Voting Ends Today!!!

Help pick the color for the TreeHouse! Voting ends today!!! Check it out in the sidebar.....

Grant Awarded

The Keweenaw Family Resource Center and The Treehouse was recently awarded a grant of $2500 towards the indoor playground by Plum Creek! Find out more about Plum Creek here: http://www.plumcreek.com/CommunityInvolvement/FoundationNews/tabid/164/Default.aspx

Daily Mining Gazette Letter to the Editor

To the editor:
This season is so festive for so many reasons: Almost everyone is happy to see fresh snow falling, we have all just had an opportunity to give thanks for the bounties in our lives, no matter how large or how small, and as we near the end of the year, we are all given at least one moment for reflection.
Here is what we are reflecting on right now. The staff and volunteers at the Keweenaw Family Resource Center have much to be grateful for this year. In taking the risk to start the Tree House Indoor Playground, we have stretched as an organization. In stretching, we have gotten to know so many more wonderful individuals and businesses that have offered their support to us.
Right now we are particularly grateful for all those who donated items for our silent auction as well as those who came out to bid on the 90 baskets. Specifically, we give thanks to the following donors: Emily Lancour-Tastefully Simple products, The Bike Shop, Chris Alquist and the Portage Lake District Library, Angela Poulos, Kay O'Connor-Hairsmiths, Copper Country Chiropractic, Julie Markham, Sounds and Motion, Good Times Music, Pilgrim River Steak House, Joey's Seafood, Silver Rae Studio, Susan Donnelly, Sew Irresistible, Rhythm Skate Shop, Down Wind Sports, Cross Country Sports, Joe Kirkish, and Angela Campioni. Thank you. For all those still shopping for presents, please shop locally.
If you drive by the Tree House's future site in Red Ridge Plaza in Houghton, you'll notice newspaper on the windows.
Many wonderful surprises are coming to life behind those windows. We look forward to 2010, when we hope to make more friends and watch the Tree House teem with the laughter and running and curiosity of the children of the Keweenaw.
Until then, we wish all good health, laughter and much play every day.
Cathy Benda

Portage Health Donates $25,000 For Indoor Playground Project

Portage Health recently donated $25,000 (all those zeros are NOT a mis-type) to our little park! Yeah, PORTAGE! This puts us that much closer to our dream of an indoor, hub-of-wellness playspace for our youngsters. We're forging ahead! This is the write-up from "The Portage Post" and Daily Mining Gazette:

Portage Health has donated $25,000 to the Keweenaw Family Resource Center for an indoor playground project.

"The Tree House" will be an indoor playground and exploration space for children age newborn to 5 years and their parents or caregivers to enjoy open play and parent/child activities.

Featuring a large indoor treehouse climbing structure, a lily pond for toddlers, quiet areas and other activities, the playground is located in RedRidge Plaza on Sharon Avenue in Houghton. Construction is expected to be completed in January 2010.

"Portage Health is proud to partner with the Keweenaw Family Resource Center on the Tree House projct," said Portage Health president and CEO Jim Bogan. "The long winters here inhibit opportunities for children to play and develop their motor skills. We are pleased to support this initiative which is in direct keeping with our mission of improving the quality of life for community members of all ages."

Keweenaw Family Resource Center Executive Director, Cathy Benda, said the Tree House differs from preschool and daycare facilities in that their parents and caregivers stay and play with their children in a warm, clean, stimulating environment where other children and families are present.

"We are grateful to have the support of Portage Health for this project," Benda said. "We are thrilled by this donation to help us maintain and improve the health and wellbeing for children and families in our community."

For more information on the KFRC and The Treehouse indoor playground, visit http://www.kfrckids.org/.

-Jane Nordberg

Lookie! Lifesized Lincoln Logs!

How fun are THESE? David Goodman, a Finlandia design student, has been hard at work constructing some life-sized Lincoln Logs for the park. YEAH, David!!!

Copper Country Newsmaker Daily Mining Gazette Article

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Cathy Benda, In Brief:

• Executive director of the Keweenaw Family Reousrce Center since 2005.


• Born in Detroit.


• Came to Copper Country more than 30 years ago


• Former assistant director of Dial Help.


• Started at KFRC 12 years ago.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I grew up in the city of Detroit. I'm an eastsider, but I've been in the Copper Country for 30 years. It was the 1970s and my husband and I decided we wanted to move up here and uby property.

Q: What is your family situation?

A: I'm married with two children. My husband, Michael, is a teacher at Jeffers High School. My daughter Julie is 23, and my son, Andrew, is 19 and a student at Michigan Tech. My daughter is following in her parents footsteps and uilding a cabin on our property.

Q: What is your work history?

A: My who work career in the Copper Country has been in human services. ONe of my first jobs was assistant director of Dial Help. From there, I went to Copper Country Mental Health and worked in prevention services.

Q: When did you start working at the Keweenaw Family Resource Center?

A: I started about 12 years ago. It was a small organization then. We were working off a dining table in a home planning programs and writing grant proposals.

Q: When did you become executive director of the KFRC?

A: Margaret Sottile retired as executive director in 2005. Then the KFRC board of directors appointed me.

Q: What is the function of the KFRC?

A: We provide programs or families with children from birth to 5years old. One of the hallmarks of our agency is to collaborate with other agencies to create a seamless system of service.

Q: What other agencies do you work with?

A: We partner with the BHK Child Development Board, the Copper Country Intermediate School District, and we're a member of the Copper Country Great Start Collaborative.

Q: What are some of the challenges facing the KFRC now?

A: The challenge always is funding. The current Michigan financial situation is a challenge for funding sources, as well as the impact it has on families.

Q: What are some of your funding sources?

