from the publisher
Marlanea McGraw Owner/Publisher
Here’s to warmer weather, more sunshine, and all the great activities that come with them!
We hope all of you are enjoying being out on the golf course, being able to fish without having to drill a hole first, and just being outdoors more. Of course, this also means that it’s time for spring cleaning, getting back into yard work, and other warm weather chores but I’m guessing most of you prefer those over shoveling!
This issue features Jason Adcock of State Farm Insurance. Read about how Jason and his team not only help with insurance needs but can also teach and advise their clients on the important issue of risk management.
There are our regular features of recipes, bragging rights, a car spotlight—this time it’s a classic muscle car from the ‘60s—and more.
Please take time to look at the ads as well as the articles. Our advertisers enable us to keep this magazine going, and we are so grateful to each of them. Utilizing local retailers, restaurants, and service providers keeps them in our area and allows us to have these resources available.
Wishing everyone a great spring and summer!
-Marlanea
EVERYTHING MEN STAFF
EDITOR
Melissa McCance
SALES
Kristal Johnson
Hannah Sayles
Sherry Sheffer
Cyndi Young
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Dakota Harding
PHOTOGRAPHY
Synergy in Motion Studios
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Melissa McCance
Laura Loveberry
William Chapel
Elyse Apel
FOR INFORMATION on how to submit story ideas, concerns, or information on how to advertise, please contact Marlanea McGraw at (517)320-9235 or email sales@simplyhers.net. Everything Men Magazine makes every effort to provide accurate information in advertising and editorial content, however, does not make any claims as to accuracy of information provided by advertisers or editorial contributors and accepts no responsibility or liability for inaccurate information.
Whether you prefer to stay indoors or outdoors, we have the right products and expertise to get your project done right. DECKING
A special thank you to our ADVERTISERS
Arrow Swift Printing - 19
Becker & Scrivens - 12
Belson Asphalt - 9
Bildner & Donahue - 9
Breathe Free Duct Cleaning - 37 CASA -19
County of Hillsdale .....
Veterans Services - 17
Cottage Inn Pizza - 40
D&D Heating & Cooling - 13
D-P Equipment Co., Inc - 21
Eagle Funeral Homes - 35
El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant - 2
Gateway Renovations, LLC - 35
Green Energy LP - 13
Griffiths Mechanical - 37
Hillsdale College Halter Shooting
Sports Education Center - 23
HD Mechanical LLC - 13
Heffernan Soft Water - 5
Hospice of Hillsdale County - 21
Irish Hills Firearm Outfitters - 31
Jake’s Concrete - 19
Jilly Beans - 13
Jonesville Lumber - 6
Kelly’s Furniture - 17
Lifeways - 21
Lynch Brothers -13
Parney’s Car Care - 31
Powers Clothing - 21
PRIME Fitness - 15
Pub & Grub - 7
Ryan & Bradshaw - 12
Southern Michigan Motors & Body Shop - 4
Southern Michigan RV - 7
State Farm, Jason Adock - 2
Stillwell Ford - 3
The Sauk - 17
The Truck Shop - 2
simplyhers.net |
CUSTOMER SERVICE IS OUR PRIORITY
State Farm Insurance Jason Adcock
Story by Elyse Apel
For Jason Adcock, helping the community has been his mission for over a decade. As a State Farm Insurance agent, Jason says he is excited to get to do that every day.
“Our priority is always on customer service and making sure our customers are taken care of,” Jason says.
Jason grew up helping his dad at the family construction business. After attending the University of Michigan, he decided to move into the insurance industry to help people recover from their insurance losses.
“I started with State Farm over ten years ago,” Jason says. “I specialized in auto insurance for a few years, before switching over to homeowners insurance.”
Over the years, Jason has prioritized receiving additional insurance designations, which are additional certifications allowing him to specialize in more areas.
“While I was doing all that additional insurance specialization, I discovered a passion for insurance. I found that I enjoy the theory of it and how it all meshes together with forming a total risk management strategy to protect our customers’ assets,” he says.
Jason adds that, after learning how passionate he was to share his knowledge of the ins-and-outs of the insurance industry with customers, he knew it was time to start his own agency.
“I decided to take all of that knowledge and opened my own agency July 1, 2019,” Jason says.
Currently, the agency has five team members. It offers auto, homeowners, condo, renters, personal articles, business, life, health, and pet insurance policies. It also specializes in financial services and educating customers on Medicare options.
Based in Hillsdale, it is also involved in the surrounding areas of Jonesville, Reading, Osseo, Camden, North Adams, Allen, and Litchfield.
