Back to School Giveaway

I can't believe the summer is nearly over! Area schools begin in just 3 weeks or less...sigh...

Let's do a special giveaway to chase away those BTS blues then. :)

Use the widget below to "LIKE" all of the local business sponsors - every page you "LIKE" is an entry for a prize. Woo hoo!

And, don't forget to share the special giveaway graphic on the Experience Union Facebook page for another entry. Bonus - you can do this EVERY DAY for another entry.

Have fun!

Note: If the widget doesn't load right away, refresh your browser and give it a little bit of time. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Put A Little Gravel In Your Travel!

Often I hear people say living in Union is great because of how easy of a day trip it is to St. Louis. I am a bit different in that I feel living in Union is great because how easy it is for a day trip to MANY beautiful areas of Missouri that don't necessarily fit "city" mode.

Water Shoes, Minnow/Critter Catching Net, and
cool clear water - THANK YOU MISSOURI! :)

Just 35 miles away is Blue Springs Creek Conservation Area. Hop down I-44 to Bourbon then hit N - beautiful cool clear waters await you. 98 degress out? Who cares!?!?! Sit and chill in the waters, watch your kiddo catch crawdads or find fossils. It's just a wonderful experience.

Crawdad Time! June 2013 at Blue Springs Creek.

Recently I decided to explore another spot. Just 10 miles further (45 miles from Union) is Huzzah Conservation Area. Go on I-44, Onodoga Exit  - go past the park, cross the Meramec, and put a little gravel in your travel to find this gem! Water may not be as chilly as Blue Springs, but it's wider and still can trick your brain into realizing that it's not in the 90's... nature's airconditioning at its best!

Huzzah Conservation Area - July 2013 Cliffs to the right and
woods/creek to the left. Lovely road just like out
of a fairy tale or novel... and right here in Missouri.

Don't get me wrong, St. Louis has great things for day trips, but just as close are two amazing places to create some great memories with family. Some of my fondest memories growing up in the Ozarks are of the Big Piney River and of Paddy Creek in the Mark Twain National Forest.

I call myself the "creek-side gourmet" - she says it's not
"fancy at all" - but she eats and and enjoys it regardless!
Huzzah Creek bank July 2013.

I want my kiddo to have similar experiences and not spend EVERY DAY of Summer break sitting in front of the television. It's amazing how sometimes just an afternoon away and OUTSIDE can improve attitudes and spirits.

More information about Huzzah Conservation Area: ttp://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Applications/MOATLAS/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=5702
and about Blue Springs Creek Conservation Area: http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=8405

For more information about my photography see my webpage: http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com/
and you can visit my blog at: http://mkdesignsphoto.blogspot.com/

Until next time, ~ michelle of Experience Union :)

Meet: Rob Kell and Vega Fireworks

The celebratory pops, bangs, and shazizzles of fireworks are an American tradition this week. Barbecue burgers and hot dogs, strawberry shortcake, fresh fruit salad, and ice cream go right along with the American celebration of Independence Day.

Did you know that the fireworks stands open only 2 weeks before July 4th? Just two short weeks to supply you with sparklers, snappers, killer bees, twitter glitters, and roman candles.

Shopping for fireworks like a kid in a candy store.

This year, the local family owned stand Vega Fireworks has a celebration of their own - 30 years of business. You know their stand - the red and white striped tent near Barreth Ford, right off of Hwy. 50.

Follow them on Facebook right now:

Rob Kell and his daughter Angela now have a total of three stands - Union, St. Clair, and Troy. They hire local young people to help with the stands, providing a fun summer job.

Vega Fireworks has the highest quality fireworks available, with a selection of over 300 different items. They are also the exclusive distributor of Black Market Brand fireworks - the most powerful available by law. The Black Market Brand is guaranteed to have the highest quality performance, including the richest colors, extra long duration stars, and spectacular effects combinations.

Boxes piled high with rockets, Roman candles, sparklers, jumping jacks, and firecrackers.

