Midland

The Tridge-Midland

Midland is located in the Great Lakes Bay region of the state near Saginaw and Bay City, and is widely known as the global headquarters for two Fortune 500 companies -- The Dow Chemical Company and Dow Corning Corporation. In addition to Dow, Midland also is considered a hub for a number of entrepreneurial ventures, industrial innovation, and solar energy companies. In 2009, the community won an award from the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Business as one of the "top performers in attracting and retaining entrepreneurial firms" in the state. Midland also is home to Northwood University, and is located near other higher education institutions like Delta College, Saginaw Valley State University, Central Michigan University, and Davenport University.

The influence of Herbert Henry Dow -- the founder of The Dow Chemical Company -- and his son, Alden B. Dow -- a world-reknowned architect -- are visible in the arts, cultural, and architectural destination points throughout the community. Alden B. Dow, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed a number of distinctive, Wright-influenced buildings throughout Midland. His own home, the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio, is listed as a National Historic Landmark, and sits adjacent to Dow Gardens, a 110-acre, Japanese-inspired garden and arboretum that was created by Herbert Henry Dow and his son. Alden's architectural work also resulted in the design of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library and the Midland Center for the Arts, which draws a number of nationally and internationally reknowned musicians, theater productions, ballets, and other arts and cultural productions every year. Midland also is home to the Chippewa Nature Center, a 1,200-acre nature area with more than 15 miles of hiking trails. The community also other outdoor attractions, including a 520-acre nature park called the City Forest, a three-way footbridge over the Chippewa and Tittabawassee rivers called the Tridge, and the Dow Diamond, a minor league baseball stadium and home of the Great Lakes Loons.
Midland is also home to one of the region's top newspapers, the Midland Daily News. The paper, unlike many in the struggling industry, has maintained its daily press and continues to be a forward-thinking member of the media and a great source of all things local.
For trivia buffs, notable Midlanders include: cartoonist Cathy Guisewite; Robert Jarvik, inventor of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart; Cardinal Archbishop James Aloysius Hickey of Washington, D.C.; and Scott Winchester, former pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.

Middle of the Mitten: Support your local high schools

Sam Eggleston Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Sports boosters aren't just for the cool kids--they're the key to keeping athletic programs going and keeping kids active and healthy. In the era of education funding cuts, these organizations could use your helping hand more than ever, as Sam Eggleston writes in this week's column.

A new way to get around in snow: Fat tire bikes offer year-round transportation alternative

Kurt Mensching Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Fat tire bikes – or snow bikes – allow bicyclists the opportunity to use their bikes for transportation no matter how bad the weather gets. Writer Kurt Mensching explores how the new bikes are spreading in Michigan.

Entrepreneur displays his social skills

Jeff Barr Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Social media has turned into a two-headed beast for many companies. On one side, they have an easy way to market to a large variety of people. On the other, if they do it wrong, they find it may work against them. One local business owner knows the value of a good social media strategy, as writer Jeff Barr explains.

Middle of the Mitten: Make everyday a celebration of small businesses

Sam Eggleston Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Local businesses are the lifeblood of a community. Be it the gas station down the road, the mom-and-pop's diner or the painter who advertises via bulletin boards, local entrepreneurs not only work here, they often live here as well. What's more is that dollars spent at our local businesses stay local, as managing editor Sam Eggleston discusses in his first of an ongoing column.

Nature Preschool puts twist on education

Rachel Esterline Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Through nature-based activities, preschoolers are gaining social and academic skills at Nature Preschool, a unique educational program at Midland’s Chippewa Nature Center. The program emphasizes outdoor play, natural science experiences and more to give these kids a head start.

A look back at 2011, and ahead to 2012

Sam Eggleston Tuesday, December 06, 2011

This time of year, everyone starts to look back at the months that have come and gone and the accomplishments that they, and those around them, have achieved. Here at Mid Michigan Second Wave, we do the same--but we also begin to look ahead at what is to come and what the new year will offer us in the way of opportunity. To that end, we'll be taking a hiatus from publishing over the holidays and into the new year with a return January 10. We hope that, too, makes you begin to look forward at what Mid Michigan and our publication will offer in 2012.

From trashed to tidy in two hours: A professional organizer helps relaunch my freelance career

Cynthia J. Drake Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Sometimes, it's just not easy keeping life organized. Just ask freelance writer Cynthia J. Drake, who juggles her career with her family life and discovered recently she needed a bit of a reboot when it came to how she handled it all. That's where The Organizing Lady, Janet Felling, came in--and just in the nick of time.

Igniting conversations through social media

Lisa McCartney Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Social media helps businesses and organizations engage consumers in conversations, but not everyone is aware of how to best make it work for their needs. Social Media Club Great Lakes Bay organized a conference to help those who are not so social-media-savvy find the right tools to make the connection and ignite conversations. Writer Lisa McCartney stopped by the conference and reports this week on what she discovered.

Bardic Wells Meadery takes centuries-old method, transforms it to modern-day success

Jeff Barr Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Bees are a foodie's best friend. Not only do they make honey, which is great on its own, but that honey can be turned into mead. Second Wave writer Jeff Barr recently chatted with the folks at Bardic Wells Meadery about making honey wine and a Michigan business with real buzz.

Bike tours take the road less traveled through Mid Michigan

Jane Parikh Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Mid Michigan small business will be at the advantage when a new business leads bikers through the area. Jane Parikh talks to the owner of Bike Tour Vacations about the business of biking and how the beauty of local scenery fits into his plans.

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