Old Town has been absolutely flourishing as we delve deeper into the colder season! While we begin to see the colors of the leaves changing, our district is preparing for a buzzing and lively holiday season with events for everyone in our district to enjoy.
From the Desk of the Director
Happy November! It’s been a busy and beautiful autumn here in Old Town and we have so many exciting things to share in this month’s newsletter.
Looking back at October, we held our first OTCA Gala and it was so much fun to dress up, eat delicious food, and dance to great music at the beautiful R.E. Olds Museum. Thank you to everyone who came out or supported the event in any capacity! Toward the end of the month, Preuss Pets hosted their annual Dog Trick-or-Treating event and the streets were packed with pups in costumes-even a couple of brave cats, too! We had so much fun and it was awesome to see such a well-attended event.
The past month has been exciting for a couple of our local businesses as well. Elderly Instruments was named America’s Top Small Business for 2023 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce! Out of nearly 15,000 applicants across the nation, they were invited to attend a gala in Washington D.C. along with 6 other regional finalists and were awarded with the grand prize. We are so proud of the Elderly Instruments team for being leaders not only in the Lansing area, but throughout our state and the nation. Speaking of leaders in our community, earlier this week Michigan Community Capital was recognized and awarded at the LRCC’s 18th Annual Celebration of Regional Growth! Award recipients at the celebration are all industry leaders who help transform and revitalize the Greater Lansing region. Congratulations to our current and former board members, Eric Hanna and Lily Werbin for their achievements!
As we head toward the holiday season, we’re so excited to announce our 2023 holiday storefront decorating contest! Holiday ‘Dor (Corridor) Decor is a festive effort between REO Town Commercial Association, Downtown Lansing, Inc., and the Old Town Commercial Association as we bring our neighborhoods together to celebrate and showcase our local businesses. Public voting for the best storefronts will begin the day of Silver Bells in the City (November 17) and be open until 11:59 P.M. on November 30. Voting will take place online but QR codes will be showcased in the windows and doors of our participating businesses as well as on Facebook and Instagram.
Be sure to keep an eye on the districts’ social media accounts as we announce more details, but we can’t wait to unleash the holiday cheer (and friendly competition!).
Have a wonderful rest of your month and be sure to watch out for deer when you visit! Until next time!
Recap of a Successful Silver Gala
Old Town’s Inaugural Silver Gala was a fun and engaging event for all guests who attended, with the historical R.E. Olds Museum providing to be a fantastic and eye-catching venue. It was an incredible opportunity to mingle and meet those who work hard to support Old Town and the community, and there are many amazing photos from the event captured by Old Town’s own Mark Chamberlin! Thank you to all who attended and supported our first Gala!
Thank you once again to all of our Silent Auction donors in the district, and our sponsors for the event!
Welcome New Board Members!
The OTCA has elected two new members to our board: Brianna Wilson and Karen Stefl!
Karen Stefl has been a business owner in Old Town since 1999 and has served as Chair of the Promo Committee, managed Chalk of the Town for its first seven years, as well as a Director and past President of the Board of Directors for twelve years. In 2020, she and her husband also became property owners in the district by buying a commercial building.
Karen Stefl is a producer and director with a flair for strategy and storytelling. A Michigan State University alumna with 25 years of professional experience, she specializes in short and long form narrative for corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits. Nationally recognized for producing effective and creative commercials and videos, Karen focuses on comprehensive communication strategies that engage audiences, create an emotional impact and inspire action.
Karen is inspired by people; their motivations, desires, independence, resiliency, and how despite it all we intensely depend on each other. All humans are more alike than different, and she admires that. In her free time, she enjoys all that Pure Michigan has to offer with her husband and kids: great hiking, water, and snow!
Brianna is the manager of Equity Analysis at Cinnaire Corporation, where she leads her team in the analysis of potential equity investments of over $1 billion dollars annually to finance affordable housing and community development projects throughout the Mid-West and Mid-Atlantic.
Prior to joining Cinnaire in 2021, Brianna has had over five years of experience in the financial services industry, holding several roles in local and corporate banking institutions as well as leading an armored cash logistics office servicing over 10 states.
Since her move to Lansing in 2016, Brianna has been involved in the Old Town Commercial Association, volunteering at events as well as participating in both the Organization and Promotions Committee. She recently became Chair of the Org/Promo Committee early 2023. She became an official resident of Old Town in 2021.
Brianna earned a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Central Michigan University.
Brianna’s personal life vision is to continually strive for personal growth and foster an environment that encourages all to be their authentic selves.
MICA’s Art Meets Math Exhibition
Is it Art? Mathematical art before AI is the focus of the Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art (MICA Gallery) November art exhibition: Art Meets Math, from November 4th to December 31st with a special reception to be held Sunday, November 12th, from 2pm - 5pm.
