MC Chamber - June 2019

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

PLATINUM MEMBERS

2019 Executive Board of Directors

2019 Board of Directors

Randy Ostrander

Danielle Maneke Lakeside Motor Sports

President Lake and Lodge Realty, LLC Michelle Barker President Elect Bridge Title Jennifer Heinzman, Secretary Mecosta County Area

Heather Bowman City of Big Rapids Tammy Weaver Sears Appliance & Hardware

SILVER MEMBERS

Kasey Pressley Hampton Inn of Big Rapids Eric Gustad Consumers Energy

Chamber of Commerce

Danette Doyle The Pioneer Group

Clinton Zimmerman,

Michelle Rasmussen Ferris State University

Member At Large

GOLD MEMBERS

LEADING BUSINESSES, LEADING COMMUNITIES For information on becoming a member of the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce, please contact us.

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce 127 South State Street, Big Rapids Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 796-7649 • Fax: (231) 796-1625 mecostacounty.com

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Red Fox Market facebook.com/mcacc

twitter.com/mcacc2017

instagram.com/mecostacountychamber

Jeff Godfrey, Member At Large Spectrum Health Mindy Taylor, Treasurer Mecosta County

Stay connected by reading the Chamber’s blog! My Chamber Connect is updated frequently with helpful articles, information about the county, video tutorials and commentary!

STAFF

Jennifer Heinzman Executive Director

director@mecostacounty.com

Jennifer Buwalda Program & Events Coordinator

events@mecostacounty.com

Shelby Withers Administrative Assistant

info@mecostacounty.com

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

CHAMBER NEWS AND INFO

A Message From Jennifer Heinzman

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Congratulations to Hampton Inn our Member of the Month!

Executive Director

Exceptional Customer Service – Keep them coming back

in a specific area, discuss it with them – even if they are not there to buy at that moment, your willingness

You’ve heard the old adage: “A happy customer is to help will stick with them when they are ready. If a a return customer” and when you’re in business, the customer purchased an item or a service and has an more return customers you have, the better, right? issue with it, help them resolve the issue upon their Are you doing everything in your power to keep them return – how you or your employee handles those types coming back? When you think about your last dining out experience, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Hopefully, you remember a delicious meal. What about the last time you went into a store to purchase something you had been wanting? You probably remember the options that were available, the prices, the quality and those types of details, correct? When is the customer service you received your first thought?

Customer service is usually noteworthy when it is really good or really bad. Many times, customers will not return to a business if they were treated poorly, even if they were happy with the products offered.

Business owners know that the attitude of their employees is vital to the success of their business but

of situations are the interactions that people talk about and those instances can determine if that customer is a return customer or not. If you have an employee that

acts in a manner that is offensive, the customer may tell their friends, family, post their experience on social media sites or a host of other outlets that can do major damage to your business and / or your reputation. Word of mouth is everything in the service industry.

Another aspect of customer service that is very important and often overlooked is the turn-around time it takes to resolve an issue for a customer; customers want to feel that they are a priority, and people are very busy so they don’t have time to wait on a solution, they may just move on to another company that is willing to

help them in a more timely manner. Returning calls has I would like to reiterate some of the best practices that a direct relationship to dependability and dependability can benefit not only business owners, but anyone in is the cornerstone of good customer service. a service profession or anyone that works with other

People’s expectations regarding courtesy vary. people; let’s face it, there aren’t too many jobs that don’t Learn to take your lead from your customers. Quiet, cater to other people in one way or another. reserved people tend to appreciate a more reserved I have already mentioned attitude; customers and dignified sort of service. Loud, spirited people appreciate a friendly employee that is willing to help often like to know that the person they are dealing with them without excuses or negativity. One of the most understands them. Use good judgment always but be important aspects of customer service is listening to ready to stretch a little to make your style better match what the customer wants, really listening. If a customer your customer’s expectations. wants something specific, help them find it, if they don’t

And smile. People like when you smile.

know what they want, help them figure it out. If they are

As always, if there is anything we can do for you,

just there to bounce ideas off someone that is skilled please do not hesitate to ask.

The Hampton Inn is new to the area, we opened in September of 2017. I have been at the hotel from day one.

Starting my job at the Hampton Inn I was in the house keeping department, making sure that all the rooms were clean and ready for the grand opening was my main job at the time. After a few months of having this job there was an opening at the front desk that I had applied for and got. I am currently working in the sales department and just being able to see all the growth and improvements this hotel has made over the time it has been open is very encouraging and has made me proud to be part of the team.

The hotel has a total of 93 guest rooms with the options of two Queen beds, one king bed with a lounge sofa, or one king bed with a pullout sofa bed. All the rooms have updated amenities which goes along with being a new hotel. On the first floor there is a wonderful pool for the guests to use along with a patio to sit at during the warmer months. A delicious hot buffet breakfast is included with all reservations. We also have a meeting space that can be used for meetings or smaller family gatherings.

Our meeting space has full audio-visual connections and can fit up to 30 people. Tables can be set up however you would like, and we would be more than happy to provide coffee and water in the room for the attendees of the meetings. The rate for the meeting space is $25 per hour, if you would like to book a room, book the meeting space or have more questions please call the Hampton Inn at (231)527-7333 and our staff would be more than happy to help you!

Submitted by Gabby Regan

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

Rise & Shine Mecosta scheduled 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, hosted by Shoe Sensation Rise & Shine Mecosta! Start your day with networking over morning refreshments. All Mecosta county area residents are welcome to attend this free networking event.

JUNE 2019

Ambassador Club Thanks Rise and Shine Host, Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals

Shoe Sensation 748 Perry Ave, Big Rapids, MI 49307 RSVP is encouraged. Call the chamber at (231)796-7649 or email events@mecostacounty.com Meet the hosts: shoesensation.com

Business After Hours scheduled 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, hosted by Verified Title of Big Rapids Verified Title Agency Big Rapids 105 Linden St Big Rapids, Mi 49307 Register by phone at: 231.796.7649 Register by email at: Events@mecostacounty.com Meet the hosts: verifiedtitleagency.com

2019 Schedule The Ambassador Club of the Mecosta Rise & Shine Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce • June 27: Shoe Sensation sponsors monthly networking events. • July 25: Remax Together Business After Hours are on the third • August 22: Mecosta County Thursday of the month and Rise & Shine Historical Museum Mecosta are on the fourth Thursday of the month. Upcoming Business After If you’d like to host a Rise and Hours and Rise & Shine Mecosta events Shine or Business After Hours event will be hosted by the following members: at your workplace, call the Chamber Business After Hours at (231) 796-7649 or email events@ • June 20: Verified Title of Big Rapids mecostacounty.com.

