mecosta: Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Bowl XII - 09/20/12 09:47 AM
The Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Bowl XII wrapped up today with the two teams working overtime to add 52 new members to our list of great businesses. Michelle Herron was Captain of the Red team and yours truly was Captain of the Blue team. MVP was John Milan who convinced 11 new members this was a great time to be part of the Chamber. My hats off to everyone who participated in making this happen. Anyone connected with a Chamber can tell you 52 new members is a great way to end a drive. Glad to be a part … (3 comments)

mecosta: Barryton Michigan has an Internet Presence (www.barrytonconnect.com) - 05/14/11 04:08 AM
Recently during a Leadership Mecosta visit we noted that while Barryton Michigan and Fork Townships were great places to visit they had virtually no Internet presence. Even Google had very little info. Barryton sits within Fork Township and while the two are separate entities they work well together so we decided to do a website connecting the two in one venue. There is now a place where you can get contact info for the Village of Barryton and Fork Township and even see upcoming events and pics of the area. The website BarrytonConnect.com is up and running. Still a work in progress … (2 comments)

mecosta: Rise and Shine at MCMC in Big Rapids - 02/23/11 10:17 AM
One of the benefits of belonging to the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce is the networking opportunities. Each month they host both a Business Rise and Shine and Business After Hours. These are great time to get together with other area businesses outside of your normal business setting. This month we will be visiting the Mecosta County Medical Center Auxiliary in the lobby of the MCMC. Besides the networking opportunities it gives us a chance to learn about area businesses and this month we get to see and hear about the inner workings of the Auxiliary. Besides the Gift Shop … (4 comments)

mecosta: Business After Hours at Quality Inn & Suites in Big Rapids, MI - 11/17/10 09:32 PM
Every month the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business After Hours. What a great networking event for area businesses. This month you can join us at Quality Inn & Suites here in Big Rapids. Just South of Ferris State University. They offer almost a hundred rooms with Internet access, an exercise room and a heated pool. If you are a business owner and in the big Rapids are around 5pm stop by see what Business After Hours is all about and how the Chamber can help you build your business. See you there.

 
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mecosta: Veterans Day Tribute in Big Rapids, MI - 11/07/10 09:32 AM
This year the Big Rapids Greater Federation of Women's Club is holding a Veterans Day Luminary Tribute at Highland View Cemetery. The GFWC will light more than 800 luminaries on each veteran's grave site in the cemetery on Veteran's Day. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call Shelly McHugh 231-796-6453. What a great way to pay tribute to those who were willing to give it all for us. Best of luck in all you do and thanks for reading. 

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mecosta: Ribbon Cutting At MOISD in Big Rapids, MI - 10/22/10 05:22 AM
The Mecosta Osceola Intermediate School District celebrated the opening of it's addition to Miller Wing with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday Oct 21, 2010. The 15,000 sq. ft. addition will also be used for Allied Health, Public Safety and Computer Aided Design programs. Ribbon cuttings are another great benefit offered by the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce. After the ribbon cutting we were treated to a luncheon by the Culinary Arts department. I had no idea they offered maels and was extremely impressed by the food and overall dining experience. I would rate these guys right up there with the … (0 comments)

mecosta: 2010 Freedom AirFest in Big Rapids, MI - 07/16/10 01:40 PM

Another great "To Do" is the 2010 Freedom AirFest. This year it will be held at the Roben-Hood Airport on 18 Mile Rd Terminal Building on Saturday, July 17, 2010. People from all over Michigan and surrounding states arrive in colorful and interesting types of planes. Area residents are invited to join the flyer's to share in fun and fellowship at the airport. There is also a Annual Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show held during the AirFest right at the hangers on 18 Mile just North of Big Rapids. The AirFest features plane rides, carnival games, Stormy the magician and even a "Fly … (1 comments)

