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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
PLATINUM MEMBERS
2018 Executive Board of Directors
2018 Board of Directors
Randy Ostrander President Lake and Lodge Realty, LLC
Danielle Maneke Lakeside Motor Sports
Barbara Seabolt, Past President Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity Michelle Barker President Elect Bridge Title Jennifer Heinzman, Secretary Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce
Heather Bowman City of Big Rapids Tammy Weaver Sears Appliance & Hardware
Mindy Taylor, Treasurer Mecosta County
SILVER MEMBERS
Gail Taylor Original Footwear Michelle Rasmussen Ferris State University Danette Doyle The Pioneer Group Karen Hahn-Thornton Nestle Waters / Ice Mountain
Leading Businesses, Leading Communities For information on becoming a member of the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce, please contact us.
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce 127 South State Street, Big Rapids Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 796-7649 • Fax: (231) 796-1625 mecostacounty.com
SOCIAL NETWORKING
Clinton Zimmerman, Member At Large Red Fox Market Jeff Godfrey, Member At Large Spectrum Health
GOLD MEMBERS
facebook.com/mcacc
Stay connected by reading the Chamber’s blog! My Chamber Connect is updated frequently with helpful articles, information about the county, video tutorials and commentary!
twitter.com/mcacc2017
STAFF
Jennifer Heinzman Executive Director
director@mecostacounty.com
Megan Eppley
Program & Events Coordinator
events@mecostacounty.com
Shelby Withers Administrative Assistant
info@mecostacounty.com
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
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CHAMBER NEWS AND INFO Congratulations to Charles Lyon Lowe’s A Message From Jennifer Heinzman ProServices Specialist our Member of the Month! Executive Director What does the Chamber of Commerce do? We are often asked questions like: “What exactly does the Chamber of Commerce do?” I know when I was first hired at my previous Chamber - that was my first question on training day too… I knew that the Chamber hosted community events and offered phone books for those of us that didn’t get them delivered to our homes, but I had no idea what all the job would entail. As employees of the Chamber, we serve in jobs covering most of the disciplines found in other small businesses – communications, finance, marketing, customer service and event planning; additional responsibilities include advocacy, providing educational opportunities, serving as an information hub for the community, acting as Public Notaries, etc. Our mission is to “promote quality of life through the economic, educational and cultural development of Mecosta County”. In general, Chamber missions vary, but we all tend to focus to some degree on five primary goals: Building communities to which residents, visitors and investors are attracted; promoting those communities; striving to ensure future prosperity via a pro-business climate; representing the unified voice of the employer community; and reducing transactional friction through well-functioning networks. We share a common ambition for sustained prosperity of our communities, built on thriving employers. The Chamber, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is an “Association of merchants and businessmen for the promotion of commercial interests in their community”. Businesses join the Chamber by paying annual dues (based on the number of people they employ) and are, in turn, listed in our directory, on our smartphone app, linked to our website, referred to inquiring parties, offered business-related, educational opportunities, provided numerous networking opportunities and are given a variety of other promotional opportunities throughout the year, amongst many other benefits. We do host community events and encourage businesses to participate in order to network and further promote their products and/or services to the general public. The Chamber also offers monthly Rise and Shine and Business After Hours events (informal socials) so that business owners and their employees can interact with each other and develop relationships outside the workplace. The Chamber offers educational opportunities that pertain to businesses and seek to arm business owners with tools that help them thrive in an ever-changing
economy. The Chamber partners with organizations, such as Connect Michigan, the Small Business Development Center, The US Chamber of Commerce, The Michigan Chamber of Commerce and The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), to add value as well. SBAM provides all Chamber members with a comprehensive list of additional benefits; the Chamber pays the SBAM membership for each of our members. SBAM also provides speakers that update our members on a variety of timely issues. The State Chamber acts as a voice for businesses in the political arena, amongst a wide variety of other things. Connect Michigan aided in the Broadband certification process and continues to provide insights into furthering our adoption and usage to ensure our members have the ability to compete in a global marketplace. We are currently working on our second certification, Broadband 2.0. The Chamber has numerous committees that are continuously working to increase value for our members. Besides the committees that are in place for each of our annual events, we also have the Ambassadors club that serve as the face of the Chamber, an educational programming committee that organizes speaking engagements and political forums, a SCORE committee, a Leadership Mecosta Advisory Board, separate subcommittees that are charged with completing specific portions of our strategic plan and several others. Because the Chamber works closely with so many different entities, the lines often become blurred in people’s minds as to which entity is responsible for which duties. For example, the Chamber does not function in the same manner as the Better Business Bureau; while we do offer credibility to businesses and occasionally field complaints, there is nothing we can do to handle conflict resolution, other than let the business know that we received a complaint and offer suggestions on ways to rectify the situation. We have been asked to serve as mediators in rare instances but would generally refer them to the BBB. Another entity that is often confused with the Chamber is the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau; while the Chamber is not specifically charged with attracting tourists to the area, we do assist in that endeavor because of the positive impact that tourism has on our community and our businesses. The Chamber spearheads projects like the Mecosta County Trail Alliance to attract enthusiasts to our area. The primary function of the CVB is to bring people into the county and it is up to all of us to make their stay pleasant and entice them to shop, visit again or even relocate here.
Lowe’s has been supporting the Big Rapids area since 2004 by providing the right home improvement products, with the best service and value, across each channel and community we serve. From the start, our store has consistently earned accolades for providing exceptional customer service, and even achieved Lowe’s “Customer Focused Store of the Year” in 2014 based on your feedback. Recognizing that great service goes beyond the aisle, each year Lowe’s invests in the community through “Lowe’s Heroes” projects. We provide funds, products, and manpower to repair, rebuild, or renovate local facilities such as schools, parks, playgrounds, veteran’s facilities, and participation in Habitat for Humanity projects. Our associates also choose to donate their time through our “Give Back” program, empowering them to make a difference in the community in their own ways.
