Kim Altobello completes first year of Chamber Institute

Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is pleased to announce that Kim Altobello, Associate Director of the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce, has completed her first year of a four-year nonprofit leadership training program at Madison, Wisconsin. Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations," said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation's vice president

of Institute for Organization Management. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively. Institute website.

Boyne City Farmers Market plans an event-filled summer

The Boyne City Farmers Market outdoor market season is in full swing, open every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m.- to noon at Veterans Park. The outdoor market will feature more than 65 regular produce vendors, all local, serving seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs; gourmet baked goods and preserves; eggs and cheese; honey and maple syrup; proteins, fish, potted annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, and cut flowers; plus a juried craft market with unique hand-made items for your home or a special gift. A full line-up of the vendors and their offerings is available on the website. “The farmers never missed a beat! Greens were available all winter and with the many hoophouses and greenhouses the produce has been amazing since mid May,” says Becky Harris, market manager.

This is the fourth year accepting Bridge Cards. Customers swipe their card at the market booth and receive tokens to shop with. Eligible foods include vegetables, fruit, dairy products, meat, eggs, bread, jam, pickles and pastries, as well as seeds or plants that produce food. The market also partners with Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program. “Doubling the value of federal nutrition assistance spent at our market helps people bring home more locally grown fruits and vegetables. It’s really a ‘win/win/win’ as it helps low-income consumers eat healthier, local farmers gain new customers, and more food dollars stay in the local economy,” says Harris. “When customers spend $10 with the Bridge Card, we provide another $10 to buy fresh fruits and veggies grown in Michigan, with a match up to $20 each market day.” More information visit http://www.doubleupfoodbucks.org.

A full season of activities have been arranged including cooking demos, children’s food education series, “Food: Make it Easy” sessions, health screenings and live music every Saturday starting June 20. “We are really excited about a special appearance by Michelle Bommarito. She will present “Energize your Pantry” at Blackbird Gardens, graciously sponsored by Grain Train,” says Harris.

2nd Annual Food Truck Rally will take place Thursday, July 16, 6-9 pm at Veterans Park. Over 25 local food and beverage stations will be available. The evening will also feature live music with Disastroid. The cost is $10 per person, which includes two beverage tickets. Children under 12 are free. “This fun event with live music attracted a lively crowd of food enthusiasts last year,” Harris said. “It is meant to connect friends and strangers, while sharing local food and drink while supporting the smallest of small business.”

Friends Farm Meals are a highlight of the season, breaking bread and toasting the farmers and others who make Michigan’s agricultural community so vibrant. Two dates are available this year: Elvyn Lea Lodge, Walloon Village on Saturday, July 25th and A Matter of Taste, Tapawingo in Ellsworth on Saturday, August 22nd. . The price is $75 per person. Reserve online or at the Market Booth or call 231-330-2704 with any questions. Musical guests will appear at both venues. Proceeds raised from these events will be used to help fund the Community Pavilion, which will become the market’s winter home.

The Boyne City Farmers Market is a program of the Boyne City Main Street Program / Downtown Development Authority. It is governed by an 11-member committee consisting of vendors and community members. For a complete line-up of our market events visit www.boynecityfarmersmarket.org. For more information contact market manager Harris at 231-330-2704 or Main Street at 231-582-9009.

Boyne City celebrates SOBO and the arts with June 26-27 Festival

The Arts will be celebrated in Boyne City with the 6th annual SOBO Arts Festival on June 26 and 27. Located in historic and vibrant Boyne City, the juried festival provides high quality cultural experiences for festival patrons and attracts artists from all over the region representing all fine arts. 
The festival kicks off on Friday, June 26, with “Stroll the Streets” from 6-9 pm, showcasing musical performances, family and children’s activities, culminating with an outdoor concert featuring the Bay Area Big Band playing in the heart of SOBO. This performance is supported by a grant from The Charlevoix County Community Foundation. The 17-member band builds on a proud tradition of such historical names as Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Count Basie and Glenn Miller and creates an unforgettable musical experience. It promises to be a great evening for dancing in the streets. There will be beverage tastings at Lake Street Market and a poster signing by local artist Julie Stratton, creator of the 2015 festival poster. The original framed 8 x 10 painting will be raffled off with the winner announced at 9 pm. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at Cindi Franco’s Cool Stuff, Freshwater Gallery, Smitten Designs Studio, Boyne Arts Collective and Country Now and Then until 8:45 pm Friday, June 26. Kids of all ages will be able to create a pottery bowl for “Empty Bowls,” benefiting the Manna Food Project.
On Saturday, June 27, activities move to nearby Veterans Park on the shore of Lake Charlevoix. The festival, adjacent to the Boyne City Farmers Market, will run from 10 – 4 pm, when patrons can enjoy local bounty, and local and regional talent. The Gypsy Artists’ Caravan will have its “maiden voyage” this year - bringing a mobile studio and entertainment stage featuring student visual and performing artists working, displaying, performing and selling their work.
A new addition to this year’s event is the En Plein Air Paint-Out. This competition runs from 8 am – 3 pm and is designed to connect art and people to their surroundings. Local and regional artists, as well as students, will be inspired by the beauty of historic Boyne City and pristine Lake Charlevoix. These paintings will be for sale at a reception and exhibition at 4 pm at Northern Table in the SOBO Arts District of Boyne City.
The Festival will also feature the local culinary arts with food trucks from The Landing, Boyne Valley Lions, and Luckey's Coney Island, along with other outstanding food vendors. 
Festival organizer Becky Harris noted that “All festival activities are free of charge to our patrons, thanks to the support of our local sponsors, Pat O’Brien & Associates Real Estate, Café Sante, Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, State Farm, EYES on Main Street, and Progressive Dental, as well as a generous grant from The Charlevoix County Community Foundation for the Bay Area Big Band. We are so fortunate to have the support of our community.” 
The Charlevoix County Community Foundation is a local charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of Charlevoix County by building permanent endowment, addressing needs through grant-making, and providing leadership resources to serve the community. More information about The Charlevoix County Community Foundation may be found at www.c3f.org or by calling 231.536.2440.
For more information on the SOBO Arts Festival, visit www.soboartsfestival.com, or call the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce at 231.582.6222 or Boyne City Main Street at 231.582.9009.