Not sure what particular fireworks do? Here is a little cheat sheet from their website:

“Cakes” are one wick, multi-shot pieces that are guaranteed to wow audiences with their huge breaks, vivid colors, and thundering explosions. Coming in sizes of 500 gram (the largest) to 200 gram, cakes are the best choice for those who desire a more “automatic”, light-it-and-watch show. Great for impressive finales.

“Reloadables” refer mainly to pieces that offer a single firing tube which is manually reloaded with a variety of explosive shells. The larger the shell, the bigger, higher, and more impressive the effect.

“Fountains” are bright, colorful showers of sparks and flaming balls that typically reach relatively shallow heights. These are ideal for smaller, backyard shows.

"Rockets" are a classic favorite. The larger the rocket, the higher they fly, and the bigger they bang. Rockets typically have a nice visible launch, ending with an explosive break.

Meet Rob Kell, Vega Fireworks, celebrating 30 years of business.

Hours of the Union stand are as early as 7:30 am and as late as 1:00 am for the holiday. Stop by and tell Rob that Experience Union sent you.

Vega Fireworks locations

Union location:

1001 East HWY 50

St. Clair location:

1213 Gravios Rd.

Troy location:

215 Firehouse Ln.

Visit vegafireworks.com and their Facebook page for more information and special announcements.

Have a safe Fourth!
Tyann Marcink

Winners of the 1,000+ Fan Giveaway

WOW!

In just over a year, Experience Union is now celebrating over 1,000 followers on our Facebook page.

Thank you to each and every one of you for following our posts, photos, and plugs about our little town Union, the surrounding area, and the wonderful businesses who sponsor us.

All three of us sincerely appreciate the opportunity to share with you on a daily basis. (Read more about each of us here.)

Before I announce the winners, I strongly encourage you to follow the sponsors on Facebook and any other social media or newsletters that they offer. This is just one simple way to support our local businesses.

One other big way to support our town is to tell your friends about the area and the businesses. It may not be feasible to spend our money in every local shop each day of the year, but you can support them by recommending them to your friends and family.

I'll make the Facebook part easy for you - just click the little "Like" button next to each sponsor below as you read through the winners list.

Note: Winners MUST email me at experienceunionmo@gmail.com before 9 am Wednesday, July 3rd to claim their prize. Please include your name, email, mailing address, and phone number.

Congratulations and thank you to our sponsors for joining in the fun with us!

- Marcink Designs (profile photo and chat over coffee) - Donna Argent Zac Novak Cassie Rice (must claim by 9:00 am Monday, July 8th)


- MK Designs Photography / Fine Art and Portrait (prize package of a 16x20 canvas) - Alicia Ferkel


- (4) Thursday Franklin County Fair passes - Cindy Moritz

- Invisible Sun Massage and Body Works (one hour massage and one hour facial) - Shawn Pehle


- SBAudio ($100 gift certificate) - Matthew Cowan


- (4) Friday Franklin County Fair passes - Jen Kelley

- Union Nails (basic pedicure for 4 friends) - Mindy Schmelz


- White Rose Cafe (breakfast for 2) - Racheal Vogel


- Kate's Beauty and Stress Relievers (spa basket) - Victoria Donaldson Ricky Bacon (must claim by 9:00 am Friday, July 5th)


- (4) Saturday Franklin County Fair passes - Justina White

- (2) VIP tickets to the Randy Houser concert - Cheyenne Narup

- The Beauty Within ($75 Mary Kay gift certificate) - Bethany Dixon


- Jewell ($20 gift certificate) - from Megan Julius - RickandMandy Thomas

- 31 Bags (large tote in fun flops pattern) - from Shannon Lindeman - Leisha Reeser

- (4) Sunday Franklin County Fair passes - Angel Brown

Note: Winners MUST email me at experienceunionmo@gmail.com before 9 am Wednesday, July 3rd to claim their prize. Please include your name, email, mailing address, and phone number.

1,000+ Fan Giveaway

WOW!

In just over a year, Experience Union is now celebrating over 1,000 followers on our Facebook page.

