The Harvest of Knowledge Conference, dedicated to the memory of Nancy Getzen of St. Ignace, will take place Saturday, October 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Ignace Middle School. There will be a registration fee of $5. All interested parties are welcome.

The conference will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m., followed by a welcome and memorial dedication to Nancy Getzen at 9 a.m. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., participants may choose from several workshops offered throughout the day. Workshop topics include assertiveness, basic money management, domestic violence and its effect on families, teen substance abuse prevention, making holiday crafts, gardening, healthy foods, crepe making, interview success tips, creating cards, and finding and keeping quality child care.

Lunch will be provided, and the St. Ignace After School Program will offer on-site child care.

The Harvest of Knowledge Conference was originally called the Women’s Empowerment Conference, an idea developed by Nancy Getzen and Barb Runkle of Strong Families/Safe Children.

“We felt that mothers needed something to boost their morale and self-worth,” Ms. Runkle said. “We thought that doing so would be a benefit to their families and the community. We wanted to offer a wide range of topics.”

This year, the conference will be offered not only to women, but to anyone open to new ideas, she said.

“The reason for this year’s dedication to Nancy Getzen,” said Ms. Runkle, “is because of her work in the community and her work with families. She cared about our community’s children and wanted better lives for their families.”

Ms. Getzen worked at the Diane Peppler Center in St. Ignace as a parent educator for four years. She was an independent businesswoman, an avid sports fan, knitter, storyteller, mother, and grandmother. Ms. Getzen died in December 2003.

Her home on State Street in St. Ignace was later converted to transitional housing for families affected by domestic violence, and christened Nancy’s Place.

The conference will feature a prevention by Debra Turnbull, an educator and consultant for Community Education Services. Ms. Turnbull is a parent education specialist, the director of the Cheboygan Youth Center, a SATE instructor, and a columnist for Up North Parent Magazine.

Angie Gilmore of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Health Center will offer health screenings at the event.

Harvest of Knowledge is sponsored by Mackinac County Child Protection Roundtable, Strong Families/Safe Children, Michigan State University Extension, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and Mackinac Straits Hospital and Health Care Center.

Registration is encouraged by Monday, October 10. Participants can find registration forms at local businesses in St. Ignace, Cedarville, and Engadine. Interested parties may also register by calling the MSU office at 643-7307.