Fall 2014 [pt 1] - Community

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INSPIRATION + Know startway of spending our brief time in the sun, to work at Isn’t it awhere noble, an to enlightened AWARENESS + Look before you leap understanding the universe and how we have come to wake up in it? This is how I DETAIL + Design a blueprint you can rely on answer when am askedidea – as I am surprisingly often – why I bother to get up in the mornings. To COMMITMENT + Stick toI your put it the other way round, isn’t it sad to go to your grave without wondering why you were born?

Who, with such a thought, would not spring from bed eager to resume discovering the

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WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY 01

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MONICA MATHIE NICHOLE HARTLEY

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STEEV POTHOV

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DOROTHY EISENSTEIN

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ANONYMOUS DEBORAH BROCKETT DEBORAH BROCKETT DEBORAH BROCKETT SUSAN ODGERS

CADAN SUMNER MONICA MATHIE SAMANTHA ACCARDO

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ALISSIA J.R. LINGUAR BRYCE BLICK

STEPHANIE BAKLARZ SUMNER SLACK

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HOLLY SAFRONOFF

EMILY CARLSON

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MADDISON JENNER

CHRISTINE WILLIAMS MONICA MATHIE HOLLY SAFRONOFF CAROLINE SCHAEFER-HILLS

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PAIGE BREITHAUPT

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BRANDON RUSNIAK

Issue 37, Volume 1 People find community in many places: online, in church, in their families, even across the globe. Book lovers, movie fanatics and musicians build community. Connections flourish in the LGBT community. International students enrich community. NMC students and faculty participate in community. By working on the NMC Magazine, I have plugged into our campus community and appreciated looking closer at community in general. There are so many sub-groups under the community umbrella, and when we think harder about what makes the individual parts special, we learn more about ourselves.

-Holly Safronoff Literary Editor

Find out more about NMC Magazine at www.nmc.edu/nmcmagazine and read our back issues at http://issuu.com/nmc_magazine.

You can also visit our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/NMCMagazine/156227937732378

Community [Fall 2014] NMC Magazine

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA MATHIE

DESIGN EDITORS: “Art Half“ designed by Alan Schug and Bryce Blick “Literary Half” designed by Kristin Schroeder

COVER=120 lb Galerie Art Silk Cover 64 PG= 100 lb Lynx Opaque Text PRINTED BY BRD PRINTING INC.

Musical Web

by Steev Pothov “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything. It is the essence of order and lends to all that is good and just and beautiful.” –Plato We are a people of conflict. We search every day for arguments. We, as a species, surround ourselves with those that share our viewpoints, and many times our friends don’t get along with our other friends; such is man, a creature of war, but what can bring man together? Music. Only music can bring diverse peoples together to share in an experience completely void of their personal beliefs and attitudes.

The local music scene is less a corkboard with each community of musicians individually marked than a web, with musicians from multiple communities often overlapping and sharing in the intangible gift that only they can hold. It truly is a miracle when ten people of different backgrounds and beliefs can communicate so profoundly with one another, without words or actions, and be so understanding of and aware of one another.

Politics, religion, morals, all become irrelevant

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because through music, the mouth is silent and only the heart is allowed to speak.

I recently attended a funeral for a man I barely knew personally, but knew well as a musician; after the service, the musicians gathered to strike up a tune, as he would have wanted. The room was full of players, but what touched me was the number of musicians I knew, who also knew one another.

A woman I played waltzes with in Kingsley came to the funeral of this man from Beulah, and with her she brought a singer I had met in Frankfort. I could have thrown a handful of stones into the air and found a dozen different opinions on every issue under the sun but one: music. When the day was over, these people, many of them very different, sat down together under the same roof and they all found agreement on one thing: music is beautiful.

To have and to hold, richer than diamonds or gold, I give you music. There’s nothing quite as strong as the feeling in a song, I give you music. No buildings named for me, just lasting harmony, I give you music. (lyrics transcribed from Roy Clark cover of song by undeterminable author)

A YEAR IN KOREA

by NICHOLE HARTLEY In June, 2009, I stepped foot on another continent for the first time. I’d been in the Air Force for a little over two years, so I was used to moving and being away from family—but, another continent!

i experienced much more than any preliminary thoughts would have allowed me to explore.

communities in our world Many students at NMC have the opportunity to experience different cultural communities, not just through Study Abroad programs, but also through life’s journies and decisions.

So many thoughts fluttered across my mind throughout the thirteen hour flight to South Korea, trying to find my way through customs, the long bus ride to Osan Air Base, and getting settled in my new room.

I really had no idea what to expect. After spending a year there, I experienced much more than any preliminary thoughts would have allowed me to explore, and traveling throughout the country allowed me to experience community unlike I ever had in the United States.

While Korea has had a long history of war, politics, and division, it is easy to see how community has flourished in South Korea, in hopes of bringing the divided countries together. At Osan Air Base, one of the customs we learned was during Retreat and Reveille. After the United States National Anthem, the Korean National Anthem would also play. For both everyone stopped what they were doing (including driving), to pay respect to the flags. Korean military and civilians worked alongside

Americans on base, while off base the two nations mingled, learning more about each other.

On most military bases there is an Information, Tickets & Tour (ITT) office that puts together trips for personnel and family to tour the local areas.

During many of these trips people learn about the locals, the customs, the community, and the history of the area. I frequented this office during my time in Korea to see the country outside of the base. One of the very first trips I took was to a local music school in Pyeongtaek where I watched a nongak performance. According to Wikipedia, nongak, or farmer’s music, “is a traditional dance originally played as part of farm work, on rural holidays, at other village community-building events, and to accompany shamanistic rituals, mask dance dramas, and other types of performance. During the late

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what community are you a part of?

We live in a world with a variety of communities. Many of us belong to more than one!

MILITARY COMMUNITIES Thank you to all who have served us! You are the most honored and respected community America has to offer!

1960s and 1970s it expanded in meaning and was actively used in political protest during the pro-democracy movement, although today it is most often seen as a performing art.”

The nongak performers, both children and adults, wore colorful outfits, skipped to the sound of a drum, and danced in a sort of ritual fashion, bowing to each other at the end of each segment. Throughout the dance, streamers waved through the air and the drums rang loudly; each performer seemed to have a special talent, like tossing spinning plates in the air and then catching and balancing them on a stick.

