It’s a beautiful summer day. The air is warm and the river is refreshingly cool, teeming with wildlife – mink, beaver, turtles and a variety of fish. Bald eagles can be spotted in the trees along the banks.
In a world dominated by pop, country and autotune, the rock genre is slowly growing, getting louder and louder, and the world is going to find it impossible to ignore. Especially when the volume was just turned up to 11!
Suellen J. Parker, a well-known attorney in Genesee County’s legal community, may be a lawyer by profession, but making art is where her heart is. The talented artisan is the owner of Case Island Glass LLC, specializing in kiln-formed, midcentury modern glassware. All of the designs are handmade from Bullseye Glass, a manufacturer in Oregon that supplies raw art glass for fused glass makers.
In 2019, Flint Public Art Project (FPAP) started phase one of their plan to paint 100 new murals in Greater Flint by the end of summer 2020. The project was successful beyond imagination, exceeding the goal and bringing Flint positive news coverage and notoriety. For the project, FPAP welcomed artists from all over the world to the city and reinforced Flint’s reputation as a haven for artists looking to make an impact.
At Beecher High School, Ja’Kobe Derricks was a fleet-footed, sure-handed defensive back who gave opposing offenses nightmares. His gridiron skills made Derricks an All-Stater. His feet carried him to a 100-meter dash state championship, running a time (10.78 seconds) bettered by only five others in Genesee County history. Nearly three years after last suiting up for the Buccaneers, Derricks found himself longing to again experience the full-contact competition and camaraderie football offers.
The crowd surrounded the basket, taking practice puts and warming up for the Disc 4 Arts charity tournament to benefit the Flint Institute of Arts. Competitors were diverse, of all skill levels and ages, and excited to play the temporary urban course created on the grounds of the Cultural Center and Central High School. After taking a number of practice throws, golfers headed to their designated starting holes and with two blasts of an airhorn, the Disc 4 Arts tournament began.
In Genesee County and the surrounding area, there are many groups of dedicated people who selflessly give thousands of hours of their time rescuing and protecting unwanted and abandoned animals. Linda Garland-Molpus, founder of Purrsuit of Happyness cat rescue, is one such person. “I’ve been doing rescue for a long time,” she shares. In June 2019, she started her own nonprofit organization out of her Flint Township home, with the mission of “making a difference in the lives of the kitties in our community and beyond.”
In 1912, General Motors was on the verge of bankruptcy. Billy Durant started the holding company in 1908 by acquiring multiple automobile and parts manufacturers – and he didn’t stop. He continued to acquire more and more businesses and GM quickly became overextended, creating problems with the banks. The majority of his acquisitions were bleeding cash and one of the company’s only shining parts, the Buick division, couldn’t make up for the losses. Durant was ousted and in his place, the bankers made a surprising choice. By the end of the year, Charles W. Nash, former head of Buick, would be in control of one of the biggest companies in the world – a far cry from his start as indentured servant.
Summer is in full swing and area farmers’ markets are open and bursting with a delightful array of fresh vegetables and fruit, scrumptious baked goods, local meats and cheeses and so much more! Support these local producers while you partake in one of summer’s most enjoyable activities.
A Flintstone through and through, Leo Robinson II grew up in the city and understands its struggles. So, after becoming a pastor while working in Oakland County, he knew what he had to do. “I was called home,” he says. “My heart is for Flint. I moved my entire family back – my wife of 17 years Miosha, and my five children. This kid from Flint wants to do whatever he can to support all of the good in the city.”
This recipe for Black Bean, Corn & Avocado Salsa is a family favorite this time of year, with the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables that can be found at the local farmers’ market. This is a cool and refreshing appetizer to serve at your backyard barbecue.
It’s strawberry picking time in Michigan! It’s time to grab the kids and head out to Spicer Orchards to pick some of the juicy, delicious berries. Here is a recipe from Taste of Home for Strawberry Trifle that is quick and easy to prepare and is one of my family’s favorite summer desserts.
