Troy, MI July 2023

HEALTH + WELLNESS

THE BAKERS: STRENGTHENING FAMILIES IN TROY

Hot Summer Fun

LIFE + CULTURE

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

FOOD + BEVERAGE

HOSTING THE PERFECT DINNER PARTY

THE SLEEP FACTOR.

Most financial advisors are quick to talk about investment returns and market volatility. We’ll probably talk to you about sleep. Because if you don’t have a plan that aligns with your goals, you may never get any rest. So let’s take the return out of the conversation. Instead of asking how your investments performed last year, let’s talk about how to align your financial decisions with your risk tolerance and long-term goals.

We’ll do more than help manage your investments. We’ll help manage your comfort level. So, let’s talk.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT. WITHOUT THE SWEAT EQUITY.

Everyone wants the return of an investment in real estate. But when it comes to the hard work of improving the property? Not so much.

Investing as a funding partner may be right for you. We invest the capital of partners like you – making it possible to earn dividends from real estate investments without having to buy, manage or finance the properties yourself. In other words, without investing the sweat equity.

Create the potential for a steady secondary income stream by diversifying your funds outside of traditional stocks and bonds.

If you have some IRA or other extra funds to invest, let’s have a conversation about how you can invest in real estate projects.

Past performance is no guarantee offuture results.

A nod to Hank as we launch our inaugural issue

Welcome to the premiere issue of Troy City Lifestyle – the fulfillment of a dream set in motion when I was just 18 years old.

I was a small-town reporter when I became fascinated with my publisher, Henry “Hank” Hogan. A noted attorney and former state representative, he owned and published several suburban newspaper chains. He spoke few words, but each one seemed a wisdom-filled gem.

Truth is, I could never figure out exactly what he did, but he would emerge from his man-cave office from time to time, pipe in hand, just to stir things up.

Naturally, I thought, “I could do that.”

So, here I am to stir things up with stories of how Troy became the best place in Michigan to live – a city inspired by community, marked by luxury and recognized for excellence. While I don’t have a pipe (yet), I do share Hank’s passion for celebrating those who make our neighborhoods so rich and diverse.

People like Ethan Baker and his wife Bethany, demonstrating servant leadership at home and in the community. Steven Federspiel, continuing his father’s trusted legacy with distinction at Padgett Troy. Chuck Vercellone who, moved by his own father’s struggle to retire, now helps clients add the RET (retired) designation behind their name.

Along with my wife and co-publisher, Margaret, we’ll explore the carefully crafted food served at local restaurants like Recipes and Ocean Prime; beautiful homes such as in Merihill Acres and Beach Forest; start-ups like FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers; successful businesses like Antoine Salon; local artists, designers and fashionistas. Maybe we’ll even share your story.

Our passion is to enhance Troy’s reputation as a luxury brand by sharing all it has to offer – and all that matters to you.

We’re immensely grateful for the support of all of our Founding Partners. Thanks also to our family and especially our children – Lauren, Becca, Nova, Mary and Levi. And thank you, our readers, for inviting us into your homes each month.

I can almost picture Hank chewing on the lip of his pipe for a moment, then declaring, “I like it.”

TODD HAIGHT, PUBLISHER @TROYCITYLIFESTYLE

July 2023

PUBLISHER

Todd Haight | todd.haight@citylifestyle.com

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Margaret Haight | margaret.haight@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Rebecca Schweitzer rebecca.schweitzer@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Margaret Haight, Saba Katto, Sheena Upshaw

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

The Baker Family, M1 Concourse, Sapphire Luxury Homes, Skate World of Troy, Troy Chamber of Commerce, Troy Historic Village, Kimberly Wyman

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jayme Emery

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @troycitylifestyle

Become Part Of The New Revolution Of Money

Liquid Mining is a future-forward Bitcoin mining and hosting operation offering investors a hedge against inflation through secured investments in Bitcoin mining, generating predictable returns.

We have a growing presence in southeast Michigan, with facilities in Pontiac, and other expansion opportunities being developed on the west side of the state.

Liquid Mining provides investors with a way to get involved in the Bitcoin ecosystem while earning an annual rate of return of at least 10%, paid monthly. This rate is projected to increase as our profitability increases. In addition, investors are secured by the equipment purchased with investor proceeds.

To learn more go to LiquidMining.net. Money has changed many times since mankind started trading. Bitcoin is part of the next evolution of money.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Cutting Edge Countertops Hires Doug Heerdegen as President

As Heerdegen becomes immersed, Co-Founders Brian Burns, Brad Burns and Jeff Erickson will shift into strategic roles. Following the transition, the Co-Founders will remain actively involved in the company’s continued success.

