Midland’s social scene just got a little cozier.

Opening its doors in September 2025, Nord Social is redefining what it means to meet, relax, and connect—with a concept that’s more than a bar or café. It’s a project of community, built with heart, intention, and a belief in the power of place.

Inspired by Nordic culture and the spirit of hygge—the Danish art of warmth, comfort, and togetherness—Nord Social was designed as Midland’s newest “third space”: a place where people can gather outside of work or home and simply be.

The atmosphere is everything you’d hope for in a Michigan fall—warm lighting, Scandinavian simplicity, and an unmistakable sense of belonging. Whether you’re enjoying a craft cocktail, a fresh local beer, or one of their carefully crafted non-alcoholic options, every detail feels intentional. Ingredients are fresh and often homemade, and the focus is always on connection over consumption.

But Nord Social isn’t just about drinks—it’s about people. The team collaborates with local artists, musicians, and food trucks, turning each week into a new experience for the community. From live music and DJ nights to neighborhood block parties and artisan showcases, Nord Social is already becoming a hub for creativity and connection in Midland’s Center City.

📍 415 S. Saginaw Road, Midland, MI
🕑 Open daily: 2 PM – 12 AM
🌐 nordsocialmidland.com

Locally owned. Community powered. Social by nature.

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World History & IB History of the Americas | Midland High School

This month, we’re proud to spotlight Mr. Ryan Wontorcik, Midland High School’s 2025 Saginaw Valley League Teacher of the Year — an educator whose classroom has become a space where history comes alive and students feel seen, valued, and inspired to learn.

Ryan began his teaching career with Midland Public Schools in 2016, teaching at both Northeast Middle School and Midland High before moving to Midland High full-time in 2019. Today, he teaches World History and IB History of the Americas and played a key role in developing the school’s innovative Blended Modern Issues course.

But Ryan’s influence stretches well beyond academics. He’s been a track coach, a class adviser for the graduating class of 2020 and the incoming class of 2028, and a consistent source of encouragement for students navigating both high school and life.

Students describe him as uplifting, funny, and deeply dedicated:

Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary social studies education from Saginaw Valley State University and a master’s degree in technology learning systems and design, blending his love for history with modern approaches to teaching and engagement.

The Saginaw Valley League Teacher of the Year award recognizes excellence across member high schools, celebrating educators who embody leadership, innovation, and heart — all traits Ryan models daily.

Congratulations, Mr. Wontorcik, and thank you for inspiring Midland’s next generation to think deeply, live curiously, and believe in themselves!

True faith isn’t about appearances, it’s about love that moves.

James reminds us that pure religion is both compassionate and clean: it reaches out to the broken while refusing to be stained by the world.

1) To care for orphans and widows is to live with eyes open. To live with your eyes open is to see the hurting, step toward them, and love them without expecting anything in return. To feel for these people is to have a heart of flesh (not a heart of stone). To care for these people is pure evidence of the Holy Spirit Himself living within you. Lean into Him.

2) To stay unpolluted is to guard your heart when the world tempts you to drift. When you’re tempted, train yourself to instead replace those thoughts with things that are good, wholesome, and pure. This new habit of yours will starve the temptation of every sin before long.

Real faith never just talks about love, it lives it. It serves with humility and stands with integrity. It shines quietly, even in a dark world.

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A Sweet, Crispy Treat with a Cheesecake Twist

Fall may bring pumpkins and apples but sometimes, a burst of strawberry sweetness is just what the season needs.

These Strawberry Cream Cheese Wonton Bites combine the creamy richness of cheesecake with the light, golden crunch of fried wontons.

Serve them as a dessert after dinner or as a fun party snack for family gatherings and football weekends.

Brought to you by Yummo!

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When the leaves turn and the air takes on that crisp Michigan chill, few things feel better than a warm meal with a view — and The Real Seafood Company of Bay City delivers both in spectacular fashion.

Located in the Uptown Center along the Saginaw River, this restaurant has quickly become a staple for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re sipping a cocktail on the patio under glowing lights or enjoying a cozy dinner inside with panoramic river views, Real Seafood blends casual elegance with Midwestern charm.

The menu lives up to its promise: “Quite Simply, Seafood As It Should Be.”
Guests can choose from freshly flown-in fish and premium seafood sourced from the Atlantic, Pacific, Great Lakes, and Gulf of Mexico. Highlights include buttery lobster tails, perfectly seared scallops, and oysters shucked fresh from both coasts. For those preferring turf to surf, hand-cut steaks, chicken, pasta, and hearty salads round out a menu designed to please every palate.

The restaurant’s raw bar—featuring jumbo shrimp, crab, and clams—is a favorite among regulars, while the expansive wine and cocktail list offers pairings for every taste and occasion. With more than 450 total seats, including a two-level outdoor patio, there’s room for everyone—from intimate date nights to large family gatherings overlooking the water.

Open year-round, The Real Seafood Company offers something uniquely Bay City: the energy of a bustling dockside in summer and the calm beauty of the river in winter. It’s a place to celebrate life’s big moments—or just slow down and savor the view.

📍 199 Uptown Drive, Bay City, MI 48708
📞 (989) 778-1431

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There’s nothing quite like the scent of fall in Michigan—and Prenti’s Apple Harvest Reed Diffuser captures it perfectly. Hand-poured in Saginaw, this elegant, flameless diffuser fills your home with the aroma of freshly picked apples, green leaves, and a smooth finish of cedar and vanilla.

Unlike standard diffusers, Prenti’s 6oz size offers months of steady fragrance—no flames, no cords, just clean, effortless comfort. Each one comes with six all-natural rattan reeds, allowing you to control how strong or subtle your scent is.

Founded on the belief that scent should feel as good as it smells, Prenti blends craftsmanship with calm—offering candles, diffusers, and home fragrances that celebrate the seasons and the simplicity of Midwest living.

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On October 24, 1901, a 63-year-old schoolteacher from Bay City, Michigan made history — and nearly lost her life doing it.

Her name was Annie Edson Taylor, and on her birthday, she became the first person ever to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel and survive.

Before her daring plunge, Annie had lived a quiet, respectable life as a teacher and dance instructor in Bay City and Sault Ste. Marie. But after a series of financial hardships and setbacks, she made a decision that would shock the world. Seeking to secure her future and claim a spot in history, she designed a custom oak-and-iron barrel, padded it with a mattress, and climbed inside.

At 4:00 p.m. that fall afternoon, Annie was set adrift above the Horseshoe Falls. Minutes later, she plunged over the edge — a 160-foot drop into roaring water. When rescuers found the barrel and pried it open, she emerged alive, shaken but nearly uninjured. Her only words:

Annie hoped her stunt would bring fame and financial stability, but the fortune never came. She spent her later years posing for photos with tourists at Niagara Falls and died penniless in 1921. Yet her courage and grit endure — a testament to the boldness of a Michigan woman who refused to accept ordinary.

From Bay City to Niagara Falls, Annie Edson Taylor’s story remains one of determination, daring, and the unshakable spirit that has long defined Michigan.

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Serving all Residential & Commercial Clients within a 30 mile radius of Wenona Street in Bay City, Michigan!