Towards the end of the dance, the children balanced on the shoulders of two of the adult performers, and they danced through the yard. The performance left me smiling as I applauded at the end, amazed by the coordination and balance through each section of the dance. Afterwards, we were shown to a large room where there was an abundance of people and paper. Soldiers

koreans and americans, young and old, filled the room to make paper fans, bringing each of us back to our childhoods. and civilians, Koreans and Americans, young and old, filled the room to make paper fans, bringing each of us back to our childhoods. This was my first experience in Korean community.

Another ITT trip took us to the Wawoochong Temple, which is where I learned more about the reunification of Korea. The monk showed us around mazes of Buddha statues and other smaller temples, and eventually led us to a large bell, unlike any I have ever

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seen. This was the Reunification Bell, one of many seen throughout Korea. “Come, feel how heavy it is!” the monk told us.

He explained in broken English, that they appreciate the United States military, and in groups let us ring the bell by swinging a large log towards it. The deep thrum vibrated throughout the area as we stood in silence until the sound dissipated. The monk smiled at us and led us onward. As much as that moment affected my mindset of being stationed in Korea, it never prepared me for my trip to the Demilitarized Zone.

At the time, I really did not have a good grasp of the history of Korea, other than learning about it in school, but I remembered learning about the Demilitarized Zone

(DMZ), and the tense relationship between the North and South. We traveled to the far north, stopping at many historical sights that are still to this day very emotionally charged. Monuments spread across the northern part of South Korea, exemplifying their intent of reunification. One of these monuments that I will never forget is the Bridge of Freedom in Imjingak, where over 12,000 captives of the Korean War returned home. Colorful ribbons, fluttering gently in the breeze, decorate a tall barbed wire fence that blocks off the rest of the bridge. The ribbons, and other adornments, have been placed by grieving families and those coming to pay their respects to those left behind. Just north of this monument lies the DMZ—one of the most tense places I have ever visited.

At the DMZ, North Korean soldiers could be seen only a couple hundred feet away, sometimes closer, watching us intently as we entered the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom—the only building that allows anyone to cross over to North Korea. On this tour you must sign a document stating that you understand your safety is not guaranteed, and there is a possibility of

injury or death from (unanticipated) enemy action. Even knowing I was stationed only a couple hours away from North Korea, and that war could break out any time, nothing was more sobering than looking out the window of the JSA at a North Korean soldier only 10 feet away.

Places like these intensify the feeling of community in Korea, and even more humbling was the acceptance of the South Koreans of the American military. Every local place I visited I was greeted with an excited annyeonghaseyo (“hello”) and a smile. Though I was thousands of miles from home, I enjoyed my year in Korea, learning the customs and the history of a country where impending turmoil and unrest does not interfere with communities that thrive on tradition while looking to the future with their hopes for reunification.

places like these intensify the feeling of community in korea, and even more humbling was the acceptance of the south koreans of the american military.

Dance and The Big Draw

by Dorothy Eisenstein The NMC Dance Department participated in The Big Draw Day on Saturday, October 4 at the Dennos Museum Center. Two improvisational dancers, Mike Deleon and Megan Caplinger, collaborated with visual artist, Elise Zagore, to create a mural of dance designs. The dancers, under the direction of Dorothy Eisenstein, created dance designs using unusual props including body socks and streamers. Zagore’s artwork captured the movement qualities of the dance. The project generated interest from the many young artists who were active participants in the drawing activities. Special thanks to Jason Dake for his superb organization of this community event.

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Poverty and our community by samantha accardo We as a society tend to label those struggling with poverty, hunger, and homelessness as a “them” against “us” issue. This is not a war between “us” and “them.” This is a community issue; it’s a “we” issue. This semester I have been taking the course, Social Modern Problems with Mr. Brandon Everest.

This course, over the past few months, has taught me a whole new way of thinking about those in our own community in poverty.

In the year 2010, 16.8% of people and 23.5 % of children living in Michigan lived in poverty. However, 41% of those living in poverty in Michigan were actually working in 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). It is very often believed that those living in poverty do not work and are purely lazy. This is a myth. In fact, many people living in poverty come from the working poor and those that don’t work are very often disabled or fighting severe illnesses that affect their health.

Many people commonly associate poverty and homelessness with inner cities; however, rural areas actually are known to have very high poverty rates.

Traverse City is surrounded by Northern Michigan’s rural and poorer areas. Those coming from poorer rural areas struggling with poverty often have to come into the Traverse City area for jobs and food.

Because of their financial situation, they rely on public

Hello

by Caden Sumner You see the people walking past, Faces blurred, no memory lasts.

You are lonely and you are shy, No “hey”, “hello”, “what’s up?” or “hi”.

A smile of acknowledgment, The afterthought of where they went But no conversation shared between The strangers walking by.

But why don’t we stop to ask?

Introduce to remove the mask.

Share a story, make it last, Simple moments slip so fast.

Meet the people walking by.

A friendship starts with, “hey”, “hello”, “what’s up?” and “hi”.

Photography submission

by MONICA MATHIE

those coming from poorer rural areas struggiling with poverty often have to come into the traverse city area for jobs and food. transportation or car-pooling with others. Also, they often live outside of Traverse City simply because they cannot realistically afford rent or housing in the expensive Grand Traverse area.

In 2010, in areas such as Kalkaska, Wexford, Benzie, and Antrim counties, the child poverty rate was 20-30% (U.S. issues such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Not only that, but children’s brains are rapidly developing at such ages, and when they are not getting the proper nutrition, it can contribute to learning development problems in their future educational careers.

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Continued on pg 07

All are Welcome in His House

by Summer Slack

the gathering by stephanie baklarz Here we gather to celebrate the harvest and soothe our souls with the sounds of music mother nature opens her arms to us and like the moon we become whole again Music and humans and ideas swirling about drifting with the whims of the wind Rain comes down but our hearts do not our faces turn towards an unexpected sun and together we warm our minds and rid ourselves of worry i repeat, the rain does not bring us down like mother nature always does she unites us in spite of herself Each morning i wake up and step out of my tent freely drawing in breath feeling conspicuously whole i look around and think to myself these are my people

His House is a place where friends get together and have fun while worshipping and learning more about our Lord. There are so many opportunities to get involved whether it be a holiday party, a small life group, a weekend retreat, or a missions trip overseas!

