Expanded outdoor dining ‘here to stay’ in Michigan restaurants after COVID
by Arjun Thakkar (Bridge Michigan) Winter is normally a busy season for Laine Van Dyken, general manager of Uccello’s Ristorante in downtown Grand Rapids, as celebratory dinners, holiday parties and wedding celebrations keep the restaurant full. All of these events had to be cancelled last year as indoor dining capacity at Uccellos was drastically cut […]
It’s still the same Chicken Broil, with plenty of upgrades
The 68th annual Manchester Chicken Broil will see lots of changes this year, but the important things remain the same: A butter-basted, slow broiled chicken half Fresh made coleslaw with a secret local recipe Dinner roll with butter Radishes, chips, and a beverage. We all know it just doesn’t get any better than that. But […]
Teachers express concern over McCalla contract
At the June 21 Board of Education meeting, the board voted 4-3 against extending Junior/Senior High School Principal and Athletic Director, Eric McCalla’s, contract until June 30, 2023. McCalla remains under contract for the 2021-22 school year, but the board declined to extend his contract beyond its current June 30, 2022 expiration date. The surprise […]
Stories of Wil: Growing Pains
submitted by Christie Taylor Wil is a 14-year-old boy with Down syndrome. He is the little brother, by 20 months, to twin sisters, Katherine and Elizabeth. Wil’s mom, Christie, knew very little about Down syndrome when Wil was diagnosed shortly after his birth. It didn’t take long for Christie to realize how enriching life with […]
Obituary: Edith M. Myers
Edith “Edie” Mae Myers of Manchester, MI, age 67, died peacefully Monday, July 5, 2021 at the Arbor Hospice Facility in Saline with her family at her side. She was born May 8, 1954 in Stockbridge, the daughter of Robert & Catherine (Rockwell) Brooks. Edie graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1972. She was a […]
Letter to the Editor: Thanks to the community
June 30, 2021 To The Editor: The most wonderful birthday I’ve ever had in ninety-three years; thanks to all the good people in this great town who made it that way. I want to thank the Historical Society who at the last moment were able to have (our celebration) there in their building — weather […]
Can Michigan become a climate haven? Duluth is already planning.
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) DULUTH, Minn. — When Mayor Emily Larson first heard the hype about her city’s potential as a so-called climate haven — a place people will flock to as rising seas, drought, heat and wildfire make other regions less hospitable — “I thought it was bananas.” But in the years since, […]
Michigan hopes $5 million vaccine lottery inspires more people to get shots
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s vaccinated residents will get the chance to win up to $2 million under details of a vaccine lottery rolled out Thursday. The “MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes” will include a $2 million grand prize, a $1 million prize and 30 separate $50,000 daily prizes to those who have gotten […]
Michigan lawmakers leave for summer break without passing budget
By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Despite agreeing to a historic spending plan for schools, Michigan lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on the state budget before their self-imposed deadline Wednesday. On Wednesday, the Michigan Senate opted for passage of a narrow spending plan that only allocated funding for the Department of Health and Human Services and the […]
New venture “Aspires” to great things for kids and community
Joe Walsh has heard all kinds of interesting rumors about his new venture at the Ackerson School building, some of which may not be suitable for publication in a family newspaper. The truth, however, is simple. He’s started a non-profit, which will be known as Caife Aspire, with the purpose of expanding opportunities for students […]






