Leadership Team Forbush Corner Nordic

Forbush Corner Nordic Leadership Team

Howard Hansen - President

Howard first came to Forbush Corner in the winter of 1986-1987 after moving from the Chicago Illinois area to Lansing. He was searching for the ideal place to ski, and traveled throughout Michigan in his search. During his search, he found advertisement for the Fredrick Loppet at Forbush corner. He met Dave Forbush at that event. That was the end of his search!

With Dave’s help he began revamping his ski equipment, and improving his technique. He spent every weekend at the Corner, usually staying in “the bunks”. This was the beginning of a partnership to develop and improve the ski trails and facilities. Dave and Howard began discussing problems with the buildings. Howard began assisting in trail maintenance, and supported Dave during the loss of the southern trail system, formerly back half of Roller Coaster. This property was recently recovered and is now “Cry Baby”. They worked together with a tight group of supporters to keep Forbush Corner open and growing.

In 1994 Dave and Howard collaborated on a coaching trip to New Zealand where they met Mary, whose family owned Waiorau Ski Resort near Wanaka, (South Island) New Zealand. They had the opportunity to coach the junior New Zealand team, spending 3 weeks in New Zealand, then traveled to Australia with the team for a week, during which they participated in the “Kangaroo Hoppet.” They enjoyed reminiscing over the years about being able to ski 10 months out of that year.

Their friendship remained close through the many years of Forbush Corner’s growth. They enjoyed sharing “diet muffins,” which just meant they cut them in half to share. He continued to stay close to Dave during his illness. The other inner circle supported each other, hoping for the best possible outcome for Dave. Cancer won out in 2014.

Five partners were named to carry on and sustain Forbush Corner after Dave’s passing. Each of the partners took on roles to preserve and grow the trails and services of Forbush Corner. Thanks to a beneficiary, plans were made to develop a snow making loop to lengthen the ski season. Howard continued to work with the other partners in the development of the snow making loop as project manager. He has provided the updates for the trail maps for several years.

He is now retired as senior engineer from Granger Construction, and lives with his wife Gail in their home in DeWitt. They spend as much time as they are able in the house Dave gifted them on the trails near Pancake.

Todd Hubbard- Secretary

Todd met Dave Forbush in 2007 and he quickly became a ski shop “bunkie” – staying in one of the shop bunks on weekends, helping with chores, and skiing every chance that he could afford to get away from his day job and up to Frederic. His friendship with Dave grew over the years, as did his passion to contribute year round at Forbush Corner. Dave taught Todd how to operate the grooming equipment in the winter, and how to use the Deutz tractor in the off-season to maintain and build trails.

Todd is an engineer with General Motors, and he currently lives with his wife, Lujin, in Farmington and works at the GM Proving Ground in Milford. He hopes to soon join the other Director’s at Forbush as a full-time retiree!!!

During the ski season, Todd enjoys snowmaking and spending early morning hours grooming the ski trails. He also anxiously awaits getting out on the trails after grooming to critique his “tracks.” In the off-season, Todd can be seen spending time on the tractor cutting grass, brush hogging, and blowing leaves off the trails.

Ann Wagar - Treasurer

Ann met Dave in 1995 while looking for a place to ski after moving to Gaylord. It only took one visit to find the place she would ski for the next 28 years. Dave enlisted Ann into trail work first, maybe cleaning up after a big storm or just getting the place ready over the summer and the fall. Then he started pulling her into getting the shop set up with the new inventory and teaching her how the shop worked. Finally, spending Dave’s last summer taking him to doctor appointments and learning even more about how to run his beloved Forbush Corner. What an honor it was to be entrusted with Dave’s life’s work. The most memorable times for Ann were working with Dave and Glinda on the trails while sharing all his wisdom about life.

Ann was a special education teacher for 30 years. She has grown twin sons and is married to Michael Bourassa, a dedicated Forbush volunteer. Now her time is spent running Forbush Corner Nordic. Her biggest passion is cross country skiing and has been at it for 32 years.

Ann’s main duties include- accounting/records, shop management, off-season trail work and most correspondence. Her favorite things, after skiing of course, are seeing all the happy faces that come through the doors, being on the trails in the fall doing trail work, and making snow. There is just something magical about making snow, just like waking up after a big snowstorm and seeing everything blanketed in white.

Larry Damic - Director

Larry has been a fixture at Forbush Corner since it was started in the mid 1980’s. Larry met Dave through racing in the White Pine Stampede and skiing at Forbush. He started out by helping to repair equipment and then became a groomer. Larry continues to be the main groomer at the center and his expertise is very evident when you ski the trails. He is also a certified Pisten Bully mechanic. His knowledge about these machines and all things mechanical is an invaluable service to Forbush Corner Nordic. Another very important job that Larry does is making snow. He spends many nights making snow and then many days pushing the snow around to create the snowmaking loop. He is a pro with the excavator helping to pull stumps and smooth out the trails during the off season. He does all the maintainece on the equipment and he fixes the machines when they breakdown which allows us to get the trails groomed without delays.

When Larry isn’t grooming or fixing our equipment, he enjoys cross country-skiing. In the off-season he enjoys fishing and golfing. Larry is married to Tina. She is one of our volunteers and does the trail maintenance on the snowshoe trails.

