The Les Cheneaux Community Forum is organizing a community open house where businesses and organizations can share information and promote themselves. The event is Thursday, July 23, at the Clark Township Community Center from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Organizer Linda Hudson expects to fill the community center with at least 30 exhibitors, who will be charged a nominal fee for four or eight feet of table space to display. Mrs. Hudson said exhibitors' fees will pay for event expenses, including advertisements, posters, refreshments, and cleaning. The event will be free and open to the public.

"The target audience is the community. Businesses and organizations can do their outreach to the community to let them know what theyre about, where theyre at, and what theyve got going on," she said.

Mrs. Hudson sought input from the attendees at the Choose Les Cheneaux Luncheon Thursday, May 28, about organizing the event. The main topic she sought opinions for was if the event should be limited to nonprofit organizations or expanded to encompass area businesses.

"The nonprofit organizations are only as strong as the businesses in our community, and vice-versa," said Township Treasurer Katie Carpenter, who supports including businesses. "It would have more of a draw to have the different groups and mix those together, rather than to have just one or the other."

Originally she planned the event to be specifically for community organizations and not include businesses, Mrs. Hudson said, however, based on the input from the Choose Les Cheneaux group, that changed. She said the goal of the open house is to inform residents about what types of services are available in the Les Cheneaux area.

Cedarville contractor Mike McMaken said: "Its amazing how many people come here year after year and really dont know all the businesses that are in town or what they have to offer. Its a shame."

Mr. McMaken plans to exhibit at the event next month.

Displays at the open house will be set up around the perimeter and in the middle of the community center, where exhibitors will be able to present any information regarding their business or organization, as well as offer promotions, raffles, give-aways, and recruit volunteers.

The Community Forum is recruiting exhibitors, and Mrs. Hudson has a list of several area organizations she wants to contact, and plans to use the Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce e-mail list to attract businesses. Space at the event will be limited and exhibitors must register by Wednesday, July 1.

"I dont think having enough is going to be an issue. I think youre going to have more than you expect," said chamber president and business owner Diane Patrick about finding businesses to participate in the event. "I know Im going to be there with bells on."

The next Choose Les Cheneaux Luncheon will be Thursday, June 25, in the Community Center at 11:30 a.m.