Lighting Up Lake Hiawatha One Womans Mission to Spark Community Spirit

Antoinette Piccolo-Simmons, a retired educator, founded Friends of Lake Hiawatha to address the lack of holiday decorations in her community. The nonprofit has successfully adorned 40 lamp posts with wreaths and lights and hosts the beloved Winter Fest, set for December 5, featuring local artists and food donations. Local businesses, including Mammon and Priola Funeral Home, have contributed to the initiative, showcasing community support. However, the recent upgrade of over 100 lamp posts presents a new financial challenge for the organization, which is now a registered LLC. Antoinette has raised $1,000 but emphasizes the need for further contributions from corporations and donors.

She passionately advocates for the beautification of Lake Hiawatha, aiming to bring joy to its residents. The movement not only enhances the town's visual appeal but also fosters community pride through shared events. Friends of Lake Hiawatha continues to evolve, adapting to the town's changes while maintaining its core mission.