The 2021 Krapohl Car Show was our largest ever
More than 200 cars — antiques, classics and hot rods — took over the lot at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln on Thursday, Aug. 19. Hundreds of people came out to see the variety of vehicles, listen to music from DJ Dwayne and enjoy free pizza.
We hope you were among the many who stopped by, ignored the heat and took part in the largest version of a Krapohl Car Show. If not, we invite you to join us in 2022 when we do it again.
Thank you to the participants, the spectators, the many pizza shops who cranked out enough pizza to feed our friends.
Below are images from this year’s show.
A collection of Ford GT Supercars drew a lot of attention.
A close look at a white Ford Thunderbird.
A classic Ford Thunderbird was part of the morning arrivals.
Two of the three new 58-foot bays at Krapohl Body Shop and Custom Accessories. The third is a paint bay. (Photo by Steve Jessmore)
RVs, semi-trailers and large vans are growing market
Construction of a 4,524-square-foot addition is complete at the Krapohl Body Shop in Mount Pleasant. Two repair bays and a 58-foot paint booth now support Krapohl’s expanding work with recreational vehicles, semi-tractor-trailers and transit vans.
Body Shop Manager Kevin Telfor, right, discusses a repair issue with Andrew Taylor.
“Customers made it clear to us three years ago there was a need regionally for RV body repair and paint work, and our work in this area has grown steadily each year,” Body Shop Manager Kevin Telfor said. “Not all body shops have the capacity or expertise to handle these larger vehicles.”
Customers are bringing their RVs and semi-trailers from more than two hours away. Telfor said Krapohl Ford and Lincoln’s 70-year reputation, as well as its position as the only locally owned and operated full-service dealership, speak loudly to customers.
Krapohl is a “direct repair program” body shop for multiple insurance companies. As a result, more than half of its vehicle repair estimates are done by Krapohl staff, without customers having to wait for their insurers to send adjusters. The body shop serves all makes and models of vehicles.
“Customers understand the Krapohl name means something,” Telfor said. “They know we’re family owned and that our reputation is on the line every day, with every customer.”
Telfor said he or another member of the Krapohl Body Shop and Custom Accessories team often travel to RV owners’ homes to discuss repairs and provide estimates.
The Krapohl Body Shop is the largest in the area.
Kitchen relies on community businesses and individual donations, volunteers
On a sunny, mild Wednesday, 10 vehicles lined up at the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen before noon. A few people walked up or waited patiently near their bicycles.
Volunteers prepare for a day of distributing food by move packaged meals from the kitchen to an outdoor shed.
Rich Fleming, Denny Martin and other community volunteers at the Soup Kitchen were ready. White bags of cold and hot food lined a shelf inside a bright red shed at the edge of the parking lot. Greetings and playful banter was part of the food delivery between the regulars who count on the Soup Kitchen and the volunteers.
The scene is quite a change from where staff and volunteers expected to be before COVID hit. The longtime site of the Soup Kitchen on Harris Street in Mount Pleasant underwent a renovation in 2019, resulting in a larger dining area and updated bathroom facilities.
Now the dining room is used as a staging area for the drive-through service. And where the Soup Kitchen regularly served about 100 meals each day before the pandemic, it now takes 225 to 275 meals to meet community needs.
“We had to pivot from congregated dining to a safe, no-contact, drive-through service,” said Sarah Adkins, the executive director for the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen. “When we saw that the situation was going to continue into the winter, we bought the shed to help with the drive-through service.”
Adkins said she hopes to resume indoor dining later this year. Plans to renovate and update equipment in the kitchen in September are on track. Krapohl Ford & Lincoln recently contributed to the kitchen campaign, and the Soup Kitchen is the dealership’s community partner for the month of August.
Adkins said the Soup Kitchen, from the staff and regular volunteers to how well it runs is because of strong, ongoing community support.
Sarah Adkins, the executive director of the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, grew up in Mount Pleasant and said she jumped at the opportunity to return to Isabella County in a role where she could help people.
“What the community donates is important,” Adkins said. “Without their support, we don’t feed people. I often say the Soup Kitchen is divinely blessed. It seems every time we run out of something, that is the day the item is donated. The support for the last 30 years has been amazing. I have people calling at key times asking, ‘How can I help?’ Or it’s, ‘Hey, I just shot a deer, can I donate it?’ (Yes, as long as the deer was butchered at a licensed facility.)”
“We are on the receiving end of so much love and support.”
