community connections

The Ypsilanti Bourbon Fest is coming to the Michigan Firehouse Museum on January 17. The event provides a sampling of high-end whiskeys and bourbon from both local and national distilleries, as well as great food and live music. Lee Van Roth gives a preview of the 2026 Bourbon Fest with the event's organizer, Paul Starr.

For more than 40 years, the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum has filled the space of a former firehouse at 220 E. Ann Street in Ann Arbor. As we close out 2025, we can look forward to another fascinating and intriguing year. Susan Westhoff is President and CEO of the Museum and of the Leslie Science and Nature Center. She joined WEMU's David Fair to reflect on the current year and let us know about all of the new things we’ll get to learn in 2026!

The City of Ann Arbor’s Snow Match program has been growing steadily with more volunteers signing up to help their fellow residents with snow removal. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

For half a century, the Ypsilanti-based Student Advocacy Center of Michigan (SAC) has made it its mission to help students facing disciplinary issues get back on track with their education. Lee Van Roth was joined by the center's co-executive director, Peri Stone-Palmquist, to talk about the SAC's legacy and what new programs will be introduced in the near future.

Ypsilanti-based Growing Hope imagines a future where everyone has the power to shape their own food system, and no one has to go hungry. Call it “food sovereignty.” In a year when food insecurity is increasing, the Growing Hope family continues to work to empower people and communities. WEMU's David Fair talked with executive director Julius Buzzard about this year and what comes in the New Year to create pathways from soil and dirt to health and wealth.

The Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) is making summer more accessible, educational, and fun for everyone in the community. The library's eighth annual Summer Challenge, where readers of all ages earn badges for prizes, to free meals, mutual aid programs, and teen-led music showcases, offers a full slate of free programming. Lee Van Roth (formerly Rylee Barnsdale) will share more about the program and others being offered in a conversation with YDL Community Relations Coordinator, Sam Killian.

If you've witnessed someone walking while furiously poking and swiping at their phone, you may be watching the "Pokémon GO" phenomenon at play. The app-based game has been around nearly 10 years and has devotees all around the world, including right here in Washtenaw County. WEMU's John Stockwell is a part of the craze and went in search of others who have the obsession. He found them locally, and another 10,000 or so, at a "Pokémon GO" event on the East Coast. Join John for the fascinating journey of adults creating community while satisfying their inner child.

Starting back in 2010, Ypsilanti residents and community leaders all over Washtenaw County began meeting every Monday at the Parkridge Community Center to discuss upcoming events and voice concerns about local issues. The weekly ritual has stayed strong, even through the COVID pandemic. Monday Meeting's founder, Anthony Williamson, joined Rylee Barnsdale to discuss the meeting and its ongoing impacts.

One of Michigan’s largest pagan gatherings is making its way to Ypsilanti later this month. ConVocation is a four-day convention hosted by the Ann Arbor Magical Education Council. It brings together many mystical paths and the people that follow them through educational classes, art shows, a merchant’s room and more. One local merchant appearing at ConVocation is Mara Evenstar. She is owner of Evenstar’s Chalice in Ypsilanti and joined Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale to discuss the event and sense of community it brings.

Thanksgiving is next week, but that isn’t stopping Eastern Michigan University from getting an early start on things. WEMU’s Taylor Pinson has more.