A: We receive funding from the Michigan Children's Trust Fund, the Superior Child Abuse Prevention Fund, the Michigan Department of Education, and United Way. Donations and contributions are an important part of our budget. Local dollars help us leverage state and federal money.

Q: What is the progress it the KFRC Tree House indoor playground project?

A: It's moving along. Renovation has started (at the site in Red Ridge Plaza on Sharon Avenue in Houghton). We just held our silent auction, and that raised us over $4,000 for the project. We have an important campaign called Pickets for the Playground. It's an opportunity for people to purchase a picket and have the name of a family member or friend inscribed on it.

Q: When will the Tree House open?

A: We're hoping to be open by mid January. There's a lot of pieces still that have to fall into place.

Q: Why was the Tree House project started?

A: This is an important project for the Copper Country. We don't have a central location for children from birth tofive to play and receive community resources. Most winter cities, such as Marquette and Duluth, have either a cihldren's museum or a childen's indoor playspace. These have been lacking in our area.

A Thank You

A big shout out to Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. These guys are amazing. They're taking time away from their very busy lives, with finals week approaching, to build us a climbing wall, crash pit, and lily pond. They are efficient, organized, and awesome. I am truly impressed. Thanks so much guys!!! You are a HUGE credit to Michigan Tech!!!

TV 6 Spot

Winter Park expected to open this January

By Ashley Palumbo
Monday, November 30, 2009 at 8:03 p.m. Read more: Local, Indoor Playground, Keweenaw Family Resource Center, Toy Design, Finlandia Student

HOUGHTON -- A lily pond...a climbing wall...even a tree house will be a part of the new Winter Park Indoor Playground expected to open in Houghton this January.
The Keweenaw Family Resource Center will own the new facility, but they say much of the effort behind this project has come from parents and other community members.
Christine Westrich has spent her fall semester tinkering with a special toy for the new playground. The third year design student at Finlandia University is building a four-seat tricycle carousel using donated bikes, old car parts, cardboard tubing and a wooden platform.
"We got most of it done in two weeks and now I’m just trying to figure out what to do with the rest of it,” said Westrich. “I'm back to ideating."
Westrich has a whole sketchbook full of ideas to jazz up her merry-go-trike. She wants to add more movement, possibly music and definitely bright colors.
"She’s talked about a lot of things...the possibility of putting a generator on so it lights up and a number of mechanical solutions,” said design professor Rick Loduha. “I'm just thrilled that she's at this point and excited to see how it will go the rest of the way."
Loduha isn't the only one excited about the toy. Cathy Benda, director of the K.F.R.C., says toys like the merry-go-trike are important to keep kids active all year round.
"We have a winter city,” said Benda. “We go from mud season to mud season without a lot of opportunity for kids to enjoy the kind of play that's good for them physically, emotionally and intellectually."
Renovations at the facility are nearly complete and painting will be one of the final steps.
The group says the project came together so quickly thanks to a lot of volunteer work and extensive fund-raising.

Watch the video here:
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/video.aspx?id=383842

A note from Jessica

Hello all! Happy Thanksgiving! I hope this year finds you with many things to be grateful for and that next year is even better.
Don't forget the Tree House auction will end on Saturday at the Portage Lake District Library. Join the KFRC any time between 10 and 2 to bid on the baskets. Joe Kirkish heard about our project last week and donated two of his beautiful photographs - one of leaves and the other of some colorful sails. That makes items 90 and 92! There is truly something for everyone.
Call Cathy Benda if you'd like a private showing or a proxy to bid for you! 906-482-9363
Jessica

Construction Continues

THIS may look like a non-descript box to you, but in REALITY, it is a crate of bumpity zoom with a squeal of delight thrown in. Yes. Our roller slide was delivered today!! It is HERE, and we can only imagine the years of fun it will provide. And hey - the box it came in just might be fun to play with, too ;).

Not our FIRST little customer in the park, but certainly one of the cutest thus far (I am prejudiced... she's my daughter. If I'm writing this blog, I get to shamelessly gush over my child). This place will be a whole lot funner in the not too distant future, little girl!!

Construction continues. Those garish red walls are turning sky-blue this week, with puffy clouds drifting by. Too, too exciting.

Daily Mining Gazette Article

Tree House playspace nearing completion

By KURT HAUGLIE, DMG Writer
POSTED: November 20, 2009

HOUGHTON - In January, Jessica Della Valla, while watching over her rambunctious 1-year-old son Joseph, had an idea that what was needed in the Houghton/Hancock area was a winter indoor playspace, where younger children from infants to five years old could be safe.
After bringing the idea to the Keweenaw Family Resource Center in Houghton, which Executive Director Cathy Benda thought was a good idea, the project started moving along. Now, after several months of communications with local organizations and individuals, that playspace, called the Tree House Indoor Playground, is taking shape in the Red Ridge Plaza on Sharon Avenue in Houghton.
Although funding for renovation of the retail space in the shopping center has been lined up, Della Valla, who is chairwoman of the task force created to develop the playspace, said more funding is needed to pay for some of the items, which will make up the playspace.
To help with those funding needs, the KFRC will conduct a silent auction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 28 in the Portage Lake District Library in Houghton.
A couple donations helped get the construction going, Benda said.
"We had two $10,000 anonymous donations to start," she said.
Thursday Della Valla and Benda looked over the progress of the renovation of the space, which will be the Tree House, and both were impressed with how fast work is moving along.
Benda said the construction is being done in two phases. The first phase is nearly complete, with painting and flooring yet to be done. The second phase will involve the installation of the play fixtures.
The idea for the playspace is to create the impression of the outdoors indoors. It will have a tree swing, a slide and a "crash" area where children can bang around safely. On one wall will be a picket fence, and as a fundraiser, pickets are being offered for sale for $100 each. The 200 pickets will have 17 spaces where those who purchase them can have comments printed.
Benda said about one-quarter of the pickets have been sold since fundraising officially began Nov. 1.
Although contractors were hired for much of the renovation construction, Benda said some of the work and items, such as paint and windows, have been donated.
"We're having that kind of outpouring of support," she said. "There are so many people taking on the task."
Della Valla said the items for the auction have been donated, also, and she's hoping it will be successful.
"This has the potential to raise us $10,000 to $15,000," she said.
Benda said the KFRC will offer memberships to the playground for either a "semester," or few months, a school year or a calendar year.
It's hoped the Tree House will be open in January, Benda said, and she's very impressed how far the project has moved in about one year.
"When you look at this, it's kind of mind-boggling," she said. "The community support has been awesome. It just shows how much we care about the wellness of our children."
Della Valla said she would like to see the playground become a community center where parents can talk about issues involved with raising children.
"I hope it's more than a playground," she said.
Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie @mininggazette.com.

