New insurance agency has passion for service

By Teresa Smithers When Karla Smothers was first approached by Sharon Yoder about the possibility of taking over her State Farm Insurance office upon her retirement, the timing and confirmation of her own thoughts were, Karla felt, nothing less than divine providence. “I was sure I was right where I was supposed to be,” she reflected. That assurance was shaken when State Farm chose to go in another direction. But after much prayer and reflection, she realizes that she is still right where she is supposed to be, and that place is providing people with the insurance they need.

NEW AGENCY… David Rice, President of Michigan Agency Partners, welcomes the Karla D. Smothers Insurance Agency to their line of independent insurance agents. Shown are (from the left): Kassie Thomas, Anarosa Barajas, Amber Devine, Karla Smothers and David Rice.

Upon Karla’s return to her office, she found many framed messages of hope and inspiration put on the walls of her office by her staff, urging her to not give up on her dreams. That is the kind of staff she has. Her staff includes Kassie Thomas, who has been in this same office for 19 years, starting at just 16-years-old in co-op. Another agent is Anarosa Barajas, who is licensed in Prosperity and Casualty, and is bi-lingual. Amber Devine, licensed in Life and Health, rounds out the staff. Karla created the new “Karla D. Smothers Insurance Agency,” operating as an independent agency representing nine different agencies. Working with Michigan Agency Partners, she is now able to offer not just one, but up to 30 different insurance carriers to those seeking insurance. And she can offer insurance to, not just local families, but anyone in the state of Michigan. “I am excited about the opportunity to offer diverse products to our customers,” said Karla. Some of those products include insurance for auto, homeowners, life, health, small business and commercial contractors. Group benefits are also available. The office opens officially November 1; the licensed and professional agents are already standing by to help you. “It is our goal to be the insurance agent of choice in this area,” states Karla Smothers. “We are passionate about helping people and giving everyone the personal service they deserve.” They are serious about being a part of the community and helping people. In the past 12 months, Karla Smothers’ office has been instrumental in donating $10,900 to local schools and non-profits, and that is just the beginning. There’s a new agency in town and it is serious about customer service.

Coloma author publishes 70th book, hosts book signing in the area

USA-TODAY best-selling author, Rosanne Bittner, from Coloma, announces her 70th published book, Ride the High Lonesome, the first in her new “Men of the Outlaw Trail” series from her publisher, Sourcebooks. Inspired by a love for American history, especially pioneers and the American West, Rosanne sold her first book in 1983, and she has been writing and publishing nationally and internationally ever since.

Nearly all of Rosanne’s books are available on Amazon, where they receive 4- and 5-star reader comments. Called an “emotional powerhouse” by a major reviewer, Rosanne writes powerful, realistic and sometimes “gritty” stories featuring memorable characters readers remember long after finishing their story. She has received many writing awards and rave reviews from national writers’ magazines and groups, as well as from the noted book-buyer magazine, Publisher’s Weekly and from USA-TODAY.

Ride the High Lonesome will be available nation-wide after November 26 at Barnes & Noble stores, Walmart, and on Amazon, and locally at Harding’s and Linda’s Antiques in Coloma, and at Back on the Rack in Watervliet, where she will be signing books November 30 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.