“There are a lot of free Thanksgiving dinners that happen throughout Calhoun County and this one is a family-friendly, fun event and it’s completely free to the public," says Chris Fulbright, meal coordinator and 'executive chef.' "We just want people to come in and enjoy their food and each other's company.”
“I can’t believe I can make something so good," says Karen Pacella, owner of Ciao Bella Chocolat. "Real chocolate is so different. I love the taste and the opportunity to be creative... I smile when I walk through the door."
“We need to make sure our children and families are at the forefront,” says Dr. Tino Smith. “I have always been a follower of Frederick Douglass and agree with his words — It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men and I would extend that to broken people given the times we are in.”
“The Tribe is always seeking to look ahead to seven generations into the future as they plan for things,” says Jim Wise, FireKeepers' VP of Marketing. "Equally important, is (the Tribe's) love of Mother Earth which is exhibited by our ability to take vast amounts of energy needed from 100 percent renewable sources.”
“I have a passion for kids. My mom was always good at that and it trickled down to me,” says Shannon Patrick, owner of Primped and Proper. “I wanted to introduce kids to the importance of taking care of their personal appearance. It won’t be a full-service spa, but I want them to know what it feels like to be pampered early on.”
Artist and muralist Jamari Taylor, inspired by her own Battle Creek Central High School art teacher, is paying it forward through classes and one-on-one art instruction through the Arts and Culture Collective of Battle Creek.
Support for breastfeeding mothers, especially BIPOC women, is integral to reaching three-month rates and beyond. Calhoun County will see its first Baby Café, which will offer lactation help, camaraderie, and other services for free and on a drop-in basis.
In 2022, there were 692 Personal Protection Orders applied for in Calhoun County, the most since 2012. The terms of PPOs are wide-ranging and can cause confusion — so a couple of Calhoun County Judges are meeting with police officers around the county to help educate so they are better prepared.
The 88th Annual Battle Creek NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner raises funds for events throughout the year and bestows Image Awards on community members. This year's keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Steve Bland, Jr., Senior Pastor of Liberty Temple Baptist Church in Detroit.
“The type of job we do and the stress we have is a culmination of years within the profession," says Battle Creek Police Chief Shannon Bagley. "As leaders, we need to bring in mechanisms so that we can talk about things so that they don’t build up. We want the quality of life for our officers to be exceptional.”
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