1. Kalkaska County 2013

2.  Kalkaska is a small rural county in Northern Michigan  Consisting of 559.87 square miles  In 2012 the population was estimated to be 17,099 United States Census Bureau (2013). State & County Quick Facts: Kalkaska County, Michigan. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/26079.html http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/26079.html

3.  According to the 2012 census 96.7% of the population in Kalkaska is white. With only 0.4% African American 0.9% American Indian and 0.3% Asian  Walking around I would agree with the census, I did not notice anybody who wasn’t Caucasian.  I noticed the same amount of males and females in a variety of ages. United States Census Bureau (2013). State & County Quick Facts: Kalkaska County, Michigan. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/26079.html

4.  Kaliseum- Swimming pool, Dance classes, Gym, Roller/Ice Rink  Campgrounds  Rocking Horse Arena-Equestrian program  Golf Courses  Imagination Station Playground

5.  Kalkaska Area transit bus runs during the day.  There are a variety of cars, motorcycles, and SUVs on the roads. I didn’t notice anything brand new, even though there are two dealerships located here. Most of the vehicles were older, but appeared to be well maintained.

6.  All of the residential neighborhoods are active  There are no safety bars on the windows of homes, doors are unlocked and walking around I noted keys left in cars  The downtown retail areas have a number of empty buildings in poor condition. There are still enough businesses to keep the area active.  There is no presence of gangs, and I observed the police driving around the area

7.  There are two grocery stores along with a farm market

8.  In addition to Fast Food Restaurants (McDonalds, Arby’s and Burger King) there are some family friendly sit down restaurants.

10. Kalkaska Memorial Health Center Campus Emergency Department Laboratory Services Radiology Imaging Cardiac Rehab Surgical Center- where outpatient surgeries are performed Long term care- 60 bed facility Dialysis Center Assisted Living- 40 bed facility Kalkaska Family Practice- multiple physician's office’s

11. In addition to elementary, middle and high school. There is also a small one room school house.

12.  There are two apartment complexes: one small and one large  Many houses, both small and large in various conditions. The average house is small and in fair condition

13.  There are a couple motels located here

14. There are many churches in Kalkaska. Pictured are the Catholic, Jehovah's witness, Baptist, Lutheran, and Charismatic Churches

15.  There are no messages posted on utility posts, but there are some garage sale signs next to them  There is no graffiti anywhere  There are groups on Facebook for yard sales and community events  There is a bulletin board located in the grocery store where notifications, items for sale and memo’s are posted

16.  The air is crisp and clear  There is no noticeable smog, or obvious pollutants Community Event Kalkaska is known for it’s trout statue and every year on the last weekend in April they hold the Trout Festival.

17.  I have lived here for 7 years, I spend very little time in town because we live out in the country. I go to Traverse City to purchase groceries and do my shopping. It was very interesting for me to walk around and actually see the town where I live. I didn’t even realize there was a huge potato farm not far from my house and while I had heard of Shetler’s dairy farm, I’ve never been there.

19.  My conclusions about the community are that it’s a small farming community.  Walking around it seemed like the town was poor but the people living in it are happy.