Ready to get started? Experience our Nov. Special, 3 + 3: 3 individual sessions, plus 3 classes, a $525 value for only $299. Sign up online or call and we’ll guide you into the perfect class. www.reformingfoundations.com ph.248.469.4439 The magic you are looking for is on the other side of hard work.
Dear Community,
In a season of celebrating thankfulness, I invite you into this special issue of Rochester City Lifestyle, where the generous heart of our community shines bright. Our city is flourishing with bustling streets and sidewalks, thriving businesses, connected neighborhoods, engaging schools, generous organizations, and inviting trails and parks. We’re incredibly blessed to live in this place, among beautiful people doing beautiful work to make Rochester a city we’re proud to live in. I hope this issue encourages us to appreciate our shared story as we acknowledge and affirm all the good we see happening in and through our city. Gratitude ignites generosity. When we are thankful for what we have and we appreciate the prosperity around us, we will respond more generously to the needs among us. Abundance and necessity will always coexist and form a special relationship between givers and receivers. We need one another for different reasons. When I look around our community I see exchanges of love and resources pulsing through our hearts, homes and businesses, instilling within our community hope and purpose. May this generosity spur us on individually and collectively beyond our city limits to take our compassion to neighboring communities and the broader world. We have so much to offer! And that’s something to celebrate and be thankful for.
My hope is that November’s harvest of gratitude & generosity carries us into a joy filled holiday season!
LORI MANRY, CONTRIBUTING WRITER @ROCHESTERCITYLIFESTYLE
November 2024
PUBLISHER
Chris Oliverio | chris.oliverio@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Jessica Snow | jessica.snow@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Jennifer Lee | jennifer.lee@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION MANAGER
Shauna Oliverio | shauna.oliverio@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jennifer Lee, Shauna Oliverio & Lori Manry
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jessica Snow & Ryan Koral
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs
1: Cabaret Boreale, musical artistry with a transporting vintage aesthetic. 2: The Silver Shamrocks 2nd annual local harvest dinner event at the beautiful Three Moons Farm. 3: A welcome cocktail from The Silver Shamrocks. 4: Detroit Bus Bar offers a unique mobile bar experience inside a vintage, refurbished bus. 5: Meet Rocket, a true beauty of Three Moons Farm. 6: 4 courses of delicous food based on the harvest, with hand selected Michigan wines. 7: Michigan-themed event features the love and labor of 20 local producers and creators.
Join the Rainbow Connection on Sunday, November 24th, 2024 at 5:00pm at The Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township for a casual holiday gathering. Celebration of Dreams is the kick-off to your holiday season featuring fun entertainment, holiday raffles, and the very popular "Gifts Galore" silent auction. Wish Children will show off the latest in holiday fashion as you hear about their inspiring stories. It's an evening you won't want to miss! Purchase tickets at https://www. rainbowconnection.org/events
Dinner in the Dark is Leader Dogs for the Blind’s signature fundraising event. Enjoy an incredible dinner under blindfold while helping to raise money for the blind. Try the Walk the Walk experience, an immersive orientation & mobility space where guests can walk with a white cane and participate in daily activity skills. Save the date for February 21, 2025. Tickets available at https://www.leaderdog.org/dinner-in-the-dark
Join Paint a Miracle for an evening of art and appetizers at Meadow Brook Hall on November 13 at 7:00 p.m. Miracle at Meadow Brook Hall offers a unique chance to explore and purchase one-of-a-kind art by talented artists, with self-guided tours of the hall. Tickets are $100 each, 2 for $175, or 6 for $450. Proceeds benefit artist commissions and Paint a Miracle’s programs for individuals with disabilities. Purchase tickets https://www.paintamiracle.org or call 248-652-2702
Transforming lives through art, Paint a Miracle empowers individuals with disabilities to express themselves and inspire others.
Nestled in the heart of downtown Rochester, Paint a Miracle stands as a beacon of hope, art, and transformation. The studio’s origin traces back to a fateful day in May 1985, when Dr. Dale Propson and his son were hit head-on by a drunk driver. This tragedy left Dale with a traumatic brain injury and the loss of most of his eyesight. Despite a bleak prognosis, including months in a coma and years of rehabilitation, Dale's spirit remained unbroken. And so began the extraordinary journey that would lead to the creation of Paint a Miracle, an art studio like no other.
