Entries for the 'Distributor News' Category

HIGHLAND PARK – Local family-owned distributor, Eastown Distributors Co., said it took less than an hour to identify, account for and quarantine beers that were voluntarily recalled last week. The beers, Carta Blanca and Dos Equis Ambar (imported by Heineken USA), were part of a voluntary nationwide recall because of safety concerns that grains of glass may have entered significantly less than  1 percent of products sent to 43 states.

“Eastown Distributors accounted for and quarantined all the affected products in our warehouse within one hour of the announcement of the recall,” Eastown President Paul Quasarano said on Friday. “Michigan’s current system of safeguards when it comes to alcohol distribution is designed for situations like these: effective and speedy recalls of defective products to protect public health and safety. We applaud Heineken’s quick action and as a distributor, we are proud that we can play a proactive and effective role in keeping product that does not meet quality standards out of consumers’ hands. Adult consumers in the areas we serve were never at any risk because, thanks to Michigan’s safeguards, we know where every bottle is.”

Michigan requires distributors to be responsible for tracking all items through the chain of custody as it is delivered from producer and brewer, through distributors, and onto the retail segment, which includes grocery stores, restaurants and taverns. One key safeguard is a system of territorial integrity, requiring one distributor to be responsible for a specific brand within a geographic area. Eastown serves retailers in Detroit and northeast Wayne County.

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By Paul Egan

Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau

 

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The McLaren Macomb Healthcare Foundation’s 27th annual gala, The Crystal Ball, featured two special awards.

The foundation is the fundraising arm of McLaren Medical Center–Macomb, formerly Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center.

“Two remarkable individuals have been selected to be honored for their ongoing commitment and support of the hospital and the foundation,” said Elsa Silverman, director of the foundation.

“This is an opportunity for us to publicly acknowledge their tremendous contribution.”

Petitpren, a hospital board member and president of Petitpren Inc., was recognized for his community service and commitment to the hospital.

“Both recipients have given generously of their time and expertise to McLaren–Macomb and are very deserving of these awards,” Silverman said.

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http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2012/02/fabiano_bros_wraps_bay_city_ex.html

MONITOR TWP. — James C. Fabiano II is always looking for opportunities.

As a partner-owner of the company his great-grandfather started as a cantina in Italy in 1885, Fabiano is a key piece in the ever-expanding beer and wine distribution empire.

As a kid, he'd go with his dad, James Fabiano Sr., on weekend keg deliveries. Now, he oversees hundreds of workers in more than 20 counties across the state. And, he's not done yet.

"We built in room for growth," Fabiano said. "In our business, you either get bigger or you get out."

A 100,000-square-foot expansion was recently completed at Fabiano Bros. Monitor Township headquarters, bringing the space to a grand total of nearly 300,000 square feet.

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PONTIAC – Family owned distributor Hubert Distributors is partnering with an exciting new Royal Oak craft brewery, MillKing It Productions (MIP), to bring exciting new beers to stores across Oakland County. Already, the partnership has helped bring MIP’s products to more stores, restaurants and taverns in Oakland County.

“We’re really excited at Hubert Distributors to support a local Oakland County brewer who’s making great beers and we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and work hard to help MillKing It Productions succeed,” said Tom Vella, president of Hubert, which has served as a beer distributor in Oakland County for decades. “Hubert strongly believes in supporting our community and local businesses like MIP brewery. They’re making exciting and terrific products and we want to help get those products to new markets and showcase the tremendous range of local Oakland County choices available to consumers when it comes to beer.”

“Our brewery is very happy to be working with Hubert Distributors and we foresee a great partnership going forward,” said Scott King, founder of MIP brewery. “As a new business, MIP brewery wants to make sure that we can focus on making the best beers around, and Hubert Distributors can focus on getting those beers to stores. Hubert has an extensive network, a fleet of trucks and excellent sales people along with more than a half-century of experience distributing quality products and services. This partnership is a win-win for both our businesses.”

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 Powers Distributing committed to marketing craft beer, expanding choice

ORION TOWNSHIP  --  Powers Distributing Co. a third-generation family owned beer distributor, was honored today as the nation’s top distributor of craft beers, receiving the 2011 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award given by the Brewers Association and the National Beer Wholesalers Association. Now in its fifth year, the national award recognizes a beer distributor that does the most to market and distribute craft beer, including expanding and growing new markets to increase consumer choice.

