Volume 91 Issue 10
Inside this Issue

Member Highlights
  In the Spotlight
  Member Recognitions
  Welcome New Members
  Renewing Members
Calendar
  Community Events
  Chamber Meetings
Photo Album
Coming in November!
Contact Us

 

 

Now at the new chamber office!






October is Chamber of Commerce Month

Happy 91st Birthday!

The Blue Water Area Chamber is celebrating 91 years as the voice of business for the Blue Water area during Chamber of Commerce Month in October.

“Since 1917, the Blue Water Area Chamber has led the community on business, economic and quality of life issues,” said Vickie Ledsworth, Blue Water Area Chamber President. “Today, over 400 business members continue to support the chamber in its efforts to represent business interests throughout the area.”

The chamber of commerce works to find solutions to business and community issues and to create better business opportunities for its membership. Led by volunteers from its member businesses, the chamber names advocacy, business assistance and education, and networking as its primary goals. To celebrate the anniversary, the Blue Water Area Chamber will host an open house at its new location, 512 McMorran Boulevard, downtown Port Huron on October 30th (5 - 7 p.m.) and an appreciation luncheon to recognize founding members of the chamber.

The Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating Chamber of Commerce month in October in several ways:

  • Join the Chamber in October to be included in the regional business directory publication
  • Issue a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing October as Chamber of Commerce Month
  • Regional "Discover Business in the Blue" Business Directory advertising campaign kick-off
  • Leadership Blue Water series kick off, October 7
  • Chamber Leaders Circle Speed Networking event, October 16 at Golden Hawk Golf Club
  • County Commissioners Candidate Luncheon, October 21 at Alexander's in Marysville
  • Business by Design small business series—get your business the help it needs to stand apart from its competitors! October 24 at the Acheson Community Resource Center.

Chambers of commerce across the state are planning other activities for Chamber of Commerce Month, which is organized by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Executives association based in Lansing. To learn about other local chamber activities, visit www.bluewaterchamber.com.

 

 

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Page 2


Welcome
New Members!


Coventry Financial

Cross Current Church

Healing Hands

Intouch Cellular

Massage & Therapy by Design

Oasis Senior Care

Port Huron Town Hall

Sax Appeal Entertainment

SecureStep Technology


Thank you
Renewing Members!


Al Bourdeau Insurance

The Arc of Sr. Clair County

AXA Advisors

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Blue Water Area Transportation

Dyck Security Services

E & A Credit Union

East Lake Builders, LLC

Instra-Med

JoAnn Wine & Associates, Inc.

Manpower International Inc.

Mary Maxim, Inc.

Matthew M. Wallace, P.C.

Moran Oldsmobile-Cadillac GMC Truck, Inc.

Port Huron Building Supply

Port Huron KOA

Port Huron Music Center

Port Huron Vascular Clinic

Regency on the Lake

Ron Brickey Associates

Thomas Edison Inn

Tri-Hospital EMS










In the Spotlight: East Lake Builders

Rick Mills had a childhood dream. The East Lake Builders President knew that he wanted to be a builder after he constructed his first tree fort as a kid!

Now, having been in business for over 20 years, Rick and his crew are known for their attention to detail and for the incredible amount of creativity they bring to a project.

Whether you're planning a Dream Home or interested in restoring a historic building, East Lake Builders will strive to exceed your expectations. They have built their reputation on outstanding results. They believe that when you build a home, it becomes a testament to creativity. At East Lake Builders, they build for the future.

Rick and his wife, Lynn, have two beautiful girls, Grace and Claire and a Border Collie named Dakota. The Mills family loves to camp in their free time. Rick and Lynn's love for the nostalgic sparked their enthusiasm when they started East Lake Builders many years ago and they still love to meld the new with the old.

As builders and craftsman, they hold a special appreciation for the chance to blend the past with the present. East Lake Builders was built on a tradition of quality. From their exceptional homes to their custom designed plans, their focus is to offer exquisite appointments that bring out the character in every home they build!


