Pennsauken, NJ-based J&J Snack Foods Corp. is celebrating its 50-year anniversary with a yearlong commemoration that recognizes both its employees and customers. On October 22, J&J Snack Foods hosted a gala celebration at Vie on North Broad Street to recognize the milestone. Employees, their spouses, friends and family joined Gerry Shreiber for a night of food, fun, dancing and recognition.
Yes you know them, they make our favorite snacks including Super Pretzel and the ICEE. (PS I will travel for an Icee in the summer, where you at?)
Gerry Shreiber (c)
Founded in 1971 by Gerald “Gerry” B. Shreiber, J&J Snack Foods began with the $72,100 purchase of an ailing pretzel company of eight employees at a court auction. Fast-forward 50 years, and the company has evolved into a billion-dollar publicly traded company and industry leader in snack foods with over 4,200 employees, 16 manufacturing locations across the country, and products throughout foodservice and retail channels nationwide. J&J Snack Foods’ iconic brands, including SUPERPRETZEL, ICEE and LUIGI’S Real Italian Ice, have been there for millions of moments of fun and togetherness. From family gatherings and birthdays to baseball games, cinemas and amusement parks, J&J Snack Foods brands have served up smiles, joy, and fun across the country for five decades.
J&J Snack Foods honored founder Gerry Shreiber’s legacy and announced they were launching a series of employee appreciation events across the country, including visits from the company’s branded ‘snack mobile.’ The company will also participate in the NASDAQ closing bell ceremony in New York early next year. Consumers and employees alike can expect more fun throughout the year and are encouraged to visit @jjsnackfoods on Instagram for exciting updates.
On
June 12, 2019, Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) will host its
annual Black & Gold Gala to recognize the outstanding service of
local individuals
and organizations that demonstrate involvement in community growth in
the areas of education, business, social services and health.
The cocktail party took place in the beautiful courtyard adjacent to Vie
The gala took place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Vie, located on 600 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Event proceeds benefit the 50th Anniversary Promise Scholarship, which has provided more than 700 high school graduates across the city with the opportunity to pursue an associate degree at CCP at no cost for tuition and fees.
Joann Gonzalez-Generals and Community College of Philadelphia President and CEO, Dr. Donald Guy Generals pose together during the VIP Reception.
Raytheon Company former Chief Diversity Officer Hayward Bell received the Alumni Achievement Award for being an industry leader and innovator in the practice of diversity and inclusion at the corporate level. Here he is with his family.
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) President and CEO Julie Coker Graham,
Philadelphia Eagle Malcolm Jenkins and
Mayor James F. Kenney pose together during the VIP Reception.
Following VIP Reception, Community College of Philadelphia’s Black & Gold Gala attendees begin transitioning into the main ballroom for dinner. 6abc News Anchor Rick Williams makes opening remarks to kick off the Black & Gold Gala.
Philadelphia Eagle Malcolm Jenkins,
safety and team captain, co-founder of the Malcolm
Jenkins Foundation and the Players Coalition, will receive the
Community Hero Award for his service to the community to advance issues
such as education and economic advancement in low income communities,
criminal justice reform, police community relations,
and for his service to Community College of Philadelphia as a member of
the College’s Foundation Board.
VEP Experience performs in the Vie ballroom in front of more than 500 attendees at Community College of Philadelphia’s Black & Gold Gala. (Photos and copy provided by “Community College of Philadelphia.”)
In 2015, the popular eatery Upstairs at Varalli and Perch Pub closed as part as a parcel of properties which were sold to create the newest hotel in Center City – The Cambria Hotel Philadelphia (which I love, they have a cute restaurant with a terrace on the 2nd floor with views of Broad Street, and a happening bar on the roof called Attico.) Everyone wondered what would happen with this space, would it be a new restaurant, the ballroom for the hotel or offices. To everyone’s surprise, it became a Cescaphe Events space called The Lucy, named after founder Joe Volpe‘s mother.
The Lucy opened in December 2018, I took the following photos in January and March. I was supposed to take more photos at the open house on Wednesday, but when I arrived my camera I had a camera problem which I explain at the bottom of this post.
In January, I photographed the American Jewish Committee, the leading global Jewish advocacy organization, where they honored Ajay Raju.
I was pleasantly surprised at what a wonderful job they did on the space. They completely gutted it, and created a beautiful, versatile event space, with a cocktail are that overlooks the “banquet area”, which can be used with or without a dance floor, and it has a stage. The space seemed very open, with great sight lines. It also seemed more intimate as well.
The staircase on the left goes to the mezzanine where the cocktail portion of the parties are held. To the right at the end of the table, is the door leading into The Lucy.The Lifesavers Gala in March, with a packed dance floor and a larger bar in the background.
Additional seating in the form of high tops, can be found on either side of the circular tables situated in the center of the room. Although most events will probably have valet, there is several parking lots nearby including across the street at the Bellevue Hotel, it’s $32.
The Lucy weddings feature the Cescaphe signature cocktail hour-and-a-half. You and your guests will enjoy the finest cuisine and top shelf open bar from the second floor Mezzanine that overlooks the ballroom. With its whitewashed brick accent walls, large picture windows and custom bars, the elevated room provides plenty of ambiance and space for guests to enjoy all that cocktail hour has to offer. (source)
The 17,000-square-foot space holds up 325 guests for a seated dinner, and up to 800 for a standing celebration. To the left are tables which hold the cocktail party food.