“I’m excited to lead the talented team at Cutting Edge Countertops,” he said. “As a growing multi-state company serving residential and multi-family customers, my extensive background, combined with an extremely knowledgeable and passionate team, will allow us to deliver on our long-range goals.”

Scan to read more.

Ian Redmond Joins the Law Offices of Barton Morris

Ian Redmond has joined the Barton Morris Legal Practice and will be spearheading the Business Legal Team in Troy.

He brings more than 20 years of experience in Business Law, Real Estate Law and Gun Law knowledge. He has assisted individuals with personal legal needs and continues to help companies to mitigate risk to drive business growth and to help form LLCs, Partnerships, and DBAs, as well as resolve or litigate complex Partnership Disputes.

Kelly Services Named Best Temp Staffing Firm in America

The company topped the annual list and also claimed No. 2 on the 2023 ranking of America’s best professional recruiting firms after an extensive survey of recruiters, hiring managers and job seekers. Both awards were announced by Forbes and Statista Inc., a leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

Kelly credits its success to its specialty solutions strategy, 76 years of staffing experience, investments in technology and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/TroyMI

Our Goal is Simple: Improve

without Drugs or Surgery

We treat conditions– not just the symptoms –like acid reflux or chronic fatigue and more at their source.

As a leader in nutritional healing and alternative health care, we integrate chiropractic care and nutritional therapy to balance your body chemistry– an approach that is both holistic and successful. Imagine your life in balance.

TROY MAYOR ETHAN AND BETHANY BAKER

Service takes center stage in the Baker family

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY

My wife Bethany is a marriage and family therapist. Troy has a favorite Baker and it’s not me! It’s her for sure. She’s the best part of me and the best part of our family. We’ve been together for 26 years now, and there’s no one I trust more. I almost can’t put it into words. She’s the warmest, kindest, most genuine person I’ve ever met, and she makes me a better person every day.

We have three wonderful children – Arden, Canaan and Aven. We wanted names that would be fairly unique. Our older daughter is Arden; it means passion and great beauty. Shakespeare’s mother was actually named Mary Arden, and we just liked it. Our son Canaan was named for the biblical Promised Land, which is called the land of milk and honey. Our younger daughter, Aven, was named for a type of wildflower that’s delicate on the outside but strong on the inside. It just fit her from the moment we heard it.

Oh, and then there’s Rutherford, our cavapoo. We call him Ruffy.

“Troy has a favorite Baker and it’s not me! It’s Bethany for sure. She’s the warmest, kindest, most genuine person I’ve ever met, and she makes me a better person every day.”

WHAT IS BETHANY’S FOCUS AS A THERAPIST?

Her work is centered on Emotionally Focused Therapy, or EFT. She was the first certified EFT therapist and the first certified EFT supervisor in Michigan and she co-founded the Michigan Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy (MichiganEFT.com). It’s statistically the most effective form of relationship and couples therapy.

Mental health is a broad and serious issue in this country, so I’m very proud of what she’s doing in this field. She helps families and couples enjoy healthier homes and relationships, while my work as mayor is centered on helping make Troy a great place for everyone to live, work and play. So, we complement each other well.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY ACTIVITIES?

We love to travel. We’re a family that loves spending time together. We take a lot of road trips, and we love to explore new things as long as all five of us are together. It’s not so much about the destination; it’s about the time we spend together.

Personally, I like to run, mostly throughout our parks and neighborhoods. And I love reading about history and historical figures, such as the Founding Fathers, first ladies, governors, senators and former presidents.

SO, WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE PRESIDENT?

I never answer that question because it can incite so many feelings! The reality is, I like so many different parts of so many presidents and it’s impossible to pick just one. I worked for President Reagan for nearly five years, so I obviously liked him. He’s the one I know the best, so how about that for an answer?

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT TROY?

Troy is about as perfect a city as you can have. We have residents who are truly kind and community-based. We have every type of restaurant and retail you could want. We have a business district that’s a powerhouse of the state. All these things together make this the place to be now and into the future.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO BECOME MAYOR?

I wanted to be a positive influence on the city and promote it in a way that would make this an even more amazing place to live and do business. I felt the community needed a mayor who would do everything he could to grow and evolve the city and help it stand out as the best place in Michigan. We’ve had to do this through some tough and challenging times, and even with the success we’ve had, we have more work to do.

When Luxury Meets Leisure

Creating the Perfect Dream House

Luxury without leisure can be, well, no fun at all. Then you stumble across a custom transitional home like this newly constructed stately home in the lovely Charnwood Hills neighborhood of Troy with Bloomfield Schools.

