Marlanea McGraw Owner/Publisher
from the publisher
Let’s hear it for summer! Sunny weather, lighter clothing, easier driving, longer days . . . what a great time of year this is.
Our cover article profiles a business that can make a big change for the better in lives of adults and children: Potocki Orthodontics. Orthodontia isn’t just a cosmetic thing. Correcting these kinds of problems appearance and increases self-confidence but provides better long term dental health.
Hillsdale has a recently-opened center for fun that everyone should visit! Donna Olmstead, owner of Cottage Inn Pizza and the Silos Fun Park, has done a major expansion of the facility. Attractions include miniature golf, go karts, bumper boats, laser tag, axe throwing, and the two-story arcade. Group and special event pricing is available—contact them or visit their website for details: silosfunpark.net.
Nancy Ryan has some great suggestions for books to enjoy, Diane Clow brings us up to speed about “house hippos,” and the recipes feature pasta salads to make ahead and have ready for dinners, picnics, barbecues, or whatever occasion needs them!
Summer is yard work season, and, if you have trees that need attention, contact Top Notch Tree Service. You can learn about this family-owned local business that’s currently in the hands of the second generation.
Please check out our ads to learn about local professionals, services, retailers, and dining venues. These businesses allow us to keep bringing you Simply Hers, and we encourage you to patronize them whenever possible.
PUBLISHING
For information on how to submit story ideas, concerns, or information on how to advertise, please contact Marlanea McGraw 517-320-9235 • sales@simplyhers.net
Cyndi Young Sherry Sheffer Hannah Sayles
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“Slow Travel” in Michigan
Top 10 Swimsuit Trends
Photos by Curious Lens Photography Grass Lake Pediatric Dentistry
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Brian and Melisa Potocki
Potocki Orthodontics & Grass Lake Pediatric Dentistry
Dentistry is a family business for Drs. Brian and Melisa Potocki who work to fill a critical need in Hillsdale and its surrounding communities.
Brian, DDS, MSD, owns Potocki Orthodontics and splits his time among its offices in Hillsdale, Coldwater, and Grass Lake working as an orthodontist. Melisa, DMD, owns Grass Lake Pediatric Dentistry and works as a pediatric dentist in the Grass Lake office. One day per week both the orthodontics and pediatric dentistry are running in Grass Lake at the same time.
“I’m the only orthodontist in Hillsdale and the only one in Coldwater,” Brian says. “So, the next closest orthodontist offices are very far away for many of our patients.”
For both Brian and Melisa, dentistry runs in the family.
“My dad was a dentist in Perry, a small Michigan town,” Brian explains. “I don’t remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to be one myself, it just happened.”
By Elyse Apel
After graduating from high school, Brian went on to attend the University of Michigan for his undergraduate and then continued there at its School of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery.
“I was there for eight straight years,” Brian says. That is also where he met Melisa, though she is originally from Canada.
“I chose the oral healthcare field because I grew up around it,” Melisa explains. “My mom, Kristine, worked in a dental office for most of my life.”
Melisa received her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Kentucky, which she attended while Brian was serving as an officer in the United States Air Force in Ohio and later in New Mexico.
While serving in the Air Force, Brian was able to continue his education and begin to practice dentistry.
“When I graduated from dental school, I was stationed in Ohio and I did a oneyear training program called advanced education in general dentistry,” Brian says. “A residency program where I learned lots of different things about all the different types of dentistry.”
Following her graduation, Melisa and Brian married. Once Brian left the Air Force, they both decided to return to school to receive more specialized training. They then attended Case Western Reserve University, where Melisa received a certificate in pediatric dentistry and Brian a certificate in orthodontics.
After that, they decided to return to Michigan, eventually buying the Hillsdale practice in 2020.
“Just a little bit after I bought this practice, we decided to start the Grass Lake location from scratch in 2022,” Brian says. “Then, in 2023, I purchased the Coldwater location.”
Brian currently splits his time among the three locations, while Melisa bases her practice out of the Grass Lake office. For both Melisa and Brian, dentistry is a mission that allows them to serve the community and make it better.
“You can really make a big difference in people’s lives and that is the most rewarding part,” Brian says. He adds that that is especially true in orthodontics.
“Seeing the confidence return to my patients is the best part of the job,” he says. “It’s a lifelong payoff that they then can enjoy for the rest of their lives.”
The teams of staff in all the offices are critical to providing competent and effective care to their patients.
“We try to provide an individualized treatment plan and a really excellent patient experience,” Brian explains. “From the first phone call to the time they spend with the team, we want to be sure we are prioritizing the patients.”
Both Brian and Melisa are thriving in their respective specialties.
“In orthodontics, it is just me versus the tooth,” Brian says. “The most challenging clinical cases are also the most satisfying to solve. It’s just really nice to have good clinical outcomes for patients even when we started from a very difficult point.”
Melisa says that it is important for her patients to always feel comfortable and relaxed in her office, not stressed because they are at the dentist.
“I want to help my patients to enjoy—and even get excited about—going to the dentist,” she says. She adds that is especially important to her since she works with children on a daily basis.
“We find that many adults are afraid of going to the dentist because of an experience they had as a child,” Melisa explains. “My goal is to stop that cycle and to help create patients who not only have healthy mouths, but who enjoy going to the dentist.”
Brian says they are happy with their current lives, but are always open to expansion and finding more ways to serve the local community.
“It’s
been such a good thing for us and our family,” he says.
Outside of work, you will find Brian and Melisa spending time with their three daughters, Ewa, Emilia, and Eleanora. Hockey is Brian’s hobby of choice, while Melisa’s is reading.
For more information or to request an appointment, you
DL: 517-439-5626
E: kmullaly@smb-t.com
NMLS #1726401
BRANDY TITUS
DL: 517-439-1509
E: btitus@smb-t.com
NMLS #1446370 KARLA MULLALY
SUN-KISSED STYLE: SUN-KISSED STYLE:
Top 10 swimsuit trends for the Top 10 swimsuit trends for the Summer of 2025 Summer of 2025
By Mindy Shoemaker
As the temperatures rise and beach days beckon, summer swimsuit trends are making a bold splash with fresh styles that blend fashion and function. This season, it’s all about eye-catching details, playful prints, and statement silhouettes that let individuality shine whether you're lounging poolside or diving into ocean waves. From romantic rosette embellishments to vibrant fruit prints and sleek, minimalist cuts, the latest swimwear trends offer something for every mood and moment under the sun.
Cut-Outs & Asymmetry:
Swimwear gets a sculptural twist with asymmetrical cuts and strategic slashes. Oneshoulder designs and side cut-outs add a fun twist without sacrificing support, offering a modern edge to an ‘80s flashback.
Sporty Chic:
Athleisure meets swimwear in styles featuring high-neck tops, racerbacks and zippered fronts. These designs prioritize movement and durability, ensuring fashion and function align seamlessly.
Metallic & Shimmer:
Lustrous fabrics in gold, silver and bronze tones are illuminating the local pools and beaches. These shimmery materials enhance the body’s natural curves and add a touch of glamour to your swimwear.
Retro Revival & High-Waisted:
Vintage inspired highwaisted bikinis are back, offering flattering silhouettes and extra coverage for your bottom. Paired with polka dots, gingham and florals, they blend sophistication with a playful vibe.
Bold Prints & Tropical Vibes:
Vibrant tropical prints and oversized motifs are bringing a playful energy to swimwear. From neon hibiscus blooms to oversized banana leaves, these patterns are bold, bright and eyecatching. Perfect for vacation mode!
Matching Sets and Cover-Ups
Coordinated swim sets with matching sarongs, kaftans or mesh skirts are elevating swimwear this year. These ensembles offer a polished look that’s perfect for relaxing around the pool or transitioning from beach to brunch.
Rosettes:
Rosette-style swimsuits are a chic and feminine trend that adds a romantic flair to your swimwear. Whether they adorn the straps, bodice or hips, these swimsuits bring a touch of elegance and texture to classic silhouettes.
Nautical Stripes:
Everything nautical is on trend this season, especially swimwear! From stripes and anchors to shells and fish, you can't go wrong with a cute new suit with a fun print. Love lobster and fish prints? Check out www.judithmarch.com and search their Beach & Lake designs. There are so many cute prints!
Tutti Frutti:
Another huge trend on everything this season is fruit. For a fun, whimsical print this summer, go for cherries, oranges, lemons or strawberries. They will bring a splash of summer fun to any beach or poolside look.
Minimalist & Solid Colors:
For those who prefer a classic look, minimalist swimwear in solid, muted tones remains a timeless choice. Simple, elegant designs in navy, black and earthy tones provide effortless sophistication.
Whether you're drawn to bold prints or minimalist designs, Summer 2025’s swimwear trends offer something for every style. Looking for a new suit? You can’t go wrong with Lands’ End, Swimsuits for All, Swimzip, Lascana, Everything but Water, Lablanca or Summersalt. If you're looking for quality, sun protection, or any of the above trends, I would check out these websites!
Dive in and find the perfect suit to make your own splash this season!
Author tip: “The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence!”
Sweet almond oil is better for your skin than the bitter version. It contains many nutrients and is considered anti-inflammatory. That said, if you don’t already know you’re allergic to almonds, do a small patch test before applying fully.
Almonds aren’t just for snacking on or adding to trail mix. This nutty oil may also benefit your skin in a number of ways.
Ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic practices have used almond oil for centuries to help soothe and soften the skin and to treat minor wounds and cuts. Today, it’s not uncommon to find almond oil in a wide variety of cosmetic and beauty products.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of almond oil and the ways it can be used on your skin.
What nutrients does almond oil have?
There are two types of almond oil: sweet and bitter. Sweet almond oil is the kind that’s better suited to your skin. It contains the following nutrients:
Vitamin A: The retinol in vitamin A has the ability to stimulate the production of new skin cells and smooth fine lines.
Vitamin E: This nutrient has antioxidant properties that may help prevent cell damage and help reduce ultraviolet (UV) damage to caused by the sun.
Omega-3 fatty acids: These nutrients may help prevent premature aging and safeguard against sun damage.
This is an essential nutrient for healing acne or other facial scars. However, it’s worth noting that zinc is more effective for this purpose when taken orally.
What are the benefits of using almond oil on your
Although there’s plenty of research that touts the benefits of eating almonds, there’s less scientific evidence on the benefits of using almond oil on the skin.
