Author

Jen Dore

Jen Dore's Latest Articles

Author Dave Vizard poses with Kerice Basmadjian and his latest novel at Midland Street Books. Basmadjian and Scott Byers co-own Midland Street Books, which carries Vizard's novels. (Photo courtesy of Dave Vizard)
Series of Michigan novels shines a spotlight on the businesses and people of the Bay City area

Dave Vizard, a former Bay City Times news editor, has written several novels featuring a fictional reporter digging into mysteries. The novels are set in Bay City and the Thumb.

Nathan Ostroski says working at Vantage Plastics lets him experience the benefits of raising his family near his hometown. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Ostroski)
Forming Careers: What began as a high school internship has turned into a years-long profession

Vantage Plastics, a family-owned company that's expanding into Bay County, helped Nathan Ostroski discover the benefits of raising his family near his hometown.

After a two-year break, the Williams family continues the tradition of offering food and entertainment at century-old Auburn Hotel & Tavern. (Photo courtesy of Auburn Hotel & Tavern)
The Williams family renovated and re-opened the Auburn Hotel after a two-year hiatus

The next generation of the Williams family bought the business in 2020. Bruce and Yazmin Williams kept classic burgers, chicken, and pizza on the menu, but also added some new items.  

Give Local Bay 2025 raised more than $200,000 for 62 local funds supporting nonprofits.
Give Local Bay: Mark your calendar for the 2nd of May

The ninth annual Give Local Bay event helps donors maximize their gift to more than 50 different nonprofit agencies in Bay and Arenac counties  

Graphic courtesy of Bay City Bridge Partners
Bridge tolls are coming to Bay City. The best way to save money is to register for a transponder

Liberty Bridge is open to traffic and toll-free until June 16. You can take steps now so you’re ready when tolling begins.  

Red Velvet, Double Chocolate, and Salted Caramel cookies are made from scratch and served fresh from Aviator Cookie Company. The bakery opened a location in Bay City late in 2022. (Photo courtersy of Aviator Cookie Company)
Aviator Cookie Company flies into Bay City

A new scratch-made cookie bakery opened in Bay City in December. We met with Chris Welch, the company’s founder, to learn more about the beginnings of Aviator Cookie Company and its new location near the Bay City Town Center.  

Chuck Cusick has traveled the world in an effort to vaccinate people and eradicate polio. (Photo courtesy of Chuck and Nancy Cusick)
Cusicks (and Rotary International) vs. Polio: A local couple is helping eradicate an ancient virus

The fight against polio has been a decades-long process. Organizations and individuals, including Rotary and local couple Chuck and Nancy Cusick, continue to fight for global eradication of the deadly disease.  

Marc and Laura Owczarzak are remodeling the former Hooters on Bay City's West Side into H2O's Waterside Grill. When it opens in 2023, it will be the Owczarzak family's fourth Bay County business. (Photo courtesy of H2O's Waterside Grill)
Difficult to pronounce but easy to recognize, the Owczarzak name means business in Bay County

For two generations, the Owczarzak family has been a part of the Bay County business community. Ambrose Sr. and Marie Owczarzak owned one bar. Today, their sons own three local eateries with a fourth restaurant to open in 2023.  

In 2019, the Janet H. Jopke Courts opened. Today, the volunteers who built the complex hope it inspires people to play tennis for fun and fitness. (Photo courtesy of the Janet H. Jopke Courts)
The Janet H. Jopke Courts are a labor of love for tennis enthusiasts

A group of volunteers built tennis courts on Bay City’s East Side. Now, they’re using those courts to encourage people to try their hands at tennis for recreation and exercise.  

A team of volunteers and designers are working together to build a monument to the sister city relationship between Ansbach, Germany and Bay City.(Graphic courtesy of Bay Area Chamber of Commerce/Leadership Bay County)
Two nations, one family: Bay City celebrates a 60-year partnership with its sister city in Germany

In September, a sculpture in Uptown Bay City will be dedicated to the sister city relationship. Representatives from Germany will travel here for the dedication.  

Our Partners

Midland County

Don't miss out!

Everything Great Lakes Bay region, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.