News

DCF 1.0

Congratulations to the Winners of “Green Light East Jordan!”
$10,000.00 – First Place – “Big E’s Smoke Shake” – Ethan Habasco
$3,000.00 – Second Place – Business Center Plus – Barbara Ann Worgess
$2,000.00 – Third Place – Bluestem Ferments – Mary Brower
$500.00 – Crowed Vote – EJ Catering – Gretchen Bender

A very special Thank You to our Sponsors!

Pure Michigan
Spartan Innovations
Castle Farms
Porter Creek Fish House
Short’s Brewing Company
EJ Public Schools
Royal Farms – Farm Market & Winery
EJ
EJ Plastics, Inc.
Burnette Foods, Inc.
A Matter of Taste
The Landing Restaurant
North Central Michigan College
North Central Michigan College Foundation
Charlevoix County Community Foundation
Charlevoix County News
Jordan River Arts Council
Valley Graphics Printing

Thank you to Green Light East Jordan Committee Members – Nancy Carey, Mary Faculak, Clif Porter, Matt Stevenson, Tom Cannon, Lori Fischer, Paul Jacques.

An amazing event and to think this is just the beginning! Looking forward to many wonderful results! Congratulations to the Top Ten Finalists on their great presentations! Thank you to our judges: Dr. Cameron Brunet-Koch – NCMC President, Terry Vandercook – MEDC, Jack Poindexter – CFO EJ, Matt Drake – Short’s Brewing Company and Ron Jolly – Radio Host – WTCM News Talk 580. Thank you to all who attended this spectacular event! The positive comments and energy continues to be heard at our Chamber Office. Looking forward to 2016 State Finals is March in East Lansing and our event in October 2016.

If you didn’t attend last weekend’s East Jordan South Arm Classics Boat and Car Show and Micro Brew Tent featuring the Bridge Street Tap Room’s mobile unit, you missed alot of spectacular cars, boats and fun with family and friends at the tent!

Congratulations and THANK YOU to the East Jordan Lions Club and the East Jordan Freedom Festival for sponsoring the three events! Thank you to Boat Show Chair Darrin Podskalny and his committee, Car Show Chair Dan Miller and his committee and Billie Jo Tracey – Micro Brew Tent Chair and her committee for their time, energy and organization of these three signature events. Also, special thank you to all of the businesses, individuals, clubs and organizations who helped sponsor a car class, donated a door prize, etc. It truly takes an entire community working together in harmony to produce a first class event! If you are interested in being part of next year’s South Arm Classics, contact the Chamber for more information – 231-536-7351 or info@ejchamber.org.

Our “East Jordan is Open Late ‘Til Eight” on Wednesdays, got off to a great start last week! See our photos at ejchamber.org! We have added 3 more names to our list, Crossroads Resale Shop, East Jordan Community Center and Jordan River Arts Council will be open ’til eight along with Books N Things, Picker’s Exchange, Karen Walker Studio, Billie’s Floral and Boutique, E.J. Shoppe, The Zone Sports Lounge, Sodalicious, Busy, Bridge Gift & Antiques, Murray’s Bar & Grill, EJ Visitor Center, Subway, Marty’s Cones and Carry Out, The Mallard Golf Club, Jordan Valley Outfitters, The Barn, BC Pizza and Rustic Ali. Thank you to our entertainers who graciously shared their musical talent and gift of song – Patrick O’Connor (Owner of A Natural Talent) and Anora O’Connor of “Acoustic Tribute”, Such fun! Please spread the word on this retail/restaurant/attraction promotion – East Jordan’s Open Late “Til Eight on Wednesdays thru August 12!!

It’s a beautiful night to create an adventure in East Jordan! Come by car, boat or cycle.

