Kay Krapohl Smith, third from left, at the first Women’s Initiative Look Who’s Talking luncheon event in 2006.
‘Kay’s Way’ honors Kay Krapohl Smith by collecting personal hygiene products May 10-26
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More than half of all Isabella County residents live in poverty or can’t keep pace with the cost of living, even when working one or more jobs. And that was before COVID.
Now consider what women do when they can’t afford personal hygiene items to care for themselves or their daughters. Sometimes they can’t afford soap or shampoo. Sometimes they go without toothpaste or toothbrushes.
Kay Krapohl Smith.
Sometimes, they can’t buy supplies for their periods. One young woman at The Care Store said she made it through each month by stopping at gas station restrooms in order to roll up toilet paper to use.
Kay Krapohl Smith, daughter of Bob Krapohl, who founded Krapohl Ford & Lincoln with his brother, Harold, co-created the Women’s Initiative nearly 20 years ago through the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation to address needs and create empowering opportunities.
Her impact is the driving force behind Kay’s Way: The Women’s Initiative Drive to Support Women and Girls, May 10-26.
Working through The Care Store, the Women’s Initiative is collecting goods such as tampons, pads, hair products, lotion, soap, and bath, body and dental hygiene products.
Krapohl Ford & Lincoln is supporting the drive, with an F-150 truck in its showroom serving as a collection point for donated items. Krapohl also will have a special oil change day, May 26, donating 100% of all oil change purchases at Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center to The Care Store.
Weichert Realty on Broadway Street also will be a collection center, and individuals wanting to donate funds instead of dropping off goods may do so online through The Care Store.
“Kay Smith was a role model in our community through her deep support of women and girls,” said Erika Ross, who chairs the Women’s Initiative with Linda Coyne.
“We typically have a Kay’s Day social event each May that raises money for the Women’s Initiative. Kay’s Way pivots due to COVID, and yet continues to show the power of women and girls helping each other.”
The Women’s Initiative endowment launched in 2003 and now exceeds $500,000. It has granted more than $100,000 to local organizations, including funding phone/video-conference outpatient mental-health options last year after COVID-19 eliminated most in-person services.
Other grants have funded coats, boots, diapers, formula, tricycles and a lunch that introduced eighth-grade girls to careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
“Mom was a force for other women,” said Mark Smith, Kay’s son and third-generation co-owner and general manager of Krapohl. “Tom (Krapohl, current co-owner and Kay’s cousin) and I are excited to partner with the Women’s Initiative and Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation in advancing her legacy.”
When Kay passed away in 2008 at age 67, her obituary listed more than 20 volunteer organizations she served, mostly in leadership roles. She was the Mt. Pleasant Citizen of the Year in 2006.
The Care Store has had about 9,000 visits from local residents over the past year and is serving about 300 individuals/families a week during twice-monthly drive-up distributions at the William and Janet Strickler Nonprofit Center on High Street.
The Care Store typically works with social service agencies, schools and churches to provide personal hygiene and household cleaning products. It distributed more than $5,000 in feminine hygiene products January through March, Executive Director Kim McBryde said.
“It’s powerful for women to know their community cares about them,” she said. “I’m excited for everyone motivated by this drive, including 900-plus Women’s Initiative supporters and those just learning about Kay Krapohl Smith, to rally on behalf of all women and girls.”
Top 6 Women’s Supplies Needed by The Care Store
- Feminine hygiene/period products
- Soap, hand soap
- Shampoo, conditioner, styling products
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, lip balm
- Lotion, moisturizer
- Women’s shaving cream
The Care Store has a complete list of items it needs the most, including those beyond women’s personal care.
Longtime master technician Ray Garver to retire
Ray Garver joined the Krapohl Ford & Lincoln service team more than 40 years ago. He’s a lifelong learner and leader among service technicians.
Award-winning Service Tech also gives back to community
Ray Garver always was interested in cars, engines and anything mechanical. He soaked up anything about the automotive industry as a high school student, and then he went to Ferris State University for a two-year automotive program.
Garver’s father did business with Krapohl Ford & Lincoln with his trucking company about 50 years ago, which served as another inspiration that pushed Garver toward the automotive industry. He began looking for dealerships that were hiring and came across Krapohl. He was aware of the dealership’s reputation and decided that’s where he wanted to work as a Service Technician.
Ray Garver’s area of the service bay is legendary among Krapohl Ford & Lincoln employees. One toolbox also serves as a family album.
