This time, it’s personal

Does the name Lockheed 10-E Electra ring a bell? No? How about Amelia Earhart?

What makes life fun? What makes it worthwhile? What makes it interesting? Who’s flying this thing, anyway?

People are.

The highest praise we give to any encounter with an institution, from the maternity ward to the cemetery, is to say it was personalized.

That’s what we’ve done here: personalized our popular Top of the Town awards.

We have nothing against things. Things are great. A big, juicy hamburger is a thing. So is a Stradivarius violin. But a person stacked that hamburger. An Italian guy with long, wavy hair made that fiddle. A person is driving that bus (for now), selling you insurance, teaching you yoga, poking that tattoo onto your shin. Even Godzilla was a guy in a suit (shout out to you, Haruo Nakajima).

Experts say the AI takeover, the “nerd rapture,” is coming fast, so now is a good time to celebrate people, while people are still people.

Throughout the three-week contest, 2,871 people made 840 nominations and cast 11,235 votes in 55 categories. We don’t have the space to profile every winner in depth, so we picked five winners who embody the personal touch in their varied lines of work.

In the following pages, you’ll meet singular souls like Rodney Page, a violinist, DJ, composer and teacher with a wide-open musical mind and a charismatic ability to inspire and motivate young musicians. You’ll meet singer-songwriter Alex Teller, who lives out the folk tradition by roaming highways, farms, mountains and honky-tonks across the land and bringing his insights to local venues like Moriarty’s Pub and the Robin Theatre.

You’ll meet Clara Martinez, who, in addition to running Everett High School’s Visual & Performing Arts Department and dance program, is campaigning to be a member of Lansing City Council.

You’ll meet Drew Van Zee, a passionate barista who puts companionship and conversation into the coffee he serves, along with the cream. (And he doesn’t even like coffee.) You’ll meet Dom Haughton, a tattoo artist who specializes in weird and creepy subjects like cows with two heads and treasures the trust her clients put in her.

The list of winners includes people from many fields and walks of life. If there’s a common factor, it’s that they love what they do and have generous spirits.

Van Zee, the barista, has lived in Lansing all his life and thinks “everybody in it is an awesome person.”

Everybody? Only a person could come up with a statement like that. No machine would touch it.

People may be a pain in the ass sometimes, but they’re also irrationally, stubbornly idealistic, good-natured and just plain nice, in spite of all forces working against them. Thank you, good people of Lansing!

ARTS

Best Artist

1. Jennifer Taggart Wilson
2. Ryan Holmes
3. Steph Joy Hogan

Jennifer Taggart Wilson is a retired forensic scientist who creates colorful and unique art, including pet portraits, woven fiber wall hangings, large-scale fiber portraits and tufted rugs.

 

Best Classical Musician

1. Rodney Page
2. Sergei Kvitko
3. Alexis Anne Wright

 

Best Club DJ

1. Cutt-Nice
2. Mary X
3. Metro Melik

Brian Payne, aka DJ Cutt-Nice, is a veteran turntablist from Lansing and founder of F.T.H. Entertainment. One voter called him the “best DJ in the 517 for over 30 years.”

 

Best Country Artist

1. Sadie Bass
2. Keegan Jacko
3. Cooper Johnson

Sadie Bass is a Bath native who moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2020 to pursue her country music career. She’s released eight singles and opened for dozens of national acts.

 

Best Drag Artist

1. Alicia Boom Boom Chablis
2. Mag N. Cheez
3. (tie) Cocoa Cola Caliente and Mackenzie Derhammer (Sapphire Shade)

Known as “Michigan’s sexiest grandpa,” Alicia Boom Boom Chablis performs throughout the state. Chablis was voted second-best drag artist and entertainer in the 2023 Top of the Town contest and was able to take the crown for best drag artist in the People Contest.

 

Best Folk Artist

1. Alex Teller
2. The Devil You Don’t
3. Kitty Donohoe

 

Best Hip-Hop Artist

1. James Gardin
2. The Back of the Class
3. Taylor Taylor

Hailing from Lansing, James Gardin is known for his infectious grooves, uplifting messages and undeniable stage charisma. His songs fuse rap, funk and danceable production.

