The world’s tallest ice cream cone was reportedly constructed in May of 2005 by students at Eisenhower Junior High School in Utah. The record-setting cone reached a height of 13 inches above the top of the cone. That doesn’t seem all that difficult; that is until you try it! However, Quassy Amusement Park and Hershey’s ® Ice Cream are confident that local teams of super scoopers have an excellent chance of breaking the mark. The two companies are teaming up to present a contest to produce the world’s tallest ice cream cone on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 6:00p.m. at the lakeside park.
Registration is free, but must be completed by Aug. 1. To register a three person team, e-mail info@quassy.com with “Ice Cream Contest” in the subject line. List each team member’s name (three members), hometown, e-mail address and telephone number for verification. The first 24 teams to register and verify participation will be entered into the event. By registering for the event, each team member agrees to be photographed for publicity purposes by Quassy Amusement Park and Hershey’s ® Ice Cream. Children must have permission from an adult family member to participate.
Participating teams will all receive two evening ride passes to Quassy plus an ice cream certificate from Hershey’s to be redeemed for product. Also, a trophy will be presented to the team setting the new mark should the record by broken.
- Getting ready for the contest at Quassy Amusement Park are (left) Bill Schwabe, sales manager for Hershey’s Ice Cream, and Matt Hess, assistant director of food operations at the park.
Rules: Each three-person team will have up to 20 minutes to build its cone. One person may scoop or spoon the ice cream; another team member holds the ice cream cone, which cannot rest on another object; and the third person will place the ice cream on top of the cone. It is suggested that the cone holder wear winter or other protective gloves to prevent frostbite.
The ice cream may not be touched or handled by any team member, or the team is disqualified at that point. Only two scoopers or spoons may be used to transfer or manipulate the product.
Dripping ice cream touching a team member does not disqualify a team. No knives or cutting devices may be used to cut blocks or chunks of ice cream. The uniform diameter of the top of the cone cannot exceed three inches. All layers of ice cream placed on top of the cone must not exceed three times the diameter of the top of the cone. The height of the finished ice cream cone will be determined by independent judges and their decision is final. Employees of Quassy Amusement Park and Hershey’s ® Ice Cream and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.
Posted in Contests, News.
Tagged with contest, Hershey’s ® Ice Cream, Quassy Amusement Park, Tallest Ice Cream Cone.
By ElmCityParent Blogs
– July 29, 2010
Get special savings on tickets to see WNBA Connecticut Sun!
Use the discount code WNBABLOG when ordering tickets at the team’s TicketMaster deal page. This offer is good now through end of the regular season (August 22, 2010).
In addition to regularly scheduled games, there will be a Special Breast Cancer Awareness game on August 8, 2010 with in arena events and activities.
Thank you to our friends at One2One Network for sharing this special offer with us!
Posted in Discounts.
Tagged with Connecticut Sun, One2One Network, Ticketmaster, WNBA.
By ElmCityParent Blogs
– July 28, 2010
Last week I ran around like a crazy person attending several Social Web Week CT events as well as the Staples Back to School event in NYC (more to come on that one). I won’t recap all of the Social Web Week events, but I will say that I met a ton of interesting and creative people. One event that I do want to share was “Personal Branding with Andrea Syrtash“. I wasn’t familiar with Syrtash, but during the planning of Social Web Week I learned she was a relationship expert, life coach, author, and contributor for Oprah.com, Yahoo! and the Huffington Post. It was an informal setting at Bru Cafe where Syrtash was being interviewed by Chris Bartlett.
The interview covered both the topic of personal branding coupled with an introduction to her latest book. Five minutes into the interview and I was thinking “this is someone I could see myself being friends with”. I mean she was down to earth, funny, realistic and no different from most of my girlfriends except she had much better advice on dating. Not that I’m in the market to start dating, but the advice was practical and could really apply to other relationships in my life. Syrtash started out discussing how her career had evolved stating, “If you can’t find a job you like, create one” and went on to talk about how she once posted an ad on Craig’s List offering to write bios for individuals while in need of work. Pretty creative, right?
The book, entitled He’s Just Not Your Type (And That’s A Good Thing) offers practical advice on how dating “your type” may be working against you, and dating your non-type may be the solution. I think most of us will recognize what Syrtash classifies in the book as the three categories on non-types. What is a non-type? Someone you would not consider dating based on your own preconceived notion of what the perfect guy looks like on paper.
