Christmas reading
A crock pot Christmas
At one of the lowest points of my life, I found hope at the bottom of a bright red, 60-year-old, hand-me-down crockpot. It was mid-December and despite my determination, Operation [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Articles by Mona Shand
Editor Picks
You can’t have your hummus and hate Arabs, too
One raw November evening just days after the 2016 election I stood with my husband and three kids in the crowded waiting area of our local Middle Eastern restaurant. As [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Brighton
Toys ‘R Us mascot helps kick off Recess KLUB program
A Brighton girl’s vision to spread kindness and leadership on the playground is becoming a reality, thanks to a big boost from a long-necked friend. You may recall Charlotte Mandziuk, [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Business
Venetian Masquerade will highlight Opera House’s past, present, future
If you’ve ever wanted to get a sneak peek inside normally closed-off portions of the historic Howell Opera House, and find out more about restoring it to its former glory, [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Community News
Brighton student lands $10K donation to spread kindness
Charlotte Mandziuk, now a 10-year-old fifth grader at Maltby Intermediate in Brighton, was very young when she learned a painful lesson: recess isn’t all fun and games. Three years ago, [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Editor Picks
A legacy of lessons: swimming and life
When Marge Burkert of Howell looks out at her backyard, she doesn’t just see a swimming pool. In its sparkling blue water, she sees the reflections of the thousands of [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Columns
Stuck in the middle: Do the screws in my new hip match my dress?
I spend most Saturday mornings in my happy place: the lap pool. That’s where, in an attempt to channel my inner Katie Ledecky (or maybe her mom…or a very cool [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Editor Picks
Thanks for nothing, April the Giraffe. Really. I mean that.
If you would have told me a month ago that I’d be spending what little free time I have watching a pregnant giraffe pace around her pen and not have [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Mona Shand
40 Bags, 40 Days Decluttering Challenge: Weeks 3 & 4
I was going to make a joke about how I accidentally tossed out the Week 3 update of our 40 Days, 40 Bags group in a massive decluttering binge, but [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Mona Shand
40 Bags, 40 Days Decluttering Challenge: Week 2
It’s been two weeks since I issued the challenge to myself and the nearly 200 people who joined my Facebook group: remove one bag of excess “stuff” from your home [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Mona Shand
40 Bags in 40 Days: The Decluttering Challenge
After months of trying to declutter on my own, I decided to launch an accountability/support group on Facebook for anyone wanting to really give it a go. [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Editor Picks
He put on a hat and everything changed
I’ve never been a hat person. I have way too much hair and it’s far too unruly to be contained under any dome-shaped contraption. If I try, it will either [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Editor Picks
Finding my voice: From a chance encounter years ago to a New Year’s goal
Most broadcasters get their start in small markets- places like Glendive, Montana; or Alpena, Michigan, but my first gig was international. It was 1994, I had recently graduated from college, [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Christmas reading
Have yourself a poopy little Christmas
If love means never having to say “I’m sorry,” then loving two little boys means never having to say “I’m sorry, this bathroom is just too clean for words!” Oh, [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Christmas reading
The Angel: Seeing the world through a child’s eyes
Holiday celebrations are some of the best parts of living in a small town, and my town does not disappoint. As Christmas approaches, our Main Street. is decked out in [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Editor Picks
My youngest child is graduating from preschool and so am I
When I was a freshman in high school, a book of short essays by the American pastor Robert Fulghum called “All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten,” was [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Editor Picks
Braiding hair and braiding love: A mother’s work
“Mama, will you braid my hair?” my little girl asks sweetly. Truth be told, while my styling ability is minimal, I relish any opportunity I get to run my fingers [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Editor Picks
Dancing through the pain: Thoughts on coping with a loved one’s illness
I can’t say that I’ve ever been a big fan of Mondays. Sure, sometimes Mondays are a bit of a relief- a respite from the craziness that more than 48 [CLICK TO READ MORE]