“We are also licensed in Indiana and Ohio,” Jason says. “We often have customers that will move to those states and enjoy our customer service so much that they prefer to keep their coverage with us, even though they aren’t geographically close.”
Customer service is the highest priority for Jason’s agency and the whole State Farm team.
“We have a saying in our office, ‘Insure today to ensure tomorrow,’” Jason says. “We want to make sure that customers are properly protected.”
Education is also a key part of working with customers.
“There’s so many different coverage and deductible options, we want to make sure our customers are aware of all their options, but also how their coverage might affect them in the future,” Jason explains. “We try to spend a lot of time on the front end educating our customers, so they can have better insurance protection.”
Keeping costs low for customers is very important for the agency.
“The economy in the Hillsdale area has been hit kind of hard, so we are always trying to see what we can do to lower costs by explaining all the discounts that are available to customers, or even seeing what ways we can bundle their insurances to keep it as economic as possible,” he says.
Currently, State Farm is running a promotion so that anyone who is insured with its homeowners insurance can also receive one year of ADT water monitoring, to prevent water leaks.
“That’s just one way State Farm is trying to work with customers to try to protect their homes,” Jason says.
Another promotion helps customers monitor their homes for electrical disturbances through a three-year partnership with Ting.
“It will alert you if there’s an abnormality in the electrical circuits in your home. Maybe there’s a charger in the wall that’s acting weird, or there’s a power strip that is overheating, or something like that. It will alert you to that to
try and help prevent electrical fires,” Jason explains. “We’ve actually had a couple of customers that were alerted to those things and may have prevented an electrical fire because they utilized that service.”
Finding the balance between proper coverage and low prices can sometimes be hard, but Jason says his team is there to help explain all aspects of the decision.
“Not having proper coverage can sometimes dramatically impact your financial future, so we want to educate our customers about all the different options,” he says.
Over the years, Jason and his agency have worked to slowly expand their services and offerings for the community.
“One of the big things that I enjoy doing is having educational meetings to help people understand Medicare and their different plans and options as they turn 65. I’ve found there’s a lot of misinformation out there and I wanted to help combat that,” Jason explains. “So, we hold meetings with people that just want to learn more about Medicare or just gain better knowledge about what their options are in general.”
Community service is also critical for Jason, which has made it a priority for his business to be involved in everything from supporting local schools to sponsoring The Sauk.
The agency is located at 8 W. Carleton Rd. Hillsdale. Its hours are MondayFriday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours and weekends are available by appointment.
For more information or for questions, call (517) 376-3364 or visit www. jasonsffamily.com.
Why investing in a fitness trainer is the best decision you can make. It will save you time, effort and money in the long run.
For those interested in obtaining quality fitness results, a fitness coach is the only correct way to go.
For those wanting to waste their time with ineffective methods, a fitness coach is not the solution for you.
On the other hand, if you are one of the many people looking to improve their level of fitness without wasting valuable time and resources, a fitness coach is the correct choice.
The Benefits of a Fitness Coach
The benefits of a fitness coach span longer than the rap sheet of a career criminal. Some of the benefits of using a fitness coach include:
1. You receive exclusive fitness knowledge from the person who is an expert on the subject.
2. You receive access to invaluable assistance that will help you reach your fitness goals.
3. When you have a fitness coach, you get to focus on your actual exercises—not the planning.
4. Finally, a fitness coach allows you to learn ways on how you can keep the body that you are trying to achieve.
If these aren’t enough to convince you to hire a personal trainer, you might not be that interested in improving your fitness.
Giving the gift of better personal fitness to yourself is one of the best gifts that you can receive, so you should reward yourself today by employing the services of your local fitness trainer.
A great advantage of having a personal fitness trainer is that he or she will have many fitness tips that will assist you in achieving a higher level of fitness.
If you are trying to achieve better fitness on your own, you will most likely lack the knowledge about important fitness tips that will help you achieve your desired level of fitness. Speak to a fitness trainer and find out these special fitness tips.
Benefit #1: Fitness Assistance
Another positive reason for having a personal fitness coach is that you will have access to fitness assistance. Many people simply lack the knowledge on how to exercise properly. A personal fitness trainer can assist you with a specific workout plan that is made for you.
Benefit #2: Fitness is for Exercise, Not Planning
By hiring a fitness trainer, you can allow him or her to plan your personal fitness plan. By doing this, you will be able to concentrate on exercising those pounds off while your fitness trainer will inform you on how to do so. You will not have to think about what type of exercises you will need to do to achieve desired results.
