Welcome to the September 29 edition of Great Lakes Bay Insider. Fall is in full swing, and we’ve got a fresh brew of local happenings to share. Grab your coffee – here’s what’s buzzing around Saginaw, Midland, and Bay counties:

In This Edition:

Keeping Midland Dry: Hundreds of residents gathered at Northwood University’s Griswold Center last week to hear what’s being done to prevent a repeat of the devastating 2020 floodswnem.com. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Detroit District provided an in-depth update on its Tittabawassee River flood risk study, outlining progress and next steps,

Overall, the tone was cautiously optimistic. There’s a clear, shared goal: never again a flood of that magnitude. With continued collaboration – and a bit of patience – Midland is charting a path to a safer, drier future.

Click Here: to read more about the Army Corps’ Midland flood resiliency plans.

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Meet Wally Mayton – a Midland resident whose life’s work is all about building community through simple acts of kindness. Wally, a longtime pastor, believes neighboring is more than just living nearby; it’s about forming real relationships and lifting each other up.

After moving to Midland, Wally was struck by the city’s welcoming spirit. He quickly helped ignite Neighboring Week, an annual tradition encouraging residents to learn their neighbors’ names, lend a hand, and dream big together. Thanks in part to Wally’s enthusiasm, Neighboring Week has surged with new energy – from community art drops to park scavenger hunts – all aimed at connecting folks across the Tri-Cities.

Wally’s approach is wonderfully simple: show up and listen. You’ll spot him at local events, engaging in one-on-one chats and making everyone feel valued. He’s famous for his handwritten “Wally-gram” thank-you notes, a habit passed down from his mother and grandmother as a way to foster gratitude and connection. It’s those personal touches that have ripple effects – inspiring others to pay it forward.

After decades of service, Wally isn’t slowing down. Even in retirement, he’s mentoring the next generation of community leaders. His story is “one of resilience, patience, and unwavering belief in the good that comes from practicing kindness and neighboring”. Wally often says that when people truly know they matter, “the door begins to open” for a stronger community. In Midland, thanks to neighbors like Wally Mayton, that door is wide open.

Click Here: to learn more about Wally’s mission of community neighboring.

A Bay City neighborhood’s beloved Halloween light display is in limbo after the city ordered it taken down over a permitting issue. For six years, resident Matthew Aikens has transformed Chilson Street with glowing ghosts and goblins for the kids. But this year, City Hall says the wooden posts supporting his elaborate lights are in the public right-of-way – meaning he needs an encroachment permit plus insurance to keep them up. Neighbors are upset, calling the display a positive tradition that shouldn’t be snuffed out. “We put all this effort in for the kids… it feels like it’s just being ripped away,” Aikens said. City manager Dana Muscott insists the safety rules aren’t new, but officials, including the Mayor, are trying to find a solution – possibly waiving permit fees and helping secure insurance. A City Commission meeting on Oct. 6 will take up a resolution to let the show go on. Fingers crossed that this “merry, not scary” neighborhood tradition can stay glowing through Halloween night. Click Here: to see how Bay City is handling the Halloween lights debate.

Midland’s Dow Diamond ballpark traded baseballs for esports last week, as the stadium transformed into a high-tech gaming arena. The inaugural Field of Frames Fest brought gamers, students, and families together for a weekend of video game tournaments, live music, and community connection. The event – spotlighting Northwood University’s nationally ranked esports program – featured everything from college teams battling in popular games to kids trying virtual reality experiences. Attendees described an electric atmosphere: big screens on the ballfield, consoles and PCs humming under the lights, and plenty of cheering as competitors went head-to-head. Organizers say the festival achieved its goal of “bridging the gap between gaming and community”, introducing new audiences to the booming world of esports. With Midland’s own Northwood University clinching championships in games like Rocket League, it was fitting to see esports celebrated on such a grand stage. Missed it? Don’t worry – given the success, plans are already underway to level up Field of Frames Fest again next year. Game on, Great Lakes Bay! Click Here: for highlights on Dow Diamond’s esports takeover.

Good news for Midland County: Sanford Lake is on track to be refilled by spring 2026, and the community is rolling up its sleeves to get ready. Residents and township crews have been out on the exposed lakebed this fall, mowing down dense vegetation and clearing debris that took over after the 2020 dam failure. The coordinated cleanup – led by the Four Lakes Task Force – is crucial to improve water quality and protect the rebuilt dam once water returns. Property owners have been asked to trim the first 40 feet of lakebed by their shore, while local contractors tackle the tougher brush in the middle. “It’s been great to see communities and local government come together to prepare the lakes for refill,” Task Force President Dave Kepler said. By cutting down the overgrowth now, they aim to prevent a swampy mess later and ensure a healthy lake comes back. Edenville and Jerome townships report that most of their sections are cleared, thanks to volunteers and lots of heavy equipment. Come April, if all stays on schedule, Sanford Lake’s blue waters will begin to rise again – a welcome sight for boaters, anglers, and everyone who has waited patiently to see their lake reborn. Click Here: to read about the community’s push to prepare Sanford Lake for refilling.

A leadership change is on the horizon at Delta College. President Dr. Michael H. Gavin announced he will step down in January 2026, after just over four years at the helm of the Bay County-based community college. In a message to students and staff, Dr. Gavin said it was a bittersweet decision, but he’s been tapped for a national role advocating for higher education. He wasn’t actively job hunting, Gavin noted, but the chance to help build a coalition defending colleges and academic freedom was a calling he couldn’t pass up. Since arriving in 2021, Gavin has left a mark – overseeing initiatives that boosted enrollment by 26% and significantly improved graduation rates, especially for minority students. He’s been a vocal champion for equity and “democratizing” education, passions he’ll continue on a larger stage. Delta College’s Board of Trustees will launch a search for the next president in the coming weeks. Dr. Gavin has pledged to assist with a smooth transition through the winter semester. We wish him well in his next chapter – and look forward to seeing who will lead Delta College in building on his legacy of innovation and inclusion. Click Here: to get the full story on Dr. Gavin’s departure and accomplishments at Delta

(For the full list of events, stay tuned for future editions!)

Thank you for reading, Insiders! As always, we’re excited to bring you the latest from our community. If you attend any of these events or have a hot tip, let us know – we love hearing from you. Have a wonderful week enjoying the Great Lakes Bay region’s autumn charm.

Until next time, stay safe and have fun out there! 👋🌳🍂

— The Great Lakes Bay Insider Team