1. Occasional Occasions Catering
2. Occasional Occasions By Carlton Catering

Just something that makes the person (or people) feel honored and the occasion feel more special than a garden-variety day. With that celebration spirit in mind, here are 34 non-birthday, non-anniversary, non-holiday occasions to consider celebrating with your family.

‘Occasional services are held there, as are occasional concerts.’ ‘If so, will there be occasional masses where personal prayer is permitted after communion?’ 1.3 dated Employed for a particular occasion or on an irregular basis. You've got a party, we've got the dress! Shop Dillard's for the perfect cocktail, special occasion, and party dresses. Discover the latest styles from your favorite brands like Adrianna Papell, Gianni Bini, Antonio Melani, and more. Start with the star of the show and browse the selection of occasion dresses. Chi Chi London has every style wish list ticked with their floral midi occasion dresses, premium lace maxis and prom dresses, and a selection of black-tie dresses that are guaranteed to serve red-carpet vibes.

Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two, a home gathering for friends, a corporate drop-off, meeting or corporate event, Occasional Occasions by Carlton can help you do it, with southern hospitality and style. Specializing in intimate events ranging from 30 to 150 guests we orchestrate sophisticated soirées that you’ll want to write home about. Our Mission is to strive to fill our guests up with an appetizer of unforgettable style, an entrée of memorable cuisine and a sweet dessert of great customer service…in the anticipation that they will come back and ask for seconds.

Offering upscale, boutique-style, full-service catering services for your private, corporate, or non-profit affair, Occasional Occasions by Carlton will make your Occasional Occasion truly memorable.

“Wow…. Being that I’m in the catering industry myself I’m very picky and hard on certain things. Let’s just say that Occasional Ocassions blew my mind and challenged me to make changes in my own business. I will go on record and say that this will be the ONLY catering company I use when I’m doing business in the Atlanta area. Job well done Mr Brown.”

From Carlton's Journal:

A Thanksgiving cooking tip

Curbside Cuisines

The person giving the keynote address is usually a person who has earned a national or international reputation within his or her professional field. Such a person would likely be invited to speak because of her or his expertise or particular claim to fame, which would be alluded to in the speech. In addition, the keynote speaker is wise to be mindful of the conference theme and to incorporate that theme into the speech. Regardless of the conference theme, the typical speech might allude to such topics as organizational growth, team building, goals and aspirations, leadership, change, or achievements (Speech Topics Helps, Advice & Ideas, 2005). Some of these themes are evident in Dr. Neal Lane’s (1996) keynote address during the 50th anniversary celebration of Cornell University’s School of Applied and Engineering Physics:

When we look across science and engineering, we can see . . . stories and subplots developing, both in terms of the excitement they generate and in terms of their potential impact on society. These don’t always generate banner headlines about little green men or microbes. But they nevertheless hold the potential to revolutionalize how we remedy social ills and spark economic growth. In fact, there is wide agreement that we are entering an era where science, engineering, and technology will exert greater influence on daily life than at any time in human history.

Commencement Speech

The commencement speech—which is a type of keynote speech—is given to mark the occasion of a school’s graduation ceremony during which diplomas are awarded to graduating students. The commencement speech is celebratory in nature in that it marks an important milestone in the graduates’ lives. At the same time it can be a call to action for its audience (Fly Little Bird, 2007). Many commencement audiences may appreciate a speech that is relatively brief and to the point, and many speakers provide practical, yet memorable, advice. For instance, Billie Jean King once said, “Find a mentor and be a mentor. Give back. And when people tell you not to believe in your dreams, and they say, “Why?” say, “Why not?” (Wisdom Engine, 2006).

This type of speech is usually given by a person who is well-known in the community or by someone who has achieved national or international recognition for her or his contributions to society. The speaker might be a politician, an alumnus from the institution, a famous speaker, or other noteworthy figure. The speaker might be chosen by the school administration or by the graduating students themselves.

On one level, a commencement speech can bring attention to certain social or political issues of the day, such as HIV/AIDS, economic inequality, or education. Additionally, such speeches typically lay out paths the audience can take beyond their educational years (e.g., giving one’s time, taking on important causes), as well as what specific tools for change are needed for an individual to make an impact (e.g., use of the Internet, acquiring and disseminating information). Finally, commencement speeches often touch on aspects that contribute to a good life; such examples might include finding one’s passion, showing compassion to others, and appreciating diversity. In general, the commencement speech emphasizes celebration and looking ahead toward the future. Lisa Kudrow, in her 2010 address to the graduating class at Vassar College, encourages her audience to look to the future with a purpose of finding oneself:

I did actually hear from a little more than two of you that, because I went here, you wanted to know about my experiences after graduating and I understand that because the twenties are that time in your life when (this is not a joke) you’re really getting acquainted with your own adult self and seeing how you respond to self-doubt when there’s so much seemingly at stake. So, let me reassure you. It’s not supposed to be easy, but it doesn’t have to be torture. You’re supposed to have moments of uncertainty about which path to take because the 20’s are full of crossroads.

Commemorative Speech and Tribute

Commemorative speeches and tributes are speeches that pay special accolades to an occasion, extraordinary person, event, idea, or monument. The purpose or scope of this speech is to reflect the emotions felt by the audience as well as underscore the reasons for the speaking event. Delivering a tribute and commemorative speech involves careful attention to language. These speeches are intended to inspire the audience, and the use of the richness of language should serve to evoke the appropriate emotions within the audience as well as the honored person(s).