mecosta: Mecosta County Fair 2010 - 07/05/10 11:39 PM
It's that time of year again where you can feel the anticipation in the air of all the kids gearing up for the 2010 Mecosta County Fair. This year it will kick off on Monday July 12th and run through Saturday July 17th. This year it starts off with a bang with the AWWL Big Time Wrestling at 7PM Monday the 12th. Next is Harness Race Bronze & Platinum on Tuesday, July 13th at 7PM, Harness Racing & Celebrity Harness Race on Wednesday, July 14th at 7PM, The Figure 8 & Burnout is on Thursday at 7PM, Friday is the Rodeo and my … (0 comments)

mecosta: 10th Annual Tour De S.I.N.S in Mecosta - 06/22/10 10:12 AM
Wednesday, June 23rd marks the start date for the 10th Annual Tour De S.I. N.S (St. Ives Northern Shores- named for the locales in which the early years of the Tour were centered ). The tour began 10 years ago with 12 hearty souls who departed Chicago for a multi-day adventure in Mecosta. It has since evolved into a series of "events" starting with their arrival in the area this Wednesday night and concluding at their departure back to the Chicago area next Sunday morning.  Over the years these events have seen them stopping at various locations throughout the region mostly in and … (0 comments)

mecosta: Canadian Lakes Festival of the Lakes 2010 - 05/26/10 01:57 AM
Canadian Lakes Festival of the Lakes 2010  
Another "must do for you" is the First Annual Festival of the Lakes is being held Memorial Day Weekend in Canadian Lakes, MI. Canadian Lakes is conveniently located between Big Rapids and Mount Pleasant. The festival looks like there will be something for everyone right from the start. On Friday May 28th they are kicking it off and it runs thru until Monday where they are finishing strong with another parade and a 5K run. More info can be found on their FaceBook page: Festival of the Lakes. The model homes are open … (3 comments)

mecosta: Wheatland Traditional Arts Weekend - 05/23/10 08:17 AM
Wheatland Traditional Arts Weekend Another "to do for you" is the Wheatland Traditional Arts Weekend. This is an annual event held over the Memorial Day weekend at the Wheatland Festival grounds near Remus, Michigan. There are over 80 workshops in traditional forms of dance, music, crafts, vocal, and instrument instruction on site. Free primitive camping for participants. The Traditional Arts Weekend has become a very popular Wheatland event for those seeking more personal instruction. A silent auction is also held during the weekend and food is available to buy on site. You can register for any of the workshops by calling … (0 comments)

mecosta: Big Rapids Real Estate - 05/11/10 12:43 AM
Having lived in the Big Rapids area for over 25 years I would like to think I have an insiders view of the people and the area surrounding Big Rapids. Having been involved in the real estate market, including owning Lake and Lodge Realy LLC, I would also like to think I have my finger on the pulse of the real estate community in Big Rapids and Mecosta County. Being a real estate agent in a communtiy is more than just selling houses. It is knowing your market, the different areas that make up your community and the people's wants and needs … (0 comments)

mecosta: Leadership Mecosta 2010 - 05/10/10 11:55 PM
Leadership Mecosta 2010  
Being a member of the Downtown Business Association has many advantages to running your business. Today I learned of yet another perk. I was nominated to receive the DBA's scholarship award for Leadership Mecosta this year. I will be joining a great group of people who have signed on for the challenge.
Leadership Mecosta is a nine-month program that includes eight daylong sessions and a two day retreat at the end. Participants will enjoy dynamic sessions focusing on leadership skill development and community education which includes an inside look at the systems that make our community what … (2 comments)

mecosta: Rise and Shine at Cran-Hill Ranch - 04/19/10 08:53 AM
Rise and Shine at Cran-Hill Ranch  
This month's Rise and Shine will Be at Cran-Hill Ranch on Thursday April 22nd at 7:30am until about 8:30am. The Rise and Shine Events are another great example of what the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce does to help build area business. I am excited about this month's Rise and Shine because I have not had the opportunity to visit Cran-Hill in quite a while and they have a lot to offer.
A little bit about Cran-Hill Ranch: Per their website Cran-Hill Ranch is devoted to being a ministry through which God … (0 comments)

