Discover Mecosta County 2010

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    2 DISCOVER MECOSTA 2010 www.mecostacountyalliance.com

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    Big Rapids hosts the first leg of the Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour each summ

    B y M artin S lagter D iscover M ecosta W riter

    One by one they begin to arrive inDowntown Big Rapids. You can just makeout their brightly-colored cycling shirts assmiles begin to cover their faces lit by theJuly sunshine. The sound of applause llsthe air and covers the metallic churn of gears turning. Exhausted cyclists wave andgive thumbs up to the Big Rapids residentslining Michigan Avenue to greet them.

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    The bike riders arent just com-pleting the rst leg of a grueling race,theyre helping make dreams come true.

    This year marks the 23rd year of the Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour thesingle largest fundraising event for theMake-A-Wish Foundation of Michi -gan. The stop in Big Rapids is part of athree-day, 300 mile bicycle ride fromTraverse City to Chelsea.

    Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foun -dation has enriched the lives of children

    with life-threatening medical conditionsthrough its wish-granting work. Thefoundations mission re ects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wishexperience has on children, families,referral sources, donors, sponsors andentire communities. Since it began,the organization has blossomed intoa worldwide phenomenon, reachingmore than 174,000 children around the

    world. A national network of nearly 25,000

    volunteers enable the Make-A-WishFoundation to serve children withlife-threatening medical conditions.

    Volunteers serve as wish granters, fund -raisers, special events assistants and innumerous other capacities.

    In 2008, the state bike tour raisedmoney to grant 202 wishes to Michiganchildren facing life-threatening medicalconditions. Cyclists participating in

    Wish-A-Mile ride 100 miles a day forthree days. Big Rapids is the rst stop.The group continues on to Dewitt be-

    fore ending the journey at the Chelseafairgrounds for the Heroes Hurrah, where riders meet their Wish Heroes, who they dedicate their race to, andawards are given for completing thetrek.

    One of those wish recipients,

    Nicholas Matese, was in Big Rapidslast summer cheering on his own team,Team Nicholas. The team helpedprovide his Wish after he was diagnosed with Leukemia two years ago. ForMatese, who lives in Clinton Township,the opportunity to travel to the AtlantisResort in the Bahamas was a dreamcome true and its own special kind of medicine.

    It was really great to take the trip. I want to become a marine biologist, so it

    was cool to swim with the dolphins andstuff like that, said the 10-year-old. It wouldnt have happened without them.

    A wish experience is frequently asource of inspiration for children under -going dif cult medical treatments and apositive force that helps them overcome

    their obstacles. A wish experience isoften more than a dream come true: Itis the catalyst that rekindles their belief in themselves and the promise of theirfuture. There are four steps to grant -ing a wish: Referral, medical eligibility, nding the true wish and creating joy.

    The foundation relies on medicalprofessionals, parents and childrenthemselves for referrals. Children whoare between 30 months and 18 years oldand who have not received a wish from

    another wish-granting organizationare eligible. To receive a wish, the childmust be diagnosed with a life-threaten -ing medical condition.

    Big Rapids dentist Erick Perroudhas participated in the Wish-A-Mile300 Bicycle Tour three times because he

    A WAM rider prepares to take a bottle of water from a Big Rapids race volunteer.

    Photo by Matt Yeoman

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    Anglers also help to support the Make-A-WishFoundation by participating in the annual Catch-A-Fish, Grant-A-Wish Fishing Tournament held duringMichigans FREE fshing weekend in June. This summer,the group will proudly host the f th year o this

    success ul event.Last June, more than $1,000 was given to local wish

    kids rom Mecosta and Osceola counties. The Mecosta County Area Convention & Visitors

    Bureau along with the Ferris Stars or the Make-A-WishFoundation o Michigan team up with local sponsors toprovide the fsh, ood and un or this great cause.

    More in ormation is available at www.bigrapidsriverwalk.com.

    Anglers lend support forMake-A-Wish Foundation

    nds it so ful lling. Arriv -ing to a receptive downtowncrowd was a nice surprise forPerroud, however, a memberof the 37-person MidlandFlatlanders team. Perroud

    was one of more than 900cyclists who traveled downthe home stretch of Michi -gan Avenue in July beforearriving at Ferris StateUniversitys Rankin Center.

    It was kind of like aparade, he said. It feltgood, and Im sure it really encouraged all the otherriders.

    The Wish-A-Mile com -mittee works with local or -ganizations like the Down -town Business Association,Convention and VisitorsBureau and the Big RapidsDepartment of PublicSafety to promote theevent and plan a secure,safe route.

    Were thrilled with the coop -eration wevereceived so far,Make-A-WishSpecial Projects Di -rector Janelle Gunnsaid. This is ourlargest fundraiser of the year.

    Its a great op -portunity to be apart of somethingspecial while bene t -ing the local econo-my, Mecosta County

    Area Convention & Visitors Bureau DirectorConnie Koepke said.

    Its a huge bene t forour downtown to show off

    what they have, she said.The Quality Inn, Country Inn and Holiday Inn already are full for the weekend,

    which has a lot to do withthe riders that will be stay -ing there for the night.

    While Big Rapids is justone stop along the tour, theride can be an emotionalone for all parties involved,particularly when cyclistsget the chance to meet thepeople who are affected by the Make-A-WishFoundation.

    It makes it very per -sonal for the riders and thefamilies, Gunn said. It can

    be very emotional when they meet.

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    From its inceptionin 1884, Ferris StateUniversity has beenknown as a schoolthat equips itsstudents for successin the real world.

    Now some 125 years later,Ferris continues its heritage of preparing students for suc-cessful futures and boasts thisextraordinary statistic 98

    percent of students who gradu-ate from Ferris nd work in

    their eld.With the unique degrees we

    offer, its easy to see why thereis a need for what we do. It doesstudents no good to give themdegrees they cant use, saidDavid L. Eisler, Ferris president.These programs are cost-ef -cient and help students who areplace-bound.

    In recent years, Ferris has brought its unique degreeprograms to satellite campusesthroughout the state. So, notonly do traditional studentscome from every county in thestate to attend Ferris at its maincampus in Big Rapids, but the

    university also has expanded itsoutreach to remote locations.

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    By partnering with community colleges, Ferris offers many of its four-

    year degree programs in various loca-tions across the state, from Escanabato Dearborn to online classes. A stu-dent can get an associate degree froma local community college and contin-ue on to earn a bachelors degree fromFerris at the same institution. Ferriscoordinates with the community col-lege on the transfer of credits, and ituses the colleges facilities to bring itsspecialized expertise to more than 20locations across the state.Early history

    Founder Woodbridge Ferris envi-sioned a school in which educationshould involve the training of the head,the heart and the hand, he understoodthat the students who came to himneeded a practical education they coulduse to improve their lives. And, sincethis private school also needed to attract

    students in order to remain in business,Ferris Industrial School targeted itscurriculum to appeal to those nontradi-tional students.

