Troy, MI April 2026

CARIBBEAN REAL ESTATE DREAMS

STYLE + BEAUTY REAL ESTATE

PERSONAL FASHION INVESTMENTS

ENTERTAINMENT

PLUS: TROY METRO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

REDEFINING MVP:

TIM TEBOW'S LIFE BEYOND FOOTBALL

Investment: The Return on Purpose

Here in Troy, investment is more than financial strategy. It’s a reflection of who we are and what we value. And that's our focus in this month's issue.

We invest in purpose. Our cover story featuring 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow reminds us that the greatest returns come from living with conviction and clarity. Purpose, after all, is the ultimate long-term strategy.

We invest in opportunity. In this issue, local Realtor Allison Gorman and Dominican Republic Real Estate Broker Gustavo Garcia reveal why savvy local investors are looking beyond Florida and Arizona and toward Punta Cana – where a luxury vacation home can also become an income-producing asset. We explore with them how lifestyle and leverage can beautifully coexist.

We invest in presentation and confidence. Fashion experts with The Somerset Collection show us how to invest in style because, after all, what we wear communicates value before we ever say a word.

And we invest in culture and unity. The Troy Metro Symphony Orchestra celebrates 20 years of building community through glorious music, a reminder that some returns are measured in harmony, not dollars.

Personally, I’ve learned that the best investments compound over time in business, in relationships and in community.

Here’s to investing wisely and living richly.

April 2026

PUBLISHER

Todd Haight | todd.haight@citylifestyle.com

CO-PUBLISHER

Margaret Meyer Haight margaret.haight@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Lynne Konstantin | lynne.konstantin@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Allison Sommerville allison.sommerville@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Jessica Parsons | jessica.parsons@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Angela Broockerd, Allison Swan, Susan Thwing

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Simran Bajwa, Janie Jones

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

city scene

8: Hockey Mentors for Special Players’ free adaptive ice-skating event Feb. 21 at Buffalo Wild Wings Arena; President Wyatt Lucas pushes Darryl on an adaptive seal. 9: Military veteran Marissa slides on a sled. 10: Colin, the youngest team member. 11: Keir skates with Tessa Lucas, a paramedic and Hockey Mentors’ volunteer safety officer. 12: Peak Physique owners Nick and Lissa Pietrykowski (center) appeared with Jay Scott Smith and Priya Mann on WDIV Local 4 Jan. 24. 13: Lissa and Nick Pietrykowski in Channel 4’s Green Room. 14: Magic Soiree performers Lady Sarah Harfield and Keith Richards (right) with Steve Valentine (back left) with Nick and Lissa Pietrykowski (left). Want

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A Radiant Reset for Your Skin

Elements Massage now offers Sanitas medical-grade chemical peels designed to detoxify, brighten and age-defy the skin with care and intention. With three customized peel options, each treatment is thoughtfully tailored to your unique skin needs. These gentle yet effective peels refine texture, enhance luminosity and support healthy skin — revealing a smooth, refreshed glow with little to no downtime. Elementsmassage.com .

Redefining MVP: TIM TEBOW’S LIFE BEYOND FOOTBALL

An exclusive Q&A with City Lifestyle

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

From championship trophies to global humanitarian impact, Tim Tebow’s journey has defied every standard playbook. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Tebow pulls back the curtain on the moments that truly defined him, from a humbling middle school church retreat to the life-altering shift of fatherhood. This isn’t just a look back at a career; it’s an invitation into the heart of a man driven by purpose. Read the highlights below, then join us for the full, unfiltered experience by scanning the QR code at the end.

Q: WE ALL KNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE CURL CONTEST.

A: I was competing for my future high school team (my brother’s team), and I pushed myself way past what was smart. I ended up collapsing and needing medical attention. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pain, it was the lesson. Would I be willing to do something that others aren’t? For much of my life, I strived to bring my best for a game, but I hope that I can say at the end of my life I was willing to do that for things that actually matter.

Q: YOU’VE ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SPORTS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT NOW?

