PEI Kids 10th Annual Wine & Food Tasting Event

 October 2015

PEI Kids is a non-profit organization based in Lawrenceville NJ with a focus on Children.

http://www.peikids.org/

The Mission Statement reads:

 PEI Kids is dedicated to promoting and maintaining a safe environment for all children. PEI Kids works with the child, family, and caregiver to provide prevention, intervention, and advocacy programs relating to personal safety, sexual abuse, and the overall well-being of the child.

The organization operates in several categories:

• Prevention Education
• Intervention Services
• Support Services
• Workshops & Support Groups

This organization focuses on the Mercer County Region however they make it a point to be known that they will not turn away a child!

I was unfamiliar with the organization before my friend Jesse Elliot took a position with the organization as the Developmental & Public Relations Coordinator.

jelliot@peikids.org

I met Jesse several years ago through a friend who is an entrepreneur in the Trenton NJ region.  He suggested that I meet this young man whom he thought was very special.  After meeting and spending time with Jesse I knew he was the type of young person every city going through a “renaissance” needs; civically engaged, believes in community, educated at a higher level, appreciator of arts & culture, action driven, family focused etc.  So when Jesse contacted me and said he was looking for a gig at a local non-profit and would I be a reference I said for sure! 

My relationship with the organization continues to grow as I volunteer on the committees that organize two annual fundraising events, a springtime “Dinner & Auction” and in the fall season a “Wine & Food Tasting.”

http://www.peikids.org/news/past-fundraising-events/

In closing my relationship with PEI kids is growing because of my relationship with Jesse that developed because of a suggestion from a respected friend.  I hope this encourages you to share your thoughts with others, to support the efforts of someone and to get involved in the process of making the community better.

Have a listen to my interview with Roz Dashiell the Executive Director and Jack Donnelly who volunteers on the committees with me.

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/pei-kids-roz-and-jack

A few Trenton 365 “On Location” Images from the 2014 Wine & Food Tasting Event

https://www.facebook.com/jacque.howard.5/posts/401915216628184?pnref=story

A few images of the 2015 Wine & Food Tasting Committee prepping for the event.

Here are several images from the 2015 10th Annual Wine & Food Tasting Event at Landmark Aviation located at the Trenton Mercer Airport and links to my chats with some of the Vendors.

Gene Maddalena of Maddalenas Cheescakes

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/gene-maddalenas-cheesecake

Diana Schneider of Direct Approach Aviation

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/diana-schneider-direct

Kevin Walsh of Gallo Wines

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/diana-schneider-direct

Debbie and Mike Raab of Tea For All

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/debbie-and-rob-raab-tea-for

Diggerland USA

When I look back on my life I am always thankful for the opportunities to have various life experiences.

When my wife Vanessa and I decided we would have a child we agreed that we would want the person we brought into the world to have diverse and varied life experiences at least as much as we did but hopefully many more.

Over the summer I travelled with our neighbor and friend Kathleen and 2 of her girls, close in age to our daughter to Diggerland USA.

I was introduced to Diggerland USA by fellow Trentonian, Lisa Kassabach.  Kassabach is the Founder of CitySmiles a nonprofit organization that believes urban communities are exciting, diverse and inspiring places for families to live, learn and have fun.  CitySmiles provides and connects families with high quality, family-oriented, hands-on experiences that support and promote this belief.

Diggerland USA is the only construction themed adventure park in North America where children and families can drive, ride and operate ACTUAL machinery. The park, which covers about 14 acres in West Berlin, NJ (20 minutes from Philadelphia), is comprised of over 25 attractions.  The majority of which are real, diesel powered, full size, pieces of construction equipment. Each machine has undergone advanced engineering modifications which make them safe for the public, allowing children as small as 36″ in height to operate with little to no instruction.

Guests who visit Diggerland can drive full size backhoes, dig giant holes with real excavators, and operate just about every sort of construction machine you might imagine.

Along with operating heavy machinery Diggerland guests can climb one of the world’s tallest ropes courses, take an off road adventure in our military trucks, tackle the rock wall, spend time in the video arcade or enjoy one of the daily heavy machinery stunt shows performed by our operating team.

Congratulations to Yan Giryla one of the Principals of this Family - Owned Business. Have a listen to our chat.

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/yan-girlya-diggerland-usa





On Saturday October 3, 2015 marks the beginning of "Diggerfest 2015" a Fall Festival, Diggerland USA-style!

Every weekend in October both Saturday and Sunday your full day admission ticket gets you access to all of the rides and attractions at Diggerland USA but also includes additional features:

• The DiggerFest Hay Maze
• Diggerland's Hay Ride
• Pumpkin Launching! (purchase of pumpkins to launch is additional)
• A special Stunt Show for DiggerFest
• Themed Costume Contest (for children in costume)

I suggest calling ahead to verify if the weather will put restrictions on activities at Diggerland USA.

The theme park has plenty of amenities such as well maintained restrooms, a covered picnic area, arcade/game center, plenty of parking, a restaurant and a store with fairly priced souvenirs and licensed products.

Yan is also committed to the local economy and other businesses in the area, this is evident in the policy of encouraging visitors to leave for other food options and then return to the park for more fun!