Chamber honors business and civic leaders at Annual Meeting

Becky Harris, right, accepts
business leadership award
from Sally Roselli's sister,
Julie Wellman.

The Chamber honored a number of local business and civic leaders in front of a crowd of more than 300 people at its Annual Meeting Jan. 17 at Boyne Mountain. The winners were chosen in voting by more than 200 members, local residents and visitors who responded to an online survey. Here are the award winners:  

Sally Roselli Business Leadership Award - Becky Harris for her "vigilant and enthusiastic promotion" as the new manager of the Boyne City Farmers Market, which is now open year-round. (Photo at right)

Community Pride Award - The Boyne City Eagles, who donate money throughout the year to area food pantries, the girl and boy scouts, Community Christmas baskets, school backpack programs, the free clinic and many other organizations.

Volunteer of the Year Award - Gail Farley, who is the driving force behind the Northern Michigan Cancer Crusaders. Gail is also active with the 4th of July Committee, Mushroom Festival and Relay for Life.

Entrepreneur of the Year - Brett Cuper of Morel's Bistro took a closed business that had been closed for four years and turned it into a high-end destination restaurant – enhancing Boyne City's growing reputation as the place to go for all types of dining.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Joshua Grove and Michael Koteskey of Boyne Parasail. This dynamic duo worked for months ahead of time, planning and training to start a business that made a big splash right away.

Heritage Award for ongoing contributions to the community by a long-time business leader - We have two recipients of this award because there was a virtual tie between two worthy people:

• Lynda Christensen of Lynda's Real Estate Service - Besides running a successful business she is constantly helping others in our community. She is active in the Boyne City Booster Foundation, St. Matthew's Church and she runs the Loan Closet, which loans medical equipment  to those returning home from surgery.
• Hugh Conklin of the Boyne City Main Street Program - Hugh and his wife Susan first came to Boyne City as the owners of the Boyne Citizen. Lately, he has taken our Main Street program to a new level and helped bring our community national recognition. 

> Details and photos.

Owners offer historic Boyne Theater to city for restoration

The Boyne Theater in downtown Boyne City, originally built in 1903, may soon see restoration efforts and use again. Thursday, Brian Asher, owner of the building that houses the theater and an adjacent business, the Thirsty Goat, announced his desire to donate the theater to Boyne City's Main Street program so that it can be restored and used as an arts venue. The theater and restaurant are located in an area of Boyne City called the SoBo, or South Boyne, arts district. "As an arts district, having an open theater and performance venue would be a benefit to Boyne and the surrounding communities," said Asher. Boyne City Main Street will consider the offer and investigate the potential of the building, said Hugh Conklin, Main Street manager, after the announcement by Asher at the State of the Community luncheon at Sommerset Pointe Yacht Club Thursday. "This is an opportunity for us to restore a historic landmark and add vibrancy to our downtown," said Conklin, "It's a tremendous opportunity." Full story from the Petoskey News-Review.

Charlevoix County is nation's first official "Connected Community"

Residents of Charlevoix County can take pride in knowing that they have become the first “Connected” certified community nationally under Connected Nation’s Connected community engagement program. The announcement was made August 22 at a broadband planning meeting held by the Charlevoix County Broadband Team at Boyne City High School. The Michigan Public Service Commission chairman, Connected Nation president, and dozens of community leaders were in attendance as results from the assessment and future plans for broadband expansion were unveiled. Michigan Public Service Commission Chairman John D. Quackenbush had the following to say about this important event:

“Charlevoix County can be proud to be the first community that has completed the broadband certification process offered by Connected Nation. Joining together, they determined that the benefits of broadband would make this community a more attractive one – a community with a better business environment for economic development, improved healthcare, enhanced education, and an efficient government.”

This certification comes after a months-long planning process involving more than 36 community stakeholders representing key economic sectors. A major step forward in closing this digital divide came when officials decided to enroll in the Connected community certification program through Connect Michigan.

The Charlevoix Action Plan includes projects to expand digital literacy, build awareness for the benefits of broadband, and assist businesses with websites and social media, as well as improving the online presence of local governments, among other entities. Connected certification affords a community an avenue to discuss its success and pursue opportunities as a recognized, technologically advanced community. More info.

