In January 2024, I embarked on a heartfelt journey by opening Mama's Kitchen Home Style Bakery, a place dedicated to reviving the cherished recipes from our mothers' and grandmothers' kitchens.

Our mission is simple: to offer good old-fashioned recipes that have stood the test of time but are often overlooked in today's fast-paced world.

At Mama's Kitchen, you'll find a selection of our best sellers, including Banana Nut Bread, Zucchini Bread, and classic No-Bake Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

For those who enjoy traditional snacking, we offer seasoned Crackers and Chex Mix.

As the holidays approach, consider adding our special treats to your festive table.

Our Apple Caramel Pecan Cake, Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, and Pistachio Nut Bread are perfect ...

Like Our Facebook Page

Join The Facebook Group

Take The Battle Creek Quiz

Cereal City Crafters Collective Holiday Showcase dazzled Battle Creek this year, uniting talented local artisans and makers in a vibrant celebration of creativity.

From handcrafted candles and unique jewelry to fresh-baked treats, home décor, and custom apparel, creators from throughout the community shared their passions and personal stories with visitors.

Many of these small businesses operate from home studios or local markets, pouring heart and dedication into every piece.

The event not only highlighted their artistry but also underscored how vital supporting local talent is to keeping Cereal City’s creative spirit alive.

Even if you missed the Showcase, there’s still time to discover these makers and support their work.

By celebrating local crafters, the community strengthens its bonds—and keeps creativity thriving for everyone in Battle Creek.

Santa Claus is bringing excitement to Calhoun County with a packed schedule of festive visits all December.

Families can kick off the season at Horrocks & Co. on November 30, where Santa and his reindeer will make a cheerful appearance.

Kids can meet Santa, the Grinch, and real reindeer while making crafts at Willard Library December 2, or visit Kids 'N' Stuff Hands-On Museum in Albion after the parade on December 5 for interactive fun.

Kellogg Arena's Winter Wanderland on December 6 features Santa, the Grinch, holiday markets, wagon rides, and more.

The Merry Mile drive-through at Calhoun County Fairgrounds hosts magical “Santa Saturday” light displays on December 6, 13, and 20.

Enjoy music, treats, and a singalong with Santa at Marshall District Library December 10, or catch Santa at several Marshall businesses throughout the month for even more photo ops and crafts.

Calhoun County families have plenty of chances to make magical holiday memories with St. Nick this year!

With the holiday rush set to bring a 5% surge in package deliveries—an estimated 2.3 billion parcels— timely shipping is more critical than ever for gifts to arrive by Christmas.

For 2025, USPS recommends sending packages by December 17 using Ground Advantage or First-Class Mail in the lower 48 states, and by December 18 with Priority Mail.

Priority Mail Express shipments have until December 20.

Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Territories require slightly earlier mailings, with most cut-offs on December 16 or 17.

UPS guarantees delivery with 3-Day Select by December 19, 2nd Day Air by December 22, and Next Day Air by December 23, but ground deadlines depend on your location.

FedEx suggests mailing by December 15 for Ground Economy, while express options extend through December 24 for Same Day.

Shipping early offers the best chance to beat delays and keep holiday spirits bright.

The Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS® (BCAAR) is reopening its Community Grant Program, welcoming nonprofit applications aimed at boosting housing, community services, and basic needs in Calhoun County.

Since 2005, BCAAR has distributed over $239,500 for local initiatives. In 2025 alone, the program awarded $35,500 to groups like Habitat for Humanity BC, Gracious Homes Inc., and South Michigan Food Bank.

Organizations seeking grants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, serve Calhoun County, and focus on housing, community impact, or basic needs. Funding ranges from $850 to $15,000, though partial awards are possible.

Applications are due by noon, February 2, 2026. For guidance, contact BCAAR at staff@bcaar.com or call 269-962-5193.

BCAAR also offers homeownership workshops—including the next at Washington Heights United Methodist Church on November 3, 2025—supporting stronger, better-informed communities in Calhoun County.

On Thanksgiving night, an Amtrak train with 107 passengers lost power near Marshall, Michigan, halting abruptly amid a fierce snowstorm.

The train became stranded around 8:42 p.m. in Marengo Township, as frigid conditions swept the area.

Emergency crews from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and local responders arrived quickly, prioritizing safety for all on board.