"Powers Distributing is truly honored to win this award for doing what we have done for three generations – and that’s making sure we provide the widest choice of beers to adult consumers, support locally made craft beers, partner with local businesses and provide quality service to everyone,” Powers President Rob Powers said. “Powers remains committed to continuing our promise to provide quality products, wide choice to consumers, creating local jobs and giving back to our community today and into the future. Powers is proud to showcase terrific local craft beers and deliver choice to consumers, especially Michigan beers that have made us the Great Beer State.”

 Powers Distributing has been innovative in its efforts to promote and educate about craft beer brands. Through its Web site, Powers Distributing has constructed a “Beer Finder” which teaches consumers about craft beers and the many types, flavors and styles available. Powers also has created “mix-6 packs” consisting of different craft beer varieties and has made them available to retailers who educate consumers through sampling.

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The Garden Party Foundation celebrated its third annual The Garden Party event at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, featuring food from Michigan’s best restaurants and 100 of the finest wines. More than 600 people attended this year’s Garden Party.

Proceeds from the event benefited Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan and Oakland Community College Culinary Studies Institute, with $35,000 to be donated to each organization from The Garden Party Foundation.

Elizabeth and Sydney L. Ross, founders of The Garden Party Foundation and owners of Great Lakes Wine and Spirits, presented the checks at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 12 to William Seklar, president of Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan, Dr. Timothy Meyer, Oakland Community College Chancellor, and Chef Susan Baier, Program Coordinator of Oakland Community College’s Culinary Studies Institute. The presentation took place at Meadow Brook Hall – the new site for the 2012 The Garden Party.

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 JACKSON – Family owned distributor Anderson Distributing Co. is partnering with Jackson’s landmark craft brewer, the Local Pub & Brewery, to bring exciting new beers to stores across Mid-Michigan.

 “We’re really excited at Anderson Distributing to support a local Jackson brewer who’s making great beers and we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and work hard to help Local Pub & Brewery succeed,” said Steve Anderson Sr., president of Anderson Distributing, which has served the community since 1958. “Anderson Distributing strongly believes in supporting our community and local businesses. Local Pub & Brewery makes terrific products and we want to help get those products to new markets to showcase the tremendous range of Michigan-made choices available to consumers when it comes to beer.”

“Our brewery is happy to be working with Anderson Distributing and we foresee a great partnership going forward,” said Phil Wilcox, founder of Local Pub & Brewery. “As a new business, Local Pub & Brewery wants to make sure that we can focus on making the best beers around, and Anderson Distributing can focus on getting those beers to stores. Anderson has an extensive network, a fleet of trucks and salespeople and more than a half-century of experience distributing quality products and services. This partnership is a win-win for both our businesses.”

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Like many local businesses, Mt. Pleasant Brewing Co. grew from humble beginnings.

The very first batch of beer from what is today Mt. Pleasant Brewing began life in a college dorm room, and has grown, over the past 3 years, into an acclaimed Michigan craft beer.

This summer, as adults raise a toast to friends and family with mugs of cold Michigan beer, we'd like to tell the story of what helps make Michigan the Great Beer State.

It's a story of innovation and entrepreneurship. It's also a story about building partnerships and how our separate businesses - a craft brewer and a beer distributor - can thrive under a pro-growth alcohol distribution system in Michigan that balances business needs with public safety.

One of the first things Mt. Pleasant Brewing did three years ago when it was time to reach a wider market was find a distributor. Fabiano Brothers, which distributes to retailers and taverns in more than 30 counties, was a natural choice. And for Fabiano, supporting a local hometown brewery that made quality products made sense.

Fabiano Brothers' network covers a region stretching from Midland to Mackinac Island, from Caro to Kalkaska. A fourth-generation company with roots dating to the late 1800s, Fabiano Brothers employs more than 300 people in highly skilled, good-paying jobs.

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A well-known Macomb County beer distributor and his wife rescued a missing New York pilot who spent 17 hours in Lake Huron after his plane crashed.

Dean Petitpren, president of Petitpren Inc., a wholesale Anheuser Busch dealer in Mount Clemens, and his wife, Diane, were heading to the Upper Peninsula in their yacht when they spotted the pilot in the water without a life jacket on Wednesday.

