ABWA CELEBRATES 32nd ANNIVERSARY on October 14, 2025

 
            The Northeast Sunrise Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association celebrates 32nd  Anniversary in October at Tait's, Bill of Fare, Oscoda, Michigan.  Chapter Historian and Founding Member, Judy Kotarak presiding.

Members absent:  ​ Chris Brennan, Cathy Carmona, Katherine Demeter, Cindy Emerine, Jennifer Jackson, Jan Kornacki, Erica Krumm. Liz McNichols, Jill Ritter, Sandy Schrah. Angel Taylor.        
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​ABWA 29TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. L to R, Front, Pam Stalker, Gaylynn Brenoel, Judy Biggers, Belle Flora, Annette Dennis, Chris Brennan; Back rows, Joanne Letourneau, Gail Frahm, ABWA National past District V Vice President, Lain MacKenzie, Karen Rees, Cass River ABWA President, Dawn Kaiser, Stephanie Mallak Olson, Judy Kotarak, Guest LuAnn Tuttle, Belinda Kusibab, Guest April Kammerer, Tamara Peters. Members celebrating but missing from the anniversary picture: Kristen Hanson, Natalie Hopcroft, Vicki Hopcroft and Jill Ritter.

OSCODA Press Release – Northeast Sunrise Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) celebrated its 29th anniversary in October at Tait’s Bill of Fare, Oscoda, with Judy Kotarak, chapter historian and founding member, presiding. Attending from the ABWA Cass River Chapter were Gail Frahm, former National District V vice president, and Karen Rees, nationally-recognized president of the Cass River Chapter.
According to Kotarak, who has been an ABWA member for 46 years, the Northeast Sunrise Charter Chapter was chartered in 1993. She approached Belle Flora, then owner of the Pack House Inn restaurant, seeking a venue for a first meeting; Flora became an inaugural member, and the chapter has been active ever since. The chapter has awarded over $75,000 in scholarships to women during its 29-year existence. The October meeting also saw the induction of its two newest members, Gaylynn Brenoel from the faculty of Northwood Institute and interim director of the Oscoda–AuSable Chamber of Commerce: and Tamara Peters, lodging and restaurant manager of Lakewood Shores Resort. During its September meeting, the chapter inducted its officers for the 2022–2023 term, including President Vicki Hopcroft, Vice President Dawn Kaiser, Treasurer Belle Flora, and Secretary Joanne Letourneau. Committee responsibilities were also designated at that meeting, including Membership Chair Lain MacKenzie; Program Chair Stephanie Mallak Olson; Professional Development and Education Chair Belle Flora; Banquet Chair Belinda Kusibab; Facebook Chair Joanne Letourneau; and Newsletter and Website Chair Judy Kotarak. For more information about the American Business Women’s Association, visit our Facebook page “ABWA Northeast Sunrise Charter Chapter,” or contact 2024 Membership Chair Belinda Kusibab 989-335-3920.