Chamber Business

Cadillac Area

Magazine
A Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Publication THIRD QUARTER 2017

The Power of
Community
Involvement
 Mission Statement
The Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce is a visible
business leader that advocates and drives business
Power of Community
Involvement
opportunities. Through business alliances, we are a
catalyst for our membership and provide a persuasive
regional voice benefiting our communities.

2016/2017 Board of Directors

Stephen King, Board Chair
Law Office of King & King

Jeremy Winkle, First Vice Chair

W
VanDrie Home Furnishings
elcome to our third quar-
Karl Marcusse, Vice Chair
PADNOS ter Business Magazine! Our
theme for this edition is
Trent Mulder, Treasurer
Baird, Cotter & Bishop, PC. The Power of Community
Involvement and it comes at a great
Doug DeYoung, Vice Chair
Consumers Energy time! We have just held our annual
meeting and award ceremony and
Kelly Smith
Baker College of Cadillac recognized two exceptional citizens,
Kelly Smith and Cliff Sjogren who both
Don Schepers,
Schepers Agency, Inc. exemplify this theme.
This is an amazing community, and
Jennifer Brown,
Cadillac Area Public Schools there are so many people who give so
much of their time, talent and treasure
Tim Knaggs,
Fekete Knaggs & Burr Insurance to make us Cadillac.
If you were at the Annual Dinner,
Tonya Smith,
Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hosptial you heard me mention that we are
looking to create committees for just
Kevin Dunaway,
9&10 News/Fox 32 about everything that we do here at the
Chamber. This is one way for you to has agreed to let me hold two Coffee
Dan Minor,
Cadillac Castings, Inc. be involved in the planning and execu- with the Chamber President meet-
tion of events and programs so they ings per month at her location at 1818
Pete Stalker,
Mercantile Bank of Michigan can maximize their benefit to you as N Mitchell Street. I will be available
a member. This is your chamber, we the second and fourth Tuesday of each
Jennifer Neff,
Avon Protection Systems, Inc. need your input. If you are willing to month from 8:00-9:00am so feel free to
contribute your time and input on any stop in and chat with me. Please enjoy
CHAMBER STAFF of our programs please contact me and this issue of the Business Magazine and
David Miller, President lets talk about it. We will be calling join with us in recognizing so many
dmiller@cadillac.org people in the next few months with spe- that have gotten involved in this great
Mike Acosta, Great Start Consultant cific requests to serve on committees, community!
macosta@wmisd.org
so if we call, please help!
Deb Gillies, Leadership Director/Accountant
dgillies@cadillac.org I will be continuing my Listening
Amanda Downey, Administrative Assistant Tour that began on my first day on David Miller,
adowney@cadillac.org the job. MaryAnne at Biggby Coffee Chamber President
Paula Jasper, Director of Membership Services
pjasper@cadillac.org
Kent Wood, Director of Government Relations
kentw@tcchamber.org
Website:www.cadillac.org
Printer:Pleasant Graphics
Publisher:Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce

The Cadillac Area Business Magazine is a publica-

tion of the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce. The
Chamber reserves the right to edit or refuse articles
and advertisements submitted to the Cadillac Area
Business Magazine and reserves the right in its sole
discretion to accept or refuse inserts and other materi-
als to be distributed through the publication.
Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce
222 Lake Street
231-775-9776
Chamber Update!
We have upgraded our operating systems so that we are able to serve our members
more efficiently. You will notice that our emails have changed. Please update our con-
tact information at your earliest convenience. Thank you!
David Miller president@cadillac.org is now dmiller@cadillac.org
Deb Gillies Leadership@cadillac.org is now dgillies@cadillac.org
Amanda Downey billing@cadillac.org is now adowney@cadillac.org
Paula Jasper membership@cadillac.org is now pjasper@cadillac.org

2 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine- 3rd quarter 2017

 Schepers Agency of Visionary Partners:

McBain Celebrates
100 Years
Congratulations to Don Schepers and his
family for reaching the 100th year milestone of
being a family owned business. The insurance
agency was opened in 1917 by Joe Schepers
with his son Ray joining in 1947. Don was
the 3rd generation to join in 1978 and will cel-
ebrate 40 years with the business in January

Business Directory
Excavating Education
CJs EXCAVATING, INC. Cadillac
Heritage
STONE & GRAVEL
BACKHOE WORK
Christian
BASEMENTS
SUBDIVISON & EARTH MOVING School
LAND DEVELOPMENT GRADING & BULLDOZING 775-4272
FILL DIRT SEWER & WATER
(231) 775-1773 (231) 775-0703 FAX Preschool & Young Fives K-12
9051 E. 48 1/2 Road Cadillac Shop Junction of M-115 & US-131 1706 Wright St. Cadillac MUNSON HEALTHCARE
Craig Johnson, CEO 231-878-3550 Bonded & Insured www.cadillacheritagechristian.com Cadillac Hospital