Help Wanted

Cathy Benda is in need of some able-bodied people to help transport and set up our auction baskets at the Portage Lake District Library on November 28th, starting at around 8:30 am. If you happen to own a pair of hands and feet (as required for carrying and walking), then you are PERFECT for this job ;). Please call Cathy at 482-9363.

Silent Auction Status Update

The Silent Auction is still on - the next viewing of all 89 baskets will be at Trinity Episcopal Church on Tuesday November 17th from 2:00pm -6:00pm. The donations keep growing and growing and growing. What an awesome community we have! The updated list of ALL items is in the sidebar, so you can get an idea as to what is available. Final showing and close of the auction is still slated for November 28th at the Portage Lake District Library. Start your Christmas shopping NOW - it's for an excellent cause!

Brockit Photograpy Pics From Family Fun Day!

This is the latest entry from Brockit Photography's Blog:

"If you know us well, we’re all about gloss & glam photos for clients, but you also know that we are passionate about the community and spend a lot of time in and out of the studio helping with foundations, benefits, and fundraisers all for the greater good. Shooting for the Keweenaw Family Resource Center and their fundraising efforts for a children’s indoor, winter park (to be called the Treehouse) was a pleasure for us. Read more about their efforts, the event, and the park here. Its a great cause!
Families can select the link below for galleries of candid and semi-candid shots. Digital downloads and physical prints can be ordered easily and immediately, with a percentage going back to help KFRC’s efforts with the winter park.
http://brockit.smugmug.com/Clients/kfrc"

So check it out and see if YOUR kid was caught "in the moment".

Treehouse Color Vote

We want a little feedback from ya'll (what, are we Southern now?) Vote in the sidebar for the color YOU think the treehouse should be! This is AMERICA! Let your voice be heard!!!

Silent Auction

Keep checking back, as new items are added to the silent auction almost daily. We'll try to update the slide show in the side-bar as often as we can - currently there's pictures and descriptions of about half our available items. If you see something you like, you can learn more about it by clicking on the picture. ALL the baskets will be on display tomorrow night at the Hot Peas 'N Butter concert at the Rosza. Afterwards, they'll be on display at "With These Hands" on Quincy Street in Hancock. On November 28th, all 70-some baskets will travel to the Portage Lake District Library, where the auction will end with great fanfare. Please join us for this fun event... there'll be foooo-ood =). These are some well-traveled items, looking for a good home after their "world tour" this month!

Community Events

The MOMS Club of the Copper Country will host Heather Store, parent liaison for the Copper Country Great Start Collaborative, as she discusses the Collaborative and Cathy Benda, Director of the Keweenaw Family Resource Center, as she discusses the Center's programming. Both women and their programs are having a tremendous impact on the lives of families in the Keweenaw. Join us for snacks and to find out how. November 19, 10:30am - 11:30am at Grace United Methodist Church in Houghton, 201 Isle Royale St, Houghton. All are welcome (including children) so please bring a friend! Contact: Jessica DellaValla, 906-281-1353 or jess.dellavalla@charter.net. For more information about the MOMS Club of the Copper Country Contact Amy Evans, (906) 523-5342 or (906) 370-9615,goker7@hotmail.com.
Playgroups 10am-noon, at Grace United Methodist Church in Houghton, hosted by Copper Country MOMS Club, open to the public, children of all ages. Suggested donation of $1 to $3, donations to go to Tree House Indoor Playground. Contact: Jen Olson 296-9047. Dates: Thursday, Nov 5, Thursday, Nov 12, Tuesday, Nov 17, Tuesday, Nov 24.
Potluck/Playgroup: Monday, Nov 9, noon-2pm, bring a dish to pass. Grace United Methodist Church in Houghton, hosted by Copper Country MOMS Club, open to the public, children of all ages. Contact: Kathy Nantell 483-0488.
Thanksgiving Potluck/Playgroup: Monday, Nov 23, noon to 2pm at Grace United Methodist Church in Houghton, hosted by Copper Country MOMS Club, open to the public, children of all ages. Contact: AmyEvans 523-5342.

Finlandia Newsletter Article!

The Keweenaw Family Resource Council’s winter park concept ‘The Tree House’ will offer indoor exercise opportunities for area children ages: infant to 5-years old. Finlandia design students are designing some of the toys, displays, accessories and playground equipment. The Tree House is hoping to open its doors for play this winter in the Razorback Center in Houghton.

Art + Design student Vanessa Lipson, is working on Infant Corral/Seating modules, while Abbi Zablocki is exploring fabric Cloud concepts, and David Goodman, is making Big Lincoln Logs from cardboard carpet tubes.

Christine Westrich, a third-year Interdisciplinary Design student with her eye on a career in toy design, is developing a 4-seat bicycle carousel. Challenging enough just as a design effort, Christine is also fabricating the unit in the ISAD model shop, and doing it using 95% reusable resources.