The Chamber also assists with economic development prospects whenever possible but that is the primary focus of the Mecosta County Economic Development Corporation so many of those inquiries are referred to that office in order to be handled by someone that specializes in that area. A common misconception is that the Chamber is a governmental entity but we are actually a 501 (C) (6) non-profit organization and while we work closely with the Downtown Business Association, various townships, cities and the county, we are not charged with public service tasks, our role is primarily promotion and advocacy for the business community. There is an old adage in the chamber world: “If you’ve seen one Chamber, you’ve seen one Chamber”. In all cases, the whole of a chamber of commerce is greater than the sum of its parts, programs, people and participants. The Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst…a common vehicle through which the mutual interests of all segments of the business community work together for the common good of the total
Lowe’s is continuously adapting to the needs of the community and the customers we serve. Recently Lowe’s has acquired Craftsman® Tools and we are actively expanding our product selection for your DIY or Professional needs. Customers looking for help with their exterior projects can take advantage of free in-home estimates for installed decking, siding, windows, roofing, HVAC and more. Our interior installation categories include flooring, cabinets and counter tops, plumbing and electrical fixtures, all the way to kitchen and bath remodeling. Our Pro Business customers have access to every day discounts on all purchases, reduced delivery rates, buy-in-bulk savings, customized purchasing options, and personalized service by a team of dedicated sales specialists. Contact us at 231-580-2000 or visit us in store or on Lowes.com for help with your next project today!
community. The Chamber’s goal is the continued growth and prosperity of Mecosta County, and we do whatever is necessary to keep this area’s economic conditions such that people will be willing to risk their resources in the hopes of making a profit. Your success is important to the health of the entire community. Now that we are settled in our new office space, we have even more resources available to our members, the community and to visitors. With the addition of the Business Resource Center, we are able to better serve entrepreneurs and current business owners, and with a larger boardroom, we are able to offer additional educational opportunities and networking events. The Welcome Center serves as an area of respite and discovery for future friends and potential Mecosta County businesses. If you would like more information about the function of the Chamber or available resources, please contact us and as always, if there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask
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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
Ambassador Club Thanks Hosts Annual Chamber Meeting Thursday, January 24, 2019 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Tullymore Golf Resort. Registration is at 7:30 a.m.
Business After Hours will be held on January, 17th at 5 p.m. hosted by Big Rapids Dental Health Care Associates. Come join businesses from around Mecosta County as Big Rapids Dental Health Care Associates located 201 S Michigan Ave, Big Rapids, MI 49307 hosts Business After Hours. This provides members of the community an opportunity to network and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres beginning at 5 p.m. Everyone in the Mecosta County area is welcome to attend. RSVP is appreciated. Call the Chamber at (231)796-7649 or email events@mecostacounty.com. Meet the hosts: https://www.mydentalhealthcare.com/
2018 Schedule The Ambassador Club of the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors monthly networking events. Business After Hours are on the third Thursday of the month and Rise & Shine Mecosta are on the fourth Thursday of the month. Upcoming Business After Hours and Rise & Shine Mecosta events will be hosted by the following members: If you’d like to host a Rise and Shine or Business After Hours event at your workplace, call the Chamber at (231) 796-7649 or email events@ mecostacounty.com. Business After Hours • January 17: Big Rapids Dental Associates • February 21: B2 Outlet Store • March 21: Two Hats Ranch Rise & Shine Mecosta • January 24 : Annual Meeting at Tullymore Golf Resort • February 28: Big Rapids Community Library • March 28: TBD
RSVP by calling the Chamber at (231) 796-7649 or email events@ mecostacounty.com. Hosting Rise & Shine Mecosta or Business After Hours events are a great value included in membership. Contact the Chamber at (231) 796-7649 or email events@mecostacounty.com if you are interested in hosting either.
Thank you to our December host! Red Fox Market hosted Business After Hours and there was no Rise and Shine this month. Hosting a Rise & Shine or Business After Hours event is a great opportunity included in your membership contact the Chamber at (231)796-7649 or email events@ mecostacounty.com if you are interested in hosting either of these events at your business.
New Members You’ll Like Doing Business With Big Rapids Festival of the Arts 231-796-5234 http://www.brfota.org
Paz Pub & Grill 806 Maple St, Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231)598-9322
The Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce encourages you to patronize the following businesses and all of your Chamber colleagues. For a complete listing of Chamber members in good standing, go to the member directory online at www.mecostacounty. com.
January 2019
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
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Ambassador Visits R i b b o n C u t t i n g s :
Ambassador club member John Milan stopped by to see Ann McCarthy at The Studio Massage. Ann specializes in medical massage but also does therapeutic-relaxation massage. Tuesday-Friday and every other Saturday and other hours by appointment 231 598 4247. Located in downtown Big Rapids 106 S Michigan Avenue. $10 off a 1 hour massage for new clients! Ambassador club member John Milan stopped by Cat Nails. The owner Cat Le says she has the only locally owned nail place in Big Rapids, and she also lives here! Located at 15238 Isabella Drive STE A. Brand new very clean facility and they use disposables to maximize the cleanliness. They also specialize in artificial nails and pedicures. Hours are Monday-Friday 10-7 and Saturday 10-6, call 231 598 9187.
MCACC welcomed Encounters of Big Rapids to town on Nov. 29, 2018. Encounters is a premier vape shop located 204 S. Michigan Avenue in downtown Big Rapids.
Paz Pub & Grill celebrated their grand opening on Dec. 18, 2018. Paz serves Asian/Latin/American food, they have a full bar, music, and entertainment. Located 806 Maple Street in Big Rapids.
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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
There is still time to register for this free educational opportunity!
A Lunch and Learn Workshop
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 pm. Ferris Racquet and Fitness Center 14342 Northland Drive Big Rapids Join the team from the Ferris State University Racquet Facility as they share strategies for making your New Year's Resolutions work! You will learn how to incorporate healthy habits and solutions into your everyday routines. There will also be an active time where attendees will learn exercises and stretches that can be done at your desk to help de-stress your body. This event is free to attend, but RSVP is appreciated. Register at mecostacounty.com
Clinton from the Red Fox Market will be working with the chamber to make weekly three-minutelong member spotlight videos. To schedule your appointment email info@mecostacounty.com or call us at 231.796.7649.
January 2019
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
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AARP Tax Program SBAM offers Dale Carnegie training for members Ready to Serve Mecosta County Residents As the time approaches for preparation of tax returns for the 2018 tax year, there is a program in Mecosta County that can help. Sponsored by AARP, this program is designed for taxpayers with low and moderate incomes, with special attention to those age 60 and older. The program is run entirely by volunteers who will be assisting clients at four (4) centers from February 1 through April 15, 2019. Appointments are usually scheduled for one and a quarter hours and can be completed in a timely manner if the taxpayer brings all the paperwork required to prepare the return. Appointments can be scheduled beginning January 22, by calling the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at 231.796.4848. Locations and times are: • Mecosta County Service Building, Big Rapids – Every Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., beginning 2/5 through 4/11 • Morton Township Hall, Mecosta – Every Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., beginning 2/4 through 4/15 • Morton Township Library, Mecosta – Every Friday 9:45 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., beginning 2/1 through 4/12 • Wheatland Township Library, Remus – Every Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning 2/6 through 4/10
SBAM is proud to highlight a new product through Dale Carnegie, provided to you in partnership with the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce: Professional training from the best in the business! SBAM Strategic Partner members can access Talent Development Training Tools powered by Dale Carnegie that typically cost as much a $1,554 per person, for as little as $199! This program was specifically created to serve our members through customized certificate paths that help employees learn a series of important skills. As a result, they become more valuable leaders, salespeople, and representatives of their company. One of the best parts of the certificate paths is that they are offered in a Live Online environment, providing the opportunity to strengthen the skill-sets of individual employees, managers, and owners, with flexible schedule offerings, and without having to send them away for training. That means that anyone in the state of Michigan (or around the world for that matter) can access the public trainings, and will have the ability to participate actively from wherever they work. If you'd like to talk about the Talent Development Training Tools powered by Dale Carnegie available to your members as an SBAM Strategic Partner, please contact Sherry Bryan at (517) 267-2210 or sherry.bryan@sbam.org or visit www.sbam.org/talent.