This 6,031-square-foot colonial boasts six bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms.

What first draws you in is the blend of brick, stucco, limestone and metal roof accents. The two-story foyer displays a dramatic spiral staircase upon entrance; it’s designed with wrought iron spindles and hardwood stairs that lay on porcelain tile flooring, and it’s finished with millwork floor-to-ceiling details and a chandelier drop to add to the beauty.

There are entertaining spaces at the front of the home with a formal living room, extensive millwork, hardwood flooring and a charming chandelier. You’ll find the formal dining room

to the left of the entrance; it has beautiful ceiling detail and a glamorous chandelier. A butler pantry/pub area connects to the kitchen nook area, making it perfect for entertaining.

The gourmet Eurocraft kitchen with highend Thermador appliances makes this not only beautiful but efficient. The massive oversized island with seating has a thick mitered porcelain countertop, backsplash and covered hood. Meanwhile, the prep kitchen is equipped with a sink, dishwasher, stove hood, custom Eurocraft cabinetry, refrigerator and a wall of windows to allow natural light into the main kitchen. And don’t miss the custom-designed Eurocraft pantry with matching porcelain countertops and highend shelving.

The family room features an eye-catching mantel and tile detail with Sapphire Luxury

Homes’ signature diamond-coffered, 12-foot ceilings. Then you have the first-floor flex room designed to host out-of-town guests or even a hangout for the family. From the chandeliers to the sconces, the lighting choices in this home are jewels that give it the WOW factor.

Off the kitchen nook is an all-season sunroom with large windows, cozy fireplace and door leading to the covered lanai featuring an outdoor kitchen, phantom screens and ceiling heaters. The oversized mud room has covered lockers and custom benches built by Eurocraft.

On the second floor, you’ll love the grand entrance step-up to the primary ensuite. It features a spa-like bath, huge walk-in California Closet organizers, tiled backdrop for the bed with LED lighting, desk area, coffee and wine bar, plus a balcony that overlooks the resort-style backyard pool and landscaping design and install by Sapphire Landscaping.

Another primary bedroom has a large walk-in closet, full bath with tub and walk-in shower, not to mention millwork detail for the bedside. The other two bedrooms share a bath that is designed beautifully, with each room enjoying a private sink and cabinets for storage. All rooms have walk-in closets with California Closet organizers. The lower level is pre-finished with natural daylight windows and a doorwall that walks out to the oasis backyard design.

This is an exquisite offering from Sapphire, a luxury company specializing in craftmanship. Sapphire Realty locates the land and markets available listings, while Sapphire Design Studio creates and customizes a plan from scratch, based on the client’s needs and desires.

Each room is fully rendered to showcase the selections and how the home will look to help clients visualize the space. Sapphire Luxury Homes then builds the home and finishes the lower level, while Sapphire Landscaping designs and creates the outdoor living area. Other services such as interior and exterior design and furnishings provide a one-stop shop.

All in all, the details in this design are so precise and the craftsmanship so excellent that luxury is assured. Meanwhile, the leisure factor wasn’t overlooked, ensuring the homeowner will enjoy casual time with both friends and family.

It is, in fact, the best of both worlds.

sapphireluxuryhomes.com

CITY LIFESTYLE

Summer Bucket List

Welcome, summer! As a hyper-local publication, we thrive on helping our readers make connections with the cities they live in, the businesses that make up their communities and the inspiring individuals making a positive mark. Are you ready for your most adventurous, fun summer? Here are summer bucket list ideas for you to accomplish this year. We hope you’ll explore a new neighborhood, spend a lazy Saturday afternoon at a new winery or taste the flavors at a local ice cream shop. Let us know what you discover and enjoy! We’d love to hear.

KIDS

Make the most of this Summer! Check off these activities on our Kids Summer Bucket List as you complete them throughout the summer. P.S. You might need an adult’s help with some of these! Make

Explore a New Local Park Go

Do a Random Act of Kindness for a Stranger

Write a Kind Note to a Friend

Ride a Rollercoaster

Visit a Carnival

Summer is finally here. Take advantage of the season with our Adult Summer Bucket List. Check off these activities as you complete them with your family and friends and congratulate yourself on a Summer well-spent!

EXPLORE A NEW AREA OF YOUR CITY

Hosting the Perfect Dinner Party

Your next event, served alfresco

Catering experts Chef Kyle and Hannah Williams, owners of Savor & Swirl culinary company, create an outdoor dinner party with chef-driven perennial dishes served in beautiful seasonal settings. For this alfresco dinner party, Chef Kyle draws on his favorite recipes updated for a modern palate and paired with wine selections to complement the bountiful feast.