One way to evaluate your own reputation is to think about what would be said of you at your eulogy. ~ Brian Koslow

Tributes and commemorative speeches have certain characteristics. First, they are short and eloquent (Letteri, 1997). In most cases, this speech should be one to five minutes long, which means the words should be chosen carefully and efficiently for impact. Second, these speeches are written to anticipate the emotional needs of the audience. There is a difference between the need to be festive and the need to grieve, and the speech should contain language that conveys the appropriate feelings. Rather than focus on a great deal of information about the person, event, or thing being honored, the speech should make reference to the emotions of the audience and respect those emotions—whether directly or indirectly. When the speaking occasion is honoring a person, the speech’s content should contain a balance between the professional and personal accomplishments of the honoree. While the speech should emphasize the person’s professional work, his or her personal activities (e.g., family life, community involvement) also warrant attention. Russell Crowe demonstrates this balance as he commemorates the late Steven Irwin, the television personality famously known as the Crocodile Hunter:

Occasional Occasions By Carlton Catering

Good morning everybody. Firstly, to Terri and all of Steve’s family, from my family to yours, our deepest sympathies and condolences. I think this memorial should be a joyful one, and not mournful one. We, after all, have to keep in mind who we are here to celebrate, and what he would have preferred. I hope somebody will speak today of the specifics of what Steve achieved as a conservationist, but all I can do today is talk directly to my friend, my mate, Steven. Your passing has suspended reality for all of us. It was way too soon, and completely unfair on all accounts. I know as humble as you always were, that you would still be pleased to know that the world sends its love and that people all over this planet have been grieving. We’ve all lost a friend, we’ve lost a champion, and we’re gonna take some time adjust to that. I’m in New York, mate—the big city—and you have been headline news on CNN for a week. There are not many zookeepers who would command that attention, mate. And all that means is that you got your message across. You got the word out there. And you were heard. And you will be remembered (Famous Speeches and Speech Topics, 2008).

After-Dinner Speech

The after-dinner speech is a unique kind of special occasion speech. An after-dinner speech has as its general purpose to entertain, and yet informs an audience about one or more particular issues. These dual roles can make the after-dinner speech a challenge, but with skill and practice, a well-received speech. Mark Twain made this type of speech very popular in his day, speaking at many dinner events. These dinners were very lengthy, and were followed by several hours of humorous speeches (Patout, 1978). Such events still occur today, and are often scheduled before, during, or after a professional or civic meeting (O’Hair et al., 2001) where a meal might be served.

Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand. ~ Mark Twain

A well-prepared, rehearsed, and delivered after-dinner speech can make a significant mark on the audience and occasion, all the while using humor to make a serious point. The best speeches are usually tailored to the audience and occasion, have a thesis statement or idea, include claims that have support, and of course, incorporate humor. When used well in an after-dinner speech, humor can teach, entertain, and perhaps change the way people look at an issue. Used poorly, however, humor can hurt your message beyond repair and diminish your credibility. Due to the nature of humor in public speaking, there are several issues to keep in mind. First, the topic or theme of the speech should relate to the occasion of the event. Relevant speeches include references to the event’s purpose or cause and perhaps some key people involved:

I am grateful for the opportunity to address you all this evening. When I asked your conference planner how long my speech should be, she said, “You can speak as long as you want, but the rest of us will be leaving around nine.” . . . Before I say anything more, I have been asked by the facilities manager to remind you that the sign in the men’s restroom saying “Wet Floor” should serve as a warning, not an instruction . . . Indeed, after-dinner speeches are intended to be funny, but avoid turning the event into a stand-up comedy routine. A stand-up routine is merely a string of jokes that are more speaker-centered rather than audience-centered (Hamilton, 2002). On the contrary, an after-dinner speech has clear organization, a polished delivery, and a clearly articulated theme. Without a clear organizational pattern, the audience will have difficulty understanding the serious point made with the speech.

A common mistake some after-dinner speakers make is to come across as a comedian, taking on styles and mannerisms that are not natural. After-dinner speakers should avoid styles and forms of delivery that are not their own and with which they do not feel comfortable. In other words, the speech and humor used should be consistent with the speaker’s persona.

Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the danger of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of “crackpot” than the stigma of conformity. ~ Thomas John Watson, Sr.

There is the possibility that the speech will touch on serious or controversial issues. After all, the after-dinner speech sets a social agenda (O’Hair et al., 2001), often conveying a speaker’s stance on an issue. Skilled after-dinner speakers understand this, and they are observant of the audience’s comfort levels. If the theme or occasion is a very somber one, such as commemorating the lost lives of the Civil Rights movement, the speaker should keep her or his humorous remarks modest so as not to seriously offend (Hamilton, 2002). Even when the purpose of the speech is more heavily weighted on agenda setting rather than entertainment, it should still be a celebration of the occasion.

In keeping with an audience’s comfort level, an after-dinner speech should fit their mood and expectations. If the audience is in the mood to have fun or to be entertained, then the afterdinner speech might be well received. The mood or attitude of the audience will influence how they receive or respond to your jokes. If the speech isn’t well-matched to the audience, even your best-told and most clever jokes will fall flat.

Brevity is the soul of wit. ~ William Shakespeare