Personally, I’m looking forward to her next book expected to be titled “How To Cheat On Your Husband With Your Husband”. In the meantime, we have a copy of He’s Just Not Your Type (And That’s A Good Thing) to give away. Andrea was gracious enough to sign a copy for us too! Click here for your chance to win. One person will be selected at random from all the entries received by July 28, 2010.
To hear more about the book in Andrea’s own words, view her WTNH Connecticut Style interview from July 14, 2010.
Posted in Giveaways, Reviews.
Tagged with Andrea Syrtash, Book Giveaway, He's Just Not Your Type, Social Web Week CT.
By ElmCityParent Blogs
– July 21, 2010
Dear Lisa,
Our eldest daughter recently finished pre-school, a bittersweet moment for us all. Evidence of her many pre-school activities all year long are all over the house, regrettably in random piles…artwork, class photos, handprint crafts, clay projects, woodcrafts and special cards. Do you have any suggestions for handling the accumulation, showcasing some of her creativity and storing others for memories? This is an issue not limited to the preschool years I suspect!
Jeanine M., Hamden, CT
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Jeanine,
You are right. This is an on-going issue that only gets worse! If you think pre-school has a lot of paperwork, just wait till your daughter starts grade school! The rolling waves of clutter are about to flow in! I suggest setting up an efficient paper management system now before school starts or you’ll find yourself buried in papers by Halloween!
Consider these tips for handling school papers:
- Create a launch & landing pad by your home entryway (shelf cubbies, baskets or even sturdy wall hooks to hang school backpacks, jackets, etc) so your kids will always have their things ready to go when needed.
- When school starts, get into the habit of emptying backpacks as soon as kids are home from school (when they get older, they should do this on their own).
- Set up a daily drop basket (a place out of sight such as in a kitchen cabinet, pantry or hall closet) where you can quickly toss in paperwork (important papers that need to parents signatures, etc. should be placed in a separate ‘on the counter’ file or basket so it can be dealt with and tucked back into the backpack.
- Once a month, make it a habit to cull the daily drop basket (throwing out most paperwork but selecting just a few you’d like to save).
- Lastly, you should set up a permanent file or bin just for the school papers worth saving. (The Lillian Vernon Catalog offers a wonderful school paper storage bin with a box type drawer for each school year…limit saved paperwork to what will actually fit inside one drawer).
For artwork, 3-D crafts and oversized paintings, here are some tips:
- At the end of each school year, take a photo of your child holding the 3-D project, such as dioramas while holding a sign that explains it (“Mrs. Smith’s 2nd grade science project, etc). Then toss the project and save the photo in a school album.
- A few special cards can be saved in a ‘memory box’ for child or mother, tucked away in a hat box on a closet shelf. *Remember, you can’t save them all!
- Don’t use the kitchen fridge to display artwork! Nothing makes a kitchen look more cluttered than random papers, photos and artwork shoved onto the fridge with zillions of magnets. Instead, create a separate ‘Childrens Art Gallery’ in a less conspicuous location such as a stairwell wall, a wall in the garage or finished basement, or even inside the pantry door…and be sure to rotate the art occasionally.
- Paper and clay crafts made for various holidays can be stored right with your holiday decorations in the attic so you can admire them while being displayed once a year around that holiday season.
- Three dimensional shadow box frames (available at most craft stores) can hold several small items, representing various grades or classes and can be hung right on the Childrens Art Gallery wall.
- Oversized papers or artwork can be tucked into an ‘Art Envelope’, made by duct taping 2 poster boards together on 3 sides, leaving the top open to drop in papers. Scallop the front top edge for easy insertion and have your child decorate the ‘envelope’ by drawing pictures on it, if desired. Since this is flat but oversized, it should be stored standing up against the back wall, on the floor of any nearby closet.
Please remember that you simply cannot save everything. Our kids will not want years of school clutter handed down to them in the future. Hold ‘em for a while and then let them go. Good luck to you and your daughter as she enters the ‘big school’ this Fall!
*If you have an organizing question for Lisa, contact her directly at LisaLelas@aol.com with ‘Elm City Ask the Organizer’ in the subject line. Submitters will each receive a complimentary copy of Lisa’s bestselling book: ‘Simple Steps, 10 Weeks to Getting Control of your Life’, while promotional supplies last.