Insider Tips for Hosting:

• Build a menu around the season. Start with what produce is available locally based on the season for the most authentic meal experience. For instance, Chef Kyle says “In November, people crave turkey, sage stuffing and cranberry sauce,” but that meal served in the heat of Summer wouldn’t hit the same. In-season fruits and vegetables will always be of highest quality and best taste.

• Always greet guests with a beverage and appetizers. “Offer champagne for wine-lovers or a sparkling drink or signature cocktail. It’s all about serving guests to the highest caliber,” Kyle says.

• Draw inspiration from the season’s colors and temperatures. For Spring and Summer, think flowers, fresh herbs and linens. For Fall, think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.” For Winter, head indoors to create a cozy environment for guests to connect.

• “You can’t go wrong with fresh flowers,” Hannah says, “but keep bouquets low to not interfere with conversation flowing. For fall, I like richer, jewel-toned florals to mix and match and keep whimsical. I vary glass vases with bur - nished brass for warm fall vibes.”

• An easy but thoughtful detail is to put a simple menu at each place setting, so guests know what to expect. “Add a pen, so guests can jot tasting notes, especially for wine pairings or multiple courses,” Hannah says. “Guests can share comments, then take the menu home as a sweet reminder of the event.”

• Follow the French principle of mise en place or everything in place before your event. “This is actually our company’s name,” Kyle says. “It’s that important to us. Make sure the wines are all open, cocktails are pre-made, place settings are out, candles are lit and music is playing. When guests arrive, it gives that wow-factor and shows you intentionally made them feel special.”

• To build confidence as a host, start small and practice. “Keep the menu and guest list small,” Kyle says. “Choose recipes you already have confidence in. If you make a great Beef Stroganoff, then go with that. People will love it!”

• As fun as it is to dine outside, always have an indoors back-up plan. “We’ve had to bring it indoors before,” Hannah says. “It’s still fun.” Insider Tips for Hosting: “Think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.”

Read on for some of Chef Kyle’s favorite recipes.

Fresh Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Hardwood Smoked Bacon

Yield: 6 servings

• 4 cups Brussels sprouts, raw, halved

• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil

• ¼ cup yellow onion, sliced

• 1 tablespoon garlic, sliced thin

• 1-2 cups bacon, smoked, thick cut, large dice

• Salt, pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons real butter, unsalted

• Optional garnish: 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F for convection setting, (425 °F conventional).

2. In mixing bowl, add oil and cut raw Brussels sprouts. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Place seasoned sprouts on baking sheet and bake in oven until done, about 20-40 minutes (soft yet still with good texture and crispy edges with some dark brown color). Remove from oven.

4. Place large sauté pan on medium heat and render bacon. Add a splash of olive oil to get it going, if needed. Cook until bacon is crispy and golden brown, 5-10 minutes.

5. Add onions to pan and cook until soft, 5-8 minutes.

6. Turn heat to high and add garlic and butter and cook for 1 minute.

7. Add roasted Brussels sprouts to pan and toss all together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

8. For optional garnishes, add fresh chopped parsley.

9. Serve and enjoy!

CHEF NOTES:

• If Brussels sprouts are large, cut in quarters.

• Rendering bacon means extracting the bacon fat which adds a lot of flavor to the dish.

Heirloom Root

Vegetable Hash

Yield: 6-10 servings

• 2 cups heirloom carrot, cubed

• 2 cups heirloom rutabaga, peeled, cubed

• 2 cups heirloom parsnip, cubed

• 1 cup heirloom turnip, cubed

• 2 cups heirloom marble potatoes, halved

• 3 tablespoons rosemary, fresh, de-stemmed, chopped

• 1 tablespoon thyme, fresh, de-stemmed, chopped

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• Salt – to taste

• Pepper – to taste

• Optional garnish: 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F on convection setting (425°F conventional).

2. In mixing bowl, add oil and raw cut vegetables. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Place seasoned vegetables on oiled baking sheet and bake in oven until they are caramelized and tender, about 30-60 minutes. Will be soft yet still with good texture and crispy edges with some lightly charred areas.

4. Remove from oven once finished cooking.

5. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

6. Enjoy.

Cranberry Orange

Zest Sauce

Yields 4 cups

• 3 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen

• 1 cup cranberry juice, sweetened

• 1 piece orange peel

• 1 each orange for zesting

• ½ cup orange juice, freshly juiced

• 3 each cinnamon stick

• ¼ teaspoon clove, ground

• ¼ teaspoon allspice, ground

• ½ cup sugar

• Pinch salt

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

1. In medium saucepot on high heat, add everything except orange peel and orange zest. Bring ingredients to boil, then reduce to a simmer with lid.

