Mark McKinney, the Embassy Theatre box office assistant manager, has been awarded the prestigious Hoosier Hospitality Award.
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch gave the award to 16 Hoosiers in the hospitality and tourism industry for excellent customer service and consistently welcoming visitors with a warm Hoosier attitude. McKinney, who has been with the Embassy the past 14 years, was nominated by box office manager Kevin Boughton and chief operating officer Mary Jo Hardiman.
“Mark takes great care and time with patrons and has a way of connecting them to the Embassy and others in the community,” Hardiman said in a press release. “For Mark, Hoosier hospitality is more than a coined slogan, it is a way of life.”
McKinney was presented the award during a ceremony on Dec. 8 in Indianapolis.
“I was completely surprised when I first learned that I had won this award, that I couldn’t find the right words to say,” he said in a press release. “Customer service has been a core strength of mine, and I thank my family for instilling good values in me at a young age, to always treat those as you would like to be treated yourself and to always smile! I also thank Kevin and Mary Jo for nominating me for this honorable award and the rest of the Embassy staff for being awesome and amazing to work alongside on a daily basis.”
Build Guild hosts amigurumi workshop
The Build Guild, 1025 Goshen Ave., will hold an amigurumi crochet workshop Thursday, Dec. 22, from 6-8 p.m., for $21 or $10.50 for those 17 years old and under.
Known as the art of 3D crochet, amigurumi participants will learn the basics and create a crocheted bee.
Registration deadline is 5 p.m. the day of class. For tickets to this or any other Build Guild class, go to thebuildguild.org/events or call (260) 209-9150 to register.
Catch Arthur Christmas at Promenade
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, the 2011 holiday film Arthur Christmas will be shown in the Promenade Park Pavilion, 202 W. Superior St.
The PG movie is about Santa’s son Arthur, voiced by James McAvoy, who goes on a special mission to save Christmas morning.
Guests can create Christmas crafts while watching the movie. All ages and abilities are welcome. Seating is limited.
Tickets are $6 and are available at fortwayneparks.org or (260) 427-6000.
YMCA hosting Christmas drive-in movies
The Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA, 5680 YMCA Park Drive off St. Joe Center Road, will present a free family-friendly Christmas movie drive-in event on Friday, Dec. 23.
The G-rated 1983 film Mickey’s Christmas Carol will be shown at 6 p.m., followed by 2011’s Prep & Landing (G) at 7 p.m. and 2017’s The Star (PG) at 8 p.m.
Popcorn and juice will be available at his free event that is open to the public, regardless of YMCA membership.
Visit conservatory on $1 admission nights
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St., will have $1 admission on Thursday and Friday evenings, Dec. 22-23, from 5 to 8 p.m.
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