My Cool Community – Birch Run

By: Jill Armentrout

My husband is surprised that I send out 60 cards for Christmas. “Do we know that many people?” I guess I do including friends from college, some of whom I haven’t seen since; our families near and far away; and new friends in Birch Run. He has lost track of the roommate who was in our wedding, but I hold tight to people. Maybe women are better at that. I like to see the photos of my friends’ kids on the cards, but I wish more people included the whole family so I can see how the adults change too.

I value this list of people and try to add new names and neighbors. We weren’t born or raised here, so we have to build this community for our family. I think that is a great part of being parents. I like the sense of togetherness I feel sitting in a school band concert or at a softball game. I am fortunate to have time to volunteer some at the schools. I love our Girl Scout leaders and try to help out on hikes or at cookie booths.

Our church, St. Martin Lutheran, has formed the center of our community here. We first joined 12 years ago, just before the baptism of our oldest daughter. We felt welcome then and still do now. The congregation gave us things to do, which is a great way to really join a church. This was our first membership as adults and we have served as elders, in Sunday school, on the council and in the choir. We’ve made our best friends in town there.

Maybe as a journalist, I just love meeting and talking to people and making connections. But I think it’s also good for our girls. Our youngest daughter, a second grader, knows many people at school including some I don’t know. She has cerebral palsy and therapists and an aide who help her off the bus and in the lunch room. She is not shy and loves to meet new adults. She makes very strong friendships with classmates. The older daughter is social but selective. Their dad is introverted most of the time, preferring to hang out with us at home.

So I am often taking the girls on my own to festivals, beaches, camping trips. We get to see what is happening in our town and other places. Experiences like this build your sense of place and root you there. We will probably stay in Birch Run for many more years. We are growing our life here. It’s a good place to be.

Jill Armentrout of Birch Run is Parent Liaison for the Saginaw County Great Start Collaborative. In this position contracted through the Saginaw Intermediate School District, she coordinates the Parent Coalition, bringing the parent voice to the early childhood system and outreach to families. She is the mother of two daughters.