Technology Real Estate

Kathy Damm-Lawie
Full Spectrum IT Support - 24/7 Broker
Commercial / Residential Specialist

Bus: (231) 876-2000

Independent Member Broker Cell: (231) 920-5038
Kathy Damm-Lawie
7545 E. 34 Rd./Boon Rd., Cadillac, MI 49601
Fax: (231) 876-1922- Broker
KLawie@Assist2Sell.com
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated Commercial and
Residential Specialist
Office: (231) 876-2000
Cell: (231) 920-5038
Fax: (231) 876-1922
KLawie@Assist2Sell.com
BuyersSellersAdvantage.com
Contact Us (231) 577-2080 121 N. Mitchell St., Cadillac, MI 49601

Construction Insurance
Edward Dracht
President Leadership Partners:
DRACHTDesign
CONSTRUCTION
Build Contracting
CO. AT&T
Serving the greater Cadillac area since 1972. 231-468-3559 Walkley Agency of Cadillac
Bella Rose Rehabilitation
Butler Steel buildings CONVENTIONAL FRAMED BUILDINGS Fax 231-468-3061 919 N. Mitchell -Ste. B and Aquatic Center
Commercial Industrial Institutional Agriculture Churches 231-468-3560 Cadillac, MI 49601
Offices Rubber Roofs Concrete Flatwork Complete Turnkey Projects rjwalkley@aaamichigan.com BorgWarner Thermal Systems
23350 100th Ave. Marion, MI 49665 office: (231) 825-0035 Renee Walkley B&P Manufacturing
email: ed@drachtconstruction.com fax: (231) 825-0038 Membership Travel Agency Principal
www.drachtconstruction.butlersteel.com cell: (231) 357-8718 Insurance Financial Services Cadillac Area Public Schools
Consumers Energy
Concrete Construction Catering DTE Energy
Fekete Knaggs & Burr Insurance Agency
Services: Services Blue Heron FIAMM Technologies LLC
Structural Concrete
Site Concrete Catering Fifth Third Bank
Concrete Pumping Make your next ITC
Telebelt Excavation event memorable
Reinforcing with catering by
Mercantile Bank of Michigan
Locations in Allendale & McBain Polished Concrete Blue Heron Cafe Michigan Rubber Products, Inc
Locations in Allendale & McBain
10578 Linden Drive NW McBain, MI 49657 Rexair LLC
Grand
10578 Rapids, MIDrive
Linden 49534NW Ph. (231) 825-8051 304 N. Mitchell Downtown Cadillac 775-5461
Fax (231)
Ph. (616) 677-0053 Fax (616) 677-0062 McBain, MI825-8051
49657 Website updated daily! Walmart Supercenter Store
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
PhoneVisit
(616)us at www.schepersconcrete.com
677- 0053 Phone (231) 825-8051 www.cafeblueheron.com Wexford-Missaukee ISD
Fax (616) 677-0062 Fax (231) 825-8051

Visit us at www.schepersconcrete.com
3rd quarter 2017 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 3
Thank You
Cadillac Leadership
Class & Sponsors

Deb Gillies, Leadership Director Mike Mullins, Piranha Hose Products

Kaycee Barber, Rexair LLC
Chris Blessing, Wolverine Power Cooperative
Jeff Durga, BorgWarner
Samantha A. Fent, Piranha Hose Products
Michael Henderson, Rexair LLC
Travis Hepfner, Cadillac Casting, Inc.
Monica Malcomnson, Baker College of Cadillac
Sarah Moeller, Wolverine Power Cooperative
Courtney Mulder, Munson Healthcare
Cadillac Hospital Foundation
Jason Owens, Cadillac Casting, Inc.
Sindi Powell, Avon Protection Systems
Jake Punelli, Cadillac Area YMCA
Tim Rigling, Wexford Missaukee ISD
Devin Sharp*, Trusted Tree Service
Shaina Squires, CHS - Cadillac Area Public Schools
Eric VanHaitsma, BorgWarner
*RJ Blanchard Memorial Scholarship underwritten by:
B & P Manufacturing and Mercantile Bank of Michigan

Experience, Integrity, Results

Its what you expect.
Its what we deliver.

The Lakeview of Cadillac

has a new name!
We will remain dedicated to
Jeff Mankiewicz, Lorri B. King you and your loved ones
Steve King (not pictured Ben Hicok) The Lakeview of Cadillac is now... rehabilitation, memory care
and skilled nursing needs.
231-779-9000 www.kingkinglaw.com 140 Paluster St. Call (231) 775-0101 or visit
Senior Living samaritas.org to learn more.

