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Genesee Landlords Association A Legacy of Advocacy, Education, and Community GLA hosts two regular meetings each month to keep members informed and engaged

THE GENESEE LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION HOSTS A MONTHLY MEETING AT REDWOOD STEAK HOUSE IN FLINT. THE GLA REGULARLY BRINGS IN EXPERTS TO SPEAK WITH MEMBERS. Photos courtesy of the GLA

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

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-

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

Through its affiliations with state and national real estate investment organizations, GLA provides access to additional training and educational opportunities. tive members are invited to attend up to two meetings at no cost. 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 of up to 2,500 units. This diversity contributes to the association’s collaborative environment, where knowledge-sharing is a key benefit.

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.

Editor’s Letter

ctober is here. The kids are settling into their school routines while busy parents and we grandparents are entering activities onto our calendars and into our phones so we won’t miss a thing. The days are cooler, leaves are beginning to fall, apple orchards are calling our names, college football is in full stride and Halloween decorations are popping up everywhere. This issue of My City Magazine is loaded with great stories. NorthGate of Flint is celebrating the contributions of George Wilkinson, who recently retired and is beginning a new journey with his nonprofit, Ascend Institute, which will allow him to continue helping others. Gary Fisher continues his look at the greatest high school football teams in Genesee County with part two in this issue. The amount of talent that has come from our area is impressive, and these teams have left an incredible legacy. My City’s special section explores the histories, mysteries and ghost stories surrounding longtime businesses and historic buildings. Be sure to read about the places that have given generations of residents plenty of stories, secrets and, perhaps, a few unexplained encounters. It’s tough to win a championship once. Winning back-to-back championships is even more challenging. But that’s exactly what a girls softball team based in Grand Blanc accomplished. The team formed a bond that carried them all the way to the top. Check out Mark Spezia’s story. And since I mentioned apple orchards earlier, be sure to read Keegan Deloney’s story on Almar Orchards. Kudos, once again, to our My City columnists. Their voices are an important part of what makes this magazine special. Lastly, I have a suggestion for our readers: Start hosting a weekly family dinner. Time really does fly, especially when you’re watching the little ones in your life grow up. Everyone is crazy busy. For a couple of years now, my husband and I have tried to host a family dinner every Sunday afternoon. This get-together, which sometimes spans four generations, has become very special to us. Is it a lot of work? You bet it is. But for a few hours, we get to enjoy each other’s company. We laugh as we retell old stories, sometimes watch a movie, play outside, check out the value of Pokémon cards or simply enjoy a cuddle on the couch. Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated. Just family. And those are the moments I hope we never get too busy to make time for. So, this October, I hope you’ll gather the people you love, put something good on the table and make a little time for each other. Start a family dinner tradition of your own. You may be surprised by how quickly it becomes one of your favorite parts of the week.

Sharon Stone Editor-in-Chief

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October 2026

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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

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Contents

OCTOBER 2026 • VOLUME 13 • ISSUE 17

Community

54 6

6 7 Questions with Dr. Anas Moughrabieh, a critical care pulmonologist at McLaren Flint

8 The Return on a Life Well Lived George Wilkinson retires from NorthGate, starts own nonprofit

History 12 THE GOATS - Part Two Ranking The Best Flint Area High School Football Teams By Gary Fisher Special Section

The Secret is Out

18 Histories, Mysteries and Ghosts of Main Street

Sports 28 District 4 Does it Again Back-to-back Senior League Softball World Series Championships By Mark Spezia

Student Standout 32 Meet Addie Taylor of Clio High School

Fun 34 October Reading List 4

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48 Your Heart’s Next Chapter What you do after a heart disease diagnosis can make a difference By Stacy Sawyer

Haps 51 Can’t Miss List 52 Back to the Bricks® 22nd Annual Back to the Bricks Main Event

Outreach 54 HSGC Adoption Highlight

Finances

18 34

55 Inflation: The Cost Creep of Everything By Brice Carter

Thoughts 56 We Need More True National Holidays By Mark Rummel

Devotional 58 Reflecting on God’s Love 36 Community to the Core

By Todd Deering

For generations, Almar Orchards Has Grown More Than Apples By Keegan Deloney

Econ

Love Story

By Dr. Christopher Douglas

Josh and Emily Warda’s 12 42 Love Story

59 City-Owned Grocery Stores

Musings

Style

60 You Don’t Have to Be a Victim to Stand Up to a Bully

43 From Tailgates to Gala Nights: Fall in Full Style

Travels

By Shannon White

Longevity

By Leslie Toldo

61 Happiest Place on Earth By Alexandria Nolan-Miller

44 Growing Older, Living Better

Afterthought

46 Eating and Moving for Longevity

64 October:

By Dr. Shan Jackson

By Sharon Stone

A Month of Change, Chills and Pumpkin Spice

MyCityMag.com

| Community

Questions with …

DR. ANAS MOUGHRABIEH CRITICAL CARE PULMONOLOGIST AT MCLAREN FLINT, 2026 RECIPIENT OF THE DR. BARBARA WOLF HUMANITARIAN AWARD

cLaren Flint recently announced that Dr. Anas Moughrabieh, a critical care pulmonologist, is the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Barbara Wolf Humanitarian Award. Dr. Moughrabieh is a board-certified pulmonologist, critical care physician and internist who practices in Flint through Chest & Sleep Medicine Consultants and is affiliated with McLaren Flint. The Dr. Barbara Wolf Humanitarian Award was established in memory of and in the spirit of Dr. Wolf, a clinical psychologist who passionately advocated for the advancement of medical training and physician wellness. The award recognizes physicians who promote the welfare of others through actions that advocate for those in need, emphasize the importance of interpersonal

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connectedness, and demonstrate kindness and compassion. His colleagues said Dr. Moughrabieh is highly deserving of the honor. “Few physicians embody the spirit of service, global citizenship and unwavering compassion as profoundly as Dr. Moughrabieh

FEW PHYSICIANS EMBODY THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE, GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP AND UNWAVERING COMPASSION AS PROFOUNDLY AS DR. MOUGHRABIEH DOES.”

does,” said one nominator. “His career reflects a rare combination of intellectual rigor, humanitarian commitment and personal generosity that has touched lives across the world and within our own community.” His practice focuses on pulmonary disease and critical care, meaning he treats serious lung and breathing conditions as well as patients who are critically ill and require intensive care. Dr. Moughrabieh is also the program director for McLaren Flint’s Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine fellowship, which trains physicians specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Dr. Anas Moughrabieh took a few minutes from his busy schedule to answer My City Magazine’s “7 Questions with …” for the October issue.

DR. ANAS MOUGHRABIEH RECEIVES THE DR. BARBARA WOLF HUMANITARIAN AWARD. HE IS PICTURED WITH ERIN REIS, ASSOCIATE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER FOR MCLAREN HEALTH CARE. PHOTO COURTESY OF MCLAREN FLINT

AS A KID, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO GROW UP TO BE?

My journey to medicine began when I was just 5 or 6 years old. After a head cut left me bleeding and rushed to the hospital, the physician asked my name and what I wanted to be. I answered, “I am Dr. Anas.” I was fascinated by the ER staff trying to help me, and I just felt that I wanted to be like them.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?

In 2012, I went to the war-torn Syrian-Turkish border to help patients. With the crucial support of the Syrian American Medical Society, or SAMS, and other organizations like SEO

4 (Syrian Expatriates Organization), we trained nurses to take orders online and established tele-ICU services across 14 to 17 hospitals, fully covered by physicians in the U.S. and Canada. I am a proud SAMS member. We did upset one of the worst dictatorships in history, the old Syrian regime, but we wanted to help civilians receive medical care in wartorn Syria.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?

I love indoor and outdoor biking, swimming and paddleboarding. But pickleball and table tennis are also among my favorite sports. History has always fascinated me, too. I love reading books about ancient history.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW?

Currently, I am a program director at McLaren Flint, where I am most excited about the education mission. Teaching fellows and residents is my passion, and McLaren has given me limitless support to help build a new generation of talented physicians. I appreciate the opportunity McLaren Flint has given me to achieve my goals in education locally and the opportunity given to me by SAMS to achieve my goals globally.

DR. MOUGHRABIEH IS AT LEFT.

WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

TEACHING FELLOWS AND RESIDENTS IS MY PASSION, AND MCLAREN HAS GIVEN ME LIMITLESS SUPPORT TO HELP BUILD A NEW GENERATION OF TALENTED PHYSICIANS.”

— DR. ANAS MOUGHRABIEH

My biggest goal is to be part of building a medical education center in Damascus, the capital of Syria, the city where I grew up, and to continue excelling as an educator and clinical researcher at my home, McLaren Flint.

WHAT TASK DO YOU PROCRASTINATE MOST ABOUT DOING?

The task I procrastinate most on is writing research papers.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TALENT? DR. MOUGHRABIEH TOOK THIS SELFIE IN FRONT OF THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN HIS HOMETOWN DURING HIS FIRST VISIT TO DAMASCUS, SYRIA, ON A MEDICAL MISSION FOLLOWING THE FALL OF THE REGIME OF BASHAR AL-ASSAD.

My secret talent is persistence. I am annoyingly persistent and do not take no for an answer.

MyCityMag.com

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

THE RETURN ON

A LIFE WELL LIVED AFTER HELPING NORTHGATE EMPLOYEES DISCOVER WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF, GEORGE WILKINSON IS BEGINNING A NEW CHAPTER, ONE DEDICATED TO HELPING EVEN MORE PEOPLE RISE, GROW AND SUCCEED B Y S H A R O N STO N E

here is a word George Wilkinson prefers over retirement. He calls it “refirement.” It is a fitting description for a man who has spent his career moving forward, building others up and looking for ways to turn opportunity into something larger than himself. After nine years as CEO of NorthGate in Flint, Wilkinson is stepping away from his position, but he is hardly stepping away from his purpose. In fact, he may be just getting started. His next chapter is Ascend Institute, a new nonprofit built on a philosophy that has guided much of his life and leadership: when people are given the right tools, encouragement and opportunities, they can become more than they ever imagined. “I don’t see this next chapter as stepping away from purpose,” Wilkinson says. “I see it as having greater flexibility to pursue purpose differently.” That purpose has always centered on people.

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PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

A Mission to “Bless People” When Wilkinson arrived at NorthGate in 2017, he brought with him decades of leadership experience. His career had taken him through major corporations and organizations, including General Motors, Dana Corporation, Walker International Transportation and the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. But NorthGate was different. The company had a mission that Wilkinson describes as simple, yet profound: “Bless People.” The mission reflected the legacy of founder Jack Goggins and the heart of owner and CEO Andy Goggins. Wilkinson was given the opportunity to help turn those two words into something that could be lived out every day. “What I’m most proud of is not a particular program, award or business initiative,” he says. “It is knowing that we were intentional about living the mission every day and that people were genuinely blessed as a result.” From that mission came Be Ready Enrichment Services, an innovative employee-development initiative that went far beyond traditional benefits. The program focused on personal and professional development, financial wellness, dream coaching, confidence, purpose and helping employees overcome barriers that might be standing between them and success. The goal was not simply to create better employees. It was to help create stronger, more confident people. “We helped people become more productive professionals,” Wilkinson explains. “But more importantly, we helped people see possibilities in themselves that perhaps they had not seen before.” That idea became one of the most meaningful themes of his time at NorthGate.

GEORGE WILKINSON RECEIVED THE CHARLES STEWART MOTT AWARD AT THE FLINT GENESEE GROUP AWARDS NIGHT.

Because Wilkinson believes potential is everywhere. Sometimes, people simply need someone to help them see it.

A Defining Moment Only about a month after arriving at NorthGate, Wilkinson experienced something that showed him just how seriously the company took its mission. Five employees had been exposed to bed bugs. Wilkinson informed Andy Goggins, and together they made a decision: the employees would not be punished for something happening in their lives. Instead, they would be helped. The employees were placed on leave for two weeks and continued receiving full pay. Their apartment complex was professionally exterminated. Their furniture and bedding were removed, and NorthGate purchased new furniture and bedding

for each of them. For Wilkinson, who had spent years working in major corporations, the experience was unforgettable. “I had never experienced that level of commitment to employees,” he recalls. “That moment told me something. I knew I wasn’t simply working for another company. I knew I was at a special place.” “Bless People” was not just a slogan on a wall. It was a way of doing business. That experience helped shape Wilkinson’s leadership throughout his nine years at NorthGate.

Leading with Love Wilkinson has studied leadership throughout his life, learning lessons as a husband, father, basketball leader, corporate executive and senior pastor of Word of Life Christian Church, which he established in Flint in 2007.

We helped people become more productive professionals,” Wilkinson explains. “But more importantly, we helped people see possibilities in themselves that perhaps they had not seen before.” — George Wilkinson

His philosophy has become remarkably straightforward. “Lead with love, serve with purpose, develop people, hold people accountable and always leave people better than you found them.”

