In the heart of Flint, Jackie Mason is stitching lives together—one seam at a time.
Feeling a bit sluggish and weighed down after indulging in too many holiday goodies? Or perhaps, you’re looking for ways to relieve stress and build confidence. If so, then the New Year is a great time to shed some of those excess pounds, get back into shape and learn some self-defense skills. There are many options available to do just that.
Before he even entered kindergarten, Rusty Gould became enamored with the Model A automobile, Ford’s successor to the historic Model T.
When the lights go out and the room goes quiet, Flint residents Brian Schell and Kevin Knights sit in anticipation of the evening’s horror movie selection. The music begins, the title appears and they settle in. Each scream, jump-scare, plot twist, death and mystery on screen is enjoyed and then chronicled for the benefit of thousands of horror movie aficionados across the world. Want to know what the best werewolf movie is? They have the answer. Best scary silent film? They have at least five to recommend. Foreign terror flick? Pick a country. From the era of silent horror films to today’s endless stream of media, they’ve nearly seen it all. Why do they do it? Why subject themselves to terror night after night, waking up with goosebumps and cold sweat? The answer is simple.
At times, Anthony Kolenic, Director of the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, is in awe as he watches Jack Sustic meticulously care for its extensive bonsai collection.
Twelve years ago, David Higby was presented with a new challenge. The carpenter and owner of D&H Finish Carpentry was on a job when his client offered him a surprise. “They had an old, rundown wooden boat out back,” he remembers. “They offered it to me and I was interested, so I took it. That’s what started it all.” He took the boat home and started the process of refurbishment (a process still ongoing and finally nearing completion). Intrigued and wanting more, he began researching the history of wooden boats, found a culture he identified with and fell in love with the hobby. That love led to the establishment of Maiden Michigan – an extension of his current business that offers restoration of and/or building of classic and new wooden boats. Today, Higby has restored and rebuilt several historic wooden boats for clients, finished multiple projects of his own, won multiple awards for his work and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. “I guess it all ends when I do,” he says with a chuckle.
For as long as he can remember, Mike Stormer has loved old and classic cars. “I’ve always been an old car person,” he says. “In 1987, was driving a 1972 Buick Electra and my mother rode around in a 1972 Delta 88 until 1988 or so. I loved those cars. It’s always kind of been my thing.” For years, Stormer cruised around in a 1970 Pontiac Catalina until an unfortunate accident retired the car. In his search for a replacement, Stormer found a unique ride that he wasn’t sold on at first. “Last summer, I found a 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 62 for sale on Facebook and decided to check it out,” he remembers. “I wasn’t sure about it when I first saw it but the fact that it was so rare changed my mind. All my life, I’ve dreamed of owning a 1957 Chevy but there are already so many out there. I liked that this car was different.” Stormer took the Caddy home, made space in his garage and parked it inside. He had found his new classic. Since then, he has shown his vehicle at shows in and around Genesee County and even earned three awards. “It’s just a cool-looking car and I have only seen two others like it in Michigan,” he adds.
A 15-time World Kuk Sool Association (WSKA) Grand Champion and 5th Degree Black Belt (Master), Kenneth Wright has traveled the world practicing and honing his art. He has trained at the Baek Dam Sa Temple in South Korea, in Seoul and in GyeongJu, in Canada and across the United States. He has taught side-by-side with Kuk Sool martial arts founder and Grand Master, Hyuk Suh. But of all his accomplishments and accolades, the one that means the most to him is obtaining the title of Kwan Jahng Nim which gives him the ability to correct – to teach. That, and his unwavering faith, gives him true purpose. “Teaching and working with my students are in the wind for me to do,” he smiles. “I feel it is my calling in life from God. My goal is to help people change their destiny in a way they are proud of.”
A familiar face at the Humane Society of Genesee County (HSGC), Carl Liepmann has held a seat on the Board of Directors for 48 years. But even more impressive is that he has been an American Kennel Club (AKC) Dog Show Judge for 42 years, a dog handler for 12 years prior to that and a breeder, as well! His role as a judge has led him to travel the world, initially showing dogs for other people and becoming a judge in 1980. “It takes a lot of study,” he shares, adding that every breed is judged on its own set of standards.
Some people do it for fun, for the sport of it. Others do it for the food, putting much-needed meat on the table.
