“Being able to meet people at co-working spaces has been extremely beneficial. That’s the idea at Foundry, to take that and apply it to artists,” says owner Carol Hall. “Maybe someone in pottery will run into a photographer that works upstairs and they can trade money or skills to benefit each other. That is the dream. The day that happens, I’ll be so excited.”

“You can’t put a price on feeling good,” says shop owner Monique Lictawa. “Showing that support, love, and encouragement or kindness means a lot to the person getting that message.”

Although the warm summer months may be behind us, it doesn’t mean that the environmental stewardship efforts of the Friends of the St. Clair River are over for the year, too. In fact, the autumn can often be an ideal time for getting outdoors and working to protect and maintain the natural world.

"People are turning to fresh and local foods more and more during the pandemic," says market manager Liz Mathews.

Blue Water native Mikaela Westrick is encouraged by the progress she sees in downtown Port Huron. "Downtown Port Huron from when I was a child to now, is night and day," she says.

As with many innovative projects, questions abound. So we asked Cynthia Cutright, director of Port Huron’s downtown development authority, all about the city’s new social district.

Though things can change as quickly as they did during the last school year, when the pandemic forced schools to shut down all in-person learning, local leaders are primed to do their best under the ever-changing conditions of COVID-19.

Central Middle School Principal Shawn Shackelford took a three-step approach to addressing racial disparities in discipline: Data, the Refocus Room, and a mentoring program for Black male students. Shackelford actively utilizes a principle of grace to unite the three.

Issue Media Group seeks a creative self-starter for a freelance correspondent position for The Keel.

With the mission of connecting and growing the entrepreneur community of St. Clair County, the non-profit organization Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs will begin accepting applications for a new micro-grant program.