Just this past month I attended a Fall Retreat held at Lake Anne Camp with a group of people from His House.

We all had a blast and really got to know each other.

We had the opportunity to make friends with other people from different His House groups across the state of Michigan.

The main speaker, Matt Proctor, had an amazing message to share about being awestruck by God’s power, humility, holiness, and love.

There were also kayaking, octaball, a zipline, and lots of fun activities to participate in!

Members of His House are committed to helping and serving our campus and local community. Whether it be spiritual support or service, our goal is to reach out to those who need it.

His House welcomes anyone interested in joining!

For more information check out our website, http://nmc.hhcf.org/ or come to one of our gatherings held every Thursday at 7:30pm in the West Hall cafeteria.

We sway and we tap and we dance swallowed whole by soundwaves consumed by our appreciation for each other the spirit of the people is vigorous and we know that we belong to one another

Continued from pg 06 It is said that in America 58% of people will experience at least one year of poverty during their life. This is a “we” issue whether we look at it locally or nationally. What can we do as a community to better the lives of those experiencing poverty and hunger? First off, we as a community need to get involved in such issues and become better educated about poverty awareness.

Simple food drives, donations, and volunteer work for organizations, such as Father Fred or Goodwill, can contribute a

lot back to our community in need. We as a community need to enforce issues such as better and more transportation options for those that can’t afford to drive, enforce affordable housing mandates, support initiatives to provide those in poverty a better chance of receiving healthier foods and places to live. Our community can no longer ignore this local issue. We must take action and come together as a community, not a segregated community.

communities advocate awareness We get together and help to resolve issues by educating ourselves and others.

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A Dissenting Pantoum

BY H O L LY S A F R O N O F F Militant brutality Citizens on fire Each fight for vitality Tears scorching with desire Citizens on fire Mothers fearing for their sons Tears scorching with desire Ideology under siege by guns Mothers crying for their sons Syria, Iraq, Ferguson and Ukraine Ideology under siege by guns Hearts igniting with pain Syria, Iraq, Ferguson and Ukraine Loyalties advance in a flood Hearts igniting with pain Identities searing with blood Loyalties advance in a flood Allies move to action Identities searing with blood Will munitions extinguish factions?

Allies move to action Marching as we marched before Will munitions extinguish factions While leaders shoot refrains of war?

Marching as we marched before Nose to nose, holding an honorable side While leaders shoot refrains of war.

Why should the violent decide?

Heart to heart, holding the honorable side Anger and prejudice disintegrate Why should the violent decide?

Now, the peacemakers dictate.

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Anger and prejudice disintegrate No longer we march into the fires of hate.

Now, the peacemakers dictate And, the extinguishing waters of love permeate.

No longer we march into the fires of hate.

Each droplet of acceptance and peace Let the extinguishing waters of love permeate Until all conflicts cease.

Each droplet of acceptance and peace Builds a tidal wave of purification Until all conflicts cease And the heart knows reconciliation.

Building is the tidal wave of purification From every individual we embrace.

The heart knows reconciliation When acceptance is commonplace.

From every individual we embrace We learn there is one soul.

Acceptance is commonplace Because the many comprise the whole.

We know there is one soul Without Militant brutality Because the many comprise the whole Each citizen realizes vitality.

we are one Family, group, team, organization, neighborhood, school, area, district; we are one Community.

My Many Families

by Anonymous

Photography submission by Deborah Brockett.

Walking into a new house on the first day can be, without a doubt, one of the hardest things for a child to go through. What I learned from the system, though, is that once you walk into that home you have a new family. Every time you walk into a new house your family gets that much bigger. I went through eight total houses in six years, and you wouldn’t believe the kind of people that I met. There are people of all shapes, sizes, colors, sexual orientations, you name it. They are the friendliest people that I have ever met. After being placed once again with my mother, I still regularly see and talk to the many people that I met.

They are a part of my story, and I wouldn’t rewrite it if I had the chance.

Walking into my third house changed my life forever without my even realizing it. I walked in scared to death because I was just thrown out of my last home due to being a “disappointment” to my foster mom. I was on the brink of tears as I knocked on the door. As soon as my new foster mom opened the door and saw how upset I was, she just grabbed me and wrapped me in her arms, into the best hug I have ever had in my life, letting me break down and cry in her arms. There are no words to describe how much that moment affected me. She showed me that it was okay to be vulnerable, that it was okay to need someone. Within the first thirty seconds of knowing this woman, she changed my life forever. She changed my view on the world completely.

No one really thinks of the foster care system as a community.

They tend to think of it more as just a “temporary home” for children instead of what it actually is. After going through the system for six years of my life, I can honestly say that it is probably the best community I have ever had the privilege to be a part of.

she showed me that it was okay to be vulerable, that it was okay to need someone.

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Photography submission of a local farmers market by Deborah Brockett.

Inside an Instructor’s Notebook

by Susan Odgers In September, one of my advanced psychology students stopped by my office to chat. She wanted to discuss what she planned to create for one of our assignments. The task was to submit something, literary or design, for the ‘community’ themed fall 2014 NMC Magazine.

i also think about what a community can accomplish that An individual cannot.

She began by telling me that she’d been researching the word “community” and that the terms “the commons”, “collaboration”, “community engagement research”, “intentional community”, “collective impact”, “social currency”, and “new urbanism” kept appearing. She wasn’t an expert in these areas and was unsure as to what to do next.

SUSAN ODGERS IN OUR COMMUNITY Susan Odgers is a dedicated instructor here at NMC! Her essays become inspirations and keep us wanting more.

“What do you think of, when you think of community?” I asked her.

“I guess I first think of types, like the gay or faith communities. In the past, I would have said the town where I live is my community. Now that seems too limited.

I also think about what a community can accomplish that an individual cannot, such as raising a barn or fundraising when someone has a catastrophic illness.

Our elders seem to have needed and understood the value of community. Didn’t Hillary Clinton write a book called It Takes a Village to Raise a Child? Perhaps our social

media communities are a current effort to address that need,” she said.

“Tell me more,” I said.

