Spring is officially in the air! (Hopefully it stays that way). No one probably appreciates that more than residents of southwest Michigan and northern Indiana.
The region absolutely comes to life in March and April. I think we all try to bury those winter memories for at least another eight months.
Spring has always been a season of growth and new beginnings, themes we feel fit perfectly with the third issue of Michiana Life.
From unique businesses like Bit of Swiss bakery (page 54) and Journeyman Distillery (page 48) that have grown from the passion of their owners, to an amazing barn that was reborn as a one-of-a-kind home, this issue personifies spring from cover to cover.
While it isn’t exactly a new beginning, just like the flowers at Fernwood (page 8), we truly feel the magazine is blossoming right before our eyes.
Michael Caldwell, publisher
Readers may notice we have added pages. We have added new standing features. We have added new contributors.
Growth and evolution are truly our goals and spring is the perfect time to unveil that.
The amazingly talented writers and photographers who contributed to this issue went above and beyond to showcase the region’s beauty and to get the images and stories beneath the surface.
We welcome the addition of Wes Jerdon of Westley Leon Studios, whose photography on three of our key features showed off his skills and complemented perfectly managing editor Ambrosia Neldon’s work to capture the magic spark of the subjects. Most notable of the three are the images of local dancer, turned Chicago star, Amber Neumann. Wes turned his studio into a veritable stage, allowing Amber to shine as she shared her moves and the journey toward achieving her dream.
We are already working on issue four, the summer issue and the last of our first year of publication.
That is exciting, too.
The optimism and excitement that comes with spring is something that is contagious and leaves the winter blues as nothing more than distant memories — at least for another eight months or so.
Michael Caldwell is the publisher and president of Leader Publications LLC.
A native of eastern Kentucky, he has been in the publishing business for more than 15 years and has launched several community magazines. Moving to Michiana in 2013, he lives in Niles, Michigan, with his wife and two daughters.
