Mount Clemens, MI April 2024

The Investment Issue

Green WI$E, powered by First State Bank, is a secure mobile app that allows you to collect and view all your financial accounts in one place and gain access to personal finance tools.

Green WI$E supports your financial wellness by allowing you to view your whole financial picture and take action:

• Add all your accounts from multiple institutions

• Track updates across accounts

• Compare your income vs spending habits

• Create budgets to monitor financial choices

• Set financial goals to pay down debt or increase savings

• Receive insights on how to improve your financial health

• Benchmark your financial behavior against national averages

Investing in You

Hello, my friends!

I am going to challenge you to think about this one simple question: Are you investing in you?

Investing in yourself is not about the amount – it's about the act. And, what you choose to invest in should represent what you value and who you desire to be in the world. Investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make. It will not only improve your life, but the lives of those around you.

In this issue, we explore the science and psychology of financial investments, savings and budgeting. As we navigate the intricacies of economic landscapes, understanding how to make our money work for us becomes paramount. We’ll explore getting clear about your purpose and creating a life experience of freedom, fulfillment and love now, rather than “one day.”

Beyond monetary considerations, this issue also delves into investments that enrich our inner selves. A healthy smile has the power to transform not only our appearance, but also our self-confidence. In exploring the relationship between dental care and self-esteem, we uncover the profound impact of investing in our oral health, nurturing a radiant smile that emanates from within.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, perhaps the most treasured investment of all is the time we spend with our families. In April, as nature awakens from its wintry slumber, we find solace and joy in simple pleasures, such as baking together or starting a garden. These shared experiences not only nurture bonds, but also sow the seeds of cherished memories that bloom perennially in the garden of our hearts.

Here's to embracing the spirit of investment in all its forms, and to cultivating a life that blossoms with abundance, connection and joy!

Warmest regards,

KIMBERLY JANOWICZ, PUBLISHER @MOUNTCLEMENSCITYLIFESTYLE

PS: Each month, our advertisers make an investment in bringing GOOD NEWS about our community to your mailbox. Show our small businesses some love and let them know you saw them in Mount Clemens City Lifestyle!

April 2024

Want to be seen in the magazine?

1: Karen Pleasant, Melissa Watling and Michelle Kosanke at The Nest’s Galentine’s Day Crawl. 2: City Commissioner Laura Fournier, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Exhibition Manager Stephanie Hazzard and Interim Director Peggy DiMercurio at the Michigan LI Exhibit. 3: Macomb County Executive Mark Hackle kicks off the premier of, “The Hidden History of Lake St. Clair” documentry. 4: Whitney and Lorelei Rutledge enjoy an ice cream treat at Champagne Chocolates. 5: Realtor Kristie Lohmann receives the RE/MAX Platinum Club Award for 2023. 6: Micki Weiss shares DDA updates with the Kiwanis Club, pictured with President Will Potthoff. 7: Laurie Cafagna, Michelle Rheaume, Paula Gloster and Katelyn Gloster spend a girls’ afternoon downtown.

AMY SALVAGNO

ANTON ART CENTER

KIMBERLY JANOWICZ

AMY SALVAGNO

AMY SALVAGNO

KIMBERLY JANOWICZ

business monthly

Grand Opening of BridesMaid Beautiful

BridesMaid Beautiful celebrated the grand opening of its new location, 81 North Main St. in Mount Clemens. The wedding hair and makeup salon intimately caters to brides, their bridal party and their big day, both in studio or on location. You can find out more by visiting bridesmaidbeautiful.com

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Athletic Field Phase 1 Completed

Just in time for the Spring tennis season, Phase 1 of the Regina Athletic Field and Complex has been completed, with eight new courts for its Saddlelite players. The next phases will include the installation of a synthetic turf field, an eight-lane track, a junior varsity practice field and track and field event areas. To learn more or donate, visit www.reginahs.com/apps/pages/field

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Photography by Lucy Bemiss

Photography by Hailey Saterstad Photography

Season and Stir is a haven for those who appreciate the finer things in life – where gourmet food meets luxury homeware in a celebration of heritage, family and the joy of good company. Here, customers can browse gourmet food products and find beautiful kitchen products that make cooking an adventure. Visit www. seasonandstir.com to browse new items added weekly and explore the recipe page for twists on traditional recipes and those passed down from family.