“Often, I think we have too many separate communities. Our identities and interests actually segregate us from one another. I know people in sports who don’t associate with those in the band or international student communities. People in different political parties don’t appear to connect nor do students in the humanities click with science majors.

I think it’s important to have friends across groups. At NMC, I have friends of all ages and backgrounds. Several of them come from our varied student organizations, some from my job oncampus, and others from the dorms.

For me, the wider and more inclusive my community, the better.

This is after all, a community college!” she said.

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WE LOVE WHERE WE LIVE People come to Traverse City not just for the beauty of our surroundings, but because our community has a caring foundation.

As she spoke, I was thinking of my own efforts at NMC. In the 26 years I’ve worked at NMC, I’ve made a conscious effort to get to know people in every department and at all levels. On any given day, I probably had coffee, meals, or meetings with someone from four different areas of the college.

In September, I even officiated at the wedding of an NMC colleague. Approaching my work life this way has made my life richer, and given me a more comprehensive understanding of NMC. “Do you remember one of the pieces we read at our first class meeting?” I asked her.

WORKING TOGETHER IS THE KEY Whether it’s performing in a band or growing produce for the family, communities build friedships and trust to create loving and reliable relationships.

It was an article I’d written for the spring 2014 NMC Magazine, “Intentional Communities”. The theme for that issue was “dichotomy”. In it, I said, that an intentional community comes out of need. In the courses related to the article, my students had to define their needs relative to succeeding in the courses,

This Required communicating with one another and bound us together in a common goal. how they wanted to fulfill those needs, assess their efforts, respond to changing needs, and share or replicate what they’d learned. More of my students from those courses had since found professional jobs, internships, and scholarships than from any other semester.

“Yes, I remember the article and I like how we’ve applied it to our class,” she said. “I appreciate that we, the students, voted on what/how we’d learn and class ground rules.

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This required communicating with one another and bound us together in a common goal. We decided upon five different areas as ways to create community: beverages/ food/snacks, ‘emotional intelligence’ ideas, academic excellence, field trips/events, and giving back to the community. Every week we have a coffee set-up and food, share school/career opportunities, use varied activities to get to know one another, and participate in community events and go on field trips. Even the way our desks are arranged in a circle with our names out in front of us, contributes to dialogue. I’m ecstatic that we’re going to meet author, Rita Mae Brown, at the National Writers Series at the City Opera House. I’ve never been there before. We’re a community not

a class,” she said.

“I’m always challenged to make sure the course has a strong academic foundation as we meet all of the goals,” I said.

“Already, I’ve gotten more comfortable with myself and my classmates. I have always been one of those students that received great grades and yet rarely spoke aloud in class. I also like that we have to work out our disagreements. There doesn’t seem to be much grumbling behind each other’s backs. Issues are dealt with up front. The result is we already feel supported by one another. This is my most demanding academic course and I always do this course work first,” she added.

As she turned to leave, she asked me about a book, Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do that was on my desk.

“In October, for our fall college professional development day, we read a few books, including Whistling Vivaldi by Claude M. Steele (2011). The title refers to the author, a highly educated African American man, who whistled Vivaldi to

diminish fears whites had of him on the street at night. Hearing him whistle Vivaldi challenged their stereotypes of him. The book discusses our encounters with one another, identity contingencies or what a person has to deal with to get what they need/want, stereotype threat and how we fend it off, etc.. The book actually has a lot to say about how we create safety in the classroom and what skills students need to do well. Community is a central theme in this book,” I said.

“Can I borrow it? I think it might help me with this assignment,” she said.

After she left with the book, I thought of how I see our community as a wheel with many spokes. I try to be involved with the spoke organization: health care, education, business, arts/culture, and government.

This has allowed me to see my community from many vantage points and also provides me with a reliable check and balance system. If leaders in education are discussing healthcare, I can cross-reference it with what the leaders in healthcare are saying. I already suspected every segment

of our community was connected to every other area, but participating this way has proven it.

It was now late afternoon and I resumed work on one my latest efforts at NMC our writing workshop for persons experienced with homelessness. This work has been life-changing for me. In August of 2014, the NMC Foundation awarded me and Communications faculty members Melissa Sprenkle and Michael Anderson, an Innovation Grant to bring a writing workshop to the NMC campus for the fall semester.

Once a week, nearly 20 people who are or have been “housing vulnerable” have been coming to our workshop. They include students camping in tents or couch surfing, couples living in vans, folks with graduate degrees sleeping on the beach, in post office or ATM lobbies and many others staying in various shelters. Much of their writing has been published in the monthly local street Zine, Speak Up.

i thoughT about how i see our community as a wheel with many spokes.

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From Strangers to Community b y E m i ly C a r l s o n When I think of a community, I think of a neighborhood full of people all getting together for a huge block party. Community literally means “a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.”

When I look around, I notice one huge community at Northwestern Michigan College. Everyone is co-existing, going to school for a better education to further their lives. This community is a smaller one within the Traverse City community, but what about the even smaller ones? For example, the people who get together to play disc golf, the people who gather in the basement to play video games together, or everyone who lives in the same dorms who can go next door and borrow something or get help. Within the dorms people attend events that the Resident Assistants put on to get to know one another and realize what they have in common.

I spoke with a few people in First North about how they feel about their floor. Stevie Bartig said, “Some of us talk and some of us don’t. The dorm itself is a community. I have

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become friends with so many people that live here because we all have that one thing in common: we are either too far from home to commute or we just don’t want to live at home.” When I talked to her roommate, Katy Mork, she said, “Even though a lot of us move in not knowing anyone, we do know that we are all dealing with at least one of the same things and we can rely on each other if need be.”

They both agreed that people move in strangers and leave a family. After talking to them and observing how people all said, “hi” as they passed one another, I realized a community can be found anywhere, and it is absolutely beautiful!

ILLUSTRATIONs BY bryce blick

One of Their Own

by Alissia J.R. Lingaur -LITERARY ADVISOR

He survived three tours in iraq only to die by tornado in his living room.

A week ago, a tornado devoured the front of my brother’s trailer, chewed his Lazy Boy, and spit him out in the front yard like a chicken wing at a barbeque. And it’s not like he lives in Tornado Alley or anything.

