Andrea Grix Says Goodbye After 24 Years

Andrea Grix

After twenty-four years of service to Kettunen Center, Andrea Grix said goodbye. She has relocated to Beulah with her husband and former Kettunen Center director, John Grix. Andrea served as Kettunen Center’s Educational Program Manager since 1988.

During her tenure Andrea initiated, developed, and grown a vast array of educational program offerings that have impacted many youth and families over the years. She started the 4-H Trackers outdoor environmental education program that has provided area schools with meaningful opportunity to bring science to life at Kett. The TREE program has fostered group work and team-building for young and old throughout the year. Andrea initiated a number of Road Scholar programs at the center that have benefited visitors from all over the country.

Many community programs were developed through Andrea’s efforts. The Family Day Programs hosted at Kettunen Center throughout the year give local families a chance to be together and enjoy the outdoor environment Kettunen offers. While Andrea did not start it, she developed the center’s annual Breakfast with Santa event to serve nearly 1000 people each year. The summer’s Art Camp has provided a unique week of camp to youth from all over the region.

Andrea’s service has not been limited to Kettunen Center. Her statewide activities have included coordinating MSU Extension’s Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council; participating in the 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp each summer; serving with the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE); leading local 4-H clubs; and many other endeavors.

The Kettunen Center facility has also benefited from Andrea’s dedication. She coordinated re-development of the arboretum, the various gardens, the trail system, and waterfront. It’s been a common sight to see Andrea working with volunteers in the gardens, lifeguarding at the beach, or guiding folks along the trails. She’s been a leader, facilitator, and worker in enhancing the beauty and enjoyment of Kettunen Center.

Kettunen Center has become a better place because of Andrea’s passion, dedication, hard work and leadership. She’ll be very much missed but her touch and work will always be present for future visitors and program participants.

Thank you, Andrea!

'Take Me Fishing' at Kett

Kettunen Center has increased its water-related educational program activities through a new Take Me Fishing program grant.

The initiative, which began in September, launched innovative and dynamic winter programming. It has sparked the development of new programs and the purchase of new equipment and supplies for water-related educational and recreational activities for guests.

The Take Me Fishing program focuses on getting children, ages 3 and older, families and adults outdoors to enjoy fishing year round, lake ecology, canoeing, kayaking, nature study, snow science, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and bird watching for learning, physical fitness and an appreciation of Michigan’s natural water resources.

“The overall goal for the Take Me Fishing initiative at Kettunen Center was to involve 2,000 youth and adults in fishing, boating and water-related educational program activities this year,” said Andrea Grix, Kettunen Center education coordinator.

The Take Me Fishing program is funded by a grant from the National Recreation and Park Association provided by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. The grant funded the purchase of new ice fishing equipment and supplies, including an ice shanty fishing shelter for programming and an ice auger. It also funded life jackets, a new paddleboat, repairs to the dock and the resurfacing of the handicapped-accessible trail to the Kettunen Center waterfront.

Grant subsidies for programs meant lower fees for participants of the Take Me Fishing Family Fun Day, the Winter Family Fun Day, one-day 4-H TRACKERS school field trips and multi-day overnight camps and a Project WILD curriculum workshop for educators.

Originally published in the Spring 2010 issue of Vantage.