Now - February 21, 2025

2025 Kalkaska Citizen of the Year Nominations Open

Kalkaska community members are invited to cast nominations for the 2025 Citizen of the Year! Winners will be announced in March.

Based on nominations from previous years, rather than an open call for Business of the Year nominations this year the Nominating Committee members have chosen to recognize the many decades of economic impact made by the three local potato farms - Elmaple Farm, Iott Seed Farms, and Jenkins Potato Farm - on the local Kalkaska community. Please join us in celebrating these three farming families at our upcoming event.

The awards will be presented at the 55th Annual Kalkaska Luncheon on Tuesday, April 22 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at Railroad Square in Downtown Kalkaska. Registration details are available below.

Submit your nomination by February 21

Note: Past citizen and business award winners are not eligible for nomination again in the same category. Please take a moment to review the list of past winners before entering your nomination.

April 22, 2025

55th Annual Kalkaska Luncheon

• Time: 11:30 - 1:00 pm
• Location: Railroad Square Pavilion | 107 Elm Street Kalkaska, MI 49646

The Annual Kalkaska Luncheon is a time-honored gathering for community members and local business leaders to network and celebrate development within the County. The Kalkaska Luncheon also serves to as a celebration of the Business and Citizen of the Year and to recognize the winner of the Miss Kalkaska Scholarship Pageant. Please join us in celebrating the 55th year!

Our presenting sponsor is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and our event sponsors include: The Chiropractic Center, Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, DTE Energy, Farrier Surveying, Inc., Forest Area Credit Union, Hague Equipment Company, Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, Kalkaska Public Schools, Northland Foods, Traverse Connect, Twin Birch Golf Course, and Woodland Creek Furniture.

The Community Foundation covers the cost of the Kalkaska Luncheone each year so that 100% of event registrations and sponsorships can directly support our Endowment for Kalkaska Area, a permanent fund dedicated to supporting the people and places we all love in the Kalkaska community. All additional donations support the Endowment's growth, furthering community benefit.

Registration is $20 per person and includes food and refreshments. Tables of 8 are also available for $250.

Register by April 8

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February 27, 2025

Community Development Speaker Series: Carbon Emissions

• Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm
• Location: West Shore Bank | 400 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49686

Please join us on Thursday, February 27 for the Community Development Coalition's Speaker Series Luncheon focused on carbon emissions. The featured speaker Rachel Johnson, the CEO of Cherryland Electric Cooperative. Lunch is provided and sponsored by DTE Energy.

Register by February 24

Getting There

If you're not traveling by car, bike, or on foot, a great way to get to the Speaker Series is on BATA. BATA has a City Loop Route 2 stop right in front of West Shore Bank's building. It’s a straight shot for anyone coming from downtown Traverse City or south of town (such as near Woodmere, LaFranier, etc.). Buses run every 30 minutes and the cost is only $1.50 one-way.

Parking

While there is no onsite event parking, West Shore Bank is surrounded by public parking options, including street parking along Boardman Ave. and metered spaces between West Shore Bank & Commongrounds. Click here to explore additional parking options.