However, according to some clinical studies and anecdotal evidence, applying almond oil to the skin may have the following benefits:
Reduces puffiness and under-eye circles. Because almond oil is an anti-inflammatory, it may help ease swelling of the skin.
Improves complexion and skin tone. Due to its emollient properties, almond oil has the potential to improve both complexion and skin tone.
Treats dry skin. Almond oil has been used for centuries to treat dry skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis
Improves acne. The oil’s fatty acid content may help dissolve excess oil on the skin, while the retinoids in the oil may reduce the appearance of acne and improve cell turnover.
Helps reverse sun damage. Animal studies have shown that vitamin E, one of the nutrients in almond oil, may help reduce damage to the skin caused by UV exposure.
Reduces the appearance of scars. In ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, almond oil was used to reduce scarring. The vitamin E content may contribute to helping smooth the skin.
Reduces the appearance of stretch marks. According to a 2016 study, sweet almond oil may be an effective treatment for preventing and reducing stretch marks.
Is it safe to use almond oil on your skin?
Almond oil is generally considered safe to use on your skin. However, there are some safety precautions to keep in mind.
• If you’re allergic to nuts, avoid using almond oil on your skin.
• If you’ve never used almond oil on your skin before, do a patch test before applying to your face.
• You can do a patch test by dabbing a small amount of almond oil on the inside of your wrist or elbow. If there are no signs of redness, itching, burning, or swelling within a few hours, the oil is likely safe to use on your skin.
How to use almond oil?
There are a few different ways to use almond oil on your face.
Some people like to use it as a makeup remover. In fact, it’s a common ingredient in many natural makeup remover products.
Almond oil can also be used in a cleanser or moisturizer.
As a makeup remover
To use as a makeup remover, apply a small amount — about the size of an M&M candy — into your palm. Using your fingertips, gently apply the oil to the areas where you want to remove makeup.
Then, use cotton balls or warm water to remove the oil. Follow by washing your face with your favorite cleanser.
As a cleanser
Almond oil is known as a carrier oil, which means it has the ability to carry other essential oils more deeply into the skin. You can mix almond oil with an essential oil that’s known to benefit the skin, like rosehip, lavender, rose geranium, or lemon oil. Be sure to patch test the essential oil on the inside of your elbow or wrist before applying to your face. Add a few drops of the essential oil to each ounce of almond oil and mix well. Apply the oil mixture to damp skin and rinse with warm water. Because it’s an oil cleanser, you may need to rinse twice to remove any residue.
As a moisturizer
You can also use almond oil as a moisturizing oil. To do so, wash and dry your skin as usual. Then, gently pat a small amount of almond oil — about half the size of a dime — onto your face with your fingertips, and let it absorb into your skin. If you’re using it as a moisturizer, you don’t need to rinse it off.
The bottom line
Almond oil has been used for thousands of years to soothe, soften, and repair the skin. Due to its anti-inflammatory and emollient properties, as well as its high nutrient content, it’s still a popular skin care ingredient today. It’s generally considered safe, but if you’re allergic to nuts, don’t use almond oil on your skin. If you’ve never tried almond oil before, do a patch test before applying it to your face.
If you’re unsure if almond oil is right for your skin, talk to your doctor or dermatologist before using it.
Health & Fitness
The Importance of Physical Therapy
By Leigh Hancock Physical Therapist 3DPT Physical Therapy Clinical Services Director MSPT, FAFS, 3DMAPS
Many pathways lead to physical therapy, and sports injuries are certainly among the most common of reasons. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a competitive high school or college athlete, or simply wish to play in the yard with your kids, physical therapy is essential for aiding your return to peak performance after an injury.
It is up to each individual to decide where they wish to have therapy. Apart from your physician’s recommendation, there are many factors to consider when choosing a quality sports rehabilitation physical therapy clinic. A few factors that should be considered and researched before choosing your physical therapy clinic include the training of physical therapists, equipment and setting, and tradition of personalized care.
Training of Physical Therapists: To practice physical therapy, one must successfully complete a course of graduate study and pass the state board examination to obtain licensure. This is a minimum requirement. Beyond this, physical therapists may specialize in the type of care they offer and may go further to enhance their knowledge and training with post-graduate learning.
Gray Institute is the world’s foremost authority on physical therapy and an advanced education center that provides physical therapists with rigorous, premier, specialized, up-to-date training and mentorship through Applied Functional Science® (AFS). AFS is a transformative approach to understanding and optimizing human movement that is grounded in scientific principles and focuses on practical, functional applications that can be seamlessly integrated into everyday activities and therapeutic practices. Gray Institute is the premier choice globally for sport training and rehabilitation and is employed in national sports leagues such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, US Women’s Soccer Team, and the PGA, to name just a few.
In addition to this rigor, movement professionals can complete the prestigious Gray Institute GIFT Fellowship training that consisting of an intense 40-week course of study that includes hands-on training which allows for specialization in identifying whole-body movement patterns and the ability to rehabilitate athletes comprehensively for each specific sport at hand. Therefore, before choosing your physical therapy clinic, inquire about Gray Institute’s AFS or additional educational learning to make an informed rehabilitation decision.
Equipment and Setting: When deciding where to attend therapy, it is advisable to visit the facilities in your area to determine which can help you best. The equipment should be top-notch, diverse in scope, and in good working order. If you are choosing to rehabilitate back to sport, consider the available space for exercising to determine if it resembles the setting of your sport. It is imperative that the return to sport mimics function as closely as possible, making this feature important to consider. Therefore, if your stomping ground is a gymnasium floor or turf, make sure those venues are accessible.
Tradition of personalized care: Be sure to ask if you can speak with a physical therapist (PT) at the sites you visit. Inquire about the care you will receive and familiarize yourself with the clinic’s atmosphere. You may want to ask about the personalization of care, the expectations from the clinic that you can come to rely on, and the ownership team. Observe whether the team works cohesively and take note of their interactions with patients to determine a good fit. Make sure they eagerly assist their patients with humility, love, and kindness. Take note if they are proud of the way they provide care. Additionally, ask your neighbors and friends if they have had physical therapy experiences, they would like to share. Word of mouth and personal experiences from trusted individuals are crucial in helping you make a decision.
Whether you need physical therapy to complete your season, start a new season, or simply maintain a lifelong commitment to good health, selecting your therapy provider wisely is crucial. Applying these important guidelines on training of physical therapists, equipment and setting, as well as tradition of personalized care will put you in the best hands to achieve the positive and lasting results you seek to get back in the game or activity you enjoy, because YOU and your treatment matter!
All the Reasons You Should Eat Strawberries Ask the Doctor:
2. Strengthen your immune system
the basket. And it turns out they may be the sweetest way to stay healthy, too. Registered dietitian Bailey Flora, MS, RDN, LD, explains the benefits of strawberries and what nutrients they contain that make strawberries so good for you.
Why are strawberries good for you?
“Strawberries give you a lot of nutritional value for very few calories,” says Flora. “They’re tasty but naturally low in sugar. That’s a combination that’s hard to beat.”
For starters, strawberries are loaded with vitamin C. Eight medium strawberries contain 160% of your daily recommended amount — the amount that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends you eat every day. That’s more vitamin C than you get from an orange, the fruit famous for its vitamin C.
Strawberries are also packed with antioxidants, which protect cells from damage. The primary antioxidant in strawberries is anthocyanin, which gives the fruit its color. The amount of anthocyanin in strawberries increases as the fruit ripens. So, the redder the berry, the more antioxidants it contains.
Strawberries also have fiber and several other important vitamins and minerals, including manganese, potassium and folic acid. And strawberries have less natural sugar than other popular fruits such as apples and bananas.
Health benefits of strawberries
Strawberries are a nutrient-rich snack that can:
1. Boost brain power
As your brain ages, it can lose some of its mental sharpness. But according to research, eating strawberries protects your brain’s processing powers as you get older.
The Nurses’ Health Study measured brain function in more than 16,000 participants over six years. It found that people who ate the most blueberries and strawberries had less cognitive decline — their thinking and processing abilities didn’t weaken as much. They had the brain power of someone up to two and a half years younger.
In more good news for strawberry lovers: The results of the Rush Memory and Aging Project showed that people who ate strawberries were 34% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers believe the protective effects are due to the antioxidants that safeguard cells. Some of the antioxidants in strawberries also reduce systemic inflammation, when your body is in a state of constant inflammation (swelling and irritation). Systemic inflammation is a key factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which you need to get from food as your body can’t produce it. In rare cases, people who don’t get enough of this crucial vitamin develop scurvy, a disease that causes bleeding, bruising and anemia.
Vitamin C plays an important role in wound healing. And it may prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections too. Research shows that vitamin C increases the production of:p
• T-cells, which remove infected and cancerous cells.
• B-cells, which create antibodies so your body can better defend against germs in the future.
Vitamin C is also anti-inflammatory, lowering your stress response triggered by illness or just your busy life. To ward off germs, researchers suggest getting 100 to 200 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C a day — and more when you’re sick. As eating eight medium strawberries gives you 160 mg, it takes just a handful of berries to help keep your immune system in good shape.
“There isn’t enough evidence to say whether vitamin C can prevent colds and the flu,” says Flora. “And it can be more beneficial to choose vitamin-C-rich foods like strawberries over vitamin C supplements, as you get additional health benefits. With strawberries, that includes fiber and other phytonutrients and vitamins that cannot be replicated in a vitamin supplement.”
3. Protect heart health
Flora says that popping a few strawberries in your mouth isn’t just a way to stave off hunger — it’s also a heart-healthy food choice. Research shows that strawberries can help prevent several conditions that can lead to heart disease and stroke, as well as diabetes, which increases the likelihood of heart disease. Eating more strawberries can help you:
Lower cholesterol
In one small study, participants consumed two drinks a day, each made with 25 milligrams of freeze-dried strawberry powder blended with water. That’s about the same as eating 3.5 cups of fresh strawberries a day. After a month, the participants’ total cholesterol was 5% lower.
The cholesterol-lowering results of that study were echoed in another study that gave participants the same amount of freeze-dried strawberry powder. But this time, they consumed the drink for two months. Researchers compared the results to a group that just drank more water. Those who sipped the strawberry drink saw their cholesterol decrease by 10%.
Triglycerides are fats found in your blood. Having high triglycerides increases your risk of heart disease. And when triglycerides break down, they leave byproducts that trigger inflammation, attracting sticky deposits to blood-vessel walls. That material can clog your arteries (atherosclerosis), explains Flora.
