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“Local dealership, local commitment” is a long-held value Krapohl Ford & Lincoln has been involved with youth soccer since co-owner Brian Smith and others started the local program in the late 1970s. It’s a commitment to community the dealership continues today. Brian Smith, one of the founders of youth soccer in Mount Pleasant and former co-owner of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, now lives in Florida. Former Central Michigan men's soccer coach Jim Hornak was one of the driving forces behind the start of youth soccer in Mount Pleasant in the 1970s. T-shirts, soccer balls and homemade goals were part of the youth soccer movement in the 1970s. That's Brian Smith in the back row, far right. Smith was born and raised in England, where soccer was big. In his 20s, he moved to Denmark and played on a semi-pro team. After life brought him to Mount Pleasant and he became a co-owner of the Krapohl dealership. With a son interested in soccer, he figured it was time area children had a chance to play the sport he loves. He partnered with then-Central Michigan University club soccer coach Jim Hornak and the Mt. Pleasant Optimist Cub. More than 700 boys and girls, ages 5 to 13, signed up to play the first year, on Sundays at fields set up at Pullen Elementary. The goals were made from discarded oil field pipe. “We only charged a small amount, and we never turned a kid away,” Smith said. “The Optimist Club always kicked in money. Krapohl would buy the shirts and kids picked them up at the dealership.” Hornak, who went on to be the CMU men’s varsity coach from 1978-1992, relied on CMU’s club players to serve as referees. Some players also conducted clinics and helped coach. The turnout from the community surprised Hornak. “It amazed us, actually,” he said. “Parents didn’t know much about soccer other than it was a great activity for kids.” In 1984, Smith helped start the Mt. Pleasant High School boys’ team and a year later spurred the addition of a girls’ team. That involvement continues today, with the Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club one of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln’s 12 community partners this year. This week, Mark Smith, a third-generation owner of the dealership and Brian Smith’s son, said Krapohl will again sponsor the purchase of soccer balls for youth soccer. The club is featured on one of Krapohl’s new “Local Dealership; Local Commitment” billboards. It also has received a donation from Krapohl for scholarships and awards, in part for children and families struggling to afford soccer due to the pandemic. Jim Hornak towers over one of the first youth soccer teams in the 1970s. Boys and girls were welcome to play in the new program. “When I got to Mount Pleasant, I played racquetball and handball at the university,” Brian Smith said. “I met Jim Hornak and learned about his work with CMU’s soccer club. His son, Dave, was about Mark (Smith’s) age — about 10 or 11. And we both said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a program here?’ ” Hornak’s club team also donated old soccer balls to the new junior league. Today, more than 250 youth participate in Mt. Pleasant soccer, through the club and high school. “Krapohl Ford & Lincoln is invested in the families of our community,” said Joshua Smith, Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club president (and not a relative of the Krapohl Smiths). “Brian Smith’s efforts have benefitted thousands of kids. That his son, Mark, continues Krapohl’s investment says much about the dealership and its values.” Mark Smith said youth sports teach children to work in teams and care for each other, to be leaders, and to be physically fit. “We at Krapohl feel a responsibility to children and families. We’re involved because it matters,” said Mark, who was on Mt. Pleasant High School’s first soccer team. Krapohl is the area’s only remaining, locally owned and operated full-service auto dealership.

Preserves offer more than 600 acres of pure nature The ongoing pandemic changed everything. Businesses closed for stretches or opened at a reduced capacity. For many, 2020 was a life of work from home, learn from home and home delivery. And, it seems, we wanted to explore the outdoors. The more than 600 acres over 22 preserves that make up the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy had its busiest year in terms of visitors hiking, running trails, watching birds and enjoying nature. “It was an explosion of activity for us,” said Alexis Wixson, the development and outreach coordinator for the Watershed Conservancy. This year, the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy is challenging its visitors: Download the Passport to Adventure sponsored by Krapohl Ford & Lincoln and take on some of the 50 adventures listed. Some are as simple as visiting a preserve. Others include: A sunrise hike at Bundy Hill Preserve; a full-moon hike at any of the preserves; paddle the Chippewa River; paddle Coldwater Lake to Kjolhede’s Kove Preserve; and find a porcupine den tree The Watershed Conservancy is our community partner for the month of April. You’ll learn more about the preserves on our Facebook page and on this blog. Krapohl Ford & Lincoln also will promote and participate in a volunteer event later this month to help rid a preserve of an invasive species. We hope you’ll find a way to join us that day to help maintain the preserves, which stretch over Isabella, Clare, Gratiot, Mecosta and Montcalm counties.

