Spring Break 2008

This Spring Break, most people went to some place sunny. Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, anywhere you can think of with a beach. Not us. We went to Wyoming. Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I mean, seriously! To be perfectly honest, I was hoping to actually get a tan. I got a GOGGLES tan. But I’m not complaining. I had a really great time. We learned how to snowboard (Chase broke her wrist, by the way… she’s officially hardcore), and after skiing/snowboarding, we would go to the hot tub.

We would get hot chocolate, which was always way too much for me to drink. I mean, who drinks a giant cup of hot chocolate in one sitting? Especially with caramel in it. Gosh, that thing was rich. But it was good. We’d get s'mores occasionally. They had Hershey’s chocolate in them. What can I say? Hershey’s is everywhere, even when I try to escape my parents’ career life.
That’s all for now!

Mars

Last month, a blockbuster deal was announced in the candy world.  Hershey’s number one competitor in the United States, Mars, Inc. (makers of Snicker’s and M&M’s) purchased the world’s largest gum maker Wrigley, for $80 a share.    

Both of these huge candy companies are family businesses started decades ago, and combined they will be an undeniable force in the candy industry. The deal includes financing from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

Combined, this company will be the number one chocolate maker in the world, and is sure to spark more consolidation in the candy industry.  We will continue to watch and see what happens next, but here at CARSON, we will just continue to work hard to exceed our customers' expectations, one customer at a time.

Tax Relief

Members of the Covenant Community Church in Fairfield, Ohio ordered 500 wrapped Hershey's bars to give to late income tax filers at the Fairfield Post Office on Tuesday, April 15. In one hour, church member Paul Zaffiro said they ran out of the candy bars, the custom wrappers of which said "Congratulations: The relief you feel today could be yours for eternity."

Endless Possibilities

Production associate Melinda joined the CARSON team in February. Melinda’s husband, Dan plays drums and sings for a local band called Crunch. As a treat for guests at their recent shows they ordered Minis with their special message--a friendly public service reminder wrapped around chocolate!

I ordered the "Caution" candy bars as advertisement for my husband's band, putting their name and website on the wrappers. When I passed them out, everyone loved them. Some people saved them." -Melinda C.

Suddenly, she was hooked.  She also ordered the Butterfly Kisses for decoration to set out on the tables for a 44th birthday party. She added balloons and a tablecloth. It was very decorative.

But Melinda didn’t stop there! She recently ordered minis and organza bags for Mother's Day. Her plan was to fill the bags with the Mother's Day minis and some kisses for a special Mother's Day treat to add to some flowers.

Realizing the endless possibilities,  Melinda also intends to fill more of the organza bags with minis for her son's high school graduation to pass out to some of his friends. She also has some standard size graduation bars in mind to complete the party!

Hershey’s Eye Candy

In my home, reality television dominates our evening viewing schedule.  From the Food Network to the Amazing Race, America’s Got Talent to American Inventor,  American Idol to America’s Next Top Model , we have watched them all.

One of my daughters' favorite reality shows is Project Runway on the Bravo Network.  The Hershey Company was a corporate sponsor of Season Four.  One of the challenges involved the contestant designers going to Hershey’s Chocolate World in New York City’s world famous Time’s Square.  In just a few minutes time, they had to canvas the store to gather anything they could to create their next fashion design.

After they tore through the store grabbing everything from pillows to bags of candy, the designers crafted dresses out of York Peppermint Patty bags, Reese's cups,  and even Twizzlers licorice.  It was truly amazing to watch what they were able to design and actually make into a wearable dress.

After the judging was completed by the show's celebrity hosts Tim Gunn (Make it Work) and Heidi Klum, the winner of the Hershey’s Eye Candy Challenge was Rami.  He designed a dress with a top made from Twizzlers  branded material and a skirt made of York Peppermint Patty wrappers.  Really Cool.

One of the greatest things about Project Runway is that after the competition is complete and the season has ended, the fashions created by the designers are auctioned off  for charity.  In March, the Hershey’s Eye Candy Dresses were set to be auctioned with the proceeds benefiting the Young Survival Coalition which is a wonderful group that supports awareness for younger women with cancer.

