MyNorth Inspired Life, Spring 2022

CRITICAL TIPS FOR NEW CAREGIVERS

FIND YOUR NORTHERN DREAM HOME

5 RETIREMENT EXPENSES TO PLAN FOR

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Welcome to Inspired Life. At the heart of this magazine is the idea that at every age, we share a common love of this place we call home. Meet new neighbors embracing adventures—both big and small. Discover ways to give back to the people, land and water of this region. Find real advice for taking good care of family, friends and loved ones. Tap into a true joy for the outdoors that keeps our inner lives vibrant and our bodies well. Connect.

Join in. Find smart and new ways to inspire your life Up North. —the Editors

CONTENTS 4

FOR THE LOVE OF SKIING At 90 years old, ski instructor Tom Awrey is still imparting his wisdom—and hitting the slopes—at The Homestead.

7

CRITICAL TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS Caring for a loved one can be overwhelming: These expert tips will help prevent burnout and set you up for success.

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5 RETIREMENT EXPENSES TO PLAN FOR Even for those of us who have a good handle on our retirement savings, budgeting for the day-to-day reality of retirement can be daunting. Erickson Braund of Black Walnut Wealth Management in Traverse City shares how to plan for unexpected expenses.

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IT TAKES A VILLAGE Eagle Village, a nonprofit based in Hersey, Michigan, supports youth through love, education and care—and they’re in need of more volunteers to help make that happen.

22

BUSINESS IS BLOOMING Carolyn Faught has found a colorful, and meaningful, mission in her life’s next chapter—bringing joy to those who stop to smell (and pick!) her gorgeous flowers in Omena.

27

HIKE FOR YOUR HEALTH Guided hikes led by local groups are keeping Otsego County seniors happy and healthy year-round. Plus, check out our roundup of easily accessible hikes across the North.

COVER PHOTO BY ALLISON JARRELL

FINDING THE NORTHERN DREAM A blended family of seven hunts for the perfect home Up North. After viewing 12 houses, they narrow their search to three: two in Traverse City and one in Cedar.

Which would you choose?

Inspired Life is produced by Heritage Broadcasting Company of Michigan. Advertising and editorial offices at: 125 Park St., Ste. 155, Traverse City, MI 49684. 231.941.8174, MyNorth.com. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022, Heritage Broadcasting Company of Michigan. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

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FOR THE LOVE OF SKIING 4

At 90 years old, Tom Awrey is still imparting his ski wisdom— and hitting the slopes —at The Homestead.

TEXT + PHOTO BY ALLISON JARRELL

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AS I WATCH 90-YEAR-OLD TOM AWREY ZIGZAG WITH EASE DOWN A SNOW-LADEN SKI RUN, THERE’S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT HE CAN TEACH ANYONE TO SKI—AND AT ANY AGE. The longtime Homestead ski instructor (and former NASTAR racer) is living proof that the sport is an option for anyone, as long as they’re willing to take the powdery plunge.

The Traverse City resident has been hitting the slopes for 85 years now and has no plans to put the brakes on anytime soon.

“It keeps me young,” Tom says. “At my age, I need it!”

On this sunny February morning, Homestead Ski School Director LeeAnna Grafstein is watching Tom and some young skiers descend Sweet Cicely hill. She’s only been in her position for part of the winter, but that’s long enough to recognize that “Tom is a great person to know.”

“He really has a lot of heart,” says LeeAnna. “He puts everything into this.”

Upon starting the job, LeeAnna told Tom she wanted to learn to ski so she could guide the other instructors. “He kept encouraging me, and one day we were slow and he said, ‘OK, let’s go out. Get your skis on!’” recalls LeeAnna. “So, I did, and within an hour, I was at the top of that hill skiing.

He’s phenomenal. He will not stop until you’re skiing the proper way, and he makes sure these instructors are teaching everyone the proper way.”

Whether it’s giving advice to a passing skier, or telling stories to coworkers off the slopes, LeeAnna says Tom has left a lasting impression on her. “He goes home with me,” she says. “I go home and I think about the conversations we had. He’s just touched my heart.”

BORN TO SKI

No one pushed Tom to try skiing at the age of 5. One day, as he tells it, he just decided to grab some pine boards (for skis)

and hit the hills of his small town of West Branch. “There was no such thing as lessons then,” Tom recalls. “My first pair of skis were 6 feet long and had a leather strap across the toe!”

Tom’s dad worked in a gas station, and when Tom was 6 or 7, he got an inner tube, cut two pieces off it, sewed them through the leather strap and pulled it back on his heel. The “binding” of sorts allowed him to start doing turns.

A Boy Scout who was no stranger to adventure, he would often head out to Tolfree Farm in West Branch—a plot of land that had been timbered off, leaving huge stumps in the hills. “I would go out there on the weekends and just take a backpack, pack my lunch and build a fire in one of the stumps,” Tom recalls. “I’d ski out there all day.”

Skiing remained a love of Tom’s, and eventually, it led him to the love of his life, Shirley. The two were childhood sweethearts—they met at West Branch Public High School and, naturally, he taught her to ski.

Shirley has since lost her eyesight, but Tom says “she was a beautiful skier in her day.”

“She was one of those skiers who started at the top of the hill at a certain speed, and when she got to the bottom, she was still going the same speed,” he says with a smile.

“I don’t know how she did it. She was fully in control all the way down the hill.”

