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Voice Vol. 13, Issue 1
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Strengthening the communities of Northeast Michigan
January 2022
Tip Up Town on tap
HOUGHTON LAKE – Tip Up Town (TUT) will be held on the ice of Houghton Lake Jan. 22-23 and 29. TUT is full of traditional activities such as: - Carnival rides - Family Fun Tent - Vendors
► See TIP UP TOWN on page 4
Hale kicks off Winter fun
IN THIS ISSUE: Out & About - 2
Kids helping kids -5 Rosco native takes elk – 8 Grayling hires familiar face – 9 Rose City Parade 12-13 Grayling Shelter drive – 16 Eagle Voice – 20 Mio parade - 22
Above: This photo of Tip Up Town past features a girl feeding the goats. Inset: A young lady successfully peeled the skin from a frozen banana at a past Hale Winterfest.
HALE – Iosco County and Hale are kicking off the 2022 Winter festival season on Jan. 15 with “Winterfest,” sponsored by the Hale Area Association. The day-long event will feature several events including:
► See HALE WINTER FUN on page 4
Wurm lives and breathes 4-H By Donna Thoma
said. When the fair moved from ROSCOMMON - Some say, to downtown Traverse City, John do the best job in your chosen career, was one of the first people at the you should love what you do. John “new” County Fairgrounds in Blair Wurm, Roscommon County 4-H Township. Extension Program Coordinator, Following graduation from high exemplifies that idea. He believes school, John attended Northwestern that “work has to be fun” and he Community College. He completed looks forward to coming to work his education at Western Michigan every day. University, graduating with an Originally born out of “Corn education degree in December 1984. Clubs” during the late 1800's to He first began working for Michigan early 1900's, 4-H was established State 4-H Extension to “help make public in 1986, working in school education, more "He believes Charlevoix, Jackson, connected to country that 'work and Caro until 2000. life.” Over time, has to be fun' John loves and there have been many and he looks supports his volunteers. changes to the program His “favorite” volunteer forward to including the addition was in Caro, a young coming to work of organizational skills, woman named record keeping, and every day." Christine. Christine public speaking, among was “just always there others. helping.” In December of 1990, John grew up in Kingsley in Christine became John's lifelong Grand Traverse County. His love “volunteer,” when they married. John for 4-H manifested itself at an early and Christine have five children and age. As soon as he was old enough four grandchildren. to get involved, he participated The couple moved to Kansas in in 4-H Projects; 4-H County 1999 and John began his teaching Camps; traveling and learning for career. He has taught eighth, fifth and eight months in Australia, with third grades. International 4-H for Youth (IFY); While living in Kansas, the family 4-H Exploration Days; served as a began summering in Michigan. They camp counselor. would spend time going on mystery “If it was 4-H, I was there!” he
Roscommon County 4-H Director John Wurm
trips, and once, while staying in Petoskey, they did their “mystery trip to the Houghton Lake area. John, Christine and their family fell in love with the area and first rented a vacation home there. They purchased their current home in 2016. While visiting in 2018, Christine saw an ad for Roscommon County 4-H County Program Coordinator NS encouraged him to apply. Under his leadership, the Roscommon 4-H program has begun to change and grow. Most people believe that 4-H is just geared toward animals and agriculture. However, leadership skills, interacting with others, life skills, art, photography and work ethic comprise a much larger part of the program. John would encourage anyone who would like to volunteer to mentor, teach a
short course or Spin class, to contact the office. John believes in volunteer activation. He feels that encouraging, activating, and supporting volunteers works best in helping programs grow. In the three years John has been at the helm, a county wide 4-H Club has formed, there is a county 4-H Council, and new and developing community and Spin clubs, as well as horse and other subject specific clubs. He is quick to acknowledge that it’s the work of volunteers, that has made this all happen. Roscommon 4-H'ers are currently raising funds to travel with the Interstate Exchange Club. Several of our local youth will travel to Idaho to live with a family for a week in 2022. In exchange, Roscommon will host ► See JOHN WURM on page 8
