t’s human nature to take what we have for granted. How often have we heard visitors to Harbor Country express their delight in a place, or business, or organization that to us is just part of the background in our daily lives? Sometimes the realities of life shock us into an appreciation of what we have. But most times, we are so busy that we do not take time to be aware. I hope the articles in this newsletter, contributed by our members, will remind you not to take Harbor Country and your Chamber of Commerce for granted.

Harbor Country is a special place. Natural beauty aside, it is special because, through cooperative effort, it offers more than any single town or community. It took vision and leadership from members of the chamber to make this happen almost three decades ago and it takes continued involvement from chamber members to keep it going. Harbor Country has become a valu-able brand. The Harbor Country brand brings tangible benefits to

businesses and organizations. Like any successful brand, it works because it stands for something people want and value. Harbor Country is also more than just a brand. It is a place filled with people who care about the area and each other.

This Summer Issue of Connection focuses on two related themes – the benefits of chamber membership and of giving back to our communi-ties. I have noticed these recurring themes over the past year I have served as your director. Some members have shared their stories about the value they get from their chamber membership. It makes me wonder if everyone realizes that, in addition to the general advantages of chamber membership, there is something special about the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce, its brand and its members. I hope these articles remind you of the unique and valuable identity of this chamber and inspire you to encour-age others to become members.

Letter from the Director

I

ChamberBulletin Board

TUESDAYSEPTEMBER 29TH

Golf Outing &Annual Membership Meeting

Whittaker WoodsNew Buffalo, MI

Margaret Anderson,Golf Event Chairperson, invites

you and your friends to support the chamber and enjoy an

afternoon of golf.

12:30 pm Registration1 pm Shot Gun Start 4 Person Scramble$100 per person

(includes Golf, Cart, Awards, Prizes, Dinner)Call chamber to be a sponsor

Tee - $100, Green - $75Hole - $175

Golfers, Members and Guests are invited to…

6 pm Cocktail Hour (cash bar)7 pm Dinner - $25/person.

(Dinner for golfers included in golf registration) Buffet menu includes;

prime rib, chicken, side dishes & desert.

Raffle Prize DrawingsMembership Drive Drawings

Membership Drive Prize

8 pm Annual Membership Meeting, installation of

new directors and officers8:30 pm Entertainment

Contact the chamber officefor reservations.

The Harbor Country® Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

S U M M E R , 2 0 0 9v o l . 1 , n o . 4

By Ann DahmDirector of Membership and Communications

Harbor Country®Chamber of Commerce

530 South Whittaker Street, Suite F

New Buffalo, Michigan 49117

269-469-5409fax 269-469-2257

email: chamber@harborcountry.org

www.harborcountry.org

2 SUMMER 2009 connect ion

Do you know a businessthat is not currently amember of the HarborCountry Chamber ofCommerce?

Leadership Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce

NO

TIC

ES

Greg BubbPRESIDENT

Kevin HarringtonVICE-PRESIDENT

Maureen CulpTREASURER

Marlene KramerSECRETARY

Ray VasquezWEB MASTER

Ann DahmDIRECTOR – MEMBERSHIP & COMMUNICATIONS

Bonnie CorondanADMINISTRATIVECOORDINATOR

Directors:

Hassan Abdel-Moneim

Nancy Adams

Margaret Anderson

Judy Burnison

Richard Kochanny

Brian McMahon

John Natsis

Linda Patejdl

®

2009 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Do you know a business that is not currently a member of the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce? The 2009 Membership Drive is your opportunity to invite them to join you and become a Chamber member. Simply fill out a referral form when you contact a prospective member and get the form to the Chamber office by September18, 2009. Referral forms and information about the Membership Drive are available on our website home page at www.harborcountry.org. Click on 2009 Membership Drive at the bottom of the page.

