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A weekly show from the folks at East Lansing Info breaking down all the news and happenings in East Lansing, Michigan.
Hello, everybody, and welcome to this week's episode of East Lansing Insider. I'm East Lansing Info's deputy editor, Anna Liz Nichols, and it's back to school season for many in the Greater Lansing area. In honor of this season of the year, we have Christine McCallister with us today, one of the founders of Greater Lansing Area Moms, also known as GLAM. She's going to be talking about what GLAM does as an online resource for families in Mid Michigan and maybe even share what this back to school season looks like for families. Thank you for joining me here today, Christine.
Christine McCallister:Thanks for having me.
Anna Liz Nichols:So what is it that GLAM does, and how did this all get started? I know there's a newsletter you all have that boasts a few thousand subscribers as well as the website, which features a blog, which shares information about parenthood, kid sports, activities, recipes, business features, really a variety of topics for Mid Michigan families.
Christine McCallister:Greater Lansing area moms is a online resource for area families, but it extends beyond families. I mean, not not just parents. We have a lot of Michigan State students that follow us. We have a lot of single married couples without children that follow us. It's just a place for anybody who's interested in finding, resources around the Greater Mesa area.
Christine McCallister:And it started both Julie and I worked together prior to this. And, during the pandemic, she started Greater Lansing area moms, and I came along a little bit later. And, it actually the idea came from a bigger network, built around a pretty simple idea where moms are looking for good information, but they don't necessarily have the time to go find it. And this is and it just has evolved into what it is today.
Anna Liz Nichols:I think you guys, in addition to the and I'd love to hear more about the online resource, and I believe you guys have the back to school guide. I think you guys also host events and stuff.
Christine McCallister:In addition to an online resource, we do, have a couple events a year. Do glam jam downtown East Lansing. It's the kickoff to summer, generally the first Sunday after school's out or about the time school's out. We do fitness events. We've done a few events with Kendra Scott in Eastwood Town Center.
Christine McCallister:It's it's just a variety of things. You know, if we have interest or if we have time, actually, and it fits into the schedule and availability, then we make it happen. We also have a lot of guides from everything from where kids can eat free or reduced out to you know, we recently put out a back to school guide, which is full of not only businesses, but, you know, resources. I think with parenting and when you have a little bit older children, comes a lot of knowledge that you don't really end with any bonus points if you don't share what you know. And, if you can save somebody else some time that maybe you didn't that you had to, I don't wanna say waste, but if you found something out, then why wouldn't I share that, hey.
Christine McCallister:Get a family email for both kids that both mom and dad have for the entire k 12 school experience. You know, it's just little things, little tidbits of parenting. And, you know, parents don't need to learn be told how to parent. They just need to, you know, have the resources. And if they need something, they let it they'll let us know.
Christine McCallister:And if they see something, they'll let us know. And, you know, we just like to be whatever people need us to be.
Anna Liz Nichols:Yeah. What are some of the key areas of life that people most engage with glam on? It seems like in addition to, you know, this sharing of knowledge, it might even be pretty useful for creating community in Mid Michigan.
Christine McCallister:Oh, for sure. I mean, I think that it's a welcoming area. It's a welcoming spot. You know? It is a lot online, and it's a lot of social media presence and communicating that way.
Christine McCallister:But, you
Christine McCallister:know and we don't do a lot of events,
Christine McCallister:but we are in the community.
Anna Liz Nichols:K. What area like, for the blog or when people reach out to you or talk to you, like, what is what are people really looking for from from Glam? Like, what, you know, maybe often leads them to to interacting with Glam?
Christine McCallister:I think you need for glam is that there isn't a shortage of information. Right? There's almost too much information, and families don't necessarily need more information creating noise. They need someone helping them find the things that are worth knowing about. So I feel that people come to us when they wanna look for what's happening on Friday.
