When Vacation Plans Include Your Pet

When Vacation Plans Include Your Pet

Pets are a part of our family and are frequently included in our vacation plans. If you are traveling with your pet this summer, it is important to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel, and be prepared for an emergency.

The Turners — Love in Motion, Community at Heart

The Turners — Love in Motion, Community at Heart

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when love, purpose, and passion collide in one dynamic family, look no further than Chris and Penny Turner of Potter’s Lake. Their journey is a storybook that starts with meeting in high school at Lapeer West, separated by life’s winding roads, only to reconnect decades later through a Facebook photo of a granddaughter. That one spark ignited a flame, and in 2022, they sealed their story in a lakeside wedding at home, surrounded by the people they love most. From Arizona’s red rocks to the blue waters of Barbados, their adventures together mirror the depth and excitement of their shared purpose back home.

Part 1 of 7 - Origins & Vision: The Birth of Oakdale State Home (1893–1895)

Part 1 of 7 - Origins & Vision: The Birth of Oakdale State Home (1893–1895)

Discover how Oakdale began in 1893 with big promises of care and reform, shaping Lapeer’s history as Michigan’s home for the “feebleminded.” In the summer of 1893, Michigan lawmakers gathered in Lansing to debate a growing social dilemma. Across the state, poorhouses were overcrowded, jails were taking in people who hadn’t committed crimes, and families were overwhelmed with the care of loved ones who suffered from epilepsy or intellectual disabilities. The prevailing belief of the era was that these individuals could be “trained” to live useful lives, but if they could not, they should be cared for—and contained—in a special setting.

Part 2 of 7 - Growth of a Self-Sustaining Community (1900s–1950s)

Part 2 of 7 - Growth of a Self-Sustaining Community (1900s–1950s)

Learn how Oakdale grew into a self-contained city with farms, schools, and workshops, housing over 4,600 residents at its peak. By the turn of the 20th century, the Michigan Home for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic was no longer just a small collection of cottages on 160 acres. In less than a decade, it had begun to transform into something far larger—an entire community within itself. What started with fewer than 150 residents would soon swell into the thousands. The institution, later known as Oakdale, would become a miniature city, complete with its own farms, school system, workshops, recreation programs, and a workforce that rivaled many small towns.

Part 3 of 7 - Oakdale Policies, Eugenics & Treatment

Part 3 of 7 - Oakdale Policies, Eugenics & Treatment

Explore Oakdale’s role in Michigan’s eugenics era, from forced sterilizations to regimented treatment policies that shaped thousands of lives. As Oakdale grew from a modest cluster of cottages into Michigan’s largest institution for people with epilepsy and developmental disabilities, it also became a microcosm of the era’s most controversial medical and social policies.

Part 4 of 7 - Life at Oakdale – Residents & Staff

Part 4 of 7 - Life at Oakdale – Residents & Staff

Step inside Oakdale’s walls to see the daily routines, work, joys, and struggles of residents and staff who lived and served there for decades. Beneath Oakdale’s sprawling campus of dormitories, workshops, and farmland were the daily rhythms of thousands of lives. To the outside world, it was an orderly institution, a place where “inmates” were cared for and trained. But for the people who lived and worked there, Oakdale was its own complex community, filled with routines, relationships, small joys, and quiet sorrows.

Part 5 of 7 - Oakdale Decline & Deinstitutionalization (1970s–1991)

Part 5 of 7 - Oakdale Decline & Deinstitutionalization (1970s–1991)

Discover how changing attitudes and policies led to Oakdale’s decline, closure in 1991, and the relocation of its last residents. By the 1970s, the towering presence of Oakdale—once a symbol of stability and progress—began to feel outdated, even oppressive. The world outside its gates was changing rapidly. Attitudes toward mental health, disability, and civil rights were shifting. What had once been celebrated as a model institution was now being questioned for its size, its methods, and the very philosophy that had built it.

