by Karina Hunter

A peek at Michigan Snowmobiler's September 2009 issue where you'll find some familiar faces.

Michigan Snowmobiler’s

As a motorsport writer, my work is regularly published in a number of international publications, including Michigan Snowmobiler, and I was pleasantly surprised when their latest issue included an article about a New Year’s Day picnic I had enjoyed at Sand Lake with the kids.  I submitted many photos of the day but never expected that they would include in those they published, snowboarding photos of Devan and Cody as it is quite rare for publications such as Michigan Snowmobiler to include non-snowmobiling photos.  

It is easy sometimes to focus on teens who are being challenged by peer pressure and perhaps not making the best choices but we are truly blessed in Manitouwadge to have many great young adults who happily spend time with family and friends doing wholesome activities.  When you see bunches of kids walking the sidewalks on Manitou Road or skateboarding downtown is your first reaction to frown at them and complain that they are spilling on to the roads or are you relieved that they are out being active rather than in a basement somewhere playing videogames or worse yet partaking in activities that aren’t appropriate in public view? We have plenty of amazing teens in our community and if you take a minute to talk to them, you will realize they have plenty to say and are often happy to be included in activities by volunteering their time.

The cliché that “children are our future” is often used but in the case of a community like Manitouwadge, in need of tourism dollars while low on advertising funds, our teens are a resource that should not be overlooked.  Magazines and other publications are always thirsty for stories of little known places like Manitouwadge, to offer their readers stories outside the mainstream.  Teens in today’s world are constantly bombarded with images of how they should look and act and those in our community have a special way of stepping outside that box which appeals to people in big cities and magazines recognize this.

If you have a special story to share about a child you know, a special talent they have or their daily adventures in our ‘extreme’ surroundings, email me at karinaliette@shaw.ca you could see them published in one of your favourite magazines giving our community some much needed press. Read about my snowmobiling adventures in Manitouwadge and the region, including details of last year’s Manitou Sno-Drifters snowmobile drag races in an upcoming issue of Michigan Snowmobiler by subscribing at www.michsnowmag.com or visit www.karinahunter.com/?p=5688 
to see photos and the story of our New Year’s fun. 

Submitted to The Echo, 09.25.09.

 September 2009 issue has been published and it includes some familiar faces; Emeraude Charron, Lloyd White and their
friends Brighton Lal, Samantha Young, Cody Oseicki, and Devan Pelletier are the stars of a 5 page story which follows them on one of their many snowmobiling adventures this past winter.