By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – Former Mayor Patricia Diaz Krause will join in spirit a celebration she had once envisioned with the first New Year’s Eve Lincoln Penny Drop Dec. 31. An oversize Lincoln penny will touch ground at midnight to help the city usher in the new year.
The event was planned by City Councilman Chris Dardzinski, and is sponsored by Friends of the Lincoln Park Farmer’s Market, Lincoln Park Memorial Day Parade committee, VFW Post 552 and the Lincoln Park Historical Museum.
Krause, who served as mayor from 2011 to 2013, continued serving the community as president of the Lincoln Park Historical Society until her death earlier this year.
A ceremony preceding the midnight drop is scheduled to begin at 11:45 p.m. Dec. 31 in front of the museum, 1335 Southfield Road. A 3-foot-tall penny will fall from the flag pole, and cake, hot chocolate and other refreshments will be available.
Dardzinski said a public New Year’s Eve event was among the ideas that Krause had hoped to initiate during her time in office, a period when the city struggled against mounting budget and financial issues. Undaunted, Krause continued her efforts for city events such as a revived Memorial Day parade – which was realized last year – and supported community activities, such as the Lincoln Park Farmer’s Market.
Parking is expected to be available for the Penny Drop in the municipal lots at Southfield and Fort and the meridian, as well as the museum parking lot.
For information on the Penny Drop and other city events go to lppenny.webs.com.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)