Continuing to serve the injured

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115 Ives • Big Rapids, MI231.796.5887

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231.592.1000

Big Rapids • Boyne City • Cedar Springs • Cheboygan •

Gaylord • Gladwin • Grayling • Houghton Lake

• Newaygo • PortlandRogers City • Roscommon •

West Branch

The Freedom • The Value • The Brook

Jack-you were a blessing to our community. Your footprints and influence are everywhere you look around our beautiful town. It’s in watching happy dogs frolicking at Brutus Dog Park because of you and Susan’s graciousness. It’s in wandering along the River Walk trails and stepping out into the deck overlooking the Muskegon River with your name on it to relax, read a book and enjoy the beautiful river that helped give our town its name. It’s walking into the Artworks building and entering the Batdorff Gallery, proof of your love and support of the arts. We can’t help but be amazed at your’s and

Susan’s generosity to give a place you loved the extra boost it needed. It’s walking into Schuberg’s Bar and having a BLT and remembering it was your favorite lunch choice. If you listen...could it be we can still hear that boisterous laugh that once belonged to you? It’s the memories of seeing you walk along the sidewalk with your fast gait and opening the door to The Pioneer and entering the world of creating our daily reading material. It’s watching you greet strangers with your hand out- stretched to shake their hand enveloping theirs with the other to make it warm and memorable. It’s you opening car doors for the women in your life and making sure that you were always on the street side while accompanying us down the sidewalk. It’s remembering the countless Chamber of Commerce

auctions where you did your part, sometimes even bidding against yourself to guarantee a successful event. It’s in the encouragement you gave others willingly with sound advice you learned from the school of hard knocks that made you wise and willing to share the wisdom of your years. It’s in the genuine desire you had to see those who struggled do well and you being gracious enough to offer help. It’s knowing that for the longest time you were ours with a personality so big and generous that you were a part of our town’s DNA. Our stories about your passions, quirks, temper, humor, determination, stubbornness, humility, and devotion to this town you loved will continue to live on. You were my mentor who believed in me when I needed it the most and this store I purchased from you is

filled with memories of you from the floor to the ceiling. There are some people who give comfort when their feet walk down the sidewalks of their town. They are the leaders who guard the gates and see to it that all goes smoothly and that their community is on solid ground. Thank you Jack for being the community’s guardian for so many years and now for screwing up my makeup and causing my mascara to drip down my cheeks today...I think I have one of your handkerchiefs around here someplace! You will forever be cherished. We will see you on the flip side!

Carlleen Rose-President of The Band of Locals. Owner of Kilwins Chocolates, Fudge and Ice Cream of Big Rapids And The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium

WHAT’S HAPPENING FEBRUARYEXPLORE MECOSTA COUNTY THIS FEBRUARY

JACK - YOU WERE A BLESSING TO OUR COMMUNITY

February is not only the shortest month of the year it is typically one of the coldest as well. Not to worry, there are plenty of exciting events, festivals and activities right here in Mecosta County to keep you and your family warm and busy this month.

The Mecosta County Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to announce that our 2020 Visitors Guide – Explore Mecosta County – is completed and looks amazing! The Mecosta County CVB has once again collaborated with the Big Rapids Pioneer to produce this unique destination publication highlighting great and exciting things to explore, experience and enjoy here in Mecosta County. Our cover is a photo featuring The Dragon, Michigan’s unique adventure sports destination, with a feature article as well.

For information on Mecosta County trails, golf, conferences, lodging, music, events and more you will find it all in our Explore Mecosta County Guide. This publication is distributed to all Michigan Welcome Centers, numerous trade shows located in and out of state, area hotels and businesses, relocation packages, conference and meeting packets. The Explore Mecosta County publication is also available in digital form on our website homepage at BigRapids.org.

One of the most highly anticipated events in Big Rapids is the annual Festival of the Arts that takes place the entire month of February. Festival of the Arts represents the collaboration of many sponsors. The goal in planning the festival events is to reach all audiences, ages and interests, while representing multiple arts aspects. Attendees can enjoy numerous workshops that give you the opportunity to get a hands-on and up-close art experience.

Most of the workshops have limited seating so you will need to register

to attend. For complete details, stop into the Mecosta County Welcome Center and pick up your free events booklet or go online to brfota.org or BigRapids.org/events/calendar.

February is also one of two months each year that the Michigan DNR offers Free Fishing, no license required, for the weekend of the 15th and 16th. Residents and out-of-state visitors can enjoy ice fishing on both inland and Great Lakes’ waters for all species of fish. Current fishing regulations will still apply. To find everything you need to know about fishing in Mecosta County visit our fishing page at BigRapids.org/fishing.

