My City September 2022

PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF Vince Lorraine

F R O M T H E P U B L I S H E R

E D I T O R I A L

A R T & D E S I G N

MANAGING EDITOR Sherron Barden

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hai ley Worrel l

DEAR READERS, e summer wrapped up with some true Flint-style fun and world class events! I recently enjoyed another opportunity to participate in a unique event with my daughter Courtney – we went “Over the Edge” and rappelled down the face of e Durant (see p.76). We were joined by a group of other supporters who met the challenge to raise funds for e Disability Network (TDN). I can’t wait to do it again next year! Read more about the great work of TDN on the inside-front cover. e Greater Flint community is not lacking for organizations that are dedicated to helping their fellow humans. Of course, you’ve heard of Whaley Children’s Center and the work they do. But what about President/CEO Mindy Williams? What’s her favorite family recipe? What makes her feel at peace? Find these answers and more on p.10-11. Also pro led in this issue is John Henry, former director of the Flint Institute of Arts. Read about his journey to Flint and impressive contributions to growing the FIA during his 25-year tenure (p.12). We wish John and Janice all the best for a ful lling retirement. Not planning to retire is a Montrose resident, amputee and captain of the U.S. ParaGolf team, Tracy Ramin. He’s on a mission to get adaptive golf into the Paralympics – great story! And, local science teacher Melissa Koronka was chosen to receive the Cranbrook Institute of Science 2022 Outstanding Educator Award – fantastic! (See p.16.) ere’s much more: eats, fun, tech, music, style, history and art … this issue has something for everyone. While we get so much positive feedback about our publication, we’re always striving to make it better, more engaging, more interesting. We often wonder: what do you think of My City ? On this page is a QR code that will take you to a quick survey; for your participation, we’re giving you three free issues of MCM (and our sincerest appreciation). I hope you had a wonderful summer ... it’s time for all the fun that fall brings – and My City will be there! anks for reading,

ASSISTANT EDITOR / WR ITER Peter Hinterman

WEB DEVELOPER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jonathan Boedecker

STAFF WR ITER Cheryl Denni son

PHOTOGRAPHY Katy Ki ldee Jaden Maxlow

FREELANCE WR ITER Mark Spezia

O P E R A T I O N S

CONTR IBUTING WR ITERS Er in Caudel l Dr. Christopher Douglas Vera Hogan Joel P. Lagore CFP, AIF Alexandr ia Nolan Les l ie Toldo Shannon Whi te

ACCOUNTING/CI RCULATION Kim Davi s

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Dan Garman

S A L E S

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Terese Al len

5152 COMMERCE RD. FLINT, MI 48507 810.230.1783 MYCITYMAG.COM ISSN#1559-3436 is published monthly by My City Magazine, Inc., 5152 Commerce Rd., Flint, MI 48507. Canadian Mail Agreement #41971515. For back issues, inquire for availability. Editorial Cor respondence: Address product information and inquiries to: Editorial Department, My City Magazine, 5152 Commerce Rd., Flint, MI 48507, phone 810.230.1783. To authors, photographers, and people featured in this publication: All materials, articles, reports and photographs in this publication are the property of My City Magazine and cannot be used without written permission. e opinions and conclu sions recited herein are those of the respective authors and not of My City Magazine. My City Magazine is not responsible for returning unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other materials. Every e ort will be made however, to return rejected manuscripts, etc., if they are accompanied by su cient rst-class postage, but the publisher will not be responsible for any loss of such material. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved. | Printed in U.S.A.

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VINCE LORRAINE PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF VINCE@MYCITYMAG.COM

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COVER PHOTO BY KATY KILDEE