Genesee Landlords Association
A Legacy of Advocacy, Education, and Community
F
or more than five decades, the Genesee Landlords Association (GLA) has served as a steady voice for property owners in Genesee County, championing their interests, providing critical resources, and fostering a strong sense of community.
Founded in 1974 under the leadership of its first president, Emery Wenzel, the association began as a grassroots response to proposed licensing and rental inspection requirements in the city of Flint. With modest seed funding and a clear mission, a small group of landlords came together to ensure their voices would be heard.
That mission quickly gained traction. The organization’s first meeting, held at the Board of Realtors office on Court Street, drew a full room and resulted in approximately 30 founding members. From the beginning, GLA established a tradition of monthly meetings featuring guest speakers, while also actively advocating on behalf of landlords at the local level.
By May 1978, the association had formally incorporated as a nonprofit.
Membership grew steadily in the years that followed, eventually peaking at around 700 members. Today, GLA maintains an engaged base of
nearly 300 members, continuing its work with the same commitment that defined its early years.
Among those who have shaped the organization’s legacy is Terry Hanson, a founding member who has served in multiple leadership roles, including president, and currently holds the position of treasurer.
His long-standing involvement reflects the continuity and dedication that have helped sustain the association over time.
At its core, GLA is guided by three central pillars: education, advocacy, and camaraderie. The organization equips landlords
GLA hosts two regular meetings each month to keep members informed and engaged
tive members are invited to attend up to two meetings at no cost.
with up-to-date knowledge on industry trends and best practices, advocates against policies that may negatively impact property owners, and creates opportunities for members to connect and support one another.
One of the association’s most valuable tools is its extensive database of landlord-tenant court records in Genesee County. Updated monthly and containing more than 10,000 entries, this resource helps landlords make informed decisions when screening prospective tenants. Members also have access to credit reporting services, legal forms, and experienced guidance to help navigate the complexities of property management.
GLA hosts two regular meetings each month to keep members informed and engaged. An evening meeting at Redwood Steak House in Flint offers attendees a complimentary meal alongside presentations from expert speakers. A second, more informal morning gathering at IHOP on Miller Road provides an additional forum for discussion and networking. Prospec-
Beyond its regular programming, the association organizes an annual Vendor Appreciation Night, an event that connects landlords with contractors and service providers in a relaxed, no-cost setting. Members also receive a monthly newsletter covering industry updates, legal developments, and organizational news. Through its affiliations with state and national real estate investment organizations, GLA provides access to additional training and educational opportunities.
Like many in the housing sector, GLA members face ongoing challenges. Hanson notes that concerns around inspection practices and regulatory compliance remain top of mind. He emphasizes the importance of thorough tenant screening, encouraging landlords to utilize available tools such as court records, credit reports, and references.
GLA’s membership reflects a broad spectrum of experience, from individuals exploring their first investment property to seasoned professionals managing large portfolios o up to 2,500 units. This diversity contributes to the association’s collaborative environment, where knowledge-sharing is a key benefit.
Through its affiliations with state and national real estate investment organizations, GLA provides access to additional training and educational opportunities.
Membership also includes practical advantages, such as discounts from major suppliers, insurance providers, tenant screening services, and self-directed IRA programs. As the housing landscape continues to evolve, the Genesee Landlords Association remains a trusted resource and unified voice for property owners throughout the region, grounded in its history, yet focused firmly on the future. For more information, contact the GLA office at 810-767-3080. Hanson can be reached at 810-767-2500.
THE GENESEE LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION HOSTS A MONTHLY MEETING AT REDWOOD STEAK HOUSE IN FLINT. THE
Editor’s Letter
Last month My City celebrated its 13th year as your local magazine, focused on covering all of the creative, artistic, successful, positive individuals and events of the greater Flint area. This month, I am celebrating one year with My City. The previous publisher and editor, Vince Lorraine and Sherron Barden, created a fantastic local magazine that was filled from cover to cover with interesting stories, and reputable businesses ready to take care of all of your needs. After leaving the newspaper business after more than 20 years, I stepped into this role with the new publisher, Laura Constable, knowing that we didn’t want to mess with a good thing. We, however, added a few new features that allowed us to showcase even more local people.
Everyone at My City appreciates your continued support through subscriptions and advertising. I love it when someone tells me that they saw (and read) one of our magazines at the dentist or doctor’s office. I also appreciate our entire team of marketing experts, graphics, writers and more. It’s been a bit of a learning curve for me, but after a year, I think I’ve got things down. This magazine wouldn’t be as good as it is without the help of our knowledgeable team.
In this July issue, you will want to take note of our City’s Choice Awards winners. Several pages are dedicated to the individuals and businesses that were voted on by their clients and customers. Congratulations to all of the winners.
The July issue also has special pages dedicated to our older folks in our Longevity section. Our health experts help us age gracefully.
After reading stories from our writers for this July issue, I am feeling even more love for this country as we celebrate its 250th birthday on July 4. My City writer Gary Fisher’s story on Kearsley Park in 1976 gave a perfect view of the July 4th red, white and blue celebration through the eyes of an 11-year-old boy growing up in Flint.
My City writer Keegan Deloney wrote an inspiring story on Audrey Tremaine of Fenton who is exploring this beautiful country on her own, in her van. It takes a lot of courage and discipline to accomplish an adventure like that.
My City writer Mark Spezia also wrote an inspiring story on Roy Jackson Jr., and his dedication and contributions to young basketball players from the Flint area. Be sure to check out that story, as well as the photos by local photographer Rayford Gray. Our columnists never disappoint. Their experiences and passions result in beautiful writings for all of us to appreciate.
Lastly, I’m celebrating another birthday this month. Maybe that’s why the Longevity section stories were so appreciated. I want to thank everyone for the kind birthday wishes.
Happy 250th anniversary to the United States of America, the greatest country in the world.
Sharon Stone Editor-in-Chief
the Magazine
Publisher
Laura Constable
Editor in Chief
Sharon Stone
Freelance Writers
Keegan Deloney
Mark Spezia
Contributing Writers
Brice P. Carter
Dr. Christopher Douglas
Gary Fisher
Dr. Shan Jackson
Alexandria Nolan-Miller
Noah Morgan Mark Rummel
Leslie Toldo
Shannon White
Stacy Sawyer
Todd Deering
Contributing Artist Design2pro
Accounting/Circulation
Carolyn Golota
Account Executive Terese Allen
Meghan Grimshaw is the executive director of the Fenton and Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce. She grew up in Fenton and graduated from Fenton High School. After high school, she attended the University of Michigan-Flint for two years before transferring to Grand Valley State University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in public and nonprofit administration. Following graduation, she stayed in Grand Rapids for five years, where she got married and built her career in the nonprofit sector. Before joining the Chamber, she worked with the Development Team at the Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation. She said that role was incredibly impactful and
gave her experience in fundraising, relationship building, event planning, and community engagement. She worked on capital campaigns, year-end appeals, galas, and luncheon events, all of which helped shape her passion for connecting people and strengthening communities. She also made many professional and personal connections that she still values today.
In 2019, she and her husband moved back home to Fenton to be closer to family and plant roots in the community they love. Since then, they’ve welcomed two children, which has made working in and serving this community even more meaningful. Interestingly, she never had to search long for the right opportunity. A friend of a friend learned she was moving
Questions with …
MEGHAN GRIMSHAW
FENTON AND LINDEN REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
back and connected her with the Chamber, which was looking to fill a Membership Director role at the time. “It turned out to be the perfect fit,” she said.
Meghan served as Membership Director from 2019 through 2024, and in January 2025, she stepped into the Executive Director role following the retirement of longtime Executive Director Shelly Day.
The Chamber is a membership organization made up of nearly 500 members, including small and large businesses, local municipalities, schools, and civic organizations. The Chamber’s role is to connect businesses with one another, connect them to the community, advocate for their success, and help foster a strong local economy.
One of the things Meghan loves most about the Chamber is that its work goes far beyond networking events. It helps create meaningful relationships, supports local businesses, develops future leaders, and brings the community together through events and initiatives like the Community Expo, Jinglefest, Taste in Fenton, Career Connections programs, and more.
As Executive Director, one of Meghan’s biggest goals is to continue growing the Chamber as a collaborative, forward-thinking organization that helps businesses feel connected, supported, and invested in this community. “I want people to feel proud to do business here, raise families here, and stay involved here. We are fortunate to have an incredibly dedicated staff, engaged Board of Directors, and passionate volunteers who make that mission possible every day,” she said.
While tending to the daily tasks at the Chamber office, Meghan took some time to answer seven questions for My City Magazine
WHAT’S A PLACE YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRAVEL TO - AND WHY?
I have always wanted to travel to Italy, specifically the Amalfi Coast. The pictures are incredible, so I can only imagine being there in person. And, of course, the food!
ficially launched the series in April and have already seen an incredible response, with more than 80 women attending our first event, The Power of Networking Panel, and our second event, Cocktails & Connections, selling out completely.
It has been really exciting to see it all come together!
WHAT GOAL HAVE YOU RECENTLY ACCOMPLISHED?
Something I am especially proud of recently is the launch of our Chamber’s new Women Connect initiative this past spring. Women Connect is a quarterly series designed to give women opportunities to build meaningful connections. This initiative had been something we talked about and worked toward for over a year through conversations with our members and our staff, as we continued hearing the desire for more opportunities specifically geared toward women connecting with one another. We of-
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH YOU HAD MORE TIME TO DO?
I wish I had more time to read because I used to do it often, but these days with two kids, work, and everything else that comes along with life, I don’t get a lot of downtime. I’ve definitely become more of a podcast person because I can listen while multitasking.
WHAT/WHERE/WHEN WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB?
My first job was in high school working at the Linden Little Caesars.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
I don’t think my friends or family would describe me as much of a risk taker, so this question made me laugh a little. However, I did quit my job and move back home without a real plan in place, which was probably the most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done. For a few weeks, I had no idea what was next before learning about the opportunity at the Chamber — and looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I could have made.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY FICTIONAL CHARACTER AS A BEST FRIEND, WHO WOULD IT BE?
If I could have any fictional character as a best friend, I’d choose the entire cast of Friends. Who wouldn’t want that group to hang out with?
WHAT IS YOUR “SECRET TALENT?”
I try to stay positive and bring energy to the work I do. I’ve learned that the culture you help create really shapes the experience for everyone, so I try to be mindful and contribute to a good one.
MEGHAN WITH SEVERAL OTHER CHAMBER MEMBERS HOSTING A GRAND OPENING RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR LINDEN BREWING CO.
MEGHAN GRIMSHAW ATTENDING CHAMBER FUNCTIONS WITH HER CO-WORKERS, JOY SCOTT, COLLEEN HARDING AND CRISTINE TAYLOR
MEGHAN GRIMSHAW WITH HER HUSBAND AND THEIR TWO CHILDREN
InOF THE SPIRIT‘76
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, one Flint native recalls the sights, sounds, and spirit of a Fourth of July in 1976 that seemed larger than life
BY GARY FISHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF GENESEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
the summer of our 11th year on Earth, Lenny Gladding and I got up every morning at the crack of dawn, something we had never done before. We did it so we could meet at the corner of Wisconsin and Minnesota avenues and make our way the extra block and a half to our personal playground: Kearsley Park.
But in late June of 1976, it wasn’t for our usual reasons—playing football or baseball, heading to the pool, or driving the miniature cars across the Mini Mighty Mac Bridge at IMA Safetyville.
This time, we were there to witness the greatest celebration either of us had ever seen. The Bicentennial festivities at the park had taken on an almost mythical quality once we learned there would be encampments representing both George Washington’s Continental Army and the British regulars under Cornwallis. Kearsley Park had hosted its share of events over the years, including Flint’s annual Fourth of July celebration, but this was different. This was epic. After all, it was America’s 200th birthday party. The buildup began well before 1976. Throughout 1975, concerts, gatherings, and celebrations were promoted across the country in anticipation of the Bicentennial year.
hardly be described as buoyant. Yet there was something about the Bicentennial that seemed to symbolize renewal. Its energy permeated communities across the country, and in Flint it was especially palpable. The national mood shifted from morose to optimistic with surprising speed as anticipation for the Bicentennial grew.
