Steve Thomson; Former Firefighter, Fenton Township, 9/11 Rescue & Recovery Volunteer.
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 – a day many of us wish we did not have to remember. What began as a beautiful day ended with a nation and world in mourning for the horrific loss of nearly 3,000 innocent lives at the hands of terrorists who attacked America in the deadliest act of terrorism in history.
In June, the Flint DDA Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Kiaira May its executive director. Her professional experience includes roles at Quicken Loans and Bedrock Real Estate, as well as consulting and project management for Design Core Detroit and the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Michigan. She is the first African American woman to hold the DDA position – here are a few more interesting things about this Flint history maker.
“I believe we are the creative imagination of our futures. I understand thought to be the poetic spark from which all things manifest. Thoughts are architectural, building words into language, constructing societies that define Earth’s social ecosystems.” Semaj Brown
In her 17 years of life, Rylie Dewley has accomplished much. In June, the Grand Blanc teen was selected as Miss Michigan’s Outstanding Teen 2021. The creator of Start Heart Smart (spreading awareness of heart disease) and a talented baton twirler, Rylie is the daughter of John and Tiffany Dewley and a senior at Grand Blanc High School where she is a majorette with the school’s marching band.
Class is back in session! The much-anticipated, upcoming semester(s) have educators and students alike brimming with excitement and anticipation. Not only will class formats closely resemble the style of years past, schools will be offering new programs, curricula and grand openings. MCM reached out to our local colleges for an overview of what’s new for the 2021-22 academic year. Take a look at what each one has to offer … what a great time to be a student!
Ever since she was a little girl, Rebecca Fowler wanted to own a farm. In 2011, her wish came true. She and her husband, Derek Fowler, bought a foreclosed farm on ten acres located on S. Duck Lake Road in Highland, MI. Since the property included a stable, Fowler knew she could raise animals on the farm. She thought about raising horses, which is a lot of work and the business of boarding them was quite a process. Then, she recalled a conversation with a woman who had an alpaca farm in the community. “Why not raise alpacas?” she asked her husband. He agreed!
The month of August brings many exciting festivals that bring thousands of visitors to Downtown Flint including the Crim Festival of Races, Back to the Bricks and more. Attendees of these world class events have plenty of other things to enjoy Downtown – unique shops to browse, abundant dining opportunities, a new hotel, inspiring mural art and much more!
Just for fun, we asked a group of local leaders in education to tell us a few things about themselves … things not typically included in a curriculum vitae. Admit it: we all love the little details! MCM thanks everyone in this esteemed group for taking time to participate.
When James Thigpen, Jr. creates a new piece of art, he takes his time. Using a multitude of photographs, he designs each piece exactly how he sees it inside himself. His unique style, evolved throughout the course of his life, portrays the African-American experience from a universal perspective. As an added special ingredient, each work holds a little bit of himself and his home city. “Every piece is a collage constructed from multiple images and each one reflects a little of home,” he says. “Flint shaped all I know. I’ve lived in other cities and you can’t run away from it – it’s in you, not on you. It’s in how I think and talk. You can see hints of it in what I do. I wouldn’t say my art is glamorous, but you can still see the beauty. It’s there and it’s authentic.”
Okay, I took liberties … a few. (We’ll get to that.) When researching Oren Stone and the Flint Woolen Mills for this month’s story, I coined the term “Oren Stone and the Neptunian Pantaloons” to which our editor replied, “that sounds very Harry Potter.” I agreed, and then realized that it also sounded very “Lewis Carroll.” After that realization, I simply couldn’t resist having a little fun with it.