• July 18: Holiday Inn Hotel and RSVP by calling the Chamber at Conference Center (231) 796-7649 or email events@ • August 15: Big Rapids Downtown Business Association (TBD) mecostacounty.com.

Thank you to our May host! Spectrum Health Big Rapids hosted a Rise & Shine. Hosting Rise & Shine Mecosta or Business After Hours events are a great value included in membership.

Contact the Chamber at (231) 796-7649 or email events@mecostacounty.com if you are interested in hosting either.

New Members You’ll Like Doing Business With The Woods Rentals (231) 972-2818 (231) 629-2830 9552 7 Mile Rd. Canadian Lakes, Michigan 49346

JR Customs & Collision (231) 598-9444 19100 Northland Drive Big Rapids, MI 49307

The Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce encourages you to patronize the following businesses and all of your Chamber colleagues. For a complete listing of Chamber members in good standing, go to the member directory online at www. mecostacounty.com.

JUNE 2019

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

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The Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes JD Buwalda to the staff!

Jennifer (JD) Buwalda, MCACC Programs & Events Coordinator, comes to us with over 20 years of customer service experience and 12+ years of meetings and event management.

As Missouri transplants, JD and her family have lived in Mecosta County for just under 3 years.

At the end of 2016, while on vacation, they fell in love with our area and decided that Mecosta County is where they would settle in.

JD is a proud mother of three sons, one daughter, and a daughter-in-law. While two of her sons and her daughter-in-law still reside in Missouri, JD and husband Paul, believe they will eventually move this way, as they have also fallen in love with Mecosta County.

JD and Paul’s daughter (7 y/o) is finishing first grade at Morley-Stanwood and their youngest son, (4 y/o) will start Kindergarten next year. The entire family agrees that having 4 true seasons is their overall favorite part of living in Michigan.

“I am excited to meet new people, learn more about the area, and assist with the growth of Mecosta County” -JD Buwalda, on her employment at MCACC.

If you haven’t yet met her, please stop in at the Chamber of Commerce and say hello!

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

PIONEER GROUP CHAMBER OPEN 2019

The Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce and title sponsor, The Pioneer Group, hosted the Pioneer Group Chamber Open on May 15, 2019 at Falcon Head Golf Club. Nineteen 4-person teams came out for the area’s first golf outing of the year. Although the day began a little on the chilly side, the sun broke through the clouds, making for a beautiful day on the course.

Congratulations goes out to Lake Osceola State Bank, the overall winner of the day.

Each year, the chamber of commerce, along with its golf committee, are excited to bring this event to Mecosta County. The chamber and golf committee are extremely thankful to the following sponsors: Title Sponsor (for 20 years and counting):

The Pioneer Group

Breakfast Sponsor:

West Michigan Credit Union

Lunch Sponsor:

Lake Osceola State Bank

Beverage Cart Sponsors:

Isabella Bank & The Pioneer Group

Putting Contest Sponsor:

Lakeside Motor Sports

Golf Cart Sponsor:

H&S Companies

Snack Carafe Sponsor:

Antlers Fireside Grill

MCACC would also like to thank the following businesses for their continued support and for donating: Altercare of Big Rapids Center, Antlers Fireside Grill, Babb Ford Sales, Inc., Best Homes Title Agency, Betten Baker, Big Rapids Dental Health Care Associates, Biggby Coffee, Biller Insurance, Blue Lake Tavern, Bridge Title Agency, Buffalo Wild Wings, City of Big Rapids, Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, Conley's Bakery, Cranker's Restaurant and Brewery, Downtown Business Association of Big Rapids, Encounters of Big Rapids, Evergreen Physical Therapy, Falcon Head Golf Club, Family Health Care, Ferris State Alumni, Ferris State University, Ferris State University Dining, Fleis & Vandenbrink, H & S Companies, Habitat For Humanity, Ice Mountain Spring Water, Independent Bank - West Michigan, Isabella Bank, Johnson's Automotive Repair, Lake-Osceola State Bank, Lakeland Title of Mecosta County, Lakeland Title of Mecosta County – Stanwood, Lakeside Motor Sports, Lee's Rapid Wash, Lerner, Csernai & Fath Financial Group, Lowe's #2532, Metron of Big Rapids, Original Footwear, Paris Auto Sales & Service, Planet Fitness, Preferred Office Machines – Xerox, Remax Together, Silvernail Realty, STAGE – M, Steve Jones, Szot's Bar & Grill, The Gate Entertainment Center, The Pioneer Group, The Wenger Agency, Tullymore Golf Resort, University Recreation, Wesco, and West Michigan Credit Union.

An additional thank you goes out to all the volunteers that also make this event so successful!

Upcoming Artworks Schedule

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

Ferris State University Fine Art Gallery Faces from the Southern Ocean June 10th -August 16th, 2019 J.J. L’Heuruex

Artist and naturalist J.J. L’Heureux has traveled to Antarctica seventeen times since 2000, documenting the landscape, the creatures that live there, and attempts at human habitation. She recently returned home to open several exhibitions at museums and galleries across the United States.

J.J. L’Heureux is a visual artist based in Venice, CA who makes documentary-style photographs, as well as paintings and collages. She is an environmentalist who is interested in the micro and the macro. This has led her to photograph both near and far — the community around her Venice Beach studio and the exotic Antarctic landscape.

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Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital was awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.

The designation recognizes efforts by Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care. The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

“We are pleased to receive the highest-grade level of recognition from The Leapfrog Group with the top score on patient safety for this reporting period,” said Andrea Leslie, Northeast market regional leader for Spectrum Health and president of Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals. “Our physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and all other clinical and non-clinical staff have earned this achievement through their continuous focus on quality of care, prevention of errors and meticulous attention to patient safety. I’m proud of our employees for the work they do every day to care for our communities.”

