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Dec 26

12 feel-good stories of 2019 in mid-Michigan – MLive.com

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Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com file

Two sisters share the honor of being valedictorian, a Saginaw man reclaims his health and loses nearly 500 pounds, and a Bay County woman uses YouTube to talk about her disability and connect withtens of thousands of subscribers.

There were many positive and inspiring stories to be told in mid-Michigan in 2019. Here's a look back at these and several others:

Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com file

Meet Gretna VanFleet, the 88-year-old whose name inspired Greta Van Fleet

Greta Van Fleet is a group of young Michigan rockers whose sound is reminiscent of Led Zeppelin.

Gretna VanFleet is the 88-year-old bluegrass musician who inspired the bands name.

As Greta Van Fleet prepared to perform on "Saturday Night Live" in January 2019, Gretna VanFleet said their popularity was getting her more recognition as well. At least in Frankenmuth, the band's hometown where she also lives.

I get a lot of response. I rarely go anyplace, but when someone recognizes the name or the band ... sometimes people react, said VanFleet, while sitting in her favorite chair in the living room of her house.

Read the full story here.

Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com file

After losing nearly 500 pounds, man has second chance at life

About three years ago, at the age of 38, Carlos Orosco weighed 650 pounds, was in poor health and facing an uncertain future.

If he didnt lose weight, his doctor told him, his health would continue to deteriorate and his life expectancy was uncertain.

He also learned he was going to become an uncle.

His doctors warnings and a desire to see his niece grow up motivated him to make a radical change.

I personally gave myself the timeline of turning my life around before I reached 42 years old, to do what needed to be done, Orosco said. I cut out all fast food, all fried foods, all breads, alcohol.

By changing his diet, Orosco lost 100 pounds. Then, on Dec. 22, 2016, he underwent bariatric surgery at Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw. The surgery was a success, taking his weight from 550 pounds down to 300.

After that, I had to start putting forth the effort, he said.

Since the surgery, by eating right and exercising, Orosco has been able to achieve and maintain his goal weight of 185 pounds.

Read the full story here.

Isis Simpson | MLive.com file

Meet some inspiring mid-Michigan women who are making a difference

In March, Women's History Month, MLive/The Saginaw News featured several influential women making a difference in their mid-Michigan communities.

These inspiring women are elected officials, entrepreneurs, law enforcement officers, volunteers and more.

Read the full story here.

Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com file

Group cleaning up trash in Saginaw encourages others to do the same

DeShawn Hayes is an advocate for recycling and cleaning up Saginaws scenery.

If you see trash on the side of the road, pick it up, is the message Hayes wants to instill in residents.

Hayes, along with several dozen volunteers and other organizers, cleaned a lot on North Michigan Avenue between Genesee and Davenport on a Wednesday morning in March. Yeager Asphalt handled the trash that was collected at the site.

Im trying to clean up all of Saginaw, but I cant do it myself, Hayes said. But I can rally the people.

Hayes created #SPOTitSNAGit and hopes it inspires a movement of young litter eliminators.

Read the full story here.

Rachel Ellis | MLive.com file

Mom thankful to see Mother's Day after aneurysm turns life upside down

Shortly before Christmas 2018, Sandra Gonzales was busy with another day of work. The single mother of two had no idea the headache she experienced that day would turn her life upside down.

I didnt think it was that bad at the time. Im a single mother, so I always have to be strong, I cant get sick," Gonzales said.

But when the pain wouldnt quit, the 45-year-old Gonzales asked her brother, Hondo, for a ride to the hospital. There, she learned she had a brain aneurysm and would need surgery.

It didnt sink in. I remember thinking, Well, I have to work in the morning, cant this wait?" she said.

Five months later, Mothers Day had new meaning for Gonzales and her children, Santana, 16 and SaMiya, 14. This year, it was about celebrating that Gonzales is still alive and on the road to recovery.

Read the full story here.

Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com file

Saginaw sisters share honor as valedictorians, both seek MSU engineering degrees

After years of focusing on raising superstar students, the Gates family in Saginaw is celebrating.

This year, their second child graduated from Arthur Hill High School with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and as valedictorian of her class. Last year, her sister accomplished the same thing.

Both plan to become electrical engineers.

Morgan and Mason Gates are the daughters of Cassen and Tracy Gates. Morgan graduated on June 6 from the Saginaw Public School District with plans to follow her older sister into Michigan State University.

Read the full story here.

Rachel Ellis | MLive.com file

Saginaw man saves drowning man up north, runs 20K race less than 2 days later

Robert Bob Hillier was eating lunch with his wife Dawn Goodrow on Gun Lake in Mason County on July 2 when he heard a cry for help.

Minutes later, Hillier and neighbors had saved a man from drowning and helped bring him back to consciousness as medical personnel arrived.

