FOSTERING CONNECTIONS ACROSS NORTHERN MICHIGAN BY LAUREN DAKE
On an early winter weekend last year, I enjoyed my first ski of the season on the Vasa trail. I passed many happy and energetic faces, all excited to be outdoors and enjoying everything that northern Michigan has to offer. As I glided into the trailhead, a smiling face greeted me.
at seven trailheads in three counties. Our Estrellas program has put hundreds of kids on balance bikes. And, community slow rolls roll weekly in the summer in Traverse City and Elk Rapids. Do you want to host one in your community? Norte can help.
“Do you work at Norte?” the skier next to me asked, nodding to my very orange Norte winter hat. “Yes, I do,” I replied proudly. My new friend Laura exclaimed, “You all do such great work for our community. We love what you do!”
It seems the color orange has caught on. We firmly believe that everyone deserves a happy, healthy, strong community, and we are here to help make that happen.
Thank you, Laura. I speak for all of Team Orange when I say that we love what we do, too. It puts a smile on all of our faces when we see people’s faces light up at the sight of Norte gear. It is a validation of our work and recognition that what we do comes from caring about others and a dedication to making our community better—happy, healthy, strong communities. In a short six-year span, Norte has grown from a handful of young riders tooling around Traverse City to working with communities across the Grand Traverse region. We’re now encouraging active-for-life kids and families from Northport and Suttons Bay to Traverse City, out in Kalkaska, and along East Bay to Elk Rapids. The list keeps growing—this spring, we will go further into Antrim and out to Benzie. What does this expansion look like? It means Norte bike libraries are in multiple locations. Last fall, we had 40 coaches who led mountain bikers 4 2020 NORTE ANNUAL REPORT
It is an honor to be Norte’s Outreach Coordinator. One of my jobs is to foster connections across Northern Michigan. I’m here to listen and see how Norte can help. We know our programs and voice bring our neighbors together for a happier, healthier, stronger region—from bike libraries and summer camps to slow rolls to Cranksgiving. The Grand Traverse region is our home, and together we stand. Another part of my job is connecting with people like Laura, who I may just bump into on the trail. I hope to run into many of you soon. If you see me, say hello. And, yes, Laura, we love what we do, and we love you, too.