Evacuations proved challenging in the harsh weather, but Marshall Public Schools lent buses to bring passengers safely to Battle Creek’s Amtrak station.

Remaining travelers were later transferred to another Amtrak train sent to the site.

No injuries were reported, thanks to the coordinated response by multiple agencies and community partners.

The incident underscores the vital role of teamwork and local resources in responding to winter emergencies across southern Michigan.

Quick Notes:

• No major storms showing for this window.

• Mainly cold, quiet early-December pattern.

• Daytime temps stay in the low to mid 30s.

• Nights stay between 18–25°F, so frost every morning.

• Good week for holiday shopping, indoor events, and avoiding lake-effect issues.

Battle Creek offers plenty to enjoy this December, with recurring food truck lunches downtown every weekday at the Champion Street Parking Lot from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Saturday, December 6 brings Winter Wanderland 2025 to Festival Park and downtown, a free family festival featuring a holiday market, festive train rides, horse-drawn wagons, and meet-and-greets with Santa and The Grinch.

Many days highlight an ever-popular lunch stop for fresh eats from local food trucks, drawing crowds from across the city.

Saturday, December 13 features the festive Tinsel Toes 5K at 5:30 PM, inviting runners and walkers on a fun route through the holiday lights downtown, all supporting Girls on the Run of Calhoun County.

Keep checking local calendars, as pop-up and neighborhood events may be added throughout the month.

Hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with good food, family, and a bit of relaxation.

The holiday is often a welcome break for many, but for those working in the restaurant industry, it can also be challenging.

Many local restaurant workers miss out on wages and tips due to closures, while small businesses feel the pinch from lost revenue.

This week offers the perfect chance to give back and support your favorite Battle Creek eateries.

Whether you grab dinner, stop by for coffee, or check out a new food truck, every visit matters to local spots and their teams.

Battle Creek restaurants are serving up festive specials and creative seasonal menus you won’t want to miss.

Let’s show our appreciation and keep the local food scene vibrant.

Stay hungry, Battle Creek!

The Great Lakes often look calm, but their waters hide serious dangers beneath the surface.

Waves here are steeper and more unpredictable than the ocean’s, forming quickly during local storms.

Mariner Paul Christensen compares the lake’s rapid wave-build to moving water in a bathtub—easily stirred and deceptively violent.

Even with better technology since the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, mariners must remain cautious.

Lake scientist John Lenters highlights how the lakes’ choppiness, unlike the ocean’s smoother swells, can threaten even large vessels.

This close wave spacing has split ships like the SS Daniel J. Morrell apart in fierce storms.

Fall brings added risk as cold air over warm water generates larger, more unstable waves, while winter’s freezing spray coats boats in ice, increasing danger.

Respecting these inland seas’ unpredictable power is essential for safe journeys.

Michigan lawmakers are weighing a bill that would impose new social media restrictions on minors, aiming to tackle rising mental health concerns connected to online use.

Proposed by Mark Tisdel, Donni Steele, and Tom Kuhn, the measure requires platforms with over 5 million users to verify each account holder’s age and secure parental consent for anyone under 18.

The legislation would also remove minors from search results unless they are already friends, ban targeted ads and data collection, and set a curfew for youth accounts from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., unless parents opt out.

Parents would be given tools to monitor posts and messages. Supporters stress the need for adult involvement, while critics warn of free speech challenges and high enforcement costs.

The Attorney General would oversee compliance, with companies facing fines for violations.

Michigan’s move reflects a national trend as states seek solutions to protect kids online.

Walgreens Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol has been recalled nationwide — including in Michigan — after the FDA found over 41,000 bottles potentially contaminated with Pseudomonas lactis, a bacterium that poses risks for people with weak immune systems or respiratory issues.

Two lot numbers are involved: 71409 (expires 02/28/2027) and 71861 (expires 08/31/2027).

Consumers should stop using these products immediately and return them for a refund.

The recall, classified as Class II by the FDA, suggests only temporary or reversible health effects are expected, but caution is still recommended.

Walgreens emphasizes customer safety and urges anyone with questions to contact their local store or customer service.

Stay vigilant—especially during cold and flu season—by checking for updates from health authorities and monitoring medicine cabinets for affected items.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning that recent federal policy changes could cut housing support for roughly 7,000 families statewide, including about 2,000 with children.