    In due time men and women who,for some cause had missed getting evenan elementary education, discoveredthat they could satisfy their ambition at

    a school organized primarily for their benet, wrote Ferris in his autobiogra-phy. No requirements were demanded

    for admission except a willingness to work early and late.From its inception, the school at-

    tracted lumberjacks, miners, farm-ers sons and daughters, and girls who worked in Michigan factories. Its rstclasses, taught by Woodbridge Ferrisand his wife, Helen, were in English and

    bookkeeping.Thus, in addition to an ongoing em-

    phasis on preparing teachers, the rstprograms added to the curriculum werestenography and pharmacy. In fact,Ferris taught his rst pharmacy studentfrom a state handbook. Today, FerrisState University still has the largestpharmacy program in Michigan.

    Our heritage is about creatingaccess and opportunity, Eisler said.These have been our core values sinceour very beginning.Trials and setbacks

    Ferris Institute survived, albeit not without struggle, through political andeconomic turbulence. In 1949, the stateof Michigan assumed governance of theprivate school. Tragedy struck on theevening of Feb. 21, 1950, when a re broke out in an air shaft of Old Main,one of the schools original buildings.Before the night was over, the institute

    was virtually destroyed.Despite the uncertainty as to thefuture of the institute, students andteachers immediately began cleanupefforts, converting student dormitoriesinto classrooms; friends of the institutedonated supplies, laboratory equipmentand books. Within a week, 600 students

    Woodbridge Ferris, the Founder of the university.

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    returned to classes that hadresumed in every nook andcranny of the school. On July 1, 1950, the state of Michi-gan quietly assumed controlof one of Michigans oldestcolleges.

    At the time, Ferris wasprimarily a vocational schoolthat also provided a highschool education to non-traditional students. Underthe guidance of its new president, Victor Spathelf,Ferris State College began toexpand.

    In 1959, the college wasaccredited by the NorthCentral Association of Col-leges and Schools, whichestablished its credibility asan academic institution andfacilitated the acceptance of its credits at other institu-tions. In 1987, Ferris StateCollege ofcially becameFerris State University.Continuing theheritage

    Contributing to thatsuccess are the close linksFerris maintains with leadersin business and industry throughout the state. Advi-sory committees of businessleaders oversee the develop-ment of Ferris programs, andFerris graduates are foundin business and industry throughout the state.

    Ferris College of AlliedHealth Sciences, for example,staffs hospitals, not only withnurses, but also with radiolo-gists, respiratory therapists

    and healthcare administra-tors, among other specialties. And, its College of Businessoffers degrees in golf man-agement, tennis manage-

    ment and hospitality man-agement. A student can get afour-year degree in weldingtechnology or in heating andrefrigeration. The university also has the largest criminal justice program in the state.It offers two doctoral degreeprograms in pharmacy andoptometry.

    So, while the college pro- vides a well-rounded liberalarts education, its emphasisremains rmly on profes-sional degree programs. Inaddition to the traditionalfour-year bachelor degree,Ferris also offers two-yearassociate degrees that canladder into four-yearprograms.

    Enhancing its presence in

    Grand Rapids is the univer-sitys merger with KendallCollege of Art and Design.Kendall is the preeminentfurniture design program in

    the country as well as havingstrong programs in graphicand industrial design and thene arts, says Eisler. Now we have a school for workingartists in Grand Rapids.

    Ferris State Universitysanchor and focus remains itsmain campus in Big Rapids.Every fall approximately 10,000 students enrollin programs on the maincampus from all quadrantsof Michigan about one-

    third from the Grand Rapidsarea, another third fromthe Detroit Metropolitanarea and the nal third fromevery county in the state.They come for a traditionalresidential college experi-ence. Its a welcoming, safeenvironment that helps con-nect students with success,says Eisler.

    In addition, more than2,000 students enroll in off-campus programs, bringingFerris total enrollment to

    its highest level in history atmore than 13,000 students.To that end, Ferris offersthese students a qual-ity education with lots of

    faculty oversight classesare small (averaging about15 students) and are taught by professional faculty, notgraduate assistants. Theuniversity offers a full paletteof degreesmore than 170programs at all levels, fromtwo-year associate degreesto a variety of mastersprograms.Looking ahead

    Woodbridge Ferris wouldhardly recognize the modestprivate school he struggled tomaintain in a remote cornerof Michigan. But, he wouldsurely appreciate his schoolseffort to retain the education-al approach he believed in.

    Now, 125 years later, Fer-ris State University continuesto satisfy the ambition of stu-dents at every stage of life by equipping them for success.

    Assistance was provided by Kate Convissor of Grand Rapids Visions.

    FSU president David Eisler visits with students.(Photo courtesy of FSU)

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    Band of Locals supports

    community businessesB y D ana D e F ever D iscover M ecosta W riter Mecosta County business owners know that in

    a challenging economy there is one thing thatthey can use to battle the shrinking power o thedollar: Unity.

    Led by the Mecosta County Area Chamber o

    Commerce, business owners banded togetherin an efort to keep local dollars supportingthe local economy. The campaign, which alsoincludes consumer education, is centered onparticipating businesses selling wristbandswith Band o Locals embossed on them.

    Carlleen Rose and Anja Wing wear bands to show support for local stores.

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    The bands can be purchased by businesses and consumers. Bandscost $10 each and can be used atparticipating businesses for discounts.Proceeds from the sale of the bands

    will go toward marketing the county and Mecosta County businesses.

    Campaign organizer and co-ownerof The Old Pioneer Store and Em-porium Carlleen Rose said shoppingclose to home bene ts not only thelocal businesses, but its customersand community overall. The goal of the campaign, she said, is to create aculture and mindset with people tosupport local merchants rst beforeturning to corporately-owned entitiesand big box stores.

    Its going to be building aware-ness. Sometimes we forget all the

    businesses and what they offer, Rosesaid. I just know this is going to bethe beginning of great things for ourcommunity.

    Keeping the privately-owned businesses that bring character tothe community open and thriving re-quires exceptional consumer support,said Mecosta County Area Chamberof Commerce Executive Director Anja

    Wing. In addition to bene ting the business, shopping local also has apositive impact on the consumers andcommunity, she said.

    We need to have more competi-tion. It keeps prices down and morechoices (available), she said.

    Many local businesses supportcommunity projects and non-pro ts by donating time, services or money to the organizations. Without thesesmall businesses, non-pro ts andservice organizations will have lesssupport, Wing said, and consum-ers who desire more off-the-beatenpath specialty shows will have fewerchoices for unique gifts and specialty fare.

    Vice President and loan of cer of Firstbank and Band of Locals commit-tee member Karen McKenzie said it ishard for smaller towns to combat the

    bigger cities that offer one-stop shop-ping. Shopping local, she said, keepsthe local businesses open and in thearea, like the grocery store, and keepsneighbors employed.

    We want to keep our town in-tact, she said. Its kind of a neighborhelping neighbor.

    Rose said she hopes buying lo-

    cal becomes a way of life for arearesidents something they naturally do. She encourages residents to takea tour of the area and visit the various

    businesses and attractions.Get out of that rut and go and

    experiment visit different places,Rose said. Sometimes we forget allthe businesses and what they offer.