When the calendar finally turned to January 1976, the excitement intensified. The official national celebration had kicked off on April 1, 1975, when the American Freedom Train departed Wilmington, Delaware, embarking on a 23,388mile journey across the contiguous United States.
The Spirit of ‘76 was real and alive. Coming on the heels of the long Vietnam War, which had ended only a year earlier amid division and disappointment, the national mood in 1975 could
By late June 1976, excitement had reached a fever pitch. Area schools ended the academic year with Bicentennial-themed concerts and celebrations. I joined in as a member of my school band. My big moment came when I was chosen to read a patriotic poem before a large crowd gathered outside Washington School. Behind me, my fellow band members provided dramatic musical accompaniment while our fourth-grade Flag Boys raised a special American flag featuring 13 stars to represent the original colonies. Mayor James Rutherford attended and presented the school with a commemorative proclamation.
Coming on the heels of the long Vietnam War, which had ended only a year earlier amid division and disappointment, the national mood in 1975 could hardly be described as buoyant. Yet there was something about the Bicentennial that seemed to symbolize renewal. Its energy permeated communities across the country, and in Flint it was especially palpable.
Meanwhile, throughout Flint and Genesee County, Bicentennial activities were accelerating. Schools hosted colonial-themed events ranging from butter churning demonstrations to sewing bees, while churches across the city incorporated colonial themes into their worship services. But the real action was at Kearsley Park.
Lenny and I arrived extra early on the Fourth to take it all in. At 8 a.m., the festivities began with the assembly of British and colonial troops. The colonial reenactors were known as the First Michigan Committee of Safety, and when I say they had an encampment, I mean they actually slept in tents in the park. They had been living there for days.
My friend Joe Rundell, who has since passed away, was one of those reenactors. He later told me it was among the most enjoy-
campus of Mott Community College and began its journey downtown, where crowds lined the streets waiting for the Spirit of ’76 to arrive. Some people left the park to catch
able experiences of his life. Joe, a devoted history enthusiast, also became the sculptor responsible for the automotive-history statues that now stand along Saginaw Street.
At 11 a.m., religious services were held, as July 4 fell on a Sunday that year. At noon, the armies sprang into action. The music from the park grew louder. Vendors became busier. Smoke from barbecue grills filled the air with the irresistible aroma of spareribs, hamburgers, hot dogs—Koegel’s, undoubtedly—and steaks sizzling over open flames. The crowds continued to grow thicker by the minute.
Then at 2 p.m., the two armies squared off for a cannon battle show. Real cannons in the park. This was no ordinary Fourth of July!
Then at 2:30 p.m., music from the bandshell started up again and, in fact, the entire park was
We stayed put, watching the fireworks crews begin their preparations. But as the seven o’clock hour approached, we finally made a beeline for home. My parents had our own Fourth of July celebration waiting, and that was something neither of us wanted to miss.
Dad had ribs and steaks sizzling on the grill. Mom was putting the finishing touches on her famous potato salad, Spanish rice, and three-bean salad. The smells alone were enough to pull me away from
I had my red, white, and blue wristbands on and a white Spirit of ’76 T-shirt. I was ready for the grand
rocking with joy. The community was assembling to join what was proving to be a momentous day.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, they held a fashion show—colonial fashions on parade.
Then at 3:30 p.m., the armies reassembled for a full on battle.
Lenny and I jockeyed with the other kids for a prime position to watch the fight. The redcoats and the blue-coated colonials attacked and retreated, attacked and engaged, with brass flashing, guns blasting, and smoke billowing. It was nothing short of magnificent.
To no one’s surprise, the colonials prevailed, although it was a little touch-and-go there for a minute.
Around the city, people gathered in backyards and neighborhood parks to celebrate in their own ways. There were parades, concerts, colonial-themed exhibits, and fireworks displays scattered throughout Genesee County. But for Lenny and me, the center of the universe was Kearsley Park.
At 6 p.m., the big Flint parade assembled on the Court Street
Our house sat only two blocks from Kearsley Park, giving us a perfect view of the fireworks to come.
Besides, the Fourth of July had always been my favorite day of the year—even better than Christmas. Every street in our neighborhood was packed with cars. People tailgated in driveways and front yards. Teenagers gathered in groups. Lawn chairs appeared from trunks. Music poured from open windows and portable radios. The soundtrack of that summer seemed to play everywhere: “Afternoon Delight” by the Starlight Vocal Band, “Silly Love Songs” by Paul McCartney and Wings, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Elton John and Kiki Dee, “Take the Money and Run” by the Steve Miller Band, and “Rock and Roll Music” by the Beach Boys. Lenny and I talked about the battle we had watched earlier. We debated which side had looked more convincing and laughed about how we would have charged the colonial lines if we’d been allowed onto the battlefield. Like every 11-yearold boy in America that summer, we
were already imagining ourselves as heroes of 1776.
Then darkness settled in. The music faded.
The anticipation grew. And from the west came the first thunderous salvo.
BOOM!
Louder than the colonial cannons.
A brilliant burst of red, white, and blue exploded across the sky. Then another. And another.
The heavens seemed alive with light.
Meanwhile, we were launching bottle rockets from the driveway.
My little sister Vickie and her friends, Amy Lane and Steffie King, dueled with sparklers. Our dads popped open Pabst Blue Ribbon beers while Mom kept making rounds with bowls of potato salad.
At one point I looked over at Lenny. “We’ll never top this,” I said.
“I know, man,” he replied. “This is great.”
“I hope we’re around for the 250th.”
Lenny laughed.
“We’ll be old men!”
We both cracked up.
We agreed it had been the greatest Fourth of July either of us had ever experienced.
Then we turned our eyes back to the sky and waited for the next explosion.
As America celebrates its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, I’ll find myself thinking back to that summer day in 1976. I’ll remember the smell of barbecue smoke drifting across Kearsley Park. I’ll remember the crack of muskets, the roar of cannons, and the sight of colonial soldiers marching across the grass. I’ll remember the music, the crowds, and the feeling that an entire community had come together to celebrate something bigger than itself.
I buried my face in a banana flip Mom had brought out for dessert, while Lenny took a long pull from his giant bottle of Mountain Dew. I grabbed my own bottle, and we clinked them together in a toast.
Most of all, I’ll remember the people. I’ll remember my sister waving sparklers in the darkness. I’ll remember my mom carrying bowls of potato salad and my dad tending the grill. I’ll remember friends who are no longer here and neighbors who helped make that neighborhood feel like home.
And I’ll remember Lenny. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll find a way to meet again on America’s 250th birthday. Maybe we’ll raise a pair of Mountain Dews and toast the country we celebrated as boys half a century ago.
And for a moment, standing beneath another Fourth of July sky, we’ll be 11 years old again—back in Kearsley Park, watching the Spirit of ‘76 light up the night.
Gary L. “Fish” Fisher is President of the Genesee County Historical Society. Born and raised in Flint, he has lived in the area most of his life and his family has been a part of the Flint area for over 115 years. His fascination with the history of the city has existed as long as he can remember. In addition to writing, he is the President of G.L. Fisher
Capital Management, LLC an investment and financial planning firm he founded in 1992. He asserts that Flint has produced the best cars, athletes and coney islands the world has ever known – and the toughest people! Fisher can be reached at ply2win2006@aol.com.
THE COLONIAL REENACTORS, KNOWN AS THE FIRST MICHIGAN COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, CREATED AN ENCAMPMENT, AND SLEPT IN TENTS IN THE PARK FOR DAYS.
City’s Choice
AWARDS
After thousands of nominations and ballots cast, we’re proud to present this year’s City’s Choice Awards winners: your favorite local eateries, standout professionals, and community favorites across more than 100 categories. From burgers to barbers, coffee shops to pet care pros, these are the businesses and individuals who help make Greater Flint shine. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!
Food and Dining
Bagels
Melli Café of Grand Blanc
Barbeque
Scratch BBQ and Catering of Flint
Bartender
Zach Smithingell at Blackstone’s Smokehouse of Flint
Beer Selection Railyard Fenton
Blood Mary
The Fireplace Bar & Grill of Fenton
Breakfast Leo’s Coney Island
Burger
The FirePlace Bar & Grill of Fenton
Casual Dining
Blackstone’s Smokehouse of Flint
Chef Tyler Hardisty - S&K Hometown Pub
Chinese
Lotus Room Chinese Cuisine of Flint
Classic/Artisan Cocktail
The Laundry of Fenton
Coney Island
Leo’s Coney Island
Deli
Hoffman’s Deco Deli & Café
Doughnuts Donna’s Donuts of Flint
Family Restaurant
Mega Coney Island of Fenton
Fine Dining
Andiamo Pasta + Chops of Fenton
Fish N Chips
Whitey’s Restaurant of Davison
Happy Hour
Boston’s Gourmet Pizza &
Sports Bar of Fenton
Ice Cream Parlor
Locally Made Beer
Tenacity Brewing of Flint
Locally Produced Food Brand
Koegel’s of Flint
Mexican Tia Helita’s Mexican Restaurant of Burton
Uncle Ray’s Dairyland of Fenton Independent Coffee
Outdoor Dining/Patio
Irene’s Craft Kitchen + Biergarten
Chiropractor
Renaissance Chiropractic Spine & Injury of Burton
Financial Advisor
Brice Carter at Financial Strategies Group, Inc.
Fitness Center
Henry Ford HealthGenesys Health Club of Grand Blanc
Hair Salon
The Grand Collective of Grand Blanc
Heating and Cooling Blessing Co.
Hospital
Hurley Medical Center of Flint
Insurance Agency
Hallmark Agency of Grand Blanc
Landscaper
Barkman Landscaping, Inc. of Davison
Massage Therapist
Fenton Massage & Skin Company
Private School
Powers Catholic
High School
Senior Residence/ Community
Woodhaven Retirement Community
Wedding Venue
Fenton Winery & Brewery of Fenton
Media
Event DJ
The Spins Entertainment of Flushing
People
Dentist
Dr. Mark Knight of Knight Dental Care
Doctor
Dr. Jacob Abu-Aita, Chiropractor
Educator
Dr. Shan Jackson of Healthy Just Feels Right
Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad Celebrates 50 Years of Michigan History
BY SHARON STONE
F or five decades, families, schoolchildren, and visitors from across Michigan have stepped back in time at Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad, where the sights, sounds, and traditions of the 19th century continue to come alive just outside Flint.
Now, the beloved historical attraction is celebrating a major milestone.
Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad — part of the Genesee County Parks system — is marking its 50th anniversary this summer with special events,
Family friendly events and nostalgic summer traditions highlight anniversary season
historical exhibits, and family friendly activities designed to honor both the attraction’s rich history and the community that helped build it.
Since opening during America’s bicentennial celebration in 1976, the recreated village and heritage railroad have become one of Gen-
esee County’s most recognizable destinations, blending living-history education with classic family entertainment. Visitors this season can ride the iconic Huckleberry Railroad, enjoy performances at the historic Colwell Opera House, explore restored buildings, and watch
skilled artisans demonstrate traditional trades that once shaped everyday life in Michigan.
For Scott Burnett, manager of Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, the anniversary celebration is especially meaningful.
“We’re very excited to celebrate this historic attraction’s 50th anniversary,” Burnett said, noting the timing also coincides with the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration and Genesee County Day on Aug. 29. Admission to the village on Aug. 29 will be free for Genesee County residents.
Although Burnett has served as manager for less than a year, his connection to Crossroads Village stretches back much further. He grew up just a few miles away and visited often as a child.
“This really is a dream job for me,” he said.
When the opportunity arose to help manage the historic attraction, Burnett said he saw it as a chance to give back to the community while helping preserve and promote one of the region’s most treasured destinations.
“We want people to experience the history here while also creating new memories with their families,” he said.
CELEBRATING THE PAST WHILE CREATING NEW MEMORIES
Planning for the anniversary season has been months in the making. Burnett said staff members have worked tirelessly organizing special events for Genesee County Day, including local historical organizations, a nostalgic parade, antique tractors, a Model A Club display, fireworks at dusk, and appearances by the Sons of
the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution.
One of the season’s highlights is a special museum exhibit dedicated entirely to the attraction’s 50-year history.
“We’re very proud of that,” Burnett said.
Younger visitors also have something extra to look forward to this summer.
Thomas the Tank Engine events are now exclusive to Huckleberry Railroad in Michigan, giving families another reason to visit.
