ShareKalamazoo Is A Big "Hit"

Wow! ShareKalamazoo.com had almost 19,000 hits in January, and sure, we know a lot of that is due to the initial curiosity, but we also appreciate the repeat visits later in the month.

Our audience, of course, is the greater Kalamazoo area, along with our friends and family around the country, but thanks to some sharing of key individuals in our audience, we had visitors from 15 countries. We were pleased to hear from those of you who shared news of the site with your friends around the world.

Today's Featured Leader

As a man who has dedicated his career to fitness and health, little wonder that Steve Spingsdorf hit the ground running in Kalamazoo.

The new Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Family YMCA was at the door of the Maple Street facility greeting members before the sun came up his first week and was still working with people at the end of the day at the Lincoln Center. In between, he was scoping out the Portage facility.

Staff and members at those facilities shouldn't be surprised. Springsdorf's high-energy, positive style earned him glowing recommendations from people in Saginaw, where he spent 25 of his 30 career years with the Y organization. Most recently, Springsdorf had statewide responsibilities, but he accepted the Kalamazoo-Portage job to "make this the best Y in Michigan."

"We feel he can do it," says YMCA Board President Jamie Kneen, who chaired the search committee. "He's a team builder and a team player," says Kneen.

Springsdorf and his wife, Judy, were familiar enough with Kalamazoo "that we knew this would be a fun place to work, and to live." In addition to familiarizing themselves with the Y, they also got out early, after arriving in mid-January, to meet other community leaders, including people from the Greater Kalamazoo United Way, of which the YMCA is a member.

"Obviously, the greater Kalamazoo has a lot going for it," said Springsdorf. "To be successful, we need to be a healthy community. Look for our organization to be an important part of our community development."

Super Bowl Hot Spots in Kalamazoo

If you don't see yourself eating chili and screaming at the TV from your neighbors couch this Super Bowl, consider checking out the festivities at these area establishments.

Old Burdick's
If you’re a New England Patriots fan, consider Old Burdick's on 11th St in the Holiday Inn your Super Bowl headquarters. But if you’re rooting for the New York Giants, head to Old Burdick's downtown, located in the Radisson. Both restaurants will feature student specials and prizes for all ages.

Wayside West
Expect wall-to-wall TV’s and a stadium-size crowd at Wayside West, located on Stadium drive, west of WMU. If you haven’t tailgated since the snow came, get all the hot dogs you can eat by signing up for the hot-dog-eating contest at half time.

The Hangar Bar and Grille
Get a great view of the game from literally every angle, including the floor! The Hangar Bar and Grille located on W Main St. near Drake Rd. features 35 flat screen TV’s, special prizes and giveaways.

Up & Under
Stay close to the heart of the city and the heart of football by visiting Up & Under, located on Michigan Ave in Downtown Kalamazoo. Tailgate staples are available for pocket change: 20-cent wings and 50-cent hotdogs.

Kristi's Korner 1/31

As a child I spent most of my playtime in an imaginary world. With several siblings and cousins at my disposal, I carefully selected the cast and plot of every fictitious adventure. On Saturday afternoons, shortly after our upper lips were stained red with Kool-Aid, we came together to escape a great childhood in order to live and discover an even greater dream.

One of my favorite scenarios involved escaping an orphanage and the wrath of its evil keeper—I’ve only recently realized this was not too original if you’ve seen a production of Annie. But my other favorite game of pretend was far more elaborate. It involved two sisters, caring for their five siblings after their parents were tragically killed in an accident. Desperate--with no food or money, and on the brink of complete failure they spent their last coin (or bottle cap) on a single lottery ticket—and win. In their newfound wealth, the young sisters and their family are bombarded with feasts and fine dresses. Of course the sisters are victorious, because in the game of pretend you control your destiny.

Years later, I sometimes wish I could close my eyes and revert to the ease and triumph of childhood dreams. But as a grown woman it is expected of me to bring all my dreams to fruition in a world of roadblocks, deadlines and rejection. Do I have to experience rock bottom before I choose to spend my last dime on the toll for “victory lane?” Just maybe I can take advice from my own youthful ambitions and attempt to lead a life in which I carefully select the cast and develop the plot of my next adventure.

Some families carry legacies of education and achievement. It wasn’t until two years ago, at my grandfather’s funeral, that I realized my family’s legacy. My uncle, a tall, lean and very humble farmer, stood up, faced the congregation and said something profound that I will never forget. He said that according to his father, life was all about dreams. He then instructed us to “dream the dream. Live the dream.”

Maybe the moral of make-believe should be reversed in adulthood. We should call it “believe-make,” as in believe it and make it happen.