For nearly a year, the world has been under attack. Not by missiles or bullets, despots or dictators, but by one of the earth’s smallest organisms – a virus. The coronavirus COVID-19 spread quickly, traveling the world in a matter of months once the first “recorded” case was found. It struck everywhere, laying siege to the vulnerable, elderly and susceptible. Through the summer months, we fought back with quarantines and face masks, while scientists and health professionals worked overtime to both learn about the disease and create a viable plan of action. In the last few months, the virus launched a massive offensive that hit us just when we thought we were headed toward victory. Aiding the virus in its fight against us is a sea of misinformation and ill-intended bravado meant to separate and weaken us. A divided population is a vulnerable population. The only way we can defeat this enemy is to do it together.
Dr. Patrick Gramith is very familiar with teething infants. He is not only a family practitioner at McLaren Flint’s facility in Fenton, he has two young children – a three-year-old and a ten-month-old. His infant son, Joseph, is right in the middle of teething. “I’m a doctor but I am a parent, too,” he says with a smile.
The people of Forest Township were having a merry time at a party at the home of William R. Smith. The young folks were smiling and dancing, the older pioneers were sipping drinks and talking of politics, hunting and farming. With a revelation of great mirth, the oldest gentleman in attendance, Nathan Smith, proposed a “mock” wedding to further enliven the occasion. Everyone laughed when the homeowner took the hand of Miss Sarah Begel and volunteered the two as tribute. The crowd hushed as Nathan Smith performed the ceremony. “You may kiss the bride!” Mr. Smith announced to much jubilation. William Smith held Miss Begel and kissed her deeply while the crowd cheered with delight. It was then that Nathan Smith told the crowd that they had just witnessed a bona fide marriage! As he was Justice of the Peace, the “mock” ceremony was legally-binding. The new Mr. and Mrs. William R. Smith smiled – it was their plan all along. The roar from the spectators was deafening and the couple received many congratulations. The pioneer and his wife would be together the rest of their lives.
Christmas is just around the corner and Santa is looking forward to the plates of cookies that will await him when he climbs down the chimney on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to everyone on his “Nice” list. And nothing speaks of the holiday more than the rich aroma of sugar cookies baking in the oven.
The Genesee County Savings Bank has a long history in the City of Flint. Founded in 1872, the bank employed a majority of the city’s most influential persons including William Wallace Crapo, Charles Mott, Josiah Dort, Arthur Bishop and William Atwood. As the bank continued to grow, a new building was needed. Built in 1920 at the corner of Kearsley and Saginaw Streets, it became a Flint icon and, after a major renovation in 1947, changed hands multiple times before falling vacant in 2000. This year, the building will open its doors once again as the new Hilton Garden Inn Flint – completely renovated and a wonderful representation of the city, its past and future.
As the final horn blared at Game 6 of the NBA Finals last October, the Los Angeles Lakers came together on the court and began celebrating their first NBA Championship in ten years. Among them were JaVale McGee and Kyle Kuzma, who both rose from humble beginnings in Flint to reach the NBA. They were raised by single mothers who made tremendous sacrifices to help their boys realize their dreams. McGee and Kuzma soon embraced each other amid the celebration. “Winning it for Flint, baby!” said McGee as he turned toward Kuzma.
The tree is decorated, the cocoa is hot, the sweaters are ugly and Christmas music streams throughout the house. A lovely fire crackles on the hearth while the family gathers around the table for Christmas dinner. In America, the table is set with standard fare that usually includes a turkey or ham as a main dish with mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables and biscuits. Fruitcake, sugar cookies or a decadent chocolate pie waits as dessert. To deviate would be to disappoint – and who would want to deviate, anyway? It’s our kind of meal and it’s delicious; however, to the rest of the world, the American holiday dinner would be an exception to the rule.
During this holiday season, home and family are topics of the utmost importance and a local artist brings that theme to her artwork which makes great gifts for Christmas. “I’m an illustrator,” says Pam Bailey. The talented artist creates intricate original illustrations and then burns the designs into various items, primarily made of natural wood and leather. Bailey is also a member of Flint Handmade, a nonprofit organization that encourages creative expression and artistic entrepreneurship in metro Flint.
The Flint Central Church of the Nazarene has spent the year joyfully celebrating its 100th anniversary! And according to Chief Pastor Rob Prince, while celebrating the past is significant, the best days are ahead! “We are excited about our great past but we have an even better future,” says the pastor. While an official celebration of the milestone was postponed due to the pandemic, a three-day event filled with festivities is set to take place in May 2021.
As the world went into lockdown at the beginning of summer, travel became an afterthought. People were asked to stay home and many complied as the world fought to limit coronavirus transmission. The quarantine hurt airlines and other industries that rely on tourism and business travel. Flint Bishop International Airport (BIA) was no exception; however, BIA leadership made the decision to adapt around a rule of safety and progress. “When the virus hit, we started looking for ways to improve safety and work within CDC guidelines,” explains Airport Director, Nino Sapone. “Europe was ahead of us in terms of infection detection technology, so we looked there for a solution.” In August, BIA became the first to utilize the Smart Helmet developed in Rome, Italy by tech company, Keybiz.