But eating a pound of strawberries a day may reduce triglycerides by 20%. That’s the result of one study, which also found that strawberries reduced total cholesterol by 8%.
4. Reduces inflammation
Widespread internal inflammation contributes to multiple diseases, including heart disease. Lifestyle factors like a poor diet, low physical activity and smoking can lead to inflammation.
Eating more strawberries is a step in the right direction to boost your heart health, says Flora. That’s because the most prevalent antioxidants in strawberries are anthocyanins, known for their anti-inflammatory effects.
5. Helps manage blood sugar
Too much glucose (sugar in your blood) is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, making you more likely to develop heart disease, too. If you’re watching your blood sugar levels, strawberries are a good way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
In a Finnish study, people who ate strawberries with a piece of white bread released 26% less insulin compared with eating bread with a cucumber. Participants also ate the bread with other berries, including raspberries and cranberries. Only strawberries weakened the post-meal blood sugar spike.
Strawberries are a great addition to a healthy diet, especially when you eat them on their own — Flora advises laying off the calorie-laden whipped cream, cake or ice cream. (Sorry!) They’re delicious, full of good-for-you nutrients and low in sugar.
clevelandclinic.org
Airport Moment
By Laura Loveberry Elementary School Assembly Author/Speaker Inspirational Speaker
Women’s Retreats/Conferences
Caricature Artist
the plane trip home, I met a viral tractor prodigy, Jackson Laux. Google him. You’ll love his southern drawl and charm. I asked if I might take a photo together. He agreed. Suddenly I tear up, telling his mom my momma just passed away. I can’t call Mom and tell her I met this fine young man. My voice cracks. She would have adored Jackson. This is the first of me not able to share with my momma little joys to lift her
Mom dances in heaven. The call is too long distance.
My head and shoulders drop. How can I phone Mom to say I landed safely . . . and I met a wonderful mother and her brilliant son? No more sharing my little adventures she loved hearing. I live in a world without Wilma Lou Kyle. It smacks like a crashing wave.
It’s day one of feeling unfinished, undone, unable to call Mom.
Taking a deep breath, my eyes brim with tears. The space my mom filled became a deep cavern. I need to pour into the empty momma-hole more of Jesus. Lord Jesus, my Refuge, come and fill the abyss. Psalms will help the deep, wide hole. Psalm 69 will help me navigate when I sink into the miry depths of deep waters engulfing me. I fight back tears, wrapped around the hug from the mom of a special young man, a complete stranger, in the corridor, waiting for our luggage. The moment throws open the floodgates of tears.
Jesus, my Refuge, thank you for 63 years with the best momma ever in the history of forever. She was a gift. A treasure. I will talk with Jesus, begging him to fill the gaping hole, heal the ache, open new patterns in my life, replacing the momma moments with more of God.
I weep, stumbling out of the airport, sliding into the open arms of my hubster. No words. The sound of my sobbing pierces the night. I burrow into his neck, heaving, crying, snotting. Gasping for breath, my bawling echoes into the darkness. Travelers walk around our clutching embrace.
We will carry on. But, in this moment, I release the grief I restrained since gently kissing goodbye my momma’s cold forehead. There will be more emotional outbursts as we long to tell Mom our joys. She’s gone. I’m undone. Yet, I must honor my sweet momma, letting Jesus fill the space mom vacated.
For this adjusting, we reach to the Savior who sees us in the airport, hears our weeping, knows our lament. God sees, hears, and walks beside us. Let’s clutch God’s hand tightly for an anchor of strength when flooded with deep loss.
*I posed for this photo with Jackson Laux right before I burst into weeping.
in 1999. The Concerned Children’s Advertisers, whose intent is to educate children about critical thinking in regards to media, created a 60-second video released that year. This video spotlighted a miniature hippo who lived in a house as part of the “Break the Fake” Campaign. (This video is available for viewing on YouTube.)
While these origins are still represented by the house hippo today, many in the U.S. also use their house hippo to represent good luck in their household. You know, like a pet rock, garden troll or horseshoe.
A house hippo can come in many different materials such as ceramic, metal, glass. They can be whimsical or realistic in character. And of course, any size or color will do. Some look for cement or other sturdy material hippos for their gardens. Others may just have a spot to showcase a hippo figurine. It is all about your own personal hippo preference.
I have been watching for the perfect house hippo for a while in my travels to estate and yard sales and thrift and antique stores. The first couple I spotted just did not speak to me - in “hippo.” One I found was a ballerina hippo and the other a toothbrush holder. Then lo and behold, there
My House Hippo
By Diane K Clow
she was at Hog Creek Antique Mall where I resell my own stuff! Sitting on a glass counter with all her Blue Mountain Pottery animal friends, in all her green glossy glory! I knew she was My House Hippo at first sight. In honor of her color and shape, I named her Pickle.
Pickle sits in a place of honor on the shelf above the flatscreen. She shares this space with pictures of my children and grandchildren. Yes. She is that special. Whenever I dust this shelf (yes, I dust), Pickle gets a pat on the snout. Now I am just waiting for the good luck. No checks from Readers Digest Sweepstakes yet. Nor did we find any buried treasure when putting in the hydrangea plant I received for Mother’s Day (thank you Kelly and Joe). I did not wake up one morning magically looking ten years younger. I guess the good luck was just in finding My House Hippo.
Keeping it in Stitches – Hoping you, too, will find your own Pickle to grace your house.
Quilter and Sewist Picker
And, hopefully, Good Friend
her stories.
Author Anne Tyler has been around for years. And that’s about when I read her last book! I remember thinking her a quirky writer. Like Charlie Brown in the Peanuts series, who can never attain success.... Well, on a recent trip to the local library I noticed her latest book Three Days in June, which has made the top ten, so I picked it up. Glad I did! The story stars three characters: Gail, her estranged husband Max, and their daughter Debbie. Debbie is getting married and the tale includes the day of the wedding rehearsal, the wedding day, and the following day—the aftermath of the wedding. Gail is undergoing some career-changing circumstances in her teaching job, and ex-husband Max coming to town and staying with her for the wedding brings up her past and uncertain future. I will say no more, except I enjoyed it!
Recently I read Tyler’s latest release, French Braid. What a difference a book makes! This one I found boring. The introductory flap indicates “Full of heartbreak and hilarity, a stirring, uncannily insightful novel of tremendous warmth that illuminates the kindnesses and cruelties of daily life, the impossibility of breaking free from those who love us, and how close, yet how unknowable, every family is to itself.” Hmm. Maybe I read the wrong book… Read it, and decide for yourself!
Catherine McKenzie is a new author to me, but has written several books. I just finished Forgotten and found it thought-provoking. Heroine Emma is a successful lawyer living a successful life. However, while on an African vacation, things change. A devastating earthquake occurs,
TURN THE PAGE
Book and Author Reviews
By Nancy Ryan Simply Hers Magazine
and she is trapped in a remote village for six months while world rescue crews search for survivors. Well, when she is discovered and able to return home, she learns everyone has assumed she was dead and life has gone on without her! They have had a funeral, her apartment has been released, her boyfriend has moved on, and her job has been taken over by her arch enemy at the firm! Emma has some re-thinking to do about herself and her chosen path. If you had the chance to start over, would you?
Sophie Kinsella is an author I enjoy reading. Lighthearted and funny. I picked up her latest book What Does It Feel Like, and it took me by surprise. It is a much different read than I expected. Our heroine Eve is a best-selling author, writing happy, feel-good love stories with happy endings. She has a great support system in her husband and five children and all is well. Then she is struck down in the middle of her successful career with a brain tumor (Glioblastoma). Her ingrained, positive attitude and strength are to her credit in handling this awful diagnosis. At the end of this book is an Acknowledgment from our author Sophie, and she indicates that she also has been diagnosed with this cancer. And she also has five children and a supportive husband. And, of course, she also is a very successful author. God bless her. The Brain Tumour Charity is one she is active in and lists as one for her readers to consider in charitable contributions.
What are you reading? Email me at nancyryan47@gmail. com
Congratulations to Hillsdale County Community Foundation 2025 Scholarship Winners!
