Every year our Monika Jentsch outdoes herself by transforming our offices into “Slack Booshinger.” With help from Matt Switzer, Sara Elwyn and Gerd Sjogren, this past Friday afternoon, Halloween Eve 2009, was no exception.

From cobwebs and spiders adorning our “Man in the Chair” ad mural to personalized headstones lining our  thirtieth-floor windows to colorful strings of papier mache skulls criss-crossing office walls, Monika once again created a colorful and festive atmosphere that has become a much-anticipated annual tradition.

Our Slack Booshinger celebration includes a chili cook-off, which this year attracted seven daring entrants. Every one was a winner in my book (yes, I tried a copious amount of all seven), but our judges (our entire staff) gave first place to Matt Switzer, second place to Maritza Valle and third place to Ron Klingensmith (whose chili was the spiciest).

But chili is jut one element of the potluck feast that is Slack Booshinger every year. This year there was the “creepy, crawly” cheese tray courtesy of Bengt and Gerd Sjogren. Monika made “devilish” deviled eggs and some incredible banana desserts. Kelley Fead brought “dagwood” sandwiches, Brian Lubluban helped ward off the evil spirits (punch made to Kristina Barwick’s recipe) with garlic-laden bruchetta. Topping off the spread were Sarah Elwyn’s pear and cashew salad and Marcella George’s baklava.

A really scary part of Slack Booshinger this year was the surprise appearance by the ghost of Michael Jackson. We believe it was Gayle Novak portraying the late Jacko, but we really don’t know for sure. Ron Klingensmith also frightened us a bit in his get-up for the occasion—the ghost of the 2016 bid, I think. I, of course, was in my usual tieless-suit costume, which, Halloween Eve or not, typically spooks people.

So, to bring things full circle, thanks again, Monika, for another great Slack Booshinger celebration. You, too, were in great costume form as a pink-haired kitty cat. Thanks for all you do to—both on Halloween Eve and the other 364 days of the year—to keep us organized, properly staffed, and respectful of our traditions. How will we top ourselves next year?