Great Lakes Life Magazine
Encyclopedia
Great Lakes Life Magazine is a monthly regional magazine published in Westfield
, New York
. It was founded by Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Rena Tran and began publication in February 2008 under the title Erie Life Magazine
. The magazine is available in over 750 retail locations in Pennsylvania
, Ohio
, western New York
, eastern Michigan
, and southern Ontario
and circulates to over 25,000 readers.
, LLC, began operations in July 2007 with the stated goal of providing “a guidebook of love, living, business, education, family, faith, entertainment, dining, and arts and culture.” Erie Life Magazine’s first issue was published in February 2008 and featured a cover story on Erie Philharmonic
conductor Daniel Meyer. While located in the Renaissance Centre in downtown Erie, Erie Life Magazine was the only magazine in the Erie area not affiliated with either local broadcasters or the Erie Times-News.
, Borders, Wegmans Food Markets
, Walmart, Walgreens
, Country Fair, Giant Eagle
Grocery Stores, Chapters
, and Indigo Books and Music
. Today, Great Lakes Life's readership is close to 100,000 readers. Due to the expanded readership, the publication was rebranded Great Lakes Life Magazine, starting with the April 2010 issue. The new title reflects the magazine’s expanded coverage as it no longer focuses solely on Erie, but also areas surrounding Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Ontario. The rebranding also included moving the publication out of Erie, Pennsylvania, to its new home in Westfield, New York, to distance itself from being directly associated with any of the cities it covers. The magazine currently operates out of the ROR Building on the town’s historic Main Street.
The first issue under the new title featured a cover story on David Bentkowski, the Mayor of Seven Hills, Ohio
, and author of “The Power of the Proclamation.”
of A&E
’s We Mean Business
; Sister Joan Chittister
, an internationally renowned peace activist and author; and television personality Maria Sansone
. Other covers include country music legend Clint Black
, Iron Chef
Michael Symon
, rising country artist Candy Coburn
, and Deal or No Deal
's Claudia Jordan
. The magazine has also included features on celebrities ranging from Partridge Family matriarch Shirley Jones
; Marilyn Burns
, star of the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
, and former WWE superstar Kurt Angle
. Various musicians have also been featured to promote upcoming appearances in the region or new album releases including Stone Temple Pilots
, 311
, Goo Goo Dolls
, Hanson
, Matthew Good
, Relient K
, The Tragically Hip
, The Meat Puppets, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
, and The Decemberists
.
Great Lakes Life Magazine has also been the subject of several articles from magazine industry giant Folio.Cutthroat Competition: Breaking into a Monopoly detailed the struggles Great Lakes Life endured going against a local media monopoly, while City and Regionals on the Mend referenced Great Lakes Life in regards to city and regional publications thriving in a time of recession
. The articles were published in print and online editions of Folio in May 2010. That June, Great Lakes Life's Publisher and Vice President were invited to speak at a workshop regarding independent publishing at the national Folio Show 2010 in New York City.
Westfield
-Places:Australia:*Westfield, Western AustraliaCanada:*Grand Bay-Westfield, New Brunswick*Westfield, Nova ScotiaEngland*Westfield, East Sussex*Westfield, North Yorkshire*Westfield, Somerset*Westfield, Woking, SurreyNew Zealand:*Westfield, New Zealand...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It was founded by Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Rena Tran and began publication in February 2008 under the title Erie Life Magazine
Erie Life Magazine
Erie Life Magazine is a monthly regional magazine published in Erie, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Rena Tran and began publication in February 2008...
. The magazine is available in over 750 retail locations in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, western New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, eastern Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, and southern Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and circulates to over 25,000 readers.
Erie Life Magazine (2007-2010)
Erie Life MagazineErie Life Magazine
Erie Life Magazine is a monthly regional magazine published in Erie, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Rena Tran and began publication in February 2008...
, LLC, began operations in July 2007 with the stated goal of providing “a guidebook of love, living, business, education, family, faith, entertainment, dining, and arts and culture.” Erie Life Magazine’s first issue was published in February 2008 and featured a cover story on Erie Philharmonic
Erie Philharmonic
The Erie Philharmonic is a professional orchestra located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Philharmonic has held their performances at the Warner Theatre on State Street in downtown Erie since 1974.-History:...
conductor Daniel Meyer. While located in the Renaissance Centre in downtown Erie, Erie Life Magazine was the only magazine in the Erie area not affiliated with either local broadcasters or the Erie Times-News.
