In the early 1830s, the Goodrich brothers, Moses and Enos, were living a good life in Clarence, New York but they dreamed of building a new life in a new place. They heard tales of beautiful, fertile land in the undiscovered area surrounded by the Great Lakes called Michigan. They spoke with their father Levi, supervisor of the town of Clarence, wished him and the rest of the family well and set off on their adventure. They landed in Genesee County in 1835 and found that the stories were true. The rivers were flowing and the well-lumbered land was perfect for crops. The brothers purchased 1,000 acres on which they built a log cabin and after staying for a time surveying their land, realized that they had found the best place for the Goodrich family. They traveled back to New York and in February of 1836, returned to build their legacy.
Well-known in the Flint area, Matt and Katie Bach worked for The Flint Journal for many years. And now, the couple has turned the national spotlight on Flint, after appearing in an episode of HGTV’s “House Hunters – Investing in Flint,” which debuted on June 8. “We stayed up late to watch it!” Matt exclaims. “We were very excited to watch the show and were not disappointed. They really did a nice job with it.”
The bricks of Saginaw Street, the iconic buildings, the land and people of Flint have been part of a deep and impactful history. It’s a history that has helped to shape not just the life of its citizens, but also the course of the nation and beyond.
The mission of the Junior League of Flint (JLF) is to promote volunteerism, develop women’s potential and improve the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. “We focus on anything to help women and children in Genesee County,” explains Jillian Norwood, Outgoing President. The longtime international organization has been in Flint since 1928 and currently has 50 active members from all over Genesee County. They also have a large group of 130 sustaining members who provide assistance and donations when needed.
Fourth of July celebrations in Genesee County are a little different this year. Many cities and towns have canceled their annual Independence Day events, including the city of Fenton. The annual Fenton Freedom Festival has attracted thousands of visitors over the years. The festival is a four-day event that includes a firework display at Silver Lake Park, parade, Rubber Ducky race, craft show, children’s games, barbecue, pancake breakfast and a 5K race. This year due to the pandemic, most of the events are canceled with the exception of a virtual race, virtual parade and fireworks display.
Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium will reopen to the public on July 8. They are working hard to assure visitors that they will have a safe and fun experience. However, it will feel different from your past visits. We appreciate your support as we adapt with science-driven practices that will help keep our community safe. The Family Play Area at Sloan will remain closed until the State of Michigan allows indoor play spaces to open.
