September 2025 Newsletter
September 1st, 2025
Welcome to the Fun Enterprises Newsletter
September 2025
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Welcome Erica Lombardi
We are pleased to welcome Erica Lombardi as the newest member of the FUN Enterprises team. Erica joins us in a newly created hybrid role that combines corporate sales with programming, reflecting our commitment to innovation and client engagement. She brings a wealth of experience in sales, management, customer service, hospitality, and human resources, making her an exceptional addition to our organization. We are confident Erica will be a tremendous asset, and we look forward to the contributions she will bring to our continued success. Welcome to the team, Erica!
Kids and Family
Fall 2025
Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience at Franklin Park Zoo
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo
Apple Picking in Massachusetts: 17 best pick-your-own farms (2025)
Halloween, Friday, October 31, 2025
30 Best Easy Halloween Face Paint Ideas That Even Unartistic Parents Can Attempt
75 Best Family Halloween Costumes for the Entire Household
Spend a frightfully fun Spooky Bear Halloween weekend in Ptown October 30 - Nov 2, 2025
Halloween in Boston 2025 - Ghosts, Graveyards, Gore!
Anecdotes and Advice from AC
AC Anders, CMP.
VP of Corporate Events
Have a question for AC?
Please reach out to directly at [email protected] or
617-838-5691
Why Today’s Employee Events Must Align with Company Culture
The workforce has changed and so have employee events. Gone are the days when holiday parties, dress-up dinners, and dancing were the only way to celebrate. Today’s employees want something more meaningful: experiences that reflect their company’s values and give back to the community.
Research consistently shows that employees stay with a company not just for fair pay, career growth, and a positive work environment, but because they believe in the organization’s culture and ideals. In fact, more than 44% of employees say company culture and values are one of the top reasons they stay in a job.
So, what does this mean for employee engagement events?
Over the years, I’ve learned the most important question to ask before planning an event is Why are we having this event? For most companies, the answer is the same: to build community. But the challenge is figuring out how to do it in a way that appeals to today’s diverse workforce.
For younger employees especially, the traditional “dinner and dancing” format doesn’t always resonate. Instead, they’re looking for events that reflect their company’s culture of giving back. That doesn’t mean fun is gone—far from it. It means fun with purpose.
Giving back can take many forms: volunteering, donation matching, building or assembling items for those in need, or partnering with local organizations. Over the years, we’ve worked with companies to create programs that balance connection, teamwork, and community impact. Popular examples include:
- Build a Bike, build a Dollhouse, or Build a Wheelchair programs, where employees construct something that goes directly to someone in need.
- Stuffed Animal workshops, where groups create comforting gifts for children in hospitals.
- Letter-writing and care package projects, benefiting veterans, schoolchildren, or families in crisis.
One of my favorite event designs combines interactive play with charitable giving. A company allocates a donation budget for two or three charities. At the event, employees earn raffle tickets through activities—carnival-style games, casino nights, “Minute to Win It” challenges, or even team trivia. Each raffle ticket represents a “vote” for a charity. At the end, the donation is divided based on where employees placed their tickets. It’s fun, interactive, and gives employees a direct voice in how the company gives back.
We’ve also seen companies partner directly with local communities—cleaning up parks and cemeteries, helping libraries build book-sharing stands, supporting food pantries, and then coming together afterward for food, stories, and celebration. These experiences create lasting memories because employees feel that they are a part of something bigger than themselves.
The trend is clear: employee events are evolving. Awards galas, summer outings, and holiday parties aren’t disappearing, but they are being reimagined to include purpose, participation, and community impact. Employees want more than just a party—they want to feel proud of the company they work for.
When companies plan with Why in mind and align events with their culture and values, they not only boost engagement but also strengthen loyalty. Fun is still the goal—but today, it’s FUN with meaning.
It's Conference Season!
(Enjoy this throwback of a NACA New England Conference, a few years ago, where anyone could pay for the privileged of smashing a pie in the face of a NACA Legend - Ken was a trooper with no less than 12 pies smashed in his face - including our very own Will S.)
Join us for a ton of FUN at the following conferences:
NEACUHO Annual Conference 2025 - October 8 - 10, 2025 - Manchester, NH
NACA Hartford - October 16 - 18, 2025 - Connecticut Convention Center - Booths 218 & 317
ACUI Region VIII Conference - November 21 - 22, 2025 - University of Vermont
Sam's Gluten-Free Picks
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But don’t sing along just yet, it’s not Christmas, it’s Fall 
Cooler nights and cozy fires are just around the corner, and nothing says fall like maple, pumpkin, and pecans. If you’re ready to soak up the flavors of the season, try one of these recipes. Enjoy!
What Sean Evans Taught Me About Great Moderating
by Amma Marfo
As someone who goes to a lot of panels, interviews, and moderated events - seriously, more than most - I take being a good moderator very seriously. It’s not something that just anyone can do. It takes a lot of skill, preparation, and focus to pull off well. And it’s for that reason that when someone compliments me after a well moderated conversation, I take the praise so seriously.