Leadership Mecosta
At the time of the appointment, volunteers need to see: • Photo identification and Social Security • Any 1099-MISC showing any cards for the taxpayer(s) and Social miscellaneous income Security Cards for all dependents are • All forms indicating any Federal or State REQUIRED. income tax paid. • Copy of last year’s income tax return – • Any unemployment compensation Federal, State and Local statements, if applicable • All W-2 forms from each employer • Child care provider information, • Any 1099-R if a pension or annuity is including name, employer ID, Social received Security number • Any SSA-1099 if Social Security benefits • List, or receipts or cancelled checks for are received any itemized deductions • All 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, • Any 1095-A or 1095-C forms received. 1099-B, etc.) showing interest and/ • A printed card from the bank showing or dividends as well as documentation savings account information, or a blank showing the original purchase price of check are required for direct deposit. any assets sold If you are filing for Homestead Property Tax Credit or Home Heating Credit, taxpayers will also need copies of city or township property tax statements and prior year home heating bills. With the ongoing changes to Federal and State tax regulations, even simple tax situations can appear more and more complicated. This program stands ready to assist all those in need.
If you are interested in learning more about Leadership Mecosta, or if you would like to be part of the Class of 2019/2020, contact the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce (127 S. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids) or online at www.LeadershipMecosta.com.
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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
Spectrum Health Announces Big Rapids/Reed City Leadership Change
Effective January 1, 2019, Mary Kay VanDriel will transition from her role as president, Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City hospitals, to vice president, operations, cancer health. Mary Kay will lead the Spectrum Health
cancer centers in Grand Rapids and in the communities across West Michigan, including the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer in Reed City. Andrea Leslie will take on an expanded role as northeast regional market leader and president of Spectrum Health United, Kelsey, Big Rapids and Reed City hospitals. Leslie has been president at United and Kelsey hospitals in Greenville and Lakeview since 2016. “Mary Kay has done an outstanding job leading Big Rapids and Reed City hospitals through some exciting changes. We are looking forward to her bringing her leadership skills to the cancer health team,” said Gwen Sandefur, president, Spectrum Health Hospital Group. “At the same time, we are fortunate to have Andrea Leslie, an extraordinary leader, ready to take on this expanded role. Andrea has proven to be an invaluable asset to the communities surrounding United and Kelsey hospitals and we anticipate she will also be a very active leader in Big Rapids and Reed City.” Andrea Leslie began her career as a registered
nurse with Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital in 1997. She worked at United Memorial Hospital from 1999 to 2001. Leslie transitioned to Grand Rapids and was promoted to roles of increasing leadership at Spectrum Health Butterworth and Blodgett hospitals where she served as director of nursing operations and leader of the Magnet program from 2011 to 2013. From 2013 to 2016, she served as chief nursing officer at Spectrum Health United and Kelsey hospitals before being named hospital president in 2016. Now as the regional market leader, Andrea will oversee direction for the four hospitals to improve the health of the communities served. Leslie earned a master’s degree in nursing administration from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing, magna cum laude, from University of Detroit Mercy. Spectrum Health, a not-for-profit, integrated health system, is committed to improving the health and wellness of our communities. We live our mission every day with 31,000
compassionate professionals, 4,200 medical staff experts, 3,200 committed volunteers and a health plan serving 1 million members. Our talented physicians and caregivers are privileged to offer a full continuum of care and wellness services to our communities through 14 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, 230 ambulatory sites and telehealth offerings. We pursue health care solutions for today and tomorrow that diversify our offerings. Locally-governed and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, our health system provided $459 million in community benefit in the last fiscal year. Thanks to the generosity of our communities, we received $30 million in philanthropy in the most recent fiscal year to support research, academics, innovation and clinical care. Spectrum Health has been recognized as one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics®, part of IBM Watson HealthTM.
Artworks announces 2018-19 foreign film series Artworks’ foreign film series is underway now at the Big Rapids Community Library.
Each showing is at 7 p.m. See the schedule below!
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
The Board of Directors of the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce cordially invite you to be our guest at the 2018 MCACC Annual Meeting, generously sponsored by Isabella Bank! Every year, the chamber hosts this event to highlight some of our achievements of the year and goals for the upcoming year. This event is also a great opportunity for us to recognize some of the outstanding achievements of our members as well. Join us as we award the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Volunteer of the Year Award, Young Professional of the Year, and the Business of the Year Award. This year's event will take place at the beautiful Tullymore Golf Resort. Breakfast will be provided. Tickets are $20 per person. RSVP is required. Please register by January 17, 2019
SILVERNAIL REALTY
114 S. Michigan Ave. Big Rapids RogersJewelersMI.com
231-796-7743
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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A.B.R., G.R.I., C.R.B., Owner/Broker - ssilvernail@charter.net
Real Estate Office & Property Management Office: 17810 205th Avenue, Big Rapids (East of the airport)
Bus: (231) 796-6329 • Fax: (231) 796-0509
Catch us on the web at www.silvernailrealty.com
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New Patients Welcome! Dr. Robert Scharp Dr. Warren Black Dr. Alex Gould Dr. Lonnita Coulter Dr. Bryant Dudzik
(231) 796-4747 201 S. Michigan, Big Rapids, MI www.mydentalhealthcare.com
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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
ESTABLISHED 1971
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
WE HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR WINTER! PLUS FEED AND ANIMAL SUPPLIES • Wild Bird Feed • Great Gift Ideas • Food & Pet WE’VE GOT THE AREA’S Supplies ONLY DRIVE-THRU
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From everyday operations to the capital you need for business growth, turn to the fourth-generation family bank where you are a priority.
Customer care. Community support. And focused attention on Mecosta County businesses!