The Chamber staff will follow up with your referral. If the business you contact joins the Chamber during the Membership Drive, by September 28, 2009, you will be entered into a drawing for fabulous prizes. There will also be a grand prize for the Chamber member that recruits the most new members. The more members you recruit, the more chances you have to win! New members are entered in a prize drawing too! The drawings will be held at the 2009 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, September 29th at Whittaker Woods Golf Club in New Buffalo, MI. Event chairperson, Dee Dee Duhn will announce the winners!

JOIN A COMMITTEE

The Harbor Country Chamber’s Community Development Committee is seeking energetic members with passion and time to help develop a Super Drop-off Recycling Center in Harbor Country. Berrien County and Recycling Resource Systems of Ann Arbor are ready to assist Harbor Country with this project. This is your chance to be involved from the beginning in a project which can have a lasting beneficial impact on the community, you and the planet. Please contact Marlene Kramer at 269-469-7510 at Horizon Bank in Harbert or e-mail her at mkramer@accesshorizon.com

Two Harbor Country Chamber committees have new leadership. Nancy Watson of Harbert House is the chairperson for our Marketing Committee and Frank Tomecek is the chairper-son for the 2010 Harbor Country Guide. Both these committees welcome new members. Contact the Chamber office for more information.

NOTICES

Newsletter photographs supplied by borterwagner, Zdanis, and Chamber Ambassadors

arbor Country is one of those lovely, Mid western, close-knit communities that people read about and wish they were a part of. But it doesn’t just happen overnight, it takes everyone working together to build that feeling of connectedness.

It begins with ‘giving back’ within the community. Giving back to help others is an important aspect of establishing relationships through networking and public service. Many businesses and individuals in Harbor Country do this routinely. Round Barn Winery, Brewery & Distillery is one of these businesses. Chris Moersch is the general manager and along with his family, they support many local charity events and the public school system.

“We feel it is important to support local causes, just as the local community has supported us during the past 25 years,” says Moersch.

Over the years, Round Barn has supported and aligned themselves with targeted community and charity partners by donating products to their various fund-raisers and events.

Round Barn Winery, Brewery & Distillery is located in Baroda, Michigan. The company opened a satellite tasting room in Union Pier, Michigan in 2005 and has been a Chamber member ever since. For more information, please visit their website at www.roundbarnwinery.com.

By Kimberly Wilcox 2008 Summer Intern

Building Community While Giving Back

By Collette Kemper Bentwood Tavern

Bentwood Tavern Give-Back Program

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H

I n the fall of 2008, we at Bentwood Tavern decided to take our annual marketing dollars and try something new with the give-back model. From September to May, Bentwood Tavern hosted seven Give-Back Dinners, each offering a donation equal to 50 percent of food and beverage revenue for the night. In total, $11,215 was awarded to the New Buffalo Beach Boardwalk Fund, Support Local Agriculture, Bridgman Soccer League, Radio Harbor Country, Brookview School, New Buffalo Fine Arts Council and St. Mary of the Lake’s 8th Grade trip to Washington D.C. In return, Bentwood gained valuable exposure to new patrons, some positive off-season energy for our staff, and the pleasure of writing checks to worthy non-profit orga-nizations.

From a business standpoint, we’re not just giving money away; we’re allocating marketing dollars in a different, effective and rewarding way. I hope everyone who has attended a Bentwood Give-Back Dinner is encouraged to look with us for more opportunities to support one another. The year-round success of our businesses depends upon the strength of our community as a whole.

The Bentwood Tavern Give-Back Program will resume in September. For more infor-mation or to request an application, please visit www.bentwoodtavern.com.

ello to all in Harbor Country! My name is Dee Dee Duhn and I own Customs Imports in New Buffalo. I will be chairing our Membership Drive this year.

I am a huge supporter of the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce (HCCC) and I feel it is now more important than ever to belong. Between the stressed economy, strug-gling retail markets and the unseasonably cool weather, the HCCC can really help local businesses with marketing, advertising and networking.