“To be recognized nationally as an ‘A’ hospital is an accomplishment the whole community should take pride in,” said Leah Binder, president, and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Hospitals that earn an ‘A’ grade are making it a priority to protect patients from preventable medical harm and error. We congratulate hospital leaders, board members, staff, volunteers and clinicians who work so hard to earn this A.” Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital was awarded an ‘A’ grade today when Leapfrog announced grades for the spring 2019 update. To see full grade details for Spectrum

Health Big Rapids Hospital, and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

About The Leapfrog Group Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highestvalue care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

About Spectrum Health Spectrum Health, a not-for-profit, integrated health system, is committed to improving the health and wellness of our communities.

We live our mission every day with 31,000 compassionate professionals, 4,200 medical staff experts, 3,200 committed volunteers and a health plan serving 1 million members.

Our talented physicians and caregivers are privileged to offer a full continuum of care and wellness services to our communities through 14 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, 230 ambulatory sites, and telehealth offerings. We pursue health care solutions for today and tomorrow that diversify our offerings.

Locally-governed and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, our health system provided $483 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2018.

Thanks to the generosity of our communities, we received $30 million in philanthropy in the most recent fiscal year to support research, academics, innovation, and clinical care.

Spectrum Health has been recognized as one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics®, part of IBM Watson Health TM.

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

CHARLES E. FAIRMAN COMMUNITY POOL - 2019

SWIMMING POOL INFORMATION LINE – 796-7798 CALL FOR INFORMATION ON POOL CLOSING AND POOL PROGRAMS POOL OPENS JUNE 17, 2019 POOL CLOSES AUGUST 16, 2019 @ 5:00 P.M.

SWIMMING LESSONS Registration - June 17 - 21 1:00PM - 7:45 p.m.

ALL LESSONS ARE FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE WEEKS

June 24 – June 28 July 15 – July 19 July 1 – July 5 July 22 – July 26 July 8 – July 12 Swimmers 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Intermediates 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

NINE WAYS TO GET CUSTOMER FEEDBACK Shep Hyken Forbes.com

How do we know our customers are happy? How can we find out if we’re doing a good job? Or maybe more importantly, how can we find out if we’re doing a bad job?

We need to know what our customers, clients, members, guests, etc., think about doing business with us. It’s validating to know we’re doing a good job.

And, if we happen to learn that we’re not, then we can do something about it. Not just for that individual customer who has a complaint, but for all future customers who might have the same complaint. So, how do we find out?

Perhaps they come right out and tell us. Maybe we just ask them face-to-face. Or, we could consider sending a satisfaction survey.

They Tell Us

Many years ago, the Technical Assistant Research Program did a study and concluded that in a typical business only 4% of customers who have a complaint will tell you. That meant that 96% of customers who have a complaint won’t tell you. According to the study, however, these unhappy customers do tell others, including their friends, colleagues and family members. And today, the problem has multiplied as customers don’t stop with friends and family. They broadcast to the world through social media. So, they don’t us. They just tell everyone else.

We Ask Them

I actually like the concept of asking customers, “How are we doing?” Given the opportunity to do so, take the time to ask individual customers if they are happy. Ask them what you can do to improve. One of my favorite questions is what I call the “One Thing Question,” and it goes like this: “Is there one thing you can think of that would make doing business with us better?” I especially love it when a happy customer

answers. They already love us and think we’re great, so in effect, they are suggesting to us how to improve on greatness.

If you can get a good number of customers to answer your satisfaction survey, then you are in a special group. It’s hard to get customers to answer surveys, unless you know how to do it. Getting customer surveys back is like finding gold. So, what can a company do to get better response? For the answer, I turned to Lenny Hu, cofounder of YesInsights, a company that creates simple, effective email surveys. Hu shared some great techniques that will get customers to complete our surveys.

1. Use a good subject line. If the subject line doesn’t catch your customer’s attention, the survey won’t be opened. And, no open means no response.

2. Give people a good reason to complete the survey.

People want to know how their feedback will be used.

3. Set expectations. Tell them how long, or better, how short the survey will be. There’s nothing worse than thinking it’s a one-minute survey only to find out it seems to be a never-ending experience.

4. Keep your survey as short as possible. If you can, use a one question/one-click survey.

5. Offer an incentive, but understand that some people will complete the survey just for the reward and skew your data.

6. Be timely. Don’t send the survey a week after the interaction. Be quick and send the survey while the experience is still fresh.

7. Have clear, relevant questions. Wasting the customer’s time with confusing or irrelevant questions means your survey won’t be completed.

8. Use multiple choice questions when possible.

It takes much less cognitive effort than answering open-ended questions.

9. Keep it simple and limit choices.

If customers share their opinions voluntarily, it’s a gift. If you have the time and opportunity to ask customers one-on-one for feedback, jump on it. And, if you’re going to survey your customers, do it right.

Don’t waste their time – if you do, you’ve also wasted your time.

Advanced Beginners 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Beginners (7 yrs & up) 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.

9:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Beginners (4 yrs to 6 yrs) 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.

10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

The Basic Water Rescue Course (minimum 4 students required) 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.

Lifeguard Training (minimum of 4 students required) 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.

Handicapped Swim (individual lessons at Pool Director’s discretion) 11:00 – 11:50 p.m.

Water Babies (6 months - 3 yrs, parents required in water) 11:50 – 12:20 p.m.

Adult Lessons & Aqua Aerobics 4:50 - 5:50 p.m.

Lap Swim (Staff & Adults) 4:50 – 5:50 p.m. Monday – Friday Lap Swim (All Patrons) During All Open Swim Sessions

THE POOL WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, JULY 4TH OPEN SWIM June 17 - June 21 June 24 - July 26 July 29 – August 16 All Weekends Last Day Pool is Open August 16

5:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

1:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 5 :00 p.m.

FAMILY FUN NIGHTS – ALL FRIDAY NIGHTS

(Pool Pass or $2.00 Gate Fee) Bring your own safety approved tube, your favorite floating toy, beach ball, etc.!

