About Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine
Who We Are
Upscale without being uppity, the hallmarks of Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine are crisp, compelling writing, beautiful photography and inspiring design that will warm hearts, stir memories and motivate readers to action.
As the area’s premier lifestyle publication, LAKES captures the flair and vitality of LAKES Country within every issue. The Official Publication for the Good Life, Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine is devoted to the people, homes, lifestyles and outdoor activities of the area we love. Every page is chock-full of rich features and photography on travel, history, personalities (sometimes famous, sometimes not, but always, always intriguing), food, folklore and … above all … fun!
Editorial Submissions
Editorial suggestions and letters to the editor are welcomed…nay, encouraged! Please send them to Editor-in-Chief, Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine, 1415 West Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808. Or, email them to editor@nilakes.com. Names are withheld upon request.
Writers’ Guidelines
Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine contracts with freelance writers, photographers and artists to create much of its content. Want to join the editorial team of Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine? Well, of course you do. Download our writers’ guidelines here.
the LAKES team!
Sue Rawlinson | Editor-in-Chief
Dreamer by night. Driven and detailed by day. This former Chicago girl is drawn to tranquil bodies of water—be it Lake Michigan, the Gulf of Mexico, watery gems in LAKES Country or a puddle begging to be pounced upon. A writer and editor for more years than she cares to admit, Sue lives a triple role as a mom, professional and prankster. Published in magazines and newspapers across the Midwest, as well as having managed award-winning publications and writer teams in multiple states, Sue still finds time to maintain her affection for exercise, books and an unfulfilling addiction to Chicago Bulls basketball. Optimism and faith keep her glass half-full—that is, unless there’s a bit o‘ goose tainted grey within the glass.
Jeff Britton | Director of Business Development
Jeff attempts to justify his written contributions to Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine because he lived in a tent for a year and a half, abandoning the refuge only when collapsed by a Michigan snowstorm in early December 1978. It’s hard to tell him anything he doesn’t already know about the outdoors. “Nature? Heck I lived it!” In fact, it’s hard to tell him anything. According to Jeff, his “Super Power” is a kind of charming omniscience. His “Super Motto”? “Wherever there is trouble… I’ll be there!” The magazine is indebted to Jeff, mainly because he insists upon it. An experienced marketing and sales professional, he has more than 25 years of experience with companies like La-Z-Boy and Wieland Furniture, and now as principal of Britton Marketing & Design Group.
Sue Britton | Senior Creative Director
With an eye for beautiful things, it’s no wonder Sue Britton was drawn to the pages of Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine. Sue has more than 20 years of experience, including nine as the Creative Director for Vera Bradley. She and Jeff combined their years of marketing experience to build a new type of creative branding group, Britton Marking & Design Group, in 2006. When she’s not helping Britton’s clients promote their giftware, home décor, fashion accessories and personal care products, she enjoys sneaking in weekend getaways to where else? LAKES Country!
Lauren Caggiano | Contributor
A LAKES Country transplant, Lauren Caggiano lives in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne in the eclectic West Central neighborhood. In addition to LAKES, she has written for a variety of local and regional publications. And now, her duties have expanded with additional editorial assistance to LAKES' editor-in-chief, in the role as associate editor. Congratulations on your added duties, Lauren! In her spare time (which she has less of now!), she enjoys weekend road trips, yoga and volunteering. In the summer you can catch her riding around downtown on her vintage green Schwinn.
Deb Gerbers | In-House Editor
Born and raised in Indianapolis, nothing could move this uptown girl from her native Circle City—except true love, in the form of her husband and two delightful children (wait, make that two plus one more on the way in September). A lifelong laker, nature enthusiast and amateur gourmet, Deb spends her weekends relaxing with family. With years of writing and editing experience in various genres and industries, she keeps many irons in the fire by working for LAKES as well as Britton Marketing & Design Group … and, with feather quill by candlelight, scribing the next great American novel.
Catherine Wood | Creative Director
As someone who is most at home on the water, Catherine Wood can easily lose herself in the photography and design work she does as Creative Director for Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine. Before bringing her keen design sense and photography styling expertise to LAKES, Catherine produced work for a number of high profile brands, including Frontgate, The Great Indoors, Pfaelzer Brothers, Godiva, Horchow, Sears, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, ULTA, LeapFrog, Wrangler, Linens ’n Things and Carson Pirie Scott. When she’s not commuting to Fort Wayne for her position at LAKES and her role as Creative Director for Britton Marketing & Design Group, Catherine is at home in Cincinnati. More specifically, on the Ohio River, enjoying the water in style from her 48-foot Sea Ray Sundancer cabin cruiser.
Jenny Emerick | Senior Designer
As you flip through the pages of your gorgeous LAKES Magazine each month, do you ever wonder who’s responsible for putting the pieces together? Meet Jenny, our Senior Designer. With a decade of design experience under her belt, Jenny seamlessly delivers a beautiful product in every issue. A graduate of St. Francis University, she currently resides in Pierceton with her husband, Andy, and two-year old daughter, Caitlyn. When she’s not busy designing, Jenny spends her time collecting new cookbooks, baking and trying out new recipes, and dreaming of a return to one of her favorite places—Paris.