RISMEDIA, Nov. 6, 2007-At Halloween, chocolate is as much a part of the annual celebration as trick or treat, costumes, pumpkins and parties. With mounds of candy in mind, Diane Turton, Realtors’ sales office in Point Pleasant, New Jersey created a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory float for the 27th Annual Point Pleasant Borough Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade. Complete with “edible” decorations and chocolate fountain, the float featured Willy Wonka characters and the main character, Charlie, played by sales agent, Christin Luzzi, the firm’s owner Diane Turton and 19 children in matching red Oompa-Loompa costumes. The Oompa-Loompas sang an original song about “Going Green” that encouraged parade watchers to recycle and reuse things each day.
The float, based on the children’s story by author Roald Dahl and two feature movies, won first prize in the “Motorized Float” category.” In the story, the Oompa-Loompas worked in the factory run by candy maker Mr. Wonka.
“Like many parts of this children’s story, our float was magical,” said Turton. “We had plenty of fun making it, riding in the parade and sharing our important message about protecting the environment.”
“Going Green” is also about working together and teamwork was key to designing, building, and decorating the Realtor’s Halloween float. Cynthia L. Vanaman, the recently appointed manager in the Point Pleasant office, coordinated many of the activities while groups of sales associates and staff members generously contributed their time, energy and creativity. For example, sales associates Thomas Gallagher, Melissa D’ Agostino and Karen Haydorn constructed the float from the ground up. Antoinette Marousis along with Ditty Fritz from corporate gathered together the children’s costumes and all the materials for the float.
Sales associate Maria Marousis recruited children and cheerleaders from the local Golden Elks Pop Warner football league. Sales associates Linda Busicho, Joanna Pispapia, Susan Glorisi-Hetzel, Patricia Baily, Arlene Longo, Elaine Boehm, Joan Yanok and Andrew Yankowski worked around the clock to have the Wonka-mobile floating on time. Justin Schlich, who volunteered to be Willy Wonka, works on Turton’s staff.
“This was just an amazing display of dedication,” said Vanaman. “Our sales associates went the extra mile time to make this project a huge success.”
According to company, the float was a big hit with parade watchers. Besides seeing the float, bystanders were showered with Diane Turton, Realtors’ candy bars and one contained a golden ticket. The winning ticket holder can turn it in at the Point Pleasant office to receive a brimming basket of chocolates. People along the parade route were also asked to answer a multiple choice question about one of words in the “Going Green” song that the Oompa-Loompas sang. The company says that everyone who brings the quiz sheet to the office will be registered for a prize drawing.
For more information, visit www.dianeturton.com.
