Dear Readers,
It’s amazing – I still hear people say that there’s “nothing to do in Flint!”
Of course the summer is fun-packed, and most area residents say Flint seems to go to sleep after the big Labor Day weekend. If you take one look at our “My Haps” section, you’ll see that’s certainly not true! We cover nearly ten events that took place in the last few weeks, including a community salute to my good friend Phil Shaltz, a celebration of the opening FSO concert, the Humane Society’s Ties & Tails fundraiser and the Arab American Heritage Council’s “Ensure the Legacy” Awards Banquet … and these are just the ones I was personally able to attend. So, if you were lucky enough to take part in one of these worthwhile events, look through these pages and you just might see your face. And if you’re still not convinced there’s plenty going on in Greater Flint, check out our “Can’t Miss List”.
It’s no secret – many exciting events in our area are fundraisers for worthy causes, and it’s also no secret that there are many in our area who are in need. In our “My Giving” category is a piece about the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Read about two “Bigs” and the “Littles” whose lives they’ve touched; really heartwarming. The second story is about a local woman who has volunteered for many decades and raised her family to do the same. If you have the means, there is no shortage of ways to give back. I like to think MCM has inspired some of our readers to reach out to their fellow citizens.
On a lighter note, we profile Chassé Ballroom and Latin Dance Studio – Michael and Ashleigh LaJoice have turned the country’s fascination with dancing into a thriving business. And on the other end of the spectrum, we have a piece on the Flint Farmers’ Market’s innovative Flint Food Works program that helps local entrepreneurs start food businesses. Very cool! On a much heavier note, our piece by Jessica Pressley Sinnott “Help for the Hopeless” is about the plight of mentally ill inmates in our Genesee County Jail. I was approached about doing the story and was granted permission by Sheriff Robert Pickell to spend time with people dedicated to helping this greatly underserved segment of our population. I think you’ll be touched by the story and we will continue to study the problem.
Back to fun stuff: November’s “Small Town Spotlight” is Frankenmuth – such a great town! It was hard to do it justice in just 20 pages. (Anyone else craving fried chicken?)
At this writing, the seven-day forecast calls for snowflakes on November 1, so to all who look forward to winter sports – get ready!
Thanks for reading.
