Welcome to Families First Monthly

From The Heart

Summer and time to enjoy the outside. At least this is how it works for me. I am not much of a winter sports type and that includes bundled-up walking. This spring we discovered more of our area trails and I am excited to revisit them in the summer season to see the changes along the paths. This wonderful area we live in allows us to walk or drive a short distance to be refreshed with nature. I plan to take our kayaks out at least once a week for a stress reliever.

This issue has some stories related to the stay home time many of us participated in. I especially like the Dog Diary written by Cobalt and Indigo (Rhiannon Hildenbrandt). The dogs had their own humorous adventures during this time. The “Stay- At- Home Accomplishments” story by Susan Ager features several vignettes of people who did creative or poignant things to pass their time. I was inspired after reading it and I did a baking thing I always wanted to do with a pie crust (rhubarb pie photo page 4). I have a special connection to our ”Places in Time” column because my great-great-grandfather was the manager of the Leelanau County Poor Farm in Maple City, which is featured.

Families First Monthly is going to be an online only publication moving forward. I am excited about this change and I am happy we can continue to have the quality stories and columns and cover area happenings and beauty. Thank you to all the businesses that hosted this publication these past twenty years. I am grateful to all our advertisers and readers for continuing with us on the journey.

Laura Lee Kalchik

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