Charlene Northon and her husband Kevin have owned and operated Central Escapes in Mt. Pleasant for just over three years now, but it wasn’t long before then that inspiration for the business struck as a result of family memories. Charlene Northon defines an escape room as a “physical adventure game in which 2-8 players solve a

When Michigan shut down indoor dining in 2020, local restaurant owner John Hunter wanted to find a way to give back to the community while continuing to provide employment for his workers. Hunter, who owns The Cabin, Hunter’s Ale House, and O’Kelly’s, found a solution in Pizza 4 Hope. “We were trying to connect frontline workers

Finding ways to have fun and stay safe during summer 2020 was an adventure in itself. Now that winter has come along, the challenge is twofold. But, don’t let that stop you from getting out and enjoying the hidden treasures mid-Michigan has in store. Here are five opportunities we found to enjoy the outdoors during the

Season revelers, the time has come to enjoy a favored tradition to herald in the Christmas season. Discover stunning holiday displays that are lighting up the community and brightening the spirits of many this holiday season. So bundle up, and be sure to wear your boots as you may want to venture into the snow to

Flowing for over 90 miles, the Chippewa River touches a wide variety of communities, and there are many people and organizations interested and invested in its future – from students at Central Michigan University to residents who live along the river, from the City of Mt. Pleasant Parks to Midland County Parks and Recreation, from downtown

There has always been significant value in the parks, but since the quarantine resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have been driven outdoors, motivated to find new opportunities for recreation. In their search, many have discovered their local parks and developed a newfound appreciation for them. Parks offer more to communities than an area to

Every movie or television show set in the 1950’s has one: a local diner. Depending on individual specialties, the establishment may be famous for burgers, pies, milkshakes, coffee, or exceptional service. What central Michigan diners offer competes valiantly with any national chain or franchise. Here’s four – but not nearly close to all – of the

As soon as the air feels crisp, the thoughts of many Michiganders turn to pumpkins, cider, cozy clothes, and crunching leaves. While autumn in Michigan may look a little different due to COVID-19, there are still plenty of fall activities to keep you and your family busy without sacrificing safety.Conquer the highest peak in Isabella CountyA

Retractable tools. An airpump. There’s even a QR code bicyclists can scan with their smartphones, immediately bringing up instructions for how to operate the bike repair station. There's a reason these bike repair stations are considered "Deluxe." When Chris Bundy says that the city put in a lot of research before purchasing the right bicycle repair

At first Chris Rowley, executive director of the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, thought COVID-19 would be short lived. At the time, the way the virus would alter American life, on both a local and national scale, was unimaginable. It didn’t take long, however, for Rowley — and executives from the Mt. Pleasant Chamber