Tom and Shirley were married right out of high school, and they’ve been together for more than 70 years now. “She’s probably the reason that I’m skiing today,” Tom laughs.

“She puts up with me.”

Following school, Tom worked at a couple of grocery stores in West Branch before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. He went on to have a 25-year career with the Michigan State Police and retired in 1980.

Tom says he decided to start teaching skiing because “it’s something [he] always loved.” He got his start at Snow Snake Mountain, after owner Howard Brockway approached him while skiing and personally invited him to teach there. It was a perfect fit.

“It’s fun just to see people and their transformation,” Tom says. “At first they’re all nervous and scared, and all of a sudden, they’re relaxed, and they’re skiing down the

hill just having a ball.”

Tom went on to teach all over Michigan —from the Lansing Ski Club and Mid Michigan College, to Timberlee Hills, Shanty Creek, The Highlands, Boyne Mountain and Sugarloaf. In 2000, he started instructing at The Homestead, making this his 22nd year at the resort.

And as if all that weren’t impressive enough, Tom added NASTAR racer to his resume while at The Homestead. (Developed

by SKI Magazine in 1968, NASTAR —National Standard Race— is the largest recreational ski and snowboard race program in the world.) “I was here and they had the courses set up, so I just jumped in and started skiing,” Tom recalls. “It was fun racing for the 5-6 years we had it here.”

Tom smiles as he recounts racing down Purple Clover hill against local ski legend Lou Batori—who later on was still hitting the slopes at the age of 106. (Lou passed away in 2018 at the age of 107.) “He was a very nice guy,” says Tom. “Sometimes I beat him, and sometimes he beat me. It was fun to compare techniques.”

TEACHING TODAY’S SKIERS

Over the years, Tom has seen skiing change “tremendously.” He motions down to his feet. “The skis I’m on right now are left and right skis, because the inside edge is a carving edge and the outside edge is a rocker,” says Tom. “So, it just slides right out of the way when you’re making your turns. There’s all kinds of technology built into skis today.”

And the old pine boards he used as a child? “I can just use them for kindling now,” he laughs.

But no matter how much the world of skiing changes, one constant remains: Tom’s love for the thrill of the sport. Today, he delights in sharing that passion with his family (a daughter, two sons, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren), as well as those who are lucky enough to encounter him at The Homestead.

And his advice for those still on the fence? “Take a lesson from a certified instructor.” You know where to find him.

Allison Jarrell is the managing editor of Traverse Magazine. You can reach her at allison@mynorth.com.

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10 TIPS

FOR NEW CAREGIVERS Caring for a loved one can be overwhelming—these expert tips help prevent burnout and set you up for success.

BY CARA MCDONALD

Even the healthiest among us don’t know when an illness, diagnosis or injury will change our plans and the rhythm of our daily lives. And if that sudden health change happens to a loved one, we can find ourselves as caregivers, facing down an acute or chronic health condition that will change our lives and lifestyles.

Stepping into a brand-new role as a caregiver can be profoundly stressful as we grapple with the changes our loved one faces and find ourselves in a steep learning curve to provide the care they need.

“Every caregiving individual and situation is unique,” says Ronda Cram, director of community services for the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan. “There are common themes, but there’s never a one-size-fits-everything guide on how to do this right.”

However, Cram says there are fundamental strategies, guidelines and tips that will help any new caregiver transition into their role with confidence—and provide a better quality of life for both them and their loved one.

1 PRACTICE SELF-CARE, NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION.

The term can sound a bit cliché, and the advice to practice selfcare frustrating to those in situations where they are juggling caregiving, work, family, home life and more. “It absolutely takes a concentrated effort to do this,” Cram says. “But if you end up sick or burned out, you’re no good to yourself or anyone.” To succeed, she advises making a conscious choice to incorporate a few things into your daily life: • Get plenty of sleep. Do your best to not burn the midnight oil “catching up” on all the many to-dos.

• Eat well. Think of your food as fueling your caregiving; don’t skip meals.

• Take a walk. Even if it’s only for 10 minutes, that time can get your blood pumping, clear your head and help you breathe.

• Schedule time away, even in a crisis. If that means getting respite care or simply stepping away from the bedside to get a cup of coffee, you’ll be preserving yourself to carry on in the best way possible. 4

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2 DEVELOP A ROUTINE. Creating a structure for your day helps

7 LET GO OF GUILT. “It’s very difficult sometimes when you feel like

3 FIND A SCHEDULING TOOL THAT WORKS FOR YOU. “My thing is

8 F IND SUPPORT FROM THOSE WHO KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH. “A lot of support groups have moved online,”

both you and the person being cared for, taking the chaos and frustration out of having things occur haphazardly. Break down your day into meals, rest times, activities, necessary events like work or appointments, and keep it somewhere visual to help you both have a sense of stability. “Consistency helps set expectations, which lowers the potential for upset or burnout,” Cram says.

sticky notes,” Cram says. “I have a big board that I use with them to keep track of things, but everyone is different.” Find your own approach, whether that’s a whiteboard, a calendar, a bulletin board, a paper day planner or a calendar app on your phone to track to-dos, appointments and milestones.

4 KEEP A CARE JOURNAL. There may be formal and informal care-

givers coming in on different days, so write down pertinent info to share, such as if your loved one had a good day, or any notes about meals and appetites, sleep and mood. It helps all caregivers know what’s going on and track any patterns, and serves as a communication tool that allows you to step away and easily hand off relevant information.