Petitpren, a philanthropist who resides in Grosse Pointe Farms, told WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) the couple saw pilot Michael Trapp waving a sock over his head to grab their attention.

“He said he had already taken his pants off because they were too heavy. So he was in his undershirt and undershorts,” Petitpren told the TV station.

“Of course, from the boat (he) looked like a pineapple in the water. We got the boat around, came alongside him and threw him a ring and got him aboard.”

Petitpren said the pilot was in 45 feet of water with calm seas and warm water. He said the pilot looked exhausted and his eyes were starting to close.

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Powers, O&W, Eastown in metro Detroit join with Penske, United Way

ORION (Friday, May 13, 2011) – Oakland County-based Powers Distributing Co. will donate and deliver 36,000 bottles of water early Saturday morning to the region of Alabama struck by monster tornadoes that killed more than 350 people and left thousands injured and homeless. Powers drivers Randy Spicer and Jim Macheske, along with delivery and fleet manager Joe Dinverno, will make the 1,600-plus-mile drive to Tuscaloosa, Ala., on a truck donated by Penske.

The early Saturday morning delivery is part of an effort by Powers to assist with disaster relief in Alabama, partnering with other metro Detroit distributors, O&W Inc. based in Ypsilanti and Eastown Distributors Co. based in Highland Park.

“When we saw the devastation in Alabama, we knew we had to do something to help the survivors get back on their feet,” said Jerry Powers, president of Powers, on Friday during a media availability session. “Our employees at Powers deserve the credit for taking the initiative and volunteering to help deliver the water to Alabama. When Michigan’s economy was in serious trouble, the rest of the nation stood with us and helped us get back on our feet. We’re proud to work with our fellow distributors and other partners here in Michigan to help our fellow Americans recovering in the South.”

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Distributor Partners with ‘Lucky Leprechauns,’ Raises $8,200 for Families in Need

H. Cox & Son continues 13-year tradition of giving, raising more than $100,000

TRAVERSE CITY – Beverage distributor H. Cox & Son today announced that it brought in more than $8,200 for the popular Father Fred Lucky Leprechaun fundraiser, which provides furniture, clothes and other resources to local families in need.

H. Cox & Son is participating for the 13^th year in the program, and has raised more than $100,000 for the community during that time. Also, Schmuckal Oil Co. helped raise over $7,000 at its retail outlets for the program.

“As a family owned local company, H. Cox & Son is committed to supporting our community and giving back to families in need,” H. Cox & Son Vice President Ryan Ribel said. “H. Cox & Son is proud to join forces with many of our local friends on a program that can help make a positive difference in the lives of many northern Michigan families. This community has been very supportive of our business for generations, and we are committed to helping in any way we can to support the folks who have stood with us and our employees through the years.”

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Griffin Beverage invests locally to reduce energy use, earn LEED certification

ST. IGNACE – Family owned distributor Griffin Beverage Co. has earned the internationally recognized energy efficiency LEED designation for its new warehouse in St. Ignace – Michigan’s first LEED-certified beverage distribution warehouse.

LEED certification is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. The LEED green building rating system – developed and administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington D.C.-based, nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders – is designed to promote design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being.

To earn LEED certification, Griffin – serving 41 counties in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula – used local and recycled materials, worked with local contractors and businesses, and deployed energy efficient devices and techniques at virtually every stage of construction. The warehouse is located at the corner of US-2 and Portage Road, St. Ignace.

“Griffin Beverage has deep roots in our community and our state and we want to do everything we can to protect Michigan’s natural resources for generations, while reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels,” said General Manager Bob Griffin Jr. “For Griffin Beverage, saving energy is good for the bottom line as well as our local economy, public health and quality of life. We are proud to do everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint while at the same time partnering with local businesses, suppliers and contractors to protect and create local jobs.

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March 8, 2011, Orion, MI – Powers Distributing, Miller Lite and Mike’s Hard Lemonade announced today that they are supporting the new Great Lakes Agricultural Fair by sponsoring the Miller Lite Concert Series to take place on Sep. 2-5.  The concert series will feature country giants Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson, and Cowboy Troy and Two Foot Fred along with additional performers to be announced very soon.

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How does a company become an innovator in the beer distribution industry? By diversifying its products, staying abreast of industry trends, and constantly improving its people, processes and performance.

