Business briefs: Nov. 27, 2011

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November 27, 2011

Anonymous Press-Republican The Press Republican Sun Nov 27, 2011, 02:28 AM EST

Holiday benefit

LAKE PLACID — The Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa will host the 25th-Annual Joy to the Children benefit to support the Lake Placid Center for the Arts on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Started by LPCA board trustee and Mirror Lake Inn co-owner Lisa Weibrecht, the first Joy to the Children event raised $15,000, beginning a tradition of supporting children's programming in a historically sports-oriented region. Lisa and Ed Weibrecht continue to host and donate the entire gala each year. The inn has underwritten more than $1 million in expenses over the last 25 years.

All patron tickets, auction proceeds and raffle sales fund the more than 200 area children's programs. The funds collected will go toward ballet and tumbling instruction, after-school arts workshops, summer Camp LPCA programs, art exhibitions, LPCA Children's Musical Theatre and performing-arts school field trips, among many other activities for area children.

The event, which typically draws around 500 guests, consists of a silent auction, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a gingerbread house auction and spectacular holiday decorations. Homemade gift baskets will be auctioned, and a 50/50 raffle will take place throughout the evening. Items auctioned include trips, artwork, jewelry, artisan furniture, clothing and children's toys. New in 2011, commemorative Joy 25 ornaments will be available.

Tickets are $100 per person until Dec. 5. After Dec. 5, the tickets can be purchased for $130.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the LPCArts at 523-2512 or by visiting www. LakePlacid Arts.org/Joy.

Business opening

SARANAC LAKE — Just in time for the holiday season, Knit 2 Together will open Friday at 88 Church St. in Saranac Lake.

"The store will be dedicated to providing affordable yarn, knitting accessories and lessons," said Debra Schmidt, the store's owner. "In addition, the store will provide a gathering place where individuals can relax, meet new people and be creative."

Knit2Together will be carrying various fibers and textures, all moderately priced. Some of the name brands will include Lion Brand, Berroca and Tahki, as well as other knitting accessories.

Hand knitting dates back to around 1300 AD in Egypt and has been passed along from generation to generation. In recent years, knitting has seen an increase in popularity due to Elizabeth Zimmerman, who's regarded as the Martha Stewart of knitting, and the production of new and colorful arrays of yards and more stylish patterns.

The store's hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store will also be open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn-to-knit classes and workshops will also be available.

For more information, visit www.knit2together.net.

Holiday story

PLATTSBURGH — As a special holiday greeting to its members and the community, the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce is once again sponsoring the broadcast of "The Story of the Little Reinbear," an original Christmas story authored by Chamber President Garry Douglas.

The story will be presented on WIRY/Hometown Radio, 1340 AM, on the following schedule:

Saturday, Dec. 3, 5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 5, 5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 9, 5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 24, 5:15 to 5:30 p.m.

Food bank support

PLATTSBURGH — Over the years, Charter cable company employees and customers across the country have participated in giving programs that benefit their communities. This year, Movies for Food is a nationwide donation program to help re-stock empty food-pantry shelves.

"Holiday time is especially difficult for many families," said Gregory A. Garabedian, vice president and general manager of Charter's New England operations. "Our Movies for Food program enables us to help families who may experience tough times this winter."

Charter offers Charter On Demand movie coupons for food donations and is giving away an HDTV, a year of the Charter Bundle with HD and many other prizes.

Customers donating four non-perishable food items will receive an On Demand movie coupon (cable channel 1 with a Charter digital set top receiver). Customers donating eight or more will receive two On Demand movie coupons.

Residents and Charter customers may visit the Charter office in Plattsburgh to drop off the non-perishable food items. Charter's Movies for Food program is accepting donations from now through Dec. 31.

More information also is available at www.charter.com/moviesforfood.

Holiday donations

PLATTSBURGH — Stewart's Shops again will be teaming up with their customers and media partners for the 25th-annual Holiday Match. Last year, Stewart's matched their customers' record donation of $640,000 for a total of $1.28 million.

Since 1986, the Holiday Match Program has donated almost $15 million to local children's organizations.

From Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Day, Stewart's will match individual donations made to the Holiday Match Program in all 328 Stewart's Shops in New York and Vermont. "Every year our customers have increased their donations to help meet the growing needs of the children's organizations in their communities, taking advantage of having their contributions matched," said Stewart's Foundation President Susan Dake. "In these challenging times, we are trying to fill as many needs as possible."

All the money donated goes to charity; there are no administrative costs.

The goal is to encourage individual giving and broaden the base of support for local charities. Stewart's gladly accepts funds from groups or businesses, but only matches individual donations. Local children's organizations can pick up an application throughout the holidays at any Stewart's Shop or online at stewarts shops.com.

The deadline for submission is Jan. 31, 2012. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18 and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization. A brochure, listing all the organizations in their 30-county area that received funds last season, will also be available in all Stewart's Shops.

Holiday drive

PLATTSBURGH — Price Chopper has announced the launch of its annual Holiday Toy Drive and Make-A-Wish Foundation incentive contribution in partnership with the Salvation Army and Lang Media.

Price Chopper's Golub Foundation will donate 50 cents for each toy donated (up to $10,000) to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"The need to provide to the most vulnerable people in our communities is as great as it has ever been, and we are thankful for Price Chopper's support of our efforts to serve the underserved now and throughout the year. Bell ringers at Price Chopper are just a start. This program will make the holidays a lot happier for a lot of people," said Maj. Michael Himes, Salvation Army commander.

"The Make-A-Wish Foundation is grateful for the annual support that we receive from Price Chopper's Golub Foundation to help make wishes come true for seriously ill children in our communities. This additional gift per toy donated to the Holiday Toy Drive is frosting on the cake," said Bill Trigg, CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York.

Toy collections will occur in each of Price Chopper's 128 stores in six states, most of which are open 24/7 to increase convenience. Collections will continue through the week before Christmas. The Salvation Army will distribute all toys collected to those children in need, as they do with the school supplies collected through Price Chopper's Tools for Schools School Supply Drive each August and September.

In total, the campaign aims to collect more than 20,000 toys for children in the region and donate $10,000 to Make a Wish Foundation.