 

Best Jazz Musician

1. Jim Alfredson
2. Jonathan Evans
3. Reuben Stump

Jim Alfredson of Lansing is a keyboardist, music engineer, producer and songwriter. He’s performed in the R&B band Root Doctor, jazz trio organissimo, progressive-rock band THEO and as a solo artist.

 

Best Local Author

1. Jenn Carpenter
2. John K. Addis
3. Lori Nelson Spielman

Jenn Carpenter, a self-proclaimed true-crime junkie, is the author of “Haunted Lansing,” “Hardwood Floors” and “The Cereal Killer Chronicles” as well as the owner of Deadtime Stories in REO Town.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Best Advocate/Activist

1. Tom Izzo, MSU basketball coach
2. Jerry Norris, the Fledge
3. Mike Karl

Tom Izzo isn’t only MSU’s Hall of Fame basketball coach, but he’s also an advocate for local causes. He and his wife, Lupe, have raised more than $750,000 through the annual Izzo Run/Walk/Roll.

 

Best Librarian

1. Heather Goupil, CADL Mason
2. Mark Buzzitta, CADL Downtown Lansing
3. Cassie Veselovsky, CADL South Lansing

Heather Groupil is the head librarian at the Mason Library. Voters said she’s “a great advocate for SO many important community services/resources!” and that “she kept the library open and functioning in spite of a massive 13-month complete renovation!”

 

Best Police Officer

1. Lansing Police Department Canine Unit
2. DJ Rudd, Lansing Police Department
3. (tie) Matt Shutes, Mason Chief of Police and Melissa Congleton, MSU Police Department

The LPD Canine Unit was formed in 1985 and today has five working teams, one of the largest canine units in the state. Canines are assigned to every shift and are available 24/7.

 

EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION

Best Academic Advisor

1. Patricia Sanchawala, East Lansing High School
2. (tie) Eva Menefee, Lansing Community College and Evan Dubey, Everett High School

Patricia Sanchawala is chair of the special education department at ELHS. One voter said she “works tirelessly to guide students from where they’re at to where they need to be.”

 

Best College Instructor

1. Jon Whiting, MSU
2. Emily Conroy-Krutz, MSU
3. (tie) Robin McGuire, MSU and Teagan Dixon, MSU

Jon Whiting is an Emmy Award-winning television producer and professor of practice at MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences, working primarily as an instructor for audio production courses.

 

Best Dance Instructor

1. Clara Martinez, Everett High School
2. Bella Guerrazzi, Premier Dance Co.
3. Tiffany Nordé, Rock the Block Studio

 

Best High School Coach

1. Ray Mitchell, East Lansing High School
2. Chris Tyler, Waverly High School
3. (tie) Deleon Dearing, Sexton High School and Rod Watts, Waverly High School

Ray Mitchell has been the head boys’ basketball coach at ELHS since 2018, coaching the Trojans to the 2025 MHSAA Division I state championship, in which the team won its first title since 1958.

 

Best High School Teacher

1. Kevin Tobe, Haslett High School
2. Ben Billings, Everett High School
3. Dave Larzelere, East Lansing High School

Kevin Tobe has been teaching math at Haslett for 25 years. One voter said, “Kevin is an outstanding teacher who gives of himself tirelessly. He puts students first and always engages them in creative ways to maximize their learning.”

 

Best Personal Trainer

1. Michael Uren, State of Fitness
2. Raneka Buggs, M43 Fitness
3. Keri Morrison, Sparrow Michigan Athletic Club

Michael Uren has been a trainer at State of Fitness since 2018. One voter said, “He can work with anyone and tailor workouts to meet their needs. Super knowledgeable and very experienced. Best trainer in town!”

 

Best Yoga Instructor

1. Rachel Troisi Sciberras, Lovelight Collective
2. Jennifer Cousineau, East Lansing Hot Yoga
3. Matt Gleason, East Lansing Hot Yoga

Rachel Troisi Sciberras began teaching yoga around 2007. She loves all things yoga and helping others find their own love for yoga. Her classes focus on traditional movements and postures.