5 TAKE HELP WHEN IT’S OFFERED. “We all think we’re super-peo-

ple,” Cram says, “but no one can go it alone. If someone wants to bring you a meal, say yes, and say it without guilt. Because if someone didn’t want to help, they wouldn’t offer.” Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask, too. Church groups, book clubs, neighbors, friends and coworkers can all be sources of a helping hand, a hot meal or just a listening ear.

6 GET HELP WITH MEALS LONG-TERM. “In most communities,

there are home-delivered meal programs such as Meals on Wheels, but more options exist,” Cram says. An online program called Mom’s Meals ships frozen meals to your door. Meal kits like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron can help; some even offer meals for restricted diets. Sites like Caring Bridge or Meal Train can help you organize friends who wish to help and provide a meal, as well as coordinate other offers to help with things like trips to the doctor, yard work or house cleaning. Tip: Especially if you’re in a new or crisis caregiving situation, space out your requests for meals over time so you aren’t overwhelmed with them all in the beginning.

you are not able to deliver on promises, such as ‘I’ll care for you at home, I’ll never put you in a nursing home,’” Cram says. Honor that you are giving your best effort and that sometimes that may not be enough, and you may need additional help. “Instead, reassure your loved one that you’ll do your best to see their wishes through.”

Cram explains; not just because of Covid-19, but because internet-based groups have popped up that are readily accessible and more diagnosis-specific. Private Facebook groups dedicated to specific conditions are a wonderful place to start, and they usually have a sub-group for caregivers.

9 REACH OUT FOR HELP SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. The Area

Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan has counselors who are nurses and social workers ready to help sort through the stage of life that people are in, talk about future goals and draw out some of those questions to help you and your loved one plan ahead. They meet you at whatever point you currently find yourself. “In a crisis, we can help you get on a long-term path,” Cram says.

10 AS A CAREGIVER, GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT. On some days the

best you can do is just be there; other days you feel like you’re really hitting it out of the park. “Caregiving is difficult, and showing up for someone you love in this way is a meaningful thing,” Cram says. “Take the win, take the credit that you are doing everything you can do.”

For more information, guidance, resources, online classes and support, contact the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan at aaanm.org or call 231.947.8920.

Cara McDonald is a freelance writer, creative entrepreneur and believer in the power of storytelling for small businesses and nonprofits.

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Everyday Retirement How to plan for five unexpected expenses.

BY CARA MCDONALD

Surprises

Even for those of us who have a good handle on our retirement savings, budgeting for the day-to-day reality of retirement can be daunting. And if we’re not immediately ready to retire, that kind of planning for a more distant future can feel abstract and easy to brush to the side, leaving us unprepared for unexpected expenses that may come our way.

“No one can plan for everything 100 percent,” says Erickson Braund, founder and chief financial officer at Black Walnut Wealth Management in Traverse City. “But the sooner you start, the better.”

Braund explains that while many of his clients may have healthy retirement savings and a solid plan, there are still many retirement expenditures that can crop up and surprise even those with significant savings. Luckily, Braund has a fix that may not be easy, but it’s definitely simple: Creating a detailed vision of your day-to-day retirement reality. 4

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“I tell my clients, ‘Let’s get as vivid as possible,’” he says. It can often take several months of careful listening and strategizing, during which Braund and his client meet, budget, talk priorities, assess financials and create goals.

Braund asks questions like these to get his clients thinking about money requirements beyond just basic living expenses: • How often do you travel? Do you plan on taking adult children and grandchildren on trips with you?

• Where would you like to live? Do you plan to stay in Northern Michigan year-round? Will you relocate? If so, what are the home prices and taxes like in your proposed location?

• Do you plan to have a second home? If you already own one, do you plan to use it more? Will you be losing rental income or gaining rental income on it?

•

Is downsizing on the horizon?

• How do you spend time each day? What is a typical day like?

• Will you be covering expenses that were previously covered by a job, such as a company car, cell phone, home Wi-Fi or travel allowances?

• What memberships will you need to enjoy your lifestyle—gym, boat club, HOA, golf, etc.?

• Do you like to cook and eat in? Will you be dining out more?

Hosting large gatherings?

• What are your hobbies? Do you plan to scale them up? Will you need to invest in space or equipment? Will you be purchasing major items like a boat, camper or vintage cars?

“The closer we can get to your vision of retirement, the better idea we’ll have of exactly how much you’ll need to budget,” Braund says.

His rule of thumb is to use 4 percent as a guideline—4 percent is used to determine an amount you could draw annually from your diversified portfolio. To determine how much to save for retirement, divide your annual income needed by 4 percent. Example: If you want $200,000 a year, you will need approximately $5 million in a portfolio.

Although every client situation is different, there are some easyto-overlook expenses that Braund advises everyone to consider when planning for retirement, no matter how far out that is.

HERE ARE FIVE THAT CAN SURPRISE RETIREES: 1 INFLATION. It may be top of the news now, but we usually don’t

think about inflation because typically it’s moderate and nothing to panic about. “This is something any good portfolio will be taking into account,” Braund says. “It’s not sexy, but a balanced, diversified portfolio really is the answer and helps through all types of uncertainties and environments.” Real estate and the stock market perform well during moderate inflation, he notes, although lately he sees a lot of clients rebalancing portfolios to account for large increases in home values. “You don’t want to be overcommitted in any one area,” he adds.

