AUGUST 21, 2026 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR To all the wonderful CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 patrons of Panda and the vendors, to each person who takes the time to pay for the Groundcover News paper — a huge massive thank you! We at Groundcover totally appreciate your generosity. To all those who made donations over this past Michael Montagano, Groundcover vendor No. 640 In one sentence, who are you? I am a son, brother and a Father. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? The co-op in Ann Arbor. When and why did you start selling Groundcover? A year ago … I needed money! What is one place in Ann Arbor that feels like your own personal sanctuary? Under a bridge. What’s your life motto? Take it easy. What advice would you give to your younger self? Free your mind and your body will fall. What is your comfort food? Peanuts. If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things, what would they be? Other people, fire and a radio. If there was a theme song for your life, what would it be? “Let It Be” by The Beatles. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? The Pyramids. What would YOU ask? If you have a question or issue you would like Groundcover vendors to discuss, email us at contact@groundcovernews.com We will be featuring vendor responses in future issues. Touched by an Angel Even though "Touched by an Angel" is a television show from the 1990s and early 2000s, I still love to watch it. It has some of my favorite actors from other TV shows in it, like Nell Carter, some actors from "The Golden Girls," and Bill Cosby. The reason why it is one of my favorite TV shows is because it is about God and Jesus. Another reason is because it is fun and uplifting. There is some humor in it and the angels make the show fun while also being inspirational. I remember an episode that had two of my favorite singers in it: BB King and Randy Travis. It was an episode about a man’s grandson who wanted to put him in a nursing home out of fear that he could not take care DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 of himself. The man owned a night club where different musicians performed. Because of the angels, the man got a chance to hold one last open mic with BB King and friends before he passed away. Instead of the grandson putting his grandfather in a nursing home, the man went to heaven while the open mic was happening. The grandson was sad about his grandfather’s passing. "Touched by an Angel" is an inspirational, comforting, and uplifting show and it has very good music in it. I like to watch the reruns but I wish there was a new version of the show for today. If there was a new version more people could learn about how great of a show it is. GROUNDCOVER NEWS From the desk of Panda year that go back into operations and assisting the street vendors and writers, another thank you. Groundcover News changes lives as it brings new opportunities, and people thrive. As I always say, "Never give up, never give in, and always have a smile on your face.” 3 U-M student athlete Conner Pierce supports Groundcover, you should too! JOSEPH ALEXIE-RUFF Groundcover vendor No. 649 Conner Pierce is a track and field adaptive sports student athlete at the University of Michigan earning a Masters degree in Sports Management. He is a Gold medal Para-Olympian in the 400 meters. In 2022, he set the Men's 10,000 meters World Record for the T36 Classification. Joe: What did you study before coming to U-M? Conner: I got a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia. There I ran able-bodied Varsity Track. Joe: How did you hear about Groundcover? Conner: Well, I knew you [Joe], but before that I would see unhoused people selling and we had a similar program in Seattle, Real Change, that would provide a similar job opportunity. Joe: Why do you support Groundcover? Conner: I support Groundcover because I have a disability and Groundcover gives the opportunity to other people with a disability to have a job and build their resume. It gives people the opportunity to express their story. When you need help, help is there to get out of homelessness. Go Blue!
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