By Crysta Coburn

In this column, Crysta Coburn writes about crazywisdom-esque people
and happenings around Ann Arbor.

When I was asked to take over this column in 2014, I had no idea where it would take me. It goes without saying that I have met some amazing, passionate, and creative people. Some have become friends and touched my life in ways beyond the scope of my column.

Nicole Marinette Bedy (Spring 2015) performed a house cleansing when my now-husband and I purchased our first home. Jen Mullins (formerly Gossett) of Fairytale Baked Goods (Spring 2016) made the scones at our wedding, which people still talk about over three years later.

In celebration of the Crazy Wisdom Community Journal’s 25th anniversary, I wanted to look back and check in with some of the people featured in the Crysta Goes Visiting column. I hope our readers enjoy seeing where they are now as much as I did!

Kerstin Woodside (Kamala Tree Designs) - Winter 2015

When I first met Kerstin Woodside, she was making and selling her own jewelry under the name Kamala Tree Designs. Since then, KTD has headed in a more floral direction. As Woodside shared with me, “I was involved in a hit and run accident that changed my life in many ways, both physically and mentally. I was having a hard time processing my ‘new reality,’ and one of the things that brought me great joy was my flowers. Beautiful, locally grown flowers. I loved them so much, in fact, I wanted to keep them forever. This is what inspired me to change directions for KTD and start working with real flowers, preserving them so the beauty lasts forever.”

KTD has expanded to include typewriter quotes, wood and flower wall art, smudge bowls, and resin dishes. “It has been a real learning experience for me,” she continued, “but very rewarding. I have done a few fairs including the Lavender Festival, and I am in Artistica in Dexter. Although my health continues to hold me back in some ways, and I cannot work on my art as much as I would like, part of what I have learned is that it is ok. That is a good lesson for all of us.”

Visit www.facebook.com/KamalaTreeDesigns/ to see KTD’s latest designs. Artistica Gallery is located at 3203 Broad Street in Dexter, Michigan.

Kristin Anne Danko (Neighborhood Theatre Group) - Winter 2016

This interview has had the biggest impact on my life. After speaking with Kristin Anne Danko and being introduced to Neighborhood Theatre Group, I slowly became involved in theatre for the first time. After performing in a few of the Black Cat Cabaret shows, my husband is now NTG’s technical director while I am an ensemble member. I served as dramaturg for the play Thoughts and Prayers (February/March 2020) and the sketch comedy show Headlines (TBD). NTG is also producing a staged reading of my husband’s musical Benestopheles!: The Last Days of Ghoulita Graves (music by Tom Hett) in 2021.

Now starting its sixth season, Danko filled me in on NTG’s progress. “NTG has grown to an ensemble of 15 theatre artists that work together to create what we call ‘theatre from scratch.’ We've produced 20 original productions all in Ypsilanti. Our shows range from original plays and musicals, cabarets, sketch comedy shows, and readers theatre. We host an annual monologue competition where local actors perform a three-minute monologue for local directors. Our audience continues to grow as do our artists. It's been extremely rewarding watching Neighborhood Theatre Group expand and I can't wait for the next four years!”

Due to the pandemic, NTG has moved many of its activities online, such their Virtual 10-minute Play Festival in October. Check ntgypsi.org for more information.

Megan Weber (Art by Zaheroux) - Spring 2016

When our beloved cat Sawyer died unexpectedly a few years ago, Megan Weber made a beautiful commissioned memorial art piece. She is an artist my husband and I both keep tabs on. Her skills continue to grow!

“The last five years have been really great!” Weber told me. “I've been able to attend many shows across Michigan. Since 2016 I launched a successful Kickstarter for my third deck of cards, a playing card set titled Corvid Romantic featuring crows. I also now have my work available at various local businesses such as Vault of Midnight in Ann Arbor and Twisted Things in Ypsilanti. Last year, 2019, I was the featured artist for the Saline Celtic Festival, designing the year's logo! Coming up for me, I am continuing to expand my skills with color pencil and trying to attend more art shows and conventions. This year's project is to focus on my tarot deck, Animalis Os Fortuna and taking it further. I hope to have more news soon about this adventure!”

Many events have been canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Check www.facebook.com/ArtbyZaheroux/ and its events page for the latest information.

Emily and Corey Russell (Naughty Boy’s Rolled Ice Cream) - Fall 2018

It is fitting that we close with one of my favorite desserts—ice cream! Naughty Boy’s Rolled Ice Cream is the highlight of local festivals and food truck rallies, and I have been known to attend events based on whether or not the trailer is there. Things have only gotten sweeter since I talked with Emily and Corey Russell.

Corey happily shared the changes with me. “We opened our shop in the Dexter Crossings Shopping Center in July last year…. We still are doing the mobile events but on a smaller scale with mainly one day events and private parties. The shop is allowing us to expand our offerings. We have perfected our hand packed pint recipe over the winter (a lot of fun R&D), which we will be debuting shortly for a more traditional to-go option. We also have started making some novelties such as our yooper bars (our Michigan made version of a Klondike bar) and ice pops, which are made with fresh fruit and our dairy base as well as non-dairy options made with a coconut milk base.”

Visit the new Naughty Boy’s Rolled Ice Cream Shop located at 7045 Dexter Ann Arbor Road in Dexter, Michigan. Walk-in, online, and call ahead ordering are all available. Visit www.naughtyboysicecream.com for more information.