What’s recently happened?
On June 9 hundreds of people lined the streets to watch the annual Cruise Night. Over 700 cars of all models and shapes cruised up and down Lincolnway.
The cars were released to drive at 6 p.m., but before there was a car show at the FairGrounds at 3 p.m. These drivers could take pictures and see all of the other cars. Additionally, there was a drivers meeting to explain basic rules and expectations.
The first lap is usually considered the fast lap and then the laps following are slower. Due to the high number of cars, there was a backup when cars were supposed to start their second lap. Instead of driving away, drivers got out of their cars and took photos with spectators. The backup took about 25 minutes to resolve, but people still had fun nonetheless.
“I haven’t been to a cruise night in three or so years because of racing, but the 2023 cruise night was so memorable. My dad, stepmom, and I drove a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix. We did have a vapor lock, but the cops guarding the streets let us back in at an intersection. It was such a great Cruise Night!” Neveah Watts said.
Cruise Night was from 6-8 p.m., but people stayed for much longer. They reserved their spot hours before it even started and enjoyed the various retro cars showing off in the streets.
What’s coming up?
New to La Porte this year is Famed and Forged (FF), a new look on the past farmers market. FF is a producer-only market and is focused on shopping and supporting locals. Within a 100 mile radius, farmers, artisans, restaurants, breweries, nonprofits, and forgers all show up to sell their goods.
FF takes place every Sunday on Monroe Street from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. central time. The last Sunday FF will take place on September 24.
Every second Sunday of the month is accompanied with live music by Robert Fedderson and cooking demonstrations by local chefs. While that is open to the public, members can also participate in bi-monthly workshops that focus on customer service, basic accounting, visual merchandising and branding.
Members must apply to the Collective and can be expected to hear a reply within two weeks. Members are required to be entrepreneurs and own or be partial owner of their business(es).
The Collective is the sponsor of FF. Composed of six entrepreneurs, The Collective desires to create change and create a positive community that empowers entrepreneurs to grow.
A single membership is $249 per year and additional members who are part owners can get a dual membership for $349 per year.
Additionally, select vendors will accept the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or previously known as the Food Stamp Program.
Every month, FF will focus on a specific non-profit organization and all donations collected will be donated. For June, the non-profit organization is the Michiana Humane Society. As a whole, The Collection has raised over $35,000 for over 17 non-profits.
For a minimum donation of $1, you can buy a passport card at the main ticket booth. Passport cards will receive a punch in their card for every purchase they make at the market. After five punches, you can return it to the market and will be put in a basket to win a gift basket at the end of the season. You may do multiple cards per year as long as you return them to the main market booth. Donations will go towards the non-profit organization of the month.
FF is admission free and is open to all ages. Bring your friends and pets to the Farmed and Forged Farmers Market this Sunday.
Community member spotlight:
Tammy Pham is a successful business owner in La Porte, Indiana. She has owned La Porte Nails for 22 years. She opened the shop right when she moved to America in 2001 from Vietnam.
Pham learned to do nails when she was 18 in Vietnam. Her friends and family taught her and she made an excellent career out of it.
Pham knew she wanted to move to America, despite loving her home country, because she wanted her children to have a successful future with more opportunities. Though she didn’t have kids at the time, she knew she wanted to have them. She now has two sons and two daughters who are her biggest supporters.
“I miss my family, of course, but I am able to still keep in touch with them. I am visiting them next summer, so I am excited to see them. I also miss the food, because it was all I ever knew,” Pham said.
Moving to America was not an easy feat for Pham. Firstly, she didn’t know any English. She learned through her family, customers, watching TV, magazines, and her kids.
“I was really nervous coming to a country when I didn’t know their language. I had my husband, but he didn’t speak English either. Luckily, I had some friends who let us stay with them, but it still was hard. After being in the country for a few years, you start to pick small things up though,” Pham said.
The pandemic was a hard time for Pham and her business. Everything slowed down and there weren't enough people to work. The last thing she wanted was to close down the thing and put money on the table for her family. Luckily, the pandemic rose slowly and more customers started to come and support the business.