Scholarship Winners in Alphabetical order by last name:
Abigail Affholter
David Joseph Alexandrowski Memorial Scholarship
Don Leader Scholarship
Jennifer Beach Memorial Scholarship
Sarah “Sally” Dimmers Fallon Memorial Scholarship
Wigent Excellence in Art Award
Kyle Alexander
Herbert Jennings MRPA Hall of Fame Memorial Scholarship
Angela Alvarez
Charles A. Bianchi Memorial Scholarship
Maggie Fry Memorial Scholarship
Virginia Cascarelli Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Emmalynn Ambrose
Virginia Cascarelli Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Brody Arnold
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Bryce Asberg
Pauline Libengood Right to Life Scholarship
Simpson Foundation Scholarship
Medina Azookari
Hillsdale County Scholarship
Jason Cole Memorial Scholarship
Marco Bailey
Kiwanis Scholarship
Hannah Baker
George and Harriett Cleveland Scholarship
Lillian Baker
John S. Sterling Memorial Scholarship
Robert G. Chase Memorial Scholarship
Morgan Baker
Jason Cole Memorial Scholarship
Robert G. Chase Memorial Scholarship
Paige Barnes
Larry and Ezrah Memorial Scholarship
Logan Bayer
Cale Peter Scharp Memorial Scholarship
Hornet Vocational Scholarship
Julie Wolfe Memorial Scholarship
Kay Hobby Memorial Scholarship
Jesse Becker
Benjamin Blonde Memorial Scholarship
Kiwanis Scholarship
Sara and Paul McFarland Scholarship
Taylor Betzer
Ayres Family Scholarship
Kay Hobby Memorial Scholarship
Maggie Fry Memorial Scholarship
Pittsford Promise
Audrey Blackham
James A. Fiebig Music and Arts Scholarship
University of Michigan Alumni Club of Hillsdale County
Zoe Blythe
David Joseph Alexandrowski Memorial Scholarship
Drew Bradley
Dustin Hale Memorial Scholarship
Seth DeLeeuw Memorial Scholarship
Miles Brown
Anton (Tony) Slovacek Memorial Scholarship
Hillsdale American Legion Post 53 - Women’s
Auxiliary Scholarship
Samuel Brown
Simpson Foundation Scholarship
University of Michigan Alumni Club of Hillsdale County Scholarship
Lauren Butler
Brian Gendron Memorial Scholarship
Nicole Butler
Hope Rising Scholarship
William Fitzgerald Palmer Memorial Scholarship
Jordan Calhoun
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Chloe Center
Linda Michael Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Zachery Childress
Jonesville Community Fire Department Scholarship
Auxiliary Scholarship
Paul Haas Memorial Scholarship
Richard Wade Construction Memorial Scholarship
Ryan Kehoe Memorial Scholarship
Logan Church
Jonesville Lions Club Scholarship
Robert G. Chase Memorial Scholarship
Halle Clark
Ione “Ma” Gordon Scholarship
Pittsford Area Scholarship
Kory Clark
Jonesville Community Schools Maurice L. Bosier
Memorial Scholarship
Blakeleigh Cornstubble
David Joseph Alexandrowski Memorial Scholarship
Wyatt Coshatt
Carl M. Peggs Football Scholarship
Riley Coupland
Simpson Foundation Scholarship
Chloe Dailey
Dorothy J. Towne Memorial Scholarship
Harold “Holly” Shigley Humanitarian Scholarship
Kiwanis Scholarship
Sara and Paul McFarland Scholarship
Katherine Darling
Robert G. Chase Memorial Scholarship
Emily Defina
Mary Catherine Siebert Memorial Scholarship
Pauline Libengood Right to Life Scholarship
Emma Draheim
Alice M. Britton Scholarship
Frontier United Methodist Church Scholarship
Kay Hobby Memorial Scholarship
Maggie Fry Memorial Scholarship
Darran Drake
Harold S. and Lester E. Gardner Memorial Scholarship
Laurice and Mary Gregg Memorial Scholarship
Quentin Westfall Memorial Scholarship
Suzanne Cooney Memorial Scholarship
Mary Duelo
Marvin and Helen Patrick Memorial Scholarship
Jayden Duque
Frank Bechler Memorial Scholarship
Richard Wade Construction Memorial Scholarship
Simpson Foundation Scholarship
Drew Elder
Clint Barrett Memorial Scholarship
Rob Nagle Memorial Scholarship
Aubree Ervans
L. Dean and Joan Hurst Scholarship
Alexis Ewing
George and Harriett Cleveland Scholarship
Harold S. and Lester E. Gardner Memorial Scholarship
Tyler Neukom Memorial Scholarship
Sadie Falke
Lint Family Music Award
Jena Fellabaum
George and Harriett Cleveland Scholarship
Harold S. and Lester E. Gardner Memorial Scholarship
Tyler Neukom Memorial Scholarship
Jazlyn Fix
Kay Hobby Memorial Scholarship
Maggie Fry Memorial Scholarship
Declan Flannery
Hillsdale County Scholarship
Sydney Fowler
Edward L. Kunesh Memorial Scholarship
George and Harriett Cleveland Scholarship
Sandra Caskey Memorial Scholarship
Matthew Fristik
Linc Miller Memorial Scholarship
Dominic Gaetano
Hillsdale County Scholarship
Pauline Libengood Right to Life Scholarship
Abrahm Gambill
Hillsdale Word Scholarship
University of Michigan Alumni Club of Hillsdale County Scholarship
Bayli Gerth
Tyler Neukom Memorial Scholarship
Meghan Gier
Clark Family Scholarship
Ione “Ma” Gordon Scholarship
Pittsford Area Scholarship
Aleecia Girdham
Herb Bordner Memorial Scholarship
Jonesville Rotary Scholarship
Grant Good
Lloyd Morningstar Memorial Scholarship
Daytona Grant
Marvin and Helen Patrick Memorial Scholarship
Eleanor Gray
Jonesville Rotary Scholarship
Robert and Lavilla Gillespie Scholarship
Sauk Theatre’s Bud Vear Scholarship
Harlee Groves
Katherine Zakrzewski RN Nursing Scholarship
Gracen Hager
Jason Cole Memorial Scholarship
Evan Hamdan
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Hayden Handy
Brian Hayward Memorial Award
Brady Hartman
Ione “Ma” Gordon Scholarship
Jennifer Hawkins
Sandy Klingler Memorial Music Camp Scholarship
Clara Heath
Judge Michael E. Nye Scholarship
Oliver Heckell
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Joshua Herring
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Thomas Holm
Pauline Libengood Right to Life Scholarship
Cody Houle
Frank Bechler Memorial Scholarship
Talon Hugenell
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Ellyson Hunt
D.E. and Helen Spotts Memorial Scholarship
University of Michigan Alumni Club of
Hillsdale County Scholarship
Nevaeh Ice
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Emilee Jagielski
Ione “Ma” Gordon Scholarship
Krrish Jain
Jon (Mike) and Betty Fast Family Scholarship
Jack Johnson
Sandy Klingler Memorial Music Camp Scholarship
Samuel Jones
Edward L. Kunesh Memorial Scholarship
George and Harriett Cleveland Scholarship
Reagan Kast
Jonesville Rotary Scholarship
Robert and Lavilla Gillespie Scholarship
Ava Kramer
Constance M. Hutchinson Future Teacher
Scholarship
William and Kathleen Adams Family Scholarship
Olivia Kuenzer
Hornet Vocational Scholarship
Morgan Kuhl
Cochran-Mahler Families Scholarship
Taylor Lautermilch
Adeline Godfrey Memorial Scholarship
Charlotte A. (Webster) Wasnich Memorial Scholarship
Joscelyn Layman
Clare E. Monroe Agriculture Scholarship
Edward L. Kunesh Memorial Scholarship
Alexander Logan
Maggie Fry Memorial Honorary Award
Pittsford Promise
Taylor Hatfield Memorial Scholarship
Will Cramer Memorial Scholarship
Scholarships Continued...
Kinzy LoPresto
Wayne Kinjorski Memorial Scholarship
Alexis Lortie
Alice M. Britton Scholarship
George and Marian Gier Memorial Scholarship
Verity Maas
Lint Family Music Award
Haley Mach
William and Kathleen Adams Family Scholarship
Ava Mallar
Clark Family Scholarship
Jennifer Beach Memorial Scholarship
Will Cramer Memorial Scholarship
Ryan Marcavage
Benjamin Blonde Memorial Scholarship
Doug Spears Memorial Scholarship
Hillsdale Exchange Club Scholarship
Jon (Mike) and Betty Fast Family Scholarship
Percy Stough Memorial Scholarship
Ashley Martin
Virginia Cascarelli Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Connor McArthur
Harold S. and Lester E. Gardner Memorial Scholarship
Noah McCormick
Nash Memorial Scholarship
Riley McCumber
Clark Family Scholarship
Leah Ward Memorial Scholarship
Virginia Cascarelli Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Dixie McKibbin
Brian Gendron Memorial Scholarship
Frontier United Methodist Church Scholarship
Roger Boyd Memorial Scholarship
Sophia McNair
Sauk Theatre’s Bud Vear Scholarship
University of Michigan Alumni Club of Hillsdale County Scholarship
Melissa Miles
Eleanor and Garrett Lee McGuire Scholarship
Jillian Monahan
Hillsdale Exchange Club Scholarship
Kurt Herbener-Thelma Herbener Education Scholarship
Landon Monahan
Kay Hobby Memorial Scholarship
Sara and Paul McFarland Scholarship
Riley Monahan
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Mytchal Morrison
George and Harriett Cleveland Scholarship
Jonesville Lions Club Scholarship
Red Fox Sportsman Club Scholarship
Abigail Nevins
Edward L. Kunesh Memorial Scholarship
George and Harriett Cleveland Scholarship
Robert G. Chase Memorial Scholarship
Abigail Nolan
Myrna B. Slovacek Memorial Scholarship
Kate Nolan
Hillsdale County Community Foundation
Trustee Scholarship
William and Kathleen Adams Family Scholarship
Tate Ortiz
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Brooke Owen
Kay Hobby Memorial Scholarship
Keegan Oxley
Gery Claybaugh Memorial Scholarship
Hillsdale County Community Foundation
Trustee Scholarship
Kiwanis Scholarship
Olin and Wilhelmina Hinkle Family Scholarship
Sauk Theatre’s Bud Vear Scholarship
William P. Shannon Humanitarian Prize
Makinlee Packer
John and Cathy Hartley Scholarship
Robert and Lavilla Gillespie Scholarship
Karly Page
Dustin Hale Memorial Scholarship
Keileigh Palmer
Donald E. Caswell Memorial Scholarship
Hillsdale American Legion Post 53 - Women’s
Auxiliary Scholarship
Jonesville Community Schools Maurice L.
Bosier Memorial Scholarship
Pauline Libengood Right to Life Scholarship
University of Michigan Alumni Club of Hillsdale County Scholarship
Noah Pann
Linda Bryant-Solomon Memorial Scholarship
SabreTech Technology Scholarship
Brady Parker
Tim Lehman Memorial Scholarship
John Petersen
Margaret Allen Clay Memorial Scholarship
Seth Plummer
Roger Boyd Memorial Scholarship
Meghan Raymond
Beth Ann Blanchard Memorial Scholarship
Kaylin Reaume
Dana G. Lunger Alumni Scholarship
Alyssa Reiniche
Lola B. Cook AAUW Memorial Scholarship
Sarah “Sally” Dimmers Fallon Memorial Scholarship
Ryan Reynolds
Virginia Cascarelli Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Lucas Rhoades
Richard W. (Mort) Kline Memorial Scholarship
Shannon Rowe Memorial Industrial Scholarship
University of Michigan Alumni Club of
Hillsdale County Scholarship
Valon Riedel
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Destyni Robinson
Cale Peter Scharp Memorial Scholarship
Hattie Marie Spiteri Memorial Scholarship
Kay Hobby Memorial Scholarship
Nathan Rodgers
Sandy Klingler Memorial Music Camp Scholarship
Gage Rosenberg
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Carter Rounds
Jason Cole Memorial Scholarship
Ava Ruley
Katherine Zakrzewski RN Nursing Scholarship
Richard Sprow Memorial Scholarship
Virginia Cascarelli Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Caleb Russell
Larry and Ezrah Memorial Scholarship
Hailey Russell
Kay Hobby Memorial Scholarship
Scholarships Continued...