That’s exactly what Powers Distributing Company has been doing since 1939. Through a number of acquisitions in its 71-year history, the family-run company now distributes 85 brands in the Detroit, Michigan region. Co-President Gerry Powers says, “We’re working hard to maintain the family and look forward to another 71 years of prosperity.” Though Powers Distributing continues to offer mainstream beer brands such as Heineken, Coors and Miller, the company is now supplying high-end brands with unique flavors, ingredients and panache through its IBC division.

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ROMULUS– Employees at Central Distributors, a family owned distributor based in Romulus, along with their children and Santa, distributed a little Christmas cheer this Saturday to families in need. About 40 Central employees, 50 kids and Santa Claus set up an “assembly line” at the company’s warehouse in Romulus and put together about 200 gift boxes filled with food and other Christmas goodies that will then be donated to charities in the community.

The event began at 8:30 a.m. with employees and their children lining up with a wide assortment of food and treats that were then “assembled” into holiday gift boxes for donation. At around 10:30 a.m., Santa then arrived on a Romulus fire truck and met all of the children of the employees. Central Distributors employees then delivered the gift food boxes to families in need. The services, food, transportation and time are all donated. This Romulus holiday tradition goes back at least 25 years.

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‘It is small and family owned Michigan businesses in diverse areas that will drive Michigan’s economy through the current crisis.’

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LANSING – The Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association and the Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers, Inc., today announced that their organizations are urging their members to expeditiously remove caffeinated alcohol beverages (CABs), such as Four Loko and Joose, from retailers’ shelves.

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by Michael G. Lasher

Michigan citizens, Michigan jobs and Michigan values.

They define the parameters of Michigan’s system regulating the sale and distribution of alcohol. For more than 76 years, this system has worked. It continues to be refined so businesses, regulators, law enforcement and others can keep up with the changing times.

Michigan’s alcohol regulations are acknowledged as among the most progressive in the nation. They have helped make Michigan the Great Beer State, with more than 70 small craft brewers and brewpubs producing acclaimed beers and creating local jobs. They help make Michigan a top wine state, producing more than 1 million gallons of quality wine every year. And they help family-owned distributors grow, give back to their communities and employ more than 5,300 people in good-paying jobs with health care and benefits.

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The blowback from our dangerous dependence on oil is now hitting home for us in Michigan, a million gallons of oil flooded into the Kalamazoo River recently.

One of the worst environmental disasters in the Midwest has now hit us in our own backyard and endangered one of the great rivers in Michigan, a river renowned for fly-fishing and other sport fishing, a river that is a haven for canoeists and kayakers, a river that provides jobs, opportunity and a good quality of life for countless families.

As a family-owned business that has served the metro Detroit area since 1939, Powers Distributing understands how important it is to leave Michigan strong for future generations to enjoy. The oil catastrophes in the Gulf and closer to home in Michigan are wake-up calls for all of us to work even harder to reduce our addiction to oil. Businesses can invest in renewable fuels; families can take easy steps to increase energy efficiency in their homes.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010

Contact: Bud Dunn, Atlas Sales Inc., Battle Creek

Phone number: 269-968-9758

Atlas Sales Inc. to deliver around 24,000 cans of water

BATTLE CREEK – Atlas Sales Inc., a family owned beer and wine distributor that serves an area including Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties, will distribute more than 24,000 cans of drinking water to the volunteers and clean-up crew working at the site of the massive Kalamazoo River oil spill. Atlas expects to distribute the drinking water by this weekend.

“Atlas Sales has served this community for generations, we consider it part of our family and we want to do everything we can to help clean up the oil spill that has devastated the Kalamazoo River and the wildlife and plant life in the area,” Atlas President Greg Dunn said today. “The Kalamazoo River defines who we are in this community. Many businesses depend on a healthy Kalamazoo River to attract everything from tourists and anglers to families looking to spend a day canoeing on the river. It is one of the great rivers of the Midwest that we want to protect today and for generations to come. Atlas Sales is proud of the community and the many volunteers who stepped forward in this crisis and we are ready to do what we can to help.”

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The following guest commentary was written by Steve Arbaugh, president, Bayside Beverage Company

For more than 70 years, Michigan has enjoyed a safe, efficient and working system for regulating how beer goes from a brewer to a distributor to the consumer. As a system of regulation, it emphasizes consumer safety through effective tracking and accountability. It also provides a model for how food and other beverages such as wine should be distributed to consumers statewide.