Lake-Osceola State Bank
Downtown Big Rapids 231-796-8879 • Perry Street 231-796-5672 • 8 other area locations
January 2019
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
R V
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Royal View Retirement Community
Services and Amenities Three home-cooked meals per day Housekeeping and laundry services Nutritional snacks provided throughout the day Life enriching activities • Beauty/barber shop services Registered Nurse on Staff 24 hour personal care assistance All medical needs monitored • Assistance with medication 9100 Buchanan Rd., Mecosta (Canadian Lakes Area)
231-972-6600
Join CranHill on Saturday, January 12, 2019 for the annual Winterfest! Winterfest is a free community event, with free lunch being served from 11:00 - 4:30. There will be a wide variety of activities for the entire family, including: ice climbing, broomball, snowshoeing, ice skating, pony rides, petting farm, marshmallow roasting, arts & crafts, and tubing. Tractor drawn wagon rides will be running for the event. Check out www.cranhillranch.com/winterfest for more information!
15400 Waldron Way • Big Rapids
For Every Season There’s A Reason To Shop Meijer Thank you to all our customers! Happy New Year JOIN
REWARDS TO SAVE MORE!
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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
New Year’s Resolution Plan During the new year everyone seems to be making new year’s resolutions like “lose 50 pounds”, or “double revenue” that will be given up within the first month. Why is this? New year’s resolutions don’t stick for 91% of the population, here’s how you can get into that 9%. 1. Unrealistic expectations: You may need to sit back and decide if losing 50lbs or doubling your revenues is possible for you at this point in time? Having your expectations too high is only going to make your resolution seem overwhelming and impossible, which could cause you to give up quickly. Instead, maybe start small with losing 15 pounds or increase revenues by 10%. 2. Being vague about your resolution can give you a false feeling of accomplishment. Say your resolution was to “lose weight”. If you were to lose 2 pounds, technically you lost weight, but it wasn’t actually what you meant when you made your resolution. The same concept applies if you just say, “increase revenue”. Maybe you just had a sale so this
month your revenue is up, and you feel like you’ve accomplished your goal when really that’s only a temporary improvement. 3. Stop treating a marathon like a sprint: If you only go to the gym once a month, suddenly deciding to go to the gym every single day won’t be sustainable. Instead, start with going twice a month for the first month, then once a week, and adding one day per week every month until you’re going daily. As far as increasing your revenue goes, a sudden overhaul of your business may not be sustainable either. Many sudden changes may overwhelm your employees or annoy your customers. Also, it may be important to consider that if one aspect of your plan is impairing the rest you may not be able to tell what part it is. 4. Rushing into your resolution without doing any research can cause serious problems as well. If your goal is to lose 50 pounds and you restrict your calories down to an unhealthy level, you risk seriously damaging your health as well as your metabolism, causing you to gain weight in the future. The same goes for doubling
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revenues. If you decide the best way is to simply cut costs, you may lose the quality that your customers have come to expect, thus causing a serious drop in revenue in the future. 5. Instead of just focusing on one aspect of your resolution be sure to research every facet. When trying to lose weight, don’t only look at calories. Research nutrition, strength training, cardio, supplements, water, and overall health. When looking at improving revenue, it’s important to keep from focusing solely on costs. Look at customer service, marketing, check your problem solving, networking, and financial management. 6. Accept failure. This one sounds a bit strange of course don’t give up, quite the opposite, in fact. To err is human. You can’t be too hard on yourself. If you slipup, accept it and look at what caused it. This will help you keep from doing it again, while also keeping you from giving up at the first blunder. 7. Make a plan, write it out and post it where you can see it and stick to it.
In this edition there are 6 articles for the 6 key points of business. This year, let’s make an effort to improve business from all sides with a goal of increasing revenue. You can start by making a plan, each day study one article, do some of your own research on the topic, then write a plan for improving that aspect of your business. On the 7th day, put all of your research and planning together on one sheet and post it near your calendar. Each month focus on improving one side of your business while maintaining the improvements from the previous months. It may be a good idea to have a monthly meeting with your employees to discuss that month’s topic. A little crowd sourcing may improve your plan as well as to recap the past months to be sure you’re maintaining the progress you’ve already made. This will help you maintain steady improvement for 6 months and have another 6 months to make any additional improvements you see fit, by the end of the year you will hopefully not only meet your goal, but also exceed it!
January 2019
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
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6 Tips to Become More Effective at Problem Solving 1. Define your problem clearly. Many people like to start thinking of solutions as soon as they find a problem without fully understanding their situation. In some cases, this can make the problem much worse because of inappropriate actions taken. You shouldn’t even start thinking of solutions until you understand every aspect of your problem. Often problems can be like weeds, if you don’t get rid of the root they just keep coming back. Make sure you’ve found exactly what’s causing your problem otherwise you’re just wasting time and potentially money on a temporary fix. 2. Turn “facts of life” into opportunities. Certain “facts of life” are completely
unavoidable, if that’s the case, turn it into an opportunity. For example, a landscaping business would have little to no business when it starts snowing, that’s just a fact, but a smart landscaper might turn this into an opportunity by offering snow removal, or even putting up Christmas decorations for their clients. 3. Find as many solutions as possible. The greater the number of solutions you put into consideration the greater the quality your final solution will have, as well as the greater chance you find the correct solution. 4. Be decisive. Once you have your solutions make your decisions swiftly.
Remember in most cases time + small problem = big problem, so your goal should always be to deal with 80% of problems immediately. 5. Set a measure for the solution. Be sure to set a measure for when your problem is solved. I suggest figuring this out ahead of time otherwise you may over solve your problem to the point where you cause a new one. For example, maybe your problem is marketing. Not enough people know your business is out there, so you plan to expand your social media presence, you do this by posting more frequently, as well as by posting more engaging content. As your social media grows so does the number
of posts, until eventually you’ve created a few new problems, you have run out of new content, and people are beginning to feel bombarded by your posts. All of this could have been avoided if you had set a measure for your solution such as 500 more Facebook followers, and once that goal has been reached you continue to post high quality content at a more regular pace. 6. Assign Responsibility. As soon as you’ve made your decision be sure to assign responsibility. A great solution is only great if its followed. So be sure to be clear about to needs to carry out what tasks, as well as a reasonable projection of when it should be done.
