By Monty Siekerman
Deb Curlis may trek through waist-deep snow in northern Michigan woods this winter or next after she retires from Community Health Professionals at the end of the month. But before she walks the deep snows at the Curlis cabin up north, she'll first be sure that the bears are hibernating.

Deb has been active in the Ada community for the past 6 years as marketing director and fundraiser coordinator for CHP, serving as Chamber of Commerce president for four years, as a member of the Buy Ada First committee, and as a Rotary Club member.

In addition, she organized two major fundraisers for CHP: the Beacon of Hope in the spring and Festival of Trees just prior to Thanksgiving.

Both fundraisers support CHP home health and hospice care, which are close to her heart due to her dad's last days.

The Beacon of Hope honors family members who have lost loved ones. The light of lighthouses represents hope. Family members receive a lighthouse to take home, and a lighthouse is displayed in the community room in memory of a loved one. See photo.

The Festival of Trees receives many auction donations with the proceeds going to serve people in their end days. The week-long festival draws many community members looking for unique gifts during the silent auction. Many of those giving decorations and trees are family members who appreciated the CHP hospice care. One man, for example, donates a tree every year decorated in Ada High School colors since his wife taught there for many years.

Deb has had a varied career. Before joining CHP, she taught music, helped in a family restaurant, and worked at Lazarus. She and her husband, Van, live near McComb. They are the parents of five adult children.

Although her days of working at CHP are growing short, she said she will probably continue to be involved in the Ada community in the future, a village where she has made an impact on people's lives and a place where she has volunteered her time and talents for a number of years. And, she'll probably take some walks in the woods...after the bears go to sleep.

Photo: Deb Curlis surrounded by lighthouses.