Newsletter - July-August 2009.pub (Read-Only) - Caro Chamber of ...

The Action
Caro Chamber of Commerce
Events & Meetings
August 12 - Downtown Task Force Meeting - 8 a.m., Chamber Building
August 19 - Chamber Board Meeting - 8 a.m. - Municipal Building
August 20 - After Hours - Brentwood - 5:30 p.m.
August 28 - Chicken Dinner - American Legion Hall
September 7 - LABOR DAY
September 9 - Downtown Taskforce Meeting - 8 a.m. - Chamber Building
September 16 - Chamber Board Meeting - 8 a.m. - Municipal Building
September 17 - After Hours - Edward Jones Financial - 5 p.m.
157 North State Street, Caro, MI 48723 July/August 2009
CARS, CRAFTS, AND BIKE SHOWS 2009
Car Show Winners
1st place - Mel Stacy - 1966 Caprice
2nd place - Bill Harrington - 1968 Charger
Oldest Vehicle - Jim Rosenstangel - 1926
Model T
Furthest Traveled—Dale Haselhuhn
from Macomb - 1960 Cadillac
Bike Show Winners
1st place - Ron Wagoner - 1960 Cushman
2nd place - Sam Prezzato - 2005 Heritage
3rd place - Keith & Sandy Amsdill - 1999
Honda Goldwing
Esclade Raffle Winner
Casey Culhane - Owendale
Sit & Scoots Raffle Winners
Jason Loomis - Mt. Morris
Melissa Huber - Caro
Caro Chamber 2009
Scholarship Winners
M i c h a e l
Greene, son of
Joe & Beth
Greene, is one
of the recipients
of a $250 scholarship
given to
2 Caro area
graduates each
year. Mike
graduated with
honors from the
C a r o H i g h
School and he has been very active in
the community volunteering in
numerous ways with many organizations.
He plans to attend Central
Michigan University at Mount Morris to
pursue a degree in Secondary Education.
Harvey from the Tuscola County
Pumpkin Festival, and Fred & Ginger
Bread from the Gingerbread Festival
made their appearance at the June event
(right).
Sheila Curtis, daughter of Matt &
Laurie Curtis, also received a $250
scholarship. Sheila has pushed herself to
excel and be the best that she could be.
She received the highest academic honor
that Caro High School provides - the
academic plaque. She has done volunteer
work in many organizations in her
school, church, and community She is
passionate about volunteering, helping
people, and making a difference to help
the world be a better place. She has
already succeeded in making a difference
in many people’s lives. Sheila
plans to attend
Central Michigan
University
majoring in
e l e m e n t a r y
education and
minoring in
American Sign
Language.
We wish both of
these young
people the best!

Page 2 The Action 157 North State Street, Caro, MI 48723
“Growing …to serve
you better”
Owners:
Clare Comment, Lori
Comment, Ken Beachy
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
BRENTWOOD
Caro Chamber of Commerce
157 North State Street
Caro, MI 48723
(989) 673-5211
FAX: (989) 673-2517
E-MAIL:
executivedirector@carochamber.org
WEB: www.carochamber.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Susan Rickwalt-Holder
Tuscola Behavioral Health Systems
VICE PRESIDENT
Suzanne Smith
State Street Pharmacy & Wellness Center
TREASURER
Jim McLoskey
Tuscola County Economic Development Corp.
SECRETARY
Laura Crase
State Farm - Laura Crase Agency
DIRECTORS
Don Beavers
Village of Caro
Joddy Ehrenberg
Centennial Title Insurance, Inc.
Sandy Gaudreau
Thumb Area Big Brothers and Big Sisters
Meggen Jensen
The Advertiser
Mike Parker
With The Grain
Mark Ransford
Ransford Funeral Home
Tina Ruschke
Tina’s Corner Café
Mark Strzelewicz
Caro Veterinary Clinic
Robin Vollmar
Northstar Bank
Address:
178 Park Drive
Caro, MI 48723
Phone: 989-673-2330
Business Hours:
9 a.m. - Midnight or
later (varies)
Current Summer
Specials:
• Monday - (5 p.m. - 8
p.m.) - pizza, dough
balls, and salad bar
buffet - $5 per
person and includes
one game of open
bowling.
● Tuesday - 50¢ bowling (open to close).
Business Began: They continue to serve their customers in the same location where
they began in 1981 and now employ 35 people.