4 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 3rd quarter 2017

 Launch makes kayaking more accessible
Article submitted by: Scott Slavin, Department of Natural
Resources, Unit Supervisor WM. Mitchell State Park
Each year, the Cadillac Leadership class, a nine-month leadership
training program of the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce, choos-
es a community service project to benefit the Cadillac area. This year
Mitchell State Park presented a project proposal to the class with the
idea to promote accessible kayak launches on Lakes Cadillac and
Mitchell.
The class consensus was to partner with the Department of Natural
Resources, Mitchell State Park and the Friends of Mitchell State Park
to provide a kayak/canoe docking system on Lake Cadillac providing
universal accessibility. Through generous community support, class
members raised over $45,000. The DNR supplied material and con-
Cadillac Plant
www.borgwarner.com 231.779.7500
Our products lead the commercial diesel industry.
K-Series Thermal Shutter
DuroSpeed Viscous
Coming Back To Life
by Modernly Perserving History
www.cobbs-mitchell.com
Robb Munger 616-550-8090
3rd quarter 2017 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine -
structed a new parking area, an accessible pathway, decking area and
abutment for the launch. The Cadillac Leadership group, Cadillac
Area Chamber of Commerce, Mitchell State Park and the Friends of
Mitchell State Park would like to sincerely thank the community mem-
bers who supported our project, Launch Cadillac.
The site offers users peaceful views of Lake Cadillac along with a
shallow low use area to experience kayaking. Amenities available at the
site are vehicle parking, ADA access to the kayak launch, bench seating
and kayak rentals offered by the Friends of Mitchell State Park. They
also offer kayaking classes to groups by utilizing kayaks provided by
the Friends of Mitchell State park. To make class arrangements, please
contact the Carl T Johnson Center at 231-779-1321.
With the installation of this wonderful new docking system, we hope
to develop/enhance non-motorized water trail opportunities in the
Cadillac area by installation of two additional universally accessible
EZ Launch dock locations on Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. By enhanc-
ing partnership development between the City of Cadillac, Department
of Natural Resources, Mitchell State Park and local businesses we
hope to make these additional projects a reality.
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is to you and the community. Learn more at ChemicalBank.com.
5
Thank You! to all of our Sponsors, Golfers, & Volunteers!
24th Annual Briefcase Open Golf Outing
44 North DK Design Group
9&10 News/Fox 32 Edward Jones/Amy Schmid
Alro Steel Evergreen Resort
Ambassador Club FirstMerit Bank
Audiological Services of Cadillac Godfrey Chevrolet Buick
Special thanks to Avon Automotive Groupe Beneteau
Cadillac Country Club Avon Protection Systems Highpoint Cadillac GMC
&
Evergreen Resorts St Baker College Huntington
aff!
*Proceeds benefit Cham Biggby Coffee Law Offices of King & King
ber
Programming, Services Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Mercantile Bank of Michigan
and
Legislative Advocacy. Network of Michigan Miracle Ear
Cadillac Casting, Inc. Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital
Cadillac E.N.T. & Facial Plastic Surgery Padnos
Cadillac Family Physicians Piranha Hose Products
Cadillac Leadership Priority Health
Cadillac Mortgage Schepers Agency
Cadillac News ServPro of Manistee, Ludington & Cadillac
Cadillac Tuxedo/Cadillac Winery Springfield Roofing
Carroll Retirement Plans & Investments Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center
Chemical Bank Wolverine Power Cooperative
Clam Lake Beer Company

THE ALL NEW Welcome

2018 gmc TErrAiN Dr. Carson Shell
Dental Health Professionals is pleased to
introduce Dr. Carson Shell as the newest
member of their team.
He is originally from Onsted, Michigan.
Dr. Shell graduated from Onsted High
School in 2007, and continued his
education at Eastern Michigan University,
where he received his Bachelors of Science
degree. He earned his Doctor of Dental
Surgery degree from the University of
Michigan. Dr. Shell is a member of the
American Dental Association and the
Michigan Dental Association.
Redesigned Grille Available 19 Wheel
Dr. Shell and his wife Courtnee, along
C-Shaped LED Signature Lighting with their son Layn, have relocated to
Bold Styling Premium Materials Cadillac. They look forward to enjoying
this community and all it has to offer. In his
First-Class Comfort Apple CarPlay free time, Dr. Shell enjoys the outdoors,
Front To Back Flat Load Floor . . . And Much More recreational sports, traveling, exercising
and spending time with his family.

