News and photos

Issue No 28:
15 December 2004

Welcome to our twenty-eighth PartyChitChat. Just to let you know our news first:

• We have created a good, clean fun version of Murder On The Prairie. We have created standard versions for 8 to 16 guests and meet and mingle versions for 17 to 30 or 50 guests.
• We have taken "Who Defeated The Slimy Monster?" off-line while we look at ways to rewrite and extend this mystery.

• We have taken "Trouble On Board" off-line while we rewrite it so it is more straightforward.
• We have updated these mysteries: Who Stole The Cookies?, The Balmy Bahamas Cruise, The Love Letter and Murder Of The Great Chef.

• Our photo competition winners
• Feedback on using The Balmy Bahamas Cruise for teenagers

Our photo competition winners

We received some very creative photos for this competition. We really appreciate the efforts of everyone who took the time to enter. The three winners are:

• Debbie Ordes (USA) for photos from her Celebrity Celebrations party
• Tony Banzer (USA) for a group photo from his Celebrity Celebrations party.
• Johnathan Kripalani (USA) for a group photo from his Fame, Money and Murder party

We are commencing a new competition with a closing date of 1 February 2005 (see photos.htm for details).

Debbie sent in this feedback about her party:

"I hosted a fundraiser event with your Celebrity Celebrations and it was a great success! The event took place at a local country club and everyone was required to dress as a celebrity. I might add that most attendees dressed to the extremes. It was so fun to see everyone dressed up and even more how they all got involved in solving the crime. 8 people out of 47 guessed who the murderer was and their names went into a drawing to win a getaway vacation at a local resort. If you can believe, the murderer was one of the 8 people who guessed and this person's name was picked to win the trip also in the drawing. When they proudly came forward to receive this prize the microphone was grabbed and the person stated,"who says crime doesn't pay!" Thought that was clever. Thanks for putting together such a great script.

Debbie Ordes
Scoliosis Association of Palm Harbor"

See Debbie's photos on the right hand side of this page.

Here are three photos from Debbie's "Celebrity Celebrations" party:

Tony sent in this feedback about "Celebrity Celebrations" party:

"What a turnout, everyone who RSVP'd showed up and was really into their character. We had heard about the mystery party from a friend, but weren't sure how it would go since we had so many people who didn't know each other. We were so happy to see everyone take their roles and costumes beyond what we expected and interact with all of the characters. Everyone asked us to host another party for Halloween next year and we are looking to make it an annual event. Thank you for the package, it was a great guide. Our guests improvised and made it even more fun.

Tony Banzer"

Here is Tony's group photo from his party:

Here is Johnathan's group photo from his "Fame, Money and Murder" party:

Feeback on using The Balmy Bahamas Cruise for teenagers

Candice Romines held The Balmy Bahamas Cruise for her son's birthday party. Here is her feedback:

"The party was a hit! We had been having trouble coming up with something for our son's 11th birthday party. We have always been creative with Carl's parties and a bit over the top (pokemon pool party, medieval birthday ball, private skating party with beyblade tournament and "10" trivia) so we were stumped. How can we downsize the party now that Carl is getting older, spend less, and still have a unique party. Well, you were the answer! I was amazed at how little effort it took on our part, and how much the kids got into the costumes and the mystery. AND how much fun I had, too. At first I thought it would be too difficult...well, they showed me. It was tough enough to keep them in the game, but not too challenging that they couldn't have fun with it.

It was AWESOME! Thanks for your help!

Candice Romines"