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Invest In Your Home: This Primary Suite renovation has it ALL and more! This Grosse Pointe couple wanted a design that they will love for years to come and grow with their family.

glass shelves

» Kitchens

» Bathrooms

» Closets

» Offices

» Laundry Rooms

» Interior Design Services

Countertop with 3” mitered edge

Decorative tiled wall niche with

Sink bases with chase drawers

ARTICLE BY AMY SALVAGNO

Family Time is the Best Investment

THESE SIMPLE, YET INTENTIONAL IDEAS CAN MAKE THE BEST MEMORIES

Eat dinner together as a family.

This meaningful time around the table is where connections happen. Let everyone share good moments from the day or something they struggled with. Create a jar of conversation starters, exchange giggles and cook up something delicious.

Create family traditions

Build weekly or monthly traditions – movie nights with popcorn, board game marathons, a gratitude jar, evening bike rides, living room dance parties, even a family book club to discover old favorites and new reads.

Create surprises

Everyone likes to feel special – and surprised. The littlest things make the biggest impact: A backyard picnic; a sleepover in an indoor fort; an afterschool ice cream treat; a bathroom spa day.

Express love and gratitude

In busy seasons, it’s easy to forget to let a loved one feel appreciated and thought of. Tuck a hand-written note in a lunch box or give an unexpected hug; spend time sharing what you’re thankful for about them.

Keep generations linked

Consider Sunday meals with grandparents or weekly phone calls if distance separates. Invite them to share their childhood stories and treasured memories. Start a yearly family scrapbook filled with favorite photographs and vacation souvenirs.

CARROT CAKE BARS

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY SALVAGNO

Gather your family together to bake these cheesecake-swirled dessert bars, perfect for spring

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 1 cup light brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup shredded carrots

Directions:

Step 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8×8 baking pan with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper and lightly spray.

Step 2. In a medium bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar.

Step 3. Stir in the egg and vanilla extract.

Step 4. Add in flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and stir. Fold in shredded carrots.

Step 5. To make the cheesecake swirl, beat together 4 ounces of softened cream cheese and ¼ cup of sugar, then mix in 1 egg yolk and ¾ teaspoon of vanilla.

Assemble:

Step 1. Pour half of the carrot cake batter into the pan and spread.

Step 2. Drop dollops of half the cheesecake batter atop the cake batter. Don’t swirl yet.

Step 3. Add remaining cake batter on top of and around cheesecake batter.

Step 4. Drop dollops of remaining cheesecake batter.

Step 5. Swirl batters together with knife or skewer

Step 6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until edges are golden brown. Cool completely before cutting.

Find Your Financial Footprint in One Place

FIRST STATE BANK’S GAME-CHANGING APP HELPS USERS BUDGET BETTER, SAVE MORE AND ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS

ARTICLE BY AMY SALVAGNO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN SHEA

It wasn’t luck or the lottery that enabled Drew Sheridan to pay off his car four years early. He has a simple mobile app to thank for that.

For the last year, Drew has utilized Green WI$E, a tool powered by First State Bank that allows users to collect and view their financial accounts all on one screen.

“It does all the hard work for you,” says Drew, relationship banker at the bank’s Washington Township branch, who has implemented the app since its launch. “It’s helped me budget more clearly. Because all of my accounts are in one place, I can truly see where all my spending goes. I’m looking at what money I have and what money I owe in real time, so I can see when my net worth outweighs the negative.”

Green WI$E is the brainchild of First State Bank’s Marketing Director and 1st Vice President Amy Persyn. She partnered with a tech firm in Utah to create the app as a way for people to grow their financial acumen.

“It’s a platform for being more in touch and in tune with your financial habits … where you can really look at your entire financial footprint in one spot: Your savings, all of your debt, your credit card balances, your checking accounts and your retirement plans,” she explains. “It allows you to see the big picture and take some actionable steps.”

Green WI$E is free and available to anyone in Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair counties, not just First State Bank customers. The full mobile experience allows users to connect and keep track of their accounts – from all banking institutions. There, they can view loans, payments and transactions, create budgets and set short- or longterm goals.

Amy’s goal with Green WI$E is empowerment. “We have a philosophy of making sure we’re doing right by our neighbors so our community can thrive.”

However, she noticed the bank was providing a lot of charitable support, which partially stems from poor financial health. “People can be impacted by struggles with money. Not only do we want to help support them, but we want to combat their lack of connection with money because at the core, spending habits and money management skills have a lot to do with the pervasive problems in society. What better way to support the community than to have a tool that’s accessible to everyone that isn’t cumbersome and can help reduce stress from poor financial management.”

The app is a digital financial coach. It provides a personal benchmark, generating a financial health score to help users work toward and make improvements. It highlights spending habits so they can better save and also prioritize what debts to pay down first. Green WI$E even sends accolades for achievements.

