Number of Homes for Sale in Big Rapids, MI is Down Almost 8% for October 2012 over last month available listings, and about 6% for all of Mecosta County, according the the West Central Michigan Association of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service trend numbers. If you are a homeowner thinking of listing your home for sale, now is a good time to list in the Big Rapids and surrounding Mecosta County area.  We need more homes to sell, as solds are up 14%, yet the number of available homes to sell are down - especially quality homes that are not foreclosures. Contact me any time for more information on listing your home for sale, general information about the Big Rapids area if you are relocating, or to answer any real estate related question you may have. 11/10/2012

Big Rapids, MI - Support Local Artists at ArtWorks Unique Gift Shop If you are looking for that special gift idea, check out the gift shop at ArtWorks in Big Rapids, Michigan. ArtWorks is a gallery and gift shop filled with awesome items created by local artists, including paintings of many different mediums - watercolors - oils- acrylics; many one-of-a-kind sculptures; hand-made jewelry; stained glass art and objects; and many other beautiful creations such as lamps. Whether you are trying to find just the right gift for someone special, or would like something for your own home or office decor, there is something for everyone and in every price range. Many prints of paintings and photographs are available, both framed and unframed or with mat only to place in your own frame. Come in a... 11/07/2012

Big Rapids, MI - Zip 49307 Market Trends Graph - Oct 2011 to Sep 2012 Good News for our area home sales over the past year!  Solds for the 49307 zip code are up over 9 percent! (Big Rapids and surrounding nearby areas).  This is a very optimistic sign of improvement for our area, and hopefully the trend will continue to improve into 2013!  There are some dips in sales here and there, but overall, it is looking better! If you ever have a question on trends in the Big Rapids, Mecosta County area and would like to know something specific regarding the sale of your home or buying a home, please give me a call and I will be happy to answer your questions or research an answer for you.   11/06/2012

Free Veterans Day Events - Big Rapids, MI - Mecosta Co - Nov 11, 2012 Concert, Williams Auditorium, Ferris State University Nov 11th, 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm The FSU West Central Concert Band proudly presents its 10th Annual Veterans Day Concert, in recognition of the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. This band is a hybrid university/community band, with both Ferris students and adult community members who participate in the University's "Music for Life" program. This concert includes pageantry from veterans groups and musical selections celebrating our veterans. Held at Williams Auditorium and admission is free.  For more information contact Dr. Richard Scott Cohen at 591-2484. VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY and LUMINARY TRIBUTE Date: November 11, 2012 Time: 6:00 PM - 8... 11/04/2012

FREE EXHIBIT- Festival of Trees - Big Rapids, MI - Through Nov 7, 2012 Chemical Bank is hosting the Festival of Trees Exhibit, which is free and open to the public. See these uniquely awesome trees in the bank lobby during normal business hours. On Wednesday, November 7th, the beautifully decorated trees (which are decorated by local busnesses), are auctioned off to benefit Mecosta County Medical Center. If you would like to attend the reception, which is from 6:30 to 9:00 pm on the 7th, Tickets are available from Hospital Trustees, the Foundation Board members, or from the Foundation office at (231) 592-4280. If you have never attended this exhibit, you are in for a treat, as every tree is different and some have unusual themes for Christmas Trees! It is a wonderful fundraiser for the ... 11/04/2012

Big Rapids, Mi, FREE EVENT! Comedian Gina Yashere Tues Nov. 6th 2012 COMEDIAN GINA YASHERE to appear at Ferris State University Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Gina broke onto the American comedy scene with her appearances on Last Comic Standing (NBC), where she made it to the final 10. She is also known across the country for her regular, hilarious appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as Madame Yashere, The Surly Psychic.  This event is FREE and being held at FSU Rankin Student Center Dome Room.  Gina Yashere's sellout live appearances are legendary. Her bombastic delivery, infectious personality and cheeky observations have wowed audiences not just in the UK and the U.S. but also in Japan, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Canada, South Africa, ... 11/01/2012

LIFE IS SWEET: FASHION SHOW 2012     Holiday Inn, Big Rapids, Michigan   Date: November 3, 2012 Time: 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM St. Peter's Lutheran School is excited to present Life is Sweet: Fashion 2012!  Join us for the Fashion Show, showcasing fashions from Fairman's Apparel, Maurices, JCPenney, and Roger's Jewelry, and enjoy a luncheon, raffle, silent auction, and Grand Prize drawings.  The Fashion Show is hosted by Juleit Dragos of WZZM-TV13 and takes place at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Big Rapids.  We will celebrate all the sweet things in life as we enjoy a fashion show full of fashions from local businesses. Your entry ticket includes the fashion show, luncheon and entry into grand prize drawings. The silent auction provides you with an opportunity to purchase holiday gifts... 10/27/2012

