Meet Cindy Asiala, a Community Champion nominee

The Community Champion of the Month award is designed to recognize the people who work to make our communities better. Hearst Community Newspapers/File Image EDITOR'S NOTE: Throughout the year, the News Advocate is accepting nominations for the 2026 Community Champion award. Cindy Asiala was nominated in August. The public will vote for a winner later this year. You can nominate someone at bit.ly/ManisteeChampions KALEVA — When Alin Kuuttila saw the News Advocate would be honoring someone with the Community Champion Award, she knew Cindy Asiala was a perfect candidate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'Cindy has been an active, longtime advocate for the history and arts of both her hometown of Kaleva and the entire Manistee County area,' said Kuuttila in her nomination. Kuuttila pointed out that through Asiala's job as a teacher in Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools, she introduced many students like herself to the importance of being active as the next generation of service volunteers in their communities. 'She was instrumental in developing a Service Learning class in 1996 at KND where students studied the history of Kaleva and took part in service projects to restore historical buildings and landmarks in Kaleva,' said Kuuttila. 'I have used the word instrumental many times in describing Cindy's work as she has been a major force in many projects with no sign of slowing down.' Cindy Asiala, then-vice president of the Arts & Culture Alliance of Manistee County, provided history of the James Earl Jones and Donald Crouch mentorship sculpture project during a dedication ceremony Oct. 14, 21023 at Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools. News Advocate/File photo Arts and Culture Alliance of Manistee County secretary Jan Thomas concurred with Kuuttila's assessment of Asiala's contribution to the community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'Cindy has been actively involved in community building for many years and has made a huge impact in our local communities,' said Thomas. 'I would term Cindy a 'community activist' for things to happen.' Asiala was instrumental in the formation of the Arts and Culture Alliance of Manistee County in 2006, said Kuuttila in her nomination. Asiala was active establishing a branch of the Manistee County Library in Kaleva. She also has helped coordinate placing luminaries on graves for the Finnish tradition on the Winter Solstice each year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Manistee News Advocate spoke with Asiala to learn more about her community involvement. MNA: What was your occupation? ASIALA: I am a retired teacher from the Kaleva Norman school district. MNA: What organizations are you involved in? Advertisement Article continues below this ad ASIALA: I am the president of the Kaleva Historical Society, a founding member of the Kaleva Art Gallery, chairman of the Maple Grove Township Community Center Committee, the Maple Grove Community Center events committee, secretary of the joint Kaleva/Maple Grove Township Planning Commission, moderator of my church and Sunday School teacher. Cindy Asiala Courtesy of Cindy Asiala MNA: What does community mean to you? ASIALA: To me it means working together for the betterment of the community and citizens in making the town a desirable place to be that is safe, clean and friendly so people come to participate in events. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MNA: Why do you feel it's important to be involved in the community? ASIALA: It takes more than a few people for a community to be the best it can be. Anything I have been involved with, there are many people who helped and were working together to do it. It isn't just one person who does it, and I am sorry for people who don't do it because they are missing out on something great. MNA: Any words of advice for someone looking to get involved? Advertisement Article continues below this ad ASIALA: There are lots of organizations in Kaleva who are doing lots of good things like the Lions Club that needs people, and I just met with the Kaleva Days Committee, who are short of people and the community center is always looking for people to participate in things or join into committees. The churches are crying for people to be involved and you can become a part of it by pretty much just showing up at the meetings.