contributors
JANUARY
Kerri Regan: Kerri grew up in the North State and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Francisco State University. A freelance writer and editor, Kerri enjoys exploring the North State with her husband and three young children.
Gary VanDeWalker: Gary grew up in Mt. Shasta, 12 years ago returning from the San Diego area with his wife Monica. Together they raise their three boys and manage the Narnia Study Center. A Ph.D. in philosophy, Gary is also an adjunct professor for Simpson University.
Sandie Tillery: A country girl recently transplanted into city life, Sandie Tillery writes about the North State from 35 years of personal experience exploring it from corner to corner with husband John, their three grown children and four grandsons. She loves interviewing the amazing people who live here and telling their stories.
Michael O’Brien: A 15-year resident of Shasta County, Michael is a Humboldt State University graduate and sales and marketing professional. Frequent travel has allowed him to realize there is no place like the North State, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, and the great people of our beautiful area.
Melissa Gulden: Melissa earned her B.A. in journalism and M.A. in English from CSU, Chico. She spent time in Las Vegas, working as a college English instructor and magazine editor. She is also a certified MAC makeup artist and worked in the fashion industry. Melissa now teaches at University Preparatory School in Redding.
Lana Granfors: Lana enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking and spending time with her friends and family– especially her granddaughter, Jillian. Currently working part time at the City of Redding’s Visitor Bureau, she enjoys promoting attractions, points of interest and cultural aspects of our community.
Beth K. Maxey: A grateful recipient of second chances and new beginnings, Beth appreciates working under kitty supervision from her Red Bluff home office. She’s worked in marketing and communications for non-profit, public sector and corporate entities. A native Midwesterner, she and husband Tony enjoy exploring the North State.
Jon Lewis: Jon spent 23 years in journalism and worked at newspapers in Woodland, Davis, Vacaville and Redding. He now works in marketing and development for public television station KIXE and continues to write on a freelance basis.
Azriel James Relph: Azriel grew up in Redding, but has spent the last decade living on the East Coast and travelling the world. He lives in Brooklyn, NY and is a regular contributor to the Hunts Point Express, a South Bronx newspaper representing the poorest Congressional District in the United States.
Todd McBain: Todd is a freelance writer and a Redding native. He currently works in recreation, but in his previous life he was the sports editor for the Red Bluff Daily News and a sports reporter/photographer for KRCR News Channel 7. He attended Chico State, where he majored in journalism and minored in sociology.
Joshua Corbelli: With a B.A. in English Literature from UC Santa Barbara, Josh returned to Redding to pursue his true passion, writing. He’s studied abroad, served as a firefighter, retail manager, pizza guy, ticket-office assistant, caterer and too much more to name. He likes to learn, but don’t tell anybody.
Sue Edmondson: Sue is a reporter and columnist for the Mountain Echo newspaper in Fall River Mills, freelancing when no one is looking. Her one regret after moving from Reno to beautiful eastern Shasta County four years ago is that she, her husband, dog and cat didn’t do it sooner.
Gwen Lawler-Tough: Gwen has loved to write ever since she was a girl growing up in the Midwest. She has a B.A. in English Literature, and has worked in television journalism. A Shasta County resident for seven years, she is married and the proud mom of two sons.
Jim Dyar: Jim is a contributing writer for Food For Thought: A News Cafe (www.anewscafe.com) and a former arts and entertainment editor at the Record Searchlight. He’s also a musician and a fan of vehicles with two wheels.
Lynn Radtke : Lynn grew up in Redding and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from CSU, Chico. She is a certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine and enjoys teaching people about fitness. Lynn loves hiking, running and being outdoors. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.
Kallie Markle: A native and mostly lifelong Redding resident, Kallie earned B.A.s in Literature and Theology from Point Loma Nazarene University, which led to a marketing career with a splash of freelance writing for effect. She and Mr. Perfect bought the strangest house they could find in Redding and enjoy life alongside their diabolical cat and unassuming dog. January 2010 Enjoy 10