“It looks at the tapestry of where you’re at today, and if you’re struggling, it will help you inch forward. If you’re doing well, it looks at how to keep you moving ahead,” says Amy.

To the app’s credit, Drew has been able to adjust his food budget. “The biggest change is watching where I’m spending money on food. When you break it down, $10-15 for lunch doesn’t seem like a lot, but then all of a sudden, I have a $300 tab that month. I was really able to keep my spending in line by having it laid out for me.”

Drew has not only pointed friends and family to the app, but also recommends it to customers who share a struggle of keeping their spending under control. “It’s a long-term tool. They can come to us, and we can help set them on the right path.”

Amy believes there are a lot of misnomers about financial literacy. “It’s not all about credit score and income, it’s about managing what you have,” she says. “Everyone comes to the app with a different level of expertise. In a way, it’s meeting people where they’re at. If you can set it and forget it, you’re more likely to implement it and reach your goals.”

You can download Green WI$E in the App Store or on Google Play.

Drew scrolls through his Green WI$E app to check in on his monthly spending budget.

•

CONFIDENCE IS A STUNNING SMILE

AT PGS DENTISTRY, MAKE THE WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT IN YOUR TEETH WITH A CUTTING-EDGE CLEAR ALIGNER

ARTICLE BY AMY SALVAGNO PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN SHEA

A beautiful smile is more than a worthwhile investment – it’s a lifetime of confidence. That’s why Dr. Patrick Sweeney, DDS, and his team at PGS Dentistry in Harrison Township, are passionate about introducing patients to the best options for a sensational smile.

“Having a nice smile leads to more confidence, which impacts day-to-day life tremendously,” says Dr. Sweeney. “The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body and is connected to the other systems in the body, so poor oral hygiene and bacteria causing decay can lead to systematic issues if not addressed. Also, making sure the occlusion of the bite is balanced throughout all of the teeth can prevent TMJ issues and headaches.”

The latest in cosmetic treatments that is both affordable and aesthetic is Reveal, a next-generation aligner that is growing in popularity as an alternative to Invisalign. Reveal aligners require fewer attachments

and are made of a unique crystal-clear, stain-resistant plastic, making them easier to maintain and clean, and in turn, less noticeable. They’re also known for their comfort because of smooth edges and how high they fit across the gums.

Another benefit, notes Dr. Sweeney, is how quickly they work. Aside from straightening a smile, the aligners address crowded teeth, minor spacing issues, overbites, underbites and crossbites. Dr. Sweeney works with patients – teenagers and adults alike – to develop a treatment plan and personalized solution, including how many sets of Reveal aligners will be required and how the position of the teeth will change.

“I LOVE BEING A DENTIST IN A PRIVATE PRACTICE BECAUSE IT PROVIDES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND BUILD LASTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PATIENTS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH.”

Colin Smith chose the aligners for their blend of effectiveness, convenience and affordability. “I wanted a solution that would correct my teeth without being too noticeable or disrupting my daily routine. I appreciate the more comfortable, less invasive approach over traditional braces, and being able to pop them out when I'm eating or brushing is just the cherry on top.”

A confident smile radiates kindness and warmth. And that makes Dr. Sweeney feel at home, even though home is still 293 miles away. The native Yooper – St. Ignace specifically – grew up with the same small-town

feel he says he’s found around Harrison Township and Mount Clemens.

“The small, tight-knit community and friendly local businesses do make me feel like I’m home. It’s been really cool in that way,” he says.

During his pre-med studies at Northern Michigan University, Dr. Sweeney couldn’t find a field that spoke to him until he had the opportunity to shadow a dentist. “I just really liked that I was able to use my hands, and also be involved in health care and see so many patients.”

He then trekked across the lake and down to the University of Detroit Mercy

School of Dentistry, bringing with him a lifelong love of playing hockey, golfing, hunting and fishing. Dr. Sweeney joined the PGS family two years ago.

“I love being a dentist in a private practice because it provides me the opportunity to be involved with the community and build lasting relationships with patients, while at the same time improving oral health,” he says. “I am blessed to be able to provide a healthcare service in which I get to work with my hands to help improve the quality of life for my patients.

What sets PGS Dentistry apart, says Colin, is the unparalleled commitment to personalized care.

“From the moment you walk in, you feel part of the PGS family, with a team dedicated to understanding and meeting your personalized needs,” he says. “Their use of the latest dental technologies ensures not just effective treatments, but also a comfortable and efficient experience. The warm and welcoming atmosphere, combined with the staff's genuine care and attention, truly distinguishes them. It's not just about dental services, it's about fostering lasting relationships and ensuring every visit leaves you with a smile.”

