Archive for February, 2007

For the last year or so, a dream of mine was to start a basketball team, a team full of local youths from my area (Shamokin, Pa) and be able to take them to tournaments all over the state, and let them compete versus the best of the best in their age group from other areas throughout.

This past January came around, and I decided that I was going to go after my dream, and in fact, start this team. I started talking to some of the local kids about this idea and they all thought this was a great idea and said how they were looking forward to the chance to play a game that they love.

So I started looking into it a little more, searching for tournaments and so on and so forth, and things really started to move forward. This dream that I had was in fact, becoming a reality.

Getting the kids and finding the tournaments was the easy part, finding the funds to help cover the costs of the team would be the hard part. Paying gym rental fees, tournament entrance fees, uniforms, equipment, since this team would be traveling all over, you also have hotel fees to worry about. Who would be responsible for all these high costs? The kids and their parents? The share each child would have to pay would certainly not be cheap.

In steps the staff of Sundance Vacations, where I work.

While at work one day, on my lunch break, I was looking thru a catalog that had basketball uniforms in it, and my manager Becky noticed it.  We were discussing what ones looked nice and she asked me what I was looking at them for, and I told her about my dream and how I was hoping to start this basketball team, but the costs where just so high, and that I didn’t think that it would be possible.

That’s when she suggested that I try to find a sponsor to help defray some of the costs from the kids.

But who could I ask to help me with this, who really cares about the local youth, and enjoys giving back to the community?

The answer was obvious to the both of us, John and Tina Dowd, the proud owners of Sundance Vacations.

With the help of Becky and a co-worker of mine, Doreen, a letter was typed up and sent up to the corporate office in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Within a few days, I had my response, Sundance Vacations would be more than happy to help with the costs and be my team’s sponsor.

My dream now has come true, as well as the dreams of some local 7th and 8th graders.

Thanks to Sundance Vacations, we now have our basketball team.

The Sundance Vacations Basketball Team                                                                  

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Some of the tournament sites that we will be traveling to and playing at are:
Shamokin, Pa
Millersville, Pa
Elysburg, Pa
Easton, Pa
York, Pa
Morgantown, Pa
Kutztown, Pa

Other possible locations are,
Topton, Pa
Boyertown, Pa
Hamburg, Pa

So, if you are close by and you would like to come and support Sundance Vacations basketball team, contact me and I will be more than happy to give you the date of the event in that area.

Again, thank you Sundance Vacations!!!!! 

Brad ~ Shamokin Office

Rich,

First, thank you for your support. We are so sorry that we didn’t get to meet you. We did meet Troy Long and had a pretty good time at Moto Rama. Unfortunately, our race results didn’t back that up but we learned alot.

Timothy did a super job getting 3rd in his first race in his new class. Unfortunately, they only transferred 2 to the mains. His car was fighting a push all day but he did such a great job getting through the field. He was passed on the final lap when his car couldn’t stay low enough.

Nicholas was also too tight for the day but was on his way to transferring to the next main when a 2 car pile up forced him into the wall. He was fine but his front axle was bent. Luckily we have time to prepare for our next event !!

We parked the cars basically with your logo facing the main entrance to the quarter midget area. We had a few questions and pointed them to your booth. One of the things that we could improve in the future is to have your materials on hand. This helps explain what Sundance Vacations does in your terms.

As we look at our future events we are scheduling around 15 races and one multiple day race event. We are also scheduled for the Adamstown Childrens’ Festival. Our biggest event may be the Dutch Wonderland Fly, Drive and Ride event 16-17 June. We did get the go ahead to have a table for 17 June and they are expecting 3,000 + kids for that day. We can also have your materials on hand at our table. They may approve your show car being there also.

We’d like to offer you the ability to further sponsor our team. We see the races as the ability to reach 100-150 people at each regular event. The multi-day weekend should have 300+ people in attendance. The Adamstown event, around 100-200 families. The Dutch Wonderland Event should be 3,000 families as it is scheduled in the high point of the vacation time. You will be seen at our special events with Race Against Drugs. We can also arrange for a photographer and news releases if desired.

Thank you so much for your support at Moto Rama. We had a great time racing and the boys got a look at what partnership is about. We look forward to hearing from you,

Kelly Thrasher ~ TNT Motorsports 

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The driver here is Timothy.  Nick’s car didn’t look too great, so he decided to skip the photo op.  If you notice clearly, Timothy drove the tire off the left front (it’s flat).  One of the disadvantages of the indoor track is we have to guess the set-ups.  We went from a high bank oval to a flat, slick surface.

