The Planetary Science Institute celebrated the end of another calendar year with long-held traditions: the annual holiday party and a game of Yankee Trader.
CEO Mark Sykes hosted the gathering at his home in east Tucson on Friday Dec. 6. Sykes has hosted since 2006, with the exception of 2008. Before that, the holiday party was held at the homes of different employees from one year to the next, with PSI Senior Scientist Emeritus and Board Member Bill Hartmann‘s house being a popular place.
Over thirty people joined the festivities, including PSI employees, their family members and friends. Sykes treated guests to Café à La C’Art catering – which included rolls, salad, noodles, chicken and vegetables with red sauce. They also enjoyed wine, beer and sweet treats under patio Christmas lights.
“As CEO and Director, it has been personally important and meaningful to me to share my home with our employees and other guests. Over the past 18 years of doing this, it has been wonderful to watch families grow and children grow up, to welcome new faces and enjoy engaging with alumni who attend,” Sykes said.
Guests were encouraged to bring gifts that cost no more than $15 each to participate in a game of Yankee Trader. There were 23 participants this year and PSI affiliate Gil Esquerdo emceed. He explained: On each player’s turn they must decide if they want to open a present from the table or steal a present that has already been opened. A present can only be stolen three times before it’s locked in and cannot be stolen again. At the end, everyone who brought a gift left with another.
This year, a high-demand gift was a LEGO rendition of a Super Mario piranha plant. It was stolen three times before being locked in by Jeff Muzzy’s wife, Gwen.
Alcohol and chocolate were common gifts and many walked away happily with the treats.
“Next year will be my last year as host and it will be a special event for me to celebrate the wonderful people we have working at PSI!” Sykes said.