Thank you, Rick and Lynn, for your investment and support of the blue water area business community! The Chamber is proud to have you as a member!

For more information: www.eastlakebuilders.com

 

Member Recognitions

On Wednesday, September 20, 2008, attorney Cynthia Lane gave a presentation at orientation for the incoming freshman class at the Wayne State University School of Law entitled “Good Moral Character and Fitness for the Practice of Law in Michigan.” Cynthia has served as a member of the State Bar of Michigan Standing Committee on Character and Fitness for eight years. She has offices at 7707 Brockway Road in Yale, is a member of the Yale Chamber of Commerce, and is also a Bologna Festival Parade sponsor.

Congratulations to the following Blue Water Area Chamber members for their acceptance into the inaugural Leadership Blue Water series and for their scholarships awards from the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce Community Benefit Fund. Ann Schultz (Schultz Legal Services), Aaron Hulett (Envoy Mortgage/St. Clair Home Loans), Brian Wood (Port City Communications).

SC4 recognized at Automation Alley Awards Gala
A consortium that includes St. Clair County Community College and twice has brought in grant dollars to the college was honored at Automation Alley's Awards Gala 2008 on Friday, Sept. 12, at The Henry Ford in Dearborn.
The Southeast Michigan Community College Consortium received the Educational Program of the Year award for its Centers of Expertise concept. The award recognizes an outstanding education curriculum that results in a skilled labor force in southeast Michigan.
The consortium was created by nine southeast Michigan Community College work-force development deans, including Michelle Mueller, Chamber Treasurer and SC4 dean of workforce development and University Center. She and the other deans were in attendance to receive the award. The consortium's goal is to share resources to strengthen the region's work force. The Centers of Expertise concept created by the consortium has won U.S. Department of Labor grants over the past two years totaling $6 million.

 

 

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Page 3

Board of Directors

Officers

Mr. Martin Doorn, Chair
Ms. Pamela Gordon-Ruthenburg, Past Chair
Ms. Michelle Myrick, Treasurer
Ms. Vickie Ledsworth, Secretary
Mr. Rich Seim, Officer
Mr. Scott Beedon
Mr. Ed Brooks

Directors
Mr. Dan DeGrow
Mr. Doug Dolph
Mr. Tim Dowd
Mr. Chris Fulks
Mr. Michael Glenn
Mr. Les McDermott
Ms. Michelle Mueller
Mr. Rob Patterson
Mr. Jon Peterson
Mr. Marc Reno

Contact Us
Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce
512 McMorran Blvd.
Port Huron, MI 48060
(810) 985-7101
(810) 985-7311 fax
info@bluewaterchamber.com
www.bluewaterchamber.com


Chamber Staff
Vickie Ledsworth
President and Secretary
Amanda Will
Director of Sales & Marketing
Kelli Plater
Administrative IT Coordinator


Chamber Survey


Calendar of Events
  Chamber Grand Opening Open House!
Mark your calendars: October 30th, 2008 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm 
  Community Calendar
Chamber Meetings
Education Committee Meeting
Date: No meeting this month
Where:
When:
BbR Meeting High Fivers
Date: October 6, 20
Where: Casey's Pizza & Subs
When: Noon
Public Affairs Committee Meeting
Date: October 1
Where: Bob Evans
When: 7:30 am - 8:30 am
Shameless Networkers
Date: October 7, 14, 21, 28
Where: Colonial House & Banquet Center
When: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Chamber Board Meeting
Date: October 16
Where: Foundation CRC
When: 7:45 am
Blue Water Connections
Date: No meeting this month
Where:
When:
Ambassadors Committee Meeting
Date: October 7
Where: Maritime Center
When: Noon
After Hours Wine & Cheese
Date: No event this month
Where:
When:
Fun-Raising Committee Meeting
Date: No meeting this month
Where:
When:
Finance Committee Meeting
Date: October 10
Where: Chamber Office
When: 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Executive Board Meeting
Date: October 2
Where: Pine River Nature Center
When: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Economic Task Force Meeting
Date: October 20
Where: Chamber Office
When: noon

 

 

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