Products or Services: Bowling, banquet dining, lounge, and other entertainment.
They provide entertainment for schools, the Lighthouse Rehabilitation Center, and
senior homes who come from all over to bowl and eat.
They pride themselves in offering entertainment for all ages, affordable family
dining, and banquet rooms for family and business gatherings. They are proud of the
Caro High School bowling team which they started in 1998, and they continue to
sponsor this very successful lettered sport.
In the future they hope to continue to provide excellent service as last year
Brentwood Lanes was voted the best bowling alley in the county. They have many
long-time employees who are very knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to serve
their customers.
CHAMBER STAFF
Brenda Caruthers
Chamber Administrator
Danielle Flynn
Davenport Work Study Student
DISCLAIMER - The flyers and other advertisements
included with this publication are provided
by COC as a general service to our members and
the community.
This Newsletter may also be viewed on our Website: www.CaroChamber.org

Early 157 North this State year Street, we were Caro, informed MI 48723 by The Action Davenport University Page 3
New Chamber Members and First Dollar Presentation
Arrowhead Golf
Club owned by
Kevin and Sue
Marcola has recently
joined the Chamber.
The beautiful 18-hole
course is located at
2017 Gun Club Road
where it “cuts
through woods and
dances alongside the
Cass River” according to their Website at
www.1arrowhead.net. They have been in business for 20
years specializing in golf outings and special occasions.
Their special occasions include catering small parties and
private parties. Stop in to see their marvelous, uncongested
golf environment that offers exceptional play for expert and
novice alike. In season their hours are Sunday - Saturday 8
a.m. - 11 p.m. During the off season they are open on
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They are offering
a discount to Caro Chamber members of 2 for 1 green
fees and 10% off in the club house. We welcome them to the
Chamber. They may be reached by phone at 989-673-2017
and by e-mail at 1arrowhead@charter.net.
Our Mission: “The Caro Chamber of Commerce
will promote the welfare of all Caro citizens by
encouraging the advancement of local business
interests while giving assistance to new firms or
individuals seeking location in our area.”
CARO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AFTER HOURS
Sponsored by
BRENTWOOD
Ann Westover has recently opened her new business
Westover Wild Wings Poultry Processing at 3198 West
Gilford Road, Caro, and joined the Chamber. Her poultry
processing business started out cleaning and preparing about
200 birds a day, three times a week. Her goal is to grow the
business into a full-time, year-round enterprise. She is
approved by state agencies and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Her clients are primarily hobby farmers who
don’t want to spend the time or effort cleaning their own
birds. It takes her 5 minutes to process a chicken with her
commercial equipment. Above, Chamber Directors Suzanne
Smith and Mike Parker, Chamber Administrator Brenda
Caruthers, and Director Dr. Mark Strzelewicz present Ann
(second to right) with a First Dollar certificate. Ann can be
reached at 989-239-3733. We wish Ann the best!
Michigan Small Business & Technology Development
Center helped Ann get her business up and running. Kris
McArdle is a business consultant for the agency here in
Caro and was a great help to Ann. If you would like some
help getting a business started, you can reach Kris at 989-
672-0323.
Come join us for some food, fun, and bowling at After Hours!
Thursday,
August 20, 2009
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
178 Park Drive, Caro
Bring your Business Card for a Prize Drawing of
A Bowling/Pizza Party Gift Certificate for 10 people!
We will also have a 50/50 Raffle
RSVP by: August 17, 2009
Call the Chamber at 989-673-5211, or the Brentwood at 989-673-2330,
or email: executivedirector@Carochamber.org

Page 4
Tuscola County
Pumpkin Festival
by Mike Henry
The Pumpkin Festival is picking up
steam and moving forward. October is
just around the corner. This year we will
kick off the festival with a community
tailgate party celebrating the rivalry
between Michigan State Spartans and the
Michigan Wolverines. Come join us on
the Court House lawn, Wednesday
evening, September 30. It’s sure to be
great family fun.
WOW! I almost forgot! We have added
fireworks this year on Saturday, October
3, at dusk at the Caro High School football
field . Bring your family and friends.
I promise you will get a bang out of it.
Volunteers are still needed in many different
areas. Remember, the success of
any festival depends greatly on all of you
getting involved. Please call and let us
know where and when you can help.
When we all give a little back to our
community, we are all winners. Caro
area is a great place to “Live, Work,
Shop, and Play!!! Let’s all step up and
show everyone that comes why Caro is
the best place to patronize.
