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The following are a few words about "What - How" were doing in the Tawas Area...
Maybe even a little laughter and boasting a bit about how much fun were having too, If you read closely there might be a few pats on the back to those that have contributed to the success of each of our activities.. To each and every contributor there is a reward! You might read some of them here. Check this section often and be sure to scroll down to the bottom as there may be other articles that will interest you...
Our Town Tawas –
December 2009
Another year gone and time for a new beginning in 2010. Since accepting this position at the Chamber, I can honestly tell you that I have done more exciting things with my wife and family during the last six months in the Tawas’s, than I had done in years. The Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce members have welcomed us to this area and as a result, I simply want to say “Thank you” to all of you that have helped to make my transition so very nice.
Our Town - Tawas November 2009
Well, we survived Oktoberfest while battling the wind and the rain, but I think everyone that attended can agree that it was a great time! On the quieter side, we followed up the festival with a day of Praise Bands on Sunday which made for a complete and gratifying weekend. I wish to thank Mark Moers, the Tawas City Council, and Gus and the crew for providing a terrific venue and some last-minute help. Even as the autumn season is winding down, there are still plenty of activities going on. John Sellinger
Our Town – Tawas September 2009 What would Blues by the Bay be without a few raindrops? Three years of rainy weekends and it just keeps getting better every year! We are so thankful that our community is blessed with people like Steve Klenow, his Blues Board, and the volunteers that once again have provided us with a wealth of entertainment. With the conclusion of the Blues by the Bay, one reflects upon the things to come. The Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival and the last chance to see the Appledore IV in the bay this season, along with the Tawas Bay Challenge Sailboat race are just a few reminders that yes, inevitably Autumn is just around the corner. Anyone that has been out in the early hours of the morning recently can certainly attest to that unmistakable chill in the air. The conclusion of our summer season is really only a new beginning for many things to come. Ask any school-aged child and they’ll tell you what I mean. With that being said, let’s take a look at what’s going on for the rest of the month:
o The women’s softball tournament will be going on both Saturday and Sunday. o The Iosco County Historical Society is hosting their September Tea from Noon until 3:00 PM on site at the Museum. $12.00 per person and there will be a light luncheon followed by entertainment and a quilt raffle. o The Iosco County Historical Society also invites you to “Fire Fighting Days” from 1:00 – 4:00 PM in conjunction with the East Tawas Volunteer Fire Department and is being held at the East Tawas Fire Hall. There will even be toy fire train displays and toy fire engines. o That same evening, Quota International of Iosco County presents “A Root’n Toot’n Country Western Dance from 6:30 to 11:30 PM at the East Tawas Community Center. Tickets are $10.00 per person. o Whew! That is just Saturday!
• Got Blood? There are two blood drives in the area Monday, September 14! The Red Cross will be at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Newman Street from Noon until 5:45 PM. The Michigan Community Blood Center is having their blood drive at the Tawas Masonic Lodge in Tawas City from Noon to 6:00 PM. (Be sure to eat and drink before donating). • The provisional Tawas Bay Rotary Club is inviting everyone to their “VIP Tip Night”. The Big Boy restaurant has offered to give all tips earned by the VIPs and an additional 10% of gross sales to the Rotary Club. This event is concentrating on purchasing more books for the popular Booked-4-Lunch program. This is Wednesday, September 23, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Come on down and be waited on by local city leaders and help a great cause! • Holy Family School will be holding their Auction Dinner and Reflections night on Saturday, September 26. • The Tawas Bay Players Summer Raffle is wrapping up on September 28.
Last, and certainly not least is our family-friendly Oktoberfest being held Friday and Saturday, October 2 and 3 down at Tawas City Park. There are going to be inflatable objects for the children to play on, contests, food and craft vendors, air boat rides, Wild Hair, ELLANAR, Polka John, a real German ensemble and even an accordion player. Several autumn style beer and wines will also be served in the hospitality tent. As Oktoberfest winds down Saturday night, a very special Sunday event is also planned in Tawas City Park. We are holding an “Autumn’s Glory” praise band festival from 1:00 to 6:00 PM featuring the local talent from our area churches! John Sellinger
Our Town - Tawas August 2009
“Stomp, stomp, STOMP!” Yes, that’s right. If you were at the Uncork’d and Untap’d fundraising event you would have heard a lot of people cheering us on as we tried to stomp those grapes as fast as we could. We probably looked a lot like the familiar “I Love Lucy” clip as we trampled those grapes with our bare feet but it was a blast. It was such a beautiful weekend in the Tawases. We visited the Appledore IV sailing ship with all of its 85 foot splendor and then headed to Tawas City Park for the 49th Annual Tawas Bay Waterfront Fine Arts Festival. Of course, one can’t view art on an empty stomach so those food vendors are always appreciated. All of this great fun and I’m only talking about one Saturday!
