Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated – Empowering Albion’s Families

Meet the ladies who are impacting food security of our youth, AKA, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. AKA is an international service organization dedicated to empowering families and the community*. With over 360,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters*, 3 local Albion women are continuing their legacy in the Albion area: Vivian Davis, Mae Ola Dunklin, and Barbara Landry-Davis. …

Up & Up Upholstery – Bringing New Life to Loved Furniture

Meet Lynne Sellers, owner of Up & Up Upholstery in downtown Albion! Up & Up opened in early 2024 with the goal of offering a new local service to Albion residents. As Sellers explained, upholstery is the process of taking your solid frame of furniture and making it into something you fully love. Sellers does this work through taking the …

Get Ready for Albion’s Winter Market – November 14th

Stroll downtown Albion November 14th to kick off your holiday shopping with Albion’s Winter Market! Businesses across Superior Street will be joining in the fun with specialty activities, evening hours, and holiday spirit. Pop-up vendors will line the alley way between Anna’s House of Flowers and the Secretary of State, with exciting opportunities from organizations like Albion’s Sister City Committee, …

10 Years of Love and Reading – Albion’s Big Read

By Cassidy Porter It’s hard to believe that this year Albion’s Big Read is celebrating 10 years! As a participant in the first year of the program, it is even more difficult think that 10 amazing years of community togetherness, youth empowerment, and common reading have gone by.  Created with a vision to have educational experiences beyond the classroom for …

Spooktacular Excitement in Albion this Fall

Albion’s Octobers are filled with crisp air, walks on the trails, and changing leaves. You can cheer on the home teams at Albion College and Marshall High School football games, shop for your favorite fall reads at Stirling Books & Brew, enjoy warm soups from Foundry Bakehouse & Deli, and come together as a community for Albion’s Big Read. This …

Coming Soon: Farah Siraj – A World Fest Performer

Arts Midwest is bringing the Arabian flamenco jazz of Farah Siraj to Albion as part of Arts Midwest World Fest! Named Jordan’s Musical Ambassadress, Farah Siraj balances a career that spans the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, having performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the United Nations, Nobel Prize Hall, World Economic Forum, and …

Build Albion Fellows Celebrate 10 Years!

In 2015 the Build Albion Fellows program was built to bridge the gap between the community and Albion College. The vision for the program centers around local Albion students gaining a post-secondary education and experiences within their home community. Each year the program welcomes up to ten local Albion students, and in exchange for financial support, the students complete community …

Up, Up, and Away with Kids ‘N’ Stuff Children’s Museum Annual Auction

Collectively, the staff and board of Kids ‘N’ Stuff Children’s Museum are gearing up to host their largest fundraiser of the year, Bids ‘N’ Stuff. Primarily a live and silent auction, the event offers an array of items for attendees to bid on, including unique experiences, vacations, signed memorabilia, tickets, memberships, and artwork. The theme for this year’s event is, …

Celebrating the 57th Annual Festival of the Forks!

Since 1967, the Festival of the Forks has been engrained in the culture and community of Albion. Beginning as a heritage celebration, the Festival is an annual event that brings the community together to celebrate one another, our ethnic diversity, and our love for Albion. Although the food is amazing, from tamales to BBQ, the Festival of the Forks is …

Honey P’s Flower Farm: Beautiful Flowers for Any Occasion

Meet the Fuentes, the owners of Honey P’s Flower Farm! Named after their daughter Penelope, Nathan and Audra Fuentes started their flower farm this year with the vision of adding something new to the community of Albion. Located at their fourth generation family farm off of 28 ½ mile road in Albion, Michigan, this hidden gem is a breathe taking sight. …

Albion Branch NAACP Annual Back to School Celebration

“Our goal is to help support the academic growth and well-being of our area kiddos.” – Eddie Williams, Albion Branch NAACP Education Committee Member As school is fast approaching, so is the Albion Branch NAACP’s Annual Back to School Celebration! The annual celebration is chance for community connection and school preparation for Albion’s youth. I’ve recently spoke with a few …

Successful Youth Trip to French Sister Cities!

In late June, eight youth and four adults set off to Noisy-le-Roi and Bailly, France for a two-week trip! This adventure was the most recent of those coordinated by Albion’s Sister City Committee. Each traveler stayed with a host family in our sister cities, creating a unique and special experience. The group of travelers spent their trip exploring Noisy-le-Roi and …

Albion Community Foundation Celebrates Two Grant Rounds!

