Gratitude and generosity abundant in Port Townsend | Word on the Street

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We had a fast-paced October with Girls’ Night Out and all the haunted fun we could pack into October. Now we are gearing up for holiday happenings. 

Our “Ring in the Holidays” themed line up of festivities will kick off on Small Business Saturday Nov. 26. Show your local love by shopping and dining in town. You can find a list of holiday events by visiting ptmainstreet.org.

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Now is a good time, before getting overwhelmed with the to-do lists and flurry of holiday festivities, to step back and reflect on what’s going well and how we can grow. 

After two years of unpredictability, 2022 has felt so different and more positive; both businesses and nonprofits are finding their way back. While there is uncertainty about inflationary times, we can feel more confident because we have proven our combined strength as a community. We have tackled stressful times with ingenuity, collaboration, and problem-solving and we have the skills to address future challenges together. 

It’s also time to express gratitude!

To our board, partners, sponsors, members and volunteers thank you for your wisdom, financial support, creative energy and gifts of time and talent.  

To our Creative District community and its committee volunteers, thank you for supporting and steering the Creative District during its beginnings. Port Townsend is fortunate to have a diverse artist community across disciplines: visual, literary, performing, culinary, and makers and your devotion to creating a cohesive, all-inclusive district is invaluable. 

Thank you Giving Tuesday donors — ArtsWA, and the city of Port Townsend — for making the Tyler Plaza lighting possible.

To Port Townsend Vineyards, volunteers, Kevin Mason, and the attendees of Girls’ Night Out, thank you for making this event a huge success. We were able to donate $6,000 to Jefferson Healthcare Foundation to help fund breast cancer screening for women in need.

Thank you Port Townsend community members for your generous support of our nonprofit.

Thank you Sue Arthur for 27 years as a Promotion Committee volunteer! Wow!

To our big-hearted business owners, thank you for supporting and participating in our Main Street program’s activities. You’re a big part of what makes Port Townsend special and why Main Street exists.

We are thankful for the collaboration of community nonprofits on our many Main Street activities; the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, PT Artscape, Olympic Peninsula Steam, KPTZ 91.9 FM, Rhody Festival, the Port Townsend Heritage Association, Jefferson County Farmer’s Market, the Port Townsend Creative District, Jefferson Healthcare, Centrum, Fort Worden Hospitality, Northwind Art, Key City Public Theatre, the Jefferson County Historical Society, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and the Port Townsend Public Library, to name a few! As collaborators, we become stronger. 

To our community-minded our tax incentive program donors, thank you for your support and appreciation of our program.

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A quick reminder, Nov. 29 is Giving Tuesday. 

Our 2022 campaign is “Petals for Port Townsend” to support the Main Street Flower Basket Program May through September. Labor, fuel, and supply costs have been steadily increasing and to offset the increase our nonprofit has been underwriting this program to beautify Port Townsend. Please consider donating to support the flower basket program. 

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Holiday checklist 

The Kiwanis Club is busy decorating the Choo Choo to bring merriment to town over the holidays. It will cruise through town Nov. 26, Dec. 3, and Dec. 10. The Wild Rose Chorale will perform in the afternoon Nov. 26 and Dec. 3.

Nov. 26 is Small Business Saturday. Support our local entrepreneurs and get a jump on holiday shopping. The Main Street elves will be under the tent at Tyler Plaza from 2 to 4 p.m. and you’re invited to make a free swag with them to take home. 

On Dec. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m., there’s ornament-making for children with PT Artscape volunteers under the Tyler Plaza tent (while supplies last). Donations benefit the art in the schools program. From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. join us for photo ops with Santa and the Choo Choo. Then the Choo Choo will bring the jolly old elf to Haller Fountain to light the community tree. 

On Dec. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m., stop by the “It’s a Wrap” event. Bring your locally purchased gifts to be wrapped at Tyler Plaza tent (weather permitting) by Kiwanis/Rotary teen clubs; donations benefit their activities.

Thank you for contributing to our town’s prosperity and adding to our quality of life. We are thankful to be part of such a caring and generous community. 

For more holiday happenings, visit ptmainstreet.org and follow on us social media.

(Mari F. Mullen is the executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.)