Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 418

Coloma, MI 49038 Web:www.coloma-watervliet.org

Email: info@coloma-watervliet.org

SPRING NEWSLETTER

New Map for Coloma and Watervliet

Vern Vierk representing NovoPrint USA is currently selling ads for our new full color area map. We

hope all chamber members can participate in this campaign as it is a fundraiser every other year for

the Chamber. 10,000 full color maps will be printed and we will do our best to have them out before

the Memorial Day tourist season begins. Vern will be contacting you to set up a time to visit to coor-

dinate the process of your ad sale. The quicker the ads are approved the quicker we can go to print. Thank you for your continued support of the Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce.

Board of Directors 2013

President

Sue Moser

Edgewater Bank

1st Vice President

Karla Smothers

Chemical Bank

2nd Vice President

Tom Gear

Tri-County Computer

Secretary

Rochelle Ulleg

Robert Michael Salon & Spa

Treasurer

Dave Scheuer

Honor Credit Union

Board Member

Tracy Gierada

North Berrien Historical

Museum

Board Member

Chip Shaw

Orchard Hill Landfill

Board Member

Matt Moser

Moser Fruit Tree Sales, Inc

Board Member

Lee Scherwitz

SWMI Regional Airport

Member at Large

Pat Moody

Cornerstone Chamber

Letter from our President

It’s hard to imagine that

Spring is around the cor-

ner. Winter really hasn’t

been too bad, we do live in

Michigan remember.

While I’m sure we have

some temperature chal-

lenges ahead, we can only

guess what March will

bring. We probably won’t

see a 70 degree day for the

St Patrick’s Parade this

year though.

The St Patrick’s Day fes-

tivities are on March 16,

please read the list of

events planned. Since

Watervliet did not do a Ice

Festival this year, this will

be the beginning of the

festivals our small towns

will enjoy all year. Some

of the dates are noted in

this newsletter.

With the onset of the festi-

vals, comes the call for

Volunteers. We are so

lucky to have so many

active organizations and

faithful volunteers in our

communities. Without

their time and efforts, we

would not be able to enjoy

so many great opportuni-

ties for marketing our

towns. Just think of the

numbers of visitors all

these festivals bring into

town , that use our restau-

rants, visit our stores and

enjoy our fresh produce .

Please join in the fun and

promotion of our towns.

Volunteer this year ! If

you are interested, call

Chana here at the office

and she will connect you.

See you in town,

Susie

Welcome New Members

Healthy to the Core

R. B. Stelter Farms

New Hong Kong Restaurant

Page 2

Ribbon Cuttings/After Hours

February was a busy month with two fun events. Below on the left is a picture of the Friendly’s new addition and a “After the

Ribbon Cutting” picture on February 11th. The room was full of chamber members, local officials, family and friends enjoy-

ing delicious food in their new room which is an exciting addition to this very popular restaurant. This eagerly anticipated

official opening of the expanded dining room had many people commenting on the beautiful colors and warm atmosphere that

fits in wonderfully with the old style and feel of the original dining room. The extra seating will be welcome on the busy

weekends and jam packed summer crowds that Coloma sees in our tourist months. Pictured from left to right is Sarah Busick,

Mayor Jim Polashak, John Forney, Ray Mays, Coloma Township Supervisor Ken Parrigin and CWACC

President Susie Moser.

The picture below on the right is the R.E.A.D.Y. Taekwondo Academy of Coloma event on February 7th. We had a wonder-

ful time of refreshments, tour of the building and a skills presentation by young students. The academy has become a very

popular addition to Coloma with many classes for youth and adults. Pictured in the photo from left to right is Caitlin Fitz, To-

ni Kelemen, Vivian Sexton, Grandmaster Al Smith an eight degree black belt, State Representative Al Pscholka, Coloma

Mayor Pro Tem Marsha Hammond, Program Director Christine Kelemen, Coloma Charter Township Supervisor Ken Parrigin,

Richard Kelemen, CWACC President Susie Moser, and Sedrick Atkins.

Photos courtesy of the Tri-City Record.

If you would like to do an After Hours Event highlighting your business, give Chana a call at 757-2457 or email

chana@coloma-watervliet.org

Chamber Meeting Dates 2013

2nd Tuesday 12 noon

March 12th Friendly Tavern

April 9th Board of Trade

May 14th Friendly Tavern

June 11th Board of Trade

July 9th Friendly Tavern

August 13th Board of Trade

September 10th Friendly Tavern

October 8th Board of Trade

November 12th Friendly Tavern

December No meeting.

There is no RSVP required every-

one buys their own lunch and

meetings are kept to one hour so

you can get back to business.

