Each month we recognize a Hillsdale Champion and share their story to inspire others who love our county. Read below why our recipients are Hillsdale County Proud! Hillsdale. What a gem. And, what a blessing to say I’ve been a part of this gem my entire life—growing up here as a boy, being a proud Hornet of Hillsdale Community Schools, raising my family and carrying on the tradition of a third-generation insurance agency.
Ron Scholl
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t enjoy a sense of camaraderie with fellow business associates, Rotary Club members, coffee shop patrons, biking buddies . . . and the
Hillsdale County Proud is a recognition program of the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce (HCCC) that serves as a celebration of those who love to work or live in Hillsdale County. With a county bursting with talented & ambitious individuals, the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce serves as an outlet for the pride that our residents have for our county!
list goes on. Small town HIllsdale has so much to offer that elevates one’s quality of life in a way you can’t find in too many other places. Where do I start? Nearby Baw Beese Lake with half of its shoreline securely places in city parks for all to enjoy, a Rotary Club path to take you to and from that scenic shoreline, a historic downtown anchored with our county seat court house square, the beautiful campus of Hillsdale College with its strong
national following an unwavering Judeo-Christian principles, a county fair that truly is “The Most Popular Fair on Earth” and a community that really knows how to support one another. There’s nothing transient about Hillsdale. People here know how to extend a genuine handshake. For those of you looking for a place to set your roots, come visit us here in Hillsdale and enjoy that elevated quality of life.
Sumnar Scholl Insurance Agency:
The definition for the word proud takes on many forms; the one that pertains to me and the Proud Award is a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one’s own achievements or qualities. I purchased Smith’s Flowers five years ago; it came with a flower cooler, a few vases, a small customer
base, a designer and a whole lot of history. The designer, Maranda, is still with Smith’s, and the history continues to grow. We have added another designer, Amy, and another delivery person, Stephanie. I have a great team to make all your floral needs happen.
We are a very successful flower shop with great customer service. Having an electrical engineering company for fourteen years prior to being the sole proprietor of Smith’s Flowers, my life took on several twists and turns. I have loved and will continue to love all the challenges thrown at us/me.
Hillsdale County has many, many lakes for any kind of lake fun you would want. Beautiful Sandy Beach on Baw Beese Lake even has a bike path leading to it from Hillsdale and extending to Jonesville. Sauk Theatre in Jonesville presents many amazing plays each year to enjoy watching or participating in. Our local eateries offer a nice variety of different menu types and some even offer live music. Well-known musical artists have been known to put on shows at these same venues. Who needs a Starbucks when we have Jilly Beans and Checker Records to make us any kind of coffee/tea specialty drink you can dream of!
concerts they offer are just like going to The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Jane Stewart
Smith Flowers
Annette Frosch
Nash Drugs
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I was not the typical high school graduate who around graduation time could be heard saying, “I cannot wait to get out of this small town.” And, never did I ever think I could be so lucky to land a position in my career in the community where I grew up - Hillsdale! But, I did! And yes, I do feel so blessed to have been able to have a career and raise my family in my and my husband’s hometown, watching our boys attend all the same schools we did, and even living in the same house that my husband grew up in! I wanted my kids to grow up in Hillsdale County, be in all the same school programs, participate in all the sporting activities, be active in scouting and 4-H, fish and play on Baw Beese Lake, and just enjoy and appreciate how easy it is to have lots of activities in our lives by living in Hillsdale County.
Speaking of entertainment venues, the Hillsdale County Fair has our favorite fair treats and activities to watch or participate in, and the
Last but not least, is the pride we all share in having the beautiful and nationally renowned Hillsdale College within walking distance of downtown Hillsdale. Many of us have had the privilege to further our education at Hillsdale College, watch sporting events on campus, or attend many other activities open to the public. Hillsdale College’s campus is truly spectacular in its historical beauty and modern advancements, as it is constantly evolving and growing. Over the years, I have heard the following statement said by many, “There is nothing to do here.” I beg to differ. The quality of life is what you make of it and Hillsdale County offers most anything you need to enrich your life.
H
illsdale County has an eclectic assortment of shopping, offering everything from fine men and women’s clothing to antiques to gear for the outdoor enthusiast. From everyday fare like pizza, burgers, and ice cream to traditional home-style cooking, and even fine dining and ethnic food, you’ll find culinary treasures throughout the county.
The City of Hillsdale, as the most populous community, has the largest range of shopping and dining establishments in the county, some owned and operated by the same family for generations. The commercial strip between Hillsdale and Jonesville provides many shopping and dining options. A trip to Downtown Hillsdale reveals unique women’s clothing and accessories, locally handcrafted gifts, vintage clothing and furniture, fine jewelry, furniture and housewares, a natural grocery, drug store, a specialty food store featuring a tavern and a craft beer cave and a hardware store that will transport you back in time. From May through October, choose locally-grown and produced veggies, fruits, baked goods, and more at the farmers’ market on the Courthouse Square. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, Hillsdale doesn’t disappoint with its mix of pizzerias, coffee shops, pubs and taverns, ice cream shops, familystyle diners, fast food and full service eateries. Just outside of Hillsdale, smell
the flowers and taste the cider at one of the area’s largest greenhouses and apple orchards.
In the City of Jonesville, check out the men’s and women’s clothing store, family owned since 1892 and established as the world’s oldest Carhart Dealer. Stop at the old school house and general store just outside of town that features folk art and Americana-style collectables, gifts, artwork, and more. Enjoy an evening of upscale dining or authentic barbeque in Downtown Jonesville, sip homemade root beer at the drive-in restaurant, have lunch, dinner, and drinks in an old brick home, or try an unusual ice cream creation.