The bathrooms are stage left, which is where you’ll find the elevator, and a back stair case as well. The men’s bathroom has fancy metallic wall covering and a beautiful floor. They definitely put a lot of thought into them.
The space is beautiful, and Cescaphe’s vast menu of delicious food is always a delightful, but the dramatic backdrop of the Avenue of the Arts is the real winner here and can be viewed from two sides of the ballroom.
I remember when I took this photo in January, I sent it to my friend and said, I think this is one of the best event spaces in Philly; it’s beautiful, the layout is perfect. I love how the spacious mezzanine overlooks the ballroom, creating an anticipation for the rest of the evening. I especially love the floor to ceiling windows, flooding the room with excitement of the bustling City streets, with the celebration going on inside The Lucy.
Yesterday I was supposed to go to The Lucy open house, so I was waiting to write the post after I took updated photos. Unfortunately the craziest thing happened after I arrived, my camera’s shutter got stuck and I couldn’t get good shots (That’s the first time in my 8 year career that this ever happened where my camera failed.) I ran home to grab another camera and tried to make it back before my next event, but I didn’t have time. I was so bummed too since I missed out on a great lunch as I love their seafood buffet, and Italian Sausage and onion dish. Disclosure- Since the time I took these photos, Cescaphe has become an advertiser, but I honestly love The Lucy, and believe you will too. Welcome to the family of Cescaphe Events which includes
Cescaphe Ballroom, Tendenza (another favorite spot of mine) both in Northern Liberties, the classic Down Town Club in Washington Square West with an amazing view of Independence Hall), Vie, and The Waterworks (the best sunsets on the Schuylkill.)
Interested in booking? Call 215-238-5750 or email info@cescaphe.com
Photos: Lifesavers Gala Honors Ron Donatucci, Jr. at the Lucy
HughE Dillon, Ron Donatucci Jr. with the Lifesaver Award, Maryann Murtha, AFSP Board Chair and Bernard Hopkins
On March 15, 2019, The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) held its 4th annual Save a Life Gala at The Lucy by Cescaphe events. This year’s honoree was Ron Donatucci, Jr. who co-founded Michael’s Giving Hand, an organization which brings awareness to teen depression and anxiety , in the name of his brother Michael Donatucci, who passed away in 2016
Lisa Pflaumer, Executive Director at Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D, Dana Donatucci, and Carla Werner
Guests enjoyed a spirited cocktail hour before heading into the ballroom for a sit down dinner. I, HughE Dillon, the 2015 Save A Life honoree was on hand to honor Ron Donatucci, Jr., and give Ron Donatucci the award along with iconic boxer Bernard Hopkins, who volunteers and speaks to teens on behalf of Michael’s Giving Hand’s, was emcee for the evening. Proceeds from the event helps fund AFSP’s mission to save lives and give hope to those affected by suicide and the annual Philadelphia Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk in June.
Jay & Diane Agnes
Gene DeSimone, Joanne DeSimone, Flossie and Dominic Simirglia, Stephanie Donatucci,Ron Donatucci Jr. with Ron & Dana Donatucci.
Nikki Carden and Sarah Hart, executive director of AFSP Philadelphia
Mark Gaines, and Tuesday Gordon Gaines, Joan Shepp
Kylie Stetler and Rebecca Tillem
Jerry Blavat entertained the crowd with his signature style
Thanuja Hamilton, Bernard Hopkins and Joy Tate
Jaimi Blackburn, HughE Dillon and Catherine Siciliano
Lucy, the newest Cescaphe event space is located at Broad and Spruce, and really embodies the excitement of an event including amazing vistas of The Academy Music, City Hall and bustling Broad Street.
Proceeds from the event helps fund AFSP’s mission to save lives and give hope to those affected by suicide and the annual Philadelphia Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk in October. To See additional photos head on over to Philly Style Magazine,CBSPhilly and in Philly Magazine’s June issue. Thanks to PhillyChitChat team member Andre Flewellen who contributed photos to this column. Event produced by Lynsie Blair Events.
The Most Fantastic Party I didn’t Attend, but wish I had
Medical Guardian (1818 Market Street Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19103) held their annual holiday party earlier this month at VIE in Philadelphia. Geoff Gross, Founder & CEO at Medical Guardian hosted friends, family and employees of the life saving Medical Alert System which serves seniors nationwide. I was supposed to attend, but something came up and I missed it. After attending in the past and knowing that Valerie Sings Gross – Val Sings Events was producing the event, I knew it’d be a party we all needed to see
Valerie Sings Gross and Geoff Gross
Santa’s Workshop was the theme
Santa was there
Cescaphe always has one of the most delicious spreads chock full of seafood and see food
Gorgeous champagne display as you walk into the lobby
Valerie Sings Gross
A wall of employees photos from past parties
Val Sings Eventsdid a sweet job on this event.
Happy Happy Holidays, what a wonderful holiday season. I for one am not bothered when the commericals, and the music and the holiday cheer starts in November because when December 26 rolls around I’m already nostalgic for it.
Teal Butterfly is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness about the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer by educating the public through community events and social media campaigns