The Village of Ellsworth is rolling out the huge Welcome Mat and inviting everyone to the Ellsworth Pig Roast this weekend, Friday and Saturday, June 19-20. Congratulations to Lynn Spearing and her entire committee on putting together a wonderful schedule of events celebrating Ellsworth’s roots, history and the present! The events kick off Friday night at 5:00 PM with the 50’s Drive-In, Plain Air Painting Demo and the popular Family Water Slide. Saturday events include a 5K Run, Pancake Breakfast, Historic Trolley Tour, the Famous Pig Roast Parade at 11:00 AM with Alana Haley as Grand Marshall, the opening of Hastings Harmony House, Kids Games and Teen Events, 3 Point Shoot Out, The delicious Roast Pork Lunch, Archery Demonstrations, Motorcycle Tour, the popular Horse Pull and in the evening the Ellsworth High School Reunion welcomes all Ellsworth graduates. Enjoy the weekend in Ellsworth!
Congratulations to Shirley Tornga -Banks Township
Citizen of the Year!

This Friday, June 12, we are so fortunate to kick off the 2015 Music in the Park Concert Series at 7:00 PM with the award winning “The Accidentals” on the Memorial Park Band Shell stage. Please be sure to share this great concert news and invite your family, friends, co-workers, etc. I encourage everyone to “share” this on your Facebook and other social media venues, as well as on the “old-fashioned” word of mouth! Let’s pack the park with people on Friday evening. Be sure to enjoy dinner at one of our local restaurants prior to the concert. (In case of rain – concert will be held at the Community Auditorium)
The Music in the Park Concert Series continues throughout the summer with a fantastic line-up of performers. Next week, June 19, Jon Archambault, Blues performer will be on the stage at 7:00 PM. (For complete schedule, check our Calendar of Events)
Thanks to the generosity of donors, all of these concerts are offered at no charge. We are so fortunate to be able to enjoy such fine performances throughout the summer.
Also in July…July 4th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM the Epsilon Celebration Band will be in concert. Enjoy a fabulous concert and then head to a nearby town for fireworks.

The Jordan Valley Community Band Concerts will be held Thursday evenings in July in the Memorial Park Band Shell at 7:30 PM (July 2,9,16,23,30)

Be sure to include these great musical events on your summer schedule!

The Merry Month of May is getting away from us very quickly! We are almost halfway through and Memorial Day Weekend is now only a week away! If you haven’t registered your garage sale, business promotion or organizations event for the “Garage Sales Across the Breezeway” do so today! The Chamber needs to have all information no later than Tuesday, May 19th to be included on the flyer and on the website. Don’t miss out on a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to make money!!

Hope you are reaching out to your co-workers and team members to invite them to the 18th Annual County-Wide Business After Hours scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Mallard Golf Club in East Jordan. Proceeds will benefit Leadership Charlevoix County. (see flyer for more information)

Golf Outing Teams still Needed – get your team of four signed up today and get ready to play on Friday, June 5th. Lunch at noon with a 1:00 PM Start. Excellent networking event and a fun venue.

Poverty In Paradise: Join The Center for Michigan and local leaders to discuss Bridge Magazine’s “Poverty in Paradise” report.

Attend one of two community meetings about improving the economy and overcoming poverty in your region. Come and share your ideas, opinions, and priorities. Your voice matters!

• Meeting 1: Thursday, May 21st, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Emmet County Community Building,1129 Charlevoix Ave. (US 31 S), Petoskey, MI 49770

• Meeting 2: Tuesday, May 26th, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, East Jordan Civic Center, 101 Civic Center lane, East Jordan, MI 49727

Please RSVP to info@thecenterformichigan.net
Questions? Call 734-769-4625 or info@thecenterformichigan.net

It’s All About The Golf!!

The 18th Annual East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce Spring Golf Outing is all set for Friday, June 5th at the Mallard Golf Club. This event is a major “Social Networking” event for our Chamber Members and their guests. We would love to have you join us for a great day of fun. Not only will you get to golf The Mallard’s great 9 hole course, but you will be treated to a wonderful lunch, a fabulous golfer gift, door prizes, a team photo, soft drinks (there is a cash bar of course) and a great day with some great people. We are still looking for some teams of 4 to fill out the scramble. If you would like to play, but don’t have a team, just let us know and we can put together a team for you. The Chamber Golf Outing is a great way to promote your business product or name to many golfers from throughout the area. We have Hole Sponsorship’s available to give your business exposure on the day of the event $150/hole, $75/half hole, as well as recognition in a thank you ad printed in our local newspaper & the Chamber e-capsule after the event. Please contact me at the Chamber Office if you would be interested in sponsoring the Spring Golf Outing. We are also accepting items for our golfer door prize drawings. If you would like to donate please mail your donation to the Chamber at P.O. Box 137, East Jordan, MI 49727 or they can be dropped off at the Chamber Office, 100 Main Street, by Friday, May 29th.