Hi all! My name is Dave and I currently work in the IT and Data Entry Dept.
I have been with Sundance for about a year and a half. During this time I have worked in the Tamaqua office with Denise and Yvonne first as a outbound marketer and then as their data entry assistant. I moved to the corporate office in Wilkes-Barre in February of 2006 to work with Jenny in the IT and Data Entry Dept. During both my time in Tamaqua and my time in the Wilkes-Barre location of Sundance I have met many people that have profoundly impacted my life.

Right now is a hard time for me because I am both happy and sad about ending my time here at Sundance Vacations. Happy because I will be beginning a new journey in my life and saddened because I am leaving behind so many people that I consider my friends.

As Marvin once said it is time to cut the umbilical cord. Of course he might have meant the fact that Jenny and I worked well as a team and we did pretty much all of our tasks together as a unit.

There are so many awesome memories that I am going to take with me when I make that sunny trek to Florida.

Just on a personal level there are so many fun memories that I will always carry with me.

K1 and K2 as the oompa loompas.
Pam scaring the pants of off K1.
The freezing cold weather at the Crossings during my brief try at being a slip collector. (Let me tell you their work is not always easy.)
The big Shamokin install when not only did I get a speeding ticket but Jenny and I got lost like 7 times in 2 days.
Ron cooking on the grill for the big admin cookout.
The mystery night party at the Italian club where someone (ok, maybe me) had a little too much to drink.
Force feeding Marvin Combos during the mystery night party because frankly he looked a little hungry and again I might have been a little drunk.

I could go on and on but you are probably bored by now.

Professionally I have learned so much during my time here at Sundance.

Tom, Jenny, Chris and Marvin have probably been my best teachers.

Tom has taught me lots and lots but the biggest thing that I have probably learned from him is to always follow directions!

Jenny has been the best manager that I have probably ever had the pleasure of working under. She has never once spoken like we were anything less than equal. She knew the line between being friends and being the boss. If I crossed the line she called me on it but she could still do it with a smile. She has taught me that a good department runs by procedures, procedures, procedures. I hope that is one thing that I will remember as I start this next phase of my life.

It would take too long to go through all the memories and skills that I have acquired during my time at Sundance Vacations.

Thanks to John and Tina for taking a chance on a kid who might possibly be ADHD.

Thanks to everyone that has impacted me during my time here.

Just remember, Tiner in Tamquer and redicerous.

David ~ Wilkes Barre

Though I look forward to vacationing with Sundance Vacations in the future, I am writing about what I consider a unique experience on a vacation my wife Ruthann and I took about 12 years ago.

Our first son, Zachary, was a year-old, and Ruthann’s parents volunteered to babysit so that we could get away for five days. Before they could change their minds, I booked lodging at the Viking Resort on Keuka Lake in Penn Yan, NY, the heart of Finger Lakes wine country.

Keuka is not quite as popular or populace as her big sister to the east, Seneca Lake, which boasts the town of Watkins Glen as her southern entry point, but after a year of diapers and 3 AM feedings, solitude sounded wonderful.

Ruthann and I had been married for two years and this was our first time away since our wedding. Unbeknownst to us on the trip to the Viking, we were pregnant with our second son, Derek.

When we arrived, Ruthann gave me a sidelong stare. Aside from the main lodge were a series of truly rustic cabins along the lake, which reminded one of a summer camp. I was thrilled, but my wife is an amenities aficionado.

When we entered the cabin I got a full glare, which I ignored. I dropped the bags and said, “Let’s explore”.

It was about 3 PM, and as we walked to the beach I noticed Ruthann begin to relax. It began to sink in that diaper duty was on hold, and the glitter of the sun on the water convinced her that rustic, temporarily, was cool…

As she stared wistfully at the passing sailboats, I turned toward the lodge and did a double-take. There at anchor was a 60 ft. boat with an upper and lower deck. I soon discovered that the “Viking Spirit” made a two hour sojourn of the lake, departing each day at 5 PM, however much to my disdain, I was talked into driving north along the lake to a restaurant which obviously ran a daily competition: Was the service, or what was served worse?

The next morning we swam and sunned, had some lunch and headed for the Bully Hill winery.  When you pull into the parking lot you are several hundred feet above the lake and picturesque is a pale description of the view.

I was almost as impressed with the greeting we received from the staff, and in the hour plus we spent tasting and touring never felt rushed. They know how to sell wine!!!

We stood again admiring the view, proud owners of a mixed case of wine. Rather than subject myself to another “recommended” restaurant, I stopped at a lakeside stand, and we enjoyed burgers and fries. This because my intention was to be on that boat at 5PM…

Ruthann is admittedly not an adventuresome sort. Prior to our marriage, I’d lived in Colorado and New Mexico for many years, and had helicopter skied, hang glided, backpacked into the Rockies wilderness for weeks at a time, and even spelunked.

