AUGUST 2025
SPONSORED BY
PRENTI
Why Non Toxic? |||
As a wife and mother, I started making Prenti candles as a way to enjoy everything a candle has to offer without worry.
And like most moms, when I didn’t like what I was finding, I took matters into my own hands and figured out what wax(s) were good and which ones were not so good.
Along with fragrances, I came up with my own recipe to making a candle that we all could feel good about lighting in our home.
NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Soulful Bloom
Soulful Bloom – Nature’s Touch for Everyday Wellness
In Reese, two women are redefining self-care with a return to nature.
Meet Soulful Bloom, a handcrafted skin and health care brand co-founded by Kristine Stockmeyer and Marla Lefler.
Their mission is simple yet powerful: honor the body, respect the earth, & empower through purity and sisterhood.
What began as a personal search for toxin-free products evolved into a full line of balms, butters, and serums made with thoughtfully sourced, all-natural ingredients. Each formula is rooted in tallow, botanicals, and essential oils—designed to nourish without compromise.
A Few Favorites
Buzz Off Tallow: A natural insect-repelling balm perfect for Michigan summers.
Gigi’s Bum Butter: A gentle diaper rash balm trusted by moms.
Nature’s Radiance Face Serum: A light, restorative blend for everyday glow.
“Everything we create is something we’d use on our own families,” Kristine and Marla share. “That’s where our standard of purity begins.”
Shop Soulful Bloom
Though still in their early days, Soulful Bloom already ships nationwide through their online store, shopsoulfulbloom.com, and actively shares updates on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Whether you’re looking to simplify your skincare or gift something meaningful, Soulful Bloom offers a chance to indulge in nature’s best—while supporting local women who pour their hearts into every jar.
📍 Reese, Michigan
📧 [email protected]
🌐 shopsoulfulbloom.com
TEACHER OF THE MONTH
Corey Rosser
Alternative Education Teacher, Quest High School (North Branch Area Public Schools) 2025–26 Michigan Teacher of the Year
This month, we proudly celebrate Corey Rosser, named 2025–26 Michigan Teacher of the Year. For 22 years, Corey has dedicated his career to Quest High School in North Branch, serving students in grades 10–12 with unwavering passion and purpose.
As an alternative education teacher, Corey understands that every student’s path looks different.
He teaches Social Studies and Imagine Learning courses, helping young people rediscover their potential and chart new directions for their future. His work extends far beyond the classroom walls—supporting summer school programs for more than two decades and guiding virtual learners across both traditional and alternative settings for the last eight years.
Corey’s impact reaches beyond his school, too. As an active member of the Michigan Alternative Education Organization, he continues to advocate for innovative practices that give every student—especially those who don’t thrive in traditional environments—a chance to succeed.
When asked about his philosophy, Corey reflects on the importance of meeting students where they are:
“Alternative education is about believing in students others may have given up on—and showing them they have what it takes to succeed.”
Congratulations, Corey, and thank you for reminding Mid-Michigan what dedicated, student-centered teaching looks like.
GOOD NEWS
Matthew 28:19-20, NIV
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Known as the Great Commission—are not just marching orders for the early church; they’re a promise for every believer today. Jesus calls us to share the Good News everywhere we go, but He also assures us we’ll never do it alone.
Wherever life takes you—into workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, or even other nations—this promise stands: Christ is with you always.
His very presence empowers us to speak, serve, and love boldly, knowing that He remains faithful to the very end of the age.
RECIPE TO TRY
Magic Bars brought to you by Yummo!
Magic Bars
A Sweet, Crowd-Pleasing Classic
Few desserts earn their name quite like Magic Bars. With layers of graham cracker crumbs, rich chocolate chips, crunchy walnuts, and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, they come together in minutes and disappear just as fast. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or just a cozy night in.
Ingredients:
½ cup butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup Heath toffee pieces
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
⅔ cup flaked coconut
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Pour melted butter into a 9×13-inch dish. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs evenly over the butter and dust with cinnamon.
Layer with chopped nuts, chocolate chips, toffee, and coconut.
Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool for 15 minutes before cutting into bars.
Yummo!
Brought to you by Yummo!
FAVORITE EATS
The Maple Grille – Wood-Fired Flavor, Farm-to-Table Fresh
The Maple Grille
Just outside Hemlock, The Maple Grille Restaurant & Microbrewery is redefining what it means to eat local. Known for its open wood-fired kitchen and ever-changing menu, this family-style restaurant delivers meals that are as fresh as they are unforgettable.
