Gladwin Business & Professional Association

Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2026

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

 

Meeting minutes of 4/1/2026 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:   $5,977.67

FOL:                           4,236.12

TOS:                            8,305.50

Shop Gladwin:               305.66

Arts Events                     927.89

Street Festival            5,596.15

53 Paid Members

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

Old Business:  

Membership Update:  53 Paid members.  Dues reminders were sent out the end of April.  Five new members.  Working on a Rack Card with benefits of GBPA.  Invite people to come to meetings. 

GBPA Schedule of Events for 2026:  Summer Street Festival July 11th, Downtown Gladwin (Next meeting on May 26).  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 Hargrave and Mike and Karen Moore are working through issues.  Thunder on the Strip is May 16th and September 12th.  Mike Hargrave was in attendance and talked about the new rules and regulations for airports.  The FAA wants to eliminate all non aeronautical events at airports.  Many things had to be done to have Thunder on the Strip on May 16 and upcoming events might not happen. Thank you to Mike Hargrave for all your work to make this event happen.  

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

Public Arts Update:  May 22nd is the next meeting at Redeemed Marketplace. 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. Waiting on the new light pole to arrive.  DDA is paying for pole and installation.  It will hopefully be operational by the Street Festival.   Discussion on music subscription. The music subscription was not cancelled since it should only be about 2 months until the speakers are completed.   

City Update:  Linda Winarski said the Depot is getting painted before Street Festival, there are talks of renaming the pavilion “City Market”, The Farmers Market is available as it is under utilized and is available to rent during the week.  City clean up is happening, workers are checking lines for lead but none has been found.   

County Updates:  Karen Moore said the commissioners are getting new furniture.  The current furniture was donated in the 70’s.  Region 7B is donating some of the furniture.  The Veterans Memorial is still actively raising funds for the Veterans Memorial Park.   

Chamber Updates:  Directories will be re-distributed due to a misprint and the Annual Golf Outing is May 15th. 

BABA:   Golf Outing is coming up.  

Business Updates and Announcements: 

Lorraine from GAFT spoke about the upcoming show and that auditions for the next show are coming up.  Lorraine said there is a coin war coming up sponsored by the PTO at the Elementary/Intermediate schools for new playground equipment and there is a Mother/Son Nerf War on Sunday May 17th at the soccer field.  The Grout Township Master Gardener Tour is July 16th with tickets available at Riverwalk Place.  Christine from MFCU said the auto loan rates are down and there are down payment assistant programs.  Sheryl from Char Stone House said they are done with construction, the expresso and wine equipment is coming in and there will be a hiring event coming up.  My Michigan Health Golf Outing Fundraiser is May 29th.  Bra La La will be at Riverwalk on October 8th.  Dusty from the EDC is starting the process for Sugar Springs Fly In. The Hospice Fish Fry at the K of C Hall is May 8th and they are getting ready for the Duck Race on July 11th.  It was asked from Hospice if the GBPA was interested in sponsoring the Duck Race.  Jennifer Feuerstein made a motion to sponsor the Duck Race in the amount of $250.  Tyler Schlitzkus seconded the motion.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  Selena from Myers for Tires said they are busy and everything is great. Blair from Chic Boutique said the sale is going on until May 17th.  Macon Marine is fully staffed, servicing boats for Sanford Lake and Pontooners Weekend is coming up at the Loons Game in July.  Ashley from Inspire Clothing introduced her business (at Home Boutique) and talked about the items she sells.  Jennifer Feuerstein said that tax season is over and thanked everyone for their support.  Kim from the Transit said drivers will be competing at the State Rodeo in July and three drivers are competing at Nationals on this weekend.   Tyler from the Gladwin Record said the Graduation section is coming up and that the Amish Directory came out in the past week.  Stacy from Riverwalk said that the Mothers Day Brunch is coming up this weekend, Margaritaville tickets are available and a Pet Food Drive is taking place at Rivertown Inn.  Lori from Council on Aging said all is good. 

Motion to adjourn by Jennifer Feuerstein. Seconded by Stacy Plude.  Meeting adjourned.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, June 3 at Riverwalk Place. 

                                                                                                                                                      LaVel Smith, GBPA Secretary