For those curious about what Crossroads Village was like in its earliest days, Burnett points to one employee who has been there almost since the beginning: Barb Newtown, one of the attraction’s original staff members, who still shares stories and historical knowledge with guests today. Newtown, 79, of the Swartz Creek area, began her role at Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad when she was 29 years old. She said she’s been there the longest, but she’s not the oldest. She explained that she’s always loved crafts and historical attractions similar to this. “This was my kind of place,” she said. She’s been
a weaver and a wool spinner over the years but focuses more on quilting now. She volunteers with Project Linus, a nonprofit that provides handmade blankets for seriously ill children.
While working part time at the attraction, she went back to college and earned her associate’s degree to become an American Sign Language interpreter. She’s retired from her ASL work and continues working two or three days a week at Crossroads.
Newtown enjoys working at Crossroads. She said it keeps her active. She mostly sells tickets at the 1912 C. W. Parker Carousel and the other rides. She also said the wide range of ages of her coworkers makes for an enjoyable time. She has no plans of leaving this job that she loves.
One significant change she’s seen over 50 years is the size of the trees. In 1976, the trees that line the streets in the village were just sticks; now they are massive. She also noted that when she first started, many of the older visitors were born in the 1800s. She recalls learning so much from them about the history of the attraction’s collection. “The older visitors used to tell me their stories. Now I’m one of the older ones,” she said.
A RAILROAD WITH DEEP MICHIGAN ROOTS
This summer, visitors riding the Huckleberry Railroad will experience both historic steam and diesel power.
The recently rebuilt diesel Engine No. 12 will pull trains on Thursdays, while Engine No. 152 — a coal-fired locomotive built by the legendary Baldwin Locomotive Works — will operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The narrow-gauge railroad also features a collection of 11 original and replica wooden passenger coaches, along with its classic red caboose.
But the railroad’s story began long before Crossroads Village itself.
The rail line dates back to the 1870s, when it operated as part of the Flint River Railroad before later joining the Pere Marquette Railway system. Portions of the line were abandoned during the 1930s, but the surviving tracks were revived in 1976 as Huckleberry Railroad.
According to local historians, the railroad’s unusual name comes from an old saying that the train traveled slowly enough for passengers to hop
off, pick huckleberries, and jump back on before it passed.
Today, the railroad remains one of the attraction’s signature experiences.
PRESERVING GENESEE COUNTY HISTORY
The vision for Crossroads Village began taking shape in the 1950s, when local leaders started planning recreational space along the Flint River.
During the 1960s, rapid development and highway construction — particularly the construction of I-475 — threatened many historic buildings throughout Genesee County. In response, local preservationists and the newly formed Genesee County Parks & Recreation Commission began relocating and restoring endangered structures.
According to the Genesee County Historical Society, those rescued buildings became the foundation for what would
eventually become Crossroads Village.
The goal was ambitious: create a living-history town that reflected life in Michigan during the late 1800s.
Crossroads Village officially opened during the nation’s bicentennial era and has continued growing ever since. Today, the village features more than 30 restored and reconstructed historic buildings, including a general store, schoolhouse, opera house, blacksmith shop, grist mill, farmhouse, and various trade buildings.
More than just a tourist attraction, Crossroads Village serves as an ongoing preservation project — safeguarding pieces of Genesee County history that otherwise may have disappeared forever. Its unique blend of historic preservation, living-history education, railroad heritage, and family entertainment has helped it remain a treasured destination for generations.
VISITORS OF ALL
C.
PARKER
AT CROSSROADS
AND HUCKLEBERRY RAILROAD.
Aging Well,
LIVING FULLY
Aging is not simply a process of getting older—it is a stage of life that can be rich, meaningful, and deeply rewarding when supported by healthy habits and strong connections. While no one can stop the passage of time, people can greatly influence how they experience it. Staying healthy and happy in later years requires attention to the body, the mind, relationships, and the spirit.
Preventive healthcare also plays a critical role. Regular dental, vision, and hearing checkups are often overlooked but are essential for quality of life.
One of the most important foundations of healthy aging is nutrition. Eating well does not mean strict diets or deprivation; it means consistency and balance. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats supports heart health, brain function, and energy levels. Reducing processed foods, excess sugar, and high sodium intake can lower the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Staying hydrated is equally important, as aging bodies often lose the natural sense of thirst.
Aging well is not about avoiding change— it is about embracing it with intention.
Physical activity is another essential pillar. Regular movement—whether walking, swimming, stretching, yoga, or light
strength training—helps maintain mobility, balance, and muscle strength. Exercise also supports mental health by reducing stress and improving mood. The goal is not intense athletic performance, but steady movement that keeps the body functional and independent for as long as possible. Equally important is staying socially connected. Loneliness and isolation are significant risks for older adults and can negatively affect both mental and physical health. Maintaining friendships, joining community groups, volunteering,
or participating in local events helps keep the mind engaged and the heart encouraged. Long-term relationships, especially with family and close friends, provide emotional stability and a sense of belonging that becomes even more valuable with age.
Preventive healthcare also plays a critical role. Regular dental, vision, and hearing checkups are often overlooked but are essential for quality of life. Poor dental health can affect nutrition and heart health. Untreated vision problems can increase the risk of falls, while hearing loss can contribute to isolation and cognitive decline. Routine medical care, screenings, and following doctors’ recommendations help catch problems early and maintain independence longer. Healthy aging also involves knowing what to avoid. This
includes smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, inactivity, and environments or relationships that create stress or negativity. It is important to be mindful of who you spend time with, choosing supportive, respectful people who contribute to peace rather than conflict. Emotional health is closely tied to the company we keep, and
setting boundaries is a form of self-care.
Finally, for many people, faith in God provides strength, comfort, and purpose throughout the aging process. Spiritual belief can offer peace in times of uncertainty, hope during illness or loss, and gratitude for each stage of life. Prayer, worship, and involvement in a faith communi-
ty can reduce feelings of isolation and help people stay grounded in what truly matters.
Aging well is not about avoiding change—it is about embracing it with intention. By caring for the body, nurturing relationships, staying socially active, and tending to the spirit, older adults can continue to live with purpose, joy, and dignity.
FEELING YOUNGER STARTS TODAY
From fitness and functional health to style, self-care and social connection, a guide to thriving through every stage of life
Aging is inevitable. Feeling old is not.
Today’s adults are redefining what it means to grow older. More people are focusing on staying active, maintaining strong social connections, preserving mobility, and looking and feeling their best well into their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. The good news is that local residents have access to a wealth of resources that can help support healthy aging, often at little or no cost.
The secret to aging well isn’t found in a miracle pill or expensive procedure. Experts generally agree that healthy aging involves a combination of physical activity, mental stimulation, social engagement, stress management, proper nutrition, and preventive healthcare. Add
a few enjoyable self-care practices, and the result can be a healthier, happier life.
Move It or Lose It
One of the most important things people can do as they age is simply keep moving.
Regular physical activity helps maintain muscle mass, balance, flexibility, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function. It can also reduce the risk of falls, which become increasingly dangerous as we age.
Fortunately, Mid-Michigan offers countless opportunities to stay active. Walking remains one of the best forms of exercise, and it’s free.
The paved trails at parks throughout Genesee County provide safe, scenic places to walk. Nature preserves, local parks, and lakeside
paths encourage residents to spend time outdoors while improving their health.
Many local senior centers, community centers, and recreation departments offer low-cost fitness classes, including yoga, tai chi, chair exercise, water aerobics, and strength training programs designed specifically for older adults. Even gardening counts. Digging, planting, pulling weeds, and carry-
ing watering cans all contribute to flexibility, strength, and endurance.
The Power of the Outdoors
Spending time outdoors provides benefits far beyond exercise. Research continues to show that exposure to nature can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, and support mental well-being. Simply sitting near
| Longevity
a lake, walking through a wooded trail, or enjoying a summer evening on the patio can have measurable effects on health.
Some people enjoy walking barefoot in the grass, sometimes called “grounding” or “earthing.” While scientific evidence remains limited regarding specific health claims, many people report feeling more relaxed and connected to nature when spending time barefoot outdoors. At the very least, it encourages people to slow down, unplug, and enjoy the natural world around them.
Mental Health Matters
Aging well isn’t only about physical health.
Mental and emotional wellness are equally important. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can increase as people retire, lose loved ones, or face health challenges. Maintaining social connections becomes essential.
Libraries, churches, volunteer organizations, hobby groups, book clubs, and community events offer opportunities to stay engaged and connected.
Joining a walking group, attending a farmers market, participating in a craft show, or volunteering for a local nonprofit can provide meaningful social interaction.
Mental stimulation is equally important. Reading, puzzles, learning new skills, attending lectures, taking classes, and even learning technology
can help keep the brain active and engaged.
Caring for Aching Muscles and Joints
As bodies age, aches and pains become more common. Fortunately, several therapies can help improve comfort and mobility.
Physical therapy is one of the most effective tools available.
Today’s physical therapists focus not only on rehabilitation after injury but also on prevention, balance training, flexibility, and functional movement. Many adults discover that physical therapy helps them regain confidence in daily activities while reducing chronic pain.
Massage therapy can also be beneficial. Research suggests that massage may help reduce stress, improve circulation, ease muscle tension, and promote relaxation. For many people, regular massage becomes an important part of their wellness routine.
Exploring Alternative Wellness Options
Many local residents also explore complementary wellness practices.
Essential oils remain popular for relaxation and stress reduction. While scientific evidence varies depending on the specific oil and use, aromas such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus are commonly used to promote relaxation and create a calming environment.
Salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, has gained popularity in recent years. During sessions, individuals relax in rooms containing pharmaceutical-grade salt dispersed into the air. While research is still evolving, some users report improvements in respiratory comfort and relaxation.
Red light therapy has also attracted growing interest. Research suggests that certain wavelengths of red and near-infrared light may help support skin health, reduce inflammation, and assist with muscle recovery. As with any therapy, in-
dividuals should consult healthcare professionals regarding their specific health needs.
Looking Good and Feeling Confident
Healthy aging isn’t just about preventing disease. It’s also about maintaining confidence and selfesteem.
A well-fitting wardrobe, updated hairstyle, and proper skincare rou-
and natural-looking finishes rather than thick coverage.
Men are increasingly embracing self-care as well, paying more attention to skincare, grooming, fitness, and overall wellness.
Small Choices, Big Results
Perhaps the most encouraging fact about healthy aging is that dramatic changes are not always necessary.
tine can have a surprisingly positive impact on how people feel about themselves.
Fashion experts often recom mend periodically evaluating clothing choices as lifestyles change.
Clothing that fits well, flatters the body, and reflects personal style can boost confidence at any age. The same applies to hair. Stylists frequently note that updating a haircut or hairstyle can create a fresher, more youthful appearance. Modern cuts often add softness, movement, and dimension while complementing changing facial features.
For women, cosmetics designed specifically for mature skin can enhance natural beauty without appearing heavy or overly dramatic.
Today’s products often focus on hy dration, light-reflecting ingredients,
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NUTRITION and Dementia Prevention
BY DR. SHAN JACKSON HEALTHY JUST FEELS RIGHT
M ost of us think about memory loss and dementia as something that only happens “when you get old.” But the truth is, the habits we build in our 30s, 40s, and 50s can quietly shape our brain health for years to come. And one of the biggest habits of all is the way we eat.
What surprises many people is that protecting your brain does not have to involve expensive supplements or complicated routines. Often, it starts with simple choices made every day in the kitchen, at the grocery store, or even while packing lunch for work.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR FAMILY
For many people, the process of cremating a loved one is a mystery. At Swartz Funeral Home, our ten-step process guarantees that your loved one is well cared for at all times.
1. CODE OF ETHICS
We adhere to a strict code of ethics and procedures while your loved one is in our care. We only use Genesee Cremation Center, a member of the Cremation Association of North America, who we know and trust to uphold these ethical standards.
2. SAFEGUARDING PERSONAL IDENTITY
A personal I.D. tag is placed on your loved one the moment they are transferred into our care.
3. UNIQUE TRACKING SYSTEM
Upon arrival at the crematory, your loved one is logged into a tracking system and assigned an I.D. number, which is stamped into a stainless steel tag to track every phase of the cremation process.