DOWNTOWN TASK FORCE
by Margie Sylvester
This is the end of July already! Hope
everyone had a chance to check out
downtown’s sidewalk sales during Cars
& Crafts weekend.
The Farmers Market has been doing
great. It is open every Saturday 8 a.m. -
1 p.m. The produce is in with a nice
variety of selections. We have some
new signs out on Saturdays, and more in
the works that will be out soon. Stop in
to the Farmers Market and talk to our
Market manager, Jim Caruthers, and see
what the Farmers Market has to offer.
Also, check out the Chamber table for
upcoming activities and specials at our
area businesses.
Have a safe and happy Summer!
“Stretch your grocery budget by shopping
at a local farmer’s market. The
produce is usually cheaper and tastes
much better.”—Simple & Delicious
The Action 157 North State Street, Caro. MI 48723
MUSIC IN THE PARK
Every Thursday evening from 6:30 -
8:30 p.m. there continues to be music at
Atwood Park (just across from Big
Acres Store). The music is free and there
are free drawings every half hour. Come
and enjoy the evening! The August
schedule is as follows:
August 6
6:30 p.m. - Cliff Sullins Kingston Duo
7:30 p.m. - Wayne LaPratt & Tracey
August 13
6:30 p.m. - John Ecken
7:30 p.m. - Jerry Lamoreux and Tom
Guinther
August 20
6:30 p.m. - Larry Pless
7:30 p.m. - Gary LeValley
August 27
6:30 p.m. - Old Country - Bill
Slaughter - Joe Remsing
7:30 p.m. - Tom Krause and Bruce
McCartney
GINGERBREAD VILLAGE
Though our thoughts are far from the
snow and winds of winter, planning for
Caro's 4th annual holiday festival has
begun. Gingerbread Village will take
place December 3-9. Santa, Mrs. Claus,
and the Bread family will arrive on Friday
for the opening of Gingerbread Central
and extended shopping hours downtown.
Taste of Caro, gingerbread house
competition, holiday home tour, Thumb
Area Center for the Arts (TACA) holiday
concert, and a variety of children's
activities will provide the traditional
elements for this year's festival. New
this year is Cookies with Santa at TACA
on Sunday, December 6. We welcome
help from all businesses and community
members. If you would like to volunteer,
please attend a planning meeting on
August 3rd at 5:00 p.m. at TACA, 102
Joy Street, Caro OR contact the Chamber
of Commerce at 989-673-5211.
A big thank you to Chamber Board
Directors and their families who helped
with Roadside Pick Up in July. When
we have many hands, the work gets done
quickly. We will let you know when our
next Pick Up is scheduled. If you are
able to help, meet us at the radio station
(1521 West Caro Road - across from
VG’s) at 8 a.m. We provide safety vests,
gloves, trash bags, pick-up sticks, and all
the equipment you’ll need.
TUSCOLA COUNTY FAIR BOOTH
A big thank you to
those who helped at
the Village of Caro
and Chamber of
Commerce booth at
the Tuscola County
Fair. Whether you
manned the booth, donated candy, or
gave us information to display at our
booth, you are much appreciated! Those
who donated items for the special
drawings are:
Back Alley Fibers
Caro 150 Winter Fest
CenturyTel
Chemical Bank
Caro Community Hospital
Curves
Davenport University
Goodwill Stores
Greenstone Farm & Credit Services
Independent Bank
Law Office of Renee Wood
Signature Bank
Thumb Cellular
Tuscola Behavioral Health Systems
We also thank Thumb Volunteer Alliance
and Tuscola Enterprise Project for
helping to enhance our booth.
FAMILY LIFE RADIO
We want to thank those of you who
helped sponsor the Family Life Radio
Coffee Club broadcast on July 31.
American Mattress & Furniture
Fast Eddy’z
Star Vision Center
Thumb Cellular
Tina’s Corner Café
White’s Chiropractic Health Care

157 North State Street, Caro, MI 48723
The Action Page 5
A Look Back
The first After Hours was held in
1996 at the Caro Moose Lodge
with nearly 200 people in attendance.
This was the first After
Hours sponsored by the Caro
Chamber of Commerce and it was
hosted by Thumb Cellular, who
also hosted the July 2009 After
Hours with over 90 in attendance
(see page 8). Corky Dean and
Olena “Len” Jensen worked to
organize that first After Hours
event for Thumb Cellular. And, 13 years later they both are still working
at Thumb Cellular and planned the recent event. We want to
thank Corky and Len for having the vision and motivation to start this
event which continues today. Pictured at left are Corky Dean, Louise
Hodges, Len Jensen, and Chris Natzel.