 

FOOD & DRINK

Best Barista

1. Drew Van Zee, Blue Owl Old Town
2. Dusty Salyer, BAD Brewing Co.
3. Trisha Kosloski, the Hob Nob

 

Best Bartender

1. Jennifer Hunter, Wooden Nickel II
2. Dusty Salyer, BAD Brewing Co.
3. Amanda Haite, Tipsy Nickel Bar & Grille

While a coworker called her “as much an excellent bartender as she is a mother hen,” customers praised Jennifer Hunter’s kindness and ceaseless smile.

 

Best Brewer

1. Peter Martin, Boss Cider
2. KJ Rowan, BAD Brewing Co.
3. Jeremy Sprague, Sleepwalker Spirits and Ale

One voter said they “haven’t found a brew I didn’t like at Boss.” Having worn many hats at Boss Cider, these days, Peter Martin thinks up new brews.

 

Best Chef

1. Chris Corrette, Boss Cider
2. Steve Swart, Ruckus Ramen
3. Sean Zellmer, Henry’s Place

While one voter praised Chris Corrette for the “great pride” he takes “in his food and trying new things,” others praised his kindness.

 

Best Food Delivery Person

1. Jesse Lovejoy, Domino’s Pizza
2. BreeAnn Hooker, Barnhill’s Westside Deli
3. (tie) Brayden Ely, Door Dash and Jayden Oliver, DoorDash & Instacart

East Lansing Domino’s employee Jesse Lovejoy made headlines in 2020 by buying pizzas and delivering them for free to the community. The community still remembers.

 

Best Restaurant Waitstaff

1. Emily Price, Watershed Tavern/Grill
2. Madison Beeney, Boss Cider
3. Alisa “Cheese” Kowalski, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Emily Price is a graduate of Grand Ledge Public Schools and a resident of Haslett. One voter said, “She smiles and laughs and builds a great bond with customers. Consider her family at this point!”

 

HEALTH CARE

Best Cosmetic Surgeon

1. Dr. Rick J. Smith
2. Dr. Ahmed S. Sufyan, Mid-Michigan Ear, Nose, & Throat
3. Dr. Andrew Zwyghuizen, U-M Health Sparrow Hospital

Dr. Rick J. Smith has provided top-of-the-line cosmetic procedures for over 25 years. One voter said, “I was happy about the surgery I had with him, have healed well, and don’t have any scars!”

 

Best Dentist

1. Dr. Timothy Zielinski, Zielinski Dental
2. Dr. James Peters, Mason Family Dentistry
3. Dr. Kristina Palmer, Oak Bark Dental

Dr. Timothy Zielinski has served the Mason community since 1981. His background and experience, including continuing education courses in “every aspect of dentistry,” allow him to perform almost all procedures in-office.

 

Best Massage Therapist

1. Tiffany Adams, Renewed Spirit Spa
2. Mack Cornelison, Element Massage LLC
3. Bee Queener, Bee Queener Massage Therapy

Tiffany Adams is trained in a variety of massage modalities, specializing in pain and stress release. “She’s so welcoming, calming and caring,” one voter said. “She pays attention to my needs and has healed my fatigued, sore muscles.”

 

Best Optometrist

1. Dr. Brian Beissel, Rule Eye Care Associates
2. Dr. Holly Swartz, MyEyeDr.
3. (tie) Dr. Chad Linsley, Mason Family Eye Care and Dr. Jeff Rule, Rule Eye Care Associates

Dr. Brian Beissel is a general eye care professional specializing in fitting contact lenses, pre- and post-LASIK care, cataract management, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease.

 

MEDIA/ENTERTAINMENT

Best Comedian

1. Metro Melik
2. Will Green
3. Dave Wellfare

Metro Melik is a videographer, photographer, actor, emcee and DJ. He hosted a live, call-in TV talk show for more than 13 years before being invited to be the afternoon radio host on Stacks 92.1, where he can be heard from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays. He’s also the founder of the annual 517 Day celebration and Metro Melik 517, a brick-and-mortar clothing, jewelry, art and gift shop turned webstore.