Part 6 of 7 - Oakdale Aftermath – Demolition, Preservation & Legacy

Part 6 of 7 - Oakdale Aftermath – Demolition, Preservation & Legacy

See what happened after Oakdale closed—demolition, repurposed buildings, and relics like the cemetery and cupolas that keep its memory alive. When Oakdale finally closed its doors in September 1991, it marked the end of nearly a century of institutional care in Lapeer. For decades, the institution had been a city within a city—employing thousands, housing generations of residents, and shaping the economy and identity of Lapeer County. But after the last residents left, the sprawling property stood eerily silent, its purpose erased almost overnight.

Part 7 of 7 - Reflections on Oakdale’s Legacy

Part 7 of 7 - Reflections on Oakdale’s Legacy

Reflect on Oakdale’s complex legacy—its care and its control—and how it shaped disability rights, Lapeer’s history, and today’s views on community care. Oakdale’s story spans nearly a century. It began with optimism—a belief that creating a specialized home for people with epilepsy and developmental disabilities would provide care and structure that families could not. It grew into a self-contained city that shaped the lives of thousands of residents and staff, influencing Lapeer’s economy, culture, and identity. And in the end, it faded into history, leaving behind a complex legacy that still stirs strong emotions today.

Lions Bear Lake Camp: Where Inclusion and Adventure Meet

Lions Bear Lake Camp: Where Inclusion and Adventure Meet

Nestled on 120 beautiful acres in Lapeer, Lions Bear Lake Camp is more than just a camp, it’s a place where lives are transformed. Since 2000, we’ve been on a mission to create an inclusive, supportive environment where individuals of all abilities can explore, grow, and thrive.

The Benefits of Wood-Free Plastic Decking

The Benefits of Wood-Free Plastic Decking

Over the past several decades, plastic has infiltrated the decking industry. Homeowners no longer settle for traditional timber but desire trouble-free decking that will last for generations to come. Though composite decking includes plastic ingredients, 100 percent synthetic decking like OC™ Lumber’s WEARDECK™ offers unbeatable benefits for homeowners.

Genicular Artery Embolization: A Breakthrough Treatment for Knee Pain

Genicular Artery Embolization: A Breakthrough Treatment for Knee Pain

For millions of Americans, knee pain is a daily struggle that limits mobility and reduces quality of life. Traditional treatment options such as physical therapy, pain medications, and even surgery can be daunting. Fortunately, advancements in vascular medicine have provided a minimally invasive alternative: Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE). At Integrated Vascular Vein Center of Michigan we are proud to offer this cutting edge procedure to help patients find relief from knee pain without the need for major surgery.

Summer Septic System Installation & Repairs: Why Now Is the Best Time

Summer Septic System Installation & Repairs: Why Now Is the Best Time

When it comes to home improvement projects, most people think of new roofs, landscaping, or adding a deck—but few consider one of the most critical systems hidden beneath their property: the septic system. As an excavation contractor serving Lapeer County, I can tell you from experience—summer is the ideal time for septic system installation and repairs.

The Smith-Pace-Turner Family(Team TPS) – Where Love is the Legacy

The Smith-Pace-Turner Family(Team TPS) – Where Love is the Legacy

There’s something magnetic about the Smith-Pace-Turner household. Maybe it’s the laughter that erupts spontaneously around their dinner table, the warmth in their greetings, or the unshakable unity of a blended family that makes “together” look effortless. Nestled across the street from Lapeer Lightning’s Sports Stadium, where the roars of Friday night football echo through their living room windows, Jack and Carrie Smith have built more than just a house—they’ve cultivated a legacy rooted in love, laughter, and deep community ties.

From Food to Flow: A Professional Guide to Hosting Seamless Celebrations

From Food to Flow: A Professional Guide to Hosting Seamless Celebrations

Whether planning a graduation party, wedding reception, or corporate gathering, one element can make or break the guest experience: catering. Food sets the mood, anchors the atmosphere, and becomes a central part of the memories made. But catering is about more than just what’s on the plate—it’s about the flow, the service, and the trust behind it all.

What is Traditional Composite Decking?

What is Traditional Composite Decking?

With all the different types of decking available, choosing the right product for your project can be a challenge. Composite decking continues to be a popular choice for buyers who desire an alternative to traditional wood. In this article, we define composite decking, explore the drawbacks, and explain how WEARDECK™ fills in the gaps in the industry.