East Side

Family Winter Fun Fest fills Bay City Town Center with free activities on Feb. 18

Family Winter Fun Fest at the Bay City Town Center on Sat., Feb. 18 offers kids a chance to play while parents pick up information about community resources.

If you've enjoyed a crispy hash brown from the Essexville McDonald's, you might appreciate the work of Stephen Bauer.
A joint program between Do-All Inc. and the United Way of Bay County helps expand the workforce

A partnership between the United Way of Bay County and Do-All Inc. is winning awards and getting people into the workforce.

In 2021, the Bay Area Community Foundation is providing grants to offset some of the expenses associated with hiring child care workers.
Bridging the child-care gap is a high-stakes concern for families and employers

A shortage of child-care in the Great Lakes Bay Region has a significant impact on the local economy and our ability to attract and retain talent.

Leopard Print Books is housed within The Vintage Greenhouse at 925 N. Water St. The Banned Book Club meets at coffee shops in Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Veitengruber)
New book club commits to reading banned and challenged books every month

Community connection, cohesion, and cultural awareness are all goals of Leopard Print Books’ proprietress, Andrea Richmond, and the newly-formed Banned Book Club.

Horse-drawn carriage rides are offered for a few hours on Sundays between now and Christmas.
Bay City shines bright like a diamond during the holiday season

Elaborate holiday displays fill Bay City with light and color, thanks to the work of local volunteers and business owners.

Welding is an in-demand career, prompting the Bay-Arenac ISD to offer training programs for adults and high school students.
A week in the life of a student at the Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center

Brady Falardeau, a senior at Bay City Central High School, spends several days a week in the Marketing & Management program at the Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center. Here, he provides a glimpse into his typical week.

Whether you’re skating, sledding, shopping, or building snowmen, there’s nothing like a hot cup of Joe to warm you back up on a cold Michigan day. (Photo courtesy of Populace Coffee)
No matter how you take your coffee, there’s always a tasty cup waiting for you in Bay City

Bay City's coffee shops offer warm beverages and fresh baked goods alongside poetry readings and live musical performances. 

Jan VanNostrand, at right, leads the group of crafters. People of all skill levels are welcome at the Tuesday morning meetings.
Crafters group at the library is a tight-knit bunch spinning a warmer winter for many

Knitters and crocheters meet inside three Bay County Library System branches to share tips, tricks, and enjoy each other’s company  

Marjo Jaroch, the new Executive Director for the DDA and DMB, says she wants to build connections between downtown and the other business districts.
Q&A with Michael Bacigalupo, the Bay City Downtown Development Authority’s new Director

The Great Lakes Bay Region is in a time of leadership transition. This article is the eighth in an occasional series of Q&A articles with some of the new leaders in the region.

Some of the Chamber staff at the 2022 Golf Outing. From left, back row are Jodi LaMont, Magen Samyn, Marlana Cork, and Breanna Theisen. From left, front row, are Renee Schwartz and Leann Harrison.
Q&A with Magen Samyn, President & CEO of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

The Great Lakes Bay Region is in a time of leadership transition. This article is the seventh in an occasional series of Q&A articles with some of the new leaders in the area. 

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