4. FAMILY IDENTIFICATION
Our staff properly encases your loved one in the cremation container selected; then, we verify identity by comparing I.D. bands from the hospital or nursing home. In the case of a death at the family home, positive I.D. occurs when we arrive at the residence.
5. CHECKS & BALANCES
A crematory technician and licensed funeral director reviews all cremation paperwork and permits.
Once all documentation is verified, the technician starts the cremation process.
6. CREMATION LOG BOOK
Immediately prior to the cremation process, your loved one is taken to the crematory and their personal I.D. is logged containing the name, date, I.D. number and crematory operator’s name. It is dated and initialed by a cremation technician before and after the cremation.
7. DURING THE CREMATION
The crematory checklist and I.D. card are placed on the outside of the cremation chamber during the cremation process. The metal I.D. tag is present in the cremation chamber during the process.
8. POST-CREMATION DETAILS
After cremation is complete, the remains are placed with the stainless steel I.D. tag into an urn. The I.D. card and cremation certificate are placed into our permanent files.
9. RETURN OF REMAINS
Our staff will notify you to schedule a time for picking up the cremated remains.
10. CELEBRATION OF LIFE
To appropriately celebrate the life of your loved one, we assist you in planning a funeral or memorial service either before or after the cremation.
We are happy to answer any other questions you may have about our cremation process, and the commitment we have to every family we serve.
Research continues to show that certain foods may help lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. While there is no magic food that can completely prevent these conditions, a healthy eating pattern can make a real difference over time.
One of the best ways to support brain health is by focusing on foods that reduce inflammation and improve blood flow. In simple
Your brain is working for you every second of the day. It helps you remember names, recognize loved ones, make decisions, manage emotions, and carry out even the smallest tasks. Just like your heart and body need proper fuel, your brain does too.
terms, your brain needs oxygen and nutrients to function properly. Foods that support your heart often support your brain, too.
Some of the best brain-friendly foods include:
→ Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli
→ Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna
→ Nuts, especially walnuts and almonds
→ Berries like blueberries and strawberries
→ Olive oil instead of butter or margarine
→ Beans, peas, and lentils
→ Whole grains like oats and brown rice
→ Eggs in moderation
→ Plenty of water throughout the day
terol are all linked to a higher risk of dementia later in life. That means taking care of your body today is also taking care of your memory tomorrow.
There are also everyday lifestyle habits that work hand in hand with nutrition:
→ Staying physically active
→ Getting enough sleep
→ Managing stress
→ Staying socially connected
→ Keeping your mind active through reading, puzzles, learning, or conversation
Think of brain health like tending to a garden. Food is the nourishment, but the lifestyle around it matters too.
These foods are rich in nutrients that help protect brain cells and support memory. For example, omega-3 fats found in fish help the brain communicate more efficiently, while antioxidants in berries may help protect the brain from damage caused by aging.
On the other hand, regularly eating large amounts of heavily processed foods, sugary snacks, fried foods, and excessive amounts of red meat may increase inflammation in the body and place extra stress on the brain over time.
Now, this does not mean you can never enjoy your favorite treats again. Healthy eating is not about perfection. It is about balance and consistency. Small changes made regularly are far more powerful than extreme diets that only last a few weeks. Something else people often forget is that brain health is connected to overall health. Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high choles-
Healthy eating is not about perfection. It is about balance and consistency. Small changes made regularly are far more powerful than extreme diets that only last a few weeks.
What’s the Secret to Longevity?
It’s how you care for yourself and prioritize your health:
It’s how you care for yourself and prioritize your health:
It's regular checkups.
It's preventive screenings. It's managing stress. It's staying active.
It's regular checkups. It's preventive screenings. It's managing stress. It's staying active.
It's treating health concerns before they become bigger problems.
One of the most encouraging things about all of this is that it is never too early or too late to start making healthier choices. Even small improvements in diet and lifestyle can help support better brain function and quality of life.
At Healthy Just Feels Right, we believe health should feel practical, realistic, and sustainable. You do not need to overhaul your entire life overnight. Sometimes it starts with adding more vegetables to dinner, drinking more water, or choosing fruit instead of a sugary snack. Those small choices add up more than you think.
Your brain carries your memories, your personality, your experiences, and the people you love. Taking care of it is one of the greatest investments you can make for your future.
It's having a healthcare team you trust.
It's treating health concerns before they become bigger problems. It's having a healthcare team you trust.
Longevity isn't about chasing the latest trend. It's about building healthy habits and having access to quality healthcare throughout your life.
Longevity isn't about chasing the latest trend. It's about building healthy habits and having access to quality healthcare throughout your life.
Hamilton Community Health Network provides comprehensive care for children, adults, and seniors, helping our community stay healthy through every chapter of life.
Hamilton Community Health Network provides comprehensive care for children, adults, and seniors, helping our community stay healthy through every chapter of life.
From primary care and behavioral health to dental, vision, pharmacy, and specialty services, we're here to help you take control of your health today, and for years to come.
From primary care and behavioral health to dental, vision, pharmacy, and specialty services, we're here to help you take control of your health today, and for years to come.
Ina dining landscape crowded with familiar breakfast menus and predictable brunch spots, The Pig and The Hen has built something different — a place where creativity matters as much as comfort food, where presentation becomes part of the experience, and where guests leave talking about more than what they ate.
What began as a local breakfast restaurant has evolved into one of the Flint area’s most talked-about brunch destinations, blending elevated comfort food, inventive cocktails, and an atmosphere designed to keep people coming back.
For owner Ryan Matthews, that transformation was intentional.
“The Pig and The Hen originally started as Valley Breakfast and Bistro after being purchased in 2022,” Matthews said. “In July of 2024, we temporarily closed for a complete rebrand and reopened with a new identity, fresh energy, and a bigger vision for what brunch in the Flint area could become.”
The new name came naturally.
“The Pig and The Hen” is a playful nod to breakfast’s most iconic pairing: bacon and eggs.
How The Pig and The Hen Is Redefining the Flint Dining Experience MORE THAN BRUNCH
BY SHARON STONE PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN MATTHEWS AND STEPHANIE BARRON
“General Manager Jade Drouin truly keeps everything together behind the scenes,” he said. “I may come up with the wild ideas, but Jade is the one who helps turn those ideas into reality.”
“We wanted something memorable, creative, and full of personality,” Matthews said. “Elms Road Brunch House just didn’t have the same ring to it.”
While Matthews drives much of the restaurant’s creative direction, he’s quick to point out that The Pig and The Hen’s success is built on teamwork.
Combined with a staff Matthews describes as energetic and dedicated, that collaboration has become the foundation of the restaurant’s identity.
Comfort Food — Reinvented
The Pig and The Hen’s menu embraces familiarity while refusing to settle for ordinary.
But the creativity doesn’t stop there.
“We pay attention to trends and what people are excited about,” Matthews said. “But we never want to copy something. We break ideas down and figure out how to make them our own.”
Building an Experience, Not Just a Restaurant Walk into The Pig and The Hen and the atmosphere immediately sets a tone.
That balance — elevated without being intimidating — is what Matthews believes separates The Pig and The Hen from other dining options.
“We focus just as much on the experience as we do the food and drinks,” he said. “We want people to enjoy themselves, sharing moments with family and friends, taking pictures, making memories.”
The restaurant’s design intentionally sparks curiosity.
“Our menu is designed to make people wonder, ‘What is that?’”
Even something seemingly simple — like fresh-squeezed orange juice — becomes memorable.
“People talk about it days later,” Matthews said.
Watching first-time guests discover those combinations has become one of his favorite parts of the business.
“The reactions are always fun to watch,” he said.
“If someone has never been here before, our S’mores French Toast tells the story of who we are,” Matthews said. It starts with a breakfast staple but transforms it into something memorable — rich flavors paired with tableside presentation designed to create an experience rather than simply serve a meal.
“We took something classic and elevated it into something unique that you can really only experience here.”
That philosophy extends beyond the kitchen.
On the beverage side, Matthews points immediately to one standout favorite: the restaurant’s Spicy Margarita.
“We infuse the tequila in-house with fresh jalapeños,” he said. “It creates the perfect balance of flavor and heat.”
It has become one of those signature drinks guests specifically return for — especially during patio season.
One example became an unexpected seasonal hit.
During the holidays, The Pig and The Hen introduced a cocktail served inside a Christmas ornament, allowing guests to mix it tableside themselves.
“It combined creativity, presentation, and interaction,” Matthews said.
“That’s exactly what we want our menu and bar program to feel like.”
Comfortable couches greet guests in the waiting area. A selfie wall encourages photos and social sharing. Music fills the space with energy.
But Matthews said the goal isn’t simply creating something trendy.
“We want people to feel relaxed, welcomed, and comfortable from the moment they walk in,” he said. “Somewhere fun and different, but still with that hometown feeling.”
Surprising Guests —
One Drink at a Time
If there’s one menu category that consistently catches customers off guard, it’s the cocktail program. “Definitely our infused cocktails,” Matthews said.
The restaurant pushes beyond standard brunch beverages with house-crafted infusions designed to create unexpected flavor combinations.
The Bacon Bloody Mary — featuring bacon-infused vodka — has developed a loyal following.
House-infused blueberry tequila and jalapeño tequila add another layer of personality to the margarita lineup.
“People usually don’t expect those flavors to work together as well as they do,” Matthews said.
“But once they try them, they get it immediately.”
Looking Beyond the Meal
Ultimately, Matthews said success isn’t measured by a full dining room or even positive reviews. It comes down to one simple question: Are guests already planning their next visit before they leave?
“At the end of the day,” he said, “we want people to feel like they had more than just a meal. We want them to feel like they had an experience worth coming back for.”
And judging by the growing buzz surrounding The Pig and The Hen, that vision appears to be working.
The Pig and The Hen is at 1072 S. Elms Rd., Unit G, Flint (in front of Lupe’s Mexican restaurant). For more information, call 810-733-8553. Follow The Pig and The Hen on Instagram at thepigandthehen and on TikTok @ thepigandthehen810
RYAN MATTHEWS, OWNER OF THE PIG AND THE HEN
THE PIG AND THE HEN’S POPULAR S’MORES FRENCH TOAST
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MORE THAN A GAME
Roy Jackson Jr.’s Dreamz Two
Reality is shaping Flint-area basketball on and off the court
BY MARK SPEZIA PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAYFORD GRAY
Carolyn
Reou Branch Manager, Linden
With nary a hint of hesitation, Kendreyas White will gladly accept any invitation to display his prowess on a basketball court.
Naturally, the recent CarmanAinsworth graduate jumped at the chance to participate in this year’s editions of the Mid-Michigan I-75 Hardwood Classic and the Dreamz Two Reality All-American Game.
“When they reached out to me, it was an easy decision to play in both games,” said White, a first-team Saginaw Valley League performer who will continue his career at Mott Community College. “I mean, I’m a hooper. That’s what I do.”
The events represent just a portion of all that the Dreamz Two Reality basketball organization does. Founded in 2019 by former Flint Hamady standout, college and professional player Roy Jackson Jr., Dreamz Two Reality’s mission is preparing young basketball players for college and future success on and off the court.
The 34-year-old Jackson and his dedicated team also run a free Back Two School Basketball Camp and Backpack Giveaway each August and began a Community Turkey Drive last year.
In between events, Jackson is busy matching budding basketball talent with college scholarship offers by building online player profiles, breaking down video, placing players in showcase events and reaching out to college coaches. In fact, his phone is loaded with more than 150 college coaching contacts, and he has helped more than 100 high school players (and counting) secure college offers.
“I started Dreamz Two Reality to give back to the hometown that means so much to me and to help kids get the same basketball opportunities beyond high school that I did,” Jackson said. “We have a good number of college coaches at our games scouting the talent. It means
so much when a player we’ve been working with signs and expresses how thankful they are.”
White was on the winning side in the latest Dreamz Two Reality AllAmerican Game, helping the South team to a 133-114 victory over the North squad on May 9 at Hamady High School.
Flint Beecher head coach Charlie Harris guided the South, while Flint Southwestern’s DeMarcus Jackson, Roy’s cousin, led the North. Michigan’s 2026 Mr. Basketball winner Kelvin Torbert Jr., the son of 2001 Mr. Basketball honoree and Flint Northwestern and Michigan State legend Kelvin Torbert, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after pouring in 47 points for the South and taking home a 50-inch smart TV.