LUEDER|DEHAAN|MCKELLOP|REAUME|HOGG|KOBTY-HOGG|PLOTNIKIEWICZ
Your Cosmetic & Implant Dental Team
South End Business US-131, Exit 177, Cadillac www.HighpointAuto.com 231-775-9797 - 1-800-780-0871 www.dentalhealthprofessionals.com
(231) 775-1222 1-800-828-9852 New patients are always welcome

6 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 3rd quarter 2017

Thank you
Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce
Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner Sponsors

9 &10 News / Fox 32 Chemical Bank

Avon Automotive Consumers Energy
Avon Protection Systems, Inc. Groupe Beneteau
Baker College of Cadillac Mercantile Bank of Michigan

Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Care Network of
Michigan
BorgWarner Thermal Systems
Cadillac Casting, Inc.
A Season
Munson Healthcare
Cadillac Hospital
Piranha Hose Products, Inc.
Rexair LLC
Wolverine Power Cooperative
of Change

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Contact us today to set up

your FREE consultation.
cndigitalsolutions.com
Josh Bailey 231-779-4138

3rd quarter 2017 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 7

 2017 Outstanding Citizen
Shes a great boss.
And now, Kelly Smith is the 2017 recipient of the
Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerces Outstanding
Citizen Award.
Ive never been empowered like I have been with
this boss, to be all that I can be, said Mark Lagerwey,
director of extension programs at Baker College of
Cadillac.
I believe that boss is relative, Smith said after
Wednesdays ceremony at the Fox Hill Event Center.
I believe in shared leadership. The whole team has a
voice and value.
She even gives great dating advice, Lagerwey said.
Smith laughed when she heard that.
I know lots of things, but thats a whole nother
story, she said.
But its the boss stuff and Smiths community
involvement that earned her one of the chambers
highest honors.
Smith, the president of Baker College of Cadillac,
doesnt micromanage, and she meets people where
theyre at, ultimately lifting them up, Lagerwey said.
Smiths talent does more than help her employees.
It has helped the Cadillac area.
Chamber President David Miller and Lagerwey
point to several examples, including Smiths efforts to
build relationships with industry leaders, ultimately
leading to the first Michigan Advanced Technician
Training program in Northern Michigan.
Shes highly educated she pursued her Ph.D at
Michigan State University but is able to mix and
mingle in a blue-collar town, Lagerwey said.
He has thrice nominated Smith for the award.
Every time Ive re-written the nomination, Ive just
added more stuff, Lagerwey said.
Shes very accomplished, Miller said. (This year)
it was time.
Despite all she does, Smith said she never expected
to receive the citizenship award. People should vol-
unteer without agendas or expecting to be recog-
nized, she said.
Smith has close ties to the chamber shes a for-
mer chair and close ties throughout the commu-
nity.
As you might expect from a college president,
young people and education are a common theme
throughout her work.
Smith serves on the Teen Impact Board and the
YMCA board. She also serves on the boards of Eagle
Kelly Smith, President of Baker College Cadillac, and family recipient of the Citizen of the Year award from the Cadillac Area
Chamber of Commerce.
Village and various Rotary Club programs.
She made an impression soon after moving to
Cadillac.
Most people moving to a new community with
a demanding and high-level position would focus
mainly on their new job and settling in not Kelly,
said Craig Weidner, who served on the Eagle Village
and Cadillac Area Public Schools boards with Smith.
In the nomination form submitted by Lagerwey,
Weidner explains he approached Smith soon after
she began working in Cadillac. Not only did she take
the meeting with Weidner about Eagle Village, she
also joined the board soon after.
She jumped in with both feet, Weidner explained.
A champion of concurrent enrollment, where high
school students take college classes, Smiths efforts
have fundamentally re-imagined what Baker College
is, and helped both Eagle Village and CAPS along
the way, Lagerwey said, referring to the plan to send
Cooley Alternative High School students to Bakers
campus.
Smith is also chair of the Alliance for Economic
Success, a regional planning agency in Manistee
and Benzie counties that is expanding to Wexford
County. With the Alliance, Smith has worked to bring
business investments to the area.
And she literally puts the colleges money where her
mouth is, forgiving a loan to the YMCA.
Thats part of the reason Lagerwey calls the former
principal and grandmother of two an exuberant
visionary.
She models the way for all of us, said Tonya
Smith, president of Munson Healthcare Cadillac
Hospital.
Kelly Smith befriended Tonya Smith soon after the
hospital president moved to the area. Theyve served
together on several boards.
You can see examples of Smiths visionary work
simply by taking a stroll through downtown Cadillac,
where $2 million student housing is nestled against
Lake Cadillac.
Talk about place-making, Miller said.
More housing is on the way at the colleges 13th
Street campus.
Cadillac will continue to feel the effects of Smiths
work for generations.
Through her service on the Alliance for Economic
Success board, Smith is part of plan to analyze hous-
ing in Wexford County to find out what price points
are missing and to then attract developers to the
area to build houses at those price points to meet the
needs of workers.
She cares about people flat out, bottom line,
Lagerwey said.

