{"id":557,"date":"2014-05-12T04:20:57","date_gmt":"2014-05-12T04:20:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/NorthernMI3\/?page_id=557"},"modified":"2020-10-02T17:36:49","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T17:36:49","slug":"mason-county","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/NorthernMI3\/?page_id=557","title":{"rendered":"Mason County"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>MASON COUNTY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>  County Offices<br \/>\n<\/strong>304 E.  Ludington Avenue<br \/>\nLudington 231-843-8202<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.masoncounty.net\">www.masoncounty.net<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Chamber of Commerce<br \/>\n<\/strong>5300 West US 10231<br \/>\nLudington 231-845-0324<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ludington.org\/\">www.ludington.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Newcomers are drawn to Mason County for its delightful small but thriving  cities, the progressive attitude toward quality development, and the close  proximity of urban amenities. However, the natural beauty and resources of this  area range from pristine forests to the scenic Pere Marquette River and some of  the nation\u2019s finest four-season recreation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Services<br \/>\n<\/strong>Students  of all ages will find quality educational opportunities in Mason County, home  to the West Shore Community College. In addition to serving as the off-campus  location for Central Michigan University programs, WSCC plays a vital role in  the growth and health of the local economy. The college has been working  closely with business and industry since it opened its doors in 1967 and can  customize a training program to fit every need. Based in Scottville, WSCC  provides an affordable higher education and a performing arts series that  benefits the entire community. Long known for its personalized attention and  \u201csmall college\u201d atmosphere, WSCC is always embarking on additions and  improvements like the new Campus Center between the Arts &amp; Sciences and  Technical Centers. The center houses a new library and other services that  support students and learning through computer and study areas, lounges, and  labs as well as tutoring, and counseling. Another highlight on the campus is  the West Shore Ice Arena, a 36,000-square-foot facility for figure skating,  hockey, and open skating.<\/p>\n<p>State-of-the-art healthcare services are available right in Mason County at the  Memorial Medical Center in Ludington, distinguished as the first hospital in  Michigan to receive ISO 9002 certification. This rigorous quality management  system assures the entire community of the highest quality possible in medical  services in a patient-centered environment. The hospital offers a comprehensive  range of specialties from obstetrics to home health care and has one of the  most technologically advanced cardiac catheterization labs in the state. A  dedicated staff of 45 skilled physicians covers nearly 20 specialties,  including vascular surgeons and neurologists. The two most recent additions to  the campus are the West Shore Pregnancy Care Center and the Women\u2019s Imaging  Center. The county is also home to the Oakview Medical Care Facility, which  focuses on long-term care and rehabilitative services.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lifestyle<br \/>\n<\/strong>Beautiful  Mason County features the charming city of Ludington as the seat of county  government and the hub of healthcare, entertainment, and commerce. The nearby  city of Scottsville adds its own unique attractions including an amenity-rich  community college campus. Ludington was features in the book <em>Boomtown USA<\/em> as one of the nation\u2019s top  small towns based on population and employment growth with ties to both  agriculture and a metropolitan statistical area. That simple classification  tells the story of Mason County\u2019s appeal to vacationers as well as seasonal and  permanent residents. Visitors flock to the area\u2019s delightful campgrounds and  their range of amenities. Whether they pitch a tent or roll up a large RV, they  will find swimming pools, convenience stores, playgrounds, fish freezers,  laundry rooms, and games at most campsites. Ludington State Park combines  wonderful campgrounds with a wide variety of hiking trails, while the Mason County  Campground and picnic area is another popular choice for connecting with  nature. Golfing, canoeing, kayaking, charter fishing, hiking, biking, and  horseback riding are just a few of the available outdoor adventures.<\/p>\n<p>Ludington and Scottville are home to a number of attractions including charming  shops for merchandise, gifts, and antiques. Three times each year, large  antique shows and sales draw visitors from across the region to collectible  treasures and deep discounts. Local art galleries feature jewelry, pottery,  paintings, photography, and exquisite blown-glass items. Art fairs are popular  in the summer months and many murals beautify the walls of local businesses.  Those who appreciate literature will want to attend the poetry festival or one  of many writer\u2019s events, and West Shore Community College ensures an  outstanding performing arts series of plays and concerts each year. Other  highlights include the Sandcastles Children\u2019s Museum, Little River Casino &amp;  Resort, and Historic White Pine Village. From its breathtaking natural  environment to the appeal of its communities, Mason County is a community on  the rise.<\/p>\n<p><strong>City of Ludington<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>City Offices<br \/>\n<\/strong>231-845-6237<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ludington.mi.us\">www.ludington.mi.us<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Chamber of Commerce<br \/>\n<\/strong>231-845-0324<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ludington.org\">www.ludington.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The largest city in Mason County serves as the heart of the region, providing  an all-season recreational destination as well as a warm and friendly hometown.  As one of the Great Lakes port cities, Ludington balances growth and  development along the waterfront and adjoining areas to blend recreational,  commercial, and industrial interests. This area is home to the SS Badger car  ferry, the largest charter fishing fleet on the Great Lakes, Ludington State  Park, Manistee National Forest, and the Pere Marquette River\u2014designated as a  National Wild and Scenic River. More charters originate out of Ludington and  more trout and salmon are caught from its port than any other site in Michigan.  At the same time the community offers a charming downtown district filled with  wonderful shops and stores, a strong arts community, a children\u2019s museum,  unique restaurants, a major medical center, and the vast natural playground of  Ludington State Park.<\/p>\n<p><strong>City of Scottville, Hamlin Township<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>City Offices<br \/>\n<\/strong>231-757-4729<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cityofscottville.org\">www.cityofscottville.org<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Town Hall<br \/>\n<\/strong>231-845-7801<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hamlintownship.org\">www.hamlintownship.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Chamber of Commerce<br \/>\n<\/strong>231-845-0324<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ludington.org\">www.ludington.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Just eight miles east of Ludington and the Lake Michigan shoreline, the smaller  city of Scottville and Hamlin Township offer a warm and inviting setting for  residential life. Some of the highlights in this proud community include the Mason  County Central Spartans school athletic team, West Shore Community College, the  Scottville Riverside Park, the Western Michigan Old Engine Club, and the world  famous Scottville Clown Band. Located at the intersection of US Highways 10 and  31 in the center of the county, Scottville has been an incorporated city since  1889. The surrounding area is a natural playground of Lake Michigan splendor,  the Pere Marquette River, and many inland lakes for some of the nation\u2019s finest  fishing and canoeing. Sports enthusiasts enjoy hunting for deer and smaller  game, and the region is traversed by miles of trails for winter sports or  peaceful walks through pristine woods. One of the jewels in this area is Hamlin  Lake, 5,000 acres in size and more than 12 miles in length. Touching Manistee  National Forest on the north, it features towering dunes on the west and miles  of wilderness in every direction. Hamlin Lake dam is located just outside of  Ludington State Park, marking an historical spot and a popular beach. Fishing  continues throughout the winter when the frozen lake is dotted with tip-ups and  shanties.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MASON COUNTY County Offices 304 E. Ludington Avenue Ludington 231-843-8202 www.masoncounty.net Chamber of Commerce 5300 West US 10231 Ludington 231-845-0324 www.ludington.org Newcomers are drawn to Mason County for its delightful small but thriving cities, the progressive attitude toward quality development, and the close proximity of urban amenities. However, the natural beauty and resources of this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-557","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/NorthernMI3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/NorthernMI3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/NorthernMI3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/NorthernMI3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/NorthernMI3\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=557"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/NorthernMI3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/557\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":727,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/NorthernMI3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/557\/revisions\/727"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/NorthernMI3\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}