41st Annual Holiday Bazaar a huge success

Our second largest fundraiser of the year exceeded our expectations with the highest total paid admissions ever!  Saturday, November 27 Hillsdale High School was filled with nearly 250 tables of handmade items at the 41st Annual Holiday Bazaar hosted by the Chamber.  Approximately 1500 customers attended this annual event, including residents of Hillsdale County, visitors from other areas in Michigan as well as from several other states! 

Santa posed for pictures with children courtesy of
Joe Sanford - Century 21Action Associates.  Over 200 children participated in the 4th annual candy cane hunt and all children went home with toys.  The cookie walk was stocked with over 300 dozen cookies for customers to fill a bucket of their favorite cookies.  This event not only raises necessary funds for the Chamber, but brings visitors to the area who may shop at area businesses, purchase gas for their cars or eat
at local restaurants.  Thanks to all who helped make this event a great success.

 Special Thanks

Corporate Sponsor -  Joe Sanford of Century 21 Action Associates

Candy Cane Hunt Sponsors - CR Motors, Dr. Herbener, Saucy Dog's Barbecue,
Wal Mart, McDonalds, Reading Emergency Unit & The Andersons

Bazaar Sponsors - Public Title, Jonesville Printing/Community Helper

Santa Sponsors - EECU, Carpet Plus, Coffee Cup Diner, Lakeview Plumbing & Heating,
Cashland, Omni Source, Hillsdale Travel Center, Nash Drugs

Hillsdale High School Administration & Custodial Staff.

Thank you to the following volunteers

Hillsdale Community Schools - Administration, Faculty
& Custodial Staff, Century 21 Action Associates, Maureen Bailey,
Rhea Baker, Janelle Boot, Rosie Dryer, Anne Fike, Celia Fitton,
Tony Ginolfi, Parke Hayes, Barb Houseknecht, Rachel Jablonski, Jeff & Debbie Layman, Heather Layman, Raymond, & Linda Lee, Tony Lee, Life Challenge of Michigan, Joyce Longbrake,
Nancy LoPresto, Melissa McKitterick, Jeanne Mills, Angela Monahan, Ron Phetteplace, Scott Phillips, Treesa Weaver-Rich, Lori Ricketts, Sharon Robinson, Christy Russell,
Joe & Joyce Sanford, Tina Stevenson, Bethany White & Cyndi Young.

Special thanks to the following for cookie donations: 

Rhea Baker, Janelle Boot, Cashland Employees, County National Bank Employees, Rosie Dryer, Dee Hasted, Vicki Hayes, Mary Houchen, Barb Houseknecht, Jan Knapp,
Debbie & Heather Layman, Linda Lee, Joyce Longbrake, Candy McCullough, Jeanne Mills, Pat Rowen, Tina Stevenson, Therapeutic Massage.

   
   

December 1, 2010

The last weeks have brought many new changes to Lansing. 
At the forefront of thought has to be the recent
elections that will bring a new Governor for our state. 
January 1^st will bring 61 new members to the
Michigan House of Representatives as well as 29 new Senators.  This change will not only bring new faces to Lansing, but something bigger... a renewed enthusiasm for moving Michigan forward.  It seems that in this time of change that it's not just "throw the bums out" for the sake of change itself.  More importantly partisan roadblocks need to be thrown out, along with an often lacking compassion and understanding.

An unprecedented situation has arisen in which all of the gang of three - the Governor, Senate Majority Leader, and Speaker of the House are new.  It has been no secret that the current three can't get along very well.  This has led to gridlock, finger pointing and a lack of doing anything constructive for the State of Michigan.  As many have said, there is a lack of leadership at the top of our government.

Gov. Elect Snyder, Leader Elect Richardville, and Speaker Elect Bolger are all sharing a similar message of
working together no matter the political party.  This is the kind of leadership we need to turn Michigan around.  Good ideas are good no matter what your party affiliation might be.  To be able to "reinvent Michigan", as Rick Snyder has said, we must have an "all hands on deck" approach.  I believe that is what we are finally seeing in Lansing.

The end result must be getting Michigan back to work.  For years the government has given a little incentive to this industry and given a little attention to that business.  This next administration seems to want to simply start by just getting out of the way of what business can accomplish on its own.

The key to our future is solely placed on the shoulders of everyday citizens of the state.  We are understanding again that we are a country built on the backs of families who took a chance to be great.  I know what starting a business takes and making sure that others have jobs too. That's where the future of Michigan is, and when we all work
together the bright future seems closer than we may have thought.

As always feel free to contact me through my office at 517-373-1794.