The reconditioning team cleans and disinfects vehicles at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. It also includes an expert on Great Lakes shipping in part-timer Sam Hankinson, a senior at Central Michigan University. Sam Hankinson, a senior at Central Michigan University, works with the reconditioning team at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. Sam spent the past two summers as an intern at the Port of Monroe, and he contributed to a recent study from the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy on Great Lakes commercial ports. The study, featured in December on lessenberryink.com, found Michigan lags behind other states in how it funds and uses ports to drive its own economy. “The last few semesters have been a balancing act of school, Krapohl, work with the port, plus some extracurriculars,” said Sam, a logistics management major at CMU. He also continues work remotely for the Port of Monroe. Sam writes “Ships Log,” a column in the Grand Haven Tribune that tracks ships and cargo on Lake Michigan. He grew up in Grand Haven, and said he’s always been fascinated by the ships. He also is a contributor to the 2021 “Know Your Ships” book, which will be released March 25. The annual book is a field guide to watching ships on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. After graduation, Sam hopes to land a full-time role, perhaps with the Port of Monroe. “I’m just excited to be part of an industry that is so historic and important,” he said.

HATS among 12 partner organizations to benefit; will receive 50% of oil change sales Jan. 29 Krapohl Ford & Lincoln kicks off a year-long community involvement campaign this month with a focus on the Humane Animal Treatment Society — the first of 12 local partners. Krapohl Ford & Lincoln co-owner Tom Krapohl and HATS executive director Angela Miedema stand by a Mustang in Mount Pleasant. Krapohl Ford & Lincoln highlighted its support of HATS in January 2021. HATS will receive 50% of all oil change sales Friday, Jan. 29 at the Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center at Krapohl. The fund drive will support HATS in providing shelter, medical care and forever homes to homeless and lost pets. HATS is Isabella County’s only nonprofit animal welfare and humane society. “HATS changes lives — of pets and their forever families,” Krapohl General Manager Mark Smith said. “Krapohl has long supported HATS, and the past year with COVID-19 has reminded us once again that pets help us get through the toughest of times.” Half of all sales of Quick Lane oil change gift certificates sold Jan. 29 also will benefit HATS. Community involvement is a core value at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, the area’s only remaining locally owned and operated full-service dealership. Its ongoing support of local organizations includes employee volunteers and board members, in-kind contributions, space for student-run car washes, and financial donations. Three new Krapohl billboards with the tagline, “Local Dealership. Local Commitment.” feature HATS, the Discovery Museum and Mt. Pleasant Soccer. Each will receive a donation and be featured in monthly promotions from the dealership. Two other billboards celebrate the dealership’s 70 th anniversary. “Communities and residents across mid-Michigan have supported us for seven decades,” said Smith, who is a third-generation owner of the dealership. “Giving back is a value that started with my grandfather and his brother (Bob and Harold Krapohl), was continued by my dad (Brian Smith), and that Tom (Krapohl) and I stress to this day. “Helping neighbors and friends — those we know and those we’ve yet to meet — is not only our responsibility, it’s a way of life. We’re hoping to expand a sense of community at a time when it’s needed more than ever.” HATS Executive Director Angela Miedema said Krapohl’s support and publicity are significant. “Partners like Krapohl Ford & Lincoln make it possible for HATS to serve our region well,” Miedema said. “Every kitten, cat, puppy, dog or other animal we take in requires funding so we can place it with a loving home. Thank you so much, Krapohl Ford!” HATS in 2020 took in 591 animals, facilitated 441 adoptions, returned 121 pets to owners, donated more than 10,000 pounds of pet food to those in need, and performed 1,646 low-cost spay and neuter surgeries to decrease pet overpopulation and homelessness.

Front-line and essential workers are welcome to receive a free oil change and tire rotation at Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln in Mount Pleasant. “Like every community, we have had a large number of people dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to work and provide necessary services,” said Mark Smith, general manager and co-owner at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. “We want to thank these vital people — our neighbors, friends, familiar faces — with a tangible reward. An oil change and tire rotation give us a way to thank them in person.” Essential workers from Isabella County and the region can take advantage of the offer in three easy steps: Download the FordPass Rewards app on a smartphone. Note: It is not necessary to own a Ford automobile to participate. Register on FordPass Rewards with your name and email and choose Krapohl Ford & Lincoln as your primary dealership. There are other fields, but it is not necessary to fill them all out. Essential workers then would email FordPass@krapohl.com along with a photo of their workplace verification and with their FordPass Rewards username. This moves allows a Quick Lane representative to add the necessary points to their FordPass Rewards account for a complimentary The Works oil change package. Workplace verification can be a work ID, business card, essential worker letter or name tag. Instead of emailing Krapohl, essential workers can opt to visit Quick Lane at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, 1415 E. Pickard, where a representative will add points to the account. Points must be added to a FordPass Rewards account by June 30, although The Works service is available at any time. No appointment is necessary at Quick Lane, which can be reached at 989-953-8473. See krapohl.com for more information.