    For more in ormationabout the Band o Locals,

    contact the MecostaCounty Area Chamber o Commerce at (231)

    796-7649 or visit www.bandofocals.com.

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    For both the amateur and thepro, there wont be a single walkspoiled on any of our local greens

    St. Ives Club and Resort9900 St. Ives Drive Stanwood(800) 972-4837www.tullymoregolf.com

    St. Ives Gol Club is one o the premier public gol acilities in the country. Golf Digest gave St. Ives a 5-Starrating in 2000-01.

    Come visit the three-time, award-winning, gol shop,named in Top 100 Gol Shops in America by Golf World Business.

    St. Ives is one o our courses in America to receiveboth recognitions, the other three being Pebble Beach,Pinehurst and Kiawah Island.

    Boasting elevation changes o 40-80 eet throughoutthe course, the vistas are spectacular on each hole.

    FSU Katke Golf Club1003 Perry Ave. Big Rapids(231) 591-3765www.katkegolf.com

    Play one o West Michigans premier public gol courses and experience the ull service gol operation.Katke is home to the rst PGA accredited Pro essionalGol Management program in the country and boasts 18championship holes o gol designed over the beauti ulrolling hills o Mecosta County.

    The gol course eatures many tree-lined airways, stra-tegically-placed bunkers and water hazards, which ofer agreat test or gol ers o all abilities.

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    Tullymore Cluband Resort11969 Tullymore Drive Stanwood(800) 972-4837www.tullymoregolf.com

    Tullymore was rated the No. 1 BestNew Upscale Public Gol Course in the

    United States by Golf Digest in 2002.Designed by award-winning

    architect Jim Engh, it eatures holes orskilled players and novices looking ora challenge. Tullymore is sure to chal-lenge every level o gol er with its vesets o tees.

    The breathtaking beauty andchallenge encompass imaginativebunkering, color ul wetland, lakes andoak sentinels which will make it anun orgettable experience.

    Falcon Head Golf Club13120 Northland Drive Big Rapids(888) 264-0407

    Beauti ul rolling hills, hardwoodorest, creeks and wetlands makeor an enjoyable gol ng experience.Driving range, complete pro shop and

    riendly PGA staf will add to yourenjoyment. A ter your round, relax inour lounge, or on the expansive deck overlooking the course.

    Falcon Head also has elegant ban-quet acilities able to accommodate

    up to 280 people. Tournament andouting rates available.

    Meceola Country Club14777 150th Avenue Big Rapids(231) 796-9004

    Located just east o Big Rapids onClear Lake, the 18-hole course is

    beauti ully maintained with greatgreens, a driving range and practicegreen.

    Enjoy the country club atmo-sphere on a very playable course. Thecourse includes 12 water hazards, 25

    sand bunkers and no two holes arealike.

    PGA pro essional lessons are avail-able. Enjoy a ull bar with the bestburgers and hot dogs.

    Call or tee times and ask about theweekday specials. The clubs personnellook orward to seeing you and guar-antee you will have a great experience.

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    L eadership Mecosta is celebratingits 10-year anniversary of gradu-ating more than 180 leaders whohave made their mark in their profes-sions and their communities.

    Leadership Mecosta formed in1997 when a group of community members, led by the Mecosta County

    Area Chamber of Commerce, decidedthat a mechanism was needed fordeveloping, educating and inspiringresidents of Mecosta County in thearea of community leadership.

    Over the years Leadership Mecos-ta, the nine-month community lead-ership program, has supported theRiverwalk project, received a grantfor the development of traf c safety

    signs for Amish buggies, contributedto Womens Information Service Inc.

    and the Old Jail as a result of moniesraised through the annual LeadershipMecosta 5K Run/Walk and helped build a Habitat for Humanity house.

    Most recently, the group devel-oped the Year of the Dawg com-munity art and fundraising project.Businesses purchased or sponsored bulldog sculptures that were decorat-ed by local artists. After the bulldogs were displayed in the community, thesculptures were auctioned off with the

    proceeds going to the Mecosta County Youth Attention Center and Artworks.

    In 2009, the group spearheaded aneffort to help feed struggling families by selling carrots that were dis-played at local businesses.

    Each year Leadership Mecostacoordinates the Taste of Mecosta,highlighting eating establishmentsand caterers in the county. Ticketssold for the event help raise money for the organization.

    Former Leadership Mecosta Di-rector Lynne Scheible said the people

    who graduate from the program careabout their communities and the

    I am looking forward to this coming year and learningcommunity and leadership.- Toni Windquist2009-10 PARTICIPANT

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    future of Mecosta County. The ability to network with other professionalsis one of the biggest assets studentsearn from the program.

    We are training the next genera-tion of leaders. Where they mighthave looked at the community asdifferent bureaucracies before, par-ticipants graduate and understandthat local government, schools andother organizations are just people,Scheible said.

    Pam Forbes, the former execu-tive director of the domestic violenceadvocacy group WISE, took over asdirector in 2010.

    Each month through May 2010the program will highlight a differ-ent topic relevant to the county andits citizens, including healthcare andhuman services, government, artsand media, education, public safety and economic development.

    I am looking forward to thiscoming year and learning aboutour community and leadership,said Toni Windquist, 2009-10participant.

    For more information aboutLeadership Mecosta, call Scheibleat (231) 796-2668 or visit www.leadershipmecosta.com. The Leadership Mecosta Class of 2010

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    B y M artin S lagter

    D iscover M ecosta W riter

    rtworks in Big Rapids has always been a sight or sore eyeswhen it comes to the variety o beauti ul pieces by local

    artists on display. Now, it has the building to match.Artworks has a new look, a ter undergoing a remodeling

    project in September. The renovations include new incubatorstudios or individual artists to rent, an elevator, handicap acces-sible bathrooms on all three foors, two kitchenettes, a communityroom or meetings, a per ormance area, dressing room or dancerecitals and a music practice room.

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    Artworks displays andsells the work of local artists,

    while offering a wide variety of classes in all areas of thene arts. All of these tasksthat make the organizationa venue for creativity will

    be enhanced by the renova-tions, Artworks PresidentDoug Haneline said.

    For the past 10 years, weve been a place for localartists to exhibit their works we can do that betternow, he said. Weve beenable to offer classes, but now

    we have better facilities tooffer them in.

    Artworks is a non-pro torganization for the hu-manities and the arts. Itsmission is to initiate andsupport humanities and artsactivities that enrich lives,nurture creative effort and

    vitalize the community.Programs and activi-

    ties supported by Artworksinclude:

    n A ne art gallery andgift shop for art exhibits anda place where local artists

    sell their artwork on con-signment;

    n Art classes for personsof all ages and skills;

    n Literature, art andother workshops forchildren;

    n A dance studio forteaching ballroom, ballet,

    jazz, and other dances;n A Foreign Film

    Festival;n A Speakers Bureau for

    presentations and perfor-mances; and

    n Various author and book presentations and workshops.

    For newcomers, the

    reopening of Artworks will be a pleasant surprise, witha number of new amenitiesthat will give the remodeled building a warm, invitingfeeling, Artworks ExecutiveDirector Jeanette Fleury said.