A: Becoming a dad. Nothing compares. From the moment I knew my wife was pregnant, I felt a new depth of love for our child, but when you bring your baby home, the responsibility hits you like nothing else. Suddenly, everything you see, every decision you make, you’re asking, “Is this corner too sharp? What happens if she reaches that drawer?” It changes how you see the world and how you see other people.

Q: YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND FOOTBALL. HOW DID THAT SEASON OF LIFE SHAPE YOU?

A: I talked a lot about that very thing in my book Shaken . We all go through moments where our faith in our abilities and purpose feels rattled, but I believe it’s often in those storms when God can show us who we could become.

Q: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT COMPARISON CULTURE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE COMPARISON HAS BECOME SUCH A TRAP TODAY?

A: Because we’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. Social media shows people’s “best day,” often filtered and staged, and then we measure our reality against that. There’s a reason filters are so popular—it’s not real. We end up scrolling through images that don’t tell the full story, and without realizing it, comparison starts to steal our joy and our gratitude.

“We’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel... comparison starts to steal our joy.”

Q: YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE “MOST VULNERABLE.” WHERE DID THAT CALLING BEGIN?

A: When I was 15, I met a boy in the Philippines who was treated as a throwaway because he was born with physical differences. That moment changed me. I realized God was calling me to pursue a different kind of MVP, not “Most Valuable Player,” but “Most Vulnerable People.”

Q: FINALLY, WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

A: I have some weird coffee habits, which include protein powder, collagen, and cream all mixed together. I love golf dates with my wife. And every night, I bring snacks to bed to share with our dogs. It brings me more joy than it probably should.

This conversation barely scratches the surface. Tim goes deeper into the moments that rattled him, the joys of fatherhood, and one story he has never shared publicly until now. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

SUN, SAND & SMART MONEY

The Caribbean real-estate play is a luxury vacation that pays for itself.

There’s a particular moment in every Michigan winter when the fantasy becomes practical.

It’s not just I want sun. It’s I want a place.

A place to return to each year, to share with family, to grow as a real asset. Something that can work for you even while you’re not there.

For Troy-area buyers who have looked at Florida or Arizona and recoiled at the new reality — climate, insurance, HOA costs — there’s a different option rising fast: the Dominican Republic.

And it comes with something most international purchases don’t have: a trusted local bridge.

Allison Gorman, owner of Gorman Real Estate Collective (allisongorman.com), is a luxury realtor serving Troy and the Woodward Corridor, who’s built her business on high-touch service, strong negotiation and a reputation for integrity. “This is my craft,” she says. “I take it personally.”

Gorman’s first trip to Punta Cana was in 2021. She went with curiosity, a business lens and a healthy amount of skepticism — the kind you’d want from someone

advising investors. What she found surprised her: sophisticated gated communities, a strong sense of security, a lifestyle that felt both elevated and effortless.

First, she purchased a property herself. Then, she began exploring how to create opportunities for clients back in Michigan.

On one of those early trips, she stepped into a real-estate office and met Gustavo Garcia, a Dominican luxury real-estate broker who specializes in Cap Cana, one of the island’s most exclusive gated communities. Their connection began not with business cards, but with a spontaneous invitation.

“Sunset yoga,” Garcia says. “We had just met and I said, ‘You should come.’”

Two strangers. One ocean breeze. And the beginning of a partnership that now connects Troy and Punta Cana.

Cap Cana is not the Dominican Republic most Americans picture. It’s a 30,000-acre community with a marina, private beaches, resort-level dining and two golf courses, including one ranked among the best in the world, with ocean-view holes that feel like something out of a travel film.

The real surprise, though, is the value.

In Cap Cana, luxury condominiums can start in the low $200,000s, with golf-course residences beginning around $300,000 and waterfront options — yes, on the ocean — around $500,000. And for those thinking like investors, the rental market is strong year-round. Propertymanagement companies typically earn a percentage only when the home produces income, an incentive that keeps bookings top of mind.

“Some clients only need to rent a few nights per month to cover expenses,” Garcia says, while others rent seasonally and reserve longer stays for themselves.