I can tell you from personal experience that our Chamber has been an effective tool in keeping visitors coming to Harbor Country and ultimately becoming my customers. For me, being a member of the HCCC is purely selfish; it has helped my business and increased my bottom line. Joining the Chamber offers several benefits. It creates a foundation for networking with other businesses in the

area and it gives you numerous promotional and learning opportunities throughout the year. It is also a very inex-pensive way to participate and be involved in the commu-nity. I also have to add how wonderful our staff is, Ann and Bonnie make an extraordinary team.

It is always beneficial to know other business owners and be in-tune with what is happening in our community. I believe it’s important to stay involved and joining the HCCC is an excellent way to do that.

Let’s face facts. This is a very small community and the more we all work together, the more successful we all can be. I hope you recognize the value of your membership as much as I do and will help me make this membership drive successful by recruiting new members!

H

4 SUMMER 2009 connect ion

hat does the Chamber do for me? Before I attempt to answer that, let me emphasize that the Chamber is a group of members. Several of these members go above and beyond the requirement of paying their dues. They volunteer their time to try and do the right thing for all our membership. Funny thing is, even if a business is not a member, it will more than likely be affected by the countless volunteer hours put forth by the Chamber.

This is a common question when some of us “old-timers” ask non-members why they don’t join up. As a life long resident of this area, I can tell you it is a much different place now than it was 40 years ago. Back then, many of our current landmarks B&B’s, Restaurants, and other shops were places that had seen better days. Then the Chamber began promoting this area, and people began to come and spend their dollars here. First they would come for the weekend, and then they would buy a run down cottage and fix it up as their prized family get-a-way. Often they would decide to open a business here. Then the developers took

notice, came, and did their thing. The whole time the Chamber continued to promote and do it’s best to support business and quality of life in the area. As we all know, with changes come challenges and opportunities. Has the Chamber always done the “right” thing? Maybe not. But it always intended to.

In my particular case, and the case of our President, Greg Bubb, we don’t directly benefit from the promotion of this area from a tourism perspective. Both our businesses (Harrington Photography and Harbor Country Insurance....both headquartered in beautiful downtown Three Oaks) depend on full time residents to survive. So the work we do is in the hopes of supporting those businesses so that they may grow and hire full time residents. There is one thing I know for sure, there are more jobs available in this area now than there were in the early 1980’s when the Chamber was formed. I feel it’s my civic duty to be a Chamber member.

By Kevin HarringtonVice Presdident

Your Chamber, Your Community

W

By Dee Dee DuhnCustoms Imports

Please Join Me in Recruiting New Members

connect ion SUMMER 2009 5

Radio Harbor Country receives a boost from theHarbor Country Chamber of Commerce!

HC Chamber president, Greg Bubb and Board members present check to WRHC, Kim Pruitt

he Harbor Country Chamber continued its generous support of WRHC-LP 106.7 FM, an all-volunteer radio station serving the Harbor Country community. What a great pairing – two organizations commit ted to strengthening the network of businesses, services and residents of Harbor Country.

WRHC-LP, now in the fourth year of broadcasting, is grateful to the Harbor Country Chamber for being an underwriter of Radio Harbor Country from the start.

Radio Harbor Country is dedicated to organizing, sponsoring and disseminating information on relevant social, cultural and political issues as well as fostering the appreciation of "The Arts" through outreach, education, com-munity involvement, mentoring and programming". Programming may include the following: talk radio, music, live remote broadcasts at events and public meetings, literature, poetry, commentary, local news, mentoring programs, interviews, public service announcements, reviews of cultural events and shows, educational Q&A sessions, children's programs, student broadcasts, self-help discussions, etc.

By Kim Pruitt

THarbor Arts

By Craig Smith

Charity Events at Craig Smith Gallery

6 SUMMER 2009 connect ion

Ben Schwartz, Kathy Sellers and Danette Narregan

Nancy WatsonRick and Betty Scanlan, Corinne and Ken Kemp

“To give is to receive” – a proverb which has been bandied about since ancient times. With this philosophy in mind, I’ve focused part of my business effort in hosting charity events at my gallery in Harbert as well as at off-site venues.