Browse through the artist co-op and gallery, second hand and collectables shops in Downtown Reading, then
stay for a beer and burger at the local tavern. Purchase a variety of outdoor gear, stop in at the hardware store or tame your hunger with a homecooked meal at the diner in Downtown Litchfield.
Along the Old Sauk Trail, Allen bills itself as “The Antique Capital of the World” with over 100,000 square feet of antiques. The smaller communities of Camden, Montgomery, Pittsford and Waldron all have local eateries that add to the local flavor.
Visitors to Hillsdale County can choose from a variety of lodging options from traditional hotels and motels, to quaint bed and breakfasts and deluxe to rustic style camping. Several properties have conference, retreat and private party facilities available.
Bretty’s
Cottage, Cabin & Seasonal Décor Hand Woven Textiles & Rugs Redware, Yelloware & Saltglaze Pottery Chandeliers • Pewter • Americana Olde Century Paint • Folk Art • Gourmet Foods
517.849-2477
4 Miles East of Jonesville on US-12
2971 E. Sterling Rd. | Jonesville | www.Brettys.com m-w-th-f-Sa 10am-5pm
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Good To Know
Numbers
FIRE DEPARTMENTS Camden Fire Dept 517.368.5129 Hillsdale City Fire Dept 517.437.6451 517.437.4322 Hillsdale Rural Fire Dept Hudson City Fire Dept 517.448.2231 Jonesville Village Fire Dept. 517.849.6451 Litchfield City Fire Dept. 517.542.3477 Moscow Fire Department 517.688.4844 Pittsford-Jefferson Fire Dept. 517.523.2432 Reading City Fire Dept. 517.283.3528 Somerset Fire Dept. 517.688.4406 Waldron Fire Dept. 517.286.6611 Woodbridge Township Fire Dept. 517.254.4187 UTILITIES & TELLECOMMUNICATION ATT 1.800.288.2020 Comcast 1.800.266.2278 Consumers Energy 1.800.401.6402 Frontier 1.800.921.8101 Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities 517.437.3387 Michigan Gas Utilities 1.800.692.9729 TRASH & RECYCLING Jefferson Township Trash & Recycling Center 517.523.3019 Lake Pleasant Recycling 517.523.2809 Omnisource 517.849.2149 1.877.692.9729 Rebublic Services Rebublic Services 517.437.0100 Hillsdale Transfer Station HILLSDALE COUNTY GOVERNMENT Building Inspection and Permitting 517.437.4130 County Clerk 517.437.3391 Courthouse 517.437.4321 Courthouse Annex 517.437.7329 Emergency Services 517.437.7384 Equalization/Mapping & Land Info 517.439.9166 Register of Deeds 517.437.2231 Road Commission 517.437.4456 Sheriff’s Office 517.437.7317 517.437.3630 Veteran Affairs CITIES, VILLAGES, AND TOWNSHIPS Adams Township 517.287.5766 Allen Township 517.869.2239 Amboy Township 517.254.4703
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Cambria Township Camden Township City of Hillsdale City of Jonesville City of Litchfield City of Reading Fayette Township Hillsdale Township Jefferson Township Litchfield Township Moscow Township Pittsford Township Ransom Township Reading Township Scipio Township Somerset Township Village of Allen Village of Camden Village of Montgomery Village of North Adams Village of Pittsford Village of Waldron Wheatland Township Woodbridge Township Wright Township LIBRARIES Camden Township Library Hillsdale Community Library Hudson Public Library Jonesville District Library Litchfield District Library Mitchell Research Center North Adams Community Memorial Library Pittsford Public Library Reading Community Library Somerset Township Library Waldron District Library HEALTH AND WELLNESS Branch-Hillsdale- St. Joseph Community Health Agency Center for Family Health Hillsdale Hospital Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility Saint Peters Free Clinic
517.357.4225 517.368.5874 517.437.6441 517.849.2104 517.542.2921 517.283.2604 517.849.2351 517.437.7420 517.523.3165 517.542.3950 517.688.9707 517.523.4287 517.567.4488 517.398.4721 517.849.9144 517.688.9223 517.869.2144 517.368.5601 517.296.4441 517.287.4747 517.523.4287 517.286.6677 517.547.3095 517.254.4334 517.286.6376 517.368.5554 517.437.6470 517.448.3801 517.849.9701 517.542.3887 517.437.6488 517.287.4426 517.523.2565 517.283.3916 517.688.9223 517.286.6511
517.437.7395 517.212.8140 517.437.4451
LOCAL AGENCIES Community Action Agency Economic Development Partnership of Hillsdale County Hillsdale County Agricultural Society (Fairgrounds Office) Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce Hillsdale County Community Foundation Hillsdale County Department of Human Services Hillsdale County Senior Services Center Region 2 Area Agency on Aging South Central Michigan Works! TRANSPORTATION Hillsdale Municipal Airport Indiana Northeastern Railroad EDUCATION Hillsdale College Hillsdale County Intermediate School District Jackson College Clyde Letarte Center
517.437.3346 517.439.3200 517.437.3622 517.493.4341 517.439.5101 517.439.2200 517.437.2422 517.592.1974 517.437.3381 517.437.4755 517.439.4677 517.437.7341 517.437.0990 517.437.3343
STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES Michigan DNR – Southfield Operation Service Center 248.359.9040 Secretary of State Driver License & Plate Office 888.767.6424 Social Security Administration 800.772.1213 U.S. Postal Service 800.275.8777 LOCAL AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT Hillsdale City Police 517.437.6460 Hillsdale County Sheriff 800.437.7317 Jonesville Village Police 517.849.2101 Litchfield City Police 517.542.3700 Michigan State Police - Jonesville 855.677.6186 Reading City Police 517.283.3133
517.439.9341 517.437.4041
In Case of Emergency Dial 911