    I think people will see ahuge difference right whenthey enter, she said. Thecarpet now matches the gal-lery so it moves you rightin with a very uni ed, openlook.

    Among the highlights of

    the newly remodeled venueare the new incubator stu-dios that will allow artiststo work on their pieces inan environment conduciveto creativity, Fleury said,as well as the community room, with its versatileoor plan to hold a numberof different events.

    Its absolutely beauti -ful, she said. The (com -munity room) will beavailable for anyone to use. Weve already had a few people inquire about hav-ing a wedding reception inthere.

    The ultimate goal of

    Artworks, particularly withits new look, will be thesame goal the organizationhas always strived for: pro- viding a venue for the artsthat you dont have to attendschool for.

    The whole idea of publicprogramming is that youshouldnt have to be enrolledin school to take advantage

    of the arts, Haneline said.Artworks recognizes thatresidents still may wantto learn how to paint with watercolors or have a book discussion after they are outof school. Thats what we arehere to provide.

    For more informationabout Artworks, visit www.artworksinbigrapids.com.

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    B Y M ARTY S LAGTER D ISCOVER M ECOSTA W RITER

    This summerthe streets of downtown BigRapids will belled with artistscreating andselling sculpturesduring the secondClay, Art and Firefestival.

    Clay, Art and Fire willtake place on June 5 and 6and is the only folk art fes-tival in the Northern UnitedStates,

    co-organizers Jack Batdorff and Lori ONeil said.

    Organized under theauspices of Artworks in BigRapids, the event will feature15 nationally-known potters who will be traveling toBig Rapids from across theUnited States.

    Coming from Pennsylva-nia, Florida, North Carolina,New Mexico, Wisconsin,Oklahoma, California, Alabama, Illinois, Maine andGeorgia, these potters repre-sent the ultimate collectionof creative folk artpottery, organiz-ers say.

    Many haveonly known eachother through con-tacts on the Internetor by phone but it will be the rst time ever

    that many of them have evergathered in one place tomeet and display their tech-niques, Batdorff said.

    The idea for a NationalFolk Art Raku Fest was the brainchild of noted Raku art-ist Dan Norton of Lancaster,Penn., who

    participated in the rst Clay, Art and Fire Fest in Big Rap-ids last year. Norton was soimpressed with Big Rapidsand its residents that he feltthis would be the ideal placeto host a clay and Raku folk art festival.

    potteryFired forupClay, Art and Fire festival June 5 and 6

    Raku is a Japanese ceramic ring processthat uses both re and smoke to create unique

    patterns. Lori O Neil FESTIVAL ORGANIZER

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    Raku is a Japaneseceramic ring process thatuses both re and smoketo create unique patterns,ONeil explained. Theprocess of Raku ring differsfrom other ceramic ringmethods because the potsare removed from the kiln at their maximum temperature.

    The critical part of theprocess is when the pots aresubjected to thermal shock.Because of the rapid coolingit is very stressful to the pot -tery, ONeil said.

    Open clay bodies areused and the porosity of those bodies acts like a shock absorber, preventing thesculpture from immediately fracturing when the pot isremoved from the kiln.

    Raku glazes also frac -ture, and this is referredto as crazing, ONeil said.These crackle glazes areenhanced by the post ringand smoking of the pots,embedding carbon into thecrackles of the glaze givingoff incredible iridescent huesand colors.

    Since the festival wasannounced, collectors fromas far away as Chicago, New

    York and Saskatchewan haveexpressed interest in attend -ing, Batdorff said. Becauseit is being held during thesame weekend as the GrandRapids Festival of the Arts, it

    is hoped that attendees goingto and from that event will visit the event in Big Rapids.

    Organizers said that they want to have a noteworthy art event to put Big Rapidson the map and that theevent is de nitely some -thing unique and different.

    The event, free to thepublic, also will feature local bands, food vendors andchildrens activities.

    Any potter wishing todisplay or sell his or her wares is welcome to attend.There is no charge for set up.

    This is not a money-making venture, ONeilsaid, but rather an oppor -tunity to bring somethingspecial to Big Rapids thatis not found anywhere else. You just have to have a lotof imagination and a vision and right now, I cantruly say were ahead of thegame.

    Last years inauguralevent saw many local peopleock to watch Norton givea presentation and work through the Raku process.

    The organizers and Artworks of Big Rapids saidall funding is being donethrough local sponsors and

    the sale of T-shirts.The complexity of Rakupottery is something peoplein attendance should look forward to, Norton said.Its a very hands-on process

    and is done in real timerather than putting some -thing into a kiln for 14 hours.Its going to be a behind-the-scenes look at a lot of greatfolk art pottery and thefolk art pottery community (is) truly excited and lookingforward to this event.

    Besides each of the pot -ters giving demonstrationson their techniques, notedfolk artist Dwayne Crocker of Gillsville, Ga., will be giving a

    lecture on the History of Folk Art Pottery.

    For further informationon events, time schedulesand updates, go to www.clayartand re.com.

    You also may visit thefestivals page on Facebook.

    A block of rooms has been set aside for CAF at -tendees at the Country InnSuites in Big Rapids, forthose wishing to make reservations.

    Raku artist Dan Norton works on a face jug at the first Clay, Art and Fireevent in 2009.(Shown below left and above.)

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    Stuck in a tra c jam. Feelinglost amid a surge o humanity inone o Michigans metro areas.Burned out by running too hard,and or too long without a pausein the thing we call The Rat Race.

    You need a break. For a week-end or a long weekend. Maybeeven longer.

    Let us entertain you. With somuch going on, all year long, weare a community or all seasons.We hope you decide to visit us! We

    know you wont be disappointed.For more in ormation aboutMecosta County and all wehave to o er, please visit www.mecostacounty.com

    Festivals and activitiesTheres always something un

    to do in Mecosta County! Come visit us and nd out why we are truly acommunity or all seasons.n Tullymore Winter est (January)n Festival o the Arts (all o Febru-ary)n Taste o Mecosta (February)Holiday Inn, Big Rapidsn PDS Annual Easter Egg Hunt(April) Hemlock Park, Big Rapidsn Pocket Park Concerts (June-Au-gust) Downtown Big Rapidsn Ferris Community Summer Con-certs (June) Big Rapids Old Jailn Chippewa Lake Days (end o June) Chippewa Laken Farmers Market (May-Oct)

    Downtown Big Rapidsn Antique Farm and Power ClubSwap meet (May) Big Rapidsn Lilac Fest (mid-May) Barrytonn Catch-A-Fish Grant-A-Wish Fish-ing Tournament (June ree shingweekend)n Free Concert Series (June-Aug)Music on the River in Mecostan Free Concert Series (July-Aug)Big Rapids Bandshelln Freedom Fest (July 4) Big Rapidsn Fourth o July Parade (July 4) Big