• The Michigan Walleye Tour 2009 State Championship is hosted by Tawas City and East Tawas and the teams will be competing for over $28,000.00 in cash and prizes August 13 through August 15. • Grand Opening Celebration! Ribbon cutting celebration at the new Edward Jones office in Tawas City. Friday, August 14, 2:00-6:00 PM. Ribbon cutting at 3:00 – Cake cutting at 3:30 PM. • Looking north just a little ways can land you at the Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport Grounds to attend the Kelly Miller Circus on Saturday, August 15. Show times are 2:00 and 5:30 PM and it is sponsored this year by the Iosco County Family Enrichment Coalition and WKJC 104.7 FM.
• The 2009 Blues By the Bay is running August 28, 29, and 30 at Harbor Park and is packed with some of the best names in the business. A single $20.00 button will cover all three days of entertainment. And last but not least, be sure to join us at the 1st Annual Oktoberfest in Tawas City Park October 2 and 3. This event will be jam-packed with family fun, seasonal food and drink, and a hospitality tent filled with music and more! There is simply no place like our place and that place is Our Town – Tawas.
Our Town - Tawas July 2009 John Sellinger - Director Chamber of Commerce It’s hard to believe that it is July already. These cool evenings sure don’t feel like July sometimes but we all know how summer just seems to race by far too quickly. Now that the Independence Day celebrations are winding down, it is fun to take a few moments to appreciate what we all have in this beautiful area. In addition to the natural beauty of the Sunrise Side, there is another familiar feeling in the air. That festive feeling! Yes, this is the time for festivals and our towns have plenty. Loosely defined, a festival is an event which centers on some unique aspect of that community. The success of the 17th Annual Shoreline Arts and Crafts show in Tawas City Park is a perfect example during the Memorial Day weekend. When I think about this, I am reminded that with all of the unique aspects found in the Tawas area, our festival potential is nearly unlimited. A simple stroll down to Harbor Park will land you right in the middle of Freedom Week. An elephant ear, nachos, or the soft drink of your choice is a great way to start an afternoon of live music, fine arts and crafts, and a great view of the kites down on the beach. The conclusion of Freedom Week brings on the beginning of Summerfest and if you chose to attend the Mayor’s Fish Boil in Tawas City Park, or took in the “Two by Two” performance at the Tawas Bay Playhouse I am certain you had a great time. Although the festival choices abound, there is still much, much more to do in Our Town -Tawas. As our summer continues, the return of the weekly events is always welcome. If you enjoy music, you’re certainly in the right place! Monday evenings bring the return of John Thomas and the Tawas Community Band Concerts with the “Concert-in-the-Park” series near the gazebo in East Tawas City Park at 7:30 PM. And you certainly cannot forget the Tuesday Night Live series every Tuesday evening on Newman Street at 7:00 PM. I should also remind you that the Farmers’ Market has moved to the parking lot on the corner of Westover and Church Street. It is open every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Thursdays at noon brings the popular Booked 4 Lunch program which alternates between Tawas City Beach Park and the East Tawas City Park each week. I can’t think of a better place to spend summer than in northeast Michigan. This area contains some of the most beautiful and wondrous resources for miles but I sure don’t need to convince you. What I would love to do is see all of you take advantage of all of this area’s gifts. From the 10.2 mile bike path to the 68 mile Lumberman’s Monument auto tour, there is simply an endless variety of ways to enjoy your summer in the Tawas Bay area. I love to revisit attractions that I saw through the younger eyes of my youth. These same attractions take on a whole new meaning now. If you’re really looking for an adventure, check into becoming a lighthouse keeper for a week. I spoke to a couple today that were having an absolutely great time being lighthouse guardians while sleeping in style right in the lighthouse! And finally, what would summer be without the fair? This year, the Iosco County Fair is July 27th through August 1st at the Iosco County Fairgrounds. August 7th, 8th, and 9th also brings the 43rd Annual Summer Festival at Sand Lake and of course the 8th Annual Blues by the Bay August 28th through the 30th. With all of this going on, we’ll soon be asking ourselves, “Where did our summer go?” The fortunate ones will be able to say, “It was spent in Our Town - Tawas”.
