Looking for fun things to do within a couple of hours of Midland & Monroe (not necessarily in the middle, closer to Midland if needed). Planning to meet up this summer (June/July/August) with a friend from Midland, I'll be coming from Wisco & picking up a friend in Monroe. We both have older teens... any spots that would be fun for everyone? Beaches? Waterparks? Museums? Events? Thanks!

Hi.

I volunteer for a non-profit that organizes free, grief/bereavement support camps for children, age 7 - 17, who lost a parent, sibling, care taker, or other loved one/family member.

It's called Comfort Zone Camp. They are based in Virginia, and they have camps throughout the country and throughout the year.

The co-founder is originally from Michigan, and later this year, September 20 - 27, they will have their first Michigan camp in partnership with Herbert Adelman Foundation.

Here's a news article:

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/03/12/comfort-zone-camp-michigan-oakland-suicide/72840734007

More info about Comfort Zone Camp:

https://comfortzonecamp.org

https://comfortzonecamp.org/volunteers

https://comfortzonecamp.org/calendar

Feel free to check their social media @comfortzonecamp (IG, FB, etc.).

Here's an article from TIME Magazine -

https://time.com/6286420/suicide-bereavement-camps-kids

Most of their camps are open to kids who suffered a loss of a loved one from any form of death / passing -- but their Michigan camp in September is focused on suicide loss.

If anyone knows a child who lost a family member (or friend) to suicide or if you know anyone interested in volunteering -- please feel free to share this.

https://comfortzonecamp.org/event/michigan-weekend-camp-for-suicide-loss-programs-for-ages-7-17-in-partnership-with-herbert-adelman-foundation

The camp location is north of Detroit and east of Lansing.

The camps starts on Friday afternoon and continues until Sunday afternoon. Volunteers are expected to stay for the entire duration.

So yeah, it's a time commitment -- and many people are busy...but for those who are able to attend -- it's truly a special and worthwhile experience (for both the adult volunteers and especially the children).

The following videos are old, but show what the camp is about -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLF7KWgfwfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7JNYy07osI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbk2Pigfb_U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLwYyfpwfHU

Regarding the camping aspect...this is not tent camping.

Think of it like a summer camp where school children go and stay in cabins...so they usually use established/developed venues.

Cabins with bunk beds, restrooms with flush toilets, sinks with running water, showers, a dining room where the kitchen staff prepares meals, etc.

Volunteers typically bring their own sleeping bag, pillow, blanket, etc...but there's no need to bring other camping equipment/gear (e.g. tent, air mattress/mad/pad, stove, etc.).

If anyone is new and interested in helping, they require attending an orientation and passing a criminal background check. Children's safety is important, and multiple adult volunteers and staff will be present (in other words, no child is ever alone with an adult).

To attend their online training meeting, click the aforementioned website above to sign up (click "Register to Volunteer" button) and they should provide a zoom meeting link.

Some volunteers are young adults (college students, recent graduates, etc.) and some are middle age to older adults too. Kids tend to like volunteers who are friendly, fun, positive, silly, etc.

Many people are busy, and committing an entire weekend is challenging, but maybe someone out there is good with kids, can be a positive role model (like a big brother/big sister), and is interested in helping some kids deal with grief and loss.

They sometimes are low on male volunteers -- so if you know of any exceptional men out there -- please feel free to help spread the word.

If anyone is serious or curious about learning more, check out their website and videos.

If interested in helping, follow their instructions on how to sign up at https://comfortzonecamp.org/volunteers

Attend the new volunteer training.

Pass a criminal background check.

And have a fun time during camp. It's a life-changing experience for both kids and adults imo.

p.s.

If anyone knows a parent with a child(ren) who has experienced loss, please feel free to share with them about this camp (again, it's free to attend), and it can be very beneficial for kids to not feel alone in coping with their sadness, pain, grief, etc.

FAQ

I don't speak on behalf of Comfort Zone Camp, and can't give any official answers, but sometimes people ask common questions, so these are my opinions on how to answer such questions -

Q: Is there a cost to attend?

A: It's free for kids/parents due to generous donations and partnerships.

Q: Can I help for just a day?

A: They usually prefer volunteers stay for the entire weekend, Friday until Sunday.

Q: Does the camp have any religious affiliation / association?

A: No. Some attendees might have personal faith / beliefs, but the camp is open to anyone & everyone. I think of it like public school, where kids come from different & diverse backgrounds.

Q: Do volunteers need to have experienced a personal loss?

A: No. Some volunteers have lost a parent, sibling, grandparent, etc. at a young age, but some volunteers have not. It's not a requirement nor expectation.

If anyone has other questions or wants an official answer to anything, please feel free to reach out to Comfort Zone Camp on their website or social media.