    Rapidsn Mecosta County AgriculturalFair (second week o July) BigRapidsn Remus Heritage Days (mid July)Remusn Michigander Bike Tour (July) BigRapidsn Public Library Summer Activities(July) Big Rapidsn Annual Antique Tractor & GasEngine Show (July) Big Rapidsn WAM Wish-A-Mile Bike Tour(July) Big Rapidsn Wheels in the Field Car Show(July) Big Rapidsn Mecosta Days (August) Mecostan Morley Celebration on the Pond(August) Morleyn Morleys 4 Season Summer Fes-tival (August) Downtown Morleyn Barryton Homecoming Days(August) Barrytonn Riverdays Festival (Labor DayWeekend) Big Rapids

    n Labor Day Arts and Cra t Show(Labor Day Weekend) Big Rapidsn Ferris Founders Day (Labor DayWeekend) Big Rapidsn Wheatland Music Festival (Sep-tember) Remusn Relay or Li e (September) Char-ter School Big Rapidsn Four Green Fields Farm CornMaze (September-October)Rodneyn Tuba Bach Concerts (Septem-ber-October) Big Rapids High

    Schooln Jaycees Haunted Jail (October)Old Jail- Big Rapidsn Fall Festival (late October) BigRapidsn Morleys 4 Season Fall Festival(November) Downtown Morleyn Morley Stanwood HolidayBazaar (November) MorleyStanwoodn Festival o the Lights Parade(late November) Big Rapidsn Santa visits downtown (midDecember) Big Rapidsn Chamber Holiday Gala (Decem-ber) Big Rapids

    Canoeing, kayakingand tubing

    With more than 100 lakes,numerous streams and o course theMuskegon River, Mecosta County ofers everyone a variety o water un activities.

    n Sawmill Tube and Canoe,

    230 Baldwin St., Big Rapids, MI49307, (231) 796-6408.

    The Sawmill Canoe Livery wasestablished in 1979 on the Muske-gon River at the site o one o theoriginal sawmills in the Big Rapidsarea. The area is rich in logginghistory, as Big Rapids was one o the rst locations or milling o themassive log drives coming romupriver. In act, most o the timberused to rebuild Chicago a ter theamous Chicago re was foated

    and milled on the Muskegon River.In the rst 10 years o operation,National Geographic: World placedthis business in its list o Top 12Best Places in the Nation to Tube.

    n Hunger ord Lake RecreationArea, Hunger ord Lake Road &Forest Road 5134, Big Rapids, MI49307, (231)745-4631

    A multi-use 13-mile trailsystem. In spring, summer and allyou may enjoy hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, shing andmountain biking. During the win-ter months, cross-country skiing.Gravel boat launch.

    n Morton Townships Tri-Lakesis located in The Heart o theLakes area o Central Michigan.

    Totaling 700 acres o spring-ed water, Mecosta, Blue Lake andRound Lakes are all accessible bynavigable channels. All are sportslakes with no wake between 7:30p.m. and 11 a.m.

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    CampingI you are looking or a vacation

    in the Great Outdoors, you havecome to the right place! MecostaCounty is a paradise or outdoor enthusiasts and their amilies aswell. Consider spending some timein one o our clean, com ortablecampgrounds.Mecosta County Campgrounds

    nBrower Park, 23056 Polk Road, Stanwood, MI, (231) 823-

    2561n Davis Bridge Park, 22250

    Northland Dr., Paris, MI 49338,(231) 832-3246

    n Haymarsh Lake Game AreaCampground, 22250 NorthlandDr., Paris, MI 49338, (231) 832-3246

    n Mecosta Pines Camp-ground, 550 Tallcott St., Morley, MI49336 (231) 856-4556

    n Merrill Lake Park, 3275Evergreen St., Barryton, MI 49305(989) 382-7158

    n Paris Park, 22090 NorthlandDr., Paris, MI 49338 (231) 796-3420

    n Round Lake Resort, 1104311 Mile Road, Mecosta, MI 49332(231) 972-8351

    n School Section Park, 900390th Ave, Mecosta, MI 49332 (231)972-7450

    n Tubbs Lake Resort, 5808Madison Road, Mecosta, MI 49332(989) 382-7480Private campgrounds

    n Riverside Camp, 14161 Mill-pond Road, Big Rapids, MI 49307(231) 796-1144

    n Wesleyan HolinessCampground, 6387 7 Mile RoadMecosta, MI 49332, (231) 972-8490

    n Fort Faith Baptist BibleCamp, 5005 210th Avenue, Morley,MI 49336, (231) 823-2118

    n River Ridge Resort, 222658 Mile Road, Stanwood, MI 49346,(877) 287-4837

    n Sarnes Resort, 4398Newcosta Road, Morley, MI 49336,(231) 823-2233

    n Cran-Hill Ranch, 1444417 Mile Road, Rodney, MI 49342,

    (231) 796-7669City parks

    Big Rapids is ortunate to havemany acres o park land availableor recreational use. The parks arein various stages o development,some with ball felds, playgrounds, picnic areas, while others remainvacant land. Consider visiting:

    n Centennial Park, locatedbetween Mecosta County MedicalCenter and River Street Park. It ea-tures a Rotary gazebo and uturewalking trail with picnic area.

    nCharles E. Fairman Com-munity Pool and Park located on

    Hutchinson Street. It eatures acommunity swimming pool, pavil-ion and picnic area with grills anda hiking area. The pool is in opera-tion mid June to mid August.

    n Hemlock Park is located atthe east end o Hemlock Streetand Warren Avenue. Featuresplayscape, tennis and basketballcourts, so tball eld, play areas,picnic tables, grills, pavilion, sh-ing area and a hiking trail. Thebeginning o Riverwalk.

    n Library Park is located atthe Community Library at 428 S.Michigan Ave. and eatures the

    Anna Howard Shaw Memorialsculpture and play area.

    n Linden Street Park islocated at the corner o Gilbertsonand Linden streets and includes aplay area or children.

    n Mitchell Creek Park islocated at the corner o Pine andState streets. It eatures walkways,a bridge, wooden deck, picnicareas, shing areas and restrooms.

    n Northend Riverside Park islocated at the north end o FourthAvenue. It eatures a picnic area,shing site, sand volleyball court,play area, nature trails and crosscountry skiing. A trail guide isavailable at City Hall. Two pavilionsare available in this park. The end-ing o Riverwalk. Two pavilions areavailable in this park.

    n River Street Park is locatedbetween 300 and 600 blocks o River Street. Features baseballdiamonds, soccer elds, picnictables, grills, a shing area andhiking trails.

    n Swede Hill Park, on thenortheast side o town on Baldwin

    Street, and is used or shing andpicnicking. The park eatures a

    historic marker dedicated to earlySwedish settlers.

    n Vogel Field, located south o Colburn Street on the west side o Bronson Avenue, eatures two ballelds, picnicking and playgroundequipment.

    The consumption or pos-session o alcoholic beverages isprohibited except in Hemlock andVogel Parks rom 6 to 10 p.m. Mon-day through Friday, and rom 1 to10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Formore in ormation call 592-4015.

