Boyne Thunder Poker Run Announces 2020 Cancellation

The Boyne Thunder Poker Run planning committee, together with the Boyne City Main Street board, announce the cancellation of the 2020 event set to take place July 10 & 11, due to COVID-19 concerns.

Safety and security are the number one priority in the planning of the event. Due to concerns for the wellness of participants, spectators, the large crowds that gather to enjoy the event, and the Northern Michigan communities involved in the event, the decision was made to cancel.

“It is with a heavy heart that the 17 ^th Annual Boyne Thunder Poker Run announces cancellation,” said Bob Alger, Committee Chair. “While it is our great pleasure to bring speed and excitement to Boyne City and Northern Michigan each July, the decision needed to be made to protect all involved and look forward to the 2021 event.”

Organizers hope that the boaters who have enjoyed Boyne City, Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan in past years can find a way to safely do so this summer.



The 2021 Boyne Thunder Poker Run will take place July 9 & 10.

Boyne Chamber & Farley Calendar & Promo Products Co. providing Custom Masks for Businesses to Order

As part of the Executive Order, Michigan employers must provide masks for employees. The Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce and Farley Calendar & Promo Products Co. have worked together to offer

the Boyne Tough Masks.

These masks are reusable, washable, cotton masks and will be screen printed with "Boyne Tough". You can order either blue or red or a combination of both. Masks

can be purchased for yourself, your employees, and even to sell to your customers at a profit.

The cost per mask is $3.25/mask. This price includes NO MARK-UP from Farley Calendar or the Boyne Chamber. It is simply a program to benefit our local businesses. The minimum order per business is 25 masks. You can order masks by calling the Chamber at 231-582-6222 or email [email protected]. Payment must be made at time of order.

We will be taking orders through Thursday, May 7th, 2020. We should have orders back in 2-3 weeks. We will deliver orders or arrange for pick-up.

Guest Column by Matthew Britton, Britton-Weber Agency:Allstate

For those of us who long to be outside it sure does make recharging the batteries a whole lot easier when the weather gets nice. Energy that needs to be banked for the next web cam, home office, kid-streaking-through-the-video, work meeting. Sheltering in place has forced every one of us to change our daily routines.

As businesses have had to adapt their routines and find ways to continue doing business with the Executive Order guidelines, some of the new operations have brought along increased liability exposures. It has never been more important to have a trusted insurance advocate in your back pocket. This is when your local representative should shine and set themselves apart from the .coms and 1-800 companies of the world. Insurance policies are not designed to cover every situation and you need to have a good understanding of where your coverage begins and ends. One of many examples of something that has expanded greatly in the ‘Shelter in Place’ environment is delivery service. Does your liability policy protect your employee’s (and your company’s) exposure to this new liability? Does it stem from your general liability policy or your business auto policy? What if you don’t have a business auto policy? What if your employee is driving their own vehicle doing this? Does their personal auto policy exclude coverage while they are in the scope of your business? These are the kinds of questions your agent should be asking you in an insurance review to ensure you have the right coverages in place.

Speaking of personal auto policies, we have big changes coming in July to how medical coverage is going to be handled on an auto policy in Michigan. Although headlines have been dominated by COVID-19 related issues, the changes are coming, nonetheless. Since the 1970’s Michigan has required unlimited medical benefits to be included in your auto insurance policy. Effective in July of this year it will now be required for the named insured on a policy to select a medical coverage limit or opt out of that coverage if they are eligible to do so. It will be important to understand if your underlying medical insurance meets the requirements to be deemed “Qualified Health Coverage” (QHC) or not. Once you have that ironed out, you will need to fully understand the options available and how those coverage limits will respond in an automobile related accident. Making uninformed decisions could have great consequences under this new program. You shouldn’t feel alone with this task put in front of you. Your agent should be able to review and explain your options with you to make an educated selection.

Take the time to understand your policies. Cultivate that close relationship with your advisor and lean on their expertise. If I can be of assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Stay healthy and stay positive!

Virtual Buff Up Boyne Saturday

While it won't be possible for our community to gather as a group on Saturday, May 2nd for the annual Buff Up Boyne event, we can still help beautify our town so it is ready to go when we can safely reopen!

Join us for Buff Up Boyne - the virtual edition!

While you are out exercising or getting some fresh air be sure to snap a picture of yourself Buffing Up Boyne City! Did you pick up some trash? Take an awesome before/after photo of your yardwork? Maybe you're just eating a doughnut like we do at the event? We want to see it! Email your photo to [email protected] or tag us on Facebook or Instagram.