The Soup Kitchen receives food from Sam’s Club, Meijer, Target, Ric’s, Robaire’s Bakery and Doughnut Shop, Panera Bread, Max & Emily’s, Central Michigan University catering and others, Adkins said.
In July, 24,000 pounds of food were donated to the Soup Kitchen. Much of it was prepared and delivered at the Soup Kitchen. What wasn’t needed, the Soup Kitchen shared with other outlets. “We share excess with five or six other food pantries,” Adkins said. “On some levels, we’re also a distribution center.”
Adkins said the people the Soup Kitchen serves covers a cross section of the community: senior citizens, homeless, young couples with children, etc.
All are welcome, she said.
“The only question we ask is, ‘How many meals do you need?’ ”
The future home of GreenTree Cooperative Grocery is part of a 10,000-square foot building on Broadway, sandwiched between City Hall and Mountain Town Station.
Like Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, cooperative grocery started in downtown Mount Pleasant
The “For Sale” sign is outside at GreenTree Cooperative Grocery, just off the sidewalk on North Franklin Street and sheltered by mature trees.
GreenTree has been in its current location since 1977.
Future occupants likely can take possession after October, after the longtime grocery moves into its new home: A 10,000-square-foot space that is part of an $18 million, 50,000-square-foot building project on Broadway, sandwiched between City Hall and Mountain Town Station.
The GreenTree Cooperative Grocery and Krapohl Ford & Lincoln relationship started in 1970 as neighbors in downtown Mount Pleasant. The growing auto dealership was at 114 Court Street and the grocery was at 1 Franklin Street. The grocery, known for offering produce and food from local and Michigan-based producers, opened just as Krapohl was packing to move to its current location on Pickard. In its early days it was open three days a week. By 1977, GreenTree had moved to its current location.
GreenTree can trace its roots to 1970 on 1 Franklin Street, when it was open three days a week. (Photo courtesy of Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University.)
Krapohl staff members have supported GreenTree over the years, and some are among the investors in what will become its new home. The campaign has a goal of $1 million of the total $3.2 million cost, and more than $820,000 has been invested.
“My wife, Shelly, and I have been members at GreenTree for many years,” Krapohl co-owner and general manager Mark Smith said. “We also have supported this campaign. More than ever, our community-owned grocery is going to pull people downtown.”
GreenTree is Krapohl’s featured community partner for July as its leadership hopes it can complete its ongoing campaign this month. Those interested in investing — there is an annual dividend for investors — can visit GreenTree’s website.
Sarah Christensen, general manager at GreenTree, said 160 people and businesses are invested in the project, which will give customers more space to park, more room to shop and a wider variety of choices.
“It’s the biggest downtown project in progress, and we’re looking forward to being an even more vital part of a vibrant downtown,” Christensen said.
Longtime favorite items will make the move to Broadway and continue to be part of Greentree, said Christensen and Laura Coffee, marketing and owner services manager. Christensen said the chocolate, dietary alternatives, such as non-dairy ice cream and non-dairy cheese, are among her favorites.
“The non-dairy cheese is good now, not like it was when it first came out,” she said.
Both Christensen and Coffee said the daily soups and the served-all-day breakfast burritos will continue. The regular Wednesday soup special — Glorious Laksa — is the most popular. Christensen said vegan breakfast burritos outsell the sausage version, “but both are popular.”
Coffee said the bulk spice row is among her favorite areas of the store. And the Buckeye bars, in square form and sold by single or a pack — “or even a whole tray” — have a following.
Bob Yost recently retired from Krapohl Ford & Lincoln after more than 20 years as an assistant sales manager. Recently, he stopped in to pick up a 2000 Cadillac DeVille he purchased from Krapohl.
As longtime assistant sales manager, Bob took on all challenges
For more than 20 years, Bob Yost was an assistant sales manager for Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. He supervised the sales team, appraised trade-ins, approved deals on vehicles, collaborated with the service department for the inspection of used cars and, of course, provided quality service to customers.
Bob also was a private investigator for 16 years before taking a job at a different Ford dealership before coming to Krapohl in 2000. When he choose Krapohl as his place of work, many factors came into play, including its reputation and being a brand he respected.
Bob recently retired from Krapohl. He didn’t want a party or any special recognition on his last day in May. That said, he’ll have to endure a blog post.
“We counted on Bob a lot over the years,” said Krapohl co-owner and general manager Mark Smith. “Wherever and whenever we had a need in the sales department, he took on the challenge.”