    Sights to seen Outback Lodge and Stables

    in Stanwood is a working horseranch and bed and break astbuilt near 700 acres o state land.Whether you are a greenhorn tothe western li e or an experiencedsidewinder, everyone is sure toenjoy this picturesque ranch. A tera long day out on the range, hangup your saddle bag, sit back andswap stories around a cracklingcamp re while sipping hot cocoaor cooking smores. Open 365 days

    a year. Outback Lodge and Stables,12600 Buchanan Road, Stanwood,MI 49346, (231) 972-7255. Visitthem online at www.outback-lodge.com.

    n The Card Wildli e Educa-tion Center is a 5,000 square ootacility located on the ground ooro the Arts and Sciences Com-mons building (Room 011) on theFerris State University. The CardWildli e Education Center serves asan educational resource or Ferrisstudents, K-12 school children, andvisitors. The animals in the CardWildli e Education Center havebeen donated by Ferris alumnusRoger Card and his late wi e,Debra. The main exhibit area con-tains specimens rom Michigan,North America, South America,A rica, Europe, Asia and Australia.In addition, the center contains anEducational Resource Center and ameeting room that can be used or

    small pro essional or communitygatherings. The Wildli e Center isopen to the public during estab-lished hours. Presently, educatorsand others may make arrange-ments to bring their classes orgroups to the center by calling Dr.Joseph Lipar at (231) 591-5633 or591-5387 or an appointment.

    n Anna Howard Shaw Sculp-ture, Big Rapids Library, 428 S.Michigan Ave., Big Rapids.

    Anna Howard Shaw and heramily moved to this area whenshe was 12 in 1869. A ter highschool, she went on to become anordained minister and a doctor.One o the oremost daughters o Big Rapids, she took an active partin the Women Sufrage Associationwith Susan B. Anthony. In 1983,Miss Shaw was among the rstgroup o women to be inductedinto the Michigan Womens Hall o Fame in Lansing. The monumentreads: Distinguished Daughtero the State o Michigan. Pioneer

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    resident o the City o Big Rapids.World Citizen.

    n Civil War & Veterans Statue,Big Rapids, Courthouse, 400 ElmSt., Big Rapids. Established in 1954and located at the Courthousesquare. This statue eatures a Civilwar soldier and honors the veter-ans that served in the Civil War.

    n Ei el Tower and IndianStatue, 22090 Northland Dr., Paris,Fish Hatchery. The Ei el Tower isa 20 oot high steel replica o thestructure which bears the samename in Paris, France. The towerwas abricated in 1980 by the in-dustrial arts students o ChippewaHills High School. Aldo located atthe park is an 8- oot concrete In-dian Statue. Remaining a mysteryto all the meaning and symbolismo the statue is yet unknown.

    n Woodbridge N. Ferris Stat-ue, Big Rapids, Ferris State CampusQuad. The statue commemorates

    the ounding ather O Ferris StateUniversity who was also a gover-nor o Michigan (1913-1918) and aU.S. Senator (1922-1928).

    n Barryton Historical Mu-seum, 19730 30th Ave., Barryton,(989) 382-7678. This museumeatures a one room school houseas well as many historical items on

    display including cameras, handtools, organs and pictures o thearea.

    n Mecosta County HistoricalMuseum, 129 Stewart Ave., BigRapids (231) 592-5091. Themuseum occupies the ormerhome o Fitch Phelps, a Big Rapidslumberman. The museum is thehome o many historical displays

    telling the story o the MecostaCounty area as well as researchmaterials rom the areas historicalbackground. The museum hostsprivate tours upon request.

    n The Old Jail, 220 S StewartAve., Big Rapids (231) 796-9507. The o cial Michigan Historic Sitewas not only the county jail butthe Sheri s residence rom 1893

    to 1965. The ence located aroundthe premises is railing rom theormer Maple Street Bridge. Todayit is used as a community center.Available or tours byappointment.

    n Jim Crow Museum o RacistMemorabilia, Star Building at FerrisState University (231) 591-5887.Come on to the campus o Ferris

    State University to visit this mu-seum that houses more than 4,000pieces o racial memorabilia. Themuseum is open to the public byappointment only.Outdoor fun

    n Riverwalk is a nearly 3-milestretch o nature at its fnest thatyou can access through Hemlock Park near Downtown Big Rapids. The pathway is completely acces-sible as it rolls gently along themajestic Muskegon River. River-walk o ers several connections

    to the White Pine Trail, part o Michigan Rails to Trails systemthat runs rom Comstock Park to Cadillac. Riverwalk eaturesfshing plat orms, benches, bikeracks and picnic areas on eitherside o the 250 oot woodenbridge that spans the MuskegonRiver.

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    Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Big Rapids AreaJunior Hockey Association program manager said.Otherwise, it is used every single day.

    The Big Rapids hockey team calls the facility homeice, as does BRAJHA, the Big Rapids Figure SkatingClub and the Big Rapids Skating Academy. Throw in adult 3-on-3 recreation leagues on the half-sheet,adult leagues on the big ice, initiation programs, openskates and the Ferris State intramural hockey team andthe Ewigleben Ice Arena is the hub of activities for allthings hockey.

    From Saturday morning to Sunday night, there arenot many hours that it isnt being used, Blashill said.

    B Y B OB A LLAN D ISCOVER M ECOSTA W RITER

    Detroit might call itself Hockeytown, but thatdistinction could just as easily t Big Rapids.

    Though Ewigleben Ice Arena is homeof the Ferris State University hockey team, italso is home to several other organizationsand programs. From the beginning of September through the end of April, Tim Blashillcan think of only two days when Ewigleben Ice

    Arena is not being utilized.

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    Monday through Friday is much the same, accord-ing to Ferris State Ice ArenaManager Kevin Barnes, whosaid during the school year,the ice is utilized from 8 a.m.to 11 p.m. and occasionally tomidnight.

    We could possibly goeven a little bit later with thecollege kids, go to midnight,1 a.m. or later, he said.College kids tend to be nightowls.

    Ewigleben Ice Arenaopened in the late 1970sand had undergone minorchanges, which includedthe dedication to the new

    varsity locker room in 1999.In 2008 the ice arena under-

    went a $3.3 million renova-tion project that saw new slabs on the half sheet andthe main ice, chillers, new dasher boards and seamlessglass panels.

    The renovations havehelped to attract youthteams, according to Barnes.

    With seven teams from outof the area coming for a sin-gle tournament, the renova-tions have helped separateEwigleben Ice Arena fromother rinks.

    Teams that come visit

    really like the lighting, thedasher boards and hope-fully our staff, Barnes said.That has teams wanting tocome back year after year.

    Since the opening of the facility, Blashill said itis important to utilize all

    available ice time pos-sible because even whenit is not being used, it stillcosts money to keep the icefrozen.

    Blashill and Barneshave made sure the rink isconstantly being used. Somuch so, that Blashill saidthey cant hold as many BRAHJA tournaments as ithas in the past.

    Blashill also added that

    the 3-on-3 tournamentsin April, that were hugely popular in the past, saw a steady decline until therenovations. He hopes tohave the numbers back to

    where they were just fouror ve years ago when 90

    teams took part in thetournaments.