Please be sure to follow all health safety guidelines when participating. We can't wait to see your photos!

The virtual event can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/events/3147513201945690/

Stroll the Streets-Postponed

Boyne City Main Street’s 17 ^th Annual Stroll the Streets event series will postpone its start date until July 17 this year, due to concerns for the health and safety of the community. Stroll the Streets takes place each Friday evening mid-June through Labor Day weekend from 6-9 p.m. in downtown Boyne City.

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“We are faced with many hard decisions right now regarding summer events, but the health and safety of our community are our first priority,” said Karen Guzniczak, Stroll the Streets volunteer coordinator. “We are very sad to have to do this, but look forward to welcoming everyone back downtown for Stroll as soon as possible.”

Stroll the Streets is a one of Boyne City Main Street’s signature events. Each Friday evening, local bands, of all musical varieties, are placed on the sidewalks throughout downtown for folks to enjoy while they shop, eat, stroll and enjoy beautiful Northern Michigan summer evenings.

Safety guidelines and group gathering protocols will be carefully monitored as July draws closer.

Long Road Distillers Offering Hand Sanitizer and Cocktail Kits To Go

Long Road has joined the cause to provide items for the fight against Covid-19 by making hand sanitizer at their Grand Rapids location.

Now you can get your favorite spirits, cocktail kits including everything you need for your favorite drink, and personal size hand sanitizer TO GO!!!

All purchases have to be made online  through our take-out website: here . Customers can place order.and select a pick-up time when checking out. When customers arrive for pick-up, they will come to the front door (118 Water St), tell us their First and Last Name on the order, and we'll grab it and hand it to them. Pick-up times will be Friday between 3pm-6pm and Saturday between 12pm-3pm,

For larger bulk or business orders, please complete this form on our website: here.

More details about which cocktail kits we are offering and hand sanitizer sizes are located in the link above or on our Boyne City Facebook page!

New Game - Facemask Selfies

Share your Facemask Selfie for a chance to win $20 chamber check. Homemade masks only please - save the professionally made masks for our front line heroes!

Take your selfie while enjoying take out from a local eatery and DOUBLE your chance to win!! Click here to share your selfie and watch our weekly newsletter for winners.

Last Week's Winner

Rebecca Litzner

This Week's Winner

Barb Brooks

Chamber member benefits    |     Member application    |  Call 231-582-6222 or  email us . 

Last Call - Main Street Seeking Watering Bids 

Boyne City Main Street is now accepting bids for watering of the downtown planters (16 large planter boxes) this summer. Bids are due Thursday, April 30 ^th at noon.

The full bid document can be found here.

Raven Hill Announces Closing for 2020

The danger of COVID-19 remains foremost in the minds of the Raven Hill Discovery Center Board of Directors. After much discussion, the Raven Hill Board has made the difficult decision to “hibernate” for 12 months, so that everyone can stay removed from one another and the Center can safely open a year from now. Opening for this 2020 spring and summer season would be difficult in this time of “social distancing”. Opening this coming fall or winter doesn't make sense, because it is Raven Hill's hardest time financially. Opening in the spring of 2021 in time for spring field trips, discovery camps and summer visitors, seems to be the best option for the Center. The Center’s staff is working behind the scenes and Raven Hill's Board will continue to reassess the situation as future Executive Orders for Michigan are released.

Resources for Re-Opening Your Business

The new normal for re-opening your business is changing daily. As we all move through this process together, relying on our partners and each other for information. Below are some links to help you navigate through the process and start making plans to re-open.

Governor's Executive Orders Order 2020-59 and Order 2020-60

Northwest Michigan Health Department - Public Health Emergency Order

The MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grant Program For more information on this grant and others, visit the website.

OSHA Guidance for Preparing Workplaces

Northern Lakes Economic Alliance Re-Opening Guidelines

Munson Testing Guidelines for Employers

Chamber &

Main Street

provide business resources 

PAYCHECK PROTECTION LOANS - The Small Businesses Administration announced it will resume processing PPP applications now that this latest allocation of funding has been signed into law. The PPP has provided forgivable loans to 1.6 million small businesses, nonprofits, Veterans organizations, tribal businesses, sole proprietors, and independent contractors in all 50 states. Click here for details.

THE CARES ACT - The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA. Struggling to get started? This guide helps point you in the right direction. Click here for the guide.

Boyne City Main Street continues to update their resources page for options available to businesses : Click here. Be sure to bookmark www.boynecitymainstreet.com as this document is updates regularly.

