Congratulations to the 2016 Soup Cook-Off Winners: 1st Place – The Tilted Skillet w/Tomato Sausage Tortellini Soup, 2nd Place – Blue Smoke w/Roasted Corn & Smoked Chicken Chowder and 3rd Place – E.J. Catering w/ Chicken Noodle.

The holidays are coming, the holidays are coming!!

The weather is not saying Thanksgiving, holiday events and decorating, but the kick-off to the many holiday happenings is now only a week-away with Thanksgiving next Thursday, November 24th. Our Community Calendar is full of so many wonderful events, activities and gatherings. I am in awe and so appreciative of the many groups, churches, organizations, businesses and individuals that give of their time and resources to insure that the residents and visitors to our area enjoy a wonderful holiday season. THANK YOU to each and everyone of you for the positive contributions you make to our communities.
While there is something for everyone to enjoy, be sure to share our impressive calendar of events with your family and friends. If you know of some new families, couples or individuals to our communities, why not extend an invitation to them to be your guest at one of our many community celebrations? Sometimes it is not easy for our new-comers to meet and become a part of our activities if they don’t know anyone. Be that new friend! Be sure to check out our impressive calendar of events. Hope to see you this Holiday Season!

A very special thank you to everyone who attended our East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce State of the Community luncheon and presentations on Tuesday, October 25 at the Harvest Barn Church. Thank you to our sponsors – Charlevoix State Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, East Jordan Public Schools and the Harvest Barn Church. Special kudos to Nate McWatters who did a spectacular job as our tech man. Over 110 people including 20 members of the East Jordan senior class attended the event to hear presentations and updates from Matt Stevenson – E.J. Public School Superintendent, Carol Timmer – Administrator of Grandvue Medical Care Facility, Tom Cannon – City of East Jordan Administrator and Mary Faculak – Chamber President/CEO. East Jordan has had a very productive and accomplished past year and 2017 promises to be another busy year as the community moves forward on many projects.

Hope to see everyone Thursday evening, October 27th at Business After Hours – 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at The Gold Nugget in Ellsworth. Come network with fellow Chamber Members and their guests. Enjoy the drive to Ellsworth on the newly paved Breezeway!

No Talent Talent Show – Friday, October 28 at the East Jordan Senior Center at 10:30 AM – an awesome and fun event!

Not too early to start thinking about your holiday decorating and business promotions. The Lions Club recently sent out letters announcing their Lighted Village at the East Jordan Tourist Park. Reserve your space now and be a part of this very unique display. The Lighted Village attracts visitors from all over the region to enjoy the lights and sights of these displays. They often then visit our community’s businesses to shop and dine. Thank you to our East Jordan Lions Club for coordinating this. For more information contact Jeff Argetsinger at 231-582-2770 or e-mail at jeffargetsinger@yahoo.com

Thank you and congratulations to all of the volunteers, sponsors and participants who produced, donated their time and talent to the first ever Zombie Walk held on Saturday, October 22 in East Jordan.

Don’t forget all of the great events taking place on Halloween Night, October 31 in East Jordan and Ellsworth. Check out the list below for events and times.

East Jordan – Trick-or-Treat – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Ellsworth – Trick-or-Treat – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Green Light East Jordan 2016 is only a week away! Don’t miss out on a great experience of watching/hearing our ten finalists present their four minute business pitches for a chance to win up to $15,000 in prizes! Following the competition be sure to enjoy the fabulous networking event featuring free delicious food and refreshments! Register at http://greenlighteastjordan16.eventbrite.com

Special thank you to our generous and supportive sponsors –
EJ, Burnette Foods, EJ Plastics, Charlevoix County Community Foundation, North Central Michigan College and North Central Michigan College Foundation, EJ Catering, Jordan River Arts Council, East Jordan Public School, Porter Creek Fishhouse, The Landing, MI Farm Market, A Matter of Taste at Tapawingo, Castle Farms, Shorts, The Cellars at Royal Farms, East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce, Spartan Innovations and Michigan Economic Development Corp.

CEC Committee Members – Matt Stevenson, Nancy Carey, Barbara Worgess, Tom Cannon, Clif Porter, Hannah Sanderson, and Mary Faculak.

The Top Ten Finalists for Green Light East Jordan 2016 are:
Valley View Malt House, Andrew Boyer
My Farm Market, Scotty Bruce
Northern MI Custom Image, Kari Vrondran
Not too Shabby, Alissa Huckle
Save the East Jordan COOP Building, Kenneth Doctor
Shaken Not Stirred, Stephanie McGill
Suite Rolls, Kelly Newell
The Blooming Floweret, Lynn Gibson
The House Next Door, Karen Brennan
Tiny Home Community Development, Kristen Spears

Save the date and get your reservation in today for the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce – East Jordan State of the Community, Tuesday, October 25. at Harvest Barn Church (see below flyer)

Register to attend as a guest at: http://greenlighteastjordan16.eventbrite.com

Thursday, September 15 – Paddle Antrim Kick-Off Party – Ellsworth Community Park – 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Live Music by Kellerville, The Landing Food Truck and more. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

Friday & Saturday, September 16 & 17 – Paddle Antrim – Leaving Ellsworth’s Wooden Shoe Beach on Friday at 8:00 AM, stop down to cheer on the paddlers!