Now, more than 40 years later, Garver will retire April 30 from Krapohl as top-tier automotive technician who excels in teaching and helping others learn the trade. As an Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association World Class Technician, Garver continued to learn by regularly taking any technician training available.
“Everything changes every year,” Garver said. “You have to keep up with that or you can easily get behind.”
He is Ford Senior Master Certified and Automotive Service Excellence Certified in 25 areas, which got his name into the Automotive Hall of Fame. He’s also a 2007 Top Gun Automotive Competition Champion and finished in fourth place in the 2008 Ford Ultimate Master Technician Challenge.
“He’s earned so many awards and is master certified in just about anything,” Krapohl General Manager/Co-owner Mark Smith said. “And he’s gone well beyond that. He’s been very important to us.”
Outside of Garver’s Krapohl career, he’s involved in the community. He’s done work for Mid-Michigan Community College, worked at the tech center at Mt. Pleasant High School and he was on a national Ford technician panel. He currently serves on four college advisory programs, including the MMCC automotive advisory committee.
He also has a love for motorcycles — working on them and taking them for rides. He has several motorcycles and a few dirt bikes, and he created a set up for drag racing. And he appreciates time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Regarding Garver’s professional career, he loves to work with his hands and finds it rewarding to be able to take a vehicle apart, put it back together, and make customers happy. He’s going to miss his work, but what he’s going to miss most is “the people.”
“(Krapohl Co-owner Tom Krapohl for one, he’s the best boss ever,” Garver said. “I couldn’t say enough about that man.”
About six years ago, Garver had a minor finger accident in the shop and was taken to the hospital. He was only there for a short time, and not many people were aware of the accident. But Tom Krapohl was. He showed up at the hospital.
“He can’t believe how much that meant to me and my wife,” Garver said. “He really cares about his employees.”
Garver has had many exciting experiences and success while a part of the Krapohl family. From certifications to winning competitions to community work, Garver is proud of his accomplishments.
“I have to say it’s been a very rewarding career, and they [co-workers] supported me through it all,” he said.
Krapohl co-owner started Mount Pleasant youth soccer in late ’70s; investment continues today
“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.
A friend to customers and co-workers retires after 20 years with Krapohl
Thirty-six years working in the automotive industry are coming to an end this week for Kim Laurenz. The start of his career began with Ford Motor Co., and for the last 20 years he’s been a Service Advisor at Krapohl — a Ford Master Certified Service Advisor, to be exact.
Kim writes repair orders, figuring out estimates for customers and finalizing report orders.
Kim Laurenz, right, worked with customers at the service desk at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln for 20 years. He will retire Thursday, April 15.
In 2001, Kim saw a Krapohl Ford & Lincoln note in a newspaper that the dealership was hiring, so he sent in his resume. He’s been a service advisor ever since.
“He’s very knowledgeable and through,” Service Advisor Katelyn Wontorcik said. “He has a lot of experience because he’s done it for so long.”
During Kim’s automotive journey, he’s encountered personal challenges with life and his health. He said the past two decades at Krapohl have been rewarding and enjoyable. His favorite part about the job is the family-like atmosphere.
“You’re treated like family,” Kim said. “You can talk to anyone, and everyone gets along with each other.”
Respect and kindness from co-workers doesn’t only exist during hours of operation. Many Krapohl employees have great relationships with co-workers and enjoy each other’s company outside of the office. Once retired, he’s going to miss the people.
“As far as what I’ll miss about him is sharing a lot of stories back and forth,” Service Manager Jeff Slocum said. “It has always been a pleasure.”
In his free time, Kim enjoys watching NASCAR and Michigan State University sports, and being with his family. He’s also an elder at his church, Emmanuel Lutheran. Although he’s going to miss working at Krapohl, retirement is going to give him more time to do the things he loves.
“Thank you all for the help and for being family members,” he said. “I wish you all well and health in years to come.”
Dealership up to 904 solar panels after system expansion
The first 576 solar panels installed at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln went on the roof of the main sales and service building in 2017. Mark Smith, co-owner and general manager of the dealership, noticed an immediate difference in the electric bills.
“We saved about $25,000 a year,” Smith said.
Solar panels on top of the main sales and service building at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln.
In early March, 328 solar panels were added to the body shop and 74 to the reconditioning building. Smith expects the panels to supply more than 65 percent of all electrical needs at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln.
Solar is just one aspect of sustainability efforts at the dealership. Recycling, energy efficient lighting, and reuse of materials is part of everyday life in every building.
“I’ve always been interested in alternative energy sources,” Smith said. “At one time, I looked at windmills. Then I heard more about solar panels and tax credits. Some other companies we work with used solar, and I talked to them.”
