Business After Hours (BAH) is a recurring event organized through the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, always held from 5 to 7 p.m. Each month, a different Chamber member (or members) sponsor the event, the location of which also changes each month. Open to the public, BAH offers businesspeople and patrons the opportunity to learn about services in the area.

May 2026’s BAH was sponsored by three entities that provide essential services to Delta County and beyond: the Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA), the Daily Press and Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency (MDSCAA). It was hosted at the DATA headquarters on 27th Avenue North in Escanaba. Bucket prizes were donated by a sizable number of area businesses. Profits from the evening’s 50/50 raffle went towards Community Action’s Adult Day Services.

After a period of time during which people chatted, bought raffle tickets, ate food provided by Bobaloon’s, drank refreshments supplied by Bink’s Coca-Cola and Pike Distributors, and tested their luck in bucket raffles, several speakers addressed the crowd.

On DATA:

Susan Gartland shared that programs through the Community Action Agency help take the burden off of family caregivers, as exemplified with her aunt and uncle. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Brenda Crow, who coordinates Mix and Mingle events for people with special needs and their friends and families, belongs to Friends of DATA.

She said that DATA helps a variety of people — including herself when she had an injury years ago that kept her from driving.

“My kids have used DATA to go back and forth to school and driver’s ed when I couldn’t take them. So, DATA has been extremely important to me and to my family, and a lot of my kids’ friends have used DATA,” Crow said.

Regarding the Mix and Mingle and other similar events for people with a range of abilities, Crow said, “We use DATA often. It’s the only way a lot of our folks can get to and from our events. It increases independence for them. They’re able to come to the event by themselves, engage, see, and meet people. DATA has provided transportation to and from medical appointments, social outings for them to go see their friends, family, and all those things are extremely important.”

At present, DATA is only able to provide rides in about half the county; places in Delta without access are Wells, Cornell, Baldwin, Maple Ridge, Nahma, Garden and Fairbanks Townships. However, a millage proposal appearing on ballots in August asks for support to increase access not only to those additional places, but also with extended hours.

Attendees of Business After Hours at DATA talk and eye up raffle prizes. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

“I strongly urge a yes vote on the data millage on Aug. 4,” said Direct Care Worker Cassie Evans on behalf of Helping Hands. “Every day we see how the lack of a millage isolates vulnerable residents in Wells Township, who currently have to pay three times the standard fare just to access the community. Passing the millage is an investment in human dignity and independence for our seniors and neighbors with disabilities. Furthermore, it directly supports our local economy by helping workers without vehicles get to their jobs, solving a major hurdle for employers. It will cost taxpayers pennies, but it will mean the world to our community’s freedom, safety, and economic future.”

Lisa LaLonde spoke gratefully about DATA’s life-changing service when her mother was in a wheelchair.

“It was hard for me to get her anywhere … so I would use the DATA bus. It was very, very reasonable,” LaLonde said, noting that companions ride free. “It was the only way I could get her to a restaurant, here and there, from the nursing home, and I know that (DATA) wants to expand into maybe weekends and things … that would have been wonderful for me.”

Others who have seen the benefits of the local transit system, including current DATA riders, shared stories as well.

A massive amount of meat and cheese and more, provided by Bobaloons, fed the approximately 125 attendee's of this month's Business After Hours. (Photo courtesy of Mark Ammel)

On MDSCAA:

Based in Escanaba but serving three whole counties, MDS Community Action Agency was founded in 1965 and provides a number of services to people in need — activities for seniors, home weatherization, assistance with water and utility bills.

Kristie Stenlund, senior services director, said that adult day services is just “one program that’s under our umbrella of our Senior Services department,” which, in turn, is just one part of Community Action Agency.

“Under our Senior Services department, we have in-home services. We provide many, many in-home meals for Wheels on Wheels. We have a transit system in Menominee, as well as our adult day services program,” Stenlund said. Kitchens and senior centers are throughout the tri-county area.

“We offer individuals with dementia an opportunity to continue to reside in their homes, participate in the community, and to provide support and respite to caregivers. Our program is especially prepared to meet the needs of those with dementia. I just want to let everyone know, dementia is not an age-related disease,” said another speaker for MDSCAA. “No individual who is eligible with a diagnosis of dementia is turned away, no matter their income. …We have wonderful staff who are patient, caring, loving, who strive to enhance the abilities of the participants and encourage their independence. We offer an opportunity for positive interaction and socialization.”

