Boyne City gets chocolate covered

Feb. 6, 2011

Boyne City Gets Chocolate-Covered
By Kristi Kates
Intially spearheaded - or perhaps dunked is a better word - by Boyne City’s Linn Williams, who retired to Boyne City from Ann Arbor with her husband Glen several years ago, this weeken’s Chocolate-Covered Boyne event aims its cupid’s arrow at promoting Valentine’s Day, Boyne City itself, and of course, chocolate, says the fest’s assistant organizer Jamie Baumann.
“Linn has been the primary organizer, and has worked very hard to make this event successful,” Baumann explains. “It began when the Main Street promotions committee felt that an event was needed around Valentine’s Day to promote the community in a special way and give visitors a reason to come to town.”

EVERYONE LOVES CHOCOLATE
And now, an otherwise fairly slow weekend in Boyne City looks like it’s going to be a whole lot sweeter. Many of the downtown businesses are participating - which, Baumann laughs, isn’t really that big of a surprise, given the great Boyne City community and the impetus of the theme itself.
“Who doesn’t love chocolate?” she asks. “It fits well with the great restaurants in downtown Boyne City, as well as Kilwin’s and the Alpine Chocolate Haus. Boyne City has become a dining destination for visiting skiers and locals from around the area.”

TREATS AND TUNES
Baumann’s favorite “look forward-tos” of the Chocolate-Covered Boyne weekend are two special drinks, she says - “the lattes that will be offered by Water Street Café, and cappuccinos by Sante,” she says, “both sound absolutely delicious.”
Treats, discounts, and special events will be taking place all weekend, including those aforementioned coffee drinks and a whole lot more. The big performance news for Chocolate-Covered Boyne is over at Freshwater Studios, where they will be presenting the “Wine, Women, Chocolate, and Song” event with tunes from Robin Lee Berry, Rachael Davis, Kathy Lamar, and special guest Ruby Williams. The Boyne District Library is also entertaining during the weekend with their chocolate-covered story hour - complete with treats - and the rest of Boyne City is participating in unique themed ways, as well.
Many of the clothing stores will be offering discounts on “chocolate-colored” clothing items, Baumann says, and other businesses are putting their own spin on the weekend’s theme. Lynda’s Real Estate is putting together chocolate houses in line with their business, Beyond Borders is featuring “chocolate-themed jewelry,” and Boyne Co-op True Value is keeping the pets included in the fun by giving out dog treats. And oh boy, the chocolate...

CHOCOLATE OVERLOAD
Most participating business are featuring chocolate either as a special menu item or a complimentary treat, from Red Mesa’s chocolate quesadilla to Cafe Sante’s chocolate mousse dessert, Huff Pharmacy and Cindi Franco’s respective individual takes on handmade chocolate truffles, special chocolate shakes offered with the hamburger meal deals at Thick n’ Juicy, and 25-cent hot chocolates at Boyne County Provisions.
“Every person I called about participating thought of a way to promote the theme and provide great discounts for customers in their stores and restaurants,” says Baumann. “It’s a natural theme right before Valentine’s Day.”

The Chocolate-Covered Boyne Weekend will take place February 11 and 12 throughout downtown Boyne City.