Swim Lessons RESIDENT Individual - $ 75.00 Family - $ 120.00

NON-RESIDENT $ 95.00 $ 140.00

Open Swim with Lessons RESIDENT Individual - $ 110.00 Family - $ 230.00

NON-RESIDENT $ 130.00 $ 250.00

Open Swim RESIDENT Individual Season - $ 85.00 Family Season - $ 160.00 *Senior Citizen - $ 75.00 (55 and over) Day Care (or like groups) - $ 160.00 + $5.00 each over 4 persons

NON-RESIDENT

$105.00 $180.00 $ 85.00 $ 180.00 + $5.00 each over 4 persons

*Senior Rate includes option to partake in Aerobics or Adult Lessons.

ALL OPEN SWIM SESSIONS FROM 1:00pm-6:00pm ARE $ 5.00 PER PERSON ALL OPEN SWIM SESSIONS FROM 6:00PM-8:00PM ARE $2.00 PER PERSON

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

PARIS AUTO SALES & SERVICE Center of Big rapids

Snow Plow Repair Transmission Rebuilding Special!

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Front End Alignment $29.95

POWER RECLINERS & LIFT CHAIRS

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• Brake Special • Tune-Ups • Struts, Shocks & Ball Joints • Starters & Alternator Service

WE ALSO DO TIRES! STOP IN TODAY!

All Major Credit Cards Accepted • Towing Available from Currie’s & BR Towing

OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE!

231-796-7355

18415 Northland Drive, Big Rapids | Just north of the airport on old 131 OPEN: Mon-Fri 8a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

SO MUCH TO OFFER • Full Line of Farm Seeds & Fertilizer • Full Range of Pet Foods & Supplies • Chicken Feeds and Accessories • Horse Supplies The Area’s ONLY Drive-Thru Feed Store!

WE SALUTE OUR LOCAL 4-H GROUPS!

Full Line of Organic Insecticides, Fertilizers & Seeds!

www.carelincmed.com 1250 Perry Ave, Ste D | Big Rapids, MI 49307 | p: 231.796.6623 | Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm @carelincmed

R V

Royal View Retirement Community

Services and Amenities Three home-cooked meals per day Housekeeping and laundry services Nutritional snacks provided throughout the day Life enriching activities • Beauty/barber shop services Registered Nurse on Staff 24 hour personal care assistance All medical needs monitored • Assistance with medication 9100 Buchanan Rd., Mecosta (Canadian Lakes Area)

Your source for Wildlife food plot seeds

BULK GARDEN SEEDS

Organic Seeds, Heirloom Seeds, High Quality Flower Bulbs

Visit Big Rapids Farm & Garden at 310 N. Fourth Street with the Area’s Only Drive-Thru Feed Store! Phone: 231-796-6363

231-972-6600

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

Community Open House

Celebrating 50 years in business RE F RE S COME JOIN US! ZE S !

I R HMEN P R O

DO

E OOR EV D T U O / INDOOR

NT

15505 Waldron Way Big Rapids, MI 49307

YARD G A

TS

MES

Friday, June 7th 11am-2pm B103.9 Broadcasting LIVE from our office

“We Can Get You There!”

(231) 796-8621 • www.lernerfinancial.com

Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Lerner Csernai and Fath Financial Group and Cambridge are not affiliated.

JUNE 2019

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

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Big Rapids Hospital

When you need care.

Sometimes immediate health needs don’t follow a doctor’s schedule. That’s when Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital has you covered. Whether you’re a current

WALK-IN CLINIC

HERE WHEN

YOU NEED US

patient or not, get the care you need at our Walk-In Clinic, and we’ll coordinate with your provider. It’s convenient care—close to home, and when you need it.

Hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Big Rapids Hospital Walk-In Clinic 650 Linden Street, Suite 1 Big Rapids, MI 49307 231.796.3200

We’re here for you.

231.832.7170 | spectrumhealth.org/walkin ©Spectrum Health 03.2018

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

Thank You Mecosta County For Voting Meijer Big Rapids People’s Choice for #1 Favorite Grocery Store, Pharmacy, Produce, Cashier and place to purchase meat JOIN

REWARDS TO SAVE MORE!

15400 Waldron Way • Big Rapids

JUNE 2019

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

“SORRY” IS NOT ENOUGH HBR.org It’s the first rule of customer service: When something goes wrong, apologize. In many cases, the apologies continue throughout the interaction as an employee goes the extra mile to convey empathy and concern. But surprising new research shows that approach can backfire: An apology that extends beyond the first seconds of an interaction can reduce customer satisfaction. Employees should instead focus on demonstrating how creatively and energetically they are trying to solve the customer’s problem—that, not warmth or empathy, is what drives satisfaction.

Researchers reached these insights via a novel study that allowed them to observe exactly what happens when a customer rep is confronted with an unhappy customer.

Although many companies record customer interactions, privacy concerns generally prevent them from sharing the results with researchers. However, a team led by Jagdip Singh, of Case Western Reserve, obtained and analyzed 111 videos filmed at customer service desks at U.S. and UK airports for a reality TV show (the producers had had the customers sign privacy waivers). The clips depict employees dealing with passengers who have lost bags, missed flights, or suffered other indignities of air travel. “For the first time we were able to go beyond surveys or afterthe-fact interviews and get direct access to the way these interactions happen in real life,” says Singh.

The researchers coded employees’ words and phrases, evaluating whether the reps were engaged primarily in “relational work” (by being empathetic, apologizing, or trying to forge a personal connection) or in “problem-solving work” (by focusing on finding solutions). They also examined facial expressions to identify when employees were showing “positive affect”—for example, by smiling. The study reached two broad conclusions. Employees who expressed a great deal of empathy or tried to appear bright and cheerful did a poor job of satisfying customers, especially if this relational work extended beyond the first moments of the conversation. And customers cared less about

the actual outcome (for example, whether a missing bag was quickly located) than about the process by which the employee tried to offer assistance. “It’s not about the solution— it’s about how you get there,” Singh says.

