What do Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Monty Python's Life of Brian have in common? I bet you were wracking your brain to remember if Harrison Ford was in Life of Brian (he wasn’t). No, it’s more geographic – all of them were filmed in Tunisia!

Whether you are new to European Christmas markets, or you’re an old pro, you know that there is wonder involved. This year, head to the Island of Mainau, on Lake Constance (Bodensee, in German) on the Überlinger See, in SouthWest Germany.

There’s a new holiday market in town, along with some incredible Scandinavian-focused activities, and cold-weather traditions.

September 21 is the International Day of Peace. Peace Day was established by the United Nations in 1981, to encourage the world to work together toward the goal of worldwide peace. Everyone can celebrate peace.

One look at the extraordinary photos from our featured photographer, Aaron Cooper, and you'll do as I did: fall into his landscapes, a bit like Alice. He perfectly captures the essence of place and spirit. 

Portage, Michigan. Boat Dock ©ACD&M 2019

We first met our friend Lara Smith at Grand Rapids Comic Con, at Artists Alley. After falling into discussion about her playful, creative art, we KNEW we had to share her work with our wandering educators. 

Wandering the aisles at Grand Rapids Comic Con, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the goodness. But as we walked by Corinne Roberts' booth, we did a full stop (don't worry, no one crashed into us). Her art drew us in with its playfulness, creativity, and intelligence. Once we started talking with her, I KNEW our Wandering Educators would be interested in her art...and books.

Last summer, my students and I read The Hobbit together. It had been 30 years since I’d read it. I have to admit, I reveled in the classic story, long buried in my brain under years of reading. As you know, it is a classic tale of a quest; a long, life-changing journey. The travelers have to battle (and avoid) various creatures, traverse extraordinarily vast plains, wend their way through mountain paths, and pursue their quest across Middle Earth.

We first met our Artist of the Month, Jessalyn Kline, at the 2018 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts High School Art Show. She had a gorgeous embroidered piece of art, full of meaning, color, and beauty. Of course, I asked her to share it with our wandering educators. You, too, will be amazed at her range of creativity, her eye for detail, and her passion for creating. Without further ado, the art and words of Jessalyn Kline...

We first met our Photographer of the Month, Dare'l McMillian, at a Western Michigan University press event for Phantom of the Opera.

Did you ever run across photos that captured you instantly? That took you to a place, and got you dreaming? Such is the case with our featured photographer this month, Larry Prosor. With photos from New Zealand's North Island and Northern California for this feature, he takes us to two very different locations—and gives us a true sense of place.