Archive: October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION SPARKLES NOVEMBER 24
Soon we’ll see the Big Santa and mailbox going up at the corner of Jefferson
and Ash, our new downtown holiday decorations appearing on our streetlights,
seasonal plants will be set out in our downtown flower planters, and Express
Tree Service will be stringing lights on the huge Christmas tree on the
Courthouse lawn. They’ll all be signs that we’re getting ready for Friday,
November 24. That’s the day after Thanksgiving and exactly a month before
Christmas Eve. That afternoon and evening we’ll have our annual Mason
“Hometown U.S.A.” Holiday celebration.
Dart Container Corporation is again the presenting sponsor of the 2006 Mason 
Holiday
Celebration events. The popular evening lighted parade and lighting of the
community’s Christmas tree are only two of the many events slated. “For the
fourth year, we are proud to have Dart Container sponsor the parade and the
day’s events. We also thank the folks at Lear Corporation for again allowing
us to start the parade in their lighted parking lot,” says Doug Klein,
executive director of the Chamber. He also encourages folks to help with the
day’s and evening’s events by volunteering. You can contact him at (517)
676-1046 or at dougklein@masonchamber.org by e-mail.
“The City of Mason is also an important partner. They help by closing streets and providing traffic coordination. We are responding to their request for improved public safety this year by letting parade participants know that they are not to throw candy or get on or off any unit that is in motion,” he added.
The lighted parade steps off at 6:45 p.m. proceeds to downtown Mason. The route is Mason Street to Columbia to State to Maple. The parade then circles the Courthouse by turning left on Jefferson, Ash, Barnes and Maple Street before stopping on in the 100 block of west Maple. Lighted units will represent many area groups and businesses and include CATA, Two Men and a Truck, Ingham Habitat for Humanity, Mason Area United Way, Granger Container, the American Cancer Society, TomCo Asphalt, Davey’s Basement, and many more lighted vehicles and floats. Doug Williams will again lead members of American Legion Browne/Cavender Post 148 to keep the parade organized, but this year he will have an additional duty.
Before the parade steps off, the Christmas tree on the Courthouse Square will be lit at 6:30 p.m. by Doug Williams in his role as the Chamber’s 2006 Citizen of the Year. Also downtown near the tree before the parade: a welcome by City of Mason mayor Leon Clark, vocal music, the Mason High School Santa Band, and much more. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive with the parade and then meet up with the Mason Area Historical Society members who will take them back over to the Mason Historical Museum on Oak Street to meet children and continue
the fun over there. Also, a living nativity will be presented downtown on the Courthouse Square by several area churches following the parade.The day’s activities actually begin much earlier in the afternoon sponsored by the Cobblestone Events Center in the Mason Antiques District. Features include music, singing, storytelling, contests, and free refreshments. Marines will have Toys for Tots collection stations located both there and downtown. The events there begin with a community tree decorating contest at 2:30 p.m., now open to all groups, families, businesses, and organizations in the area. Proceeds from a “drop your dollar” vote for best tree will be going to Angel House. Forms and information on the tree contest, parade, etc. are on www.masonchamber.org or call (517) 676-1046.
GET READY FOR THE DECEMBER HOLIDAY PARTY
The Chamber Ambassadors suggest you put some of your holiday gift buying money away until December 7th. That particular Thursday evening they want you to bring it over to the Ingham County Fairgrounds Community Building. There you’ll enjoy a fun Holiday Party – the Chamber’s biggest mixer event – from 5 to 8 PM. They expect about 250 people this year. It is a great time to greet all your friends and neighbors in the community and wish them the happiest of holidays.
Sure, like last year you’ll also enjoy the delightful live holiday music from harpist Kelly Yoakam. Oh, and you’ll just love the wonderful food of the “Taste of Mason” provided by 14 area restaurants and caterers. And there will be door prizes. But it is the silent auction and live auction item values that will make you reach for your wallet. You can snap up some really great gifts and finish your Christmas shopping in style.
The December “Mason In Motion” Newsletter will list all of the auction items in a detailed catalogue. Just make sure the party is on your calendar today!
