NEWS RELEASE: October 20, 2008
Smoke-free Clyde’s Restaurant in Rudyard
Clyde’s Restaurant in Rudyard is smoke-free, joining nearly 5600 or approximately 35% of the total number of food service establishments in Michigan, including 40 plus restaurants in Chippewa County.
Doris Bradley, manager, displays the certificate of recognition that was presented by the Chippewa County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition for providing a smoke-free dining environment for customers and smoke-free work environment for employees. “Clyde’s is a little place,” said Bradley. “Too small to separate smoking and nonsmoking sections. I had been thinking about it for awhile and this summer, I decided to just do it and make the restaurant smoke-free.”
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Photo: The Chippewa County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition recognizes Doris Bradley, manager of Clyde’s Restaurant in Rudyard.
Left to Right: Lee Carlson, Chippewa County Health Department, Doris Bradley,
Laurie VanSloten, 9&10 News/FOX 33; Julie Trotter, Chippewa County Health Department.
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NEWS RELEASE: October 1, 2008
Best Western Lakefront Inn & Suites in Paradise is 100% smoke-free!
The Chippewa County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition recently recognized Laurie Winkler, General Manager of the Best Western Lakefront Inn & Suites in Paradise for implementing a smoke-free policy in this hotel. All common areas are regulated by the Chippewa County Clean Indoor Air Regulation; however effective April of 2008, due to Winkler’s decision to voluntarily implement a smoke-free policy, all rooms are 100% nonsmoking as well.
The Best Western is a seasonal hotel, located on Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay, with summer and snowmobile season being the busiest times of the year. “My parents, Jim and Shirley Stabile, own the facility,” commented Winkler. “I have been General Manager for five years, overseeing the hotel and approximately 30 employees during the peak season.”
Read more... |
Photo: The Chippewa County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition recently recognized Laurie Winkler, General Manager of the Best Western Lakefront Inn and Suites for implementing a 100% smoke-free policy in this facility.
Left to Right: Julie Trotter, Chippewa County Health Department; Laurie Winkler, Best Western Lakefront Inn and Suites; and Laurie VanSloten, 9 & 10 News.
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NEWS RELEASE: September 5, 2008
Smoke-free Snickerdoodles in Pickford!
The Chippewa County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition recently added Snickerdoodles in Pickford, the newest smoke-free food service establishment in Chippewa County to the continuously growing smoke-free restaurant roster in the state of Michigan. There are now nearly 5,200 smoke-free dining options on www.smokefreemichigan.org,
the online smoke-free restaurant guide for Michigan with 43 smoke-free establishments in Chippewa County.
“This has been a vision for us for 15 years,” stated co owner Stacy Massey. “My Mom, Sherry Ledy and I own Snickerdoodles. She is the baker. I do the catering. My Mom and Dad both retired from Pickford Schools in 2007. Mom worked in the kitchen and my Dad, Greg Ledy, was a biology and science teacher. The lot came up for sale so we bought it.”
Regarding the smoke-free policy, Massey said it is a personal preference. “Our family members are all nonsmokers. And we aren’t entirely new to the smoke-free restaurant business.”
Greg and Sherry Ledy reopened the Kountry Kitchen Restaurant on Main Street in 1988, an establishment that had been a mainstay in Pickford for more than 60 years. They leased the business for a two-year period to see if they could make a go of it – offering fresh doughnuts. pastries, and pies in addition to homemade soups and sandwiches and smoke-free dining. At the time, the Kountry Kitchen Restaurant was probably the only smoke-free restaurant in the area, if not the county.
Julie Trotter, Tobacco-Free Projects Coordinator for the Chippewa County Health Department reports that a smoke-free policy protects both customers and employees alike from the health dangers of secondhand smoke and provides financial benefits to the business owner as well. Furthermore, research shows that smoke-free environments are a primary motivator in helping people quit smoking.
