Client News
StoryTeller is a public relations agency specializing in media relations, social media and video production and web video
Chicago Golf Show Highlights
We had a great trip to the Windy City last weekend at the Chicago Golf Show. Joined by John Kendall of Giants Ridge, Chris Foley of Madden’s on Gull Lake and Leah Tomasetti of The Wilderness at Fortune Bay we came in contact with thousands of golf fanatics. Here are a few of the highlights from our trip, including some fantastic testimonials from Chicagoland golfers. Thanks for a great trip!
Here’s our FAVORITE product:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU_mAoY07jo
Minnesota PGA Receives Outstanding Service Award
The Minnesota PGA receives the 2009 Outstanding Service Award - Organization by Special Olympics Minnesota for their efforts in fundraising, public relations, event management and/or sponsorship activities with Special Olympics Minnesota. The award is given to organizations making a positive impact on athletes and volunteers through significant contributions (time and resources) to Special Olympics Minnesota, and by providing outstanding service to Special Olympics Minnesota athletes and volunteers.
The Minnesota Section of the PGA has supported Special Olympics Minnesota by hosting the Minnesota State Open Pro-Am benefiting Special Olympics Minnesota since 2007. This event has consistently raised over $20,000 each year for Special Olympics Minnesota and has provided thousands of dollars’ worth of gifts and prizes for Special Olympic athletes.
The Minnesota PGA has also donated PGA Championship tickets and other golf related items to various Special Olympic fundraisers including the Gold Medal Gala and On Line/On Air Auction.
Minnesota PGA will be honored at the Special Olympics Minnesota Distinguished Service Awards Banquet being held at the Bloomington Hilton on January 16, 2010.
Best Toys for All Ages
Sometimes grown-up gifts can get boring - so why not try a toy that’s great for parents and kids alike? Check out our top picks:
- Perplexus Puzzle challenges you to guide a ball through a mind-boggling 3-D labyrinth to reach the finish point. It’s fun for everyone, whether you’re 8 or 58.
- Star Wars Force Trainer is perfect for any Star Wars fan: just “use the force” to levitate a sphere up and down the chamber through 15 levels of Jedi mind training.
Tips for Keeping Holiday Stress at Bay
Wherever I am these days, I hear fellow moms complain about the lack of available time to prepare for the upcoming holidays. “I haven’t even had a chance to get to the first item on my to-do list yet,” one mom recently said at a luncheon while another chimed in with “I haven’t even had time to write my list yet.”
Well, I’m bound and determined to not join in the race for busiest mom. From internet shopping (for both groceries and gifts) to teenage manpower, I’m taking advantage of all the help I can get!
I have slowly reached this level of zen as I’m fully realizing that my kids are growing up fast (too fast) and that I don’t want to wish away these awesome and precious family moments. Here’s how I’ve learned to keep holiday stress to a minimum:
- Delegate Chores:
- All holiday decorating is done together as a family or it won’t be done at all. From the outside hanging of lights to the inside primping and grooming, everyone is responsible for their share. If we lived in a perfect world, we’d accomplish assigned tasks together while humming Christmas songs. In my imperfect world, we decorated the tree to the roar of the Vikings game, but nevertheless, the tree is done and it looks as serene as I feel on the inside.
Want Your Kids to Learn About the World? Try a Geography Game!
My sister Rebecca lives in New Zealand, and I periodically get out the globe and show my kids where she is compared to where we are. I want my children to grow up knowing about our world’s fascinating diversity of people, plants and animals—and appreciating how amazing the Earth really is.
If you feel the same as I do, there are some great geography toys out there that may interest you:
- “Where in the World?” game helps kids learn about different countries’ flags, populations, currencies, languages, religions and economies. A helpful feature is its design, which allows younger and older children to play at the same time.
- For kids who are serious about geography, you may want to invest in MindWare’s brand new interactive “Smart Globe 3,” which teaches kids about different countries’ people, weather and currency. It can be updated online, keeping information current even as situations change around the world.