MyCityMag.com

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

For Wilkinson, leading with love does not mean avoiding difficult conversations or lowering expectations. It means caring enough about people to tell them the truth while also helping them find a way forward. “I want to be respected, therefore I have a responsibility to respect people in every encounter,” he says. “Even when the conversation is difficult, the person should know that your intent is to help them become better, not to tear them down.” That philosophy was evident to the people who worked alongside him. What It Was Like to Work With George Wilkinson When asked what it was like to work with Wilkinson, his colleagues were quick to describe the impact of his leadership. Steve Adams, executive director of sales, marketing and engineering, said, “Working with George was nothing short of a blessing. His demeanor was a perfect blend of calm and passion; the two don’t typically go together, but that’s exactly who he is.” Brian Kita said, “Working with George was very easy. George is

10 October 2026

straightforward and honest with his responses but always shows kindness and compassion to his team and all the employees. Whether the news was easy or difficult for employees to hear, George always

delivered it in the most compassionate manner and emphasized the positive, never dwelling on the negative of any situation.” Mia Turner, executive director of human resources, said, “I think the world of George. He is the ultimate leader, mentor and role model. His care and concern for people are remarkable. His leadership sees, speaks and delivers right to the heart of the matter. It covers, builds and launches the people around him.” When asked what Wilkinson taught them, professionally or personally, the answers reflected the lasting influence he had on those around him. Adams said, “George demonstrated in all his actions and directives that God is first, and if we live and work by that creed, good things will always transcend.” Kita said, “George taught me to look at an organization in a different way: How can we bless our people daily while still meeting our

goals as a for-profit business? I had always thought more in terms of employee satisfaction, but focusing on how we as a leadership team can drive the organization while blessing our employees first was an entirely different approach. I’ll carry this with me.” Turner said simply, “I’m a better leader because he led me.” The owner, as well as the president of NorthGate, also speak highly of Wilkinson. Andy Goggins, owner and CEO of NorthGate, said, “I knew George was the right leader for the right time at NorthGate within minutes of meeting him. His heart and his wisdom go before him.” Jim Distelrath, president of NorthGate, said, “George’s integrity is his calling card. He’s a leader among leaders.” That philosophy has extended far beyond NorthGate. Wilkinson has served his community through his church and numerous local boards and

SHOWN HERE ARE (FROM LEFT) GEORGE WILKINSON, FORMER PRESIDENT AND FRACTIONAL CEO OF NORTHGATE; JIM DISTELRATH, PRESIDENT OF NORTHGATE; ANDY GOGGINS, OWNER AND CEO OF NORTHGATE; MIA TURNER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT NORTHGATE; STEVE ADAMS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING AT NORTHGATE; AND BRIAN KITA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE/CFO AT NORTHGATE.

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

The fourth is where legacy begins. “The stage that actually creates a legacy is return, when what you’ve When gained stops being about you and individuals starts being poured into someone are elevated, else,” he says. That belief is at the heart of families Ascend Institute. become more The new 501(c)(3) is not an stable. When entirely new idea. In many ways, families become it is the next evolution of the more stable, work Wilkinson helped build at NorthGate. communities Be Ready was designed to become prove that intentionally investing stronger. in people could change more than And when job performance. It could build communities confidence, improve decisionmaking, strengthen families and become create ripple effects throughout stronger, the the community. The Return Stage region and The model worked. nation benefit.” Now, Wilkinson wants to take Wilkinson has taught for years that it beyond one company. — George Wilkinson life moves through four stages: “We always believed that once learn, churn, earn and return. Most people, he says, spend their it was proven, we should find a way to expand it and extend it careers focused on the first three. beyond NorthGate so that more people and organizations could benefit,” he says. “That time has now come.” The vision is simple: Be Ready to Ascend. Through Ascend Institute, Wilkinson hopes to provide individuals with tools, techniques, relationships and principles that will help them navigate life and work with greater confidence and competence. The ultimate goal is ambitious, but entirely consistent with the way Wilkinson sees the world. Help one person rise, and the impact does not stop there. “When individuals are elevated, families become more stable,” he explains. “When families become more stable, communities become stronger. And when communities become stronger, the region and nation benefit.” That is the multiplier effect he ANDY GOGGINS, OWNER AND CEO OF NORTHGATE, JOKED WITH GEORGE hopes Ascend Institute will create. WILKINSON DURING WILKINSON’S RETIREMENT PARTY. organizations. He has helped lead initiatives that supported the Flint community during some of its most difficult moments, including the Flint Water Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles Stewart Mott Award at the Flint & Genesee Chamber’s Art of Achievement Awards. That same year, NorthGate received the Business Impact Award, largely in recognition of its Be Ready Enrichment Services program. Recognition has followed Wilkinson throughout his career. But awards are not what he talks about most. People are.

Not Retirement. Refirement. Wilkinson does plan to enjoy more time with his wife, Sophia. He looks forward to traveling and doing some of the things that a demanding professional life required him to postpone. But make no mistake, he is not slowing down. “I live by the teaching, ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” he says. “So, for me, refirement isn’t about doing less. It is about having greater freedom to do more of what matters.” And what matters to George Wilkinson is helping people discover their value. He hopes that when people think about his leadership, they will remember someone who believed in them, challenged them, encouraged them and cared enough to help them find their way forward. He does not want his legacy to be a title. Or an office. Or even an award. “I want my legacy to be people,” he says. If, five years from now, Ascend Institute has helped elevate thousands of lives, Wilkinson will consider the next chapter a success. But even then, the story will not really be about numbers. It will be about the person who gained confidence. The employee who discovered a dream. The family that found stability. The individual who learned to believe, perhaps for the first time, that they were capable of more. And then, hopefully, that person will turn around and help someone else ascend. Because for George Wilkinson, success has never been about reaching the top alone. The real measure of a life well lived is how many people you bring with you. And George Wilkinson is still reaching back.

MyCityMag.com

| History

THE

GOATS

RANKING THE BEST FLINT AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS

B Y G A RY F I S H E R P H OTO S C O U RT ESY O F G E N ES E E C O U N T Y H I STO R I CA L S O C I E T Y

team had to win the Michigan State Championship and go undefeated. That eliminated some otherwise great teams that stumbled along the way, ran into bad luck, or otherwise dropped a game and fell short of the big prize. Winning it all takes a confluence of talent, skill, coaching, team chemistry and a little bit of luck. ➊ 1976 Flint Southwestern Colts To put it into perspective, some ➋ 1924 Flint Central Red Blacks of the players who did not win ➌ 1940 Flint Northern Vikings a state title include NFL Hall of ➍ 1950 Flint Northern Vikings Famer and current NFL intercep➎ 1947 Flint Central Indians tion king Paul Krause at Bendle; longtime NFL star Brad Van Pelt at With just exceptions, Southwest- Owosso; first-round NFL Draft pick Jake Long at Lapeer West; potential ern in 1976 and Davison in 2019, to even be considered for the list, a NFL Hall of Famers Beecher’s Carl ast month, we started our journey exploring the 10 Greatest of All Time (GOAT) high school football teams in area history. This month, we continue with numbers 6 through 10 and our Honorable Mention teams. To recap, our Top Five GOAT High School Football Teams are:

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Banks and Flint Northwestern’s Andre Rison; Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram Jr. of Grand Blanc and Flint Southwestern; legendary quarterback Ricky Leach from Flint Southwestern; future pro star Bob Suci from Grand Blanc; NFL star Booker Moore from Flint Southwestern; and NFL stars Jim Morrissey and Todd Lyght from Flint Powers Catholic, to name a few. All were great players, and most also competed on truly great teams, but they never won it all. But that is what makes our teams the GOATs: they were perfect! Now, to complete the Top 10 GOAT teams, we present numbers 6 through 10.

6 1956 FLINT NORTHERN VIKINGS

‘56 was a good year for Chevrolets, with the classic Bel Air, and an equally classic championship team at Northern. The ‘56 team narrowly missed making our top five of all time, and you can make a good case that they deserve to be there. The team defeated six ranked opponents, including two that were ranked No. 1 when the Vikes toppled them. They also handed the No. 2-, No. 3- and No. 4-ranked teams their only losses of the season. Along the way, they outscored their opponents 263-67, went undefeated, and scored a huge 33-0

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©2025©2025 Scrap Dog ScrapRecycling Dog Recycling & Salvage. & Salvage. My City MyMagazine. City Magazine. ©2025©2025 Scrap Dog ScrapRecycling Dog Recycling & Salvage. & Salvage. My City MyMagazine. City Magazine.

| History 1956 FLINT NORTHERN VIKINGS

players splitting time between classes at Central and working on the line at Buick and Chevrolet. It was a different era, to be sure, but nearly 70 years hence, this team still stands out as one of the best of all time.

8 2019 DAVISON CARDINALS

On November 30, 2019, the Davison Cardinals won their first-ever MHSAA Division 1 high school football state championship, defeating the Brighton Bulldogs 35-25 at Ford Field in Detroit.

Davison quarterback Brendan Sullivan led the charge with 290 passing yards to cap off a 12-2 season and secure the historic title for Davison. It was also the first big-school division title for a Genesee County team since the implementation of the MHSAA playoff system nearly a half-century earlier. That’s a stunning statistic, given the quality of talent produced in the Flint area during those intervening years. But as we have pointed out, individual talent is one thing; team talent is another. This ‘19 Cardinals team had both. In the state title game, Sullivan connected with standout receiver Latrell

thumping of Flint Northern on Thanksgiving Day to cap off the state championship. A 13-13 tie with Bay City Central led to a split state title, with UPI naming Central, the AP naming Bay City, and the Detroit Times naming both co-champions. The team was big for that era. When the average player weighed 1958 7 between 160 and 170 pounds, the FLINT CENTRAL Indians’ line averaged 210. INDIANS Coach Bill Doolittle’s squad A mere two years after the ‘56 produced All-Stater Ron Watkins, Vikings’ triumph, their crosstown rivals on Crapo Street at Flint Central three-year starter Keith Richardson, came back with a powerhouse squad and team MVP and captain Ken 2019 DAVISON CARDINALS AND Hardin. to rival all others. HEAD COACH JAKE WEINGARTZ The team was characterized as a The ‘58 Indians outscored their squad of “grown men,” with several opponents 354-59, including a 51-0 win against No. 1 Ann Arbor Pioneer, ending its 40-game unbeaten streak. To cap off the season, they beat archrival Flint Central in front of 15,680 fans at Atwood Stadium. Named All-State were John Sharp, Arden Releford and Wilbur Aaron.

1958 FLINT CENTRAL INDIANS

14 October 2026

Fordham on a 74-yard pass to give Davison a 14-3 lead. Sullivan finished 14-for-19 for 290 yards and one touchdown. He also ran 10 times for 40 yards and a score. Carter Cryderman ran 13 times for 80 yards and two scores. The team finished 12-2, dropping a midseason game to Lapeer, and in doing so became the only team in our Top 10 with a loss. Perhaps an unfair consideration, but all things considered, the 2019 Cardinals were a unique and historic team in area sports history. Breaking through a nearly half-century drought for a county big-school state championship was particularly deserving of special consideration. It was a great season and a truly great team.

IN FRONT OF 18,413 FANS CRAMMED INTO ATWOOD STADIUM, THE VIKINGS TOPPED THE INDIANS 24-6 TO FINISH AS UNDEFEATED MICHIGAN STATE CHAMPIONS. 1960 FLINT NORTHERN VIKINGS

9 1960 FLINT NORTHERN VIKINGS

10 1995 LAPEER WEST PANTHERS

The ‘60 Vikes produced the third Despite being underrated every state championship for Flint with a single week, the Panthers kept strong squad called by many “The coming up with wins. Even losing Big Red Machine.” It was an unstop- a key player to injury couldn’t slow the Lapeer West run to an pable force with an offense that unbeaten season and a state title. not only couldn’t be stopped, but They defeated South Lyon 24-21 couldn’t even be slowed down. in a thrilling double-overtime They outscored opponents game for the ultimate high school 243-65, never trailed in the fourth football prize at the Pontiac quarter of any game, and recorded Silverdome. three shutouts along the way. Coach Andy MacDonald had an all-star cast of characters to choose from, including Herb Cleaves, 1995 LAPEER WEST PANTHERS Willie Dent, Jerry Horcha, Craig Norse, Hue Edwards, Ray Brown, Ed Johnson, Jim Reid and Leroy McFadden. He also let his tough quarterback, Marv Rettenmund, call most of the plays. The Vikings beat No. 1-ranked Bay City Central in front of 12,787 fans to set up the grand finale against the usual suspects from Flint Central. As was often the case during the nearly half-century run of the Thanksgiving Day Game, the Michigan Class A State Championship came down to “The Game.” In front of 18,413 fans crammed into Atwood Stadium, the Vikings topped the Indians 24-6 to finish as undefeated Michigan State Champions.

Strong at every position and blessed with incredible depth, the Panthers were able to platoon on both offense and defense, with no player going both ways. That provided a decided advantage against teams with stars forced to play both sides of the ball. Future NFL player Kent Rasmussen led the otherwise “regular guy” squad. Along the way, they defeated No. 1-ranked Saginaw High, loaded with superb athletes, incredible team speed, future Division I

college players and NFL talent. They beat the best and became the best. The Panthers outscored opponents 287-39 behind their “No Name” lineup. An egalitarian unit of the highest order, after capturing the state title and sporting a future NFL player, they still voted against naming an individual team MVP, instead naming the entire team the MVP. It was emblematic of a special team and a special season.