The changes affect the Continuum of Care (CoC) program, a key source of funding for organizations fighting homelessness, which is run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Nessel has joined 20 other states in a lawsuit, arguing that HUD’s new rules would drastically reduce long-term housing aid, limit access for vulnerable residents, and add restrictive grant conditions.

Advocates like Sarah Rennie from the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness warn these changes threaten lives and stability.

The new policy reduces permanent housing funding from 87% to 30%, shifting resources toward transitional programs tied to employment or service requirements.

This move could heighten homelessness risks, especially in Michigan, a state already short more than 290,000 affordable units and struggling with stagnant wages and rising costs.

Step into comfort and style at 7370 Morgan Rd E in Battle Creek, MI.

This inviting home, priced at $525,000, offers expansive living with 4,937 square feet of space, featuring five bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.

The main-floor primary suite delights with a private jetted tub, perfect for unwinding.

The freshly renovated kitchen opens to bright living areas, making the home ideal for gatherings.

A walkout lower level provides a full second living space and its own laundry, suiting guests or multi-generational families.

Enjoy privacy amid a 3.07-acre wooded lot with scenic country views from every window.

A large pole barn with electricity and a storage shed offer plenty of room for hobbies and equipment, while the three-car garage adds convenience.

Located in the sought-after Pennfield School District, this stunning residence blends modern amenities with serene rural charm.

Calhoun County Animal Center is calling on the community for urgent winter support.  

This season, the shelter faces rising challenges to keep its animals safe, warm, and cared for.  

One of the most vital needs is pet-friendly ice melt.  

Unlike normal salt, this safe alternative keeps walkways clear and protects the paws of cats and dogs from painful burns and health hazards.  

Donations of chloride-free ice melt are essential for the direct health of every shelter animal.  

The shelter has also shared a wish list, which includes cleaning supplies, cat litter, food, and toys.  

Every donated item, from bleach to durable dog beds, helps maintain a safe and comfortable environment for pets awaiting their forever homes.  

Supplies can be dropped off at 165 Union St. S., Battle Creek, or you can make a monetary donation online.  

Your support this winter truly makes a difference for local animals in need.

📣 Nominate Your Favorite Local Business! 📣

Tickets

Tickets

Do you know someone in Battle Creek who’s making a difference?

Here’s your chance to celebrate them! Whether it’s a friend, neighbor, teacher, or local hero, we want to feature their story in the "Citizen Shout Outs" section of The Battle Creek Buzz! Submit your nominations, share inspiring stories, and help us recognize the amazing people who make our community shine.

Submit a brief story and their name to cerealcitybuzz@battlecreeknewsandevents.com 

let's spread some positivity together!

Success stems from intentional planning, not just luck or chance.

This week’s exploration of John C. Maxwell’s How Successful People Think highlights two essential mindsets for overcoming challenges: Strategic Thinking and Possibility Thinking.

Strategic thinking empowers you to prepare thoughtfully, set clear goals, and anticipate roadblocks before they arise.

By focusing your efforts where they matter and regularly evaluating your progress, you keep your path efficient and your goals achievable.

On the other hand, possibility thinking is the creative engine that fuels hope and courage.

It asks, “What can I do?”—opening new doors and helping you see opportunity within every obstacle.

When you blend strategy with optimism, your plans become both realistic and inspired, driving success at any stage of life.

Quote Of The Week

"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary." - Vidal Sassoon This quote reminds us that hard work is essential for achieving success. It's not enough to simply dream of success; we must be willing to put in the effort and dedication required to make our goals a reality. By prioritizing hard work and persistence, we can create a path towards achievement and growth in all aspects of our lives.

Battle Creek is seeing a wide range of job openings across manufacturing, public service, retail, and customer support.

Major employers like Post Consumer Brands, DENSO Manufacturing, Waco Classic Aircraft, and Prairie Farms Dairy are hiring for production support, assembly, and plant roles, including night shifts and specialty positions like aircraft assembly.

The City of Battle Creek is offering vacancies in public works, utilities, and fire services, drawing interest from those seeking a role in municipal services.

Retail and customer service roles are also plentiful, with opportunities at Verizon, Menards, Staples, and local spots like Johnny’s Markets and Pizza Hut.

Specialty positions can be found at NovaCare Rehabilitation, Peckham, Rokay Floral, and Gatsby Cannabis Co., making Battle Creek an active hub for job seekers this season.

Does your business have a list of engaged customers that you email on a regular basis?