New Member Spotlight 2009

Welcome new Lakeshore Chamber members:

Kimberly Risk & James Tomczyk, Lakeshore Excellence Foundation --
Since 1998, the Lakeshore Excellence Foundation exists to enhance student development through unique educational opportunities; to encourage faculty and staff creativity and excellence; to develop partnerships between Lakeshore Schools and the community; and to promote the Lakeshore School District as a center for community learning. The purpose of the Lakeshore Excellence Foundation is to acquire and distribute resources for programs and projects aimed at enhancing, enriching or supplementing learning opportunities for students, staff and the Lakeshore Public School community. The Lakeshore Excellence Foundation is an independent, 501(c)(3) organization with an all-volunteer board. For additional information visit their website via www.l-e-f.org

Doris Higgins, Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan --
With offices in St. Joseph and Niles, the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan has been connecting people with opportunities to serve, and identifying needs specific to our communities for 30 years. They promote, support, and connect volunteers working to build a strong, caring community. Their vision is: everyone Volunteers. Nonprofits, Schools and Governmental Organizations are invited to list their volunteer opportunities with them. If you are looking for ways to make a difference in either Berrien, Cass or Van Buren county either call 269-983-0912 or visit their website at www.volunteerswmi.org

Leonard R. Olson, Founder’s Wine Cellar --
Founders Wine Cellar is located in Baroda, Michigan, in the heart of the valley’s entrance to Southwestern Michigan’s famous wine country. It lies in the middle of the fruit growing section of Southwestern Michigan - a region known as the Fruit Basket of the Midwest. The back section of the original Baroda City Mill is where you’ll find Founders Wine Cellar, the last building before the water tower. They make and bottle wine, for sale at retail and wholesale. Every great growing region of the world has one common characteristic – which is a large body of water on the windward side - to temper the climate. Southwest Michigan is no different. Ensuring the region as one of the top growing regions of the world is its location on the southeast shore of Lake Michigan. Where Germany has the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, France has the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, and Napa Valley has the San Francisco Bay – the Fruit Basket of the Midwest has Lake Michigan. There are over 20,000 acres of grapes, 15,000 acres of cherries, 8,000 acres of peaches, 10,000 acres of blueberries. Wine Master Len Olson is also the original founder of neighboring Tabor Hill Winery. Be sure to come to their Business After Hours for the Lakeshore Chamber on Tuesday, December 1, 5:00 – 7:30 pm. Visit www.Founderswinecellar.com today.

Don Damron, Vineland Center – Established in 2007, the Vineland Center is the perfect venue for your next gathering. Southwest Michigan’s newest conference and banquet center has ample free parking and is a barrier free facility. Vineland Center was designed with flexibility and ease of use for everyone in mind. Contemporarily decorated conference and banquet halls, along with quality cuisine, and friendly service provide just the right blend of technology and comfort for many occasions. Visit www.VinelandCenter.com

Kellen Van Hulle, Chemical Bank Baroda --
Chemical Bank is the third largest bank headquarted in Michigan, with assets of $3.9 billion as of December 31, 2008. Their commitment to Michigan runs deep. For over 90 years, Chemical Bank's hometown approach to banking has remained steadfast and focused on community banking, highlighted by local leadership and decision making, a devotion to community and personalized service. With their expertise and advice, along with a wide range of products and services such as business checking and cash management services, employee benefit plans, and loans and credit options, they can help you meet your financial goals. Chemical Bank offers credit card merchant services to help maximize your profits. Accepting additional methods of payment from your customers can help reduce your accounts receivable and increase your average sales amount. Chemical Bank actively invests in their communities on a regular basis. In addition to the financial support they provide to local organizations, their employees dedicate countless volunteer efforts on an ongoing basis. Chemical Bank employees are leaders, members and volunteers of charitable organizations and community events including United Way, Junior Achievement, 4-H clubs, Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society, and the Chamber of Commerce, among others. For additional information, please visit www.chemicalbankmi.com

Bill Graffenius, American Homes Real Estate Century 21--
Helping to bring buyers and sellers of real estate together in Southwest Lower Michigan, located at 4532 Red Arrow Highway. The firm continues from it's former franchise with Century 21, at the same location.