Our Town Tawas March 2009 Laura Loeffler - Manager Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce
Once again as I sit before my computer reflecting back over the past month, I can’t help but think what happened to January and February. Planning Perchville is a big undertaking and takes up a lot of time. I coined the phrase “Planning a party for ten thousand” and that about describes it. January around the Chamber is like the Post Office on April 15th. My poor volunteers were over worked, but I kept their spirits high by promising them all a raise after Perchville. After they had a good laugh about their big raises, they all put 100% into helping out and getting all the work done to get this event off the ground. I am so very fortunate to have a great bunch of office volunteers.
Our Town Tawas November 2008 Laura Loeffler - Manager Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce
As I sit here in my office, sipping a steamy cup of coffee and gazing out the window at the grey clouds of fall gently rolling across the bay, I feel sad to see another summer and fall come to an end. I will miss the early streams of sunlight coming through my bedroom curtains, the warm breezes off the bay, and the smell of burning leaves drifting through the air. Each year I am here on this earth I dread the cold days of winter. Although a crisp fresh snow fall can be a beautiful and heartwarming sight, and a crackling fire in the hearth is comforting, they still cannot beat a gorgeous sunny day at the beach.
Ah, Tawas in the fall. What a fantastic place to live. I hope that you all had a chance to get out to the State Park on Oct 17th to see the great job the Park employees did. It was a Halloween treat indeed! A giant mast and sail hung over a frothy pile of boulders, greeting you as you entered the area. This ship wreck- remains looked like something left over from the “Pirates of the
October brought an array of incredible color to the area. There seemed to be a steady stream of visitors stopping by the Chamber to ask where’s the best place to view the fall colors? Just drive up November brings the Christmas Shopping Season. Decorations are going up and the Christmas spirit is beginning to creep into the village. The Cities are dusting off the lights and hanging décor and soon will be busy putting them up. It’s always such a happy season, with everyone wishing each other a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. Christmas Bazaars are popping up all over the town, with holiday decorations and all kinds of way-too-fattening things to eat. Last week-end the Tawas Area Band Boosters held their annual Bazaar. There were over 95 booths and fabulous gift finds for that hard to buy for person. Their famous apple dumplings were enjoyed by many at the event and taken home by many to enjoy later. Good job to the crew (the Doughettes) who made all the dumplings!! It was a fun time for all who attended. The Chamber held its Annual General Membership Meeting Nov 5th at Tawas Lanes. It was well attended and the food was superb thanks to CSJ Catering. It was an excellent opportunity to meet many of the members and for them to network with each other over a cocktail and some yummy tid-bits. Our members were brought up to date on all the goals that were met at the Chamber over the year. President of the Board of Directors, Toni Lehr, gave a presentation on where the Chamber was last year and where we are going for 2009. The attendees were given information on the new membership drive for 2009 and introduced to the entire Board of Directors and the Chamber Volunteers. It was a grand evening, enjoyed by all.
The Chamber will once again hold in Fantasy of Lights Competition, from November 15th through December 15th. Here how it works. Gather up all your Christmas spirit, go out in the garage or shed, dig out all the wonderful lights and holiday decorations you have stored away and put them up. Next step is to call the Chamber and register your work of art. If you are unable to do your own home or business, then nominate one of your neighbors beautiful homes or one of the many businesses in As we all know (I hope by now) that we all live in a beautiful little area here, so get out and enjoy its beauty. Dust off those ski’s, sharpen the skate blades, dig out the old sled hidden in the garage and experience Your Town Tawas!
