Name: Kris Orluck
Hometown: Golden Valley
Occupation: Senior coordinator, Maple Grove Parks and Recreation
She cherishes family: Orluck puts family first: her husband, two daughters and sons-in-law, and a grandson. “I would choose them over anything,” she confesses.
In her free time, she loves the nature and serenity outside her back door in Elm Creek Park, where she walks, bikes, showshoes and brings her grandson, Joel, to play.
She’s an explorer at heart, scuba diving and traveling to new places.
She hates partisan politics and closed minds. “I really believe that we have lost the idea of the common good. There is no compromise, no listening and understanding, no work [to find] the best that can benefit most, only trying to stand ground.”
She’s hospitable. “I love hosting family and friends in my personal life.”
She’s generous with praise. “It is volunteers who lead programs and keep the daily tasks of making those programs “go” [at the Senior Center]. I need these people and their passion and expertise to keep the activities and classes moving and welcoming to all.”
The hardest thing she’s ever done was the eulogy at her dad’s funeral.
She still has the ticket stub from the Broadway performance of Annie (October, 1980), the night her husband proposed.
Her most marked characteristic? Organized chaos. “My office is always full of piles and program ‘stuff,’ but I can usually put my finger on what I need when I need it.”
I am Maple Grove. “I work really hard to provide variety in programming with the hope that everyone looking can find something to pique their interests. Whether looking for fitness, social connections, artistic opportunities, education and conversation, or a trip to area events and attractions, I think you can find it at the Community Center.”