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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
10 Awesome Tips for Being a Better Leader Carly Okyle Assistant Editor, Contributed Content www.entrepreneur.com
By: idgadvertising.com 1. Make a plan. When it comes to marketing, having a plan is the best way to go. You should always have your short and long term goals in mind. If your goal is to raise brand awareness, maybe consider using email marketing and social media. If your goal is to modernize your old website, make sure to start collecting a list of sites you love so you can show a designer. No matter what your goal is, listing them out will help you to find ways you can get them done. 2. Make sure your website is mobile friendly. Towards the end of 2017, Google readjusted their ranking algorithm to only favor sites that are mobile friendly. Because of this, it’s so important that any and every website scales. If you want to be found on Google, you have to play by Google’s rules. Your regular website is fine for those on desktop, but in the age of cellphones and tablets, you HAVE TO make it beyond simple for customers to navigate on a small screen. We promise this will be beneficial for both your business and your website visitors. 3. Get involved on social media. Many companies and small businesses are on social media but aren’t active. When it comes to social media, it is important to actually be social. Have conversations with other companies. Talk with your customers. Leave comments. Post Instagram stories. The realism and authenticity you show as a brand is going to attract the right
kind of people. Ultimately, make it your goal for the new year to really get in there and get involved. 4. Acknowledge what you’re lacking and improve. When it really comes down to it, we are all human and none of us are perfect. We all have areas where we can improve. This is also applicable in our businesses. Let’s say that throughout 2017, you focused too much on sales and not enough on marketing. Perhaps your sales weren’t too bad, but much of your business was from repeat customers and your new leads have been dwindling. In 2018, put together a system that is going to help you attract more leads. Focus on growing and sustaining. 5. Promise yourself and your business that you’ll focus on what matters most. A great piece of wisdom we’d like to share is to always focus on yourself. We have worked with plenty of companies who cared so much about their competition or what their neighbor was doing that they forgot to pay attention to numero uno – THEMSELVES! Your business is going to thrive and grow if you put your own ideas first. Yeah, so and so is doing that and Mr. This and That is doing something else, but here’s the real cup of tea…you don’t have to do anything they’re doing. Leaders don’t lead the pack by copying their competition. They lead with innovation, passion, and strength they use to get back up if they fail. Make 2019 the year of being undeniably unique and 100% yourself.
1. Lead by example. Leaders need to show, not just tell. If you want your employees to be punctual, make sure you’re there on time -- or even early. If professionalism is a priority, make sure you’re dressed for success, and treat everyone you interact with (both in-person and online) with courtesy. Set the tone and your employees will follow it. 2. A little humility goes a long way. There’s a difference between a leader and a boss. While both are in charge, a leader shares the spotlight and is comfortable crediting others. While it might seem counterintuitive, being humble takes more confidence than basking in glory. Your employees will appreciate it, and your clients will, too. 3. Communicate effectively. Effective communication is imperative, both in the office and in life. Great leaders make sure they are heard and understood, but they also know the importance of listening. Communication is a two-way street and making the most of it will have your company zooming forward instead of pumping the breaks. 4. Keep meetings productive. As the saying goes, time is money. So, of course, you should want to limit tangents and other time wasters during meetings. If you trust your team to do their job, there should be no need for micromanaging, and meetings can run swiftly. 5. Know your limits. Even the kindest, most caring leader has limits. Set your boundaries and stick to them. Knowing what you will not tolerate can save everyone in the office a lot
of frustration, and keeping boundaries clear means there’s no confusion. 6. Find a mentor. No man is an island, as they say. The best leaders out there know when they need help, and they know where to turn to in order to get it. Nobody can know everything, so finding someone you trust for advice when things get tough can make all the difference. 7. Be emotionally aware. While many people advise keeping emotions separate from matters of business, business is ultimately about relationships between people. To make these relationships last, you need to be emotionally intelligent -- to be sensitive to different points of view and different backgrounds. When using your head to do what’s best for your company, don’t forget to have a heart. 8. Watch out for (and avoid) common pitfalls of leadership. Everyone makes mistakes, but some of them are avoidable. Being aware of common mistakes, while not focusing on them to the point that they become self-fulfilling prophecies, can be the first step toward not repeating them. 9. Learn from the past. To once again quote an adage, those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. History, recent and otherwise, is filled with examples of successful business models and spectacular business failures. Think about what the people you admire do well and consider what went wrong for those who end their careers mired in scandal or disgrace. Lessons can be found everywhere. 10. Never stop improving. Great leaders -indeed, great people -- are constantly learning and always trying to improve themselves. There’s always something that you can work on or a new skill to master. Be sure to keep your mind open to new ideas and possibilities.
January 2019
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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
Tips for Networking
Colleen DeBaise special projects director www.entrepreneur.com
1. Resist the urge to arrive late. It's almost counter-intuitive but showing up early at a networking event is a much better strategy than getting there on the later side. As a first attendee, you'll notice that it's calmer and quieter – and people won't have settled into groups yet. It's easier to find other people who don't have conversation partners yet. 2. Ask easy questions. Don't wait around the edges of the room, waiting for someone to approach you. To get the conversation started, simply walk up to a person or a group, and say, "May I join you" or "What brings you to this event?" Don't forget to listen intently to their replies. If you're not a natural extrovert, you're probably a very good listener – and listening can be an excellent way to get to know a person.
3. Ditch the sales pitch. Remember, networking is all about relationship building. Keep your exchange fun, light and informal – you don't need to do the hard sell within minutes of meeting a person. The idea is to get the conversation started. People are more apt to do business with – or partner with – people whose company they enjoy. If a potential customer does ask you about your product or service, be ready with an easy description of your company. Before the event, create a mental list of recent accomplishments, such as a new client you've landed or project you've completed. That way, you can easily pull an item off that list and into the conversation. 4. Share your passion. Win people over with your enthusiasm for your product or service. Leave a lasting impression by telling a story about why you were inspired to create your company. Talking about what you enjoy is often contagious, too. When you get other people to
share their passion, it creates a memorable twoway conversation. 5. Smile. It's a simple – but often overlooked – rule of engagement. By smiling, you'll put your nervous self at ease, and you'll also come across as warm and inviting to others. Remember to smile before you enter the room, or before you start your next conversation. And if you're really dreading the event? Check the negative attitude at the door. 6. Don't hijack the conversation. Some people who dislike networking may overcompensate by commandeering the discussion. Don't forget: The most successful networkers (think of those you've met) are good at making other people
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feel special. Look people in the eye, repeat their name, listen to what they have to say, and suggest topics that are easy to discuss. Be a conversationalist, not a talker. 7. Remember to follow up. It's often said that networking is where the conversation begins, not ends. If you've had a great exchange, ask your conversation partner the best way to stay in touch. Some people like email or phone; others prefer social networks like LinkedIn. Get in touch within 48 hours of the event to show you're interested and available, and reference something you discussed, so your contact remembers you.
