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Hello Central Michigan! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Early voting deadlines, Touch a Truck, and Living Fossils + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Central Michigan help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Primary election prep: Early voting will begin Saturday, July 25, for the Aug. 4 primary and runs through Aug. 2. Missed July 20’s deadline? In-person registration is still allowed with proof of residency -- check the primary deadlines.
Another golf title chase: Rochester Hills’ Anthony Sorentino won a second Michigan Publinx Match Play title at Twin Lakes Golf Club, beating Josh Lahner after edging CMU’s Jeffrey Andrus in 19 holes -- read the full recap.
Summer’s fruit rush: Michigan’s heat wave is speeding up ripening, which could shorten blueberry season. Growers urge Central Michigan families to plan U-pick trips soon while berries are still peaking -- check the blueberry window.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Aura gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background — remove your data.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Home refresh, simplified: If your couch sunk lower than your mood, or the dryer just retired mid-cycle, Continental Home Center lets you upgrade fast with flexible rent-to-own or buy-it-now options, solid name brands, and local folks who actually remember you. Make this the week your living room stops squeaking.
Tall tree therapy: Hartwick Pines State Park is your midweek reset, with 49 acres of old-growth white pines that make everything else feel quieter. Stroll the accessible 1.25-mile Old Growth Forest Trail, then wander the Logging Museum or follow the Au Sable River Trail for bonus just-what-I-needed energy.
Homemade Syrup Heaven: Whether you're caffeinating before errands or sneaking a midweek treat, Our Town Coffee & Treats does espresso drinks with from-scratch syrups (lavender, brown sugar, Michigan maple) and fresh-baked cookies, scones, and more, all tucked inside AuSable Artisan Village... a cozy art-meets-caffeine spot worth a hometown detour.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here. You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in Home Depot, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast. That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing. No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚛 Touch a Truck @ Houghton Lake Public Library | Thursday (7/23) at 10:30 AM – Bring the kids, grandkids, or your inner five-year-old for up-close time with fire trucks, emergency vehicles, and those beeping construction machines. Climb in cabs, push buttons, and honk freely, then call it big thrills, minimal screen time, and chaos someone else cleans up.
🦖 Living Fossils @ Harrison District Library | Thursday (7/23) at 11:30 AM – Living Fossils teams up with Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science & Nature Center for a close-up with creatures that barely changed since dinosaurs, and yes, kids can touch stuff. Equal parts science, nostalgia, and proof you can outlast construction season. Registration required.
🌮 Street Eats Food Truck Alley @ 100 Block of Michigan Avenue (Grayling) | Thursday (7/23) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats grazing down Michigan Avenue during the AuSable River Festival, letting barbecue smoke and kettle corn make the choices. A dozen-plus trucks fill the 100 block with tacos, burgers, lemonade, and sweets. Consider it a permission slip to skip cooking and chat with neighbors.
🐖 Pig Roast Bash @ Artesia Youth Park & Community Center (Houghton Lake) | Friday (7/24) at 5:00 PM – Skip cooking and let Pig Roast Bash handle dinner at Artesia Youth Park, all while you look noble supporting Kids Play for Free. Pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread await, plus DJ Jeske, raffles, a bounce house for the grandkids, and a bake sale.
🥞 LumberJack Pancake Breakfast @ AuSable Main Stage Area (Grayling) | Saturday (7/25) at 8:00 AM – Think you can tackle the River Festival on an empty stomach? For five bucks, Grayling Youth Wrestling serves a pancake breakfast of two fluffy pancakes, bacon or sausage, and coffee or OJ at the AuSable Main Stage, courtesy of Grayling Restaurant, with proceeds staying local.
👨 Family Fun Day @ Clare United Methodist Church | Saturday (7/25) at 4:30 PM – Nothing says small-town summer like free food and a bounce house on the church lawn. The Point Church interns rolled in from Kentucky to host Family Fun Day at Clare UMC, with an inflatable waterslide, games, and plenty of fellowship, laughter, and grass stains.
🍄 Gahagan Nature Camp @ Gahagan Nature Preserve (Roscommon) | Monday (7/27) at 9:00 AM – Got a kid who thinks mushrooms are just pizza toppings? Gahagan’s Fantastic Fungi camp sets them loose on forest trails to ID local mushrooms, peer under microscopes, and craft spore-inspired art, discovering the hidden networks that keep our woods, and our dinner conversations, alive.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — Central Michigan report Weather forecastToday — High: 74°F — Low: 49°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Northwest wind 2 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 79°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 79. West wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. This house is wildThis 3,400 sq. ft. Northern Michigan estate sits on about 10 acres, with 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and more than $140,000 in updates. The main-floor primary suite adds a gas fireplace, heated floors, and balcony access, while a wraparound porch, pond, custom pole barn, extra barn, and three-bay garage bring big country charm and versatility.
Take a peek inside → |
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