With any and all careers, challenges and rewards are a given. Economic downturns are one challenge Bob endured with the sales team. Although downturns created an exacting environment for him and co-workers, there’s always light on the other side. For some, it may be making a difference in the community or finding the right vehicle for a customer. For Bob, it was the people he worked with on a daily basis.
“This is the best set of owners and co-workers of any place I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Bob valued how everyone treats each other at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, and he appreciated co-workers’ company inside and outside of the workplace.
“We get together once in a while,” he said. “We’ve played cornhole outside of here (Sales & Service building) and some of us have bowled together.”
As a Canadian Lakes resident, he spends free time boating, playing golf, remodeling homes and riding motorcycles. Dave Haywood, Krapohl general sales manager, is a close friend and they regularly ride together.
Along with Bob’s hobbies, he organized the team of retirees that helps Krapohl transport vehicles across the region. Now that he is retired, he plans to put himself on the list to be one of the drivers.
“Gosh, I don’t know how you put it into words,” said Courtney Dennis, Krapohl rental cashier. “Bob is a lifesaver. Bob thinks of other people before himself.”
Considering his experiences with customers, vehicles and economic challenges, the thing he will miss most about his time at the dealership are “the people.”
“I want to thank all of them for the way I’ve been treated for all these years,” Bob said.
Keija Booker, a sixth-grader at Renaissance Public School Academy, is a veteran Art Reach banner designer.
Young artist used the Krapohl 1969 Mustang GT as a model
The blue 1969 Mustang GT, part of the Krapohl Ford & Lincoln collection, served as the model for Keija Booker’s winning entry in our contest.
It’s easy to understand why Keija Booker won Krapohl Ford & Lincoln’s Art Reach banner contest. Booker, who is wrapping up sixth grade at Renaissance Public School Academy, is a veteran Art Reach banner designer.
“I’ve done five, including two this year,” she said, noting one of the 2021 banners is a giraffe with rainbow spots. “I did a parrot, a dolphin, a deer …”
And now a Mustang.
Keija’s contest-winning banner shows the front view of the classic blue Krapohl Ford & Lincoln 1969 GT Mustang with a shaker hood. The banner hangs on Main Street, just above the Boge, Wybenga & Bradley, P.C., sign at 215 N. Main.
“I’ve never done a car before,” she said. “I looked at a photo of the Mustang and changed it up to how I would like it.”
Her banner is one of about 300 in the Festival of Banners put on by Art Reach of Mid Michigan. The banners are displayed on the streets of Mount Pleasant, Union Township and Shepherd and the campus of McLaren Central Michigan.
Keija also was an Art Reach of Mid Michigan winner in 2018 when a planter she painted with images of Michigan plants and trees earned the People Choice Award as part of Art Flair.
She used the gift card she won this year from Krapohl Ford & Lincoln to buy her first skateboard.
Tommy Watson, center, played football and was on the track and field team for Alma High School. Also shown are his mother, Sarah, and his father, Tim.
Special day will honor memory of Tommy Watson’s generous nature
Update: Thank you, all! The oil change day in honor of Tommy Watson raised $4,272 for Pineview and Hillcrest Avenue elementary schools in Alma.
We often donate a day of oil change sales to a nonprofit group or special cause. On Friday, we’re supporting a cause close to our hearts.
All oil changes sales at Quick Lane Tire & Auto, located at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, will honor the giving spirit of Alma High School sophomore Tommy Watson, who died at age 16 in February in a snowmobiling accident.
Sales from oil changes Friday at Quick Lane Tire & Auto will honor the memory of Tommy Watson.
Tommy, the grandson of dealership co-owner Tom and Mary Krapohl, is missed every day by his family and friends. His mother, Sarah, shares this story:
Tommy began attending Alma public schools in second grade. I have a story from third grade — Mr. Arthur Faustman’s class — to share.
I was preparing to go to Tommy’s first conference of the school year and had planned to discuss my concerns with the fact that Tommy had no school supplies left. The little caddy that I sent him to school stocked with markers, pencils, erasers and colored pencils was almost empty. Tommy was a quiet boy and transitioned from St. Mary’s School the year prior, and I was sure the other kids were taking his stuff.
All set as mama bear protecting her cub, I planned to bring school supplies to the conference for everyone so the kids would stop taking Tommy’s stuff and to let the teacher know what was going on. Mr. Faustman and I sat down, and I handed him the bag of supplies and explained my perception of the situation.
