Author

Jane Simons

Jane Simons's Latest Articles

Battle Creek’s Leila Arboretum uses fantasy and disc golf to grow patrons among the trees

Nearly 80,000 people a year visit Leila Arboretum in Battle Creek. This is what brings them in.

In Battle Creek, longtime Urbandale restaurants keep their regular customers coming back

Making customers feel welcome and serving them their favorites is one of the secrets behind the longtime businesses that provide stability in the Urbandale neighborhood.

Sprout Box is Battle Creek’s answer to Blue Apron

Battle Creek's Sprout Boxes are a way to buy local, support local farmers and entrepreneurs, and eat well. 

Urbandale: Where business is blooming and helping one another is the way the neighborhood grows

Stability and a willingness to help one another is what makes Urbandale attractive to new businesses like Plumeria Botanical Boutique.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church serves breakfast to those unsure of where next meal is coming from

A program to make sure children did not go hungry during the summer has grown into a much bigger deal. Find out about what's happening at St. Thomas Episcopal.

New Level: Helping boys and girls learn what’s important for success

A program that started out helping youngsters learn they need more than sports to succeed has grown way beyond those beginnings. This is New Level Sports led by Pastor Christopher McCoy.

Feeling competitive? Battle Creek’s axe throwing team can sharpen that competitive edge

What do you do when your wife suggests an axe-throwing league? Start one of course. The BTL AXE team is now part of the World Axe Throwing League.

Big Homie: Finding redemption, moving forward

Once Jeff Cotton was one of those causing problems on the streets of Battle Creek. Now he's fighting to keep young people alive. 

Simply Sensational Berries and Cafe Rica find a place to grow in Battle Creek business incubator

One comes from the kitchen at home, a second from BC Cargo. Two businesses are seeing just how much they can grow in new small business incubator.

Toy collection drive for Parkway Manor will brighten children’s Christmas

A toy drive for children at Parkway Manor offers a way to spread Christmas joy.

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