1997 Ron Andrews 2003 Dennis Benson 2010 Bruce Schafer

Outstanding 1998 Jack Benson
1999 Keith Merchant
2004 John MacLeod
2005 Todd Bennington
2011 Jon Catlin
2012 Jeremy Winkle

Citizen & Tom Huckle

2000 Maynard Thompson
2006 Darlene Merritt
2007 Chris Huckle
2013 Dan Minor
2014 Barbara Darrigan
Recipients: 2001 Steve Anderson 2008 Ron Blanchard 2015 Scott Hunter
2002 Pete Stalker 2009 Paul Liabenow 2016 Dean DeKryger

8 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 3rd quarter 2017

 2017 Spirit of Community
A Hollywood kind of love lives in Cadillac.
Pat Sjogren lives at Curry House due to
dementia, but Cliff, her husband of 64 years,
visits every day.
Its like The Notebook, said David Miller,
president of the Cadillac Area Chamber of
Commerce, referring to the 2004 movie star-
ring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams based
on the 1996 novel by Nicholas Sparks.
When Vickie Essenmacher, the 2013 recipient
of the chambers Spirit of Community Award,
thinks about Cliff Sjogren, she thinks about
that: his movie-quality utter devotion to his
wife, which is apparent in everything he does.
She knows Sjogren through Friends of the
Library and describes him as big-hearted, gre-
garious and loyal.
Its caring and acting on it, Sjogren said
about loyalty after the Chambers award cer-
emony on June 21 at the Fox Hill Event Center
in Cadillac. I dont know how else to do it. Cliff Sjogren, recipient of the 2017 Spirit of Community Award, poses with two of his four children, Sig, left, and Steve, right,
Hes devoted to his hometown of Cadillac, as at the Fox Hill Event Center in Cadillac on June 21.
well.
Thats why hes the recipient of this years
Spirit of Community Award, which honors heart, were living in Cadillac again. about the countys history to different groups.
individuals who have devoted significant time Sjogren relates all of this in his memoir. He You can even find some of Sjogrens work in
and energy to improve the communitys quality even includes a list of every car hes ever owned, the Cadillac News. Hes written articles on the
of life and have provided leadership in develop- with some stern words for Ford and Subaru. areas early history. His writing also includes
ment and/or expansion of volunteer projects. His resume is in there, too. his first book, Timber Town Tales, published
I couldnt find my way to the podium Seriously, this is his resume, Essenmacher in 2014. Profits from the book go to the histori-
because of the tears in my eyes, Sjogren said. said, as Miller flipped through several pages of cal society.
I didnt expect this. job descriptions and titles. Theres a special place for historians in the
Sjogren traveled all over the world through Nothing was too minor to mention, not even community, Miller said.
his service in the Navy and his work in aca- a post-retirement gig delivering dairy products. Hes an old-school gentleman who tells
demia. Essenmacher, who nominated Sjogren for jokes fit for polite company, Essenmacher said.
He retired from the University of Michigan as the award, said his thoroughness helped. An example: Did you hear about the Swede
the director of admissions in 1988, then worked I am sure that there has never been a pre- who loved his wife so much he almost told
as an educational consultant before working vious nominator who has had it easier, her? he joked, poking fun at his heritage.
at the University of Southern California as Essenmacher wrote on the nomination form. Its dear to my heart that hes getting the
the dean of admissions and financial aid until Cliff chronicles it all in his book. award, Essenmacher said.
1993, when he returned to Northern Michigan, But beyond his personal history, Sjogren has Essenmacher got the idea to nominate
living in Traverse City for eight years. proved himself dedicated to Cadillacs history. Sjogren while sitting across from him at a
We enjoyed our years in Traverse City, but Hes a past president of the Wexford County Friends of the Library Christmas party.
we were ready to go home, Sjogren wrote in Historical Society, for which he tackled a pho- She thought about all he has done for the
his memoir, Child of the Great Depression: tography project, scanning and digitizing more community, from volunteering to his historical
Growing Up in Cadillac Michigan During than 1,500 historically significant photos from work, and realized he just deserves this, she
a Troubled Time, which he published in the area. He wrote descriptions and uploaded said.
February of 2016. the photos to the historical societys website. Hes the best of the community, I would say,
By 2001, he and Pat, his high school sweet- Hes known for presenting free slide shows Essenmacher said.