Farm-to-Table at Its Finest
Everything at The Maple Grille is sourced as locally as possible—produce, meats, even the wood fueling the fire. The menu rotates daily, reflecting what’s in season and what inspires the chefs that week. Expect hearty classics like wood-fired burgers, seasonal salads, and craft pizzas—each served with thoughtful sides and house-made desserts.
Craft Beer, Straight from the Flames
Beyond the food, The Maple Grille brews its own craft beer on-site. Over a dozen taps rotate throughout the year, offering everything from crisp summer ales to rich, malty favorites. It’s a perfect pairing for a laid-back meal on their spacious patio or cozy indoor seating.
Community at the Heart
More than a restaurant, The Maple Grille is a gathering place—hosting local events, supporting farmers, and drawing visitors from across Mid-Michigan. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, you’re welcomed like family.
📍 13105 Gratiot Rd, Hemlock, MI 4862
📞 (989) 233-2895
MICHIGAN MADE
Buzz Off Tallow — Bug Repellant
Buzz Off Tallow — Bug Repellant
Bug spray doesn’t have to smell like chemicals to work.
Soulful Bloom’s Buzz Off Tallow proves it.
Handcrafted in Reese, this natural insect-repelling balm combines vitamin-rich beef tallow with a powerful blend of essential oils—citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, peppermint, & cedarwood—to keep mosquitoes and flies at bay.
Unlike conventional sprays, this balm doubles as a skin moisturizer, soothing irritation and offering long-lasting protection during hikes, bonfires, or backyard evenings.
Safe for kids, gentle on sensitive skin, and eco-friendly, it’s a true summer essential.
Why We Love It:
100% natural and non-toxic
Moisturizes while protecting
Kid-safe, pet-friendly, and biodegradable
Made by women, for everyone
Available in 4 oz and 8 oz sizes online at shopsoulfulbloom.com.
JOB POSTINGS
Professional House Cleaner
Join Custom Maids and build a career with immediate growth opportunity, competitive industry pay, and performance bonuses! Earn your first promotion within 14 days.
With opportunities to advance to $30+/hour over your career. Enjoy flexibility, job stability, and a supportive work environment where hard work is rewarded.
Excavation Laborer
📧 Inquiries: Send us a message here or give us a call 989-625-9979
Now hiring laborers for full-time outdoor work. No experience needed—just a strong work ethic and willingness to learn.
Equipment Operator
📧 Inquiries: Send us a message here or give us a call 989-625-9979
Seeking experienced operators for excavators, dozers, and loaders. Must be reliable and ready to work. Competitive pay.
Instructional Consultant - PK-12 Math & Science
The PK-12 Math and Science Consultant will assist the Bay-Arenac ISD Instructional Services Department in supporting local district teachers, coaches, and administrators with alignment of math and science curriculum, implementation of a multi-tiered system of supports, professional learning and coaching on the effective use of assessment to improve instruction, and implementation of best practices in the PK-12 setting.
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY
USS Edson Arrives in Bay City In August 2012
USS Edson Arrives in Bay City
August 7, 2012
On August 7, 2012, a piece of American naval history found its new home on the Saginaw River. The USS Edson (DD-946), a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer with decades of service—including deployments during the Vietnam War—arrived in Bay City, Michigan, to become the centerpiece of the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum.
Nicknamed “Fast Eddie” and “The Grey Ghost of the Vietnamese Coast,” the Edson earned multiple commendations during its active years, including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Navy Unit Commendation.
After being decommissioned in 1988, the ship served briefly as a museum in New York before returning to naval storage.
Thanks to the dedication of local volunteers and the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, the Edson was declared seaworthy in July 2012 and began its journey to Michigan. On August 7, it reached Essexville—marking the beginning of a new chapter as one of only two surviving Forrest Sherman-class destroyers in the nation.
Today, the USS Edson remains open to visitors, offering a hands-on glimpse into naval life and a living tribute to the region’s strong maritime heritage.
MID-MICHIGAN’S MOST DELIGHTFUL CLEANING SERVICE
OUR SERVICES:
One-Time Deep Cleanings
Rejuvenating Fresh Start Service
Monthly Deep Clean Service
Regular Bi-Weekly Service
Regular Weekly Service
Serving all Residential & Commercial Clients within a 30 mile radius of Wenona Street in Bay City, Michigan!
THANK YOU FOR READING
We’re so grateful you spent part of your day with us.
Thank you for reading the August issue of Mid-Michigan Monthly. If you discovered a new favorite spot, learned something inspiring, or simply enjoyed a moment of connection to your hometown, we’d love to hear from you.
Share this issue with a friend, follow us on social media for daily updates, and send us your story ideas—because the best part of this magazine is you, the community that makes Mid-Michigan what it is.
The Mid-Michigan Monthly Team