DEDICATED TO HELPING OUR COMMUNITY & ITS BUSINESSES GROW A publication of the Delhi Charter Township Downtown Development Authority • www.DelhiDDA.comTHREE MEN & A TENOR25 years of harmonyMETRONET TELECOMTelecommunications firm marks its 51st yearOURTOWN AT A GLANCE >> Issue 56 SUMMER 2017OURTOWNEDRU SKATEA family tradition for 60 yearsNot only can you buy delicious foods at the Holt Farmers Market — now you can look to the market’s website to find inspiration for how to prepare them! Recipes are a new feature of the updated site. Also new are vendor profiles, providing more information about each vendor’s specialties. You’ll also find an expanded events and entertainment section. And, of course, you’ll still be able to check market times, download vendor forms, contact the market manager — all the standard bells and whistles!Visit the site today at holtfarmersmarket.org. Better yet, visit the market on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., or the mini-markets on Fridays from 2-6 p.m.!Holt Farmers Market is at 2150 Cedar Street, Holt, 517.268.0024, holtfarmersmarket.org.Holt Farmers Market launches updated websiteOURTOWN | Summer 2017 Benjamin Schartow had been laying the groundwork for developing a teen center when a tragic accident involving local teens put his goal on the fast track. Benjamin’s initiative, Building Twentyone, opened six years ago to provide a safe, supervised party space for teens. Since then, B21 has become much more: a free, supportive, after-school drop-in center for grades 7-12, offering enrichment programs at little to no cost. Its mission is to give students the opportunity to develop life-changing values while coaching them to be actively engaged in their families, schools, and communities.“We’re here to help them find their passion and their purpose,” Benjamin said. “We invest in them so they can become contributing members of society.”This past winter, B21’s programs included culinary, artistic crossfit, photography and, in partnership with iTech, game design. Past programs have been similarly wide-ranging, including an open mic and creative showcase event, a team-building and leadership program, final exam prep with tutors and teachers on hand to help, and much more.Building Twentyone also happens to boast the only indoor skate park within 75 miles. It’s open fall and winter — to grades 7-12 during the week and ages 8+ on weekends.B21 clearly fills a need. “We’ve had 2,600 [cumulative] visits since fall,” said Benjamin. “We usually have about 30-40 kids participating in the drop-in center in the winter, and 25-30 involved in the programs.” Benjamin is grateful for the partnerships that have supported Building Twentyone by, among other things, providing space and financial resources. His main need now, he said, is to attract additional individuals to B21’s board of directors, and urges anyone who would like to become involved to contact him.Building Twentyone is at 1288 North Cedar Street, Mason, 517.889.5103, buildingtwentyone.org.Helping students find their passion and purposeOURTOWN | Summer 2017This is one of those “Who would ever have thought…?” stories.It all began 25 years ago, when Paul Felch, Chuck Colby, Mark Stiles and Glenn Williams were members of the Michigan State University Men’s Glee Club. One evening at a concert, the club needed to quickly assemble a group to sing just one song to fill some time. From that roomful of 60 club members, the guys spontaneously hand-picked each other. Who’d have thought that “just one song” would grow into an act that’s now been enjoyed by more than two million people? Or that Three Men and a Tenor would not only be celebrating 25 years of performing together, but continuing to find new audiences who love their music? “We’ve kind of found a new life,” said Holt resident Mark Stiles, talking with Our Town from Mesa, Arizona, where the guys were on tour. With approximately 1,000 RV parks in the area, said Mark, 3MT is enjoying a great opportunity performing for “snowbirds” in park activity venues. With a sound that ranges from doo-wop to ’60s-’70s pop and rock with hints of jazz and gospel —all combined with a quick-witted humor and engaging presence — the a cappella group found its recent tour “a great pairing of our talents and their interests,” Mark said. Among many other achievements, the group has been featured in its own PBS TV special and has headlined national stages, festivals and fairs. But Michigan is still home — Mark and Glenn and their families live right here in Holt — and the guys have numerous performances coming up throughout the state. Beloved by audiences, Three Men and a Tenor has been recognized three times as the “Best Entertainment in Michigan” by the readers of Michigan Meetings and Events Magazine (2016, 2011, and 2006). To learn more or view 3MT’s upcoming concert dates, visit threemenandatenor.com or follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Three Men and a Tenor ---------------- 25 YEARS OF HARMONY ---------------- OURTOWN | Summer 2017 It’s not exactly the circle of life, but the venerable wooden oval of Edru Skate figures prominently in the personal histories of many local residents.