Here are some additional resources from the Chamber and other sources:

Michigan Chamber Coronavirus Toolkit -  Details .

Consumers Energy is delivering support for small businesses - Details

Resources for Michigan Businesses During COVID-19 -  Details

Tip of the Mitt SCORE - Details

COVID-19 websites that are updated on a regular basis:

https://www.facebook.com/nwhealthdepartment

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/

https://www.mclaren.org/main/coronavirus-covid-19

Draw Your Main Street!!!

A great quarantine activity! (Open to ages 0-11)

Bust out the crayons and markers! Draw a picture of what your Main Street looks like for a chance to be featured on the National Main Street Center blog! Share your youths' drawings on social media using #WeAreMainStreet, or email them to  [email protected] . Be sure to tag Boyne City Main Street as well on Facebook or Instagram! 

Boyne City Leaf Pick-Up

Starting on Monday, May 4, 2020 the Boyne City Public Works Department crews will begin curbside pick-up of leaves in Boyne City. This service occurs each Monday and Friday and will continue for four (4) weeks through Friday, May 29, 2020. After these dates, Boyne City property owners will be responsible for bringing their leaves to the North Boyne Compost Site on Robinson Street, or mulching the leaves on their property.

Please place your bagged leaves at the curbside in clearly marked biodegradable paper yard waste bags. Do not place brush or other yard waste at the curbside. Boyne City property owners may bring their brush to the North Boyne Compost Site.

Paper Yard Waste bags are available locally at the Boyne Ace Hardware store and the Boyne Co-op store, or can be purchased elsewhere. Please only place leaves in the yard waste bags, as these bags are not designed to hold sticks, roots, sand, soil, or stones and will break when handled.

Under City of Boyne City Ordinance you may not deposit loose piles of leaves, or other yard waste, onto the streets. Loose material may wash into the city storm sewers causing flooding & pollution of Lake Charlevoix and/or the Boyne River.

If you feel your pick-up was missed during this service period, please contact the Boyne City City Hall at 582-6579.

As a reminder, the City of Boyne City Spring Rubbish Collection will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2020. This year there will be only one collection day in the Spring, not three as in past years.

Charlevoix County Transit's COVID-19 service has caught the attention of yet another national organization. This time, the Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP), featured CCT in a social media post regarding servicing being provided by transit systems across the nation. Recently, CCT was featured in the Community Transportation Association of America's COVID-19 Transit Blog and was also featured in a webinar and social media posts by software provider, Routematch.

We're proud to partner with Commission on Aging, food pantries and businesses to get food and essentials to individuals and families in Charlevoix County. We encourage residents to continue to utilize the delivery services being offered by Charlevoix County Transit even after some of the Stay At Home restrictions are relaxed or lifted.

Along with the providing essential passenger rides, the CCT is an increase in requests for delivery of items. The service is for anyone in the County, there are no eligibility requirements.

For more information Click Here

Boyne City Attorney Robert Banner announces his candidacy for the 90 ^th District Court Judge position. “I am excited to take on this challenge. The positive response to my decision to run is humbling. It will be my pleasure to meet the voters of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties over the months to come. I look forward to earning the trust and respect of the voters,".  Banner said.

                                                                       

Banner is a trial lawyer and has extensive jury and bench trial experience. Over the last 29 years he has tried many cases in district, circuit, probate, and tribal courts. He has litigated matters involving: drinking and driving; landlord/tenant; land contract forfeiture; misdemeanor and felony criminal matters; general civil litigation in district and circuit courts; juvenile delinquency; and abuse and neglect cases. He handles probate estates, trust estates, assists clients  creating estate plans, and he has litigated both contested probate and trust estates.

 

Outside of his work responsibilities, Robert (Bob) Banner is a 27- year member of the Rotary Club of Boyne City. He is a past president, past board member and current scholarship chairman for the club. Banner is the current President of the Board of Directors of Northern Community Mediation in Petoskey. He is on the Advisory Council to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation. In 2017 he was appointed by then Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to the position of Public Administrator for Charlevoix County. This appointment requires him to represent the State of Michigan in Charlevoix County probate matters involving deceased persons without heirs.

 

Bob and his wife Cindy of 29 years, have two children, Katelyn, age 22, who is in graduate school at Western Michigan University, and Phillip, a sophomore at Boyne City High School. They are long- time members of Christ Lutheran Church in Boyne City.

 

“I have earned the trust and respect of my colleagues. I am uniquely qualified for this position as I possess the experience and proper temperament to succeed as judge. It would be my honor to continue serving Charlevoix and Emmet Counties as District Court Judge.”