Gorman says what she’s seeing now isn’t just about profit. It’s lifestyle strategy: a home that can be used, enjoyed and still positioned as an appreciating asset.

“It’s not just a vacation home,” Gorman says. “It can be a vessel for wealth. A lifestyle investment.”

For Troy-area clients interested in exploring Cap Cana — whether as a second home, a retirement plan or a strategic investment — Gorman and Garcia offer a guided process that begins locally, with someone you already trust.

Because luxury isn’t always about spending more. Sometimes, it’s about knowing where to look next.

Invest in STYLE

FOUR TIMELESS FASHION INVESTMENTS THAT WILL MAKE A STATEMENT, FROM THE PERSONAL STYLISTS AT THE SOMERSET COLLECTION.

ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN

Merna Makdisi

@ablondestyling

MIDWEST MUST-HAVE

“Whether going out casually or running errands, a windbreaker is a must in everyone’s wardrobe. It’s versatile, lightweight and perfect for Michigan’s unpredictable weather.”

THE PERFECT BAG

“This spring, I’m investing in a medium-sized tan suede everyday handbag. It’s the one color I’m missing, and I think it will be the perfect addition to my lighter color palette.”

Tamela Clarke @tamela.clarke

WHY IT’S WORTH INVESTING

“I’d invest in a beautifully tailored trench coat in a classic length. It’s one of the few pieces that instantly elevates any outfit, from denim to more formal looks. The clean structure at the shoulders and waist adds polish without feeling overdone. It’s not just outerwear; it’s a staple piece.”

Mary Anne Calzolano @mac.styling

CLASSIC WITH A CINCH

“The details on this bag are timeless. It features a classic silhouette that has withstood the test of time, adding a chic yet traditional flair to any outfit.”

THE PEOPLE'S ORCHESTRA

THE TROY METRO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF BUILDING UNITY, COMMUNITY AND GLORIOUS MUSIC.

Yes, Virginia — Troy really does have its very own symphony orchestra.

For the Troy Metro Symphony Orchestra (troymetro.org), classical music has never been about tuxedos, ticket prices or hushed halls. For 20 years, it has been about people, musicians and audiences alike, coming together around music as a shared, communal experience.

ARTICLE BY SUSAN THWING

“This orchestra really started with a very broad vision,” says Amy Harmon, TMSO’s operations manager and principal flutist. “The original vision was, number one, glorifying God. Our founder saw music as a gift, and it was our responsibility to share it.”

Founded in 2005 by Leonard Holliday, the orchestra began as a small chamber ensemble created to serve both musicians and listeners who wanted more than a performance of glorious music — but wanted context, connection and meaning. Holliday, a self-described “teaching conductor,” made education central from the start.

“During concerts, he would explain the background of the composers and what to listen for,” Harmon says. “It really helped people relate to the music.”

That philosophy remains foundational today. Under Music Director Travis Cook, who joined the orchestra after guest-conducting in 2022, TMSO continues to blur the line between performance and participation.

“We consider ourselves a teaching orchestra, and that extends to the audience,” Cook says. “We’re trying to break down the idea that classical music has to be stuffy or intimidating.”

Cook regularly speaks from the stage, offering brief insights into each piece and inviting audiences to listen actively.

“If there’s a melody that comes from a folk tradition, we’ll demonstrate it first,” he says. “We want people to feel welcomed into the music, not shut out from it.”

That accessibility is intentional — and literal. All TMSO concerts are free. The 50-member orchestra is fully volunteer-run and supported by audience donations and sponsors.

“We survive on community support,” Harmon says. “That goes right back into paying our conductor, commissioning composers, renting venues — everything it takes to keep the orchestra going.”

This spring, TMSO is marking its 20th anniversary with a season themed “A Symphonic Legacy.” The celebration began March 20 with an alumni Legacy Concert that reunited 10 former members alongside current musicians.

“It was important to acknowledge where we came from,” Cook says. “None of this would exist without the people who showed up when it was still a small orchestra.”

The anniversary season also looks forward. Recent years have seen TMSO commission works by living composers, often musicians within its own ranks, and launch a Young Artist Concerto Competition for performers under 18.