Downtown Farmers Market Date: October 12, 2012 Time: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM   The Farmers' Market is a showcase for locally grown food and other farm related products, providing an alternative marketing opportunity for local farmers and consumers to interact directly with each other.  Located in the parking lot just South of City Hall. Come and check out the fall harvest goodies available for purchase, including cider, pumpkins and beautiful fall flowers.  Enjoy a drive in the colorful beauty of fall, and while you are near downtown take a walk on the Riverwalk over the Muskegon River just a couple of blocks away from the farmers market! Downtown has a lot to offer with great fall sales at area downtown merchants as well, so make a day of it and see what Big Rapids has to offer!  You will be... 10/10/2012

This year the 2012 MCMC Festival of Trees will be on November 7th this year.  The reception kicks off at 6:30 with the auction beginning at 7:30pm sharp. The Festival of Trees is an annual event in which community members decorate and donate trees, wreaths, and holiday gift items. It is always great to see the many different spins on the decorations. Once adorned the trees are presented at a special reception in November and auctioned off. The auctioned trees help support the MCMC Foundation. The trees are displayed for several days at Chemical Bank downtown, and the exhibit is open to the public free of charge. Tickets to the reception are available from Hospital Trustees, the Foundation Board members, or from the Foundation office at (231) 592-4280. Best of luck in all you do and See ... 10/09/2012

Feeling Appreciated in Big Rapids, MI was easy today. A few months ago Blarney Castle opened a Marathon Gas/ EZMart here in Big Rapids, MI. Today they once again showed their appreciation to their customers by free lunch including Bill and Will's gourmet hot dogs, pizza and sodas. A lot of companies do the appreciation gig but what made it special for me is the guy manning the grill was none other than Bill McCarthy, son of Denny McCarthy, who at 93 still runs the show. Knowing that even with a dozen locations to worry about he came here and served lunch with a smile speaks volumes about the mindset of the company. First time i have ever actually felt appreciated at one of these events. They bounce around all summer from one location to another spreading the love. If you want to learn m... 09/28/2012

Germanfest 2012 in Big Rapids, MIis on Sept 21st this year from 6:25pm to 11pm. Established in 2006, to honor the history of St. Peter’s Lutheran–see the Heritage section above– the Big Rapids Germanfest has strived for one thing: to provide our patrons with a first class, authentic German celebration. They promise to deliver an enjoyable evening including German dinner buffet, real imported Bier and Wein, and dancing to real German music on their spacious wooden dance floor—all under 20,000 square feet of “Big Top” tents. Due to some of the products being imported they have had to order them in advance so their WILL be a limited number of tickets sold and absolutley NO TICKET SALES AT THE DOOR. This event is for adults over the age of 21. Tickets are $35 not including Beer or Wine. For... 09/16/2012

Big Rapids, Michigan Events - Corn Maze and Haunted Maze 2012 at FOUR GREEN FIELDS FARM, located about 7 miles east of US 131 off exit 139 (Big Rapids exit)   The Corn Maze operates on Saturdays and Sundays in September beginning the 22nd and through the month of October. CORN MAZE: Saturdays: Noon to 5:30 pm, Sundays 2 PM to 5 PM. The Haunted Maze begins Friday, October 5th, and also runs through the Month of October on Friday and Saturday nights.  You can schedule your own private parties too! HAUNTED MAZE:  October Friday and Saturday nights 8 PM to 10:30 PM Be sure to call the farm to verify schedule. (Number below) The maze is haunted by many volunteer groups, including: Oct. 5th - Ferris University Mens Basketball 6th - Alpha XI Delta Sorority 12th - 4-H Teen Club 13th - Chippewa ... 09/15/2012

Big Rapids Michigan - New Business 2012 - Trigger Time Outfitters Check out this great new business for firearms, custom ammunition, archery, fishing, clothing and footwear. They also have a state-of-the-art 3-D Techno Hunt and league, for those interested in joining. You can check out their website at: http://triggertimeoutfitters.com/ On their website, you can click on a month for hunting and fishing in season at that time, and you can also click on product lines and see the brands that Trigger Time Outfitters carries. Besides new firearms, Trigger Time also sells consignment guns, if you are looking to sell yours. They are conveniently located right off the 131 expressway, Big Rapids Perry Street Exit 139, then west to the first street heading south (right next to expressway). ADDRES... 09/15/2012

