The month of December becomes a blur to me. Every year for my family December is the month that I vaguely remember. We are so focused on the holidays and all of the events or activities that surround it, we barely have a chance to breathe and the normal day-to-day activities seem to take a backseat. We find ourselves rushing to this event or that activity so when December finally comes to an end, we find ourselves staring at each other with sighs of relief and just plain exhaustion that once again the month of December is now just a distant memory.

Now is the time to regroup, my friends! We are now finding our weekends less hectic and we have spare time to spend with our families and friends. What do you do with that additional time? Have you considered spending some extra time in Downtown Cheboygan? Here are some ideas to chase away the winter doldrums:

Restaurants: Downtown is home to several fantastic dining establishments. Whether you are a family looking for a laid-back, home cooking type of atmosphere or an evening on the town that may include drinks and dinner with friends, Downtown has something for everyone. Take this time and experience the variety of Downtown eateries that are available.

Shopping: Now is the time to familiarize yourself with the merchants located in the Downtown district. Stores are going to be offering deals on winter merchandise soon, so take the chance to stock up on your favorite items. Have you ever window shopped? It is such fun and what a way to see what a store has to offer. Their windows are their calling cards. Take a stroll along Main Street and you will see the ever changing window displays. The next time you are in need of a particular item, you will recall the Downtown store that carries that special item you are looking for. Downtown has such a variety of merchants, take the time to visit the stores and reacquaint yourself with Downtown.

Entertainment: Movies are a great option for the entire family or for a date night. The Opera House schedule has a full February with performances by Kathy Kosins, Western Michigan University’s Brass Quintet, and the Northern Michigan Has Talent Show. For those of you looking to see live music, check out the area pubs and bars as many offer live musical performances during the evenings. Another great option (especially with the mild weather we are experiencing) is a walking tour of Downtown Cheboygan. Grab your coats, boots, hats and gloves and take a leisurely stroll along Main Street and don’t miss the new pedestrian bridge across the Cheboygan River. It is definitely a view you will want to experience any time of the year.

Downtown Cheboygan is the place to shop, dine & unwind!

This is a time when we find ourselves reflecting on our lives. For my column space this week, I wanted to reflect on the progress Downtown Cheboygan has experienced since I started working here. The following is a checklist that illustrates the progress Downtown and Downtown Development Authority has achieved over the past five years:
• A pedestrian bridge was built over the Cheboygan River to create an economic link between Downtown and Major City Park.
• DDA purchased the former F.W. Woolworth building with plans to demolition the building.
• Main Street underwent a complete reconstruction project in 2009 which included new curb, gutters and sidewalk, storm sewer and water main system replacements and upgrades, and upgraded traffic signals. Main Street was closed for two months for the construction project. The DDA sponsored a free seminar which offered advice and tips for Main Street businesses facing road projects. The DDA also developed a marketing campaign to advertise, promote and market Downtown Cheboygan during the Main Street rebuild.
• The DDA was awarded $667,000 in federal grant funds from the Michigan State Housing & Development Authority (MSHDA). The grant program, Vibrant Small Cities Initiative was to be used for specific downtown projects, including the construction of the footbridge, marketing study and wayfinding signage plan.
• Marketing & Wayfinding Study was completed for Downtown Cheboygan. The survey identified the community’s shopping habits, preferences, likes and dislikes. The study also included a Wayfinding Signage Plan, market analysis, development of a new Downtown logo, and possible development scenarios for the Woolworth building.
• DDA received a $122,000 grant from MSHDA for downtown rental rehabilitation.
• DDA has sponsored special events such as the Downtown Street Fair, Music Festival, Trick-or-Treating, Sidewalk Sales, Hard Hat Sales, and Hospitality Night. The DDA has also been a sponsor of Cheboygan Riverfest, a weeklong event coordinated by the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Bureau.
• DDA and Cheboygan Area Arts Council (CAAC) collaborated regarding public art placement, including the development of Ottawa Park, a public art park that was created by the community for the community on the corner of Main & State Streets. It is currently managed by the ‘Friends of Ottawa Park’, a non-profit group. The park includes a pavilion, a mosaic bench, canvass mural displays which change quarterly, and a sculpture that depicts Lake Huron. Other typical park amenities include landscaping and park benches.
• Downtown beautification efforts are provided by private organizations as well as with partnerships with the DDA. Seedums Garden Club provides flower baskets with cooperation from the City Recreation department in watering the flowers daily. Citizens National Bank provided financial support for the flowers for five years. BKC Insurance volunteered to beautify the Water Street parking lot by purchasing brackets for the light poles, flower baskets, and landscaping. The City’s DPW crew painted parking lot lines and repaired the sidewalk in the marina area in 2008.
• City Council allowed snowmobile use on specific Downtown streets. Signage promoting Downtown Cheboygan as a destination accessible to snowmobiles is placed along the trail.
• Downtown Cheboygan brochures were created to promote the area. The colorful brochures are available throughout the area and also at the Michigan MDOT Welcome Centers.
• A Downtown Cheboygan quarterly newsletter is distributed in a Friday edition of the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.
• A website was created specifically for Downtown Cheboygan.
• Business Recruitment packets were created and distributed to potential businesses looking to start a Downtown business.
• Earth-friendly tote bags promoting Downtown Cheboygan are available for purchase at Downtown retail stores for $1.
• Cheboygan is named as one of the Michigan Cool City communities.
• DDA has created a Building Façade Improvement Grant program for reimbursement of costs associated with design of building front and rear façade improvements.
• City Council implemented an ordinance to allow sidewalk cafes or outdoor seating on Main Street and the Cheboygan River through the purchase of an annual permit.
• A Downtown Steering Committee was formed to serve as an advisory committee for Downtown enhancements. Members of this committee are Downtown stakeholders interested in working for the betterment of Downtown Cheboygan.
• DDA employed a part time Downtown Enhancement Administrator.

