Christopher Nagy

3 weeks ago | 517mag.com | Christopher Nagy

More than warmth, beyond mere refreshment, Elyse Ribbons is hoping to engage local residents in the full and encompassing celebration of tea. The art. The culture. The ceremony. And, perhaps most importantly, the connection that can be gained. “I offer a tea experience,” Ribbons said. “I will sell tea to go because in Old Town there are going to be a lot of people walking around and shopping. But I really want people to come in and sit down for this. It’s not about the caffeine kick.

1 month ago | 517mag.com | Christopher Nagy

Arriving in an unfamiliar land where you don’t know the culture or customs and your mastery of the language is limited to three words — “No speak English” — can be a terrifying proposition for anyone. Yet when Smiljana Lazic Williams came to the United States with the hope of building a new life from scratch, the challenges and limitations she faced as a teenager are marked by the memories of empathy, compassion and generosity she experienced.

Oct 31, 2024 | 517mag.com | Christopher Nagy

The word “survivor” can carry connotations that are unique to today’s world. Its current currency often means everything from someone who has faced sexual abuse to someone who has witnessed a school shooting; however, at its core, it still references someone who has persevered through seemingly insurmountable obstacles and hardships. Taken at its base definition, survivor is a title we can all claim, according to Polo REO Tate. “Am I a survivor? Yes, but I think we both are. We all have our stories.

Sep 30, 2024 | 517mag.com | Christopher Nagy

Sometimes you have to think small to make the biggest impact in a community. Summer Schriner was already likely on track for big things as a research attorney and clerk for Eaton County Circuit Court; however, she’d always had an entrepreneurial heart and missed the bustle of the small retail store she started in law school. And, after all, the heart wants what the heart wants.

Sep 30, 2024 | 517mag.com | Christopher Nagy

Family isn’t just the name of the business, it’s the entirety of the purpose behind the existence of the company. After serving as a master training specialist in the U.S. Navy and then spending more than 23 years as a truck driver, Mark Manyen was tired of the hours and the time he was forced to spend away from his wife, Lori, and two teenage children. So, he decided to do something about it.