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| History ing a win over Carl Banks and Flint Beecher in one of the greatest games in area history, before falling in the first round of the playoffs. 1993 Flint Central Indians — An undefeated offensive juggernaut led by Fred Jackson, DeAngelo Mitchell and an extremely sound, all-around deep squad, the Indians met their match in a loss in the semifinal round of the state playoffs.

QUARTERBACK JIMMY ABBOTT OF FLINT CENTRAL IN THE STATE SEMIFINALS IN 1984

HONORABLE MENTION

All of these teams were unbeaten and won or shared a state championship: 1922 Flint Central Red Blacks 1925 Flint Central Red Blacks 1930 Flint Northern Vikings 1932 Flint Central Indians 1933 Flint Northern Vikings 1938 Flint Northern Vikings 1939 Flint Northern Vikings 1942 Flint Northern Vikings 2005 Flint Powers Chargers 2011 Flint Powers Chargers 2024 Goodrich Martians

SPECIAL MENTION

1970 Flint Central Indians — Ranked No. 1 in the state in all the polls, the Reggie Barnett- and

GOODRICH HEAD COACH TOM ALWARD

16 October 2026

LEGENDARY FLINT NORTHERN COACH GUY HOUSTON

1981 Grand Blanc Bobcats — An unbeaten regular season led by Matt Conquest and a strong defense

Steve Bograkos-led Tribe only had to beat archrival Flint Northern in the annual Thanksgiving Day Game to claim its seventh Class A State Championship. The underdog Vikings wouldn’t allow it and prevailed in front of a capacity crowd at Atwood Stadium, stiff-arming the Indians’ state title bid. 1942 FLINT ST. MARY’S WILDCATS

1977 Flint Southwestern Colts — Led by quarterback Gary Lee and a cast of future college and professional stars, they followed a second unbeaten regular season in a row to reach 18-0 but fell in the first round of the state playoffs. 2021 Grand Blanc Bobcats — The team fell short of accomplishing something that hadn’t been seen in the Flint area since the 1939 Flint Northern Vikings’ “Wonder Boys” were part of a string of state championship wins in the big three sports of football, basketball and baseball. The Bobcats lost in the state playoff semifinals. Admittedly, the Bobcats wouldn’t have achieved the trifecta in the same year, having won the other two titles the previous year, but it was still an outstanding achievement to come close to realizing. 1984 Flint Central Indians — The Jimmy Abbott-led Tribe was stacked with superstars, including two-time

All-American Terrence “T” Greene and future college players Tony “Big Zabe” Szabo, Robert “Duck” Duckett, David Burks and Daryl “Gill” Gilliam, but fell in the state semifinals against Ann Arbor Pioneer, owing in part to a phantom touchdown call. Head Coach Joe Eufinger called it his best team, and he coached several outstanding squads. 1979 Grand Blanc Bobcats — The Steve Smith-led squad had an undefeated regular season, includ-

came up short against Escanaba in the first round of the playoffs. 1985 Grand Blanc Bobcats — The first Grand Blanc team to win a playoff game, they finished with 10 wins.

THESE TEAMS WERE ALL UNBEATEN BUT DID NOT WIN A STATE TITLE:

1942 Flint St. Mary’s Wildcats 1941 Flint St. Michael’s “The Mikes” 1951 Mandeville Spartans 1969 Flint St. Michael’s “The Mikes”

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.

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IS OUT

HISTORIES, MYSTERIES AND GHOSTS OF MAIN STREET THERE ARE PLACES ACROSS MICHIGAN THAT SEEM TO HAVE A LIFE OF THEIR OWN. THEY ARE RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, THEATERS, TAVERNS, MANSIONS, FARMS AND OTHER LONGTIME BUSINESSES WHERE THE WALLS SEEM TO HOLD ONTO THE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO CAME BEFORE US.

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ome are famous for their architecture, food or hospitality. Others are beloved because generations of families have returned year after year. And some have acquired something else along the way: stories of strange noises, unexplained happenings, mysterious sightings or ghosts. That combination of history and mystery becomes especially appealing in October, when Halloween invites us to be curious about the unexplained. Michigan is filled with historic places where the past and present intersect. A century-old restaurant may still serve customers in the same building where generations dined before them. A grand Victorian home may preserve the rooms and stories of the family who once lived there. An old theater may still echo with memories of performers and audiences from another era. Add a few ghost stories, and the experience becomes even more intriguing. You don’t necessarily have to believe in ghosts to be fascinated by a place with a story. Those stories often make people want to visit these destinations. They also give us a reason to return.

A historic business that has survived for decades has something many newer destinations cannot easily replicate: a genuine sense of place. The building has history. The neighborhood has history. The people who owned it, worked there and visited it left behind stories that become part of the business’s identity. October adds another layer. Crisp air, changing leaves, earlier sunsets and longer evenings create a natural backdrop for exploring Michigan’s past. Many historic businesses and attractions take advantage of the season by offering special tours and events for a wide range of visitors. There are flashlight tours through historic homes, ghost walks, paranormal investigations, candlelit tours, Halloween dinners, cocktail evenings and familyfriendly activities. Some experiences are genuinely frightening, while others focus primarily on history and storytelling. That variety is part of the appeal. A history buff can explore the architecture and learn about the people who built a landmark. A paranormal enthusiast can investigate reports of unexplained activity. A couple can turn a historic restaurant into an October date night. Families can enjoy a Halloween event that is more fun than frightening. And sometimes, the most fascinating stories aren’t the scariest ones. They’re the questions they leave behind. Who walked these hallways? What happened in this room? Who lived here? Why did the building survive when so many others disappeared? And why, decades or even centuries later, do people still report hearing footsteps, seeing figures or experiencing something they cannot explain?

AND SOMETIMES, THE MOST FASCINATING STORIES AREN’T THE SCARIEST ONES. THEY’RE THE QUESTIONS THEY LEAVE BEHIND. Those questions keep historic places alive. They also explain why people return. The first visit may be about seeing the building. The second may be about hearing its stories. A return trip in October might mean experiencing it after dark, when the same rooms and hallways suddenly feel very different. That is the magic of Michigan’s historic businesses and landmarks. They aren’t frozen in the past. They continue to evolve, entertain and welcome new generations while carrying their old stories forward. And when October arrives, those stories seem to become just a little more intriguing. So this Halloween season, consider stepping beyond the typical haunted house. Visit the old hotel. Have dinner in the historic restaurant. Walk through the mansion. Take a flashlight tour. Listen to the stories. Ask an employee what they’ve experienced after closing time. You don’t have to believe every ghost story. You simply have to be curious enough to open the door.

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| The Secret is Out

HISTORIES, MYSTERIES AND GHOSTS OF MAIN STREET THE FASCINATING STORIES, PLACES AND BUSINESSES THAT REFUSE TO DISAPPEAR C O M P I L E D B Y S H A R O N STO N E

ichigan is filled with places where history happened behind grand doors, along shadowy corridors and inside rooms that have witnessed wealth, tragedy, innovation and, in some cases, stories of the unexplained.

THIS OCTOBER, TAKE A STEP INSIDE. FROM FORMER PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS AND VICTORIAN MANSIONS TO A FLINT ESTATE, A CHARLEVOIX CASTLE AND ONE OF DETROIT’S MOST FAMOUS RESTAURANTS, THESE TEN HISTORIC DESTINATIONS OFFER FASCINATING STORIES AND PLENTY OF REASONS TO EXPLORE. 20 October 2026

OLD HOSPITALS AND ASYLUMS ELOISE ASYLUM WESTLAND

Eloise dates to 1839, when Wayne County purchased land in what is now Westland and established a poorhouse. Over time, the property grew into a massive, largely self-contained institution serving people who were poor, elderly, sick or living with mental illness. At its height, the Eloise complex covered more than 900 acres and included more than 70 buildings. More than 10,000 patients and approximately 2,000 employees were connected to the institution during its peak years.

Like many institutions of its era, Eloise has a complicated history. Early treatment of mental illness was often harsh, and people with very different needs were housed together. But its story also reflects changing attitudes toward sanitation, patient care, outdoor activity and treatment. Today, only a small portion of the original complex remains. The Kay Beard Building at 30712

Eloise Asylum

Michigan Ave. is the centerpiece of the modern Eloise attraction. Visitors can explore its history through guided tours, paranormal investigations and escape rooms, while October brings the site’s famous haunted-house experience. For those more interested in history than scares, the approximately threehour guided history tour offers a fascinating look inside the surviving building and surrounding grounds.

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TRAVERSE CITY STATE HOSPITAL TRAVERSE CITY

One of Michigan’s most remarkable historic preservation success stories began as the Northern Michigan Asylum. Construction began in 1882, and the first patients arrived in 1885. Designed according to the Kirkbride Plan, the sprawling hospital emphasized a then-progressive philosophy: beautiful surroundings, fresh air, sunshine and meaningful activity could play a role in healing. The enormous central building, now known as Building 50, eventually became the heart of a campus that included cottages, farms, orchards and gardens. The hospital closed in 1989, but rather than disappear, the historic complex was saved and transformed into The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Today,

Traverse City State Hospital

visitors will find shops, restaurants, residences and businesses inside one of Michigan’s most ambitious adaptive-reuse projects. Historical tours offer a chance

to learn about the architecture, patients and people who shaped the institution. Some tours also explore portions of the historic brick steam tunnels beneath the complex, add-

ing an appropriately mysterious atmosphere. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is at 830 Cottageview Drive.

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| The Secret is Out The approximately 30,000square-foot home remains filled with original furnishings, artwork and personal details. Tours take visitors beyond the beautiful rooms to tell the story of how one of America’s most famous families actually lived. Ford House is at 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores and offers grounds admission and several guided experiences.

Stimson Hospital

MEADOW BROOK HALL ROCHESTER

STIMSON HOSPITAL HISTORIC MANSIONS AND EATON RAPIDS HOMES

87 acres along Lake St. Clair. The Fords raised their four children there, and the home was designed not simply to display wealth, but for family life, entertaining, art and nature. Edsel Ford, the son of Henry Ford, became president of Ford Motor Company in 1919 and was deeply interested in art, design and innovation. His influence helped shape some of the company’s most distinctive automobiles, including the Model A and Lincoln Continental.

The striking Victorian building at 101 W. Plain St. began as a private residence in the 1870s before becom- FORD HOUSE GROSSE POINTE SHORES ing a community hospital in 1918. Its history took a tragic turn The spectacular former home of shortly after opening. Dr. Francis Edsel and Eleanor Ford is one of Blanchard, one of the physiMichigan’s premier historic house cians involved in establishing the experiences. hospital, stepped through an open Built in 1928, the English elevator doorway, unaware the Cotswold-style residence sits on elevator car was not there. He fell down the shaft and later died from his injuries. Two other people closely associated with the hospital also died inside the building. Harriet Chapman, who helped establish the hospital, later became a patient there and died in an upstairs room. Dr. Charles Stimson reportedly died at his desk after suffering a heart attack. After serving the community until 1957, the building was converted into apartments. New owners began restoring the historic property in 2017 and became interested in its long history of reported paranormal activity. Today, Stimson Hospital is a destination for scheduled history tours Ford House and paranormal investigations.

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If you like your history with a little mystery, Meadow Brook Hall delivers. The former home of Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of automobile pioneer John Dodge, Meadow Brook Hall was built between 1926 and 1929. The

Meadow Brook Hall

Tudor Revival mansion contains 110 rooms and approximately 88,000 square feet of architectural detail, original furnishings and artwork. But Matilda’s story is as interesting as the mansion itself. After inheriting a substantial fortune following John Dodge’s death, she married Alfred Wilson, and together they built Meadow Brook Hall as their country estate. She later played an important role in the creation of what became Oakland University, where the mansion now stands. During October, the Hall embraces its spooky side.

Flashlight Tours on October 6, 13, 20 and 27 invite visitors to explore after dark while discovering details often missed during daytime tours. On October 29, Hall-oween: Bewitching Hour offers an adultsonly evening of costumes, cocktails, spooky snacks and an after-dark stroll through the estate. Meadow Brook Hall is at 350 Estate Drive in Rochester.

HACKLEY & HUME HISTORIC SITE MUSKEGON

Two Victorian mansions. Two lumber barons. And one fascinating glimpse into Muskegon’s Gilded Age. The homes of Charles H. Hackley and Thomas Hume stand side by side at 484 W. Webster Ave. Built in the late 1880s, the Queen Annestyle homes belonged to business partners who made their fortunes during the height of Muskegon’s lumber boom.

Hackley & Hume Historic Site

Hackley’s home is interpreted to approximately 1890, while the Hume House reflects life around 1920. Together, the homes tell the story of a changing city and era.

October programming adds a darker twist. A Flashlight Tour on October 9 takes visitors through five floors of the homes while guides share quirky and creepy facts.

