Luce County
Luce County Extension
407 West Harrie Street
Newberry, MI 49868-1208 /

P: 906-293-3203 F: 906-293-3465

/ E-mail:

Web: msue.msu.edu/Luce

February 2008

Kettunen Center training benefits 4-H, sparks ideas for new entrepreneur
Michigan 4-H members and leaders can take advantage of many learning opportunities at the Kettunen Center, Michigan’s 4–H leader training facility near Tustin, Mich.
One local leader has not only shared what she learned at the 4-H Crafts, Visual Arts and Performing Arts Workshop, but has used it to start her own business.
4-H volunteer Jennifer Lasslett who has traveled to Kettunen Center for the past two years has been especially successful in sharing the skills she learned at local programs, including the U.P. Leadermete and in Luce County at Winter Break for Knowledge, local leader and youth trainings and at Culture Fest.
In addition to putting her skills to work in 4-H and Extension programs, Lasslett also used what she learned to develop a new small business. She has sold products she’s made and re-taught some of the skills in classes that customers pay to attend.
“The general atmosphere at the Kettunen Center workshops encouraged me to start the business and offer classes to the public,” Lasslett said. “Whenever I go to a workshop I always try to come back and re-teach what I learned.”
Contact: Nancy Kipling / Teens learn community service at Kettunen Center workshop
A weekend at the Kettunen Center has helped two Luce County teens learn skills that they can put to use to benefit their community.
Cassie Johnson and Katie Deloria of Newberry attended the 4-H Teen Citizenship, Leadership and Service Conference in January.
Johnson attended the Community Service and Citizenship track of the conference, where she learned how to analyze community issues, cooperate with partners, and how to take action to make change though service projects and participatory citizenship.
Johsnon plans to share this new information with her youth board. She now has some new knowledge in community service that she did not have before.
Deloria attended the Peer Mentoring and Service Learning option and explored different leadership styles, concepts of peer mentoring and service learning and how these models can work together to create a community impact. She also gained skills in mentoring and service learning that she can apply at school, in 4-H and at home.
Deloria enjoyed the workshop and said that she learned more about service learning.
Contact: Carrie Crigier
/ Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. Offices in counties across the state link the research of the land-grant university, MSU, to challenges facingcommunities. Citizens serving on county Extension councils regularly help select focus areas for programming. MSU Extension is funded jointly by county boards of commissioners,the state through Michigan State University and federally through the US Department of Agriculture.
4-H volunteer comes full circle
Volunteers are the heart of 4-H and when one comes forward not only to become a leader but to share the impact that 4-H has played in his or her decision, you stop to listen.
One of the more popular Luce County 4-H groups is the Babysitting Club. This club averages between and 15-20 “tween” (11 to 14-year-old) members each year. The club serves as a stepping stone in preparing them for the important responsibility of caring for young children.
Throughout the years the club has had many leaders who have done a remarkable job of educating members. Unfortunately, none have been able to commit to the club for more than a couple of years and early this year no one had stepped forward to take on the adult leader role.
Sueann Corns approached the 4-H program associate and inquired about leading the babysitting club. She had been a member of a similar club in lower Michigan, but had not served as an adult leader.
While attaining the necessary paperwork, (LAST NAME) shared her reasons for wanting to lead not just any club, but a 4-H babysitting club.
“I was in a variety of 4-H clubs downstate. I have many fond memories of my 4-H experience such as entering animal exhibits and making friends at camp.
“When we moved into the city I was glad that there were still many clubs to choose from. This is when I joined the 4-H Babysitting Club.”
LAST NAME is now the mother of two and was motivated to lead a babysitting club that would offer her the chance to share a positive experience with local youngsters.
“I am glad that there is 4-H here in Luce County and that my kids can have the chance to have the same great
4-H experiences that I had.”
Contact: Catarina Edison
Master Gardeners build partnerships, contribute to communities
Luce County’s 2005 Master Gardener course graduates have taken the program’s intent to heart and made considerable contributions across the county.
Of the 21 individuals who attended the course in Engadine, 11 are Luce County residents who completed the volunteer hours necessary to receive certification as Master Gardeners. They have contributed 640 volunteer hours that are valued at $12,000 to the community. / These Master Gardener Volunteers (MGV) have forged many community partnerships that are valued by residents.
·  An effort with the Luce County Historical Society will restore the courthouse grounds to their original design. The group is researching, designing, planting and maintaining heritage gardens and plans to expand the project to include to beautification of downtown Newberry.
·  The Luce West Mackinac Conservation District administrator called the Master Gardeners, “An important addition to the services we provide to local landowners--the volunteers provide expertise I can rely on.”
·  Master Gardeners have donated many hours to designing, planting and maintaining numerous gardens for the Curtis Community Arts Council.
·  Newberry MGVs paired up with the Peer Mentoring Program to plant and care for a vegetable garden at the Newberry Assisted Living facility. The vegetables grown in the garden were used in meals served to residents.
·  One dedicated MGV has donated more than 100 hours to refurbish the Seney National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center gardens to include native species.
Other key projects include:
·  The formation of the Curtis Garden Club – leading to a partnership with the village of Curtis.
·  Involvement in MSU Extension programming including Project FRESH, Winter Break for Knowledge, Culture Fest, After School Specials, 4-H Day Camp and Family Fun Nights.
·  Newberry Welcome Sign Native Plant Garden,
·  Engadine and Curtis school projects including a large-scale Arbor Day presentation.
This great group of volunteers has many projects in the works and is really looking forward to mentoring the next class of Master Gardener graduates.
Contact: Jessica Price
Luce County MSU Extension Staff
Nancy Kipling, County Extension Director
Catarina Edison, 4-H Program Associate
Jessica Price, FNP Program Associate
Carrie, 4-H Peer Mentoring Program Coordinator
Joyce, 4-H AmeriCorps Coordinator
Cheryl Powell, Extension Secretary
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Thomas G. Coon, Extension Director, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824