Welcome To Livingston

Summer in Livingston County is something special, and in Episode 184 of Welcome to Livingston, Don and Angela Putkela are breaking down all the events, festivals, and hidden gems that make this community such an incredible place to live and explore.From a once-in-a-century opera at the Howell Opera House to the Michigan Challenge Balloon Fest, Taste of Brighton, Melon Fest, and everything in between, Don and Angela cover the can't-miss moments of the season. Whether you're a longtime local, new to the area, or just thinking about making Livingston County home, this episode is your ultimate summer guide. Timestamps00:00 Welcome to Livingston: Community Focus01:05 Howell Opera House Returns06:12 Livingston County’s Farmers’ Markets09:40 Live Music and Downtown Vibes12:34 Food Trucks and Art Fairs14:56 Active Lifestyles in Livingston County20:25 Mount Rushmore of Festivals26:01 Unique Local Festivals and Events31:05 Library Sales, Book Clubs, and More35:10 Embrace Community Events _______________________________________For more information on the Putkela Group and how to get connected, visit the links below:  Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/PutkelaGroupWebsite: https://www.welcometolivingston.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putkelagroup/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq9hM7gWPlaCw4nG89Wgd9QPhone: 1-888-PUTKELA (788-5352) Sponsor LinksThanks to our amazing sponsor! Visit their social media pages for more information. James PaquetteMortgage Sales ManagerLake Michigan Credit Union - LMCUNMLS ID# 533633Direct Phone: (810) 263-6000Cell Phone: (734) 604-2611 Website: https://www.lmcu.org/jamespaquetteFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamespaquetteLMCULinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesapaquette/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LMCU

Buying a home is exciting — but what happens when the furnace stops working, or the water heater gives out? In Episode 183 of Welcome to Livingston, Don and Angela Putkela sit down together to break down everything you need to know about home warranties.From what's covered (and what's not), to how much they cost, how to actually use one, and whether it's even the right fit for you, Don and Angela cover it all. They also share real-life stories from their clients, a few PSAs you'll want to hear before your next repair call, and some surprisingly handy tips for keeping your furnace and air conditioner running smoothly. 00:00 What is a Home Warranty?03:25 Home Warranty Coverage and Costs07:48 What is and isn’t Covered?11:16 AC in Winter & Insurance Differences14:30 Choosing a Home Warranty Company19:18 Homeowner Mistakes and Usage Changes26:19 Home Warranty: Peace of Mind _______________________________________For more information on the Putkela Group and how to get connected, visit the links below:  Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/PutkelaGroupWebsite: https://www.welcometolivingston.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putkelagroup/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq9hM7gWPlaCw4nG89Wgd9QPhone: 1-888-PUTKELA (788-5352) Sponsor LinksThanks to our amazing sponsor! Visit their social media pages for more information. James PaquetteMortgage Sales ManagerLake Michigan Credit Union - LMCUNMLS ID# 533633Direct Phone: (810) 263-6000Cell Phone: (734) 604-2611 Website: https://www.lmcu.org/jamespaquetteFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamespaquetteLMCULinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesapaquette/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LMCU

Getting dressed up shouldn’t be stressful. In episode 182 of Welcome to Livingston, Don and Angela Putkela sit down with Chris Yockey, manager of the Brighton Tux Shop, to get the inside scoop on everything men’s formal wear.   Whether you’re a groom planning your big day, a high schooler heading to prom, or a guy who’s never owned a suit. Chris breaks it all down from the key differences between a suit and a tuxedo, when you should start planning, and how you can still get measured for a suit out of town. This episode is full of information and tips to keep you looking sharp!   4:37 Purchase Process 8:00 Tuxedo Styles 11:51 Prom Ambassador Program 14:40 Out of State Measurements 17:44 Suit vs Tuxedo 21:17 Rental Duration and Damages 29:48 Partnership with Arc of Livingston 31:55 The Brighton Tux Shop Advantage 38:47 The Importance of a Perfect Fit   For more information on the Putkela Group and how to get connected, visit the links below:   Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/PutkelaGroup Website: https://www.welcometolivingston.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putkelagroup/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq9hM7gWPlaCw4nG89Wgd9Q Phone: 1-888-PUTKELA (788-5352)   Guest Links Website: https://brightontuxshop.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightontuxshop/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightontux TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brightontuxshop   Sponsor Links Thanks to our amazing sponsor! Visit their social media pages for more information.   James Paquette Mortgage Sales Manager Lake Michigan Credit Union - LMCU NMLS ID# 533633 Direct Phone: (810) 263-6000 Cell Phone: (734) 604-2611   Website: https://www.lmcu.org/jamespaquette Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamespaquetteLMCU LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesapaquette/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LMCU