Obituary Tours on October 16 and 17 explore Victorian attitudes toward death, funerals, mourning and remembrance. These are, after all, real homes where real people lived and died.

| The Secret is Out The Whitney

THE WHITNEY DETROIT

Few places combine Detroit history, fine dining and ghost stories quite like The Whitney. The magnificent Romanesque Revival mansion at 4421 Woodward Ave. was built between 1890 and 1894 for lumber baron David Whitney Jr. The 22,000-square-foot mansion features 52 rooms, 20 fireplaces and 218 windows. Today, The Whitney is a restaurant, cocktail destination and special-events venue, but the historic mansion remains the star of the show. The building also has a longstanding paranormal reputation. One of its most enduring legends involves a woman reportedly seen or heard crying on the third floor, said by some to be Whitney’s first wife, Flora. The third floor is now home to The Ghostbar, while Late-Night Paranormal Tours offer visitors a chance to explore the mansion and carriage house after dark. For the truly adventurous, The Whitney’s 12th Annual Halloween Paranormal Adventure is planned for October 29, 30 and 31, featuring dinner, paranormal history, spirited tours and Halloween-only access to parts of the property.

HENDERSON CASTLE KALAMAZOO

Perched high on West Main Hill, Henderson Castle looks like it

Henderson Castle

belongs in a fairy tale, or perhaps a ghost story. Built in 1895 for businessman Frank Henderson and his wife, Mary, the Queen Anne-style mansion earned its nickname from its sandstone exterior, towers and elaborate architecture. Henderson was president of the Henderson-Ames Company, which manufactured military uniforms and regalia. The home itself was remarkably modern for its time, featuring an elevator and a 13-head shower. Frank Henderson died only four years after the home was completed, and Mary remained there until her death in 1908. Today, Henderson Castle operates as a bed-and-breakfast, restaurant, event venue and spa. Its Haunted Henderson History Dinners combine dinner with stories about the home’s history and reported paranormal activity. The Castle is at 100 Monroe St. in Kalamazoo.

his family, the estate includes the historic house, gardens, greenhouse, heritage apple orchard, barn and other outbuildings. Mott came to Flint through the growing automobile industry and eventually became one of the key figures in General Motors. But Applewood was also a family home. The Motts raised livestock and poultry and grew fruits and vegetables on the property. After Ruth Mott’s death in 1999, the estate passed to the Ruth Mott Foundation, fulfilling her wish that the community would one day be able to experience the family’s home and legacy. Today, Applewood is free and open seasonally, with tours and programs generally offered through October. Applewood Estate is at 1400 E. Kearsley St. in Flint.

APPLEWOOD ESTATE FLINT

Closer to home, Applewood Estate offers a remarkable glimpse into the life and legacy of one of Flint’s most influential families. Built in 1916 as the home and gentleman’s farm of automotive pioneer Charles Stewart Mott and Applewood Estate

24 October 2026

Whaley Historic House Museum

WHALEY HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM FLINT

Just down the street from Applewood stands another remarkable piece of Flint history. The Whaley Historic House Museum at 624 E. Kearsley St. has Gilded Age architecture, family

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| The Secret is Out tragedy, preservation and a direct connection to the founding of one of the world’s most important automotive companies. Robert J. Whaley was the Flint banker who approved a $2,000 loan to William C. Durant to help launch the Flint Road Cart Company, which eventually became part of General Motors. The museum still has the bank ledger documenting the loan. The original Italianate home was built in 1859. After Robert and Mary Whaley moved there in 1885, the house underwent an extensive renovation that transformed it into the elaborate Victorian residence visitors see today. Mary Whaley remained in the home until her death in 1925. Her will directed that it become a residence for elderly women, a role it served for decades before preservationists stepped in to save the building. The house suffered a devastating fire in 2015 but reopened in 2018 after an extensive restoration. It also has its share of ghost stories. While the museum makes no official claim that the house is haunted, tragedy did occur there. In 1904, Whaley’s brother-in-law, Morey T. Andrews, died in the home after accidentally drinking a poisonous substance.

CASTLE FARMS CHARLEVOIX

Charlevoix’s Castle Farms has a history that includes dairy cows, baseball, rock stars, tragedy and ghosts. Built in 1918 by Albert Loeb, an executive with Sears, Roebuck & Co., the complex was designed as a model dairy farm. Its stone buildings were inspired by the castles and farm structures of Normandy, France. At its height, the 1,600-acre farm employed more than 90 people. There was even a semi-professional baseball team known as the Sodbusters, and the Chicago White Sox once visited for an exhibition game. The farm eventually closed, and the buildings sat vacant for decades. In 1969, the property became Castle Farms Summer Music Theater, hosting major concerts from the 1970s into the early 1990s. A major restoration began after Linda Mueller purchased the property in 2001. Today, Castle Farms is a historic attraction, museum, garden destination and event venue. It also has a reputation for paranormal activity, with visitors and staff reporting unexplained sounds and other unusual experiences. Haunted-history tours offer another way to explore the Castle’s long and unusual past. Castle Farms is at 5052 M-66 North in Charlevoix.

THERE ARE SEVERAL GENESEE COUNTY BUSINESSES AND HISTORIC PROPERTIES WITH DOCUMENTED GHOST STORIES, PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS OR LONGSTANDING REPORTS OF UNUSUAL ACTIVITY.

The Fenton Hotel

THE FENTON HOTEL FENTON

Built in 1856 as a hotel, the historic building is now home to a restaurant and tavern. Over the years, employees and visitors have reported a variety of unexplained experiences, including phantom drink orders, disembodied voices, footsteps upstairs, shutters that appear to move on their own, flickering lights, objects shifting unexpectedly and mysterious physical touches.

Stockton House

One of the best-known legends involves a man who reportedly appears to order a drink, only to vanish before it can be served.

STOCKTON HOUSE MUSEUM FLINT

Castle Farms

26 October 2026

Built in 1872 for Civil War Colonel Thomas Baylis Whitmarsh Stockton, this historic home has developed a reputation for paranormal activity. According to Explore Flint & Genesee, Colonel Stockton is said to haunt both the house and its grounds.

Trio Tavern & Grill

Whether visitors believe in ghosts or not, the museum’s connection to one of Flint’s prominent historical figures adds an intriguing layer to its story.

FIM CAPITOL THEATRE

DOWNTOWN FLINT

The historic Capitol Theatre has long been associated with

FIM Capitol Theatre

paranormal stories. Reported experiences include apparitions and shadowy figures in the balcony, as well as unexplained screams, moans, tapping sounds and even mysterious singing. With its ornate architecture, darkened balconies and nearly century-old history, the Capitol Theatre provides an especially atmospheric setting for stories of the unexplained.

TRIO TAVERN & GRILL GOODRICH

Formerly Cranberries Café, the Goodrich restaurant reportedly developed a paranormal reputation following renovations after a 1997 fire. According to Explore Flint & Genesee, a former owner described seeing an apparition during renovation work, and paranormal investigators examined the restaurant in 2009 as part of a documentary titled The Haunted Truth. Today, the building’s unusual history adds another layer of intrigue to this popular Genesee County dining destination.

STEP INSIDE

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, Michigan’s historic homes, hospitals, restaurants and castles offer something even more compelling: real stories. Behind these doors are families who built fortunes, doctors who tried to change the way people were treated, communities that fought to save historic landmarks and generations of people who lived, worked, celebrated and sometimes died within their walls. And this October, many of those doors are open.

| Sports

DISTRICT 4 DOES IT AGAIN

Back-to-back Senior League Softball World Series championships cap an unforgettable three-year run BY MARK SPEZIA P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y M A L LO RY J O N ES

rom her vantage point in left field, anticipation was building within Ayannah Jackson. Grand Blanc-based District 4 was one out away from becoming the first Michigan team to capture consecutive Senior League Softball World Series championships in the tournament’s 50-year history. As she watched a routine fly ball ding off the bat of a Delaware hitter, Jackson knew it was the final play of another dominant run. “As soon as that ball was hit, I started immediately bawling my eyes out,” said the Goodrich High School senior and one of District 4’s five first-team All-State players. “We are like best friends and so comfortable with each other, which makes moments like winning another World Series so special.” Right fielder Reagen Allen (Clarkston) snared the final out of a 6-4 victory before holding the ball momentarily, then tossing it to the ground with such force that it rolled into the infield and past the pitcher’s mound. Allen and second baseman Aubrey Kresbaugh (Walled Lake Northern), also a first-team AllStater, then raced to join their teammates celebrating near the mound. A year ago, Jackson bolted from the outfield to the group celebration after District 4 shut out Delaware in the title game. This time, she

28 October 2026

paused. There was someone she wanted to embrace first. “What made winning (the World Series) extra special this time was having my sister (Makenzie) on the team,” she said. “I had to hug her first.” Starting pitcher Addie Taylor (Clio) and catcher Ady Freeman (Owosso) also joined the celebration after sharing an emotional embrace near home plate. Taylor emerged from the dugout following a gutsy, five-inning pitching performance while battling shoulder tightness and recovering from a recent sinus infection. Makeena Kresbaugh (Walled Lake Northern) took over in the sixth and seventh innings, preserving the championship. “Winning the World Series again was amazing after the way all the first-year girls combined so well with those of us who came back after winning it all last year,” said Taylor, an honorable mention All-Stater. “It was going to be pretty hard to lose with the team and coaching staff we have.” That staff includes head coach Zach Orr and assistants Dan Proffer, Gerald Collins and Olivia Bainbridge. As his team basked in the euphoria of another title, Orr walked along the first-base line, marveling at everything the program had accomplished in just three years.

WINNING THE WORLD SERIES AGAIN WAS AMAZING AFTER THE WAY ALL THE FIRST-YEAR GIRLS COMBINED SO WELL WITH THOSE OF US WHO CAME BACK AFTER WINNING IT ALL LAST YEAR.” — STARTING PITCHER ADDIE TAYLOR “I started to become choked up as I thought about how we built this team from scratch and here we are, repeating as World Series champions,” he said. “I was so happy for every one of the girls to see them succeed like this, but, at the same time, it was tough to realize that this is it for many of the players in this age group.” District 4 broke the championship game open in the second inning as Makenna Kresbaugh smacked a three-run home run over the center-field fence. Ayannah Jackson then walked before Freeman belted a two-run shot over the right-field fence for a 5-0 advantage. Jackson’s solo homer to right in the fourth extended the lead to 6-0.

FROM LEFT: ADYSEN FREEMAN, HARPER LOWE, HANNAH JOHNSON AND MAKENNA KRESBAUGH CELEBRATE THE WORLD SERIES TITLE.

ELLA STEVENSON ON BASE

KATE MITCHELL AT THE PLATE

DANIELLE GOLEN PITCHING DURING AN EARLIER GAME.

Meanwhile, Taylor kept host Delaware at bay despite shoulder cramping and tightening that affected her control and velocity. Delaware ended Taylor’s shutout bid with a run in the fifth before narrowing the gap in the sixth with a two-run homer. Taylor agreed to end her day after giving up a walk and double to the next two batters. She surrendered only three hits while striking out six. “My shoulder was really bothering me and I was a little out of it because of the sinus infection, but all I needed to do was keep their hitters off balance and some of the best players in Michigan around me were going to do the rest,” Taylor said. “In that sixth inning, though, my arm was really locking up, and I knew I was done. It would be selfish to keep going and Makenna was ready to finish it off.” Delaware added a sacrifice fly before the sixth ended to pull within 6-4 but scored no more. Kresbaugh, a first-team All-Stater, retired five of the final six batters she faced. “Delaware is a talented team playing in front of their home crowd, so we needed to be patient when selecting pitches to hit, and it was important to take an early lead to quiet their crowd,” Orr said. “Fortunately,

ELLA STEVENSON AT THE PLATE

we had a great amount of support from the many people from Michigan who made the trip.” In the semifinals, District 4 outlasted Asia-Pacific, 1-0, its closest margin of victory in any World Series game the past two years. District 4 scored the only run it needed in the third inning as Ella Stevenson (Grand Blanc) walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Alaina Trotter (Grand Blanc). Alisyn Raether (Goodrich) then hit a seemingly harmless pop fly to left field that was dropped, allowing her to reach second and Stevenson to advance to third.

REAGAN ALLEN AT THE PLATE

Allen then hustled to first after laying down a bunt, loading the bases. Two batters later, Freeman drew a walk after an 11-pitch at-bat, forcing Stevenson across the plate. “Their pitcher was very good at mixing up her pitches and not being predictable,” Orr said. “We kind of reverted to playing small ball combined with outstanding pitching and defense.” Taylor allowed just two hits while striking out five over seven innings. “The semifinal was such a fun game that really showed how important taking care of the little

AYANNAH JACKSON AT THE PLATE

things is,” Taylor said. “We stayed completely locked down on defense and they made the one crucial error that we didn’t.” Overall, dominant District 4 won its seven World Series games by a combined 64-11 margin and racked up 70 hits, including 13 home runs, 13 doubles and a triple. Ayannah Jackson posted the tournament’s highest slugging percentage (1.333) and on-base percentage (2.015) and tied for first in homers (three) and hits (11). She was second in batting average (.611) and tied for second with four doubles. Freeman, a first-team All-Stater who has committed to Western Michigan, was second in slugging percentage (.944), third in on-base

ADDISON TAYLOR PITCHES DURING SEMIFINAL WIN OVER ASIA-PACIFIC

COLLECTIVELY, PITCHERS TAYLOR, MAKENNA KRESBAUGH, A FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATER WHO HAS COMMITTED TO SAGINAW VALLEY STATE, AND DANIELLE GOLEN (FENTON) STRUCK OUT 40 BATTERS WHILE ALLOWING ONLY 22 WALKS IN 42 INNINGS.

