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“HOT OFF THE PRESS” Dry Cleaning News
(248) 543-0340 | janetdaviscleaners.com 27607 Woodward Ave., Berkley, MI 48072
JANUARY 2026
From a Frat Party to Forever THE WOMAN WITH BEAUTIFUL CURLY HAIR WHO CHANGED MY WORLD
I made a rule for myself in high school. For every dance, I would ask somebody to be my date. She didn’t have to be a crush, and it didn’t have to be romantic. I decided to take the pressure off finding the perfect person and just ask someone. When I got to college, I stuck to that rule, and it led to a night filled with now cherished mishaps and the woman I just celebrated 18 years of marriage with. Somehow, I found the perfect person during a comically imperfect first date. National Spouses Day is on Jan. 25, and for me, it’s a reminder of how lucky I am. Laura isn’t just my wife; she’s an incredible teacher, an amazing mom, my partner, and the person who makes the everyday moments better and the hard moments easier. Laura and I met in college, friends of friends in Greek life. In my fraternity, we had date parties where you could only go if you brought someone with you. I called her the morning of one of these parties and woke her up. She was an early riser, but she’d already spent half the day substitute teaching with a long drive afterward. Even though I cut it close and interrupted her nap, she said yes. The big group of us loaded into two or three buses out to Pontiac to a dueling piano bar. Problem number one was that the buses were late, the bar was closing, and they wanted to kick us out. We had
to wait silently in the lobby, moving aside as they vacuumed. When our rides finally arrived, one of them got a flat tire. The 90-minute drive turned into a four-hour journey, and that’s when I learned how good she was at rolling with the punches. I was immediately drawn to how pretty she was with her blue eyes and the curly hair I love. But it’s her emotional intelligence that impresses me to this day. She can read situations and people like no one else I’ve ever met. We immediately clicked over our love of travel, something we’ve taught our girls to love as well. We’ve seen Iceland together, Hawaii, much of our home state, and we still have places on our to-visit list. We started traveling together right away, and one of our first big trips was to Mexico during our honeymoon. We got married on Dec. 28, 2007, and I have to thank the Detroit Tigers for setting the perfect stage for my proposal. They were hot in 2006, making it into the World Series, and everyone was buying tickets. I managed to snag two in the upper deck. Laura and I had been dating for about 10 months, and I already had the ring. We went to a fancy dinner at The Whitney in downtown Detroit, and she immediately
sensed something because I got “really weird and quiet” before getting down on one knee. She said yes, and the next night we attended the first home game of the World Series. It was the only game of that series that the Tigers won. Laura has taught me patience and some of her excellent interpersonal skills, which come naturally to her. She always knows just what to say. When we got together, I was a black-and-white thinker, and she always saw the shades of gray. We’ve since pulled each other a bit to see those different angles. She’s the best mother to our daughters. She works hard to help them secure a good position for good opportunities, but they have to do the work themselves. Laura and I just celebrated our 18th anniversary, and all these years later, I’m still in awe of her, still excited about the trips we have yet to take, and so glad I woke her up for that date party. –Kyle Matthews
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January is all about fresh starts, and there’s no better time to give your shirts a clean, fresh reset. Dress shirts can lose their crispness over time, but with the proper care, you can ensure they stay pristine and professional. Dress shirts require more attention than your favorite tees, so the right techniques are essential to avoid collar damage or lost buttons. Whether it’s your go-to office look or a going-out blouse, here’s how to keep your dress shirt style sharp. As always, look at the care label on your shirt to see if there are any specific instructions or details about the fabric. While many dress shirts are machine washable, some button-downs have delicate features that require a gentle approach. Make sure to unbutton the top, remove any collar stays, and uncuff the sleeves before washing it on delicate. It’s important to remove the shirt from the washer as soon as the cycle is over so wrinkles don’t have time to set in. You can either hang it on a clothesline to air dry or lay it flat to dry. To achieve a fresh-pressed look, carefully iron the garment, starting with the collar and working toward the center. Sleeves can be tricky for beginners, so remember to flatten the seam and spread the material out with your hands. KEEP YOUR DRESS SHIRTS CRISP AND POLISHED Step Into the New Year in Style
Quiz for the Day: What room in a house is seldom mentioned in property descriptions but causes boundless headaches and stress if absent? Design a Fun and Functional Mudroom
Answer: A mudroom.
