Associations
-- The Board of Directors of the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce elected officers for 2010. Tim Haring of Peninsula Title is president; Terry Ely of Twin Bay Docks, vice president; Theresa Forrest of Northwestern Bank, secretary/treasurer; Dr. Jessica Carden, Scott Koehler, Victor Lisabeth, Bill Morrison, Michelin Padella, Briant Sikorski and Sonya Zotigh are board members at-large.
Certifications
-- Jeff Aiken of D&W; Mechanical was recently certified in Uponor Plumbing Systems, Hydronic Heating with a Return (Engineered Systems), and Solar Thermal Water Heating and Combisystems (Caleffi Solar). Aiken and Frank Addis of D&W; are members in good standing of the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, where they are certified as installers.
-- Linda M. Fisher of Fisher Agency, Inc. Insurance Professionals has received the Accredited Advisor in Insurance designation from the Insurance Institute of America and Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.
-- Dr. Tony Aboudib, president and CEO of Advanced Chiropractic and Wellness, recently earned a certificate in clinical nutrition for "Obsessive compulsive disorder, addictions and advanced therapeutics for holistic practitioners."
-- Kimberly Pontius, executive vice president of the Traverse Area Association of Realtors, received a Realtor association Certified Executive (RCE) designation from the National Association of Realtors. He's among 360 Realtor association executives to achieve the designation, which is based on association management and academic achievements and a comprehensive exam. RCEs must be recertified every four years to maintain the designation.
New title
-- Michigan Community Blood Centers has changed its name to Michigan Blood. The new name unites its blood donation centers in four regions of the state under a single name and brand. Michigan Blood is a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit community service organization, with collection sites located in the regions surrounding Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Flint, Midland, Traverse City and St. Joseph.
New location
-- Becky Thatcher Designs is moving the Traverse City store to 234 East Front Street across from the State Theater, in the former DeYoung's location. The store will open Nov. 27.
New business
-- Onken Mechanical Service, a HVAC service and repair shop, is now open and serving Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, and Kalkaska counties. Owner Glenn Onken is on call at (231) 944-9039; visit www.onkenmechanicalservice.com for details.
-- Glenwood Gourmet Gifts, a new 2009 holiday retail store, opened Nov. 21 at 345 River Street in Manistee. The store is operated by Donna Ervin and Chris Short, owners of The Glenwood restaurant in Onekama, and manager Kelli Hopwood. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Personnel
-- Furniture designer Tom Lopinski has joined Architectural Elements of Michigan in Traverse City. A graduate of the Kendall College of Art and Design, he has recently launched "Thomas Anthony," a collection of fine furniture and cabinetry.
-- Lindsey Jonkhoff is the newest member of the staff of Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Lindsey is a sixth-generation licensed funeral director.
Recognition
-- Stephen Karas of Exit Realty in Elk Rapids and Rob Serbin of Serbin Real Estate in Glen Arbor were recently named the Traverse Area Association of Realtors 2009 Realtors of the Year. Holly Hack of Bank of America Home Loans was named TAAR Affiliate of the Month for November.
-- Cheryl Bouschor was presented with the American Association of Medical Assistants 2009 Excel Award for excellence in publishing as editor of the "Michigan Medical Assistant Journal."
-- R. Gerald Baker of Kewadin was the recipient of the Alfred J. Rauschman Award from the Compliance & Legal Division of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. He is currently executive director, advisor and principal of Pinnacle Compliance Solutions, LLC.
-- WorkSquared received a Customer Satisfaction Award for Herman Miller's Certified Network of dealers for the second time in three years for having the highest customer satisfaction rating among Herman Miller's network members. WorkSquared is a statewide interior furnishings dealer with five Michigan offices including one in Traverse City.
-- Harry Clark of Cherry Bowl Gifts and Goodies in Honor was named "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Michigan State University's Product Center. The award was presented at MSU's "Making it Michigan" food show Nov. 11 in Lansing.
-- Grand Traverse Distillery won three medals for its micro-distilled vodkas at the 2009 International Review of Spirits competition in Chicago. The company received gold medals for its Wheat Vodka and its True North Vodka, and a silver medal for its Grand Cherry Vodka.
Retirement
-- Stanley Zaremba retired from the U.S. Postal Service Oct. 30. He had been employed at the main post office at 202 S. Union St. in Traverse City for more than 43 years.
Charity
-- Seven Ace Hardware stores in northern Michigan are participating in a "Tools for Tots" program during the holidays. Stores in Traverse City, Acme, Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs will sell an 8-piece tool box set for children for $5 and donate the proceeds to Toys for Tots, Charlevoix Community Food Pantry, Mana and the Father Fred Foundation. The stores will also serve as Toys for Tots drop-off sites.
-- Ascomnorth Inc. is collecting food donations in November and December to benefit the First Christian Chuch Food Pantry. Donations may be dropped at the company's office at 6100 U.S. 31 North in Acme. More information is available at (231) 938-2230.