Combining old tricycle parts donated by BHK, the wheel bearing from a Ford Taurus and part of a truck tire rim from Julio’s Salvage yard, the designer has managed to get all the mechanical elements complete and operational and is beginning conceptual studies for the visual effects which are an important part of this piece of Tree House playground equipment.

“I want to make this unit more fun than just riding it,” Christine says. “Maybe with parts that move or animate or even light-up when the kids are pedaling.”

The KFRC Tree House winter park is a great community project. You can see what they’re up to at: www.houghtonwinterpark.blogspot.com

Feel the Excitement

Just wondering how many exclamation points and smiley faces have been used in this blog. I'm guessing the number is in the thousands. I'm trying really hard not to use any right now. Just really excited about the park becoming a reality.


Oh, heck with it....


!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Silent Auction Update

OK - next showing of our OVER 70 BASKETS (!!!) is at the Hot Peas 'N Butter concert on November 12th. This is a fabulous group that entertains all ages, so bring the kids! The auction will end on November 28th at the Portage Lake District Library, where the baskets will be displayed from 10 am to 2 pm. There will be "mocktails" and "snackatizers", to make it a true highbrow experience ;). Check out the list of baskets to be auctioned off in the sidebar....

Renovations have begun on the site. Walls are being torn down, and things are moving forward at a very exciting rate! We're still on track to open in January! WOOOOO doggy.

WANTED/NEEDED:

Hello all you generous people....

We are in the "transformation" stage of the park now, and are getting ready turn a few square rooms into the great outdoors. In order to do that, we are in need of paint.... all colors. Does anyone have any excess wall paint that they'd be willing to donate? You know, that last little bit left over from painting junior's room? We'll take it! Whatever you've got! Browns, greens, reds, purples, blacks, grays... whatever. We are NOT picky ;). If you have any that you could spare for a good cause, please email me at monicaaho@gmail.com, and I will arrange to come and pick it up!

Fall Into Winter Preschool Family Fun Day

And fun was had by all! What a great way to spend a drizzly Saturday! We had an amazing turnout at Houghton Highschool... lots of games and crafts, lots of good food, and lots and lots of kiddos! Special thanks to Angela Campioni for organizing, and the MOMS club for running the bake sale. Trish Goggin deserves a high-five for organizing our "Greek" volunteers. Jason Cattalino was our very "patient" juggler (see last video below) and we so appreciate his willingness to do, well, just about anything to entertain the kids. Adam Johnson and Rebecca from Brockit Photography was gracious enough to document the event for us. Check this link http://www.brockit.com/ to see if there's pictures of YOUR child enjoying the day! Thank you to each and every one of the volunteers (and to their FAMILIES for letting us borrow them!) THANK YOU! :).

Our Treehouse!!!

Is this not adorable?????? SOOOOO excited! Our treehouse!! I feel like this is the ultrasound picture of our baby - our first glimpse of THE treehouse. AWWWWWW. It's so cute! :)

Be listening....

Cathy and Jess will be on WMPL radio at 8 am on Sunday morning, talking with Dick Storm about the Treehouse. Tune in to find out more about the park! Are ya'll handing out autographs, Cathy and Jessica? You're getting to be very "seasoned" media personalities!

Silent Auction Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of some of the auction items that you.... yes YOU.... can bid on to support the Treehouse!

Call the KFRC at 906-482-9363 if you see something you like. It's for a REAAAALLLLYYY good cause, so give yourself a pat on the back for bidding! Auction items will be displayed live and in person at the Fall into Winter Family Fun Day this weekend (see sidebar for details), the Hot Peas 'N Butter Concert on November 12th, and at various craft and artists sales throughout November. Details to follow.

Silent Auction

The "goodies" are being prepared for the silent auction, and it sounds like some very very cool stuff. Get ready to do your Christmas Shopping at the Treehouse this year ;). Thanks again to Stef Cook and Amy Negro for wrapping everything up for us. Be checking back to the blog soon for a sneak peak at what's available!

The Magic Blog

This appears to be a "Magic Blog", wherein I throw out whatever we need for the park, and "SHAZAM!" Some wonderful member of our community comes forward with exactly the right thing. Need a water bed mattress? A frog-making chainsaw artist? Someone with paper-mache bug talent? No matter how obscure or strange our request, you wonderful people have stepped up and met the park's needs. I'm going to try it one more time....

Anyone out there have a sewing machine and the skills to do upholstery? We need a cover for our LilyPond. We'll be using some heavy duty fabric to make it one tough lily pad...
If this is YOU or someone you know, please contact me at www.monicaaho@gmail.com.

BIBBITY BOBBITY BOO!! :)

Kids Crooked House

Here's a little video to introduce you all to the company that's going to make our treehouse! We're very excited to be working with these very talented people!

Survey

Hey everyone - we need your input! Click on this link, print out the survey, and mail it back to the KFRC at 203 E Montezuma Ave Houghton MI 49931. Or email it back to aziemnick@kfrckids.org

http://www.kfrckids.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/the-tree-house-survey-questions.pdf

Tell your friends to fill it out too!! Let us know what YOU need for your kids!

Resolution from the City of Houghton

This resolution was unanimously passed last night at the City of Houghton! Good good news!

CITY OF HOUGHTON

RESOLUTION 2009-1281


The following was offered by Councilor:

WHEREAS, the City of Houghton recognizes the essential importance of play and physical activity to the health of children, and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that 22 percent of our preschool children are overweight, compared to 14 percent of 2-5 year olds nationally. Being overweight or obese increases the risks of developing chronic and debilitating illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. Long-term studies have shown that overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults.