Benefit #3: Keeping That Body Fitness Helped You Achieve
Perhaps the thing that most people struggle with after achieving a higher level of fitness is that they will revert back to their old ways simply because they lack the knowledge on how to keep their new and improved body in shape. Your personal trainer can give you the inside tips on how to keep your body looking great, even years after you hired the fitness trainer.
Call Your Local Fitness Coach Today
What are you waiting for? If you read this article, you are most likely a person looking to improve your level of fitness. The best way, without a doubt, to improve your fitness is by calling your local fitness center today and scheduling a meeting with a fitness trainer.
By doing this, you will be taking the first step to improved fitness.
Article by Zach Hunt, Freelance Writer
What in the world is going on?
Well, wouldn’t we like to know. In our NEW, news-explosion world, fake, truth or somewhere in-between. Has this made us more desperate or resistant, or somewhere in-between to revealing current events that might cause us to respond, productively, effectively, or purposefully versus irritable, fed up, exhausted, or chaotic?
Somehow, some time ago I apparently initiated an agreement to an app titled Newsbreak. Seeing as I don’t have a tv right now, nor do I want one (I have plenty to do), I thought it might be behooving to be in touch with real life current events so as to maybe not be a blockhead as I go about my business or the worlds thereof.
Oh my! Good grief!
First of all, every new addition to the compiling list of “you gotta see this” is a download with a ping to alert me to “here ya go.” What I have noticed is the headline usually contains an image that might add additional appeal and are combined to produce the click that opens the story.
Example: Winter Storm warnings issued for several Michigan counties.
Response - Well, for someone who drives a truck part time locally, volunteers at an elementary school, and drums up outdoor work regularly, I would like to know … what counties? So, I click. First recognition is a bombardment of ads, one on top of another, so thick I’m not sure how to get to the point. And when I did, it was counties in the furthest land mass in the upper peninsula. Time well spent. Ugh.
Additionally, a scrolling list of already storied productions waited to be entered and devoured simultaneously with intriguing advertisements to consider if the article itself failed to take up enough of my time.
Dating myself back to a simpler setting concerning news. There were only three channels receptive on the television and one, CBS, included a news broadcaster who finished each airing with the then famous sign-off, “And that’s the way it is.” A rather conspicuous conclusion to suggest, it actually is.
And as kid, what did I know? It all seemed dark and boring to me. But I was sure my parents now collectively have all they need to keep me safe. Hmmm.
If we are honest, don’t we crave the truth at least somewhere deep inside? And if we’re not honest, perhaps we’ve already been seduced, and chaos is addicting and temporarily invigorating and continuously suggestive. Just fuel the fire.
What if, or have we ever pondered the world’s bestseller perhaps in more ways than one. The Holy Bible as actual Truth, good news and the way it is, was, and ever shall be. And there in the promise to live now and forever in a Kingdom that cannot lie and void of the carnal corruption and deception we navigate now.
Many have acknowledged the ping (Alert). Lord, open my heart. Hear my cry.
COUNTY OF HILLSDALE VETERANS SERVICES
Hillsdale
Andy Frisella wrote a book on mental toughness. His tactical guide to winning the war with yourself sweeps this country. His book—all the rage.
What’s the craze? The book’s description reads, “What if you could completely transform yourself…?” “. . . unlock your true potential.” “. . . a program that can permanently change your life.” Hmmm. That’s quite a result promise. Frisella demands zero substitutions and zero compromise. Here’s a recap of Andy’s 5-step plan.
For Frisella’s 75 HARD days, you must:
1. Follow a diet. No cheating. No alcohol.
2. Do two 45-minute workouts. One outside.
3. Drink one gallon of water each day.
4. Read 10 pages of a self-improvement book, not audio.
5. Take a progress selfie daily.
I puff my cheeks, blowing out air, reading the rave reviews. It packs with “life changing,” “truly impacted me,” “Buy it.” The 5-star evaluations shine. One exception I read, “Nah, not for me.” Giggle. My lazy side understood this reviewer. It motivated me to come up with a “for me” challenge, suiting me.
As a rule-breaker, I modified a spiritual version of Andy’s challenge. Okay, admittedly, my challenge is the “substi-
tutions” and “compromise” Frisella warned against. Call me a rebel.
For my spiritual-slant 75 HARDISH days you may:
1. Follow Jesus’ Mediterranean diet. (Natural food God created. Fewer preservatives. Less processed.)
2. Do two 25-minute workouts. (One outside walking/talking to Jesus. One listening to Bible or Christian broadcasting. 5-min gratitude stretch before and after while praising God for blessings.)
3. Drink one cup of water upon waking and before and after each meal or healthy snack. (Thank God for quenching your thirst and being your Living Water.)