Spirit of
1997 Dr. Glenn Verbrugge 2004 Mary Blackmer 2011 Tracey Kanouse
1998 William Rzepka 2005 Judy Coffey 2012 David Burrill
1999 Regan ONeill 2006 Sue Peterson 2013 Vickie Essenmacher
Community 2000 John Bishop
2001 Sue Westhauser
2007 Pat Goggin
2008 Mickey Putman
2014 William Panasiewicz
2015 Mike Paulin
Recipients: 2002 Carol Potter 2009 Matt Gibson 2016 Karen & David McMahon
2003 Jackie Soltman 2010 Katy Huckle

3rd quarter 2017 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 9

 MAY 2017
Rise Up! Cadillac Welcome
New Members
Advanced Computer Solutions
Albert Steed
216 Munson Avenue, Suite C
Traverse City, MI 49686
231-933-6333
www.acsapp.com

Boon Sports Management

Todd Foster
1320 North Mitchell
Cadillac, MI 49601
Hosted by: 231-779-9520
Baker College
of Cadillac
Cobbs Mitchell
Robert Munger
100 East Chapin Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
616-550-8090
www.cobbs-mitchell.com

Herweyer & Pennington Real Estate

Rich Herweyer
111 Shelby Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Sponsored by: 231-388-2711
Biggby Cadillac
Wexford County Airport Authority
Sponsored by: 8040 East 34 Road
Meemos Farm Cadillac, MI 49601
231-779-9525

JUNE 2017
Rise Up! Cadillac
Sponsored by:
Homewater
Recreational Real Estate

Hosted by:
Sponsored by:
Samaritas Senior Living
of Cadillac Airway Oxygen

10 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 3rd quarter 2017

 Ambassador Club Morse receives
CIC designation
Ribbon Cuttings
Don Schepers, President of Schepers Agency, INC. in McBain
is announced that agent Lisa Morse has met the requirements to
Apple Valley Nature Food Store receive the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor.
This designation requires the recipient to prove their insurance
knowledge of personal lines, commercial property, commercial
liability, life and health and agency management by passing
comprehensive tests on each subject. Morse joins Schepers and
agency office manager Paula Dykhouse as fellow CICs.

Peterson serves as moderator

David Peterson, of the Cadillac law firm of Law Offices of David
R. Peterson, P.C., recently participated as a moderator at the Upper
Michigan Legal Institute. The two-day conference featured promi-
nent speakers who provided lectures and workshops on current
Active Chiropractic developments in various legal topics, and was attended by approxi-
mately 100 attorneys from across the state. Peterson has been select-
ed to serve as a moderator at this conference annually since 1998.

FirstMerit, Huntington merge

FirstMerit and
Huntington have become
one. It was the culmina-
tion of more than a year
of strong partnership,
meticulous planning and
preparation, and great
ter
Deadline for the 4th Quar execution. The result was
gazine
Cadillac Area Business Ma
a successful conversion,
are your
is October 16, 2017. Sh
which brought together
ws! two like-minded cultures
business/organization ne now poised as one to con-
tinue to help our customers and support our communities. By high-
lighting their ongoing commitment to the Cadillac area & Michigan,
Intervention Services Huntington Bank announced a $2,500 donation to Oasis Family
Resource Center, one of many community partners.
for Area Youth
The Cadillac & Kellogg for Youth Committee, an advisory commit- Changing teenagers
tee to the Cadillac Area Community Foundation is supporting inter-
vention services for struggling Cadillac Area Public School students. self-esteem through intervention
The move comes as statistics are showing 29% of children in Wexford
County live in poverty while juvenile crimes continue to occur. Most The Cadillac Area Womens Giving Circle recently provided a $3,500
of the teenagers arrested in 2015 (the most recent year on record) had grant that will help fund scholarships for girls from the Cadillac Area
committed property crimes, narcotics abuse, or burglary. Crimes like Public School system to receive intervention help at Eagle Village.
these are among the best suited for intervention programs. Eagle Village is a nonprofit organization in Hersey, Michigan that has
With the Cadillac & Kellogg for Youth Committees $700.00 grant, been helping struggling kids and families since 1968. Their interven-
matched by the Board of Trustees for the Cadillac Area Community tion services help provide teenagers with a higher sense of self-esteem,
Foundation, a total of $1,400.00 in scholarships have been created for better decision-making skills, and respect for others.
students of Cadillac Area Public Schools to use for certain interven- This grant will be used to provide scholarships for Base Camp,
tion services at Eagle Village in Hersey, MI. Eagle Village is accepting Project Survive, Youth Challenge and Family Challenge Weekends.
registrations by calling 231-832-7298.