Mario Kennedy - Director

Mario met Dave Forbush for the first time in the summer of 1982 after cycling at Stoney Creek Metropark. Dave and a friend had just finished roller skiing when Mario approached and started asking questions about this activity which he had yet to witnessed. The conversation was intense and engaging and they connected almost immediately. Dave gave Mario a business card and said he was soon to open a XC ski business north of Grayling. Since Mario was just starting to learn how to XC ski, he was interested, but not committed. The memory of the encounter eventually faded.

Fast-forward to 1986, the XC world was in the mist of the skating revolution. Skating equipment and the skating technique were rapidly evolving and there was practically no local venue that groomed for skating. At this time, Mario had taken up the sport with more vigor when he caught wind of a new XC ski utopia located north of Grayling that featured 30K plus of skate grooming. Mario engaged a friend and they made the drive north for a weekend of discovery. When they arrived at Forbush Corner, and after waiting in-line outside for quite some time, they walked through the door. There, behind the counter stood Dave Forbush, the roller skiing guy from Stoney Creek. When Dave looked up and saw Mario, there was mutual instant memory recall. They both started to laugh and Dave said to him, “well it’s about time you showed up”.

For over 35 years Mario has been at Forbush corner. Dave shared with Mario his knowledge, wisdom and passion for all that is XC skiing and life. Prior to Dave’s passing, Mario spent countless year-round weekends and vacation days at Forbush Corner helping to build, groom and maintain the trails, helping to run the shop and helping to maintain the buildings and equipment. Dave and Mario were like family. Mario’s wife and 2 sons have spent many nights stoking the ski shop “Lopi” and sleeping in the “catacombs”. Both of Mario’s sons’ first driving experiences were behind the wheel of Dave’s Ford Ranger, running up and down Roberts Road and on the ski trails.

Mario is the son of a Detroit policeman. He was born, grew up, worked and lived most of his adult life in the City of Detroit and later in the surrounding suburbs. He is retired from a diverse and rewarding 37-year carrier as a professional engineer working in the Defense and Automotive industries. His 2 degrees are in Mathematics and Engineering. Although he is retired, Mario actively maintains a part time consulting business and has way too many hobbies. He is married to Amy who volunteers at Forbush Corner.

Mario is a PSIA certified XC Ski instructor who loves giving lessons and helping students improve and enjoy their experience. He has provided private lessons, served as the Wolverine Sport Club XC Ski Instructor and has led the annual Wolverine Sports Club XC ski weekend clinics for over 25 years.

As a member of the FCN Board of Directors, Mario is privileged and honored to be part of the Forbush Corner Nordic vibe. Mario’s current role at FCN is serving as a volunteer, along with his wife Amy, to provide assistance and backup wherever needed.

Mario’s personal note about Forbush Corner Nordic: Dave was a brilliant, wonderful man who left us a wonderful gift. Through his relentless innovation, inspiring leadership and whole-hearted welcoming demeanor, he created a warm, safe and unique space in this world and called it Forbush Corner. Today, Forbush Corner Nordic continues to be that space where like-mined strangers arrive, connect and leave as friends. Where families, friends and volunteers can gather to soak in the soulful solitude of winter or socialize and engage in candid camaraderie and know they are in a good place.

Amy Kennedy - Volunteer

It may be hard to believe but there was once a time that Amy labeled herself as a winter-hater; even though she grew up, attended college, and enjoyed a 30-year career in the Mitten state. She finally waved the white flag and decided that she was staying put and needed to pursue some winter sports. What started as a passion for cross-country skiing in the SE Michigan low country blossomed to an adventurous Northern Michigan love thanks to her husband, Mario, and fell in love with the beauty and camaraderie she found at Forbush Corner. Hence, a winter-lover emerged!

Amy had the pleasure of getting to know Forbush's founder, Dave, and remembers his warm welcome that he shared with her and all that visited, as well as the immaculately groomed trails he kept. His passion for the outdoors and cross-country skiing was contagious and was a motivator in Amy getting the bug and becoming a volunteer. Today, Amy works the front desk welcoming guests old and new. She too works to make the guests feel welcome carrying on Dave’s legacy while also providing trail recommendations, ski rental fittings and race day assistance.

Amy’s bio includes working in the automotive industry in product development with various engineering roles. She has a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and a master’s in engineering management. After retiring in 2019, she has found more time to enjoy many outdoor activities including mountain biking, cross country skiing, trail running and kayaking. Her competitive nature has her enjoying local races including the VASA and Iceman.

Mike Bourassa - Volunteer

Mike found Forbush Corner and met Dave chasing snow in 2010. Living near Boyne City at the time, Mike did not mind the 45-minute drive to the “Frederic” snow belt and became spoiled by the Piston Bully grooming and the “Nordic” vibe. Dave was easy to talk to and imparted his ski knowledge willingly, and talked Mike into another pair of skis…

Mike worked 38 years for Consumers Energy, first on the Nuclear Side, then on the Natural Gas Side. Mike retired several years ago and is married to Ann, whom he met at Forbush. On his days off, Mike worked for Lou Awodey at the Boyne Nordican for several years, gaining valuable Nordic Center experience. Mike has been volunteering at Forbush Nordic since 2015.

During the off-season, there is always something to do to make Forbush better. Mike will be found working on building trails, general maintenance like mowing the grass, and working on buildings and infrastructure. During the season, Mike can be found in the shop, grooming, or better yet skiing!