Torbert Jr., who is headed to Bowling Green State University, also won the slam dunk contest. He was one of five future NCAA Division I players taking part, including Jah Hatchett (Fairfield University), Jordan Sigmon (Western Michigan), Chance Houser (Detroit Mercy) and Isaiah Theodile (Oakland).
Amariyunn Blythe, a former Hamady and Davison star who spent last season at Andrews Osborne Academy in Ohio, finished with 36 points for the South.
Jaylin Cooper of Saginaw Heritage, who has signed with Ferris State, topped the North with 40 points. The South’s Rudy Chapman of East Kentwood, a Saginaw Valley State signee, won the three-point contest.
Music by DJ Chef Nate of Z92.7 FM, raffles and prize giveaways also highlighted the event. Jackson has been elated to see his vision become reality.
“Part of my inspiration for starting our All-American game in 2024 was growing up watching the McDonald’s All-American Game and everything surrounding it — the
White’s teammates included Flushing’s Ray Neither, an honorable mention All-Stater, along with Georyeon Cannon (Grand Blanc), Jeffery Turner (Flint Elite), Kevin Blair (Lake Fenton) and Jordan McClain (Hamady).
However, the North team, guided by Mount Morris’ Antonioe McMillion, topped the South, 79-73, as Blythe scored a game-high 27 points to earn MVP honors with roughly a dozen college coaches in attendance.
“My purpose for the I-75 Classic is giving talented players from Mid-Michigan a chance to compete against each other in front of college coaches for a chance to be signed if they are not already,” Jackson said.
“It’s a joy for me to watch that, and I always love how huge landing a scholarship is for a player’s entire
uniforms they wear, the backpacks they get,” he said. “I wanted to create that same atmosphere with our event. Most of the players in the game are already signed, and it gives them one more chance to compete at the high school level against other top players.”
White also was part of the South squad, coached by Lake Fenton’s Jalen Miller, for the I-75 Hardwood Classic on April 18 at Mount Morris High School. The contest differs from the All-American Game in that it featured 20 of the best senior players from Genesee, Saginaw and Shiawassee counties.
family and how they get the opportunity to watch them play college basketball.”
White was the only player who spent last season at a Genesee County high school to play in both games.
“In a lot of ways, it was like a normal game of hoop with a little different level of competition,” he said. “Getting all the different players, who all like to do certain things their own way, to play together was a little challenging, but I loved the chance to show my talent and play with different teammates.”
White also displayed his talent just two days prior to the I-75 Classic when he totaled a game-high 29 points, leading the Gold team to a 109-108 win over the Black team in
the annual Bruin Club All-Star Classic at Mott Community College.
“The work Roy Jackson and his organization are doing is important for basketball in the area,” White said. “They’re helping keep dreams alive for a lot of kids.”
For some of those kids, that starts with the Back Two School Basketball Camp at Hamady, which last year drew more than 60 boys and girls ages 9-12 eager to hone their skills, participate in drills and learn life lessons. Campers also were provided medals, certificates and backpacks full of school supplies.
Assisting Jackson were fellow former Hamady standouts Chuck Taylor, Aaron Neeley, Thad Williams and Lamont Torbert Jr., along with former Flint Southwestern star
Rick Dent.
ROY JACKSON JR. SAID HE STARTED
TWO REALITY TO GIVE BACK TO THE HOMETOWN THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO HIM AND TO HELP KIDS GET THE SAME BASKETBALL OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL THAT HE DID.
KENDREYAS WHITE, WEARING THE WHITE DTRB SOUTH 24 JERSEY, ACCEPTED THE INVITATION TO DISPLAY HIS PROWESS ON THE BASKETBALL COURT. THE RECENT CARMAN-AINSWORTH GRADUATE PARTICIPATED IN THIS YEAR’S EDITIONS OF THE MID-MICHIGAN I-75 HARDWOOD CLASSIC AND THE DREAMZ TWO REALITY ALL-AMERICAN GAME.
This year’s camp is slated for Aug. 15.
“The camp is something we started for the younger kids because they are the future of Flint-area basketball and could very well be playing in the All-American Game one day,” Jackson said. “I love seeing those kids come out and want to learn — not just about how important things like teamwork and communication are in basketball, but outside of basketball as well.”
Jackson also stressed the importance of contributions and donations from businesses in making everything possible. That’s especially true when it comes to the Turkey Drive, which resulted in 200 turkeys being distributed at his father Teddy Jackson’s business, DeloRoys Complete Autobody and Paint, on North Saginaw Street.
“So many local businesses came together for us to do another important thing for the community,” he said. “It was incredible.”
Jackson’s own love of basketball began around age 4 when his father, a former Flint Northwestern standout, began teaching him the game. Jackson’s talent blossomed from that point, and in eighth grade he caught the eye of legendary Hamady varsity coach Archy Robinson, who invited
him to become a rare four-year varsity player for the Hawks and start at point guard.
“Coach Archy taught me things that stuck with me and that I have always passed along to players I mentor, like pounding the ball on the court to control it better, using elbows to create room for shots and the importance of leading a team from the point guard spot,” Jackson said of Robinson, who went 332-59 in 20 seasons at Hamady from 1992-2013.
Jackson then took his talents to
Grand Rapids Community College, helping the Raiders reach the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament as a sophomore. The next year, Jackson realized his dream of playing Division I college basketball at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
He was only there briefly, however, before his career took a significant turn.
“My next goal was to play professional basketball, and I left Pine Bluff when I was able to sign with a team in Italy,” Jackson said. “This allowed me to earn some money, gain knowledge and start building relationships in the sport.”
During a globetrotting sevenyear professional career, Jackson
also played for teams in Spain, Croatia, Mexico and Qatar, along with minor league teams in the United States. He found his greatest success with the Bardos team in Jerez, Mexico, averaging nearly 35 points per game along with 8.3 assists and eight rebounds during the 2016-17 season. Jackson also scored 55 points in a single game.
“They even put up a 12-foot banner of me in the town, which is still there,” he said. “I try to get back and visit Jerez about every two years.”
Jackson returned to the United States for good in late 2018 and gradually began building Dreamz
Two Reality into what the organization is today. The logo depicts his son, Legend, holding a basketball at age 2.
Just prior to last year’s Dreamz Two Reality All-American Game, Jackson received a letter of commendation for
his work from Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“Your impact on the Flint community and beyond with this event s a testament to what leadership, passion and service can achieve,” the letter read in part. “Thank you for being a role model and helping shape a brighter future for Michigan’s youth.”
Beyond the organization, Jackson regularly plays in celebrity and charity games across the country and scouts talent for elite prep schools in Bradenton, Florida (Victory Rock Prep) and Las Vegas (Trinity Prep).
A future goal Jackson hopes to turn into reality is becoming a sports agent.
“That way, I can take the knowledge I’ve gained from building this platform from the ground up and help players earn more than scholarships,” he said.
ROY JACKSON JR. POSES WITH KELVIN TORBERT JR., 2026 MICHIGAN MR. BASKETBALL. HE HAD A GAME HIGH 47 POINTS. HE WAS BORN IN FLINT AND NOW LIVES IN EAST LANSING.
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StudentStandout
Presented by
Tyler Leach
LakeVille Memorial High School
Grade 12
Dedication, leadership, and perseverance have defined the athletic and academic career of Tyler Leach, a LakeVille student athlete, whose accomplishments span cross country, track, academics, community service, and extracurricular activities. A three-year team captain in both cross country and track, he earned Academic All-State honors for three consecutive years and was named All-State twice in cross country. He captured three Genesee County Division 3/4 championships, won the 2025 Lapeer County title, and currently holds the LakeVille school cross country record. He also helped lead the boys cross country team to its first-ever MMAC League Championship in 2023. In track, he became a three-time MMAC champion in the 3200-meter run while earning multiple all-conference honors in both the 1600m and 3200m events.
Beyond school athletics, he represented Team Michigan in the 3000m at the 2023 USATF Junior Olympics at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, and competed in the
AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa. Tyler also is an Eagle Scout, National Honor Society member, percussion line participant, and seven-year member of the LakeVille Clay Target Team. This fall, he will attend St. Clair County Community College, where he plans to compete in cross country and track.
What motivates you?
Representing my school and community, as well as my pride in my last name.
Who has been most influential in your life?
My coach, Nate Elston. Throughout my high school career he has pushed me to become the best version of myself. He has done so by putting in extra time to help me, encouraging me to go to camps, and expanding my network of other coaches and experienced runners.
Why did you pick the college that you did?
I choose to attend St.Clair County Community College because of the opportunities
that are provided for my field of study and the amazing outlook of their sports teams.
What do you like to do to relax?
To relax I love to be outside whether I am playing golf, going for a jog, fishing, or walking. I just always decompress whenever I am outside.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen next year?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, you only get this time in high school once in your life, so enjoy it and make the best of it.
Summer is Always Better with a Good Book
Enjoy
SCAN HERE!
Do you know a standout student in athletics, academics or the arts? Nominate them to be featured in an upcoming issue!
America’s 250th Anniversary Planning for
BY SHARON STONE
Planning is underway for the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in 2026. The city of Fenton, along with numerous community partners, is preparing a full year of events designed to educate, inspire, and bring residents together in celebration of this historic milestone.
America250 Mission
“Fenton Celebrates America 250” shares a mission aligned with the national “America250 initiative”:
“To celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial.
The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to
pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future.”
The broader America250 effort encourages Americans to reflect on the nation’s history, strengthen civic pride, and renew a commitment to democratic ideals through programs that educate, engage, and unite communities. The initiative also aims to foster shared experiences that highlight American stories, encourage public service, and celebrate the resilience of the United States.
More information is available at america250.org.
Fenton Freedom Festival –July 4, 2026
The Fenton Freedom Festival, scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2026, remains the city’s signature Independence Day celebration. It is the largest across Genesee County. Organized by the Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce,
PLACE TO CALL HOME
the festival features a full day of activities throughout downtown Fenton and surrounding areas.
Festival highlights include:
The annual pancake breakfast will be held from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Fen ton Community & Cultural Center, hosted by the American Legion.
The Firecracker Run traditionally kicks off the day’s festivities. Partici pants run or walk a course through the community and along portions of the parade route, helping launch the morning’s celebration.
One of the festival’s biggest attractions, the parade winds through downtown Fenton and features local organizations, businesses, civic groups, marching bands, and community participants. Parade registration is currently open through the Chamber.
A craft show will take place on the lawn of the Fenton Community Center, accompanied by children’s activities, games, and vendor booths. Additional food vendors will be located throughout the downtown festival area.
The celebration concludes with a fireworks display over Silver Lake Park at dusk. This is typically the largest fireworks show in the immediate area, drawing spectators from across Genesee and Livingston counties.
Popular viewing locations include:
Silver Lake Park
Downtown Fenton
Surrounding neighborhoods with public viewing access
As the event date approaches, the Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce will provide additional details, including road closure maps, craft show hours, and the official schedule for the Rubber Ducky Regatta, organized by the Fenton Rotary.
Additional July 4, 2026 events across Genesee
County
Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad (Flint). 11:00 a.m.
– 5:00 p.m.
A historic-themed Fourth of July with ice cream social, vintage games, patriotic programming,
train rides, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Flint Water Festival / America
250 Experience
Downtown Flint (Kearsley Street area) Evening (typically 7–10 p.m.)
Includes live music, family activities, and fireworks as part of Flint’s Independence Day celebration tied to the Semiquincentennial (America 250).
Swartz Creek July 4 Community Events
Swartz Creek (multiple locations). Includes concerts in the park, community gatherings, and patriotic programming such as “Cosmos in the Park” and memorial observances.
Flint Downtown Fireworks Display
Chevy Commons / Downtown Flint. Evening fireworks show visible from downtown gathering areas, typically at dusk on July 4.
Rick
Robin Ham’s LOVE STORY
How and when did you first meet?
We met at a party at Michigan State in 1981. Rick rescued me from a guy who didn’t seem to understand that I wasn’t interested in him. The very next day, he told his mom he had met a girl he was going to marry someday. Not long after that, we started dating.
Tell us about the proposal.
One night, we were out with a group of friends when he suddenly blurted out, “I think we should get married!”
I replied, “Okay! When?”