Charles Russo
Harold “Holly” Shigley Humanitarian Scholarship
Hannah Sager
Lyndell Patrick Scholarship
Magdalene Santure
Harold “Holly” Shigley Humanitarian Scholarship
Brianna Seabolt
Butch Draper Memorial Scholarship
Tom Wilmer Memorial Scholarship
Alec Shamplo
Andrea Chaney Memorial Scholarship
Nash Memorial Scholarship
Victoria Sheffer
Cale Peter Scharp Memorial Scholarship
Dakota Sigler
Maggie Fry Memorial Scholarship
Benjamin Springer
Sara and Dale Harmelink Music Scholarship
Chloe Stalhood
Alice MacNeil Memorial Track Scholarship
Bonnie Silliven Memorial Scholarship
Coach Craig Blanchard Memorial Scholarship
Hillsdale High School Class of 1950 Scholarship
Margaret Allen Clay Memorial Scholarship
Vicki Havens Bastien Scholarship
Reese Stanton
Judy and Richard Hale and Family Scholarship
Cooper Stevens
Tom Claus Wrestling Scholarship
Kaden Sorrell
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Allison Stump
Kay Hobby Memorial Scholarship
Lexie Stump
Creek Valley Farms Stanley and Carol Smith Scholarship
Harold S. and Lester E. Gardner Memorial Scholarship
Rachel Sullivan
Simpson Foundation Scholarship
Suzanna Sumampow
Beth Ann Blanchard Memorial Scholarship
Emma Taylor
Amy Salyer-Nicholls Memorial Scholarship
Isabella Thielen
Virginia Cascarelli Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Jack Thielen
George and Harriett Cleveland Scholarship
Harold S. and Lester E. Gardner Memorial Scholarship
Holland Thompson
Robert G. Chase Memorial Scholarship
Emily Toner
Emily B. Williams Memorial Scholarship
Alan Torres
Donald F. and Donna J. Playford Scholarship
Hornet Vocational Scholarship
Julie Wolfe Memorial Scholarship
Kiwanis Scholarship
Tyler “T.C.” Clendening Memorial Scholarship
William “Bill” VanArsdalen Memorial Scholarship
Taylor Tracy
Hillsdale County Scholarship
Maggie Fry Memorial Scholarship
Alexis Trine
Judy and Richard Hale and Family Scholarship
Robert G. Chase Memorial Scholarship
Icelyn Trumble
Cheryl Yearling Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Katherine Zakrzewski RN Nursing Scholarship
Maggie Fry Memorial Scholarship
Maya VanBuskirk
Eleanor and Garrett Lee McGuire Scholarship
Virginia Cascarelli Memorial Nursing Scholarship
James VanCamp
SabreTech Technology Scholarship
Brooke Vanous
Pittsford Area Scholarship
Savannah Watkins
The Trisha White Scholarship for Veterinary Careers
Aaron Webb
Lyndell Patrick Scholarship
Rodney Weir
SabreTech Technology Scholarship
Noah Widman
Hames Family Music Scholarship
Sauk Theatre’s Bud Vear Scholarship
Aiden Williams
Jack Barker Memorial Scholarship
Lyndell Patrick Scholarship
Waldron FFA Harry J. Moore Memorial Scholarship
Payton Winchell
Roger Boyd Memorial Scholarship
Abbigal Wohlheter
Kiwanis Scholarship
Colton Wolf
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
Phoenix Wright
Donald E. Caswell Memorial Scholarship
Esther Yokell
Mike and Marcie Nye Family Scholarship
Sauk Theatre’s Bud Vear Scholarship
Delanie Youngs
Frank and Angel Beck Memorial Wrestling Award
This summer,
Silos Fun Park
is bringing fun for the whole family.
By Elyse Apel
With its brand new laser tag and axe throwing attractions, as well as familiar-favorites like go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats, the driving range, and more, it will be the perfect place to spend Michigan’s beautiful summer days.
Donna Olmstead is the owner of Silos Fun Park and its neighboring Cottage Inn Pizza franchise, which she first acquired in 2014. In 2020, they moved to its current location and they’ve been expanding ever since.
“Recently, we updated the old Silos building and made it into a two story laser tag and axe throwing facility,” Donna says. “So, those are both new this year.” She says they make for the perfect Michigan activities because they provide yearround fun.
“It’s something that the community can do all year long, and so we are really excited to be able to bring that to the public,” Donna explains.
Through the summer, Silos Fun Park is ready to host all your special events.
“We take reservations for birthday parties, family reunions, fundraisers, and many other events,” Donna says. “We also want to get the word out that we are now hosting business team building events, where a business can bring in their employees for bonding time while playing laser tag or axe throwing.”
As a part of those reservations, customers also have the option to have Cottage Inn catered, either with a special individualized order
or buffet style. With Cottage Inn’s extensive menu, there is something for everyone.
“We have a bit of everything,” Donna explains. “We offer gluten free pizzas, and we can also use that to make sub sandwiches and cheese bread. We also recently added the cauliflower crust pizza, and that’s been very popular.”
Its menu also has a number of pasta dishes, while Sunday through Friday it offers a lunchtime pizza buffet with a full salad bar and house made soups.
For Donna, the management of Silos Fun Park and Cottage Inn Pizza has always been about providing a family-friendly and fun experience. “It doesn’t matter what age you are, we want to make sure there is something for everyone,” she says.
One way they do that is providing a play area for children three and under that is completely free. They were also sure to think of younger children when building the laser tag and axe throwing facility.
“Laser tag is for any age group. As soon as you can hold the laser gun yourself, you are more than welcome to join in,” she explains. “For axe throwing, we do offer real axes for kids that are 14 or older. Younger kids are able to throw a velcro ball in their own special lane, and they’ve really enjoyed that.”
Donna has put her heart and soul into providing a good experience for the community.
“We are a local, family-owned business. We know who our regular customers are and we are able to call them by name,” Donna says. “We want you to be a part of our family and that’s how we will treat you.”
Silos Fun Park and Cottage Inn Pizza is located in Hillsdale. Its summer hours are seven days a week from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Check out the Silos Fun Park Facebook page or website for more updates. For special events reservations or more information call (517) 849-3333.
Business Spotlight
Top Notch Tree Service
By Elyse Apel
“We are not the new guys out there,” says Eskel Bryan, owner and operator of Top Notch Tree Service.
The company was originally founded by his father, Charles Northrup, in 1952. It is currently located in Jonesville, Michigan, but services many of the surrounding communities in Jackson, Hillsdale, Branch, and Lenawee counties. As a family business, working with trees has been a part of Eskel’s life since he was young.
“My brothers and I were kind of raised up picking up sticks and climbing trees,” he explains. “Tree work has always been the main thing I have been focused on in my career.”
Now, Eskel runs the second-generation family business with the help of his wife, Amy. “I run the outside part of the company,” Eskel explains.
Amy and Eskel first began to transition to running it full time in 2009, right before they were married in 2010.
“My mom and my dad both wanted me to have the business, which has worked out really well for our family,” Eskel says.
Amy has also become an integral part of the company.
“I do the book work, bills, taxes, and the like,” she explains. “Eskel handles the estimates and scheduling, making sure everything runs smoothly.”
Top Notch Tree Service provides tree trimming and removals. As a fully insured and licensed company, clients are guaranteed a professional and satisfactory experience.
“We focus primarily on residential work,” Eskel says. “Most of our work is over houses, decks, swimming pools. Really whatever areas you can think of that might be difficult for others to get to.”
While the business has been a staple in the community for decades, Eskel and Amy have made improvements to it over the years since they took over.
“We now have a chipper and a boom truck,” Amy explains. “That’s a huge improvement from what his dad was doing, when they climbed all the trees themselves and hauled away all the brush on a tiny trailer.”
It also has been important to continue to get the word out to the community about Top Notch Tree Service.
“While it was an established name,” Eskel says, “In some ways, we have still had to build it from the ground up by advertising our services with a new and younger customer base.”
Tree work continues to run in the family, Amy explains.
“It is a family thing,” she says, “Even Eskel’s cousins are in it. Basically his whole family are tree workers somewhere.”
For Top Notch Tree Service, customer satisfaction, beginning with free estimates and ending with cleanup, is key.
“Our team always makes sure to clean up our clients’ yards when they are done,” Amy says. “They do not leave anything behind. We also do not require payment until we are sure the customer is satisfied.”
Eskel adds that they have a satisfaction guarantee.
“We always make sure our customers are happy before we get paid,” he says.
First Recipient of the Deputy Bill Butler Legacy Fund Award
”Over the years, he was a fellow soldier and a friend. After his service to our country, Bill didn’t have to do this job. He chose to do it. He cared for Hillsdale County, and I hope to do the same.
Joel Burkhart
”The Deputy Bill Butler Legacy Fund was established by the community at the Hillsdale County Community Foundation to support individuals pursuing a career in law enforcement. This fund provides financial assistance to attend any accredited Police Academy selected by the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Department.
In a touching and symbolic way, the inaugural recipient of the Deputy Bill Butler Legacy Award was given to someone who not only embodies the values and service-minded spirit of the honoree—but also knew him personally.
Joel Burkhart, a retiree of the United States Army National Guard and now a recruit of the Hillsdale County Sherriff’s Department, grew up down the road from Deputy Butler. As neighbors, they shared not only a hometown, but a deeprooted commitment to serving others through military and law enforcement careers. The two worked in the same Recruitment Platoon and it was Butler that introduced him to the Sheriff’s Department.
Deputy Butler was a dedicated law enforcement officer who served with the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years, fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a police officer. He began as a reserve deputy and a reserve Hillsdale City police officer before attending the police academy, at age 49, to fully pursue his passion for law enforcement. In addition to his commitment to his community, Deputy Butler proudly served in the United States Army for 26 years, including a deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Known for being a dreamer, a giver, a helper and a family man, his life was a testament to selfless service.
Like Butler, law enforcement is a second career for Burkhart. Burkhart joined the National Guard in December 2001 at the age of 17. He completed his basic training during the summer between his junior and senior year of high school and was able to start his military career following graduation. His recruitment came after the events of September 11 and was influenced by his grandfather who served in the Korean War. His 22-year military career included time as a recruiter, military police officer and involved a deployment to Iraq. Following his retirement, he knew he wanted to pursue a second career in law enforcement.
“I am honored to represent Bill and his legacy,” stated Burkhart. “Over the years, he was a fellow soldier and a friend. After his service to our country, Bill didn’t have to do this job. He chose to do it. He cared for Hillsdale County, and I hope to do the same.”
