August 2009

E-Newsletter from the Executive Director
August 2009

What's In This Issue

• Chamber News
• Chamber Member News
• Community Notes
• August Calendar

Chamber News 

The Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce and the Mackinaw Area Visitor's Bureau would like to thank all the local residents that gave up part of their home and valuable time to house the foreign musicians from the American Wind Symphony Barge.  A huge thanks goes out to: Brenda Beyer, Bob & June Heilman, Gussie Williams, Joan Pepper, Rick & Deni Mahlmeister, Lee & Sandi Sova, Sister Chris Herald, Joann Leal, Ron Wallin, Ray & Cidney Roth, Mike & Karen Fornes, Eric & Diane Klose, Edgar & Audrey Jaggi, Gene & Jo Cooley, Greg & Vicki Teysen, Ivan & Henrietta Stebbins, & Ken & Krista Laninga.

Mighty Mac Golf Outing Winners 
Congratulations to all the winners of the Annual Mighty Mac Golf Outing held at the Mackinaw Club. We had a beautiful day for golf, delicious food prepared by the Mackinaw Club.  Everybody enjoyed the networking and fabulous prizes.

Thank you again to all of our sponsors which include: Mackinaw Outfitters, Big Stone Bay Fishery, Candy Corner/ Windjammer Gifts, Doc's Plumbing & Heating, Tee Pee Campground, Lions Club of Mackinaw City, Keyhole Bar & Grill, Kewadin Casino, Darrow Bros. Excavating, Inc., The PhoneGuide, Straits Area Printing, Audie's, Mackinaw City Kite & Toy Shop, Clearwater Lakeshore Motel, Shepler's Ferry, Pancake Chef, North Country Gardens, Odawa Casino & Resort, Enchanted Knights, Les Cheneaux Golf Links, Wilderness Golf Course, Black Lake Golf Club, Cheboygan Golf & Country Club, Wildwood Lakes Golf Course, Gaylord Country Club, Hidden River Golf & Casting Club, The Jewell-Grand Hotel and the Mackinaw Club.

Our Committee:  Gene Cooley, Jill Rogala, Linda Cormier and Dawn Edwards...thank you!!

Our Volunteers:  Carole Reynolds, Judy Most, Donna Beach and John & Donna Dunlap...thank you!!!

• 1st Place Men's - Craig Buner, Mark Bunker, Michael Gamble, Justin Lentz
• 2nd Place Men's -“ Doug Rearick, Ron Steensma, Randy Struck, Rusty Preston
• 1st Place Women's - Cheryl Schlehuber, Lora Brown, Ruth Visnaw, Susie Pierson
• Mixed - Ed Robinson, Frances Robinson, Mark Krishansen, Darlene Krishansen 

The Mackinaw City Chamber office has a wheelchair and a stroller available for public use.  They were donated by the Mackinaw City Lions Club through Dave Morse; thanks!  Please tell your employees these are now available. No charge, donations accepted.

Thank you Tom Moran from Moran's Ironworks for the beautiful sculpture at Conkling Heritage Park.  The Village of Mackinaw City and the Chamber of Commerce thank you!

Notice:  Nominations now being considered for Mackinaw City Board of Director's positions through 2012 - 3 year term.  Contact Ruth Morse or email Kelly for consideration.

Attn: Hotel Owners! Reminder to please remove all outdated brochures, coupons, or menus from your brochure rack.

Summer office hours: Monday-Tuesday 10-6, Friday 10-8, Saturday, 10-2.  Thank you to our office staff volunteers Dave & Ruth Morse and Carole Reynolds!

Mackinac Bridge Walk fliers and Restaurant Locator Maps are available at the Chamber office.  Stop by and pick some up.

If you have employees that would like to receive these updates, email Kelly the addresses at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website ads are available for as little as $250 per year.  Working with echamberconnect, we are able to offer our chamber member discounts on the ads and websites.  Contact Kelly for more information.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Maximize hits to your site by linking back to the Chamber http://www.mackinawchamber.com/   Mackinawchamber.com hits to date has reached 7 million, up from last years total of 4.9 million hits.

Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Guide is available online.  It features a city map and business, service member info and locators.

Village information is available at http://www.mackinawcity.org/.  Pick up the new Mackinaw City Hike & Bike Map which features culture & nature pathways; a great addition to your area information packet.  Thank you to Sandy Planisek & the Village for creating this informative brochure.

