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Glendale's
Manager of Tourism receives accolades and a surprise
breakfast from adoring downtown merchants
or...
Lorraine's
Super Magical Surprise Party!
Photos and
story by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet 11-12-2009
Bud Zomok (Right) from
Shoez in Motion, a downtown Glendale Business merchant
presents Lorraine Pino Glendale Tourism Office Manager a
star shaped glass award in behalf of all the merchants in the
historic downtown area comprised of historic Catlin Court and
Old Towne Glendale...
Lorraine's
favorite expression is YAY!.... so the star trophy
the is inscribed with
YAY!
Lorraine
You Are Our
Superstar!
In addition Lorraine was
presented with a a crystal clock that said
Lorraine
Pino
Thank you for all the "Extra" time and dedication
The
Glendale Merchants thank you.
November 12 2009
Back row - Jennifer
Reichelt - Marketing and Communications, Becky Shady - Vistor
Center Volunteer, Jennifer Stein - Marketing and
Communications
Front row - Varerie -
Owner, Bears and More in Catlin Court, Lorraine Pino
Tourism Manager, Glendale Office of Tourism &
Visitor Center - Bud Zolmok -
Shoez in Motion in downtown Glendale AZ
The
Game's Afoot - The Party is Gonna Happen!
Lorraine Pino,
Tourism Manager of Glendale Office of Tourism &
Visitor Center, is a face
and a star that has shone down on all of us here
downtown over the years. Starting out 9 years ago as a
part time employee, when the visitor center was founded,
Lorraine rose to the position of the manager of
Glendale Office of Tourism & Visitor Center. We all got
together November 12. 2009 at Bit-zee Mama's in downtown
Glendale to salute her.
A great plan has to
start somewhere!
Bud Zolmok of
Shoez in Motion, A downtown Glendale merchant, tells us
"This idea started about two months ago when I was
talking with a the merchants from Papa Ed's Ice Cream and
Country Maiden in Catlin Court. We were talking about ideas
to bring more folks to the different event's and Lorraine's
name and how hard she works came up."
"Just for fun I said we
really should do something for her. At first a few folks
thought maybe getting her some kind of a gift certificate
would be nice and I said no I was thinking something a bit
more personal than a gift certificate... Maybe a "Thank
You" breakfast. They seemed to like that idea but it
also seemed a bit big to pull off in a short period of
time"
Success of a surprise party relies
on getting the subject to the party totally unaware that
they are going to be surprised! Bud tells us how
he pulled this off... "I made a phone call to
Terry Williams in Lorraine's office and found a date in
November that was open on her calendar. I then spoke with
Valerie Burner (Bears and More) and arranged to have
her call Lorraine and schedule a meeting for that morning. I
knew Valerie is not a early morning person so if she asked
Lorraine to meet first thing in the morning I knew Lorraine
would take this very serious!"
The next step to success in
planning a surprise party is getting the general
population notified but not have the 'secret' slip out!
"Once I had the date locked
in, I created an invite flier and solicited help from Cheryl
Kappes from Country Maiden) and Linda Whittley from
Papa Ed's Ice Cream) to distribute the flier throughout
Catlin Court."
Bud handled the downtown
distribution of the flyer in the downtown area along Glendale
Avenue. "I would open my shop, work a few hours,
shut it down for ten minute and run like a crazy man
delivering invites. Then back to the shop... It took me four
days to hand deliver all the flier... The one thing I was
most worried about was keeping this a secret!"
The response from the
merchants was even more than Bud had anticipated, "What
I found most interesting was everyone I spoke with weather
they could attend or not all had great things to say about
Lorraine. I did not encounter one negative comment as I
handed out the invites. With the economic concerns of some
of the businesses I feel their comments are even more a
tribute to the hard work Lorraine does for this area."
A week before the event Bud
Zomok once again would shut his shop and ran reminder fliers
to the business that had not RSVP'd. This added effort
resulted in another 12 folks calling and showing up.