The smoke-free air movement gained stronger momentum soon after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified secondhand smoke as a class A carcinogen in 1992. Ongoing research continues to show that exposure to secondhand smoke is a well-proven cause of disease, including lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory illnesses and other cancers.
More than 17,000 people die every year in Michigan from disease cause by tobacco use and/or secondhand smoke exposure and health care costs directly related to smoking have risen to $3.4 billion.
The 2006 Surgeon General’s report declares that breathing any amount of secondhand smoke is harmful and that separate smoking sections and ventilation systems do not offer full protection. The report concludes that eliminating smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect men, women, and children from the health hazards of secondhand smoke.
Business was successful during the two years the Ledy’s leased the Kountry Kitchen Restaurant. Customers respected the no smoking signs and enjoyed the wonderful breakfast and lunch items made from scratch. Despite the success of the smoke-free restaurant, the cost to purchase the business was too excessive, so the Ledy’s decided not to purchase or to renew the lease.
“That’s when my Mom started to work for Pickford Schools,” said Massey. “However, since that time, we’ve been keeping our eye open for property on M 129, which we felt was more accessible to people traveling through town. We had this vision a long time ago that we’d find just the right property to open up a family business such as Snickerdoodles.”
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An older home near the intersection of M129 and Main Street came up for sale soon after Sherry and Greg retired from Pickford Schools. The Massey and Ledy families purchased the property and began remodeling in March of 2007. “The building needed a lot of work,” stated Massey. “We did a lot of it ourselves. My husband Ron and my Dad did much of the carpentry and construction work. However we needed to hire people to do the electrical and plumbing. There were wires everywhere and much needed to be done to create a kitchen that was up to code. We were so “money poor”. Dad is such an optimist though. He got us through the rough spots.”
Snickerdoodles opened for business mid June. Massey reminisced, “ We cooked and baked until the wee hours of the morning, preparing for opening day. Business has been incredible. In need of extra help, my sister, Sasha Sweeney and my two nieces, Jasmine and Jenna Ledy and came on board. We are catering non -stop and have had at least two functions scheduled weekly through August. We have seating for approximately 15, including some outdoor seating. Our menu consists of fresh homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods. We have a drive through so we are very busy with take-outs. Customers can also order online by visiting www.snickerdoodlesinc.com We never thought we’d be this busy. Business is good!”
For more information, please call the CCMPCB Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition at 635-3636 or visit www.chippewahd.com and www.smokefreeup.org To learn more about the status of state smoke-free legislation, please visit www.makemiairsmokefree.org For tobacco cessation assistance, please call the Michigan Tobacco Quit Line at 1 800 480 QUIT (7848).
Photo: The Chippewa County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition recognizes Stacy Massey and Sherry Ledy, co owners of Snickerdoodles, the newest smoke-free Internet café in Chippewa County and their family members for their leadership in smoke-free air initiatives.
Left to Right
Front Row: Stacy Massey, Sherry Ledy, and Sasha Sweeney, Snickerdoodles; Julie Trotter, Chippewa County Health Department.
Back Row: Greg Ledy, Snickerdoodles; Laurie VanSloten, 9 and 10 News; Donna Norkoli, Sault Tribe Community Health Services. |
NEWS RELEASE: July 28, 2008
Ashmun Creek Apartments: The Newest Smoke-free Housing Option in Sault Ste. Marie
Effective July 1, 2008, Ashmun Creek Apartments are smoke-free. Owners, Randy and Judy McGahey, and manager, Floyd Rabineau, have been working toward this day for several years now. The apartment complex is located at 2410 West 7th Street in Sault Ste. Marie, and consists of six apartment buildings, with a total of ninety units and a brand new office complex that was built this spring.