“Clients Care about Solutions, Not Apologies” To explain these counterintuitive findings, the researchers point to leadership studies that have found a trade-off between perceptions of warmth and perceptions of competence. They hypothesize that the same phenomenon exists in service recovery: If employees project a lot of warmth, customers perceive them to be less competent. When analyzing the videos, the researchers divided the customer interactions into three phases: sensing (in which the employee asks questions to try to understand the issue), seeking (in which the employee brainstorms and explores potential solutions), and settling (in which the employee works with the customer to choose the solution that will provide the best outcome). In many of the encounters, reps kept apologizing or making small talk throughout all three phases, but their attempts at warmth seemed only to heighten customers’ frustration. “Saying ‘I’m sorry for this—the same thing happened to my sister’ makes the customer feel that the employee is not really paying attention to the problem, and customers see it as a distraction,” says Singh.

In fact, the research suggests that continuing to apologize after the first seven seconds of such a conversation will most likely backfire.

After those opening seconds, the researchers say, employees should focus on energetically and creatively exploring a range of potential solutions to the problem. This brainstorming phase, more than anything else, is what customers will use to assess the encounter—and the more ingenuity an employee shows, the better.

To more fully understand the results of the video study, the researchers conducted a follow-up lab experiment using 568 people who had flown in the previous two years. Each participant listened to a scripted recording

of an airline customer-service interaction involving a lost bag or a missed flight. In every instance the resolution was fairly negative— for example, a distressed passenger was told she would not receive her suitcase before a job interview that afternoon, leaving her with nothing appropriate to wear. The encounters varied according to the precise words and process used by the frontline employee: Some employees used relational language, while others were more focused on solving the problem. The participants were asked to assign a customer service rating (on a one-to-seven scale) as if they had been the passenger. The results showed that customer satisfaction was highest when the employee had offered a variety of solutions, such as several options for routing a bag to the customer’s final destination, even if the outcome wasn’t ideal.

This research may lead companies to focus less on the personalities of frontline workers and more on the problem-solving process workers employ. A recent study by researchers at CEB identified seven common personality types of customer reps, finding “Controllers”—outspoken, opinionated reps who are inherently driven to direct customers toward a solution—to be the most effective type. But Singh’s research suggests that

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companies may benefit more from teaching employees to find imaginative answers to service problems than from refining their hiring profiles.

Not surprisingly, the study has sparked interest among hotel, restaurant, and traveloriented companies; all operate in logisticsintensive industries where problems are rife and the consequences of a service failure can be significant. Singh says that companies have begun asking for suggestions about words or phrases employees can use to convey that they are energetically trying to solve a customer’s problem. But it’s impossible to script these encounters, he says—indeed, part of what makes service recovery so difficult is that it requires improvisation, because aspects of every issue are unique.

So instead of obsessing over the perfect language to use, employees should learn to dive in. “Just get into the task and generate interesting options for the customer—that makes all the difference,” Singh says.

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

BIG RAPIDS LIONS THANKS FOR WHITE CANE SUPPORT

WHAT EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE LOOKS LIKE IN REAL ESTATE TODAY 1. Highly Effective Communication - Call/Text/Email. You and your Realtor should be BFF’s. They should ALWAYS be involved with other transaction parties.

2. Impressive Negotiation Skills - Having a Realtor that negotiates on your behalf will benefit you. Losing money or not closing should NOT be an option.

3. Having Style - Home presentation affects everything. Make sure your Realtor is up to date on current trends.

4. Accomplished in Marketing – Online. In person. On Paper. Your home should be EVERYWHERE!!

5. Local Real Estate Know How – Your Realtor should be educated and always researching to better themselves for you.

6. Home Pricing – There is a lot that goes into a pricing strategy presentation. Make sure you have multiple scenario options.

7. Trustworthiness – Integrity, hard work and determination are just a few musts.

Not every Real Estate Agent is the same or preforms the same activities. Make sure to meet with agents and find out if they will provide you with this type of Customer Service.

Kati Ross Realtor 616.302.2573 231.629.4100 Katiross.realtor@gmail.com 1411 N State Street Big Rapids, MI 49307

SEARS APPLIANCE & HARDWARE STORE CLOSING It is with mixed emotions that will be closing our Sears store. After 12 years of serving this community we will be closing the store. We have enjoyed being a part of our customers lives as we helped them pick out new appliances for newly built homes, remodeled homes and folks new to the area. We have helped them pick out their new tractors while letting them test drive them, some even chose to drive them home from the store. We have seen customers have children and watched them grow up. Most of them would remember exactly where the coloring table and toys were when they came in.

Our children started families here in Big Rapids while we operated this store, sometimes the grandchildren even came in to help out, Lilly loved greeting the customers and ringing them out at the cash register, Andrew just liked to ride the tractors.

We owe a lot to this community and many special customers who, always, shopped with us first.

Unfortunately, the current times have just made it too difficult to continue in this format.

We will be open through July 13 th , for our liquidation sale. If you need things like filters and vacuum bags for your Kenmore or Craftsman products after we are gone, you can go to WWW.SEARSHOMETOWNSTORE.COM. You can also stock up now during our liquidation sale.

We will see you around town as this has become our home now.

The Big Rapids Lions Club recently held their annual White Cane sales at various locations throughout the community. Monies raised through these sales help the Lions continue their support of projects and other groups in the community. The members would like to thank the community members who donated to the sales with a special thank you Big Rapids Lions Club Member Terry Ventocilla to Lerner Financial Group, Currie BP, Walmart, Tractor Supply Co., and Mercantile Bank, Canadian Chemical Bank, Huntington Bank Lakes for their support.

CANADIAN LAKES PICKLEBALL CLUB The Canadian Lakes Pickleball Club is hosting their inaugural pickleball tournament from July 26-28, 2019. The format is a Double Elimination skill/age tournament. Skills: 3.0 and below, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0. Ages: 19+, 35+, 50+, 55+, ... Ages within a skill level will be combined to avoid small brackets. Skill levels will not be combined unless there are less than 4 teams at the close of registration.

Canadian Lakes is just an hour north of Grand Rapids. Canadian Lakes is a private residential community where vibrant recreational life joins an active social life in the incredibly beautiful woodlands of central Michigan. Within the 11 square miles of rolling hills, serene waterways and lush greenlands, members and their guests experience 700 acres of all-sports lakes with five beaches, three unmatched golf courses and delectable dining. Canadian Lakes offers members and their guests tennis, pickleball, softball, indoor and outdoor pools, disc golf, volleyball and a winter sports park.

