Arts + Culture

Twelve Treasures Wrapped in Local Love

A meaningful gift guide celebrating hometown joy and generosity Article by Kimberly Janowicz There’s something undeniably special about giving a gift that tells a story — one that’s wrapped in care, connection, and a touch of hometown pride. This season, we’ve scoured boutiques, art studios, coffee shops, and salons across our community to uncover the most meaningful presents for everyone on your list. Over the past month, we reached out to more than 30 local shops and artisans and were...

Life + Culture

Hope in Action

Mount Clemens churches and charitable organizations are lifting spirits who need it most Article by Marshall Zweig In Mount Clemens, generosity doesn’t have a season. We’re a town that shows up for its own. Yet every holiday season, our city fills with quiet acts of care that rarely make the headlines. This year, we’re giving these acts the spotlight they deserve, and letting you know how you can be part of the giving. The Salvation Army: Miracles on Church Street Before she became...

Food + Beverage

Babci's Christmas Kołaczki

Delicate, fruit-filled Polish cookies that sparkle with sweet tradition and powdered sugar perfection Article by Kimberly Janowicz These tender, jewel-toned cookies are a beloved Polish Christmas tradition—flaky, buttery, and dusted with snowy sweetness. Ingredients: ½ cup butter (softened) 4 oz cream cheese (softened) 1 cup all-purpose flour fruit filling (Solo® Raspberry, Almond, or Poppyseed) 1 cup powdered sugar Directions: Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, beat butter and...

Beauty

Ultimate Holiday Glam Edit

Five statement trends blending warmth, shine, and sophistication Article by Kimberly Janowicz MODERN GLAMOUR Black, white, and gold create timeless sophistication. DRAMATIC SHOULDERS Open silhouettes add balance and visual intrigue. GLITTER IN THE DAYLIGHT Sequins and metallics sparkle beyond evening wear. SHEER OVERLAYS Romantic lace and mesh lend subtle allure. LUXE KNIT COORDINATES Soft white knits exude cozy holiday chic.

Home + Design

Rose-Tinting the World

Margaret Leslie uses history, whimsy and sustainability to turn gatherings into gratitude-filled conversation art Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Kevin Shea “I bring a lot to the table,” Margaret Leslie says with an open-hearted grin. She’s smiling at her own pun—she loves puns—but she’s also simply telling the truth: Margaret creates custom tablescapes that are far more than plates and glassware. They’re history you can hold, and behold, breathtaking and fascinating creations that...

Food + Beverage

Vintage Connections

At Cellar 59, familiar faces enjoy adventurous glasses, and every pour is personal Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Simran Bajwa The long, live-edge wood table in the middle of Cellar 59 is what owner Tami Kedziorek calls the “community table.” To her, it’s not just furniture. It’s an echo of Sunday dinners at her grandmother’s house in St. Clair Shores, where the family squeezed in shoulder to shoulder, sharing food, cleaning up, talking into the night. Those weekly gatherings...

Food + Beverage

One Village, Two Stories

Family, faith, and flavor: Mexican Village’s legacy of flavor endures Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Kevin Roberts In 1957, Detroit didn’t know tacos. It didn’t know enchiladas. And it certainly didn’t know the flavor of cumin and garlic drifting from a small Mexican storefront on Bagley Street. But one ambitious young woman was about to change that. “I was very anxious to start my own restaurant, my own ideas, and to see it prosper,” recalls Concha Azofeifa, the founder of...

Arts + Culture

DIY Découpage Ghosts

Craft Clemmy & Clementine, Mount Clemens’ own ghosts, with air-dry clay and fall flair Article and Photography by Kimberly Janowicz ONE Shape Your Ghosts │ Start with air-dry clay and a simple form—a small ball on top of a short glass wrapped in plastic for easy removal. Roll clay into a ball, then flatten into a 6-inch circle using a rolling pin. Drape clay over the form, shaping folds to resemble ghostly fabric. Use a sculpting tool or the end of a straw to press in eyes. Let dry...

Food + Beverage

Gone By Noon

How John Forlini turned Che Cosa Roasting Company into a community obsession Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Simran Bajwa When John Forlini posts about a fresh roast on Facebook, customers set their alarms. By the time Che Cosa Coffee opens the next morning, the line is already forming. Jamaican Blue Mountain. Hawaiian Kona. Whatever the special flavor, it rarely survives past noon. Before Che Cosa, John was the youngest marketing manager at Little Caesars, back before HOT-N-READY...

Event Planning + Services

Bringing Back Fancy

They “partied like it’s 1929” at this Great Gatsby-style wedding Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Mike Staff Productions A 1920s jazz orchestra, tuxedos with tails, and feathered shawls. A scene from The Great Gatsby ? Nope: this was a real wedding at the Emerald Theatre in Mount Clemens. Dave Moore and AJ Palucki-Moore turned their special day into an unforgettable Roaring Twenties celebration that honored the elegance of a bygone era—in the heart of their hometown. Though many...