Loft Living: Creating Separation in Your Space
One of the most difficult things about living in a loft is trying to create separation between your bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, etc. - since they’re generally all part of one big room. Here are my top tips for creating separation and differentiation between areas of your loft:
- Try a Screen: Screens are a great way to separate spaces and are very versatile since they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. In addition to their functionality, they also are a great decor piece.
Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain
I had not one but two delicious, fabulous, mouth-watering Thanksgiving Day feasts. Turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, oh my! And this is just the beginning. As I look at the calendar, the next four weeks are full of holiday parties, dinners out, family gatherings, and other events that will be teeming with scrumptious spreads. It’s no wonder that so many Americans struggle with weight gain over the holidays.
Despite the temptations that surround us, there are strategies we can implement to prevent weight gain while enjoying the festivities:
- Eat a healthy breakfast. Be sure to start your day off with a nutritious breakfast—preferably one that includes protein and whole grains (such as peanut butter on whole wheat toast) as well as some fruit and dairy. Be sure to eat healthy snacks throughout the day. The last thing you want to do is arrive at a party feeling famished and then eat everything in sight.
- Carefully select food choices. Think about what you want to “spend” your calories on. Skip the “ho-hum” dishes and enjoy your favorites, considering which ones are healthier and keeping portion sizes in mind. You may opt to skip gravy and other high-calorie condiments. Remember that old habits die hard. Are you truly hungry enough for seconds, or are you heading back for more just because that’s what you usually do?
CobornsDelivers Serves Northstar Commuter Train Travelers
It’s official! Starting tomorrow, Dec. 1, we’ll be delivering groceries directly to Northstar Commuter Rail travelers at the Coon Rapids-Riverdale station.
We’ll deliver between 4 - 7 p.m. on weekdays, so you can pick up your groceries on the way home from work. Orders placed by 10 a.m. can be picked up the same day - which means that you can order the ingredients you forgot for dinner and pick them up on your way home without having to run to the store! Delivery will be free on any order of $25 or more.
For more information, click here.
Three Tips for Compromising on Color With Kids
My daughter recently wanted to paint her room lime green, and that can be a tricky color to choose, especially with conflicting mother/daughter opinions! So in order to keep the peace, we went together to the store to look at samples. She had plenty of ideas on what color was “the one,” which didn’t jive with mine, of course. But what I realized is that if I stick with my “parental principles” for choosing color, we can usually make everyone happy.
- Match the bedding: If we have agreed on bedding, that is the best place to start choosing a wall color. Holding color samples up to a pillowcase or sham can be very helpful, as opposed to just choosing a color that looks good to a child in the store.
- Tell the child there is extra space in the garage. “Take your blanket — and leave your cell phone on the counter.”
- Ask an associate: There is nothing like a professional to give an objective opinion and take the pressure off mom or dad. They also can act as a middle man, since most often, if it’s someone else’s idea, it’s fine (as long as it’s not the parent’s, right?). And likely, the associate will read between the lines and help steer the child in the direction of a good color choice!
- Try it out! It never hurts to get a trial size quart to go and put the child’s dream color on the wall. In the natural light of their room, even they will quickly see if it is not going to work out. And maybe you will realize that even if it’s not your top choice you can live with it…
It's bright. But is it right? We can both live with it -- for a while, anyway.
Top Holiday Toys Under $20
This holiday season, almost everyone is a little more budget-conscious. Luckily, we have some great products for less than $20, perfect for any budget. Here are our top picks:
- Extreme Dot-to-Dot Books - $15.95 for set of 2: We’ve mentioned these a lot lately, but it’s just because they’re so cool. Some of the puzzles have more than 1,400 dots to connect - which makes them great for kids and parents alike.
- Dizios - $19.95 : This is like dominos with a colorful twist, and is great for family time. It might be the perfect family activity for that lull between the present-opening and dinner.
