Michael Finger
Senior editor Michael Finger may be the only member of the Memphis staff -- though we can't say for sure -- to have a nineteenth-century shock-treatment machine displayed in his den. But that -- and tons of other old gadgets, books, maps, papers, and more -- are proof of his fascination with anything and everything involving local history. That obsession has paid off with two Green Eyeshade Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and what he calls "some really nice plaques" from the National Newspaper Association, Shelby County Historical Commission, and the local chapter of the SPJ.
A proud graduate of Sea Isle Elementary School, Michael earned a master's degree from Louisiana State University. His journalism career in Memphis includes stints with the Center for Southern Folklore, Bechtel Power Corporation, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, and archer > malmo.
"Those weren't bad," he says, "but my favorite job of all was 'beertending' at Shakey's Pizza Parlor back in the 1970s. Too bad they closed."
He has been a regular contributor to Memphi s since 1983 (his first story was, as one might expect, a history feature) and joined the staff in 1991. His work has also appeared in The Memphis Flyer, The New York Times , as well as American Archaeology, Preservation, GEO, Atlanta, Baltimore , and Mississippi magazines.
He lives in Midtown with his wife, Sherri, and a houseful of cats and dogs.
Regis Lawson
Born in 1977 in Poitiers, France, photographer Regis Lawson spent his childhood in the Ivory Coast, West Africa. His interest in art bloomed by age 9, and by 12, his interest expanded to photography. In 1998, he moved to the United States to pursue his education at the University of Memphis. He shoots for several national publications, and has pieces in both public and private collections around the country.
Corey Mesler
Corey Mesler has been published in numerous journals and anthologies. His book, Talk: A Novel in Dialogue , was released in 2002. His second novel, We Are Billion-Year-Old Carbon , came out earlier this year. He has been nominated for a Pushcart numerous times, and one of his poems was chosen for Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac . He also has numerous chapbooks available. With his wife, he runs Burke's Book Store.
Nicky Robertshaw
A longtime journalist, first as Washington correspondent, then as a reporter for Memphis Business Journal , Nicky is now a food and travel writer. In her fifth year as the dining critic for Memphis , she is also the author of Insider's Guide to Memphis , and enjoys checking out other cities. "Vancouver is like a breath of fresh air, surrounded by mountains and water. For food lovers there are so many fabulous restaurants, it's like Disney World for the palate."