The Franklin X-40 will be the ball used for the tournament. Donations of canned goods will be given to Angels of Action, a local charity helping the children of Mecosta County.

To register for the tournament or for further information, please go to pickleballtournaments.com.

JUNE 2019

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

GFWC DONATES FOR FOSTER CARE CHILDREN

DHHS Caseworkers Jill Voight and Kristen Sherrill

Once again this year, members of GFWC Big Rapids collected suitcases/duffle bags to donate to the Foster Care program at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Big Rapids. Members are aware that many times children entering foster care come with few of their own possessions and may just fill a paper bag with their clothes and other items. The 12 suitcases that were delivered this year were set up for children of varying ages. For smaller children, the suitcase is filled with a warm, fuzzy blanket, a book, a stuffed animal and a flashlight/ night light. For older children, some of the items are adjusted based upon the age group. Foster care caseworkers were on hand when the delivery was made.

GFWC COLLECTS POP TOP TABS FOR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE So, what do you do with 38 lbs. of pop top tabs? If you are a member of GFWC (General Federation of Woman’s Club) Big Rapids, you deliver them to Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan. Partnering with the Stanwood Eagles, members of the Club bring the tabs to meetings throughout the year as a way to help the House. Ronald McDonald House turns the tabs into a recycling center and receives the “going rate” at the time of delivery. This money is then used to help ensure a “home away from home” for the families of children being treated in the local medical and mental health hospitals. Although the entire aluminum can is valuable, the tab itself is much cleaner and easier to collect in large quantities than the whole can. The Club welcomes other community partners who would like to join them in collecting and donating the tabs. Contact

Marcie Lewis, President/CEO accepting the pop tab donation

Celeste Szczerowski at 231-679-0032 for more information or for tabs pickup. Club members find this an easy way to help others and help the environment as well!

THE BARRYTON AREA MOBILE FOOD PANTRY IS CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF GIVING LOCAL RESIDENTS A HAND UP EVERY MONTH! What started out as a class project for the 2009 class of Leadership Mecosta, the Barryton Area Mobile Food Pantry has been providing 10,000 pounds of food each month to those in need.

Thanks to the support of local area business partners, individual contributors and many, many local volunteers up to 200 families are able to get 50 or more pounds of food thru our connection with Feeding America each month. The distributions are usually the second Saturday of every month.

Located at the Fork Township Community Building at 3265 20 Mile Rd. in Barryton, sign up starts at noon with the truck arriving for a 2 p.m. distribution. To receive food, please bring 2 current pieces of I.D. or something with your current address on it and a wagon, basket, box, cart etc. to assist you with putting your food in your vehicle.

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

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Artworks.

Summer Camp: Art Collaboration $90-$100 June 25-27 10a-3p Basket Weaving: Waste Basket $50-$60 June 8th 9am-3pm Wine & Canvas at Two Hats Ranch $25-$40 Thursday, June 12th 6pm-8:30pm For class descriptions, fees, and registration, visit artworksinbigrapids.org/classes or scan QR code.

JUNE 2019

Members Bulletin Board

This section is dedicated to Chamber members who are utilizing their marketing opportunities as one of the many values of belonging to the Chamber: Antlers Wine Club

Do you enjoy learning and trying new wines while socializing with others? Join the Antlers Wine Club! The club meets throughout the summer with monthly tastings. For more information, visit our website (antlersfiresidegrill.com) or the restaurant.

Hemlock Park Bandshell Summer 2019 Wednesday Evenings at 7pm.

Free Concert in the park!

Book Sale

Mary’s Book Club

June 1st 9a-12p

June 21st 12p-1p

Friends of the Library Meeting

June 5th 4p.m June 6th & 20th 6:30 p.m.

Library Board Meeting

Chicken BBQ Fundraiser

June 22nd 5p-9p Preschool Story Time

June 26th 10:30a-11:30a

June 13th 5:30p.m

All Creatures Foundation – Bats

Camera Club-Group Outing at Colley Farm

June 26th 11:00a-12:00p

June 13th 6p-8p

True Story! Book Club

June 27th 6p-7p

The Faygo Book Program

Big Rapids Antique Farm & Power Club Meeting June 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the Club Grounds 15422 Old Mill Pond Rd. Big Rapids, MI 49307.

Yardsale June 21st and 22nd 9a-3p at 531 Waterloo St Big Rapids. Proceeds benefit retired & Senior Volunteer Program-Located in the Mecosta County Service Building.

Camp 911 A safe senior day at the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety. Registration at 8:30am and ends at 3:45pm. Please register at 231.796.4848. This is a one day, hands on learning and safety Experience for older citizens free of charge. Camp 911 is a collaborative effort among Law Enforcements, Fire Depts., EMS, Emergency Managements, Senior Service Providers and Spectrum Hospital, working to develop and implement effective crime prevention and education programs. Morning snack and lunch will be provided.

Bake Sale at Davis Bridge General Store on June 1st at 8:30 till 2pm. Proceeds benefit R.S.V.P.- Seniors Helping Seniors

bigrapids.lib.mi.us

Knit Night

June 19: FSU Community Summer Band June 26: FSU Community Summer Band July 3: FSU Community Summer Band July 10: Blue Water Ramblers July 17: Outlaw Express July 24: Great Scott July 31: High Lonesome Country August 7: Ruby and the Retros August 14: Project 90

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program

Big Rapids Community Library

June 13th 6p-7p

Computer/Tech Class

Going Global Book Club

Every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Last Class June 18th

June 18th 6p-7p

vv

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Mecosta County Historical Society 129 S. Steward Ave Big Rapids MI 49307 Friday-Saturday 2-4pm

STAGE-M

Little Shop of Horrors July 25-28, 2019

The story of Seymour who works and lives in a rundown flower shop on Skid Row. He looks for a way to bring the struggling shop (and himself) fame and fortune. He buys an exotic plant, which proves good for business, but learns, to his horror, that it craves blood!

AMVETS Post 1941 & Legion Post 98

See the back cover for regular AMVETS Post 1941 & Legion Post 98 specials and events.

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

RECYCLE! Of Mecosta County MONDAY 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

424 N. 4th Street Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 796-9872

Red Fox Market

Antlers Fireside Grill

Banquet Rooms and Catering Available Tis’ the season for graduation parties, wedding showers, rehearsal dinners, baby showers and more!