The Chippewa County Substance Abuse Coalition attended the Ashmun Creek Apartments open house on June 26 to commend and recognize Mr. McGahey and Mr. Rabineau and their families for their fortitude and leadership in making all of their apartment buildings smoke-free. The smoke-free policy also covers the new office complex, which consists of a community center, fitness room, office, parking lot and grounds. Outdoor areas within 30 feet of the apartment buildings are designated nonsmoking areas and all grounds must be kept free of cigarette butts and litter.
Read More... |
Photo: The Chippewa County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition recently recognized Randy and Judy McGahey, Ashmun Creek Apartments owners and Floyd Rabineau, Manager, for implementing a smoke-free policy in all Ashmun Creek Apartments properties.
Family members, tenants, friends, and coalition members gather at the new office complex to show their appreciation and support.
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NEWS RELEASE: July 1, 2008
Local Teens Promote ‘World No Tobacco Day’
Sault Ste. Marie, July 1, 2008—Sault Ste. Marie Area High School students who are members of TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use) are taking part in a worldwide annual campaign, World No Tobacco Day.
Observance of World No Tobacco Day is promoted every spring by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO is the public health arm of the United Nations.
Support for World NoTobacco Day, spearheaded by members of the local Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use), will extend throughout the summer. The focus of local activities is to promote and celebrate area smoke-free restaurants.
As part of the campaign, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and TATU shared a meal at Clyde’s Drive-In and also at Ang-Gio’s Restaurant, to recognize, celebrate and show support for their new status as a smoke-free restaurants. Special congratulatory plaques were awarded, to be displayed in both restaurants.
Also in support of World NoTobacco Day, TATU and the SAP Coalition have distributed attractive, informational table tents to local smoke-free restaurants. Plans are for the table tents to be displayed in the restaurants over the summer months. The table tents showcase middle school students’ artwork taken from the recent TATU-sponsored smoking prevention poster contest; they also contain important facts about the health dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke.
TATU activities are part of the “Fight the Light, Fight for Life -Stop Tobacco
Use” campaign funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan at 27 high schools across Michigan during the current school year.
According to WHO, "Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. It is the only consumer product that kills when used as intended by its manufacturers. Tobacco kills up to 50 percent of its regular users. Adolescent experimentation with this highly addictive product, aggressively pushed by the tobacco industry, can easily lead to a lifetime of tobacco dependence."
WHO's stand is that "One of the most effective ways to protect young people from the harms of tobacco use is to ban advertising or promotion of tobacco products, and the sponsorship by the tobacco industry of any events or activities." WHO's full statement and the World No Tobacco Day call to action can be accessed at http://www.euro.who.int/tobaccofree/Projects/20080125_1.
For more information or if you would like to display table tents at your place of business, call Julie Trotter, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition coordinator, at (906) 635-3636, or Lee Carlson, TATU facilitator, Chippewa County Health Department at (906) 253-3186. |
Photo: Lee Carlson, Coordinator of Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU), at Snookie’s Café in Avery Square, setting up table tents that display winning student artwork from the recent TATU smoking prevention poster contest.
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NEWS RELEASE: June 23, 2008
Smoke-Free Fishers Restaurant in DeTour Village
The number of smoke-free restaurants continues to rise in Chippewa County and across the state. There are now nearly 5,200 smoke-free dining options on
www.smokefreemichigan.org , the online smoke-free restaurant guide for Michigan. The most recent addition to this roster is Fishers Restaurant in DeTour Village. Fishers Restaurant joins the roster of 42 smoke-free establishments in Chippewa County.
Barbara Fisher has been the owner of this restaurant since 1972, when she and her husband purchased the business from her mother. “My grandfather and father built the restaurant, which my parents opened for business in 1945. The establishment was then known as the B and B Restaurant, named after my sister Betty and myself. After my father passed away in 1970, it became too much for my mother to run the restaurant by herself so we decided to purchase the business from her, changing the name to Fishers Restaurant.”
