$
15
per month - cancel anytime
10% goes to the storyteller's chosen charity
"Roots + Culture weaves together stories, memories, and recipes - bringing us closer to each other and to ourselves."
In a world that moves fast and feels increasingly divided, Roots+Culture is a small, intentional act of connection. Every month, we dig into the roots of a different culture — told through the voice of a real person, paired with a recipe that has fed their family, marked a celebration, or carried them through hard times. We believe stories should give back so 10% of every subscription supports a charity close to the heart of that month's storyteller.
INSIDE EVERY ENVELOPE
Everything fits in one envelope.
That's the whole point.
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A Cultural Story Letter
A personal letter featuring a real person from a real culture - their story, their memories, their kitchen. Written with warmth, read slowly.
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The Storyteller's Recipe Card
A beautifully designed recipe card featuring the dish that anchors that month's story. Cook it. Share it. Make it yours.
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Notecard by Our Artist in Residence
A thoughtfully selected notecard, sourced by our quarterly Artist in Residence to accompany that month's letter. The notecard features a little piece of art to bring you joy or share with others!
![<p>Everything fits in [gold]one envelope.[/gold]<br/>That's the whole point.</p>](http://rootsandculture.me/cdn/shop/files/fsdfa.jpg?v=1775712956&width=1500)
Real people. Real cultures.
Real recipes.
Each month we feature someone willing to open their kitchen, their memory, and their culture to a stranger's mailbox. Meet them here. Read their full story in the letter.
This Month's Storyteller
Topaz Smith
Saco, Maine
Topaz Smith is the Founder & CEO of EN-NOBLE, a Maine-based cultural tourism and technology company that connects residents and visitors with local culture, food, businesses, and stories through immersive experiences and digital tools. Born and raised in New York by Jamaican parents, she built a career spanning hospitality, sustainable tourism, and international development, from Italy's Amalfi Coast to the U.S. Peace Corps, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the World Economic Forum. After working across five continents, she founded EN-NOBLE to help people discover places through local voices rather than conventional travel lists. Contact Topaz at @en.noble on Instagram or at www.en-noble.com
Giving to: Black Owned Maine
FULL STORY INSIDE THE LETTER
Coming November 2026 - Emily Vale
Topsham, Maine
Emily Vail teaches English at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, Maine. Originally from Texas, she migrated northward over time, eventually settling in Maine, which she loves so much that she may never find the desire to travel again. Yet thanks to her favorite recipe, she keeps the flavor of Italy alive in her Midcoast kitchen.
JM
Coming December 2026 - Jeff Mao
Brunswick,Maine
Every month brings a new voice, a new kitchen, a new reason to sit down together.
THE ARTISTS
A rotating three-month collaboration with independent voices
Each Artist in Residence is featured for a 3-month cycle, highlighting their craft, process, and creative perspective. These are not just profiles — they are living collaborations shaped over time.
Christine Chaffee
Coastal inspired visual artist (July - September)
Christine Chaffee is a Maine-based artist living and working in Harpswell. Originally from Rhode Island, she moved to Maine in 2017 to embrace the state's natural beauty and strong sense of community, both of which continue to inspire her work. After a career transition in 2023, painting became more than a lifelong passion—it became a meaningful artistic practice. Using acrylics and bold blocks of color, Christine creates artwork that captures the feeling of a moment, celebrating the quiet beauty, connection, and sense of place that make life in Maine so special.
Kal Betts
Illustrator (October - December)
Kal was born on Bailey Island, Maine and grew up in a family of lobstermen. His studies took him overseas to London, England where he earned his dual British/American BA/BFA at Regent's University. Kal returned to Maine in 2008 and works as an illustrator from his home on Orr’s Island. He is also a member of the new Harpswell Collective gallery and art studios in West Harpswell. Inspired by his many travels and the iconic scenery and local charm of his hometown, Kal hand draws his work using Apple Pencil in Procreate on iPad Pro. He hates generative AI “art” with every fiber of his being and does not use it for any part of his work. Kal’s flagship project, a popular Maine coloring book, launched an expanded second edition in May 2026 called "Harpswell Illustrated". It is now featured along with his many vinyl sticker designs in stores, cafés, and restaurants all around the Brunswick/Harpswell area.
HOW IT WORKS
Simple as a stamp.
Subscribe
Sign up for $15/month. Subscriptions close one week before each mailing.
We Pack with Care
Every envelope is hand-packed with your letter, recipe card, and artwork.
Your Letter Arrives
A real letter in your real mailbox. Open it slowly. It was made for you.
Cook & Share
Make the recipe. Share it with someone you love. If you post it, tag us seeing your table makes ours fuller.
SUBSCRIBE
Join the living cookbook.
10% of every subscription goes to the storyteller's chosen charity.
$
144
per year - cancel anytime
Offer Ends December 31, 2026
✓ Insider monthly email
✓ Permanent website recognition
✓ Handwritten thank-you note
✓ Locked-in pricing for life
$
15
Give a meaningful storytelling subscription to someone special.
10% goes to the storyteller's chosen charity
FAQ
Good questions deserve answers.
Every month you receive a real physical envelope containing: a cultural story letter, a recipe card from the featured storyteller, and a art print by our Artist in Residence.
Letters go out on the 1st of every month. Subscribe before the cutoff — 10 days prior to mailing — to receive that month's letter. Subscribe after the cutoff and your first letter ships the following month.
Each month's featured storyteller selects a charity meaningful to them. We donate 10% of that month's subscription revenue directly to their chosen cause. We share the charity on our website alongside the storyteller spotlight. Donations will be made under the "Truehy Sweet" business name.
Letters are sent via USPS Forever Stamp (standard postage) so tracking is not included. Please allow 5–7 business days for delivery within the US.
Yes. Cancel anytime before the monthly cutoff to avoid being charged for the following month. Gift subscriptions are non-refundable once letters have begun shipping.
Yes and yes! We are actively looking for storytellers from all cultures and backgrounds, and we welcome artist applications for our quarterly residency program. Reach out via our contact page — we'd love to hear from you.