Gladwin Business & Professional Association

Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2026

Meeting called to order by President, Stacy Plude with introductions.

 

Election of Officers:  Stacy asked if there was anyone new that wanted to be on the Board. Tyler Schlitzkus said he would be on the Board if someone wanted off.  Blair McGourty said she would take Tyler’s place on the Board and Tyler would take her place as the Vice President of the Board.  A motion was made by Kim Bruner to make Tyler Schlitzkuks the Vice President and Blair McGourty as a member of the GBPA Board.  The slate of offices remains the same with those changes.  Seconded by Shannon Macon.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

Meeting minutes of 2/4/2026 were emailed to members and distributed at the meeting by LaVel Smith.   Motion to accept as read by Lori Stout.   2nd by Tyler Schlitzkus.   All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Treasurers Report was read by Lori Stout.

Checking Account:   $7,314.67

FOL:                                 4,236.12

TOS:                             15,036.50

Shop Gladwin:               343.56

Arts Events                     927.89

Street Festival            4,051.15

46 Paid Members

Motion to accept Treasurers Report as read by Jennifer Feuerstein.  2nd by Blair McGourty.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

Old Business:  

Membership Update:  46 Paid members.  Email reminders were sent out. 

GBPA Schedule of Events for 2025:  27th Easter Egg Hunt April 4th (Volunteers are needed), 11 a.m. Sharp in the Gladwin City Park.  Thunder on the Strip is May 16th and September 12th.  Summer Street Festival July 11th, Downtown Gladwin (Next meeting on March 17).  Thursdays in the City is being scheduled.  DALMAC Bike Tour August 27th.  Fall in Gladwin/Cornstalks and Decorating in September and October.  Pumpkin Painting October 17th at Riverwalk during Jeep Creep.  Christmas Tree Lighting and Festival of Lights Christmas Parade December 5th, Downtown Gladwin. 

Thunder on the Strip:  Everything is going well.  Always looking for sponsorship. 

Social Media:  Need volunteers to do social media.  Andrew Rhind is keeping the website up to date.  Send Andrew business updates. 

Miss Gladwin County Update:  There will be a fundraiser Gala event for scholarships on March 7th.  Tickets are $30 per person, 4 p.m. at Riverwalk.   The Miss Gladwin County Event will be June 27th.  Yvette Keast made a motion to donate up to $500 or match what BABA gives to the Miss Gladwin County Event.  Seconded by Lori Stout.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

Public Arts Update:  March 13th is the next meeting at Redeemed Marketplace.  Discussion on funds being allocated from Thunder on the Strip account to Gladwin Community Foundation.  A motion was made by Lori Stout that $7,500 be allocated by check from the Thunder on the Strip account to the Gladwin Community Foundation.  This money will only be used for Public Art (Mural) and Lori Stout, GBPA Treasurer will sign all paperwork involved.  Seconded by Jennifer Feuerstein.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

 

New Business:

Sound System:  A new pole was ordered for the sound system which will be placed in the City Garden. 

City Update:  The City is planning some activities to celebrate America’s 250 years.  River Race of Two Cities will be May 22 and May 23.  There will be an Honor Guard Ceremony, cardboard boat races, etc.  The City is looking for volunteers to rebuild the Santa House.  Maybe a Christmas in July event.  Approval of a software system for the Blight Officer.  Cameras to be purchased for the City which will record license plate and trunk area only.  Kim Hines is looking for funding for the Waste Water Treatment System. 

County Updates:  Discussion concerning the Lakes issues.  The CERT Team had a Stop the Bleed training provided by Zak Krahner. 

Chamber Updates:  The Home and Garden Show is April 25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Arnold Center.  The Gladwin County Community Foundation is having a Free Thank You Breakfast at the RESD on April 16 at 8:30 a.m. This is open to the community. 

BABA Update:  BABA will be having a Bowling Challenge. 

 

Business Updates and Announcements: 

Riverwalk Place is gearing up for Summer season.  Busy with wedding season and wine tastings.  Hospice bake sale is March 31 and April 1 from 11 a.m-2 p.m.  Grief and Loss series coming up in April.  The GAFT Murder Mystery is coming up.  Tickets are on Event Brite.  Auditions for the next production are coming up soon.  There is a Gala on April 25 at the GAFT Theater.  Zak Krahner said there is a community education class on March 18 for Gladwin, Skeels and Beaverton students.  A car seat class will be April 13-April 16 at the Gladwin Fire Hall.  Yvette from the Mission said they are very busy.  The Mission is partnering with the Salvation Army to help with heating needs by filling out applications to get utility payment assistance.  The Board approved an Executive Assistant for Yvette to take a few things off her plate.  The Friends and Family event is April 15 from 5 pm-7 pm. This is a fundraiser by invitation only.   MFCU is having a book drive, a promo for vehicle loan rates and Home Equity specials.  Sugar Springs Marina is having an in house boat show in Houghton Lake for the next two weekends.  Sheryl from the StoneHouse said that construction is finishing this month, they are building a bar and opening soon but not announcing the date yet.  Tyler from the Gladwin Record said the Spring magazine is coming out the end of March and next month, there will be an Administrative Assistant special coming out.  Jennifer Feuerstein said things are going well at Heritage Tax. 

Motion to adjourn by Lori Stout. Seconded by Blair McGourty.  Meeting adjourned.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 1 at Riverwalk Place. 

                                                                                                                                                      LaVel Smith, GBPA Secretary