This holiday season, we have been very busy making gift items in the CARSON wrappedhersheys.com workshop. We've been filling tin after tin full of delicious Hershey's candy. I felt like one of Santa's Elves, working as fast as I could while listening to every Christmas song known to man.
One Friday morning as I sat down at my desk and looked over
at Pam, I realized we were wearing the exact same outfit. For some people, this could be quite
embarrassing, but in the marketing department at CARSON wrappedhersheys.com, we celebrate it. We refer to this as being
“twinkies.” I was introduced to
this term about two years ago when I thought I was being called a snack
food. As it turns out, it’s just a
term that some Northern Ohioans use when you are dressed like someone else.
Now this particular day was something special. Not only were Pam and I twinkies, but hours later we realized that Carola had also channeled us when choosing her outfit for the day. Could it be that we spend too much time together? I prefer to believe that we all just have good taste.
Once a month at CARSON wrappedhersheys.com, we have a luncheon. We are split into groups with about 7 to 9 people in each group. Each month one group is responsible for deciding and preparing what we will have for lunch. We have had some interesting menus. For example, we've had an Italian feast, a summer-style picnic and an All-American cookout. One month there was a rice theme...even the dessert was...you guessed it...Rice Krispie treats.
There is always plenty of food. It gives everyone a chance to try something they might not normally try. It also gives some of us a chance to show off some of our favorite recipes. Just another fun thing we do at CARSON. Leftovers for lunch the next day aren't bad either.
One of my first projects at CARSON wrappedhersheys.com was to design posters to hang inside the newly renovated building. The new building updates include fresh coats of color both inside and out, completely new interior layout, new desks and furniture, and our new café. The goal of the posters was to add another element that would compliment these new changes. To begin, certain wrapper designs were selected, such as Zoo Crew, Island Wedding, and of course the classic Heresheis and Hereheis. From these wrappers, I chose an element from each that would be repeated in a design on the poster.
I would describe it as an Andy Warhol block style template with abstracted images. For example, in our Zoo Crew wrapper, I picked one animal that would be repeated on the poster in each block of color. When put together, each block made up the final poster. I really enjoyed getting to choose what I liked best about the designs and creating them to match the colorful environment at CARSON. The posters are displayed throughout the building, so no matter where I go, I can see something everyday that I was a part of.
by Morgan Schmidt
In the beginning, our shelves were void. And darkness and tears were upon the faces of the people. And Scott said, "Let there be a museum!" And there was a museum. And the people saw that it was good; and they smiled. Granted, it took a lot longer than 6 days to create; but why fuss over such a small detail as time when it comes to something as jim-dandy as the CARSON museum? After all, it is the first thing our customers see when they walk in our door. It has to be good.
The sundry and diverse items for the museum have been collected gradually over a period of years and carefully stored in anticipation of the mega remodeling effort that took place over the '07 - '08 winter. Once the renovation was completed, display cases were brought in and strategically arranged. It was then time to sift through the boxes of Hershey memorabilia that had been in systematic accumulation. Everything was labeled, cataloged, dated and described to the best of our ability. When we weren't sure of something, we fabricated suppositions, that is to say: we guessed. Hey, it's our museum.
What's in the museum, you may wonder? It's a real soup-to-nuts mix of every type of Hershey memorabilia we could get our chocolate smeared fingers on. Over the years, Hershey has put out a mind boggling variety of tins in every imaginable shape and size. We have tons of them, and the boggled minds to prove it. We've also got place mats and lip gloss, music boxes and playing cards. We've got hockey pucks, soap boxes and Christmas ornaments. We've got books and pillows and costumes. Our pieces de resistance--dare I say the crown jewels of our collection--are the dresses assembled out of Hershey wrappers (among other things, all Hershey) made on the popular TV show Project Runway.
We're very proud of our little museum; we've put a lot of effort into making it the finest display of Hershey memorabilia this side of Hershey, PA. We have no doubt that our CARSON museum will soon take its rightful place among other noteworthy tourist attractions such as the World's Largest Ball of String and the Upside-down House. Maybe someday, we'll even get our own freeway sign.
On Monday, May 5th CARSON wrappedhersheys.com officially went Green! To do our part for a greener CARSON and a greener home here are a few facts/tips:
1. Curbside Recycling/Labeled Bins: Now serving half of the U.S. population, these bins provide the most convenient means for households to recycle a variety of materials. The Big Five are: aluminum cans, glass bottles, paper, plastic and steel/tin cans.
2. Electronics: Telephones, radios, televisions, computers and cell phones are items that have revolutionized our daily lifestyle. These items make up the bulk of electronics that pose a threat to the environment. So, next time you upgrade that cell phone, or get the latest video game system, think twice about what happens to the old gadget:
3. Garage Garbage: Did you know that used motor oil can be recycled? How about paint? It turns out that many of the items in your garage are recyclable! So claim your garbage back, learn what to do with the mess and help the planet while you’re at it!