“We have families who’ve skated here for generations,” said general manager and marketing director Jackie Cortez, who loves to hear their stories. “It’s a great family place.”Ed and Ruth Corr opened Edru (a mash-up of their first names) in 1956; current owner Dave Jackson bought the business 18 years ago. Along with the original floor, Dave kept the rink-side chairs that have been there since the beginning. And, of course, he kept the famous zoo animal statues on the roof.“Those came from the miniature golf place that was here at one time,” Jackie said. “It seems like everyone knows us from those animals.” Despite the nostalgic elements, Edru has evolved since the days of skating skirts and letter sweaters. In-line skaters now glide among the traditional variety, and there’s even a laser tag arena. Skating lessons are available, as well as special skate times for teens and for parents with small children. Edru also offers options for kids’ birthday parties and company team-building, and often partners with the schools for fundraisers. And if all that weren’t enough, there’s Jackie’s pet project — Edru’s soft serve ice cream shop, serving “the best ice cream in town!” Right now it’s offering 24 new flavors — and you can walk up, drive through or relax and enjoy on the new outdoor seating area.After 60 years, the Edru tradition keeps rolling along.Edru Skate is at 1891 North Cedar Street, Holt, 517.699.2001, edruskate.com.A family tradition for 60 years VENDOR PROFILEMeet Lonesome Pines Beef: All-natural grass-fed beef!Lonesome Pines Beef is an environmentally conscious farm in Nashville, Michigan, that has been raising beef since 2005. Owners Jerry and Jackie Goddard and their son, Jerry Jr., raise only true beef cattle, free of antibiotics and growth hormones, and grass-fed and grass-finished the natural way.Lonesome Pines is committed to ensuring their customers receive the best their farm has to offer – healthy, clean beef, USDA-inspected for safety and transported in their USDA-inspected farm market truck.“We ARE the farm!” says Jackie. “All our beef comes from our farm; there is NO middle man.” In addition to beef, Lonesome Pines sells Michigan popcorn, caramel corn, jerky, Michigan dried cherries, and Michigan dried blueberries.OURTOWN | Summer 2017moves to new locationJust weeks ago, the Holt office of Holt & Dimondale Insurance Agency moved to a larger space for the fourth time in its 57-year history. “Over the years, we’ve gone from one employee to ten,” said owner Pat Brown. But despite the agency’s growth and success, he said, one thing is for sure. “We’ll never leave Holt.” A lifelong Holt resident, Pat is very much a supporter of his hometown. He has served on the Delhi Township Board of Trustees, and his business has a long history of working with our local schools and the community. It’s a tradition that goes back to the days when Pat’s father, Frank Brown, founded the business in 1960.“We continue my father’s legacy of giving back to the community,” Pat said. “It’s important to us to help the next generation come up.”As an independent insurance agency, the Holt & Dimondale Agency works with multiple insurance carriers. This allows Pat and his team to find the right coverage for each individual, family or business while still keeping prices competitive. The agency offers all the types of insurance you’d expect — including home, auto, life and health — but, as Pat says, “If you have something to insure, we’ll find a market to insure it.”Even more important to Pat and his team, however, is service.“We’ll be here to help you every step of the way,” he said. “If you have any questions, concerns, or need to file a claim, all you have to do is give us a call or fill out our simple online form. We’re here to help.”The Holt office of Holt & Dimondale Insurance Agency is now at 2491 Cedar Park Drive, Holt, 694.0149, holtdimondaleagency.com. It’s a new generation of telecommunications — in more ways than one.The industry has changed dramatically since Joseph Choma founded the company — then known as Executone-Lansing, Inc. — and became the first distributor of intercom, nurse call and paging systems in the Lansing area. Fifty-one years later, his son, owner David Choma, is the second generation to lead the family business.Serving mostly the small business sector, Metronet Telecom brings expertise in every level of telephone technology and network consulting. David’s firm designs smart, efficient systems, providing services including telephone, Internet, conferencing solutions and voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP). “We work alongside of you,” said Katie Smith, a Metronet Telecom associate. When a client has a question or needs