December seems to be the time of year when we yearn for the feelings of a hometown holiday experience. I love December in Cheboygan.   Here are some of the community events that will be taking place downtown:

• December 5: The Cheboygan Lioness Club is holding their annual holiday cookie sale at Citizens National Bank’s Main Branch from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. At this time, you can purchase tins already filled with cookies or you can choose the cookies to fill a tin. Either way you are getting some great, homemade holiday cookies and supporting a worthwhile community organization.

• December 5: After you have purchased your cookies, continue the fun at Citizens National Bank as they host Free Pictures with Santa from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Children will delight as they have their complimentary picture taken with Santa Claus. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

• December 5: Join Santa Claus at 5:30 p.m. as he lights the Washington Park Christmas tree. The annual Parade of Lights will then begin at 6:00 p.m. Main Street comes alive with lights of the Holiday season. Watch the many colorful floats, marching groups and listen to the seasonal songs. Children will beam with excitement as they watch for Santa Claus and his sleigh. The parade entries line up at the County Building and head north on Main Street through town.

Cheboygan has some fantastic upcoming activities planned. You certainly won’t want to miss any of them. Take your family and head Downtown to make some memories.

How many of you travel outside of Cheboygan to purchase your Christmas gifts?  Have you ever considered starting your search locally?  The merchants understand that you may not be able to purchase all of your gifts Downtown, but perhaps you should BEGIN your shopping quest in Cheboygan.  There are many places to choose from.  Take a look around and you may be surprised to see that some Downtown merchants are opening their doors extra early on Friday.  Downtown Cheboygan is having Black Friday deals and I’m sure you won’t want to miss these savings that your neighbors are offering.

One of the biggest advantages of shopping locally is that you have the opportunity to build a relationship with the merchant.  It is nice to be greeted by your name and to be told, “I have the perfect item for your mother.”  The merchant knows you and more importantly knows your family and friends so they are aware of your likes and dislikes.  Local merchants are not out to make the big sale, they want to help you in your search to find the perfect gift.  Downtown Cheboygan is full of merchants who offer this kind of hometown customer service, which cannot be duplicated on the internet or in a big box store.  Shop, dine & unwind in Downtown Cheboygan!

Thanks to the coordination efforts of the Cheboygan Economic Development Group (CEDG), Downtown Cheboygan’s maple trees will soon be lit with white twinkle lights… just in time for the festive holiday season!   This concept has been bandied about for some time, but it was the efforts of Charlene McClurg, CEDG beautification chairperson who got this proverbial ball rolling. Char solicited donations from private citizens to fund the lighting of 16 trees on Main Street. Currently the plan includes lighting the trees from State Street to Elm Street, but Char advises that more trees can be lit when donations are secured.

Bud Darnell, CEDG President, coordinated efforts with local companies, Cheboygan Cement, Cheboygan Lumber Company, Chip Drake Masonry, Ground Level Masonry, and Straits Electric. These companies donated their time to wire the electricity so the trees could have an outlet to plug into. This work is still in the process of being completed, but it is likely it will be completed soon. The lights will be connected to the power source located next to the trees which in turn generates power from the lampposts. The lights will be set to the lamppost timers so when the lampposts illuminate light, the trees will illuminate light as well.

The Downtown Tree Lighting project was presented to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors in October by the CEDG. The DDA Board unanimously approved the project and agreed to absorb the costs of ongoing maintenance and electrical. This project goes to show the positive effects of a partnership between public and private groups. Holiday Lighting Service, Inc. provides annual service to St. Ignace so it was economically beneficial to coordinate service on both communities at the same time.

If you would like to sponsor a tree or donate to the Downtown Tree Light project, please send $150 to the CEDG, c/o Chris Sangster, CEDG Treasurer, 123 North Huron, Cheboygan, MI 49721. This is a nice opportunity for businesses or families to contribute to a worthwhile project.

This project could not have come at a better time. The DPW crew is readying the holiday garland to decorate the downtown area and the added twinkle lights will enhance the overall scheme on Main Street. Citizens National Bank even got bit by the “twinkle light fever” by adding the same type of lights to the trees in front of their parking lot. When you are downtown in the evening, be sure to check out these lights. This will definitely be quite a sight to see when the entire project is complete.