The town’s premier business organization held its inaugural awards gala on Oct. 17 at the Miami Lakes Hotel on Main. The event supported the American Cancer Society. Guests dined, danced and partied while dressed in black tie and trustee members received custom trophies. A silent auction, including art by Richard Pis, aka Ricky G, benefitted the American Cancer Society. The honorees were: Platinum Trustee and VIP...

     Jim Hamilton, at left, treasurer of the Miami Lakes Optimist Club, receives a $1,500 check from Fred Senra, partner in Miami Lakes AutoMall. The dealership’s Miami Lakes Chevrolet made its annual donation to sponsor the 2025 baseball season, a gift he has made for the past 15 years.        Hamilton gave Senra a plaque in thanks for the AutoMall’s support of another program, flag football...

There is an incentive to shop and dine close to home this holiday season: Miami Lakes Local Lotto, which will give customers at restaurants and stores a chance to win prizes.      Kimberly Trelles, owner of the Trelles Cottage gift shop, created the game to celebrate small businesses and restaurants in town.       Sponsors include the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce and The Graham...

    The Miami Foundation is about to launch its 14th Give Miami Day on Nov. 20. The donation window opens on Nov. 15.       The organization coordinates donations to more than 1,000 local non-profits in a single 24-hour event. It hopes to surpass last year’s record $39.5 million contributions.      Gifts start at $25. The Miami Foundation has wealthy donors who will match gifts,...

   Voters in the 9th Annual Best of Miami Lakes 2025 poll chose some new businesses as their favorites, though a few previous winners stayed on the list, too.      BB’s Bakehouse, a two-year old café on Main Street, faced perhaps the toughest competition as there are so many places in town to get a caffeinated drink.      “This is our first win,” said Jorge Berrios, who owns the...