4. Read 10 pages of a Bible reading plan (daily).
5. Take a Scripture verse photo (pointing to your fav Bible verse of the daily reading). Post it.
My plan is based on “Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart . . .” (2 Timothy 4:6b-10a The Message Bible).
Will we jump into the challenge 75 HARD or 75 HARDISH? Furrowing my brows, I take a deep breath, puffing out my cheeks. Then, raising my eyebrows, I grin, altering mine to 7.5 HARDISH. Eye roll. It’s a “weak” hop, not a leap.
Ha. I’ll attempt the 7.5 DAY SORTA ALMOST HARDLY HARDISH challenge.
POWERS CLOTHING: MORE THAN A CENTURY OF SERVICE
By Elyse Apel
Powers Clothing has made serving the local community a priority for over 130 years.
“Powers has been operated by the same family since 1890 and I am the fifth generation in the business,” says Jim Pope, one of the current owners and manager of the store. “I started working back in high school, went off to college at Michigan State and then came back to work full time at the store.”
The store successfully weathered both World Wars and the Great Depression. Since its earliest days, it has been in the same building in downtown Jonesville.
“For the first couple years, it was in a different location, but settled into the building where it is now located since the late 1800s,” Jim says. “Last year, we remodeled the front of our building, added new carpet and lighting to give a newer feel to it. Now, as you walk into our store, it’s all fresh.”
For Jim, the family aspect of the business has played a critical role in its success. Currently, his sister Marcy Boone and niece Sara Sauber help in its operation.
“Sara is the sixth generation to be involved,” Jim explains. “And even my dad, David, is still involved.”
Customers’ needs have always taken priority at Powers Clothing, which continues to be the case as it passes on to each generation.
“We just try to be fair and honest with all of our customers, as we would also want to be treated,” Jim says.
At the store, shopping is a personal experience, which is what Jim says makes it so enjoyable for him and all the customer service team.
“It’s enjoyable just greeting and meeting all the people in our community. We try to talk to everybody that comes in, making it more
personal. We get to know them and have a lot of return customers,” he says “They are not just a number walking through the door, unlike Meijer or Walmart.”
While the store does specialize in providing tuxedo and suit rentals and purchases for weddings or other special occasions, Jim says they make it a goal to meet a wide variety of needs for the community.
“We pretty much help the entire community from farming to white collar, and everybody in between,” he explains. “We are involved with the entire community, we are diversified to meet everyone’s needs. We aren’t just strictly a men’s suit store, you can also come in and get casual clothing, work clothes, or even boots for men and women.”
Powers offers many name brands, Red Wing Boots, LEVI’S, Minnetonka and many more. They have sold Carhartt since 1892, making it the oldest Carhartt dealer in the United States.
With its own in-house tailor, Powers Clothing offers custom fits and tailoring for a wide variety of clothing including suits, dress shirts, pants, and even Carhartts. In a pinch, Jim is known to alter an inseam for their customers.
Jim explains that it can sometimes be challenging to decide what inventory to stock in the store, but having close relationships with their customers ensures they know what to buy to cater to their needs.
“Every time we look at a new line, we want to make sure it fits the needs in our community,” he says. “We are a handson store, so we are going to help everybody that walks through the door.”
Powers Clothing is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located at 227 E. Chicago St., Jonesville, you can also reach Powers Clothing at (517) 849-9151.
Local BEAT
24th Annual 2025 Cars For Kids
Market House | Hudson, MI
Saturday June 14, 2025 9am - 3pm
Entry Fee by Donation Only
Dash Plaques and Goodie Bags for the first 50 Cars
It’s time for the 24th Annual Cars for Kids fundraiser! This great event raises money to help provide Christmas dinner and gifts for local families in need. The car show will be held Saturday, June 14, at the Market House in Hudson. Entry fee is by donation, and the first 50 cars registered will receive dash plaques and goodie bags. There will also be Sponsor Choice Plaques. In addition to the car show, everyone can enjoy music and entertainment by DJ Dancers and have fun playing games that will be for kids and adults. For more information, contact Jerry at 517-448-8047.
Games for Both Kids and Adults Sponsor Choice Plaques
Proceeds go to Christmas dinner & gifts for local families in need.