FIRST MASON CLASS DAY OFFERED
Mason merchants are promoting their first “Class Day” on Saturday, November 18th from 8 a.m. to after 2 p.m. These fun craft and other classes and workshops are offered throughout the day in various locations. Here’s the current schedule:
8 AM Espresso 101 (includes 1/2 lb. of Small Word Coffee), Cost $10 (limit 8 people), Bestsellers Books & Coffee, 360 S. Jefferson, 676-6648
10 AM Trading Card-Greeting Card Make and Take, Cost $5, Kean's Store Co., 406 S. Jefferson, 676-5144 / Make and Take Ribbon-Wired Flowers and Purse Demonstration, Cost $3, Yards of Fabric, 116 E. Ash Street, 676-2973
11 AM Table Decorating Demo (you take home a glass hurricane), Cost $5 Kean's Store Co., 406 S. Jefferson, 676-5144 / String a Basic Bracelet (supplies included), Cost $10, The Trellis, 352 W. Columbia, 676-9256
1 PM Table Decorating Demo (you take home a glass hurricane), Cost $5, Kean's Store Co., 406 S. Jefferson, 676-5144 / Furniture Medic (Restoration - Cleaning - Appraisal), Cost FREE, Mason Antiques Market, 202 Mason Street, 676-9753 / Cooking Demonstration (includes food sampling and tasting), Cost $15, Mike's Firehouse Grill, 447 S. Jefferson, 244-1020
2 PM FREE Jewelry Cleaning (continues through 4 PM), William Fink Jewelers, 121 W. Maple, 676-1236 / Espresso 101 (includes 1/2 lb. of Small Word Coffee), Cost $10 (limit 8 people), Bestsellers Books & Coffee, 360 S. Jefferson, 676-6648 / Make and Take Ribbon-Wired Flowers and Purse Demonstration, Cost $3, Yards of Fabric, 116 E. Ash Street, 676-2973 / Trading Card-Greeting Card Make and Take, Cost $5, Kean's Store Co., 406 S. Jefferson, 676-5144
NEW MEMBERS JOIN
Welcome to the following new Chamber members!
The Pampered Chef - Independent Director
Robin Case Naeyaert
317 E. Elm Street
Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 676-3620
rcnaeyaert@hotmail.com
www.pamperedchef.biz/robinsnest
Business opportunity, cooking shows, fundraisers, bridal/gift registries are a sampling of how The Pampered Chef® helps families prepare quick, delicious meals! Let me show you how to “dine out” at home. Call or e-mail to schedule your own cooking demonstration!
Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center
3181 Sandhill Road
Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 336-6060
Fax: (517) 336-6050
Eric Hannah
Origami, established through a creative alliance between MSU and Peckham, is a non-profit organization committed to providing comprehensive rehabilitation for individuals affected by brain injury.
The Community Marketplace
3520 Okemos Road, #6-107
Okemos, MI 48864
(810) 599-6351
Tucker Williams and Kelly Tucker
This direct mail advertising publication is mailed to 25,500 homes and businesses in Williamston, Mason, Okemos, Haslett, and Dansville.
NEWS FROM OUR CHAMBER MEMBERS
Volunteers from the City of Mason and others in our community plan to hold a fundraising benefit for the Chris Colligan Family at the Mason Bowling Center on Sunday, December 3rd. Look for details to come.
Bill Sheridan of Sheridan Realty & Auction Company recently participated in a segment on NBC’s Today Show on auctioneering from a school of auctioneering in Indiana. Bill Sheridan has been an auctioneer for 31 years and a president of the National Auctioneers Association. Residential real estate auctions are the fastest growing part of the auction industry.
Randy Schroeder was named “Optimist of the Year” by the Mason Optimist Club at their recent annual banquet at Mike’s Firehouse Grill. He was recognized for organizing their Salvation Army bell ringing activities.
Members of the Fair City Golden K Kiwanis Club donated three tricycles to the Mason Public School’s pre-primary program at Cedar Street Elementary School. The small trikes aid in developing balance and movement skills.
The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office reminds us to be aware, especially at dawn and dusk, for deer crossing roads in our area. Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth reminds us, “Don’t veer to avoid the deer.” Motorists should brake hard and drive straight ahead.
Capital Directions, Inc., the holding corporation for Mason State
Bank, announces a special meeting for stockholders on December 7th
to reorganize as a Subchapter S corporation. Tim Gaylord, president and CEO,
states that “if the stockholders approve, shareholders will see a dramatic
increase in the net dividend earned.” Mason State Bank has served the Mason
area since 1886.
Bestsellers Bookstore will hold a reception on Saturday, November 4th from 1 to 3 p.m. to meet the author of “Mirror, Mirror: Addiction, Recovery, and the Battle Within.” For more information, call (517) 676-6648 or visit the www.bestsellersbookstore.com website.
