A Tribute to the 2009 CPC by the Staff
Meet the 2009 Staff!
» Photos from the March Staff Retreat at Pinewood «
The Holy Trinity, Executive Director of DYMO Camp. God works in mysterious ways, and DYMO Camp is no exception. The reason Camp happens is because of the work of the master builder.
Our Esteemed Directors:
Dianna Rottiers, Senior DYMO Camp Director. She can't get enough of God, family, friends, golden retrievers, books, gardening, DYMO, the hammock, puppies, the hot tub, sunshine, good times, hugs, bar-b-ques, games, and naps!
Bob Bacik, DYMO Camp Director. Bob has the amazing ability to solve any problem with a rubber band, duct tape and a binder clip… really. He recently developed a fascination with Sudoku and speaks fluent Junior High. Bob will be leaving his job as Coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. Anthony’s this summer to give seminary a try. If Bob becomes Pope one day, he promises to come back and offer pope-mobile rides as a DYMO workshop.
Sally Sremba, junior DYMO Camp director. Sally is a proud lifelong Catholic that enjoys learning new things and asking questions. She is an office manager at Kerkstra Septic Tank Cleaning, in Hudsonville. (Thankfully she gets to stay in the office and doesn't work in the field!) When not at work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her daughter, McKenna, and boyfriend, Tim. When she can squeeze it in, she loves to scrapbook and read Christian romance and mystery novels!
The Rest of the Volunteer DYMO Staff:
Fr. Lou Anderson knows more than you might imagine.
Bonnie Bailey is back for another year of beading (not beating) with campers. Outside of camp, she is busy enjoying her family and finishing her MBA at Northwood.
Larry Barton once wanted to live a quiet, normal life. Then he became a musician, and, well, so much for that. Rumor has it that he is experimenting with writing fiction.
Rebecca Chicklon listens well. Go ahead, talk her ear off.
Joyce Christian is married to Bill and mom to Billy, Joe and Elizabeth. She was a Youth Coordinator for 10 years, and celebrates at St. Patrick Church in Portland, (Michigan that is - not Oregon or Maine). She leads music at Sunday Masses, loves going for walks along the river, learning about natural health, and spending quality time with God and friends. Joyce also loves DYMO!
Jayme Heim has been the camp nurse for the last three years. She really enjoys being with everyone and trying to do her best with just one of her and so many campers. Jayme has been a nurse for 24 years and loves it. She is a Nurse Practitioner and truly believes that without God's continual blessing and guidance she could not assist those she serves. She considers it an honor to be at Camp.
Patrick Herdegen was a camper for three years and staff member for at least five times that amount. He is the Pastoral Associate at St. Paul Campus Parish in Big Rapids next to Ferris State University. He works with college students, youth and children. He enjoys theatre, dancing (in moderation), and serving the Catholic community with joy. He was just nominated for a Silly Goose award for best dancing (in moderation).
Renee Hornby is a middle school teacher in Lansing (she just acts like a student). A proud alum of both Alma College (Go Scots!) and Michigan State University (Go Spartans!) Renee spends much of her time traveling or working. Having lived in Michigan all her life, she thinks it's a tragedy she's never been to Canada, so she'd like visit and say "Eh," one day.
Therese Jandernoa is the wife of Tom and the mother of five amazing children. She enjoys annoying the youth with her rambunctious personality and her semi-hilarious jokes. Her children are the reason she needs to dye her gray hair and use anti-wrinkle cream. She loves them of course, but let's face it, when you're dealing with children who are wiser than you, you're going to age a little. She likes to read and get lost in the beauty of the words that are printed on each page. She wants to be your best friend. Do you accept?
Dave Johnson has two nephews and three nieces he loves very much. Unfortunately, they live in Wyoming (the state, not the city) and Atlanta, Georgia... much too far away. (He also loves the rest of his family.) Dave has been filling his time taking photos of just about anything. You can see some of his work on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-johnson/). He also enjoys time spent with his mountain bike, but feels it is often neglected from lack of use.
Dave has been a part of DYMO since 1999 and each year gains more from those he meets at camp than ever could be expected... He thoroughly enjoys spending 24 hours a day with youth, without a break, for 7 days and 6 nights.
"DYMO Camp is AMAZING!"
Fr. Larry King grew up with a shadow following him around. It was his same size and shape, but somehow looked different. His parents thought it was funny and named it "Bill." He simply called him his TWIN.
He is the pastor at St. Patrick Church in Portland, MI... located on I-96, nestled in the mostly sunny farm country on the eastern edge of the Grand Rapids Diocese.
Jim Kulfan is married to Carol, and has three children. Jim is the Parish Administrator for St. John Vianney Parish and worships at St. Pius X. Jim has been involved in various ministries for over thirty years, including being on DYMO Staff for the same period. Jim enjoys camping and golf and is nuts about Disney.
Nick Kwiek learns and teaches, usually in that order. He is the Coordinator of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry at St. Michael's in Coopersville. He is a member of the worshiping community at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, a graduate of Aquinas College, and a substitute teacher in the Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Dave Laidlaw likes sports... is a huge Tigers fan... graham crackers are real good... oh, yea, and he is going to be the new youth minister at St. Anthony of Padua this summer... and he really likes camps... and also enjoys talking in third person, like when writing this paragraph... what else could you possibly want to know about this man?
