Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have 3 children, Erica 27, Easton 24, and Evelyn 17. I would describe my family as an eclectic blend of unique personalities; each of them encompassing beautiful traits that allow my children to have a memorable impact on everyone they meet. We are autonomous enough that my children can choose their dreams and chase them but close enough that they aren’t afraid to share their challenges so that we can navigate them together. I’m blessed to have my children.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Currently, I am an Open Mic producer for The Creative Collective, Mason. Recently recognized by the Michigan Municipal League as a Community Wealth Builder for Arts and Culture/2021. The Creative Collective encourages community engagement and advocacy, creating space for purposeful dialog. The Creative Collective began in 2019, hosting a monthly event with Bestsellers Books in Mason. Each event has a loose theme that guests are encouraged, but not required to consider. The program is an hour and a half. We begin with two professional spoken word poets 10 min each, people from the floor who signed up at the event for a 5 min slot, then we hear from our Headliner – a community member with a cause, or mixed media artist, author, or visual artist who shares their story, the theme of the event. We close the last thirty minutes with a discussion panel (tailored to the theme) of legislators who are working alongside that cause to educate and inform a motivated audience. We have hosted Senators, Executive Directors, the NAACP, and others in positions of influence. Edutainment is the future in a post-Covid-lockdown world for fundraising and awareness. The audience today appreciates an authentic experience. Their time is valuable, and we respect that. Because of our success, The Artist’s Umbrella, the premier variety show in Lansing, has taken notice. I am proud to announce The Creative Collective, Mason is now under their Umbrella. Art influences society by changing opinions, instilling values, and translating experiences across space and time. This partnership with the Au will benefit communities in artistic wealth building. The Creative Collective – in addition to Bestsellers Books – will be hosting events at the Michigan Institute of Contemporary Art, Lansing, giving artists and community members the platform to create significant change through Art with lawmakers in real-time. Follow us on Facebook (The Creative Collective Mason), or our Instagram @thecc_masonmi for more.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Westside Deli, easy! It’s like grabbing a slice of Mason every time, and Klavon’s. I really like pizza!

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved back home to Mason from out of state 10 years ago and have been working for the community ever since. Helping others, connecting people, creating growth for local businesses, sharing and implementing ideas for a brighter community. I work quietly. People reach out. We discuss their business; I give three of four great ideas with a plan while offering support. I also ran for local office five years ago as a Mason City Council Member and just won my second four-year term. It’s all fun for me. I am happy to help!

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Rollin Bashford Dart of Mason. Rolli had stories, charm, and wit. War stories, love stories, funny stories, redemption stories, and tales of caution. He would also just randomly bust out in song! I loved joining in wherever we were. Growing up my family was friends with his cousin W.A., so becoming friends with Rolli felt familiar. Rolli and I were also Rotarians together and he was a recognized humanitarian internationally. He cared about people and every interaction was genuine. His dedication to customer service in banking was unmatched. He liked to point out how he and I were radiators, giving energy to people and how important it was for our kind to recharge. My friend Rollin passed away on May 5, 2016.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Too many travel restrictions internationally, so I will say a quick 5-hour drive to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to visit my son, Easton.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Bond, James Bond. Just saw “No Time To Die”, it was the best Bond film for so many reasons. TV show? Season three of “Succession” on HBO just started after a long dramatic wait, I’m fully invested and can’t wait for the next episode.

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Have the courage to walk away from stories you don’t belong in.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Yacht charter in Thailand throughout the Similian Islands to start.

Q: Who is your “go-to” band when you can’t decide what music you want to hear?
Steely Dan.

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Vault Delicatessen. It honors the history of the building while creating something new inside the walls. It’s inspiring and poetic to me. *Located on Mason’s Historic Courthouse Square, The Vault Delicatessen’s building was home to Dart Bank a century ago. The 100-year-old bank vault is a walk-in and a unique feature of the property.

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Kanye West. Critics say he is the most successful artist of our time crossing artistic mediums. I’d like to discuss with him, if he wasn’t living in a time of social media, in a society that feeds off scandal, would he have been successful, and what era would that be and what would that look like for him? I would choose BAD Brewing for a Smash Burger and its inclusive and supportive environment.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Traditional family structure and roles have changed; however traditional family values have stayed the same. Our kids are safe, kind, and courteous. We look out for each other. Mason is a great place to raise a family.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
More polished than yesterday. Embracing growth and learning from professional and personal challenges. I am looking forward to the future and know that a lot can change in a year. I have learned to just go with it, loving it all because life always works itself out in the end. I praise God daily.

Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
My Grandfather Eugene Vogel started a small company called Ashley Furniture. Today Ashley is a global leader in the industry. Growing up around a corporate table I have learned how to maintain success while staying four steps ahead.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Three Tables Beach, North Shore, Hawaii. Watching high tide switch out to low tide just before sunrise. The tide lines retracting, a reset for the ocean’s new day. Possibilities are endless. The sun breaks through, powerful.

Q: Favorite month? Favorite holiday? Best single day on the calendar?
July, Christmas, and any day that I can challenge my perspective.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The sound of my three children laughing loudly together.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My younger 6-year-old self – I wanted to be the Easter Bunny back then. I think it’s important to keep a sense of whimsy and youth about you as a “grown-up.”

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
The Redwood Forest, California, and Lavender.

Q: Who would you like to see nominated for The Faces of Ingham County?
Brandon Navin.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
LOVE, Autonomy, and Acceptance.