May 2009

What's In This Issue

• Annual Breakfast Recap
• Chamber Benefit Supper
• Chamber Member News
• Community Notes
• May Calendar

Jim Wehr's Mackinaw Outfitters 1^st Annual Fishing Expo is Friday & Saturday

Come on down to the Mackinaw Outfitters and enjoy a boat & RV show throughout the Mackinaw Crossings Mall. For the two days you can experience fishing reps, demonstrations and meet and greet with a Pro Walleye Fisherwoman. The expo will also feature a fish fry, entertainment, beer tent, fishing workshops and giveaways. Also featured is a jumpy house, fishing simulator and fishing pond for the kids. For more details, call 436-4066.

Businesses are open and geared up for a great 2009 season!

Chamber Annual Breakfast was a huge success! 

The Theme of the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce Annual Breakfast was "Step out of the Box". The 11^th Annual Breakfast was held in Audie's Banquet Room, Thursday, April 30 with over 100 members and guests attending.  A delicious hot breakfast was served. 

President Belinda Mollen welcomed Pastor Dave Wallis from Church of the Straits who gave the invocation.  Area presenters included Executive Director Dawn Edwards, Village Manager, Jeff Lawson and Mackinaw Area Visitor's Bureau board member, Penny McGaffin, Assistant Vice President of National City Bank.

Keynote speaker was Chris Scharrer, owner of New Paradigm Solutions.  Chris lives in Fenton, but has a summerhouse in Indian River.  She is a leadership development speaker and has and has an informational website  Chris presented "Step out of the Box and Step Up to the Challenge" for the 2009 season.  She gave practical tips on customer service and guest satisfaction.

Mike Frey, Arnold Transit Co. was awarded a crystal plaque for 8 years sponsorship of the Chamber of Commerce on Central Ave.  The Chamber has moved to a new location in the Mackinaw Crossings Mall Central Ave. entrance.

The Mackinaw City Ambassador's hosted the event.  The Make-It-So committee decorated using the colors black and white and North Country Gardens provided Gerber daisy's as the centerpieces.  Door prizes were awarded to Sue Brandt-Citizens National Bank, Julius O'Brien-O'Brien's Shirts & Gifts, Heather Tamlyn-Holiday Inn Express, Bill Marvin-Historic Village and Nichole Pettengill-Sraits Area Federal Credit Union.

Mackinaw City lost 2 of the Chamber's founding members this winter; Jack Paquet and Don Bell.  Their families were gifted with a pen set tribute in appreciation for a life of service to the community.  The Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1955 had 60 business owners and their first meeting held in Hotel Nokomis.  Jack Paquet was voted the Chamber's 1st treasurer.  The Bell & Paquet families continue to suport the Chamber's programs and believe in giving back to the community.

Retiring Board member, RJ Fisher, owner and operator of the Pancake Chef Restaurant and organizer of the Memorial Day parade was recognized and thanked with an award for the many years he served on the Chamber board and for his present dedication to Mackinaw City. 

SAVE THE DATE! 
CHAMBER BENEFIT SUPPER - SATURDAY, MAY 9TH AT THE DEPOT RESTAURANT

This all you can eat supper features, spaghetti, garlic toast, salad & desserts, plus music and a silent auction. $10 pp, $6; 12 & under.  Dinner 5-8 pm, local musicians, Denny Beach and Sam King will entertain us from 5-8 pm, 9:30 pm to close will be an afterglow party.  Bring a friend and support Mackinaw City!  If you have a donation for the silent auction, or would like to purchase tickets, please contact Kelly at 436-5574 or Sarah at 436-5030.  

Deadline to be included in the 2009 Restaurant Locator Map is Friday, May 8th.  The Chamber prints 50,000 of these maps that are distributed all over Mackinaw City.  Cost is $100 for chamber members, $200 for non-members.  Call 436-5574 and let us know if you would like to be included.

Chamber Member News
Mackenzies on the Avenue is hosting a Troll Bead Trunk Show May 1-4.  For more information contact Carolyn at 436-5499.

The Wawatam Area Seniors are now serving dinners on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:30pm (note time change) and 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. This week's menu includes Tuesday: Honey Mustard Chicken with seasoned rice and mixed vegetables; Friday: Meat loaf, mashed potatoes and green beans; and Sunday: Beef Goulash, corn, fruit and breadsticks. All meals include 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. Call 436-5334 or 436-5626 for more information.

"North Country Gardens" now open for the season 2009 season!  Stop in and check out their Great Mother's Day gifts including annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, herb plants, vegetable plants, shrubs, ornamental grasses, house plants, vases and flower pots. Also offered are fresh cut flower arrangements and balloon bouquets.  Delivery available.   Visa & Mastercard accepted.  To place an order or for more information phone Donna @ 231-436-5169.  They are located across from the Mackinaw Club Golf Course.  Open 7 days a week.  Stop in or call for hours.

Contact the Chamber if you are looking for employees.  We will list on our website and have the info available for people who contact us directly.    

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 yoru site by linking back to the Chamber www.mackinawchamber.com

Community Notes

Direct Mail Workshop presented by Postmaster Adriane Waldie is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13 at the Mackinaw Area Public Library Meeting Room (rear entrance).10 am to 11 am. She will show a DVD, have handouts and light refreshments available.For more information, contact Adriane at the Mackinaw City Post Office, 436-5526.

McGulpin Point Lighthouse Relighting Ceremony - Emmet County marks a significant milestone in its history with the unveiling and reestablishment of the McGulpin Point Lighthouse on May 30, 2009, from 11am til 2 pm.

Originally lit in 1869 to guide water traffic through the treacherous Straits of Mackinac, the lighthouse operated until 1906 when it was replaced by the more effective Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and fog signal to the east. McGulpin Point Lighthouse was in private ownership until 2008, when it was purchased by Emmet County. 

"We applaud this forward thinking move made by the county," says Dick Moehl, president, Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLLKA). "It's rare for a lighthouse to be returned to the public domain after it has passed into private ownership."

The lighthouse, in private hands since 1913, remains in remarkably good historical condition. "With the exception of modernized kitchen and baths, the building is in near original condition with original doors and woodwork still in place," says Sandy Planisek, chair, Emmet County Historical Commission. The McGulpin Point Lighthouse project is an effort of Emmet County. Besides being opened for tours, the lighthouse has been reestablished as a Private Aid to Navigation (PATON) approved by the US Coast Guard.

The American Red Cross "Art Program" sponsorship is available for 2009.  Their theme this year is "Garden party".  As a collaborative sponsor, you could be asked to donate $500, $400 or $250 cash as sponsorship of a garden bench or artisian chair.  If you would like more information, contact Lori O'Neill at 231-348-7666 or visit www.arcnlm.org

The National League of Postmasters State Convention is June 9-11 at Mission Pointe Resort on Mackinac Island.  If you would like to have your businesses coupons, brochures or promotional items placed in their welcome bags, contact Stanley Waldie at 627-5310 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Or you can drop the items off to the Chamber office by June 1.  They are expecting 120 people at this convention.

Looking for work or employees?  Contact the Michigan Works Service Center at (231) 627-4303 or Northwest Michigan Works! (231) 347-5150 www.michworks.org