What a great way to celebrate a 30th Birthday than a costume party?  Now, this is a surprise, so don't tell!  The family lead the Guest of Honor to believe that her grand ole 30th was a little forgotten and instead, a costume party on the Eve of Halloween was more favorable.  Tons of scary finger foods like Witches Fingers (a.k.a. pig in a blanket), Bones (breadsticks), Ghosts (Nutter Butters dipped in white chocolate), Witches Brew (punch), Chicken Guts Stew (chicken noodle soup) and bleeding cookies of all sorts were on display.  As you walk through the graveyard with a foggy mist that covered the ground to the haunted house, ghosts and bats would fly by and witches would cackle.  When you entered the house of fright, webs consumed the ceilings and spiders dropped down in your hair, ghosts would appear in family photos.  Some children's activities included sticking you hand, if you dare, into the cauldron of worms and eyeballs to fetch a prize, Mummy Wrap and decorating your own haunted house.  Some costumes included Mike and Carol Brady, Zombie Prom Kings and Queens, Flappers from the 20's, a Peacock, witches, a Candy Bot, much more.  The BOOthday girl was ecstatic and definetly surprised when she saw guests from out of town, in town and family members all arrived to celebrate.  It was a hit or should I say a Graveyard Smash! 

 

 

Whirlpool Corporation, Evansville Lab, held their team build picnic in July.  The facility was Armstrong Rec Center, located on IN-Hwy 65.  Normally July is very hot in Southern Indiana, but we lucked out that day!  The weather was gorgeous, in the mid 80's and breezy! 

 

The most favorite activity of the day was the 4-Way Tug of War; you have four ropes that all snap onto a large metal ring in the center.  You mark out with chalk or spray paint a large circle on the grass around the center.  A flag is placed on each rope; close to the front man on your team.  The goal is pull the other three teams' flags over the circle.  You can swivel and move side to side.  This task is not as easy as it seems; it is not just strength that will win, but strategy that your team must decide upon before beginning.  We ended up with 8 people to a rope and the first go round, well...didn't exactly work out too well.  One team had the bigger stronger men, they pulled too hard and that whole team went flying in the air!!!  The snapped the rope!!  A minor repair and back to round 2.

 

Other activities included a Scavenger Quest; each team had a different starting clue that led them to the next location.  A Grand Prize was waiting for each team at the last location.  Example:  This office is private where men conduct business.  Answer: Men's room.  Another activity was a Homerun Derby.  Whoever hit the most balls into the outfield out of 15 pitches won.  Others enjoyed Volleyball, Hillbilly Golf and washers.

 

For those who were more of a sit down person, a Casino with Blackjack, Poker and Craps; Wii Games; Tangram Puzzles; Word Equations and paper activities were provided.  Don't worry--all gambling was done with fake paper money provided by the coordinator.

 

Three different types of meals were served; a Mexican Bar, BBQ bar and a Homestyle dinner.  Help yourself to all!!  And for those with a sweet-tooth, sno-cones, popcorn, brownies, crackerjacks and other cakes were served.  

 

After lunch, a raffle was held where everyone received a ticket and that ticket matched a prize at the front of the room.  Every team member was sent home with a gift that the company had purchased to show their gratitude for all the hard work.  Some gifts were Kitchenaid dishes and gadgets, pool rafts, lawn chairs, coolers, picnic sets, outdoor games, etc.

 

It was a great summer picnic and really boosted morale for the whole department.  We couldn't have asked for a better day or a better team!

 

 

 

Andria Petry of West Virginia and Youssef Siage of Damascus, Syria, will commit to marriage on a beautiful fall day, outside in New Harmony IN at The Granary.  With lots of Moroccan lanterns lighting the aisle, lined with an array of colored rose petals, the couple will be married by an Arab Priest, under an arbor full of floral, drapery and jewels. 

 

When guests arrive, instead of signing a guest book, we have asked them to "Wish Upon a Jewel."  In one-to-two words, write a wish in gold on each glass jewel and drop in a large bubble vase that will hold the bride's bouquet at dinner.  The vase will be used for any time the groom brings the bride flowers for anniversaries or any special occasion, remaining filled with the wishes the guests made for their marriage. 

