Life Is Getting Too Expensive For Americans To Manage On Their Own. They’Re Turning To Multigenerational Homes.

Empowerment and Heritage: Stories of Transformation and Tradition

Crystal Santos faced a pivotal moment behind bars, realizing her life needed a change. This realization led her to enroll in a carpentry micro-credential course at Kauaʻi Community College in 2024, while still incarcerated.

Upon her release, Santos pursued her education with determination. She is set to graduate this month with an associate in science degree in carpentry technology. Santos plans to continue her studies at the community college, aiming for another associate degree in entrepreneurial business.

Santos’ journey was not without challenges. She felt intimidated by the younger students and her long absence from school. However, Kauaʻi Community College provided the support she needed. She found encouragement through the Waiʻaleʻale Project, a scholarship program offering financial and academic support.

RAF Lakenheath: A Unique Ecosystem

RAF Lakenheath, the largest US Air Force base in Europe, sits in Suffolk. It forms part of the “tri-base area,” a 20-square-mile stretch leased to the US government. This area has developed a unique ecosystem over eight decades.

The presence of the base has shaped the local community in various ways. The village of Lakenheath, with a population of 10,000, is home to nearly half US citizens. The community has adapted to the base’s influence, from signal disruptions to increased car insurance rates.

Local businesses, like CJ’s Sandwich Bar and Cafe, owned by Louise Marston, reflect the community’s resilience. Despite the quirks and mysteries surrounding the base, the community remains largely at peace with itself.

Reviving Ancient Michigan Trail Markers

In Northern Michigan, a collaborative effort is revitalizing an ancient Native American pathway. Led by the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau and supported by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, this project refurbishes more than a dozen 1940s-era trail markers.

The Historic Old Indian Trail stretches 55 miles from Cadillac to Traverse City. Used by the Anishnaabe people since the 1200s, this trail was part of the Three Fires Confederacy, composed of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes.

This project combines local artistry with modern GPS mapping. It preserves the markers and strengthens the cultural and economic ties between Northern Michigan’s rural communities and their indigenous roots.

Thirty-three markers now line the route through Wexford and Grand Traverse counties. The final marker stands at West End Beach in Traverse City, inviting modern explorers to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors.