Scene

Art Seen Festival will take place in downtown Midland from June 5-6, alongside even more local art festivals.

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.

Latest in Scene
Mike Avery and his catch of the day, a walleye.
Q&A with Mike Avery, Outdoor Magazine

The outdoors is a way of life and is big business in Michigan, including the Great Lakes Bay Region. Mike Avery has worked in broadcasting, promoting the outdoors for most of his 40 years in the business. Avery shares with Catalyst his thoughts on what the outdoors means to our region, COVID’s impact, and why hunting and fishing are a way of life for him and many others.    

Colorful selection of produce at the Coleman Community Market.
New Community Market opens in Coleman Family Center

The community of Coleman has been a food desert for several years since the local grocery store closed. Now, a collaborative effort has led to the opening of a new market featuring fresh produce in what’s become a hub in the community.  

Mid-Michigan is home to beautiful hiking trails, fit for rugged hikers or young families. (Photo: Midland City Forest)
These trails were made for walking: Our top 10 hiking trails in mid-Michigan

The Issue Media Group editors in the Great Lakes Bay Region walk you through our 10 favorite hiking and biking trails in the Great Lakes Bay Region. These paths take you through natural areas, small towns, cityscapes, and more.

Chris & Heather Welch of the Aviator Cookie Company. He's the owner, she's the assistant manager.
Crowdfunding campaign takes off to help new downtown business expand

Aviator Cookie Company was chosen for a crowdfunding campaign after an application and interview process with the Midland Young Professionals (MYPros). The MYPros Community Crowdfund program provides opportunities to contribute to the development of businesses that seek to offer unique products and experiences for the community.   

Midland Blooms is coming back this year with a new business sponsor — Corteva Agriscience.
World-class tennis and lines of marigolds return to Midland in 2021

Midland is looking forward to seeing the return of two exciting programs: Midland Blooms and The Dow Tennis Classic. Midland Blooms will be held May 22, and the world-class tennis tournament will take place November 1-7.

LoLita Pfeiffer picks an order of coho salmon. The most recent shipment also touted halibut, lingcod, prawns, shrimp, and cherry-hickory smoked salmon.
An Alaskan fish story with a longline to Midland

Midland native Caven Pfeiffer delivers his wild-caught Alaskan fish to market through his company, Sword Seafood Company. His mom, LoLita, helped him establish his first community-supported fishery right here in Midland.

In designing the space, Holliday said the team wanted to create a unique atmosphere, something different from the experiences at other incredible regional restaurants.
Midland Center for the Arts opens Mid-Century Modern inspired lounge

The Midland Center for the Arts celebrates its Mid-Century Modern design with the Pendulum Lounge, opening Thursday, March 4. The bar features small plates, cocktails, beer, and wine, giving a nod to iconic design elements from notable architect Alden B. Dow.

Alysia Christy's New Year’s Resolution is to re-prioritize her wellbeing. Christy is the director of community impact at the Midland Area Community Foundation.
What makes Midland special to you?

By sharing elements of our day-to-day lives, Catalyst Midland hopes to foster a sense of community in Midland. Follow our new Instagram page @CatalystMidlandOfficial for relaxed and candid stories about the foundation of our community — you.

Mike Hayes is Vice-President & Secretary of the Michigan Baseball Foundation.
Q&A with Mike Hayes, interim president and general manager of the Great Lakes Loons

Mike Hayes, a longtime community leader, is now at the helm of Midland’s minor league baseball team. He looks at what’s ahead for the Loons in the era of COVID-19 and he looks back at how the team has been a catalyst in the region 15 years after it was first announced that baseball was coming to Midland.

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