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

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.

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.

Where in Union? {November 19}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on the blog post or the Facebook post, you will win a $25 gift certificate from GAME OVER!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible!

Where in Union? {October 30}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on the blog post or the Facebook post, you will win a prize package from good. clean. soap.!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible!

Where in Union? {October 16}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on the blog post or the Facebook post, you will win an 8 piece bucket of absolutely delicious fried chicken from Frick's Market in Union!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible!

Hop, Skip, and Crawl {Footloose Giveaway}

This {Footloose Giveaway} is for YOU! How do I know that? Well, answer these few questions to yourself:

• Do you drink beverages (adult or kiddie)?
• Do you eat food?
• Do you like being with your friends?
• Do you support your local community?
• Do you enjoy music?
• Do you like to walk?
• Do you like to people watch?
• Do you like to dance?

Did you answer "yes" to 3 or more of the above questions? Then you should enter our {Footloose Giveaway}...woo hoo!

Keep reading...

So, the Jaycees are are going to buy Christmas presents for the local children in foster care {awesomesauce!}, and they need your help to do this.

How can you help?
By taking an evening to go out with your friends and having a wonderful time eating, drinking, laughing, and dancing! No, it's not selfish at all! You have the opportunity to support your local community while engaging in a very fun activity - the Union Jaycees Pub Crawl and Dance.

Yes! But how can it get any better? Well, we get to giveaway two (2) t-shirts and dance passes {oh, yeah}! 

So this is how the Pub Crawl and Dance will go:

Saturday, November 17th

6:00 pm - tree lighting at City Hall and then off to the local pubs for drink and dinner specials

• Theo's
• Korner Bar
• Bugsy's
• Elmer's 

9:00 pm - dance the night away at the City Hall

• cash bar by the Franklin County Fair Board
• bring your own snacks

Tickets are $25 for the special shirt that gains you the specials and the dance entry, or $15 for just the dance.

Update: the winner for the Pub Crawl t-shirts and dance tix is Racheal Englaender Vogel. Please contact the Union Jaycees to claim your prize!

Where in Union? {September 28}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on the blog post or the Facebook post, you will win a little prize package from Heather's Paparazzi!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible! 

Where in Union? {September 14}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on the blog post or the Facebook post, you will win a little prize package from MK Designs Photography!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible! 

Where in Union? {September 9}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on the blog post or the Facebook post, you will win a little prize package from United Bank of Union!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible! 

Where in Union? {August 31}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on the blog post or the Facebook post, you will win a little prize package from Marcink Designs!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible! 

Where in Union? {August 24}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on this blog post or the Facebook post, you will win your choice of a FREE lip or eyebrow wax from Amber Jacquin at JF Hair!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible! 

Where in Union? {August 17}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on this blog post or the Facebook post, you will win your choice of a free hair cut or $15 off a chemical service from Amber Jacquin at JF Hair!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible! 

Where in Union? {July 27}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on this blog post or the Facebook post, you will win a prize pack from Heather's Paparazzi!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible! 

Hint: It is not on private property. :)

Where in Union? {July 13}

Where in Union is this? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on this blog post or the Facebook post, you will win a surprise!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the prize. Please be as specific as possible! 

Winners of the {Fabulous Fair Freebies}!

Without further ado...


(4) passes to Thursday AND(4) dinners of your choice from the Kiwanis stand
Sarah Kliethermes

(4) passes to Friday AND
(4) roast beef dinners from the New Hope Assembly of God stand
Justin Rybak

(4) passes to Saturday AND
(4) items of your choice of treat from the Lions Club stand 
Donna Cregger

(4) passes to Sunday AND
(4) snowcones from the Democratic Club stand
Diana Richardson

(2) VIP passes to the Main Stage concert of Hotel California, a salute to the Eagles AND
(2) giant drumsticks from the Democratic Club stand 
Lulu Bradberry

(4) snowcones from the Democratic Club stand 
Nancy


(2) snowcones from the Democratic Club stand 
Regina Close


(4) giant drumsticks from the Democratic Club stand 
Ashley Livengood

(4) giant drumsticks from the Democratic Club stand
rkybcn29


Please email tyann@marcinkdesigns.com or call/text/ 636.584.3864 to arrange a pick up of your passes and prizes!

2012 Franklin County Fair and {Fabulous Fair Freebies}

Sticky cotton candy fingers, juicy turkey legs, tasty warm waffle ice cream sandwiches, powder sugary funnel cake faces, tantalizing roast beef sandwiches...can't you smell the delicious fair food now?