THE AMERICAN DREAM

ARTICLE BY AMY SALVAGNO PHOTOGRAPHY BY TINE HOFMANN AND DEREK COOKSON

The American Dream is alive and well. But it isn’t defined by status or material possession or even a number in a bank account.

First Financial Coaching’s experiential approach for living and leaving a legacy

“The American Dream gives them opportunities and tools to pull their purpose out, make it real and bring it to life.”

“For us, it’s dwelling in a world where you’re driven by your purpose and you’re able to create experiences with your family, pursue a job you want and live in freedom, fulfillment and love and have that now rather than one day when you can afford it,” says Jonathan Furest, financial coach at First Financial Coaching in Mount Clemens.

“Helping families isn’t a job, it’s a calling,” adds President Jeffrey Furest. “Not too many financial advisors can say they look forward to helping people. My father Bill, started our company in 1977, I joined the firm in 1984 and we’ve always prided ourselves on taking our time guiding our clients in learning about money and investing, especially the value of their money and their purpose for money, before we let anyone invest.”

The company decisively steers clients away from investment decisions and strategies that aren’t in their best interest. It’s a rare trait that sets them apart from other advisors, as is introducing the academics

and scientific side of investing, rather than using economic and political forecasts and market timing.

“There are behavioral aspects around money that most investors don’t consider. That’s where the power of coaching comes in,” says Vice President Michael Sarcheck. “We look at two distinct worlds that exist: One that uses predicting the future with gambling and stock picking and one that’s grounded in 50-plus years of Nobel Prize-winning principles. We then give people an opportunity to make a choice.”

For three decades, First Financial Coaching has educated and coached thousands of families to understand that money is not a measure of success, but rather a tool available to achieve their goals and dreams. Even more remarkable is the experiential learning the firm provides through the American Dream Experience, a free, two-day seminar held both virtually and in person around the country, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico.

“The purpose of the experience is really to help investors and families get a clear picture of what money means to them and give them an opportunity to create a powerful relationship with it,” says Michael. “The entire process is not about a sale; it’s about helping them discover how they can be more prudent and give them good insight into how portfolios are really built. We’re actually looking at it from the inside.”

“It seems like a lot of investors don’t have a true choice – there’s too much information available, investors get overwhelmed, and they simply follow what their parents, friends or social media says,” adds Jeffrey. “For the first time, investors have an opportunity to make an informed choice about investing, and not one based on what someone else predicts, but on science, empirically tested data, and discovery.”

Saving, investment and wealth management is where many exert time and energy, focused on accumulating money and relying on the unstable conditions of the market. It’s a struggle First Financial Coaching sees too often, along with viewing money as a source of survival. The American Dream Experience shifts participants’ mindsets to focus on the life they want to live today.

“It gives them opportunities and tools to pull their purpose out, make it real and bring it to life,” Michael says. “Purpose is powerful, purpose provides direction …  it can create new meaning.”

“It provides clarity for why they’re working for money in the first place – to be a contribution to the community, to live a loving and adventurous life, to be of service to the world. It’s bigger than itself,” says Jonathan.

“The purpose of the experience is really to help investors and families get a clear picture of what money means to them and give them an opportunity to create a powerful relationship with it.”

During the event, attendees hear from speakers and meet in groups.

“Often what is disclosed in the group setting makes the biggest difference,” Jonathan notes. “When someone shares a discovery, or they completed an assignment and then transitioned, or there is something they’re grappling with … it’s very valuable.”

Each American Dream Experience not only benefits attendees, it also reminds the financial coaches of why they continue to do what they do.

For Michael, “It makes you feel proud that you’re really making a difference for families

and helping them live their purpose. It brings you hope. There is this newly created future they didn’t know they had.”

“It’s very fulfilling to see the changes they make and the accomplishments they reach that they never thought were possible. It’s quite incredible,” Jeffrey says.

“Some people have seen that for their entire life, money was a certain way, and in two days, that perspective can be thrown away and they can be empowered around money and investing going forward,” adds Jonathan. “It’s a shame this isn’t the focus of the entire investment industry.”

JUMPSTART

GARDEN Your

HOW TO START FLOWERS AND VEGETABLE SEEDS INDOORS

As the sweet fragrance of Spring draws near, our gardens beckon to be brought back to life. Whether it’s flowers or vegetables, you can get a jump on the planting season by sprouting seeds indoors. Then you’ll be ready to sow as soon as the weather warms up. Katie Baker is Vice President of the Macomb County Master Gardener Association Board. She and her fellow master gardeners share what you need to know to successfully start seeds to yield a beautiful summer yard.

