Truck Topics
A great day for a picnic!
The weather was perfect - 72 degrees with a breeze; the park was beautiful and the people were friendly. What more do you need for a picnic?
Well, good food of course, and there was plenty of that as well at the 2003 Express-1 company picnic held on Saturday, July 12 in Buchanan, MI. The event took place in bucolic McCoy Creek Park, a gathering place similar to thousands of small town parks across the United States. It's clean and well kept with lots of green space and playground equipment where the kids can play.
"We certainly have a beautiful day for the picnic, the weather has cooperated and everyone looks to be having a good time. It's such a joy to be able to do this for the staff and for the owner/operators and to show them how much we appreciate them and the hard work they do. It's the favorite event every year." - Michael Ruelle, Express-1 Human Resources
For the slightly older folks, shelter from the sun was available in the pavilion where the aroma of the roasting pork and sausages had the assembled multitudes anticipating the upcoming feast. Express-1 retained the services of the caterer from the previous year who once again cooked a whole hog in his smoker trailer.
Accompanying the pork main dishes were the summertime staples of baked beans, potato salad and other goodies. And, there was plenty to go around.
The day in the park also featured games and activities for the young'uns including an egg toss, hula-hoop contest, sack race and the very popular inflatable "Moon Bounce." For the ladies with a "white thumb", there was a bake off.
Scott Hancock, Express-1 Overnight Dispatcher says, "The turnout is great, the food is great! It's good to have our people show up and take advantage of one of the nicest days of this year."
Music was furnished by a local radio personality and his mobile DJ system. He gave the event a party atmosphere and enabled the various necessary announcements made throughout the day.
Expediters Online.com and Dan Tilley of Alumi-Bunk of Knoxville shared a small tent under a shade tree and greeted the Express-1 employees and expediters with giveaway items. We renewed old acquaintances and made some new friendships with this group of pleasant, down-to-earth people.
Towards the close of the day's events, 'Yours Truly' took over the microphone to disburse the prizes that Dan Tilley had generously donated. These consisted of coupons for a variety of services at Alumi-Bunk facilities. Expediters Online.com contributed a prize as well - an XM Satellite Radio that was awarded to Express-1 contractor Daryl Steites.
"If our attendance turns out to be a little slow this year, it may be because our guys are running more; our volume is up 25% in July over last year." - Jeff Curry, Express-1 COO