A mudroom is a buffer zone against dirt, mud, slush, and snow. Beyond keeping your house clean and making it easier to enter, a mudroom provides extra storage and adds to the value of your home. A well-designed mudroom is also a stress reliever, freeing homeowners from worries about muddy floors, dripping boots, and raincoats. Some people create mudrooms by converting a closet or laundry room, expanding a garage, or enclosing a porch, while others add a small addition or bump-out to their house. The cost ranges from a few thousand dollars to convert a closet to $30,000 or more to create a new addition.
Here are three essential features to make your mudrooms work well for adults, kids, and pets.
SITTING SPACE A cushioned bench makes it easier for users to remove shoes and boots. Built-in benches that double as storage space anchor the design and make it easy to tuck seasonal gear, shoes, and boots neatly out of sight. While many homeowners yearn for the tidy, put- together look of closed cabinets for storing accessories and supplies, a combination of closed cabinets and open cubbies for easy access to oft-used items is a more practical design for this hardworking space. Also, inside those closed cupboards can be a good place for shared device charging stations to keep the cords out of sight. MULTIPURPOSE FLOORING Your mudroom floor will take a beating, so choose durable, easy- to-clean tile or stone flooring. Earth tones work well in this space, for obvious reasons! If your mudroom design will accommodate a utility sink, this is a welcome addition for cleaning dirty hands and footwear. Another good dual-purpose design is to convert your laundry room into a mudroom. WALL STORAGE Hooks and open shelves along the walls can provide needed storage for clothing, bags, and pet leashes. Line the shelves with colorful bins and baskets to expand available space and add visual interest. Consider labeling the bins to maintain order, and swap out the baskets as the seasons change.
At Janet Davis Cleaners, we know the confidence a sharp shirt can bring. We’ll ensure your favorite tops are deep cleaned and treated, and we’ll take care of the ironing for you. We can sew any buttons back on and ensure it’s wrinkle-free and ready to wear. Our customers know they can count on us to make their shirts look brand-new, including a recent guest.
“I am very particular about my shirts, and even though they charge a little more than I’ve been used to, you can see immediately why. It’s worth every penny. Everything comes back looking as new as the day I bought them. It’s like I get new shirts every time I pick them up.”
Start the new year with shirts as sharp as you feel. Contact Janet Davis Cleaners today, and step out with confidence and style.
As you implement these savvy design features, you’ll soon see the benefits of containing the messes of day-to-day life.
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THREADS OF MEMORY: GARMENTS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME
The hanger shortage is still an issue, and we will continue collecting your hangers! Instead of sending them to the landfill, let us put them to use. We offer a cardboard hanger recycling tote you can request to fill with the hangers you no longer need. It can also help you organize your closet. Thank you for all your help. THE HANGER SHORTAGE CONTINUES
Some garments tell stories that span generations: a wedding dress with its countless memories, a military uniform that honors a family legacy, or a delicate couture piece that has turned heads for decades. These clothes are treasures that deserve to live on and can continue to shine, even if they are no longer part of your wardrobe. From sentimental keepsakes to quality-made pieces, here are clothes worth passing down as heirlooms. WEDDING DRESSES Wedding dresses are a symbol of love, connection, and celebration. Not only do they carry emotional significance, but they are a financial investment. Giving your gown to a loved one for their special day can save them money and make the whole ceremony more personal. Even if you don’t have someone in your family heading down the aisle, these gowns are a great memory to keep around for years to come. There are ways you can preserve these delicate dresses so they last and can be displayed proudly. MILITARY UNIFORMS Family military uniforms are a piece of your history and a reminder of service and sacrifice. By passing
down your own uniform or keeping an ancestor’s gear in the family, you honor the person and their commitment. You can carefully preserve these keepsakes to keep them in your family, or you can eventually donate them to a museum or a veteran’s organization. It’s a way to keep history alive and teach future generations. COUTURE OR CUSTOM Couture pieces are one-of-a-kind, custom creations made from high-quality fabrics and intricate details. These garments are unique and really allow the craftsmanship to shine. There’s someone in your life who could give this article new life. Not only is this a beautiful addition to someone’s closet, but it also showcases the artistry that went into it. Trendy fashions go out of style, but the individuality of couture stands the test of time. Keeping these garments ensures their story and memories continue throughout the generations of your family. At Janet Davis Cleaners, we can restore and preserve your heirloom pieces so they continue to shine long after they go on a hanger.