“It’s a lot of work,” commented Barbara. “In order to make a go of it, you’ve got to do it yourself. Every Sunday, we offer a turkey dinner and on Fridays, we have fish fry. My son, Dan, who now lives in Virginia, actually owns the business since my husband passed away in 2000. I have another son, Ray, who lives in Petoskey. My daughter, Betty works here with me and we have two other employees. I am the cook. At the age of 74, it keeps me going. We only have one day off on Monday. That is the day we are closed. We usually go to the Sault, run errands, get a bite to eat. And we usually take a week off in April – because that’s when business is slow.”
“We’ve been thinking about making the restaurant smoke-free for about the past six months,” said Barbara. “I started to notice that only a couple of our regular customers smoked and that the cigarette smoke was bothering other customers. We went on our vacation in April as we usually do. When we got back, we decided to just do it (go smoke-free.) Everybody knows everybody around here. People are still coming in. They are still coming back.”
According to Julie Trotter, Tobacco-Free Projects Coordinator at the Chippewa County Health Department, the Michigan House of Representatives passed HB 4163 in December of 2007 - a proposed bill that would require all worksites and public places to be smoke-free, including bars and restaurants. The Senate version of this bill, which has no exemptions, was passed on May 9th and was sent back to the House for a concurrence vote. Most recently, on May 29th, the House passed a vehicle bill, HB 5074 by a margin of 65 to 39, which is essentially the same bill that was passed in December. The House bill covers bars and restaurants, however it exempts casinos, tobacco specialty shops and cigar bars. HB 5074 has been sent back to the Senate for consideration.
“A comprehensive smoke-free workplace law would protect all workers from the health dangers of secondhand smoke.” emphasizes Trotter. “Disease caused by tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke remains the top two leading causes of preventable death in Michigan.
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Over 17,000 people die each year and total health care costs directly related to smoking have risen to $3.4 billion – undeniable facts that show the seriousness of this public health issue.”
Smoke-free environments protect both customers and employees from the harmful health effects of secondhand smoke and provide financial benefits to the owner as well. Research also shows that smoke-free environments are a primary motivator in helping people quit smoking.
For more information, please call the CCMPCB Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition at 635-3636 or visit www.chippewahd.com and www.smokefreeup.org To learn more about the status of state smoke-free legislation, please visit www.makemiairsmokefree.org For tobacco cessation assistance, please call the Michigan Tobacco Quit Line at 1 800 480 QUIT (7848).
Photo: The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition presents a certificate of recognition to owner of Fishers Restaurant, Barbara Fisher and her daughter, Betty Woods, for implementing a smoke-free policy in their restaurant. From left to right: Sean Kutzler, Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan; Laurie VanSloten, 9 and 10 News; Karen Senkus, Chippewa County Health Department; Betty Woods and Barbara Fisher, Fishers Restaurant and Julie Trotter, Chippewa County Health Department.
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NEWS RELEASE
March 28, 2008:Smoke-free Multi Unit Housing is Clearly the Trend
The Chippewa County Health Department and the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition have collaborated with the Smoke-Free Environments Law Project and about twenty other local health departments throughout the state to educate and promote the health, safety and financial benefits of smoke-free policies for multi unit housing since mid 2004.
Until Michigan’s smoke-free apartment initiative began at that time, most landlords in Michigan thought it was against the law to make their apartment buildings smoke-free and to include no-smoking clauses in their rental leases. However, once apartment owners realized it was legal to make their apartments totally smoke-free, and that smoke-free policy provided health and safety benefits as well, they began to transition their buildings to smoke-free status. Read More... |
Photo: Riverview Terrace, a Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission apartment building
located at 300 Water Street, is one of approximately 25 smoke-free housing options in Sault Ste.
