features
Woman of Note: Jill Peck has a hand in improving lives in the Mitten State
by Mary Jo David Making the world a better place. To some that might sound cheesy or cliché. But if you’re fortunate enough to be friends with, related to, or work with Jill Peck of Stockbridge, you know it really is possible for one person to make that kind of difference. Family is her life […]
Apartment complex gets a $2.5M makeover
Building replaced after August 2020 fire Information from PK Companies PK Companies, a family-based real estate firm in Okemos, Mich., has invested $2.5 million in the construction of one building and the rehabbing of another building in the Lakewood Apartments complex in Stockbridge. The work began in late 2020. Lakewood Building A rehab project took […]
Staff Spotlight: Corey Pena teaches our youngest students to be successful readers
by Amy Haggerty Corey Pena has been teaching elementary-aged children for several years in Stockbridge, beginning at the start of her career in 1998 as a resource teacher in the Special Education Department. Currently, Pena is a Title One academic support lead teacher at both Smith Elementary and Heritage. When Pena was in third grade, […]
Reflecting on a life well-lived with Cathy Gillem
by Shuyler Clark Townsfolk may know her from her history assisting veterans as a member of the American Legion’s Auxiliary. Former students may recall her passionate performance as Mrs. Riley at the Waterloo Farm Museum. Others still may be familiar with her dazzling artwork. Regardless of the circumstances, community members are sure to have benefited […]
Rural Perspectives: The ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
by Diane Constable The ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is a beautiful bird of the grouse family from Asia. There were unsuccessful attempts to import them here as early as the 1730s—even George Washington gave it a try! It wasn’t until the 1880s that the pheasant began to take root in this country. Pheasants weigh up […]
Outreach in Action
Inter-agency efforts assist seniors in and around Stockbridge by Jo Mayer and Paul Crandall “It takes a village to raise a child,” goes the adage, but folks with many more years under their belts also profoundly benefit from coordinated, community-based efforts on their behalf. Stockbridge Community Outreach works locally in inter-agency collaboration to help seniors […]
From CADL Stockbridge
Celebrate National Reading Month in March by Head Librarian Sherri McConnell The month of March brings to mind many images — lions and lambs, kites, mud, and daffodils. Here at the library, we think of Dr. Seuss. March 2 is his birthday, and his real name was Theodor Geisel. In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday […]
Slow-burn romances abound in these queer space operas
by Shuyler Clark All too often, stories with promising premises can be bogged down by underwhelming or undeveloped romance. These two science fiction novels strike a balance between plot and relationships with minimal sacrifice. The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer With Earth succumbing to climate change, the planet is quickly becoming uninhabitable. A spacefarer […]
Women of Note: Strong faith guides Jennifer Grumelot through life
by Judy Williams When you ask Jennifer Grumelot about her goal in life, the answer is simple. “I want to do acts of kindness,” she said. “I feel these acts will make a positive difference. It is my way to give back to the community.” While attending Eastern Michigan University, Jennifer met her soulmate, Edward […]
Bridge to Wellness
March (National Nutrition Month): A festival for the soul by Sophia Speroff, MPH, RD National Nutrition Month was initiated in 1973 and became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to the growing interest in nutrition. This month embraces global cultures, cuisines, and inclusion — an opportunity to give every culture a place at the […]