TAI ALEXANDER is a West Michigan-based closet travel writer and would-be novelist with a passion for Michigan.

Maple City-based chef educator NANCY KREK ALLEN belongs to the New York Association of Culinary Teachers, Slow Food, and resides in Northern Michigan.

Grand Rapids-based MICHAEL BUCK extends his seasoned photographic talents into myriad categories, from commercial and corporate work to weddings and editorial features.

Port Huron native and marine photographer WALTER COOPER grew up sailing and boating along Lake Huron. He shoots major yachting and sailing events across the country.

Books by JERRY DENNIS — most recently, “The Living Great Lakes” — have received wide acclaim, earned many awards and been translated into five languages. Dennis resides in Traverse City with his family.

Internationally recognized outdoor writer, author and Clarkston resident JIM DUFRESNE has written more than a dozen wilderness and travel guide books.

Marine City-based BYRON GOGGIN is a veteran journalist whose acclaimed career includes stints with NBC and Fox Sports. He is a multiple Emmy Award winner for his work in photography, field production and program creation.

When he’s not voyaging on tall ships, KEVIN MURPHY runs a community radio station in Grand Rapids. He spends his beach time at family homes in Stevensville and Oscoda.

Residing in Traverse City, freelance writer CARI NOGA also pens Michigan Grapevine, a wine industry column for the Traverse City Business News, and maintains a companion blog, www.michgrapevine.com.

RALPH POLOVICH’s photographic career began with pictures taken of the aftermath of a tornado which ripped through his hometown of Port Huron MI in June of 1953. He retired in 2001 from the Port Huron Times Herald after 48 years as a staff and chief photographer.

From his Grand Haven home base, prolific photographer JOHNNY QUIRIN is a frequent contributor to West Michigan publications, while keeping equally busy shooting school and family portraits.

REBECCA REYNOLDS and husband Jim Carpenter are exec-producing “Christina,” a feature-length film. Written and to-be-directed by Reynolds' longtime writing partner, Larry Brand, “Christina” is a drama set in Berlin six months after World War II ends. Reynolds' 2007 HBO comedy special, “Assume the Position 201,” is now available on DVD.

Freelance journalist HEATHER ROUSSEAU contributes her talents regularly to Metro Detroit area publications.

BIRDIE SHERIDAN is a Troy-based food stylist whose myriad talents include advertising, marketing and public relations.

JEFF SPENCER is a project manager with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Troy-based MEGAN SWOYER contributes to a variety of regional newspapers and magazines, covering everything from homes and gardens to entertainment and the arts. She spends free time with her husband and two sons at Northern Michigan cottage.

As the president of Promote Michigan, DIANNA STAMPFLER blends her years of print and broadcast media experience with a passion for marketing her home state.

PATTY LANOUE STEARNS is an award-winning journalist, editor and author with a passion for food, travel and fascinating people. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country. She is author of the gourmet cookbook, “Cherry Home Companion,” and “Good Taste: A Guide to Northern Michigan Cuisine” (both from Arbutus Press). She lives on a lake in Traverse City with her husband, Joe.

MARYKAT PARKS WORKINGER lives and works in her great-grandmother’s 1905 cottage on Lake Michigan. Former editor-in-chief of Lost River Press and Sweetwater Visions Press, she freelances as an editor, writer, and indexer. A fourth-generation Michiganian, she kayaks and camps the glorious Great Lakes with her transplanted Yankee husband and Chinese daughter.

Michigan BLUE welcomes story suggestions from our readers, freelance writers and photographers. Submit ideas via e-mail to ljensen@geminipub.com.