This recent Memorial Day, we got a real‐world look at how Michigan’s beer regulations can help keep potentially harmful products from consumers. On Friday, May 28th at around 5 p.m., Labatt learned that several cases of six‐pack bottles of Labatt Blue Light sent to Michigan might have been contaminated with some glass and instituted a voluntary recall. Labatt immediately informed our company, Bayside Beverage Corporation, the designated Labatt distributor serving Northern Lower Michigan, about recalling the affected beer. 

Within hours, Bayside identified 86 affected cases that had been shipped into retail, when they were shipped to Michigan, when they left our distributorship and what stores received them. Seventeen Bayside employees were notified of the immediate need to respond and gave up their precious time with family and friends on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. We contacted the affected stores in Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties. In many cases, Bayside management, salespeople, delivery drivers and merchandisers drove to stores to personally inspect their inventories and removed any suspect packages. We worked round the clock with our retail partners, who rolled up their sleeves and gave us their full cooperation on one of the busiest weekends of the year and they deserve a huge amount of gratitude for their efforts.
 

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ORION TWP. – Local beer distributor Powers Distributing Co. has won the MillerCoors President’s Award, the highest award MillerCoors gives out to a distributor and the second time in two years Powers has received a major MillerCoors award. This year’s President’s Award honors the top 5 percent of MillerCoors distributors nationwide.

A third-generation family owned beer distributor, Powers Distributing sells more than 5 million cases of beer to retailers, restaurants, bars and other businesses in Oakland and Macomb counties every year and employs more than 200 people in the region.

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Powers Distributing Co. has launched a TV blitz to remind adults to be safe this holiday season and designate a driver at all times. Powers has produced three television commercials urging people to designate a driver when going out to holiday events, and is airing those commercials on cable as a public service announcement throughout the holiday season.

“These commercials are just a small way for us to remind folks that the simple act of designating a driver can help keep our roads a little safer for all motorists during the holiday,” Powers President Rob Powers said. “Since 1939, our family company has been dedicated to safety and responsibility. Through these ads, we hope we can raise public awareness about staying safe during the holidays. Designating a person as a driver for the evening is one critical step we should all take to avert tragedy and make sure everyone can enjoy the holidays safely.”

The three segments all feature a common theme: This holiday season, please designate a person who will refrain from drinking alcohol so he or she can bring people home safely.

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Anderson Distributing began with three broken-down trucks and the exclusive right to sell Goebel beer to Jackson taverns and stores.

Goebel has died and gone to beer heaven, but 51 years after its founding, Anderson Distributing is still growing.

Today the company carries 2,200 products, serves 700 retailer customers, employs 45 workers, and has 30 vehicles and 50,000 square feet of warehouse space off Porter Street.

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Don Klopcic, Jr. CEO of West Side Beer Distributing in Grand Rapids has been named Chairman of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

He previously held the offices of Vice President and Treasurer in the state organization, and in 1999 he chaired the National Beer Wholesalers Association.

Mr. Klopcic is also the President of Central Distributors in Romulus.

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Ann Arbor Business Review

O&W Inc. is celebrating its 75th anniversary as a family business in Washtenaw County by looking back to its Prohibition-era founding - and forward to further growth in new markets and sustainability.

Today, the Ypsilanti-based company runs a four-county distribution network for more than 70 brands of beer, wine and specialty beverages, said Kit Morgeson, marketing manager and a fifth-generation family member.

With the Liquor Control License number 007, O&W is one of the oldest beer and wine distributors in the state. The company has grown to using cutting edge and green technologies, from hand-held computers for its sales staff and drivers to using bio-diesel fuel for its trucks.

It’s also gone from the days when a keg of beer cost $5 to today, when the deposit alone for a keg is $30 and craft beers are building market share.

Despite rising fuel costs and a sour economy, O&W expects to continue to expand, said President Jim Wanty.

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Kalamazoo Gazette

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Detroit Free Press

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Oakland Press

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Port Huron Times Herald

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Grand Rapids Press

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Lansing State Journal

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Detroit Free Press

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Detroit News

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Traverse City Record Eagle

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Lansing State Journal

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