HEAD COACH ZACH ORR AND SAMANTHA WRIGHT COVER THEIR MOUTHS WHILE TALKING STRATEGY.

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| Sports

DISTRICT 4 CELEBRATES SEMIFINAL WIN OVER ASIA-PACIFIC.

DISTRICT 4 PLAYERS CELEBRATE REPEATING AS SENIOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.

percentage (1.528) and fourth in RBIs (eight). Freeman and Trotter, also a first-team All-Stater, both smacked a pair of home runs. “I call Ayannah and Ady the psycho sisters with the way they pound the ball,” Orr said. “Both are electrifying players.” Raether finished second in on-base average (.692), third in batting average (.600) and fourth in on-base percentage (1.392), while Stevenson was fifth in slugging percentage (.818). Collectively, pitchers Taylor, Makenna Kresbaugh, a first-team All-Stater who has committed to Saginaw Valley State, and Danielle Golen (Fenton) struck out 40 batters while allowing only 22 walks in 42 innings. Taylor finished tied for second in wins (three), third in strikeouts (24 in 23 innings) and fourth in earned run average (1.52). Kresbaugh was second in ERA (0.44). Other members of District 4 were Hannah Johnson (Grand Blanc), an honorable mention AllStater who has committed to Saginaw Valley, Kate Mitchell (Grand

30 October 2026

Blanc), Harper Lowe (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s), Kaitlyn Brennan (Hartland) and Sammi Wright (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s). The 16-player roster was assembled during tryouts in late May that drew 47 prospects. Newcomers joined returnees Taylor, Johnson, Mitchell, Freeman, Ayannah Jackson, Stevenson and Raether. Michigan High School Athletic Association rules prohibit players from joining all-star squads like District 4 until after their high school season ends, allowing just three practices and a scrimmage before the state and regional tournaments. That hardly mattered. District 4 went 7-0 in those games, outscored opponents 90-7 and continued to bond. “Our group of returning girls really opened up to the new girls, which made everybody more comfortable and we all clicked together,” Jackson said. “During the World Series, my teammates became like sisters, and they mean the world to me,” Taylor said. “We walked into the stadium with the confidence of being de-

WE WALKED INTO THE STADIUM WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF BEING DEFENDING CHAMPIONS, SO OTHER TEAMS KNEW IT WASN’T GOING TO BE EASY TO TAKE OUR TITLE AWAY.” — STARTING PITCHER ADDIE TAYLOR fending champions, so other teams knew it wasn’t going to be easy to take our title away.” On Aug. 20, the community celebrated District 4’s triumph at Bicentennial Park in Grand Blanc as team members signed softballs for dozens of younger Little Leaguers who had watched them on ESPN. The event marked the final time Ayannah Jackson, Taylor, Trotter, Raether, Stevenson, Johnson, Brennan, Mitchell, Freeman and Makenna Kresbaugh would wear a District 4 uniform. Jackson, Stevenson, Johnson and Mitchell all concluded three-year runs with the team. It was also Orr’s last function as District 4 coach. He is stepping away to be more present for his 5-year-old son’s T-ball career but will remain with Grand Blanc Little League in a governing capacity.

MAKENNA KRESBAUGH, RIGHT, IS GREETED AT HOME PLATE AFTER HITTING A HOME RUN IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

“I always preach the importance of family, but have been missing too many of my son’s games,” he said. “It was absolutely awesome how the community came out to celebrate us and seeing the players embrace being role models and interact so well with the younger players who look up to them was special.” Jackson, Taylor and Mitchell will be teammates once more at Wayne State University, beginning in the spring of 2028. “It’s a little hard knowing that my time with this team is over because I’m really going to miss all the girls I played with and our coaching staff,” Jackson said. “We’ll all stay very close, and it will be great watching everybody grow and do great things in the future.”

Your community. Your college.

From enrollment to graduation, we support you every step of the way. Get started at mcc.edu or by calling 810.762.0200.

| Standout

t n e d u t S t u o d n St a

Presented by

Addie Taylor Clio High School Grade 12

ddie Taylor is a senior at Clio High School. Her softball team, Grand Blanc-based District 4, recently won the Senior League Softball World Series championship. See the full story on her team on page 28. “It was such an amazing experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The girls and coaches truly made the trip and experience even better. The late-night laughs and Wawa trips we took before and after games are something I will never forget. Being able to be a small part of something so big was really amazing, and I wouldn’t be able to say I did it without the girls around me. It meant the world to win the championship again because we had worked so hard to be able to say we 2-peated.” Are you active with other sports? I play golf for my high school team. I have gotten recognition for it all three years I have played, and it is definitely different from softball, but I still love it. It teaches me to remember that I am not perfect 24/7, and I don’t need to be.

32 October 2026

What is your favorite class at Clio High School? My favorite class definitely has to be Yearbook because it teaches me how to be creative and helps me work better with others. Do you have college plans yet? In the fall of 2027, I plan to attend Wayne State University and pursue my athletic and educational career there. When I get older, I want to become a speech pathologist for kids with disabilities. Where do you see yourself in 5 and 10 years? I see myself working in a school district and pursuing my dream of becoming a speech pathologist. As much as I would love to say I would be playing professional softball, I don’t want that for myself. All the experiences I have gained from playing travel softball since I was little are something I will always be grateful for and remember, but at some point in my life, I am going to have to set down the ball and do what is best for my future.

What advice would you give freshmen girls regarding sports, social life and academics to succeed in high school? Don’t feel like you have to be perfect all the time. Mistakes are going to happen. You are going to mess up, probably get into trouble once or twice, or forget to do something after your mom asked you to do it a thousand times. Sports mean everything to a lot of people, but do not look to sports for selfvalidation or validation from others. The more you wait for yourself to be perfect, the more time you are wasting. You need to quit looking for perfection and take a break once in a while, hang out with friends, be yourself and go to that school dance. Have fun; just focus on being your best.

SCAN HERE! Do you know a standout student in athletics, academics or the arts? Nominate them to be featured in an upcoming issue!

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| Fun

The Magic OF READING

C O M P I L E D B Y K A R E N P I AC E N T I N I October is the perfect month to rediscover the magic of reading. As autumn leaves fall and Halloween approaches, a good book can transport us to haunted houses, mysterious places or faraway worlds. Reading sparks imagination, builds knowledge and offers a welcome escape from everyday life. This October, turn off the television, grab a blanket and open a book. Whether it is spooky, suspenseful or simply inspiring, every great story begins with turning the first page .

Apples 50 Tried and True Recipes by Julia Rutland

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Practical Magic 2: a novel (Book 4 of 4) by Alice Hoffman

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The Unknown by Riley Sager

The Witch by Freida McFadden

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Halloween Party by Agatha Christie

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Paintings & Photographs from the Shogren-Meyer Collection

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1120 E Kearsley St, Flint

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William Rittase, American, 1894–1968, Industrial Abstraction (detail), ca. 1930, Gelatin silver print, 91/2 × 7 1/2 inches. Shogren-Meyer Collection of American Art.

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| Fun

Community TO THE C ORE

For generations, ALMAR ORCHARDS has grown more than apples — it has grown family traditions, community connections and memories B Y K E EG A N D E LO N E Y

veryone has roots. Traditions, communities and families connect us to time, place and one another. They stabilize us and offer comfort. Autumn reminds us of this every year through sweet treats, warm drinks and looking inward toward one another as the world seems to slow down. Almar Orchards is much the same. From its organic apple orchards and farm store to its longstanding history in the county, Almar reminds everyone who visits of the deep roots that ground us in the community, the land and everything we share with it.

ROOTED IN PLACE

Rooted in the Koan family since the mid-1900s, Almar Orchards has served Flushing as much more than a place to grow apples. This fifth-generation farm encompasses 300 acres, half of which are home to organic apple and pear orchards.

36 October 2026

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| Fun FROM ITS ORGANIC APPLE ORCHARDS AND FARM STORE TO ITS LONGSTANDING HISTORY IN THE COUNTY, ALMAR REMINDS EVERYONE WHO VISITS OF THE DEEP ROOTS THAT GROUND US IN THE COMMUNITY, THE LAND AND EVERYTHING WE SHARE WITH IT.

MONIQUE LAPINSKI, JIM KOAN AND ZACH KOAN OF ALMAR ORCHARDS

The property also includes pastureraised pigs, meadows filled with pollinators, a sugarbush where staff collect maple sap for syrup and sugar, a playground, a tasting room for hard ciders and a farm store where visitors can enjoy the fruits of Almar’s labor.

38 October 2026

The story began in the mid1800s when George Rancer Coon, the first “Koan,” as his children would later call themselves, moved from Canada to the United States and purchased an orchard. Almar itself would come generations later.

George Coon’s son, Arthur Koan, planted the first apple trees on a parcel of land that would eventually become “Koan’s Orchard,” established by Arthur’s son, Albert Koan Sr. A generation later, Albert Koan Jr., having learned the farming trade from his father and at area orchards, decided to start his own orchard. In 1944, he moved from Beecher to Duffield Road with his new wife, Mary Vass. They combined the first

parts of their names, “Albert” and “Mary,” for their new home, and Almar Orchards was born. Albert Jr. planted Almar’s first trees the year his son Jim (James) was born, and in time, both grew. The family built a small farm store in 1955 to sell their apples after previously selling them from their garage and at the Flint City Market. From there, they continued to expand, adding apple storage, a cider mill and more orchard acreage. Mary also began making

1970

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| Fun

doughnuts in their small kitchen. Everyone in the family pitched in. That included Jim, even after he left the orchard for a teaching career. He married fellow teacher Karen Duso, and both continued to help pick and sort apples. In 1978, Jim returned to the farm full-time and became a full partner in the business. Since then, Almar has grown apples organically for 30 years, with 28 of those years as a certified-organic operation. According to Amalie Hess, orchard and store manager, Almar has become “one of the largest certified-organic orchards east of the Rockies.”

BRANCHES OF FUN

The Koan family and Almar Orchards have been a core part of the Flushing community for generations. Their dedication to organically grown produce plays no small role in that. As Amalie explains, “We care deeply about getting great-tasting, nutrient-dense foods onto a

40 October 2026

family’s table. Our own children play here and eat these apples, just as our customers do, and that passion for providing the best is what gets us out of bed every day, bright and early.” Almar understands the importance of providing quality food that everyone can enjoy. Children, parents, farm workers and visitors all share in the farm’s bounty. Almar’s offerings extend well beyond fresh apples and organic produce. Apple cider is a popular autumn staple, while hard ciders are available for purchase and sampling in the tasting room. Apple cider vinegar is another option, but one of Almar’s more distinctive products is its “Haybaler Switchel.” Made with vinegar, honey and ginger, the organic beverage comes in several flavors, including the original recipe, cayenne, moose berry and cherry. For apple lovers, Almar also offers its own Honeycrisp apple chips, which are dehydrated and ready to eat. The farm store also carries honey, honey straws, beeswax, maple syrup, maple sugar and farm-raised pork.

“We care deeply about getting great-tasting, nutrient-dense foods onto a family’s table. Our own children play here and eat these apples, just as our customers do, and that passion for providing the best is what gets us out of bed every day, bright and early.” — Amalie Hess

The selection extends to other locally made products, including barbecue sauces and rubs, soy candles, herbal teas, Amish-made jams and jellies,

salsa, mustards, horseradish, organic applesauce, sauerkraut and kimchi. And, of course, there are the seasonal favorites. On weekends,

ALMAR ORCHARDS special event days during the offseason and daily during the fall, apple cider doughnuts are freshly made on-site. Fall also brings pumpkins and cornstalks to the farm store, ushering in the season in true Michigan fashion. The farm store is only part of the experience. Children can play on the playground, while adults can explore the tasting room and sample from at least 10 taps. Visitors may also catch a glimpse of pigs roaming their pens. And what would autumn be without a hayride? Available on weekends this season, weather permitting, hayrides offer visitors a leisurely tour of the orchard grounds behind a tractor. Almar also hosts seasonal and special events. One of its biggest is the Scrumpy Skedaddle orchard run, held on the last Sunday of September or the first Sunday of October. From the 10-mile race to

the 5K, 10K and Kids’ 1K, as many as 900 runners have participated. While this year’s Scrumpy Skedaddle has come and gone, runners can look forward to next year’s event. Special U-pick weekends, when visitors can pick their own apples, are another popular earlyfall activity. Check Almar’s Facebook page for U-pick dates and other upcoming events. You never know what might be in store.

or the memories created together. And those bonds and experiences aren’t limited to one season. Many of Almar’s special events and seasonal products thrive in autumn, but the farm remains open year-round. The staff take pride in its accessibility and consistency. “We never charge admission or parking, and we also keep our store open year-round, not just a ‘seasonal orchard,’” Amalie says. While many orchards open primarily during autumn, Almar remains dedicated to serving the GROWING community in every season, rain, TOGETHER shine or snow. YEAR-ROUND “Growing certified-organic Everyone has roots: traditions, apples in Michigan or anywhere communities and families. really is not an easy task,” Amalie Almar Orchards has long been says, “but we are happy to do it to rooted in the Flushing commuprovide the very best for our local nity, sharing that history with families.” everyone who visits. Community isn’t exclusive to Everyone is welcome to enjoy the one season, though it may manifest fruits of the people and the land, itself more clearly in fall. Almar whether through fresh produce

1431 Duffield Rd., Flushing, MI 48433 810-659-6568 almarorchards@gmail.com To learn more about Almar Orchards, including its hours, history, farm store, products and commitment to sustainable agriculture, visit www.almar-orchards.com or follow Almar Orchards Organic on Facebook for the latest orchard news and events.

captures that sentiment perfectly: the comfort, warmth, closeness and care that come with autumn while the rest of the world seems to move a mile a minute. That feeling remains firmly rooted in the Koan family, the people who work the orchard and everyone who comes to visit. Stop by Almar Orchards this autumn and see for yourself.