You can enjoy a day of golf and support a very worthy cause by participating in the 3rd Annual Derreck Dobbs Memorial Golf Scramble on July 26 at Wiffletree Hills Golf Course located at 15730 Homer Road, Concord. Derreck is described as “a young man who loved sports and kids and who lived every day by the motto of his foundation which is: In Everything You Do, LOVE HARD!.” Sadly, he died at 28 by accidental electrocution from a downed power line. To celebrate his passion for life, the Derreck Dobbs Memorial Foundation was created. The foundation provides funds to help young people participate in sports by assisting with registration fees or equipment costs. Teams have a maximum of four people, and the $70 per person cost includes hot dogs at the turn and a steak dinner with fixings. There will also be raffle prizes and a 50/50 drawing. To register a team or for more information, call 517-607-5997.
Mackinac Island | Photo Courtesy of Pure Michigan
FIND YOUR ISLAND STYLE in Michigan
Make the journey beyond Michigan’s shoreline to a variety of island getaways where you can slow down and rejuvenate.
Timeless Island Traditions
When planning a trip to one of Michigan’s islands, the state’s most famous island on Lake Huron always comes to mind. Mackinac Island is all about the classic nostalgic experience with car-free streets, fudge shops and peaceful exploration by foot, bike or horse-drawn carriage. Visitors can step even further into the past at Fort Mackinac, an 1800s military outpost that features reenactment demonstrations and exhibits.
Don’t overlook a trip to the nearby Bois Blanc Island, a ferry ride away on the Straits of Mackinac. Here you can find a serene getaway with quiet hiking trails, wildlife viewing and more.
An Exhilarating Retreat
Drummond Island is a popular (and well-populated) island destination located off the eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula. Here you can go off-roading on the largest closed loop offroad trail system. There are also a variety of things to do for maritime enthusiasts like shipwreck diving or taking a boat ride to DeTour Reef Lighthouse and smaller, uninhabited islands. There are also unique activities like collecting Pudding-
stone (Jasper conglomerate), a colorful rock that is abundant on the island and available in local shops.
CORV on Drummond Island | Photo Courtesy of Pure Michigan
Winding Through Waterways
Les Cheneaux Islands – meaning “the channels” in French – is an archipelago of 36 small islands in the Upper Peninsula, defined by Lake Huron’s waters. You can explore multiple islands by kayak (try a sunset or a moonlight paddle!), take a lighthouse cruise and attend the annual Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show. On land, find wooded trails, charming boutique shopping and golfing at Les Cheneaux Golf Club.
Uncrowded Adventures
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan’s largest island in Lake Superior, is a spacious and rugged place to play in peace. In fact, the National Park Service named this park one of the quietest and most secluded of the national park system. You can get there by boat or seaplane and reach 450-plus islands for off-the-grid activities like hiking, backpacking and kayaking. The park is open to visitors April 16–October 31, and the only permanent residents of the islands are the wildlife – which includes the famous moose and wolf populations.
Also part of the national park system are the serene and remote Manitou Islands, part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Where History and Nature Intertwine
Beaver Island is the largest island in Lake Michigan (and the third largest in the state). Accessible by ferry from Charlevoix, Beaver Island is only 13 miles long and part of a larger archipelago that includes 13 more islands. It has a unique history –most notably when a local religious leader proclaimed himself king in the mid-1800s. In 1857, there was an influx of Irish fishermen, which inspired the island’s modern nickname of “America’s Emerald Isle.”
Today, Beaver Island is a relaxed place for Michiganders to enjoy wildlife, nature, stargazing and the charming island vibe in St. James.
Island Escapes in Southeast Michigan
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle | Photo Courtesy of Pure Michigan Michigan’s islands aren’t limited to Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Check out these islands that are just a short drive from Detroit and Southeast Michigan’s port towns. Belle Isle is located on the Detroit River and offers a charming escape to sites like the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and the Belle Isle Aquarium.
In the evening enjoy a sunset on the island’s shore and views of Detroit’s skyline. More islands include:
• Grosse Ile is a fun, family-friendly retreat where the Detroit River meets Lake Erie. Explore bike and nature trails as well as seasonal events hosted by the island’s local community.
• West of Gross Ile in the Detroit River, you can paddle a kayak through the wildlife-rich marshland of Humbug Island – part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
• Harsens Island is located in the St. Clair River Delta about an hour from Detroit. Here you can find fantastic fishing, wildlife, beaches and small-town charm.
michigan.org
Moose on Isle Royale | Photo Courtesy of Pure Michigan
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle | Photo Courtesy of Pure Michigan
GIFTS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED
The best gifts & gadgets for men are captivating, purposeful, and unique! If you’re after a special new toy, the following selection of interesting gadgets is for you. We’ve chosen highlypractical gadgets for everyday use, those for fun and entertainment, and even some quirky and intriguing items you never knew existed!
Personalized Family Hunting Journal
Engraved Leatherette Journal for Hunting Notes with smartphone camera to view online
Meet Pearl!