Top 10 Tips for Excellent Customer Service Ian Miller Customer Service Manager Magazine www.customerservicemanager.com 1. Anticipate the needs of the customer. Use knowledge about the customer and the products that they have purchased in the past to predict future needs. These needs might be unusual or recurring, either way getting to know your customers shows them that they have not been forgotten and you have their best interests in mind. 2. Greet customers with a smile. If you operate a bricks and motor company, this can be done with a warm and friendly greeting as soon as they enter your premises. Even if you are dealing with customers over the phone, it’s thought that a warm smile can be sensed. 3. Make time for the customer. In a busy environment it can be frustrating for an employee
if a customer wants to stop and chat when they have a lot of work to get done. However, the customer will be able to tell if the employees’ heart is not in the conversation, so always make the customer top priority. 4. Make customers feel important. This can be achieved through little details such as addressing them by their name or making them feel genuinely welcome when they do business with you. If customers feel valued and appreciated by a business, then they are more likely to return and make more purchases. 5. Apologize when things go wrong. No business is perfect all of the time and mistakes may be made. Often it is the way that the business deals with this mistake rather than the mistake itself that will determine whether the customer returns to the business. As soon as it is realized that a mistake has been made, the business should admit the mistake, apologize
sincerely and do everything in their power to rectify the mistake. 6. Give customers more than they expect. Customers are more likely to feel loyalty towards a company that have exceeded their expectations, both in terms of customer service and the products that they have purchased. Everybody likes to be surprised now and then! 7. Ask customers for feedback. A business may think that it is performing well in terms of customer service, but they can never really be sure until they ask their customers what they think. After this information has been gathered it should be acted on to fix specific issues and improve areas that are identified as having weaknesses. Take time to thank customers for their help and reward them accordingly. 8. Treat employees well. In most cases it will be the employees of a business who have the most face to face contact with the customers. The
better they are treated, the happier they will be while at work and this will be evident in the way that they deal with customers. The atmosphere that is created by a good working environment will be more pleasant for customers too. 9. Be truthful about the products that are being sold. If a customer asks advice about a product then the advice that is given should be honest. If a customer is misled in order to make a sale, then they will not appreciate it when they find the product doesn’t work as expected and probably won’t return. 10. Bend the rules if needed. If a regular customer makes a special request that would not normally be part of the business policy, then this request should be given consideration rather than the customer being told no. Customers will appreciate that you have empowered your employees with common sense and the ability to see the “big picture”.
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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
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Members Bulletin Board
This section is dedicated to Chamber members who are utilizing their marketing opportunities as one of the many values of belonging to the Chamber:
RECYCLE! Of Mecosta County MONDAY 9a-5:30p WEDNESDAY 9a-5:30p FRIDAY 9a-5:30p SATURDAY 9a-1p
Big Rapids Community Library bigrapids.lib.mi.us
Library Closed
January 12th 7:00 p.m.
January 1st
Going Global Book Club
Friends of Library Meeting
January 15th 6:00 p.m.
January 2nd 4:00 p.m.
YA is Lit! Book Club Meeting
Knit Night
January 3rd 6:30p.m.
January 17th 5:30pm
Library Board Meeting
Knit Night
January 8th 4:00p.m.
January 17th 6:30 p.m.
Camera Club- Serious Landscape Photographer I
Mary’s Book Club
January 10th 6:00p.m.
True Story! Nonfiction Book Club
Foreign Film
424 N. 4th Street
Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 796-9872
Big Rapids Antique Farm & Power Club
January 18th 12:00 p.m. January 31st 6:00 p.m.
Preschool Story Time
See you next year! The club will resume meetings in February 2019 at Big Rapids First Baptist Church, 200 S. Stewart Ave. in Big Rapids.
Every Monday and Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Computer/Tech Class
Every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Tiny Tots Tinker Lab
Every Thursday from 9:30-11 a.m. This program is a free play time for children and their parents to socialize. Please come and enjoy getting to know other parents and kids in your community.
STAGE-M
STAGE-M will return in the spring with new shows. An Agatha Christie Mystery Little Shop of Horrors April 4-7, 2019 Four Agatha Christie mysteries are being considered for this performance, all with her wonderful characters, twisty plots and unusual endings. Stay tuned!
January 2019
July 25-28, 2019 The story of Seymour who works and lives in a rundown flower ship on Skid Row. He looks for a way to bring the struggling shop (and himself) fame and fortune. He buys an exotic plant, which proves good for business, but learns, to his horror, that it craves blood!
STAGE-M’s monthly meeting will be held on January 5th at 9am at the United Church in Big Rapids.
Red Fox Market
Red Fox Market hosts a variety of classes each month in its downtown store. For more information on each event, visit Red Fox Market on Facebook!
Yoga Starting January 15th $7 Tuesdays and Fridays 7a.m.-8a.m. Qi Gong $1 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thrusdays 10:00a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Advanced Class 10:30a.m. – 11a.m. Vibrational Healing Energy Group Session $20 Sunday Jan 6th 12:30p.m.2:30p.m. The History of Hemp Saturday Jan 12th 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Card Wildlife Education Center Website: www.ferris.edu/card
Big Rapids Eagles and Auxiliary 2535 Every Tuesday is Burger Night Every Friday is Fish Fry and Prime Rib Fourth Friday is liver and onions Euchre on Saturdays Swiss steak dinner 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 Members-Only Christmas Brunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 16 Kids’ Christmas Party
2-4 p.m. on Dec. 16 Musician’s Night Starts at 4 p.m. on Dec. 23 Admission is $10, with all proceeds benefitting Angels of Action and another charity chosen by the Eagles New Year’s Eve Party Noon to 6 p.m. Early party 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Late Party Bring munchies to pass. 50/50 raffles and games will take place throughout the evening.
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
Artworks Winter Classes For class descriptions, fees, and registration, visit artworksinbigrapids.org/classes. Beginning Stained Glass
January 12 & 26th 10-1 p.m. Hand Pottery Winter Session
January 14th & February 25th 6-8p.m. Guided Sketchbook
January 17th & February 21st 4:00p.m. Coffee & Canvas at Three Girls Bakery
Jan 20th 12-2p.m. Beginning Wheel Pottery Winter Session
January 22nd & February 5th 6-8p.m. Fundamentals of Photography
January 29th & Mar 5th 5:30-7:30p.m. Merizon: A Mixed Metaphor Exhibit
January 25 through February 25 Reception February 1 5-7p.m.
Are you between 21-40 years old and interested in making a positive impact in the community while practicing leadership skills? Consider joining the Big Rapids Jaycees. For more information, find us on Facebook @ brjaycees, www.brjaycees.com, or email us at brjaycees@gmail.com.