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| Love Story

Josh and Emily Warda’s

LOVE STORY How and when did you first meet?

Tell us about the proposal.

We met while in high school at Powers Catholic. We started dating at the end of sophomore year and have been together ever since.

It took place at Emily’s favorite place on earth, Platte Lake. This lake holds so many special memories for the Lundeen family and it was so special that this next chapter of life now also holds such a meaningful place in our hearts.

Tell us about the wedding.

What do you cherish most about each other?

The wedding took place at BayView Weddings at Gallagher Farms in June. It was absolutely perfect and so surreal to have all of our people under one roof. You could feel the love surrounding us that night. It was a feeling that is hard to put into words

We cherish our teamwork and how much love we have for each other, family, and friends. Photos courtesy of Liv With Light LLC

HAVE A LOVE STORY THAT DESERVES THE SPOTLIGHT? Apply now to be featured. Scan the QR code to submit your story.

42 October 2026

| Style

From Tailgates to Gala Nights FALL IN FULL STYLE

BY SHANNON WHITE

here is a distinct magic in the air across Genesee County once autumn arrives. From the crisp morning breeze rolling off local lakes to the canvas of red and gold painting our city, we know that fall isn’t just a season, it’s a lifestyle. Here in midMichigan, our autumns are amazeballs and active, filled with everything from Friday night traditions and weekend tailgates to elegant charity fundraisers and crisp orchard hayrides. Transitioning your wardrobe and home for this dynamic season means finding pieces that effortlessly balance cozy comfort with chic versatility while building toward the holiday season. Tailgates & Pumpkin Picking: Nothing unites a Michigan community quite like football. Whether you’re cheering on local high school under-the-lights matchups or heading down

US-23 or I-69 for a Saturday afternoon collegiate tailgate, game-day style requires a blend of team spirit and effortless layering. While screen-printed shirts are always easy to find, opt for embroidery, terry cloth logos and unique styles at boutiques like Clothed or Mainstream in Grand Blanc and SHIFT and Avenue 19 in Fenton. SHIFT collaborated in September with Erin Meade Originals, a #shepower entrepreneur who upcycles men’s and women’s Oxford buttondowns into game-day-ready flannel and poplin fall tops with ruffle stand collars and cropped hemlines for the cutest feminine flair. Find her on Instagram @erinmeadeoriginals! Do NOT forget color-coordinated accessories because the smallest details matter! Pair your great top and matching earrings with a unique pair of denim and sleek, comfortable lifestyle sneakers for walking across bustling parking lots or rows of apple trees. Finish the active outdoor ensemble with a classic wide-brim hat featuring a one-of-a-kind handmade feathered adornment and layered leather hatband, plus a crossbody bag to keep your hands free for warm doughnuts and fresh-picked Honeycrisps. Bring that rustic warmth back home by accentuating your living space with textured accent pillows and artisanal

autumn candles from SHIFT’s home décor line, making your porch as welcoming as your backyard bonfire. Gala Nights & School Functions: As the leaves turn, our social calendars fill up with PTA meetings, homecoming dances and fancy philanthropic fundraising events supporting our robust local nonprofits. These occasions call for a Try a new reformer Pilates class sophisticated step up. at the stunning new Fenton Pilates Never underestimate the power of Studio with a group of friends! Fenton the predictable little black dress, but Pilates Studio Pair leggings with an consider opting instead for a rich red, oversized sweater for an easy transidrapey cowl-neck dress, jewel-toned tion into a brunch date for the win! emerald satin or a dimensional, During this fall season, don’t just tone-on-tone floral navy full-length watch the changing leaves, immerse dress for a sophisticated apparel edit. yourself fully in everything YOUR Accessorize with statement metallic CITY has to offer. Elevate your wardearrings and a chic clutch to turn robe and living spaces, and shop local heads as you walk into the room. to experience hand-picked collections Feel confident knowing you are supin person. porting local small businesses while Which Genesee County fall tradidressing for the county’s most elegant tion are you most excited to dress up autumn nights out. for this year? Heading Toward the Holidays: By the end of October, Halloween is Shannon White is an architect, deupon us, and a nod ahead makes it signer and fashionista – a small but the perfect time to plan your Thanksmighty cheerleader of all things giving and holiday gatherings. Plan Flint! Holding both Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecearly for hosting parties, Friday ture degrees from the University night pizza and game nights. Once of Michigan, she is the founder of the FUNchitecture the weather SHIFTS, your vibe and design firm and co-founder of the new she-powered Downtown Fenton retail business, SHIFT. mindset will, too.

MyCityMag.com

| Longevity

Growing Older,

here comes a time in life when we begin paying closer attention to our bodies. Maybe it is when getting up from the floor requires a little strategy. Maybe it is when the doctor starts using phrases like “we need to keep an eye on that.” Or perhaps it happens when we realize we have grandchildren, vacations, birthdays and life experiences we want to be healthy enough to enjoy. The truth is simple: getting older is inevitable. How we care for ourselves along the way is not. For older men and women, October may be the perfect time to take stock. Before the holiday season arrives with its mountains of mashed potatoes, Christmas cookies and mysterious bowls of dip, this is a good time to ask: What can I do today to give myself more healthy tomorrows? The answer does not have to involve running a marathon, surviving a boot camp or eating nothing but kale.

44 October 2026

Sometimes, it begins with a walk. Move your body. Stretch. Ride a bicycle. Swim. Take a fitness class. Dance in the kitchen if that is what gets you moving. The important thing is to find something you enjoy enough to do again tomorrow. And there are plenty of places in our community to help. The Crim Fitness Foundation and its community partners support fitness opportunities throughout Flint and Genesee County, including walking

and other exercise programs. The Pierson Road Family YMCA offers fitness opportunities and seniorfocused classes. For those who prefer the company of people their own age, local senior centers can offer another way to stay active and connected. Social connection, after all, can be just as motivating as a good pair of walking shoes. Then there is food. Eating better does not mean giving up everything you love. It means making more room on the plate for foods that help your body do its job. More fruits and vegetables. More whole foods. More water. A little less of the processed stuff that seems to have a shelf life longer than some family pets. Local help is available here, too. MSU Extension-Genesee County and community partners offer nutrition and healthy-eating education, including programs designed for older adults.

And if you are living with a chronic health condition or simply want more personalized guidance, talk with your doctor about what is right for you. McLaren Flint and local health experts also offer community health information on a variety of topics. The most important thing to remember is this: it is never too late to make a positive change. You do not have to lose 30 pounds, become a gym regular or suddenly transform into the person who drinks green smoothies for breakfast. Start smaller. Walk around the block. Eat the apple. Make the doctor’s appointment you have been putting off. Take the stairs when you can. Invite a friend to join you. One good decision can lead to another. Growing older is a privilege denied to many. So let us not spend those years sitting on the sidelines. There are places to go, people to love, grandchildren to chase, sunsets to watch and memories still waiting to be made. Take care of yourself. The best chapters of your life may still be ahead.

| Longevity

Strength Matters

EATING AND MOVING for Longevity B Y D R . S H A N J AC KS O N | H E A LT H Y J U ST F E E LS R I G H T

hen we hear the word longevity, it can sound complicated. Special supplements, expensive treatments or a strict lifestyle that most of us simply don’t have time for. But longevity can be much simpler: How can we help our bodies stay healthy, strong and functional for as many years as possible? Living longer is wonderful, but we also want those extra years to be good years, with the energy to enjoy our families, travel, work, move comfortably and continue doing the things we love. Two of the most important things we can do are surprisingly basic: eat nourishing foods and keep our bodies moving.

and vegetables. Berries, leafy greens, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, broccoli and other produce provide vitamins, minerals, fiber and protective plant compounds that support our health as we age. You don’t need every superfood trending online. Choose fruits and vegetables that are available, affordable and that you enjoy eating.

46 October 2026

Now Let’s Talk About Movement Physical activity is another major part of healthy aging. That doesn’t mean everyone needs to become a runner or spend hours in the gym.

Don’t Forget Fiber and Protein

Fiber and protein both deserve a place in the longevity conversation. Beans, lentils, peas, oats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds are good sources of fiber, supporting digestive health and helping maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Eat More Foods That Ask yourself, “What plant can I Help Your Body Thrive add to this meal?” It might be fruit There isn’t one magical “longevity with breakfast, beans with lunch or food.” What matters is the pattern of vegetables with dinner. what we eat over time. Maintaining muscle is also Focus on adding more whole, important as we age. Fish, chicken, nourishing foods rather than eggs, beans, lentils and Greek yogurt constantly thinking about what to can all be part of a balanced diet. Try eliminate. Start with colorful fruits including protein throughout the day instead of saving most of it for dinner. Our goal shouldn't

simply be to add more years to our lives. We want to add more health, strength, independence and enjoyment to those years.

nearby and drink it with meals. If plain water isn’t appealing, add lemon, lime, cucumber or fresh fruit.

Choose Healthy Fats and Drink Your Water Fat isn’t something we need to fear. Avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil and fatty fish provide beneficial fats that support heart and overall health. Hydration is another simple thing we sometimes overlook. Keep water

Find ways to move that you enjoy, because those are the things you’re more likely to continue doing. Walking is one of the simplest places to start. A walk after dinner, a few short walks during the day or meeting a friend for a walk can make movement a natural part of your routine.

As we get older, preserving muscle becomes increasingly important. That’s why we shouldn’t think only about cardio. Strength training matters, too. You don’t need a room full of gym equipment. Bodyweight exercises, resistance bands and light weights can help maintain strength. Being able to get out of a chair, carry groceries, climb stairs, maintain your balance and continue everyday activities independently, that’s what strength is really about.

You Don’t Have to Get It Right All the Time This may be the most important part. You do not need the “perfect” diet. You don’t have to exercise seven days a week. And you certainly don’t have to buy every product marketed as anti-aging. Longevity is built through the ordinary things we do again and again:

Our goal shouldn’t simply be to add more years to our lives. We want to add more health, strength, independence and enjoyment to those years. No matter where you are today, you can start supporting your future self with your very next meal and your very next step.

Dr. Shan Jackson, Owner and CEO of Healthy Just Feels Right is a certified holistic mental health and wellness specialist, book author and motivational speaker. She has a passion for nutrition and loves to cook, develop recipes and write about health and wellness. Dr. Jackson aims to help individuals and families transition to a healthier lifestyle by incorporating more fresh foods into their diets. She believes that food can play an important role in managing chronic health issues, symptoms of depression and other mood disorders without using medications that can have harmful side effects. To discover more creative and fun ways to inspire a healthier lifestyle, visit healthyjustfeelsright.com.

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

| Longevity

YOUR HEART’S NEXT CHAPTER What you do after a heart disease diagnosis can make a difference in the years ahead B Y STACY SAW Y E R Director of Communications at Hamilton Community Health Network

48 October 2026

he hospital stay may end, but the work of taking care of your heart is just beginning. For patients recovering from a heart attack or stroke, the road ahead can come with a lot of questions. What medications do I need? How active can I be? What should I eat? And perhaps the biggest ques-

tion of all: How do I keep this from happening again? Those are questions Osman Mukhtar, MD, hears regularly at Hamilton Community Health Network’s North Pointe Clinic. Dr. Mukhtar treats many patients at Hamilton Community Health Network’s North Pointe Clinic

who are living with heart disease or recovering after a heart attack or stroke. With a background and research interest in cardiovascular health, including research involving the coronary arteries, he understands that what happens after a diagnosis can be just as important as what happened before it.

WE CAN’T CHANGE WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST. BUT WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO TODAY TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ANOTHER PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE.” — Osman Mukhtar, MD, Hamilton Community Health Network’s North Pointe Clinic

What Happens Now?

Coming home after a heart attack or stroke can feel overwhelming. There may be new medications, follow-up appointments with several doctors and a long list of things you’re supposed to change. “Patients sometimes think they have to completely change their lifestyle,” he says. “Small changes can make a difference. We want to find something that is realistic for that individual patient.” The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8™ focuses on eight areas that can improve cardiovascular health for everyone, not just survivors. Those eight essentials are eating better, being active, quitting tobacco, getting enough sleep, managing weight, controlling cholesterol, managing blood sugar and managing blood pressure. That doesn’t mean you have to go from the couch to a marathon overnight. It can mean taking a daily walk, cutting back on salty foods such as chips, canned soups and lunchmeat sandwiches, continuing to work toward quitting tobacco if you smoke, and taking your medications exactly as prescribed.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s making the next choice a little healthier than the last one.

