A message from Wally Cekala
Welcome to the November issue of Chicken Wire!, Willow Tree’s monthly newsletter dedicated to the world’s most loyal customers. This month, we bring our favorite Willow Tree chicken salad recipes to life on YouTube, spend a few moments with the manager of our retail store (also a close relative of mine), and tell you where to get your 2011 Willow Tree calendar.
Once again, if you like our newsletter, please tell your friends. If you have any suggestions for future issues, please don’t hesitate to contact me. And remember to join the fun on our Facebook page. In the meantime, have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving – and see you next month.
Wally Cekala
Willow Tree: It's what's for Lunch on YouTube 
What do you get when Ocean Spray’s Craisins™ meet up with Willow Tree Chicken Salad?
Try “Yum!”
Chris Cekala, manager of Willow Tree’s retail store in Attleboro and a proud graduate of the culinary school of Johnson & Wales, is your host in a series of recently produced YouTube videos showing off the amazing versatility of Willow Tree Chicken Salad.
“Shooting the videos was a lot of fun,” says Chris, “It felt like I was on Food Network. I kind of expected Giada or Rachael Ray to come walking through the door to help me out.”
Remarking that (warning: don’t let your kids read this) it’s always fun to play around with chicken salad, Chris explains the Craisins. Now appearing in Willow Tree’s Waldorf Salad, they change something called the salad’s “flavor profile.”
“Waldorf Salad has always been a classic,” says Chris. "Fruit and vegetables – and Craisins – give it a sweetness and crunch, as well as a healthy alternative to putting it on a bun all the time.”
As you might expect, Chris is, um, bullish on chicken in general and Willow Tree chicken products in particular. He considers chicken an extremely versatile food, and he’s always looking forward to finding new ways to prepare it. With that in mind, the recipes in the YouTube series are easy to make for a party or any kind of get-together. They’re all quick, fun and simple to prepare.
To see the first Willow Tree Recipe “Chick Flick,” click here.
Nine Questions (give or take) for… Chris Cekala
Q. How long have you known that you wanted to come to work for the family business?
A. Let’s just say a long time. In the beginning, I just wanted to help out in the retail store, following my father around like I was his little shadow. Then I got a real feel for the store because I love being around people. Everywhere else I’ve ever worked – like internships – I’ve always wanted to come back here.
Q. It’s a neighborhood store, but we’ve been told that people come from miles around to shop here. What’s the current distance record for a retail-store customer?
A. I know a whole family that makes a road trip out of it once a month, and they come all the way from Martha’s Vineyard. They put their car on the ferry, drive down and come see us. Another family regularly comes down from southern Maine. They stock up on chicken pies, stuffing, things like that. They could actually shop with us online, but they tell me they come here because our employees are nice and friendly and they’ve gotten to know some personally.
Q. We know about the chicken pies and chicken salad, but what else do you sell at the retail location?
A. Your question should be what DON’T we sell? We’ve got Italian meatballs and Swedish meatballs, fourteen kinds of salads, macaroni and cheese, homemade meat pies…you name it. (click here for current menu)
Q. Baked Stuffed Chicken Breasts?
A. Got it.
Q. Stuffed quahogs?
A. Check.
Q. Vegetable lasagna?
A. Yup. And don’t forget to check out our monthly specials (click here for our current monthly special)
Q. Sorry, Chris, this looks like it’s going to take more than nine questions…
A. Fire away.
Q. What’s new for the fall and winter season?
A. We just came out with a new product which we showcased at the Taste of the Region at the Tri-County High School. It is a Buffalo chicken and cheese dip – an amazing thing for family gatherings and football parties. It’s all white meat chicken, shredded and mixed with Buffalo sauce and mixed and baked with a few different cheeses.
Q. What are the plans at the store for Thanksgiving and the holidays?
A. We’re gearing up to do the same great things we do every year. I mean, check it out, we’re your one-stop holiday headquarters. Turkey, stuffing and gravy are just the beginning. For fruit pies and party platters, we’re the best around.
Q. We asked your father this question, and we’re going to ask you, too. Are you a primarily a chicken-pie guy or a chicken-salad guy?
A. I’ll admit it. I’m kind of addicted. I eat a chicken-salad sandwich every day, and I probably have a couple of chicken pies every week. So…both!
Q. What’s the craziest promotion you’ve ever run?
A. You’ll have to ask Willy T. that one. (Editor’s note: We’re planning to, in the December issue.)
Q. Chris, when you’re not working at Willow Tree, what do you do for fun?
A. I have a five-year-old daughter, and she’s a great part of my life. When I’m not with her, I like to take part in certain sporting events, most recently competition archery. And that’s pretty much what I do.
Thanks for your time, Chris.
You’re welcome.
What will Willy T. do?
The Willow Tree calendar is coming!
In 2010, he was driving a snow plow, reeling in the big fish, and trick-or-treating. Now everyone’s asking, “What in the world will Willy T. do in Willow Tree’s 2011 calendar?”
Find out when you pick up your calendar at the Willow Tree retail store. It’ll be available Thanksgiving week. But whatever you do, don’t wing it. Quantities are limited and there are valuable Willow Tree coupons on every page.
Hey, Be our Friend! 
We've got over 600 Facebook Fans... and growing!
Somebody
out there likes us – in fact, a whole lot of people! We recently
welcomed our 600th fan to the Willow Tree Facebook page. One thing’s
for sure: Willow Tree fans sure know how to have fun! Check out all
the great photos we took at the Tufts 10K Road Race.
Willow Tree on-course to support Legends Golf Tournament
On Tuesday, October 12, 2010, the Hockomock Area YMCA hosted The Legends Classic Golf Tournament at the TPC Boston. The Tournament benefits the Y’s Integration Initiative, a ground-breaking program that enables children with special needs to engage in Y activities together with all other Y members.
The foursome from Willow Tree got to play with Joe Andruzzi, former offensive lineman and a legendary member of New England Patriot Super Bowl teams. Said Wally Cekala, President of Willow Tree, “As a parent of children with special needs, I’m more than happy to support the continuing efforts of the Hockomock Y and its Integration Initiative.”
Pictured: Wally Cekala and Joe Andruzzi