Our Town Tawas October 2008 Laura Loeffler - Manager Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce Can you feel it? Can you smell it? Fall is in the air! School buses whizzing by in the early morning, that little hint of a cool breeze and the greater ability to turn left on any street in town, now that’s FALL. Now that the summer rush is over, the Chamber office is winding down. Let me give you an example of how busy the Chamber gets during the summer months. For June, July & August we had 1,378 visitors stop in,1,546 telephone calls for information, and 113 e-mails requesting area information. Thank goodness I have a staff of wonderful volunteers to help all the visitors and handle the many calls and e-mails. I love to see these large numbers because that means people are interested in our beautiful town on the Bay. Summer is the Tawases is a fantastic place to be. The welcoming sunrises, the calming effect of the gentle waves on the bay, the picture-perfect sailboats that glide across the water, the children’s laughter as they jump in and out of the waves, kites in the air, and great big ice cream cones. We are so privileged to live here, a place where others call a vacation spot. This summer was busy with Arts & Craft Shows, Kite Festival, Summerfest, 4th of July Parade & Fireworks, Birding Festival, Freedom Week, Sailboat Races, County Fair, and so much more. Now we can sit back, catch our breath and get ready to don our jackets, rake leaves and plan for Perchville. Yes, Perchville! Can you believe it? I know, I’m rushing things, right? I guess I’ll enjoy fall before I dive into that event!!! A really fun and pretty amazing event happened here in the Tawases on Sept 13th. 3Disciplines Racing Team breezed into town, set-up a Triathlon and brought 200+ athletes from 9 states and Canada into Tawas. The Chamber was in charge of getting the volunteers to help at the different checkpoints and finish line. This was the first time in last few years that this type of event has taken place in this area. There were three types of race courses set up, swimming, biking and running. The athletes could choose the Sprint, the Olympic or the ½ Iron Man competitions. Sprinters swam 500m, biked 20k and ran 5k. The Olympics swam 1.5 k, biked 40k and ran 10 k. The ½ Iron man competition was one for the very hardy, they swam 1.2 miles, biked 56 miles, and ran 13.1 miles. It never ceases to amaze me how many great people we have here in the Tawas Area. I want to thank all the people that volunteered to work at the Triathlon. You are exceptional people to stand out in the rain for hours, handing out drinks, marking the runners, providing direction for the bikers and giving out food and refreshments at the finish line. They say it takes special type of person to be a volunteer and it sure is true for all those rain soaked folks who worked the race. Thank you so much. Also thank you goes out to the Village Chocolatier for rounding up prizes to give away to the athletes, and to the Road Commission for the great flashing sign at the race starting line and down at the south end of town. The race teams plans to return next year because it is such a beautiful area and because of the warm hearted individuals that worked so hard to make this event a success. At this time of year the Chamber is seeking new members. If you have been a member before, I encourage you to jump back on the band wagon and join again. For those who have never been a member, please consider becoming a new member. The Chamber has gone through many changes through the years, seen Directors come and go and had some policies changes, some good, some, oh well. The staff at the Chamber is now made up of one paid Manager (me) and all volunteer help. We have slimed down our budget just like many of the local businesses and households. My volunteers are friendly, helpful and courteous. We do our very best to promote all our Chamber members and local events. Being a member offers you an opportunity to be listed in the Visitors Guide. This guide is shipped to all the major Travel Centers throughout Michigan, given to visitors when they stop by the Chamber and mailed to all who request area information. You will also be listed on the Chamber website which receives about ½ million hits every 6 months. You may display your business information in the office and your business and events will be promoted to all the visitors and callers. This is the time to join, our Visitors Guide will be going to press soon. If you have questions about being a member just contact the Chamber and I will be glad to discuss it with you. Well, enough of my ranting. Do yourself a favor and step outside your door, take in all the beauty of “Our Town Tawas”. Appreciate what we get to experience everyday here in vacationland. Like the Phil Collins song says “It’s another day in Paradise” so enjoy a sunrise, watch a child play on the beach and say good-by to summer and hello to fall. Laura Loeffler Tawas Area Chamber Manager
Words of Satisfaction