Ruthann wouldn’t get on the boat…

She claimed tired and a headache, and with Derek on the way this was possibly true. I gave her a lingering kiss (but 5 PM was approaching fast), grabbed a couple of my Bullies, and wished her a rewarding nap.

Before she closed her eyes, I was seated on the top deck waiting to hear those engines kick over.

As we pulled out of port, I pulled the cork on a port, and armed with my official Bully Hill stemmed glass, closed my eyes and enjoyed the sun on breeze, listening to the bubbling of the Chrysler 440’s underway.

As the boat began to straighten, aiming south, I opened my eyes, and next to me sat a “woman of the 60’s”. It was 1994. Fortunately, musically and spiritually I identify with that era, and we struck up a conversation I’ll never forget…

I figured her name was Jasmine, and was taken aback when she said Mary Ann. If Ginger showed up, I’d be one lucky guy.

Pleasantries aside, we began discussing music, and I was quite taken by what I sensed was the truth. Back in the day, she had worked as a publicist for and traveled with, “The Band”, one of my favorites!!! She spoke intimately of Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rich Manuel, and a classically trained true genius, Garth Hudson, keyboardist extraordinaire. Garth could play virtually any instrument and looked like Walt Whitman. A true character!

All too soon the boat docked, and Mary Ann’s parting words were, “they usually have a bonfire on the beach around 10, maybe I’ll see you there.”

I excitedly burst into our cabin and told my wife of the wondrous conversation I had had with someone who had “been there”.

I smelled wood smoke at about 9:30, and Ruthann and I, holding hands, sipping wine, made our way to the glow along the shoreline.

Of course I had my eyes out for Mary Ann (hey, this was Band Camp), and was disappointed by her absence. I grabbed a couple of chairs and Ruthann and I sat by the fire, lost in our own dreams, (or vintage, if you will).

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice, “Rich I made it and I brought a friend.”

My wife turned and I saw her expression change to surprise, her eyes wide in the firelight.

There stood Garth Hudson.

I mumbled something about a seat, and have some wine, and I’m sorry to say, I gawked like a groupie. Garth chuckled, and said tongue in cheek, “Man you look like you have stage fright!!!”

The next few hours were spent in conversation about a variety of subjects, each more interesting than the last. Garth Hudson has played some of the most beautiful, haunting melodies I have ever heard, for a group that was known as “the tightest band in the world”.

At about 1AM, they rose to leave, we shook hands, and off they walked, up the beach, and…gone.

My wife smirked at me, and said, “Wow, you’re like a puppy, you’d think you just hung out with Mickey Mantle.” To which I replied, “In his world he is, honey.”

What a trip!!

Rich Fiegelman

Events Marketing Manager

Sundance Vacations

One Employee Wins $10,000!

In addition to awarding $50,000 to one lucky client, Sundance Vacations agreed to award up to $30,000 to three employees in conjunction with the national sweepstakes.  The employee who collected the winning entry slip, the marketer who made the initial phone call, and an inbound phone answerer were all eligible to win $10,000. Pat McGraw, a staff member who answers incoming calls on our Wilkes Barre day shift was the only employee to win her share.  The person who collected the winners entry and the outbound marketer are no longer with the company, but Pat booked the national sweepstakes winner, Mr. John Stewart, for an appointment.  Mr. Stewart, attended a presentation in the Rockaway office in October after speaking with Pat.  Though attending the presentation did not affect Mr. Stewart’s chances of winning, it certainly did affect Pat’s!! 

Pat says she could hardly believe her ears when her name was called as the winner.  She has plans for the extra money, "I’m taking my family to Disney!  We’re leaving April 1st.  I have already planned a trip for myself and my son.  Now I can take my daughter’s family with me!"

I was there (along with most of the Wilkes Barre corporate office) when Pat’s name was called. The whole Wilkes Barre inbound staff gathered at the front of the room.  The suspense was incredible as they were eliminated one by one, "American Idol" style.  The look of shock, joy and disbelief on Pat’s face was awesome!  She says it’s the best thing she’s ever won.  How about you? What’s the best thing you’ve won?  Please send in your comments on this post, or send your own post to me at komara@vacmail.com. We love to know what you’re thinking! 

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~Kathy O’Mara, Communications Director

SUNDANCE VACATIONS is an upbeat positive workplace, at least it is in the Shamokin office. I have the pleasure everyday of going to work with such great people that brighten your day even when things are not great in your personal life. Our manager, Becky Finkel always comes through for us and keeps us motivated and pumped. As an employee for a little over 2 years now, I must say this is one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve worked at.  Where else can you have a great time at work and meet amazing new people everyday? My family and I utilized the benefits of the Sundance Vacations excess inventory this past September and I must say I am quite the clean fanatic but that condo was immaculate. It was nicer than staying at any hotel I’ve ever been in. I can’t wait to go again this summer!! I would just like to give a thanks to everyone at Sundance Vacations Shamokin office for making it a great working environment and a special thanks to Becky for being such a great boss.

