Gladwin Business & Professional Association

Meeting Minutes of April 1, 2026

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

 

Meeting minutes of 3/4/2026 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:   $5,947.67

FOL:                                 4,236.12

TOS:                               9,036.50

Shop Gladwin:               324.61

Arts Events                     927.89

Street Festival            5,381.15

48 Paid Members

Motion to accept Treasurers Report as read by LaVel Smith.  2nd by Mike Murray.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

Old Business:  

Membership Update:  48 Paid members

GBPA Schedule of Events for 2026:  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 April 14).  Thursdays in the City are scheduled. (Possible tributes to Americas birthday at each Thursdays in the City), DALMAC Bike Tour September 3rd.  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 (Theme is Winter Wonderland) December 5th, Downtown Gladwin. 

Thunder on the Strip:  New FAA Rules and State Rules.  Mike and Karen Moore are working through issues. 

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:  The Miss Gladwin County Event will be June 27th.  BABA matched the $500 donation from GBPA to the Miss Gladwin County event. 

Public Arts Update:  April 17th is the next meeting at Redeemed Marketplace.  A design from the artists will be available for committee approval. Work will begin the middle of June.  Community involvement on July 11th during Street Festival.  Donations are welcome for this project. 

New Business:

Business Spotlights on Facebook:  Jamie from Hospice will highlight businesses on facebook. 

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.  LaVel Smith suggested that we have an evening of fireworks. Linda Winarski said the DDA is not real active right now.  They are looking for members. Possibly hiring a DDA Director. Facade grants are available.  

County Updates:  No updates.

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.  Golf Outing is May 15th at Sugar Springs.  Need team sponsors.  Legislative Breakfasts will be a monthly event at the Beaverton Community Center.  ORV FunFest is August 15th.

BABA Update:  BABA had their Bowling Fundraiser.  The next meeting will be April 8th. 

 

Business Updates and Announcements: 

Chris Kokotovich said they have made improvements at Hall Kokotovich Funeral Home and will be handing it off to the next generation of his son and daughter.  Debbie Decker from Master Gardeners Said Earth Day will be April 16th at BAC with speakers.  They need sponsors.  The Garden Tour will be in the Kerswill Lake area in July.  Bazzle Bridal Shop has had a great first year.  They have started a new launch of dresses and the consignment of dresses is growing.  Jamie from Hospice is having a Bake Sale on April 1 and 2 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The 31st Annual Duck Race will be July 11th and the Hospice Newsletter will soon be going out.  Sheryl from CharStoneHouse said they will be opening soon with a hiring event coming up.  Audrey from Mid Michigan Medical said the construction is all done.  Two Scoops and Holy Ground opens April 9th serving ice cream and coffees.  Members First Credit Union have new loan rates, scholarship for students and an upcoming golf outing.  Tyler from the Gladwin Record said the Spring Magazine came out last week.  Lori from Council on Aging said gas prices are not helping the budget.  They are busy with people signing up for programs and people using the pantry.  There is a Leadership Alumni Reunion at Riverwalk on May 13 at 5 p.m. Riverwalk hosted the GAFT Murder Mystery last weekend, it is wedding season and there will be open interviews for job seekers.  Blair from Oasis Salon and Spa said they are having Summer Bundles and special Facial Bundles. 

 

Motion to adjourn by Tyler Schlitzkus. Seconded by Lori Stout.  Meeting adjourned.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, May 6th at Riverwalk Place. 

                                                                                                                                                      LaVel Smith, GBPA Secretary