June 15th Coloma BBQ Blues and Cruise Plan to attend the 3rd Annual BBQ Blues and Cruise. Our line up is coming together with

Rusty Wright as our headliner this year and more great music from the David Gerald Band

and Marci Linn Band featuring J. R. Clark. We are still putting together the line up and we

need sponsors for this event. We are keeping this a free concert so sponsorship dollars

are critical to continue this each year. The North Berrien Community Development is

a 501 c 3 organization so your donation is tax deductible.

There will be great food, live music and a beautiful Classic and Muscle Car show in the

morning. If you would like to Sponsor, Volunteer or Participate in the Amateur BBQ Con-

test give Chana a call at 757-2457. Randy Pompey will be our MC again for the evening

and we are looking forward to a wonderful family friendly, alcohol free event. Bring your

lawn chairs and enjoy the day in Baker Park.

Watch for more information on the Coloma BBQ Blues and Cruise Facebook page.

Breathe Easy 5k Saturday March 16th

Come join the Watervliet National Honor Society in a 5k fun run/walk to aid in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis!

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 people in the United States.

All the proceeds from the race will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which offers aid to community hospitals

with diagnosis services and comprehensive treatment for people with CF and their families. The race is located at the Co-

loma Township Hall, and will follow a scenic course around Paw Paw Lake's surrounding communities. Participants are

encouraged to sport ridiculously festive St. Patrick's Day attire! This race is a fun run, so medals will not be awarded; how-

ever, a screen with a stopwatch will be at the finish. After the race make sure to visit downtown to participate in the rest of

the days festivities! Contact Tyler Troyer for more information at 449-1452 or 13troyer@gmail.com

Early Registration fee (on or before March 9th) :$10 After March 9 th and day of race fee: $15

Registration/start line will be at the Coloma Township Hall

*Make checks payable to the Watervliet National Honor Society * Check in time 8:00 a.m. Start Time 9:00 a.m.

*A special thanks to the Lions Club and Coloma Charter Township

All participants receive water, hot chocolate and fruit. Only preregistered racers guaranteed t-shirts.

Mark you Calendars

10th Annual North Berrien Community Development Annual Golf Outing

Paw Paw Lake Golf Club Friday August 23rd.

Breakfast beginning at 8:00 a.m. with golf starting at 9:00 a.m.

Hole Sponsors and raffle prizes needed.

You can golf for $60.00 per person which includes , breakfast, lunch, golf cart and green fees.

Prize money will be given to the top 3 teams.

$10,000 Hole in One Contest again this year sponsored by Combined Insurance Agency.

Reserve your spot now by contacting Chana at 757-2457 or chana@coloma-watervliet.org

Page 3

Business Recognition Community Appreciation Tribute If you had the chance to attend this January 10th event at

Surfari Joe’s/Fairfield Inn you were in for a treat. We had

delicious food, a beautifully warm and inviting atmosphere

and a chance to give some much deserved awards to our

chamber members. We started out the evening with North

Berrien Community Development (NBCD) giving the

Community Service Award to Freshwater Church who has

faithfully helped with many festivals and events in Coloma

and Watervliet. The Chamber awarded Tracy Gierada, rep-

resenting the North Berrien Historical Museum with the

Community Impact Award and Al and Colleen from the

Paw Paw Lake Board of Trade accepted the Community

Excellence Award. Representative Al Pscholka was also

on hand with framed tributes for each winner and thanked

them for their long standing commitment to the community

with their business and their acts of community service.

The North Berrien Community Development also received

a framed tribute for their 25 year achievement of their busi-

ness. Chana Kniebes accepted a surprise award from her NBCD Board for her years of Community Service. It was excit-

ing to celebrate these wonderful businesses and to recognize them for continuing to make our communities a wonderful

place to live work and do business. Photo courtesy of the Tri-City Record.

ALFRED METAL’S INC.

ALLIANCE CLEANING SERVICES

AMERICAN HOMES REAL ESTATE

APL LOGISTICS

ARROW PET CLINIC

AUTO SPA MOBILE DETAILING

BACK ON THE RACK

BERRIEN COUNTY COMM. DEV.

BEST WAY DISPOSAL

BOB’S BARN FARM MKT. & BAKERY

BOB’S HOBBY SHOP

CASUAL TEES

CENTRAL ASSEMBLY OF GOD

CHEMICAL BANK COLOMA

CITY OF COLOMA

COLOMA CHARTER TOWNSHIP

COLOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOOLS

COLOMA FABRICARE

COLOMA GLAD PEACH FESTIVAL

COLOMA MOTOR SPORTS

COLOMA PUBLIC LIBRARY

COLOMA WASH N DRI

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL LAKELAND

CONTESSA WINE CELLARS

CORNERSTONE CHAMBER

COURTYARDS BY THE LAKE

DARLENE GETZ DDS

DEANNA HEMINGER CBTC

DIMAGGIO’S PIZZA

DON YOUNG INSURANCE

DUFFIELD’S COTTAGES

DUFFIELD & PASTRICK FAMILY

FUNERAL HOME

DUNE LAKE CAMPGROUND

EASY STREET

ECO-LOGICAL CLEANERS

2013

Looking Ahead

St. Patrick’ s Lighted Parade

Saturday March 16th 8:00 p.m.