Thursday, September 22 – Business After Hours – Location: Grandvue Medical Care Facility, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Co-Sponsored by: Grandvue and 4Front Credit Union. Chamber Members FREE, Not-Yet-Members $10

Saturday, September 24
Charlevoix County Crop Walk – 9:00 AM
Fall Fest – Tourist Park – 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fall Fest – Downtown – 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Fall Pie Bake Contest – 1:00 PM
Leaf Peeker Craft Show – 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Halloween Costume Sale/Swap, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Jordan River Arts Council – Chalk on the Walk & Rare Threads, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Friends of the Jordan – Photo Contest Celebration, 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM
East Jordan Rotary Club – Fall Airplane Rides, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Breezeway Fall Color Cruise – Goodie Bag Pick-up, 10:00 AM – Noon

Saturday, October 1 & 8 – Breezeway Fall Color Cruise – Goodie Bag Pick-up, 10:00 AM – Noon

Don’t be left out of this fantastic opportunity. If you have an idea, invention, business plan or are thinking about opening a business along the Breezeway Communities of Atwood, Ellsworth, East Jordan and Boyne Falls and need further information, have questions or need assistance with your business plan, please contact the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce TODAY!! If you would like to schedule a time (morning, day or evening) to meet with a member of our Green Light East Jordan Team for a confidential meeting to explain the competition, application and event, Please contact the Chamber Office at 231-536-7351. Share this information with your family and friends! Deadline for Green Light applications is Sunday, September 11, 2016.

Online applications at http://greenlighteastjordan.com

First Place – $10,000.00 and a seat at the Green Light Final Competition in March 2017 to compete for up to $50,000.00 in awards.

Second Place – $3,000.00

Third Place – $1,500.00

People’s Choice – $500.00

To attend as a guest at the Green Light Business Competition at Castle Farms, Wednesday, October 12, 2016, you must register at http://greenlighteastjordan16.eventbrite.com

The Portside Arts Fair is pleased to announce its 2016 purchase prize winners.  Russ and Sue Bolt, from Bolt Studio of Charlevoix, were this year’s judges who chose the winning pieces which are a permanent part of the Cygred Riley Gallery at the East Jordan Historical Society museum at Elm Pointe.  Prizes were sponsored by Charlevoix State Bank and East Jordan Plastics.

The 2-dimensional winner was T.L. Baumhardt, from Petoskey, for her whimsical fairy watercolors.  The 3-dimensional winners were Ron and Cynthia Tschudy, from East Jordan, for their textural stoneware.  Honorable Mention ribbons were awarded to Pam Kane and Billie McKee, of Howell, for their amazing loom weavings; Darrin Podskalny, from East Jordan, for his colorful recycled ski furniture; and to Suzanne Malpass Rogers, of East Jordan, for her children’s books.  Congratulations to these wonderful Michigan artists.

Photo: (Back) Billie McKee, Ron Tschudy, Suzanne Malpass Rogers, Darrin Podskalny.

(Front) Pam Kane, Cynthia Tschudy, T.L. Baumhardt.

The official kick-off to summer 2016 is almost here! The July 4th Holiday Weekend is a mere few days away and Northern Michigan is already experiencing the impact of the busy tourist season. Traffic has increased and our businesses are starting to see a nice flow of customers. Our Calendar of Events in chocked full of spectacular activities, events, experiences and recreational opportunities to enjoy with family, friends or by yourself. Be sure to check out our Chamber Calendar on our website.

Tickets are still available for the Joshua Davis concert. Davis will perform on the stage at the East Jordan Community Auditorium on Thursday, July 7, 7:00 PM. Don’t miss seeing this Voice competition winner. Joshua is truly a great Michigan Musician who is a special treat to see in a live concert!. Please share this concert information with your friends and family! Tickets are available at http://www.mynorthtickets.com

July 4th Events
Next week brings the 4th of July “Celebration Band Concert”, 7:00 PM in Memorial Park at the band shell. Enjoy a wonderful free concert and then head to your favorite 4th of July fireworks display.
The Circus comes to Ellsworth, July 4th with 2 performances at the Ellsworth Sports Park. Reduced price advanced tickets are available at the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce Office.

The South Arm Classics Car and Boat Show and Micro Brew Tent take place on Saturday, July 9th downtown East Jordan. Car Show organizers anticipate over 150 cars to be on display on Main Street and Boat Show organizers expect to have over 50 classic boats on display in the water and on land. The shows run from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM and are sponsored by the East Jordan Lions Club. Full Circle and Jon Archambault Band will entertain show attendees on the band shell in Memorial Park throughout the day. The Micro Brew Tent will open at 2:00 PM and run until 8:00 PM. The Hacky Turtles will provide the musical entertainment in the tent. The East Jordan Freedom Festival is sponsoring the Micro Brew Tent.

Congratulations to Cannonball LLC on their announcement that they have signed their first tenant to their building at 101 Main Street downtown East Jordan. Welcome to Adam and Jill Kline owners of the new Blue Smoke Grill. The restaurant will feature a Southern inspired menu of comfort food, cooked from the heart, over a live fire. Adam and Jill are also the owners of Pigs Eating Ribs, 4 food trucks and a take-out restaurant in Charlevoix. Blue Smoke Grill will be their first full service restaurant and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. They are looking at a Fall 2016 opening date for the restaurant.

If you haven’t driven into East Jordan on either M-32 or South M-66 you need to! Two new entry-way signs were installed last week prior to Freedom Festival. They are beautiful!!