    There just isnt enoughavailable ice time because(the ice) is constantly inuse, Blashill said. Weare running only ve(BRAJHA) tournaments

    this year which is downfrom seven or eight that weusually have.

    The end of April doesnot mean the rink is not being used. The ice arena will take a week or two off in the beginning of May tothaw the ice and to x orimprove any existing prob-lems. Blashill said that timemight be cut down becauseof the renovations.

    Then at the end of May through August, the icerink is used for Ferris Statehockey camps and the oc-casional elite team tryoutsthat come up.

    Blashill has heard noth-ing but positives when itcomes to the renovationsand the warm welcomepeople feel when they go toEwigleben Ice Arena.

    When people leavehere, I think they are gener-ally happy with the experi-ence, he said. We hear itfrom (youth hockey teams)to the public. Everyonelikes it here.

    FSU goalie Jordan Barber listens to a BRAJHA players question.

    A Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association player skates in on the netduring a tournament.

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    If you enjoy the outdoor life,youll discover a rich bountyof opportunities in MecostaCounty.

    For the angler, hunter,

    boater or hiker, the countyo ers something for all toenjoy.

    B Y D ON I NGLET HE N ORTHCOUNTRY S PORTSMAN

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    FISHING Anglers are blessed with 103

    lakes to wet their lines in withsmallmouth and largemouth bass,

    walleye, pansh, pike and catsh waiting for your casts. From smalllakes perfect for a gentle daysshing from a rowboat or canoe, tolarger waters where the angler willoften nd other shermen (BaldEagles and Osprey) sharing the

    waters, the shing is outstanding.DNR sheries biologist Rich

    ONeal noted the Muskegon River,from the north end of the county to

    where it ows into the Rogers Dam backwaters, has miles of small-mouth bass, walleye, and crappie

    waters with plenty of access. A perfect way to enjoy the shing is

    by canoe or drift boat, or bank sh-ing from a number or public accesssites.

    Most county lakes will offer pan-shing for bluegills, sunsh, rock bass and crappie. Both large andsmallmouth bass will be found, and

    walleyes are also a perfect target forthose that enjoy a sh dinner.

    Below Rogers Dam, more tail water shing will be found formany species, with good access foranglers.

    Trout are found in a number of the smaller coldwater feeder streamsof the Muskegon River system, from brawling browns to colorful brook trout. A little exploring of these feed-ers just makes the catching more fun.HUNTING

    The sprawling Haymarsh StateGame Area hosts a large variety of small game, from ruffed grouse and woodcock to squirrels, rabbit and wild turkey.

    Deer hunters will nd the

    woodlands and brushy edges of thePere Marquette State Forest a placeto test your stalking skills against the wily White Tail Deer.

    For archers and rearm hunt-ers, Mecosta County continues toproduce numerous deer, and hunters with permission to hunt the privatelands will often take trophy-sized,corn-fed bucks.

    Pete Kailing, area DNR wildlife biologist, notes that the many lakesand ponds are attractive to migratory waterfowl. The larger state game ar-eas with their small lakes and pondsfurnish resting and nesting habitatfor ducks like Wood Ducks, Green

    Wing Teal, Mallards and a mix of other waterfowl. Geese, too, makeuse of the water-rich Mecosta wetlands. Opening days may get a bit crowded, but Kailing said thatthose who hunt in mid-week atHaymarsh after opening day willoften have the hunting lands tothemselves with lots of elbow room.BIRDING

    The woods, wetlands,elds, savannas and prairie

    niches of Mecosta County make it a birders bird watchers if you prefer magnet.

    From small nches, wrens, and warblers to owls, hawks, eagles and

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    other larger birds, lling up a lifelist of bird sighting comes easy inMecosta County.

    Whether it is during spring or fallmigration, or in the quiet and whitelandscape of winter, birders will ndopportunity and avian discoveries all year.TRAILS

    Mecosta County has the WhitePine Linear State Park Trail runningon a former railroad line that con-nects Grand Rapids to Cadillac.

    In warmer times, it serves as ahiking and bicycling trail; in winterit becomes a snowmobile trail. It isenjoyed in all seasons by those whoenjoy the trail experience. (This trailconnects just north of the county at Reed City with another rails-to-trails pathway connecting Baldwinto Clare and beyond.)

    Other hiking/biking opportuni-ties exist in a number of sites aroundthe county.BOATING AND FLOATING

    The many lakes, large and small,offer plenty of boating opportuni-ties. Public access to most county lakes makes it easy to nd a place to

    launch, whether for a laid- back day of oating or forshing. The Muskegon Riveris popular with canoeists,kayakers and tube oatingenthusiasts.

    Seeking water sports? Noneed to travel far to nd themin Mecosta County.CAMPING

    The County Parks system,si x parks, 25 sites, offers alarge variety of camping suitedto tents, RVs or travel trail-ers. Most are located by water,others by hiking or nature areasoffering something of interest toall ages of campers. Family camp-ing is well served in Mecosta County campgrounds.

    Come and explore the richnessof outdoor experiences offered inMecosta County, a destination every outdoors enthusiast will enjoy.IF YOU GO

    Complete information onMecosta Countys outdoorofferings can be found at theMCACVB ofce or online at www. bigrapids.org.

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    COME TO MECOSTA COUNTY

    Convenient to U.S. 131, a major north/ south corridor, and M-20, an east/

    west Michigan highway, it is easy toget people and supplies to and frombusinesses in Mecosta County.

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    B Y M ARTIN S LAGTER D ISCOVER S TAFF W RITER

    Diversi ed andcooperative are twoterms that cometo mind when describingbusinesses in Mecosta County.

    In a county whose major

    employers are service-based Mecosta County MedicalCenter and Ferris StateUniversity there also are anumber of major businessesthat export food, furniture,automotive parts and moreacross the country and world.

    Its all about providing the idealsetting to do business in that keepsMecosta County in a position to keep

    jobs in the county during a difcult eco-nomic time, Mecosta County EconomicDevelopment Corporation ExecutiveDirector Bill Mrdeza said.

    When you produce a good productin a good job setting, it certainly bodes

    well for attracting new businesses andkeeping business here, he said.

    During a particularly difcult

    economic time, Mecosta County has re-mained stable and even brought in new jobs to the area. Wolverine World Wide, which produces boots and footwearfor U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan,increased its workforce by 70. The samecan be said for automotive suppliers, who have remained stable.

    A lot of the automotive suppliershave gone through a difcult period, but theyre in an upswing now, Mrdezasaid. Its been a real positive thattheyve been able to regain some of theirfoothold.

    There also has been a focus on keep-ing local dollars in local businesses withthe implementing of the Band of Locals,a buy local rst discount campaign. Todate, nearly 100 local businesses are

    involved in the campaign, which offers various discounts to customers whileencouraging them to shop locally.

    It has sort of taken on a life of itsown, Mecosta County Area Chamberof Commerce Director Anja Wing said.Its not only causing people to shoplocally, but encouraging local businessesto work with each other.