Thank you to each and every one of you for following our posts, photos, and plugs about our little town Union, the surrounding area, and the wonderful businesses who sponsor us.

All three of us sincerely appreciate the opportunity to share with you on a daily basis. (Read more about each of us here.)

In celebration, I have put together an awesomesauce giveaway for you! Tons of prizes to win - just use the widget below or the one on our Facebook page to enter.

And don't forget to come back each day this week after sharing the 1,000+ Fan Giveaway graphic to get bonus entries on the widget!

Giveaway begins at 12:01 am on Monday, June 24th, and ends at 11:59 pm Sunday, June 30th. Winners will be posted on this blog on Monday, July 1st, and must claim their prize by Wednesday, July 3rd, or a new winner will be chosen.

Have fun!
Tyann

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners of the BIG SPRING GIVEAWAY 2013 {week two}

And the winners are:

Psst...don't forget to LIKE our local business sponsors!Follow them on Facebook, place an order with them, and stop by to say hi.

____________________________________________

Oasis Bowling Lanes - 8 bowling passes from week 1 that were not claimed - Hannah Shockley

____________________________________________

Great 8 Cinema - $10 gift certificate - Molly Andrews Browne


____________________________________________

Johnny's Restaurant - $10 gift certificate - Eliza Thornton


____________________________________________

Liberty's Skinny Wraps - gift certificate - JoAnn Allen Boyd Jessica Fink (since JoAnn did not claim her prize)


____________________________________________

United Bank of Union - surprise package - Mindy Schmelz


____________________________________________

Oasis Bowling Lanes - 8 bowling passes - Cyndi Overschmidt

____________________________________________

Planet Gymnastics - four (4) Saturday Spectacular passes - Tonia Valley Wehmeyer


___________________________________________

MK Designs Photography / Fine Art and Portrait - surprise package - Jennifer Fink Vollmer


____________________________________________

Fink's Alps - $50 gift certificate - Heather Diesel


____________________________________________

Heather's Paparazzi - gift basket of jewelry, gift, card, and more - Lesa Barklage


____________________________________________

SB Audio - $100 gift certificate - Sarah Tiu


____________________________________________

Lost Valley Lake Resort - 3 day / 2 night stay - Jess Henderson


____________________________________________

To claim your prize, please email your name and address to experienceunionmo@gmail.com. Prizes must be claimed by 9 am on Friday, May 3rd, or I will draw another entry!

BIG SPRING GIVEAWAY {week two}

Yes, it's finally here...

the BIG SPRING GIVEAWAY {week two}

Who's excited???

Here is what we are giving away from our spectacular sponsors (psst...don't forget to click on the name to go to their Facebook page to LIKE them!):

week two:

• Lost Valley Lake Resort - 3 day / 2 night stay
• SB Audio - $100 gift certificate
• Heather's Paparazzi - gift basket of jewelry, gift card, and more
• Fink's Alps - $50 gift certificate
• MK Designs and Photography - surprise package
• Planet Gymnastics - 4 Saturday Spectacular passes
• Oasis Bowling Lanes - 8 bowling passes
• United Bank of Union - surprise package
• Liberty's Skinny Wraps - gift certificate
• Johnny's Restaurant - $10 gift certificate
• Great 8 Cinema - $10 gift certificate

How do you enter? It's easy peasy:

Just like, share, and comment on the special graphic when you see it in your Facebook newsfeed. You can also find it pinned to the top of theExperience Union Facebook page.

Every like,share, and comment on the special graphic is an entry (so share each day if you would like)!

Bonus entries:

Sweet! Get additional entries every day when you comment on a bonus entry status.

What are those? It's when we highlight one of the fantastic sponsors. I will ask you to comment about your fave product or service that the sponsor has or something related to it.

If you have any questions, please email us at experienceunionmo@gmail.com or send a message on our Facebook page.

Don't have a Facebook account? No problem! Enter by commenting on this blog post.

Note: the BIG SPRING GIVEAWAY is only sponsored by Experience Union and the above listed businesses. It is in no way, shape, or form affiliated or endorsed by Facebook or Blogger.