Tell us about the wedding.
We were married on Aug. 28, 1982, at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Flint. We were surrounded by all the people we loved most — and who loved us in return.
We invited 325 guests, but more than 400 people showed up! Luckily, my new mother-in-law had been a cook for the CarmanAinsworth school district, and she quickly gathered several of her fellow school employees to help bring in extra food. Music for the reception was provided by one of our close friends, and it turned out to be a perfect night.
What do you cherish most about each other?
I love the way he loves me. He has always been my “knight in shining armor.” We are truly best friends, and we know we can count on each other for anything.
Got any sweet, funny, or just plain awesome details you want to share?
We have two wonderful children and their spouses who have blessed us with four incredible grandchildren. Spending time with all of them is one of the greatest joys of our lives.
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Adventure DRIVEN BY
FROM FENTON TO THE PACIFIC COAST, AUDREY TREMAINE’S VAN LIFE JOURNEY IS A STORY OF RESILIENCE, INDEPENDENCE, AND DISCOVERY
BY KEEGAN DELONEY
In a world of ever-increasing technology, it’s become much harder to connect with our surroundings, ourselves, or what we’re truly capable of. It’s easier to live safely and sheltered from risk. However, stepping out from this shelter is what we need not only to connect, but also to grow, to know who we are and what kind of world we live in.
In one young woman’s case, she didn’t just step out: she drove out.
SETTING OFF
Over the past two years, Fenton native Audrey Tremaine has traveled across the United States in her van. Every step of the process has been her own as she embarked on this journey alone, seeking a life full of new discoveries and a self-sufficient lifestyle. The planning goes back six years, back to 2020 when she was still a college student. “I knew that I wanted to travel the country but wanted to do it in a way that I can stretch my money to travel as long as possible,” Audrey said in an interview with My City Magazine. But it was more than just travel: she wanted to live on the move instead of simply passing through destinations. It would be a lifestyle of her own, not an extended vacation. With this dream, she went on to finish her college education three years later, and she began working to save money and build her sole travel companion: her van. This van was simple; a Ford Transit Connect with a bed and no built-in utilities, but it was enough to send her on her journey in June 2024. She spent the first part of her new life traveling the Midwest, heading north into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and looping down through Wisconsin into Indiana. Unfortunately, this part was also short-lived: a collision with a deer left her with no home or transportation, and she was forced to return home to Michigan. Even so, this event didn’t deter Audrey from her ambition. “I decided it was time to get back on the road because this was just a setback,” she said. “I was ready to make
a bigger and better setup this time.” And so she did. She worked to save up money for another van and began looking for remote work to support herself financially while on the road. In the end, she found both, and she wasted no time in ensuring she’d be well-equipped the second time. From adding solar panels and insulation to accommodations such as a toilet and workstation, she structured her new home and went back on the road in August 2025.
to drive up a particularly steep cliff, all with no one around to help. However, she’s found a way to move forward each time. And each time, the self-assurance to overcome these challenges grows with her.
“You become much more resourceful since you are the only one who can fix the problem,” she said.
While she emphasizes the importance of self-sufficiency, she’s also grown an appreciation for the things she can learn from others when they come into her life, continuing on to say, “I have also learned to take help where I can get it. There is so much to learn from the world and those who have more experiences than you.”
But that doesn’t mean her days are relegated to a 9-to-5 work life with the occasional pothole to triumph over.
“Every day is so different since I am in a new place each week,” she said. “After all my chores are done, I usually head into a national park or go to explore a new city.”
She’s been on the road since, currently spending her time along the West Coast.
ON THE ROAD
Of course, time and place are not the only aspects of a journey. The everyday errands and interactions, the quiet moments to yourself, the intentional ventures, the unplanned challenges, the things
collected and the things left behind: all of them connect along the threads of time and place to develop experiences, things that change and strengthen you. From working inside her van home on weekdays to weekend chores like going to the laundromat or filling up the water tank, Audrey is able to support herself. This also means tackling challenges on her own. Life on the road can lead to ruts like getting stuck in the mud or puzzling how
From the “crazy terrain” out west and vast national parks to big cities and sprawling coastlines, the possibilities for exploration are endless. That also includes the closer-tohome (or closer-to-van) simple joys like hiking, painting, cooking meals in her kitchenette, and calling friends after work.
In all of this, in both the simple and the spectacular, every day was different. Every experience was new and something to be excited about.
AUDREY FINDS HERSELF AT A SMALL, STILL LAKE AS MOUNTAINS STRETCH IN THE DISTANCE. BOTH THE WATER AND COOL GRAY LANDSCAPE REFLECT TRANQUILITY.
AUDREY TAKES THE WHEEL, READY TO SEE WHAT’S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BEND.
She described her time in San Diego vividly as her favorite stop thus far: an ocean view, a welcoming van life community, new friends, unexplored hobbies, and finally fulfilling her dreams of living on the coast and surfing every day.
In fact, San Diego was both a culmination of everything her efforts led to and everything she wanted to accomplish with her journey. It was a life with her behind the steering wheel, able to support herself and do the things she loved with little holding her back. A life where she could connect with herself, the world, and the people who live in it alongside her.
As she described it, “I accomplished what I set out to do. Anything after making it to the coast was extra. I felt like I found my people and the place I was meant to be in. It was a great feeling to belong.”
While she may have achieved the independence, connections, and experiences she sought to find on this path, her journey is still far from over. She plans on continuing along the West Coast and visiting the various national parks she comes across this summer. After reaching the tip of Washington
state at the start of July, she hopes to loop back down to Yosemite by the end of August, where she’ll meet with a friend and summit Half Dome. And after that?
In her words, “I do love van life so much. I’m not too sure what I am doing after August, but whatever it is, it’ll be so fun.”
THE UNENDING DESTINATION
In a world where so much is so readily available at our fingertips, it can be hard to imagine taking a step out of that world and into one we can experience firsthand. One where we feel the sun on our backs, take paths we can’t find on a review blog, shake hands with strangers, or be challenged in ways that push us to be better and more capable versions of ourselves.
But that step is a vital one. It allows us to truly experience life as it was meant to be: fun. Enlightening. Resilient. Liberating. Part of a bigger world.
Audrey has known for a long time that this was the life she wanted to live. Even when her parents hesitated to let her take this risk,
she kept pushing until they saw that this was the path she’d decided to take and would take no matter what. Since then, they’ve even visited her during her travels and continued to support her. She also has them to thank for setting her on this path in the first place.
“My dad had us involved in all water sports, trying new things, and always playing in the snow,” she explained. “I think that is what helped me make the transition from normal life to van life since I already thought having adventures every day was normal.”
She also had advice for anyone wondering whether to take that step into adventure themselves, whether that means living and traveling in a van or something as simple as trying something new, something that takes you out of your usual comfort zone of familiarity.
“I think everyone should do something they think is a little bit crazy once in their life. You learn so much about yourself and what you are capable of.”
And, if others’ concern makes you hesitate, even after your determination is firm, she continued, “If you want to do something, show everyone that it’ll work out eventually.”
Your step forward is proof, not just to the people around you or the people you care about, but also to yourself, that you are capable.
So don’t be nervous. Take a step forward, then run, then maybe even drive on the road leading to the life you truly want to live.
To learn more about Audrey Tremaine or her van life journey, you can follow her on TikTok at @ audrey.tremaine or on YouTube at @audrey.tremaine.
A PEACEFUL SUNSET VIEW IN AN OPEN VAN AS SUN, WAVE, AND SHORELINE MEET IN SUCH CLOSE PROXIMITY.
AUDREY SPREADS HER ARMS WIDE BESIDE HER VAN, CELEBRATING THE OPEN EXPANSES SHE’S BEEN ABLE TO REACH AND ALL SHE’S BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THUS FAR.
Stars, Stripes & Style
From reimagined
Americana fashion to festive home décor, the nation’s 250th birthday is inspiring a summer of celebration, nostalgia, and timeless style
BY SHANNON WHITE
AsAmerica kicks off its Semiquincentennial, a monumental 250th birthday, the energy of summer 2026 is electric. This milestone anniversary is sparking a vibrant cultural shift, blending historic nostalgia with modern optimism. Across home décor, fashion, and accessories, this season’s design movement is all about elevated patriotism, joyful gatherings, and reimagined classic style.
Here is how to channel this historic summer spirit into your wardrobe and home.
Fashion:
Reimagined Americana and Free-Flowing Dresses
Summer style breathes new life into classic Americana, steering clear of cliché designs and focusing on sophisticated, timeless silhouettes.
The ultimate centerpiece of the season is the summer dress, offering effortless comfort for hot July days and warm backyard evenings. The color palette draws direct inspiration from the nation’s 250-year heritage, utilizing rich reds, crisp whites, and deep blues. While literal flag motifs are trending, the movement leans toward monochromatic statement pieces
paired effortlessly together. Think striking crimson shorts, pristine white tiered maxi dresses, and classic navy tops with contrasting white stitching. For a contemporary twist, soft porcelain blues and deep cherry reds are paired together to create a fresh, maritime-inspired aesthetic that feels both celebratory and effortlessly chic.
Vintage Levi’s and Handmade Jean Shorts
SHIFT has partnered with St. Luke’s N.E.W. Life Center in north Flint to create custom, one-of-akind denim shorts, pairing colorful cotton fabrics with vintage, upcycled Levi’s—an American staple since 1873. Each pair is handcrafted with care by women at the N.E.W. Life sewing center, which functions as a social enterprise, providing job training, education, and employment opportunities to empower individuals experiencing poverty and domestic violence. Fifty percent of the proceeds from each pair go back to empowering women to SHIFT their paths toward future success.
Home: Heritage Details and Festive Spaces
Inside the home, the Semiquincentennial inspires a revival of “New Traditional” style. Decorators are blending classic American craftsmanship with airy, contemporary layouts. Textiles play a major role in this transformation. Floor rugs, hand-hooked throw pillows, and lightweight blankets in a variety of colors instantly refresh living rooms and bedrooms. Tabletop décor is especially important as the focus shifts to summer hosting. Blue-and-white vases filled with red hydrangeas or field poppies create an elegant centerpiece. Pair them with woven rattan placemats, linen napkins, and tinted glassware to create an inviting, festive table that honors the country’s heritage with modern sophistication.
Ways to Have Fun and Celebrate
Ultimately, the trends of 2026 are designed for living out loud and gathering together. Embrace the spirit of the 250th birthday by hosting an elevated backyard barbecue, an elegant block party, or a classic porch gathering. Grab a book from National Geographic filled with fun facts about every state, or pick up a trivia game from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and enjoy games on a covered porch or around a bonfire in the evening. Set up an outdoor projector for a movie night under the stars, curate a playlist spanning decades of American music, or organize a neighborhood bike parade. Whether watching fireworks from a rooftop or packing a stylish picnic for the beach or boat, this summer is about making memories, honoring community, and celebrating freedom in style.
BACK TO THE BRICKS ®
Dust ‘em Off Car Show and Swap Meet at Crossroads Village
COURTESY OF BACK TO THE BRICKS
The sixth annual Back to the Bricks® Dust ‘em Off Car Show & Swap Meet proved once again why it has quickly become one of Michigan’s favorite spring automotive traditions. Held at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, the two-day event welcomed car enthusiasts, vendors, families, and visitors from across the region for a memorable weekend celebrating classic cars, community, and the official start of the summer cruising season.
The festivities began Saturday with the Dust ‘em Off Swap Meet, where vendors lined the grounds offering automotive parts, memorabilia, collectibles, tools, and unique treasures for automotive enthusiasts of every kind.
Sunday’s Dust ‘em Off Car Show transformed Crossroads Village into a showcase of chrome, horsepower, and history. Hundreds of vehicles filled the picturesque grounds, ranging from pristine classics and muscle cars to hot rods, customs, trucks, and specialty builds.
This year’s event carried additional significance as Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad celebrates its 50th Anniversary season in 2026. The partnership between Back to the Bricks®, Genesee County Parks, and Crossroads Village continues to create a perfect setting that combines Michigan automotive culture with local history and family friendly entertainment.
“We were thrilled to continue growing Dust ‘em Off this year at Crossroads Village honoring our automotive heritage and their 50th anniversary,” said Back to the Bricks® President Amber Taylor. “This event truly represents what Back to the Bricks is all about, bringing people together, celebrating the automotive community, and creating positive experiences for families and enthusiasts alike.”