Antlers is the place to call for your next upcoming event. Whether you need food catered or a place to host the event, Antlers is your answer. Call us today for more information – 231.359.1161.

CBD. WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

Hosted By Clinton Zimmerman June 1st 12pm-2pm Free MOON TIDES FOR HEALTH, BODY & MIND

Hosted by Clinton Zimmerman June 22nd 12pm-2pm Free BACH BASICS- BIG RAPIDS, MI

Hosted by Clinton Zimmerman June 23rd 9am-5pm Email for class details Clinton@redfoxmarket.com Red Fox Market hosts a variety of classes each month in its downtown store. For more information on each event, visit Red Fox Market on Facebook!

For more Red Fox events, visit facebook.com/redfoxmarket.

FSU Fine Arts Gallery

Faces from the Southern Ocean June 10th -August 16th, 2019 J.J. L’Heuruex

Big Rapids Elks #974 Come to Friday Lunch at the Big Rapids Elks! 203 E. Pine Street. Hot and cold lunches served starting at 11:30 a.m. Take out available (231)796-5451. Menu items include cheeseburgers, hot dogs, pizza, sandwiches, wings, soup, chili, fries, and onion rings!

Angels of Action Saddle Up for Childhood Hunger Saturday, August 3, 2019 D Bar D Ranch 7064 E. 64th St, Chase MI Wagon rides, Guided Rides, Taco Bar, Silent Acution & Prizes, 50/50 Poker Ride $10 a Hand All Pledges and Proceeds Benefit Angels of Action Early Registration: $30 Ends July 1 Register early to enter for a chance to win 20 bales of free hay!

To Register, download your pledge sheet, and more information visit: www.angelsofaction.org 734.716.2121 Riders must provide their own horse.

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Big Rapids Recreation Summer Programs To register for programs please contact City Hall Recreation Department 226 N. Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231)592-4038

CHARLES E. FAIRMAN COMMUNITY POOL Pool Opens: June 17th Pool Closes: August 23rd (Pool will be closed July 4th) For a full schedule and pool fees, visit brpr.org or call the pool information line at (231) 796-7798.

GIRLS ON THE RUN 5K RUN/WALK Saturday, June 8th Registration: 8:00 am—9:00 am Event Begins: 9:45 am Race Begins: 10:00 am Cost: $5 Registration Fee (GOTR participants & coaches—FREE) Bandshell, located behind Big Rapids Middle School NATIONAL DANCE DAY June 22nd at 4pm Cost: FREE Hemlock Park Bandshell Instructor: Janitza Sawyer Shake your GROOVE thang! Experience the joy and celebrate the magic of National Dance Day—created by “So You Think You Can Dance” producer, Nigel Lythgoe. This event encourages individuals to embrace dance as a fun and positive way to maintain good health and fight obesity.

No dance experience necessary. Bring a friend!

TENNIS IN THE PARK INTRODUCTORY TENNIS LESSONS Mondays-Thursdays Cost: $15 Per Session Session 1: July 8th – 11th Session 2: July 15th – 19th Session 3: July 22nd – 25th 4-6 years old: 5:30pm-6:00pm 7-9 years old: 6:00pm-6:45pm 10 years old through 8th grade: 6:00pm-6:45pm Hemlock Park Tennis Courts Instructors: Jon Coles, Larisa Draves & Members of the Big Rapids High School Tennis Team.

FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays May 14th—September 24th 12:00 pm—5:00 pm Fridays May 10th—October 25th 8:00 am—2:00 pm City Hall Parking Lot TAI CHI May 13th—July 24th Mondays & Wednesdays 12:00 pm—1:00 pm Cost: $2 per participant

Hemlock Park (No class July 15th – July 19th) Instructor: Mary Loesch, Certified International Instructor An ancient form of exercise originally developed in China as a martial art. This exercise has benefits to allow 0participants to improve muscle tone, flexibility, balance and coordination. New comers are always welcome!!

LINE DANCE CLASSES May 14th—July 25th (NO CLASS: May 20th-June 10th) Cost: $2 per participant Instructor: Diane Jones Come join choreographed line dancing while increasing your heart rate for a great cardio workout!

You can select the class that best fits your needs.

MORNING LINE DANCE Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 am—9:00 am (Beginner) 9:00 am—10:00 am (Intermediate) Learn coordinated steps to a variety of music. A social and aerobic activity. Bring a friend!

Artworks, Dance Studio DELAY THE DISEASE FITNESS FOR PARKINSON’S May 14th—July 25th Thursdays 1:00 pm—1:45 pm No class (June 4 – June 13) Cost: $2 per participant Style Station (1619 Catherine Street) Instructor: DeMar Hatchew, Continuing Education in Parkinson’s Disease Training Methods A fitness class designed to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. No matter what stage of the disease you are battling—it’s never too late to start exercising! The class will incorporate a variety of chair exercises, stretching, balance work, strength training, and vocal and facial exercises. Caregivers are welcome to join participants.

PICKLEBALL May 1st – Oct. 1st Tuesdays and Thursdays 5pm—7:00 pm Cost: $3 Ferris Racquet Facility Coordinator: Gary Lenon No need to have a paddle, all new players are welcome!

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Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

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Thank You Mecosta County for Voting Us “Favorite Landlord” Call Today!

231-796-6329

www.silvernailrealty.com Sue Glatz, GRI, CRB, ABR, Broker/Owner Salespersons: Terry Weaver, Katy VanCuren Property Management • Land Contracts “Helping Buyers & Sellers for over 50 years”

Sue Glatz

Katy VanCuren

SILVERNAIL REALTY 17810 205th Ave., Suite #1 - Big Rapids, MI 49307

231.598.9212

NOW A FULL SERVICE SPA! Our growing team now includes: Christie Webster, Cosmetologist Katie Omness, Esthetician Monica Schriner, Massage Therapist Ashley King, Riverside Massage (231) 580-6357

We offer couples massages, facials, salon services, and body waxing!

SUPER SALE 40% OFF PAINT 30% OFF SUPPLIES JUNE 7- JUNE 10 In-Home Color Consultation. Our professionally trained In-Home Color Consultant will meet with you in the comfort of your home to help you choose the perfect colors.

