July 2002 brought an unexpected suprise; I was contacted by a representative of Just Born® who stated that they were aware of my work (using their product as art) and that they liked my art and website. During the conversation, we talked about the PEEPS' 50th anniversary in 2003 and upcoming events to celebrate the occasion. I was asked if I would be interested in working with them on something special; of course I said yes! I was also invited to visit the factory and take a tour of the PEEPS and candy manufacturing facility. WOW -- what an honor! I readily accepted the gracious invitation and plans were made

I made my pilgrimage to Just Born® in October 2002. I spent time meeting the various company public relations and sales representatives. They showed me preliminary versions of their TV spots which will run throughout 2003 and discussed ongoing plans for the anniversary year.

I then took a tour of the manufacturing facility. I donned a white lab coat and hair net. My heart raced. I felt like a kid entering Willy Wonka's chocolate factory! I stood in awe and wonderment -- amazed to be a witness to the thousands of Marshmallow PEEPS® being "just born" right before my very eyes; lavender PEEPS Chicks on one conveyor belt and green Chistmas Trees on another. It was truly a dream come true! I also toured the jelly bean manufacturing areas, where Mike and Ike®, Hot Tamales® and ZOURS™ are made.

After the factory tour I met co-Presidents (and cousins) Ross Born and David Shaffer. It was truely an honor to sit and chat with these experienced businessmen as if they were my next door neighbors!

At the end of my visit I was presented with a huge gift basket, filled with every imaginable PEEP product -- and then some! (See pictures below). A few suprises lurked in the packaging which are truely one-of-a-kind: a giant, plush, sky-blue PEEP; a yellow Marshmallow PEEP® lapel pin; and a silver and gold pen with a unique 50th Anniversary logo on it's tip.

Having completed my pilgrimage, I'm still in a state of euphoria from my visit ... or maybe it's just the remnants of memory burn taunting my senses:
· The vision of endless barrels of colorful sugar, each granule patiently scheming it's attack on the unsuspecting, gooey-warm marshmallow;
· The cinnamon-thick fruit-flavored aroma hanging in the air like a deep fog, jump-starting my olfactory senses into overdrive;
· The crashing sound of hundreds upon hundreds of tumbling jellybeans being polished to perfection.

The overflowing gift basket given to me after my factory tour.

A close-up of the sky-blue plush PEEP (about 8"x6").

A close-up of the PEEP magnet.

A close-up of the PEEP lapel pin.

A close-up of the top of the sliver and gold Anniverary pen.