There are some natural traits that contribute to good moderating. But there are also great models we can look to, to show us how to do it well. And I want to submit an offbeat favorite: Sean Evans, host of First We Feast’s Hot Ones.
Yes, seriously.
Evans is one of the best interviewers and moderators in the game, and watching him in action always encourages me to step my own game up. If you’re seeking out a moderator for your upcoming event (quick plug: I’m available for this, and genuinely love doing it!), make sure they’re learning from the School of Hot Ones in these key ways:
Well-Prepared
Us interviews and moderators are constantly chasing the high that comes from a single preamble to an answer: “that’s a great question.” And believe it or not, not every question that’s asked by a moderator is a good one! But Sean Evans excels at this, in a way that is always so admirable to watch. Even if I’ve watched a lot of interviews with a guest he’s had, I know that when they do a Hot Ones interview, they’ll address something I had no idea about.
Being well-prepared as a moderator means finding out in advance what your subject won’t want to talk about. If they don’t set limits, you can (and should!) ask. Being well-prepared as a moderator also means avoiding easily “Google-able” questions. You’ll have a better time with your subject if they don’t have to answer questions they’ve answered a thousand times. They’ll enjoy the conversation more, and that will assuredly make for a better event!
Present and Listening
Now, just because there are questions doesn’t mean there’s a script. There’s room to play within the guidelines of set questions - good or insightful answers can be followed up on, and questions can be discarded if other answers address what was going to be asked. A good moderator allows the question list to be a map - a layout of the conversation that could happen - rather than GPS instructions - a turn-by-turn list to dictate what will happen. And in some cases, they’re even open to being asked questions themselves! There may be no more unpredictable type of conversation than one happening with hot wings of escalating spiciness, but through it all Evans remains present, open, and attentive (“careful around the eyes”!), ensuring his guests that he’s there with them.
Listening doesn’t only apply to the folks on stage, by the way. Getting a sense of how the audience is receiving what you’re talking about matters. If they’re particularly interested in what’s being shared, see if you can get more mileage out of that line of questioning. If the conversation is dragging, it’s important to find ways to keep the conversation brisk and engaging. You’ll want a moderator who feels empowered to take charge when needed, ensuring a great reception for your guest of honor.
And speaking of taking charge: events happen on a schedule! If you have a finite amount of time for an event, a good moderator will make sure it’s filled appropriately. When you empower a moderator, Q&As won’t go long and interviews won’t run short. They’re skilled in manipulating time for their audience, making an hour long event really count.
Enthusiastic
This doesn’t mean having the person’s biggest fan conduct the interview - and in fact, there are folks who I’d be too excited about to be effective! And it also doesn’t mean taking to the stage with a false or even heightened tone of excitement. But your moderator should be, and feel, connected to their interviewee in some way. Being a fan of their work or intrigued by their perspective can be a great start to the experience. Evans is great at this: he always, always finds something in the research that helps him establish a rapport with his guest.
Failing that, they can agree on a common goal: to present a conversation that folks will enjoy watching. After all, the goal of these sorts of conversations is to sow connection: between the audience and the guest, yes, but that starts with a connection between the guest and the moderator. These connections may not happen with a table of hot sauces spread between us, but they can still end up being as engaging, informative, and even “spicy” as the ones Sean Evans gets into each week.
If you’re looking for a skilled moderator who arrives prepared, empowered, and enthusiastic, Amma is now also available for conversation and panel moderation events! She’s conducted live interviews with a wide range of personalities including Jennette McCurdy, Eric Andre, and Warren Buffett.
Why More Workplaces Are Going Pet-Friendly
by Debra Holland
Work and home life keep blending together, so it’s no surprise one workplace perk is having its big moment: pet-friendly offices. What started as a quirky idea at a handful of companies has quickly become a trend—and for good reason. Letting employees bring their pets to work doesn’t just add cuteness to the office; it can boost morale, reduce stress, and even spark creativity.
Here’s why the movement is catching on, the benefits it brings, and how to make it work in your space.
Why the Pet-Friendly Trend Is Growing
Today’s workplaces are more employee-focused than ever. Flexibility, wellness, and balance are in demand and pets fit right in. For employees who spend long hours at the office, the chance to bring along a furry friend can make work feel less like a grind and more like an extension of home.
The Benefits of Pets at Work
Stress Down, Happiness Up: Research shows that just a few minutes with a pet can lower blood pressure and lift your mood. Pets offer an instant stress buster during busy days.
A More Engaged Team: When companies welcome pets, they’re sending a message: we care about your well-being. That kind of culture keeps employees happier and more committed.
Better Connections: Pets are great icebreakers. Swapping stories about your dog’s antics or your cat’s quirks can bring people together who might not otherwise cross paths.
Productivity with a Boost: Taking short breaks with pets helps clear the mind. Employees return to their desks more focused and often more creative.
A Talent Magnet: In today’s job market, perks stand out. For pet lovers, the option to bring their furry companion to work can be a deciding factor in choosing (and staying with) a company.
Companies Already Leading the Pack:
- Google: Famous for its innovative perks, Google offices often welcome pets—and some even provide on-site pet care.