Christine McCallister:They wanna know where they can get a pizza, where they the best burger places. And, you know, the our list and guides are updated often, and there's some places we don't have. And then people are like, hey. You forgot so and so. And I'm like, oh, we had it.
Christine McCallister:You know, it's just it's a fluid dynamic place that just keeps evolving. In 2020, when we started this, it definitely was not what it is now.
Anna Liz Nichols:How have things, developed and changed? How have things grown? I know one of the original founders, Julia Van Acker, recently left her position at Glam. You know, with this this shift and and, you know, it's been six or so years. How are things going to operate now?
Anna Liz Nichols:What can maybe we look for in the future?
Christine McCallister:Oh, maybe ask me again in six months. No. I'm kidding. Actually, we're it is a pretty big transition now. Julie started GLAMS, and I worked alongside her for over five years here.
Christine McCallister:And she would recently decide to step away, So I'm running it on my own. It's definitely an adjustment. For so long, it's been the two of us bouncing ideas off one another and divide dividing everything up and making decisions together. And but it's also given me a chance to look at what we built, what's working, and where glam goes next. So Julie deserves a tremendous amount of credit for bringing this degree to Lansing.
Christine McCallister:She's the reason I got involved with it in the first place and forever in debt to that. So, but I don't want GLAM to become something completely different just because I'm here now and it's one person. I do think it will continue to naturally evolve because the community itself keeps changing, and it's we'll just see. It means I kinda have the let's see what happens next kind of attitude because, you know, planning just doesn't always work.
Anna Liz Nichols:Mhmm. I was wondering, you know, with the back to school guide, because I know you a lot goes into well, actually, you could probably tell us what all goes into the back to school guide, but it covers, you know, a lot of things. What are some of the interesting components of the back to school guide that you might wanna tell listeners about?
Christine McCallister:The guide is a robust resource. Eastwood Town Center joined us this year in presenting it, and we have music and dance and parks and recreation and all sorts of businesses that are featured. We have a comprehensive list of other businesses that have offerings in the area. We also have things how to help teachers, how to what you should do the first week, what you shouldn't do the first week, the list of things that you should get, but nobody tells you you need, like, the primary color T shirts for in every size for the first two weeks of school. And I'm I'm kidding.
Christine McCallister:That's a joke. But just the stuff that you need for spirit days and spirit weeks and, you know, they need a hat or they need this or they don't have the right water bottle or just all this stuff that, you know, nobody it's not a secret. Just share what you know and then take what you need and leave what you don't. So but it's a it's just a lot of every all the stuff that you need for going back to school.
Anna Liz Nichols:Honestly, I just clicked on the the water bottle portion and kind of got a, a New York Times wire cutter service over here. It has the list of of of water bottles, and it's it seems like moms have put in their input of, you know you know, this one can can deal with the with the playground.
Christine McCallister:For sure. And we're part of the larger group out east. It's the local moms network. Mhmm. It's a group of moms, and we're there's sites nationwide.
Christine McCallister:I think they're nearing a 100. So it is a there's a lot of knowledge and information there too. So we share things amongst ourselves, and then the national group of the moms who run the Local Moms Network, they share a lot of information with us to share with people as well. So it's really there's a lot of information on that website. I know it a lot went into our website to make it as good as both Julie and I to make it as, robust as it is.
Anna Liz Nichols:Yeah. I was wondering at the start of our conversation, I I was asking about and and asked some more questions about back to school, And you mentioned how this is a resource that's not only inviting, you know, parents and families to engage with, but also, you know, single adults and students and and and the rest of of of our MidMichigan community. MSU students are coming back to campus. I was wondering how, you know, individuals outside of of families have engaged with this media. Is it connecting the rest of the community to programming and events that happen in our community?
Anna Liz Nichols:What does that look like?
Christine McCallister:I think, yes, community events, but then also, well, they also go on our I mean, there's a lot of kid oriented stuff on our calendar. Right? There's a section for kids and teens. There's not a section for MSU kids. But MSU kids are adults, and they can take or leave whatever.