Chamber Member News 

Pond Street Village
(231) 436-7727 or (231)-539-7368
759 Pond Street, Mackinaw City, MI.  49701

We are currently accepting applications for 2 & 3 bedroom apartments at Pond Street Village in Mackinaw City and Townline Apartments in Pellston.  Some of the amenities and features you will enjoy:

*Income limits apply*                                           

Odawa Casino Resort is now offering Bingo! Every Sunday, Monday & Tuesday.  Visit this website for more information http://www.odawacasino.com/gaming/bingo.html

Leg's Inn Cross Village - Northern Michigan favorite, Jelly Roll Blues Band entertains every Sunday for the 20th season. Every Friday local folk artist Kirby entertains the diners in the gardens where lunch and dinner is served daily (Polish cuisine and more).  Occasionally band on Saturday nights. Visit http://www.legsinn.com/ or call 231-526-2281 or write This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for complete information.

Senior Days at Wilderness Golf Course, every Tuesday through September 15th.  Seniors get reduced rates!  Call ahead for tee times or details at (231) 537-4973.  Come Home to Wilderness...

Glow Golf at Wilderness Golf Course, every Saturday evening through September 5th @ dusk.  Everything is dark except the glowing people, flags, hazards, balls & carts!  Enjoy prizes, hotdogs and s'mores around the bonfire after glow golfing.  Call ahead to register for the event at (231) 537-4973.

FREE Annual Tournament & Pig roast at Wilderness Golf Course, Saturday, September 12.  Turn in 10 scorecards from Wilderness Golf course played during the 2009 season.  Those ten games will establish your handicap for the tournament. Not that good?  Don't need to be!  This is our day to say thank you to all of our customers for a great season.  Beer, Pig roast, Golf & Club Champ Trophies are all on us!  Come on out for a great day!

Woman's League Promotion at Wilderness Golf Course - "Fore" every two new ladies that join the League, one golfs at 1/2 price for the entire season!  Women's League meets Wednesday evenings at 6:00, beginning June 10 and ending September 9.  The year end banquet will be held on September 16.  Girls pitch in $2/night for a nightly game (not always skill based).  Winner takes $ and provides a snack the next night.  League dues are $25.

McGulpin Point Lighthouse is now open for guided tours 7 days a week 12-5 pm. For more information visit http://www.emmetcounty.org/ or call 231-348-1704.

Ice Breaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum is open for tours daily 10 am to 8 pm.  Visit their website at http://www.themackinaw.org/ or phone 231-436-9825 for more information.

Jack Pine Lumberjack Shows have performances everyday at 7:30 pm.   Dan & Cynthia invite all area employees/employers to come see a show. If you don't have a "free" voucher, just bring a check stub.  For more information, call 231-436-5225 or visit http://www.jackpinelumberjackshows.com/

Other Side Paranormal Investigations (OSPI), led by Robb Kaczor, is looking for local haunted locations to investigate and film for an upcoming documentary.  Specific counties OSPI is interested in include Charlevoix, Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Schoolcraft, Mackinac, and Chippewa.  OSPI has begun filming and will continue through the Spring.  If you are interested in your haunted home or business being a part of this project please contact Robb Kaczor at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Jay Stilwell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Both Robb and Jay have businesses that are a part of the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce.

The Wawatam Area Senior Center is serving dinners on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 5:30pm and on Sundays at 1:00pm. The Senior Center is located at the Lion Dan Russell Building on Cedar Street, west of the cemetery, in Mackinaw City. All meals include soup, salad bar and dessert. A donation of $3.00 is suggested for seniors 60 and over. There is a fee of $5.00 for family members and guests 59 years and younger. For more information call 436-5334 or 436-5626. The number at the Center, for menu information, is 436-5323.

Jr's Tailgate Pub Specials: Monday: 16" One Item pizza with Pitcher of Beer for $15, Tuesday: 3 tacos for $5, Wednesday: 1/2 off pizza dine in or pickup, Thursday: $5 Wet Burrito, Friday: 10% any Mexican entree or combo platter, Saturday: Cooks choice, Sunday: $2 hot dogs / $4 burgers / $5 beer pitchers.

Community Notes

The new Straits State Harbor is now open!  You can contact them at 231-436-5326.

Leader Dog for the Blind will be visiting Paws Fur Fun, in the Mackinaw Crossings, on Saturday August 22nd from noon until 5 PM.  Ann and Frank have been with the Leader Dog program for many years and have raised numerous puppies that have gone on to be service dogs.  They will be bringing two goldens with them - Angel, a retired breeder and little Summer, the newest golden in training.   Also on hand will be Rubie, a  career change dog that now lives up here in Mackinaw.  Please drop in to say hi and get some golden wags and wiggles (and some info on how to become a Leader Dog puppy raiser, too)!

