No More Cabin Fever! Winter Fitness Family Fun Day

February 16, 2013

Beat the winter blahs and enjoy a day of winter activities in the mitten state! A mix of fun indoor and outdoor activities includes making survival shelters, fire building, snowshoe racing, team-building challenges, Zumba and yoga. Top off your fitness experience as you enjoy making and tasting nutritious snacks.

The Feb. 16 event begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Pre-registration and payment is required. Call 231-829-3421 or email ljacobson@kettunencenter.org to sign up. $7/person includes all materials and lunch.

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!

New Rain Garden beautifies and manages water runoff

The Harwood Learning Landscape Arboretum and Wildflower Trail at Kettunen Center has a new theme garden to manage rain water runoff.

The Harwood Learning Landscape Arboretum and Wildflower Trail at Kettunen Center has a new theme garden to manage rain water runoff.

MSU Extension master gardener volunteers, Maggie Swiriduk, Pat Marlow, Andrea Grix, and Mike Stifler, a retired Department of Environmental Quality Water Division engineer, wanted to change the ditch at the trail entrance to a rain garden that would not only manage water runoff, but also showcases native Michigan wildflower species.

The rain garden, made possible with a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Russ Mawby and the work of volunteers, manages the rain runoff from the impervious surfaces like the road, parking lot and compacted lawn areas at Kettunen Center by collecting and absorbing the rain water preventing soil erosion, water pollution and flooding. Native plants are used because they do not require fertilizer, are more tolerant of local weather conditions and also attract local pollinators such as birds, butterflies and bees. The plants absorb excess water and rocks placed at the entrance of the garden slow and direct water flow.   

In addition, the gift supported the work of a professional landscape designer from Manning Designs of Big Rapids to create a new plan for the pollinator garden areas, and to purchase informational signage for the garden. The signage explains the importance of gardening for native bees using native wildflowers, shrubs and trees. The sign is a replica of the signage placed in the MSU Horticulture Gardens at the native bee educational display garden.

2nd Annual Green 5K Run/Walk Results

The 2nd Annual Green 5K Trail Run/Walk at Kettunen Center was held Sat., Aug. 11.

The 2nd Annual Green 5K Trail Run at Kettunen Center, held Sat., Aug. 11 saw a marked increase in participation and competition with over 70 registrants.

The overall winner was Ken Zylicki of Traverse City with a time of 19:42. The women’s winner was Grace Hamilton of Evart with a time of 25:21. See the full results below.

The Green 5K Trail Run/Walk course is advertised as “not your typical 5K” and started with a short spurt on asphalt, which quickly led to Kettunen Center’s extensive trail system. Racers went up and down hilly paths through hardwoods and meadows, and those taking a more leisurely pace, had the chance to enjoy beautiful vistas overlooking Center Lake and several wetland areas. Remarks from participants after the race included “I loved the run! I can see why this is such a good place for teaching outdoor and environmental education,” and “Whew! That was an excellent training run for hill work. Really nice!”

The event would not have been possible without the help of many local community volunteers. Laura Jacobson, Kettunen Center program staff and race organizer praises the efforts of Kettunen Center staff for getting the course marked and cleared for the race and credits the many volunteers who came and helped make the race a success.

Proceeds from the Green 5K Trail Run/Walk will be used to support youth and family programs at Kettunen Center making it more affordable for schools, camps and other youth organizations to attend. Annually, over 2000 youth and adults participate in outdoor and environmental education activities at Kettunen Center that include team building and leadership development.

Plans are to hold the race again next August.

Women’s Run Results

9 and Under:  Katharine Vann (37.18)
10 – 12:  Christina Vann (35.43)  Madeline McLutyre (1.04:42)
13 – 15:  Kinzie Sikkema (27.08)     Cheyana Rizor (28:09)    Robin Peppy (48:58:
16-19:  Grace Hamilton (25:21)    Jamie Bogart (34:49)
20 – 29:  Lindsey Akom (30:55)   Leah Sefton (33:56)   Holly Barber (35:14)   Wendy Paterson (43:02)   Stephanie Ellison (49:54)
30 – 39:  Nicole Edstrom (28:49)  Tonia Hartline (34:38)  Brandy Loveless (35:45)  Teresa Grover (38:46)  Michelle Bartman (39:40)  Sara Keinath (40:46)  Christina Dodde (41:58)
40 – 49:   Ann Bush (30:56)   Sheri Montoye (32:22)   Lauren Heilman (33.26)  Ellen Vann (35:43)  Louanne McLutyre (1.04:46)
50 – 59:  Becky Doll (34:54)   Darcy Vandawater (49:58)  Lisa Fragomeli (55:26)  Deb Nemish (56:11)
60 – 69:  Karen Yorks (37:18)  Joanne Iler (41:29)  Betsy Erickson (41:29)  Barbara Vandenberg (51:26)

Men’s Run Results

10 – 12:  Timmy Rizor (35:28)   Caleb Dodde (36:20)
13 – 15:  Ben Rigling (22:52)  Derek Hartline (25:12)   Joe Rigling (31:34)
16 – 19:  PJ Nemish (56:11)
30 – 39: Jed Avery (27:32)  Scott Akom (31:07)  Kirk Edstrom (34:58)
40 – 49: Mike Battle (25:06)  Tim Rigling (28:59)  Walt Hartline (31:44)  Tom Vann (39:17)
50 – 59:  Ben Zywicki (19:42)  Dale Moody (22:44)  Greg Mills (24:13)  Keith Stutzman (27:32)  Gary Sielski (33:23)
60 – 69:  David Stroud (30:43)  John Iler (50:38)  Ketih Yorks (52:49)
70 + :  Ken Vandenberg (37:40)

Walker Results

Men – 50 and Over:  Mike Tylman (47:18)
Women 40 – 49:   Renee Bisel (52:49)
Women 50 and Over:  Kris Bullock (53:41)

Welcoming Christopher Gentry

Chris Gentry

Please help us welcome Christopher M. Gentry as Kettunen Center director. Gentry succeeds John Grix who served as Kettunen Center’s director since 1988. Chris comes to the Michigan 4-H Foundation from service as executive director of the Oliver Art Center in Frankfort. He brings 25 years of non-profit organizational leadership and management experience serving local YMCAs in a variety of roles including managing a 180-acre facility in Ohio. He recently served as executive director of a $6.5 million YMCA facility in Cadillac with responsibility for building capacity to deliver program and funding which led to completing the construction and opening the facility. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Park and Recreation Administration from Michigan State University. If you are at Kettunen Center in the coming months, please take a moment to welcome Chris to Kettunen Center and Michigan 4-H.