Located in the heart of Downtown Flint the First Presbyterian Church of Flint is and always will be a downtown church. The church is as well-known for its community service and its music as it is known for its preaching of Scripture from the pulpit. Its rich history stretches back more than 175 years, interwoven with America’s history, it has stood the test of time through the Civil War, two world wars, 38 presidents and two assassinations, the first man on the moon, and the birth of General Motors.
From the humblest of beginnings, Thomas Yeotis emerged to lead the most blessed of lives. In fact, when he recalls his youth, emotion still overcomes the beloved, retired judge and Greater Flint Sports Hall of Fame and Mott Community College Bruin Club Co-founder, who turns 87 years old this month.
There are those who create miniature Christmas Villages … and then there are Lynn and Kathy Hopper, whose miniature Christmas Village has been in the Hopper family for over 100 years. Lynn’s grandmother started the collection with miniature ice skaters that were made in Germany. When the collection was passed on to Lynn’s mother, it consisted of six houses and a church. “We would go to toy stores to find little figurines to add to it,” Kathy recalls.
For more than 30 years, the Holiday Pops! concert at The Whiting has been a cherished Flint-area tradition.
Santa was really good to one Genesee County family this year. Thanks to the Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, single mother, Whitney, and her five-year-old daughter, Olivia, will move into a new home – just in time for Christmas.
Shannon Easter White has actively been a part of Flint’s community in a number of ways. Her professional credentials will amaze you, but her extracurricular activities will inspire you. In addition to being the owner and president of FUNchitecture, LLC, Shannon supports the Junior League of Flint, the YWCA of Greater Flint, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, the Flint Institute of Arts, the Shelter of Flint, the Ruth Mott Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, and Whaley Children’s Center.
How was Christmas celebrated in Downtown Flint back in the day? What was it like around town for citizens many decades ago? In this season for nostalgia, MCM takes a look back at Christmases past.
The Flint Downtown Development Authority is dedicated to the economic development and historical preservation of Flint’s Downtown area; but perhaps the most fun, behind-the-scenes work they do, is decorating for the holiday season. Gerard Burnash, the Flint DDA’s Executive Director for six years, loves lights, and he has taken pride in the sprucing up Downtown and surrounding areas.
Throughout 2016, many local organizations, programs and events celebrated milestone anniversaries. My City congratulates all these fantastic groups for their contributions to enriching the Greater Flint community.
It’s Christmas every day at Old Newsboys of Flint. Decorations hang on the walls year ’round and a life-like Santa stands in the entryway. You can almost hear him saying, “Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!” The warehouse is filled to the brim with coats, hats, mittens, gloves and other items for children’s Christmas boxes.