They almost never have tornadoes in Northern Michigan, and the one that killed my brother didn’t touch down anywhere else. He survived three tours in Iraq only to die by tornado in his living room.

“So intelligent!” the high school principal said as she gazed at the photo boards easeled to the left and right of my brother’s casket. My brother at every age, from pudgy infant to pimpled teenager, and beside his Army portrait were those of my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, all military men, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

The principal stretched a finger toward my brother at six years old, his face slathered in ketchup from eating hot dogs at the town’s 4th of July picnic. But just before her nail made contact, she stopped, straightened

her back, and turned to me. “We will miss him, the whole town.” She squeezed my arm and walked to a gaggle of English teachers.

I glanced around the room. So many people had appeared for my brother’s death. Folks loved to gather, had been my whole life – communions, graduations, weddings, funerals.

Townies always turned out for the dead, especially for one of their own.

My eyes returned to the pictures. My brother on graduation day: National Honor Society cords draped around his neck, his mouth flat, his eyes hooded, a look he adopted after Aimee broke up with him. Or really, after I broke them up. She was so dumb, she thought Donald Rumsfeld, the freaking Secretary of Defense who masterminded our country’s revenge on the 9/11 bombers, was a clown who sold hamburgers. When my

brother showed me the promise ring he’d bought this girl, I had to act.

“Think of all the smart girls he’ll meet at Michigan Tech,” I taunted her. “They can do math and quote CNN.” Nine months after September 11th and one month after Aimee dumped my brother, he joined the Army instead of accepting a full-ride scholarship to Tech.

“Did you know your brother loved to fly fish?”

I looked left.

Father Tom stood beside me, arms behind his back, eyes on the photos.

“Oh yes,” he continued. “After his third tour, your brother was very sick. And he came to me for confession, absolution really. But peace is hard to find, even in prayer.” Father Tom pressed his glasses high

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up his nose as he leaned toward a picture of my brother and his unit during his first tour. Surrounded by desert, everyone was eighteen except for the lieutenant who was twenty-one. Almost whispering, the priest added, “Every Sunday afternoon, your brother and I fished.”

“Hi,” I managed. Though we were close in middle school, Mary and I drifted freshman year when I joined the band and she started playing basketball. When I heard from my parents that she and my brother were dating seriously, I definitely stayed away.

I’d already ruined his life once.

I swallowed hard, forcing guilt back to my swirling stomach. Ten years had passed since I last spoke to my brother. He was home for a month furlough before flying to Iraq again. I’d just graduated high school.

Half the town trickled through our family’s three bedroom ranch the day of my party, to see him as much as me. Everyone wanted news of Saddam’s statues and the bodies bridge-hanging over the Euphrates. I just wanted to apologize for scaring away Aimee, to send him to the U.P. instead of Baghdad.

Mary dropped her arms. She wore a pair of faded jeans and a black tee. Her hair was long and autumn red, dripping to her shoulders and flowing down her back.

“How’s Colorado?” she asked.

“Good,” I responded. I worked for an environmental ad agency in Denver, far from my hometown, my parents, and my brother, whose parting gift from the Army was a wicked case of PTSD. “How’re things with you?” I asked, lamely.

“Julia?” Father Tom asked. He stared at me over the top of his glasses.

i shivered, no longer hot.

I wanted to shake someone.

“Civilians died in that war. Women and children,” I said, remembering an article from The New York Times. “It took nine months to find Saddam, ten years for Osama, the whole reason we went to war in the first place.” My stomach flip-flopped.

I hadn’t eaten after I saw my brother in his coffin. Full uniform, hands folded on his chest.

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Father Tom continued to study me. He’d baptized me as an infant, given me my First Communion, and led me through Confirmation. Did he know I’d stopped going to church? Priests were funny that way. They’d a sixth sense for sinners.

My cheeks flushed under his scrutiny.

Finally, Father Tom said, “The Lord works in mysterious ways, Julia. I’m praying for you.” And then he walked to my mother who stood at my brother’s feet. The priest opened his arms and enveloped her in a hug.

I shivered, no longer hot.

I wanted to shake someone.

“Jules,” a voice said behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder. My best friend from junior high held her arms wide as if to embrace me. I stepped back and gave a stupid wave. I didn’t deserve comfort from my brother’s fiancée.

“I’ve been better,” she said, staring at the carpet. A wave of hair hid her eyes. “We’d picked a date, you know, June seventh,” Mary told the floor. “We were seeing a counselor, and he was taking his meds.

Things were getting better.” She swiped at a tear and sniffed.

“I’m so sorry,” I managed. I pointed to my father who sat straight-backed on a bench across the room, his eyes fixed on a spot on the wall. “I better go check on my dad.”

“He wasn’t angry with you, Jules. Not any more,” Mary said. She ran both hands through her hair and stared at me.

“Actually, he said you’d done him a favor, that Aimee was twice divorced already.”

Mary shrugged. “Maybe if he’d had more time.”

Suddenly, the air was too thick to breathe, like inhaling water. I had to escape that room. In four steps, I reached the oak doors that slid open to the hallway. I slipped through and jogged toward the small kitchen our family was supposed to use when we needed a break.

Brighter than the parlor, I squinted until my eyes adjusted and I spotted the rear door that led to the back porch. I ran to the door and yanked it open. Fresh air slapped my face, and I gulped, flooding my lungs with oxygen.

Once I’d buried that fainting feeling, I closed the door and swiveled to the table.

All sorts of finger foods sat waiting. I reached for a deviled egg, and as I grasped the rubbery flesh, John Jazznicki stepped into the kitchen with a tray of brownies cut into triangles.

“Geez,” I said. “Is this relive Julia’s past day?”

“Sorry,” my high school boyfriend said as he maneuvered the dessert between some sandwiches and a bowl of French onion dip.

“Don’t mean to intrude. Just thought you might need a refill.”

We both stared at the table. Food would never fill the hole left by my brother’s death, and I could barely eat anyway.

“You work here?” I looked at the deviled egg still waiting patiently in my hand, and I plopped the entire thing in my mouth. I chewed away the years we’d not stayed in contact.

John nodded. “After mortuary school, Mr. Johnson was kind enough to hire me. I’m really lucky.” He kept his eyes on the food.

