3 mins read

Outreach in Action: Meal of the Month is back by popular demand

by Jo Mayer and Paul Crandall “We tried it, they liked it, so we’re doing it again!”  –Cindy Ashley, Outreach pantry coordinator In 2025, Outreach piloted a monthly cooking program for five months, inviting 30 regular Outreach pantry shoppers to join this Recipe-of-the-Month cooking club—now fondly referred to as “Meal of the Month.” The effort […]

1 min read

Obituary: Karen L. Cobb

Karen L. Cobb, age 68, of Houghton Lake, MI, passed away on February 10, 2026. Karen was born on May 25, 1957, in Jackson, the daughter of Lyle and Alice (Andrews) Atwood. Karen enjoyed spending time outdoors and could often be found at the beach, hunting and fishing, riding four-wheelers, foraging for mushrooms, or spending […]

6 mins read

Matters of the Heart

Gary and Roberta Ludtke: College sweethearts celebrate 50 years of marriage by Joan Tucker In 1972, Roberta and Gary Lutdke met at Alma College in Michigan. Roberta majored in education and Gary in business. One day, Roberta and her roommate wanted to meet the handsome young men on the other side of the campus, so […]