TERRIFIC TOWNS BENEFITS
WWW.MICHIGANBACKROADS.COM
Rod Rademacher author of Michigan Back Roads has been around
the Caro area recently and he asks us to try this: Google “Michigan
getaway vacations” or “up north Michigan”. Does our town appear
on the first two pages? Both of his sites do.
The Caro Chamber, Caro DDA, Tuscola County Pumpkin Festival,
and TACA (Thumb Area Center of the Arts) have collaborated on a
membership to become members of Rod’s website. Here is why it
works: What are the chances that someone will sit at their computer
and search on a given city, say Caro, Michigan? Chances are pretty
small. Now what are the chances someone will search on
“Michigan Getaway Vacations” or “Michigan Attractions”? People
search on these all the time and when they do,
www.michiganbackroads.com comes up.
People use the internet to find interesting places to go and fun things
to do. If they use searches, www.michiganbackroads.com will come
up in the top 10 for a multitude of phrases. These phrases have been
researched and are searched on many times per month. They find the
site and the site sends them to you, even if they have never heard of
you before.
www.upnorthmichigan.com has been optimized to perform for 4
different phrases in order to capture an entirely different group of
searchers.
Here is what we are getting: Up to 10 web pages across these sites,
www.michiganbackrods.com and www.upnorthmichigan.com and
two mentions each year on the newsletter site
www.travelinmichigan.com.
These three sites enjoy 3000 - 5000 site visitors each month and they
will be sent to our town. If you use the internet and do some searches
of your own, you will find that this is a very effective marketing tool.
We encourage you to go to www.travelinmichigan.com and get your
free subscription to the Travel in Michigan Back Roads newsletter.
You will be hearing more about this as we progress in this marketing
venture.
New Benefit for Caro Chamber
Small Business Owners
The Caro Chamber Board of Directors recently voted to
incorporate a new benefit for their members. This benefit is
CTGROUP’s Term Life and Disability Income Products. It
is soon going to be available to Chamber members at a
discounted rate. Highlights of the products are:
• 10% Discount to Chamber Members with Groups of 2-9
employees. No excluded Industries for Group Term Life
and Intermediate Disability.
● Guaranteed Issue Group Term Life and Disability for
member firms with 2-9 employees working 30 or more
hours per week.
• Guaranteed Issue Long Term Disability offered to
small groups of 2-9 employees who are 80% white
collar and have been in business for 2 or more years.
• Commitment to outstanding customer service.
• 10 Years of experience working with Chambers &
Associations.
• Affordable premiums can be paid by the employer or
shared with the employee.
We are thrilled to be able to offer you this benefit. You will
be hearing more about it in the next few months as we get
our agents educated, trained, and supplied with up-to-date
information.
Chamber Member Opportunities
Chamber Table At Farmers Market
The Chamber continues to have a table each Saturday
morning at the Farmers Market. We don’t want the Market
to compete with your business, but to enhance it by
bringing people to Caro. We are encouraging you to provide
coupons or sale fliers to us, and we will display them on the
table each Saturday free of charge for you. We hope you
take advantage of this free advertising.
Anyone Interested?
► in having an After Hours Event
► in being the Business of the Month
► in putting an insert in our newsletter
If you are able to be a part of any of the opportunities
above, please contact us at 989-673-5211 or e-mail us at
executivedirector@carochamber.org.
“The determining element in maturity is not so much what
happens to a person, but the way he takes it. The responses
to life of a mature person are of good quality and can be
counted on.”—In an old issue of The Monthly Letter of the
Royal Bank of Canada

157 North State Street, Caro, MI 48723
The Action 157 North State Street, Caro. MI 48723

157 North State Street, Caro, MI 48723
The Action Page 7
CARO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$$ MEMBER-TO-MEMBER DISCOUNTS $$
ARROWHEAD GOLF CLUB
2017 Gun Club Road, Caro, MI
989-673-2017
2 for 1 Green Fee &
10% Discount in Club House
BELL-WASIK, INC.
