In a world of ever-increasing technology, it’s become much harder to connect with our surroundings, ourselves, or what we’re truly capable of. It’s easier to live safely and sheltered from risk. However, stepping out from this shelter is what we need not only to connect, but also to grow, to know who we are and what kind of world we live in.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF OPEN GATE GARDEN CLUB
“Mic and my dad (Bob) are my professional heroes,” he says. “As long as I’ve known him, he’s been someone everyone just wants to be around.”
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.
