Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Holiday Open House
With a busy fall schedule of events and a short amount of time to plan the ribbon cutting event, Carolyn Hefner set about to create some quick creative details to showcase her flair for delighting guests!
As with all her events, Carolyn Hefner pays attention to guests from the minute they valet their cars. Her goal - for guests to have a wonderful experience throughout the event. That is why Carolyn has become known for her fabulous Tuxedo Men! It is always her wish that every guest receive a warm welcome as they enter an event and a thank you as they leave. This event was no exception! Tuxedo Man, Nate, made sure that all visitors to Tuesday's Open House received a cheery welcome and a special farewell!
Another signature touch for a China Closet event is the element of surprise. Guests were indeed surprised to encounter their next welcome from a man in a red suit! Santa was at the door of the gallery to welcome visitors and to pass out holiday ribbon candy. Attached to the candy was a gift tag reading, "Don't take a chance on your next event - Call the Event Experts at The China Closet." Included was a Michigan lottery ticket...and Santa wished all a good night and good luck! Guest Dale Morgan, of Blossoms in Birmingham, enjoyed a hearty laugh with Santa!
Guests were instantly in the spirit of the holiday season with the beautiful deocorations created by Ralph Bellisario of Bellisario Florist. The finished look was worth the full day of trimming the tree, hanging garland, and adding fresh florals by this expert design team. The delighted guests mingled and noshed among the brightly dressed tables in red crinkle and apple green linens from Special Events Rental. Special Events also supplied the event with the proper wine glasses for the four types of wine featured this evening...the beauty is in the details!!!
With holiday music playing, decor sparkling, guests gathering...the whole event was over the top. It was fitting that we debuted the newest China Closet Professional Team Member, Bobby Nahra of Lakeland Banquet & Event Centre in Saint Claire Shores, Michigan. Bobby's menu for the evening soiree included coconut shrimp, shrimp shooters, cheese tortellini, lamb chops with spinach and couscous, pan seared scallops with red and green seaweed, mini crab cakes, portabella trays, beef tenderloin crustini, and boneless ribs with papaya! It was certainly a generous sampling of Bobby's culinary excellence and rave reviews still continue to pour in!
The China Closet welcomes Lakeland Banquet & Event Centre to our special events gallery...they will be a great addition to the existing A Team!
There was no lack of photography pros at this event. Many thanks to the Chamber's photographer, Laurie Tennent and to The China Closet's resident photographers and videographer, Blaine Siesser, Ray Anthony Ivasile, and Alex Bitoff and his brother, Lou, of Fifth and Main Productions. Alex and Lou created a video snippet to capture the ribbon cutting and the fun had by all!
Note the clip of the apple pie! Baking pies is one of Carolyn's favorite past times and she baked apple pie for the event. Cocktail napkins and server's aprons carried a special tag line for this event...Great Events are as Easy as Pie!
Many thanks to all who attened and who made for a special holiday season!
Testimonial
Carolyn,
Thank you so much for including me for the ribbon cutting of your new location. The food, party theme, lottery ticket (didn't win!), and most of all your "new home" is fabulous.
Saw many old friends as well as made a few new ones - all within an hour.
Thanks again for including me...it is an honor to be considered a friend!
Clara Marks
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Carolyn,
Absolutely Fabulous!
Thanks for including me!
xoxoxo - Liz
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Dear Carolyn,
The girls came back from the ribbon cutting just raving about the open house. I heard the apple pie was to die for!!! Not to mention that it was crafted by you.
Congratulations on such a successful open house and a glorious new space!
May your life be full of great events,
Sue Keels,
Director of Catering
Royal Park Hotel
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Congratulations, Carolyn!
We wish you much success - also in continuing to make so many people happy! Fondly,
The Antaklis' (all of us)
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Dear Carolyn,
Everything was perfection! Thank you for having Fran and I at your wonderful office.
Hugs,
Dale
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Congrats on the new opening. May you have more successful years!
Anna Roselli, Roma Sposa
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Dear Carolyn,
Thank you so much for including me at your Holiday Preview Party. For someone who is not particularly fond of all the pressure to perform between November and January, even I found myself happily lost in the spirit of the occasion.
I particularly enjoyed your home-made apple pie with the crisp apple slice. Yum!!!
Everything was perfect from the top-hatted tuxedo doorman to Santa with a "real" beard. I enjoyed myself and trust all new visitor to The China Closet will know who to call to plan their next event. I sure do!
Molly Mac Donald
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With our best wishes for continued success at your new location.
Warmly, Abe and Kixie Cosma
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Best of luck
All at Breath of Spring
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Dear Carolyn,
Congrautlations on your beautiful new space and the ribbon cutting! You certainly are someone who puts more than her heart and soul into the really important things, which is why I admire you so much!
Sincerely,
Terra Burgess
Photo Gallery
About Carolyn Hefner
Never underestimate the experiences of a childhood, for me, they set the stage for event planning. Growing up in… read more