“Normally, this is a family business, passed down from father to son, but Mr. Johnson doesn’t have an heir who’s interested.”

I swallowed. “Working with the dead, huh?

Grim stuff.” My stomach cramped. It had gotten used to being empty, maybe my heart would too.

“Is there anything else you need?” John asked, looking out the window over my shoulder. I’d forgotten how cute he was.

versions of his life too. I didn’t know him that well, but I’m sure your brother was a great guy.”

My old boyfriend, now married and probably very happily living his life, stared at me, his eyes still as gray as Lake Michigan in winter. I sat down in a chair at the table.

My fingers picked at a brownie, scattering dark crumbs. “He’s my only brother,” I admitted. “I barely knew him at all.”

John squared a pile of paper napkins.

Above us, a clock ticked on the wall, its hands insistently marking time’s forward march. Yet, John’s fingers moved slowly, methodically, as he rearranged the silverware into neat rows of forks and knives, their handles straight, one beside the other in formation, soldiers too, resolute and ever ready.

I studied a small square of table just visible between the platters of food. “A second chance,” I whispered.

John shook his head. “I’m married, Jules.

Where’ve you been all these years?”

I frowned at him and then pointed at the door. “Everyone in there has a story to tell. Not me. If I’d never been born, his life would’ve turned out differently.” I shouted then, “Who buys a Lazy Boy when they’re only 30?”

John covered his chest with an empty silver tray. I covered my mouth and stared once more at the table. Minutes passed before John moved. He began rearranging the food. “That’s just one way to remember him, Jules,” he said, talking to a plate of chocolate chip cookies. “There are other

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social networking Technology allows communities to grow online, providing thousands of networking groups and entertainment.

Nerds: The "Brighter" Side

by Madison Jenner

EVERY SOCIAL GROUP HAS THEIR OWN UNIQUE STYLE.

Some people call them inept. Others say they are weird, unattractive, and ineffectual. In reality, these are just stereotypes about nerds that people accept as being true based off what other people think and how media displays people. Every social group has their own unique style, just like nerds are people who have a passion for learning. In athe modern age, the term “nerd” is used to label people as unstylish or having an awkward appearance. When people are accused of being a nerd, it connotates an insult, as if it is a bad thing to be a genius. People often assume that a pecking order exists and nerds lie towards the bottom, but all types of social groups are needed in society which contributes to the vast and growing diversity in our community.

Most people would agree on the fact that nerds value education. They have a passion for knowledge and are fascinated by learning new things.

This type of intensity is what sets nerds apart from typical people and what creates the social group of nerds. Kunal Nayyar, better known as “Raj Koothrappali” from The Big Bang Theory, explains how the other characters on the show qualify as nerds: “You see a lot of people living their lives in the middle. These guys [nerds from Big Bang Theory] don’t... and of course, according to the regular society it’s really not the norm, but I think we share that similarity: I’m very passionate about my craft and my acting, and these guys are very passionate about astrophysics” (Hoevel). Attitude is the underlying difference between nerds and everyone else. People may go through the motions of learning new things because it is an unavoidable process of life. Nerds bathe in the information they are given because they see school as an opportunity and a privilege, not as a burden.

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Adolescents, however, may see “nerdism” as a negative trait. Teenagers find being a nerd synonymous with being unpopular. This could be true because there may not be a large amount of nerds at a specific school. But when other people make fun of nerds for being who they are, this causes nerds to be ashamed of their own knowledge. The high social pressures created by their peers are what prevents nerds from expressing themselves. This makes it easy to misjudge nerds for having social problems. The result of this: a “closet nerd,” as Chemistry Professor Blake Key from Northwestern Michigan College would describe it. These are people who are relatively shy to reveal all they know because they were made fun of for being intelligent in past experiences. In this way, nerds may lack social skills because they are so wrapped up in their learning or they get ridiculed for studying. It

ALL TYPES OF COMMUNITIES ARE MEANINGFUL is easy to talk to someone about their interests or what you both have in common.

This is why nerds have no problem becoming friends with other nerds because they share the same passion. People who are not on the same intensity level as nerds, think of these differences as abnormal. This fuels bullying and depletes self-confidence and existing any extrovert qualities.

I have always been a nerd who is constantly thinking about how my current actions will affect my future. I am always worrying about if I will get into college, if I will be successful in a class, if I will graduate and get a job. All this worrying fuels my dedication to my school work and molds my mind into an educated adult. Often I have to miss out on exciting social events because school is my priority and I am lucky enough to enjoy learning.

Nerds are intelligent people but they need to be recognized in a brighter light versus an unfavorable social group. Everyone belongs to their own community or social group. Being a part of a group that loves learning does not call for any less respect than a group that loves playing football.

The other side of this is the fact that people need to be proud of the group they are a part of. Being ashamed to be a part of a special group only gives other people a reason to make fun of you. Students my age may not see why I make the unappealing choices like doing homework on a Friday night.

to a hobby such as learning. Anyone is capable of having style no matter what social group they are a part of. Even if someone does dress in a particularly different manner, they should not be treated differently.

Bullying has become a huge social issue in schools today. Every day people are getting made fun of, rejected, and physically and emotionally hurt because they are not accepted as being “normal”.

Bullying is an act of anti-community and because of it people are afraid to be different. People like to fit in with everyone else, especially in the teenage stages when they have low levels of selfesteem. This time is also where various social groups are the most distinct. It is crucial to understand where nerds and other social groups are coming from. By wrongly judging a person because they have differing qualities, bullies are making that nerd feel rejected and uncared for. This could ultimately lead nerds into being lonely outcasts.

Students need to accept themselves for who they are and realize that they belong. Acceptance allows people to grow and by feeling loved, people gain self-esteem and independence. Students need to realize that all types of communities are meaningful.

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER Leaders are educated, organized, and bring communities together to achieve goals and to accomplish tasks.

But it is a fact that the present directly affects my future. If I put in the effort now, it will pay off in the future when I am more successful than students who did not take education seriously. In this way, nerds are leaders of our society because they are role models that represent values of determination and hard work. People that tease nerds or other social groups negatively affect the functioning in our society and it’s people.