 

Best Entertainer

1. Metro Melik, Stacks 92.1
2. Kristin Marie, With Me Entertainment
3. Whitney Spotts, Starfarm

 

Best Local TV Personality

1. Sheri Jones, WLNS
2. David Andrews, WILX-TV
3. Katie Nickolaou, WLNS-TV

Sheri Jones has been a WLNS-TV news anchor since 1989 and the spokesperson for the station’s Crime Stoppers program since 1994. Retiring May 9, one voter said she’s a “local legend” who “will be missed.”

 

Best Radio DJ

1. Metro Melik, Stacks 92.1
2. Terry Stevens, Q106 WJXQ
3. Stephanie McCoy, 94.1 Duke FM

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Best CATA Bus Driver

1. Ron DeLeon
2. Lamar Braggs
3. Aaron Aikman

Ron DeLeon has been driving for CATA for 27 years. One voter said, “Ron is always friendly, patient, and consistently goes above and beyond to make passengers feel safe and welcomed. His professionalism and positive attitude make a big difference.”

 

Best Customer Service Worker

1. Kathleen Krancich, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
2. Kelle Vicknair, Splash of Color Tattoo & Piercing Studio
3. (tie) Samantha Olson, Evergreen Cemetery and Skylir Maloney, Pristine Cleaning & Home Services LLC

Of Kathleen Krancich, a family service adviser at St. Joseph Cemetery, voters said, “As customer service reps go, or just people in general, no one cares about people like Kathleen does!” and “She is literally the best!”

 

Best Farmer

1. Rebecca Titus, Titus Farms
2. Tom & Ashley Butcher, Butcher Farms
3. Nate Kermiet, Magnolia Ave Farms

Rebecca Titus is the “manager of many things, mostly planning, plants and people” for the farm her parents started in 1982. She founded a community-supported agriculture program there in 2005.

 

PERSONAL CARE

Best Barber

1. Brandon Becerril, Blessed Barber Club
2. Pedro Estrello, Hair & Co. Downtown
3. Alexander Dominguez, Loyalty Barbershop

Brandon Becerril is the owner of Blessed Barber Club in East Lansing. With more than a decade of experience, he specializes in fades, tapers, scissor work and intricate hair designs.

 

Best Esthetician/Cosmetologist

1. Craig Holly, Douglas J Salon & Med Spa
2. Holly Roth, PURE Skincare & Acne Spa
3. Jennifer Edwards, Rick J. Smith, MD

Craig Holly offers laser treatments, facials, peels, Botox, IV infusions and makeup artistry. One voter said, “His work shows how dedicated and passionate he is about wellness!”

 

Best Hairstylist

1. Timothy Walkinhood, Holiday Hair House
2. Renee Gonzales, Hair by Renee
3. Nickie, Hair by Nickie

With more than a decade in the industry, Timothy Walkinhood is dedicated to delivering the latest trends in hairstyling, specializing in shags, bobs and long bobs, plus fringe and face framing.

 

Best Nail Technician

1. Tori Rice, Studio XO
2. Vic Vix’n, the Honeycomb Salon & Spa
3. Wendy Ghinelli, Salon 130

Tori Rice loves to create art on tiny canvases. One voter said they drive over an hour for her services, and that she’s “beautiful inside and out.”

 

Best Piercer

1. Alexis “Alix” Mercer, Ink Therapy
2. AAron “Malibu” Wood, Local Tattoo and Laser Co.
3. Danny Aybar, Be-You-tiful Body Piercing & Fine Jewelry

After dreaming of becoming a piercer since she was 11, Alexis Mercer was hired as Ink Therapy’s head piercer in 2020. Voters praised her knowledge of her craft, with one saying she “takes her time and does everything to make her clients feel comfortable.”

 

Best Tattoo Artist

1. Moonflaws Tattoos, Ink Therapy
2. Sarah Fuller, Van Gogh Tattoos
3. Shawn Farr, Ink Therapy

 

POLITICAL

Best Local Politician

1. Sarah Anthony, state senator
2. Andy Schor, Lansing mayor
3. Ryan Kost, Lansing City Council

“Sarah is so hard-working,” one voter said of the Democratic state senator. “She meets so frequently with her constituents, she really has a PULSE on what’s going on!”

