Travel

A Visionary Mission

LaCroix Eye Care’s Dr. Ann LaCroix Fredal traveled thousands of miles to restore vision—and hope Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by LaCroix Eye Care There are moments in life when we’re forced to see—really see. Not just the obvious, not just the day-to-day, but something deeper. Something profound. For Dr. Ann LaCroix Fredal of LaCroix Eye Care, that moment came when she stepped off a van in the dead of night, 26 travel-weary hours from home, and saw hundreds of people—men, women...

Entertainment

Grace That Lifts Us

Inside the passion and purpose of artistic director Amber Michalik’s venerable Macomb Ballet Company Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Brian Weitzel Photography There’s something about ballet that feels otherworldly. The way dancers defy gravity, the way movement transforms into storytelling, the way—if you blink—you might miss the sheer strength behind the beauty.  Amber Michalik, artistic director of the Macomb Ballet Company and owner of Ann Parsley School of Dance, is the sheer...

Travel

Tulip Time's Fresh Twists

Holland's world-famous event still has immersive blooms and main-stage thrills—plus brand-new experiences Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Discover Holland This time of year, the streets of Holland MI are clacking, blooming and booming. The clacking is from wooden shoes. The blooming’s from the breathtaking tulips Holland’s world-famous for. And the city is booming because it’s magical—the kind of place where strangers become parade buddies over stroopwafels.  If you've never been...

Health + Wellness

ASK to Heal

Profiling the remarkable therapists revolutionizing mental health healing at ASK Article by Marshall Zweig There’s a kind of knowing that lives in the voice of someone who’s sat with human pain—without trying to rush it away. That kind of knowing is what I heard in every conversation with the four women who make up ASK Psychological Services in Mount Clemens. Founded by Dr. Karen Groth, ASK is a fully women-run practice built around clinical precision and radical compassion. Alongside Karen...

Shopping

In The Bag

9 Publisher Picks to Invest in Your Spring Collection Article by Kimberly Janowicz For me, Easter has always signified rebirth—a time to pack away winter clothes and embrace fresh, spring colors. I swap my staple black purse for soft neutrals and bold hues. A few years ago, I found my perfect spring neutral: an orchid bag with a gold zipper and leather tassel. Though practical doubts swirled, it was love at first sight! Today, it still brings me joy. This year, emerald is calling my name...

Finance + Legal Services

Financial Freedom, Reinvented

Tech and mindset shifts that'll change your relationship with money Article by Marshall Zweig For many of us, financial planning is a source of stress, confusion, even avoidance. But for Jon Furest of First Financial Coaching, money is about mindset, structure, and long-term transformation.  The youngest of a four-generation family of financial advisors, Jon is modernizing the field with two groundbreaking financial tech tools—Pocketnest and Currence—while also offering the belief-changing...

Finance + Legal Services

Online Mortgages, Hidden Dangers

Buying a home? Look out for these online mortgage pitfalls, warns a veteran Mount Clemens mortgage broker Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Gina Dinverno When I bought my first house in 2019, I made a rookie mistake: I trusted an online mortgage company. It seemed convenient—quick approvals and supposedly low rates. But the company hadn’t informed me the account for my down payment must have been open for six months—until the closing. I had to ask my 81-year-old mother to rescue me...

Home + Design

Brick By Brick

Customized masonry offers functional curb appeal. Article by Erica Hobbs | Photography by Shelby Dubin From chimneys and porches to walkways and siding, masonry marries the worlds of practical and aesthetic value. Metro Detroit's Next Level Custom Brick ( nextlevelcustombrick.com ) offers expertise in both, infused with a family-owned sense of pride and service. “We focus on the needs of the homeowner and their project. We are a team, and we work together with our customers from start to...

Home + Design

Preserving History with Style

Shelly Bania's 25-year wait to restore her historic Mount Clemens home was worth it. Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Easton Asher IV, Skyview Experts Mount Clemens is a city steeped in heritage, and we residents take great pride in preserving that history. For homeowners of The Clem’s historic gems, renovating while honoring their cherished past is not just a task—it’s a calling. That’s why it took Shelly Bania 25 years to remodel her historic home's kitchen.  Nestled in the...

Education

Puppy-Proofing Made Simple

Expert home-saving, puppy-loving tips from expert dog trainer Becky Kamp of Wolf Pack Dog Training Article by Marshall Zweig You love your home. You also love your brand-new puppy, who brings an abundance of joy, energy, and, let’s face it, mischief into your home. How do you take proper care of both? How do you value your house and your belongings, as well as your and your new puppy’s mental health? For answers, Mount Clemens City Lifestyle turned to Becky Kamp, founder of Wolf Pack Dog...