PHOTOS
12–14 Our Lady of Lebanon Mid-East Festival in downtown Flint. Enjoy Middle Eastern food, belly dance performances,
Parks, from 6 7:30 PM. Fishing rods and bait are provided. Each week, learn about fish biology and ecology, then cast out and try to land the big one! Anglers age 16 and younger do not need a fishing license. Anglers
required by July 10, 20 26.
When in Doubt, Go to the Library
his house, a patron got help from a librarian using the Genesee County GIS map. They found an aerial view of the house, the parcel number, tax description, and assessor information. The patron created an account and was able to view legal descriptions and previous owners.
Using Ancestry Library Edition and the help of a librarian, one patron successfully found two census records that included an ancestor he was searching for. After discovering that the last name had been spelled four different ways in past records, the patron walked away with marriage certificates, death dates, draft records, and a photograph of the ancestor taken at the time of military enlistment.
And though GDL has a wide range of databases and digital resources, sometimes old school works better. A woman requested
help finding a person she had lost touch with and was shocked when the librarian pulled out the Polk Directory. It was faster than searching online and filtering through ads and sponsored websites. The patron was thrilled to quickly find the address and phone number using physical books.
And speaking of old school, the Clio Area Library has a typewriter available for use by the Luddites in the community.
Without question, printing and faxing are among the most widely used in-person library services, especially for last-minute emergencies. With 19 branches throughout Genesee County, there is almost always a branch open and available.
Throughout your life, your need for resources will change and evolve. Your local library has those resources.
InHow GDL Helps Life Run a Little Smoother
BY KELLY FLYNN, GENESEE DISTRICT LIBRARY COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling’s beloved character Hermione Granger believes, “When in doubt, go to the library.” And she’s not wrong.
The depth and breadth of the ways Genesee District Library (GDL) can make your life easier may surprise you. Take, for example, the case of a charming young boy who came into the Genesee Valley Branch and asked to read the first Marvel comic because “he wanted to read them in order.” He had no idea how far back they went or even what the
first Marvel comic was. The librarian was able to find Marvel Comics #1 (A30011202361), which was re-released in 2019 for the 80th anniversary of its original release.
An inquisitive 4-year-old recently asked a library assistant 17 questions about cat books. In a happy twist, her grandma later revealed they chose the library for their outing because the child was shy about speaking to people.
For the 50th anniversary of the Byron softball team’s first state title, a patron asked for help finding articles from that era for the celebration. Using the Access World News database to find
the exact dates and pages of articles in The Flint Journal archives, the librarian then used the microfiche reader to print high-quality copies. Sometimes, help is more hands-on. After purchasing a Ring camera for his house, a patron needed a mount to attach it to the siding. Google AI told him that the library could 3D print one. A librarian helped him sketch a design, created the object in Tinkercad, and printed it for him.
Booking airline flights and hotels was a challenge for one traveler who wanted to learn how to compare prices online. A librarian showed him how to use Google Flights and then walked him through the process of booking a hotel.
Recently, questions about AI have increased. For example, a patron with Word documents of papers she had written in school wanted AI to analyze them “from the point of view of a book reviewer.” A librarian showed her how to upload her documents to ChatGPT and explained the limitations of AI.
As part of the application process for a television show, a patron needed help uploading a video to a website. A librarian helped the patron transfer the video from their phone to their laptop and upload it online.
Wanting to dazzle her granddaughter by drawing Disney and Looney Tunes characters, a grandmother asked for books with similar drawing instructions. The William F. Delaney Headquarters Branch librarian found several she could use for practice.
Sometimes, something has a simple fix, but if you don’t know what that is, you’re stuck. A couple was stymied by their GoPro camera because it only played back at super speed. A librarian explained the time-lapse setting and showed them how to switch between that and regular video mode.
When a veteran passes away, a flag is given to the family and folded into the traditional triangle. Occasionally, the flag comes loose or is not folded tightly enough to fit into the display frame. Multiple people have visited the Clio Area Library for help. Using the long tables, they were able to ensure the flag did not touch the ground and fold it tightly so the stars lined up correctly.
Most people visit the county courthouse when they need a birth certificate. But in the case of adoption, that’s not always helpful. A librarian helped a patron file the request online through the State of Michigan and have it mailed to her.
A patron was thrilled to learn she could get a discounted zoo pass through the library using the Michigan Activity Pass. New destinations are always being added for patrons to access with their library card.
As an alternative to clipping coupons, a patron asked for help installing the Kroger app on her phone. Now she has digital coupons at the ready.
Of course, the area where librarians really shine is research. Searching for the history of
When in doubt, visit one of Genesee District Library’s 19 branches. We can help.
Meet Garfield Second Chances
Hope Awaits at the Humane Society A sweet boy looking for his forever home
Garfield is approximately 5 months old. He’s up to date on shots and is neutered. He was brought in because they had too many animals. Workers at the Humane Society noticed he was a little wobbly and they had West Flint Animal Hospital examine him. They checked him out and they think it may be neurological. He needs a home with no other animals and no small children. His adoption fee is $100. He is a very sweet boy, does have that goofy orange cat personality, and is getting stronger every day. Many neurologically affected cats live happy, affectionate, and surprisingly normal lives. Conditions such as cerebellar hypoplasia often look alarming because of the wobbling and tremors, but affected cats can play, cuddle, and enjoy life just like other cats.
Adopting a kitten with a neurological condition can be incredibly rewarding. While these kittens often need a little extra care, many families find that the experience enriches their lives in unexpected ways.
Neurologically impaired kittens are frequently passed over in shelters because people worry about potential challenges. By adopting one, you’re giving a home to an animal that may have fewer chances of being adopted than a healthy kitten.
Many neurological conditions, particularly Cerebellar Hypoplasia, do not cause pain and are not progressive. These
July
Reading List
July is the perfect time to slow down, relax, and get lost in a good book. Whether reading on a porch swing, at the beach, or during a quiet summer evening, books have a unique way of improving the day. Reading reduces stress, sharpens the mind, and gives readers a chance to escape from daily pressures for a little while. In a season filled with busy schedules and constant screens, taking time to read can feel refreshing and calming — a simple habit that makes summer days more meaningful and enjoyable.
cats often play, purr, cuddle, chase toys, and form strong bonds with their families.
While every cat is different, many owners report that specialneeds cats become especially attached to the people who care for them. The extra attention and assistance can create a deep sense of trust and companionship.
Caring for a kitten with different abilities can be a powerful lesson in kindness, patience, and acceptance. It can help older children understand that disabilities don’t diminish an individual’s worth or ability to enjoy life.
Every shelter animal has a story ... Let’s change their ending.
Summer on Lilac Island by Lindsay MacMillan
Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery
The Shippers by Katherine Center
Chair Yoga for Seniors by Lynn Lehmkuhl
The Midnight Train by Matt Haig
The Calamity Club by Katheryn Stockett
COMPILED BY KAREN PIACENTINI
True Peace
BY TODD DEERING
The world around us is filled with systems and beliefs that promise us something: financial stability, the perfect marriage, success, popularity, good health, or a happy life. But what happens when those promises turn out to be empty? What happens when our health fails, when the money is gone, or when our marriage hits a rough patch? Where do we turn? What is there that supersedes it all
and can offer peace, even in life’s storms?
In the Bible, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble.”
Through this truth, He was not trying to bring us down or make this world seem miserable and unbearable. Instead, He was preparing us for a reality that we all come to understand at some point in our lives. This world, the one you and I live in together, is broken. Our health sometimes
fails, money runs out, people we love get hurt, and all that we strive for can come crumbling down.
But Jesus does not leave us alone to deal with this difficult truth. Instead, He offers hope as He continues, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” When Jesus surrendered Himself to death on the cross, He took upon Himself the sins and brokenness of all mankind. Through His res-
It is through Jesus that true
peace can enter our lives and settle in our hearts. Are you ready for true peace in a broken world? Have you called upon His name?
urrection, He defeated even death itself. Through faith in what He did for us on the cross, He offers a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that sustains us even in the hardest circumstances. Jesus sets us free from the shackles of sin, darkness, and the brokenness of this world.
The beginning of John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.” Jesus understands the world we live in because He lived in it, too. He knows how difficult life can be and is waiting for you to call upon His name. It is through Jesus that true peace can enter our lives and settle in our hearts.
Are you ready for true peace in a broken world? Have you called upon His name?
For more information on what it means to follow Jesus, text “TRUEGOSPEL” to 97000.
So you wanna open a restaurant, huh?
BY MARK RUMMEL
Why are Italia Gardens, Starlite Diner and Ruggero’s restaurants all still popular local dining places today, while Makuch’s Red Rooster, Uncle Bob’s Diner and Walli’s Supper Club are gone?
Folks once waited in line to eat at Tom Z’s Flint Original Coney Island, Howard Johnson’s and the Country Kitchen, but why are they just memories today?
Anyone who brags that they know the correct answer to these questions is stretching the truth. Yet many people dream of starting their own restaurant, ice cream shop or even food truck. They promise to “use my grandmother’s recipes, do all the cooking myself and serve people around the clock ... even on Christmas.”
Those hopeful dreamers quickly realize that the food industry is a tough, demanding, expensive and time-warping business. Research shows that one of every five new U.S. restaurants doesn’t make it through the first year. Almost half close within five years, and two out of every three don’t survive a
Successful owners work on-site 60 to 80 hours a week, and they’re busiest when everyone else is having fun — especially during lunch and dinner rushes. Staffing nightmares are legendary, too. Studies show it’s friendly and timely manner. You must order enough supplies to handle Friday night rushes, but not so much that food is wasted and thrown away after a slow Tuesday.
decade. That’s why popular places still serving hungry customers after 25 or 50 years are the exception — certainly not the rule.
All restaurants face razor-thin operating margins and fierce competition. Many have profit margins of only 10%, so every increase in food costs, staffing expenses or slow weeks can erase profits entirely. There’s no room for error. A bad health inspection, poor online reviews, staff troubles or rising food expenses can sink anyone’s dream.
hard to build a reliable team when employee turnover can reach 70% annually.
Sally and I moved to Genesee County in 1998 to open our Mancino’s of Fenton restaurant, which we operated for 17 years. We’re happy and proud to say it’s still going strong 28 years later under its third ownership team. We had left the newspaper business to “open our own place,” and it remains one of the fortunate minority of restaurants that is still busy and profitable.
You must become a master at fixing everything — or pay others when the ice machine, air conditioner or cash register breaks down ... and they often do. Your kitchen, dining room and bathrooms must be spotlessly clean at all times. I still judge how clean a restaurant kitchen is by the condition of the bathrooms, and so do health inspectors. Food has to be high-quality, consistently tasty, and served in a
Prices have to be set properly. Charge too much and people complain excessively, but charging too little is even worse because it can lead to closure. Every order must be made correctly. It’s tough to do it all. Most people who leave the food business are personally burned out. Often, they’ve put so much of themselves into their company that their personal lives vanish — or worse.
Many restaurant failures lead to family strife, including divorce. The restaurant business isn’t just difficult in Flint and Genesee County. Who can forget Bill Knapp’s, Burger Chef, Chi-Chi’s or Bennigan’s? I’m sad that so many Big Boy restaurants have been closing recently.
It’s a brutal business, so please appreciate and support your favorite restaurants that are still operating. There’s an incredible amount of work being done behind the scenes to make that happen.
Todd Deering
Mark W. Rummel is a lifelong news guy who has worked in communications since 1972. Along the way, the Fenton, Michigan, resident and
IN DEFENSE OF BEING HUMAN
A CASE FOR HI, NOT AI
A commencement speech worth remembering
BY NOAH C. MORGAN
Graduation season produces a lot of forgettable advice. Fareed Zakaria’s address at Bard College this year was not that. The TV host and journalist walked onto that stage and did something rare: he made the case for being human at exactly the moment everyone is debating whether machines might do it better. His challenge to graduates was to be intellectually provocative, politically aware, artistically sensitive, historically informed, ecologically conscious, emotionally authentic, and, in his words, most importantly, brief.
On a hot summer day, he encouraged graduates to get an ice cream cone at the school’s famous
Holy Cow Ice Cream joint. For us, it might be a trip to Uncle Ray’s (if you know, you know). I found myself replaying his ideas and scribbling notes.