WHEREAS, there are nearly 3,000 children age 0-5 in the Greater Houghton area, and

WHEREAS, the Keweenaw Peninsula regularly receives in excess of 200 inches of snowfall each year, and

WHEREAS, there are no indoor facilities that provide open play opportunities for exercise, gross or sensorimotor development of all children, or that facilitate interactions between parents and children within a minimum of 2 hours of Houghton, and

WHEREAS, a need has been identified for an indoor playground as well as a centralized location for information for all matters pertaining to families and parenting, and

WHEREAS, the Winter Park Task Force and the Keweenaw Family Resource Center (KFRC), an organization that has supported, enriched, and strengthened family lives in the Keweenaw Peninsula for nearly 20 years, have come together to plan, design and raise the funds necessary for “The Treehouse: A KFRC Indoor Playground” to respond to this critical need in our area, and

WHEREAS, Mayor Robert Backon, and the Houghton City Council wish to make it known that they fully support the efforts of citizens to bring an indoor playground to the City of Houghton.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Houghton City Council, at a regularly scheduled meeting held on Monday, October 12, 2009 at 5:30 PM at the City Offices, 616 Shelden Avenue, Houghton:

That the Houghton City Council authorizes the City Manager, or designate, to assist the Treehouse indoor playground, when feasible, in future grant applications.

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution enacted by the Houghton City Council at an official meeting held on October 12, 2009.



_____________________________
Kurt Kuure, Clerk

"In Our Dreams" List

We have tried very hard to be good stewards of our budget, and get as much "bang for the buck" as possible. One of the components we really wanted to include was a roller slide into the crash pit. Our first choice (the picture above) was out of our budget, so we decided on a second choice, which was a cheaper "therapy model", but requires direct supervision. Our safety guy (not a fun job, but he's very good at it, and we all trust his judgement!) had concerns about pinched little fingers and strangulation hazards when drawstrings get caught, so we're having to go with a standard, plain old slide. The slide we REALLY wanted is from Landscape Structures International, and would be plenty "safe", but is $5000. So I'm throwing it out there to the winds, just in case there's someone out there who really wants to help us go the extra mile and would love to buy us a really really cool roller slide, so the kids would have something safe, but loads funner than a plain old slide. So I'm officially starting the "in our dreams" list, and the roller slide is the charter member;) .

Speaking Of Kids

The MOMS Club of the Copper Country will host Joseph DellaValla, MD, FACP, as he presents a sleep medicine primer for parents. Topics will include thebasics of normal sleep, getting kids to sleep, keeping them asleep,sleepwalking, night terrors and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. October 15, 10:30am - 11:30am at Grace United Methodist Church in Houghton, 201 Isle Royale St, Houghton. All are welcome (including children) so please bring a friend! Contact: Jessica DellaValla, 906-281-1353 or jess.dellavalla@charter.net. For more information about the MOMS Club of the Copper Country Contact Amy Evans, (906) 523-5342 or (906) 370-9615, goker7@hotmail.com.

Hi Tech Treehouse

The Treehouse now has a Facebook group. Show your support for the project by joining us! Invite all your Facebook Friends!

Upcoming Events

Want to know more about our little park? Join Cathy Benda (Director, KFRC) and Jessica DellaValla (Chair, Friends of WinterPark) for an Introduction to The Treehouse Indoor Playground Thursday October 15th at the Portage Lake District Library. 6:30 p.m. All are welcome and snacks will be provided!

Cathy and Jess have been making the rounds, drumming up community support. Kiwanis, Rotary, Moms groups. They are going anywhere there is a willing ear to listen:) On Monday, October 12th, at 5:30 pm, they'll be speaking at the Houghton City Council meeting to answer further questions and to seek support for the playground.

You GO guys!!!

Fall Into Winter Preschool Family Fun Day and Silent Auction

Mark October 24th off on your calendars, pack up the kids, and join us at the Houghton Highschool Multi-purpose room from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm for a really great time! Please see the flyer in the side-bar for all the fun details! There will be a photographer to get family photos or individual pictures of your kids! Decorate a cookie, make a craft, play a game...etc There will be a silent auction with some great items to come and check out! The auction items will also be displayed at the Hot Peas 'N Butter Concert at the Rosza Center on November 12th, with auctions ending later in November. You might want to come early if you didn't get a chance to check out the auction at the Fall Into Winter Preschool Family Fun Day! Hot Peas 'N Butter are winners of the "Parents Choice Award", they are a unique children's musical group infused with traditional Latin music, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazz, folk, and rock. They have developed a distinct way of inspiring care and creativity in kids and adults alike.

contact Angela Campioni with questions! angelasmassage@gmail.com.

