If you haven't yet had a chance to check out the newly remodeled BC Lanes, next Thursday is your chance. That's when the bowling alley ho

sts the Chamber's Business After Hours from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Chris and Sandy Nelson purchased the bowling alley a year ago and now they are nearly finished with a top-to-bottom, inside-and-outside refurbishing of the 18,000-sq.-ft. bowling alley.The Nelsons' daughter, Shantel Erber, is the general manager of BC Lanes, which opens its 16 lanes at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at 10 a.m. on weekends. The event is co-hosted by Tom Schraw and Associates, a three-attorney Boyne City firm providing legal services to clients throughout Northern Lower Michigan. Since 1992, Schraw & Associates has successfully assisted clients in both civil and criminal litigation. Business After Hours is the Chamber's regular business networking event, held at different members' locations each month. There is a cash bar, but no charge for admission or hors d'oeuvres. Details on BC Lanes.

> NEXT MONTH - Business after Hours will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at Farley Calendar Co., 635 N. Park St.

Leadership Charlevoix County started its third year with a record class of 18 members visiting Beaver Island for their opening retreat. The nine-month program is a comprehensive training and education experience for area residents who are seeking a more active role in county leadership and understanding of their community. The program is a collaborative effort of the Chambers of Commerce in Boyne City, Charlevoix, East Jordan and Beaver Island. The program receives grant support from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation. 

> This year's class is pictured at Little Sand Bay on Beaver Island. In the BACK ROW, from left, are Patrick McGinnity of Beaver Island District Library, Daniel Reynolds of Health Department of Northwest Michigan, Abbie Hart of Bay Winds Federal Credit Union, JP Gerster of Pat O'Brien & Associates, Heather Hand of City of Charlevoix Airport, Don Kirk of EJ, Cristina Hogarth of Korthase Flinn Insurance, Cynthia Lamberson of First Merit Bank, Cindy Johnson-Minkwic of Boyne Mountain Resort, Patrick Patoka of Boyne Mountain Resort, Ben Hicks of Char-Em ISD, Chad Johnston of Michigan Community Dental Clinics. FRONT ROW, from left: Ben Newington of City of East Jordan EMS, Chelsea Townsend of Charlevoix Area Hospital, Dee Vincent of Harbor Industries, Jessica Davidson of EJ, Hilary Harrington of Site Planning Development, and M. Chris Leese of Photography by M. Chris Leese. Leadership Charlevoix County website.

If the spirits move you, be sure to attend Boyne Eta Nu Charities "Wine Cellar Raffle and Silent Auction." Here is your chance to win a fabulous collection

of wine and to bid on some awesome items donated from our community, all while having a great time. All proceeds will benefit the Boyne Area Free Clinic and G

irls Get Fit, an organization that fosters exercise and healthy habits for young women. The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at Boyne Mountain Resort. Tickets are $20 per person plus a bottle of wine, or $40 per couple plus a bottle of wine with a retail value of $15. Among the silent auction items that are up for bidding is a wine tasting for 6; round of golf for 4 at Dunmaglas; Spa package provided by Solace Spa or the Spa at Bay Harbor, plus twin zip line rides and Frequent Skiers card, all provided by Boyne Mountain Resort. Boyne City merchants, local artists and friends are also providing items and gift certificates. The committee is pleased to offer a "Napa Valley Epicurean Adventure" for two, which may be purchased for $3,500 and there is no limit on the number of trips sold.

> Tickets are available from members of Eta Nu Charities, Local Flavor book store and at the Boyne City Farmers Market Sept. 21 and 28. For additional information contact Pati Scott at 231-758- 2496.

Last winter, guests at BOYNE's northern Michigan resorts enjoyed a full five months of skiing and snowboarding, November 27 through April 28, as Boyne Highlands Resort was the first to open slopes in the Lower Peninsula and Boyne Mountain Resort was the last in the state to close out the season. The value of the BOYNE experience has never been more evident, combining access to Michigan's two largest ski resorts with a total of 850 skiable acres and 115 trails, each offering 30% more terrain than any other ski area in Lower Michigan. At Boyne Mountain, the 2013/14 season brings 20 additional Boyne Low-E fan guns, a new PistenBully 400 winch cat, new extreme body slide at Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, renovated Boynehof Lodge rooms, and an expanded fleet of rental equipment. Boyne Highlands is celebrating its 50th season, adding 31 Boyne Low-E fan guns, a new PistenBully 400 winch cat, more rental equipment, expanding The Spa, and a remodeled Main Lodge pool. Combined, the resorts are investing nearly $3 million for the coming winter season. Full details on what's new.

Summer Taxes are being accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, Sept.16, at City Hall. Taxes paid after that will be assessed interest and penalty.

Rubbish Pick-up - Last dates for pick-up are September 18th for residents on Main St. and south and the 19th for residents north of Main St. (Allowable and Prohibited items)

Leaf Pick-up - The City will pick up leaves Mondays and Fridays from October 14 - November 8. Please set bagged leaves curbside anytime after the first day of pick up, in clearly marked biodegradable paper bags. City crews will pick up bags as time allows. If your bags have been out for an extended period of time and have not been collected, please notify City Hall at 582-6597. Additional information.

Marina Dredging - The City has received all necessary permits to start dredging within the harbor. The project will go out to bid on Monday, September 16. Details will be posted on our website by Monday.

Marina Future Plans - The City may be having further discussions regarding the overall marina and potential renovation and/or expansion later this month as either a stand-alone meeting or as part of a future City Commission meeting. Details will be posted as they materialize.