‘69 Pontiac Firebird
RIDE WITH JAMES CAMPBELL
By Elyse Apel
James Campbell has had a lot of different adventures, from spending a number of years in the military and working as a farrier, to playing college football and even competing in strongman competitions.
Now, the owner of PRIME Fitness in Hillsdale, James says he is excited to rediscover his passion for cars after buying a ‘69 Pontiac Firebird.
“I think every young boy has a stage of his life that he’s into cars and working out and being tough and playing ball and stuff like that,” James explains.
For him, that period was while he was growing up in Jonesville.
“When I was in high school, I had a ‘77 Trans Am that was red. Then, I bought a black one a few years later and had big aspirations to renew them both,” he says. “I started having kids, and it got further and further from the priority list. So, I ended up selling them both and regretted it.”
Last summer though, James decided it was finally time to renew that hobby and get another classic car.
“I went with the off-white or pearlescent white ‘69 Pontiac Firebird with a 400 in it,” James says. “It’s got 500 pounds of torque,
500 horsepower. It’s all original, matching colors and engine.”
While the car is fully restored, it’s not all original.
“It was a rotisserie renovation,” James explains. “So they tore everything down the bare bones and put it all back together with the redone parts. It’s the right way to do things, as far as rebuilding an old car goes.”
The car’s uniqueness was another thing that drew him to choosing the ‘69 Pontiac Firebird, which he has lovingly named Pearl.
“It’s definitely not one that you’re going to see every day at every other car show, which drew me to it. I think they have a very unique look and a very unique feel to them and so that is the reason I went that route.”
The car has become a family affair for James.
“It was something my son really showed some interest in as well,” he says. “It’s something that he and I can do–go to some car shows and tin ker around in the garage, change the oil, stuff like that.”
While James says he appreciates the restora tion of the car to the original, he isn’t such an originalist that he doesn’t have some modifica tions in mind.
“I do want to put a little bit more of a modern twist to it. Eventually, I’d like to put some up dated console stuff and make it more unique to me and my son as well,” he says. “I’m not a huge, ‘It’s got to look exactly as it did in 1969 guy.’ I like it to have a little bit of a personal touch.”
For James, the car isn’t just brought out at car shows, it’s a part of his day-to-day life.
“I think I forgot how much I enjoyed just driving the car itself,” he explains. “I love driving it into work. I’m not the guy that’s going to set this car in the garage and let it gain value. It’s a car. It’s got to be driven.”
James adds that he has enjoyed getting back into cars at this stage of life.
“It’s a little different now than when I was younger. When I was younger, it was all about driving fast. Now, I know that the power is there, but I don’t have to use it,” he says. “I just
New models. New features. Same passion.
2025 DUCATI XDIAVEL V4
As expected from Ducati’s along with the title of its latest 2025 World Première: “Feet Forward. Head Turning,” it’s no real surprise that Ducati has now pulled the cover off its latest genrebending V4-powered two-wheeler, the 2025 Ducati XDiavel V4. For a while, we weren’t sure whether Ducati had plans of nixing the feet-forward power cruiser from its lineup or not. Of course, the natural progression of the XDiavel would be swapping in the company’s V4 Granturismo engine given the sans X model, but there is plenty more to it than just an engine swap.
2025 HARLEY-DAVIDSON BREAKOUT
The Harley-Davidson Breakout FXBR returns for 2025, now powered by a Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom engine. With its 2-into2 exhaust and large air intake, the engine claims a peak output of 104 hp at 4,800 rpm and 126 lb.-ft. at 3,000 rpm.
The Breakout retains its chopper styling, with its bold 21-inch glass black 26-spoke front wheel raked out at a 36° angle, bobbed rear fender and fat 240mm rear tire. Pricing starts at $23,099 in Billiard Gray.
2025 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN POWERPLUS AND ROADMASTER POWERPLUS
Indian officially pulled the wraps off its expanded PowerPlus touring family, adding two fork-mounted fairing variants and introducing a larger 112ci version of the liquid-cooled engine.
The new Chieftain PowerPlus and Roadmaster PowerPlus join the returning Challenger and Pursuit to offer four different touring models, each with a choice of trim levels. Throw in the Thunderstrokepowered Roadmaster and Chieftain, and Indian has a model for every combination of air- or liquid-cooled, touring or bagger, and fairing- or fork-mounted fairing.