As Burkhart embarks on the next chapter of his career, he carries more than just the memory of a friend—he carries a legacy. “This is a chance to carry forward the legacy of someone I admired, respected and called a friend,” he said.
To contribute to this fund you can donate by:
• Visiting www.abouthccf.org/donate/
• Mailing a check or cash to P.O. Box 276, Hillsdale, Michigan 49242
• Visiting our office at 2 South Howell Street, Hillsdale, Michigan 49242
• Scanning the QR code to donate on the website
Community Calendar 2025
We are excited to introduce our Community Calendar, where local events happening in Hillsdale, Branch, and Lenawee counties will be featured. If you have events that you would like featured in our calendar or city pages in the next issue, please submit those to submissions@simplyhers.net by August 1.
Hillsdale
By Elyse Apel
Lego Club: July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, August 6, August 13, August 20, August 27 at 3:30 p.m. at Hillsdale Community Library. There is no cost, registration, or library card required to attend this weekly event. This is for kids of all ages.
Independence Day Parade: July 3 at 6 p.m. in downtown Hillsdale.
Yoga with Rhonda: July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28, August 4, August 11, August 18, August 25 from 5:45 - 8 p.m. at Hillsdale Community Library. There is no cost, registration, or library card required to attend this weekly event. Join Rhonda for a gentle yoga class every Monday. This is for all levels of experience. At 7 p.m., there is a chair yoga class.
Cupcake Decorating: July 8 at 3 p.m. at Hillsdale Community Library. Kids will decorate cupcakes using a paint palette of colored sprinkles and candies. Their creations will be photographed to be voted on. Registration required.
Dog Days of Summer: July 12 at 6 p.m. at Market House Inc., Hillsdale. Summertime rock and roll performed live. All ages welcome.
Yoga and Hike: July 13 at 8 a.m. at Owen’s Memorial Park. Yoga to start at 8 a.m. Hike to start at 9 a.m. Bring your own yoga mat (not required to participate) and any yoga tools you desire. Hike is approximately seven miles. The hike is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a 6’ leash at all times. The hike is family-friendly, but no strollers.
Beach Glass Craft: July 14 at 6 p.m. at Healthies of Hillsdale. Create your own custom beach glass window. $60 registration fee includes step by step instructions, frame, beach glass, and all other necessary materials. Register online now.
Music Camp: July 14 - July 17 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Hillsdale First United Methodist Church. The four-day camp from children in grades 2 - 8 will have a vocal music emphasis, culminating in a choir performance at the end of the week. There is no cost for this special event, but registration (due Monday June 30) is required.
Coffee and Books: July 15 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Hillsdale Community Library. A book is chosen monthly to read and get together and discuss the following month. There is no cost, registration, or library card required to attend.
Story Time: July 17 at 12 p.m. at Hillsdale Community Library. Join on the Mitchell lawn for a special visit from the cast of The Sauk Theatre’s “Winnie the Pooh.” Bring a blanket and your lunch, and enjoy this fun-filled event. There is no cost, registration, or library card required.
Second Amendment Rally: July 19 from 1 - 5 p.m. at Hillsdale County Courthouse. Food trucks, vendors, and more on site. State representatives will also be attending.
Live Music: August 2 from 6 - 9 p.m. at Market House Inc., Hillsdale. Lit Up performing live.
Car Show: August 9 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Hillsdale County Fairgrounds. Number of competitions, silent auction, raffle drawings, and 50/50 drawings.
Coffee and Books: August 19 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Hillsdale Community Library. A book is chosen monthly to read and get together and discuss the following month. There is no cost, registration, or library card required to attend.
Designer Purse Bingo: August 23 at 4:30 p.m. at Johnny T’s Bistro. The largest annual fundraiser for Hillsdale CASA, INC. - Child Advocates. Tickets available for pre-sale.
Open Play: August 24 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 1609 South Lake Wilson Rd., Hillsdale. Have fun at DarkFire Airsoft with family and friends.
Jonesville
Open Mic: July 16 at 7 p.m. at Ramshackle Brewing Company. Catch host Rob Prince of MI Michigan Story at Ramschackle Brewing Co., where they’ll be recording your awesome true stories on the spot for possible use in their radio show.
Community Trivia Night: July 23 at 7 p.m. at Ramshackle Brewing Company. This event is organized by the Sauk.
Coldwater
The McCartney Years: May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Tibbits Opera House. This authentic, family-friendly show features the greatest hits from the Beatles and Wings. Tickets available online now.
Cultural Jubilee: May 17 at 11 a.m. at South Hanchett Street and Tibbits Plaza in downtown Coldwater. Local organizations are collaborating on this one-day, family-friendly event celebrating the many cultural identities and traditions that thrive in Coldwater.
Live Music: May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Coldwater Fraternal Order of Eagles 1907. Enjoy an evening of live classic rock, classic country, and dancing. Food and drinks will be available.
Coldwater Shred Day: June 7 from 9 - 11 a.m. at Honor Credit Union. Safely dispose of your old personal documents while keeping your info secure and helping the environment. Just drive up, drop off, and they will handle the rest. This is a free event.
Family Field Day and Safety Fair: June 7 at 1 p.m. at 200 Bishop Ave., Coldwater. An event by Branch County Great Start. Enjoy a great day with your family and friends, competing with other families, friends, or your own family in this free event. All ages welcome.
Addison
Pop-Up Market: July 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 116 S. Steer St. Multiple yard sales and vendors. Food trucks and live music on Sunday.
127 World’s Longest Yardsale: August 7-10 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 116 S. Steer St. Over 25 different vendors and yard sales, multiple food trucks, live music & more.
Tecumseh
Military Appreciation Night: July 4 at 6 p.m. at Tecumseh Outdoor Drama and Concert Venue. All veterans and active military will be admitted for free along with one guest. Free military tickets are available by calling the box office at 866-775-0700. The Tecumseh Alumni Association will be holding a cookout for veterans. The cookout is free to all veterans and active military and admittance will be granted with your ticket for the evening’s show.
Summer Performance Camp: July 7 - 11 at Tecumseh Center of the Arts. Open to incoming 2nd - 6th grade students. Cost is $155 per camper, with a $55 discount for second camper in the same immediate family.
Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Tasting: July 12 from 2 - 3 p.m. at Harvest Chocolate. This handson experience will take you through every step of the bean-to-bar journey, including tasting fresh cacao fruit, the roasting, cracking, winnowing, and grinding of cocoa beans all while enjoying your very own chocolate flight from Harvest Chocolate’s seasonal lineup. Tickets cost $30 and must be purchased in advance.
Classic Car Show: July 31 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Twin Pines Eatery. No registration required. All vehicles are welcome. Live music will also be performed.
Car Show and Open House: August 23 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 610 South Maumee St., Tecumseh. A car show, facility tours of IDIDIT, a vendor tent, pancake breakfast and coffee, food trucks, and a live DJ. Open to the public. For more information, visit ididit.com/2025carshowregistration.
Classic Car Show: August 28 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Twin Pines Eatery. No registration required. All vehicles are welcome.
Adrian Center of the Arts Anniversary: July 5 from 1 - 10 p.m. at 1375 N. Adrian Hwy, Adrian. Join Adrian Center of the Arts and River Raisin Ragtime Revue for a family friendly, free event. Enjoy live music, art, and make and take activities for youth and adults.
Farm to Table Dinner: August 15 at 6 p.m. at Adrian College. The evening will showcase locally sourced food, beverages, and entertainment. The event is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Lenawee.
New job, new retirement account options
Changing jobs? Consider these 401(k) options:
• Leave the money in your previous employer’s plan
• Move it to your new employer’s plan
• Roll it over to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
• Cash out the account subject to early withdrawal penalties
We can talk through your financial goals and find the option that works best for you.
Don L Toffolo , AAMS™ Financial Advisor
253 E Chicago St Suite 1 Jonesville, MI 49250 517-849-7771
TECUMSEH
Spending Time Outdoors
By Elyse Apel
Visiting the Tecumseh Farmers Market is a great way to support local businesses and small familyrun artisans and vendors this summer, all while spending time outdoors with your family and friends.
Organized by the Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce, the market is every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at The Market, May 4 through October 11. The Market on Evans is located at 213 N. Evans St., Tecumseh.
This summer, the community also has the opportunity to add to a permanent part of the newly refurbished market building. One of the pieces of the Market Mural needs more artwork added to it, which is where community children can participate on each market day.
The mural piece will be sitting at the very first market stall behind the market table. Markers will be provided for children to fill in one of the sections during market hours.
You can find a wide variety of goods and vendors at the market this year. Shopping the market makes it easy to shop local, support your community, and find unique goods or fresh foods you simply can not find anywhere else.
This includes local and organic produce, farm fresh eggs, fresh cut flowers, handmade craft items, and delicious cakes and pies.
Parking is available right across the street on the corner of Logan Street and Evans Street.
For all the latest updates, be sure to follow the Tecumseh Farmers Market on Facebook. For more information on becoming a vendor, call (517) 423-3740.
Upcoming Trips Upcoming Trips
JACKSON
Soaring Expectations
Full Throttle Fun: Your Summer Rush in Jackson County
Get ready for a summer that soars above expectations—literally and figuratively. In Jackson, Michigan, the skies, streets, and fairways come alive with some of the most thrilling events and experiences of the year. Whether you’re drawn to the color and charm of hot air balloons, the adrenaline of NASCAR, the laid-back joy of wine tastings, or the quiet challenge of a perfect golf swing, Jackson’s summer calendar has something just for you.
Hot Air Jubilee: A Sky Full of Wonder
July 18 – 20, 2025 Ella Sharp Park | Jackson, MI Look up! The iconic Hot Air Jubilee returns this July, filling the skies with brilliant color and the hearts of spectators with awe. Families, photographers, and dreamers gather in Ella Sharp Park to watch the spectacle of dozens of hot air balloons rising over Jackson. This year’s event promises all the favorites—balloon glows, tethered rides, craft vendors, and kid-friendly activities—but with an extra dose of magic as the sky becomes a canvas of wonder.
And just days before…
U.S. National Women’s Hot Air Balloon Championship
July 14 – 19, 2025 Multiple Locations | Jackson County, MI
Jackson proudly hosts the best of the best with the return of the BFA U.S. National Women’s Hot Air Balloon Championship. This national-level competition showcases elite pilots navigating skill-based tasks high above our community—bringing competitive flight and artistic spectacle together in one of the most unique sporting events you’ll ever witness.
