By Staff
It always pays to shop local, as Dowagiac resident and Hale's Hardware employee Mary Behnke knows.
But sometimes, it also pays to shop out of town.
At least it was for the other five winners of the Universal Dowagiac Gift Certificate Drawing held during last week's Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration Open House Weekend.
"We just love Dowagiac," said Kalamazoo resident Patricia Crum, whose name was drawn from entries at The Marshall Shoppe. "We always come to the Christmas celebration. We're in Dowagiac quite often. We'll certainly look forward to using our gift card."
Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority, who coordinated this year's holiday celebration, announced the winners today of the $150 Universal Dowagiac Gift Certificate Drawing that was held during the Nov. 17-19 Open House Weekend.
In addition to Mary Behnke, who registered for the drawing at Laurie Anne's, and Patricia Crum, who registered at The Marshall Shoppe, winners also included: Linnea McNeese of Niles, who registered at Apparel Alternatives; Phyllis Tomory of Niles, who registered at Murphy's Flowers and Greenhouses; Margie Horner of Niles, who registered at Imperial Furniture; and Mary Adams of Niles, who registered at The Wren's Nest.
Each of the winners will receive a $25 Universal Dowagiac Gift Certificate from the Chamber of Commerce.
Corporate sponsors of this year's Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration, which includes the Dec. 1 Candle-light Christmas Parade, underwritten by Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, are: A-1 Expert Tree Service, Booth's Country Florist, Dr. Matthew Cripe, Felpausch Food Center, First National Bank and LaSalle Bank.
Phillipson said the Chamber of Commerce, which co-sponsored the weekend drawing, teamed up with 10 participating specialty shops to encourage local and neighboring residents to jump-start their holiday shopping in the Grand Old City.
The six winning entries were drawn from a pool of 10 semi-finalists.
The semi-finalists, representing the other four host sites included: Linda Bogue of Cassopolis, who registered at Booth's Country Florist; Joel Carrizales of Eau Claire, who registered at Vincent J. Jewelers; Amanda Kimp of Hartford, who registered at Zeke's Restaurant; and Peggy Davis of Dowagiac, who registered at Majerek's Hallmark.
The Dowagiac Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration continues Friday, Dec. 1, as the Grand Old City plays host to southwestern Michigan's largest lighted parade, as motorized and marching units near 120 entries.
The Dowagiac Candle-light Christmas Parade steps off in the central business district Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m., with pre-parade entertainment featured at two Front Street locations in the downtown beginning at 7 p.m.
To receive a schedule of parade night events or to sign up for the parade, call the Chamber of Commerce at 782-8212.