It was a combination of our obvious connection with Hershey’s, the opportunity to support a worthy cause, and my daughters' love for the dresses they saw on Project Runway that led to us bidding on and winning 8 of the 10 dresses.

We are extremely proud that they will soon be home in our newly remodeled offices and will have a prominent display in CARSON’s own Hershey’s Museum that is being completed as we speak.

Photo credits: Show Patrol Redeye's TV Blog
Photo close up credits: CARSON wrappedhersheys.com

Go Red for Women

Friday, May 2nd , 2008 was the 3rd Annual Go Red for Women Empowerment Luncheon at The Savannah Center.

Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together and fight heart disease, the No. 1 killer of American women.

A study released in the Journal of the American Medical Association tells us that small amounts of dark chocolate (one piece of a 16 piece bar, or around 30 calories a day) when taken daily for about 18 weeks can lower blood pressure, which in turn can help reduce the risk of stroke or death from coronary artery disease.

CARSON wrappedhersheys.com donated 500 Hershey's Special Dark chocolate bars for the attendees at the luncheon.

 

First Communion

First Communion is considered one of the holiest and most important occasions in a Roman Catholic's life. It means that the person has received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Most Catholic children receive their First Communion when they're seven or eight years of age because this is considered the age of reason.  First Communion is a very important and holy day for Catholic children because they are receiving, for the first time, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. By continuing to receive Holy Communion for the rest of their lives, Catholics become one with Christ and believe they will share in His eternal life.

First Communion is also traditionally an important festive occasion for Roman Catholic families.  Traditions surrounding First Communion usually include large family gatherings and parties to celebrate the event; special clothing is usually worn. The clothing is often white to symbolize purity. Girls often wear fancy dresses and a veil attached to a headdress, as well as white gloves (long or short).

Here at CARSON wrappedhersheys.com, we are honored and privileged to help many families celebrate their child’s First Holy Communion.  Recently, we were sent a photo of one of the most beautiful little girl’s on her First Communion Day!  As I looked closer at the picture, I noticed the beautiful little girl’s birth bar in the curio cabinet she was posing in front of.  Not only was Carson privileged to help celebrate this lovely little girl’s First Communion, but we had also been able to take part in the celebration of a her birth several years before!  Thanks so much for giving us the privilege of being part of your special memories!

The guests absolutely loved the candy bar wrappers and thought it was so cute. We had so many compliments on it – including the fact everyone was glad it was a 5 oz. bar!! We will definitely do this again for a special occasion because it creates such a beautiful memory.” -Michele M.

Chocolate Appreciation

Tuesday, May 6th is Teacher Appreciation Day.  My close friend since primary school, Molly, is an active parent and proud mother of Elena.  Molly is using CARSON wrapped Hershey's bars to thank the staff at at Irving Primary School in Highland Park, NJ  for their dedication to the children.  We added their school logo to our CTA07 design feature in the Teacher Appreciation category to add an extra personal touch.

by Michelle Beal

The Big Apple

Last weekend my family and I took a trip to New York City. It was the first time there for all of us, so we didn't quite know what to expect. That city is overwhelming; filled with people from all around the world, over 17,000 restaurants, 10,000 taxi cabs, amazing Broadway shows, endless shopping and enormous skyscrapers. I don't think one person could ever run out of things to do there.

After watching the Travel Channel's episode of the top 10 ice cream parlors across America, the famous Serendipity 3 was on the top of my list of places to visit in NYC...and I was not disappointed. I ordered the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, which tasted like chocolate milk, but better. My husband got the Forbidden Broadway Sundae, which he was kind enough to share with his chocolate-loving wife (as if he had a choice). Also on the menu was the world's most expensive sundae, the Golden Opulence Sundae. This lavish $1,000 sundae, which you have to order 48 hours in advance, is covered in edible gold and includes ingredients imported from all over the world. I didn't order it this time... maybe after I hit the jackpot on Hershey's instant lottery tickets!

Special May Occasions

Our May birthdays complete the picture!

May we wish a Happy Anniversary to...