    While there is a diverse collectionof businesses in all sectors throughoutMecosta County, here is a look at someof the biggest exporters in the county.Sackett Potatoes

    Sackett Potatoes, a $20 millionfarming operation headquartered nearMecosta, produces more than 56,000tons of potatoes annually, specically for the potato chip industry. In 1987,

    mecosta county

    made in

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    Developers hope to turn Villages ofTullymore into international destination

    B y B randon F ountain D iscover M ecosta W riter

    W hen Richard, Ronaldand Robert Marinolooked at the resortareas of nationally-recognizedTullymore and St. Ives golf clubs, they saw potential. TheMarinos uncle, nationally-re-nowned real-estate developer J.Peter Ministrelli, saw an excit-ing business opportunity.

    Together they are helping build one of the most impres-sive retirement and recreation-al communities in Michigan.

    Were interested in build-ing a community that will be here for residents all yearround, Robert Marino said.

    Development plans callfor construction of 340 luxury homes, condos and fractionalhomes with The Villages at Tul-lymore. A 13,000 square-footclubhouse at Tullymore wascompleted in 2008. Fractionalhomes are deeded property

    where individuals will purchasetheir portion and be entitled

    to spend so many days there.The initial investment for theproject is $30 million.

    St. Ives was built in 1995 by Michigan native Jerry Mat-thews. Tullymore, designed by Golf Digests Architect of the Year for 2005 Jim Engh,opened in 2002. The grouppurchased the two golf clubs in August 2007.

    St. Ives was given fvestars by Golf Digest, and in2004 it was named one of theTop 100 You Can Play by Golf Magazine . Tullymore wasnamed one of the Top 15 Publicand Resort Courses in America by Golf Digest this year, theNumber One New Upscale Golf Course in America by Golf Di-gest in 2002, made the Top 100Modern United States Coursesof All Time by Golf Week andrated Michigans Best Golf Resort, receiving the Readers

    Choice Award 2010 from Golf World .

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    Developing real estate isnothing new for Ministrelli,

    who has developed areassurrounding California golf courses designed by PGA leg-ends Jack Nicklaus, ArnoldPalmer and Tom Weiskopf.

    The homes will be builtsurrounding various golf course settings such as lakes,

    wooded areas, wetlands andfairways.

    Plans are under way fora recreation center for hom-eowners that will include aspa, health center, Olympicsize pool, tennis and basket-

    ball courts, jogging trails andcross country skiing.

    Were really using thenatural beauty of this areato compliment the projects,Ministrelli said. This is achance to have a rst-classcommunity here throughoutthe entire year.

    Those are just a coupleof the ideas that are in thediscussion stages of plan-ning, he said. We will belooking at those and otherideas more closely whenthe other projects are 70 to80 percent complete. It alldepends on the economicmarket.

    Ministrelli and the Ma-rino brothers said one way that this community will be better served is by the peoplehired to work there. They noted the hiring of HeadChef Rex Smith, who hasearned numerous awards.

    We look to hire the toppeople to manage theseplaces, Richard said. Thefood operations here haveimproved and were offeringne dining.

    We hope to take thatover to Tullymore to put thetotal package together.

    We look to add to thequality of product we have by the people who will be here,

    Ministrelli said.Kevin OBrien, general

    manager of St. Ives Resortand director of golf, said thedevelopments are adding to what the previous ownersalready had here.

    I think the developmentsare going to give a positiveshot in the arm for this area,he said. It will really makepeople aware of CanadianLakes and Mecosta County, but not only the people here, but throughout the Midwestand the national level.

    OBrien said that on any particular day, someonefrom around the world willshow up to play on

    Tullymore or St. Ives golf courses.

    We have a couple fromSweden who is playing thetop courses throughout theUnited States, he said. Its

    just really exciting.The plans are rst-class,

    and (Ministrelli and theMarino brothers) have donethis in such a professionalmanner, that it is going to bea lot of fun.

    Completion of the projectis estimated to be in aboutsix years, but the Marinosand Ministrelli said it really depends on the economy and the trade personnel who

    work on the developments.The Tullymore project

    is projected to raise the tax- base to $700,000 in net andimpact the economy withan additional $7 million onthe tax base in the long-termoutlook.

    The total value of thedevelopments is expected to

    be in excess of $300 millionupon completion. Sales staff for the homes, condos andfractionals area availablefrom noon to 6 p.m., sevendays a week. For more infor-mation, call (800) 503-2630.

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    B Y M ARTIN S LAGTER D ISCOVER M ECOSTA W RITER

    BIG RAPIDS Afterteaching optometry classesin a converted dormitory in Pennock Hall since 1977,Robert Carter began to think that the temporary homeof the Michigan College of Optometry was here to stay forever.

    Its a little bittersweet,Carter said. I feel a little likeMoses must have felt after wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years and

    then not being able to crossinto the Promised Land. After wandering around inPennock Hall for the past32 years, I am not sure I willever have an ofce in the new building.

    Carters dream morethan 30 years in the making became a reality in May 2009 as Ferris State Uni- versity broke ground on itsMichigan College of Optom-etry Center for Collaborative

    Health Education.The $26.9 million build-ing was celebrated at thecolleges future site on thecorner of State Street andFerris Drive. The state willcontribute 75 percent of theproject $20.2 million.

    Many of the speakersduring the groundbreakingceremony echoed Carterssentiments on the building

    project that, at times, seemedlike would never come tofruition. After funding fora new optometry buildinghad been vetoed by stateLegislature on three separateoccasions 1975, 2002 and2007 the afternoon wasa chance for Ferris faculty,staff and administration as well as local representativesto breathe one last collectivesigh of relief since fundingfor the building was securedin September.

    Nancy Peterson-Klein,interim dean of the Michi-gan College of Optometry said that a new facility willattract quality student ap-plicants, enhance the high-ly-personalized instructionstudents, allow students to

    receive more and expandedclinical experiences andexpose patients to a mod-ern, comfortable health-careenvironment.

    The building of a new Center for CollaborativeHealth Care Education atthis site provides an unprec-edented opportunity for allthe faculty, students andstaff to continue a team-oriented approach to healthcare education, she said.

    The new 87,000 square-foot facility will provide ac-cess to the newest technolo-gies available for clinicalteaching and learning,enable the MCO to bettermeet the needs of under-served populations, allow students at every stage of

    the educational process toreceive more and expandedclinical experiences andincrease visibility and publicawareness, according to theMCO Web site.

    A tremendous amount of work by state Rep. DarwinBooher, R-Evart, and Sen.Michelle McManus, R-LakeLeelanau, helped make sureFerris project stayed inconsideration during budgettalks.

    Booher said he has long been aware of the need fora new optometry building. When he visited the facility a few years back, he couldnt believe the state of the building, which had been worn down and out of date without the latest necessary technology.

    I had never seen sucha dilapidated building, hesaid. (McManus and I) wanted to position Ferrisin a place where there wasno way out (for the build-ing to be funded). This new

    building will add jobs to thearea, and will be the bestoptometry building in thecountry.

    It is anticipated thefacility will increase currentpatient encounters in theeye and vision care clinicof more than 19,450 annu-ally by at least 10,000 per year with a ground oor,re-designed clinic.

    Eyes on the future

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