Kelly Grandis~Shamokin Office

We used a Sundance Vacations and went to Sandprints in Sandestin last year. The outside of the condo was a bit shabby. Thought oh no! But inside was very nice and the condo court yard beautiful. we went in May and had the pool to ourselves. The condo owners or renters were very nice. Beach near with a great walk down a street with beautiful villas.Only problem, the entry way tile was being replaced and had to wait to get in.

Clara ~ Ohio

Hi there, this is Chris from the Shamokin office, and I just wanted to say that I actually do love my job.  It’s hard, exciting and most of all it is entertaining. I really love talking to people as everyone knows, but most of all, I really love trying to make the marketing experience into an art, for, what is communication but the art of talking to people?

I’m not out to sell people anything, I’m not out to persuade people,…my personal goal is to try and learn the various techniques I am given, and try to find a way to allow me to express myself in a fashion, that will allow me to  artistically, relate the goals and interests of Sundance Vacations to its various clients all over the country, and perhaps paint verbally an artistic panarama that is only displayed in a new clients commitment to coming to one of our presentations.

Of course, its a more challenging aspect of art, and my manager Becky has dedicated her time in trying to shape those talents that she believes we all have into a viable corporate asset!

Just today, she had to reprimand me for losing sight of my goals. . .but I know she knows how much I want to be here and try to make those positive inputs and try to shape myself. In fact, she recorded me oneday and showed me the perceptions of the clients of me on the answering machines!!  Very shocking, and since then I have actually changed alot of my approaches and I have actually had a more positive increase in my appointment scheduling….I still have a long way to go, but like she said, all we have to do is ask for her help and she will give the tools, and then it is up to all of us artists to paint the picture we want represented to the potential clients!

It is a complicated matter, and not everyone wins at this game, and sometimes heros do lose, but when all else fails, all we have to live for is our own reality of self achievement!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share with you my first experience traveling with Sundance Vacations. It all started when my Mom surprised me by telling me she was engaged and that she wanted me to be her wedding planner. I was pretty excited since I knew she always wanted to get married by the beach. I started right away doing all the little things it takes to plan a wedding.

I started by going to Kelly Valovich in New Client Services and asking her about some of our properties. She was more than happy to help me out. She gave me the number to the lady I would have to make reservations through and she also shared some vacations she went on through Sundance Vacations. I went right home and gave all the information to my Mother. We went through the list of places we could go and finally came to the decision we wanted to go to The Myrtle Beach Resort in South Carolina.  Lani Smee at TAN helped booking the reservations for 5 rooms that we would need for 20 family members and friends. My mother was very happy with how helpful Lani was with everything.

So, after finalizing the arrangements, the whole family was counting down the days till "The Wedding" as we all referred to it. Finally, it came down to the day where my Mother and all our family headed from Pennsylvania and four of us (including me) coming from Chicago. We all met up at The Myrtle Beach Resort.

We just couldn’t believe our eyes when we pulled in. It was beautiful! You should have seen the smile on my Mom’s face. She just couldn’t believe I helped her find such a wonderful place to get married. We walked into our rooms and we all just thought WOW this is so awesome! There was so much to do at the Resort. The lazy river was my favorite and I can’t forget about the Cabana Bar. My mother picked to get married right in front of the Renaissance Tower on the beach. The forecast for the day was supposed to be rainy but instead it was around 70 degrees all day and when the wedding started, the sun came out and just shined on my Mom.  It couldn’t have been a more perfect day.  But the surprises didn’t end there. The morning after the wedding my Mother and her new husband Mark received a huge basket full of goodies from TAN saying Congratulations! It was a perfect ending to the vacation we had. My mother and I want to thank everyone at Sundance Vacations and TAN for helping us make memories that will last us a lifetime! I also included a picture of the wedding party.                                                                                                                        Tylene Dodge, Corporate Office                                                                          

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Well, how can I start, I’ve been working with Sundance Vacations for a year now and it’s been great. As a blind person working in this kind of position as a marketer, I love the challenge. Every morning that I wake up, I think about who is the next person I will brighten up on the phone informing them that they have been selected to receive a vacation. Sometimes, I get people who don’t appreciate the offer, but my opinion with those people is they should take a vacation to enjoy their life.  One thing you have to think of in this life is this, you have one chance to do what you can to fulfill your needs, traveling or not traveling. I am not saying this just because I’m working for a discount travel company. I’m telling you this because I would do just about anything to take my wife and daughter on a beautiful trip to escape the stress in our life, everyone needs to do that sometimes. So, take it from me if you have the chance to get out, take advantage of it and enjoy yourself.

Ronnie~Hazleton Office