October Update from Jessica

Greetings!
Great News! Winter Park will become a reality! The Keweenaw Family Resource Center has signed a lease. Winter Park will be located in Red Ridge Plaza next to Hairsmiths on Sharon Avenue in Houghton. The Task Force is now very busy planning and designing this playground. Check out the blog at http://houghtonwinterpark.blogspot.com/ for almost daily updates!
Monica Aho, the Chair of the Design committee continues to meet weekly at the site planning and designing everything from play structures to artwork for the walls. In addition to the engineers, interior designers, parents and therapists that she has recruited, Monica has enlisted the help of Professor Rick Loduha and about 20 of his students from Finlandia’s School of Design. It is a very exciting and inspiring experience to watch these talents at work. If you are interested in joining the design committee, please contact committee chair Monica Aho at monicaaho@gmail.com. All are welcome!
Winter Park will have a new name when it opens! It will be called The Treehouse. Dave Olsson of The Upper Peninsula Marketing Department has generously donated his time and talents to lead the branding and marketing plans for Winter Park. Thank you, Dave!
We have some exciting events coming up. Angela Campioni is chairing the “Winter Warm-Up” family fun event, to be held OCTOBER 24th at HOUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Contact Angela at acampioni@chartermi.net. In addition to entertainment and food, we are hosting the preview of our silent auction, which will include items like a Nintendo Wii, many baskets of clothes and accessories for kids and their families, and even a piece of jewelry from Tiffany & Co.!
We will also be at the Rozsa Center on November 12th before and after the Hot Peas and Butter Concert.
On October 15th we’ll be speaking at the Portage Lake District Library at 6:30 pm. After an overview of the project and a brief update on our latest progress, we’ll be answering questions and taking suggestions. All are welcome and snacks will be provided!
We are working on the end date for our auction and plan for it to be in late November. Stay tuned for an update soon.
You may have also heard that the KFRC received a donation of three 1-carat diamonds to auction off. That is true. And they are beautiful! If you know anyone who would like to make an engagement ring, a pair of earrings, or anything else that sparkles, please pass on our information. We’re accepting offers. All three diamonds come with a formal appraisal and every penny of the purchase price will go to charity. Call Jessica (that’s me) at 281-1353 if you want to know more about the diamonds (cut, color, etc.)
Ruth Gill is chairing the grants committee and she has already helped identify several very promising grants. To volunteer with Ruth, please contact her at ruthphilippagill@hotmail.com.
If you do not have time to donate but still wish to be supportive of this very worthwhile project, please consider making a donation of money. No amount is too small and every bit will help. This is a concrete, finite project and you will see exactly where your donation goes. We are working on formal donation guidelines but there are many ways for donors to be recognized within the space and the community. Please call Cathy Benda at 482-9363 or me at 281-1353 to make a donation.If you have any questions about this project or just want an update on our progress between e-mails, please call me anytime. There are so many exciting things happening, I would love to talk with you about them.
Thanks again for supporting the KFRC and Winter Park and I hope to see you at The Treehouse soon!

Jessica DellaVallaChair, Friends of Winter Park

Status Update

OK. For the most part, the design phase of the project is complete. Thank you Design Committee!!!! You all are awesome!!! We're now busy assigning projects. We're also getting very close to finishing up with Kids Crooked House to build the main playstructure. How exciting is THAT??? We still have a few projects that need "creators". Most notably: we need someone handy with lumber and hammer to build us our lilypond and crash pit box. Both of these will be essentially "wooden boxes", so I wouldn't imagine they'd be especially difficult (although I'm far from a carpenter, so what do I know????) Also need someone to make us our Lateral Climbing Wall. Do you fit this bill? Know someone else who does? Send them our way! Again, I can be contacted at monicaaho@gmail.com. Thanks to everyone who's stepped forward already to help with constructing various pieces. We've gotten just a tremendous response. Renovations on the space will be completed by Chris Raasio Construction in the very near future. Does anyone else feel like Christmas Eve waiting for Santa? Probably not. But still. Very exciting. Stay tuned for more updates!

Congrats!

Congratulations to Ivette Margraves, who has been a HUGE force in getting this park up and running, on the birth of her son Charlie on September 23rd! Charlie clocked in at 7 pounds 9 ounces, and 19.5 inches long. We now have ONE MORE REASON for this park to open - another child in the Keweenaw needs a place to play! We're happy for you, Ivette!

Tree Stump Stage

Because every child deserves to be center-stage once in awhile....

The Layout

Thanks to David Goodman, design student from Finlandia, for providing us with the blueprint of the space so we could put together our layout! To scale even. Wowza. If you'd prefer not to have to look at the layout wearing zoom lenses, try clicking it in the sidebar, where there's a bigger version.

Daily Mining Gazette Article on our Park

Kurt Hauglie/Daily Mining Gazette

HOUGHTON - Adults and older children can take part in winter outdoor activities without too many difficulties, but for young children it can be problematic, which is a concern for some local parents. One of those parents is Jessica della Valla, who brought the idea of an indoor play space to staff at the Keweenaw Family Resources Center in Houghton in May. As a result of that contact, the Friends of Winter Park was created with della Valla as the chairwoman and the KFRC as the developing agency. "It was a natural fit," said Cathy Benda, KFRC executive director. "It was well received (by the board members). Other parents have made the suggestion (for such a facility)." After months of searching, a location for the indoor playspace has been found in two units of the Red Ridge Plaza on Sharon Avenue in Houghton. However, the name was changed from Winter Park to Treehouse, A KFRC Indoor Playground. Della Valla said the playground will be for children up to 5 years old. After the plan was announced in June, the idea was well-received locally. "We had several parents who said, 'We wish we had done this,'" she said. Della Valla said the theme of the playground is "the outdoors indoors." The layout (which can be seen at houghtonwinterpark.blogspot.com) includes a treehouse, suspension bridge, crash pit, or safe area, and crawl tunnel on one side of the space. The other side will have the KFRC offices and more play space as well as a quiet area and breastfeeding area. Each side is 1,500 square feet. The design work for the Winter Park will be done by students of Rick Loduha, Finlandia University associate professor of art and design. Della Valla said besides being fun for children, the play area will be designed to help children develop physically and psychologically. The center will be a "hub of wellness," della Valla said, where parents can get information about many things pertaining to children. "It sounds funny, a playground is going to have a philosophy," she said. Della Valla said she wanted to emphasize the playspace will not be a childcare center. "This is specifically a place where caregivers must stay with the child," she said. Benda said the playspace will be accessible to children with physical and mental developmental disabilities. "We want to make the space available to all kids," she said. Those special needs will be met, Benda said, because one of the members of the design committee for the facility is a pediatric physical therapist who knows what their needs are. Della Valla said the Red Ridge Plaza is owned by brother and sister Madelyn and Michael Wilder, and the lease for the space was finalized Tuesday. In order to have two contiguous units, the Wilders asked an existing tenant, Cartridges and More, to move to another location in the shopping center, which they did without dispute. "They didn't even blink," she said. "This was the best. We have landlords who were willing to work with us." To pay for the construction of the playspace, Benda said the KFRC officially begins its fundraising effort on Nov. 1. The goal is $100,000. Before that, however, in order to get people acquainted with the project and the fundraising effort, the KFRC will conduct a Fall Into Winter Preschool Family Fun Day at Houghton High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24. There will games and other entertainment. Bids for the construction and equipment are being taken, Benda said, and it's hoped the Winter Park can open in January. Benda said KFRC members are excited about the Winter Park project. "This will enrich the quality of life for everybody in the Keweenaw," she said.

