Steve Reed in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Post recently traveled to the Tuscany region of Italy, with Steve and Judy Reed, of Cedar Springs.

The couple flew into Milan and then stayed in Montecatini and visited several cities and villages throughout the region. They took one day and explored the ancient walled city of Lucca and visited the town of Pisa, where they saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa and other attractions. Another day they drove to the Chianti region, where Chianti wines are made and visited the town of Greve and tried the area’s wine and olive oils. They also took the train to Florence, where they visited the Uffizi Gallery and saw many works of art from well-known Renaissance artists, including Leonardo DaVinci, Michaelangelo, Botticelli, Caraveggio, and others. Towards the end of the week they took the funiculare (cable car) to the top of Montecatini Alto, a mountaintop village that sits high above Montecatini Terme (where they stayed). On their way back to Milan, they visited the city of Parma, the home of Parmesan cheese and Parma ham (prosciutto).

Some of the buildings in the ancient walled city of Lucca.

Besides visiting the ancient towns and villages, the Reeds also loved trying the different types of dishes at the many pizzerias and Italian restaurants in the region, especially the trattorias (family-owned restaurants).

“We had a great time,” they said. “The people were nice, the food was excellent, and it was amazing to see many of the buildings and artifacts from a time in history that we’ve only read about.”

Thank you to the Reeds for taking us with you!

Are you going on vacation? Take the Post with you and snap some photos. Then send them to us with some info to news@cedarspringspost.com or mail them to Post travels, PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. We will be looking for yours!

The Post went on a wine tasting tour in Traverse City over Mother’s Day weekend. Judy Reed, of Cedar Springs, was treated to the weekend as a Mother’s Day present from her children, Rachel Hunt, Jessica Williams, and Steven Reed. The four visited several wineries on both the Old Mission Peninsula and the Leelanau Peninsula, tasted all things cherry at Cherry Republic, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery surrounding Traverse City and the bay.

Thanks to the Reed family for taking us with you!

If you are going on a trip, take a Post with you, snap a photo, and send it to us, along with some info about your trip. Be sure to include your contact info in case we have a question. Send your Post travels stories and photos to news@cedarspringspost.com.

Cedar Springs Post editor Judy Reed was honored at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, at Cedar Springs Public Schools, for being named to the 2011 Media Honor Roll.
The program, sponsored by the Michigan Association of School Boards, recognizes media representatives statewide for fair and balanced reporting on school issues and providing valuable information to the community on public school issues. Reed was one of 24 media professionals across the state to receive the honor.
The Cedar Springs Board of Education nominated Reed for the honor, and Board president Joe Marckini presented her with the certificate Monday evening.
Criteria for the district selection included media representative’s efforts to get to know the superintendent, board president and the district’s mission and goals; report school news in a fair, accurate and balanced manner; give a high profile to positive news about schools; visit the schools; and maintain a policy of no surprises by sharing information with school officials.
“Districts across Michigan appreciate these reporters for their balanced and accurate approach to sharing both the challenges facing our schools and the successes achieved by local teachers, students and school boards. Their work aids local communities in focusing on the goal of providing the best public schools we can for every child,” said Kathy Hayes, MASB executive director.
Reed has been reporting on education for the Post since the mid-1990s, and became editor of the paper in 2006. She also was selected for the Media Honor Roll in 2008.
The 2011 Media Honor Roll appeared in MASB’s June 20 edition of Headlines.