Life + Culture

"It's Working"

Mayor Laura Kropp and City Manager Gregg Shipman on why Mount Clemens is having its moment Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Heather Masson, Chloe Kukuk, Jason Carbary, Kelly Hughes It's difficult to impress a 15-year-old. But when Mayor Laura Kropp and her youngest child pulled up to Black Cat Coffee on a recent Saturday, even her teenage daughter noticed something had shifted in Mount Clemens. The parking was tight. People were walking downtown, filling the sidewalks, ducking into...

Home + Design

Design for Your Inner Child

Why my home office—and maybe yours—is overdue for color, courage, and a little childhood joy. Article by Kimberly Janowicz For six years now—six!—I’ve been working from home. Like many of us, it started at the kitchen table during the shutdown. Then I graduated to a desk in the foyer, positioned right by the window so I could feel productive and romantic about it. I technically have an office upstairs, but everything about it is… inconvenient. It’s upstairs. The color is a rusty shade I no...

Event Planning + Services

Styled Theme Nights

Because winter needs better plans Article by Kimberly Janowicz | Photography by Provided By February, we’ve all mastered staying in — but let’s be honest, it can start to feel a little too familiar. The couch knows us. The sweatpants are undefeated. That’s when it’s time to switch things up — not with a formal dinner party that requires name cards and stress, but with a fun, low-pressure excuse to get people together, light some candles, and actually enjoy each other. The secret? A theme...

Life + Culture

Love Worth Sharing

Why a handwritten note still says “I love you” better than any text ever could Article by Kimberly Janowicz | Photography by Digital Illustration by Kimberly Janowicz Somewhere between read receipts, heart emojis, and the ever-enthusiastic “adorable-heart GIF,” we lost something. Not intentionally. It just… slipped away. The handwritten note. The postcard. The simple act of slowing down long enough to put pen to paper and say, I’m thinking of you. This past year, a college roommate I...

Health + Wellness

A Salted Sanctuary

Inside the healing spa inspired by a mother’s love Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Kevin Shea When my wife Heather and I stepped into Salt Spa, the first thing I noticed was the scent. It was clean and oceanlike, hitting the senses the way a wave hits your ankles: soft at first, then unmistakable. I used to live in Los Angeles, so I know that salt-in-the-air purity well. It’s something you usually only find near the coast. Except somehow, it’s here in the middle of Michigan. Well…...

Fitness

Real-Life New Year Well-Being

Three local experts tell us what actually supports real well-being in the year ahead Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Sablin Stanislav, Svittlana, Louis-Paul Photo January in Michigan doesn’t care about your resolutions. So by the time the sparkle of the holidays fades, and the sky turns its usual shade of gray, the “new year energy” we swore we’d ride all month feels more like a flickering pilot light. The gyms are buzzing, the apps are tracking, but by the end of the month, most of...

Fitness

Meal Prep That Fuels Your Goals

Take the guesswork out of eating well with simple, balanced, customizable meal prep Article and Photography by AJ Moore of LivFit Training If you’re starting the new year with a renewed focus on health, meal prep is one of the simplest habits that delivers big results. Long used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts, preparing your meals in advance gives you what most of us need most— consistency and control . With balanced, portioned meals ready to grab and go, healthy choices become automatic...

Arts + Culture

Twelve Treasures Wrapped in Local Love

A meaningful gift guide celebrating hometown joy and generosity Article by Kimberly Janowicz There’s something undeniably special about giving a gift that tells a story — one that’s wrapped in care, connection, and a touch of hometown pride. This season, we’ve scoured boutiques, art studios, coffee shops, and salons across our community to uncover the most meaningful presents for everyone on your list. Over the past month, we reached out to more than 30 local shops and artisans and were...

Life + Culture

Hope in Action

Mount Clemens churches and charitable organizations are lifting spirits who need it most Article by Marshall Zweig In Mount Clemens, generosity doesn’t have a season. We’re a town that shows up for its own. Yet every holiday season, our city fills with quiet acts of care that rarely make the headlines. This year, we’re giving these acts the spotlight they deserve, and letting you know how you can be part of the giving. The Salvation Army: Miracles on Church Street Before she became...

Food + Beverage

Babci's Christmas Kołaczki

Delicate, fruit-filled Polish cookies that sparkle with sweet tradition and powdered sugar perfection Article by Kimberly Janowicz These tender, jewel-toned cookies are a beloved Polish Christmas tradition—flaky, buttery, and dusted with snowy sweetness. Ingredients: ½ cup butter (softened) 4 oz cream cheese (softened) 1 cup all-purpose flour fruit filling (Solo® Raspberry, Almond, or Poppyseed) 1 cup powdered sugar Directions: Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, beat butter and...