Christine McCallister:But, they they do come with, we introduce a lot of businesses and resources that way. We have we do have giveaways, sometimes a lot, which is fun, and, everybody likes to win something. But, I think that they may and they take I've been around and saw someone who's like, hey. Are you a glam mom? And I said, I am a glam mom.
Christine McCallister:We used we used your recipe last night. I'm like, what are you talking about? You know?
Christine McCallister:And I'm like, okay. Cool. That's awesome. But I so you follow us? Oh, yeah.
Christine McCallister:We follow you.
Christine McCallister:And there's some group MSU kids and wires. And it's just you just never know where you're gonna hit people and, you know, and when they're gonna it kinda goes back to what I said about, you know, we're here to give you what you need.
Anna Liz Nichols:Yeah.
Christine McCallister:Take what you leave or take what you need, leave what you don't.
Anna Liz Nichols:I think maybe it's less so for MSU students, but I know when people move here professionally, I often hear there's this idea of there's nothing to do in Lansing. Like, that's I don't know if that's been on your radar that people are like, what do you what do you do in Mid Michigan? What is there to do in Lansing? I was wondering how maybe your guys' work kind of rails against that.
Christine McCallister:Well, I think to rewind back to the very beginning when we were trying to find events to share and people were saying that there was nothing to do when the world was kind of on pause, there was always something to do. I mean, you have to just be creative. And, now every weekend I mean, people send us events. I find events. It's they're every weekend, there's something to do.
Christine McCallister:But at the same time, like, we have some historic sites and buildings in our area. I mean, we have the capital, and the capital now has Heritage Hall. It looks like a real deal museum. I mean then all of that downtown. I mean, a lot of people go downtown or not like it was ten years ago.
Christine McCallister:But, and then we have, like, a minor league baseball three months out of the year. We have Michigan State University, which is in itself a mecca of activities to do. You know, there's free and paid or go for a walk. I mean, I I kinda challenge people to just walk around campus for a couple hours. You're going to find something to do, or you're gonna meet somebody who's gonna introduce you to something to do.
Christine McCallister:And there's tons of small businesses. There's nonprofits. There's, yeah, are we big city? Are we like Chicago or Detroit or New York? No.
Christine McCallister:And that's why we live here is because it's not. It's but there's always something to do. Yep. And I do believe We have Broadway shows in East Lansing. I mean, look.
Christine McCallister:Wharton Center alone. I mean, they they bring so much to the area, and it's you can leave a Broadway show similar to the one you would see in New York, New York City. And my kids are in bed within a half hour of the of the curtain dropping. You know? It's like you can't do that in I mean, it's so everybody drives here.
Christine McCallister:You know? We're in an area where everybody has a car. There's no public not a lot of public transportation, but it's so much, like, packed into one small area. Sometimes I think maybe we're kind of blind to what's always been there, so we don't really look for opportunities within it.
Anna Liz Nichols:You know, this is such an interesting concept because you talked about how this is kind of a platform and and a and a megaphone for moms, for families to share information that they've been able to accumulate from the the the task it is of of of being a parent, of of of being a part of a family, and this is how we all get to share in for this is one way we all get to share information. What have been maybe in the years you've been associated with Glam, what have been some of the maybe surprising, encouraging, or or interesting results of of this this platform? Have you had any interesting conversations or learn I mean, I from just looking at the back to school guide, I'm learning how how moms are are ranking the water bottles, which I actually think is very interesting. I I love wire cutter reviews.
Christine McCallister:It's funny. Well, first, I think, yes, I think that families come here for information, and then but businesses, nonprofit schools, organizations, they also come our way to reach those families. So it kinda reciprocates itself. And that, I think, is kind of an overview of how I feel about what we've done over the last six years, almost six years. But specific conversations.