Lorraine was very surprised as she
walked into the banquet room at Bitz-ee Mama’s. A
spontaneous standing ovation occurred and within a few
seconds the tears were flowing from both Lorraine and
several of the attendees.
Lorraine gave an impromptu speech
about how much the downtown community meant to her, "that
they are like her family" and that "she
loves each and every one of them." She expressed "she
is a very lucky girl to get to have the job she has and she
should be thanking us." In addition, with great
elation, she brought up the fact she is "looking
forward to the 10 year anniversary of the Glendale Visitor
Center."
After the event Lorraine
told 'The Planet, “What a
wonderful and exciting morning at Bitz-ee Mama’s! It is a
true blessing to be the Tourism Manager for the city of
Glendale. I am the luckiest girl in the world and today’s
celebration was such a special surprise. I am so very
thankful for the downtown business community, for their
passion, energy, creativity and caring. I look forward to
many years ahead filled with events and activities that
continue to showcase the unique aspects of our downtown and
giving our visitors an unforgettable experience. Many, many
thanks to all of my downtown friends who truly gave me one
of the best days ever.”
Ed Sharpe, Publisher
- and his staff noted, "Lorraine
has always offered us ideas, assisted us with stories
and provided positive critique on our efforts here at
the Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV" Sharpe
continued, "Many times, late at night, we are still
working on a story and need some facts or a relevant quote
and Lorraine pops up with a what we need from the keyboard
of her trusty blackberry!" In a disturbing era of
changing work ethics Sharpe states "Lorraine is a
breath of fresh air with the enthusiasm and energy she
brings to her workplace and the entire downtown core."
In closing Bud Zomok told the
'Planet, "in addition to thanking Lorraine, the
second most important part of this event was watching the
merchants come together for a cause... and once at the
meeting they talked, laughed and shared with each other. For
a few minutes they forgot if they were Catlin Court or
Downtown Merchants and joined as Glendale Merchants thanking
Lorraine."
======= Some thoughts
express during the process and after the fact...
=======
Kelly Norton - Executive Director,
The Bead Museum
"Loraine’s dependability in providing
communication for The Bead Museum has been extraordinarily
important. Her newsletters are full of important information
that keeps me up to date on events and changes in our local
business community. She is personable and always so very
friendly! Many thanks Loraine!"
Jim Eggleston - Kathy Corner
"She's the real deal... "
Jennifer Stein - City of
Glendale
"I think I'm going to cry just hearing about
this..."
Cheryl Kappes - The
Country Maiden - Catlin Court
“After purchasing the Country Maiden, in early 2007, I
called Lorraine at the Visitor center to learn more about That
Thursday Thing. Lorraine immediately put me at ease, and
really helped me to learn the ropes. Lorraine is so very good
at listening, giving her undivided attention to the question
at the moment, and not afraid to dig in and help with whatever
ideas we come up with. Lorraine is just the right mix of
energy, enthusiasm, laughter, and real passion for the
Merchants success. Our City of Glendale, is very lucky to have
her!”
Valerie Burner - Bears & More
"We remember when Lorraine was a part time volunteer -
and her love and enthusiasm for Downtown Glendale has never
wavered. What would we do without her?"
Cheryl from Country Maiden
"No one better..."
Rose Prescott - Matilda's Vintage
Closet
"Lorraine has always been looking out for us and has
called us at Matilda's "Stars" when they get us out
in the public eyes either by having us do a fashion show or
putting us on TV...we thank her for her continued support in
helping put our shop (Matilda's Vintage Closet ) and
Historical Downtown Glendale on the map."
------
Other great comments flew fast
and furious and just a few were....
"Why didn't this happen
sooner... and Why didn't we think of this?"
"A gentle spirit who bleeds
Glendale..."
"Wouldn't miss this for the
world..."
"What a
gem..."
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