He chuckled and said with a smile, “Tommy is probably the most well-liked boy in this entire class, Mrs. Watson. All the kids LOVE him, and he is so kind. He does not have any school supplies because if ANYONE in the class needs something, he gives them his.”
Because of Tommy’s kindness, in his honor, we would like to donate money to be spent on school supplies for the kids at Hillcrest and Pine Avenue elementary schools in Alma. We are so thankful that Krapohl Ford is planning an oil change in his memory on June 11 (the day before his birthday) with ALL proceeds going toward this cause.
We would like to thank everyone who will be working at Quick Lane that day. This is bigger for us than just a normal day’s work, and you are doing something to honor an amazing young man who is so missed and loved. I pray that you are blessed. Think about Tommy’s kindness and help carry it on, pay it forward!
Thank you!
Sarah Watson
Krapohl supports organization’s goal of making art accessible to all
More than 300 colorful banners are on display in Mount Pleasant, Union Township, Shepherd and at McLaren Central Michigan as part of the annual Festival of Banners put on by Art Reach of Mid Michigan.
The Festival of Banners also has meaning for Mark Smith, general manager and co-owner of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. Smith and current Art Reach board member George Rouman were among a group of Mount Pleasant leaders who served on Vision 2020 two decades ago. The banners were one of many ideas to come from the various committees, and the ongoing success of the festival has been maintained by Art Reach.
“I like the banner festival,” Smith said. “My kids, our employees’ and friends’ kids participate in it. It’s fun to go around and find them. The banners create a festive atmosphere around town.”
Art Reach offers a variety of classes for children and adults such as painting, drawing, photography and crafts.
As Art Reach of Mid Michigan celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, Krapohl Ford & Lincoln is one of the sponsors of the Festival of Banners. Art Reach is one of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln’s 12 community partners this year and will be featured on the Krapohl Facebook page in June.
Amy Powell, executive director of Art Reach, said the Festival of Banners is an example of making art accessible to all in the community.
“We want kids, older adults and those without extra funds for recreation to engage in the arts,” Powell said. “With the Festival of Banners, we end up with public art hanging in the community.”
Brian Smith and Kay Krapohl Smith, Mark Smith’s parents, encouraged his love of art.
“They were passionate about art: music, dance, sculptures, paintings,” he said. “We always had some bizarre art in our house, often from local artists. Dad’s from England and was in Denmark for 10 years. He was in bands and played guitar. They both liked performance art. Mom did some singing and dancing. They were also involved with theater at CMU.”
Smith’s home has several pieces of art purchased from the Art Reach gallery and his wife, Shelly, and their sons took an online painting class during the COVID lockdown.
Art Reach is much more than banners
Explore the Art Reach website for a full listing of classes.
Art Reach, located in downtown Mount Pleasant, offers a variety of classes taught by artists. Many are skill-building courses, such as one earlier this year on drawing fundamentals. The eight-week class explored the practice and theories of drawing with pencils.
“We also have classes in watercolors, colored pencils, photography — we’re getting a lot of requests for photography,” she said. “And with COVID, we learned virtual courses work. That’s one of the lessons from 2020.”
The most popular program for adults is Brews and Brushes, where participants sip on a favorite beverage while an artist guides the class to create their own version of a painting. For children 6 and older, Mini Masters classes help them create acrylic paintings of subjects kids enjoy, like animals.
“We’re always trying to find ways to create programs that are new and innovative,” Powell said.
Art Reach will launch two new programs in July:
- Club Create of Mid Michigan, a Michigan Arts Access program for adults with disabilities: Classes will be offered the second Thursday of each month beginning in July. “It is social interaction and art,” Powell said. “There is nothing like this in this part of the state. Our hope is it will still be around 40 years from now.” Sign up for Club Create on the Art Reach website. Cost is $3 per class.
- Coldwater Art Camp: A staff member came up with the idea of a summer art camp for children and parents. The camp, July 19-July 21, consists of two half-days and one full day of arts and crafts, with free time and campfires built in. For information, call 773-3689 or visit the Art Reach gallery at 111 E. Broadway.
Tammy Mitchell picked up her new red F-150 on Friday, May 28, 2021.
Showroom truck served as collection site for supply drive
Tammy Mitchell will drive back to Harrison today in her new 2021 Rapid Red Ford F-150 4×4 Supercrew from Krapohl Ford & Lincoln.