2 THE NEEDS OF ADULT CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN.

Retirement is a time in life when grandchildren may be heading to college or adult kids are trying to buy a home. This can be particularly tricky, Braund admits, when a client has quite a bit of

money, as they may feel more obligated to share it. “We always advise that retirement is the first priority,” he says. “You can borrow funds for real estate and college, but not for retiring, so those retirement needs have to be taken care of first.”

Braund often works with multi-generational families to help adult children plan, save and set up investments so they won’t be reliant on Mom and Dad. Some insider advice? Ensure that college-age children or grandchildren pay something toward their degrees, even if you plan to help. “Having skin in the game can really help keep the focus on school and teach them about the value of their education,” he says.

3 WANTING TO RETIRE EARLIER THAN PLANNED. “This is an issue

that can come up unexpectedly,” says Braund. “In particular, we see how Covid has changed things. People are tired, stressed; work can feel like too much and can influence their decision to maybe sell their company or step down from their job.” Retiring earlier than planned isn’t impossible, but it can mean making significant adjustments to the budget, such as a smaller home, less travel or lower spending on entertainment.

4 HOBBIES AND PASSIONS. For many, retirement brings the time

and money to pursue projects and pleasures that have taken a back seat to work, but those can become a tempting way to spend way beyond expectations. The key here is to price your passions. Check in with someone retired who’s enjoying your hobby of choice and get a reality check on the time and money they spend. If you’re just getting into a hobby, like woodworking, be sure to create a thorough breakdown of all the necessary equipment, supplies as well as space needs. Will you need a heated workshop? Will that require home improvements and a higher utility bill, or will you need to rent a space? Or if you’ve always wanted an RV, will your HOA allow you to store a 30-foot camper on your property or will you need to pay for off-site storage? What about additional insurance, maintenance, repairs or winterizing? Shaking out hidden expenses will help you better plan your budget.

5 HAVING MORE INCOME THAN BEFORE YOU RETIRED.

Wait, what? Most people think of retirement as a situation where they are navigating a more fixed income, or downsizing and spending less. But Braund says that it’s not unusual for retirees to be faced with income from multiple streams such as investments, along with new sources of income such as social security and pensions. “If you have accumulated a good chunk of retirement funding you could end up paying more from a tax standpoint,” he explains. “It can get complicated, so we help clients determine where to take the money from in a tax-advantaged way.”

No matter when you plan to retire, having a clear picture of how you want your life to look and being alert for hidden expenses will help prevent you from having to reconfigure a budget or give up certain things that feel important. “The sooner you can plan and save,” Braund says, “the more your money is working for you.”

Cara McDonald is a freelance writer, creative entrepreneur and believer in the power of storytelling for small businesses and nonprofits.

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FINDING THE NORTHERN DREAM A blended family hunts for a home in Traverse City.

Which would you choose?

BY RACHEL SOULLIERE

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Pat and Lee Perry were on the hunt for the perfect home for their blended family of seven. With three kids currently out of the house and twin 11th graders still at home, this family knew they needed to find a place with as much space as possible while staying in Grand Traverse County. Moving out of the county was not an option, as they wanted to keep the twins at the same school and needed to be close enough to take care of aging parents.

Having attended high school in Traverse City, Lee is no stranger to the area, while Pat is originally from out east. They moved their family to Northern Michigan in the early 2000s for work and to raise their children around both sets of grandparents. From there, they fully immersed themselves in the community and haven’t looked back since.

You can find their family outdoors enjoying Northern Michigan’s beauty or downtown checking out everything Traverse City has to offer.

“This is such a neat area filled with culture, amazing food and endless activities that has grown so much in the past 45 years. You’d also be hardpressed to find a more beautiful place on Earth,” Lee says.

Heading into their home search, Pat and Lee knew they wanted a house in a great location not too far from downtown, at least three bedrooms, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, an open floorplan and space for entertaining family and community members. With the help of real estate agent Kelly Leipprandt of Live Local Realty, this couple was able to look at more than 12 houses before finally finding their dream home.

“Kelly was a counselor to us and took the time to get to know both Lee and me,” Pat says. “She dug deeper every chance she got, and we truly valued her opinion every step of the way. She did a fantastic job and constantly worked to find a home that was perfect for our blended family.”

After viewing more than 12 homes, Pat and Lee, with Kelly’s help, narrowed it to their top three.

Rachel Soulliere leads web content and social media for MyNorth Media and Traverse Magazine. When she's not posting new articles online or working on social media strategy, she's most likely traveling or celebrating Northern Michigan. Follow her adventures on Instagram @rlsoulliere.

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finalist no.1 PINE MEADOWS > TRAVERSE CITY This 4-bed, 3-bath 3,256 sq. ft. Traverse City home was located two miles from downtown and within walking distance from West Senior High, where the twins attend school. Everything in the home felt brand-new and turnkey, and it had a very open and modern floorplan. There was plenty of space for entertaining, however, there were hardly any trees on the lot and the basement still needed carpet or hardwood. Overall, it was a beautiful home at the end of the neighborhood with new, contemporary finishes.