They’ll be exhibiting art from Lawrence French Holbrook, who passed away in 2002. His digital art was created largely between 1994 and 2002 after his retirement as Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation Materials and Technology Research Laboratory. His art predated any Artificial Intelligence and most digital art enhancement software. As a mathematician and statistician, he wrote his own mathematical formulas to create and develop his unique art. The results are stunning, vibrant, and captivating, as he purposely moved towards a more “painterly” effect. He used his computer as a tool to accomplish his artistic product much as a painter uses a paintbrush and canvas to express their ideas.
Link to know more about the event: https://gallery.micharts.org/future-exhibitions
Celebrate Curvaceous Lingerie’s 11th Birthday Party!
Get ready to celebrate 11 fabulous years of Curvaceous Lingerie! It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for, and we want to celebrate in style. But wait, it gets even better - we’ve got a heartwarming twist that will make this party even more special!
- Winter Clothing Drive with Women’s Center of Greater Lansing!
- Balloon Discount Wall for donating!
- Drinks and Nibbles to keep your energy high and your spirits even higher!
Join us for a day of fun, shopping, and spreading warmth to the community. Let’s make this 11th birthday memorable for all the right reasons. Don’t miss out on the festivities! Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and get ready to party with a purpose!
Sweet Custom Jewelry is Moving!
We have some exciting news, and a possible vendor opportunity for this winter. Sweet Custom Jewelry in Old Town has recently purchased the former Grid building on Chavez Street. While they plan their move, they’d like to open the space for pop-up vendors on the following dates: November 25, December 2, and December 23.
The space has room for 6 artists with an approximate 8’ x 9’ space and 2 artists with a 10’ x 8’ space. Spots cost $25 each.
Get Ready for Scrooge Scramble!
Ring in the holiday season on the River Trail with the Old Town Commercial Association as we prepare to host our annual Scrooge Scramble 5K Run/Walk to benefit our mission to revitalize Lansing’s Old Town District. This is a family friendly event and a great chance to get outdoors; all walkers and runners are welcome! Let’s spread cheer one step at a time!
Old Town’s First Krampusnacht!
Head down to Lansing’s Old Town neighborhood on December 9th for the first-ever Krampusnacht (Krampus Night)! This event will capture the spirit of old world European Krampus celebrations, full of good natured fun, a few scares, food, shopping, children’s activities and even a visit from St. Nick himself!
There will be a traditional Krampus parade, Costume Contest, story time in the park, creative opportunities, a Misfit Market of vendors, photos with Krampus, games for all ages, music, warming stations and delicious food and drink merchants. And don’t forget, our Old Town shops will be ready to welcome you with Krampus sales and specials, just in time for the Holiday Season!
Be sure to follow the event page and keep up to date as we add even more amazing elements!
Constellation Cat Cafe | November 12 & 18 - Constellation Cat Cafe is working on renovating their forever home in Old Town! They need help with cleaning, painting, gardening, and light construction day by day. Let’s help Constellation Cat Cafe have a smooth transition to our neighborhood!
Sign up here! → catcafe.as.me/oldtown
Downtown Lansing Kringle Market Setup | November 12, 8am-12pm or 3pm-6pm -Downtown Lansing, Inc. is in need of volunteers to help decorate the Market Shops for the upcoming Kringle Holiday Market! They have decorating time slots available for any amount of time people can give between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. next Monday, November 13. Any interested volunteers can sign-up online at:
https://signup.com/go/uWuFZVC or contact julie@downtownlansing.org
Scrooge Scramble | December 2, 8am - 12pm - Volunteers are needed for Old Town’s 16th annual Scrooge Scramble 5k run/walk! We need help checking-in runners, clearing the trail, acting as course marshals and handing out medals. Be a part of a fabulously fun Old Town tradition!
Sign up here! → https://otca.wildapricot.org/event-5465861
Krampusnacht | December 9, 6pm - 9pm - Krampus needs you! We are seeking volunteers for many different areas, including games supervision and Krampus assistants. Come be a part of our first ever Krampusnacht!
Upcoming Events at a Glance
Holiday Sneak Peek Open House
Thursday, November 9: 4pm - 7pm
Twiggies
Retailers Coffee & Community Gathering
Monday, November 20: 8am - 9:30am
Mother & Earth: Toys + Baby
Shop Small Saturday
Saturday, November 25: 10am - 8pm
Throughout Old Town
Scrooge Scramble
Saturday, December 2: 9:30am - 12pm
Brenke Fish Ladder, River Trail & Throughout Old Town
Old Town Krampusnacht
Saturday, December 9: 6pm - 9pm
Throughout Old Town & Turner Mini Park
2023 ShesUnCovered Holiday Gala
Saturday, December 9: 7pm
La Fille Gallery
OTCA Annual Meeting
Tuesday, February 6: 6pm - 9pm
UrbanBeat