News and photos

Issue No 55:
14 August 2009

Welcome to our fifty-fifth PartyChitChat.

Here is our news:

• We have created a meet and mingle version of "The Crazy Clown Car Caper" for 17 to 30. See The Crazy Clown Car Caper for details and samples. There is also a play version for 10 to 16 guests. The meet and mingle version is more interactive and better for groups of 17 or more guests because you don't have to read out clues to the whole group.
• We have created a new scavenger hunt mystery called The Hunt (click to see details and samples). There are three versions - an all boy "pirate" version for 6 to 18 boys, an all girl "fairy" version for 8 to 18 girls, a mixed "pirate and fairy" version for 6 to 30 guests. It is suitable for 10 years to adults. it consists of a meet and mingle section, other clues you have to unravel and things you have to find.

• We are thinking of creating a blog for "Merri Mysteries". Please let us know if you would be interested in reading it and what you would like to see on it. We have thought of serializing one of the mysteries (eg "Trouble On Board") that we aren't currently selling and giving you clues and tid-bits over a number of days. Or would you prefer clues via Twitter? Please let us know via info@merrimysteries.com if you would read our blog and how you would like it to be.
• Our educational psychologist Dr Scott Terry (from The Ardent Center) has made a lot of progress with the educational add-ons for our existing kits. It will be a real resource for teachers and educators. We hope to launch a number of them in the coming weeks. If you would like to be informed when they are ready, please email us via info@merrimysteries.com.
• You can now receive updates regarding Merri Mysteries on Facebook! Become a fan of Merri Mysteries today to find out when we release new kits, receive coupons, and keep in touch with us with your ideas for mystery parties!

In this issue, we have articles about:

• Our photo competition winner
• Our decoration competition.

Our photo competition winner

We had three entrants this month. The winners are:

• Lori Johnson (USA)
• Pat Verner (USA)
• Mia Marr (USA).

We are commencing a new competition with a closing date of 15 September 2009 (see photos.htm for details).

Decoration competition

The winner is:

• Lori Johnson (USA) (see her photos below).

We are commencing a new competition with a closing date of 15 September 2009 (see decor.htm for details).

Here is Lori's decorations from her "Celebrity Celebrations" party:

Lori sent in this feedback about her "Celebrity Celebrations" party:

"We did our Celebrity Celebrations party on the patio! The day started out warm but rainy, but by the time night rolled around it was fairly crisp! We are so looking forward to choosing another mystery and all the preparations that will go with it. Our party was held October 25, 2008 and it took me this long to download the photos!

I purchased the Celebrity Celebrations Mystery for my Halloween party back in October and we had a great time playing the parts and guessing the villain. I dressed as Jimi Hendrix! That's me in the first picture [attached] and what I look like "in real life" in the last picture! And then several of our guests in between: Janis Joplin, Groucho Marx, Patsy Cline, Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball! It didn't occur to me to take a group photo but next time I will be sure to do that!

Lori"

Here are Lori's "before" and "after" photo of herself as Jimi Hendrix at her "Celebrity Celebrations" party:

Here is Pat's photo from her "Fame, Money and Murder " party:

Pat sent in this feedback about her party:

"I'm a resident of a retirement home community where we had a New Years party on December 31, 2007. I was unaware of your photo contests until today when I read your Party Chit Chat - Merri Mysteries No. 54. We had a successful production of "Fame, Money, and Murder". We had lots of fun coming up with costumes and make-up.

Pat Verner
Louisiana"

Mia sent in this feedback about her "Who Stole The Cookies?" party:

"We had a lot of fun. We had 8 girls, I (Mia) was Sherlock Holmes, and a mom played Mrs. Bookworm. I wanted to have a food that represented each character so in one of the pictures we were toasting (sparkling cider) as if we were at Cinderella's Ball. In another photo you'll see our 'cookies' and petit fours (Alice in Wonderland) that some said "Eat Me" and a sliced poison apple (Snow White). The girls were laughing and had a great time. For prizes I wrapped giant candy bars and each one would say: Presented to Best... (actress, dressed, Who guessed it, etc). I also made a CD of music from the different character's that we played between Act's when they were snacking.

This was also enjoyable because the girls had never done this before so they really got into it.

Thanks!

Mia and Claire Marr"