Christine McCallister:Like, I was at the downtown or East Lansing. It wasn't downtown. Sorry. It was at the train station just the other day when the railroad came through, the 250 celebration car train came through, and it was a little bit late. And the kids all there were getting a little restless and stuff, but I never would have went to that before this.
Christine McCallister:And I certainly wouldn't engage engage with the people that I did there. And I do think that one thing that has came about this is that I feel like, personally, I am seeing like I said a moment ago, that I'm seeing all that's here that I really didn't give a chance before. Specific conversations that we've had, like, I, the folks out at Wharton Center. Five years ago, wouldn't have expected to have the ongoing conversations and the relationship with this group of phenomenal people who bring all sorts of things to the area. But they they like the mom's aspect, You know?
Christine McCallister:Like, Matt downtown East Lansing. He calls us the glams. Glam. And he he says that it's a perspective that he otherwise wouldn't consider. I mean, that's kind of a you know, that's that's a huge nod.
Christine McCallister:And sometimes it's, like, you're listening to us about how to, I don't know, tips on how to prepare for the first day of school. I mean, really? I mean, sometimes it's sort of like a pinch me moment. Like but I think that that just kind of speaks to moms have a lot to offer, whether you have a robust website and your resource site or if you don't. I mean, they our wealth of knowledge are the decision makers for the family.
Christine McCallister:I just think that it's a pretty awesome thing. Now another thing that other businesses, business speaking and interactions that we've had, on that website, we have a resource section Mhmm. Which at first was there wasn't a lot of places on there. But as we've experienced more and tried new things and met new people, we've added to it. But, like, you need a dentist.
Christine McCallister:There's dentists on there. If you need a doctor, there's doctors. If you're looking for a gym, there's lots of gyms. Or if you're looking for a facial, we have places that, you know, places that we love. It's just I think there's a lot of information, and it's almost too so much so that it's hard to effectively outline it here.
Anna Liz Nichols:Yeah. Given that we're in back to school season, I was wondering whether you're, you know, going for your first day of college at Michigan State University or you're going for your first day of first grade? If there's any overarching advice or advisement that moms have have shared within GLAM that might be helpful for listeners.
Christine McCallister:Well, this seems pretty basic, but I have seen more and more lately where moms must get in the picture with your kids. Right? It seems very trivial that we're even talking about this, but at this age when we or this day and age when we have, you know, a camera at our attached to our hand, but we first get in the picture. And then I think also it's just they're kind of not planning as much or at least a few people that I've talked to on the last couple days because my kids just went back to school. The idea that and this might not be popular with the teachers, so sorry for those listening, but we don't get them at summer break ready for summer.
Christine McCallister:So, I mean, at our house this week when we started, school started when the bell rang. So it's probably gonna be a mess, but it's like, it's just it's a mess. It is what it is. That's probably what I've like, that I think that's the biggest thing that I've been hearing from people that I spoke with. Like, all plans are plans, but they're all they have to be fluid.
Christine McCallister:And I think that that rigid idea is starting to hopefully go away a little bit, and I think that kinda just, like, go with it. You know, let's just roll with it. You know, things are gonna change. You're gonna have plans. School's gonna do this.
Christine McCallister:You know, the schools, the buses are gonna be late the first day. Drop off's gonna be a mess the first two weeks. Just all the stuff. I think that that's the consensus is that, you know, let's just instead of getting so stressed out, it takes days off your life. Just, you know, just you're gonna be late.
Christine McCallister:This is what it is.
Anna Liz Nichols:Problems can be solved.
Christine McCallister:Right. Nothing is everything's figureoutable.
Anna Liz Nichols:Figureoutable. I like
Christine McCallister:it.
Anna Liz Nichols:You know, you talked a little bit about, you know, getting getting the picture, and I I I like the idea of of telling parents of of or adults of 18 year olds to embarrass their college students. I know this is maybe more geared towards elementary school students. But, I was wondering. I we talked that you yourself, you have a a kid entering their last, year of grade school as high school senior. You know, what does back to school look like for you?