http://www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/506727.html?nav=5006

Recap of September 23rd Meeting

What a FABULOUS meeting. A huge thank you to Ric Loduha and his Human Factors class for presenting some truly awesome ideas! We were thoroughly impressed, and hope to incorporate several of them into the park, if we can! I took copius notes, and found myself saying "wow! Cool!" a whole lot. Good job, guys. We're hoping some of you Finlandia students might actually want to follow your designs to the next step and help us construct various pieces. After the Finlandia meeting, we travelled to the site and discussed our impressions of the Kids Crooked House proposal. We're seriously considering having this company build our treehouse structure, and are in the process of hammering out specifics. Check out their website at http://www.kidscrookedhouse.com/. You may have seen their playhouses on TLC's "John and Kate plus 8", or on ABC's "Extreme Makeover Home Edition". Last week, they were also on DIY network's "King of Dirt". They do excellent work, and will help us create a truly whimsical, inviting space for our children.

Decisions are coming down to the nitty-gritty, and we're in the process of assigning "construction projects" to various individuals with willing hands and the right skills. Check out the "project assignment" link in the sidebar. If there's an empty space and you think you're the person to fill it (or know someone who is), PLEASE contact me at monicaaho@gmail.com!

And the Official Name Is.......

Thank You BHK!!!

BHK just donated tricycles for our trike merry go round! YEAH BHK!!! Thank you so much! Christine Westrich, a Finlandia Student with aspirations of being a toy designer, will be building us our trike merry go round for her portfolio. So excited to see what she comes up with!!

Recap of September 16th Meeting

An excellent meeting last night - thanks to all those who attended! We're getting down to the nitty-gritty details, deciding what's going to go where, what it's going to look like, and who we're going to have build it! We taped out the first space, and quickly realized that we don't have the space for some things we were hoping to have (i.e. a teeter-totter weigh station), although we will be able to keep the growth tree - just move it to the 2nd room. We marked walls, taped floors, drew sketches, took loads of measurements. Jessica will be contacting area businesses and miscellaneous talented people to see if anyone can help us make our "tree stump stage", our giant frog sculpture, and other such random things. We're still looking for more artsy people - especially seamstresses, wood-workers, and sculptors. Please contact me at monicaaho@gmail.com if you're interested in helping!

Our next meeting will be held September 23rd, and we'll be meeting with the Finlandia students at the Jutila Center to hear their formalized ideas. We may sneak over to the site afterwards and finish up with the layout....

Call for Tricycles

We are in need of old tricycles for a Merry-Go-Trike! They don't have to be beautiful, or even in working condition. If they've got a front wheel with pedals, we'll take them!! Spread the word, and contact Christine Westrich at oomar_duh@yahoo.com if you locate any! We'll need at LEAST five, so keep your eyes peeled at garage sales, search the back of the shed, and hit up the neighbors whose kids are now grown.

Ball Activity

We just had the Montes of Monte Consulting Company step up and offer to build us THIS ball roll, which looks like so much fun! The playhouse will be home to such interactive pieces - so far we have slated the giant Lite Brite, a "steam roller", and a sound making drum (there's a name... what is it???)

Lily Pond

Another idea for the toddler area - a "Lily Pond"! This would be a fun, challenging activity for the new-walker set. Check out these pics and video...

We would probably do a square version out of a twin-sized waterbed mattress, due to space constraints. Also would most likely put a small, toddler-sized slide off the platform, to pack as much "punch" as possible with one activity.

WANTED:

WANTED: Artistic people to help us decorate! We need painters, sculptors, cartoonists, sewers, carpenters, visionaries and creative people of all ilk to help us turn a boring square space into an enchanted forest. If you are such a talent, or know of someone who is, PLEASE send them our way! We're getting very close to finishing up our design decisions, and will be ready to move on to the next phase... transformation! Be thinking of groups that might be open to taking on a project... quilting circles, art students, wood shop class. We need them all!

Email me at monicaaho@gmail.com if you're interested.

Recap of our Sept. 9th Meeting

We met at the Jutila Center, and heard the Finlandia student's ideas for each area. Some preliminary ideas included hanging fabric, clouds, and large elements from the ceiling for sound absorption, and possibly adding "night time" components with twinkling and colored lights in one portion of the space (the "quiet cave" might be a perfect place for a night-time sky). The toddler area group suggested foam blocks that could be stacked and crashed, as well as a stage area for imaginative play. The infant area suggested padded, hollow crates for sitting on, and babies to climb on. There was talk of adding mirrors and hanging elements from the ceiling for visual stimulation for our youngest customers. The playhouse committee is working on interactive elements such as fun-house mirrors, and suggested that there be seasonal decorations that can change to keep things fresh. The "open area" group is working on unifying theme elements. The students will continue to brainstorm and formalize their ideas over the next few weeks independently, and then report back to the rest of the committee.

Next meeting will be without the Finlandia students, and we'll be finalizing our ideas for components. Meet up with us Wednesday, Sept. 16th, at 6:30, at the site!

It's An Official Unanimous Decision

The Keweenaw Family Resources Board of Directors unanimously approved our project tonight. This is EXCELLENT news! We are full steam ahead! Thanks to each and every last Board member for the support, and to Cathy and Jessica for their unfailing leadership and enthusiasm! Let's go build us a park, shall we?

