Holding an outdoor event in New Jersey's December weather is a gamble. In fact, it's generally unadvisable.
However, after three wonderful in-person, outdoor events held earlier this fall—under clear skies and in temperate weather—we decided to get creative so we could see each other and socialize with enough space to social distance just one more time before the new year. Heated tent? Check. Lots of food? Check. Fingers crossed? Check, check, check.
And voila! The December 16, 2021, MBS Outdoor Holiday Mingle was (literally) a success like no other! Lots of fun, food, and a great turnout for our last event of the year. It was wonderful to see so many happy faces and catch up in person. "You never know what'll happen until you try," said executive director Deborah Silver, Ph.D., of pushing forward with event plans that started in October. "Never be afraid to take a well-planned, thoughtful, and calculated risk. Just make sure you have a parachute, a Plan B, and, in this case, a heated tent!"
Big thanks to party planners / event coordinators Camile DeMacedo, Jennifer Kartelias, Keith O'Donnell, Mayank (Moon) Saboo, and Talia Sclafani, and to all faculty, alumni, and staff who helped work to make this happen for MBS students. Below are some pictures from the evening. Wishing happy, healthy holidays to all, and we'll see you in January! (And we'll be reuniting with the heated tent sometime this winter!)