Society’s depiction of a nerd generally consists of an outcast and one who

sTUDENTS NEED TO ACCEPT THEMSELVES FOR WHO THEY ARE AND REALIZE THAT THEY BELONG. dresses without style. They probably wear glasses and have their pants hiked up high. These are just exaggerations and made-up qualities created by media. Certain social groups may have unofficial uniforms, but in no way is style tied to a social group. A nerd is just someone who enjoys being engaged in learning. Physical qualities of a person have no relation

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SUNFLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY

BY MONICA MATHIE

the spicy aroma drew his friends, a few at a time, to stand around the grill for conversation. oysters on the half shell by christine williams His mantra was simple. Love people. Feed them good food. This is one way he communicated his love to his wife, his family, his friends, and the homeless man who showed up from time to time at his restaurant. Now his backyard was full of people who came to help him celebrate his birthday.

his manta was simPle. love people. feed them good food.

The chef stood by the grill tending Chicken Tandoori. The spicy aroma drew in his friends, a few at a time, to stand around the grill for conversation. When their paper plates were filled, they moved around the yard making small sounds as if they were singing to their food.

local RESTAURANTS The culinary communities support each other by purchasing fresh products within the area.

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Now three boxes were placed on the deck.

They came from Halifax, Seattle, and the Chesapeake Bay. On the cutting board, the chef placed a white bar towel, a bowl, and a thin knife with a curved tip. A black trash bag hung from the corner of the grill.

He opened the Halifax box revealing the gnarled shells of oysters. Choosing one, he held the closed shell in his hand and deftly inserted the knife between the two halves.

The top was lifted off and dropped into the trash, the juices were caught in the bowl, and he held the pearly shell with living flesh, nested in the cup of his own hand.

Each guest faced a choice. Do I swallow it whole? Do I chew it? Or do I refuse

the offering? A few, walked away, but most received the gift and made their own silent choice. He offered the first one to his brother who would be having his own birthday in two days.

Among the guests was someone who had watched him grow up. He made sure she got one oyster from each box.

This is the story of her choice: She tips the cold, barnacle encrusted shell, like an oversized spoon into her mouth and slithers an ocean of flavors across her tongue. Salt mixes with musk from the shore, overtaking her neural endings.

Hesitantly chewing the soft flesh, it is as if bareback horses pound salty spray, sending gulls shrieking in great wheels.

She thinks, “I’m killing the oyster, who is sweet on the side of my tongue.”

She swallows.

Not Just A Game

by Paige Breithaupt What is a community? The definition says, “a group of people living in the same place or having a characteristic in common”.

Communities come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, patterns, hopes, and dreams. I want to share with you what community means to me.

Sports. Whether we are good, outstanding, horrible, or disastrous at athletics, they bring so much to our lives. Sports teach dedication, sports teach trust, and sports show us that there are more things to dream for than what we are doing this weekend. Basketball was a major part of my life for a very long time; however, I sucked at it. Every day I would go to practice and hope that I would be better than the day before. I worked hard and sure I got better, but I never excelled, and

that was very hard on me. I felt as though others looked down on me because I wasn’t starting or I didn’t score a basket during a game. However, as time passed I realized that by just being there, practicing with my team, I was a part of something so much bigger than myself. Being a part of a team changed my life in more ways than one. I can only hope that basketball, or any other sport, does the same for someone else.

My favorite moment in my basketball career would by far be our first team bonding of my junior year season, creating gingerbread houses in groups of three. Each team had a freshman, JV, and varsity player. Of course there was more to it than just building a gingerbread house out of candy and what was technically frosting, but definitely didn’t taste like it. We had to come up with a theme that went with adversity and a song that went along with it. My group had the best song – we made up a rap that had to do with our head coach, Patti Tibaldi, stomping on the ground. Those who know Patti know exactly what I am talking about.

This activity wasn’t about winning though;

it was about getting to know one another, and we did. Knowing one another other was important because players needed to be able to read one another to help when someone needed help. I have never laughed so hard as I did that day.

Basketball is a sport for a team but it is also a sport for friends. Friendships are built from constantly being together.

I mean, with five months of two hour practices, six days a week, how could we not become friends? Of course, arguments came about, but we all knew to drop them when we were on the court, an unsaid rule everyone abided by. The friendships that were created are friendships that will last a lifetime. The closest people I have in my life are people I met through basketball.

For a long time I didn’t believe that I was a part of a community. I didn’t feel close to family or friends. I felt alone in the world.

When I started playing basketball I felt as though I could breath. The moments I shared with people during our four seasons of playing together made a bond that will last forever – as cliché as that sounds. The friends I made during those four years are the friends I rely on most today. They became like a family, and the bond we built from doing something we all loved

SPORTS. WHETHER WE ARE GOOD, OUTSTANDING, HORRIBLE, OR DISASTROUS AT ATHLETICS, THEY BRING SO MUCH TO OUR LIVES.

Sport Communities Exercise, teamwork, personal growth and dedication, sports communities build much more than muscles.

made us grow closer and made me more comfortable in my own skin. Athletics are something that many people cherish. They provide a way to do something we’re good at, a way to get out of the house, moments to share with friends, and give us one thing to take our minds off of everything else and just have fun.

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Toronto Magazine Trip b y H o l ly S a f r o n o f F -Literary Editor In early November NMC Magazine staffers and their advisors left the country in search of inspiration. The ten of us jetted to Toronto to discover what awaited us, and along the way encountered several new experiences. The 15th annual RGD DesignThinkers conference was the right fit for our objective. With a title of “The Awakening” and talks by high profile graphic designers like Aaron Draplin, Debbie Millman, Paula Scher, and Irma Boom, we were not disappointed.

We had four days in Toronto.

The first day was spent traveling and making ourselves at home in our high-rise apartments. Thirty-second floor anyone?

One of the apartments had an excellent view of the CN Tower and its changing lights (very similar to Seattle’s Space Needle).

Our second day started with a DesignThinkers pre-conference master class with Henry Hobson. Some of his most prominent work includes the Walking Dead and Sherlock Holmes. He was the creative director and graphic designer of title sequences for both series. Hobson shared with the audience his process of title designing, which included a lot of experimentation with materials and techniques. Staffers were intrigued by his methodology.

Later in the day we participated in a selfguided tour of design studios in the Toronto area. We noticed a common theme: open floor plans, rows and rows of Macs, and a light and airy feel to the studio space.