Golf Discount Packages
April 1 – October 31, 2025
What’s summer in Michigan without a little time on the greens? With nearly 20 golf courses nestled into Jackson County’s lush, rolling hills, this is a golfer’s haven. Thanks to our Golf Discounts, you can book multiple rounds across top-rated courses—like Cascades, Calderone, and The Grande—and enjoy discounted lodging and restaurant perks.
by Noah Hansen
Packages include:
● $5 off per round of golf
● Best available rates at top Jackson hotels
● Welcome gifts + $10 off participating restaurants
● Access to over 350 holes across scenic, challenging layouts
To get started, visit Experience Jackson’s Golf Page and fill out the interest form to activate your discount code. Then… pack your clubs.
Where to Eat
Fuel your summer adventures with unforgettable meals from Jackson’s local favorites:
● Grand River Brewery – Jackson: Craft beer, farm-to-table eats, and summer vibes.
● West Texas BBQ: Award-winning smoked meats—yes, in Michigan!
● Klavon’s Pizzeria: Jackson’s go-to for Detroit Style and Chicago Stuffed Pizza.
● Nite Lite: A Jackson staple with hearty classics and live music.
● One North Kitchen & Bar – Jackson: Perfect for post-golf drinks and casual dining.
With flavors for everyone’s tastes, Jackson’s dining scene will keep you coming back for seconds.
Plan Your Perfect Summer in Jackson
It’s the season of memories waiting to be made. Jackson has so many to make for you. Plan your trip, bring your people, and feel the rush at experiencejackson.com
517-688-3787 • 7424 E. Chicago • Jonesville • greenenergylp.net
Lynn & Sarah Hartzler, Owners, with their three daughters. 866 N. Wisner Street | Jackson | 517-783-3810
Largest Seletion of Ready-Made Mats & Frames print and frame your
& Fri 10 - 4 | Tues to Thurs 10 - 6 | Sat 10 - 2 | Closed Sunday www.ivebeenframedjackson.com Printing services available!
It can rock our world when someone we love passes away before we’re ready to comprehend what’s happening. We’ve all experienced moments like that. We take for granted how fragile life really is, but a sudden loss brings it home. That is why it can be so beneficial for your loved ones when funeral plans are arranged ahead of time. This gives those closest to you the room to grieve without the stress of planning and preparing. It also allows you the opportunity to create your own unique celebration of life with your family by your side and can help them feel connected to you in life and death. No matter what life throws your way, pre-planning will be a blessing to your dear ones.
ADRIAN
Bicentennial Celebration
By Elyse Apel
This summer, the City of Adrian is celebrating a very important anniversary. Not one hundred, but two hundred years since its official founding.
As a part of its bicentennial celebration there will be many events for the community to participate in. Activities will begin on Thursday, July 3, and continue through Sunday, July 6.
On July 3, there will be a free ice cream social from 6:30 - 7 p.m. at the Adrian City Market, followed by a free American Heritage Concert from 7 - 9 p.m. Be sure to bring your own lawn chairs!
July 4 will kick off with a 4th of July Parade at 10 a.m. in downtown Adrian. Throughout the day, there will be various historical activities throughout the town. These include the opening of a time capsule at noon in Comstock Park and a Historic Walking Tour beginning at 5 p.m. from Comstock Park.
The day will end with fireworks at 10 p.m., also at Comstock Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.
The festivities will continue on July 5 with a fun run and walk at 8 a.m. As part of the bicentennial celebrations, the Adrian Parade of Homes will showcase eight architecturally significant homes scattered throughout the city. Both of these events require pre-registration, with the Parade of Homes happening on the 5th and 6th.
At noon on July 5, there will also be a vintage baseball team playing by 1860s rules. This event is free to attend and will be happening at Island Park. The River Raisin Ragtime Revue will also be performing throughout the afternoon and evening.
A full and updated schedule and description of activities can be found on the Adrian Bicentennial website at https:// tinyurl.com/adrianbicentennial.
Buentello Pest Control
Pittsford, MI 49271
COLDWATER
Family Entertainment
By Elyse Apel
This July, Coldwater will be the place to celebrate Independence Day with activities that will keep everyone in the family entertained.
On July 4, join the Coldwater Lake Flotilla. Get in that freedom spirit and deck your boat out in red, white, and blue! No registration is required to participate.
No boat, no problem! Even if you do not have a boat to join the flotilla, stop by to observe and cheer on the welldecorated fleet.
That evening, enjoy the City of Coldwater’s annual 4th of July fireworks show. The show will take place at dusk (around 10 p.m.) from Heritage Park, though they will be visible from many locations throughout town.
Continue the celebration on July 5 from 8 - 11 a.m. with a pancake breakfast fundraiser at 516 Warren Rd., Coldwater. This fundraiser is Coldwater Lake Association’s largest of the year and is a great opportunity to get pancakes, sausage, and juice or coffee for the whole family.
Wanting some entertainment for the day? L&G Quarter Horses is organizing a Red, White, and Blue Bonanza at Branch County Saddle Club. Located just 15 minutes outside of Coldwater, this barrel racing show will open at 1 p.m. Pole and barrel expositions will be held that morning.
Finish up the weekend’s celebrations with the annual Coldwater Lake fireworks show, beginning on July 5 at dusk.
This show is funded entirely by donations from the community. To learn more about how you can support the show and this fun and free annual tradition, visit www. coldwaterlakeassociation.com.
MANITOU BEACH
Events for all
Aw…. Summers at the lake….fun in the sun, boat rides, bike rides, campfires with marshmallows, the smell of burgers on the grill and corn on the cob, hanging out with family and friends, playing games, telling stories, sunrises, sunsets. If you are so fortunate to have been able to spend time at the lake growing up, you know that those memories never leave you and you will always wish to keep them alive. Michigan summers are the best!
In more recent years, so many empty nesters have sold their city homes to move to the lake, so it goes without saying, these same people are doing what they can to create new memories for the younger generations.
In Manitou Beach at Devils Lake, there is an entire community of folks who work all year round to create fun events for those who are looking for new lake memories. Located right here in Manitou Beach Village, you will not only find a number of festivities in July and August but you can also visit our great boutiques, eateries and services. We offer of a list of events throughout the entire year so be sure to keep checking our Manitou Beach Village website for the latest.
Our Manitou Beach Village Farmers Market takes place between Memorial and Labor Day in Manitou Beach Village located on Devils Lake Hwy. and Walnut Street. You will find a variety of goodies every Saturday through Labor Day Weekend from 8:30 am-12:30 pm. The area has also become a hot spot to catch up with friends over a cup of coffee at the new Blackbird Café and Baking Company.
The Manitou Beach Art Camps located in the Devils Lake Inn at 103 Walnut St. in Manitou Beach, MI, have become extremely popular, so we have added more classes not only in the summer, but throughout the year. Sign up early, they fill up quickly. For registration, visit www.manitoubeachcreative.org and for questions, email Jean at art@manitoubeachcreative.org. You will also want to visit the new Faust House Scrap N Craft and Art Supplies located in the Lakeview Shops at 140 N Lakeview Blvd.
Devils Lake Antique Classic Boat Show will be held on Saturday, June 28, located at the Manitou Beach Marina. Enjoy these classic gems at the marina, plus a boat parade and cruising for those of you who will be entering your boat. It starts at 8:30 am.
Devils Lake is known for our outstanding fireworks! They will take place on Friday, July 4, at sunset.
The Devils & Round Lakes Men’s Club Firecracker 7K Run/Walk will also be held in the morning of July 4 and is fun for all ages. These are two great local festive occasions that celebrate America’s Independence. Sign up is between 7:00 am - 7:30 am at the Highland Inn located at 3171 Round Lake Hwy. in Manitou Beach with race to follow.
Scheduled for Saturday, Aug 30, the Manitou Beach Marina Kids Day will be located at 9517 Devils Lake Hwy., Manitou Beach, MI. Check their FB page for further details.
Be sure to pick up the 2025 Devils & Round Lake of Manitou Beach Visitors Guide and check out our calendar. We offer events the entire year!
July and August are packed full of fun events and you can get more details when you visit our website at: www.manitoubeachmichigan.com. You can also visit our village Facebook page and the individual businesses’ websites and Facebook pages throughout the area for additional details.
We look forward to seeing you!
HILLSDALE
Local Ice Cream Options
Summer is the perfect time to try out all the local ice cream options in the Hillsdale area. Even if you already have a favorite go-to spot, maybe consider trying out one of the following options this season!
With drive through service, The Udder Side in Jonesville is a great choice for those looking for a quick treat. Its large menu and signature flavor of the week provide tons of variety to make anyone happy.
Overflowing Cups and Cones is located in Hillsdale and serves everything from ice cream and food to coffee and lattes. Coffee lovers will love its coffee-inspired ice cream treats, while its kids menu also provides a great costeffective selection for little ones.
Don’t want to leave the house but want ice cream? Don’t worry! Overflowing Cups and Cones recently began providing once-a-week delivery day on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. With a $5 delivery fee, you can have your favorite sweets delivered right to your door. Just call (517) 437-0003 to place your order.
While donuts are the specialty for Ethan’s Donut Factory located in downtown Hillsdale, its large ice cream selection also warrants a trip. With ice cream from MOOville Creamery in Nashville, Michigan, there are many different flavors to try. On Wednesdays, the shop also does free waffle cones with any ice cream purchase.
Hungry and wanting ice cream? St. Joe’s Cafe on Broad St. is the perfect place. Try one of its signature artisan-style pizzas and a scoop of delicious gelato. If you go at lunch time, you can try one of its lunch specials, which include pizza and gelato for one price.
By Elyse Apel
Dollars & Sense
By Olyvia Farler
Smart Summer Planning: Preparing for School Costs-
Whether or Not You Have Kids
Olyvia Farler Financial Wellness Specialist at American 1 Credit Union
As the school year ends and summer begins, many women are ready for a well-deserved break from the hustle of homework, packed lunches, and school dropoffs. But while summer is a time to recharge, it’s also the perfect season to get ahead financially— especially when it comes to planning for the upcoming school year.
If you’re a mom, you already know how quickly back-to-school costs add up from supplies and clothes to extracurricular fees and tech needs. These expenses can sneak up fast. Use this quieter time to reflect on what you spent last year. Make a list of expected costs and look for ways to spread them out. Shopping early during summer sales or taking advantage of buying supplies while traveling this summer in states/cities where supplies could be cheaper can ease the burden come August.
