Shelby - Utica News

Published November 12, 2014

Local cooks talk about warmth, simplicity of soups during holidays

METRO DETROIT — The chill of the season is in the air, but we’re still a few weeks off from the feasting frenzy of the holidays. It’s a culinary condition that calls for something comforting, quick and still nutritious — you guessed it, soup.

Published November 12, 2014

Add woodland magic to your holiday décor

METRO DETROIT — A natural woodland holiday theme brings the outdoors inside for a cozy, charming and modern effect.

“Each year, when we go to the buyers shows, we look for new trends,” said Casey Thomas, vice president of Sherwood Forest Garden Center in Oakland Township. “New this year are more natural looks with a woodland theme.”

The popular movie “Frozen” has also become a decorating trend, Thomas said.

Published November 5, 2014

Don’t be left in the dark

METRO DETROIT — Feel like you haven’t been getting enough Zs lately?

It’s not just you.

According to experts, the shift in seasons can change more than the color of leaves — it can change our sleep patterns.

Published August 6, 2014

Looking Back: Ford Field

From the July 22, 1967, edition of the Utica/Daily Sentinel newspaper: “Shelby-Utica Little Leaguer Jim Stone is ready to start play on the new Ford Field dedicated Friday. The field was presented to the league before the opening game of National Little League District Six Tournament.Read More

Published March 5, 2014

Seedlings deliver the promise of spring

Starting plants like marigolds and tomatoes indoors from seeds helps beat the winter blues.

“It is nice to see things grow,” said Joni Makowski, store manager of Allemon’s Landscape Center in Detroit. “It is a good activity for the family. The longer the winter, everybody thinks about it. I have four kids. We always plant different seeds in eggshells.”

Published February 19, 2014

A dash of this, a pinch of that…

The old saying goes that a little sugar and spice make everything nice. Well, there’s no doubt we’ve got the sugar thing down pat; but are we really taking advantage of the amazing flavors that spices can add to our cooking?

Published February 17, 2014

Local businesses honored for work in county

WARREN — Taking time to showcase how business in Macomb County is excelling, a half-dozen companies were honored at the 2014 Home in Macomb Business Awards at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom Feb. 11.

Stephen Cassin, director of the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development, said this is the second year of the awards, which they give out as part of their Home in Macomb Program to retain and attract businesses to the county.

Published January 13, 2014

Historical figure’s missing gravestone found

UTICA/SHELBY TOWNSHIP/WARREN — The historic marker belonging to Gurden C. Leech, the man who in 1833 suggested that the Village of Harlow be renamed Utica, has been missing from the Utica Cemetery in Shelby Township for about 30 years.

Jim Bryant, 49, of Warren, discovered the gravestone when he was 18 or 19 years old — on his way to his favorite fishing pond — in a pile of rubble on the side of the road near 21 Mile and Ryan in Shelby Township. He said it looked like it had fallen off a truck.

Published November 26, 2013

Holiday shows are stuffed with good cheer

The lights, the songs, the anticipation! No, it’s not everyone tearing into their presents on Christmas morning as the holiday music plays in the background — it’s one of the many festive shows you’ll find around town.

And after all of the preparation, stress, spending, wrapping and running around, what better gift to give to yourself than an evening to sit back, relax and be entertained?

Here are just a few of this year’s highlights:

Published October 9, 2013

Looking back: The Packard Proving Grounds

This photograph, taken in the summer of 1932, is from the Roberta Vincent Mocabee collection. Roberta is standing, with help from Jim Loucks, in front of her home, the Gate Lodge at the Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Township. Roberta was born in Detroit in May of 1931. Her father, Charles Vincent, was the Proving Grounds manager. Roberta spent the first 10 years of her life at the Proving Grounds under the watchful eyes of her mother, her older sisters, her tutors, the gardener, the test drivers and Loucks, who was the site security guard.

Published August 28, 2013

Fundraiser is an ‘enchanting’ evening in an enchanting garden

DETROIT — With its exotic blooms and tranquil atmosphere, stepping inside the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle is like stepping into a world of natural wonder.

There, visitors will find an acre of cacti, blooming plants, tropical trees, ferns and unusual orchids in the World of Horticulture alone, along with the elegant formal perennial garden and lily pond gardens.

Published August 28, 2013

Oakland County to pull DIA funding if art is sold

OAKLAND COUNTY — The Oakland County Art Authority has sent a strong statement to those handling the city of Detroit’s bankruptcy: hands off the DIA.

During the most recent meeting of the Oakland County Art Authority Aug. 20, the five-member board voted unanimously to pass a resolution that would cancel their existing contract to financially support the Detroit Institute of Arts if the museum’s collection is affected by the city’s bankruptcy process.

Published July 3, 2013

Let kitchen remodeling show off your style

For many homeowners, remodeling their kitchen is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“People are really thinking it through,” said Barb Baker, of Elder Living Construction in Farmington Hills. “They are investing in a little higher quality. They are taking the time to understand the different wood qualities, and they are spending the money to make upgrades.”

Baker said her customers want new cabinets that will look good and last for a long time. They are also looking at new ways of hiding electrical outlets for a smooth, uninterrupted backsplash.

Published July 3, 2013

Lavender lovers, unite!

METRO DETROIT — Next weekend, metro Detroiters will follow their noses to Romeo for the 11th annual Michigan Lavender Festival July 12-14 at Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill.

There’s just something about the sight and scent of lavender that can evoke the excitement of summer and instill a feeling of serenity. And like so many seasons before, many Michiganders are once again on the hunt for the herb to use for cooking, cleaning or just plain sniffing.

Published June 5, 2013

Parents consider options while school’s out for the season

As kids anxiously await the arrival of summer, parents are weighing their summer child care options. From day camps to sitters, there’s a lot to consider when choosing who your youngster will spend their summer break with.

Published May 29, 2013

Find alternatives to familiar flowers

Impatiens, a top choice for homeowners planting colorful annual flower displays, will not be available at most nurseries this year.

“There is a downy mildew problem with impatiens,” said Carl Eckert, owner of Eckert’s Greenhouse on Ryan in Sterling Heights. “We didn’t grow them this year, and most other nurseries also didn’t.”

Published May 22, 2013

Mapping out Michigan fun

Michigan Week is in full swing, giving residents just one more excuse to revel in all the wonderful things there are to do and see in the Mitten State.

Whether you’re a beer buff or a beach babe, there’s a place for you in Michigan. But with so many regional specialties, it’s hard to choose which area of the state is best for the stay- or play-cation of your choice.

Published April 30, 2013

2013 Detroit Jazz Festival creates unity in jazz community

DETROIT — The Labor Day weekend is still a few months away, but already it’s promising to be another great one for jazz lovers and the city of Detroit.

Published April 10, 2013

Luddites’ latest is a ‘Twisted’ take on acoustic music

After almost 21 years together, the Luddites still haven’t suffered the ubiquitous “creative differences” that have shattered bands less than half their age.

The 11-piece acoustic group will celebrate the release of their fourth CD, “Twisted In,” with a concert starting at 9 p.m. April 13 at PJ’s Lager House. Bass player David Giovannucci, one of the original Luddites from those early days in August 1992 when they started as a five-piece acoustic act, said friendship and mutual respect have kept them going all these years.

Published April 10, 2013

The lesser-known benefit of recycling

In the bin

Come garbage day, most curbside recycling bins are stuffed with paper, plastic and glass bottles, cans, and cardboard, but there’s a whole lot more that can be added to the heap.