- Bumble: Employees can bring dogs every day. Think free treats, pet-friendly zones, and even a “doggie daycare.”
- Salesforce: Their offices also embrace pet-friendly policies, recognizing how pets add positivity to workplace culture.
How to Create a Pet-Friendly Office
Ask Your Team First: Not everyone is a pet person. Some may have allergies or concerns. Get input, communicate openly, and make sure your policy works for everyone.
Set Clear Guidelines: Lay out rules around behavior, vaccinations, and cleanliness. This keeps the environment safe and comfortable for all.
Designate Pet Zones: Not every space works for pets. Create specific areas—lounges, break rooms, or outdoor spots—where pets and people can relax together.
Make Pets Comfortable: Water bowls, pet beds, or cozy corners go a long way. Larger offices might even create a dedicated pet lounge. Smaller teams can ask owners to bring supplies from home.
Keep It Clean & Safe: Have a plan for waste disposal and regular cleaning. Supervise pets to prevent mishaps and pet-proof the office to avoid accidents.
Final Thoughts
Pet-friendly offices won’t work everywhere, but where they do, the payoff is huge. Pets lower stress, help build community, and make the workplace a place employees actually look forward to.
So, whether it’s a snoozing cat under a desk or a friendly pup greeting coworkers, pets may just be the secret ingredient to a happier, healthier, more connected workplace.
Embrace the Change
by Ken Abrahams
For most of my life I have used the academic calendar as the one that I go by. A year for me is August to June, for the most part. It is not strange when you consider the early years of my life school was a focal point and professionally most of my work is done with colleges and universities. Late summer/early fall is the beginning of a new year for me and frankly for others as well. Summer is a time to relax and wind down where fall is the time to ramp up and head back to work or school. For many this is the season of change.
Often in the fall we start something new. For some, it is shuffling off to college, while others it means jumping from grade school to middle school or middle school to high school. Recent college graduates who have taken the summer off or spent those idyllic months job searching are frequently starting new jobs or ramping up the job search if they are still unemployed. It can be scary. For many, change is, in a word, uncomfortable. Trust me, I understand that. For others, the prospect of something new is exciting and they rush headlong into whatever the new experience is.
Staying in the middle of your comfort zone is safe. It feels as if you are wrapped up in an old sweatshirt or coat. It is familiar and, for the most part, stress free. However, you grow more, learn new skills, and stretch your abilities as well as your capabilities by moving to the edge of your comfort zone. In other words, embrace the change, don’t just accept it but embrace it. Yes, you may have moments of discomfort but in the end the rewards will be well worth the discomfort.
Even though it was decades ago, I have vivid recollections of going off to college for the very first time. To say I was nervous would be a gross understatement. When I attended convocation on my very first day on campus the Dean of Freshmen said many of you probably feel like you don’t belong here. It felt as if she was speaking directly to me and I wanted to raise my hand and say yes, I felt like I didn’t belong. In the early weeks I spent a lot of my free time in my room reading books or studying but I always left the door open and people that lived on my floor would often stop by to chat or simply introduce themselves. Over time I found myself playing frisbee in the afternoon and Backgammon late into the night. By the end of that year, I was involved in a few groups on campus and had made a number of friends, many of whom I see regularly to this day.
My story is by no means unique. Whether we are talking about a new school, job, or moving to a different city, a major change can be life altering in the best possible way. One of the great things about starting over is that the new people that you are meeting, going to school with, or sharing a work experience with, have no preconceived notions of who you are. It gives you a wonderful opportunity to be whoever you want to be. You also have an opportunity to explore new things and get involved in new groups. Yes, it may be a bit scary, but it is also a time for new growth and exploration. If you are starting something new this fall, I wish you well. Enjoy this time and embrace what is new and different. Have a great fall.
Bear Friends Forever!
*Subject to Availability
Call 781-436-3187 or email
Ken Abrahams ([email protected]) for College/University Events
AC Anders ([email protected]) for Corporate/Private Events
Brainteasers
1. Which tire doesn’t move when your car turns left?
2. What word has three double letters in a row?
3. What starts with an "e", ends with an "e", but only contains one letter?
Math Riddles
1. Three times what number is not larger than two times the same number?
2. What is 7 + 7 ÷ 7 + 7 x 7 - 7 ?
3. How do you make the number 7 even without addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division?
Kim's Corner
Click the links below for some great ideas, recipes, and FUN!
Random Trivia
1. What is the world's most populated city?
2. What percentage of the Earth’s wildlife is found in the ocean?
3. The first iPhone was released in what year?
Gardening
10 Gardening Activities for September in the Northeast
The Best Vegetables and Herbs to Plant in September
Backyard Landscape and Garden Ideas
Have you viewed Ken's Tuesday@10 Video Blogs?
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Puzzle Answers:
1. Tokyo, Japan
2. 94%
3. 2007
1. The spare tire
2. Bookkeeper
3. An envelope
1. 0
2. 50
3. Drop the S and Seven becomes Even.
Newsletter written and edited by
Debra Holland
September 2025
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