It wasn’t until a decade later, in 1995, that the true power of art began to heal Dale. His first mentor, Helen Cunniff, owned an art studio in Lake Orion and had a unique vision for what art could do for the human spirit. When Dale expressed his hesitation, claiming, “I can’t paint, I can’t see,” Helen offered him words that would become a guiding light: “You don’t need your eyes to paint. The image goes from your brain to your heart to your hand.” That Christmas, Dale returned home with four paintings, representing the four seasons, and gave them to his wife. "We all sat there and cried," remembers Shelly Propson Lennon, Dale’s daughter and Executive Director of Paint a Miracle.
Helen not only taught Dale to paint, she restored his dignity and ignited a new sense of purpose in his life. Dale's newfound passion for art inspired him to suggest the idea of opening a studio for people like him, those living with disabilities, to experience the same healing power of creativity. In 2002, Shelly, along with her mother and brothers, helped make Dale’s dream a reality. Paint a Miracle opened its doors in a small space at the Rochester Community House with a single class of four people, Dale included. The mission was simple yet profound: to offer CONTINUED >
“You don’t need your eyes to paint. The image goes from your brain to your heart to your hand.”
– Helen Cunniff
fine art programming to individuals facing challenges that would otherwise keep them from traditional art centers.
“Our vision was to create a space that empowers artists to redefine themselves, whether they want to become working artists or just come once a week to be part of a supportive and creative community,” Shelly shares. And that’s precisely what Paint a Miracle has done for over two decades. From traumatic brain injuries and developmental disabilities to mental health challenges, the studio welcomes all with open arms.
The artists create works that range from acrylics and watercolors to ceramics, fiber arts, and even encaustic (wax-based) painting. But Paint a Miracle doesn’t stop at the creation of art. It goes one step further, emphasizing the importance of exhibiting and selling the artwork. “When our artists sell their
work, it creates a sense of ownership and accomplishment,” says Shelly. Paint a Miracle’s artists have exhibited at notable venues like Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize and currently at Rochester’s Busy Buzz, with many pieces selling to eager buyers.
Their artists have a true gift to share with the community, which goes beyond their art. Paint a Miracle attracts individuals who have made a choice not to be defined by their losses, people who possess the ability to choose joy over despair, even in the face of incredible challenges. This model of resilience and gratitude is one we can all learn from, as it embodies the spirit of strength and optimism that radiates throughout the studio.
Paint a Miracle holds two major annual events that showcase the artists’ work: a fall fundraiser at Meadow Brook Hall
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“I don’t want to live in a world that doesn’t include art because it makes life more beautiful, more meaningful, and it says things that words cannot.”
- Shelly Propson
community,” Shelly explains. "Art gives people a voice and a sense of purpose."
The real magic of Paint a Miracle lies in the relationships that blossom within its walls. “A truly rewarding part of being at the studio is how it grounds you,” Shelly says thoughtfully.
“It reminds us what’s truly important in life, relationships, resilience, hope and gratitude.” Shelly emphasizes how integral community support is to the studio’s continued success. “We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have the support of the community in Rochester and our donors because the majority of our funding comes through donations.”
on November 13th, 2024, and a spring luncheon at the Royal Park Hotel on May 9th, 2025. “When we first started, we never imagined having over 500 people attending these events, celebrating our artists,” Shelly beams.
In addition to these events, Paint a Miracle works tirelessly to forge partnerships with local organizations. Their adaptive art classes reach beyond the studio, with outreach programs in schools, Alzheimer’s associations, and rehabilitation centers. “We see ourselves as adaptive art specialists in the
Additionally, local businesses have the opportunity to display the studio’s artwork, helping to support the artists and bring their creations to a wider audience. Shelly is deeply committed to continuing her father's legacy, ensuring that Paint a Miracle remains a place where art is accessible to all.
“We all have our disabilities,” she says, “some more visible than others, but our job is to make the impossible possible.”
And with every brushstroke, every smile, and every sale, Paint a Miracle continues to do just that, one masterpiece at a time.
Purpose. Inclusion. Dignity.
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER LEE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA SNOW
Every once in awhile, if you’re lucky, you get the opportunity to spend time in a space that reminds you just how important community is. That feeling was exactly what we experienced when we spent the morning with the team and participants of Dutton Farm.
Dutton Farm was founded in 2010 when a local family found themselves with limited options for their daughter, Becca. Having watched Becca struggle for years to find the right support in the community in order for her to be able to explore her gifts to her fullest ability, the mother-daughter team of Michelle and Jenny decided it was time to find a solution. With a property donation and support from Jim Smither, Becca’s father, Dutton Farm officially had a place to call home allowing the program began to take on a life. Today, Dutton Farm has over 150 families that participate in the program, with over 1500 kids attending field trips from the Rochester Schools and over 200+ customers and community partners participating in their Farmer's Market.
