Nikki Sobkowski led the invocation.

President Mike Meindertsma led the meeting. 

Congratulations to Jen Casey on the birth of her son Brendan!

Cecil McNally introduced new member Dan Buron.

This meeting’s version of The Kingsley Trio was actually a talented octet leading a bright and fun rendition of “You Are My Sunshine”.

Rotarians were reminded to sign up for the Jim Van River Clean up on October 7^th.

Jeff Kimpton, President of Interlochen Center for the Arts, gave great insight into recent successes for the largest arts and cultural center in Michigan.

He reviewed the impressive growth for the school and the economic impact for our region. Rotarians in attendance were also treated to an amazing, live musical performance by Interlochen students.

He shared that his goal was to “take Interlochen forward in to a new century and a new millennium.”

Leading an organization that has 90 years of history, Mr. Kimpton found that one of their biggest challenges was to remain relevant to a younger consumer base. A recent survey of arts educators and professionals uncovered an issue.

“Those under the age of 30 only had a five percent recognition of who we were,” he said.  Utilizing new marketing ideas and technology played a major role in raising awareness, and enrollment, and becoming a cultural hub for the world. 

Another key moment came in 2006 when Interlochen Center for the Arts was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush. This acknowledgment could have been seen as an end result, but actually was the start of creating a “long view” for Interlochen Center’s next 25 years, he said.

This vision paid off as overall revenue has consistently increased, and charitable giving and investments have grown.  Other achievements included creating an award-winning digital presence for the school, and a more culturally diverse campus.

Even as Interlochen Center’s tuition went up, it has had no effect on applications from new students, Mr. Kimpton said.  He noted that financial aid has allowed more students from middle-class households get access to world-class resources.

While they continue to pursue growth and expanding their influence, “our home is here”, Mr. Kimpton said. He shared the pride and appreciation for Interlochen Center for Arts’ continued connection with the people who live and work in northern Michigan.

Interlochen Center for the Arts’ “Create Amazing” fundraising campaign has already exceeded its original goal, and is well on its way to $100 million.  Mr. Kimpton shared that these funds will be invested in to programs such as scholarships and research, and support for dance and visual arts, and they’re looking to break ground on a new music building in spring 2017.

Marketing Manager, Traverse City State Bank

 

BA in Art/Art History and English from Kalamazoo College

   

We just celebrated our 12^th wedding anniversary and have the world’s most amazing birdies, Wren (7) and Phoebe (4). This year we also welcomed another bird to our nest, the incredible Vilde from Norway. She’ll be with us for the year and is a senior at TC Central. Go Trojans!

 

Ice cream and tiramisu, but not tiramisu ice cream. That’s just strange.

 

I have a million passions so it’s hard to narrow it down to my favorite. I love to be outside in our incredible forests and waters of northern Michigan with my dear family. Sometimes on bikes, sometimes on hikes, swimming way out from shore. We are so blessed to make our home here in this special place.

 

Present over Perfect and am currently reading The Art of Money.

 

Sound of Music, of course! The hills are alive.

 

I am a big fan of summer camp so my favorite songs are simple and derive from magical moments around the campfire. My repertoire is small, but meaningful. Pass it On is my favorite. Helps to be in the midst of a fire!

 

My Mom let me take walks by myself when I was three.

 

My kindergarten teacher and summer camp “Mother Nature,” Judy Lopus. She taught me about edible wild plants, the constellations, lichen, the power of the written word, wide-eyed wonder for the world and more. It is a beautiful thing to see her with my girls now.

 

My healthy, happy, inspiring family.

 

Finishing my first marathon and the feeling from that day many years ago that has helped to carry me through many difficult moments.

 

I’m not sure, but I am constantly laughing at the things my kids say to me like one kid gives me a cape and I pretend to fly and the other kids says “mama, you’re too fat to fly.” It’s good to have a sense of humor through parenting or you’ll end up curled up in a ball every day.

 

I want to be an astronaut, but unfortunately, I’m one inch too short (among other potentially limiting factors!).

 

I would be a professional, successful artist. Someone like Georgia O’Keefe or Helen Frankenthaler. I’d love to know what the day to day routine and discipline is like.

 

My Dad worked for international advertising agencies so I met quite a few famous people when I was a young girl, but no one was really that impressive to me in person. One time I met Dick Clark and I was in awe of how much make-up he wore! THICK foundation.