The Franklin County Fair is a long time tradition for Union. The four days of fair fun each July beckons to families from all over Franklin County every year. Fair days are filled with sights, sounds, and scents that create wonder and amazement, making everyone feel like a little kid again.

This year, the dates are Thursday, July 5th, through Sunday, July 8th. For all the exciting happenings at the fair this year, a schedule of events, and where to pick up your season passes, see the Franklin County Fair website.

So what is your favorite summer fair memory? Is there something special at the fair you want your children to experience? Tell us and you could win family passes to a day at the Franklin County Fair!

Maybe it is...

The storming of the midway rides.

...or is it...

The thrill of the dragon roller coaster.

...or even...

The wonder of a first ride on the carousel.

 Maybe it's the activities...

The feats of strength in the kids' pedal tractor pull.

...that only a fair has...

The muddiness of the pig scramble.

Oh, and I know there are more (can't make this post too terribly long!)...horseshoe tournament, 4-H exhibits, FFA petting zoo, teen dance, Fair Queen Contest, Antique Tractor Pull, money and candy scramble, Little Mr. and Miss Contest, dairy show, beef show, rabbit show, bubblegum contest, LollyPop the Clown, Super Farmer Contest, Demolition Derby...the list goes on and on and on...

See the entire schedule of fair events at the Franklin County Fair website.

So what do we have for {Fabulous Fair Freebies}? Oh, sweet mothers, do we have some freebies for you!

(4) passes to Thursday
(4) passes to Friday
(4) passes to Saturday
(4) passes to Sunday
(2) VIP passes to the Main Stage concert of Hotel California, a salute to the Eagles
(4) dinners of your choice from the Kiwanis stand
(4) roast beef dinners from the New Hope Assembly of God stand
your choice of treat from the Lions Club stand (more details coming soon)
(10) snowcones and (10) giant drumsticks from the Democratic Club stand

How to win {Fabulous Fair Freebies}
Simply comment on this blog post with your favorite fair memory or a memory you look forward to making this year.
That's it!

Now, how about additional entries? Sure!
(1) Share this blog post on Facebook



Now enter another comment below that you have shared this opportunity with your friends.

(2) "Like" Experience Union on Facebook.

Just click this button --->

Now enter another comment below that you "liked" us.

(3) "Subscribe" to Franklin Co Fair on Facebook.

Just click this button --->


Then leave another comment.

(4) Leave a comment saying which day of the fair you want to win passes for.

(5) Post a picture of you or your family enjoying the fair on the Experience Union Facebook wall.
Then leave another comment.

(6) Leave a comment as to your favorite food at the Kiwanis stand.
Here is what they will have this year:
pork steaks, bratwursts, turkey legs, rib eye, pork burger, hamburger, baked beans, chips, and giant pickles

(7) Leave a comment as to your favorite food at the New Hope Assembly of God stand.
Here is their menu this year:
all day: pizza, pretzels, nachos, roast beef, hot dogs, chili ala carte or as a topping
breakfast: biscuits and gravy on Thursday, breakfast burritos on Friday, sausage and cheese biscuits on Saturday
drinks: milk and juice
oh, and fresh fruit!

(8) "Like" New Hope Assembly of God on Facebook.

Just click this button --->


Now enter another comment below that you "liked" them.

(9) Leave a comment as to your favorite treat at the Lions Club stand.
Here is what they will have this year:
Dippin' Dots, waffle ice cream sandwiches, funnel cakes, shakes

(10) Leave a comment as to your favorite treat at the Democratic Club stand.
Here is what they will have this year:
granddaddy drumsticks, snowcones, soda, water, candy, chips

(11) "Like" the Democratic Club's candidate Mary Jo Straatmann on Facebook.

Just click this button --->


Now enter another comment below that you "liked" their page.

Bonus entry: If you have completed all 10 additional entries, leave just one more comment that you have done it all!

Super Bonus entries: Share this post every day until July 2nd and then come back and comment that you did so. Each share that you comment about is another entry...woo hoo! That makes 25 possible entries...oh, yeah!

Winners will be drawn on Monday, July 2nd! We look forward to seeing and hearing more about the fair through your experiences!!!

Author: Tyann Marcink
Photos: Marcink Designs

Where in Union? {June 15}

Where in Union is this stone? If you know and are the first one to correctly comment on this blog post or the Facebook post, you will win a pizza from Philly's!

Please comment with the exact location, including street/streets, buildings, any identifying landmarks, and even GPS coordinates. The first correct comment wins the pizza. You may comment on this blog post or on the Facebook picture.

Also note that I love a very thick crust with chicken, black olives, and extra cheese. I don't mind some marinara dipping sauce, either. ;) Sorry, no hint for this week!