Features

Feature Story The Big Sable Point Lighthouse near Ludington.

Ludington celebrates a milestone anniversary

Once a booming lumbering town, Ludington has managed to stay vibrant, thanks to the foresight of a pair of lumber barons. The Lake Michigan city celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, honoring the past and looking to the future. 

Feature Story Rose Dugan list

Bridgeport mom sees a bright future at SK Siltron CSS in Bay County

For Rose Dugan, SK Siltron CSS is personal. She’s proud that her job helps meet the growing demand for chips to power electronic devices. And she’s touched that the CEO of the international firm greets her by name.  

Feature Story springlakemarina

Spring Lake's award-winning waterfront park

Spring Lake's waterfront amenities and award-winning park draw tourists from all over. “We are fortunate enough to live where everybody else vacations,” says Christine Burns, village manager. 

Longform vaultlounge

Raising the hotel bar in the U.P.

Housed in an historic bank building in downtown Houghton, The Vault is a boutique hotel with world-class amenities. The owners, Jonathan and Jennifer Julien, create a memorable and welcoming experience in a one-of-a-kind hotel in the U.P. 

Feature Story Mary George, owner of The Suites at 2929

New self-care salon experience enters Mt. Pleasant with a unique business modelThe Suites at 2929 is expected to open June 1

One of the salon industry’s fastest growing areas–salon suites–is coming soon to Mt. Pleasant. Owner, Mary George, describes The Suites at 2929 as a place for beauty and self-care industry professionals in the mid-Michigan region to own their own “mini salons” – an opportunity for entrepreneurship and for the Mt. Pleasant community to experience multiple self-care options all under one roof.

Feature Story The Muskegon Rescue Mission recently opened the Bright Futures Daycare & Preschool.

Muskegon Rescue Mission opens affordable day care

Bright Futures Daycare & Preschool is designed to provide low-income families with affordable child care as they continue to work or seek employment opportunities to help them overcome poverty. 

Feature Story sunsetproject

The Sunset Project works to raise awareness of mental illness and nurture creativity

Launched in memory of a friend who took his own life, The Sunset Project nurtures a growing community of artists, supporting creativity and mental health in northeast MIchigan’s Ogemaw, Montmorency, Oscoda, Iosco, Presque Isle, Alcona and Alpena counties.  

Partner Content The streetscape in downtown Cassopolis.

How some Michigan communities are using ARPA dollars

How American Rescue Plan Act dollars were spent depended on the needs of the community. A University of Michigan survey showed top spending priorities were on capital improvements, infrastructure, and public safety.

Longform The Chippewa and Marquette II Hydro-Jet head to Mackinac Island side by side.

On the horizon: The first electric Mackinac Island ferryIt's a major step toward modernizing marine transportation

The electrification of the first Mackinac Island ferry is underway, part of a bold initiative to modernize the fleet and other ships serving the region. It's also part of an ambitious plan to bolster the economy of the Straits of Mackinac.

Feature Story saunaone

Stormy Kromer partners to make portable sauna tents

Iconic Stormy Kromer partners with Wisconsin tent manufacturer to produce portable sauna tents. “We think it makes a lot of sense for two Midwestern brands who definitely know winter to jointly put their names on this innovative product,” said Stormy Kromer CEO Gina Jacquart Thorsen.

Feature Story Blooming Chefs list

It’s not too hot in the kitchen for Bay and Arenac high school students running Blooming Chefs

Three days a week, a restaurant inside the Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center open its doors to serve lunch to the public. High school juniors and seniors staff the entire operation, from the kitchen to the wait staff.  

Partner Content The Greater Flint Health Coalition’s work in gardens grew out of its SNAP-Ed direct education programming like Fresh Conversations and Rec-Connect™, pictured here at Burton Senior Activity Center.

Gardens growing change in Flint

The Greater Flint Health Coalition delivers nutrition and physical activity education with SNAP-Ed direct education programming to residents, including senior citizens, across Flint and Genesee County. 

Feature Story Lofts@128

A new housing option in Hastings

At long last, this growing Barry County community welcomes its first major housing and commercial development in years. More housing projects are on the horizon. 

Feature Story Barry State Game Area's biologist Randy Hienze

How the White Oak initiative is protecting Michigan forests

Ben Savoie, the District Forester for Barry, Allegan, and Ottawa Conservation Districts, explains the resources available for Lakeshore residents to protect White Oaks. These native trees are an essential part of the forests of Michigan because they

Feature Story Candice Smith

Strolling Storytelling

A rural Michigan woman's lifetime of storytelling and community networking help her create the successful Tours Around Michigan, sharing the state's historical and cultural riches with hundreds. 

Feature Story interiorsauna

U.P. sauna company works up a sweatHand-crafted, barrel-shaped saunas are being shipped across the country

Engadine construction company finds success with hand-crafted, barrel-shaped, portable saunas. They're shipped across the country and common at homes and camps in the U.P.

Longform Conversations about hard topics like suicide can help prevent it.

Here's how Michigan's community mental health agencies are helping prevent youth suicide

Summit Pointe, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, and other community mental health agencies provide youth access to services that help them overcome suicidal thoughts and self-harming actions.

Feature Story quietwaters

Making noise over silent sports

The Quiet Adventures Symposium is meant for those outdoor lovers of silent sports. The event Saturday at the Michigan State University Pavilion includes trade show exhibitors, speakers and gear demonstrators.   

Feature Story Officials have been working to reinvigorate downtown Blissfield. First Thursdays is part of their efforts.

First Thursdays bring people to downtown Blissfield

Looking to bolster downtown traffic, Blissfield launched First Thursdays in January. The monthly events range from chocolate and whiskey tastings to a wine stroll.

Feature Story North Country Community Mental Health ACT Team. Left to right, back row: Dr. John Gherman, Kelsey Fettig, Amy Carey, Laura Tanton. Front Row: Carla Miller, Dee Whittaker.

ACT helps adults living with serious mental illness maintain independence and community

ACT’s goal is to help those living with serious mental illness to live as independently as possible — and to achieve the same aspirations most everyone seeks.