He figures the solar panels, which have an estimated 30-year life, will pay for themselves in seven to nine years. “Even if it took 15 years, you still have another 15 years after that,” he said.
Instead, he’s found that panels need zero maintenance and snow melts quickly. When the first batch went in, Smith said he had concerns about longevity, maintenance and performance. Further, he can go online to see exactly how much electricity the panels generate.
Smith said Krapohl went with Michigan companies for both installations.
“I believe in protecting the environment, and I figured using solar would have a bigger impact with the business than at my house,” Smith said.
Among the other sustainability moves, Smith said a switch to LED lights made a difference. “The savings are amazing,” he said. “It’s about 90 percent less than what we used to use.”
Other sustainability efforts include:
- Oil-burning furnaces: The Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center generates a lot of used oil. Smith put in the first oil-burning furnace nearly 20 years ago, and he’s added to the system over the years. He’s up to “seven or eight” furnaces. “The new ones are more efficient and burn less oil. Oil that does not go into the furnaces is recycled. Oil filters are crushed to get all of the oil out of them.” That oil often bought and used to make asphalt or similar products.
- Cardboard, paper: “We have a LOT of cardboard. We recycle paper and cardboard. It’s just expected here. People learn it’s part of the job.” Boxes are often reused to ship parts and other materials.
- Tires: Tires with little wear are sold to a business. A tire recycling company collects ones not resold.
- Water safety: “When we clean dirt and oil off a part, we use recycled water so we are not discharging a chemical into the system,” Smith said.
- Batteries: Old batteries are sent to Ford or the battery manufacturer.
- Metal: Some is sold to a scrap metal facility.
- Re-use: “Wooden pallets are reused for shipping or storage. Anything we can re-use, we do.”
- Proper disposal: Chemicals such as air conditioning fluid and brake fluid are disposed of properly.
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.
Go ahead. Picture yourself behind the wheel of the all new Bronco. For just $10, it could happen.
The Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum is raffling off a three-day, two-night free rental of a Ford Bronco, courtesy of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. Tickets are $10, with 100% of the funds going to the museum. Tickets are available at Krapohl, the Discovery Museum and Mitchell’s Deli in Mt. Pleasant and Shepherd. They also are available online through the museum’s website.
The winner — two if more than 200 tickets are sold — will be drawn Friday, April 9. Winners may choose any size Bronco from Krapohl’s rental inventory, including the full-size Bronco, which is expected to arrive late this summer or fall. Winners must be 21 or older and will be able to use the Bronco any three days of the week.
“Krapohl Ford & Lincoln has been part of the Discovery Museum since its inception,” General Manager Mark Smith said. “My wife, Shelly, helped envision the museum. Kids truly are the future. And as life-long residents of Mount Pleasant, we want to ensure all children have a place to explore and play.”
Community involvement is a core value at Krapohl, the area’s only remaining locally owned and operated full-service dealership. Its 70 years of supporting local organizations include employees who volunteer and serve as board members, in-kind contributions, space for student-run car washes, and financial donations.
The Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum is one of Krapohl’s 12 community partners this year and is featured on one of its “Local Dealership; Local Commitment” billboards.
‘The Croods’ come to Krapohl Ford & Lincoln in benefit for Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum
UPDATE: ALL PARKING SPOTS CURRENTLY ARE FILLED! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE MT. PLEASANT DISCOVERY MUSEUM!
March 9, 2021
Contact: Sherry Knight — 734-277-5843; sherry.knight@paladincomm.net
In its ongoing quest to support the community, Krapohl Ford & Lincoln will set up a 30-foot drive-in movie screen on Saturday, March 20, and entertain area families with “The Croods: A New Age,” a new animated creation from DreamWorks Studios.
All proceeds from the donation-based event ($10 per vehicle suggested) will go to the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum. The children’s creativity, learning and play museum is reopening this week after months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eighty parking spots are available and must be reserved in advance. For details, visit the Facebook page of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln or Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum.
“With the Discovery Museum not being able to hold an event in almost a year, this movie is so exciting,” Executive Director Lisa Phelps said. “It’s getting us — and the families we serve — out of survival mode and breathing life back into us.”
“This drive-in movie is another way we can be a part of people’s lives. It’s a way to celebrate the first day of spring and to encourage families to visit the museum again,” she said.
Krapohl and Isabella Bank, long-time museum supporters, are sponsoring the 8 p.m. movie.
In addition to entry donations, tickets for a 50/50 raffle will be sold that evening before the movie.
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 70th 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.
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