Forty-one Lenawee County interns had the opportunity to network and engage in activities that showcased the best of the county at the Inaugural National Intern Day celebration, on July 27, 2023. Lenawee Now is pleased to have been a partner in this event to celebrate the county’s interns and showcase the reasons to stay in Lenawee after graduation, through networking, service learning, and STEAM activities.
The day began at Hidden Lake Gardens, where students got to know each other through introductions and networking activities. Afterward, they toured the newly opened skywalk, and performed a service project, beautifying the grounds.
On their way to the skywalk, interns were able to enjoy a long stretch of scenic trails, preceding the elevated bridge and learn about the process of building the skywalk from one of the contractors involved in the process, and examine blueprints for the suspension bridge.
After touring Hidden Lake Gardens, participants caravanned to Planewave, where they enjoyed a spread of barbeque provided by Jake’s Smoke House in an open-air pavilion. Following lunch, students gained insights on the benefits of living in a small community from Rick Hedrick of Planewave and Pat Farver, Lenawee Now’s Executive Director.
Rick Hedrick shared his experience locating Planewave to Adrian from California. Through the decision to move operations here, he toured a great deal of the city and found it had a welcoming community feel, and historic downtown, and a more agreeable cost of living. The thing he loved most about a small county was that a few people committed to the betterment of the area could make a very notable impact. Since coming to Adrian, Planewave has been focused on creating a more vibrant region, though buying spaces downtown to be used for restaurants, retail, and other entities to attract residents to the area, and is currently working on a very powerful telescope, which would be used to bolster the science programs of regional universities.
Pat Farver elaborated on the benefits of living in Lenawee. He described the community, and how people know and care about their fellow residents. Also, he noted that there were some great things to do in Lenawee, and there are many opportunities in metropolitan areas within a reasonable driving distance.
After these remarks, interns had the opportunity to engage in activities from Adrian Center for the Arts and the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute. Individuals could engage in creative activities, including making clay mugs or metal bracelets, with guidance from the Adrian Center for the Arts Staff. Alternatively, the workers at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute guided students through creating a miniature functional catapult.
The interns found it a very fun and eye-opening experience, both from discovering new things about the county in which they were working and meeting other interns. Abby, a communications student and intern at Wacker reflected on her experience in the National Intern Day Festivities: “I was super excited, and it was honestly cool to meet new people, see what they do for work, and where they go to school. Everyone was very friendly and upfront, and they made it a more comfortable space to get to know other people and other interns.
This event was made possible by many Lenawee businesses and organizations: Wacker Silicone, Siena Heights University, Lenawee Now, Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce, City of Adrian DDA, Visit Lenawee, Hidden Lake Gardens, Planewave Instruments, and the Adrian Center for the Arts.