empathetic toward anyone who was unprepared, had the entire class
hannah anderson Arts and entertainment editor anderh13@lcc.edu
count to 15 while I stood in front of them with a red face. It was slow and painful: “Uno, dos, tres …” Needless to say, I no longer found Spanish to be fun after a couple of bad experiences like that. However, I still wanted to learn a lan-
guage. That is why I was so excited to try Japanese when I came to Lansing Community College. Learning Japanese has been a real challenge, but I enjoy every bit of it. Even better, I looked into what happens to a brain when a person is learning another language— and there are many benefits to putting in the effort. Bec Crew of Science Alert mentions a study from Penn State University that shows learning another language changes the structure and functions of the brain, regardless of what age a person is. In addition, Alison Mackey from The Guardian talks about how foreign lan-
guages can help cognitive health in the later years, possibly even pushing back diagnoses of diseases like dementia. “We know that people who speak more than one language fluently have better memories and are more cognitively creative and mentally flexible than monolinguals,” Mackey mentions in her article titled, “What Happens in the Brain When You Learn a Language?” Overall, research has shown that there are many positive effects on the brain that come from learning a foreign language. It is definitely encouraging to know that what I see as a fun hobby has so many benefits.
14|opinion
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout — STAFF editorial —
‘Fake news’ hurts credibility of journalism Fake news. You have most likely heard of the phenomenon. The term has blown up throughout the last year or two. We now live in a world and society dominated by social media. For newspapers and journalists, it allows the ability to report breaking news right as it happens. Social media also allows anyone to be a “journalist.” Any person can start a website or blog and claim it as news. This works in positive and negative ways. Unfortunately, since online news became the main source of information for most people, the public’s trust in journalism has gone down. Scroll through your Facebook news feed for a few minutes and there is a solid chance you will come across a “fake news” site. They are everywhere, especially since election season. Facebook and Google are trying to reduce fake news,
but it will be impossible to eliminate. The best way to prevent reading fake news is to learn how to spot a fake news site. Some are obvious, but many do a competent job of disguising themselves as real news. It’s no wonder the public doesn’t trust the journalism industry as much as it used to. However, it is extremely important that this change. A democracy cannot fully thrive without a free press. People understand that, and are still consuming news. But the trust isn’t there, and not just because of fake news. Fake news is a major problem in our society. It needs to be halted, and for now, it is up to you to stop it. For some tips on how to spot fake news, visit http://n.pr/2hbEsl3/ Journalism is important. We ask that you continue to trust the true reporters and journalists, in spite of all of the phonies.
Top 10 Fake News websites:
Information from USNews.com
— as seen by haneen —
#TurkishAirlinesHelpSomalia: power of social media There is a lot going on in our country right now. And because of that, news from around the world has a hard time reaching everyday people like you and I. At times, important stories are overlooked because something like Trump's presidency seems more important. However, with our technological society, most of our news comes from social media, which plays an important role toward the amount of news we receive. Even then, it is hard to feel a connection with events that are occurring around the world. However, there are
haneen hammad staff writer
hammadh@lcc.edu
many ways you can get educated and get involved. If you have not heard, recently there has been an urgent plea for help from the United Nations, to send food and water to Somalia. Somalia is in famine. A drought has
left once fertile cropland cracked and useless. Animals are dead, and families are in need of help. Because mainstream media is not covering this, I am here to tell you there are ways you can help. Actor Ben Stiller launched an awareness campaign through Twitter on March 15 with a few of his celebrity friends, including Colin Kaepernick, Jerome Jarre and others. He appealed to Turkish Airlines to donate a plane to deliver food and water to Somalia. He also asked others to retweet and donate money through a GoFundMe account.
what is your favorite thing about spring? Aaron Emerson
Aaron wilton hannah anderson brodee gillam
sports editor
the lookout staff —
idman gabayre haneen hammad lurah peterson Nick Thompson
nicole cade
staff writer
staff writer
ad. manager
larry hook
editor in Chief
Assoc. ed. /ad. sales wiltona@lcc.edu
anderh13@lcc.edu
gillamb@lcc.edu
gabayrei@lcc.edu
hammadh@lcc.edu
petersl8@lcc.edu
thomp12@lcc.edu
photo editor
lead paginator caden@lcc.edu
hookl@lcc.edu
“The start of baseball. Go Tigers!”
