2010 Refeather Your Nest: The Story of The Playhouse Package

April 10, 2010

Anticipation was high in center court of the Oakdale mall on the evening of April 9, 2010. People gathered around the Refeather Your Nest merchandise as the last couple of minutes rolled in before eggs were to be chosen to reveal the winners and prizes.

I was there. I was qualified for an egg. This year was a new year and with that came a new way to play the game. There were three prize packages all together: The Outdoor Package, The Indoor Package and The Playhouse Package- all of which contained wonderful individual items.

Luckily though, out of the 98 eggs that were to be given to the contestants, not just three would win a prize. Everyone was a winner of something. There were CD’s, DVD’s, Binghamton Mets tickets, Thunder Slam tickets, Wendy’s Combo meals… like I said, anticipation was high.

Glenn Pitcher, Pam Scott, John Davison, Rich Birdsall and Don Brake were all there to hand out the prizes. There was even a little mascot. Tarrah Allen sported a purple Easter egg with green polka dots and 98.1 WHWK painted on her face.

One by one, the names of contestants were read and one by one they went up to pick and egg and one by one, they left with CD’s, DVD’s, tickets or meals.

Finally, Joey Lasicki was called. He was standing right by me. His son, Dominic, 3, was playing with my daughter. But both he and Dominic went up to the basket. Dominic reached in and pulled a pink egg. Joey whispered, “Put the girly one back and get a blue one.” But Dominic wanted the one in his hand. The plastic pink egg was pulled apart and everyone was silent. Would this egg be a grand prize winner or was it just one of the other prizes?

Glenn read the prize aloud, “Joey, you have just won THE PLAYHOUSE PACKAGE!” The crowd cheered, Joey and his wife Julie screamed, I think I even saw someone in the crowd cry. “This package includes the children’s playhouse behind me from McGowan Building and Remodeling AND…”

And what? We were all glued to Glenn with ears peeled for the next part of the sentence, and then an uproar rippled through the mall when he said, “AN EXCITING ORLANDO VACATION PACKAGE.”

My jaw dropped. I was so happy for them; I was almost in tears myself.

After that, one by one they were called again. 2 more really nice grand prizes were left. The Indoor Package that included: a 19-inch TV from Hawkins homes, an area rug from Liberty Carpet, a recliner from the Bargain Place and a Kozyheat wood stove from Tall Pines Farm. A stone ware place setting for four from the Barn in Bainbridge, a window and paint from Wist Lumber, $250 gift certificate from Draperies on Wheels, $500 gift certificate from Warehouse Carpet and a Culligan medalist 20 water softener. The Outdoor Package that included: AN outdoor table with four stools from Conklin’s Unique Country, a $250 gift certificate from Agway, 3 yards of mulch from Got Mulch, and a galaxy tanning system from 21st Century Pools and Spas. A $250 gift certificate good towards the purchase of Cooper tires from Moores Tire Sales, a grill and $100 worth of meat from Gregg’s True Value and Gregg’s Market, a car stereo and DVD from Herman’s RV Sales and a pair of season tickets from the Binghamton Mets.

I, myself didn’t win a grand prize package. I won three tickets to Thunder Slam for next Friday night. And to say the least, I AM STOKED!

Congratulations to everyone who won from me and everyone at 98.1 WHWK the Hawk! See everyone next year for the 2011 Edition of Refeather Your Nest, Refeather Your Nest!