About UsTo provide senior men of the grand traverse area a place to go, something to do and an opportunity to socialize while working shoulder to shoulder.
Started in Australia in the 1990's and has grown to over 2000 sheds worldwide with at least a dozen in development across the United States. The Grand Traverse Men's Shed, was established in 2016, as the first Michigan club. The driving force behind the local organization is Jim Novak, who, in a recent interview with the US Men's Shed Association explained how the Traverse City chapter got it's start. Read the Full interview and photographs here.
..... that aims to "help men connect with other men for fellowship, support and acceptance, and that all-important sense of purpose." For many men, work provides an enormous sense of identity and purpose. Becoming a member of Men's Shed provides a safe and busy environment where one can find meaningful activities in an atmosphere of old-fashioned friendship. And, importantly, there is no pressure. You can simply come and have a chat over coffee if that's all you are looking for."
The Men's Shed now has a new, "temporary" clubhouse and workshop where members can hang out, learn new skills, and participate in group activities. This new location has been generously provided by the Strathmore Group until our new home, in the old Acme Kmart (soon to be the Oak Shore Commons) is ready. By the way, the Strathmore Group has dedicated a permanent, 1200 square foot workshop for the Men's Shed in their beautiful new facility.
After five years, Grand Traverse Men's Shed volunteers have worked for the National Cherry Festival, assisting with traffic control for all three festival parades. Additionally, the group has volunteered for the Traverse City PitSpitters, earning the club $50 for each worker. Among other projects are replacing old ceiling tiles at Thrive Medical Clinic, repairing and replacing white crosses that are part of the native American Onominese Cemetery near Northport.
In the coming months Shedders will be busier than ever now that we have new, however temporary home.
School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
There is some evidence that shedders in this study may have gained social health and wellbeing benefits through participating in the Men's Shed. This Men's Shed appears to be unique to other community-based clubs in the type and quality of social activity it provided for men. Benefits of Men's Shed attributed to health and welling included fellowship, sense of belonging and comfort, relaxed and non-hierarchical structure where members do not have to commit to being a part of a formal structure, having access to equipment, and learning new and sharing their own skills. The Men's Shed is seen as a place for and about members – men, which has the potential to contribute to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for men. There is also opportunity for further investigation into the potential of the Men's Shed as a health promoting setting in contributing to the health and wellbeing of shedders."
~ Wiley Health Promotions newsletter, January 2017
Jim Novak, President
Doug Haberland, Vice President
Bob Cichocky, Secretary
Jim Wrede, Director
Blaine Masvero, Director
Linda Cichocky, Director
Rick Simons, Director
Paul Waterstradt , Director
Mike Hall, Director
Steve Morse, Director
We are now in our new home in the Oak Shore Commons in Acme. The street address is 6469 US 31, Williamsburg, MI 49690. In the meantime, our mailing address is 3171 Lamp Post Ln Traverse City, MI 49685. We are open from 9 AM until noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
We hope to expand those hours soon. Stay tuned!
