ROSCOMMON – It took just one visit.
Initially stopping in Roscommon County while on vacation, due to the beauty of the area, Amanda Wichinski, husband Garrett and their children, decided to make Roscommon their home. Wichinski said that “while they had first settled in the Prudenville area, she continued to be “lured” to the Roscommon village.
While living in Prudenville, she ventured to Roscommon to help with the Roscommon Community Garden. Other activities happening within the village, the way the community worked together towards common goals, and the volunteerism of locals, continued to add to the “draw” of the village.
Originally from Southeast Wisconsin, Wichinski attended the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, where she earned her BA in Environmental Geography and her Master of Business Administration.
Prior to moving to Michigan, Wichinski was employed for 10 years in corporate venues, most recently, the tech field. She was delighted to be able to join the team at the village, as their goals are “near and dear to her heart.”
Wichinski was hired through grants from the Community Economic Development of Michigan (CEDAM), and DDA. According to their website, CEDAM is a non-profit membership association building vibrant communities across Michigan. The grants cover her employment with the village through April 2026.
Impressed with local volunteerism, and how it “keeps going”, Wichinski hopes to be able to continue “creating a vibrancy with volunteers through existing and future events.” While working toward making the Roscommon area a designated “tourist destination,” she also wants to avoid commercialization of the area, citing the need of continuing to preserve the surrounding natural beauty.
The whiteboard behind her desk has ten columns of events and community goals. Among those are: the newly designated Bird City, Public Art (including proposed village murals and a Kirtland Warbler statue), Hiawatha Park, village clean up, housing, and more.
The Kirtland’s Warbler statue is a $37,500 project, of which donations totaling $15,750 had been collected as of late March.
Wichinski and husband Garrett have been married nine years, and have three children, ages five, four and one year. Currently, Garrett is a “stay at home dad,” due to work structure and availability of day care. Garrett has a work history in concrete construction, welding and has worked with heavy equipment.
They have chosen to home school their children for the time being. Wichinski reiterated the abundance of natural beauty, trails, and the AuSable River, that easily contribute much to the education of their children. She also cited the strong, supportive, local home school group, especially their weekly Science Club.
Muralists interested in contributing to the Art City project should apply at the village office prior to the end of April. Muralists chosen will be notified by May 19. The proposed “unveiling” of many of the projects, is scheduled for June 7. The unveiling will be in conjunction with the annual Kirtland’s Warbler Festival and in celebration of the Village of Roscommon’s designation as the first Bird City Michigan community in the state with Michigan Audubon.
Contact Amanda at [email protected] for further information, or to donate towards the Kirtland’s Warbler statue.