Not only is Dutton Farm a safe, welcoming, inclusive environment for everyone, it’s also one of the most beautiful properties, tucked alongside the border of Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Located just before the old farm sign
“The joy and sense of belonging that fills our farm is what truly sets Dutton Farm apart.”
showcasing “farmers market Fridays” is a winding dirt driveway leading to a beautiful greenhouse featuring a pick-your-own flower garden, a house that doubles as a classroom, a newly constructed education center and acres of farm land where goats play, and gardens grow.
During our visit we were greeted with warm hugs from participants, stories of families past and present, and tours of each space - showcasing all of the different areas of enrichment. Participants at Dutton are taught a wide range of skills that give them a prideful sense of independence that shines through as they show off their area of expertise. A few of the roles at the farm include working as a team, caring for animals, tending to gardens, and honing their skills an an artist and maker.
In addition to skills taught on the Farm, Dutton partners with local businesses to offer off-site experiences. The support from community partners allows participants to go out into the community to volunteer, socialize and learn consumerism skills while bringing more importance and awareness of what Dutton Farm offers.
After seeing the incredible ways that employment and purpose impacted the participants, CEO and Founder of Dutton Farm, Jenny Brown decided to take her mission even further. Jenny decided to start a natural bath and body company called Everybody by Dutton Farm, whose mission was to build a profitable brand using an unconventional and inclusive workforce. Money and time were both scarce, so she started small with just a single bar of handmade orange soap. That single bar of soap allowed her to land a deal with a local bed and breakfast which generated the revenue to hire her first employee. She knew right then that she wanted to experience that feeling again and again, and through dedication and hard work over the last several years, Everybody Inc. has employed 15 people and provided over 13,000 hours of employment. Those hours of employment that Everybody has created equate to financial freedom and independence, buying power, dignity, and economic stimulation in our local community. Most of all, the impact of their brand brings equality and respect to individuals with developmental disabilities. Several of Everybody’s initial employees were recruited by other companies who watched their journey and felt challenged and inspired to get involved. Today, Everybody has 10 employees and has shipped their products to 45 states across America.
“Our mission at Dutton Farm is to empower and support adults with disabilities in order for them to live a life of purpose, inclusion and dignity.”
Our trip to Dutton Farm, and the participants that greeted us, reminded us just how important community is and how each one of us are so perfectly unique and deserving creating a beautiful life of our very own, however that may look to each of us. Learn more about Dutton Farm and the incredible way it shapes the community by visiting https:// www.duttonfarm.org.
Dutton Farm is located at 2290 Dutton Rd, Rochester, MI 48306 and offers you-pick pumpkin patches, flower patches and other goodies during Friday Farmers Markets. Check the website for their calendar of events, schedule is subject to change.
“Dutton Farm is not just any place... it’s a feeling of family, where we celebrate each other’s strengths.”
-Kim Staudacher, Director of Development
Building Houses and Hope for Families
ARTICLE BY LORI MANRY
BY JESSICA SNOW & RYAN KORA
For the past thirteen years my husband and I have been slowly renovating our home, as time, money and energy allows. It’s been a labor of love and outpouring of creativity. Built in 1962 on ten acres, it’s got good bones and a legacy we’re carrying on of a large family, adoption, and a story well lived in this
"We care for our physical environments because they shape us just as much as we shape them"
beloved Rochester community. We have enjoyed re-creating this house to reflect our family and serve our needs and interests. We’ve hosted dinner parties, weddings, family traditions, holiday events, fundraisers, and countless Sunday worship gatherings under shady trees. We’ve opened our doors to friends and strangers, rooms to foreign exchange students, our property to photographers, barn to chickens, and pasture to pigs and cows. Each guest has been written into the story of this place.
I’ve always had a thing for houses and the stories they tell. And who doesn’t love a good before and after picture of a transformed house? They capture our attention because restoration is written into the fabric of our beings. We all want to live a story where we’re becoming better versions of ourselves. I love making our spaces beautiful and welcoming for my family, and all who visit. I want everyone who arrives
at our home to feel seen and known, and leave feeling inspired and valued. I see this in our community too.
