Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce

"Small Town. Natural Wonders. Endless Opportunity."

Clubs

ABC CLUB
This club was organized in 1887 and federated in 1899 and is Grand Ledge's oldest clubs. In the early years it was a literary club but later the members broadened their horizons to include more civic minded projects.

AMERICAN LEGION COLE-BRIGGS POST 48
This post is located at 731 North Clinton. With over 200 members, the group sponsors youth baseball and Boys' State and Girls' State finals. With the help of the Auxiliary, they hold special monthly dinners, plan the Memorial Day parade, and contribute to many local, state, and charitable funds. American Legion membership requires military service during wartime.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - TROOP 645
At Troop 645 we strongly subscribed to the Methods of Scouting and Aims of Scouting as spelled out in the guidelines for the Boy Scouts of America. In addition, we promote the philosophy of leadership training through community service and other scouting activities; the boys plan the yearly program and then run the weekly programs and monthly activities. Adults serve as advisors and offer assistance as required.

FRIENDS OF THE OPERA HOUSE
This group supports the ongoing projects involving the Opera House by holding many different kinds of fundraisers. Some of the projects have included wild game, spaghetti and oriental dinners, musical reviews, fashion shows, even a silent movie film festival along with the selling of bricks for the walkways and spindles lining the interior balcony and stairways.

GRAND LEDGE AREA RETAILERS (GLAR)
This group of downtown and around town business owners was formed in 1995 to help downtown business survive the $3.2 million renovation of the area's sidewalks, infrastructure and streets by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The group meets each Wednesday at 8:30 A.M., and any and all businesses are invited to attend. For more information, please contact Marilyn Smith at (517) 627-5170.

GRAND LEDGE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (GLEAP)
It was initiated by area clergy in the 1970s to help people through emergencies. Currently they provide funds to help with utility bills, doctor visits, food, and medicine. They also coordinate a yearly effort to deliver Christmas food baskets to the needy. Those wishing information may contact Reverend William Amundsen at (517) 627-3256.

GRAND LEDGE FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS LODGE #179
It was established in 1866. The lodge, council, and chapter has donated to Island Park parking lot paving, GLEAP, food bank, and the like. Many members also belong to the Shriners which supports hospitals for children and burn centers across the country.

GRAND LEDGE GARDEN CLUB
It was charted in 1941 and federated in 1945. The object of the group is to stimulate the knowledge of gardening, to aid in the protection of plants, trees and birds, and encourage planting. The first project of the club was the planting of lilacs at Island Park. Today they plant the garden at the front of the Opera House and at the corner of Harrison and West River Street. More than 200 trees have been planted along major streets and in Grand Ledge parks by the Garden Club as a part of the Flowering Crab Tree Trail project, most in memory of someone who has passed away. The clubs' major fundraiser is the annual May geranium sale.

GRAND LEDGE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
It was formally organized in 1976 as a result in the renewed interest in history sparked by the Bicentennial. The first effort by the group was the publishing of Grand Ledge Remembered. Other publications followed including Cast in Clay, Greetings from Grand Ledge, Sincerely Yours-Frank Fitzgerald, and Through the Years. They maintain archives at the Grand Ledge Library and a historic registry of homes and buildings and have membership on the Opera House Authority. The Society also operates The Museum which is open Sundays from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M.. and is located at 118 W. Lincoln Street.

GRAND LEDGE KIWANIS CLUB
It was established in 1979. Over the years the group has participated in Michigan Week, Color Cruise, Yankee Doodle Days, and the annual purchase and deliver of Christmas baskets to area needy. They meet each Monday at Pasquale's. New members are welcome.

GRAND LEDGE LIONESS CLUB
It was chartered in 1983, and the club was sponsored by the Grand Ledge Lions. They, too, help families in need, sponsor food baskets, and contribute to Welcome Home for the Blind and Radio Talking Book Project.

GRAND LEDGE LIONS CLUB
It was chartered in 1944 and works in the area helping the needy with food and eyeglass funding. Annual fund raisers include White Cane Sale and the Lion Mint Project.

GRAND LEDGE ORDER OF EASTERN STAR
It was established in 1875 as a part of the Grand Chapter of Michigan which is the oldest chapter in the world. It was organized in Adrian in 1867. Eastern Star members locally host the Red Cross Bloodmobile each month and hold bazaars during the Island Art Fair, Color Cruise and Island Festival, and Holiday Home Tour in the Masonic Temple on West River Street. They contribute funds to GLEAP, the food bank, and several charitable and relief groups at the State and National levels.

GRAND LEDGE ROTARY
It was chartered in 1940 and meets each Wednesday at 12:00 Noon at the Grand Ledge Opera House. The group supports various charities and area projects including the building of pavilions at both Fitzgerald and Lincoln Brick parks. The annual Pancake and Sausage Supper in March is the club's major fundraiser.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
St. Michael's Council was chartered in 1979 and projects over the years have included Retreat House, Michigan Week, Grand Ledge Shopping Tour, Special Olympics, and St.Vincent's Home.

SEVEN ISLANDS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION
It was chartered in 1977. Seven Islands members participate in many community, regional and national projects, award local scholarships, and provide programs to promote the professional, educational, cultural and social advancement of business women. The Chapter meets at 5:30 P.M. the third Wednesday of each month at Independence Village, Grand Ledge.

SPOTLIGHT THEATRE
It is located in Fitzgerald Park and is dedicated to offering the finest in summer entertainment. The summer play house utilized by the performers once was used as a Spiritualist Campground. Spiritualism was popular in America in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Mediums were leaders of this church and following services often went into trances to communicate with the dead. Now the building which once housed the Spiritualists is home to Spotlight Theatre. Several plays are presented each summer with the season beginning in May and ending in September.

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS ORGANIZATION
It was chartered in 1982, and the organization is a fraternity of veterans who have been in an expeditionary group in a foreign country. They help to insure no veterans benefits are lost. Locally the VFW places flag holders at Oakwood Cemetery for veterans. They sell poppies to raise money for their relief fund and to help those in need.