“Your diagnosis is part of your medical history, but it doesn’t have to define you,” he says. “We want patients to understand that they can still take steps to Don’t Let a Diagnosis improve their health.” Define You Maybe your motivation is A heart attack or stroke can make you worry about what comes next. watching your grandchildren grow up, getting back to a favorBut Dr. Mukhtar wants patients to ite hobby or simply having more focus on what they can control.

energy for everyday life. Whatever it is, make it your reason to keep going. You can’t rewrite what happened to your heart, but you can have a say in what comes next. With the right care, the right support and a commitment to your health, there is still a lot of life ahead.

MyCityMag.com

| Haps

10 Legends of Combat 8 Presented by Legends of Combat at 810 Sports Complex, Flint Come witness the eighth edition of Legends of Combat live and in person! Don’t miss this epic event featuring local legends such as Christos Piliafas, JJ Stephenson, and many more. Price: $54.79 general admission; $81.40 VIP floor.

10–11 Fall Davisburg Festival at Springfield Oaks County Park. North Oakland County’s best fall festival features a vintage market and classic car show. Rain or shine. Time: Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM; Sunday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Admission: $10 for a Saturday and Sunday weekend pass. Kids 11 and under are free (no ticket necessary).

Montrose Orchards Cider Run 5K

OCTOBER 2026

Presented by Montrose Orchards, 12473 Seymour Rd., Montrose Celebrate fall with a scenic run through the beautiful orchard grounds of Montrose Orchards. The Cider Run 5K offers a festive, autumn-themed experience for runners and walkers of all ages, plus a family-friendly Donut Dash Fun Run for the little ones (or the sweet-toothed at heart!).

FIM Flint Symphony Orchestra: Frightfully Fun Pops Presented by Flint Institute of Music at The Whiting, Flint A new Halloween tradition comes to life with the Flint Symphony Orchestra. Audiences of all ages are invited to arrive in costume and enjoy a festive evening filled with playful favorites, spooky classics, and delightfully eerie musical surprises. Tickets start at $26 / $21 for Genesee County residents. Time: 3 PM.

26 Halloween Hustle 5K, Kids’ Trick-or-Trot & Half Marathon, Flint

Presented by FIM at The Capitol Theatre, Flint Little River Band, formed in Australia in 1975, is a group of musicians known for great songwriting, powerful vocals, and guitar harmonies. Tickets start at $73 / $54 for Genesee County residents. Time: 8 PM.

Jesse McCartney Presented by FIM at The Capitol Theatre, Flint Time: 8 PM. Tickets start at $48 / $35 for Genesee County residents.

10th Annual Lucky Pumpkin 5K Walk/ Run, Davison Presented by Ireland’s Dream Ireland’s Dream is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports children and families living with cerebral palsy. Visit The Lucky Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk to benefit Ireland’s Dream for details.

Little River Band

3 5K on the RUNway Presented by Crim Fitness Foundation, Flint Join us for the sixth edition of the 5K on the RUNway, hosted by Flint’s Bishop International Airport and presented by RS&H. Bring the kids, too, for the Little Pilots Race (¼ mile). Time: 10 AM to 2 PM. Registration will close the Wednesday before the event due to airport security protocols. \

8th Annual Jeepers Creekers Costumed Fun Who’s Bad — Run & 5K, The Ultimate Michael Swartz Creek Jackson Experience Sign up online to save

Presented by FIM at The Capitol Theatre, Flint Founded in 2003, Who’s Bad has spent more than two decades honoring the music, movement, and spirit of Michael Jackson—not by imitation, but by re-creating the feeling of his legendary live performances. Tickets start at $53 / $39 for Genesee County residents. Time: 8 to 9:30 PM.

your spot! https://jeeperscreekers.com/event-sign-up. Price: $25 for adults; $20 for kids ages 2–12.

Presented by Crim Fitness Foundation/Festival of Races Get your costume ready for the third edition of the Halloween Hustle. This year’s event will include the 5K run and walk, Kids’ Trick-or-Trot (¼- and ½-mile distances), and the new, first-ever Crim Half Marathon: the Halloween Half.

30 Pumpkin Glow Run 5K at Spicer Orchards, Fenton Presented by Great Lakes Race Management Light Up the Night. Run Into the Glow. Get ready for a one-of-akind fall evening race at Spicer Orchards! Time: 6:15 to 8:30 PM.

See you there!

MyCityMag.com

| Haps

BACK TO THE BRICKS® 22nd Annual Back to the Bricks Main Event Flint | 8.11-15.2026 PHOTOS COURTESY OF BACK TO THE BRICKS

ack to the Bricks celebrated its 22nd annual event August 11-15, bringing thousands of classic cars and enthusiasts to Genesee County, with the Main Event held August 15 in downtown Flint. The annual celebration attracts more than 500,000 car-show enthusiasts to Genesee County throughout its events, according to Back to the Bricks. President Amber Taylor says the event is about far more than cars. It celebrates Flint’s rich automotive heritage, brings families and communities together, and creates an opportunity for enthusiasts to share their passion. The free, family friendly celebration features classic cars, cruises, music, food and activities throughout the region. Main Event Week gave everyone many memorable moments, from Bricks Flicks at the US 23 Drive-In and two nights of cruising along Saginaw Street to an incredible Friday night Cruise N Concert in downtown Flint and, finally, the Main Event on Saturday. The community showed up in a big way. Taylor extended a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the event possible: “To every volunteer, sponsor, committee member, board member, public safety officer, municipality, business owner, vendor, participant and spectator, thank you. You made the 2026 Main Event possible! You helped welcome thousands of people into our community. You helped create memories. And you helped continue a tradition that has now been bringing people together for 22 incredible years.”

52 October 2026

MyCityMag.com

| Outreach

Second Chances Hope Awaits at the Humane Society

Meet Val

She loves toys and needs a good home with no dogs

his is Val! She is approximately 3½ years old, and her adoption fee is $125. She has been at the Humane Society of Genesee County (HSGC) since January 5. She was brought to the shelter because of a housing issue. Val loves toys, is partially house trained and needs a home with no other dogs. Since HSGC says Val needs to be in a home without other dogs, potential adopters should take that recommendation seriously. However, this does not necessarily mean Val is a difficult or bad dog. It may simply mean she needs to be your one-and-only dog. Are you comfortable making her your only dog for the rest of her life? If so, don’t necessarily consider being dog-free a negative. Some dogs are perfectly happy being the center of their family’s world. She doesn’t need to go to dog parks, play with neighborhood dogs or have a canine sibling to have a wonderful life. What matters is that she gets exercise, companionship, affection, mental stimulation and a predictable home. Don’t adopt her thinking, “Once she knows how much we love her, she’ll learn to like other dogs.” Maybe she would im-

To adopt Val or to see other animals available for adoption, V I S I T G E N E S E E H U M A N E .O R G O R C A L L 8 1 0 .74 4 . 0 5 1 1 .

prove, but that’s not an assumption to make. Adopt her because you’re happy to give her a home where she doesn’t have to live with other dogs. And if you have grandchildren who visit, that’s something to discuss with the shelter volunteers. Being unable to live with another dog is very different from having problems with children, so be sure to ask how Val does around kids.

Every shelter animal has a story ... Let’s change their ending. 54 October 2026

| Finances

INFLATION:

THE COST CREEP OF EVERYTHING B Y B R I C E CA RT E R, C F P ®, C I M A®, C H FC®

ast week, I noticed a neighbor’s house was up for sale. Out of curiosity, I looked at the listing. I was shocked! I moved into my house in 2018, and I cannot believe the price appreciation that has happened since then. I spend my days looking at numbers, markets and economic data, but when you reflect on those things closer to home, they become a little more real.

Since 2020, the overall cost of living, by some estimates, has risen nearly 30%. Real estate and housing have surged even higher, in many cases by 50%. Vehicles, meanwhile, are up 30% to 40%, resulting in higher insurance premiums, which have increased by as much as 50%. The worst part about these rising costs is that most are for essential living expenses: housing, transportation and food. I

The slow and dreadful march upward in the prices of goods and services is unstoppable, similar to the march of time. I’m a big believer in not stressing about things you cannot control.

almost didn’t have the heart to mention that grocery prices are up 25% to 30%. The bright side is that asset prices are up significantly as well. The stock market has had an incredible run over that time, although bonds have not performed as well. Gold and silver are up, too, for those who hold them. The unfortunate thing about inflation is that, as a consumer, there is exactly nothing you can do to prevent it from happening. The slow and dreadful march upward in the prices of goods and services is unstoppable, similar to the march of time. I’m a big believer in not stressing about things you cannot control. You cannot control the passage of time, so don’t worry too much about your mortality. You can’t stop inflation, so don’t worry too much about it. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare. I can’t stop the passage of time, but I can keep my body healthy by eating the right things and exercising. I can’t stop the increase in the price of goods and services, but I can try to increase the resources I have.

A common mistake I see in my financial planning practice is that when someone approaches retirement, they want to be ultraconservative with their investments. I understand the thinking, but the real-world outcome of that decision can be problematic. You simply have to keep your assets growing to and through retirement. An overly conservative asset allocation can prevent your assets from keeping pace with inflation. Without long-term asset growth, your purchasing power decreases, and inflation takes a larger bite out of your life. Even with the asset growth we’ve seen over the past few years, I still wonder: Are we better off than we were?

Brice Carter, CFP, ChFC, CIMA, CAP, CDAA, MSFS, has served as a Financial Advisor and the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Financial Strategies Group (FSG) since 2011. He joined the family run, SEC-registered firm and today plays a central leadership role in shaping investment strategy, portfolio management, and long-term planning for a growing client base. FSG has offices in Okemos and Fenton.

MyCityMag.com

| Thoughts

ur United States observed Labor Day in September, which means Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Halloween are right around the corner this month. We Americans enjoy our holidays, which often include time off work, extra relaxation or travel, plus family get-togethers featuring special foods and drinks.

Each year, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day is one of 11 official federal holidays, along with New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

56 October 2026

happens during much of this long month, not just on October 31. Why do we have some large and some small holidays? Management doesn’t want to pay people for time off on the lesser holidays, although it seems more people are using sick L E days or vacation time to celebrate their UMM BY MARK R favorite smaller events each year. Our national government will be facing multiple changes in the next few years, as important topics such as Social Security reform must be addressed. Let’s look at standardizing National Hangover Day on January 2 national holidays, too. Everybody The federal designation means Congress has established these days to Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, should celebrate EVERY holiday! Working Americans are being Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday, St. Patrick’s as holidays for federal employees, promised more days off, since artificial Day, April Fools’ Day, Tax Day on and federal offices such as banks and post offices generally are closed. April 15, Earth Day, Cinco de Mayo, intelligence (AI) is supposed to make jobs easier and give everyone more Mother’s Day, Flag Day on June 14, Many states and private employers freedom. Suppose we pick a dozen of Father’s Day, Halloween, Black Frialso choose to honor these, plus other dates, which is why some day, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve on our lesser holidays and elevate them to federal holiday status? That way, lesser holidays, such as Valentine’s December 31. And this list doesn’t all businesses and factories could be Day, feel universally observed. include religious-based holidays closed 20 days annually, instead of just Government workers and bankers such as Palm Sunday, Easter, Rosh part of our economy getting that benmay be given those days off, but Hashanah and many more. many companies and industries are These lesser days get some recog- efit for our current 11 federal holidays. still open for business. Those can Let’s give everyone the same days off. nition because they appear on our include department and discount Your task each holiday would be calendars. stores, grocery stores, restaurants, to have enough gas in your car’s tank, Plus, they often get presidential movie theaters and gas stations. proclamations or are celebrated cul- plus plenty of milk (and beer) in the Police officers, firefighters, medical fridge. I’m sure that’s what our Foundturally, but they rarely include that professionals and other emergency desired paid day off work. ing Fathers would have wanted for us workers NEVER get days off, but The last day in October is reserved 250 years ago, as all citizens celebrate they have other remedies, including for one much-loved lesser event, all our holidays. overtime pay and paid days off dur- as people of all ages dress up to Mark W. Rummel is a lifelong celebrate Halloween. Tons of toothing less-busy times. news guy who has worked in We Americans don’t observe our decaying candy treats are given out communications since 1972. Along the way, the Fenton, to kids, and costumes are found holidays properly ... but we should. Michigan, resident and his at parties and almost Our United States also wife Sally even worked for everywhere, even celebrates dozens the Walt Disney Company. They opened and opworn by many erated the Mancino’s of Fenton restaurant in 1998 of “lesser holiand now enjoy traveling and spoiling their grandpets! Now, days” each kids. Mark always appreciates your comments at Halloween MarkWRummel@gmail.com year, from

| Devotional

The Creator of this world, your Creator, is and always has been there. He is a God who can overcome any challenge, heal any brokenness and rescue anyone from the empty promises of the world.