Thank you for supporting one of the Chamber’s major fund-raising events that helps our organization continue to maintain a full-time office, market the area and our business memberships.

May is only a day away! Friday is already May first and wow what a packed calendar of events is before us! I encourage all of you to sit down and take the time with your own personal calendars to choose and organize your May schedule! So many great opportunities to network, promote your business and be involved within your community! From the May 7th Business After Hours at Sommerset Pointe to the Breezeway Garage Sales May 22-23 to the 18th Annual County-Wide Business After Hours, May 27, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Mallard Golf Club, it’s going to be a FUN month! The 2015-16 Visitor Guide/Membership Directory will be available for distribution prior to Memorial Day weekend.

As all of you are getting your businesses and homes/cottages ready for summer, please remember to support your fellow Chamber members. Let’s support our members by checking with them first for products or services. When planning your special summer gatherings, parties, etc. lets be sure to check with our Chamber members for catering, rentals, etc. When guests are in town, let’s be sure to showcase our many unique attractions, galleries, businesses.

LET’S MAKE SPRING/SUMMER 2015 THE BEST EVER FOR OUR EAST JORDAN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER BUSINESSES!
**Business Owners/Managers – Have you scheduled your “New Employee” orientations yet? Let’s make sure our “Customer Service” is spectacular!

Waking up this morning to a white blanket of snow on the ground did not excite many of us in Northern Michigan. Yet, we know within a few days, we will be back to spring temperatures and sunshine. Many of you business owners, managers and team members are very busy getting your buildings, lawns, inventory, etc. all ready for the upcoming summer tourist season. In the midst of all of the preparations, please save some time on your calendar for some important Chamber events.

May 7 – Business After Hours – 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM  at Sommerset Pointe Yacht Club

May 27 – 18th Annual County-Wide Business After Hours – 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM at The Mallard Golf Club proudly sponsored by Charlevoix State Bank, Jordan Valley Rental, Fox Charlevoix, Charlevoix County News and The Mallard Golf Club. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Mary at the Chamber 231-536-7351 or info@ejchamber.org. Proceeds to benefit Leadership Charlevoix County. $10.00 Chamber Members, $15.00 Not-Yet-Members

June 5 – 18th Annual Chamber Spring Golf Outing – Noon at the Mallard Golf Club. Applications are now available at the Chamber Office. Price for teams of 4 golfers – Early Registration $200.00 includes golf, lunch, golfer gift, door prize and a day of great networking on a beautiful golf course! After May 8th registration fee is $225 per team.

Thank you to EJ- Lunch Sponsor, Fox Charlevoix – Hole-In-One Sponsor, Charlevoix State Bank – Golfer Gift Sponsor, H & R Block – Team Photos.
Hole sponsors are needed – $150.00 – to sponsor a hole, excellent opportunity to promote your business before 80 golfers and several volunteers.

Our 6th annual Garage Sales Across C-48 The Breezeway list is starting to grow. Be sure to get your sale, open house or event listed on our flyer and Breezeway Website – Sales are scheduled for Friday & Saturday, May 22 – 23, Spring Sidewalk Sales will also be held in East Jordan as part of this weekend.

With Spring Break 2015 behind us, everyone is now on the fast track to all of the many year-end school activities, events, graduation, Memorial Day Weekend, Chamber Spring Golf Outing, plus so much more!

The 3rd annual East Jordan Downtown Open House of available commercial properties for rent or sale will be held on Saturday, April 18th, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Please stop by the Chamber Office to pick up a list of the available properties or go on-line to the Chamber website ejchamber.org for the flyer. Building owners or realtors will be on hand to meet with potential entrepreneurs from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at their respective locations.

Hope to see you at the April Business After Hours, Thursday April 16th at The Zone. Proudly co-sponsored by Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors and The Zone. The event runs from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, there is no charge to Chamber Members and a $10 charge to “not-yet- Chamber members”.