> ASKING PRICE: $550,000

finalist no. 2 HEMLOCK ROAD > CEDAR Located on a double lot, this spacious 3-bed, 3-bath home featured an open floor plan, updates throughout, fireplace, hardwood floors and a beautiful kitchen with quartz counters and plentiful cabinetry. Some of the most recent updates included new carpet, paint, flooring, a bathroom remodel and new roof shingles. It was located close to everything both Leland and Glen Arbor had to offer, however, it was in a different school district. It was also the smallest home at 3,248 sq. ft. but was fully updated with gorgeous finishes.

finalist no. 3

> ASKING PRICE: $450,000

STONE RIDGE > TRAVERSE CITY This 4-bed, 3.5-bath home was the largest option at 3,394 sq. ft. It featured a spacious main floor master bedroom, vaulted ceilings, a bonus room, theater room, wet bar and a workshop with plenty of storage. The backyard had a patio perfect for entertaining and lush landscaping, and it was only two miles from the beach and downtown. While this home had the space and location the family wanted, it was at the absolute top of their budget and they had to factor in the home needing a new roof in the next few years and HOA fees and restrictions.

> ASKING PRICE: $599,000 WHAT HOME DID THE PERRY FAMILY PICK? Discover which home the Perrys bought, and vote for the property you would have chosen: link.mynorth.com/perryfamily MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2022

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IT TAKES A VILLAGE This nonprofit supports youth through love, education and care—and it needs your help.

BY KANDACE CHAPPLE // PHOTOS COURTESY OF EAGLE VILLAGE

Do you have a few hours to spare on a Friday? We have an idea for you.

“Friends Friday” is the newest program at Eagle Village, an organization that has been changing the lives of youth and families since 1968, located in Hersey, Michigan.

Eagle Village supports children impacted by trauma with several programs: a residential care program for 10- to 17-year-olds, summer camps and weekend interventions, therapy programs and mentorships, foster care and adoption services … the list goes on.

Given the breadth of their programs, it’s easy to see why “Friends Friday” is an excellent way for volunteers to learn about the world of Eagle Village and see which of the nonprofit’s many programs might be a fit for their skills.

“Come in and see what we are doing firsthand,” says Chad Saxton, director of outreach and engagement. “We see how visits spark something in potential volunteers—they suddenly see how their own special skills or gifts can help the kids, and they get excited.”

A prime example of this happened a year ago when a volunteer 18

was on campus helping the boys decorate for Christmas. She left wanting to do something special for them and donated $8,000 for mountain bikes.

Another volunteer was there for a tour and heard the story of the donation. He was a mountain biking enthusiast and after seeing the gorgeous wooded campus—all 681 acres of it—he became invested in doing more. The volunteer went on to recruit biking friends to help improve trails on the property and—the fun part—put together group rides for the kids.

“The only catch was that it was impossible to find bikes during Covid-19,” Chad says. “But the volunteer didn’t give up. He reached out to REI and explained what Eagle Village does to help youth. It just so happened that the very same day, REI got a huge shipment of bikes in. They sent us the first 20 mountain bikes from the shipment!”

Programs like these not only get kids outside in nature—a key part of Eagle Village’s healing philosophy—they also work as an incentive. Children who complete five rides and an hour of trail work receive a bike jersey.

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But there’s one thing that means most of all.

“There are a lot of firsts for kids here at Eagle Village,” Chad adds. “You can’t fathom it in most cases, but some kids here have never been on a bike or gone for an ice cream cone after a game.”

Chad shares another “first” story at Eagle Village that happened on Christmas morning.

“We had one young gal opening her present very, very slowly. Finally, we had to ask, why are you taking so long?” recalls Chad. The answer: The girl had never received a Christmas present before, and she wanted to make it last.

“She said her mother was always working to keep the heat on and keep them in their home, so there wasn’t any money for presents,” Chad says.

It’s stories like these that are both heartbreaking and heartwarming at Eagle Village.

A HELPING HAND

Eagle Village has a 1:3 staff to youth ratio.

Volunteers are in addition to staff members, so they don’t have to handle behavioral issues; they are there to enjoy, have fun and engage with the kids. All volunteers undergo a background check and training before starting, Chad notes.

Volunteers Rick and Beth Gentner are regular faces at Eagle Village. However, when Covid closed the campus to volunteers last year, they had to get creative.

The Gentners put out a Facebook call to provide masks for the youth, collecting 400 handmade cloth masks. Then, when they couldn’t decorate the residential houses for the holidays as usual, they collected “Cookie Baking Kits” (via Facebook again) for the residential houses instead.

“They thought of everything!” Chad says.

“The kits included aprons, baking sheets, spatulas, ingredients, a recipe—everything.”

Rick and Beth both say the experience is beyond fulfilling.

“There is no way to track the impact that volunteering has,” Rick says. “There is no way to put a price on the worth and value this brings to your life.”

THE PROGRAMS

As the pandemic continues, Eagle Village has about 30 children on campus, half their usual number. In 2019, Eagle Village served 120 Michigan youth from 56 different counties.

Currently, they have four residential houses open, down from six, due to lack of staffing—something that is happening across the board with all residential programs, Chad says. 4 MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2022

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Each house has nine children (grouped by age and gender) with three staff members on day, afternoon and overnight shifts to care for them. The children go to a charter school right on campus and do normal family things together after school, like sports (mountain biking!), leisure, dance, art, Christmas pageants, drama, etc. There are auditions and practices and prepping stages, and parents and the public are invited to watch their productions.

There is also a vocational certification program available for older residents as they prepare to leave Eagle Village and live in the community. All residents are provided with on-site medical care and therapy, and all students have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma.