As an owner of an area business, I believe it is important to give back to the community that helps support my gallery. And hosting charity events has benefits for my business. It creates goodwill in the community, aids local charities, increases sales, and generates publicity for the gallery.

I do two different types of benefits. One is hosting an event at the Harbert gallery, such as last November’s “Taste the

Best of Harbor Country”, a benefit for the Three Oaks food pantry. Because of the gallery’s size -- 4000 square feet -- I was able to showcase 10 local food purveyors and raised money by charging admission to the event. A portion of gallery sales that day was donated to the pantry. I also host off-site charity events. An example would be a benefit I co-produced at Port 412 in St. Joseph for the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Benton Harbor.

It is very rewarding to give back to the community and I encourage others to do so as well.

Craig Smith Gallery

The Chamber’s After-Hours Mixers with a Twist -"sharing ideas, business trends, and community news"

By Ray VasquezWebmaster

or over a decade the Harbor Coutry Chamber's web site, HarborCountry.org has served its members with expo-nential growth. Paid for by membership dues and ad sponsors, the investment in the site over the years is estimated at over $100,000 in development, maintenance and marketing costs. Triple that amount if you translate additional volunteer hours into dollars to maintain and enhance the site.

Every year this investment has given back many times over in increasing exposure and visibility, bringing in new business, inquiries from vacationers, and as the official resource for those relocating and purchasing/building new homes in Harbor Country that increase our tax base for our municipalities.

We have leveraged volunteer resources to bring the official Harbor Country site to the top of search engines like Google, Yahoo, Ask, and Microsoft's new Bing.com. Top listings that are coveted by many who often resort to allocating large budgets for search engine experts to obtain similar prominence. The award winning HarborCountry.org site

has rewarded our members with Internet traffic and referrals for ad sponsors that is unlike any other web site in the region.

Consumers have become particular about authenticity, getting the real deal. When you have a presence on the only official site for Harbor Country, you are telling world wide visitors that you are associated with an origi-nal. Harbor Country® - The Official Site™ has been borne out of hard earned member dollars and gracious sponsors who believe strongly in return of investment in the Harbor Country brand. Reaching national recognition by the top search engines and media coverage, this membership site is giving back on its initial investment promise and is now performing handsomely for you, our members, and delivering resource content for our visitors. Take advantage of the free and low cost benefits available only to Chamber members.

www.harborcountry.org/advertisng

F

INTERNET FORUM connect ion SUMMER 2009 7

“When you have a presenceon the only official site forHarbor Country, you aretelling world wide visitorsthat you are associatedwith an original.”

- Vasquez

Payback from your hard earned dollars

It was bittersweet welcoming our final crowd to Hannah’s. People gathered before the doors opened. This time how-ever they came to the back door -- they were there to take the food that was left in Hannah’s. Volunteers from the Harbor Country Food Pantry, and the Soup Kitchens spon-sored by the NB United Methodist Church and 1st Presby-terian of Michigan City formed a chain to pass food & supplies to the waiting vehicles. It was the last small way we could give to our community. We always tried to give, not just through monetary and food donations, but through hours of community service.

It was an honor to serve as Chair of the Berrien County Chapter of the Red Cross and as President of the New Buffalo Business Association. My affiliation with Blossom-

time, as Board VP and many years as Miss NB Chair bring many fond memories of get acquainted parties, fashion shows, after glows and tour week visits. We met the finest young people and volunteers. There was fund raising for Michiana Humane Society and Animal Lovers. Food was given to assist United Way, Share Our Strength, Art Attack, WRHC, and many more. We donated to a myriad of student activities, churches, service organizations and people in need. Through membership in the Harbor Coun-try and Michigan City Chambers we worked on projects to enhance our community.