Winners of the BIG SPRING GIVEAWAY 2013 {week one}

And the winners are:

Psst...don't forget to LIKE our local business sponsors! Follow them on Facebook, place an order with them, and stop by to say hi.

____________________________________________

Oasis Bowling Lanes - 8 bowling passes - Brittany D. Harmon Hannah Shockley (since prize was not claimed by deadline)

____________________________________________

Frick’s Market - chicken picnic - Shelby Wallace


____________________________________________

Platt’s Nursery and Greenhouse - $20 gift certificate - Tammy Laager


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Heritage Community Bank - $25 Visa gift card - April Thompson


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Aroma Blending Company - all natural bug spray and body scrub - Diane Wissmann Rucker


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Upper Cuts - $50 gift certificate for St. Louis Cardinals tickets - Donna Cregger


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Sweet Designs by Mandi - dozen cupcakes and $40 gift certificate - Jen Clark Kelley


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Union Nails - $75 gift certificate - Cindy L Moritz

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Suzanne Koelling - Mary Kay makeover party for 5 with food, drinks, and $50 gift certificate - Kathy Gooch


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GAME OVER - Playstation 2 and $100 of games - Michelle Widau-Vondera


____________________________________________

Marcink Designs - family mini session and wall canvas ($210 value) - Justina White


____________________________________________

To claim your prize, please email your name and address to experienceunionmo@gmail.com. Prizes must be claimed by 9 am on Wednesday, April 24th, or I will draw another entry!

____________________________________________

Week Two of the BIG SPRING GIVEAWAY launches Monday morning - are you ready???

Here are the sponsors:

week two:

• Lost Valley Lake Resort - 3 day / 2 night stay
• SB Audio - $100 gift certificate
• Heather's Paparazzi - gift basket of jewelry, gift card, and more
• Fink's Alps - $50 gift certificate
• MK Designs and Photography - surprise package
• Planet Gymnastics - 4 Saturday Spectacular passes
• Oasis Bowling Lanes - 8 bowling passes
• United Bank of Union - surprise package
• Liberty's Skinny Wraps - gift certificate
• Johnny's Restaurant - $10 gift certificate
• Great 8 Cinema - $10 gift certificate

How do you enter? It's easy peasy:

Just like or share the special graphic when you see it in your Facebook newsfeed. You can also find it pinned to the top of the Experience Union Facebook page.

Every like and share on the special graphic is an entry (so share each day if you would like)!

Bonus entries:

Sweet! Get additional entries every day when you comment on a bonus entry status.

What are those? It's when we highlight one of the fantastic sponsors. I will ask you to comment about your fave product or service that the sponsor has. Week one will feature half the sponsors, and week two will feature the other half of sponsors.

If you have any questions, please email us at experienceunionmo@gmail.com or send a message on our Facebook page.

Note: the BIG SPRING GIVEAWAY is only sponsored by Experience Union and the above listed businesses. It is in no way, shape, or form affiliated or endorsed by Facebook or Blogger.

BIG SPRING GIVEAWAY 2013

Yes, it's finally here...

the BIG SPRING GIVEAWAY

Who's excited???

Here is what we are giving away from our spectacular sponsors (psst...don't forget to click on the name to go to their Facebook page to LIKE them!):

week one:

• Marcink Designs - family mini session and wall canvas ($210 value)
• GAME OVER - Playstation 2 and $100 of games
• Suzanne Koelling - Mary Kay makeover party for 5 with food, drinks, and $50 gift certificate
• Union Nails - $75 gift certificate
• Sweet Designs by Mandi - dozen cupcakes and $40 gift certificate
• Upper Cuts - $50 gift certificate for St. Louis Cardinals tickets
• Aroma Blending Company - all natural bug spray and body scrub
• Heritage Community Bank - $25 Visa gift card
• Platt’s Nursery and Greenhouse - $20 gift certificate
• Frick’s Market - chicken picnic
• Oasis Bowling Lanes - 8 bowling passes

week two:

• Lost Valley Lake Resort - 3 day / 2 night stay
• SB Audio - $100 gift certificate
• Heather's Paparazzi - gift basket of jewelry, gift card, and more
• Fink's Alps - $50 gift certificate
• MK Designs and Photography - surprise package
• Planet Gymnastics - 4 Saturday Spectacular passes
• Oasis Bowling Lanes - 8 bowling passes
• United Bank of Union - surprise package
• Liberty's Skinny Wraps - gift certificate
• Johnny's Restaurant - $10 gift certificate
• Great 8 Cinema - $10 gift certificate

How do you enter? It's easy peasy:

Just like or share the special graphic when you see it in your Facebook newsfeed. You can also find it pinned to the top of the Experience Union Facebook page.

Every like and share on the special graphic is an entry (so share each day if you would like)!

Bonus entries:

Sweet! Get additional entries every day when you comment on a bonus entry status.

What are those? It's when we highlight one of the fantastic sponsors. I will ask you to comment about your fave product or service that the sponsor has. Week one will feature half the sponsors, and week two will feature the other half of sponsors.

If you have any questions, please email us at experienceunionmo@gmail.com or send a message on our Facebook page.

Don't have a Facebook account? No problem! Enter by commenting on this blog post.

Note: the BIG SPRING GIVEAWAY is only sponsored by Experience Union and the above listed businesses. It is in no way, shape, or form affiliated or endorsed by Facebook or Blogger.

Daring to Bring Dreams to Life

Dreams of a floor covered in brightly wrapped gifts spilling out from under a twinkling Christmas tree fill many children’s waking and sleeping moments this time of year. Their imaginations run wild as to what will be revealed when they rip the paper from the packages…

But several children in the Union area may not even dare dream this childhood fantasy.

And that is where the local Angel Tree program steps in…to bring a small portion of this dream to life for Union children who may not receive any Christmas gifts otherwise.

The Angel Tree at the United Bank of Union location on Main Street.

 Sponsored by area clubs and businesses, the Angel Tree gives each child in the program three gifts as well as a ham to each family. The children are referred to the program by a very reliable source, according to Aaron Hall, the program’s organizer. The Angel Tree does not accept applications, but all children and families reside in the Union School District.

How can you participate in the program? Simply…

• Pick up an angel at any of the three United Bank of Union locations.
• Purchase a gift for the child on the angel – age, clothing sizes, and interests are listed on the angel.
• Return your wrapped gift, with the angel attached to it, to any United Bank of Union location by December 14^th.

A few of the angels that are waiting for you.

Then, Santa and his elves deliver the gifts. Kiwanis members dress up as Santa Claus and Union High School Key Clubbers as elves, and the organizers deliver the dreams and fulfill a bit of the Christmas fantasy.

According to Hall, the Angel Tree program serves an average of 40 families and 120 kids each year. Hall does not know when the program began. A similar program, the Giving Tree, is in its 15^th year at Central Elementary and Clark-Vitt Elementary. Students there have the opportunity to choose angels at school to purchase Christmas gifts for.

Sponsors of the Angel Tree program include United Bank of Union, Middle School National Junior Honor Society, Union High School Key Club, Strubberg Accounting, Union Kiwanis Club, Ameren UE, and Dollar General.

The United Bank of Union locations are:

15 E. Main in downtown Union

Monday - Thursday 8 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Friday 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.

Saturday 8 A.M. - 12 Noon

1440 Rebel Road, next to Wal-Mart, lobby hours of 9 am to 7 pm

Monday - Friday 9 A.M. - 7 P.M.

Saturday 8 A.M. - 2 P.M.

210 West Hwy. 50, across from Sonic, lobby hours of 9 am to 6 pm

Monday - Friday 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.

Saturday 8 A.M. - 12 Noon

Stop by today to choose your angel to bless with a gift. The price of the gift is whatever you are comfortable spending. If you are able, don’t hesitate to pick up more than one angel to shop for this year…you will be glad you did!

The angels we picked up today.