The work produced by these studios was impressively creative. One studio built a mobile app that allowed Canadian television viewers to record short videos of themselves and upload them to a database.

From the database, videos were chosen and shared in a new commercial that ran within 20 minutes of the upload.

poster design

For those of you who are vegetarians, I’ll switch topics to Toronto’s subway. For some staffers, it was their first time riding a subway. I hope no one became too spoiled. It was an exceptionally positive experience; passengers were patient and orderly (people actually apologized for bumping into you), and there were no rats or trash on the rails at the platforms. The coolest part of the subway was the Toronto Rocket trains. The gangways on these trains, the part of the train that connects the cars, were enclosed, allowing people to walk from car to car.

The app was a huge success and also increased television viewership. If you want to check it out, the campaign is TunedIn.Ca. Our third and fourth days were spent at the conference.

Staffers participated in various sessions of interest. One of the highlights was a panel discussion on the future of typography. Aaron Draplin, a TC native, was a member of the panel. After the discussion, staffers were able to speak one-on-one with him and were given some pretty sweet merchandise too. If you’re into snowboarding you may own something with one of his designs on it. Google him.

He is an interesting guy and an entertaining speaker. He calls it like he sees it.

Although the subway experience was pleasant, most of our traveling was on foot. Averaging 10 miles a day, we took in sumptuous graffiti art, numerous outdoor sculptures, and assorted architecture styles along the way. The “butter knife” building was an easily recognizable landmark.

In between our conferencing, we did our best to soak up the city. The food was a highlight for everyone. While authentic Thai and Middle Eastern food was enjoyed, poutine was a special treat. Poutine originated in Quebec but is popular all over Canada and can even be found in Canadian McDonalds and the like. It is French fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in gravy. I didn’t partake but heard it was delicious! Another Canadian delicacy members of our group tasted was peameal bacon. Originating in Toronto, it was once rolled in dried ground peas for preservation, hence its name. Peameal bacon is similar to what is sold as Canadian bacon in the U.S.

The Distillery District, east of downtown, was a highpoint for those of us who visited.

Because the owners of the District refused to lease space to any chains, the District is filled with art galleries, cafes, unique boutiques, jewelry stores, and restaurants.

The original distillery that occupied the District was constructed in 1832 and was at one time the largest distillery in the world. While investigating the District, a couple of us were videotaped for Canada’s The Weather Network. We were asked to say, “real tree” or “fake tree”, in response to the question, “Which kind of Christmas tree is the environmentally correct choice?”

A real tree, of course.

There was a lot we didn’t get to see in Toronto. Since it was the first visit for many of us, we hope to return and check out all that we missed. Yet with inspiration in our minds, good food in our bellies, camaraderie in our hearts, and welltraveled feet beneath us, we said goodbye to Toronto and the conference. On our trip home we discussed our ideas for this magazine and looked forward to you enjoying it as much as we do.

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DESIGN THINKING TORONTO STYLE: FIRST EXPERIENCES AND REFLECTIONS.

COMMUNITY OF TRAVELLERS

BY CAROLINE SCHAEFER-HILLS -DESIGN ADVISER

Sometimes I’m scared at myself for how easy I can assume another city - walk out of my life and take on an alone one.

Cold wind on my face like a lover’s hello - biting but impermanent.

City children in strollers don’t look you in the eye; Swedish films seem to know exactly what you are thinking - How many people could you fit with.

The importance of dedication and not giving up when we experience failure or criticism was the message -Holly Safronoff Literary Editor

-Alissia Lingaur Literary Adviser Aaron Draplin insight- the need to save what’s been lost and finding inspiration in others’ junk!

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I was inspired at the fact that Henry Hobson was told he wouldn’t make it in the film industry without knowing anybody or having any connections within, but he found similarities in graphic design and film and went on to study graphic design. Hearing the process of each design and then physically watching the final work kept me with a loss for words — I learned it’s more than just filming and editing, it’s brainstorming and experimenting with different materials and mediums to achieve beautifully eccentric graphics. Go to http://www. furlined.com/henry-hobson/title-design/ to check out some of this amazing work!

-Kristin Schroeder - Design Editor

Print Swag meets life Finding a new possible printer for the magazine seems like fate when the Design Editor’s record centre tattoo is a perfect match to the printer’s print sample.

Travel makes us think Some of us flew and some of us drove, many entered a foreign country for the first time, all were exhausted after.

I woke up in the middle of the night w/the theme song from Sherlock Holmes running through my brain.

It made me giggle! -Heather Valliere .

We toured some amazing design firms during the RGD studio tours that were a part of the DesignThinkers Conference, and a visit to the Toronto Film Fest Offices was the final inspiring and insightful tour –we met our sister festival to the TRAVERSE CITY FILM FEST and got a peek at some graphic design for the Stanley Kubrick Exhibit and Studio Ghibli screenings.

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Firsts from the DesignThinkers Conference:

Alan Moose Schug : First commercial

and international flights, subway, probably other things.

Alyssa Ruggles :

First time eating Poutine! And it was delicious!

Alissia Lingaur :

bubble tea.

First time tasting

Holly Safronoff :

First time in Toronto, being on Canadian TV and my first international design conference.

Desiree Kathleen Morgan : First

time driving with no map, phone service or GPS. First time driving a huge city for three hours for a stupid parking spot. First time traveling out of the U.S. with school. First time legally buying alcohol.

Kristin Schroeder : First time shaking Caroline Schaefer-Hills : First time Irma Boom’s hand! First time in Toronto, first time surrounded by construction on every corner in a big city, first time seeing the CN Tower, first time eating pea-meal!

First time wishing I was in a hotel instead of an airbnb.

Heather Valliere : First time being locked in a parking garage w/absolutely no way to exit b/c we didn’t have the right key and no phone service and no clear directions!

riding a subway that was open straight through producing a Cubism effect, first time seeing in person HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey, first time seeing the Toronto International Film Fest. First time introducing the joys of Chicken Shawarma to someone else, first time biking on a bike highway.

Kayla Keenan : First design conference!

Bryce Blick : First time in Toronto not visiting family.

One person can't be good at everything, so hone your skill and surround yourself with a variety of talents to make beautiful things.

-Alan Schug design editor

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