Tracy Marsh, Von Tobel Lumber --
A building materials supplier that serves the professional contractor, the remodeling contractor and the do-it-yourself consumer. Great pricing and an outstanding selection are just the beginning at Von Tobel Lumber & Hardware. They add value to the products they sell by employing a knowledgeable and friendly team of professionals. They pride themselves in providing an outstanding level of customer service. Their goal is to treat their customers in such a way that they will always choose Von Tobel Lumber & Hardware for their projects, no matter how big or small. Von Tobel is a 100% employee owned business built on a solid foundation of core values that drives the company's behavior and decision-making. They serve customers throughout northern and central Indiana, with locations in Valparaiso, Michigan City, Schererville, Lafayette and Stevensville, MI. Visit www.vontobels.com today. St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center -- Located at 3271 Lincoln Avenue in St. Joseph, the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center provides safe, friendly, positive social, educational and recreational services for the 60+ citizens of our community. The center provides transportation during the morning hours only, to the center, to grocery stores, doctor's offices, beauty salons, and volunteers jobs. Transportation requests must be received three days in advance. Current activities at the center include Resistance and Range of Motion Exercise classes, Music in Motion, Beginning and Advanced Line Dancing, Quilting, Bridge, Pinnacle, Mah Jongg and Greeting Card Making. For further information, you may reach the center at 429-7768.

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Jeffrey Rasor, CJ’s Quick Mart & Deli -- located on 1169 Lemon Creek Road in Baroda, this grocery and homemade deli is family owned providing friendly and outgoing customer service, grocery items and a deli with fresh sandwiches and homemade pizza. An excellent selection of ice cold beer and local wine is also available. CJ’s have a wide variety of grocery items that line their shelves giving their customers the most choices possible for a small convenience store. At CJ's you are able to get a Hot Pizza, Ice Cold Beverages and a Warm, Friendly Smile from their small staff of dedicated employees. CJ's is also proud to offer a variety of Beer and Wine with the wines purchased locally from the wineries in the area. These wines are produced from the grapes grown right here in Southwest Michigan. They have daily specials so come on in and see them! Call CJ’s direct for hours of operation via 269.422.2443.

Duane Janka, Janka Financial Group, Inc. -- established this year, Janka Financial Group, Inc. is affiliated with the independent brokerage firm of LPL Financial and offers financial planning services, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, insurance, annuities and managed investment accounts. This Stevensville located company was established in 2009 by Duane Janka. Duane is a graduate of Bethel College, in Mishawaka and a Certified Financial Planner. The goal of Janka Financial Group is to provide a comprehensive, tailored and objective approach to meeting the financial goals of individual investors. Visit Janka’s website for additional information via www.JankaFinancialGroup.com .

Timothy Janda, The Wooden Sign Company -- The Wooden Sign Company specializes in the custom design and construction of sandblasted signs. They work with a variety of mediums, including wood, glass, marble, and granite. However, they are more than just sandblasted signs. The company also creates menu boards, golf course markers, directories, design logos, and build front and back bars. Their technique utilizes sculpture, three dimensional design, hand carving, goldleaf lettering, and engraving. Since 1972, the Wooden Sign Company has been a part of Chicago, supplying their neighborhoods and outlying areas with quality and excellence. They will take your ideas or help you generate ideas for a sign that will enhance any business. Visit them on the web www.woodensignco.com .

Andrew Zachary, Pure Living Concepts -- Pure Living Concepts is an Authorized Independent Distributor of EcoQuest International right here in Stevensville Michigan. They have over 40 different Space Certified Technologies to purify indoor air and water. They have GREEN Technologies to help you save money and to help save our environment as well. Pure Living Concepts pride themselves in knowing they can provide their customers with the very best state of the art technologies to help clean indoor environments not only in homes but at the work place too. Their proprietary technology called ActivePure not only cleans the air but sanitizes all environmental surfaces as well. They know this because of the extensive scientific testing and peer reviewed studies that have been done. For example: 100% kill rate on MRSA Staph in just 24hrs., Avian Influenza H5N8 100% kill rate on surfaces in just 12hrs. They have been given NASA and The Space Foundation "Space Certified Technology" certification.

They’ve recently added a 6th division to their company in the form of Whole Home Energy Management. The patented technology they call EcoPower4 can not only provide total surge and spike protection, it provides harmonic noise filtration and power factor correction as well, resulting in possibly saving money up to 25% on ones electric bill! The company has testimonials from many different individuals, companies, organizations that praise the results they have experienced with Pure Living Concepts product line. Their slogan is "We Send the Solution to the Pollution.” To learn more about ActivePure Technology, please visit www.activepure.com ; for more info on EcoPower4, visit www.ecotrustenergy.com .

Representative John Proos, Michigan House District 79 -- Proos was elected to the Michigan House in November 2004 to represent the 79th district in northern Berrien County. He has been appointed to the House Appropriations Committee for the 2009-2010 Legislative Session. He is serving as Minority Vice Chair of the Corrections and Human Services Subcommittees and is a member of the Joint Capital Outlay Committee and House Energy and Technology Committee. Rep. Proos is active in many southwestern Michigan groups including the Rotary Club of St. Joseph/Benton Harbor and the United Way of Southwest Michigan. He is a board member of the Berrien Community Foundation.

