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In Mary McKSchmidt’s latest book, “Uncharted Waters: Romance, Adventure, and Advocacy on the Great Lakes,” she’s sailing with her husband on Lake Michigan, taking a view of its eastern edge, when she’s overcome by a nearly spiritual wonder. She’s scanning the shoreline for the spot she stood as a girl — recalling a vibrant springtime that left her in love with the water she sailed.

A few years ago, Jim Torrey started reaching out to new breweries in Grand Rapids offering his woodworking services. “I started cold-calling them on Facebook and asking to make their cheeseboards and beer flights.”

Tom Werkman shares his love of fishing with other anglers.

Say hello to the winter adventure program designed to get little girls outside to brighten the colder months.

Social justice and passion have always been a part of Janay Brower’s work. Before starting Public Thread, she worked for the city of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness, doing systems change and public policy work. But despite the work she was doing, Brower wanted to find a way to foster deeper systemic change.

Wyoming resident Laureen Robinson, 53, took up running following the tragic death of a family friend during the Fifth Third River Bank Run. At her son's encouragement, Robinson took her running to the next level by competing in the Meijer State Games of Michigan and later competing in her first State Games of America.

Transforming lives and restoring hope in the Heartside community, Dégagé Ministries is a Christ-centered, non-profit organization that offers valuable programming and services to homeless and disadvantaged individuals in Grand Rapids. To commemorate its impact on the community, the ministry is hosting this year’s “Celebrate Dégagé.”

A doodle drawn out of frustration led local artist and writer Peter Welmerink to launch StickonStump, a simple cartoon figure who waxes motivational.

Mark Washington, Grand Rapids’ next city manager, is a busy man.

The sleek vehicles showcased at Cars & Coffee Grand Rapids (C&CGR) exude a zip-zing panache that unfetters spectators’ imaginations.

Kelly Kermode still has the small pinch pot she made in kindergarten. It’s a reminder of where she started and where she’s going when it comes to life and her pottery skills.

Don Myers had amassed a comic book collection of 30,000 issues when his college-age kids began encouraging him to do something more with his hobby, specifically, to open a comic book store.

“No one expected my life to be as normal as it is,” said Rockford athlete, Johnny Agar. While Agar simply views his life as normal, most would view it as extraordinary and inspiring.

Nothing beats the experience of travel, but two Michigan teachers have come up with a way to help children in Michigan visit the state’s impressive natural resources and well-known landmarks without having to pack a suitcase.

The American Dream never goes out of style.

Here is something important to remember about George W.C. Walker III: Before he was 21 years old, he was in West Michigan, already studying for his sommelier exam.

Carol Moore purchased the historic church and is leading it through a transformation.

Best friends since the third grade, Amy Calvert and Kristy Dipiazza started a business together simply out of need.

Simone Thiessen’s garage used to hold only cars. Now it also holds stacks of old skis, table saws and sanders, saw horses, and almost half a dozen Adirondack chairs sporting backs and seats made from skis.

Sometime back in the mid-1990s, Dr. Luis Tomatis initiated a daily ritual of hosting tea at 4 p.m. in his downtown office. For the 20 years since then, Tomatis has welcomed colleagues, friends, college and hospital presidents, and students, many of them medical students, for conversation, tea and cookies.