Impossible!
The Elephant’s Perch has been in existence
for 30 years, and we actually want to celebrate
that? Believe me it caught us by surprise also,
and it is shocking how time flys by when you are
truly having fun. This business started in the
Spring of 1976, as it seems many of the current
“old time” specialty retail stores
also started. It must have been the post 1960’s
diet that affected our brains in a similar fashion.
All of sudden the existing Sporting Goods Stores,
and Joe’s Alpine Shop just did not cut it,
and it seemed the right time to start a specialty
outdoor sports store.
Our Perch 30th. Anniversary Party idea started
as a small gathering of former employees, family,
current employees…and maybe a few friends.
Then 70’s theme was adopted, invitations
designed and the list of invites started to grow,
and grow, and grow! Yikes, all of a sudden we
were pushing over 400 people, and the scariest
part was that they were all coming to the party!
I wanted to gather some old photos from the different
decades and put together a rolling slide show
of images full of laughs and the good times. But
then Liza Wilson, a.k.a. “the queen of cut
and paste”, joined talents with John Plummer
the reknowned film maker, and a Perch Video Tribute
to the Store, to us, and most importantly to the
great times shared with many people over the years
was born.
The Party took place at River Run Lodge at the
bottom of River Run, hosted by Sun Valley Company,
the service was great and people simply laughed
and smiled all night long. It was one of those
very special gatherings where you realize the
importance of relationships. Our family was here,
former employees from across the United States,
current employees, many friends and business associates….some
people re-connecting for the first time in over
20 years.
My wife Kate and I stood at the front door for
over an hour and a half in the beginning, hugging
and greeting over 400 of our guests. As Kate said
later that evening, “this is the wedding
reception for the daughter, that we will never
have”!
Thank you to everyone who attended, and we look
forward to the next 30 Years…of course the
next party will be in a nursing home. Hey, never
stop doing the things you love to you, and especially
with good friends…who last forever.