In Episode 181 of Welcome to Livingston, Don and Angela Putkela sit down with Allison and Ben Kellogg, owners of Appliance Solutions, a trusted local appliance store serving Livingston County.   If you're replacing kitchen or laundry appliances or building a new home, this episode is packed with expert advice. Allison and Ben explain why homeowners should prioritize accurate measurements when replacing appliances, how appliance sizes have changed over the years, and why new construction offers more flexibility than retrofitting existing spaces.   4:12 Customer Focused Solutions 6:04 Diverse Appliance Brands 8:16 Kitchen Trends and Innovations 11:02 Family Friendly 14:45 Collaborations 18:29 Founding Appliance Solutions 21:17 Appliance Advice and Timelines 25:46 Personalized Service 31:02 Community Involvement   For more information on the Putkela Group and how to get connected, visit the links below:   Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/PutkelaGroup Website: https://www.welcometolivingston.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putkelagroup/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq9hM7gWPlaCw4nG89Wgd9Q Phone: 1-888-PUTKELA (788-5352)   Guest Links Appliance Solutions: Website: shopappliancesolutions.com Email: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/appliance_solutions_brighton/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Appliance-Solutions/61567926030927/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@appliancesolutionsmi Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Appliance_Solutions_Brighton   Sponsor Links Thanks to our amazing sponsor! Visit their social media pages for more information.   James Paquette Mortgage Sales Manager Lake Michigan Credit Union - LMCU NMLS ID# 533633 Direct Phone: (810) 263-6000 Cell Phone: (734) 604-2611   Website: https://www.lmcu.org/jamespaquette Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamespaquetteLMCU LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesapaquette/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LMCU

In Episode 180 of Welcome to Livingston, Don and Angela Putkela sit down with Carol and Danny Maczik. The owners of Spirit of Livingston, a local small business specializing in custom apparel for teams, schools, and organizations across Livingston County.   Carol and Danny share the origin story of their business, how they built it into a lifestyle-driven company, and why being local still matters in today’s fast-paced online world. They also discuss their hands-on customer service approach and how creating custom gear helps build lifelong memories for kids and families.   1:06 Origin Story 4:34 The Joy of Varsity Jackets 7:27 In-House Production 12:28 Market Challenges 15:20 The Value of Local 19:01 Understanding Die Sublimation 23:29 One Stop Shop 28:20 Business Legacy   For more information on the Putkela Group and how to get connected, visit the links below:   Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/PutkelaGroup Website: https://www.welcometolivingston.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putkelagroup/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq9hM7gWPlaCw4nG89Wgd9Q Phone: 1-888-PUTKELA (788-5352) Guest Links Spirit of Livingston Email: [email protected] Website: spiritoflivingston.com   Sponsor Links Thanks to our amazing sponsor! Visit their social media pages for more information.   James Paquette Mortgage Sales Manager Lake Michigan Credit Union - LMCU NMLS ID# 533633 Direct Phone: (810) 263-6000 Cell Phone: (734) 604-2611   Website: https://www.lmcu.org/jamespaquette Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamespaquetteLMCU LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesapaquette/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LMCU