Wheatland Music Organization Traditional Dance: Hawks & Owls
Jan 19th 7-9 p.m. Open to the public Admission $5, those under 18 get in free Call 989-967-8879 for more info
FSU Fine Arts Gallery
January 14th – February 23rd, 2019 Hateful Things and More From Aunt Jemima advertisements to the board game Ghettopoly, American popular culture is replete with racist images. The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia features an extensive collection of racist objects that trace the history of the caricaturing and stereotyping of African Americans. The museum, located at Ferris State University, Is offering “Hateful Things,” a traveling Exhibition of these images to further the museum’s mission of stimulating the scholarly examination of historical and contemporary expressions of racism, as well as promoting racial understanding and healing. The current Exhibition will also include a small selection of photographs from two recent donations to the museum: David Levinthal’s Blackface series and Bruce Davidson’s iconic civil rights images.
AMVETS Post 1941 & Legion Post 98
See the back cover for regular AMVETS Post 1941 & Legion Post 98 specials and events.
Big Rapids Elks #974 203 East Pine Street Big Rapids
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Big Rapids Winter Recreation Programs For registration forms and more information go to www.brpr.org or call (231) 592-4038
ZUMBA GOLD January 10th to April 25th Thursdays Cost:$2 per participant Big Rapids Middle School Cafeteria (no class March 21st or March 28th) Instructor Janitza Sawyer Zumba® Gold is perfect for active older adults, as well as those just starting their journey to a fit and healthy lifestyle, who are looking for a modified Zumba® class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower intensity. The design of the class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba® choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination. PICKLEBALL October 1st to May 1st Mondays and Wednesdays 5-7p.m. Cost: $5 per participant Ferris State Racquet Center Coordinator: Gary Lenon No need to have a paddle, all new players are welcome! All players must wear tennis shoes in the facility. CO-ED VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE Sundays Scrimmage January 13th League Games Begin:January 20th Cost: $300 per team Big Rapids Middle School Gym Games are played on Sundays starting at 1:00p.m. and ending as late as 9:00 p.m. 10-week season. Ages 18 and older. Registrations Due by January 4th. DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE Friday, February 15th 7:00 p.m.-9:00p.m. Cost $7 per person pre-registered OR $10 per person at the door Big Rapids Middle School Attention all dads, Grandpas, and uncles! This is the event you’ve all been waiting for! Grab your favorite little lady and get ready for a night you’ll both remember forever. Enjoy a night of dancing, refreshments, photos, and crafts! Create memories that will last a lifetime for you and the most important girl in your life! All ages welcome. TAI CHI January 7Th-May 8th Mondays and Wednesdays Noon to 1 p.m. Cost: $2 per participant Artworks Instructor: Mary Loesch, Certified International
Instructor An ancient form of exercise originally developed in China as a martial art. This exercise has benefits to allow participants to improve muscle tone, flexibility, balance and coordination. Newcomers are always welcome! LINE DANCE CLASSES Jan 3rd to April 25th Cost: $2 per participant Instructor: Diane Jones Come join choreographed line dancing while increasing your heart rate for a great cardio workout! You can select the class that best fits your needs. MORNING LINE DANCE Tuesdays and Thursdays 8-9 a.m. Beginners 9-10 a.m. Intermediate Learn coordinated steps to a variety of music. A social and aerobic activity. Bring a friend! Artworks, Dance Studio WATER AEROBICS January 14th to May 10th Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 - 9:30 am Cost: $4 per class or $40 for punch card (12 classes) Ferris State Recreation Center Pool Instructor: Sherry Williams Low impact exercise offered for adults. Beginning in the shallow area and progressing to the deep water to allow for a full body workout. SENIOR FIT TIME January 3rd to April 25th Tuesday: 4-5 p.m. Thursday: 3-4 p.m. No class (Feb.25-Mar.6th) Cost: $2 per participant Style Station, 1619 Catherine Street in Big Rapids Instructor: DeMar Hatchew, Certified in Senior Fitness A senior fitness class geared to get those in need of a low impact routine emphasizing cardio, balance and muscle stretching. The class will get you feeling energized and active! Bring a mat, water bottle and personal weights. DELAY THE DISEASE FITNESS FOR PARKINSON’S January 3rd to April 25th Thursdays 1-2 pm Cost: $2 per participant Style Station, 1619 Catherine Street in Big Rapids Instructor: DeMar Hatchew, Continuing Education in Parkinson’s Disease Training Methods A fitness class designed to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. No matter what stage of the disease you are battling—it’s never too late to start exercising! The class will incorporate a variety of chair exercises, stretching, balance work, strength training, and vocal and facial exercises. Caregivers are welcome to join participants.
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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
Financial Management in the New Year 1. Assess how your business is doing right now. The best way to do this is to identify your margins in one of two ways: Gross margin: Tells you how your company is turning products into revenue. Gross Profit ÷ Total Sales = Gross Margin Operating margin: Tells you how effectively your company is turning a dollar of sales into a dollar of profit after foreseeable expenses. Operating Profit ÷ Total Sales = Operating Margin Assess your margins. Compare how your company is doing against the standards for your industry. This information can be found in the IBIS World Market Research Reports as well as in the Risk Management Association’s Annual Industry Data. 2. Set goals to increase profit. This can be done in three ways. Increasing revenue. Increasing revenue is an important way to grow profit because unlike cutting costs its less likely to sacrifice fundamental quality. A great way to do this is to
target a new market, especially one that is willing to pay a bit more for your products or services. Decreasing costs. Decreasing costs can be the most effective way to grow your profit, especially in the long term, however be careful not to lose the quality that your customers have come to expect. This can be accomplished by negotiating with your distributors to see if there’s a way to get a lower price. Decreasing overhead. Decreasing over head is the easiest and quickest way to grow profits. Ways to do this include becoming more energy efficient or finding a more affordable facility, etc. 3. Plan for major expenses. Sometimes you must spend money to make money and having a plan is always a great idea. The more time you have to find financing for large expenses the better deal you can find. Make sure to keep a list of upcoming expenses so they don’t sneak up on you, forcing you to take out a high interest loan. Big expenses to look out for include equipment you know will need to be replaced soon, as well as plans to expand or relocate your company.
4. Commit to updating your financial records once a month. Keeping your statements of cashflow and income statements up to date allows you to make better decisions for your company in real time. Consider having someone within your company keep your records to
improve accuracy and complete them in a timely manner. If having someone else do it just isn’t in the budget, learn to do it yourself; as the owner of the business you should already be familiar with these numbers.