Marie, Michigan. To access the Michigan smoke-free housing listing, please visit:
www.mismokefreeapartment.org/listing.html |
NEWS RELEASE
March 13, 2008: Through With Chew Week Follow-up
Lake Superior State University Senior Nursing Students display their booth for Through
with Chew Week outside the Quarterdeck during lunch service on Wednesday February 20, 2008. Read More... |
Photo: Left to Right – Matt Fleming, Tonya Valletta, Amy Rockwood and AJ Nolan. |
TO: Eastern U.P. Newspapers
FROM: Julie K.O. Trotter, Tobacco-Free Projects Coordinator
SUBJECT: Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive Set To Visit Sault Ste. Marie on February 5th
CONTACT: Julie K.O. Trotter, 635-3636
DATE: January 23, 2008
Dr. Greg Holzman, Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive, is scheduled to visit Sault Ste. Marie on February 5, 2008. He is touring northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to provide information about tobacco use and dependence and the resources available to help people quit.
Chippewa County Health Department, War Memorial Hospital and Sault Tribe Community Health will host free presentations on Tuesday, February 5, in Sault Ste. Marie about the impact of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, tobacco cessation and the importance of smoke-free policy in helping people quit as well as preventing people from starting.
Dr. Holzman’s first presentation, titled WORKING TOGETHER FOR A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY: Effective Strategies to Reduce and Prevent Tobacco-Related Health Problems, will be held at the Sault Tribe Health Center at 2864 Ashmun Street from 10:00 – 11:00AM. There is no charge for this presentation and it is open to the public.
Dr. Holzman will also present TREATING SMOKING DEPENDENCE: A SERIOUS DISEASE THAT IS KILLING MICHIGAN RESIDENTS from noon until 1:00pm at War Memorial Hospital Library (CME presentation for Doctors, Nurses, Healthcare Providers). This presentation is set up for health care providers and discusses the impact of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke in Michigan and the methods available to providers to help their patients quit. It is an excellent opportunity for area physicians and other health care providers to improve their skills in assisting their patients in quitting tobacco use and to stay informed of the latest tobacco cessation treatments available.
Dr. Holzman will also be interviewed on the Radio Soo 1230AM Perspectives radio talk show, which will air on Thursday, February 7th at 8:35AM.
“We’re very pleased that Dr. Holzman is able to visit our community and talk about the impact of tobacco use and secondhand smoke, which are main causes of preventable death in Michigan. This is a great opportunity for Chippewa County residents to learn more about a very important health issue,” stated Julie Trotter, Tobacco-free Projects Coordinator for the Chippewa County Health Department.
In addition to these events, on Friday February 8th from noon-1:00PM, Dr. Holzman will also be presenting “Treating Smoking Dependence: A Serious Disease that is Killing Michigan Residents” at Marquette General Hospital. Local health care providers can access this presentation through video-conference at War Memorial Hospital. |
Dr. Holzman joined the State of Michigan as Chief Medical Officer in September 2006. He is a Michigan native who grew up in Okemos. Dr. Holzman received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine. He is board certified in both Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine.
For more information about Dr. Holzman’s presentations, tobacco cessation and the benefits of smoke-free air, contact the Chippewa County Health Department at 635-3636, Sault Tribe Community Health at 635-8844 or War Memorial Hospital at 635-4352. For free help in quitting smoking, call the Michigan Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-480-7848.
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TO: Eastern U.P. Newspapers
FROM: Julie K.O. Trotter, Tobacco-Free Projects Coordinator
SUBJECT: Smoke-free Barista Bay in Kincheloe
CONTACT: Julie K.O. Trotter, 635-3636
DATE: January 14, 2008
Smoking or non-smoking? That is the question that customers are hearing less frequently when they enter a restaurant to dine. More and more restaurant owners are voluntarily deciding to implement a smoke-free policy as they either prepare to open a new food service establishment or change policies in an existing one. Lisa Sanders, owner of Barista Bay in Kincheloe, did just that – making the voluntary decision to open for business as one of the newest smoke-free eateries in the county.