Are you looking to take a break from the winter weather and a hectic schedule? The Mecosta County CVB has just the cure for those winter blues. Book an overnight, or weekend stay, at one our great lodging facilities here in Mecosta County. Experience an executive room or suite while enjoying an indoor pool, hot tub, workout facilities or have room service deliver your meals right to your door. What better way to relax and get away from it all. Let someone else do the cooking and cleaning – you deserve it! Book your get-a-way today by visiting our website at BigRapids.org/lodging and don’t forget to check out our Lodging Specials Tab for Valentine’s Specials and discounts.

In addition to the amazing Festival of the Arts musical events, Wheatland Music Organization will have their Wheatscouts: Songs of Woody Guthrie, February 8 from 11:00am – 1:00pm. This children’s program was started at Wheatland in 1987 with the purpose of educating children through music, dance, storytelling, crafts and nature while promoting family tradition and fellowship. Wheatscouts also gives the adults a chance to bond with other grown-ups while turning the little ones loose for a couple of hours.

Wheatscouts is offered free of charge, is open to the public and a small healthy snack will be

provided. Feel free to bring a snack to share as well. Each gathering is uniquely themed, so stay tuned to both the Wheatland website and Wheatscouts Facebook Group for up-to-date information.

Later that day, 2:00pm - 5:00pm, Wheatland Music Organization presents a Jamboree at The Cabin.  This informal gathering is free of charge and open to the public.  Musicians of all levels are welcomed (Acoustic only).  For more information on either event call 989.967.8879.

The Big Rapids Eagles present their annual Sweethearts Blue Jean Ball February 15 with a steak dinner from 5:30pm - 7:00pm and music by Ernst Entertainment from 7:00pm-11:00pm. Tickets are just $12.50 in advance or $15.00 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at: Currie’s BP, Old Pioneer Store and Big Rapids Eagles. This event is open to the public. For questions please call 231.796.64553.

Enjoy a FREE Family day at CranHill Ranch on February 16 from 2:00pm – 6:00pm at CranHill’s WinterFest. Everyone will enjoy free activities including tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, broomball, ice climbing, pony rides, marshmallows, game room, petting farm and more! CranHill will also be providing free food and wagon rides throughout the day. For more information visit their website at cranhillranch.com/winterfest or call their office at 231.796.7669.

Welcome aboard the S.S. Mecosta County that will be docked at the Holiday Inn Big Rapids on February 18 from 5:30pm –7:30pm. Join Mecosta County’s best restaurants and caterers as they offer up their most delectable signature dishes and comfort food at the Taste of Mecosta. This is a reminder that you do not have to travel far to enjoy great cuisine. Tickets are available either on the Chamber’s website at mecostacounty.org or at the Chamber’s office for just $15.00 each. A percentage of the proceeds go to the Leadership Mecosta Scholarship Fund. For more details

you can contact the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce at 231.796.7649.

The Big Rapids Polar Plunge fundraiser is set for February 29 from 10:25am - 3:30pm. Participants will be plunging into a swimming pool outside the Big Rapids Elks Lodge near City Hall. Plungers must raise a minimum of $75 to receive the 2020 Polar Plunge Event T-shirt. Individuals on a team need to average $75 per person to receive the T-shirt. Additional higher level Polar Plunge incentive items are available the more money you raise. Online registration is available by clicking the tickets link for this event at classy.org/event/big-rapids-polar-plunge. Parade of Plungers and Plunge will start at 12:30pm and After Splash Bash will take place immediately following the last plunger. Are you Too Chicken to Plunge but still want to raise money for the cause? Donate and register for $20. Registration includes the Too Chicken to Plunge long sleeve shirt. Call 231.527.5238 for more details.

Did you know that the Mecosta County CVB proudly promotes any community event that is open to the public in Mecosta County at no cost? To add your event to our Community Events Calendar just go onto our website, click the Community Events Calendar tab and then click Submit New Event. Complete the event information and you are good to go. All events are reviewed before being listed.

To ensure that you don’t miss out on any of the amazing events, activities and happenings in Mecosta County visit our online Community Events Calendar at BigRapids.org or stop into the Welcome Center on the corner of S. State Street and Elm Street to visit us in person.

Connie Koepke – Executive Director Mecosta County Convention & Visitors Bureau – Your official tourism resource for Mecosta County

TYLER SCHUBERG, CIC231-796-5881 SchubergAgency.com

Year-Round Boat, Snowmobile,

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888-533-5015

1411 N State St • Big Rapids, MI

616-302-2573

Big Rapids Eagles Aerie & Auxiliary 253518361 16 Mile Rd.Big Rapids, MI • (231) 796-6453

People Helping People• Sweethearts BlueJean Ball Feb 15 5:30-7:30

Dinner with live entertainment until 11pm • Casino Bus Trip March 7-8

• St. Patty's Day Dinner March 11 5:30-7:30 • Jimmy Buffet Bash March 14 5:30-11

• Spring Craft Show Saturday April 4 9am-3pm

110 N. Bronson, Big Rapids, MI

231-796-1200www.peakpropertyrentalsonline.com