In addition, the children’s families are involved in Legacy Weekends, which are chances for Eagle Village therapists to work with kids and their families together. When safe and appropriate, Eagle Village picks up the family, provides all the food and lodging for the weekend, and returns the family to their home at no cost.

“We do our best to help the family heal as a whole,” Chad says.

MENTORS

Mentoring children is another rewarding way to volunteer at Eagle Village. Mentors are assigned by gender.

“For example, we would pair up a female adult with a young lady for an hour a week,” Chad says. “It could be phone mentoring or they might come here, walk and play games with them. After six or so visits, they might take off-campus field trips. We keep it very structured, so everyone knows what to expect.”

They are sure to emphasize that mentors aren’t there to lecture or become additional therapists, they are simply there to care about the kids.

“Some of our kids don’t have any place to go on Christmas Day, no foster home, nowhere,” Chad says. “They see other kids getting phone calls, but they don’t. Mentors can become that person for them.”

In addition, Eagle Village facilitates foster care and adoptions.

Chad has firsthand experience with the program. He started fostering with his wife in 1994, and they have adopted three children.

“When you work here, you see kids who need help and don’t have it,” Chad says. “Our adopted children are now ages 31, 22 and 14.

We see miracles here every day.”

For more information, visit eaglevillage.org. “Friends Friday” is held the third Friday of every month and includes a campus tour and lunch with the kids. Some needs include mowing, raking, gift wrapping, baking, sorting clothing and spring cleaning. Chad encourages you to come out and see if there’s a way to share your gifts.

Kandace Chapple is a freelance writer and founder of the Michigan Girl Bike Club. She can be reached at kandacechapple.com.

SP E N D T I M E AT E AG L E VI L L AG E NO MATTER HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE TO VOLUNTEER, THERE’S AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIT YOUR SCHEDULE:

1 HOUR

•

Speak in chapel or be a part of student athletic events.

2 HOURS

• Teach a specific skill, such as cooking, crafts, organizing or changing car oil.

• Participate in a Career Day and share what you do and the education it requires.

• Mentor a child—spend two to four hours monthly investing in them through phone calls and in-person visits.

•

Bring a group for a tour of the campus.

4 HOURS

• Help with an event, such as Eagles Pride (residents are recognized for accomplishments and get to have their hair done, makeup, formal attire and dinner to celebrate!) or the Eagle Village 5K, usually held in July.

•

Invite Eagle Village to speak at your church or service group.

• Invite Eagle Village children to an event or project in your community.

5 HOURS

• Attend an Eagles in Action Day to help tackle larger projects around campus. (There’s usually one in April for spring cleaning.)

•

Do landscaping or raking around campus.

LONG-TERM • Coordinate volunteers (10 hours weekly).

• Rally your church or group to adopt one of their residential houses. Be their go-to person for learning skills, cheering them on and helping purchase Christmas presents (1-year commitment).

• Involve your group or another organization in recurring volunteer days.

YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE

• Offer your area of expertise to the Career and Trades Center program. Some examples include teaching kids how to mountain bike or cook a meal.

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Finding a colorful—and meaningful—mission in life’s next chapter.

BY KIM SCHNEIDER // PHOTOS BY ALLISON JARRELL

Carolyn Faught is kneeling by the edge of a raised garden bed, methodically placing tulip bulbs in a grid pattern that resembles a carton of eggs—well, if you were laying out an impressive 208 cartons worth. It’s one of 26 flower beds she meticulously maintains at her U-Pick garden, Omena Cut Flowers, a business that’s continued to bloom during her retirement.

Underneath the massive bed, she’s laid netting to keep burrowing critters away, one of many lessons learned in her quarter-century of flower farming. As Carolyn quickly but precisely plants some 2,500 bulbs, her accountant husband, Dave, sprinkles dirt to set them in place (the work is his “antidote” to taxes). Omena Bay glistens in the background, and the family’s golden retriever pup, Marigold, lounges nearby.

A few minutes later, Dave will dump a truckload of dirt on top to tuck in the bulbs for winter as Carolyn moves on to cutting back peony bushes; these 150 bushes are stunning additions to the garden, she explains, and also great revenue producers. She’ll check plantings of winter rye that enrich the soil and then move on to the next task, barely pausing and nearly impossible to keep up with.

Carolyn’s is a retirement job by only the loosest definition of the term. Her recent retirement from a weekday career as the communication director for the Leelanau Conservancy has just given her more time to devote to her longtime avocation and passion.

Here on M-22, just a two-minute drive from the quaint bay town of Omena and on the main route between Suttons Bay and Northport, the 64-year-old self-taught flower farmer and entrepreneur has built a business including U-Pick flowers, premade bouquets for purchase, flower subscriptions, the sale of perennial plants and bulbs and beautiful wedding arrangements. Customers find scissors, jars and handled baskets to hold their chosen flowers, and pencils and pads to tally what they’ve spent, all inside a storybook-perfect wooden potting shed. From there, U-pickers have total freedom

to create custom bouquets as they wander the flower beds covering a wide, sloping lawn with a bay view. Payment is on the honor system.

“People say ‘You work so hard,’” Carolyn says. “For me, this is my play. This is my joy. I don’t consider it work. I would be here 24/7 if my body could take it. I would. I just love every piece of it.”