CARSON’s contribution:
Cardboard: We recycle between 150-200 pounds of cardboard a day! That’s 1,225 pounds a week and 9,100 pounds a year!
Cans & Bottles & Glass, Oh My! : In our café we now have labeled containers for all of our empty delicious drink containers.
Ink: We recycle all of our used ink cartridges!
By Jane Swensson
Greetings Chocolateers,
I was the fortunate artist selected to assist in the celebration of the newly renovated playground that is CARSON wrappedhersheys.com.
You can't beat a commission that involves eating much chocolate, sketching and designing. Throughout the entire facility are candy colors and Hershey's memorabilia. It wasn't difficult discovering an inspiration.
While beginning my research over a Hershey's candy bar (the pride of the Carson's operation) I unwrapped the bar and...voila! I would create the wrapper part of the Carson's experience. The candy was already represented throughout the space; it needed homage to the delivery system and luckily I work in "wrapper" stuff (aluminum, stainless, and steel).
From this point things evolved fairly rapidly. During many other chocolate breaks (of bars and kisses) much inspiration oozed forth. The kisses became iconic detailing and the "Hershey Bar Geometry" dictated much of the massing and language.
This main design theme can be seen in the set piece "Cocoa Belle": the order processing "Goddess", and other miscellaneous architectonic treatments.
Visit my web site www.earthorchestra.com to view other sculptural work and contact information.
Thank you so much.
Edward Casagrande / Earth Orchestra Inc.
As you review the images look for the kisses, blooms and geometry all lavished on the candy wrapper that is my work.
If you’ve ever spent any time in the Ohio River valley in winter, you will understand the concept of “dreary.” Surely meteorological students worldwide swarm to this area to study the true nature of overcast skies. Children of this cheerless winter world grow up with a resilient nature, maintaining a buoyancy of spirit when lesser persons might whither. But even for seasoned veterans, sometimes the bleakness becomes crucible; set to test the mettle of our most hardy souls.
Wednesday, February 6th was a typical gloomy day, strung onto the end of a long series of other typical gloomy days. We were gathered around
the meeting table discussing new catalog covers, when our attention was arrested by the window view of a large crane wading in our pond. Distracted by its unusual size, we all felt compelled to observe and remark upon this bird at excessive length. Engaged thus, we were soon awestruck when something else appeared; something pregnant with the promise of radiant days and the end of seasonal doldrums. A vast and brilliant rainbow had suddenly materialized over the building next door to ours. CARSON wrappedhersheys.com photographer Pam Bottles was quick on the draw and captured this image from our back patio. Unfortunately, the bustle at the door frightened our fine feathered friend; but he’ll probably be back long before we get another shot at an image like this.
Hi, it's me, Gail. I got to spend the Big 6-0 with the CARSON gang.
My work space, and boy do I have a really Big Space, was decked out. I was amazed with all the decorations when I walked in that morning. Then just before noon an Eastern Onion singing telegram was delivered by a singing and dancing "Gorilla" by the name of George! He even had red and black balloons that matched my clothes (not sure how he managed to do that). George even got me up to dance (a little). The best part was that my family and friends were there to see me entertain the gorilla.
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There was cake and cupcakes from Scott and Sharon, carrot cake from Jeff, and a "Yorkie" cake from Dee. Dee knows how much I love my baby (Yorkshire Terrier). When I got home there were flowers, a steak dinner, even more cake. In total I received 6 cakes and 4 sets of flowers. I probably gained 6 pounds from the treats. It was all worth it for a Totally Great Birthday!
This is me, and this is my candy jar. I fill it with about $15 worth of candy every month. I try to consider the candy preferences of others and consequently I have lots of visitors. This is Matt, one of my best customers. Matt can empty a jar full of Twix bars and Kit Kats in the blink of an eye…
Dee buys 100 Grand bars for me, which I really appreciate. She keeps her candy dish full with respectable flavors, chocolate candy that everyone loves. Dee is diabetic and can’t even eat this candy. How’s that for love?
I have no idea why these girls are smiling. Kim’s candy jar has a couple of candy canes and some sugar free candy in it (probably that she took from Dee). The same candy for about 2 months now. I doubt she gets many visitors.
Laura’s candy jar has just a couple of old Hershey’s Kisses in it. Pitiful.
Gail keeps Carson going with a steady supply of peanut M&M’s. Here is Bob, caught in the act. Bob really makes the rounds on candy jars and can give Matt a run for his money…
Sylvia bought this Jelly Belly machine at a company garage sale for $1.00. She used to provide the pennies needed to purchase Jelly Belly beans, which I thought was very generous. Of late it seems that she is trying to make profit.