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
January 2019
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Member Benefit Spotlight: Newsletters mecostacounty.com
How to join the Chamber All types of businesses are welcome to join the Chamber and anyone that feels they would benefit from additional marketing, networking and educational opportunities are encouraged to take advantage of all of the benefits that the Chamber has to offer! Joining the Chamber is easy, all you have to do is fill out the application form and submit with your annual dues. Payment options are available. You can
receive the application form by going to our website at www.mecostacounty. com, by stopping in our office at 127 South State Street, Big Rapids or by calling us at 231-796-7649 and
requesting a packet be mailed to you. Your benefits start immediately once the application is received. It’s just that easy! Let us know if you have any questions and we look forward to serving you!
What is it? The Chamber puts out a monthly newsletter as well as a weekly electronic newsletter. They are sent to all members, their employees, and interested community members, free of charge. They both keep readers up-to-date on area happenings, events, and general area information. The monthly newsletter includes a community bulletin which provides members a chance to list events.
What should you do? Tell Mecosta County what is happening with your business or organization! Contact the chamber with any events, specials, staffing changes, employee highlights, awards: anything that you would like noted in either of our newsletters. Additional advertising opportunities are available through The Pioneer Group. Contact the chamber at 231.796.7649 or email info@mecostacounty.com
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Lerner, Csernai & Fath Financial Group “We Can Get You There!”
15505 Waldron Way • Big Rapids, Michigan 49307 www.lernerfinancial.com
231-796-8621
Serving our clients needs since 1969 Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Lerner Csernai and Fath Financial Group and Cambridge are not affiliated.
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com
JANUARY 2019
MECOSTA COUNTY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
Senior fit time Pickleball Beginner line dancing Intermediate line dancing Delay The Disease Fitness for Parkinson’s Senior Fit Time Slow Flow Yoga at Red Fox Nights of Lights Stage-M Monthly Meeting Nights of Lights AMVETS Auxiliary Monthly Breakfast Tai Chi Walking Program Pickleball Beginner Line Dancing Intermediate Line Dancing Senior Fit Time Lunch and Learn: Keeping Your Resolutions Tai Chi Pickleball Beginner Line Dancing Intermediate Line Dancing Senior Fit Time Walking Program Zumba Gold Slow Flow Yoga Red Fox CranHill Winterfest Mecosta VFW Pancake Breakfast Co-Ed Volleyball League Sunday Scrimmage Water Aerobics Hateful Things and More Tai Chi Walking Program Pickleball Hateful Things and More Beginner Line Dancing TOPS open house Intermediate Line Dancing Senior Fit Time Hateful Things and More Tai Chi Pickleball Big Rapids Eagles Van’s Chicken Dinner Beginner Line Dancing Intermediate Line Dancing Foot Care Clinic Senior Fit Time Walking Program Zumba Gold Slow Flow Yoga Red Fox 7-9p.m. Wheatland Music: Traditional Dance Co-Ed Volleyball League Game Big Rapids Eagles Breakfast Co-Ed Volleyball League Game Tai Chi Walking Program Pickleball Beginner Line Dancing Intermediate Line Dancing Senior Fit Time Breastfeeding Support Group Tai Chi Pickleball
January 2019 Jan 24 Jan 27 Jan 28 Jan 29 Jan 30 Jan 31
Beginner line Dancing Intermediate Line Dancing Senior Fit Time Walking Program Zumba Gold Slow Flow Yoga at Red Fox Co-Ed Volleyball League Game Co-Ed Volleyball League Game Tai Chi Walking Program Pickleball Beginner Line Dancing Intermediate Line Dancing Senior Fit Time Tai Chi Pickleball Beginner Line Dancing Intermediate Line Dancing Senior Fit Time Walking Program Zumba Gold Slow Flow Yoga at Red Fox
SPECIAL DAYS
AMVETS POST 1941 & LEGION POST 98 NEW HOURS - MON-FRI 1 P.M. TO CLOSE (LAST CALL AS EARLY AS 8:30) SAT & SUN 12 P.M. TO CLOSER PENDING 5 MEMBER RULE NOW SERVING DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS MONDAY – FRIDAY STARTING AT NOON. HOMEMADE SOUP AVAILABLE. EAT-IN OR TAKE-OUT. CALL 231-7966998 FOR MENU. IF YOU WANT TAKE-OUT, CALL US AND WE’LL HAVE YOUR LUNCH READY WHEN YOU NEED IT. BREAKFAST IS BACK! THE AMVETS AUXILIARY WILL BE SERVING BREAKFAST AGAIN ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH STARTING ON SUNDAY, OCT. 7 FROM 9-11:30 A.M. MENU INCLUDES SCRAMBLED EGGS, BACON, SAUSAGE LINKS, PANCAKES, TOAST, BISCUITS AND GRAVY, COFFEE AND JUICES. MONDAY – FRIDAY: HAPPY HOUR 4 TO 6 P.M. MONDAY NIGHT TACOS- $2.00 PULL TAB BINGO @ 6:00 P.M. 2ND CHANCE @ 7:00 P.M. EVERY OTHER MONDAY TUESDAY $1.00 WELL DRINKS FROM 4-6 P.M. THURSDAY – BURGER NIGHT 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. R.E.D. SHIRT FRIDAY- REMEMBERING EVERYONE DEPLOYED- WEAR SOMETHING RED – THE RED MUST BE VISIBLE! $0.50 OFF BOTTLED BEER, WINE & LIQUOR ONLY 1ST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH – AMVETS LADIES AUXILIARY BREAKFAST FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAY: DINNER SPECIALS CALL (231) 796-6998 FOR LUNCH SPECIALS AND DINNER MENUS ALL MEALS ARE EAT-IN OR TAKE-OUT
BIG RAPIDS EAGLES 2535: Open To The Public DAILY LUNCHES/ 11AM-3PM TUESDAYS: BURGER NIGHT/ 4:30-8PM FRIDAYS: FISH FRY & PRIME RIB/ 4:30-8PM SATURDAYS: EUCHRE AT 12:30 P.M.
GFWC MONTHLY MEETINGS
2ND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY AT THE BIG RAPIDS PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT. CALL 231-349-7743 FOR MORE INFORMATION. BIG RAPIDS ELKS Fridays • Fish Fry 6-8pm BIG RAPIDS ROTARY MEETS EVERY TUESDAY AT 12:00PM AT FALCON HEAD GOLF COURSE BIG RAPIDS LIONS CLUB MEETS EVERY 2ND AND 4TH MONDAY OF THE MONTH 6:30pm at #52 Sports Bar and Kitchen
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, CHAPTER 18 A SERVICE OFFICER IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST VETERANS IN RECEIVING BENEFITS. THURSDAYS, 10AM- 2PM AT THE DAV IN BIG RAPIDS. ALL VETERANS WELCOME.