2. While simmering, stir occasionally with rubber spatula ensuring bottom does not burn. Simmer for 30 minutes or until sauce thickens.

3. Remove lid and add orange peel and season to taste. Can add more sugar or spice if needed.

4. Once sauce is thickened and most liquid has evaporated, remove orange peel and cinnamon sticks and remove pot from heat.

5. With hand-held blender, puree sauce, keeping some texture.

6. Freshly grate in orange zest, stir and season to taste.

7. Transfer sauce to jar and place in refrigerator to cool overnight.

8. Enjoy!

CHEF NOTES:

• Enjoy with all types of poultry and game birds.

• Do not use ground cinnamon.

• Can puree with blender if you do not have hand-held blender.

• Consistency should be thick sauce and not a jelly.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

JUNE

Cars Under the Stars Fireworks Spectacular

M1 CONCOURSE | 9:30 PM

Park your car at M1 Concourse and watch from the comfort of your front seat as the 6th Annual Cars Under the Stars Fireworks Spectacular is presented by Coca-Cola. Live entertainment on stage, along with a variety of family activities, food trucks and craft beer. Arrive early to get a prime spot. Fireworks are scheduled to start at 9:45 p.m.

Troy Garden Club’s 48th Garden Walk: “Garden Stories”

TROY HISTORIC VILLAGE | 9:00 AM

Enjoy free admission to the Troy Historic Village while you shop the Troy Garden Club’s Plant Sale and outdoor Midsummer Arts & Crafts Boutique. Explore the Student Art Exhibit, featuring entries from TGC’s 13th Student Art Competition. Enter the Troy Historical Society’s Summer Raffle. For tickets to view six private Garden Walk gardens, visit TroyGardenClubMI.com .

JULY 25TH

Pet Event – Leader Dogs for the Blind

TROY HISTORIC VILLAGE | 10:00 AM

Meet Leader Dogs for the Blind at this fun pet event. Learn about how this local organization impacts the lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired across the U.S. and Canada. Find ways you can become part of the Leader Dog mission. There will be dogs to pet! Free with admission to Troy Historic Village.

AUGUST 5TH

Splash N Dash

TROY FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER | 8:00 AM

Join youth and 18+ novice racers splashing through the pool and dashing through the Huber Park Trail. Registration includes sponsor T-shirt, finisher’s medal and prize packages for the top three finishers in each age group. Register by July 7 to guarantee preferred T-shirt size. Visit rec.troymi.gov or call (248) 524-3484.

AUGUST 6TH

Troy Traffic Jam Car Show

COLUMBIA CENTER 201 W. BIG BEAVER, TROY | 10:00 AM

Enjoy great cars, great music and great food! The 15th Annual Troy Traffic Jam has become a summer classic for car enthusiasts. You’ll experience everything from antiques and classics to muscle cars and high performance vehicles – all in one parking lot! NEW Kids Pedal Power 200 for racers aged 3-8 years old with a pedal-powered car. Details at TroyTrafficJam.com

AUGUST 18TH

The Woodward Dream Show August 18-19

M1 CONCOURSE

Amazing hot rod, custom, cruiser and muscle car show, celebrating MOPAR, Corvette’s 70th anniversary and Ramchargers 65th anniversary. Food trucks and live entertainment. Saturday, watch as 200 invited cars cruise on Woodward Avenue and in downtown Pontiac. Saturday’s M1 Cruise-In will be an oasis to anyone looking to park on the M1 Concourse Circuit. Tickets at Eventbrite.com.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/TroyMI

what we love

about Troy

Shop, eat & play

We’re a blended family with five children who inspire us to share stories that impact families like yours across our community. Our youngest is disabled, so we also understand the difficulties and delights of special-needs parenting.

A former reporter, Todd is a storyteller with decades of expertise in marketing, branding and PR. Margaret is an artist skilled at painting and baking, landscaping and gardening –and she has the crazy cool ability to tame wildlife. A breast cancer survivor and foster mom, Margaret loves the beach and being near the ocean. Todd loves being near Margaret. We both love being near fun, family-friendly things in and around Troy.

THE POWER OF A PEO CAN

TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS.

A company’s greatest assets is its employees, which requires a commitment to providing them the best services available. Trion’s PEO and payroll capabilities can reduce the stress and burden of managing these areas, allowing you to stay focused on your core business. Reach out to Troy-Based Trion Solutions, one of the nation’s largest Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), at relyontrion.com