About Us...
Kirby ‘s father, James Snively (better known by the locals as “Snive”) grew up and lived most of his life just down the road in a modest two-bedroom home on his family’s original 40-acre parcel of property. Although Snive lived a meager existence, he figured a way to purchase the adjacent 80-acre parcel when it went up for sale in the 1960’s. He continued to live humbly in his Boynton Valley childhood home until his passing in 2008. In the early 90’s, Snive gifted Kirby 72 acres of that vacant and undeveloped land with the intention of providing Kirby a place to build his own home and carry on the legacy of his beautiful and peaceful Boynton Valley property. Kirby single-handedly cleared the land and custom-built his house over the next several years, completing it and taking residence in 2001. The home is a masterfully “Kirbified” one-of-a-kind! Kirby’s sister Kelli inherited Snive’s original 40-acre parcel and homestead where she spends a good portion of her time enjoying her father’s legacy.
Kirby also built a spacious woodshop and outbuilding for his sawmill on the land next to his home. Kirby’s woodworking skills are never-endingly put to use in his craftsmanship of custom furniture and other designs as he mills his own wood from logs he cuts down from his vast wooded acreage.
Over the years, the property’s buildings and surroundings have become Kirby’s continuous work of art. He appropriately dubbed the nickname “Kirwood Forest” to the peaceful sanctuary where his creativity continues to flourish.
Kirby & Jen met at Blissfest in 1991 and became good friends over the years. Kirby is one of the founding fathers of Blissfest and is also a talented singer/songwriter, performing regularly at music festivals and entertainment venues all around Northern Michigan. Jen considered herself a “Kirby groupie” and always looked forward to catching a Kirby show throughout their lengthy friendship. She also managed to hire him several times to perform at private events and restaurants where she booked music in the past.
In the summer of 2021, after thirty years of friendship, the two became soulmates as they discovered their two single spirits were destined to be shared as one. They’ve since spent considerable time and energy combining their diverse creative ideas into Kirwood Forest’s ongoing, ever-evolving, funky-fun, “who knows what they’re going to do next” project. Kirby’s eyebrows raise when he hears Jen say, “What if we…” because he knows that means she’s brainstorming another idea to add to the project list!
Together they keep discovering ways to make Kirwood Forest a really cool place where friends meet, musicians share their talents and no one is considered a stranger. They hope to continue the monthly jam session tradition and keep the spirit of local music alive amongst their circle of talented friends, old and new!
Kirby and Jen spend their summer months in Michigan at their beloved Kirwood Forest home. In November, they take off for warmer climates, wintering in Crystal River, Florida where they live in a 35-ft. schoolbus that was fully renovated by Kirby and his handy craftsmanship. They enjoy spending their free time venturing around Florida, searching for the best waterside seafood restaurants, funky little “hole-in-the-wall” tiki bars, peaceful rivers to kayak, and neat places to camp in their gypsy rig.
Kirby and Jen share a gypsy spirit and wanderlust for travel. Kirby is currently in the process of remodeling a 22-ft. mini schoolbus, transforming it into their future “home on the roam.” They’ve appropriately nicknamed the bus “Jus’ Kiddin’”….and as time allows, they plan to take extended trips “just kidding around” and having childish fun while exploring the beauty of our country.