3rd quarter 2017 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 11

 Look what happens
when we work together
By Pat Goggin
Director, United Way of Wexford Missaukee
Counties
It takes more than one skilled craftsman to
build a boat at Groupe Beneteau. Over at the
Career Tech Center and Baker College it takes
a team of instructors to prepare a student for
a career. And no single healthcare team mem-
ber at Munsons Cadillac hospital can cure
what ails you. But when individuals work
together in a united way they create beautiful
boats, skilled graduates and a healthy com-
munity. Great things happen when people
come together as a team or as a commu-
nity. Dave Cox, director of the Career Tech
Center and past board chair of the Chamber
said, Just like our Chamber works as a col-
laborator bringing parties to the table to do
great things, our local United Way serves as a
conduit for employees to come together and
strengthen our communities. Dave contin-
12 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 3rd quarter 2017
ued, United Way is committed to funding
local programs, for local people, with a goal of
building a workforce for tomorrow, as well as
helping your employees today.
We hear about a different kind of suc-
cess from the CAPS Afterschool Tutoring
Program. Matt Brown, principal at Forest
View Elementary says, In just one year over
240 students were able to close the reading
gap, with many students reaching grade level,
through the Afterschool Tutoring Program.
Not only did students grow in reading, they
also grew in their confidence and outlook
toward the future. Thats 240 of our kids!
Matt said Im very grateful to the many
United Way donors who help fund this pro-
gram and put these students on the road to
success in school and beyond.
Just a few years ago the Cadillac Area
Chamber of Commerce invited the Great Start
Collaborative to partner with the Chamber
and pull together some folks who were com-
mitted to changing our future. The idea was
TM
to make a long term investment in the edu-
cation of our youngest citizens, knowing it
wouldnt pay off until after they graduated. It
was in the Chambers board room where the
decision was made to invest in Imagination
Library. Dan Minor, CEO of Cadillac Casting
Inc. said, I was happy to write the first check
to kick-start the program. The Cadillac Area
Community Foundation stepped up to be the
fiduciary and United Way accepted the chal-
lenge to make education a funding prior-
ity. The success has been astonishing. Over
2,000 children will receive a book in their
mailbox this month, and every month, to pre-
pare them for success in school. Thats not a
typo. Thats over 2,000 youngsters, right here
at home, learning to read. To Mike Acosta
with the Chamber of Commerce, Great Start
Collaborative, This is huge! This means kids
will hit the ground ready to learn when they
start Kindergarten. Mike continued, Thats
success! One successful youngster at a time.
This will build a strong community.
 Kelly Smith, president of Baker College of
Cadillac, is the 2017 winner of the Chambers
Outstanding Citizen award. Kelly said,
I am a firm believer that it takes a village -
The United Way in our community plays an
instrumental role in keeping so many impor-
tant programs up and running.
The Teen Impact program at the YMCA is
one recipient of United Way dollars and the
kids that are touched by this program are for-
ever changed. Kelly continued,United Way
donors help make this happen and they are
an important part of the Village that keeps the
greater Cadillac community a great place to
be.
Over at OASIS Family Resource Center,
United Way donors werent even aware of
their success when a mother and her children
escaped domestic violence and found shel-
ter at the OASIS. Amber Herlein, Executive
Director at OASIS said, Their journey to
healing and building a new life together start-
ed at the OASIS Shelter House and, through
counseling, led this young mother and her
children to peace of mind, a job, a new apart-
ment, a new beginning. Chris Huckle, chair
of the OASIS board said, Were in the busi-
ness of helping people, and we do a very good
job at that. We are not in the business of fun-
draising. Amber said, While we must do
some to survive, we are incredible thankful
to all the United Way donors who have raised
much-needed funds. In a perfect world, I wish
United Way could replace all of our fundrais-
ing efforts so we could focus on what we do
best helping people.
The success of the community working
together in a united way can be felt at the
Stehouwer Free Clinic where they provide
healthcare and access to life-saving medica-
tion. Dr. Helen Kiomento, medical director at
the clinic said, The support from United Way
donors is critical to our success. I dont know
what wed do without them.
Although in her 80s, Flora is still able to live
independently and remain in her home with
just a little help from Mary, a volunteer with
the Senior Companion Program at Catholic
Human Services. Its a win-win! says Chip
Cieslinski, director of Catholic Human
Services, Marys weekly visits provide com-
panionship for Flora and Mary adds pur-
pose to her own life by helping Flora. Chip
admitted, Without the many United Way
donors this program would not be possible.
Cliff Sjogren, the Chambers Spirit of
Community recipient for 2017, sees another
example of win-win. Giving to United Way
enriches the lives of both the recipient and the
giver. Cliff has long supported United Way.
He put it this way, United Way rests atop
my giving list. Their good work improves
the quality of life immeasurably throughout
Missaukee and Wexford counties.
Building our community one person at a
time is not new, said Carla Filkins, mayor
of Cadillac and recent Athena Award recipi-
ent. Two years ago we saw people coming
together to make Cadillac Commons a reality.
Then again last fall to fund the new Farmers
Market and just recently to rebuild the Sound
Garden. Carla continued, Each of these
efforts grew from the power of individuals,
working together, in a united way, to build a
better community. Mike Hamner, president
of Avon Protection Systems Inc., said, When
those of us in the business community offer
our team members the opportunity to par-
ticipate in a United Way Workplace Campaign
(combined with the power of payroll deduc-
tion) they see how a small contribution from
each paycheck can make a significant impact
in building a successful community.
If you would like to learn how your team
can make a difference with as little as $1 each
week, please contact United Way of Wexford
Missaukee Counties at 775-3753.