“Not needing my jacket.”
“Warmer weather.”
“Going on adventures!”
“Enjoying the outdoors.”
“Being outside more”
“Having more sunlight.”
“Warmer weather.”
“The end of the semester.”
“Softball and Detroit Tigers.”
emersoa1@lcc.edu
A&e editor
—
In two days, the campaign raised its goal of $1 million. An airplane filled with food was delivered to the families and kids in Somalia. However, Ben Stiller and friends did not want to stop there. After witnessing the success of the project, the founders decided to continue the effort and try to send more planes filled with food. This is where people like you and I come in. Help Somalia and donate money, or join up with CARE, UNICEF or many other organizations supporting the relief efforts. For opportunities to donate, visit https:// www.gofundme.com/LoveArmyForSomalia/
adviser
15|
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
MEET WITH AN ADVISOR
GET A
FREE T-SHIRT
Head to ferris.edu/lansing and schedule an advising appointment to discuss transfer options.
Bring this ad with you and receive a free T-shirt! New students only. One T-shirt per person. T-shirt designs and sizes will vary with availability. Offer valid through 05/05/2017, while supplies last.
Transfer up to
90 CREDITS Earn your degree quickly and affordably at Ferris - Lansing. Located on the LCC campus, Ferris is the perfect place to take your education and your career to the next level.
Here in
LANSING LEARN MORE. ferris.edu/lansing
BACHELOR’S DEGREES Business Administration Business Administration-Professional Track Criminal Justice Elementary Education
Ferris State University is an equal opportunity institution. For information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit ferris.edu/non-discrimination. 032717
16|LAST LOOK
april 3 - 16, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Maple Syrup Festival offers ‘sappy’ fun By Nick Thompson Photo Editor Over 900 people gathered at Fenner Nature Center March 18 to watch Maple Syrup demonstrations, browse maple syrup products and eat homemade pancakes. The events were part of the 43rd annual Maple Syrup Festival at Fenner. Held every March, the festival is free to the public, with only a suggested $5 donation for parking. “Fenner Nature Center hosts the Maple Syrup Festival each year as a way to connect our community with their natural resources,” said Jenny Mensch, program manager at Fenner. “Walking through the process of collecting sap from sugar maple trees and cooking it down to maple syrup provides a look at how one type of forest product can make its way into our homes,” Mensch added. One of the festival's highlights is that there are natural maple products available to purchase. These include maple root beer, candy, barbeque sauce, cookies and, of course, syrup. The syrup sold at the festival is the real deal; made with sap from maple trees; unlike storebought syrup, which contains primarily corn syrup with artificial flavoring added. “The majority of the products came from a local source in Mason, with the exception of the cookies and root beer,” Mensch explained. Aside from the maple products, the festival offers an opportunity to partake in hands-on syrup-making demonstrations and a fundraiser breakfast to benefit the Fenner Conservatory. An $8 cover charge for the meal grants guests all-youcan-eat pancakes, orange juice, coffee and sausage. With plenty to do for all ages and fair weather, the festival proved to be a unique and fun way to spend a March day outdoors.
Volunteer Matt Figlewicz (right) pours water in the evaporation trough to demonstrate part of the syrup-making process during the 43rd annual Maple Syrup Festival at the Fenner Nature Center in Lansing.
Signs posted around Fenner Nature Center point patrons toward the syrup-making demonstration. Pure maple syrup in maple-leaf-shaped bottles was sold at the festival.
Photos by Nick Thompson
Happy Hour! All Alcoholic Drinks 1/2 OFF! Monday-Friday 3-6pm and 9-close. Cantina Only *Does not include daily drink specials. MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
®
2706 Lake Lansing Rd Lansing, MI 48912 (517)-485-0166
Visit www.lasenorita.com for our full menu and drink list!
Monday - Saturday 11:00am - 11:00 pm Sunday 11:00am - 10:00 pm
Like us on Facebook! facebook.com/lasenoritamexicanrestaurant