25 Days of FSS (a.k.a Free Stuff!)

Christmas is quickly approaching, and with it comes twinkling lights, cheerful music, and crippling debt from all of the shopping we've done. Okay, perhaps "crippling debt" is a bit of an over exaggeration, but it sure can feel like it when we start looking at those receipts. A new TV for dad, necklace for mom, Xbox for hubby, toys for the kids, etc. Tis' the season of giving after all. So why not save money this season, or better yet, get free stuff?!

Well FSS (as usual) has the perfect solution for the shopping blues. The 25 Days of FSS is the perfect way to stay on Tinker and save. To kick off the event, Tinker Living is giving away a 40" Smart TV FOR FREE! Exciting right? But wait, there's more! Throughout the month of December, Tinker Living will be giving away free gifts to our followers. Forget stocking stuffers, with our swag you can stuff your Christmas tree! There will be an iPad Mini 2, Pioneer Woman Cookware Set, GoPro Camera, FitBit, and so much more. Obviously you have to sign your life away to win these things right? Wrong! All you have to do is go to the 'Tinker Living' Facebook page, like us, go to the post with the giveaway, like it, and tag two friends. Voila! You are automatically entered to win. So stock up this Christmas with FSS and save your wallet from another shopping spree. 

Be sure to check out www.tinkerliving.com/25 for a complete calendar of all the deals going on throughout FSS in December. 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...For a Holiday Parade!

First of all, welcome back Team Tinker! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate waaaaayyy too much food.

Now let's be honest, coming back to work after a break is a bit difficult. We are still in "holiday mode," where alarm clocks are non-existent and everything that needs to be done can be put off. Then, our break is over and it's high ho high ho back to work we go. Our alarm clocks seem to go off much too early and suddenly we are faced with several deadlines. Are these even the same jobs we left? It's challenging to say the least, but there's hope!

The 2016 FSS Holiday Parade is this Wednesday, 30 Nov 2016. The parade will start at the Tinker Youth Center at 4:30 p.m. and process to the Tinker Club. Make sure to stay afterwards for the annual tree lighting and holiday party. As if delicious yummies and fun surprises weren't enough of a reason to stay, there will also be a special visit from the resident North Polers, Mr. & Mrs. Claus. So shake off that SEBS (Sudden Ending Break Syndrome) and make plans to attend the Holiday Parade!

For more information on the Holiday Parade, go to www.tinkerliving.com/parade.

A Time to Be Thankful

Holidays have a tendency to make people feel a certain way. Christmas excites most and fills them with cheer and Valentine's Day makes us feel all warm and fuzzy with love. So then how does Thanksgiving make us feel? With a delicious turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, warm rolls, sweet pumpkin pie....hungry, this holiday makes us feel hungry. Although, once the food coma has subsided and we are able to resume consciousness, there seems to be another feeling. It's warm and fuzzy like Valentine's Day but it's also exciting and cheerful like Christmas. You want to celebrate the feeling like St. Patrick's Day and New Year's Eve or set off fireworks like the Fourth of July. You realize the feeling is thankfulness (emphasis on the full part). The meal was delicious but so are many of the meals you have had this past year. So what makes this one special? Well take a good look around because it's those people you're sharing it with. Yes, the people who drive you nuts most of the time are what make this holiday so wonderful. Through thick and thin and everything in between, they have been here for you. And for one day a year they seem to pack themselves like sardines into a house with dishes of food galore to celebrate everything they have to be thankful for. You may think it's just the food coma talking but you realize soon enough you really do love them and are grateful for all of them. Your uncle that tells you the same story every time he sees you or your grandmother who asks you why you're still single. You thank your lucky stars for all of them.

Yes, this holiday is one to reflect on what you have and appreciate it. So hold your loved ones close and pile your plates high. This holiday was made for happiness, love, and thankfulness.

So from FSS to you,

Take a Stroll Down Gingerbread Lane

Are your Gingerbread House skills all the rage amongst your friends? Would even the witch from Hansel and Gretel be jealous of your masterpiece? Well then FSS has a treat for you! Join the competition fun in the 2016 Gingerbread House building contest. Kits and submissions must be turned in and picked up by November 18. That's two more days to sign up and get your kit to create the oh so deluxe Gingerbread Manor you have been dreaming up. All interested participants must stop by Outdoor Recreation to pick up supplies and a form. Contestants will need to bring their completed houses to the Tinker Club prior to the Holiday Parade on November 30 to be on display for all who come to the after party. There the houses will be judged and prizes will be awarded. Oh, did I forget to mention that you could win $300 cash if your house wins?? There will also be cash prizes for second and third place.

So call your architect and get your goody goody gum drops good and ready to put together your gingerbread house for the 2016 Gingerbread House contest!

For more information, go to www.tinkerliving.com/parade.

To All Those Who Have Served

This day is about honor and giving thanks,

To the men and women who joined the ranks,

To fight for our country and all of our rights,

Through countless days and sleepless nights,

They left their families so we could hold ours close,

Committing to the path each of them chose,

Some have come back and some never will,

And some have come back but are gone still,

They have sacrificed themselves for the USA,

So on their day remember to say,

Thank you for your service and fighting for me,

And for giving strength to this great country.

In observance of the holiday, several FSS facilities will have special hours. A complete list of the hours can be found at www.tinkerliving.com/contact. So have a safe and fun weekend and most importantly, remember to thank a Veteran for their sacrifice.

It's a Manic Monday

It's no secret that Monday's can be a little tough sometimes. It feels like the weekend went by too quickly and you didn't get as much done as you had hoped to. Now you are back at work counting down the days until Friday.

Want to learn how to appreciate Monday's again? Well FSS has the perfect solution with Dollar Monday's. All games, shoes, soda, and hotdogs are just a dollar each all day. ONLY ONE DOLLAR! So come stop by Tinker Lanes and learn to love Monday's again.

This is Halloween!

Twas the night of ghouls, 

That we call Halloween,

And creatures were lurking,

To give you a scream!

Something wicked (awesome) this way came on Monday night at the Tinker Youth Center. The rooms were all decorated top to bottom with glorious balloon arches, spooky cobwebs, and even a few ghouls. The gymnasium was stocked with games galore and a giant pirate ship bounce castle. For those who felt like braving the seven seas on this ghostly evening. Then, for those who were feeling extra brave, awaited the Haunted Trail. Here guests would find scares and screams as they trudged on through the creepy path. There was something for everyone at this 'spooktacular' event!

As the sun began to sneak away, children of all ages tugged on their parents with excitement for what lay in store for them at the Youth Center. Every costume was in attendance from dinosaurs and princesses to superheroes and movie stars; and all had buckets and baskets ready to fill with candy. Every turn seemed to have something sweet in store for the kids. The fun lasted for hours, and it seemed like the entire Tinker Community came out to enjoy the festivities. A special thank you goes out to TFCU, Chuck E. Cheese, and Jack in the Box for sponsoring the event and bringing in some 'spooktacular' fun of their own!

The haunting fun may be over,

Or so it would seem, 

But there's only 361 days left, 

Until next Halloween!