She wanted to pick up the vehicle earlier this week, but it served as the collection site in Krapohl’s showroom for items dropped off as part of Kay’s Way: The Women’s Initiative Drive to Support Women and Girls.
No problem, Tammy said.
The Ford F-150 served as the collection site for the supply drive.
The drive to fill the F-150 ended Thursday with the truck bed filled with shampoo, lotion, dental hygiene products, tampons, pads, hair products and more.
Now Tammy can have her dream vehicle and get back her business. The dog groomer of 35 years launched Bark and Bathe in Harrison four years ago. It’s a busy time as people have their pups groomed heading into the warmer summer months. At Bark and Bathe, Tammy provides grooming, nail trims, nail grinding, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, baths, brushing and haircuts for all breeds.
Funny thing is, Tammy really wasn’t in the market for a new truck. She was about halfway through a lease of a Ford Ranger, and she was fond of it because it reminded her of a Ranger she drove in the late 1990s. Then she saw a blue F-150 in the showroom at Krapohl. Her husband, Richard, encouraged her to get it. She told sales team member James Yun she’d love to have it.
“James worked out a buyout of the lease, but by then the blue truck was gone,” Tammy said.
To which James responded, “We do have a nice red one …”
‘It’s almost like a day off’
Retirees play key role for Krapohl Ford & Lincoln by moving vehicles across state
Larry Theisen was a salesman at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln for 32 years. Now retired, he regularly shows up at the dealership to travel the state and deliver cars with a group of fellow retirees. Most of the drivers used to work together, so it’s an opportunity to rekindle friendships.
“When I retired, I said if they need a driver to let me know,” Theisen said.
From left to right, Ed Allen, Ron Haskell and Tom Schaefer pause just before leaving to bring vehicles back to Krapohl Ford & Lincoln in February 2021.
The group of retirees move approximately 125 to 150 cars per year, half new and the other half used. Once a month they travel in a group to deliver used cars and the other times they travel solo to trade new ones. Sometimes the drivers will pick up a part along the way, but it’s mostly to transport and trade vehicles.
“They’re very important to the store for a couple reasons,” General Sales Manager and organizer of retiree drivers Dave Haywood said. “They [the group] save us money on hiring a transport company and they’re usually quicker than a transport company.”
“And to the drivers it’s nice because when they’re retired it allows them to have a part time job and to make some extra money.”
With Theisen’s auction experience and being in good health, helping the dealership by delivering cars is a simple way to spend his retirement.
“When you’re retired, it’s something to do. And we all know each other, which makes it fun,” Theisen said.
The drivers say the camaraderie built through years of work at Krapohl leads to constant banter, inside jokes and conversations that are sure to solve the world’s problems.
Mark Smith, co-owner and general manager at Krapohl, said the dealership has relied on retirees for decades to transport vehicles.
“Many of them worked for us for years, and it helps to have drivers who understand the business and can problem solve if something goes wrong on a trip, such as a car not working when they go to pick it up,” Smith said. “And we have others — one is a retired Michigan state trooper — who know the roads.
“Bottom line, it’s a group we count on.”
Ron Haskell spent 20 years as a service technician. Prior to his last day at Krapohl, he was approached by management and told he could be on the list to drive. He’s been a driver for 10 years.
When traveling across the region, drivers spend a lot of time talking about the good old days and, of course, common interests such as hunting, fishing and sports.
“It is a gang of guys who goof off and tease each other and talk about things that happen to them,” Haskell said.
For some, driving for Krapohl post-retirement wasn’t on their radar. Tom Shafer was a mechanic at Krapohl for 35 years who enjoyed conversations with the retirees.
“They always seemed to have a good time,” Shafer said. Still, he wasn’t sure he wanted to become one of the retirees who show up, get into a van to head to an auction site and drive a vehicle back to Mount Pleasant.
“They said, ‘Just try it once.’ I did, and it’s kind of interesting. It’s almost like a day off, even though you are retired,” Shafer said.
The drivers say they appreciate Krapohl’s values and how it operates, which turns out to be another motivator when choosing to drive after retiring. Krapohl’s involvement with the community means a lot to the group.
Andy Spence was a controller for 40 years and said Krapohl’s management differs from other dealerships. It’s “a lot lower turnover, even on the sales floor,” Spence said. “We’d get to know people better, and I thought that helped with customers, too.”
Cliff Anderson was a service manager at Krapohl for more than three decades.
“I like to come back to the place where I worked for 33 years and see people who I used to work with,” Anderson said. “I also like helping out the dealership.”
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