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3rd quarter 2017 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 13

 Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau
Holds Annual Meeting
The greater Cadillac Area Tourism Industry came together at the
Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau Annual Meeting to hear Key Note
Speaker Dave Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan, and to honor
area volunteers for thousands of hours of service. Dave gave an update
on the Pure Michigan Passions Campaign, the new website, and high-
lights of the Travel Michigan national and international campaigns.
Cadillac Area Festivals & Events 2017 Award
Volunteer of the Year Award Winner - Shawn Dostal
Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau 2017 Awards
Volunteer of the Year Award Winner - Michele Owings Andrews
Recreation Excellence Award - Business/ Organization Winner
Friends of the White Pine Trail & MDNR
Recreation Excellence Award - Individual Award Winner
Steve Knaisel, Owner Pilgrim Village Motel & Cottages, & Bait Shop
NEW Restauranteur of the Year Award - The Snider family for The
Marina Ristorante

Wexford-Missaukee CTC
Received Grants for Drivers
Education Scholarship

The WexfordMissaukee Career Technical Center received grants The All-New 2017 JeeP
from the Cadillac & Kellogg for Youth Committee; an advisory
committee to the Cadillac Area Community Foundation Board of COMPASS lATITUDe
Trustees, and the Cadillac Area Womens Giving Circle, for the CTC
Drivers Education program.
These grants will be used to offer high school students an oppor-
tunity to receive drivers education training and testing required to
obtain a drivers license. Students who have been identified as eco-
nomically disadvantaged will be eligible to receive this funding.
Funding from the Cadillac Area Womens Giving Circle is reserved
for female students.

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Vickery Earns Designation
David Vickery of Vickery Financial,
LLC has been awarded the Accredited
Investment Fiduciary (AIF)
Designation from the Center for
Fiduciary Studies, the standards-set-
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14 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine - 3rd quarter 2017

 Wexford Missaukee
Imagination Library
The month of June started the fifth year
for the Imagination Library in Wexford
and Missaukee Counties. The Great Start
Collaborative and the Cadillac Wexford
Library marked the occasion at the
Wednesday Wigglers Story Time pro-
gram which is appropriate for children
from birth to age 4 and their parents.
The event also celebrated the award of
a grant of $6,000 from the Cadillac Area
Womens Giving Circle to support the
Wexford Missaukee Imagination Library.
The Cadillac Area Womens Giving Circle is
a component fund of the Cadillac Area Community Foundation.
The Imagination Library is a universal service available to all families
with children birth to five years in the area served by Wexford Missaukee
Intermediate School District. The program is available at no cost to fami-
lies and is supported completely by contributions from individuals, busi-
nesses and local philanthropy. 100% of donated funds go toward the pur-
chase and mailing of books to area children.
As of June 2017, 2072 children in the Wexford-Missaukee area are
currently participating in the program and receiving a book each
month, and 1454 children have graduated from the program. That
means that a total of 3,526 children in the area have benefitted from
the program since it began in June of 2013 with a total of 77, 600
nationwide.
Community is
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231.775.9000 - Downtown Cadillac
231.779.8954 - Cadillac North www.mercbank.com
3rd quarter 2017 - Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine -
Life Leadership Conference
Rotary Club of Cadillac sent three students to the Life Leadership
Conference held at the Kettunen Center in Tustin. Grace McKnight,
Tina Yunes, Rotary Exchange Student from Brazil and Spencer
Richardson were the Cadillac High School participants.
Students were encouraged to return to their community prepared
to utilize the Rotary motto of Service Above Self by engaging oth-
ers in service to make a difference in their schools, their community
and the world around them.
Cadillac Community
Foundation Awards Scholarships
The Cadillac Area Community Foundation awarded scholarships
totaling $36,946 to students and community members seeking profes-
sional development to further their careers. The scholarship winners
all have one thing in common; they have either graduated from a high
school within the Wexford-Missaukee ISD or are residents of the area.
Over 50 applications were submitted to nine different scholarship
programs facilitated by the Foundation. The scholarship commit-
tees spent hours reviewing community service and determining the
applicants character and leadership abilities as demonstrated in the
essays they were required to submit. Some scholarship programs
also required a financial review to determine need. In the end, 27
scholarships were awarded to individuals who best met the criteria
of the scholarship programs and demonstrated the ability to suc-
ceed in their chosen area of study.
PERSONAL BANKING
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15
 PRSRTSTD
CadillacArea US POSTAGE
Chamber of Commerce PAID
222 N. Lake St. TRAVERSE CITY
Cadillac, MI 49601-1874 MI
PERMIT #96

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