"So many unique, artistic signs" in Boyne City

From the "Motorlife" Blog by Frank Wulfers: Details can give a small town that unique feel that is often lost in modern society.  Downtown Boyne City in Northern Michigan is a historic district and all local businesses and stores have done a great job by paying attention to the details like signs.  Neon or other modern signs would look out of place in a historic district like this.  There may be a city ordinance that regulates what type of sign may be used but I haven’t researched this. The signs are easy to notice and some may not even notice them at all. On a cold but sunny winter’s day in March when cabin fever reared its ugly head, I went for a walk through downtown and started taking pictures of some of the signs.  A few pictures became many and it is surprising to see there are so many unique signs all over downtown.  Not one is the same as the next and many are very creative.  Even the street name signs have a unique design. There are also a few murals, among them an old looking map of the town.  City is a big word for Boyne City because it really is a small town.  Many downtowns of small-town America became victim of the big box stores and national chain restaurants but there are still many small towns in Michigan that are small enough for local merchants to thrive.  Such a great place to live and visit. Full story.

New program can find you an intern or an internship

The Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Intern In Michigan, a free internship resource that connects businesses and organizations with qualified student interns, based on skills and interests. In less than one year, more than 17,000 internship seekers and more than 1,200 companies from across Michigan have registered on Intern in Michigan. Visit boynechamber.interninmichigan.com to learn more about the system and register to find an intern or an internship. This groundbreaking new system instantly connects students and employers through a unique online matching system. Saving time and headaches, Intern in Michigan makes connections based on specific job requirements and the individual interests and skills of the candidates. Register with the new Intern in Michigan and get instant internship matches based on your individual needs. It's free to post internships and it's free to apply for opportunities. Video.

Registration opens for Boyne Chamber's April 25 Business Expo and Taste of Boyne

Registration is now open for the Boyne Chamber's Fifth Annual Business Expo and Taste of Boyne, presented by Northwestern Bank. The Expo will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the former Carter's store. Past expos have been one of Northern Michigan's largest business networking events, as 1,300 people came to see 95 local exhibitors, including a dozen Taste of Boyne food booths. Register for a booth online via PayPal or click here for an exhibitor registration form to print and mail. Admission to the event is $5, and exhibitors receive extra admission passes for their employees, friends and clients. This exciting expo will again include great food, networking, music, business exhibits and the unveiling of the 2013-14 Boyne Area Visitors Guide. Soft drinks, Michigan wine and Short's beer on draft will be available.
> Expo website |  Photos  |  More photos  |  Sponsor info

New restaurant, marina and jobs coming to Walloon Village this summer

From the Petoskey News-Review: Up to 80 new jobs will become available in Walloon Lake this spring. Matt Borisch says he bought a series of properties in the little village last year with a simple intention: to bring life to the town and create something lasting. A marina, restaurant, boat showroom and service center are all planned for this summer. Construction of the buildings to house those businesses is progressing as planned. The boat dealership is currently open to customers by appointment, the service center will open April 15 and the marina and restaurant are expected to open by Memorial Day weekend. Just this week Borisch selected an executive chef to lead the 150-seat Barrel Back restaurant.  Full story.  Marina website.

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.