The people of Rochester believe our dwelling spaces matter. The way our community takes pride in our private and public spaces is witness to this. We care for our physical environments because they shape us just as much as we shape them. They can hinder us from engaging the world around us, or they can empower us to live into our identity and calling with more purpose and confidence.
In the middle of our most extensive home renovation phase, I traveled to Uganda, East Africa, a place our family previously lived and worked. On this trip I was asked to help with a critical housing need for a family in a remote village. As I surveyed the situation and considered how to bring relief, I saw this deteriorating home as one among many, and my eyes opened to a widespread housing crisis affecting the majority of families throughout Uganda.
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Old and cracking asbestos roofs that spill dangerous fibers into homes. Disturbing and toxic rat infestations. Superficial doors that don’t keep families secure and windows that leave them vulnerable to malaria. Eroding foundations and exposed areas where rain pours in and mold grows. These unsafe homes affect the health and wellbeing of families and whole villages.
8,000 miles away in Rochester, Michigan, our house was being renovated for increased comfort and beauty; meanwhile, there I was on an orange dusty road in Africa imagining how to help vulnerable families rebuild their homes to be safe and secure.
In this honest and heartfelt tension, I began envisioning a sustainable approach to home renovation in Uganda that addresses critical housing issues with solutions that transform entire neighborhoods. From this vision I founded Dwell, an urban housing project that rebuilds deteriorating homes to be safe and secure for families and communities to flourish in body and spirit.
Dwell is committed to extravagant generosity, but we’re equally dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to have agency in their story. We approach the work with shared responsibility, which happens in three core ways:
Financial Contribution: Each family contributes financially to their own renovation project. This sense of ownership promotes independence and personal investment.
Collaborative Work: Neighbors commit to volunteer at one another’s renovation projects, which fosters community engagement.
Community Contributions: The community commits to donating money and resources to the active project, which encourages generosity among neighbors.
"This work is holistically changing people's lives and offering them a secure future. Because a home is more than just a space we live in"
The gratitude these families have for their improved homes motivates them to contribute and participate in the renovation projects of their neighbors. As we reconstruct these houses to be safe, we are building stronger community. Dwell renovates the homes of four families each month. Each renovation project is funded by contributions from locals, along with financial gifts from donors. It’s a solution that gathers hope and resources from an international well of generosity, while forming meaningful connections between sponsors and beneficiaries. In three years we have completed over 100 homes and have settled over 400 people into living spaces that nurture dignity and promote physical and spiritual flourishing.
Safe housing impacts nearly every aspect of emotional and social well-being. As we witness the housing burden lifted in this Ugandan community, Dwell is seeing increased health and personal responsibility, consistent school attendance, healthier family dynamics, a rise in motivation and community engagement, and hope that reimagines new possibilities. This work is holistically changing people’s lives and offering them a secure future. Because a home is more than just a space we live in.
My personal journey with home renovation and creating beautiful spaces that nurture my family allowed me to see and respond to a need across the world. What felt like a collision of values - beauty and comfort versus
basic necessities - was instead an opportunity for increased gratitude that inspired in me generosity. At the very least, our homes should be safe and secure. It’s my heart’s passion to see that reality come to fruition for as many families as possible.
I’m deeply grateful for the support I’ve received from our Rochester community have in this important work. It’s a privilege to carry your generosity into the world, creating lasting impact far beyond our city. In 2025 Dwell hopes to settle 48 families with a place to call home, where they can feel safe and build a future.
As we approach the season of giving, Dwell has created a way for families, schools, businesses and neighbors to come together in the spirit of compassion. With every $8,000 we raise, we can renovate a multi-residential building that offers secure housing for four families. That’s only $2000 to transform a family's life forever!
Visit dwelluganda.com to discover how you, alongside your loved ones, classmates or colleagues can give the most meaningful gift this holiday season, the gift of a safe and stable home.
It truly does take a village, and I’m thankful everyday that my Rochester community is part of Dwell’s.
Each Christmas season, City Lifestyle gifts a signi ficant amount to those who could use a little extra suppor t. But we need your help to find them. Do you know someone fa cing tough times? Your nomination could make all the dif ference.
Scan the QR code to nominate.