Wild Bill (Mousel) - For the 17th time, Wild Bill will be set loose at camp. And he dares you to be there too. He triple-dog dares you.
Guine Norman is the coordinator of youth ministry at St. Pat's in Portland. Any further description of her would be a feeble attempt to capture an ethereal amazing-ness that simply transcends what language can convey.
Erin O'Lonergan is a girl of adventure. Her present day adventures involve Youth Ministry, Volunteering and Traveling around the country. Erin believes in Jesus, laughing, and dancing. When she grows up she wants to be a bee-keeper. Her two goals in life: to be the happiest old woman in the world (because the happiest people are happy old people) and to love the world.
Annie Otto got the opportunity to experience DYMO as a camper when she was in high school. Now she's geared up for her 4th year as part of the DYMO Staff! This year, she is one of the leaders for our CPC group. The students on CPC have worked so hard to come up with ideas for this year's camp, and she is geeked to see how everything will play out! Annie's favorite TV show is The Office, her favorite book series is Harry Potter, and her favorite drink is Coca-Cola! Having fun, building relationships, and being an instrument for God to use are the reasons Annie is so excited for DYMO 2009!
Patti Reynolds has a handle on life. She may have an extra on hand, if you happen to have lost yours. She loves DYMO Camp. Patti is the youth/young adult minister at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Grand Rapids, a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, a wife, a mother of 4 (3 attended DYMO), a daughter, and a sister. Her interests in life include laughing a lot, taking long walks, trying to become a saint, hiking Pictured Rocks, white-water rafting, rock climbing, kayaking, going on silent retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani, whale watching in the San Juan Islands, and feeling the wind in her face.
Rebecca Roberts had the privilege of being a DYMO camper for three years in high school and is looking forward to her third year on staff. She is a graduate of Aquinas College and her home parish is Holy Redeemer in Jenison, where she has been a youth leader of The Upper Room for seven years. She loves going to the movies, watching "The Office", anything that has to do with "Twilight", and, of course, DYMO!
Alex "The Mongoose" Robinson can do some amazing things, and teach others to do some too. He attended DYMO Camp as a youth and called it one of the most influential retreat experiences of his life. After waiting the mandatory four years of banishment to give him a chance to mature (it was worth a try), he was welcomed back as DYMO staff. He hopes to share the type of life-changing experience he had with today's youth.
Alex is a nomadic substitute teacher, servicing schools from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids and anywhere in between. He is certified to teach Physics and Chemistry and looking for a regular job. He likes Chemistry because he can blow stuff up, and Physics because he likes to know where said stuff is going to land. Alex also has a background in clown ministry and other fun stuff. He is active in Youth Ministry at St. Catherine of Siena in Portage (with Jan Wilcox) and is very excited that the parish gets to send a few students to DYMO Camp this year.
"I can't wait to see everyone for a little planned madness."
George Rutherford is 53 going on 16. He loves life. George is active at Portland St. Patrick parish. Among his many activities is singing at Sunday Mass and serving as chair of the school commission. What he loves the most however is interacting with teens (but then, he is a little strange). In his spare time George works as the Vice President of the hospital in Ionia.
Sr. Kathi Sleziak likes adventures without mushrooms. Like winter camping, for example.
Becky Steele loves Jesus, her husband and family, math (especially triangles and prime numbers), teaching, making coffee, drinking Mountain Dew, and playing with her pets. She was a DYMO camper for two years of high school and is joining the DYMO staff for the first time this summer.
Between being a camper and joining staff, Becky attended GVSU to study Math and Elementary Education, took a job teaching fifth grade in Jenison Public Schools, married her best friend, and began working on her masters degree. Becky fills her free time with bike rides, camping trips, prayer, American Idol, ice cream eating, reading, and napping.
Joe Vezino is a graduate of Lowell High School and Michigan State University. He worked for Meijer in various postions for over 38 years and retired on October 31st, 2006. He has been married to his loving wife, Barb, for over 35 years, and has three wonderful daughters: Amy, Elizabeth and Mary Jo. He has been described as an 'at-large youth minister', as he has been involved in over 20 retreats since 2003 in four different dioceses. When he is not working on retreats he loves to hunt and fish.
Jan Wilcox is the Director of High School Youth Ministry and Youth Confirmation at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Portage. She grew up in Lansing, went to Western Michigan University for Interpersonal Communications and Comparative Religion, started working at St. Catherine’s, and stuck around Kalamazoo. This is her third year on DYMO Staff (like most things, it’s all Bob Bacik’s fault!), and this year is the 2nd Year CPC Co-Coordinator. Jan is most looking forward this summer (besides DYMO of course!) to her first trip to El Salvador and the birth of her first niece!
Kate Webb was a camper for three years and is excited to be on staff! She grew up in Rockford, MI and graduated from Ferris State University. She recently moved to Chicago and works as a graphic designer. Kate enjoys tennis, dancing, traveling, reading and cooking. Her latest travels include 5 weeks in Australia for the Australia Open tennis tournament.
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