S. Nicole Lane

Sierra Falconer always wanted to make a film about where she grew up. From the haunting calls of loons to the clear waters of Northern Michigan to the resilience of the people who find solace among the hemlocks and sugar maples, every part of this place shaped her more deeply than she ever realized.
After studying film at the University of California, Los Angeles’ graduate program, Falconer wrote and directed her thesis and first film, Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake), which debuted at...

Hiking during the day might be enough of an adventure for most people. But upping the ante for a nighttime hike can be a thrilling experience, especially in Northern Michigan, where we have an abundance of stargazing opportunities.
Bathing in the moonlight benefits hikers by connecting them to nature and heightening their senses, where sounds and smells become dominant and potent. Night hiking means fewer crowds, more stargazing and the willingness to try something new.
Before stepping out in...

Whether it’s along the lake or in the forest, these four serene retreat spots help you recharge and reconnect.
Cooler temperatures usher in a much-needed slowdown after a summer full of late-night boat rides, Cherry Festival traffic and dune climb hikes in Northern Michigan. Rest and repose are just around the corner, but we aren’t there yet.
Everyone deserves a vacation, even those of us who are lucky to live in a vacation town. Between the non-stop guests visiting, the endless amounts of su...

One of the luxuries in life is sipping vino at home and being able to crawl into bed with no worries about the trek home. But when visiting one of the many wineries in Northern Michigan, there’s an added luxury of slipping into billowing sheets (that you don’t have to wash), indulging in breakfast (that you don’t have to cook) and opening up the curtains to a gasp-inducing vineyard view.
Overnight accommodations aren’t offered at all wineries, but we’ve found five scenic stays—from Old Missio...

Menstrual flow can vary in consistency, color, scent, texture, volume, and when it happens. Minor changes are usually not a cause for concern, especially if you’re switching forms of hormonal birth control⁠ or experiencing life changes that might cause temporary disruptions. Nevertheless, an irregular period⁠ can stop you in your tracks.
Today we’re taking a closer look at watery periods. A watery period is when flow appears thin and diluted, rather than thicker, more opaque, or heavier. The ...

If you’ve invested in a sex toy, deep cleaning after shared use, sanitizing after anal play, or disinfecting toys after an illness can ensure the longevity of your toy as well as the health of your body.
Some cleaning situations require extra care beyond routine washing. This will help address common concerns about bacteria, viruses, and cross-contamination.
Cleaning sex toys doesn’t have to be intimidating. Despite the different materials, the electronic components, or textured surfaces, we’...

Cleaning might not be something we initially associate with sex or play time, but it is a task that should be priortized after using vibrators, dildos, and anal toys.
The reasons for cleaning your toys are because sex toys come into contact with our bodily fluids, and cleaning them is imperative for the safety of your body as well as the longevity of the toy.
Most toys can be surface-cleaned with liquid soap and warm water. However, others can be boiled in hot water for a more thorough disinf...

Cleaning sex toys is an important part of our hygiene but it can also increase the longevity of the toy itself. Toys come in various different materials and cleaning them requires different instructions and cleaning solutions. And when you’ve doused your toy in a silicone-based lubricant, you may need to do some extra scrubbing to make sure your toy is squeaky clean and lube-free.
Silicone-based lubes can be tough to clean. The main reason for this is because they don’t dissolve in water, mea...

Marriage rates aren’t what they used to be, and being in a relationship isn’t the priority anymore for many women across the globe. The growing trend of single women is expanding, and the shift is becoming more visible across all ages, cultures, and socioeconomic classes.
The many reasons for this include the reevaluation of traditional marriage, the increase in financial independence, higher standards for partners, and overall happiness in being single.
While staying single for life might no...

You might think that because condoms are a barrier material that their latex material is completely waterproof. That’s understandable, as it would make sense that they can withstand wet and wild scenarios.
However, having sex in a water-based environment—for example, a pool, hot tub, or shower—could be pushing your condom to the limit.
So, while it’s an overarching common belief that condoms are waterproof, let’s explore the importance of condom reliability during sexual activity in a wet set...

When it comes to cleaning our sex toys, more isn’t always better. Just because you might use bleach, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide while cleaning your bathtub or pesky stains, doesn’t mean you should use chemicals on sex toys. These aren’t just objects in your home, they are being inserted into areas of your body, meaning that what goes on them should be body-safe as well.
While we’re glad you’re eager to learn more about proper hygiene, remember that everything should be used in moderation, ...

By 2025, the American sex toy market is predicted to be worth over a whopping $11 billion. People are buying toys more than ever, with an estimated 50% of adults owning or having used one, according to the TENGA Self Pleasure Report. The majority of sex toy owners are women, and range in age from their 20s to their 50s.
E-commerce has made shopping for sex toys much easier, too, creating more privacy, anonymity, and ease.
Ohdoki, the creators behind The Handy, surveyed 2,000 Americans to find...

How one man’s passion brought new life to the sport in the Great Lakes
At 7 a.m. on a warm Sunday morning last fall in Alpena, Michigan, we arrived at the shores of Thunder Bay on Lake Huron to meet Jonathan Durtka, who was already on his boat at the dock, organizing his gear and making room for us on the bow. We were wetsuit-less, snorkel-less and wide-eyed. We wouldn’t be speargun fishing with Durtka, which involves the sport of harvesting a fish with a single breath, but simply watching—an...

Pontiff addresses young people at baseball stadium on Saturday amid ‘No Kings’ protests across the country
Pope Leo XIV, born in Dolton, Illinois, and a White Sox baseball fan, has been anointed by Chicagoans as the “South Side Pope”, appearing via video on Saturday at the White Sox ballpark to offer a message to young people.
At a mass organized by the archdiocese of Chicago in honor of the new pope, attendees wore baseball jerseys while nuns in habits congregated near the entrance. Others d...

I was surprised when my parents gave me $5,000 for my wedding, bringing our budget to $10,000.
On a tight budget, I got creative with the planning, but then I was laid off.
Although I don't know what the future holds, I'm still getting married on an even tighter budget.
I wasn't born into money. I live paycheck to paycheck on a $70,000 salary while paying off credit cards and college loans from 16 years ago. But still, I'm planning my dream wedding.
I was incredibly surprised when my parents ...