Features

Longform The front room of an adult foster home in Allegan.

Smaller does mean better for residents in adult foster care homes

OnPoint and Northern Lakes Community Mental Health share how adult foster care homes empower Michiganders with disabilities while enriching our communities.

Longform Margot Weiner having fun at Sibshop.

Through joyful play of Sibshops, youngsters find new ways to relate to siblings with disabilities

Sibshops give kids who have siblings living with disabilities the opportunity to connect, share their experiences, ask questions, and offer advice.

Feature Story ZH Creations commissioned dining table

Local sawmill brings lasting memories through woodworking to mid Michigan

ZH Creations of Weidman is bringing their love of woodworking to the people of mid Michigan with original wood creations and DIY charcuterie board woodworking classes. Discover ZH Creations owner Zach Hatfield’s entrepreneurial journey and creativity.

Longform Carter Kits

Carter Kits help first responders take better care of patients with Autism Spectrum DisorderNorthern Michigan community mental health agencies providing the kits.

​North Country Community Mental Health and Northern Lakes Community Mental Health provide Carter Kits to first responders. The kits contain sensory items that help distract children with Autism Spectrum Disorder from the stress of being involved in an emergency situation.

Mt. Pleasant Quilts of Valor group provides veterans with support through sewing

Local quilting supply retailer Keepsake Quilts and the Mt. Pleasant Quilts of Valor group have used their love of sewing to send messages of comfort to the United States Armed Forces service members and veterans. Find out more about their mission.

Development News The series of STEM-based adventures provides educational, engaging entertainment for kids and families during seasonal and holiday breaks.

STEM Staycations encourage families to explore locally this spring break

Spring break means travel for many families, but a regional campaign, STEM Staycation Promotions, is tailored to those who are looking to explore locally.   

Feature Story Bandit Industries, product

Local manufacturer credits quality products and dedicated employees for continued growth

Remus-based Bandit Industries celebrates 40 years in business this year. The local company has a global presence with a dealership network of over 250 locations around the world. Plus, they’ve recently added two more local locations–in Remus and Mt. Pleasant–adding thousands of square feet of office and manufacturing space, plus product offerings. Discover more about their recent growth and dig deep into their employee-owned operations.

Longform  Check-in area of St. Clair Community Mental Health in Port Huron.

Michigan community mental health agencies recognize families' role in treatment

Michigan's CMHs rely on families to help recovery and ensure that people function at their highest level.

Sleepy Dog Books partners with Mt. Pleasant Public Schools to provide new book vending machines

The halls of Fancher and Mary McGuire Elementary schools recently received new book vending machines thanks to a partnership with local retailer Sleepy Dog Books. The new book bending machines are part of a continued effort to support literacy in the schools and across the Mt. Pleasant community.

Feature Story Mary George, owner of The Suites at 2929

New self-care salon experience enters Mt. Pleasant with a unique business modelThe Suites at 2929 is expected to open June 1

One of the salon industry’s fastest growing areas–salon suites–is coming soon to Mt. Pleasant. Owner, Mary George, describes The Suites at 2929 as a place for beauty and self-care industry professionals in the mid-Michigan region to own their own “mini salons” – an opportunity for entrepreneurship and for the Mt. Pleasant community to experience multiple self-care options all under one roof.

Partner Content The Greater Flint Health Coalition’s work in gardens grew out of its SNAP-Ed direct education programming like Fresh Conversations and Rec-Connect™, pictured here at Burton Senior Activity Center.

Gardens growing change in Flint

The Greater Flint Health Coalition delivers nutrition and physical activity education with SNAP-Ed direct education programming to residents, including senior citizens, across Flint and Genesee County. 

Five new restaurants are coming soon to Soaring Eagle Casino & ResortQ&A with Soaring Eagle’s Tanya Bardy tells us more

Five new restaurants are coming soon to Mt. Pleasant within the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – including some well-known nationally recognized chains. Discover all the dining details in this Q&A with Soaring Eagle’s Tanya Bardy.

Feature Story Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce 2023 Awards Banquet - Citizen of the Year

Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Honors Community Leaders

The Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their 66th Annual Awards Banquet March 4, recognizing community individuals, leaders, and businesses. We talk with the Citizen of the Year, Rising Star, Large and Small Business awardees on their honors.

Longform Conversations about hard topics like suicide can help prevent it.

Here's how Michigan's community mental health agencies are helping prevent youth suicide

Summit Pointe, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, and other community mental health agencies provide youth access to services that help them overcome suicidal thoughts and self-harming actions.

New Community Connections Day at Renaissance Public School Academy

Renaissance Public School Academy hosted a brand-new Career Connections Day for 5th-8th grade students March 1. Students were able to meet and learn from a variety of local professionals about their careers and explore new passions. Find out more about this inaugural event.

Partner Content MyMichigan Health Signage

Where to go for careAmidst long hospital wait times, patients are urged to seek appropriate avenues for care

Do you know when you should call your primary care provider versus when to go to Urgent Care versus when to go to the Emergency Department? Many Urgent Cares and Emergency Departments across the country are experiencing long wait times, partially due to patients incorrectly seeking care at these medical facilities. In this article, professionals at MyMichigan Health discuss the strain this puts on the healthcare system and how patients can better use the facilities and tools available to them to receive more timely care.

Feature Story UW PITCH-ER THIS! Competition 2

United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties Funds Big Ideas at 8th Annual PITCH-ER THIS! Competition

The United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties hosted the 8th annual PITCH-ER THIS! contest Saturday, February 25, 2023 in the Central Michigan University College of Medicine Auditorium. PITCH-ER THIS! is a youth-development competition designed to give local students an opportunity to make a big impact on their community, with funds allowing the United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties to support three ideas pitched by local students.

Murder mystery event returns in support of art education throughout mid Michigan

Local non-profit organization Art Reach of Mid Michigan brings back their popular interactive murder mystery dinner party as a fundraiser aimed to support arts education. Learn more about the April event bringing community members together for an evening of fun, food, and mystery.

Isabella County Parks & Rec shifts to a new camping online registration system for Opening Day 2023

Isabella County Parks and Recreation is shifting to a new online registration system for the 2023 camping season at Coldwater Lake Family Park, Deerfield Nature Park, and the Herrick Recreation Area. Find out more about this new system and how to register.