Christine McCallister:Well, it's a little emotional sometimes. And, yes, he's a senior, and, we had senior sunrise yesterday, which was we don't go to that. You know, they they just tell us what they're doing. But, it was senior fog, so I don't think they have much of a sunrise. So I told him it's some sort of omen, like, when you someone rain it rains at a wedding and you have you're rich or something.
Christine McCallister:Like, maybe that just is a good thing. So, what does it look like? I did get a picture with my 18 year old. I do think that is or my 17 year old. I think that's for all parents.
Christine McCallister:I don't care if you have a preschooler and they can't even reach the handle of their locker or if it's a senior in high school who's angry because his backpack's too big and he can't walk walk around with it all day. So there's that kind of stuff. But it's it's just, it's a lot. It's a lot of emotions, but it's a lot of reflection. It's a lot of things like, oh, I should have done that or, oh, that would have been a good idea.
Christine McCallister:I should have taken that picture for the last thirteen years. But, you know, my neighbor's, you know, just starting off, and he's starting preschool next next week. And I told him I was gonna use him for all that kind of content. So it's, but what this time of year means to me and, like, what it's gonna look like, it's, I just hope that, you know, everybody has a great school year. I hope that my kids have fun.
Christine McCallister:I hope that my son finally works on his essays and does all the all that stuff, which I am not helping him with, but will end up me be it will end up me helping him with. It's just I just hope that, I think that's a school in a nutshell. We'll just see what happens. Right? Yeah.
Christine McCallister:And they'll be walking across the stage as a graduate next week. It goes by so fast.
Anna Liz Nichols:Yeah. Is that kind of one of the ideas with glam is, you know, it sound like this is a a transitional period for not just your family, but I'm sure a lot of families that are maybe expecting their kid to go to college soon or enter a new school or have a new experience, maybe even just try a new sport. Is that a little bit of of the idea behind glam of moms kind of walking each other through this process?
Christine McCallister:Yeah. I think so. And I think that if you're new
Christine McCallister:to an area, learn more about the area. And if you've been here, learn more about the
Christine McCallister:area where you live, like reminders of things. And I just think it's a space that I just really like to hit home about. It's anyone's welcome. You know? One a long time ago, I think we would have been at impression five.
Christine McCallister:I said, you know, you might not be a mom, and the lady said, yeah. But everybody has a mom or some sort of mom figure in their life. So and I've I've said that a few times over the years, and I just think that that's what we focused on creating. It's just creating a place for people to find what they need. And, you know, if they don't need it, just scroll on, come back later.
Christine McCallister:You know? It's just
Anna Liz Nichols:For a recipe.
Christine McCallister:Yeah. For a recipe or, you know, maybe a margarita. Where to find one?
Anna Liz Nichols:We at East Lansing Info are so grateful that you took time to talk to us today about glam and back to school, Christine. It's not just extremely fun for me personally to have these conversations each week with different members of our community. It's great learning more about this area that I've lived in for so long, but I also really enjoy how East Lansing Insider allows us to have more personal conversations here at East Lansing Info. We get to talk to members of the community and learn more about what's really at the core of people's interests and concerns and priorities. I'd like to take a moment to kind of extend an open call to members of the public if there happens to be a resource or story or an issue that really resonates with you or you feel like doesn't get enough attention, please always feel free to reach out to us at east lansing info.
Anna Liz Nichols:If you scroll to the bottom of our website online, there is a contact form we can respond to. Also, our editors and reporters are constantly out in the community. You can always come and say hi and let us know what's going on. And that's another thing. Glam has a get in touch section on their website, opportunities to become a part of subscribe to their newsletter, and their website is greaterlansingareamoms.com.
Anna Liz Nichols:I look forward to the conversation we have next week.