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The people, places and organizations that make Northern Michigan a special place to live.
Making a difference
A group small in number but large in heart recently traveled to Ethiopia and made a big difference in the lives of hundreds of people.
Six members from the New Life Anglican Church in Petoskey made it their mission to reach out to the Ethiopian people afflicted by a disease called mossy foot. Their first thought was to send money and shoes to The Mossy Foot Project, but quickly realized their presence would make a much bigger difference.
Mossy foot disease is a debilitating condition that affects people who walk barefoot in volcanic soil. Micro-particles of ash penetrate the skin of feet and cause inflammation and swelling in feet and legs. The skin loses its resistance to bacteria and fungus and begins to develop warty bumps and large, fibrous lumps. The swelling and deformity of the feet become so severe that patients become unable to work and provide for their families and the infections caused by the condition often make them social outcasts.
"They become both physically disabled and socially shunned like lepers," said Dr. Louis Zako, a member of the New Life group.
The World Health Organization has declared mossy foot a disease of poverty. Wearing shoes can entirely prevent the disease, however, the majority of people afflicted cannot afford shoes and socks.
Zako, along with Taylor DuBois, Mike Bridge, D.W. Lucky, Kim Redman and Dan Wandrie, made it their mission to help. They raised money for travel expenses, collected supplies and headed to Ethiopia, where they distributed hundreds of pairs of shoes, bandages, vitamin E lotion and clothing to help relieve the pain and suffering of those afflicted with mossy foot.
"You realize how little you have to do to change someone's life dramatically," said Bridge.
We are in awe of this group's generosity. Their 16 days in Ethiopia changed the lives of the people they touched forever.
Friend of 4-H
Becky Swiger was honored recently for her dedication to area children and the local 4-H program. Swiger was named the 2012 Emmet County 4-H Volunteer of the Year, a most deserving award for this amazing woman.
Swiger has been a club leader for 17 years. Over the years, she has given her time to help at the home show food concession, serve on the Emmet County 4-H Council, assist at Achievement Days, serve as secretary and president of the two-county horse council, organize educational clinics and club fundraisers, attend Kettunen Center workshops and volunteer for countless jobs at the county fair.
Under her skillful leadership, direction and organization, her club and its membership have grown. She encourages her club members to participate in local, regional and state level workshops and clinics, and supports them in their personal recordkeeping efforts for fair exhibition and scholarship opportunities.
Swiger puts in numerous hours teaching 4-H youth about horse breeds, nutrition, housing, grooming, veterinary science and showmanship. She brings new ideas and opportunities to each club meeting and with her club's teen members, plans the club calendar to include a year's worth of fun and learning.
Under Swiger's direction and organization, the 4-H horse council grew from a project-oriented committee to a youth development-oriented program. As a past secretary and president of the horse council, it was a logical move for her to become the fair horse superintendent. In this role, she spearheaded the refurbishing of the historic horse barn on the Emmet County Fairgrounds in Petoskey. "The Big Barn" dates back to the early 1900s and was in need of work. Thanks to Swiger and other horse-loving volunteers, thousands of dollars were raised and "The Big Barn" got a makeover in time for fair week in August.
Swiger is a cheerleader for 4-H and its mission of youth development. She stresses education, safety, personal responsibility and continuous learning, all while having fun and making memories.
She is truly a friend of 4-H.
Go, Josiah!
Making a difference
A group small in number but large in heart recently traveled to Ethiopia and made a big difference in the lives of hundreds of people.
Six members from the New Life Anglican Church in Petoskey made it their mission to reach out to the Ethiopian people afflicted by a disease called mossy foot. Their first thought was to send money and shoes to The Mossy Foot Project, but quickly realized their presence would make a much bigger difference.
Mossy foot disease is a debilitating condition that affects people who walk barefoot in volcanic soil. Micro-particles of ash penetrate the skin of feet and cause inflammation and swelling in feet and legs. The skin loses its resistance to bacteria and fungus and begins to develop warty bumps and large, fibrous lumps. The swelling and deformity of the feet become so severe that patients become unable to work and provide for their families and the infections caused by the condition often make them social outcasts.
"They become both physically disabled and socially shunned like lepers," said Dr. Louis Zako, a member of the New Life group.
The World Health Organization has declared mossy foot a disease of poverty. Wearing shoes can entirely prevent the disease, however, the majority of people afflicted cannot afford shoes and socks.
Zako, along with Taylor DuBois, Mike Bridge, D.W. Lucky, Kim Redman and Dan Wandrie, made it their mission to help. They raised money for travel expenses, collected supplies and headed to Ethiopia, where they distributed hundreds of pairs of shoes, bandages, vitamin E lotion and clothing to help relieve the pain and suffering of those afflicted with mossy foot.
"You realize how little you have to do to change someone's life dramatically," said Bridge.
We are in awe of this group's generosity. Their 16 days in Ethiopia changed the lives of the people they touched forever.
Friend of 4-H
Becky Swiger was honored recently for her dedication to area children and the local 4-H program. Swiger was named the 2012 Emmet County 4-H Volunteer of the Year, a most deserving award for this amazing woman.
Swiger has been a club leader for 17 years. Over the years, she has given her time to help at the home show food concession, serve on the Emmet County 4-H Council, assist at Achievement Days, serve as secretary and president of the two-county horse council, organize educational clinics and club fundraisers, attend Kettunen Center workshops and volunteer for countless jobs at the county fair.
Under her skillful leadership, direction and organization, her club and its membership have grown. She encourages her club members to participate in local, regional and state level workshops and clinics, and supports them in their personal recordkeeping efforts for fair exhibition and scholarship opportunities.
Swiger puts in numerous hours teaching 4-H youth about horse breeds, nutrition, housing, grooming, veterinary science and showmanship. She brings new ideas and opportunities to each club meeting and with her club's teen members, plans the club calendar to include a year's worth of fun and learning.
Under Swiger's direction and organization, the 4-H horse council grew from a project-oriented committee to a youth development-oriented program. As a past secretary and president of the horse council, it was a logical move for her to become the fair horse superintendent. In this role, she spearheaded the refurbishing of the historic horse barn on the Emmet County Fairgrounds in Petoskey. "The Big Barn" dates back to the early 1900s and was in need of work. Thanks to Swiger and other horse-loving volunteers, thousands of dollars were raised and "The Big Barn" got a makeover in time for fair week in August.
Swiger is a cheerleader for 4-H and its mission of youth development. She stresses education, safety, personal responsibility and continuous learning, all while having fun and making memories.
She is truly a friend of 4-H.
Go, Josiah!
