Curtis Chamber Welcomes Two Businesses
That Go Hand in Hand
by Della Juliano

Members of the Curtis Area Chamber of Commerce visited Manistique Lakes Realty and Curtis Motor Sports recently and presented plaques of recognition to the owners.

Joni Davis, owner of Manistique Lakes Realty, has been in the real estate business for nearly seven years. She began her career as a sales associate, listing and selling real estate for other area real estate companies. During this time she became known in the area for being a top producer in selling properties both for people and to people.

Davis got her brokers license, which meant more schooling and an exam, to become Associate Broker and owner of her own business. She specializes in recreational properties, such as waterfront homes, cottages and hunting land.

I enjoy the recreational aspects of where we live so much that I enjoy helping others find what they want, Davis said. She likes walking acreage with prospective clients or showing waterfront properties on summer days.

Now making her already enjoyable job even better is having her daughter and sales associate, Betsy Williams, in the office with her. "It's really fun for me to have my daughter here and to see her working with the people." Many folks already know Williams as a food server at Chamberlin's Ole Forest Inn.

The mother and daughter aim to provide friendly service for people looking to buy or sell real estate.

When Rich Blank decided to open Curtis Motor Sports, locating her business next to his seemed like a perfect match. Blank's business of servicing and repairing "recreational toys" brings clients interested in recreational properties to Davis, and vice versa.

Blank is able to repair and service all brands of all-terrain vehicles, inboard and outboard motors, lawnmowers, chainsaws and snowmobiles. He also will winterize and provide storage, buy and sell used equipment and even handle consignment sales. If a person needs to rent an outboard motor, pontoon boat or wood splitter, one can do so at Curtis Motor Sports. If pick-up, delivery or a service call is needed, Blank will do so in a fast and friendly way.

Before opening his own shop, Blank had been employed as a technician at the Fish and Hunt Shop for 22 years. He now has one full-time employee of his own.

A resident in the area since 1975, Blank enjoys fishing and hunting. He says he knows how it is to be on vacation and have something break down. His goal is to provide good, fast service so travelers can enjoy their vacation. Blank has two daughters, Tineah, 13 and Holly 11, who enjoy helping their dad at his shop with the daily duties of washing equipment or cleaning up.

Davis loves boating, kayaking, cross-country skiing, hiking, biking and mushroom picking. In addition to her daughter, Betsy, she has a son, Andrew, 13, and a granddaughter, Madison.

Davis and Blank enjoy working together. Manistique Lakes Realty and Curtis Motor Sports are located on top of the hill, next to La Fond's Lazy Acres R.V. Park, just off Main Street in Curtis. "Look for the yellow and blue sign," they say.

» Curtis Motor Sports Website