Happy New Year Greater Lansing Area Moms!
Do we have a treat for you this week! GLAMoms first Meet a Mom of 2024 is the one and only Ann Emmerich, WILX News Anchor! We had the honor of meeting Ann last fall while she was Emceeing “Dancing with the Local Stars” for Carefree Medical. At that time, Ann was asked if she would be interested in being featured as a local GLAMoms Meet a Mom, and without hesitation, she said YES!
Ann has a bit of a different perspective as a mom now that her children are adults. She shares some mom wisdom to keep in mind as your kids grow, along with stories about being a #boymom, how she met her husband, Tom, some upcoming travel plans… and her first grandchild due in the spring!
Ann also shares the story about when she and her photographer/editor David C. Jones featured Mike Garland. Mike is the Champions of the Heart Foundation founder and longtime MSU Assistant Basketball Coach. A story that earned them both a Michigan Regional Emmy Award!
She also gives some ideas to consider when going into the news business, some local favorites you may see her out with her family and so much more!
Thank you for joining us this week, Ann! We are so glad you are here and look forward to seeing you in the new year! 😊
My family…(left to right) Sofia Kuczer, Edward Emmerich, Ann Emmerich, Tom Emmerich, Kristi Emmerich, Daniel Emmerich, Tommy Emmerich, Patty Emmerich
Ann, please introduce yourself to Greater Lansing Area Moms!
I was born in Orlando, Florida, and grew up in Metro Detroit. I graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School and Central Michigan University.
My husband Tom and I moved to Okemos when our boys were 6, 3, and 1. We’ve now been in the Lansing area for more than 26 years and love it! We recently moved to Bath where we enjoy a beautiful view of Hawk Hollow Golf Course.
How old are your children?
We have three sons, Edward – 33, Daniel – 30, and Tommy – 28. We are excited for the arrival of our first grandchild, a boy, this spring!
Where did you and your husband meet?
I met my husband Tom at CMU. We went to the same high school but didn’t know each other. A girlfriend of mine had a crush on him, and I knew some of his roommates. Something must have been in the stars because my sister and his brother were good friends in high school. They came up to Mt. Pleasant together, and Tom came to pick up his brother at my apartment. We became friends and the rest is history.
What do you think is one of the best parts about being a mom?
One of the best parts about being a mom is watching my children grow into happy, successful adults. They have different interests but have a common bond and enjoy each other’s company and conversation. They all live locally and often come to our home for Sunday dinner.
As children, they were always very close, even though they had their moments. I was a stay-at-home mom for 13 years before I went back to work. I was blessed to raise three boys as I was the oldest of three girls.
What is a piece of advice for new moms you wish you would have known when you were a new mom? (We wrote Ann’s answers out similar to a list – we love lists and this one is PERFECT) 😉
The best advice I would have for a new mom is to ENJOY IT!
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
The house doesn’t need to be perfect. Things eventually get done.
Have fun with your children as they grow — play games, and be involved in their lives.
Listen to them.
Make friends with the parents of your children’s friends.
Be sure to make time for yourself. Time flies…enjoy the ride!
My family at Top Golf — (left to right) Edward Emmerich, Sofia Kuczer, Ann Emmerich, Tom Emmerich, Tommy Emmerich, Patty Emmerich (in back) Kristi and Daniel Emmerich
Please tell us more about being a news anchor! How did you get into this career?
I am so fortunate to be working in the career of my dreams. I was an avid TV news watcher as a child because my dad was a TV meteorologist in Detroit. I wanted to be a street reporter and tell stories. I started writing for my high school newspaper.
When I got to CMU, I majored in Broadcasting and Journalism. The programs gave me valuable experience. I also made money working for a local radio station doing the news, and spinning records as a DJ. I was selected to anchor newsbreaks for CMU Public Broadcasting. Upon graduation, I worked for WWTV-WWUP-TV 9 &10 in Cadillac. I was the weekend anchor and general assignment reporter. I worked in northern Michigan for a couple of years until my husband got a job in Detroit and we moved.
I took a clerical job at Michigan Bell to save money for a house, and we decided my next career would be a stay-at-home mom.
Do you have a favorite interview or feature?
My favorite interview or feature has to be the award-winning “Champions of the Heart” for which my photographer/editor David C. Jones and I won a Regional Emmy Award and a Regional Edward R. Murrow award. Tom Izzo’s longtime assistant coach Mike Garland suffered sudden cardiac arrest while driving and 2 good samaritans stopped and started CPR right away.