Watervliet Lioness

Easter Egg Hunt

Sat. March 30th Hays Park

11:00 a.m.

Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt

Sat. March 30th Coloma FOP

Coloma BBQ Blues and Cruise

Saturday June 15th Baker Park

Coloma

Independence Weekend

Watervliet Activities

June 28-30th

PRST. STD.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

COLOMA, MI

PERMIT # 70

COLOMA WATERVLIET C OF C

P.O. BOX 418

COLOMA, MI 49038

Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce Members

EDGEWATER BANK

EDWARDS JONES INVESTMENTS

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER ANTIQUES

FARM BUREAU INS. MARK EPPLE

FLEX SOFT, LLC

FOUR SEASON SPA & POOL

FRESHWATER COMMUNITY CHURCH

FRIENDLY TAVERN

FUTURE CONSTRUCTION

GRAPEVINE NURSERY

GREAT LAKES ANTIQUE MALL

GREATER SOUTH HAVEN CHAMBER

H & R BLOCK

HAIR INNOVATIONS

HAMMOND & HAMMOND CATERING

HANDMADE TREASURES

HEALTHY TO THE CORE

HONOR CREDIT UNION

HOTSPOT CAFE

HUTCHINS FUNERAL HOME

INDIANA & MICHIGAN POWER

INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SERV

J.C. SIGNS JOHN CORBIN

J.D.’s MARINA

JAMES FULTON CONSTRUCTION

JOHN’S GLASS

JOLLAY MARKET

JOLLAY ORCHARDS

KATHY’S CLEANING SERVICE

KRENEK’S RV SALES, SERV. RENTAL

KRIKIT’S TREAT VACATION

RENTALS LLC

L.A.D.D

LAGROW CONSULTING

LANE AUTOMOTIVE

LEADER PUBLICATIONS

LIFESTYLE CHIROPRACTIC

LIGHTHOUSE COLORPRINT

LOMA THEATRE.

MATTHEW’S HEATING & AIR COND.

MATTSON’S HOUSE OF DECOR

MCDONALD’S COLOMA

MEDIC ONE

MENASHA CORPORATION

MICHIGAN MOLD

MIDWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

MIDWEST CIVIL ENGINEERS

MIDWEST FAMILY BROADCASTING

MIKE’S WELL DRILLING

MOSER FRUIT TREE SALES INC.

MOSS CHIROPRACTIC

NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER

NEW HONG KONG RESTAURANT

NIGHT OWL DESIGNS BY SUZETTE

NOACK CONSTRUCTION

NORTH BERRIEN COMMUNITY DEV.

NORTH BERRIEN HIST. MUSEUM

NORTH BERRIEN SENIOR CENTER

ORCHARD HILL LANDFILL

PAW PAW LAKE ASSOCIATION

PAW PAW LAKE BOARD OF TRADE

PAW PAW LAKE FOUNDATION

PAW PAW LAKE GOLF CLUB

PAW PAW LAKE MOTEL

PAW PAW LAKE YACHT CLUB

PIZZA HUT

PLEASANT VIEW ESTATES

POSTELLI LAW OFFICE

PUNKIN PATCH LEARNING CTR.

RANDY’S B.P.

RAVINE VIEW ESTATES

R & B STELTER FARMS

R.E.A.D.Y. TAEKWONDO ACADEMY

RELIABLE DISPOSAL

RITE AID PHARMACY COLOMA

ROBERT MICHAEL SALON & SPA

RORY BELL COLOMA TWP PD

SALEM LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL

SPECTRUM COMMUNITY SERVICES

START UP CENTER FOR INNER PEACE

SENATOR JOHN PROOS

STATE FARM INSURANCE

STUART BOOKELOO DDS.

STUDIO 139

SUBWAY-PJ ENTERPRISES,INC.

SURFARI JOE’S/FAIRFIELD

SWMI REGIONAL AIRPORT

TEED HEATING & COOLING TRI-CITY RECORD

TRI-COUNTY COMPUTER

TRI-DENT DOCK & DREDGE INC

TRISHSA’S RENTAL PROPERTY LLC.

UNITED WAY OF SWMI

VINCENT J. JEWELERS

VINEYARDS GOURMET CHOCOLATE

WATERVLIET BUSINESS ASSOC.

WATERVLIET CHARTER TOWNSHIP

WATERVLIET FRUIT EXCHANGE

WATERVLIET HARDWARE

WATER VLIET PUBLIC SCHOOLS

WEST STREET STATION

WIL-O-PAW ANIMAL HOSPITAL

WTP