WAM 300 Comes to Big Rapids, MI this Friday, July 27th, 2012 on it's way to the Heroes Hurrah Finish line at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, MI. What a great event with over 900 bicyclists making the trek from Traverse City to Brooklyn. Think about the dedication of these riders traveling 300 miles in 3 days. WAM (Wish a Mile) is the Make a Wish Foundations single largest fundraiser and is celebrating it's 25 anniversary this year. If you would like to join in or learn more about the ride visit their website: Make A Wish. If you happen to be driving through Michigan this weekend be extra careful to watch for our two wheeled friends making their contribution to a wonderful organization. The WAM comes to Big Rapids, MI with a stop at Ferris State University so if you are in t... 07/24/2012

The Big Rapids Antique Farm and Power Club is hosting its 14th annual Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Show July 20-22, located at 15422 Old Millpond Road in Big Rapids. Every year it seems to get bigger and better and this year looks to be a great one. There will be a huge selection of not only rare but home built tractors and equipment along with a great line up of antique machines. Antique cars, trucks and even a working sawmill will be on display along with a shingle mill, blacksmith and a wood carver. There will also be daily tractor parades and tractor pulls Friday and Saturday. Sunday will be the Garden Tractor pull at 10am. There will be a flea market and several kids games throughout the weekend. Admission is only $3 for Adults and kids 12 and under free (with adult). For more in... 07/15/2012

When I wandered through the North End Riverside Park this weekend it left me wondering how long we have had Disc Golf in Big Rapids, MI? Turns out over 6 years. Not being able to throw a Frisbee (or in non trademarked terms, disc) very well somehow this sport slipped under my radar. There is an amazing course here over a mile in length. Leonard Johnson designed the course winding through the heavily wooded terrain. They even have a Tournament every Wednesday through the summer and it's just $5 to enter, there will also be prizes. For more information call Gary Van Alstine at 231-796-7844. What a great way to spend a lazy day in Big Rapids. For those who have never been to North End Riverside Park it is at the North end of Fourth St here in Big Rapids. It is one of our areas best hidden ... 07/15/2012

Just South of Ferris University sits a beautiful subdivision called The Bluffs in Big Rapids, MI. Within a couple miles of Ferris makes this an attractive spot for Ferris faculty as well as home owners looking for the perfect blend of nature and convenience. There are currently 16 lots for sale in the Bluffs starting at $24,000 and riverfront lots priced at $45,500. There are already some really nice homes in the Bluffs as well as a few Condo's still available starting at $179,900 for an 1,820 sq ft 2 bed/3 bath home with an open floor plan. Even though the Bluffs are outside the City limits you are only minutes from downtown or Perry St where all of the big box stores are. If you are looking for a place close to town yet with a country feel you owe it to yourself to take a drive out to... 06/24/2012

One of my favorite subdivisons is Sunrise Haven Estates in Big Rapids, MI. Steve Fenstermacher is the developer and even before the land was cleared he had a clear vision of what it would look like and the lifestyle he could offer. The view from most every lot is amazing. You can see for miles to the South and East and to the West and North is beautifully wooded acreage. Paved walkways lit up at night make walking around Lake Esther an even better experience or wandering over to the lighted tennis courts and basketball courts for a late game is a great time. Horseshoe pits and covered picnic areas are lakeside for residents to enjoy while their kids swim in the lake or tan on the beach. There is plenty to do and a great place to do it! Lake Esther is named after Steve's mom and as one m... 06/24/2012

Each year we encounter a new batch of Students attending Ferris State University looking for Ferris Student Off Campus Living. While it can be a very rewarding experience their are rules off campus too. Whether renting or buying it is always best to check with Ferris as there are students who MUST be on campus their first year. At Lake and Lodge Realty we pride ourselves in our expertise in helping those who decide buying a home while attending college as a good option. Our website www.bigrapidshomes.com has lots of helpful information on the Big Rapids area and for those Ferris Students looking for Off Campus Living we have a page just for you: http://www.bigrapidshomes.com/students.htm. Finding that house you can call home for the next few years is easy if you keep in mind a few thing... 06/24/2012

June 30, 2012 is the day that Hemlock Park in Big Rapids, MI will go to the dogs, literally. The event is called Raise  the Woof—Dog Day in the Park held at Hemlock Park. There will be competitions such as speed, beauty, agility, best trick and more. All proceeds benefit their building fund. Pawfect Companions Canine Therapy Group and the Soon to be Big Rapids Dog Park. Sounds like the place to be if you and your canine friend are in the area. Here is a list of scheduled events: 10:00 2-mile fun run with you and your dog10:30 agility demonstration11:00-12:00 $5 toenail clipping12:00-1:00 $20 micro-chipping Here are a few Dog Contests starting at 11am:Obedience rallyJunior obedience rally – handlers under 15 years oldOwner look-alike contestSmallest adult dogLargest dogBest trickDroolies... 06/15/2012