Dear Readers,
On this beautiful first day of summer, I write this letter with a very heavy heart. My mother, Estelle Burgett, passed away early this morning at the age of 87. Along with profound sadness, I’m filled with thoughts about how she was always my biggest fan. From the day I opened my first business four decades ago to the last time we spoke yesterday, she was so proud of my accomplishments and never let me forget it. This magazine is my most recent endeavor – Mom would see a copy at different places around town and always tell people with a big smile, “That’s my son’s magazine.” I was honored to have such a great woman and mother in my life and I will miss her dearly.
Of course, life goes on – and we’ve finally got some warm weather ahead to get out and enjoy. We put together another Summer Fun Guide for this issue, and a huge Outdoors section with info about campgrounds, parks and trails in Greater Flint and beyond. You can make some special memories with friends and family this summer without traveling far from home.
Right in our backyard, exciting things are happening Downtown – not just the annual summer happenings, but continued revitalization and growth. Check out the updates on two newly-completed projects: the state-of-the-art Mott Culinary Arts Institute and The Eberson, a unique bar/arcade in the Capitol Theatre building. Tetris, anyone?
New at the Flint Institute of Arts is an affiliate group looking to engage younger art enthusiasts: The Contemporaries, while another group – the Flint Branch of the NAACP – is celebrating a 100-year history of advancing Civil Rights in our community. And we made room for another interesting history piece – a look at Flint in the 70s.
There are hundreds of smiling faces in the “My Haps” section of this issue, wrapping up coverage of Greater Flint’s spring events. One of the coolest fundraisers of the summer will be happening this month. On July 27, The Disability Network brings their “Over the Edge” rappelling event back to Flint, and yours truly will be strapping into the ropes and going over the edge! I’m pretty stoked! My City is co-sponsoring this fantastic event for details and visit mycitymag.com for a chance to go over the edge with me!
Summer has just begun! Savor all the moments you get to spend with the special people in your life … and don’t miss a chance to tell them how much you love them.
Thanks for reading,