Hillier, who spends time at the Saginaw YMCA, said his physical fitness played a role in him being able to help save the drowning man.

Ive always been a weightlifter and my dad always took me to the Y as a kid, Hillier said. Id get away from lifting a little bit for running sake, but Ive been lifting more often these past few months.

His conditioning allowed him to compete in a 20K race in Frankenmuth less than two days after rescuing the man.

Read the full story here.

Rachel Ellis | MLive.com file

With 38,611 YouTube subscribers, Bay County woman isnt letting disability stop her ability

When 20-year-old Michaela Davert began making videos on YouTube, she never thought that she would gain an audience of more than 38,000 subscribers.

I have connected with so many individuals through YouTube," Davert said. Even if I just reach one person with my videos, thats all that really matters to me.

Davert has osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition shes had since birth that prevents her bones from producing enough collagen, a protein vital to the bones in the body. Because of this, Davert has fragile bones, is just 2 feet, 7 inches tall, and has issues with her spine and heart.

She hasnt let a disability get in the way of her ability.

People are surprised to see someone like me put myself out there, Davert said. This started out as a hobby but has now become a passion of mine."

Daverts YouTube channel, FunsizedStyle, where she shares insight on what its like to live with her disability and also uploads makeup tutorials, has caught the attention of WEGO Health, an organization that recognizes and honors those making a difference in the online health community.

Read the full story here.

Rachel Ellis | MLive.com file

Saginaw woman starts support group for pregnancy loss, infertility

About a year ago, Anesha Stanley nearly lost her life due to an ectopic pregnancy an egg attached outside her uterus that forced her to have emergency surgery.

Since then, shes been coping with the loss and channeled her pain to help other women who have experienced pregnancy loss and infertility.

Stanley and her husband, Rodney Stanley, have created the Keys of Hope Foundation & Support Group as a local resource to inspire hope in those trying to conceive, deal with infertility or are suffering through pregnancy and infant loss.

Read the full story here.

Rachel Ellis | MLive.com file

Gospel star opening school in Saginaw to help adults find their gift

Jessica Reedy has traveled the world on account of her amazing singing voice. She has learned lessons from being in the entertainment industry. Now she is back home in Saginaw bringing with her a new school to help others find themselves.

Reedy was first runner-up in the gospel singing competition "Sundays Best" during its second season on cable TV network BET in 2009.

On Oct. 7, class started at The Industry Development Center, a school Reedy started that offers college-level courses.

If you do not know what your gift is, we are going to help you discover it, Reedy said. If you know what your gift is but feel stagnant, we want to teach you how to.

Read the full story here.

Rachel Ellis | MLive.com file

After 40 years, woman meets dad through deceased mothers Facebook page

Two years after Rachael Jones mom died, a man sent a message to the inbox of her mothers Facebook page.

Jones, who had access to the page, learned the man was searching for his daughter. She had never seen her biological father in her 43 years of life.

First, she was curious because the message came from a Facebook profile that wasnt his own. When he said his name however Mark Kain, who also went by Mark Grunwell she knew who was messaging. Her mom had told her he was her father.

Feelings of resentment began to build.

Can I ask why you never tried to be my dad? Jones asked.

Kain, 62, admitted he made a mistake in 1975 when he left his family. He wanted to build a bridge in 2018.

Yes, of course, I have no excuse should have been there for you, Kain replied.

Their online conversation continued. Kain wanted to build a new relationship and take responsibility for his actions. It led to a face-to-face meeting in October.

Read the full story here.

Courtesy | Deborah Hauser

Saginaws Paul Walter Hauser stars in Clint Eastwood movie about Richard Jewell

A Saginaw native who has been climbing the Hollywood ranks as an actor is the star of a new Clint Eastwood movie about Richard Jewell.

Paul Walter Hauser portrays Jewell, a security guard who found a backpack with pipe bombs inside it at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Jewell alerted the police and helped to evacuate people from the area before the bomb exploded. Jewell initially was hailed as a hero until it was reported he was being investigated as a person of interest by the FBI.

The movie Richard Jewell premiered in theaters on Dec. 13.

Hauser said he trained for the role to play Jewell by watching lots of video footage and studying photos and other materials.

I watched a lot of footage of Richard and tried to pick up on mannerisms and his general energy and spirit, which had such a Southern chivalry and a sense of duty, Hauser said via email to MLive-The Saginaw News.

Hauser, a Valley Lutheran High School alumnus, has also landed roles in TV series and movies such as Super Troopers 2, I, Tonya and BlackKklansman.

Read the full story here.

Emil Lippe | MLive.com file

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12 feel-good stories of 2019 in mid-Michigan - MLive.com

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