Finding a sense of mission in retirement is what everybody dreams of for this chapter of their lives, and more and more retirees are finding that mission in a new livelihood or the chance to turn a hobby into a new source of income. Carolyn got a head start, beginning her passion job when her son (now a medical school graduate and resident) was 8 years old, and a second was on the way, seizing the chance to make some residual income with flexible work after leaving a job she similarly loved as managing editor of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine.

The original idea for this now full-time project came as many of the best do—by serendipity. She walked from her magazine office to the local farmer’s market one lunch break to buy flowers for the magazine’s office manager. When she walked in with an armload of sunflowers, the staff swarmed around her asking, “Where’d you get those?!”

“I thought, I could plant my whole front yard in sunflowers!” she recalls. “I started researching flower farms and learned of one on the West Coast.

I thought, ‘I’m on a busy road, in a tourist area. I could do that.’ And the plan turned into a U-Pick garden.”

Carolyn initially planted six beds and teamed up with a close friend, now a local judge, who had then taken a short break from her law career. Even more special was the way her mother walked the journey with her, watching the young boys while she worked the garden and providing both gardening inspiration and perennials.

Many of the U-Pick’s most successful beds are from sprigs off her mother’s gardens.

As the business started to grow, so did demand for her considerable writing and marketing talents.

Just a couple of years after her first plantings went into the 4 MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2022

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—Carolyn Faught

ground, the then-director of the Leelanau Conservancy called to see if she could help by doing some writing five hours a week to help raise the caliber of the organization’s communications efforts.

“I thought, ‘How can I say yes, but how can I say no?’” she says. “I moved here because I loved it so much and loved what the conservancy was doing. That five hours turned into 32 hours a week, and I was there 20 years.”

When she retired last year from the second full-time job she loved, the transition was as smooth as a transition could be. Not only had she been growing the U-Pick business over the past 25 years, but she was also integrating the writing and marketing skills honed through her other positions. Her 3,000 Instagram and 7,000 Facebook followers learn about flowers and farm challenges through her explanatory journalism, peeks into daily life and announcements of what’s fresh and waiting in the cooler. All this translates into customer connections—and sales.

The biggest change, as she looks toward the chapter ahead, is the addition of more ways to work “smarter, not harder,” she says, as she points to a flower bed on which perennials have been planted on fabric liners to reduce weed pressure, and then to other spots where she’s found ways to plant flowers closer together for better yield.

“I love to weed, and I love the physical work, but if I can be lean and efficient, it’s better for me,” she says.

As much as Carolyn clearly loves the technical aspects of gardening, she lights up when talking about what she’s been able to share with customers and the mission that runs through it—the thread of connection to place that has been woven through her entire career.

“I tell people when they come, ‘Sit on the bench, take in the view,’” she says. “We have great flowers at a great price, but people are coming for the experience I think as much as they are for the flowers.

“It’s so rewarding, in so many ways, not just financially,” she adds.

“I have a guest book, and people leave me messages like, ‘I can feel my blood pressure lowering when I’m here,’ or ‘I’m picking to put flowers on my best friend’s grave’ or ‘for my 95-year-old grandma’s birthday.’ It’s an emotional thing for people. They love this place, and they thank me for doing it. I think it’s my calling really.”

Kim Schneider is a long-time travel writer specializing in Michigan adventures, food and wine. The Midwest Travel Journalist Association has named her Mark Twain Travel Writer of the Year, and she’s the author of “100 Things to Do in Traverse City Before You Die.”

A RE P EOP LE RETIRIN G EAR LY ?

WEALTH MANAGEMENT ADVISOR DAWN M. HEMMING OF HEMMING& WEALTH MANAGEMENT IN TRAVERSE CITY SHARES SOME INSIGHT. ARE THERE STATS THAT SPEAK TO A TREND OF EARLY RETIREMENT?

I understand that early retirees have exceeded three million workers in the U.S. I also understand the excess in retirements is equal to over half of missing workers. Back in April, a government survey suggested that 2.7 million Americans age 55 or older were contemplating retiring sooner than they had imagined. Both surging stocks and housing values during the pandemic made it possible for many to accumulate larger nest eggs and stop working. Growth in assets have also enabled many young baby boomers to leave their jobs.

ARE YOU SEEING THIS IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN?

I am seeing a trend toward intentionality. Sometimes that is retirement, and sometimes that is using time as it best serves us.

DO YOU THINK THIS INTENTIONALITY IS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC?

I think the pandemic gave many clarity. I have seen some get lost in all of it and others find focus and renewed conviction. We see a wide range. Most of our clients are expressing a variety of goals and we are crafting solutions to make them possible. Others seem lost. In all cases, we try to be a “lighthouse in the storm.”

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOPING TO RETIRE EARLY, WHAT'S YOUR MAIN PIECE OF ADVICE?

Practice living below your means, which results in being more choiceful in the long run and much less stressful. Find a balance between today’s desires and tomorrow’s dreams.

Learn more about Hemming& Wealth Management at hemmingwm.com.

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contempory worship @ 9a traditional worship @11a

Ralph Jonkhoff 1867-1958 1867-1958 1867-1958

6691-7981

STAY SAFE. STAY CONNECTED.

