In Genesee County, the skating community has always been happy to stay in the periphery. In the late 80s and early 90s, skateboarding was popular but stigmatized. Skaters practiced their craft wherever they could until they were threatened with legal actions and chased away. Skaters have never meant any harm – they just wanted a place to ride. Finally, in 2008, the skateboarding community united, found their voice, and (with help from some prominent area citizens) built the Flint Skate Park located on Miller Rd. next to the Swartz Creek Golf Course. They had created a place to skate, practice and learn.
Grab the kids and a picnic basket and head on out to Davison Township for a day in the sunshine and fresh air. There, you will find the Robert Williams Nature & Historical Learning Center – a beautiful, 100-acre park, mostly wooded with winding trails, wildlife and sun-kissed flowers. The original parcel on Atherton Road was donated to the township by Robert and Jill Williams to be used for the enrichment of the Davison community, to preserve nature, history and provide educational opportunities for residents, according to Casey Reed, Director of Davison Township Parks & Recreation.
At Todd’s Tavern, the conversation was boisterous. Pioneers and travellers from throughout the new country were sharing stories of new lands and new adventures. The air was one of triumph and good cheer. In the corner, tucked away from the revelry, sat Benjamin Pearson, a New Yorker. He had heard tales of the beautiful Michigan land and travelled far to see it. He was amazed – the land was exactly as they said it was, and more. Filled with game, winding rivers and rolling hills, it was to be his new home. As he sat in revelry, four more travellers entered the tavern. Pearson couldn’t contain his enthusiasm when he learned the men were also looking for land and hailed from the county of his birth. The four men were Lewis Buckingham, Isaac N. Robinson, John Pratt and Richard Marvin. Hoping for them to be future neighbors, Pearson took the four men to the area he had chosen to settle. Three of the four were in awe of the natural splendor. The next day, the men made a trip to Detroit and entered their claim. All but Marvin became some of the first residents of the land that would one day become Mount Morris and Genesee Township.
As history continues to grow with the times, there are certain little side stories, certain tiny ideas that stick in the collective mind of the populace. These stories are handed down from person to person through generations until they achieve the status of legend or myth. Greater Flint has more than its share of these “little side stories” that give our area a local and unique flavor.
Greater Flint college students will return to class soon … what can they expect? Local institutions shared their thoughts with My City Magazine.
It’s all about meeting basic needs and making sure that no one goes hungry. The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan distributes over 28 million pounds of food (including 11 million pounds of fresh produce) through a network of more than 700 partners in 22 counties, according to President/CEO, Kara Ross. Partner agencies include church pantries, soup kitchens, boys & girls clubs, women’s shelters, school systems and “anyone who wants to provide food to the hungry.”
This year has been a tough one in our United States. As we are bounced from one tragedy to another, the one true constant has been frustration. Frustration that things aren’t working. Frustration that we feel helpless. Frustration due to cancelled plans, missed friends and loved ones. And, frustration at the lack of answers. If only we had a specific date that we could look forward to, an end to the mayhem, then we might feel relieved. Once we know how things are going to change, we can prepare and adapt.
Raymond Kusch felt suspended in time after an improvised explosive device (IED) sent him hurtling through the predawn air near a Taliban hotbed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
For the fifth year, the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Public Safety (DPS) River Trail Watchers are back patrolling the Flint River. The trail begins near Downtown Flint at the UM-Flint campus and heads north along both sides of the Flint River to Bluebell Beach. In 2010, the trail was extended from the University west into historic Carriage Town, passing by Atwood Stadium, Chevy Commons park at the former Chevy in the Hole site, the Kettering University campus, and the charming neighborhood park and recreation area at Mott Park. “The Trail Watchers are responsible for monitoring the trail from the UM-Flint Campus all the way to the city border at Flint Township,” states DPS Chief, Roy Hall.
JT’s Country Kitchen, a homey Swartz Creek eatery, was voted the winner of the Family Restaurant and Best Service categories in the 2020 My City Magazine City’s Choice Awards. MCM visited the charming restaurant and met up with co-owners Jamie Perkins (the “J” of JT’s) and Teresa Spence (the “T”) and we were not disappointed! Family IS what it is all about at JT’s and the service can be compared to sitting down at your grandma’s kitchen table and enjoying a hearty, delicious, home-cooked meal.
Today, July 29, is National Chicken Wing Day! This special day is devoted to all things wings and was established in 1977 by Stan Makowski, the then-mayor of Buffalo, NY. The holiday originally celebrated the people of Buffalo’s penchant for consuming ”thousands of pounds of chicken wings” at restaurants every week, according to the New York Times.
Fenton Winery & Brewery (FWB) in Fenton Township is being recognized as one of the 2020 awardees for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award, presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. FWB will be honored at an awards ceremony during the 16th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business virtual gala event, on Tuesday July 28 at 6pm.