Great Lakes Life Magazine (2010-Present)
In its first two years, Erie Life Magazine saw an unprecedented growth, increasing distribution from only 25 small, independent retail locations to over 640 big box retail points in four states and southern Ontario including Barnes & NobleBarnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. is the largest book retailer in the United States, operating mainly through its Barnes & Noble Booksellers chain of bookstores headquartered at 122 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District in Manhattan in New York City. Barnes & Noble also operated the chain of small B. Dalton...
, Borders, Wegmans Food Markets
Wegmans Food Markets
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a family-owned U.S. regional supermarket chain headquartered in Gates, New York, near Rochester. Wegmans has more than 75 stores spread across the mid-Atlantic region, in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts...
, Walmart, Walgreens
Walgreens
Walgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
, Country Fair, Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle, Inc., is a supermarket chain with stores in the U.S. states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland. The company was founded in 1918 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Supermarket News ranked Giant Eagle No. 21 in the 2009 "Top 75 North American Food Retailers" based on 2008...
Grocery Stores, Chapters
Chapters
Chapters is a Canadian big box bookstore banner owned by Indigo Books and Music. Formerly a company in its own right competing with Indigo, the combined company has continued to operate both banners since their merger in 2001.-History:...
, and Indigo Books and Music
Indigo Books and Music
Indigo Books & Music Inc. is a Canadian retail bookstore chain. The company was founded in 1996 by CEO Heather Reisman, wife of Gerry Schwartz, majority owner and CEO of Onex Corporation....
. Today, Great Lakes Life's readership is close to 100,000 readers. Due to the expanded readership, the publication was rebranded Great Lakes Life Magazine, starting with the April 2010 issue. The new title reflects the magazine’s expanded coverage as it no longer focuses solely on Erie, but also areas surrounding Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Ontario. The rebranding also included moving the publication out of Erie, Pennsylvania, to its new home in Westfield, New York, to distance itself from being directly associated with any of the cities it covers. The magazine currently operates out of the ROR Building on the town’s historic Main Street.
The first issue under the new title featured a cover story on David Bentkowski, the Mayor of Seven Hills, Ohio
Seven Hills, Ohio
Seven Hills is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The population was 11,804 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Seven Hills is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
, and author of “The Power of the Proclamation.”
Recurring Sections/Features
Certain features are included in every issue of the magazine, including a note from Tran, editorials, and calendars of events throughout the region. Each issue of Great Lakes Life has a theme, which varies each month. The magazine’s regular sections include Food & Dining, True Crime, Jazz, Arts & Culture, and Health, in addition to special sections including the award-winning “Aging Smart.” Each issue also includes a “100” list, an often humorous 100 item list about a single theme that varies each month. Past topics have included “100 Things We Love About Erie,” “100 Ways to be a Man,” “100 New Year's Resolutions,” and “100 Things You Should Already Know.”Covers/Celebrities
Past Great Lakes Life Magazine covers have featured a celebrity of local or regional importance. In addition to Meyer on the first issue, previous covers have included Erie natives Katie LinendollKatie Linendoll
Katie Linendoll is a TV host, producer and technology expert.Linendoll is a regular contributor to the CBS Early Show, CNN Newsroom and The Nate Berkus Show. She was also the co-host of the A&E reality series We Mean Business along with Peter Gursky and Bill Rancic...
of A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
’s We Mean Business
We Mean Business
We Mean Business is an American reality television series airing on the A&E cable network starting in September 2008. The program features three regular experts: "Business Expert" Bill Rancic, a former contestant on The Apprentice; "Tech Expert" Katie Linendoll; and "Design Expert" Peter Gurski...
; Sister Joan Chittister
Joan Chittister
Sister Joan D. Chittister, O.S.B., is a Benedictine nun, author and speaker.She is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania, where she served as prioress for 12 years. Sister Chittister writes a web column for the National Catholic Reporter, "From Where I Stand"...
, an internationally renowned peace activist and author; and television personality Maria Sansone
Maria Sansone
Maria Grace Sansone is a American television personality, and the former correspondent/co-host of LX New York airing on the NBC flagship station WNBC, New York. Sansone also is a red carpet host for the TV GUIDE NETWORK coverage of award shows...
. Other covers include country music legend Clint Black
Clint Black
Clint Patrick Black is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and occasional actor. Signed to RCA Records in 1989, Black made his debut with his Killin' Time album, which produced four straight Number One singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country...