Chamber board candidates needed by Sept. 16 

Boyne City will again celebrate its autumn bounty at the Harvest Festival Saturday, Oct. 5. The event brings music, crafts and fall produce to the downtown from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Portions of Water and Lake streets will be closed to traffic. The Farmers Market will move from Veterans Park to Water and Lake streets for the event. Folk art demonstrations feature a variety of exhibitors, including a broom maker and blacksmith. There will also be an arts and crafts show. Hayrides start at 10 a.m. and there will also be children's games and pumpkin painting, and more in the main festival area. The festival is sponsored by the Boyne City Main Street Program and the Boyne Area Chamber. More than 40 scarecrows will be displayed around downtown from late September until Halloween. Cafe Sante is planning three days of Oktoberfest German music, food and drinks. 

> 7 MUSICAL PERFORMERS will be featured from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Harvest Festival on two stages in the downtown. For more information, call (231) 582-6222 or visit www.boyneharvestfestival.com.

The Boyne CIty Booster Foundation is planning a tailgate party fundraiser at 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, folks all over the area will host dinner parties, inviting their friends  to a benefit for the Charlevoix Area Humane Society. The parties can be themed, fancy or just a potluck. Also, some area restaurants will be also hosting parties with special dinner rates with a portion of the bill to benefit the CAHS. Guests should be informed ahead of time that the dinner is a fundraising event for the Humane Society, and, at some point during the dinner parties, the host will solicit a donation from each guest. Party starting times can be varied; however, at 8 p.m. all participants are invited to a grand afterglow party at the Charlevoix Country Club's newly remodeled historic Shanahan Barn. At the Afterglow, we will have desserts prepared by area restaurants and we will tally and celebrate the fundraising results with cocktails and dancing. Call the Humane Society at 231-582-6774 to register your party and estimated guest count, or send an email to pets@charlevoixhumane.org.

Bring your dogs and comfortable shoes to the Great Pumpkin Run 5K held in Boyne City in conjunction with the Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 5. Friendly, on-leash dogs are invited to this family walk/run event to support the Charlevoix Area Humane Society. The Great Pumpkin Run helps homeless animals wishing for families. Day-of-race registration starts at 7 a.m. in Sunset Park, behind the Boyne Area Chamber office. The race starts on Front Street and goes along the lake shore toward Advance and returns on the same route. A race t-shirt in the proper size is guaranteed to participants who register by Sept. 17. Shirts are available for the first 150 runners who register. Pre-registration is $20, day-of-race registration is $25, children's registration is $10. You can register by mail or in person at the Humane Society, 614 Beardsley St., Boyne City, MI 49712. For further information email runfortheirlives@charter.net or call (231) 675-8792. Registration form with details.

Summer may be cooling off but there are more great finds than ever at the Boyne City Farmers Market. There are more peaches and plenty of corn, summer squash and zucchini, potatoes and more. Don't forget your favorite bakers and crafters. Stop at Veterans Park rain or shine, we'll try to save you some goodies. The market is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Wednesday and Saturday through October and then moves the to library red barn on Saturdays through the winter. Website.

COUNTRY MUSIC CONCERT - The Boyne City Firefighters Association presents Wade Hayes with special guest Kalisa Ewing at the Boyne City High School Performing Arts Center, at 3 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. Tickets are $25 and are available at the Boyne Area Chamber office, 28 S. Lake St. Call 231-225-0275 for further information.

SPAGHETTI DINNER will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Boyne City. Dinner Includes: Homemade Spaghetti, salad, vegetables, rolls ,desserts and beverages. Cost is by donation and all proceeds go to Baraga Broadcasting Catholic Radio.

COLLEGE COOKOUT - The public is invited to North Central Michigan College's 16th annual cookout on Sunday, Sept. 15 from noon to 3 p.m. on the Petoskey campus. The cookout is a fundraising event for the North Central Michigan College Foundation Scholarship Fund. Participants will have a picnic-style lunch, be entertained by the Jelly Roll Blues Band and have a chance to participate in a silent auction and bake sale.Ticket prices are $8 per person. Children five and under eat free.

WALK WITH A DOC - Charlevoix Area Hospital's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Craig Boss, will be hosting the hospital's first Walk with a Doc. The walking program will feature doctors with different specialties. Dr. Boss, is both CAH's Chief Medical Officer and Sleep Center Specialist. Dr. Boss, along with the CAH Cardiac Rehab team, will be taking a morning walk downtown Charlevoix. The Cardiac Rehab team is promoting "healthy hearts start here." Cardiac Rehab is raising awareness of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle through exercise and eating correctly. Anyone interested in the Walk With a Doc should meet at the Charlevoix Memorial Drawbridge, side closest to the lighthouse, at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20. Weather permitting; we will walk several laps around downtown Charlevoix. Dr. Boss is "looking forward to this event. I'm excited to meet many of the patients from cardiac rehab as well as members of the community. This is a great way to highlight the importance of a healthy heart by exercising and eating correctly."

EMPTY BOWLS - This year's Boyne City Community Empty Bowls Event will be held at the Boyne District Library Saturday, Sept. 28, from 12 noon until the bowls are gone and the soup and bread are eaten. This year the group organized by local resident Meg McClorey made 53 bowls. Chef Nathan Bates will again make soup and the Neighborhood Bread Company will be making bread.

PALETTE PAINTING - A palette knife oil painting class will be offered from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 1 and 2 at Boyne Arts Collective (BAC) at 210 S Lake Street in Boyne City. Jim Kosloskey, an artist from Harbor Springs, is the instructor. The fee of $125 which includes all the oil paints,palette knife, and canvas well as personal instruction. Students are encouraged to bring their own table easels if possible. They will go home with a finished 12 by 16 landscape painting. The class is limited to 12 students, so advance registration is important to reserve a space. Register at BAC in person as it is open Thurs through Sunday afternoons. Or you may send a check written to Jim Kosloskey with name, phone, and email address. If you need more information contact Debbie Sears at (231) 582-0604.