Curves of Mason recently celebrated its fifth anniversary and Davey’s Basement its first. Members with any milestone events may choose to include a ribbon cutting as part of their celebration. Contact the Chamber office or any Chamber Ambassador for details.
VALUE CARD PROGRAM BRINGS DISCOUNTS
One of the ways the Chamber creates member value is through many membership services. These include discounts on insurance programs, listings on the Chamber’s website, referral through the Chamber office, and many more. One benefit is the availability of the Chamber’s Member Value Card to employees and associates of Chamber member businesses and organizations. Other Chamber members offer discounts on various products and services exclusively to holders of the Member Value Card. Find out the latest offers at the Chamber’s www.masonchamber.org website. This member-to-member program has several purposes:
-- to showcase Chamber member businesses
-- to bring new and increased business to participants
-- to provide another opportunity for area folks to shop locally
Business members can opt in, change offers, or even opt out at any time since a current list of discount offers is maintained on the Chamber’s www.masonchamber.org website. Member Value Cards are available to members from the Chamber office. Companies that look to gain marketing exposure by participating in the program may contact the Chamber office at 676-1046 or at masonchamber@masonchamber.org by e-mail.
GUY ZUECK WINS BIG AT MACC RAFFLE PARTY
Organizer Ron Tatro and many other volunteers worked very hard to make our Chamber’s fifth annual MACC Raffle Party a great success on October 21, 2006. The event was a licensed raffle (MLR 80416) with net proceeds going to partially fund the Chamber’s “Hometown U.S.A.” community investments and programs. The Chamber is grateful to the many business partners who helped make the event successful, especially Andrews Chevrolet.
This year, about 250 people enjoyed a fine steak dinner catered by Darrell’s Market. Beverages and snacks were served by Liz Hogg. Jim Hyde led several lively auctions throughout the party to add to the fun. We especially thank Arnold Short of the County Seat Old Car Club, who sold 82 tickets and won our ticket sellers prize for the fifth straight year! Kim Gorrell, Peter Robinson, George Hayhoe, Carl Howard and many others were also in our ticket seller’s hall of fame.
Kim Gorrell and Kathy Smith shared their great idea of using the tickets as a way to express appreciation to customers and suppliers. Flood Reid Insurance Agency, Independent Bank, B-Dry Systems, and ServiceMaster Clean had successful “parties within a party” and used the MACC Raffle Party for business-building.
The big winner of the 1996 silver-colored Collector Edition Corvette
convertible was Guy Zueck of Lansing. He was congratulated that evening by
Brenda Bristol and by Kim and Polly Gorrell of B-Dry Systems of South
Central Michigan. We had a lot of other winners on Saturday evening,
October 21, 2006. Here is a full list:
1996 Corvette – Guy Zueck
2nd Place - $500 – John Manning
3rd Place - $300 – Elizabeth Manning
4th Place - $200 – Gerald Smith
5th Place - $100 – Linda Mulder
$10 50/50 Board - $912.50 – Rob Cate
$5 50/50 Board - $627.50 – Don Vickers
$100 for First Number Drawn – Kelly Beach
$150 for 123rd Number Drawn – Ruth Ann Parente
$200 for 185th Number Drawn – Mel Burke
$250 for 246th Number Drawn – Greg Calobrace
$300 for 277th Number Drawn – Jamie Donth
Bonus! Ticket Winners:
152nd Number – Judy Vickers & Phyllis Pierce
167th Number – Deb VanNortwick
182nd Number – Jennifer Hayes
197th Number – Sharie Maurer
213th Number – Tom Miskowski
228th Number – Gerald Smith
243rd Number – Eleanor LaFontzee
258th Number – Larry Osborn
273rd Number – Guy Zueck
289th Number – Don Vickers
Loser’s Gift Winners:
Gerald Smith – Outdoor Fire Place
Kathy Bungart – Jewelry Box
Bob Zachar – Blender
Liz Manning – Paper Shredder
Peggy Husby – Cyclonic Heater
Len Lueder – Invicta Watch
Julie Coffman – Shop Vac
Judy Vickers – Flatware
Wilma Causie – Coffee Maker
Jerri Evans – Sander
Everyone who registered for the loser’s gift drawing also got a coupon for a free A&W root beer float, courtesy of the Mason A&W Restaurant. Our next MACC Raffle Party is scheduled for Saturday evening, October 20, 2007.