 

Cocktail hour will take place on the first floor of The Granary with an open bar, appetizers catered by The Red Geranium and a lounge area, allowing guests to relax before the meal.  Guests will be release to move the party upstairs for dinner, dancing and entertainment performed by belly dancers.  

 

The couple was announced as they take center stage for their first dance as Mr. & Mrs. Siage.  The Priest will hold the blessing for the buffet of London Broil, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Cajun Grilled Talapia, accompanied by red potatoes, country style green beans, sugar glazed carrots and a variety of salads, all catered by The Red Geranium.  A collection of the couples favorite wines will be offered with dinner.  The custom cake is a colorful, 3-flavored, 3 tier, moroccan inspired with the couple's monogram painted in gold and edible jewels encrusting the top layer.  Topped off with fresh floral cascading down the other layers and jewels surronding the bottom.  Speeches were made by the Maid of Honor and the Best Man and toasted to from hand painted moroccan flutes.

 

A Belly Dancer from Nile Breeze Dance Company, entertained and brought culture to this very Eastern meets Western ceremony.   

 

The tables are draped in gold satin linens with an overlay in a Moroccan print of oranges, purples, reds, pinks-jewel tones.  A 4ft fresh floral centerpiece in yellow, red roses, fuschia and dark purple mums and carnations and dark purple cala lillies will stand high surronded by Moroccan lanterns and votive candles in jewel tones, mimicking stained glass.  Jewels will surround the candlelight and flowers on all tables. 

 

For fresh air, lounge outside in the Hookah bar with rich fabrics and printed pillows and lanterns to set the mood. 

 

Every guest received a hand-carved wood box inlayed with pearl and red velvet inside from Syria that the father of the groom handmade.  A small gift bag filled with local New Harmony information and the couple's favorite cookies from Just Rennies was in each guest's hotel room, at the New Harmony Inn.

 

 

 

 

 

Open community carnival with lots of free games, face pa

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday party with 250 guests.  Twenty-five tables set up in the guest of honor's favorite pastimes: Poker, MLB, Alabama & Colts football, Texas, Golf, the 50's era, a flamingo table for his wife, etc.  Each table will have its own theme and tons of decor to represent an era in his life.  A meal of 4 meats, a potato bar and a very large candy buffet featuring a lit centerpiece piled high with fruit, veggies and dips.  To top it off, a floral arrangement made by the family's pastor sitting at the top of the furit tower.  The buffet featured Thirty-two (yes, 32!) desserts including, cakes, lollipops, gourmet chocolates, several hard candies, doves, M&M's, and the list goes on and on! Friends and family members came all the way from Georgia and Alabama to celebrate with this special guest.  A casual evening surrounded by friends, family and a whole lot of fun!

 

Release your wild side with an adult Bachelorette party for the Bride and her Bridesmaids only.  Pole Dancing lessons for 2 hours, drinks, desserts and adult goodie bags.  The instuctor made us feel at ease and everyone went home feeling more sexy and the men...they thanked us!

 

 

Modern day Garden Party with stylish floral runners and white lap length linens covering each table.  A variety of colorful and odd shaped vases filled with silk wildfloral as centerpieces.  Hanging from the ceiling are paper parasols to really bring that "in the garden" feel.  Lighted paper lanterns also drape from the ceiling.  We've assigned certain hours of the day to each guest, asking them to bring gifts that the bride and groom could use during that time, Round the Clock theme.  A large sweets buffet that features decadent strawberry and chocolate pies, cheesecakes, brownies, cookies and other treats accompanied by home-made lemonade, sweet tea in country-style glass spouted coolers, strawberry daquaris, sangria and coffee.  The desserts surround a 4ft dark pink flowering Azalea tree.  Games include a personlized "Bridal Lotto" scratch off ticket and The Ring.  Guests will write marriage advice, serious or funny, on personalized cards for the bride to keep and refer to when needed.  A night of fun with the girls, desserts and life all around. 

 

 

 

Fusions is a proud supporter of Break the Silence.  An organization to help raise awareness and identify child abuse.