Progress is being made on a joint project between St. Clair and Macomb counties that aims to make birdwatching much more accessible for residents and visitors alike.

“God has made me a servant,” says Martha Moore. “I would love to be able to take in all the women who may feel alone, tired, or who just need love and a place to relax after a rough day.”

“It’s about the people, not the big commercialization,” says Stanley Pankiewicz III. “And that's what dad really started, so we're carrying on that mom-and-pop tradition.”

It's widely known that COVID-19 has caused a huge surge in park usage and outdoor activity, but what does that renewed interest in the outdoors mean for the future of Southeast Michigan's parks?

“This is going to be a very important opportunity for us to gather together, to learn culturally, share our stories, network, eat together, dance together and enjoy each other's company,” says Jessica Brown, committee member of the Minority Philanthropy Initiative. “So this is going to be an opportunity for everyone, no matter where you are or what part of the community you are, to come together and enjoy this time with us.”

“I just started tapping into my creativity and curiosity, as far as what I could come up with, and it just took off,” first-time entrepreneur Holly Bradfield says. “I really can’t even believe it. It’s just craziness.”

"If we can get our young women to understand their value and place in the world at elementary and adolescent ages," says Karen Palka, founder & executive director of A Beautiful Me in Port Huron, "they are more likely to take on roles in their adult lives that enhance their communities in some shape, form or fashion." Read how this social enterprise uses confidence-building workshops and a local dress shop to help girls discover their beauty within.

Blue Water Area artists completed the last phase of the Making Muralists project, renovating Port Huron’s Military Street tunnel with vibrantly colored and locally-sourced public art.

DB Delivery Solutions, the China Township-based startup, has made it to the final round of the “Coolest Thing Made in Michigan” contest from the Michigan Manufacturers Association. Voting is online and open to the public.