 

Best State/National Politician

1. Gretchen Whitmer, governor
2. Elissa Slotkin, U.S. senator
3. Sarah Anthony, state senator

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer “truly cares about Michigan and its people. All of them,” according to one voter. Another said, “Gonna miss you when your term is done!”

 

Worst Local Politician

1. Tom Barrett, U.S. representative
2. Andy Schor, Lansing mayor
3. Jeffrey Brown, Lansing City Council

An unwillingness to hold an in-person town hall and accusations of being a rubber stamp for Trump put Charlotte Republican Tom Barrett atop the “worst” list.

 

Worst State/National Politician

1. Donald Trump, U.S. president
2. Gretchen Whitmer, governor
3. Tom Barrett, U.S. representative

A chaotic few months have marked Donald Trump’s return to office, and TOTT voters aren’t happy. “He’s bombed the economy and blamed it on everyone else,” one voter said.

 

PROFESSIONAL

Best Accountant/CPA

1. Michael Scheetz, Plante Moran
2. Nikali Luke, Simplified Tax
3. Shelly Madery, Freedom Tax Services

Michael Scheetz specializes in tax planning, strategy and business advisory at Plante Moran and told City Pulse he’s passionate about money-saving strategies.

 

Best Attorney

1. Andrew Abood, Abood Law
2. Rhonda Kunkel, Knaggs Brake PC
3. Ernscie Augustin, Augustin Law Offices

It’s hard to pick favorites among family, but trial attorney Andrew Abood of family firm Abood Law bested his brother, divorce attorney Jeffrey Abood, this time.

 

Best Developer

1. Matthew Hagan, Hagan Realty
2. Jesalee Jones, Honey Home Interiors
3. Brent Forsberg, T.A. Forsberg Inc.

Matthew Hagan told City Pulse he takes pride in “doing things the right way” as part of a locally owned and operated family business.

 

Best Handyman

1. Jerimiah Vongphachanh, MyBoyfriendLLC
2. Megan & William Dowell, Do-Well Remodel
3. Ross Yednock

Jerimiah Vongphachanh said working with his hands and with other people are his true passions. One voter said he provides “amazing service” and shows “great customer care.”

 

 

Best Tailor/Seamstress

1. Sue Nguyen, S & Sue’s Cleaners & Tailors
2. Nu the Tailor
3. Kelly Wheaton, Fantastic Alterations

Sue Nguyen of S & Sue’s Cleaners & Tailors has been in the business for over 20 years in Mason.

 Nguyen declined to be photographed for this edition.

 

SALES

 

Best Auto Salesperson

1. Matt “Mojo” Lersch, Team One Chevrolet Buick GMC
2. (tie) Devan Reed, Kia of Lansing and Troy Andrews, Shaheen Chevrolet

Alongside his work as an auto salesman, Matt “Mojo” Lersch is a former radio DJ for Q106 WJXQ and an advocate for mental health.

 

Best Insurance Agent

1. David Finkbeiner, Rathbun Agency
2. Ben Rathbun, Rathbun Agency
3. Craig Winston, Meemic Insurance Winston Agency

David Finkbeiner, the “definition of a stellar insurance agent,” according to one voter, retired March 31 but was still selected as No. 1. Another voter said he truly cared about his clients.

 

Best Realtor/Agent

1. Ricardo Gutierrez, Premier Oasis
2. Lauren Flannery, Howard Hanna
3. Alison Alfredson, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Alongside being a real estate agent in the Greater Lansing area, Ricardo Gutierrez makes content for homebuyers on TikTok and YouTube.

 

Best Retail Salesperson

1. Jenn Carpenter, Deadtime Stories
2. Jamie Ring, Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry
3. Summer Schriner, Grace Boutique of Old Town

Jenn Carpenter, owner of Deadtime Stories in REO Town, received a second TOTT People Contest nod for her service at the spooky bookstore. She plans to open a second location this summer in Charlotte.