Ice Machine Horror: The growth within your drink

Most likely, you've never see the insides of an ice machine. What consumers don't know won't always hurt them. But it might really gross them out.

Restaurants have to meticulous about proper food storage and handling. Patron will peek at the insides of their steak, check their plate before digging in. But who of us has done the same to their drink order? If you've ever chewed an ice cube that tasted just a bit "off", here's the most likely reason why.

Terror in the ice bin

Like any machine in the kitchen, ice machines need to be cleaned. Thoroughly cleaned. At least twice a year.

That means taking it apart, chipping out old stale ice, and sanitizing every piece that touches the ice customers will be drinking in their cup.

Restaurant staff hate this. They don't always have time to clean an ice machine and their hourly pay doesn't make up for the labor involved in proper cleaning of this type of machine. Regardless of not having the right tools to open the machine, wiping out the ice box really doesn't cut it.

That means... horrors like mildew, mold, and stale ice.

Take a look for yourself at some ice machines we have had the pleasure of making right. The before pictures are stomach-churning.

So you tell us... should we handle the cleaning?

When a little isn't good enough: How much snow does your party need?

Welcome to our latest post for Man-made snow. We have already covered the Snow Event topics Why to Host a Snow Party, What to do for a Snow Party, How to Invite Friends to a Snow Party, and How Churches and Schools Benefit from Snow.

This is the final addition in the series so if you haven’t read the previous posts, I encourage you to take a look.

Then be sure to jump back here and find out How Much Snow it Takes to pull off your next event.

 

“Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery.”

-Bill Watterson

Children in cold country spend their time hoping for a good snowfall. For snow they will sink in. Snow that packs well. Enough to cover their favorite sledding hill.

In Phoenix and Las Vegas however, we help nature out a little bit. Children don’t spend the winter with noses pressed to chilled windows in hopes that a storm will form. Instead, parents pick out the location and depth of the snow they want to appear bright and early the next morning.

Because we can make whatever they order.

Every fairy-tale themed birthday party… Every White Christmas holiday gathering… Each ‘snow day’ festivity… We make it happen.

Which leaves the question… how much snow do you need?

Is more snow always better?

The hardest decision our customers have to make is HOW MUCH SNOW TO ORDER. We spend countless phone calls and emails counseling customers about how each ton covers approximately 200 square feet of yard space for minimum snow depth.

But sometimes, no matter how much explaining we do, the struggle continues. We watch the internal debate go back and forth, balancing budget versus the “bigger is better” theory.

And while we agree that bigger can definitely be better, we decided to share true life pictures to give everyone a better idea of what different quantities of snow look like.

It’s a great visual for indecision.

 

 

 

- A minimum for play areas is 5 tons of snow. It fits into most spaces and can handle a few children.

- 10 tons of snow begins to cover enough for a small sledding hill or a little bit larger play area.

- 20-40 tons of snow is typically ordered for large events with crowds of people.

Our main goal is happy customers. We can advise, but we can't tell YOU what will make YOUR vision come to life how you imagine.

And when you're ready to set the date in stone, give us a call.

 

That's a Wrap

This series may have come to a close, but next week we'll be back with the next series Frequently Asked Questions. Be sure not to miss a beat by SUBSCRIBING. Simply click the button on the right. We will send posts directly to your inbox.

Snow-tacular! How snow days help Church and School organizations succeed

 

 

Welcome to the fourth post in our latest series on Man-made snow. We have already covered the topics Why to Host a Snow Party, What to do for a Snow Party, and How to Invite Friends to a Snow Party. By now you should be nearly an expert at how to create a memorable day of snow play.

(If you missed those posts I highly recommend you jump back and take a look.)

Much of the previous information was for private home events. But did you know that organizations and businesses also benefit from hiring snow companies to produce snow scenes on site?

We actually use snow days to help church and school organizations succeed!

Schools and churches are focused on outreach, community, and building strong family bonds. We love to be a part of it.

Let’s get started on the subject of Churches and Schools and how we fit in with these institutions.

Say what??

As we discussed earlier, one of the key elements in creating an event is finding the right way to announce the important date.

To kick off this segment, here are a few humorous quotes taken directly from church bulletins. Please refrain from using the following ways to announce a day of snow at any church functions.

*Note* All wording is un-edited.

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to
love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the
congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship
that began in their school days.
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement
on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a
blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 P.M . Please use the back door.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double
door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My
Pledge - Up Yours.

Obviously someone forgot to have their work checked for editing. The congregations may not mind, but I’m sure it left a number of people rather embarrassed.

But let’s back up for a moment and explain why churches, schools, and snow go hand-in-hand.

“Churches and schools entertain children. And children love unusual activities.”

Church and school institutions mainly focus on education. But they also launch major events throughout the year for members who are involved with their organization or facility. This is where strategic planning takes a new turn. And requires a little help from the pros.

Here are ways these facilities plug snow events into their yearly needs.

·         Fundraising events: If you want people to come to a fundraising event, you have to feed them and entertain them. We provide the latter. Fundraisers also introduce young people to business and sales.

·         Holiday events: Fall festivals and Christmas holiday festivals fit easily with snow production. Church and school festivals need entertainment that is appropriate and fun for all ages—not always easy to find.

·         Anniversary celebrations: Sledding hills and play areas keep young people busy and entertained. At mile-marker celebrations, bigger is always better.

·         Thank you events: Snow parties are the new “pizza party.” Students work harder when the reward is greater. And it has been proven that the reward of an experience outweighs the reward of a “thing.”

·         Team building exercises: You may not have your own ropes course, but a snow company can create a “winter” course. You bring the challenges, we will do the groundwork.

·         School spirit assemblies: Pep assemblies are more exciting when you cover the football field in a layer of snow! It’s a quick way to boost team spirit and energy.

Snow company services aren’t just for private home entertainment. Snow breaks boundaries and brings a whole new meaning to the term “snow day.” Especially in areas that don’t experience typical snow cancellations.

It’s flexible, custom entertainment. Churches and schools entertain children. And children love unusual activities.

Not like that, tell them like THIS

Are you ready for your church or school to get involved?

Before you start talking, let’s go back to our humorous bulletin bloopers. The examples above are a comical look at mishaps that turned announcements into humorous antidotes. Let’s edit them into perfection.

Here are some BETTER ways to announce a big day.

·         “Join the youth this Sunday night as we raise funds for the summer mission trip. Purchase tickets to our snow play area by calling…”

·         “Our holiday party this year will feature REAL SNOW. Invite friends and family to join us for a chilly night of celebration.”

·         “Help celebrate Fall with a snow-packed Fall Festival this year. Let’s reach out to the community and help them discover the love of God.”

These announcements are much easier to digest. And quite a bit more enticing, don’t you think?

Take my advice… call us for your next event and we will give you a few pointers on pulling of a smooth and successful day.

We can even share a few stories we’ve encountered along the way. We kind of do this “stuff” a lot ; )

 

Don’t forget to catch all our future posts by clicking the link to the right and SUBSCRIBING to our blog page. We appreciate all our loyal followers and strive to keep you informed and entertained.

Photographer captures amazing images of ice during travels

In a recent flight from France to Japan, talented professional violinist Bertrand Kulik noticed something striking on his window.

Kulik began snapping photos with his macro lens. The results were stunning.

Take a look at the artistic beauty of ice crystals he was able to capture during the extended trip. And read his interview at the Daily Mail.

rossparry.co.uk