“You can write music forever, but if no one plays it, it never lives,” Harmon says. “We want to give composers and young musicians that opportunity.”

Faith continues to shape the orchestra’s identity, but both Harmon and Cook emphasize balance.

“We are faith-based, and we’re open about that,” Cook says. “But we’re also very intentional about being welcoming. We program sacred and secular music, and we want people to feel comfortable, no matter where they’re coming from.”

After two decades, TMSO’s greatest legacy may be its sense of belonging.

“People come to concerts and say, ‘I didn’t even know you existed,’” Harmon says. “And then they come back. That’s what we want — for people to feel like this is their orchestra.”

ARTICLE BY ALLISON SWAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Inquiring Chef

START WITH A VEGETABLE

Jess Smith is the founder of the popular food blog InquiringChef.com, which she started in 2010 after moving to Thailand with her husband. She explored Thai cuisine, took cooking classes, and documented her experiences on the blog. Over time, her passion for cooking grew, leading her to focus on quick, easy meals for families. Today, Inquiring Chef receives over 5 million page views annually and supports a small team. She shares new recipes weekly through email, her blog, and social media, helping home cooks simplify mealtime without sacrificing flavor.

Smith is now an author. Her debut cookbook,  Start with a Vegetable, published in 2025 reimagines meal planning by putting vegetables at the center of the plate.

“Start with a Vegetable was the result of a natural transition in the way I started thinking about preparing dinner for my family. At the end of a busy day, I often didn't have the energy to think about dinner in parts by preparing a separate protein, vegetable, and starch,” says Smith. “I realized that if I put a vegetable at the center of the dish, the rest was easy to fill in.”

The book features 100 flexible recipes proving vegetables aren’t just a side— they’re key to simple, satisfying meals.

As chief recipe developer for the Cook Smarts meal-planning app, Smith worked closely with families struggling to get dinner on the table. She noticed a common challenge: people wanted to eat more vegetables but didn’t know how to build meals around them.

“As I started planning and testing recipes for the book, I just loved how easy it made dinnertime feel. Are there carrots in the fridge? Here are a bunch of ways to turn them into dinner. Nearly all of the 100 recipes are complete meals and include easy swaps to make them vegetarian. The book is truly flexitarian, with vegetable-forward recipes for all types of eaters.”

Unlike most cookbooks,  Start with a Vegetable is organized by ingredient. Each chapter focuses on a different vegetable, offering multiple ways to turn it into a meal.

“The concept is resonating with many readers who tell me they love that the chapters are organized by vegetable, making it easy to use whatever they have on hand.”

Smith went through a rigorous testing process, starting with over 300 ideas before narrowing them down to 100.

“I always have running lists of recipe ideas. I started sorting recipes into categories, making sure there was variety for each vegetable. I wanted different cooking methods and types of dishes, so each chapter might have a soup, a salad, a roasted dish, a stove-top dish, and a sandwich or pasta.”

After perfecting the recipes in her own kitchen, she passed them to a trusted friend, an everyday home cook, to ensure they worked under realworld conditions.

“I want to know how these recipes worked for a home cook who was shopping at regular grocery stores and trying to make dinner for a family on a weeknight. She sends me feedback on any ingredients that are hard to find, anything that is unclear in the recipe, and tracks how long it takes her to make it with real-life interruptions.”

To further refine the book, Smith enlisted 30 volunteer home cooks through Instagram and her email list to test the recipes.

“My goal was to ensure that the recipes in this book are reliable, easy, and adaptable. I wanted this to be a cookbook for real home cooks. I'm so grateful to that team of volunteers for helping to ensure that it is.”