Lisa Lelas is a professional organizer/author/speaker from Guilford, CT, who has appeared on such shows as Oprah and Today. She is the organizing segment reporter for Channel 8 and Channel 30, as well as the creator/host of SIMPLY ORGANIZED on community cable TV. Lisa is also the founder of Clutter Cutters of Connecticut, a not-for-profit clutter support group offering tips and strategies, inspiration and motivation for accomplishing organizational challenges. www.LifeStylingwithLisa.com
Posted in Parent Tips.
Tagged with Life Styling With Lisa, Lisa Lelas, organizing tips.
By ElmCityParent Blogs
– July 15, 2010
Connection. Conversation. Collaboration. Community. Just a few of the word that describe what’s happening the week of July 10th in and around New Haven both live and over the web. Social Web Week CT, a grassroots movement started by a few, turned into many individuals, businesses and organizations joining together to pull off twenty-five events in seven days beginning Saturday, July 10, 2010 and running through Friday, July 16, 2010. This soon to be annual week and its events are hosted by New Haven, but will be passed off to another Connecticut city to host in 2011 during the final event.
The week is dedicated to bringing people together in CT to explore how best to use the social web to improve our quality of life. If you regularly visit ElmCityParent.com or subscribe to our newsletter, you know this is exactly the reason we exists; to simplify the lives of busy parents by providing local information 24/7 when it’s most convenient for you. Naturally we wanted to get involved and share as much information about the week as possible with all of you. Most events are free, open to the public and geared towards making the social web easy to understand and enjoyable for all, not just the techies (although there is something for them too).
Daily themes include Destination CT, Friends & Family, Technologists & Entrepreneurs, Across the Sectors (Business, Citizenry, Community), Marketing for Marketers, Fundraiser for a CT Cause and Connecting in Connecticut. This year’s daylong fundraiser, know as Share-a-Thon, is benefiting Best Buddies of Connecticut.
Bonding the people of Connecticut together in new ways, Social Web Week CT stands for: Connection, Conversation, Collaboration and Community.
To see a full list of events and information please visit SocialWebCT.com. You can also follow the buzz via twitter hashtag #swCT or on our Facebook Page Social Web Week Connecticut.
About Best Buddies Connecticut: Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989, dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Posted in News.
Tagged with Best Buddies CT, Social Web Week CT.
By ElmCityParent Blogs
– July 3, 2010
Lands’ End and Parents Magazine have teamed up to present a Back-to-School Shopping Survey, and they want to hear your thoughts and feedback. If you complete this 10 minute online survey by Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 12 a.m. EDT, your name will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Lands’ End Gift Card! (Five (5) winners will receive a $100 Lands’ End gift card. Winners will be chosen randomly and notified on or around July 5, 2010.)
Good Luck!
Posted in Giveaways.
Tagged with Back-to-School Survey, Lands' End, school shopping.
By ElmCityParent Blogs
– June 12, 2010
Quassy Amusement Park, Route 64, Middlebury, CT, opens for its 102nd season of operation April 24 & 25 with a $30 carload weekend to benefit the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund.
Highlights of the weekend will include the introduction of the park’s new family drop tower “Free Fall ‘N,’” meet and greet sessions with Mama and Papa bear of “The Berenstain Bears,” ® an egg hunt for prizes, magic shows and free cheese sampling.
Both days will feature a $30 carload special, entitling up to 10 persons in a vehicle to ride from noon to 6 p.m. For each additional person in a vehicle, $5 will be charged. A portion of the carload proceeds will benefit the Campership Fund, which helps to send underprivileged children to camp. Also, Guests not wishing to ride will be charged $5 for parking on Campership weekend.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, April 25, Quassy will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt with a variety of prizes for children.
Mama and papa bear of the “The Berenstain Bears,” will meet and greet guests starting at 1:30 p.m. both days.
Visit the Quassy website for more information.
Posted in News.
Tagged with amusement park, Campership Fund, Quassy.
By ElmCityParent Blogs
– April 22, 2010
Earth Day is fast approaching and Stop & Shop is paying homage to Mother Earth by giving away two 2010 Hybrid cars!
Buy 5 participating General Mills items with your Stop & Shop card and use a re-usable shopping bag between April 16-29 and you’ll be automatically entered to win. Couldn’t be easier. Or could it? Make sure you read all the way to the bottom for a little added help from us.
There are a few specifics you need to know:
- Contest is open to residents of MA, RI, CT, NH, NJ, MD, DE, VA or DC.
- Individuals must be at least 18 years old to qualify.
- Specific General Mills items qualify each week of the promotion. See list that follows.
