Happy Holiday Wishes

Stephanie P

The Flyers Social Committee finished 2011 with the annual Flyer’s holiday party on December 10th. (An auspicious date as it also happened to be the annual Santacon in NYC, but more about that later). The committee (Julie W, Sondra M, Stephanie P, Claudia O and Jennifer B) starting planning this event back in July (ok – it wasn’t all work; we met for a few happy hours after work on Fridays and planned while we sipped refreshing summer drinks).

Jennifer B, Sondra M, Stephanie P, Julie W, Claudia O

Our first challenge was to find a space big enough for Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, as well as a bunch of Flyers. Julie W suggested The Rockefeller University Faculty Club on York Ave and 66th Street. The Rockefeller University is a world-renowned center for research and graduate education in the biomedical sciences, chemistry, bioinformatics and physics. Founded in 1901 by John D. Rockefeller, the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research was the country’s first institution devoted exclusively to biomedical research.

The club was perfect, it was large, had a regulation-sized pool table, lounge-like couches and chairs that were dispersed among the large space, as well as a stereo and bartenders!  Decorations setup by Claudia O and Sondra M put the room in a festive mood, and there was plenty of food, catered by FIGO New York. Drinks were supplied by the Rockefeller University, along with friendly bartenders. There was so much food that Flyers President Glen W was walking around with takeaway boxes for everyone to take the extra food home at the end of the evening. (I enjoyed more than a few brownies this week, thank you Flyers!)



Jennifer C, Dana M, Alex B, Urs W, Lori W, David D, Maria D

More than 115 Flyers attended the party. The 7-10 pm event went by very quickly, as Flyers entertained each other by discussing their fall marathon feats, setting targets for their winter races, and just hanging out, playing pool and relaxing. At one point during the evening, name tags were exchanged, and someone (no names mentioned Alan G) turned a bit schizophrenic.

Flyer Schizophrenic

Most of the group stayed past last call and as everyone left, they took home their holiday gift from the Flyers: a Flyers holiday mug for all seasons (don’t worry if you didn’t get one, there will be more given out at the Gala in February). 


MUGS!

But the party didn’t end at the Rockefeller Club.  More than a few Flyers took the party to O’Flanagans on 1^st Avenue and toasted in the holiday with a few Santas from the 2011 Santacon. If you want to know how late they stayed, you may want to contact Bob C, Lara K or Alan G.

Heather M, Christine L, Anne H, Drew G

Happy holidays everyone!

-Stephanie P.