Gerrit Jonkhoff 1840-1925 1840-1925 1840-1925

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1928-2008

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305 Sixth Street • Traverse City, MI 49684 • 231-947-6347 • 1897-1966

1867-1958

1928-2008

Chris Jonkhoff-Hater Lindsey(Jonkhoff)Rogers Funeral Director, CFSP Funeral Director, CFSP

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Sixth Street 305Sixth SixthStreet Street• •Traverse TraverseCity, City,MIMI49684 49684•305 •231-947-6347 231-947-6347 305

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2/8/22 11:03 AM

EMBRACING THE ELEMENTS Guided hikes led by local groups are keeping Otsego County seniors happy and healthy year-round.

BY HEATHER JOHNSON DUROCHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY

No matter the wintry weather—frigid and sunny, blizzard-like and blowing—Sam Cornelius, 69, tries to head outdoors and move his body every day.

“I’ll get out for a little bit of a walk in the woods, a walk with my dog,” says Cornelius, who is retired and lives in Livingston Township near Gaylord. “It’s good to get out there as often as you can—just a walk around the backyard is better than nothing.”

Come winter, Cornelius is often on snowshoes, enjoying trails throughout Northern Michigan with family and friends. And a few years ago, he played an important role in helping HeadWaters Land Conservancy secure a grant to purchase snowshoes, says Dianne Farner, community engagement and development coordinator for the conservancy. Through a partnership with the Otsego County Commission on Aging, the conservancy provides these snowshoes to seniors who participate in a winter hiking program. 4 MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2022

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“The commission sets their own hike dates and we bring the snowshoes,” Farner says. “We plan one guided snowshoe hike a month in the winter, starting in January going through March.”

These hikes, geared toward retirees, typically take place around 10 a.m. Organizers try to mix up the locations, with a popular spot being the Groen Nature Preserve near Johannesburg. The event attracts hikers of all abilities who are looking for ways to keep moving while also connecting with others in their communities.

“We’ve got people who are living alone or who maybe don’t have family around, so it’s just good to be able to help people get out there,” says Farner, whose own mother—in her 70s and who snowshoes often—serves as an inspiration.

The hikes are also great for anyone who has dealt with health issues that kept them indoors for some time, Farner says. Now they’re ready to get exploring again, and the groomed, relatively flat trails provide a safe way to return to an exercise routine.

“It’s breaking down a barrier—maybe you got knee replacement surgery last year, or you have other health issues or you’re living alone.

It’s helping people get out and stay active, and the group situations are nice,” Farner says.

For Cornelius, revisiting pathways and trails, and seeing how they change through the year, is a big motivator for staying active.

“Find places you like and go back to them many times. Have your favorites,” he says. “You get to know them better and get to see changes with weather and the seasons and the time of day—you’ve got that favorite curve, that nice downslope when you know the terrain well. It adds to the richness of being outdoors.”

And always remember the importance of dressing in layers and having the appropriate gear, which may include shoe traction when hiking slippery trail conditions and walking poles or ski poles for stability, the latter of which “can increase your workout because you get to use your arms and your legs,” Cornelius says, adding, “We have to know what we need to be comfortable and safe.”

Check the HeadWaters Land Conservancy calendar of events at headwatersconservancy.org to learn more about upcoming snowshoe hikes. Find information about year-round hiking opportunities for seniors at otsegocountycoa.org/walk-michigan.

Heather Johnson Durocher writes from Traverse City, where she lives with her husband Joe and their three kids. She is the founder of the travel and active lifestyle site MichiganRunnerGirl.com and also hosts a weekly podcast.

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GREAT TRA ILS TO EXP LOR E ACROSS TH E N ORTH Sam Cornelius, who retired from a career in early childhood and family-based services, helped start the volunteer group Kids Outdoors Otsego (KOO) in 2011 to promote outside activity in nature for young children with their parents. (Learn more about this group by searching Kids Outdoors Otsego on Facebook.) Cornelius is passionate about people of all ages spending time outdoors and recommends these spots for exploring in the Otsego County area, whether you’re spending time with your children and grandchildren or friends: LOUIS M. GROEN NATURE PRESERVE NEAR JOHANNESBURG. It’s groomed throughout winter. Features include Johannesburg Lake, woods, fields.

STURGEON RIVER PRESERVE, accessible by taking Old 27 North to Whitmarsh Road and going three miles east to the parking area (which is along the road).

PIGEON RIVER COUNTRY - SHINGLE MILL PATHWAY NEAR VANDERBILT. This multiuse trail has features including the Pigeon River and forested ridges.

COMMUNITY GARDEN AREA, off Livingston Boulevard, in Gaylord. This Otsego County Conservation District nature spot has lots of different garden areas, a paved walk, wooded trails and more.

OTHE R S E NI OR-FR I E NDLY TR A I LS I N NORTHE R N MI CHI GA N: LEELANAU TRAIL, a paved pathway connecting Suttons Bay to Traverse City. Running through the last of Leelanau County’s former railroad corridors, the Leelanau Trail features picturesque forests, farms, vineyards, lakes and ponds.

MISSION POINT LIGHTHOUSE, at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula, in Grand Traverse County, which is surrounded by five acres of wooded township land and hundreds of acres of state land—all with miles of trails. Find trail maps in the park. Enjoy spectacular views of the beach and deep forest views on these trails, which are open year-round and until 10 p.m. daily.

PETOSKEY CITY TRAILS. From the Little Traverse Wheelway, access the Bear River Valley Recreation Area by crossing West Lake Street at the fire station/city hall complex. Snowshoe the 1.5-mile paved path along Bear River trail that runs from Sheridan Avenue to Lake Street.

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