The Famous Vernor’s Mural
In 1932, General Signs workers John Gonsowski and Keith Martin painted a three-story mural to advertise Vernor’s Ginger Ale on the building across from the
Dr. Dallas Gatlin, Executive Director of Carriage Town Ministries (CTM), is retiring from his position after over 14 years. During his tenure at the faith-based shelter for homeless men, women and children in Flint, Dr. Gatlin has truly been a voice for the homeless. My City is proud to recognize him as our 2023 Cityzen of the Year. “I will turn 70 this year and it is time for me to move on. I feel at peace with God about it,” the director shares. “I will continue to be a supporter of CTM and I will support the new executive director in any way I can.”
For 80-years, members of the Flint Male Chorus have gathered together on stages throughout Genesee County to sing for anyone and everyone who comes to listen. They sing for the holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day. They sing barbershop and sea shanties, old classic songs and today’s hits. Made up of Flint area men of all ages and walks of life, it is a group bonded by voice. “The very best part of it is the camaraderie,” says current Director Matt Packer. “We love to sing and sing together. It’s a brotherhood.”
Ballet is an art form – it can tell a story through movement of the body; it can be magical and exciting. When MCM chatted with Tara Gragg, Artistic Director of the Flint Youth Ballet (FYB), the dance students were busily preparing for their parts in the upcoming performance of “The Nutcracker”, a Flint Institute of Music (FIM) production that has been a family holiday tradition at The FIM Whiting for many years.
Welcome to Flint. You wouldn’t know it from the outside looking in, but there was a time when our little city in The Mitten couldn’t go a decade without changing the world. We put the country in motion (it’s called Vehicle City for a reason), helped build the middle class, helped win wars, and led advances in civil rights. We’ve invented and innovated across industries. We’ve given the world exceptional artists, musicians, writers, actors and athletes – all from our little seat on the banks of the Flint River. Sure, we’ve had some hard times; lost our identity and purpose for a little while. We were down but never truly beaten. Many have counted us out. We’ve struggled, to put it plainly … but we’ve survived. Flint is a hardworking city, an optimistic city, and we are moving forward with exciting times ahead.
Tired of the same old view out your window every day? Stress from work, family, the world in general, got you down and you need some time away from it all? Want to experience the world through the eyes of another culture or history? Travel may be your answer. The world offers a million treasures, adventures, cultures and celebrations just waiting for anyone with the desire to be there and create extraordinary memories.
It’s a well known fact: When it comes to winter beauty and frosty fun, Michigan is at the top of the snowcap! We’ve all skied, sledded, skated and snowshoed for years now. We’ve trekked up the same slopes and skated the same ponds. Hiked down the same trails and sledded the same hills. We are experienced with the experience – made the most of The Mitten … or have we? Just when you think you’ve become the world’s foremost expert in all things “Michigan Winter”, something new comes along that puts the hat on the head, the boots on the feet, and the zipper all the way up. Fall in love with winter again by jumping into a full snowdrift of offbeat winter fun!
In 1932, General Signs workers John Gonsowski and Keith Martin painted a three-story mural to advertise Vernor’s Ginger Ale on the building across from the
My City Magazine is excited to present various historical series that will capture both the whole and the details of eras past. These features will
It takes a creative mind to look out over the empty lots on which several General Motors plants once stood and think, “I could see
After thousands of nominations and ballots cast, we’re proud to present this year’s City’s Choice Awards winners—your favorite local eateries, standout professionals and community favorites across more than 100 categories.
Let’s face it… nobody is getting out alive. We’re all going to die — we just don’t know when.
The federal government partially shut down on Monday, Feb. 15. Congress could not come to an agreement on a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security due to disagreements over Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is housed within the department.
There is no doubt in my mind that this has been a long, cold winter. We’ve all felt it. We’ve all complained. I like to stay active throughout the year, and I love being outside soaking up the fresh air and vitamin D that Michigan offers. For the past few years, my husband and I have taken early morning walks in our neighborhood with our dog. Using my fitness app, we measured that walking the entire neighborhood equals 3.1 miles. That’s perfect when the weather is great—but not so much when the roads are snow-covered and the cold wind stings your face.
I know it really doesn’t mean much in the long run, but I’m glad February is a short calendar month. It follows January, which can feel dreadfully long and cold with its 31 days here in Mid-Michigan. Now that our kids are grown and we’re no longer following our travel hockey-playing sons to winter tournaments across the Midwest and Canada, my husband and I have taken the opportunity to travel south during the coldest weeks of the year when we can. I mentioned in my January column that we started the year with a Caribbean cruise alongside some of our closest friends. We even squeezed in a few nights in our favorite beach town, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. It was the perfect getaway, and we all returned home with more cherished memories.
As Michigan’s only “Art and Design Opportunity College,” designated by the Carnegie Classifications, the College for Creative Studies (CCS) is redefining the meaning of hands-on learning.
Get ready, car fans — the 11th Annual Chrome & Ice Winter Indoor Car Show is back for 2026, and this time the theme is “For the Love of Cars!” A celebration of automotive passion, the show promises incredible rides, surprising displays, and plenty of excitement for enthusiasts of every generation.
Whiskey Glasses Saloon is a country-inspired lakeside saloon on Lake Ponemah built around good food, great drinks, and a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere. It’s a place where guests can come by boat or car, enjoy a meal, listen to music, and feel comfortable staying awhile — whether they’re stopping in for a quick drink or spending the evening with friends. It opened in November 2024.
For the team behind Scratch BBQ & Catering, great barbecue didn’t start with a business plan—it started with a love of the grill and a happy accident.