Habitat for Humanity 15th Annual Fund Raiser - "Be a Beacon of Hope" Dine-Around.  Wednesday, August 26th, 5 pm at the Cheboygan Ice Pavilion.  Tickets are $25 each and are available at the Mackinaw City, Cheboygan and Indian River Chamber of Commerce's and the Habitat ReStore in Cheboygan or call 231-597-4663.  Appetizers and desserts provided by Audie's Restaurant, Darrow's Family Restaurant, Mackinaw Pastie & Cookie Co. and many more.

August Calendar

July 20th to August 5th - Silent Auction at the Mackinaw Area Public Library.   For more information contact the library at 231-436-5451.

6-8      The Kid & Nic Show - Live in the Mackinaw Crossings Mall.  Thurs. 6-9pm, Fri. & Sat. 1-5pm  http://www.kidandnic.com/
 
7-9     Ironworkers Festival - Mackinaw City School grounds.  Saturday, 10 am parade down Central Ave.  Visit http://www.ironfest.com/ for the compete schedule.

8         Music in Mackinaw Free Concert Series Presents "Rich Eddy's Rockin' Oldies", 8:00 PM in Conkling Heritage Park.

10        Mackinaw Area Historical Society presents Dr. David Scaggs "A historian's account of Upper Great Lakes history," 7:30 PM in the meeting room at the Mackinaw Area Public Library.  231-436-5451 http://www.mackinawhistory.org/

10-15   Cheboygan County Fair   http://www.cheboyganfair.com/

14         Music in Mackinaw Free Concert Series Presents "Dance North" - 8:00 PM Conkling Heritage Park

15         Music in Mackinaw Free Concert Series Presents "St. Ignace Steel Drum Band" - 8:00 PM Conkling Heritage Park

19         Ambassador Meeting - 8 am at the Chamber office.

21-23    Christmas in the Crossings http://www.mackinawcrossings.com/

21-23    The Armed Sloop WELCOME will be in docked behind Bell's Fishery.  Tours offered daily.  

22         Colonial Kid's Day, Michilimackinac, 9am-5pm http://www.mackinacparks.com/

22          Paws Fur Fun will host a Leader Dog for the Blind informational booth from 11 AM - 4 PM. 

22         Music in Mackinaw Free Concert Series Presents "Kort McCumber" - 8:00 PM Conkling Heritage Park

26         Habitat for Humanity 15th Annual Fund Raiser - "Be a Beacon of Hope" Dine-Around.  Wednesday, August 26th, 5 pm at the Cheboygan Ice Pavilion.  Tickets are $25 each and are available at the Mackinaw City, Cheboygan and Indian River Chamber of Commerce's and the Habitat ReStore in Cheboygan or call 231-597-4663.  http://www.habitatcheboygan.org/

27         (Date change)  Mackinaw City Board of Director's Meeting - 8:30 am at the Chamber office.

28-29   20th Annual Corvette Crossroads Auto Show - Friday 8-10 pm Karaoke Boat Cruise.  Open to the public.  Tickets are $18 pp and can be purchased at the Chamber office. Cash bar & snacks provided. Celebrities may be on board! Saturday 10am to 3 pm is the show in the Mackinaw Outfitters parking lot.  7 pm, parade across the Mackinac Bridge.

29   Case Knife Show & Collectors Event - Coffman Hardware 9 am to 1 pm.  http://www.coffmancaseknives.com/

29-30    Mackinaw Fine Arts & Craft Show - Conkling Heritage Park  http://www.mackinawcity.com/

ALL MONTH - Entertainment at the Ozone in the Odawa Casino Resort.  Visit http://www.odawacasino.com/  for the complete schedule.

Entertainment at the Kewadin Casinos.  Visit http://www.kewadin.com/ for the complete schedule.

Events at the Cheboygan Opera House.  Visit http://www.theoperahouse.org/ for the complete schedule.

The Straits Area Concert Band performs every Tuesday at 8 pm at Conkling Heritage Park.

Laser Light Show in the Mackinaw Crossings Mall every evening at dark (weather permitting).

Vesper Cruise - Straits State Harbor (State Dock) - Sundays at 8 pm.

2009 STRAITS AREA COMMUNITY CALENDARS ARE AVAILABLE IN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFICE

Dawn Edwards, Executive Director  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kelly Vieau, Administrative Assistant  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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