A look back at 2011, and ahead to 2012

If you're anything like us, you're kind of wondering what happened to 2011. To be frank, it was gone in a jiffy, or at least it sure felt like it.

In the fast-paced world that is our everyday lives, it's easy to find yourself in this position, flipping the calendar to the final month of the year and wondering what it was that was accomplished in the entirety of the last 11 months.

At Mid Michigan Second Wave, we have the luxury of looking back and getting to see exactly what was written about. It's a timeline of highlights in the Mid Michigan region, and we invite you, too, to take the time to peruse our archives and read some of the top stories we published this year. Maybe you'll see some old favorites, or a great feature that you may have missed.

Here are some of the favorites from around the office:

Bardic Wells Meadery takes centuries-old method, transforms it to modern-day success: Bees are a foodie's best friend. Not only do they make honey, which is great on its own, but that honey can be turned into mead. Second Wave writer Jeff Barr recently chatted with the folks at Bardic Wells Meadery about making honey wine and a Michigan business with real buzz.

Mount Pleasant firm offers businesses, government entities information at the click of a mouse: The most important thing when it comes to a successful business is knowing what to focus on. For Amalgam LLC, a GIS firm based in Mt. Pleasant, the focus could easily be technology, but instead the company has found a more successful strategy--focusing on people.

The future of media is taking root right here in Mid Michigan: If you are reading this, then you're already aware that there is more than one way to get your regional news fix, and it doesn't have to include paper and ink. And while Mid Michigan Second Wave is proud of what we do and aim to bring progressive news right to your inbox, we're not the only new media source you can turn to. Writer Kim North Shine reports from cyberspace.

Mid Michigan is falling head over heels in Derby Love: It's not a game for the faint of heart, on the track nor in the stands. Roller derby is making a comeback at a staggering rate with teams popping up all across the state and the country. Mid Michigan is no exception, as writer Kim North Shine discovers.

Region is home to sweet maple businesses: Two very different maple syrup enterprises highlight the diversity of the agricultural industry in mid-Michigan and offer hope as part of a new economy for Michigan. Second Wave's Kim Hoyum discusses the industry with the region's entrepreneurs.

Eat this: Mount Pleasant’s new restaurants go beyond the drive-thru lane: Foodies take note: once the domain of fast food joints and chain restaurants, Mount Pleasant's restaurateurs are upping the ante with a new menu selections made with fresh, organic and locally sourced ingredients.

We hope you enjoy all of these features, as well as the many others that are archived on our site. In addition, we invite you to check out our parent company, Issue Media Group, and all of the great regional publications produced by them.

We look forward to seeing you again in 2012 after a break over the holidays and into January. We'll be back January 10 and with us we'll continue to bring the news about the positive growth, businesses and people that make Mid Michigan so grand.

Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of Mid Michigan Second Wave and a full-time freelance writer. He was born and raised in Michigan. You can reach him via email.
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