Don’t forget to check out local swap groups or resale events. Gently used backpacks, lunchboxes, and even sports gear can cut your expenses in half. And if your kids are involved in activities, consider early registration or payment plans that may offer a discount.
But what if you don’t have children? You can still use this time to plan ahead. Maybe you’re supporting a niece, or sibling, or helping a friend with back-to-school costs. Or perhaps you’re going back to school yourself, taking classes for a career pivot or personal growth. Tuition, books, supplies, and commuting costs all add up. Preparing now gives you more options and less stress later.
Setting aside a small, dedicated savings fund for education for your children or yourself creates longterm peace of mind. The key is to be intentional.
Summer may feel like a break, but it’s also a fresh opportunity to get financially ready for what’s next. Empower yourself now and start the next school year confidently.
Personal Loans for EveryPossibility
Local Beat
by Melissa McCance
Shea’Nanigans in Hudson has a way for you to have a great time AND help at the same time! Saturday, August 2, is the date for the 5th Annual Shea’Nanigans Charity Ride. The event begins and ends at the restaurant with registration starting at 11 a.m.—$20 per driver and $15 per passenger—and kickstands go up at noon. Food and live auction begin at 5 p.m. with Jaded Soul providing live entertainment from 6 to 10 p.m. Shea’Nanigans is located at 521 S. Meridian Rd. (US 127) in Hudson, just under a quarter mile south of the US 127 and M 34 intersection.
CAPA of Hillsdale has a new director! Nikki Maynard has a background in marketing and brings energy, enthusiasm, and a passion for helping to the organization. Everyone is looking forward to seeing what lies ahead under Nikki’s leadership! And get ready to tee up, because CAPA’s annual golf outing is Monday, August 18, at Concord Hills Golf Course. The event is a four-player team scramble to benefit local charities. Cost is $70 per player, $280 for a four-player team, $100 to be a hole sponsor, and $330 for a four-player team and hole sponsor! There are prizes for the top three finishers, longest drive closest to the pin, and a hole-in-one. Bring extra cash for the raffles and 50/50 tickets. Check-in is at 8:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9:00. Concord Hills is located at 7331 Pulaski Rd., Concord. Follow CAPA on Facebook for the latest information.
Fans of The Hunt Club in Jackson are enjoying what new owners Hunter and Mallory Sullivan are bringing to the longtime favorite dining spot. The Sullivans kept the popular Wiley Potato—a fluffy baked potato stuffed with meat, mushrooms, and onions and topped with cheese—on the menu. They are looking to renovate the space and have added some new food options. Hunter and Mallory also own the West Texas Barbeque Co. on Jackson’s south side, so they brought extensive restaurant experience to this new venture. The Hunt Club is located at 1514 Daniel Rd. Their number is 517-782-0375.
Aim for Luxury
After a day on the range at the John A. Halter Shooting Sports Education Center, Hillsdale College’s world-class facility, indulge yourself with a stay at one of the Halter Center’s cottages. It’s a luxury experience right on site!
Enjoy the amenities and comfort of a spacious cottage while taking advantage of everything that the Halter Center has to offer:
• Sporting clays
• Pistol and rifle
• American and International Skeet and Trap
• Archery
• Range instruction
• AcuSport Grille
• Liberty & Co. Outfitters
Custom packages available. The Halter Center is open year-round!
To book your experience, please visit haltercottages.lodgify.com or call (517) 610-5593.
The Art of “Slow Travel” – and How to Embrace it in Michigan
Trade fast-paced travel for sensory-driven sightseeing. Slow travel unlocks a more mindful way to make your way around Michigan.
Slowing down while traveling is what Pure Michigan is all about – from the foothills of the Sleeping Bear Dunes to the quiet lakeshores of Lake Huron to the serenity you can find amidst the changing of the seasons.
In Michigan, travelers can use all five senses to tap into wonder and connection while soaking in the scenery across all corners of the state. It’s time to embrace the beauty, culture and excitement across our two pleasant peninsulas on a deeper and more rewarding level.
Learn about the art of slow travel in Michigan – and how to embrace it. No matter where your next adventure takes you, the journey itself is just as meaningful as the destination.
What is “Slow Travel”?
“Slow travel” is the practice of travelers taking a more immersive and mindful approach to experiencing the destination in which they travel. Unlike traditional, fast-paced tourism where visitors try to see as many places as possible in a short amount of time, slow travel focuses on making more meaningful connections with the places and people they come in contact with – from engaging in deeper observation of local culture, to opting to travel more sustainably, to lowering stress by breaking the mold of jam-packed schedules and stiff agendas.
Slow travel allows for an almost meditative way of connecting with what’s around you while you travel. Instead of rushing to what’s next, seeking high-thrill and high-energy experiences, and checking off a to-do list of stops, travelers can opt to slow down and engage all five senses (sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch) for a deeper connection to the community.
5 Tips for Successful Slow Travel
1. Skip the agenda – Packed schedules are more conducive to stressful travel when you’re constantly pivoting to the next thing on your to-do list. Take a go-with-the-flow approach to travel with ample free time and flexibility to embrace the moments (and the surprises you’ll find) along the way.
2. Opt for longer stays – Choosing accommodations that offer longer stays so you can visit your destination over a longer period of time. This gives you time to live like a local and build deeper relationships with the people and places you explore and meet.
3. Engage with locals – Introduce yourself and dive into deeper conversations with locals. They’re your best bet for intel on hidden gems and must-see sights you wouldn’t have known of otherwise.
4. Choose more sustainable options – Whether it’s your mode of transportation, like biking instead of driving, or supporting local businesses sustainability plays a big role in slow travel. For example, try sitting in the coffee shop to enjoy your drink in a real coffee mug instead of taking a disposable cup to go. You never know who you’ll meet or the conversations you’ll have while slowing down.
5. Prioritize quality over quantity – Pick educational, purposeful and emotionally enriching experiences, even if they take longer or require more of your attention. You’ll be thankful for more depth and less distraction while you travel.
Here’s How to Slow Down and Savor the Sights, Sounds and Sensations of Michigan
Ditch the whirl-wind mentality of travel for a more mindful escape in Michigan – on your own time.
Take a Scenic Train Ride
You can embark on an adventure along lesser-traveled tracks as you sit back and take in the scenery along the way on a train ride through Michigan. The Pere Marquette Amtrak route offers stunning views along Michigan’s western coast between Grand Rapids and Chicago. Or, the Southern Michigan Railroad Society runs seasonal trips from Clinton through scenic farmlands and the Little River Railroad in Coldwater offers nostalgic steam train rides through the countryside of Southwest Lower Peninsula.
Find a Farmers Market or Local Food Experience
Let your taste buds take over and support your local farmer by visiting a Michigan farmers market for a true, local food experience. Not only is it a sustainable way to shop but it’s a sensory overload when you can touch and taste the food, and talk with the very farmer who grew the produce you’ll buy. Eastern Market in Detroit, the Midland Area Farmers Market on the east side, the Kalamazoo Farmers Market on the southwest side, and the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market in the Upper Peninsula.
Michigan leads in producing fruits like apples, tart cherries and blueberries, as well as vegetables including asparagus and cucumbers. Post-market, visit a local restaurant that showcases these fresh flavors in their dishes, like The Apparatus Room in Detroit, Grove in Grand Rapids, Salt of the Earth in Fennville, and Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay.
Visit One (or More) of Michigan’s Many Art Trails
Exploring art and sculpture parks encourages visitors to take
a leisurely stroll and form deeper connections with the art and nature around them. Unlike crowded museums and scripted tours, these parks invite contemplation and discovery as you meander on trails, perhaps studying the way sunlight strikes a single sculpture or pondering how seasonal changes change each piece that particular time of year.
There are endless places to enjoy manmade and natural works of art in Michigan’s great outdoors, like the expansive Frederik Meijer Gardens, featuring sculpture galleries, a tropical conservatory, a children’s garden and Japanese garden with over 200 sculptures in Grand Rapids. Or explore the winding and whimsical Michigan Legacy Art Park, a 30-acre preserve with hiking trails, sculptures, poetry stones and an amphitheater at Crystal Mountain.
Watch for Wildlife and Wander Through Wilderness
Birdwatching at Arcadia Dunes wetlands, elk viewing in Pigeon River County State Forest, or spotting a moose on the remote Isle Royal National Park are just a few ways to explore nature and watch for wildlife along the journey. Wildlife viewing in wilderness is the essence of slow travel, as it requires patience, quiet observation and a willingness to let nature reveal itself in its own time. Just remember to keep a safe distance and maintain awareness of your surroundings when you’re near Michigan’s wildlife.
Whether you’re waiting silently near a wetland to spot sandhill cranes at Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary in Jackson County, or slowly hiking through Seney National Wildlife Refuge hoping to see glimpse of a loon, this unhurried approach allows you to notice subtle details like animal tracks, listen for distinct bird calls, and truly immerse yourself in the natural rhythms of wild places – making each moment more meaningful and memorable.
About the Author: Erica Zazo is a Chicago-based freelance writer who loves to write about adventure travel in her home state of Michigan and beyond. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
michigan.org
PET TALK
We thought it would be fun to share some
“Most Popular in the U.S.” lists from the pet world!
Most Popular Dog Breeds
1. French Bulldog
2. Labrador Retriever
3. Golden Retriever
4. German Shepherd
5. Poodle
6. Dachshund
7. Bulldog
8. Beagle
9. Rottweiler
10. German Shorthaired Pointer
Most Popular Cat Breeds
1. Ragdoll
2. Maine Coon
3. British Shorthair
4. Persian
5. Siamese
6. Exotic Shorthair
7. Scottish Fold
8. Domestic Shorthair
9. Bengal
10. Abyssinian
Most Popular Reptiles
Most Popular Rodents
Hamsters
Rats
Mice
Gerbils 5. Guinea Pigs
Chinchillas
Most Popular Dog Names (Male)
Milo
Max
Teddy
Charlie
Most Popular Dog Names (Female)
Luna
Bella
Daisy
Lucy
Most Popular Cat Names (Male)
Milo
Oliver
Leo
Charlie
Most Popular Cat Names (Female)
Luna
Bella
Milo
Lily
Adoptable Pets Adoptable Pets
OU T D O OR LIVI NG
Inside orhaveoutside, you covered! Inside orhaveoutside, you covered!
ONES V ILL E LUM B E R