To order a copy of the cookbook visit:  InquiringChef.com

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CITRUS, CARROT, AND CHICKPEA COUSCOUS

Sweet carrots and tart cranberries complement each other in every bite of this tangy couscous. It makes a light meal on its own but becomes a showstopper when spread on a platter and topped with braised meat, roasted cauliflower steaks, or seared tofu. If you want to add a little creaminess, serve the couscous with a spoonful of plain yogurt.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound carrots

• one 15½-ounce can chickpeas

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1½ teaspoons ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for boiling

• ½ cup orange juice

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup dry regular or whole wheat couscous

• ⅓ cup sliced almonds

• 1 lemon

• ½ cup dried cranberries

• chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions:

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F

Step 2. Peel the carrots and slice them diagonally into 1-inch ovals. Drain and rinse the chickpeas

Step 3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the carrots and chickpeas with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, cumin, ginger, dried thyme, and ½ teaspoon of the salt, coating evenly.

Step 4. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the seasoned veggies and chickpeas on it in an even layer.

Step 5. Bake until the carrots become tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Stir halfway through cooking.

Step 6. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over high heat, combine the orange juice, water, and ½ teaspoon of salt. When the mixture begins to boil, remove it from the heat, stir in the couscous, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes.

Step 7. When the carrots become tender, sprinkle the almonds on them and continue baking until the almonds lightly toast, 4 to 5 more minutes.

Step 8. Juice the lemon for 1 tablespoon fresh juice.

Step 9. In the same mixing bowl used to season the veggies, whisk together the lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and the cranberries.

Step 10. Fluff the couscous with a fork and add it to the carrots, chickpeas, and almonds. Stir well to combine.

Step 11. Serve warm or refrigerate for 30 minutes and serve chilled. Just before serving, stir in the parsley.

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

THROUGH APRIL 5TH

Disney's The Lion King Returns to Detroit

Detroit Opera House, Detroit

Disney's The Lion King — North America’s longest-running Broadway tour — returns to Detroit for a limited four-week engagement. Winner of six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Direction for Julie Taymor, the show features a score fusing Elton John and Tim Rice's songs with African rhythms by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. BroadwayInDetroit.com.

THROUGH MAY 16TH

Basic Blacksmithing Class

Wagon Shop at Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy | 10:00 AM

Learn how to properly swing a hammer, operate a coal forge and pump a centuries-old bellows at the Troy Historic Village’s Basic Blacksmithing Class, Level 1, on Saturdays April 11-May 16. During this six-week introductory course focusing on the fundamental processes of traditional blacksmithing, students will learn 12 basic hand-forging techniques as they make your own trowel. Troyhistoricvillage.org.

APRIL 4TH, 18TH & 25TH

Magic Soiree: The Early and Late Show

Embassy Suites by Hilton, 850 Tower Drive, Troy

The Magic Soiree: The Early and Late Show, a magic-comedy dinner show, begins with close-up magic performed at your table in the Atrium Bar & Grill, then a cabaret-style stage show hosted by the hysterical Lady Sarah and Keith Fields. Two shows each date, at 5:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Themagicsoiree.com; (248) 990-8198.

APRIL 14TH & 22ND

Carrabba's April Wine Dinner

600 W Big Beaver Road, Troy

Allow Carrabba's to transport you straight to the heart of Italy with a four-course dining experience with its April Wine Dinner: Ciao from Italy. This year’s journey is elevated with the featured Super Tuscan wine, Il Borro by Salvatore Ferragamo. RSVP carrabbas.com; (248) 269-0095.

APRIL 16TH

Thursday Teas: Hats Then & Now

Old Troy Church at Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy | 2:00 PM

The Troy Historic Village welcomes author Linda Hannah, who will explore the fascinating world of hats — from historic styles to the stories they tell today. Along the way, attendees will enjoy surprising tales, fun trivia and fashion insights for a short reflection on “The Crowns We Wear.” THS Member: $10 | Non-Member: $15. Troyhistoricvillage.org

APRIL 24TH

Owl Encounter at Stage Nature Center

6685 Coolidge Highway Troy | 6:00 PM

Join Troy's Stage Nature Center on an Owl Encounter to visit the rehabilitated owls that call the center home. This tour gives visitors a chance to learn more about the different owl species, reasons why they each live in captivity, explore their different personalities and get your owl questions answered. This program takes place mostly outside, so be sure to dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $5. Troynaturesociety.org

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