By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
This summer the Vixens took over Lake Voorheis.
Seen gliding through the gleaming waters, typically around sunset, ladies of all ages grouped up this summer for one of Orion Township’s only known paddle groups.
Kayaks were the main mode of transportation, but Orion resident Renee Klebba, who first helped organize the group, encouraged anything with a paddle, as long as each Vixen knew at times the group would be moving fast.
As many as 15 kayakers could be seen with binoculars, by pontoons and other watercraft users, exercising for a solid 45 minutes and then relaxing in the center of Lake Voorheis, sipping cool drinks.
It was a group that caught on quickly, the word spreading neighbor to neighbor with the help of the Facebook group, the Voorheis Vixens.
The Vixens steadily grew with Klebba and a few of her neighbors off Cedar Key Drive, which wraps around the lake, to the point where the Vixens appeared to be an organized club.
‘I just love getting women together to do fun things that they don’t normally do, and it just kept growing,? Klebba said. ‘One week we were out, and we were a pretty good size group, and one lady came up, and we asked if she wanted to join us. She asked if we were doing a class.?
It was curious people like these that helped add to the group, which totals close to 44 people now on Facebook.
‘Meeting women around the lake I’ve never met even though I’ve lived here for 17 years’it was always a fun surprise. I didn’t always know who was going to show.?
A lot of the coordinating occurred on the Facebook group.
‘Gorgeous evening, gorgeous friends. Who’s a-kayaking tonight? I’m in.? Deb Richards posted October 5.
Of course, the large group of kayakers attracted many newcomers.
‘As a newcomer, both to the neighborhood and the kayak group, I can say that it was an awesome way to meet ladies from all around the lake’I’m looking forward to getting a kayak for myself, I was kindly offered to borrow someone’s for my first trip, and making it a regular thing next year,? Lisa Vejcik said.
Evening sessions stretched past sunset, sometimes lasting more than two hours. Yes, it was for the exercise, but it was also for the community bonding and group conversations while bobbing with the flow.
‘It was such a wonderful way to actively socialize and enjoy our beautiful neck of the woods. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming,? Marita Mandalari said.
Many of the ladies have their own kayak, and for those who do not, people were quite generous in lending them out for the afternoon and evening strolls.
The Vixens began paddling in July, and continued their weekly sessions up until mid October.
While the cold has slowed them down for now, their next season will begin this winter with a different set of gear.
Instead of paddling about the lake, ladies will be walking on water, which group member Lynn Florek is particularly excited for after meeting the ladies this summer.
‘It’s been great fun over the summer getting everyone together to kayak. Renee did a great job of starting the Facebook page and organizing each week’who was going and if there were extra kayaks available. I met a lot of new people on the lake that I may have never crossed paths with, and we’re planning to meet up for snowshoeing this winter,? she said.
That’s right. Ladies will be trading in the kayaks for a pair of snowshoes to keep the Vixens valiant, and of course everyone is invited to play.
Interested ladies can request to join their Facebook group, Voorheis Vixens, for upcoming information.