These activities have allowed Lee and me to meet the most amazing people and form friendships we will cherish always. It’s been our pleasure to serve you.

By Sherri WaddleHannah’s

Hannah’s Community Spirit

8 SUMMER 2009 connect ion

In a world loaded with marketing options and information overload I’m often asked by new and exist ing business owners for a simple, inexpensive way to increase their local visibility and marketing efforts to produce more opportunities and sales. Without a doubt, I always ask a stunningly simple question, Are you a member of your local Chamber of commerce?

I strongly feel that every business and non-profit organization should be a member of their local Chamber regardless of the size of their organization, marketing budget, or years in business.

1. Visibility: Yes, you’ve heard it said time and time again, that out of sight means out of mind. This is not a smart strategy for any business, especially when times are challenging.

2. Access: When you join a Chamber and actively get involved you’ll discover that meeting prospects who may have an interest or who can refer you to key contacts you’re trying to reach, is a huge benefit of membership. From being on committees, serving as an Ambassador, or attending specific events where prospects are likely to be, you’ll find yourself in situations where you can identify and meet decision makers face-to-face versus making cold calls.

3. Ongoing training and education: I firmly believe that there is no other organization in America that delivers cutting edge, relevant and timely programs at such an affordable level for business and non-profit leaders as your local or regional Chamber of commerce. By spreading costs among fellow members through registration fees and sponsorships, members can stay updated, informed and educated at a bargain price.

4. Networking: My entire career I’ve utilized the power of networking in my home Chambers ranging from serving as co-chair of the Ambassador league to sponsoring and speaking at different events. The positive outcomes on the bottom line and great people I’ve met that’ve provided me with their wonderful products, services, and ideas has also been a big plus.

5. Low cost advertising opportunities: A Chamber offers a wide range of affordable advertising options and sponsorship packages for just about every business or non-profit, ranging from newly estab lished firms to existing organizations. I’ve bought and sold traditional media and I can tell you it’s not cheap. For the price of a few ads within a major media, you can often sponsor an entire program with the Chamber, give a short commercial about your company, meet new prospects and follow up with the list of attendees who may have a need for your offering. This is a wonderful way to hold your marketing dollars accountable and see them working hard right before your eyes.

This article is excerpted from an article by Tony Rubleski, printed with permission of the author. He is currently the president of Mind Capture Group based in Spring Lake, MI. He can be contacted at: tony@mindcapturegroup.com.

By Tony Rubleski

Reasons EVERY Business and Non-profit OrganizationShould Be A Member Of Their Local Chamber of Commerce

Mind Capture Group

connect ion SUMMER 2009 9

The Harbor Country® Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome the following businesses:

A Drake CottagesAlways There Cottage CareCaren Curtis Cole, Realtor, Coldwell BankerExit Realty-ZPSFrank TomecekJan Adamec, Realtor, Rubloff Real EstateJim Thomas Painting

Joe, a Coffee MarketLake Michigan Beach BuildersLexmi Sekaran, Realtor, Lake Living RealtyMarcie Ritter, Realtor, Lake Living RealtyMarilyn'sMichiana Lock Security, Inc.Michigan City Chamber Music FestivalMickey's Hideaway Bar & Grillmi-vacation.comParadise Villa RentalsPizza Hut WingstreetSmith Taxi ServiceVolunteer EnergyWaya RentalsWhite's Septic and Portable ToiletsYellow Bird Vacations

New Members for Summer 09:

Ambassador Karen Poff

Ambassador Dion Rigozzi & Bill Mars

Catherine Doll

The Chamber’s After-Hours Mixers with a Twist -"sharing ideas, business trends, and community news"

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDUNION PIER, MI

49129PERMIT NO. 7

530 south wh i t t aker s t ree t , su i te f , new bu f f a lo , m i 49117

S U M M E R 2 0 0 9v o l . 1 , n o . 4

The Harbor Country® Chamber of Commerce Newsletter