NOMINATION FOR
AKA’S 2023 STEVE EDEIKEN INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Submitted by Jon Burkhardt, Karen Burkhardt, and Val Deale
It is our great pleasure to nominate Jon and Marieanne Trennepohl for the 2023 AKA Steve Edeiken
Inspirational Award. Steve was truly an inspiration to all of us who knew him, and we cherish his
memory and shining example. Jon and Marieanne Trennepohl exemplify the key characteristics of Steve
Edeiken, showing friendly, loving, fair, and even-handed concern for:
1. People in general, but kitefliers in particular,
2. Kiteflying in general, but especially for craftsmanship and technical developments, and
3. Communication in general, but particularly for leading and participating in kite events.
Unfortunately, not many of us live near Plymouth, Michigan, where Jon and Marieanne own and run the
kite shop called Kites and Fun Things since 1988. If we did live there, we could get the most up to date
kitebuilding supplies, we could see the latest individually made high-performance sport kite and single-
line kites, we could be part of Wednesday weekly friendship and instructional kite flies, and we could
spend time with some of the most knowledgeable and friendly people you will ever find in the kite
world.
Some of Jon’s long and stellar list of achievements include:
Designing and personally producing high-performance kites like the Sky Burner, Fulcrum, and
Geo-Pointer,
Designing sport kites for Premier Kites and Designs,
Teaching at kitebuilding workshops for children and adults nationally and internationally,
Judging national and local kite competitions,
Winning dual line world indoor championships and outdoor competitions,
Winning Innovative, Peoples’ Choice, and first place awards in a variety of kite categories at AKA
National Kitemakers’ Competitions,
Winning the 1994 Sport Kite Flier of the Year award from American Kite Magazine, and
Many more.
How did he do all that? With Marieanne’s support and assistance, of course: while he’s out traveling,
she’s home making the money for his travels by serving the needs of many very, very happy customers.
We’re campaigning for a more frequent presence for Marieanne on more of Jon’s many trips.
We ask for your very serious consideration of the wonderful kite team of Jon and Marieanne Trennepohl
for AKA’s 2023 Steve Edeiken Inspirational Award. They are outstanding examples of the kiting values
that Steve Edeiken exemplified and taught us.
Addendum by Val Deale
I am absolutely delighted to support Jon and Marieanne’s nomination for the 2023 AKA Steve Edeiken
Award. I have known Jon and Marieanne for over 25 years, and they are without a doubt some of the
hardest working, most innovative, and kindest people in the whole kite world.
For many years I have worked with Jon and Marieanne in the kite trade. Jon has amazed the kite world
with his cutting-edge sport kite designs that have been produced in the thousands and seen all over the
country as well as internationally. Not only have his designs delighted even the most serious
competitive sport kite fliers but more importantly, his entry level sport kites have helped thousands of
first-time fliers successfully begin their lifelong journey to the joy of loving kites. Jon has also inspired
many with his single line creations that have been admired all over the world. In addition, Jon’s
generosity is reflected in the many creative kite building workshops he has led over his long involvement
with the hobby.
However, we cannot overlook one very important component to these spectacular lifelong
achievements – Marieanne! Marieanne deserves equal consideration for this important nomination. As
the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “No potential actualizes itself, it needs an efficient
cause”. Well, let me fill you in on a philosophical truth – Marieanne Trennepohl is the “efficient cause”
of Jon Trennepohl’s success. She works steadfastly doing all the difficult yet crucial details that make all
this great stuff happen for Jon, Jon’s customers, and the entire kite trade. She is an inspiration to Jon
and all of us. And she is one of the kindest people I have ever met in the whole kite universe.
Submitted by Jon Burkhardt, Karen Burkhardt, and Val Deale.
Awards nominating committee annual meeting 2023 -Enid OK
Good day my friends of the wind.
I’m writing to nominate my good friends Jon and Marieanne Trennephol for the Steve Eidiken lifetime
achievement award for the Kite flyer of the Year.
Jon and Marieanne have spent half of their lives dedicated to kiting and the kite community. Beginning
with a kite store decades ago and evolving into kite design and making of award-winning Single Line and
Stunt Kites, award winning stunt kite flying and innovation plus the national distribution of many kite
making parts. Not only are they into kites but also into kite flyers. Jon has taught many flyers how to fly
dual line and quad line kites on his Wednesday night fun flys. They have also taught many kite maker
techniques for building great kites. Their kite shop is a kiters hangout with Marieanne finding makers the
perfect fittings, spars and cloth for their project as well as being that friendly face that greets everyone
who enters the store … new or experienced flyers always welcome and she always finds you the perfect
kite for your skill and budget. There are many more attributes of Jon and Marieanne in the Winter 2017
issue of “Kiting” magazine.
Jon is also the kite brains and brawn behind the South Lyons kite festival, bringing in kite flyers from all
over the mid-west and taking great care of all who participate. This unique event puts new and
seasoned flyers together on the demo field to fly routines and receive the support of other flyers at the
event. Many flyers showed their skills for the first time at this event and felt the support of the kite
community that Jon and Marieanne have nurtured.
I looked up the past recipients of the Eidiken Award and was surprised to find that this hard working,
dedicated couple has not been recognized. Please consider their efforts and dedication as you decide
the 2023 recipient of this prestigious, lifetime award.
Signed by Mike Dertien, Craig Rogerson, and Gary Maynard