Mike allowed me to use graphic video captured from the Ingham County deputies’ body cameras which showed him lifeless as first responders worked to save his life. It is an impactful story in so many ways. The title of the story is now the name of the foundation Mike Garland has established to make sure everyone knows how to respond to sudden cardiac arrest and save lives!
I’m proud to serve on the foundation’s Board of Directors (Champions of the Heart). We have some exciting things happening. The foundation trained more than 100 people in October during our first CPR and AED training event at the Breslin Center. We are planning our first gala for May. Stay tuned!
Ann and Mike Garland at the “Champions of the Heart Foundation” CPR & AED training event at the Breslin Center
What advice would you give to someone looking to get into this type of career?
The advice I would give to someone looking to get into television news —focus on journalism. The industry is moving fast to digital and people want instant access to news. We are pushing it out as fast as it comes in. Learn how to write and write well! It is the basic foundation for TV news.
How do you balance being a mom and your career?
Balancing my life as a mom in TV news was challenging but rewarding. I got back into the business when my oldest was in middle school and my youngest was in 2nd grade. It was a big adjustment for all of us. I worked Monday through Friday at WLNS as the noon and 5 pm producer for 2 years before being promoted to weekend anchor/reporter.
While most people don’t like working weekends, I embraced it. I worked nights on weekends so I could spend most of the morning with my kids. I came home for dinner when I could. My weekend was on Thursday and Friday. It allowed us to save money on daycare, attend field trips, and volunteer in the classroom. Most of all, my kids learned how to handle situations independently because I wasn’t always available to talk by phone.
Here are a couple questions to get to know you better 🙂
Coffee or tea?
Coffee…black!
Favorite Instagram accounts?
@tinybuddhaofficial @peacefulmindpeacefullife
Last book you read?
“Verity” by Colleen Hoover. Right now I’m listening to Matthew Perry’s “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” on Audible.
What is your favorite TV show or series?
Old episodes of Frasier, Seinfeld, and Friends.
What is the one product you can’t live without?
Soap!
Do you have a favorite podcast?
Are you a morning person, or a night owl?
Night owl.
Where are some of your favorite places to spend time with your family?
Some of my favorite places to spend time with my family — It’s always fun to meet for dinner and enjoy conversation without having to cook and clean up!
Dagwoods, Mitchell’s Fish Market, State Room, Boston’s, Jimmy’s, UClub Brunch…to name a few. We enjoyed a family putt-putt competition at Little Hawk Putting Course last summer. We tailgate before MSU home football games.
Any fun plans for the winter?
For the first time in a long time, we are taking a full family vacation! All three boys, two wives, and a girlfriend are going to Hawaii! We rented a nice home on Oahu’s North Shore. It will be nice to spend time together, watch the whales, relax on the beach, hike and see the sights!
Ann holding her Michigan Emmy for “Champions of the Heart” Serious Feature
Are there any upcoming events or dates you would like to share with Greater Lansing Area Moms?
I’m excited to take part in some fun community events this year. I’d love to see you there!
April 15 — Emcee for MSU Student-Athlete Support Services Academic Gala at the Breslin Center.
April 23 — Speaking at the HELO Club Luncheon, Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in downtown Lansing.
May 16 — Emcee for Champions of the Heart Foundation Gala at the Breslin Center
October — Emcee the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at the State Capitol
November — Emcee for Tri-County Office on Aging Silent Auction and Gala
How do you prefer readers to connect with you if they would like more information or would like to connect?
Send me a message on my professional Facebook page — WILX Ann Emmerich.
Emceeing “Dancing with the Local Stars” for Carefree Medical
Ann – thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend some time with Greater Lansing Area Moms!
We are so grateful for not only all you shared here with GLAMoms, but also appreciative for your dedicated, calm and unwavering presence in the Greater Lansing community.
We also hope you have an amazing trip to Hawaii and are looking forward to seeing photos of your new grandbaby! Happy New Year!
🙂 Christine and Julie
Follow Ann here:
Facebook — WILXAnnEmmerich
Instagram — @annemmerich
LinkedIn — ann-emmerich
WILX Website — wilx.com/authors/Ann%20Emmerich/
All images were provided by Ann Emmerich
Are you interested or know of someone who would make a great GLAMoms Meet a Mom?
Send a message to [email protected] and we will take it from there!