Zakaria flipped the AI conversation. Forget artificial intelligence, he said. Champion HI — Human Intelligence. The human brain runs on roughly 20 watts of energy. An entire data center cannot replicate what a toddler does naturally: read a room, sense tension in silence, or detect a fake smile. Aristotle told us more than 2,000 years ago that we are social animals. We are not computers. We never were.
A computer can describe fear. It cannot lie awake at midnight.
The goal is not to compete with machines. It is to be more fully human. A great teacher. A loyal friend. A parent who sacrifices. Someone who struggles honestly and loves generously.
He reached for John Keats’ concept of “negative capability,” the human gift of sitting with uncertainty and doubt without demanding resolution.
He pointed to the Japanese art of kintsugi, also known as golden joinery, the practice of repairing broken pottery with veins of gold and finding beauty precisely in the fracture. Hemingway said it differently: The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places. The qualities no algorithm can produce — empathy, wisdom, judgment, courage, compassion, humor, and love — are ours.
The goal is not to compete with machines. It is to be more fully human. A great teacher. A loyal friend. A parent who sacrifices. Someone who struggles honestly and loves generously. Use AI to do things, he said. Use your mind to be human.
He closed by asking graduates to listen to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, written by a deaf composer who never heard a single note of it performed.
That is the thing about human intelligence. It does not reduce things. It transcends.
To the Class of 2026: Go be champions of HI.
Thank you to Scott Ward, Rotarian of Linden, for sharing the commencement address with me. I hope others in our community will enjoy it as well. Fareed Zakaria Gives the 2026 Commencement Address at Bard College.
FEDERAL GAS TAX HOLIDAY
BY DR. CHRISTOPHER DOUGLAS
President Trump and members of Congress from both political parties have proposed suspending the federal gas tax, currently 18.4 cents per gallon, to provide consumers relief from this year’s substantial increase in gas prices. Unfortunately, consumers are unlikely to see much, if any, benefit from this “gas tax holiday.” Instead, oil companies are the most likely beneficiaries. The rationale is straightforward: a federal gas tax holiday treats a
supply problem as a tax problem.
Gas prices have spiked to nearly $5.00 per gallon due to the war with Iran disrupting oil production. Eliminating the gas tax does not solve this underlying issue.
A federal gas tax holiday is an idea that sounds appealing on paper but does not withstand scrutiny.
If gas prices initially fall by 18.4 cents and consumers respond by purchasing more gasoline, oil companies will be unable to meet the increased demand because supply remains constrained. As a result, prices would likely rise back toward their previous levels. The federal gas tax is collected by oil companies at the pump and then remitted to the federal government.
24.4 cents had the same purchasing power as roughly 57 cents today. As inflation has steadily eroded the value of these taxes, the Highway Trust Fund has fallen into a permanent annual deficit. Congress has covered the shortfall through borrowing, increasing the national debt in the process. Since 2008, Congress has borrowed approximately $100 billion to make up the difference. A gas tax holiday could add another $2 billion per month to the deficit if Congress borrows to replace the lost revenue.
The federal gas tax functions as a user fee for the roads.
If gas prices return to nearly where they were before the tax holiday, but oil companies no longer have to remit the tax, the result is an increase in oil company profit margins of nearly 18.4 cents per gallon.
Another problem is that the federal gas tax was last set in 1993 and has never been indexed to inflation.
In 1993, 18.4 cents had the same purchasing power as approximately 43 cents today. The federal diesel tax, currently 24.4 cents per gallon, was also set in 1993 and not indexed to inflation. At that time,
The more someone drives and benefits from the road system, the more gas tax they pay. Federal gas tax revenues are used to repair and reconstruct federal-aid highways. In Michigan, these roads are designated with an I, U.S., or M. Michigan receives more than $1.5 billion annually in federal transportation funding, and anything that disrupts this revenue risks further deterioration of these vital transportation arteries. A federal gas tax holiday is an idea that sounds appealing on paper but does not withstand scrutiny. Though intended to help consumers, it would instead benefit oil companies at the expense of either increased national debt or reduced funding for road projects. The only lasting way to bring relief at the pump is to end the war with Iran
TheCallThatChanged EVERYTHING
BY LESLIE TOLDO
OBy the time we were back in the United States and I got into junior high, the phone was no longer just a way to reach out and touch someone; it was a way to prank people. Nothing like playing practical jokes over the phone on random strangers selected from the telephone book. By my freshman year of high school, when I discovered boys and dating, the phone became the center of my universe. I would frantically pace the house, dying for my family members to finish their calls in case the boy I had a crush on was trying to call.
You see, back then, when you called someone and they were already talking to someone else on the phone, you got the dreaded busy signal. That irritating sound hindered my love life. With an older sister also in high school, the telephone was a hot commodity at our house.
Then along came call waiting— game changer. Now, if someone was trying to call you, the phone would beep during your call. The way that was supposed to work, at least in my mind, was that my mother would take the incoming call and immediately end her current call, knowing my entire social existence was literally—possibly— on the line. Of course, she simply did not answer the incoming calls. There was no voicemail. I can’t even imagine how many life-altering calls I missed.
Life went on, and I finally got my own telephone, then a pager, then, in the early 2000s, the telephone as we knew it was revolutionized. Cellphones came along. The world would never be the same again. There was no waiting until I got home to see if someone had left a message on my
VACA TION Mode
BY ALEXANDRIA NOLAN-MILLER
Lanswering machine; people could reach me anywhere, at any time. Within 10 years, it seemed everyone had a phone in their hand—at the dinner table, even in the movie theater. Telephones have become a substitute for in-person conversations. You can even attend work meetings via phone. Is that what Alexander Graham Bell had in mind on that March day all those decades ago?
What I remember most vividly about that phone call to my gramma when I was 6 is that, as good as it felt to hear her voice, it paled in comparison to one of her hugs or the smell of her Jean Naté perfume mixed with Ben-Gay ointment. The technology designed to help us connect has created a tremendous distance, often from the people to whom we are closest.
n July 4, 1776, the United States came to be. Then, 100 years later, in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call in Boston, Massachusetts. Fastforward nearly 100 more years after that—to 1974, Stuttgart, Germany—a 6-year-old Army brat (me) was having the first telephone call of my life. I was talking to my gramma in North Carolina, and it was complicated. We were connected by a telephone operator. For those of you born before the 1990s, operators were needed for international calls. One did not merely dial a number. There was also a weird delay between the speakers, and when you were finished saying what you had to say, you had to say “over,” so the person on the other end of the call knew you were done talking. An Emmy-nominated anchor/meteorologist/reporter at FOX66 and NBC25, Leslie Toldo recently retired from TV news after a career of over 30 years, nearly 20 in Flint. She is a blogger, writer, wedding and funeral officiant. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA she graduated from the University of Wyoming. An avid kayaker, boater and runner, Leslie lives in Linden with her husband, Ellie the cat and three dogs: Henry, Gus and Lucy.
ately, we have been trying to dip into vacation mode with a little more regularity. However, this has been met with no small amount of difficulty. With plane ticket prices so high, gas prices through the roof, and everything more expensive than it used to be, we have instead tried to find staycation opportunities closer to home. That doesn’t mean we have been going without luxury, however. Recently, I discovered an app that allows you to buy day passes for local hotel pools and spas. For $20 to $50 apiece, we spend the day poolside, drinks delivered to lounge chairs, food served on a tray as though we are emperors in our own resort kingdom.
Although it may sound silly, I really think a break, a vacation, a holiday is a necessity. What else do we have to look forward to, especially when prices are high and temperatures are climbing? The workdays feel monotonous. Responsibilities, chores, and errands stack up like dominoes waiting to be knocked down, only to be lined up again the next day.
And what if there really isn’t a vacation just around the corner?
What if the planned trip is simply too far away?
This is where I found myself one afternoon when I typed “pools near me” into a search engine. We have friends with pools and vacation homes, but without an invitation, you can’t exactly show up ready for a swim. Sometimes that pool day needs to be completely sans socializing—just the sun, water, a good book, and a cold drink.
The search results showed a few public pools with middling reviews. As a teacher, the only children I want to see on the weekends are my own, and I certainly do not find the squeals of other people’s children relaxing. I needed something better. Something more luxurious. Something that at least resembled a real vacation.
There is something restorative about arriving with nowhere to be and nothing to accomplish.
That’s when I stumbled upon the app offering hotel pools nearby. The hotels I focused on are places where I could not comfortably afford a night’s stay—nor would I necessarily want to. These are upscale resorts with flashy clientele across the Houston area. But their pool passes are surprisingly affordable and easy to reserve.
The pools are often barely utilized. More than once, my family has been the only one there. There is usually an outdoor menu, attentive waitstaff, towels, cabanas, loungers, and everything needed for a day in the sun.
It feels indulgent in the best way. There is something restorative about arriving with nowhere to be and nothing to accomplish. No grocery lists. No laundry. No emails. No obligations beyond deciding whether to order another drink or turn another page in a book.
A vacation is not always about distance. Sometimes it is about permission—to rest, to stop being productive, to spend an afternoon doing nothing and feel good about it.
And so, until our big trips roll around, this is where you will find us on many weekends: coconut-
scented sunscreen, lemonade for the child, and something cold for the adults. A worthy pseudo-vacation for the rest-deprived.
A break from the everyday. The monotony cast aside, even if only for an afternoon.
When a holiday feels out of reach, sometimes a small escape closer to home can serve as the bridge between reality and the dream of adventure waiting beyond the horizon.
When America Turns 250 A July of Memory, Meaning, and Togetherness
BY SHARON STONE
July 4, 2026 marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a milestone that invites reflection not only on the history of the United States, but on the everyday freedoms and simple joys that continue to define life in communities across the country. As the nation celebrates its semiquincentennial, July becomes more than just the
grills and folding chairs, catching up on life while children run barefoot through the grass, their joy uncontained and effortless. These moments, simple as they are, become the fabric of memory, threads that hold generations together.
Summer celebrations fill calendars and hearts alike. Outdoor concerts in local parks bring neighbors together under open skies, where
height of summer. It becomes a living reminder of connection, gratitude, and the shared experiences that bind people together. There is something uniquely American about July. It arrives with long, golden evenings and warm mornings that seem to stretch time itself. Families gather in backyards where picnic tables are crowded with dishes passed from hand to hand, laughter drifting through the air like music. Friends reunite over
music echoes across fields and ponds. Farmers markets become weekly traditions, where the scent of fresh produce and baked goods mingles with friendly conversation and familiar faces. Craft shows and art fairs showcase local creativity, reminding communities of the talent and imagination that thrive close to home. Each event is more than entertainment, it is a gathering place, a reminder that community is built one conversation,
one smile, one shared experience at a time.
Across lakes and rivers, fishing lines cast into calm waters reflect a slower rhythm of life. Whether it is an early morning on a dock or a quiet evening waiting for the sun to dip below the horizon, fishing becomes a moment of peace and patience. Nearby, golf courses host groups of friends who laugh their way from hole to hole, enjoying both competition and companionship under the summer sun.
As night falls, campfires become the heart of the season. Flames flicker as stories are told and memories are shared. The scent of woodsmoke lingers in the air while stars begin to appear overhead, unhurried and bright. These evenings invite reflection on where we have been, who we have loved, and what we continue to build together.
And then there are fireworks.
Brilliant bursts of color light up the July sky, echoing the spirit of independence and celebration. On this 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, they carry even deeper meaning. They are a reminder of resilience, of hope, and of the enduring promise of freedom.
But perhaps the true beauty of July is not found in any single event, but in the collection of ordinary, extraordinary moments that define it.
Bare feet in cool morning grass. A shared meal at sunset. Music drifting through warm evening air. The comfort of familiar faces and the joy of being present in the season as it unfolds.
In July 2026, as America honors 250 years of independence, it is these moments, both small and profound, that remind us what it means to belong.
In partnership with the FIM’s Music Around Town Series, Patio Nights at the FIA are back this summer on the Palette Café patio. Join us every Friday from July 10 – August 28 for live music, great food, and drink specials. Go to FlintArts.org or Facebook for the performance schedule once released. There’s something for everyone! Music begins at 6p. FREE COVER CHARGE