- You can also enter without making a purchase by completing an official entry form at your local Stop & Shop store.
- Limit one entry per visit.
List of qualifying purchases by week:
April 16-22
Cascadian Farms Cereal
Cascadian Farms Frozen Vegetables
Progresso Light, Reduced Sodium and High Fiber Soups
Betty Crocker Specialty Potatoes
Betty Crocker Boxed Muffins
Betty Crocker Cookie Pouch
Nature Valley Crunchy, Sweet & Salty, Trail Mix and Yogurt Bars
Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters
General Mills Fiber One Chewy Bars
Betty Crocker Gushers, Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot or Fruit Rollups
Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers
Yo-Pus, Yoplait Fiber One or Yoplait Delights Multi Pack
Yoplait Original, Light, Thick & Creamy, Light Thick & Creamy or Whips
Pillsbury Grands Biscuits
Totino’s Pizza Rolls 90 Ct.
Cheerios 18 Oz
Cinnamon Toast Crunch 24.9 Oz
Honey Nut Cheerios 25.25 Oz
Kix 18 Oz
Lucky Charms 24 Oz
Multigrain Cheerios 16.2 Oz
April 23-29
Cascadian Farms Cereal
Green Giant Vegetables
Nature Valley Crunchy or Sweet & Salty Granola Bars
Green Giant Boxed Vegetables or Prepared Vegetables, Simple Steam Seasoned Vegetables or Rices
Green Giant Wanchai Ferry Entrees
Yoplait Frozen Smoothies
Totino’s Pizza Rolls
Pillsbury Savorings
Fiber One Muffins
Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Pillsbury Sweet Rolls
Yoplait Greek Style Yogurt
Yoplait Kid Multi Pack
Cheerios 14 Oz
Cocoa Puffs 16.5 Oz
Honey Nut Cheerios 17 Oz
Lucky Charms 16 oz
Multigrain Cheerios 12.8 Oz
Reeses Peanut Butter Puffs 18 Oz
To help with your General Mills purchase and your entry in the giveaway, ElmCityParent.com has a $20 Stop & Shop gift card for one lucky reader. Click here to enter.
*The giftcard and information was provided by General Mills and Stop & Shop through MyBlogSpark. In addition they provided an extra Stop & Shop gift card for our own use.
Posted in Contests, Giveaways.
Tagged with Earth Day, General Mills, giveaway, Stop & Shop.
By ElmCityParent Blogs
– April 13, 2010
Gymboree Play & Music, the global leader in classes for kids for more than 30 years, recently announced the launch of Playdate with a Purpose in Hamden in cooperation with Jumpstart and Parents Magazine. Gymboree Play & Music will be holding Playdates with a Purpose for parents and children Sunday, April 18th from 12:30-1:30pm at 3308 Whitney Avenue, Hamden.
From the moment they walk in the door, parents can see that we’ve created an environment where kids are free to explore and participate in uniting activities plus use this valuable time together to give to such a worthwhile cause. Each child at the Playdate with a Purpose will be asked to make a bookplate for $5.00 and that bookplate will be located on the inside cover of a book that will be donated to a less fortunate child. This month’s book is The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper.
Playdate with a Purpose provides parents with an easy, fun and interactive way to engage with their children, and also helps combat our nation’s early literacy crisis through the play it forward component of each Playdate, which provides the funds for books, supplies and quality programming for children in need. Further, the child-friendly charitable activity in each Playdate helps parents instill the importance of philanthropy in their children at an early age. Tips on how to talk to children about the importance of giving are provided by Dr. Dale Atkins, a licensed psychologist with over 30 years experience focusing on families, early childhood development and communication, and a frequent expert on NBC’s TODAY Show.
“Learning the power and joy of giving starts early, earlier than most would ever imagine. Even children of three and four can understand and actively participate in helping others,” Atkins said. “Lessons of giving are important to learn at an early age as they contribute to teaching compassion and empathy in children, important life-long lessons.”
“Every parent wants to do what’s best for their child, but unfortunately not everyone has access to the resources necessary to do so. Playdate with a Purpose creates a fun, engaging and educational learning experience while also supporting Jumpstart,” said Kim Davenport, Jumpstart’s Senior Vice President of Education and Program. “By participating in the simple and timeless ritual of the playdate, families across America can help support the work that Jumpstart is doing to ensure that children in low-income communities are ready for school and ready for life.”
Posted in News.
By ElmCityParent Blogs
– April 7, 2010