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Frank Beltran, Candlewood Suites -- local, full service hotel accommodations, geared for business travelers, located on Marquette Woods Road in Stevensville. It is Southwest Michigan's premier hotel for overnight, corporate housing and relocation accommodations. Each room is equipped with a full size kitchen, high speed Internet, DVD movies. Also available for everyone is free laundry, private patio grill area, hot tub & fitness center, and a mini-store. There are also meeting rooms and business support for corporate meetings.

First Data Independent Sales -- established in 1964, a Flint-based credit and debit card processing service for local merchants. The Kalamazoo branch of First Data Independent Sales is a 3rd party processing company wholly owned by the First Data Corporation which approves/declines 2/3rds of all credit transactions worldwide. As a result of our dismal economic situation throughout the United States, it is their goal to meet and speak with as many business owners and merchants to see if they can provide them some relief by means of rate reductions for day to day credit/debit card approvals.

Sharon Tyler, State Representative 78th District -- representing the 78 House District, which includes parts of Berrien and Cass Counties.

Sharon Geisler, Honorary Member -- in recognition of her many years of service as Clerk of Lincoln Charter Township, and as the Township representative on the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Board.

Gary Ruhl, Baroda Lake Township Police Department -- Chief of Police providing police services for Baroda Village, Baroda Township, and Lake Charter Township

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Dave Bly, Horizon Bank – a local, full service bank located on Niles Road in St. Joseph. Whatever your financial needs – from checking, savings and loans to investments – Horizon can help. They have been servicing generations of customers for over 135 years with their unique brand of exceptional service, backed by sensible advice.

Katherine Meek, Anytime Fitness – at Anytime Fitness in Stevensville, they offer a full line of Precore equipment to help you accomplish your fitness goals. Also available is 24 hour access to tanning, private bathrooms and personal trainers.

David Ravitch, Ravitron Equipment, LLC – a well known provider of telephone and internet services, with over 16 years of experience in the area. Serving the Michiana Community since 1992, Ravitron has the experience you can depend on for a complete professional design and implementation of your next communication project. Ravitron is the local leader in Voice Over IP technology. Whether you need a single DSL and phone line or need to connect to sites around the globe, Ravitron has the equipment and services to keep you “Simply Connected.”

Robert Gerbel, Gerbel & Company, P.C. – at Gerbel & Company, P.C., service is their business. Whether you are a long-standing client or a new visitor to their offices, you’ll always be given the friendly, personal attention that is their trademark. When many people think of certified public accountants, their thoughts naturally turn to income tax preparation. But that is just one of the many services they are prepared to offer you at Gerbel & Company. The company has been providing clients a broad range of services for commercial and industrial to governmental and nonprofit within Southwestern Michigan for over 30 years.

Tomeka Kinne, 1st Source Bank Lakeshore – the 1st Source Bank has a mission to help individuals, institutions, businesses and communities achieve security, build wealth and realize their dreams. More than a slogan, “your partners from the first” is the underlying foundation of 1st Source Bank’s values, and a reflection of how they have done business for over 140 years.

Dahlis Roy, Lakeshore Tai Chi – providing Tai Chi instruction for health, relaxation and fitness, art work, articles and books on meditation and self-fulfillment.

Kerry Wright, Evergreen Real Estate / Harbor Shores – listing and selling single family homesites & cottages in the new Harbor Shores Development on Lake Michigan.

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Audra Johnson & Stacey Stubblefield, Hometown Deli and Catering-serves homemade sandwiches and salads. They also provide both small and large catering services within the Lakeshore and surrounding communities. Hometown Deli and Catering is located at 8972 First Street in Baroda, MI
E-mail: hometowndeliandcatering@yahoo.com
Phone: 269-422-5800

Nancy Adams, Chemical Bank Mortgage Loan Center -located at 6 West Buffalo Street in New Buffalo, MI, this center is part of Chemical Bank which has 129 full-service banking offices and two loan production offices where they are able to provide a full range of quality financial services ranging from personal and corporate banking to trust and investment management services.
E-mail: nancy.adams@chemicalbankmi.com
Phone: 269-469-3363

Advanced Irrigation-company specializes in sprinkler installation and service. Whether you need winterizing, a trench less installation, repair or service on your sprinkler…call Advanced Irrigation today. Locally, Advanced Irrigation is located at 2063 N. US Hwy. 31 in Niles, MI.
E-mail: advancedirrigation@att.net
Phone:269-683-6600

Ruth Semones, Root Seller, LLC -a Baroda based company supplying plants to local landscapers, as well as overseeing landscape installations from the tiny to the elaborate scale. They also offer plant sales at the salesyardwhich are difficult to locate otherwise. Hours are Friday 5-7pm, Saturday 9-2pm and Sunday 1-3pm. Other times need to be set by appointment.
Phone: 269-876-2852