Recap of Sept. 2nd Meeting

The meeting was led by Joel Liimatainen. Here's his summary:

"To start things off we gave the students a tour of the facilities and introduced Jessica, Ivette and Dave to the group. Then we discussed themes. This took up the majority of the time. We settled on the following main themes:
A bug's view and playing with perspective/oversized elements. Continuing the crooked house theme throughout the play area, using crazy angles and things like that whenever possible. Seasonal elements - should include things that can be changed in and out to keep things fresh. Last, but not least - light! After some of the talk about tubes and caves, Jessica suggested that we remember the importance of light. It is sort of a refuge for parents and kids in the dark winter, after all.

After that we split into groups (listed in the sidebar). These groups aren't all encompassing, we will need to add some more on as we go. With the number of people we had, and shooting for about four people per group, we just limited it to the following five groups for now: 1. Sky design (draped cloth, clouds, birds, etc.) 2.Playhouse 3. Open Area - Floor (also tasked with working with the other groups to keep the themes unified) 4. Toddler Area 5. Infant Area.

Rick will assign some other students who couldn't make it to the class to the infant area group as well.

I asked the groups to brainstorm ideas and and post on the blog some specific elements that they would like to see and maybe design. Also, I emphasised the need to be as cost efficient as possible and think about things that we can actually make. Cathy had the idea of themed toy carts that could be rolled in and out of the playspace. There could be a funky kitchen cart, a music cart, etc. She also would like to see a spot dedicated to parent one-on-one. And finally, someone (I think it was Julie) said something along the lines of the Enchanted Treehouse and we were wowed by it. Cathy said she would get in touch with Dave about it. The idea that we're building an enchanted treehouse and forest inside our space is so cool. Really fires the imagination."

See you all on the 9th!!!

Thank You Portage!

Portage Health System just officially donated several of their old xray light boxes to our cause. Now that images have gone digital, they don't need them anymore - but we certainly do! If you have ideas on how to use these light boxes, post them here. I was thinking that if we put a few of them together and cover them with a metal grid, we could make a giant "Lite Brite" along a wall or up in the playhouse (playhouse might be preferrable, to keep things contained and add extra light in a potentially darker area). Clear, tinted acrylic rods of about 1.5 " diameter and a few inches long would be easy and cheap to use as the "pegs" for kids to make their own gigantic pictures. This would be an excellent activity for both sighted and visually-impaired children - which is in keeping with our goal of accessibility. We have several sizes available to us: 56"x42", 56"x20.5", and 28"X 42". There's more than enough for a life-size Lite-Brite, as well as something else....

Here's an example of a giant Lite-Brite.

Step By Step Tree Construction

Here's the low-down on tree construction. The internet is a wonderful thing.
http://www.polygem.com/zoo/treehow2.php

The Magic Material

Just spoke with the director of the Marquette Children's Museum. The "magic substance" used to create their rock caves and their tree bark is Durabond 90 - sold at many local hardware stores, including Mennards. A 25 pound bag goes for something like $15. It goes on like a clay, and hardens to a concrete-strength in 90 minutes. It can be textured with combs or brushes, and then painted with various finishes. MSDS/Safety information can be found here: http://www.mta.ca/administration/facilities/safety/msds/carpentry/Concrete%20and%20Fillers/DuraBond%2045.pdf.

Marquette Children's Museum's treehouse covers a steel girder I-beam. They made a wooden frame, bent 8x4 boards to make it cylidrical, and then covered with Durabond. Viola! Tree! Durabond is a crucial component for theming - with it we can create our own hollow log for crawling, and log slices for balance activities. One thought for the log slices is to use a standard balance disc, and then cover the top of it with the Durabond and paint to look like a log slice. It then has the "wobbliness" of the disc, but goes with our theme....


I'm extremely excited to know there's options out there besides the faux bark I've been pricing, which would've cost us literally THOUSANDS of dollars!!! Other uses include making both the climbing wall and the "quiet cave" look like real rock. We can also fashion our "rock stage" out of this stuff. Yahoo!!

Examples from some Children's Museums

I like the idea of a continuous hold on the lateral climbing wall, due to our target age group. The tree is from the Marquette Children's Museum, as are the drum and xylophone.

Some ideas from the Finlandia students

INITIAL IDEAS FROM STUDENTS:

Textured surfaces – important for children with sensory issues. (The drawback – cleaning these surfaces.)

For the same reasons a sand table for the same reason, however difficult to keep clean for the same reason as a sandbox. Though sand can be vacuumed and the advantages seem to out-weigh the disadvantages for a relatively low-cost addition.

Smells can also help in calming children, such as using vanilla or cinnamon potpourri or perfumes to help a child a focus.

It seems important to have a comfortable reading area for children of the proposed age-group as well as someone who knows how to read to children – reading the title and the authors name, as well as the story with an exclamatory attitude helps stimulate development in a child's early comprehension skills.

Wheel chair accessibility is important in the design process for the non-climbing areas. Not only for children who may be physically handicapped, but for the parents who may wish to watch them. Rocco Bertucci

A few links to sites promoting rubber mulch which has been approved by the consumer product safety commission.
http://www.rubberecycle.com/
http://prosites-closetheloop.homestead.com/comp_tiremulch.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2009598655_playgroundtires04.html


There are a few organizations that are questioning the CPSC ruling on the safety of rubber mulch saying that not enough testing has been done to consider the rubber mulch safe.
http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2009/06/04-14
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/green/2009/06/safety_of_shredded_tires_on_pl.html

Andrew Blake

Design Committee Blog

Hello All! It was suggested that our committee start a blog, to keep everyone "in the loop" as we go through this design process. Email gets cumbersome after awhile, so here is our central location for ideas, inspirations, updates, and debate. Feel free to add to, and leave your comments on, this blog. It's for all of us!