Neva Austin grew up baking with her mother, Aggie Mae, in the kitchen of the family’s Eaton Rapids farm. Bread-making was both a comfort and a passion for Neva. And then it became more. She started baking and selling her breads at the Eaton Rapids Farmers Market in 2009. As Aggie Mae’s grew and expanded, … Continued

The 35,000-square-foot Sparrow Reference Laboratory, now under construction near Jolly Road and U.S. 127, is expected to shorten the waiting time for biopsy and molecular test results. On average, most test results are expected to come back within 24 hours—helping reduce anxiety for patients. The new facility will house labs currently located within Sparrow’s St. … Continued

The name, says Total Firearms general manager Mark Starr, may be somewhat misleading. Because, although Total Firearms is a full-service, federally licensed gun shop, it’s also much more. “We cater to the entire four seasons of outdoor sports,” says Mark. In fact, the store is something of a sporting goods juggernaut in the area. Its … Continued

A gracious neighborhood of 1- and 2-bedroom apartment homes tucked into 11 acres of natural woods, Heritage Village offers seniors age 55-plus an abundance of options and amenities—from their home style and leisure activities to supportive services. “We’re the best of both worlds,” says Heritage Village administrator Krista Brayton. The tranquil setting where wild turkeys … Continued

Not only can you buy delicious foods at the Holt Farmers Market — now you can look to the market’s website to find inspiration for how to prepare them! Recipes are a new feature of the updated site. Also new are vendor profiles, providing more information about each vendor’s specialties. You’ll also find an expanded … Continued

Benjamin Schartow had been laying the groundwork for developing a teen center when a tragic accident involving local teens put his goal on the fast track. Benjamin’s initiative, Building Twentyone, opened six years ago to provide a safe, supervised party space for teens. Since then, B21 has become much more: a free, supportive, after-school drop-in … Continued

This is one of those “Who would ever have thought…?” stories. It all began 25 years ago, when Paul Felch, Chuck Colby, Mark Stiles and Glenn Williams were members of the Michigan State University Men’s Glee Club. One evening at a concert, the club needed to quickly assemble a group to sing just one song … Continued

It’s not exactly the circle of life, but the venerable wooden oval of Edru Skate figures prominently in the personal histories of many local residents. “We have families who’ve skated here for generations,” said general manager and marketing director Jackie Cortez, who loves to hear their stories. “It’s a great family place.” Ed and Ruth … Continued