The Albion Community Foundation has completed two of their three 2024 grant rounds, impacting several community organizations. Over the two rounds, the Foundation has awarded over $70,000!The Albion Community Foundation is dedicated to building community focused capital that serves community needs. They focus on three central tenets: community improvement, cultural heritage, and youth development. This is done through grantmaking to …

Creating Opportunities with Difference Makers

Difference Makers is a local opportunity for students 3rd through 12th grade in the Albion area. Students receive support in developmental skills outside of the classroom including character and leadership building. Difference Makers offers afterschool and summer programming with a mission to impact students’ educational success by “empowering future leaders with the tools necessary to become engaged members of our …

Sweet Escapes: Discover the Best Ice Cream in Albion, Michigan!

Welcome to the ultimate ice cream adventure in Albion, Michigan! If you’re an ice cream lover like me, you’re in for a treat—literally. Picture this: a sunny afternoon, a sweet treat in hand, and the sound of laughter as families and friends gather to indulge in the creamy, dreamy delights that Albion has to offer. Whether you’re a fan of …

Creating a Safe Space with Albion’s Rainbow Connection

Albion Rainbow Connection (ARC) was founded in 2012 by a few passionate Albion College students who found a gap in the Albion community when it came to LGBTQIA+ representation. It was needed to build a “safe space in places, minds, and hearts”* for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and expanding identities (LGBTQIA+). This overarching goal of creating …

The Parks of Albion, Michigan

The City of Albion has 17 registered parks within our humble community. Ranging in play structures, splash pads, walking trails, and more, each park is unique in it’s offerings. Bournelis Park Named after local shoe merchant Pete Bournelis, this small park offers the best view to the restored Coca-Cola Mural. The mural is the only one in the country painted …

14th Annual Father-Son Picnic: A Celebration of Mentorship in Albion

The Vision and Beginning  The vision for the Father & Son Picnic, a cherished annual Albion event, began in the late 90s when Greg Gant gained inspiration from National Father-Daughter Work Day and his work at STARR Commonwealth. Working at STARR’s youth home, Gant saw a pressing need to bridge the gap in role models and mentors for young boys. …

Mark your Calendars for a Fun Filled Weekend in Albion this June!

Get ready to immerse yourself in the lively spirit of Albion, the weekend of June 28th and 29th. Whether you’re an art buff, a car enthusiast, or simply seeking a weekend filled with fun, Albion has you covered. Join us as we embark on a journey through this vibrant community, where every corner holds the promise of adventure and discovery. …

Sparking Interest in STEM with Caroline Hurteau, Brick by Brick Podcast Guest

For students who haven’t found that thing that lights them up, robotics can be that. Caroline Hurteau, is involved in various local initiatives in Albion, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Albion. One of Hurteau’s biggest engagements is with INNOVATE Albion, a local STEM education hub. As the Executive Director, Hurteau has played a crucial role in promoting …

Dear Camp – “Not Your Typical Deer Camp Story”

Get ready to laugh with the latest production of ACT II Community Theatre, Dear Camp. This play explores the journey of Hildy, a recently widowed woman, preparing to sell her husband’s hunting camp. With the help of some friends, the story takes us on a journey of memories, mysteries, and joy mixed with a full liquor cabinet. I had the …

Celebrating Our Mothers with the History of Mother’s Day in Albion

Albion holds a rich history beyond our work ethic in the factories and passion for the river. Among our many stories is the telling of Mother’s Day, a tradition that resonates with love and gratitude, deeply rooted in the fabric of Albion’s community. The journey of Mother’s Day in Albion traces back to the early 20th century when Juliet Calhoun …

Peg Turner: A Champion for Education, A Brick by Brick Podcast Guest

In the realm of education, Peg Turner is a leader of advocacy and wisdom. As a retired educator from Albion Public Schools, her dedication has left an indelible mark on the community. Turner educated Albion area students for over 40 years and implemented one of the most impactful mentorship programs in the school system. Recently, Turner has voiced her opinion …

Exploring EBMY Farm & Their Upcoming Festivities

Are you looking for summer activities, workshops, or events? Do you enjoy creating, relaxing, or eating? EBMY Farm just outside of the city is offering some fun activities this summer from ceramic hand building, flower arranging, and brunches. After my conversation with owner and artist, Paige Young, I gained some insights to the excitement happening this summer and where her …

Filling the Gaps in Media with Maddie Davis, Brick by Brick Podcast Guest

Maddie Davis is filling the gaps in media with her new children’s book May’s Big Day. Maddie is a current senior at Albion College finishing up her capstone project, a children’s book about a young Autistic girl navigating the Festival of the Forks in Albion, Michigan. While completing her service work as a Build Albion Fellow, Maddie had the opportunity …