Here we are Portage, almost the end of February, where is the time going? Time flies when you’re having a good time, I guess!
Speaking of a good time, Saturday night at the Mayor’s ball was wonderful. Lots of good people, food and music! Over $10,000 was raised this year at Mayor Velazquez’s Charity Ball. These are the local charities that were awarded money for their endeavors in our community, Portage JROTC, Porter County Community Foundation, Respite House, Riley Bush Foundation, PHS Natural Helpers, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Northshore Health Centers, Rebuilding Together, Portage Township Education Foundation, United Way, Bonner Senior Center, Salvation Army, Special Olympics and the Portage Food Pantry. Congratulations to the recipients and the Mayor and her committee for a great time!
Don’t forget the annual Firefighter’s Ball this Saturday, as well, at the Duneland Falls Banquet Center on Ind. 149, just north of Lenburg Road. Unlimited open bar and dancing at 7 p.m.is $25 a couple or $15 for a single! Don’t miss this hot time in the old time tonight!
This Saturday also brings an opportunity for our city and surrounding residents to see and purchase lovely items from the Red Bird Mission Traveling Craft Show.
The Red Bird Mission is located in the south eastern Kentucky mountains, provides education, medical services, community outreach and housing improvements to this area of the country where unemployment reaches 50%. The craft program provides a market for local artisans that gives them income that is important to their economic development.
Several member of the United Methodist Church have gone 2 years in a row and are planning another one for this year, to help these people with building their lives back up in the area.
The craft show will have many beautiful hand-crafted items available for sale at the United Methodist Church, 2637 McCool Road, this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Handmade baskets of creek willow or honeysuckle, woven rugs made of scrape material, dolls, a variety of corn husk items and a variety of native flowers might catch your fancy. Other hand-made items include unscented bees-wax candles, jewelry, jams, note cards, history books of the area, recipe books, hand-painted gourds, hand-made brooms and woven placemats. Wooden crafts include toys, games, utensils, cutting boards, cooling racks and a variety of furniture. For the Christmas lovers there are wood and cloth ornaments and wonderful nativity sets.
So many things to choose from, what to start with in this menagerie of home-made artistry from Appalachian region of Kentucky. The focus of the Red Bird Mission is to “guided by Jesus Christ and empowers individuals and advocates justice by providing spiritual, educational, health and community outreach ministries.”
If you would like to preview the show, go to their online catalog at http://crafts.rbmission.org. Don’t miss this great mission right here in our own Portage! Come one, come all, admission is free!
The opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. She can be reached at (219) 764-2187 or robinwilkening@remax.net.
