When I was six, I moved to Highland Township from Detroit. It was a huge culture shock coming from the big city: at the time, Milford only had one full stoplight; the others were blinking yellow lights. (I probably betray my age there.)  I learned to love the area, including nearby Hartland, where I attended church. Living on the far west edge of Oakland County, near the Livingston County border, I've always had one foot in each county and decided to put my community journalism experience to work in an area I care about. I earned degrees from Milford High School (cum laude), Central Michigan University ( B.A., M.P.A.) and Madonna University (B.A. with Highest Honors) and have more than 13 years' experience writing and editing professionally.