ARTICLE BY DEB SILVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA SNOW
For a flavorful and make-ahead Thanksgiving side, this Cornbread Dressing is perfect. Allowing the ingredients to sit in the fridge for a day or two enhances the flavors. While homemade cornbread is best, store-bought works too (opt for a buttermilk-based version).
ingredients:
• 1 9x12 pan of cornbread, crumbled
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 3 ribs celery, diced
• ½ fennel bulb, julienned
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup bacon, pancetta, ham, or sausage, diced
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 3-5 tbsp mixed fresh herbs (sage, thyme, parsley)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional Add-Ins: turkey giblets, oysters, cranberries, roasted butternut squash, apples, chestnuts, or pecans.
directions:
Toast cornbread in a 250°F oven for 20-30 minutes. Sauté meat, then add fennel, vegetables, and garlic. Deglaze with white wine. Add herbs, salt, and pepper. Combine with cornbread in a greased dish. Pour over beaten eggs mixed with stock. Dot with butter. Bake covered at 375°F for 30-40 minutes, removing foil to crisp the top.
NOVEMBER 2024
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
NOVEMBER 10TH
5236 Adams Rd | 1:00 PM
The 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony in Oakland Township will be held at 5236 Adams Road on November 10th at 1:00 PM. Organized by the VTOT Board, the event will feature a celebration of military service, with remarks on Veterans Day’s history and a guest speaker. Outdoor seating will be available, with cider, coffee, and donuts provided. For information vtotmi.org
NOVEMBER 15TH
Downtown Rochester | 4:00 PM
PCCA’s Holiday Art Market unites local artists and holiday shoppers in downtown Rochester, Michigan. Featuring original works from over 55 artists, shoppers can find unique handmade items like jewelry, pottery, and paintings. The market opens alongside PCCA’s Student & Faculty Exhibition, offering a festive atmosphere with music, lights, and refreshments. Perfect for finding thoughtful holiday gifts. For more information peccary.org
NOVEMBER 22ND
Meadow Brook Theatre | 8:00 PM
Meadow Brook Theatre presents A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Charles Nolte, running from November 22nd to December 22nd, 2024. This beloved holiday classic tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformative journey with ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Celebrating 42 years of holiday magic, it’s a must-see for all ages! For more information mbtheatre.com
Fall essential oil combinations provide a warm and cozy scent while also protecting those from sickness prevalent in the colder season. Follow these oil combinations to create your own seasonal scent.
DIRECTIONS :
Combine the following essential oils with a base oil (coconut oil).
INGREDIENTS:
• Cinnamon: Antibacterial; Antiviral
• Clove: Antibacterial; Antiseptic
• Lemon: Uplifts, Kills Bacteria; Reduces Inflammation
• Oregano: Antimicrobial; Antioxidant
• Eucalyptus: Decongestant and Provides Healing
HOW TO USE:
Apply to wrists or feet. Do not use it on your face.
DIRECTIONS:
Combine the following essential oils.
INGREDIENTS:
• Orange: Reduces Stress; Antimicrobial
• Eucalyptus: Decongestant; Provides Healing
• Cinnamon: Antibacterial; Antiviral
• Black Pepper: Supports the Nervous System
• Clove: Antibacterial; Antiviral
• Rosemary: Reduces Stress; Helps with Respiratory fatigue
HOW TO USE:
Fill the diffuser with water and apply the desired amount of drops.
ARTICLE BY CELENA CISCO
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NOVEMBER 22ND- 24TH Festival of Trees
Rochester Community House | 5:00 PM
The 2024 Festival of Trees in Downtown Rochester will take place from November 22nd-24th at the Rochester Community House. Explore beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and centerpieces, all available for purchase. Hours are Friday 5:00-9:00pm, Saturday 10:00 am-9:00pm, and Sunday 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Proceeds benefit The Big, Bright Light Show. It’s a magical holiday tradition for all! For more information downtownrochestermi.com
NOVEMBER 25TH
Downtown Rochester | 6:00 PM
Join Downtown Rochester on November 25th, from 6:00-9:00 pm, for Lagniappe, a customer appreciation event filled with festive shopping and live entertainment. At 7:00pm, witness the dazzling debut of The Big Bright Light Show, featuring over 1.5 million lights. Kids can meet Santa from 7:15pm-9:00pm, sharing their holiday wishes! Fun for all! For more information visit downtownrochestermi.com
NOVEMBER 30TH
Downtown Rochester
Join the Shop Small Saturday celebration November 30th in Downtown Rochester! Support local businesses by shopping unique finds and holiday gifts while enjoying festive activities. With more than 350 locally-owned shops, restaurants, and service businesses participating, it’s a perfect way to kick off the holiday season while supporting the community. Shop Small, Shop Local! For more information downtownrochestermi.com events
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