Meet the new coordinator for The Lookout

In May, The Lookout gained a new coordinator in Sarah Hamilton. Hamilton comes to the team with eight years of editorial experience, a masters degree in writing pedagogy, and a love for Lansing. She previously worked at Lansing Community College as a student support specialist in the Center for Student Support. Prior to The Lookout, Hamilton was the editor-in-chief of publications at the Historical Society of Michigan, where she produced Michigan History magazine, Chronicle magazine, and the academic journal The Michigan Historical Review.

To get to know our new coordinator, we asked her some questions about what she has been up to lately and—of course—some of her favorite things in Lansing.

Hi, Sarah! Every good editor knows that good writing starts with good reading. What are you reading right now?

Ever since I got my degree in literature, reading has been really difficult for me! I’m one of those people now who reads 2-3 different books at the same time. I’m currently making my way through Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age by Kevin Boyle, and Cheap Old Houses: An Unconventional Guide to Loving and Restoring a Forgotten Home by Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein.

Are you a podcast person? What podcast are you listening to right now?

I love podcasts so much! Maintenance Phase is eternally in my rotation, and I listen to episodes as soon as they come out. Because I have been on a true crime kick lately, I have also been listening to a lot of My Favorite Murder.

Are you a TV person? If so, what show or shows are you watching?

After Jonathan Groff’s performance at the Tony Awards, I decided it was time to rewatch Mindhunter. When I am watching TV with my kids, though, we’re usually watching Cars, Tiny Chef, or something with entirely too many rainbows and unicorns.

What is the last movie you saw in theaters?

I last went to the theater with my two daughters to see Moana 2, and let me just say, I have some thoughts about that movie—both good and bad! The best part, though, was that my 5-year-old got a slushie, which she pronounced “sludgy.” So cute!

Last restaurant you went to?

I had a mom-and-son date with my 2-year-old and took him to The Nuthouse on Michigan Avenue by the stadium. He had mac and cheese and smile potatoes, and I had nachos. 10 out of 10, would recommend for a date with a toddler.

Current favorite album?

We saw Hamilton at the Wharton Center when it was in town, so since then, the Hamilton soundtrack has been on repeat at our house.  

Favorite sweet treat?

A caramel Moolatte from Dairy Queen. It is the perfect ice cream–coffee treat. The only problem is that I can only drink it before 2pm or I will be awake all night, and getting to Dairy Queen in the afternoon is nearly impossible when you work during the day. I get one maybe once or twice a year.  

Alright, you have told us that you love Lansing, so here are some rapid-fire, Lansing-specific questions for you! Favorite park?

This is like asking me to pick a favorite child! If my back was to the wall, I would say Frances Park—the view of the sunset over the river gets me every time. It’s where I take friends from out of town when I’m trying to convince them to love Lansing as much as I do. Moores Park, Hunter Park, and Oak Park are top-notch, too, though, and my family visits those often. 

Favorite activity?

I genuinely love chit-chatting with my neighbors as we take walks through the neighborhood. But if I’m going out, I love heading to Potter Park Zoo as soon as it opens. The animals are usually out and about at that time.

Favorite local celebrity?

I mean, it’s gotta be Matthew Lillard, right? Zoinks!

Favorite coffee spot?

Strange Matter is my go-to since it’s close to my house, but I love getting out to Chateau Coffee Co. when I can!

Favorite restaurant?

Soup Spoon Café is my go-to, because you can go for a quick, cheap, casual lunch or for a fancy dinner. Plus, the staff is amazing. Pablo’s in Old Town is one of my favorites, too, because the food is always perfect and the wait staff is lovely. Before the pandemic, we went there every week with our oldest, who was just a baby at the time. We would order her a bowl of refried beans and she would absolutely annihilate it. We frequently had to ask for refills. She became a favorite customer! Then, of course, there is Jerusalem Pita, which has the best hummus and pita in the city. I love Jerusalem Pita so much that I actually took my family there after my grad school commencement—some people like something fancy for that, but give me a falafel sandwich with extra tahini in our local Mediterranean grocery any day!

Favorite shop?

I love Sylvia’s Sudsery. Everything in that store is just perfection. They recently had a scent called “Fairy Garden” that smells exactly like a florist shop and I am obsessed. I also love popping into A Novel Concept/Dear Ollie, which is just across the street from Sylvia’s!

Favorite thrift store?

If I am just shopping for myself or the house, St. Vincent de Paul in REO Town is great. If I’m shopping for the family, you can find me at the Volunteers of America Thrift by the Lansing Mall.

Favorite event?

This is so lame, but I really love Lansing’s Fourth of July parade. It’s got nothing on Silver Bells in the City, but the kids love it and have so much fun. The Fourth of July was always a fun holiday spent with family when I was growing up, and I love passing some of that joy on to my kids.