Elliot Slagter - Detroit River
Jacob Patrick Homer, MI
Kasen
Johns Hillsdale County
Matt & Wilbur Yoder Hillsdale County
Kalin Johns Hillsdale County
Scott Kindy & Chad Sommers Hillsdale County
Jacob Patrick
Brandon Johns Hillsdale County
County
Free Weekend Activities in 2025
Make the most out of your days off. Michigan’s fee-free weekends give you access to some of the state’s most incredible natural resources.
Free Fishing Weekend
February 15–16, 2025 | June 7–8, 2025
All fishing license fees will be waived for all species of fish, both inland and on the Great Lakes. All fishing regulations still apply.
Free ORV Weekend
June 7–8, 2025 | August 16–17, 2025
Access 4,000 miles of off-road-vehicle trails and six scramble areas without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit. All other ORV rules and laws still apply.
Free Recreation Passport Weekend
June 7–8, 2025
Skip the fee for your Recreation Passport, which gives motorized vehicle access to state parks and recreation areas, and state-managed boating access sites, state forest campgrounds, trails and other outdoor spaces.
Corbin & David Martin
Michael & Grayson James - Adrian, MI
Keiser
Mastering 10 Mastering 10 BBQ Sauce Recipes: BBQ Sauce Recipes: EASY,
QUICK, AND HEALTHY
We all know that no BBQ dish is complete without a BBQ sauce. And while you can easily get store-bought sauces, there’s nothing quite like making your own at home. So, if you want to shake things up and make your sauces more gourmet, I’ve got you covered.
You won’t even need any fancy equipment or expensive ingredients to make any of these 10 recipes. I guarantee that everything on this list is easy, quick, and healthy!
minutes. After the timer is up, try it out.
If you think the flavor’s not quite there yet, adjust the ratio of your seasoning until you’re satisfied.
2. Spicy BBQ Sauce
Next, we’re taking it up a notch but adding the element of spice.
This spicy BBQ sauce recipe is the perfect blend of tangy and a little sweet with just the right amount of heat.
Start by getting a cup of ketchup, a quarter cup of brown sugar, a quarter cup of molasses, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
To make this sauce extra spicy, add a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce (like Tabasco or Sriracha), a teaspoon of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and a pinch of black pepper.
You can also add a quarter cup of cayenne pepper to intensify the heat even more. But of course, this step is optional.
Then, you know the drill: mix them all in a small pot or saucepan for 15 minutes. Before serving your sauces, it’s important to give them a taste test first to see whether you’ve achieved your desired heat.
If not, you can make your BBQ sauce spicier by increasing the amount of cayenne pepper and chili powder.
Now, if you’ve accidentally made your BBQ sauce too hot, try adding more honey and tomato sauce to balance out the spice.
3. Homemade BBQ Sauce for Chicken: Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce
If you’re a fan of sweet and tangy sauces, this homemade BBQ sauce recipe is right up your alley.
All you need to do to make this concoction is to blend a cup of ketchup, half a cup of brown sugar, and a quarter cup of honey and apple cider vinegar.
To this mixture, add two tablespoons of molasses and Dijon mustard, a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and a teaspoon of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Whisk them in a saucepan and leave them on low to medium heat for around 10 to 15 minutes.
At the ding of the timer, you should have a thick homemade BBQ sauce perfect for grilled chicken breast, fried chicken, or even crispy chicken wings.
4. Mustard-Based BBQ Sauce
We can’t talk about sweet and tangy recipes without putting a spotlight on this mustard-based sauce.
Did you know that mustard-based sauces started as a regional delicacy in areas like Carolina and Georgia? But because of their accessibility, they have gained popularity in other parts of the world.
The reason these mustard sauces are so sought-after is that they have a unique flavor profile that pairs well with grilled meats and veggies.
So, here’s how you make this sauce at home. Combine a cup of yellow mustard and a quarter cup of honey, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar.
Add two tablespoons of ketchup, a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, a teaspoon of garlic powder and onion powder, and a drizzle of salt and pepper.
If you want to spice it up, go ahead and add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper before stirring the sauce in the pan and letting it simmer for about 15 minutes.
5. Homemade BBQ Sauce for Pulled Pork: Vinegar BBQ Sauce
Now, if you’re craving for something a little more sour, here’s my tried-and-tested vinegar BBQ sauce recipe.
For this, you’ll need to blend two types of vinegar, mainly a cup of apple cider vinegar and a fourth cup of white vinegar.
That’s not all. You also have to add other ingredients, like a quarter cup of brown sugar, a tablespoon of ketchup, and half a tablespoon of hot sauce to balance out the acidic flavor.
Since I like a little bit of heat in my sauce, I also put a teaspoon of red pepper flakes, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in the mix.
Whenever I make this sauce at home, I usually pair it with my crispy pork belly because I like how the saltiness of the pork complements the tartness of the vinegar.