SUDOKU
JALAPEÑO POPPER SOUP
DIRECTIONS 1. Place a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, then remove to a plate. 2. Add jalapeños and onion to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Add garlic to the pot and sauté for 1 minute. 4. Stir in chicken broth, cumin, salt, and potatoes, and simmer for 20 minutes. 5. Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl and add 1 ladle of hot broth before mixing. 6. Add cream cheese mixture to the pot and stir. 7. Remove from heat and add cheddar cheese and lemon juice, stirring until the cheese melts. 8. Pour into serving bowls, topping with bacon and more shredded cheese.
INGREDIENTS • 4 bacon slices, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces • 5–6 large jalapeño peppers, minced with stems and seeds removed • 1/2 small onion, chopped • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp cumin • 1 1/2 tsp salt • 1 lb gold potatoes,
peeled and cut into bite- size pieces • 8 oz full-fat cream cheese • 1 cup shredded fresh cheddar cheese • 2 tbsp lemon juice
Inspired by TheRecipeCritic.com
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(248) 543-0340 janetdaviscleaners.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE
27607 Woodward Ave. Berkley, MI 48072
1 18 Years, Countless Adventures 2 Function With Flair: Design Features for a Mudroom That Works
Wrinkle-Free, Stress-Free
3 Turn Your Clothing Into an Heirloom
Jalapeño Popper Soup
4 Turn Cold Nights Into Warm Memories
Make Winter Bonfires Your New Tradition DON’T LET THE FIRE DIE
Many Americans invite their friends and family for a bonfire throughout the summer and fall. Nothing beats making s’mores, sharing stories, and enjoying the flickering flame under the moonlight. As temperatures drop and winter weather appears on the radar, some cover and ignore their bonfire area until after the cold and rainy seasons. However, you can still create an awe- inspiring bonfire during winter if you put together a plan. Winter bonfires can quickly become a regular part of your seasonal traditions, and these strategies will help ensure your bonfire is a hit with everyone who attends. HELP PEOPLE STAY WARM. Nobody wants to sit outside in the dark and freezing cold. Encourage everyone attending to dress in warm clothes appropriate for the frigid temperatures, but be prepared to help out if someone starts to feel chilly. Have extra blankets and coats within reach so you can easily pass them to anyone in need. PROVIDE TOASTY TREATS. Sometimes, clothes alone are not enough to protect us from winter’s chill. During these moments, it can help to eat or drink
something that fills your whole body with warmth.
Thankfully, you’ll have a bonfire to help you toast and warm some delicious treats. S’mores are usually the go-to, but you can also warm up
hot dogs, sausages, or even corn on the cob. And don’t forget the drinks! Hot chocolate, warm apple cider, or even tea can help everyone stay comfortable and in good spirits. ADD GAMES OR FUN ACTIVITIES. Some may grow bored with traditional bonfire activities, which is why you should have an extra activity or game up your sleeve. Depending on the lighting, you could play a card or board game. If the lighting is too dim, you can incorporate other activities requiring more movement and adventure. Kids and adults alike will have fun playing a game of flashlight tag or participating in a scavenger hunt. Plus, the extra movement will help everyone stay warm!
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