, Iron Chef
Iron Chef
is a Japanese television cooking show produced by Fuji Television. The series, which premiered on October 10, 1992, is a stylized cook-off featuring guest chefs challenging one of the show's resident "Iron Chefs" in a timed cooking battle built around a specific theme ingredient. The series ended...
Michael Symon
Michael Symon
Michael D. Symon is a James Beard Foundation Award-winning American chef, restaurateur, television personality, and author. He is seen regularly on Food Network on shows such as Iron Chef America, Food Feuds, and The Best Thing I Ever Ate, as well as Cook Like an Iron Chef on the Cooking Channel...
, rising country artist Candy Coburn
Candy Coburn
Candy Coburn is an American national performing country music artist who has shared the stage with many notable artists, including Brooks and Dunn, Kellie Pickler, Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Gary Allan, Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum and others...
, and Deal or No Deal
Deal or No Deal
Deal or No Deal is the name of several closely related television game shows, the first of which was the Dutch Miljoenenjacht produced by Dutch producer Endemol. It is played with up to 26 cases with certain sums of money...
's Claudia Jordan
Claudia Jordan
Claudia Jordan is an American television and radio personality. She is primarily known for appearing as a model on the U.S. version of Deal or No Deal, and for competing on Season 2 of the Celebrity Apprentice.-Personal life:...
. The magazine has also included features on celebrities ranging from Partridge Family matriarch Shirley Jones
Shirley Jones
Shirley Mae Jones is an American singer and actress of stage, film and television. In her six decades of television, she starred as wholesome characters in a number of well-known musical films, such as Oklahoma! , Carousel , and The Music Man...
; Marilyn Burns
Marilyn Burns
Mary Lynn Ann Burns , better known as Marilyn Burns, is an American actress, best known for her roles in the horror cult films The Texas Chain Saw Massacre , and Eaten Alive...
, star of the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a 1974 American independent horror film directed and produced by Tobe Hooper, who cowrote it with Kim Henkel. It stars Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, and Gunnar Hansen, who respectively portray Sally Hardesty, Franklin Hardesty, the...
, and former WWE superstar Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle
Kurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion...
. Various musicians have also been featured to promote upcoming appearances in the region or new album releases including Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots is an American rock band from San Diego, California that consists of Scott Weiland , brothers Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo , and Eric Kretz ....
, 311
311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
, Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls are a Grammy-nominated American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik and vocalist and bass guitarist Robby Takac. Since the end of 1994, Mike Malinin has been the band's drummer, a position previously held by George Tutuska...
, Hanson
Hanson
- Musical groups :* Hanson , an American pop rock band* Hanson , an English rock band* The Hanson Brothers, a Canadian punk band and side project of the band Nomeansno- Companies :* Hanson plc, a British building materials company...
, Matthew Good
Matthew Good
Matthew Frederick Robert Good is a Canadian rock musician. He was the lead singer for the Matthew Good Band, one of Canada's most successful alternative rock bands in the 1990s, before dissolving the band in 2002...
, Relient K
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
, The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, is a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario, consisting of Gordon Downie , Paul Langlois , Rob Baker , Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay . Since their formation in 1983 they have released 12 studio albums, two live albums, and 46 singles...
, The Meat Puppets, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a contemporary swing revival band from southern California. Their notable singles include "Go Daddy-O", "You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight ", and "Mr. Pinstripe Suit". The band played the Super Bowl XXXIII half-time show in 1999.The band was originally formed in Ventura,...
, and The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
.
Awards and Recognition
In 2010 Great Lakes Life Magazine won two first place awards at the Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards. Sponsored by the Press Club of Cleveland, the awards recognize Ohio's top performers in various realms of journalism. Great Lakes Life won "General Photo: Multiple Images" for the "Women Who Beat the Odds" spread from the October 2009 issue and "Best Departments or Columns" for the recurring Aging Smart section that runs in each issue. The awards were given out on June 18, 2010.Great Lakes Life Magazine has also been the subject of several articles from magazine industry giant Folio.Cutthroat Competition: Breaking into a Monopoly detailed the struggles Great Lakes Life endured going against a local media monopoly, while City and Regionals on the Mend referenced Great Lakes Life in regards to city and regional publications thriving in a time of recession
Recession
In economics, a recession is a business cycle contraction, a general slowdown in economic activity. During recessions, many macroeconomic indicators vary in a similar way...
. The articles were published in print and online editions of Folio in May 2010. That June, Great Lakes Life's Publisher and Vice President were invited to speak at a workshop regarding independent publishing at the national Folio Show 2010 in New York City.