News & Stories
2024 Kalkaska Citizen and Business of the Year Winners Announced
[Image description: Twin Birch deer, leaf, and fish square logo next to a headshot of Derek Hogerheide who is smiling and is wearing black sunglasses.]
This year’s Kalkaska Citizen of the Year is Derek Hogerheide, Fire Chief of the Kalkaska Township Fire Department, and the Kalkaska Business of the Year is Twin Birch Golf Club, owned by Kwin Morris. Both award winners were selected through a community nomination process facilitated by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.
“I am honored to receive this award and very proud to represent Kalkaska,” said Derek Hogerheide.
The Citizen of the Year Award was established in 1970 to honor a Kalkaska area community member for their exceptional service and commitment to the local community while the Business of the Year Award was established in 2005 to honor a local business for their outstanding service.
"My family and I are beyond ecstatic and grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community. It means a lot to us and we want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone that has supported us along the way!” said Kwin Morris, owner of Twin Birch Golf Club.
The award winners will be honored at the 54th Annual Kalkaska Luncheon—hosted by the Community Foundation and sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan—on Tuesday, April 23 from 11:30 am-1:00 pm at Railroad Square Pavilion in downtown Kalkaska.
The cost to attend is $20 per person and includes lunch and refreshments. Registration is open online at www.gtrcf.org/events through April 12. The full cost of event registrations support the Community Foundation’s Endowment for Kalkaska Area, a permanent fund dedicated to supporting the Kalkaska community.
In addition to recognizing the 2024 Kalkaska Business and Citizen of the Year, the Community Foundation is supporting the scholarship award for this year’s Miss Kalkaska, who will be invited to attend the Luncheon.