REFLECTING ON

GOD’S LOVE B Y TO D D D E E R I N G

n the Bible, the book of Joshua tells the account of God’s people as they entered the land God had promised them. They came to the Jordan River during the spring floods and couldn’t cross. God directed them forward anyway, and as soon as the priests’ feet touched the water, it split in two, leaving dry ground for the people to safely cross. As they crossed the riverbed, Joshua

58 October 2026

directed 12 men to pick up a large stone and carry it on his shoulder to the other side. These stones would become a memorial to God. And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you.” Joshua 4:5-6a

For generations, people would look upon this memorial and remember what He had done there that day. When children asked about the stones, their parents would tell them the story of the miracle of crossing the Jordan River. They would reflect on God’s goodness, be reminded of His presence, and know that they could trust in Him, then and in the future. The memorial

would remind the people that God was a God of answered prayers and fulfilled promises. God was with them and would be with them no matter what obstacles arose. As I reflect on this account of the Israelites, I am reminded of how much God has done in my life, and all the ways He has been there and cared for me and my family. I am reminded of His Son and how Christ laid down His life for a broken man like me. I am reminded of all the ways in which God waited for me, forgave me and gently guided me out of the perils of following the world and into His loving arms. And I am reminded of all the ways in which God protected me, even during times I may never be aware of. I am thankful for Him, and sometimes I simply need to take a moment and remember. The Creator of this world, your Creator, is and always has been there. He is a God who can overcome any challenge, heal any brokenness and rescue anyone from the empty promises of the world. He asks us only this: Believe by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and surrender all that you are into His loving arms. Todd Deering is a pastor and elder at The Rock Church in Fenton, focusing on healing broken marriages through God’s Word. He has a heart for seeing lives resurrected by God’s power and marriages transformed from brokenness to new life.

| Econ

CITY-OWNED GROCERY STORES B Y D R. C H R I STO P H E R D O U G L AS

he mayor of New York City recently announced the creation of city-owned grocery stores to make food more affordable for city residents. The first is scheduled to open in late 2027. Essential goods will be priced 30% below market, while other goods will be priced at market rates. Consumers are understandably frustrated with COVID-era food price inflation that continues to this day. However, city-owned grocery stores do not address the underlying costs driving food prices and will likely make the problem worse. Grocery prices have risen due to broader price inflation, which peaked at a 40-year high in 2022 and remains above the pre-COVID trend. Inflation increases the cost of supplies for food producers and grocery store owners, which is then passed on to consumers through higher prices.

Owning a grocery store is a lowmargin business, with the profit margin of a typical store running at approximately 2%. Even assuming a city-owned grocery store could operate as efficiently as a private one, eliminating profit would only reduce grocery prices by 2%. This is a drop in the bucket compared to the nearly 30% increase in grocery prices the United States has experienced since the pandemic. Undercutting private grocery stores by 30% on key items presents a couple of possibilities. First, the supply of these items could be limited. In this case, they would be sold to the first people in line, resulting in excessive queueing and leaving those at the back of the line without access. This has been a feature of state-owned grocery stores in centrally planned economies. Second, the city could supply whatever quantity of these

items consumers want to buy, with taxpayers underwriting the cost of maintaining the 30% discount. This second possibility creates some problems. Private grocery stores in the city will be unable to compete with city-owned grocery stores selling key staples at a loss with taxpayer support. Since city-owned grocery stores will be selling other items at market prices, consumers will have no incentive to buy those same items from private stores. Given the high cost of running a private grocery store in New York City, many of these stores will likely fail.

A future mayor is likely to face a significant budget deficit and find that closing city-owned grocery stores selling goods at a steep loss may be a feasible way to help close that deficit.

The New York City budget remains in a precarious position. The city entered the fiscal year with a $12 billion budget gap, which it closed in part with aid from the State of New York and by delaying payments into the city’s pension fund. These are not sustainable long-term strategies. A future mayor is likely to face a significant budget deficit and find that closing city-owned grocery stores selling goods at a steep loss may be a feasible way to help close that deficit. If many private grocery stores have closed in the meantime, as is likely, this could result in even higher prices and fewer choices for consumers than is currently the case. Removing profit and subsidizing costs does not eliminate costs; it simply changes who pays them while potentially inflicting long-term damage on the market. Dr. Christopher Douglas came to the University of Michigan-Flint in 2006. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B.S. in Economics from Michigan Technological University in 2001, and his Ph.D. in Economics from Michigan State University in 2007. As Professor of Economics, he teaches Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, International Economics, Public Finance and Sports Economics.

MyCityMag.com

| Musings

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A VICTIM TO STAND UP TO A BULLY B Y L ES L I E TO L D O

sk most people, and they can remember a bully from their childhood. Bullying is unfortunately part of the landscape in many school settings. We have come a long way toward building awareness and working on prevention. October, for example, is National Bullying Prevention Month. But the bullies are still out there. A million years ago, when I was in sixth grade, a girl we’ll call Lisa used to pass me notes between classes, detailing all the ways she planned on beating me up at lunch or after school. I got really good at hiding. Fortunately, I switched middle schools the next year, and Lisa was out of my life. Now we have social media, and young bullies rely heavily on it to keep their victims from escaping. The scary part is that young bullies often grow up to be adult bullies, and they can make life a living hell. I had a work bully who took credit for my work, spread horrible and untrue gossip about me, and made sure I was left out of staff activities outside of work. A 2017 Harris Poll found that nearly a third of American adults reported being bullied. It happens everywhere: in homes, social circles, online and in workplaces.

60 October 2026

A majority of those who experience adult bullying report that it happens at work. You don’t have to be a boss to be a bully, either. Co-workers can try to undermine your success, spread rumors and false information, or take credit for your work. Some bullies are simply happy to make you feel excluded by leaving you out of events or social gatherings. This goes beyond someone taking your lunch money or calling you an insulting nickname. Bullying can be physical, verbal or social, and it can happen face-to-face or online. Bullies have a variety of goals, from inflicting physical pain to destroying their target’s reputation to exerting control over people or situations. No matter the victim’s age, the effects on a person’s life are often the same: stress, anxiety, depression or sleep loss, sometimes all of the above. Bullying can cause adults and kids to miss work and school. So, how can we prevent this, even if we are not targeted by bullies? For starters, instead of being a bystander when bullying is happening, be what they call an “upstander.”

This means telling bullies to stop, not co-signing their behavior and offering support to people who are being bullied. Bullies have a gift for making people feel powerless and afraid. By intervening on behalf of victims, we take away some of the bully’s power. We make it harder for them to continue their behavior because we let them know they aren’t fooling anyone. When I was a kid, I was told to get thicker skin and not to let bullies get to me. Sometimes that is easier said than done. The greatest power bullies have is getting their victims to feel isolated and alone. Just by standing up, you can let them know someone cares.

From the playground to the boardroom, bullies will do their thing. But when those of us on the outside stand firm, we take some of their power away. Do Something Nice Day is October 5. Your nice deed can be as simple as standing up and saying, “No more,” when you witness bullying. 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.

| Travels

Happiest

PLACE ON EARTH BY ALEXANDRIA NOLAN-MILLER

or my son’s 8th birthday, we decided to break open our piggy banks and take him to Disney World. Eight is pretty much the perfect age, by my estimation. Old enough to walk around by himself — no carrying or strollers required. Old enough to remember the trip and treasure the memory. But still young enough that he isn’t too cool for the magic. Right in the sweet spot of childhood. The trip happened to fall on my birthday, which was supposed to be celebrated on Mackinac Island. But like all best-laid plans … it fell through. Mackinac was prohibitively expensive for three people flying in from Texas, and, well … Disney. A chance to be a kid again with my own child seemed like a great way to grow a year older. I had not visited Disney World in many years. I went as an adult in my early 20s, but after that, there was always somewhere else to go when vacation time came around. A new country. A different city. Friends to visit abroad. Disney never made it back onto the list. So this trip was new for me and entirely new for my son. My husband, too, had not been since he was 8, so this was a novel experience for the whole family. We arrived at our resort in the afternoon and spent the first day at the pool. It was the perfect way to ease into the trip because, as any seasoned Disney vacationer can tell you, you have to get up early. And we did. We were voluntarily awake at 6 a.m. to make rope drop at Magic Kingdom. Staying at a Disney resort gives you access to the parks before the general rabble comes in. So, if you are smart — or perhaps just hate relaxing on vacation — you wake up while the sun is barely blinking its eyes, get dressed and hurry to the park buses. You arrive, wait in line and then run around like a chicken trying to accomplish as much as possible before the rest of Orlando arrives. I promise, it’s fun. Even while dragging a small boy from one end of the park to the other, pouring sweat and

buying ridiculously expensive bottles of water … it’s fun. Really. We cycled through the different parks, trying to hit as many rides as possible while realizing — a little late — that our idea of a fun ride and an 8-year-old’s idea of a fun ride aren’t always the same. Or, really, rarely are. Add in my mother and stepdad, who joined us, and suddenly we had three generations with very different ideas about what was worth waiting in line for. One thing we could agree on? The margaritas at the Mexico Pavilion in EPCOT. My son happily tossed pennies into the fountain while we cooled off from the Florida heat with mezcal and lime. We could also agree on a champagne flight in the France Pavilion while he munched on a croissant. We might have had different ideas about fun, but by the end of the trip, we learned to compromise. And by compromise, I mean we did what my son wanted pretty much all the time. Because really, who was the trip for? His grandparents? His 40-year-old mother? Or all of us to watch

There is something about watching your child experience a place like Disney World that makes you understand why people keep coming back.

him have an incredible time at Disney World? That, I suppose, was the real vacation — and the birthday present for me. There is something about watching your child experience a place like Disney World that makes you understand why people keep coming back. Adults see the lines, heat, crowds, cost of a bottle of water and exactly how many miles we have walked since breakfast. Kids see something else entirely. Three generations gathered together, experiencing Disney World through the eyes of a child, when our adult eyes just can’t see the magic quite as clearly anymore. Maybe that’s what makes it the happiest place on Earth. Alexandria Nolan-Miller is a misplaced Michigander navigating the vibrant chaos of Houston’s urban jungle. She travels with her husband and young son, contributing her insights and experiences to various print and digital publications. As the author of historical books rooted in Michigan, Alexandria brings the past to life through her writing. When not on the road, she can be found immersed in books, teaching, sharing stories, and chasing new adventures to inspire her next piece.

MyCityMag.com

Art Brings Us Together. 1120 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503 810.234.1695 flintarts.org

| Afterthought

A Month of Change, Chills and Pumpkin Spice B Y S H A R O N STO N E

Ghosts & Goodies, with the historic ctober may be the most village, treats, entertainment and Michigan month of all. Ghost Train Express creating an By now, we have acOctober experience for families. The cepted that summer is gone, even if 2026 event runs on select dates from someone is still wearing shorts and insisting that 61 degrees is “not that October 3 through October 30. Fenton will also get its share of cold.” The leaves are turning, football is in full swing, furnaces are waking chills. The Howling Haunted Trail is scheduled for October 9-24, from their summer slumber and offering scares, food trucks, games every coffee shop has rediscovered and other activities, with proceeds pumpkin spice. benefiting Adopt-A-Pet Fenton. Mid-Michigan enters October Glenwood Cemetery will offer its with one foot in autumn and the seasonal Twilight Tour and Celtic other standing in a pile of leaves, Halloween programming, while holding a cider doughnut. Mundy Sportsplex hosts the MichiAnd honestly, there is a lot happening. gan Moments Halloween Stroll on October reminds us how much October 10. there is to do close to home. In Flint There is something wonderfully and Genesee County, the calendar Michigan about all of it. We can includes concerts, Halloween events, spend an afternoon learning about history and family activities. Crosslocal history, attend a concert, wanroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad der through a cemetery at twilight, will welcome visitors for Halloween take the kids trick-or-treating and still make it home in time to argue over whether the porch pumpkin has finally frozen. Of course, October is also serious business. Election Day is November 3, making October an important month for voters throughout MidMichigan and the state. The deadline to register to vote online or by mail is October 19, and Michigan’s statewide early voting period runs October 24 through November 1.

64 October 2026

Amid the costumes, cider and candy corn, October gives us an opportunity to pay attention to the issues and candidates that will shape our communities, state and country. And then there are the rituals of fall. Michigan apple orchards, cider mills and farm markets become gathering places for families and friends. We pick apples we probably could have bought at the grocery store, wander through pumpkin patches searching for the “perfect” pumpkin and then discover it has one flat side. We happily pay for hot cider, caramel apples and warm cinnamon doughnuts, and nobody questions eating three because they were, technically, purchased as a dozen. Pumpkin spice returns with the confidence of a celebrity making a comeback tour. It appears in coffee, candles, cookies and products that probably should never have been associated with a pumpkin. Still, we buy it. Because this is October, and

restraint is apparently a seasonal beverage best served after New Year’s. But beneath the humor and orangeand-black decorations, October is also a month that brings people together: grandparents taking grandchildren to the pumpkin patch, friends gathering around bonfires and families returning to the same cider mill they visited years ago. Perhaps that is why October feels so special here at home. It reminds us that change can be beautiful. The leaves fall, the days grow shorter and another summer becomes a memory. But there is still warmth to be found in familiar places, longtime traditions and the people with whom we share them. So grab a sweater. Visit an orchard. Buy the pumpkin spice latte. Take the haunted tour. Attend a local event. And make a plan to vote. Just don’t forget the cinnamon doughnuts. Some traditions are simply too important to leave behind.