Midland is where the heart is: One woman’s journey home
In the second part of the housing series, see Cheryl Purtell’s story about finding housing and her seven years of experience living in an Affordable Housing Alliance home in Midland.
Crystal Gwizdala's Latest Articles
Address unknown: Midland teams up to confront housing challenges
In the first part of this three-part series, Catalyst discusses solutions to housing challenges Midland faces: low income affordability, neighborhood, and economic development. The Housing Task Force and City of Midland Housing Commission are tackling these barriers head-on.
Midland Public Schools leads the charge on diversity, equity and inclusion in the region
It’s been one year since the “racial awakening” that swept across the nation. We give an update on Midland Public Schools’ progress on Anti-Racist Midland’s demands, also looking back at the work they were doing months before George Floyd’s murder.
Student scientists wow judges at MCFTA’s inaugural STEM Festival
Who will be in the next generation of scientists and engineers? Science-curious students from kindergarten through eighth grade competed in the Midland Center for the Arts’ inaugural STEM Festival on Saturday, May 22.
Pedestrian plazas opening this June in downtown Midland
The pedestrian plaza will be opening in downtown Midland on June 10, with street closures beginning June 4. Midlanders and tourists alike can enjoy outdoor seating, added greenery, twinkling lights, live music, and fun events all summer.
Online volunteers save the Great Lakes Bay Region’s nonprofits over $820,000
Community Foundations and United Ways in the Great Lakes Bay Region have teamed up to offer nonprofits Catchafire — an online, professional volunteer service. Between Midland, Isabella, Bay, and Saginaw counties, the region has saved over $820,000 from volunteer projects completed through Catchafire.
Paint Midland red: “Support Local Art” festivals coming in June
Midland will be oozing art this June. Art Seen kicks off its inaugural festival in downtown Midland. Also happening that same weekend are Mural Blast, the Midland Center for the Arts’ Summer Art Fair, and Creative 360’s community mural and Art Speaks Festival.
The Midland Area Farmers Market is back and bustling
The Midland Area Farmers Market is back for 2021 at the Dow Diamond East Parking Lot. Since the flood, the historic Tridge location — dating back to the 1860s — is still unusable. Over the course of the season, there will be about 90 vendors.
Summer camps are back and better than ever
Career and Technical Education summer camps, run by the Midland County ESA, are back this summer with expanded options and increased capacity. Students can choose from an exploratory experience called “Find Your Future,” “Starting at Square One,” which explores a variety of trades, and more options, including automotive, culinary, healthcare, business, and math.
The Rebel Mamas rock downtown Midland
Mackenzie Hopkins and Kaela Dolan, lifelong friends and now cousins, recently opened The Rebel Mamas storefront in downtown Midland. Beyond selling custom balloons and custom confetti, they also host classes and special events.
