Vignettes
When you enter MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena’s far east entrance and take the elevator to the third floor, you step into a long corridor leading to the Bay Athletic Club.
All along this hallway through the Rehabilitation Services Department notices are posted: “Please refrain from running”
These requests are aimed at youth tempted by a long hall’s intrinsic freedom not at seniors like me.
But a funny thing is occurring. The more I walk that hall, the more I read those signs, the greater my exposure to the hall’s inherent invitation the more I feel compelled to run.
cnelson@thealpenanews.com
News Photo by Crystal Nelson
Jeff Kristola, owner of the Hideaway Tavern north of Alpena, sanitizes a bottle of ketchup on March 31 at the bar.
ALPENA Northeast Michiganders still deal with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, one year after the region’s first infection was reported by local health department officials.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s original stay-at-home orders last spring forced schools to move classes online, canceled community events, and caused businesses and restaurants to adapt and innovate to continue serving customers.
Gyms like Bay Athletic Club were closed more than they were open last year. Bay Athletic owner Trina Gray said her leadership team had to innovate to remain a part of club members’ lives.
dhinkley@thealpenanews.com
Courtesy Photos
Above are the before (left) and after photos of McKayle Carter, who was awarded the top inspiration story of the year at the 2021 Bay Athletic Club Fitness Inspired Gala, held virtually via Zoom on Jan. 16. She has lost 85 pounds with her new active lifestyle.
ALPENA McKayle Carter was “absolutely shocked” that her story was selected as the most inspiring of the year.
“I’ve been watching the stories this year, and there have been some incredible ones,” Carter said on Thursday. “Especially considering how turbulent of a year this has been.”
Being selected was “so exciting and so humbling,” she said. “Because they were all so amazing and all so inspiring.”
Jan 6, 2021
ALPENA Bay Athletic Club is celebrating 15 years. Despite the pandemic limiting in-person gatherings, the show must go on!
BAC has celebrated its members on stages for more than a decade.
“We love shining a bright light on their stories, their transformations and their achievements,” owner Trina Gray said in an email. “Our Fitness Inspired Gala is one of our favorite events of the year!”
This year, to be safe and follow public health mandates, BAC is moving its celebration to virtual.
“We have condensed our format to a mini-gala featuring a few of our favorite stories from 2020,” Gray said. “We hope you pour a glass of bubbly, wine or even tea and join us from your living rooms.”
dhinkley@thealpenanews.com
News Photo by Darby Hinkley Bay Athletic Club staffers Lara Torres, Jennie Handrich, McKayle Carter, Sarah Morrison and Amanda Freeland pose for a positive pic promoting healthy fitness habits in 2021.
ALPENA Setting goals is a good thing, but having a plan to reach them is the only way to succeed.
That’s why creating healthy habits is the key to keeping your New Year’s resolutions, according to Bay Athletic Club staff members, who coach members about healthy eating and fitness practices.
“Here at BAC we definitely believe that resolutions work if you do the work,” said Amanda Freeland, membership and nutrition director at BAC. “So if you put in the work, and you come and you create a plan that works for you,” positive results will follow.