But every once in a while a special event comes along, and the Indotronix holiday party is one of them.

We used to work in the corporate world years ago; it was long hours, pitiful pay and little thanks.  But these guys really treat their team like family and it shows.

They go all out with a smorgasbord buffet of Indian and Italian food, gifts of wine and chocolate for the grown ups, presents for the kids.  They even had a puppet show featuring Grover, Ernie, Burt and Barney for the little ones.

Check out the kids playing with the puppet spider in this photo.

These kids are so darn cute!  We danced, we hokey pokey-ed (yes, there is an occasional time when we can bust out some cheese in the appropriate environment) we sang and clapped our hands.

The little ones make me want to be a kid again.  Heck, they remind me that I am a kid.

That’s what the holiday spirit is supposed to be all about.  And that’s why I am so grateful that we were able to revisit our friends at Indotronix once again.  Happy Holidays!

It was a pleasure to celebrate with such a tight knit group of co-workers, spouses and friends.  When we learned that Meatloaf’s “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” was their signature song, we knew these guys liked to PARTY.

But it wasn’t all just about the amazing door prizes being raffled off or shaking it on the dance floor.  Incoming President Greg Burns expressed his gratitude at climbing aboard the “Kirchhoff Express” and reminded us all to be grateful for what we have, especially in these times when so many people are suffering.

They danced to Lady Gaga and Mustang Sally, Journey and Lynyrd Skynyrd.  They enjoyed the Grandview’s decadent Italian Dessert Table.  There was no stopping them.

The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on what’s important.  And then, of course, it’s time to celebrate!  That’s where Jeff and me and entertainers all over the world come in.

I’m taking an example from the Kirchhoff Consigli team: work hard, play hard and give thanks.

Happy Holidays!

Grandview

Written by Stephanie Padovani

Ashok gave us some background: an afternoon party for over 200 people, Indian, Westerners, employees with their spouses and kids.  A magician.  No booze.

As soon as we arrived at the Indotronix headquarters for the party, I knew we were in for a good time.  The large room was decorated with green tablecloths and poinsettias on top, a Christmas tree, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas signs on the walls, electric candles in the windows.

Then the kids arrived, the most adorable little girls and boys who danced, clung to their mothers’ skirts and stole candy canes from the tree.

Magic PJ entertained the little ones with disappearing and reappearing balls, a manic racoon named Rocky and his multiple shifting accents.

Then it was my turn.  I lead the kids in a marathon of participation dances starting with the Chicken Dance and ending with YMCA, until I was panting and sweating like a marathon runner.

But how could you not enjoy yourself with these little darlings and their smiling parents looking on?

Jeff and I were so grateful to celebrate with this warm, family group.  When it became apparent that there were piles and piles of Indian and Italian leftovers, the crew made phone calls to local homeless shelters until they found someone willing to take the abundance.

An amazing example of holiday celebration and giving.  Thanks for letting us be a part of it, guys!

Magician Magic PJ Walker

Written by Stephanie Padovani

With over 600 guests at the Culinary Institute‘s Holiday Party, this was the largest group we’d ever played for.  They took over the entire ballroom of the Grandview, which holds up to 500 guests, along with the bar and cocktail room with the river view.

As impressive as gazing out at so many faces was the FOOD.  The Culinary chefs and students took over the kitchen to prepare a buffet station feast that literally lasted hours.  Guests mingled, drank and chatted while they munched gourmet turkey roulade and salmon, to name a few.

Jeff and I were finally able to steer the guests’ attention away from the fabulous food (not without some degree of difficulty!) and the dancing began.  Our music was all over the map, as diverse as the guests, from oldies rock to old school to disco funk and eighties to country and reggaeton.

Whew!  I’m still tired.

But our greatest pleasure was visiting with two of our past couples, Becky and Kenny who had their reception at the Grandview on the magical 7/7/07 date and Mary and Scott who partied at the Grand Hotel only a few months ago.  It’s so good to see our couples enjoying marital bliss!

There were many other familiar Poughkeepsie faces in the crowd.  It is with a touch of sadness that we said goodbye to our friends at the Grandview as we won’t be back until our next event there in April of 2009.

Unless you invite us back for a special occasion…*hint, hint*

Grandview