6. Honey BBQ Sauce
If you don’t have a penchant for sour sauces, but rather have a sweet tooth — even when it comes to savory dishes — this is a quick homemade BBQ sauce recipe for you.
To make this honey BBQ sauce, you need a cup of ketchup, half a cup of honey, a quarter-cup of apple cider vinegar, two tablespoons of molasses, and a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard.
For the spices, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and the staples: salt and pepper.
By now, you know how it goes. Blend your ingredients in a saucepan and heat for 15 minutes.
Keep in mind that honey has a very concentrated flavor, so I recommend starting with a small amount. You can add more as you go along to get the sweetness of your sauce just right.
7. Homemade BBQ Sauce Without Ketchup: Bourbon BBQ Sauce
BBQ sauces naturally have a hint of smokiness that pairs well with any grilled recipe. But if you want to make this smokiness more pronounced, you have to give this bourbon BBQ sauce a try.
As you can probably tell by the name, the key ingredient of this recipe is bourbon, which has complex flavors that result from their barrel aging process.
Because of this, bourbon adds a rich and smoky depth to the sauce that you can’t
To this base, pour two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and molasses, a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and a teaspoon of black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Let the ingredients bubble for around 20 minutes.
When you get a thick consistency, take it off the heat and serve with a plate of slow-cooked beef brisket, bacon-wrapped appetizers, and good old hamburgers.
While this recipe already packs a lot of flavor, I usually like to take it a step further and add a bit of liquid smoke and smoked paprika to bring out the smoky essence of the whiskey.
Give it a try and tell me what you think of it.
8. Homemade BBQ Sauce With No Sugar
As you probably know by now, many BBQ sauces make use of sugars — primarily brown sugar.
Because of this, if you’re trying to cut down on your sweets, many of these recipes will not work. Do you know what will? This homemade BBQ sauce with no sugar. With this recipe, you’ll still enjoy all the goodness a regular BBQ sauce has to offer (just without the unnecessary sugars).
So, if you want to give this a go, here’s what you need to do.
Get yourself a cup of tomato sauce (make sure it has no added sugar), a quartercup of apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce, and two tablespoons of Dijon mustard.
Then, put them all in a saucepan.
Pour a tablespoon of onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika into the mix. If you want it with a little heat, you can add a teaspoon of chili powder, ground cumin, and black pepper.
If the mixture comes out too thick for your liking, add a quarter cup of water to thin it out.
Whisk the ingredients over medium heat until they’re well combined. Once your sauce is bubbling, lower the heat and stir the mixture occasionally to avoid any clumps.
As a sugar-free tomato-based sauce, this is perfect for those who are following a keto or low-carb diet.
9. Pineapple BBQ Sauce
There’s no question that these popular BBQ sauce variations are amazing for any barbecue. But sometimes, I like to go out of my comfort zone and bring two unusual flavors together.
In this particular scenario, it’s pineapple and tomato.
Are you adventurous enough to give this sauce a chance? Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what you need to do to make this at home.
First, you’ll need a cup of pineapple juice, half a cup of tomato puree, a quarter cup of brown sugar, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and a tablespoon of soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce.
Then, grab a teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and half a
10. Chipotle BBQ Sauce
For this last recipe, we’re pulling out all the stops because it’s my favorite Chipotle BBQ sauce recipe.
You probably know Chipotle as a popular fast-food chain in America, but did you know that Chipotle is also a type of jalapeño that’s primarily used to season Mexican or Mexican-inspired cuisine?
That said, if one day, you decide to make pork belly tacos or grilled chicken burritos, you can make this chipotle BBQ sauce on the side to pair with your Latin dishes.
It’s easy. To start, get a cup of tomato ketchup, a quarter-cup of apple cider vinegar, two tablespoons of brown sugar, and two minced Chipotle peppers soaked in adobo sauce.
Then, add the essential ingredients BBQ sauce ingredients. These include a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and a teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
Give these ingredients a good mix and let it bubble in the saucepan for about 15 to 20 minutes. Once your sauce thickens, try it out, and adjust the flavor to your liking.
On average, Chipotle peppers have about 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), which may be too hot to handle for some of you.
As such, I always advise people to start small and adjust the amount of peppers as they go along. After all, it’s easier to add heat than it is to take it away.
Which Homemade BBQ Sauce Are You Going To Make?
Whether you prefer the classic BBQ sauces or the more creative style dips, this list is all you need to elevate the flavors of your next BBQ grill.
You have several options in front of you, and it’s only a matter of time before you find one that you’ll keep making again and again.
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