a solution, they “talk to a real live person,” not a voicemail system, she added. “We’re always looking out to see how we can help our clientele.”One of the ways they help is the “test-drive demo.” Clients have the opportunity to come in, talk directly with the owner, and test equipment and potential solutions. That individual attention is one of the advantages of being a local, independent firm, Katie said. “People like local. It’s kind of that ‘mom and pop’ feeling.”Metronet Telecom is at 2182 North Cedar Street, Holt, 694.1101, metronet.cc.Metronet TelecomLocal telecommunications firm marks its 51st yearOURTOWN | Summer 2017 Left to right: Travis Turner, Katie Smith, Lesly Jordan and David ChomaFor more than 140 years, Holt students have attended school on the site where Bernard L. Hope Middle School now stands.The original Holt School (pictured above left) was built on the site in 1875. But in 1914, tragedy struck: the school burned to the ground. While displaced students continued to attend classes in temporary locations, the community moved quickly to rebuild. The new Holt School was completed in 1915, and served as Holt’s only school for 34 years. In 1949, it became the high school — and, successively, the junior high and middle school, with numerous additions and renovations along the way. In May 1982, the historic building was razed to make way for the construction of Hope Middle School, which welcomed its first students in the fall of that year. Historical photo courtesy of the Holt-Delhi Historical Society, holtdelhihistoricalsociety.webs.com.Hope Middle School is at 2020 Park Lane, Holt.OURTOWN Then & NOWThenNowOURTOWN | Summer 2017Ram Trail II construction to begin Our pedestrian trails are among Delhi Township’s finest and most-loved amenities. A great thing will soon get even better, because construction began on Ram Trail Phase II on May 30.The original Ram Trail runs along the north side of Holt Road from Eifert Road to the school complex at Campus Drive and Kahres Road. Ram II will pick up on the northeast corner of Eifert and Holt Roads and continue northeast to Jaycee Park, connecting with a large, dense residential area. “This area has historically been underserved by pedestrian amenities,” said Delhi Township Director of Community Development Tracy L. C. Miller. About a mile long, Ram II will meander through woods, wetlands and fields, offering a beautiful and peaceful route.Funding will come in large part from a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant made available for projects of this type by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The grant will fund approximately $696,440 of the total $1.2 million cost.Future trail plansIn July, Delhi Township will re-submit its proposal for another trail project — the Ram II Burchfield Trail — to Ingham County for review. If approved, this trail would be built using funds from the Ingham County trails millage approved several years ago. It will likely be late fall before township officials find out if the project will be funded. But Miller said officials are hopeful, since this project was identified in the Ingham County trails plan as a top priority for funding. The township is also pursuing CMAQ funding for this project.For more information about the Delhi trails, visit delhitrails.com or contact Lori Underhill at the Delhi DDA, 699.3866, Lori.Underhill@delhitownship.com. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) promotes economic development through business attraction/retention programs and works to foster investment within the DDA district. It strives to increase the township’s tax base and strengthen the local economy while maintaining those qualities that make Delhi Township a desirable place to live and work. For more information, visit us at www.DelhiDDA.com.To contact us: Howard Haas, Executive Director 2045 North Cedar Street, Holt, MI 48842 517.699.3866 Howard.Haas@delhitownship.comTHE DDA – WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO A publication of the Delhi Charter Township Downtown Development Authority • www.DelhiDDA.comTHE DDA BOARD MEMBERS:Harry AmmonKim Cosgrove, Holt Schools Representative, TreasurerDr. Tim Fauser, Vice ChairpersonJohn Hayhoe, Township SupervisorDr. Brian HouserDavid Leighton, ChairpersonSteven L. Marvin Nanette Miller, SecretaryTonia Olson, Planning Commission RepresentativeWhat’s happening in Holt now?Find out at holtnow.com!School news, business profiles, township events — all in one place!Visit Holtnow.com and you can check out the newest issues of the Delhi DDA’s Our Town; Delhi Township’s Delhi Neighbor; and Holt Public Schools’ Ram Quarterly and Community Education. All our local newsletters in one convenient place you can access any time, anywhere! Archived issues are available too. Want to be notified when a new issue comes out? Simply email Lori.Underhill@delhitownship.com today and we’ll email you a link to the latest!Next >