Jim Withers’ day is filled with passion for bees. A beekeeper for the past nine years, he can talk for hours and hours about the subject he loves.
Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad are the “best-kept secrets in Genesee County,” according to Denise Bowles, who was appointed manager of the place in January. And, she has met the challenge with great enthusiasm. She can be seen walking throughout the village with a cell phone and walkie-talkie, greeting staff and visitors with a big smile and warm, “Hello.”
Doug Brody is the PGA Head Professional at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc. He grew up in a home in Linden, near the 1st tee at Spring Meadows Golf Club. “I grew up playing golf,” he says with a smile. “And my dad was a good player.” Doug is a graduate of the Ferris State University Professional Golf Management Program and has been a Class A PGA of America Professional since 1997. His first official job was at Walnut Hills Golf Club in Lansing, where he was the assistant golf pro for two years and the head professional for seven years. In 2005, Doug was hired at Warwick Hills as the head professional. “This is my dream job!” he exclaims. “I grew up going to the Buick Open and I loved it here.”
When the curtain goes up on the stage at The Whiting, there are many people behind the scenes who help make the magic happen. Ken Harris is one of those people. He is the House Electrician, but he isn’t a “real” electrician. He is responsible for all aspects of the lighting and all that goes with it, including special effects. And with 2,400 light bulbs of 24 varieties, it’s a pretty important job. There are two full-time backstage workers: Ken and the House Carpenter, Dave Thompson.
This year, Honorable Duncan M. Beagle celebrates 25 years on the bench. He is currently one of five Family Court judges in Genesee County. He also presides over three specialty courts — a Drug Court for neglect parents, an Attendance Court for severely truant students and ADAPT Court to improve efficiency of increased number of paternity cases. And 1991 was a significant year for him. Not only was he appointed Circuit Court Judge by Governor John Engler, it was also the year he married his lovely wife, Dana – and the year he lost the ability to use his legs due to an illness and became wheelchair bound.
Radio personality George McIntyre wears many hats at Townsquare Media. He is an on-air host at CARS 108, as well as the assistant program director, music director, and the IT manager for the company’s entire cluster of six radio stations.
Dr. Joe Hendricks and his wife, Dr. Susan Hendricks, are the owners of Briarwood Veterinary Hospital in Grand Blanc, where they have provided gentle care to pets in a stress-free environment for many years. Dr. Joe was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, and obtained his degree at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. That was where he met his wife, who was also a student there. She is an animal practitioner, now retired. While Dr. Sue had an inkling that she wanted to be a veterinarian, Dr. Joe’s passion for the field grew over a period of time. He knew he wanted to be involved in the field of biology and had become very interested in animal science. He and his wife both loved animals, so it was a natural fit that they became veterinarians. The couple moved to Michigan and built Briarwood Veterinary Hospital in 1990. “I consider myself a Michigander now,” laughs Dr. Joe. “We raised our family here and I absolutely love Genesee County!” As a general practitioner, Dr. Joe treats companion animals – dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes, as well as “pocket animals” including guinea pigs and gerbils. He took some time to share with MCM his average day as a busy veterinarian.
J.R. Kirtek has been forecasting the weather for mid-Michigan for 23 years. Chief Meteorologist at ABC12 News, he is the weather anchor for the 5pm, 6pm, and 11pm news broadcasts. J.R.’s day usually begins at 2pm when he arrives at the station to prepare his forecast before going on the air. His workday ends typically ends around midnight.
Randy Matteson has been an officer with the Flint Police Department since April 2004. After graduating from Clio High School, he didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life, so he went to college and earned his degree in Criminal Justice at Mott Community College. “It was the best decision I’ve made,” he says. During the day he is protecting and serving the citizens of Flint. At night, he is a family man who enjoys spending time with his wife and coaching his daughters’ soccer teams. My City Magazine was granted a ride-along with the busy patrol officer who works a 12-hour daytime shift.
It’s that time of year … when scary things happen and zombies are spotted all around the Greater Flint Area. My City Magazine went on a quest to see what they could dig up and we didn’t have to dig very far. Kristina Lakey of Flint is an interpreter for the deaf by day – but by night, she can be found shambling around town as a zombie. The founder and organizer of the Flint Zombie Walk, Kristina is transformed (through the use of artfully applied makeup and tattered clothing) into one of the hundreds of mindless creatures that take over Downtown on the first Saturday in October.
As we have watched Vehicle City undergo revitalization over the last several years, General Motors has also been going through a transformation – and a good one – especially at Flint Assembly, which is the oldest GM assembly plant in North America, having opened in 1947. Going from bankruptcy a few years back to a company investment of $1.8 billion since 2011, Flint Assembly is proof that Flint is still in the business of making cars and trucks – and auto workers have a secure future here. The most recent investment of $877 million was announced last month and will be used to build a new body shop for the assembly plant, locating it closer to the Flint Metal Center.