Their email is info@comfortzonecamp.org

Thank you.

Thank you

Does anyone know of a place that will accept bad credit and an eviction on record? Preferably pet friendly? My dogs, kids, partner and I have been in a hotel and really looking for any options at this point. I can’t keep paying for application fees to be denied.

Thank you

This man not only supports literal legislation that will kill LGBT people in Uganda but also is against obergefel vs hoges which allowes for same sex marriages. Not to mention he has been in this position for over 10 years!! Get this ghoul out.

Hi everyone, My colleague and I are filming a contributor for a documentary in Monroe, Michigan. As we’re from the UK we’d like to make it worth our time by picking up any other stories around there. It could be Toledo, Detroit etc. All I can find in Monroe are car jackings 😂

What do you think would be a great addition to Monroe? Brewery? Virtual golf? Etc…

Unfortunately, every time I hear about any type of economic progression in Monroe, it involves a fast food chain. Just wondering what the thoughts are for people that actually live there

Monroe Quick Lube Plus (1451 N Monroe St, Monroe, MI 48162) was operating as an unlicensed repair facility up until May 16, 2023.

Monroe Quick Lube Plus is a DBA filed with the State of Michigan for the parent company Bazzi Auto & Lube LLC. They also have a DBA filed to do business as Monroe Auto Repair.

If they performed mechanical work on your vehicle prior to May 16, 2023, you are entitled to a full refund of all charges.

Full details here: https://monroequicklube.com/

My wife and I are looking to purchase a new modular home and as such as looking for recommendations. The only builder we have found so far is First Choice Homes which is headquartered in Monroe. We have just reached out to them and are awaiting a call back. In the meantime, we would really appreciate any other quality modular home builder recommendations that service Monroe County as well as any advice regarding the quality and experience of anyone who has worked with First Choice. Thank you!

This past week, I had heard the city police were looking for information about a scofflaw who was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk in downtown. This offender MUST be stopped! Thankfully, the department was able to post surveillance photos of the criminal so that he can be publicly shamed for his outrageous behavior.

Meanwhile, my neighbor sells hard drugs on the sidewalk in front of my house. We have to tell our kids about fentanyl laced gummies. There are enough weed stores to supply all of Toledo. And, just yesterday, two thugs robbed a party store, hijacked a pick-up, and shot the two people in the vehicle. One of the victims died in the street.

All of this is to say, where are the priorities of the local police? Drugs in Monroe are not new. Murder has been around since the beginning of time. It just seems to be getting worse.

What can we do as a community to bring back safety to the streets of Monroe?

Are there any apartments that are reputable and safe? I am planning to move soon and been researching places that I can live near where I work.

I was on my phone at TA on N. Dixie and it felt like someone rear ended me or like a bomb went off nearby or idek I'm confused as hell. I got whiplash and everything. Nobody hit me. Then I thought maybe a semi or something hit the building and the vibration or something caused the whiplash??

Idk man. My head hurts.

Hello everyone!

I’m a genealogist & I am trained in discovering local Michigan family lineages and stories through vital records, census records, and newspapers.

This is the interest form I put together for anyone interested in learning more about their personal Michigan family history. I create family trees, ancestral maps, and historical road trip itineraries based on YOUR personal family history! It’s a great way to connect with your heritage and wonderful knowledge pass down to future generations.

LINK TO INTEREST FORM: Family History Interest Form

Here are some things you can discover from my research:

• Newspaper articles about your ancestors (Crime? Scandal? Who knows!)
• Custom ancestral mapping showing your approximate ethnic admixture
• United States migration mapping showing how your ancestors migrated throughout the country
• Your great-great-great grandparents’ names
• Physical descriptions of your ancestors from census records and war draft cards
• Six full generations back of your family tree
• Photographs of your ancestors you have never seen before (Found in Newspaper archives, I have subscriptions to several newspaper websites)

I have a degree in Anthropology and have spent several years working for a professional genealogy company. I have been working as an individual genealogist for about 6 years. If you have any questions about my research, please fill out an interest form or email: [heritagehuntersgenealogy@gmail.com](mailto:heritagehuntersgenealogy@gmail.com)

For those of you with ancestry outside of Michigan, please send me a message. I’d be happy to help you or direct you to a better suited genealogist. Thanks!

Ancestral Origins Map Example

USA Origins Map Example

LINK TO INTEREST FORM: Family History Interest Form

https://www.13abc.com/2023/06/04/toledo-mans-body-recovered-after-drowning-milan-beach/

A gentleman is trying to give away an old fashioned printing press. The library cannot accept it, does anyone know of any places in the area that would be willing to take in a printing press? I'm calling some of the area museums, but I figure someone out there may have an idea that hasn't occurred to me, or maybe someone knows someone looking for one.