Miss Julia Krueger, age 19, of Traverse City has been selected to be part of the Entertainment Team for Holland America Cruise Line.  Miss Krueger has taken dance lessons for 6 years at Dance Arts Academy in Traverse City.  She has taken classes in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and hip-hop. Krueger has traveled extensively with her dance, performing in Walt Disney World in California with Company Dance Traverse and also traveling to many states to compete in New York City Dance Alliance  Conventions, winning several scholarships along the way. She graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 2008 where she was very active in drama and choir.  Julia has continued her education by taking classes and auditioning in New York City where she landed her job with Holland America.  

After an intense four week training session in L.A., Julia travelled to Boston where she boarded her ship, the Maasdam, on July 11, 2009. She will sail for eight months visiting countries such as Iceland, Greenland, Scotland, England, and France, and then head to the Carribbean in November. Julia credits her success to the generosity and professional training she received at Dance Arts Academy as well as her hard work ethic and desire to succeed. She would like to thank God for creating in her a love and passion for dance and her family for all their support.

Tay-Jay's Duck Tape Escape

Local Traverse City Sisters Start a Business

It all started with an obsession with "duck" tape.  Twelve year-old Jordan Mattarella says, "I don't know why I love it so much but I just love duct tape because I love to do crafts and be creative with things."  Jordan started combining her love of crafts and her love of duct tape into creative projects.  In the beginning she crafted wallets and hats.  Before long she was creating flip flops, bracelets, lunch boxes, ties, and even purses.  When her friends heard about her unusual hobby, they asked to see her duct tape creations.  Soon they began to place orders for her products.

More orders were coming in every day and life was getting very hectic for this young entrepreneur.  Faced with the increasing pressure of more orders than she could fill, Jordan asked her older sister, eighteen year-old Taylor for help.   According to Jordan, she and Taylor just "clicked" and before they knew it they were making a LOT of products and a LOT of money.  

The girls have since taken their business on the road and have participated in three craft shows around Michigan.  They say that they really enjoy the shows and the people they meet.   Today their business is still growing and the girls have started saving their earnings for family trips and college expenses.  If you would like more information or to find out how you can order their products please contact Tay-Jay's Duck Tape Escape by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Local Third Grader Leads Charity Can Drive for Children in Need

TRAVERSE CITY, MI — When was the last time you ever heard of any good news coming with a visit to the principal's office?

Eamonn McGonigle, a third-grade student at The Children’s House of Traverse City, was more than a little inspired by the “Pennies for Peace” initiative held at the school last year.

“On the way home he talked to his mom about it and she told him that one person can make a difference, but it has to start somewhere and with an individual, says Enda McGonigle, Eamonn’s father.

The grade-schooler did some research online and—with winter coming—came up with the idea for a can and bottle drive to raise money to buy warm clothes for area children in need.

“He chose the name “Bottles for Boots/Cans for Coats" to kind of go along with the "Pennies for Peace" vibe,” say McGonigle.

Then came a visit to the office of Head of School, Michele Shane, to pitch his plan.

“Eamonn wanted the whole school to get involved,” says Shane. “And I thought it was a wonderful idea and a great opportunity.  Problem solving, leadership, writing, math, etc., Eamonn and his class got to use these skills for a real-world purpose, which is exactly what we try to promote in our integrated curriculum—one where students are encouraged to pursue their interests and think for themselves.”

Eamonn’s efforts raised over $100, which was then used to buy socks given to Traverse City’s “Boots for Kids” program.  The goal now is to hold similar, student led drives on alternating months throughout the coming school year.

“This has been a great and positive experience for Eamonn,” says his father.  “He genuinely likes to help people and this gave him a real opportunity to do something concrete.  I think this will also inspire him to tackle more projects like this in the future.”

For more information and/or interviews please contact Missy Russell, Advancement Director at The Children House, by phone 231.929.9325 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Eamonn McGonigle (right) pictured with “Boots for Kids” founder, Don

The Children’s House Weaving Project combines art, recycling, and service to the community.  
 
 
TRAVERSE CITY, MI —Ann Edens, an area mother of two and parent at The Children’s House of Traverse City, was getting a jump on her spring cleaning this year.  Going through her children’s old clothes—lots of threadbare t-shirts and frayed pajamas bottoms—she suddenly had an idea.
 
“Children's art and recycling stuff into art materials are two of my favorite things, so I thought: Why put them together?  Why not take all this old, worn fabric and make something wonderful out of them?”
 
And so, The Children’s House Weaving Project was born.
 
 “Our first job was to collect torn, stained, and discarded fabrics that would otherwise be landfill bound and turn these into weaving fiber,” says Edens. “This assortment included baby clothes, pajama pants, tablecloths, and many t-shirts.”
 
Woodshop leftovers were used to create a large, simple loom for the students to create a 6' X 4' weaving.  The loom was then placed in the elementary wing’s common area where 1st through 6th grade students all worked together on the project this winter and quickly the weaving began to grow.
 
“The end goal of the project is to raise funds and student awareness of the environmental and social needs here in the Traverse City area,” says Edens.  “After the weaving is complete, the students are helping promote a raffle that will raise money for charity.”
 
Deciding on who should get the money from the raffle has also been a learning experience for the students at The Children’s House,” says Edens.
 
“Elementary students visited four area charity organizations—Cherryland Humane Society, Child and Family Services, the Watershed Center, and Street Outreach,” she says.  “The children interviewed staff to learn more about what these organizations do   and also toured these locations to compile reports that they shared with the other students back at school.”

Now it’s time to vote.  Edens says one organization will be voted on by the students to receive a cash donation raised from the “weaving raffle” on March 4, 2010.
 
For more information and/or interviews please contact Missy Russell, Advancement Director at The Children House, by phone 231.929.9325 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .