We are going to be at the Big Bang Bar this Friday and Saturday helping you “Bang” out your Halloween!  You can shutter to your hearts content in your Halloween costume from 8-12 on both nights .

Hope to see you there!

Friday, September 24, we had the opportunity to participate in the Columbus Food and Wine Affair. We had originally volunteered our time to the event and on Thursday were lucky enough to be asked to participate in the event with a booth. The Food and Wine affair was held at the Franklin Park Conservatory and was definitely the “PREMIER Grand Tasting Event of the YEAR!”

In addition to the general Grand Tasting Tickets they also offered a Special Ticket Feature that included early site entrance, valet parking, a grand tasting ticket, a champagne reception, a reserved seating area, a riedel glass and a special gift. Some new things they featured for 2010 were the Sake Tasting, a showcase of our region’s premier pastry and cake artisans, featured restaurants and Ohio wines. One of our favorite parts was getting to see our friends at Signature Wines and being able to have a glass of their Cabernet!

It was a great time for us! We not only were able to entertain the guests with our ShutterBooth but we were able to participate in the tasting event too! Brian was even given an around the neck wine glass holder from one of our ShutterBooth guests. Hopefully we will see everyone there next year!

No one should go hungry and yet thousands of people go hungry in our community every day. For 30 years, the Mid-Ohio Food Bank been working with grocers, food companies, Ohio farmers, the USDA, and community partners to obtain food and distribute it to more than 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, after-school programs, and senior housing sites across central and eastern Ohio.

As a member of the nation’s largest non-governmental, domestic hunger relief organization—Feeding America—their goal is to make food accessible to hungry people in their greatest times of need.

ABOUT OPERATION FEED

For 30 years, Operation Feed has raised food and funds that provide assistance to individuals and families in need. Each year, Mid-Ohio Foodbank joins forces with local businesses, schools, civic groups, and individuals to raise critically needed resources through a community-wide drive.

When everyone does a little, the Foodbank can do a lot! Mid-Ohio Foodbank distributed nearly 34 million pounds of food last year, enabling its partner agencies across 20 counties to provide food for more than 52,000 meals each day. Operation Feed efforts help stock the shelves of these food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters throughout central and eastern Ohio.

Due to dramatic increases in hunger and food needs in central and eastern Ohio, Operation Feed will expand significantly over the next several years. To support this growth, the Campaign’s traditional chair/co-chair leadership structure has transitioned to a new model led by a group called the Kitchen Cabinet. Representatives from a cross-section of local organizations provide guidance for the community-wide Campaign and reach out to companies, associations, networking groups, religious organizations, government agencies and educational institutions to facilitate growth of Operation Feed into new arenas.

On Thursday, September 23, I was able to participate in a celebration party for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. It was truly a pleasure to spend a couple of hours with these amazing people! Not only did we offer ShutterBooth entertainment, but I was able to listen to all of the recognition that these companies and individuals received for their tremendous efforts, how many meals there were able to provide, in just one year!

The Wexner Center for the Arts is The Ohio State University’s multidisciplinary, international laboratory for the exploration and advancement of contemporary art. Through exhibitions, screenings, performances, artist residencies, and educational programs, the Wexner Center acts as a forum where established and emerging artists can test ideas and where diverse audiences can participate in cultural experiences that enhance understanding of the art of our time. In its programs, the Wexner Center balances a commitment to experimentation with a commitment to traditions of innovation and affirms the university’s mission of education, research, and community service. On Tuesday, September 21, we participated in their welcome back event for Ohio State University Students. We have done several events at the Wexner Center and are always happy to add one more to the list!

On Wednesday, Setptember 15, we participated in the launch party for an incredible organization.

The Wish Upon a Wedding organization was founded in January of 2010, based on the concept that two people in love should never be denied the chance to marry their soul mate, even if they only have a few years (or months) to live, or have faced other serious circumstances which have dramatically altered their lives. The idea to start a nonprofit wish granting organization came to Liz Guthrie when she was producing a large scale wedding giveaway in San Francisco in 2009. Over 350 couples entered to win a contest where there could only be one winner. She found herself wishing there was a way to donate a dream wedding to more than just one deserving pair.

One couple who entered, in particular, stood out in her mind. Vanessa Muza Teskey was battling Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while her fiancé (an officer in the US Air Force) was deployed overseas.  This couple ended up winning the Giveaway (through public voting) and their Love Story inspired the creation of Wish Upon a Wedding.

Dedicated to providing weddings and vow renewal celebrations for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances Wish Upon a Wedding will grant one of the most profound moments in a couple’s lifetime. It is their hope that through various media outlets, they can also raise awareness about the many life-threatening diseases that impact so many thousands of lives every day.

What better way to celebrate life than being surrounded by one’s family and loved ones, while creating memories for those family and loved ones that will be cherished for years to come? By bringing these ceremonies to individuals faced with terminal illnesses, they believe that other people facing similar situations will find their own sense of strength and hope.

We are at it again! On August 22, 2010 we are participating in the Columbus Bridal Expo at the Aladdin Shrine Show from 11-4. Fashion Shows will be held at 12:30 and 2:30. Bridal shows are a great opportunity to check out the booth in action and take home a photo souvenir. Come check us out and experience the hundreds of dollars in door prizes that are being offered! Email us for a coupon for admission: brian@shutterbooth.com

ShutterBooth was really excited to be at the Pizza Party for the Youth Choir that is performing at the Ohio State Fair. Thanks to our host, John, we were able to spend the night with the Choir as they enjoyed pizza and a little dancing as a break for all their hard work preparing for the fair shows. It was a great time, not only did everyone love it, but we also decided to donate a booth for the alumni auction! Thanks John for inviting us to be a part of such a great time!

We participated in a two day trade show with Sprenger Health Care at the Columbus Convention Center, we were the entertainment that they offered everyone that visited their booth. It was really a  great experience, not only to be there with Sprenger, but to hear about the great things that they have to offer and to learn about their family- owned and family-run business. A cornerstone of the Sprenger philosophy is that they have and obligation to make the community a better place. It was truly a joy to spend two days with them. It also opened our eyes to yet another market! I was able to talk to so many different facilities that we should reach out to, not only for company parties but for different types employee appreciation. I really enjoyed my time with the company and meeting all of the people in the industry, and only hope that we are able to join them again!

That’s right, we are headed to the windy city to join the Chicago ShutterBooth for the Willow Creek Church’s Mother’s Day Celebration. We love Chicago! so it was no problem convincing us to bring 4 booths and employees to join Chicago ShutterBooth in this celebration, totaling 10 booths for two days! We are even bringing “Mom” Legree to join two of her sons and her daughter-in-law for the Mother’s Day Celebration! Stay tuned to Chicago’s ShutterYou for the photos!

On Tuesday night Brian and I went to the Darby House for an open house. We were really excited because we haven’t been there yet, keep hearing how incredible it is and we have a couple of events there! So a sneak peak was certainly welcome! And I have to say, it was incredible! Cameron Mitchell is now doing all of the catering, so the food was amazing and the atmosphere was breath taking. We had the opportunity to check out every room set up how it would be for a reception, business meeting and picnic. The outside was even set up with tables, lounging seats and an outdoor chef making kabobs-  it was right on the water and beautiful. It is for sure a space that has a destination feel in Ohio. Definitely high on the recommendation list!