ARTICLE BY AMY SALVAGNO

First, Katie says, grow what you’ll eat or enjoy seeing in your garden. Beans, leafy greens and radishes sprout quickly – peas and radishes are cold-tolerant so they can be planted directly in the ground – and herbs like basil, fennel, parsley and dill are culinary favorites. Marigolds, zinnias, petunias and snapdragons are great floral picks, as are ground-covering nasturtiums, which are edible and will grow well in pots. Katie also recommends native plants because they’re familiar with the Michigan climate and pollinators know what to do with them.

While you can use plastic seed trays and starter kits, consider repurposing items such as cardboard egg cartons, cut-down milk jugs and yogurt cups. Punch a drainage hole in each container before planting. Fill them with lightweight seed-starting soil mix, as regular garden soil is too heavy. After you’ve planted the seeds, mist them. Some need consistent warmth, so warming mats can be placed under seed trays, or you can place them on top of a refrigerator.

Once your seeds have sprouted, they need light for 8-12 hours a day. Plants also need air circulation to be strong enough for the outdoor world, so keep a small fan on them.

When the temperatures are right to transplant your indoor garden outside, plants need to be “hardened.” Begin by setting plants in the shade for a few days, then gradually expose them to sunlight for an hour per day, increasing the time by an hour every couple of days.

"Consider germination time for each of the seeds you want to grow and consider growing seeds with similar light, water, soil pH, humidity and other requirements together," Katie says. "For example, herbs grow well with other herbs and plants in the brassica family do well with one another, but tomatoes need more light than leafy greens do, and herbs germinate faster than larger vegetables do."

You can visit the MSU Extension resource at www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/ask-an-expert for questions and more information. The Macomb County Master Gardener Association welcomes attendees to its monthly meetings. Find the schedule at macombcountymga.org .

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MARCH 9TH-APRIL 13TH

Macomb County Annual Secondary Art Show

Anton Art Center, 125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens, MI | 10:00 AM

The Anton Art Center hosts the Macomb County Annual Secondary Art Show. The annual exhibit showcases juried student artwork from around Macomb County currently enrolled in grades 7-12. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit theartcenter.org or call 586-469-8666 for more information.

APRIL 6TH

80s Party for a Purpose

The Emerald Theatre, 31 N Walnut St, Mount Clemens, MI | 7:00 PM

Transport yourself to the groovy 80s for a charity event benefiting three fantastic causes: Great Lakes Burn Camp for Kids, Blue Star Mothers Chapter #180 and Mount Clemens Turning Point. Tickets are $19.84 per person in advance; group table rates are also available. The event features a best-dressed contest, 50/50 & basket raffles and epic live entertainment. Visit https://www.80sparty4apurpose.org.

APRIL 6TH

Yvonne Leslie Pottery Luncheon

Zuccaro's County House, 46601 N. Gratiot Ave., Chesterfield, MI | 11:00 AM

The Macomb County Historical Society is hosting the Yvonne Leslie Pottery Luncheon, a tablescape competition to raise funds for the Mount Clemens Crocker House Museum. Decorators will compete to design the best-themed table for "My Favorite Things." Attendees will cast their vote, enjoy a buffet lunch and enter raffles for prizes. Tickets are $50. Call 586-465-2488 or email info@crockerhousemuseum.org.

APRIL 13TH

Swiftie Day

66 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens, MI | 12:00 PM

Grab your friends and dress in your best Taylor Swift outfits for The Eras Tour of Downtown Mount Clemens at participating establishments. Jam out to your favorite songs while you enjoy a friendship bracelet-making station, photo backdrops, Swiftie-inspired merchandise, a best-dressed Taylor Swift outfit contest and more. Follow The Nest Mount Clemens on Facebook for more information.

APRIL 25TH

Bird Songs in Your Garden

Robert A. Verkuilen Building, 21885 Dunham Rd, Clinton Twp, MI | 6:30 PM

Wild Birds Unlimited will give a presentation at the Macomb County Master Gardeners quarterly meeting. Owners Bob and Pam Gors will speak on learning to translate what your backyard birds are saying. The event is free to MCMG members; a $10 donation is suggested for non-members.

MAY 4TH

City-wide Cleanup

Roskopp Parking Lot, 256 Gratiot Ave., Mount Clemens, MI | 10:00 AM

The Beautification Commission will host a city-wide cleanup throughout the city's major thoroughfares. Participants can bring yard gloves, rakes, a trash grabber and water to drink. Trash bags will be provided. The commission is looking for a business or organization to sponsor lunch for volunteers. Contact Linda Curatolo at curatolo@comcast.net