How to get your favorite Farmers Market products 

With the Boyne City Farmers Market closed right now, are you wondering how to be stocked with your favorite market products? Market Manager Jordan Peck has this to say: "We want you to know that good food and your familiar farmers and producers are only an e-mail or phone call away. So, find your vendors in the list provided, contact them, place your order and arrange a pick-up method that is safe for all concerned."

Here is a list of the 16 winter market vendors and their contact information.

Updated Downtown Map-Great way to Connect with Local Businesses

Boyne City Main Street is pleased to release the 2020 update of the downtown map. The map can be viewed digitally here. The map is packed full of a ton of great community information, and is a great way resource to help you connect with local businesses. As soon as possible, printed copies will be distributed throughout the community

BOYNE MOUNTAIN- is extending deadline for purchase of 2020/2021 Season Ski Passes until June 22, 2020. Click here for details.

CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS - receives Outstanding Achievement Award at the Northwest Michigan Industrial Association’s Annual Safety Awards Banquet recognizing those employers with zero lost time, zero injuries and zero restricted days by their employee. Read full story here.

FAMILY FARE - is offering Fast Lane Shopping. Shop from the comfort and safety of your own home. Same great prices. Click here to start shopping.

LEXAMAR - Among Automotive Suppliers Manufacture and Donate Face Shields. Read press Release here

TRUESTREAM-Truestream of Great Lake Energy has secured the necessary equipment and several locations throughout our Emmet and Charlevoix county service areas to be able to provide FREE Wi-Fi access for continued learning and video conferencing, all while empowering you to practice safe social distancing from the comfort of your vehicle.

Click Here for locations and log in information.

DECKA DIGITAL- is here to help you. From one small business to another, we understand how hard the times have been during this outbreak. So, we are discounting our banners, window posters, and yard signs 20% to help your business stand out. Whether you want a curbside banner with your phone number advertising take out, or want a big poster for your store's window, we have you covered. Simply call for details! We are open and happy to help 

231-347-1253 . 

CITY OF BOYNE CITY- will hold a residential rubbish collection program on the two dates ONLY in 2020. Spring Date- Saturday, May 23, 2020 Fall Date- Saturday, September 19, 2020. This service is for all 3 unit or less residential dwellings in the city. It is not for properties outside the city nor is it for commercial businesses. Rubbish Flyer and Permitted Items.

CITY OF BOYNE CITY - City will hold a Public Information session using Zoom to discuss the upcoming North Lake Street / West Michigan Avenue road construction project on Tuesday, May 5 ^th at 6:00 p.m.    Read full press release here.

CITY OF BOYNE CITY - The City of Boyne City will begin performing Fire Hydrant flushings beginning the week of May 4 ^th . This work helps keep the City’s water system clean and water quality at optimal levels. Work will take place weekdays between 8 am and 3 pm, weather permitting, through the month of May. The fire hydrants at the south part of the City will be flushed first with work proceeding northerly until finished. Due to sediments that may be stirred up during these flushings the public is advised to refrain from doing laundry during these hours. If there are any questions, please contact the Boyne City City Hall at 231.582.6597 during regular office hours weekdays between 7:30 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. or online anytime at [email protected]   

Celebrate with Red Mesa from home with Cinco de GoGo!

Pre-Order thru May 3 (correction to flyer) 231-582-0049

GRAIN TRAIN - Offering free delivery and curb-side service. We have Plexiglas installed at the registers, our staff are wearing masks and we are asking our customers to do the same. Social distancing with no more than 5 customers in the store at any time and sanitizing are our primary areas of focus. We are typically well stocked, including with fresh produce. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9-6 Sunday limited curbside service (231) 459-4522. We look forward to serving you. 

School News

Boyne City School Bond Election May 5 If approved, Boyne City Schools Bond Election would generate $26 million dollars for renovations, technology, improved classrooms, auditorium improvements, and an athletic training center (fieldhouse) for students and the community. If approved, tax rates are expected to remain at the current rate of 3.14 mil (no tax increase). The election is generally by absentee ballot, however, voters may receive and drop off ballots up to and including election day, May 5. Links to more information including a presentation on the bond vote can be found here.

Boyne City Elementary School Preregistration for Kindergarten Round Up - Fill out form here

Boyne Falls Preschool Registration & Open House Night is postponed. If you would like your child to be considered for the 2020-21 School Year, please email the Program Director, Mitchell Klooster at [email protected]. Include: Parent/Caregiver’s full name(s), home address, student’s name, date of birth, and what days of the week you are hoping that your child will be able to attend.

