Feature Story

Summer Picnics Celebrate Us!

There’s nothing more fun than getting to know your fellow Associates OUTSIDE the workplace at the company’s annual picnic! Here’s a look at where and when Associates are getting together in 2019.

Cincinnati, Ohio Valley and Kentucky Picnic

Old Coney, Cincinnati’s oldest amusement park located on the Ohio River, was the location for the first picnic of the season for some 850 Associates of TEAM CINCINNATI, TEAM OHIO VALLEY AND TEAM KENTUCKY. The day was filled with a corn hole tournament, face paintings and a bounce house for the kids, lunch and prizes, and there was plenty of time for folks to enjoy Coney’s huge Sunlight Pool and rides. A special thanks to coordinators Jackie Crisp, AB Executive Assistant; Kim Ungerbuehler, Payroll/Benefits; and Kelly Fine, Corporate Projects Manager.

“It’s a special time every year to get YOUR family together with your WORK family,” says Cincinnati Heidelberg VP/General Manager Toby Coston. “A good time was had by all!”

Dayton Picnic

In DAYTON, Associates were treated to a day at Carillon park, a 65-acre open-air history museum that showcases Dayton’s past, including a Wright Brothers’ plane, a working brewery, manufacturing museum, one-room schoolhouse, Shaker building and more. The park is named after its famous Deeds Carillon bell tower, still ringing out with daily music and concerts. Kids could ride the Park’s fun carousel or train, and everyone enjoyed music bingo, games, food stations, the Heidelberg Shop and more.

“It was just a great day for our Associates to enjoy their families and co-workers!” said picnic coordinator Susan Kniedl, Special Projects Manager.

Columbus Picnic

The Columbus Zoo African Center once again was the location of the July 27 picnic for TEAM COLUMBUS. Coordinator Carrie Garner, Graphic Design/Wine Sales Assistant, said they were expecting nearly 500 Associates at the picnic.

“My family enjoys going to the company picnic at the Columbus Zoo for several reasons,” says Sales Assistant Ruth Eagle. “One reason of course is getting together with the people I work with and their families, because that is really the only time all the families can get together. The kids love seeing the animals and the fact that they get to feed one of the giraffes is all they talk about. And they can’t wait to get over to Zoombezi Bay for the water fun; even the adults have a great time doing that and it is a great way to cool off.

“I don’t think any other venue would draw the crowd or the fun that this company picnic does! Everyone talks about it all year and looks forward to the next one!”

Youngstown Picnic

The YOUNGSTOWN picnic also was held July 27 at the patio of the StoneBridge Grille & Tavern, a locally-owned and family-friendly account. Coordinators were Administrative Manager Staci Testa and GSM Paul Gause. They were expecting about 70 Associates and their families. “Everyone enjoys getting to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere,” says Staci.

In TOLEDO, the picnic will take place August 11 at the Toledo Zoo. “We last held the picnic at the Zoo in 2015,” says coordinator Nicole Zam, Administrative Manager. “The animal demonstrations are always memorable, and we’ll have a bounce house and other activities for the kids.” The picnic usually draws around 200 Associates and their families. “I think we all enjoy meeting everyone’s families at the picnic.”

Cleveland and Akron Picnic

CLEVELAND and AKRON Associates will be treated to a picnic at Weigand’s Lake Park in Novelty, Ohio, on August 17.  “Folks love this venue,” says coordinator Trudy Saraz-Marvin, GM Sales & Administration. “It’s beautiful and we have the entire park all day just for the Heidelberg family. There’s fresh food all day and kids earn tickets every time they participate in an activity; then they can select from some fun prizes.” The picnic usually draws around 250 Associates and their families.

“We are still planning activities for the day,” says Trudy. “We focus on the kiddies but there will be games like corn hole, sack races etc. for the adults too. Sometimes we play baseball, basketball or volleyball, and there are wagon rides and paddle boats to enjoy.”

The last picnic of the year takes place in LORAIN at a new venue called Main Event in Avon, on September 14. It’s an indoor entertainment place with everything from bowling and arcade games to mini golf and rock climbing. They are expecting around 125.

“The picnic is an opportunity for people in different shifts and departments to talk with one another, something they may not get to do in the course of a regular work week,” says Sheila Iwanek, Administrative Assistant. “We moved our date to September to avoid conflicts with Associates’ vacations.”

ROAR ON will share more picnic photos as they come in!