“After working as a licensed daycare provider for 20 plus years, I decided that it was time to pursue a different business venue.” said Sanders. “First of all, I love coffee and cappuccino. I have known Jim Colvin, owner of Caffeine Express all of my life. We grew up together in Dafter. Consequently, I decided to pursue a similar business opportunity in Kincheloe, specializing not only in coffee, cappuccino, and lattes but also in paninis, subs, and bagels, all in a smoke-free setting. My daughters call me the Barista Queen. Barista means a person who makes coffee. Jim is retired from the Coast Guard. That’s how we came up with the name Barista Bay.”
The Chippewa County Multi Purpose Collaborative Body Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition commends Sanders for opening a smoke-free facility and recently added Barista Bay to the Chippewa County Smoke-free Restaurant Guide, consisting of 40 plus smoke-free food service establishments. In Michigan, the smoke-free restaurant listing is now 4,734 compared to the listing of 172 in 1994.
Results from ongoing secondhand smoke research have supported this increase. In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency classified secondhand smoke as a class A carcinogen; a substance known to cause cancer in humans. In 2006, the US Surgeon General reported that the scientific evidence is indisputable; secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance – it is a serious health hazard that can lead to disease and premature death in children and adults. The report concludes that eliminating smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect men, women, and children from secondhand smoke exposure.
“When I decided to open a restaurant, I knew I wanted it to be a family restaurant.” said Sanders. “It is also a family run business. I have three daughters and four grandchildren. My two daughters, Holly and Katrina, help me on their days off from their regular jobs and my 15-year-old stepdaughter, Kayleen helps out on weekends. My grandchildren are young, ranging in age from 3 months to 4 years, however, 2 year-old Kyra visits the restaurant often and loves to sit and chat with the customers. They call her the Barista Bay Mascot.”
“ I also knew that I wanted my restaurant to be smoke-free.” commented Sanders. “I have struggled with my own smoking for nearly 20 years and I know how bad smoking is for you and how it affects others. I’ve quit so many times. However, I live in a smoke-free house and I own a smoke-free business. I don’t want my customers, especially with children and babies, to be exposed to cigarette smoke. Smoke-free is a good, clean, healthy atmosphere. One of these times, I will stay quit and be smoke-free.” |
Photo: Members of the CCMPCB Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition present a certificate of recognition to Lisa Sanders, owner of Barista Bay in Kincheloe:
From left to right: Deana Knauf, Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan; Karen Senkus, Chippewa County Health Department; Lisa Sanders, Barista Bay; Julie Trotter, Chippewa County Health Department; and Heather Fegan, Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan.
According to Julie Trotter of the Chippewa County Health Department, smoke-free air initiatives have been steadily gaining momentum around the state and the nation. Twenty Michigan counties and thirty-one states now have comprehensive worksite laws in place and more than half of all Americans live in a city, county or state with smoke-free workplace law protection. However, Michigan Law does not allow local government to adopt smoke-free regulations for restaurants and bars as it is currently written. The state law would have to change in order to require that all Michigan food services establishments be smoke-free.
In January 2007, a bill that would create smoke-free worksites, including bars and restaurants, was introduced in the Michigan legislature. The House of Representatives recently passed this bill, HB4163, and has sent it to the Senate for consideration. To follow the status of HB4163, please visit www.makemiairsmokefree.org
“This is important and exciting public health news,” emphasized Trotter. “HB4163 would protect everyone from the health dangers of secondhand smoke.” Disease caused by tobacco use and exposures to secondhand smoke remain the top two leading causes of preventable death in Michigan. Over 17,000 people die each year and total health care costs directly related to smoking have risen to $3.4 billion – undeniable facts that show the seriousness of this public health issue.
Smoke-free environments protect both customers and employees from the harmful health effects of secondhand smoke and provide financial benefits to the owner as well. Research also shows that smoke-free environments are a primary motivator in helping people quit smoking.
For more information, please call the CCMPCB Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition at 635-3636 or visit www.chippewahd.com, www.smokefreeup.org or www.makemiairsmokefree.org For tobacco cessation assistance, please call 1 800 480 QUIT (7848). |