Morel's Bistro: A wish come true for new Boyne City restaurant owner

New restaurant Morel's Bistro between Boyne City and Walloon Lake at 273 Old State Road, is the wish-fulfillment of executive chef and owner Brett Cuper. He worked for two decades as a pharmacist, but became dissatisfied with corporate life. What didn't change is his love for "Up North" life with its wintertime skiing and summertime attractions, he said. "We decided it was time to make a change," he said. Cuper knew the area well, as did his wife, Jennifer, and their sons, Alexander, 21, and Matt, 15. They were long-time vacationers here. "We just fell in love with Boyne City and decided to buy a house here," he said. Cuper earned a culinary degree at Ashworth College in Pennsylvania and the family moved from Ann Arbor to the Boyne Valley to realize his long-cherished dream of being a restaurateur. "I wanted to create a casual, fine-dining experience, so I designed my idea of an American bistro. We hope it will become a venue for anniversaries and birthdays, a place for family gatherings and celebrations, a place where people feel comfortable and will want to come back to. My love of cooking is my creative outlet." 
> Morel's Bistro will host the Boyne Area Chamber's Business After Hours networking event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18. The public is invited to attend. Admission and hors d'oeuvres are complimentary and there will be a cash bar. Full story from Petoskey News-Review.

10-plus businesses open in Boyne City this year

The Boyne City community is home to 10 new businesses so far this year. It’s an impressive list that promises to add to the vitality of our community. And there are really more than 10, because the Boyne Wellness Station includes 6 health practitioners within. The Chamber and Main Street congratulate them all and wish them all the best of luck:

• Boyne Parasail, Joshua Grove and Mike Koteskey, One Water Street Marina, (231) 881-6000, www.boyneparasail.com 
• Boyne Wellness Station, 112 S. Park St. - 6 natural health practitioners (News-Review story)
• The Brook Retirement Community, Cindy Goddard, 701 Vogel Street, (231) 582-4300, www.brookretirement.com
• JEMZ Consignment Shop, Liz Sivak, 500 N. Lake St., Suite F, (231) 582-2700
• Meg McClorey Pottery, 211-1/2 S. Lake St., (248) 635-5851, www.megpots.com
• Morel's Bistro, Bret Cuper, 273 Old State Road, (231) 582-1170, www.morelsbistro.com.
• Northern Michigan Premier Properties, Ted and Pam Macksey, 44 N. Lake St., (231) 459-4404, www.northernmichiganpremierproperties.com
• Precision Edge Surgical Products, Milt Kniss, 1448 Lexamar Dr., (231) 459-4304, www.precisionedge.com
• Red Carpet Mobile Autowash and Detail, 231-459-5609
• The Thirsty Goat, Brian Asher, 220 S. Lake St., (231) 268-4628

"WelcomeToBoyneCity.com" websites unveiled

No amount of pro-motion of Boyne City is too much… especially in the digital world where multiple links enhance web presence. MetroAlive, a company you may have met at the Chamber Business Expo in April, is dedicated to promoting Boyne City merchants through their “city websites.” They have built a www.WelcomeToBoyneCity.com  website to highlight the greater Boyne City area, emphasizing high quality photography and video. Following their photo sessions, they add new businesses to their “city site” at affordable prices, which also gives the participating business their own website. Participating businesses will also be handing out cards that, when completed by visiting other businesses, can be turned into the Chamber for a gift certificate drawing. They may contact you to discuss the “Welcome To Boyne City” program or you can contact Laurie (586-817-8001) or Scott (313-215-0089) to get more information.

> BUSINESSES FEATURED on WelcometoBoyne City.com include: Huff Pharmacy, BC Pizza, Upsy Daisy Floral, Boyne Coop and the Tackle Box, Water Street Cafe, Boyne Avenue Greenhouse and Florist, Sunset Grill, Country Now & Then/Up the Lazy River, Sommerset Pointe, No Boundaries, en vogue salon and Local Flavor Bookstore - plus more in progress that will be unveiled soon. Click here to check out all the new websites.

Thirsty Goat Restaurant opens to enthusiastic crowds in downtown Boyne City

The Thirsty Goat, Boyne City’s newest downtown restaurant at 220 S. Lake St., tried to have a soft opening Thursday, but a big crowd of locals turned out for dinner… wanting to be among the first to check it out. All were treated to great food, and a great beer and wine selection – come out and see for yourself this weekend. The owners commissioned local sommelier Ed Brehm of the Wine Emporium to select and write their new wine list. Ed commented: “Featuring vino from California, Washington and Oregon, their list is approachable and the wines are delicious. Lots of choices by the glass too. They've done an absolutely fantastic job of giving the building and the outdoor space a facelift. The menu features Northern Michigan fare in ‘New American Tavern’ style and the restaurant will be very family friendly (there's even a Wii for the kiddies).”  HOURS are Tuesday-Saturday from 11 to 10 and Sunday Brunch is 11 to 2. Their phone number is 231.268.4628.