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New Buffalo Business Association donates festival tips toward helping residents
Tips from generous visitors and residents to New Buffalo’s Harvest and Wine Fest, which is put on by the New Buffalo Business Association (NBBA), last month will go a long way in helping members of the community get around in an easier fashion.
During the one-day event, 100 percent of cash tips were collected to be donated toward Neighbor by Neighbor (NBYN), a local initiative that directs others to social services like legal aid, substance abuse support groups, assistance with electricity bills, or food assistance.
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A check in the amount of $700 was presented to Peg Kohring, executive director of NBYN, at the office at 16170 Red Arrow Highway in Union Pier Tuesday, Nov. 16.
The money will go toward building another wheelchair ramp at a home in Harbor Country. Through a partnership with NBYN, teacher Robert Hughes and students in the Building Trades class at New Buffalo High School created and installed ramps at two homes in September.
Colleen Neubauer said people donated their tips wherever they could while they were out enjoying the festival, which is held in New Buffalo every fall.
“We had a tip jar where we were selling the drink tickets and not just at the bars but the folks who were selling the drink tickets - they were tipping even in there,” she said, adding that there were signs indicating where the money would be going toward on each jar.
Neubauer added that the decision to donate the tips proved to be a simpler solution to figuring out how to split them.
“We’ve had some gray areas in the past where people think we just split the tips, but you don’t know how long you were there or how much you worked - so last year, we decided, ‘Let’s donate them to somebody,’” she said.
When thinking of a local organization that could benefit from the tips, Audrey Tuszynski, president of the NBBA Board of Directors, said NBYN was the first one that came to mind.
“I know a lot of people who utilize it, so it’s a great local connection,” she said.
Kohring said NBYN wanted to install four ramps but ran out of money before a third one could be installed.
“We did two of them, but one had to go so far around - the second one was way expensive but this one’s a direct shot, so this will get me a third one,” she said.
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
Colleen Neubauer, Leslie Wood, NBYN Advisory Board member, Peg Kohring, Audrey Tuszynski, and NBBA Board members Traci Lauricella and Gary Wood
Visitors to Three Oaks can get ready for an old family film favorite when The Region of Three Oaks Museum (TROTOM) shows “Prancer” in conjunction with Three Oaks’ holiday festivities Saturday, Nov 27.
There will be two showings-- one at 3:30 p.m., before the Christmas parade, and one at 6:15 p.m., after the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony.
Showings will be at the Heritage Hall (8 E. Linden Street). A model of the village featured in the movie’s last scene will be on display, as well as other Prancer memorabilia.
The two showings will be free (although there will be a donation jar for those who want to support the museum).
The following is the schedule for the Three Oaks Snowflake Stroll, which will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. Nov. 27: 2 to 4 p.m. Sandy Acres Clydesdales will have two young horses in Carver Park for a photo opportunity. Holiday carolers will be singing throughout the downtown area. 2 to 3 p.m. Ice Creations will be carving an ice sculpture in Carver Park. 3:30 p.m. The Region of Three Oaks Museum will be playing “Prancer” at Heritage Hall. 3:30 to 5 p.m. Ice Creations will be carving a larger ice sculpture in Chamberlain Path right where the kaleidoscope used to sit. 5 p.m. A small parade downtown following Santa and friends to Carver Park. 5:30 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony in Carver Park 5:45 p.m. Santa will be in Carver Park for photo opportunities. Toys for Tots will be present for folks to sign up for a family to buy gifts for this season. They’ll also be taking cash donations. 6:15 p.m. There will be a second showing of “Prancer” at Heritage Hall. 8 p.m. The Newports live at Acorn Theater performing their new single and alternative take on Tom Waits’ “Goin’ Out West”!
The gazebo in Dewey Cannon Park will be lit up for photo opportunities and Santa and Mrs. Clause will be at Poppy Hill Vintage throughout the day.