Betty Fahselt Senter Summer Field Pottery I want to commend the Chamber of Tawas and the current director for the work that they do to organize and bring events to the community that provide us with a variety of things to do here and draw tourist to the area. In this time of economic problems and high gas prices, we appreciate every one who comes here to our beautiful location and wants to stay for a few days. We all benefit from these events. The Chamber events have hundreds of community volunteers who are helping to make those events successful. They are doing that because we want to be proud of our community and our beautiful location. Our Chamber director this year has done an outstanding job of attracting and working with volunteers, and letting them contribute to the overall success of many attractions that can only happen here because so many people care enough to give of their time and talents. I have been involved with one of the three art/crafts shows that are held locally. There are two art/craft shows and one Fine Art Show. All three shows are put on with much long term work by many people so that the events can take place here. They attract the art people and crafters from all over the state and beyond. They bring business to the community and go home and tell others of our hospitality and location. I want to thank the Cities of Tawas and East Tawas for their cooperation in these events. And last but not least the businesses who contributed to making these events possible and profitable for us all.Our Town Tawas August 2008 Laura Loeffler - Manager Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce It’s August 2008 already. Boy the time flies when you’re having fun. The town is busy, the motels are full and the beaches are crowded. Yah, summer! The summer seems to be going very fast but with the very cold spring we had, maybe we will have warm weather way into September. August always brings back memories of the start of a new school year. I attended catholic school in Detroit and we wore uniforms so I didn’t become to excited about school shopping. But it was always so much fun to get new pencils, notebooks, school bags and that great lunch box with the picture of a movie star or comic book character on it. I remember sitting with all my new supplies and telling myself that this was going to be the year that I would make the honor roll. I was really going to study hard and be teachers favorite. But by the middle of November, I had forgotten all the good intentions of September and I had become little miss average student with dog-eared notebooks and broken pencils. Oh the good ole days! Well speaking of good old days, August in Tawas means Fine Art Show, Eagle Cup Sail Boat Races, Blues by the Bay and the Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show. There is still a lot of summer left in Tawas and plenty of things to keep the family entertained. The Fine Arts Festival was held in the Tawas City Park on Saturday & Sunday August 2 & 3. It was perfect weather for a stroll through the isles of white tents. The show was smaller this year due to a very dedicated group of artists that did a great job of selecting true fine art to be at the show. The committee consisted of Sandy Brugger, Chairperson, Betty Falhset-Senter, Jan Krause, Regina Greenway, and Connie Ecker. I want to thank then for a super job putting the show together, it was very well done. I am very blest to have such great volunteer workers who are willing to take on tasks for the Chamber. I also want to thank the Tawas City workers for putting up the hospitality tent, and for cleaning up before and after the show. Thank you also goes out to the Tawas City Council for allowing the Chamber to hold the show at the beautiful park, to Neiman’s and Dr. Charles Kudwa and North Star Motel for their donations as well. As for the rest of August we can all look forward to the Eagle Cup Sailboat Races. What a beautiful scene it is to look out over the bay and see graceful sails flowing with the wind, zipping across the bay. What an elegant scene, a painters dream. Lets all pray for blustery winds and blue skies for the day of the sail. For all you blues lovers out there your favorite weekend will soon be here. August 22-24 is the scheduled dates for the Blues by the Bay festival. This event sounds very interesting, with groups named Witch Doctors, The Horse Cave Trio, and Blues Abusers, playing under the tent. The comments from last years event were all great so this year should out-shine last. For admittance into the event tent you must purchase a Blues by the Bay Button. These buttons are sold around town at various shops and also at the Chamber Office. Buttons are $20, this will get you into the tent for the entire weekend. Wristbands will be available at the door for $10 and they are good for one day only. For more information check out their website at www.tawasbayblues.com. To finish off the month, the Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show in two locations, Tawas City Park and downtown East Tawas on Newman Street. Over 90 crafters will exhibit their work for your shopping pleasure. A shuttle bus will be available to wisk you from one show to the other, so you will only have to find one parking spot for the day. There will be something for everyone at the show, from jewelry to purses, from woodcrafts to birdhouses. There will also be some local food vendors who will tickle your taste buds with a delicious hot dog or brat, some luscious fudge or some yummy flavored nuts. Be sure to mark your calendar so you won’t miss a thing. Summer in Tawas, what a great place to be! So many of our visitors down at the Chamber tell me “You are so lucky to live in this great vacation spot”.. You know, we really are very lucky. Just park your car at one of our parks along US23 and just look out over the bay. You can’t help but realize what a great spot to call home. So get out of the back yard and come on down to an event or just take a walk in the park. Just enjoy our beautiful bay and appreciate all we have here in OUR TOWN TAWAS. |