John Jamison spoke to introduce himself as the new Veteran Service Officer for Delta County and to share how successfully the Daily Press spreads the word about Toys for Tots each year. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Susan Gartland spoke about her Auntie Bev and Uncle Bill with obvious adoration. She mentioned that the couple had a “beautiful love story” and that Bev used to drive a dump truck at the paper mill.

“But as time progressed, we learned about this terrible disease as it affected our family,” Gartland said. “This program helped in two ways. First of all, it provided a very safe place for Aunt Bev to go to, where she interacted with people. She had a daily routine … so it gave her purpose. Secondly, it helped Bill, because as a spouse with somebody suffering this disease, you become the 24/7 caretaker, and you’re not equipped to do that. Nobody is, and he needed help. He didn’t know he needed help, but…He needed a break, and this gave him a chance to do things to take care of himself, so for those two reasons this program is fantastic.”

On the Daily Press:

Publisher Sarah Greenlund (formerly Maki) introduced herself and welcomed a couple people who have experience with the local newspaper.

“We co-coordinate the Great Lakes Youth Pool Tournament,” said Don Shope. “This past March 14 has been 36 years — and I’m not really here to talk about that so much as I am to talk about the sponsorship that the Daily Press, both the Daily Press and UP Action, what they do for our cause. It’s unbelievable.”

Two men, each carrying a long row of bucket raffle tickets, consider the offering at Business After Hours on Wednesday. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Shope held up a past copy of the Action, where a full-page ad for the pool tournament was printed.

“You wouldn’t believe — there were hundreds of people responding to what Sarah did,” he said. “It was just fantastic. …We get bombarded on (social media) on the great job these people do, and we are so appreciative of the coverage that they give to us. I just can’t thank them enough.”

Shope called out by name current and past Daily Press staffers who’ve been helpful — Adam Hinch, Terrie Belongie, Denny Grall, John Vrancic.

Another individual commented on the excellent press the Escanaba newspaper has given the local 4-H council. One of the largest 4-H fundraisers is the Delta County Plat Book, which the Daily Press helped to advertise and distribute.

“Daily Press has increased our sales immensely, getting the word out there that the new plat book was there,” said Dave Radloff with MSU Extension. “I just wanted to attest to the wonderful job that the Daily Press does do as far as helping the community and publishing events and making sure that people are aware of the things that are going on.”

Spontaneously, John Jamison, local Toys for Tots coordinator, jumped in.

“If it wasn’t for the Daily Press, we wouldn’t have folks coming out to the events that we have, and wouldn’t have people who need those toys knowing where to go and how to get them,” Jamison said, “so I will echo what everyone else is saying, and say that you are doing a great job, and you always do a wonderful job, and I look forward to working with (the Daily Press) again this year.”

After a round of applause, Greenlund took the microphone again to discuss the newspaper’s responsibilities before introducing the Press’s new editor.

“Every day, our newsroom covers the stories that directly impact your lives. We attend city council and school board meetings. We report on local businesses, community events, public safety, and the issues affecting our neighborhoods,” she said. “A subscription is not just a purchase; it is an investment in our community. It direct directly supports the reporters who cover late night meetings and capture important moments. It supports the editor who ensures fairness and accuracy.”

With that, she introduced Liam Houston, who moved to Escanaba from Houghton about two months ago to take over as editor of the Daily Press. “Liam brings energy, experience, and a strong belief in community journalism. We expect great things from him and are excited about the ideas and leadership he brings to our newsroom,” Greenlund said.

“I just wanted to say I’m really excited to work with most, if not all, of you to continue the paper and its function serving as the voice of your community and serving the interests of all the people that live here in Escanaba and the greater area,” said Houston to the room at large.

After seven weeks on the job, Houston had met and spoken with a number of community members prior to Wednesday night. At the event, he met and socialized with many more one-on-one.

A Daily Press staff writer also spoke briefly, reminding BAH attendees how important the public is.

“We rely on the community … You are our sources,” she said. “It helps to have eyes and ears out in the community, because we have a small staff, and we rely on tips from people. So, if there’s ever something that you want to see covered in the newspaper, please reach out.”

On BAH:

“Each month, a Chamber member and other sponsors have an opportunity to host Business After Hours to showcase their business, giving attendees a chance to learn more about local services, enjoy light refreshments, and network. It’s a simple, enjoyable way to strengthen connections and keep business local,” said Vicki Micheau, Executive Director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce.

The next BAH, sponsored by Bay College, will be held on June 10.

During Wednesday evening's Business After Hours at the home of Delta Area Transit Authority, Lisa LaLonde explains how much help DATA was to her family by providing rides to her wheelchair-bound mother. Beside her stands Brenda Crow. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)