Visit or contact store for details. 231-796-8492. 210 N. Michigan Ave.

126 Maple Street • Suite C Big Rapids, MI

www.CardinalSpaAndMassage.com

Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce News • Visit us at mecostacounty.com

JUNE 2019

MECOSTA COUNTY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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June 1

9a-12p Book Sale

12p-2p CBD. What is it all about? at Red Fox Market

6p-12a St. Mary St. Paul Annual Gala

June 2

9a-11:30a AMVETS Auxillary Monthly breakfast

June 5

4p-5p Friends of the Library Meeting

June 6

9a-11a Small Business Series: SBA, USDA, and MEDC at Michigan Works!

5p-6:30p In The Garden Reception at Artworks

June 7

FSU Golf Scramble at Falcon Head

9a-5p Big Rapids Antique Farm & Power Club Swap Meet and Yard Sale

11a-2p Lerner Csernai and Fath Financial Open House

June 8

8a-12p Girls on the Run 5K Run/Walk

9a-5p Big Rapids Antique Farm & Power Club Swap Meet and Yard Sale

9a-3p Basket Weaving at Artworks

2p-5p Jamboree at the Cabin @ Wheatland Music Organization

June 9

8a-11:30a Mecosta VFW Pancake Breakfast

JUNE 2019

SPECIAL DAYS AMVETS POST 1941 & LEGION POST 98 MONDAY – FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR 4 TO 6 P.M. MONDAY NIGHT TACOS- $2.00 PULL TAB BINGO @ 6:00 P.M. 2ND CHANCE @ 7:00 P.M. EVERY OTHER MONDAY TUESDAY $1.00 WELL DRINKS FROM 4-6 P.M. THURSDAY – BURGER NIGHT 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. R.E.D. SHIRT FRIDAY- REMEMBERING EVERYONE DEPLOYED- WEAR SOMETHING RED – THE RED MUST BE VISIBLE! $0.50 OFF BOTTLED BEER, WINE & LIQUOR ONLY 1ST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH – AMVETS LADIES AUXILIARY BREAKFAST FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAY – DINNER SPECIALS CALL (231) 796-6998 FOR LUNCH SPECIALS AND DINNER MENUS ALL MEALS ARE EAT-IN OR TAKE-OUT HOURS - MON-FRI 1 P.M. TO CLOSE (LAST CALL AS EARLY AS 8:30) SAT & SUN 12 P.M. TO CLOSE PENDING 5 MEMBER RULE

GFWC MONTHLY MEETINGS

2ND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY AT THE BIG RAPIDS PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT. CALL 231-349-7743 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

BIG RAPIDS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION SUMMER PROGRAMS TAI CHI - MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS 12P-1P MORNING LINE DANCE – TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 8A-9A (BEGINNER) 9A-10A (INTERMEDIATE)

SENIOR FIT TIME – TUESDAYS 4-5PM THURSDAYS 3-4PM (NO CLASS JUNE

June 12

11:30a-1p Lunch and Learn at City Hall

6p-8p Wine & Canvas at Two Hats Ranch

DELAY THE DISEASE FITNESS FOR PARKINSON’S – THURSDAYS

June 13

5p-6:30p Jack and Susan Batdorff Tribute

PICKLEBALL – TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 5-7PM

6p-7p Faygo Book Program at BR Community Library

June 15

Decorate a tie for dad at Shoe Sensation

Chippewa Lake Fireworks Golf Outing

6p-9p Music at Antlers Fireside Grill

June 16

9a-12p Father’s Day Breakfast at Eagles

June 17

Big Rapids Community Pool Opens

June 18

6p-7p Going Global Book Club at BR Community Library

7p FSU Community Summer Band at Hemlock Park

June 20

5p-6:30p Business After Hours at Verified Title Agency Big Rapids

June 21

9a-3p RSVP Yard Sale

12p-1p Mary’s Book Club

June 22

Elks Golf Outing at Spring Valley Golf Course

9a-3p RSVP Yard Sale

12p-2p Moon Tides for Health, Body & Mind at Red Fox Market

4p-8p National Dance Day

5p-9p Chicken BBQ Fundraiser at BRCL

5:30p-7:30p Steak Fry at Eagles

June 23

9a-5p Bach Basics at Red Fox Market

June 26

Mercantile Bank Habitat for Humanity Golf Open

11a-12p All Creatures Foundation - Bats at BR

Community Library

7p FSU Community Summer Band at Hemlock Park

June 27

7:30a-8:30a Rise & Shine at Shoe Sensation

4-13TH ) 1-1:45PM (NO CLASS JUNE 4-13)

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, CHAPTER 18 A SERVICE OFFICER IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST VETERANS IN RECEIVING BENEFITS. THURSDAYS 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. AT THE DAV IN BIG RAPIDS. ALL VETERANS WELCOME

BIG RAPIDS EAGLES 2535: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TUESDAYS: BURGER NIGHT/ 4:30 TO 8 P.M. FRIDAYS: FISH FRY & PRIME RIB/ 4:30 TO 8 P.M. FROG LEGS 2ND FRIDAY LIVER & ONIONS 4TH FRIDAY SATURDAYS: EUCHRE & 6 OF DIAMONDS PROGRESSIVE RAFFLE

BIG RAPIDS COMMUNITY LIBRARY

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME – MONDAY AND WEDNESDAYS 10:30AM COMPUTER/TECH CLASS – TUESDAYS 9:30AM KNIT NIGHT- EVERY FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY ( 6.6.19 & 6.20.19) 6:30PM TINY TOTS TINKER LAB - FRIDAYS 10:30-11:30AM

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY FINE ART GALLERY FACES FROM THE SOUTHERN OCEAN JUNE 10TH -AUGUST 16TH, 2019 J.J. L’HEURUEX BIG RAPIDS ROTARY CLUB MEETS EVERY TUESDAY AT NOON AT FALCON HEAD BIG RAPIDS LIONS CLUB MEETS EVERY SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAYS OF THE MONTH, 6:30 P.M. AT #52 SPORTS BAR AND KITCHEN.

BIG RAPIDS ELKS Fridays • Fish Fry 6-8pm