St. Michael Acadamy - Home Haircut Challenge Inspired by a BOLD and UNEXPECTED move by St. Michael Academy, Petoskey Headmaster, Dr. Richard Brake, when he decided to trim his own hair during a live, online student forum. SMA students are now challenging everyone to cut their own hair and make a donation to Northern Michigan food pantries. We love love our local barbers and hair salons, but until they can re-open, please take the challenge! Furry friends and box hair-color count as well! Please post a picture on FB or Instagram and use the #SMAhomehaircutChallenge. Go click here and choose the food pantry of your choice.

North Central Michigan College   recognizes the many uncertainties caused by the unprecedented Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and has announced a new initiative,  NC ADAPT to provide students and parents with relevant information to make informed decisions about the next steps on their educational journey. NC ADAPT, which is an acronym for Assurance of a Disruption-Free Academic Planning Timeline, outlines several measures aimed at ensuring a safe, seamless transition to summer and fall semesters, which begin in May and September, respectively.

North Central is also asking for your input regarding topics you are interested in, platforms for learning, and how to best reach you with this information. We will use the data we collect from these surveys to structure our Lifelong Learning program. Thank you for sharing your interests with us. We look forward to offering you excellent programming for 2020-2021. Click here to take survey

Boyne Falls Public School - Can Drive

New Advertising opportunity available

In addition to the advertising opportunities available in our Thursday Edition, we have added a dedicated newsletter. This newsletter will go out on Monday or Tuesday weekly and will be dedicated to you and your business message. I f you would like information on how to send a dedicated dedicated e-newsletter or a display ad to our 3,800 newsletter recipients, contact    [email protected] or cal 231-582-6222

You can also reach our readers with your advertising message and a link for as little as $50 in our Thursday edition.. Ad space is available for all future weeks. Your message will be seen by more than 1,500 readers who open our newsletter each week.

> SPREAD THE NEWS - We'd love to send you and your friends the weekly Boyne Business News. Click here to subscribe.

Looking for staff? Make a job posting!

 

Chamber member businesses looking to hire staff are encouraged to post their jobs on the chamber website  job posting page . You can do this with your member log-in with just a few simple steps. If you need assistance with your log-in, email [email protected]. These jobs are all listed on the Jobs page now:

HUD Certified Housing Counselor- Northern Homes CDC - Details

Caregiver- 2nd Shift at Pineview Cottage - Details

Several Various Positions at The Brook Retirement Community - Details

Several Volunteer Opportunities at The Brook Retirement Community - Details

Part-time cook , no weekends, at Charlevoix Senior Center -  Details

Park rangers and park maintenance staff  for Charlevoix County -  Details

Assistant Harbormaster  for the City of Boyne City -  Details   

In the News

Family Fare among store requiring masks for employees and customers - Full Story

Charlevoix County Commission On Aging Mitigation Plan - Full Plan

Evenings at the Gazebo Schedule

The Boyne Area Chamber has announced its Evenings at the Gazebo schedule, and we are excited to offer an extended season with 10 concerts this summer. The 2020 series is presented by  Black Diamond Broadcasting  with concerts held in Old City Park on Wednesday evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. 

Concerts are made possible by additional support from local businesses and individual sponsors. Seven of the 10 concert sponsorships are still available. Band sponsors are featured on a logo banner displayed at all concerts and they get to introduce the band on concert nights. Sponsors also have their name or logo included on all promotional materials, listed on our website, listed in our weekly newsletter, and on Facebook. 

> New this summer, concessions will be available each week! Challenge Mountain will begin the season on June 17. Sunnyside will then be there every Wednesday for the rest of the summer until August 19. Stay tuned for all the delicious details.

>  Here are details on sponsorships , and you can sign up by emailing  [email protected]  or calling the chamber at 231-582-6222. 

> Here is the 2020 summer schedule , sponsored by Black Diamond Broadcasting. Details on each band are online at  www.gazeboconcerts.com :

June 17 - Full Moon Jam Band

June 24 - Calamity Jane

July 1 - 1000 Watt Prophets

July 8 - Jay Daniel Band, sponsored by  Pat O'Brien & Associates

July 15 - Wyatt & Shari Knapp

July 22 - On Tap, sponsored by  Pat O'Brien & Associates

July 29 - Mike Dhaseleer 

August 5 - Awesome Distraction

August 12 - Full Circle

August 19 - Billy McAllister "Perfectly Frank" Sinatra Tribute, sponsored by  Boyne Co-op True Value