mecosta: Michigan Art Walk at Ferris State University - 04/09/10 12:55 AM
Michigan Art Walk at Ferris State University  
I have posted a few times about ArtWorks in downtown Big Rapids and how it the remodeling was incredible. Just South of there on the Campus of Ferris State University you can find the Michigan Art Walk. This is another amazing example of Michigan artists and their artwork. I know of 25 examples that can be viewed by walking this route.
There is a great video on the Ferris Website here: Michigan Art Walk Video and their website can be found here: Michigan Art Walk . I have had the opportunity to … (3 comments)

mecosta: Mecosta County Band of Locals - 04/06/10 07:33 PM
Mecosta County Band of Locals Seems like everywhere you go these days there is a strong push to buy local. Here in Big Rapids and Mecosta County we have the Band of Locals Campaign. It truly amazes me how many discounts are available through the Band of Locals. Lake and Lodge Realty is a member as I do always try to buy local first. Here is a snippet right from the Chamber of Commerce Website:
The Buy Local First phenomenon is gaining momentum in Mecosta County!  In an effort to gain market share for Mecosta County businesses and service providers, a … (1 comments)

mecosta: Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce Lunch and Learn - 04/01/10 12:43 AM
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce Lunch & Learn  
On April 7th at 11:30am at the Big Rapids Public Safety Building right here in beautiful Big Rapids the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding a "Lunch and Learn" event on the topic "Smoking Ban Law" with a speaker from the Michigan Health Department District #10. Bring your own lunch. While it is a free event and open to the public you must RSVP to the Chamber if you plan on attending. You can contact the Chamber by calling (231) 796-7649. Should be an interesting Lunch and Learning … (0 comments)

mecosta: Why Don't We Follow up? - 03/26/10 02:01 AM
Why Don't We Follow up?  
If there is one deal killer among both newbie's to the real estate business and seasoned pro's it is not following up. Everyone of us knows what happens when we don't and yet still it is the area we need the most improvement. I am as guilty as the next. When self evaluating it is always one of the areas I need to work on, yet when the day to day business starts I tend to work on the business on my desk and forget about the follow up's until it is usually too late. … (3 comments)

mecosta: Why Don't We Follow up? - 03/26/10 02:01 AM
Why Don't We Follow up?  
If there is one deal killer among both newbie's to the real estate business and seasoned pro's it is not following up. Everyone of us knows what happens when we don't and yet still it is the area we need the most improvement. I am as guilty as the next. When self evaluating it is always one of the areas I need to work on, yet when the day to day business starts I tend to work on the business on my desk and forget about the follow up's until it is usually too late. … (3 comments)

mecosta: 2010 MECOSTA COUNTY COMMUNITY AND FAMILY EXPO - 03/25/10 07:04 PM
2010 MECOSTA COUNTY EXPO  
For those who have been reading the HBA Home Show here in Big Rapids was to be polite, not what I had hoped for in terms of numbers of people. Most of the time there was vendors wandering around meeting vendors. Don't get me wrong, I met some great people and swapped business ideas and came away a better person but really wish we would have had more traffic. Well in a couple weeks on April 24th we have another chance to redeem ourselves at the Mecosta County Community & Family Expo! This is a Chamber … (0 comments)

 
Randy Ostrander, Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI (Lake and Lodge Realty LLC )

Randy Ostrander

Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West...

Big Rapids, MI

More about me…

Lake and Lodge Realty LLC

Address: 107 N. Michigan Suite B, Big Rapids, MI, 49307

Office: (231) 796-5253

Mobile: (231) 250-9802

Author Bio: Randy Ostrander, Broker/Owner of Lake and Lodge Realty in Big Rapids, MI covers all of West Central Michigan. He does work weekends so he can be there wheneve you are ready to handle all of your real estate needs.



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