1014 E. Dayton Road, Caro, MI
989-673-6126
10% Discount on Service
BROKEN TEAPOT
9 E. Main Street, Mayville, MI
989-843-7467
10% off Broken Teapot Items
(vendor items excluded)
CARO CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC
765 N. State Street, Caro, MI
989-673-5559
10% Discount on 60 minute massage
CARO DRUGS
1525 W. Caro Road, Caro, MI
989-672-1080
20% Discount
KELLIE’S AUTO REPAIR
403 N. State Street, Caro, MI
989-672-0220
Discount on Repairs
$25 - $2
$50 total - 10%
$75 total - 15%
$100 total - 20%
$250+ total - 30%
LOTA’S CORNER CUPBOARD
196 N. State Street, Caro, MI
989-673-5244
10% Discount
MAPLE GROVE VETERINARY
CLINIC
1710 W. Caro Road, Caro, MI
989-673-7387
$10 off office call
MUFFLER MAN
751 S. State Street, Caro, MI
989-673-6263
10% Discount
RUMMEL INSURANCE AGENCY
1018 E. Caro Road, Caro, MI 48723
989-673-4169
Up to 15 % Discounts
SCHULTZ AUTO SALVAGE
10101 Belsay Road, Millington, MI
989-871-3165
10% Discount on Automotive Parts
SKY LINK CABLE, INC.
183 N. State Street, Caro, MI
989-672-2252
10% Discount
STATE STREET FITNESS
160 N. State Street, Caro, MI
989-672-0787
Reduced Sign-On Fee
THUMB AREA
TOURISM COUNCIL
1111 W. Caro Road, Caro, MI
989-672-0323
15% Discount on Membership Fee
CORNER CAFÉ
373 N. State Street, Caro, MI
989-673-3330
10% Discount
FRAMEWORXZ
3540 N. Hurds Corner Road, Caro, MI
989-550-7648
10% Discount
CURVES
1243 W. Caro Road, Caro, MI 48723
989-673-4888
No Service Fee
H & R BLOCK
1184 Cleaver Road, Suite 300, Caro, MI
989-673-3257
10% Discount
JERRY’S GUNS & RELOADING
1845 Mertz Road, Caro, MI
989-673-7227
Ask About Discount
NARAYAN MEDICAL CLINIC
1004 W. Caro Road, Caro, MI
989-672-8700
10% Discount on Fitness & Cash-
Based Medical Equipment
OSBORNE REALTY, LLC
1845 Mertz Road, Caro, MI
989-672-5556
Ask About Discount
PIZZA HUT
815 S. State Street, Caro, MI
989-673-4548
Free 2-liter pop with purchase
of a medium or large pizza
QUAD “A” ENTERPRISES
1025 Agar Street, Caro, MI 48723
989-673-4192
15% on all services
THUMB OFFICE SUPPLY
779 S. Van Dyke Road, Bad Axe, MI
989-269-8122
10% Discount (excluding sale items)
TRILLIUM STAFFING
SOLUTIONS
5375 Hampton Place, Saginaw, MI
989-799-5360
Discount on full-time placement fees
WITH THE GRAIN
3085 W. Gilford Road, Caro, MI
989-673-8490
Ask About Discounts
Offering special discounts or money- saving packages to other members brings new
business through your door, increases word-of-mouth advertising and establishes a
business-to-business connection with other Chamber members. Contact the Chamber
office to register your Member-to-Member Discount benefit and we’ll promote it for
you! The Chamber number is 989-673-5211.

The
ACTION
Caro Chamber of Commerce
157 North State Street
Caro, MI 48723
CARO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AFTER HOURS
Don’t miss these evenings of fun,
refreshments, and networking with other businesses in the area!
A very enjoyable After Hours was held at
the Caro Community Hospital in June.
The highlight of the evening was tours of
the hospital that were given to the guests.
At right, Marc Augsburger and Dale Perz
have fun drawing for special prizes won by
Sandy Gaudreau and Olena “Len” Jensen.
Brentwood Lanes
Thursday, August 20, 2009
(See invitation on page 3.)
Edward Jones Financial
Thursday, September 17, 2009
In July the After Hours was held at
Thumb Cellular with an attendance of
around 90! Delicious food, tours of their
new building, networking and meeting
new people highlighted the evening.
Mark your calendars and plan to come to
the future After Hours mentioned at the
right to meet new members, network,
and enjoy visiting with friends.
Team One Credit Union
Thursday, October 22, 2009
With The Grain
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thumb Area Center
for the Arts
Wednesday, December 9, 2009