CHICAGO-Area Feeler for Oct/Nov Meet....

[KimRaye]

Already DIScussed before this weekend's meets and, DIScussed this weekend as well so, I'm starting a feeler thread... Let's talk dates, let's rule out dates, let's think about/talk about a place to meet, ok? ;)

For me right now, I don't know of any problems with dates. My only thought right now is that, we're always looking for somewhere to handle our group and, we don't normally have a "group-size" room-kinda-ressie (min. 25) but, I know I've seen a pizza place (NON-Gino's) that WILL reserve a room for smaller groups....i.e. US! From what I remember, it is a certain $ amount per person depending on menu selected and, it seemed reasonable, almost cheap. I would, of course, look into this in more depth but, my main point was to start a DIScussion about a date!

I know things always come up last minute and, plans can change but for now, during the next couple months, we can plan and think about the next meet, right?

And, if I'm not mistaken (forgive me if I'm wrong)..this would be dopeygirl's (Tricia's) last meet as a Chicago-area resident :( so, it will be an important Meet...one surely not to miss!

OH, and....PLEASE subscribe to this thread so you can be reminded of updates and, read all new threads and hopefully, post and give some ideas of your own! ;)

Let's get started!! :wave:

[jfulcer]

Hi Kim. We had a wonderful time at the Dis Meet yesterday. It was great to see everyone.

For October Jeff and I would be open right now for any weekend but the 26th as we are leaving for Disney then. We will be gone in Disney the last week of October - November 6th.

I am sure Jeff will keep more up to date on the goings on as I hardly ever go on the DIS anymore (too busy with the girls).

Thanks again for everything. It was a FUN time!!!:)

[helenabear]

As of right now I don't see any "bad weekends" for me. I'd rather keep it closer to Oct. or earlier Nov. though because with Thanksgiving and a WDW trip, I might not have much time to get out there. Plus I prefer driving when I am more sure there won't be snow ;)

Just my preference though but I'm looking forward to coming out!!! I have a chance of coming out in Sept too but I need to talk to Luis with that one. He has some sort of meet for a computer forum he posts on. So I might be out twice in a short amount of time ;)

[Dan Murphy]

Let me check the schedule (Lady M), Kim, I am sure any weekend is open, as far as I know (that is not too far sometimes, LOL :eek: ) Looking forward to a nice one, albeit a sad one with DG leaving town soon after.

Oh goodness, Gael posting as Jeff, now we will never know for sure. ;)

[Bunchkin]

Great idea, Kim, finding a place that will allow us to hang out for a while instead of shooing us away as soon as the last fork hits the plate. :)

The only plans, so far, that we have is for the first weekend in October.
Other than that nothing so far.

[Dopeygirl]

WWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! :( :( :( :( I don't WANNA' plan this one. If we just don't plan it, do you think it might mean I don't have to leave you guys? :(

Didn't think so...in that case, it looks like I'll be busy just the weekend of the 18th. Assuming I'm figuring correctly, Jim will graduate from basic sometime the week of the 13th (I should know more later this week). So I'll be going down for that and then probably that weekend to see the family. But the family trip might be the 25th instead. First or second weekend of November SHOULD work for me also but, again, I should know better about that later this week.

So, basically, I'm of no help right now except to say that I don't want to leave you guys. :(

I'll post again when I know more.

[Brisully]

First weekend I will be in Las Vegas. I am in WDW on the 26th. Any time other than that is OK by me.

[Patrick IL.]

We are out of town Oct. 10th, 11th, and 12th. November gets a little hairy. Besides that I do not see anything on our schedule at this point. Rest assured Trica dear we will see you...even if this does not plan out when we can make it. Count Ellen and I in if its any of the other weekends.

[yepod]

Most definately interested Kim! Like Elaine, the weather is the only factor to stop me. We will be heading to the world from 11/8 to 11/17 & other than that am open at the present.
I thought I'd seen the last of DG:p But in all seriousness would love one more opportunity to see (& hear) that smile & laugh again!
The further south the meet the better, but if it gets the group to a place that Nicole doesn't get us kicked out of, then anywhere in the greater Chicago area!;)
You guys are a great group of people to meet with anytime!
Please keep me posted!:D

[Fire14]

Right now I'm open anyweekend except October3-6. I think my Dh would like to see his wife on their wedding annv.

[NancyIL]

I think I'm available any weekend other than Oct 18th. I'd like to keep it as far from Thanksgiving as possible.

[KimRaye]

THANKS EVERYONE! Let's keep those dates and, non-dates, coming in!!!

[Bunchkin]

Originally posted by yepod

The further south the meet the better, but if it gets the group to a place that Nicole doesn't get us kicked out of, then anywhere in the greater Chicago area!;)

I'm not too sure what point you're trying to make here, John.
But I can assure you that if your with me your in a much better class than by yourself. :teeth:
And if I were you, I'd be worrying more about those whip marks on your backside!!!!
Wwhhhhppsssccchhhh!!!! ---->whip noise
hehehehehehehehehe

[WebmasterBarry]

Wherever you meet, I think it'll be a good time to show the DIS Con 2 video! :)

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by Barry Hom
Wherever you meet, I think it'll be a good time to show the DIS Con 2 video! :) Barry, if there's a TV & VCR, I will definately bring my tape! ;)

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

If I could get a ride up from a friend then possibly.

I am home on fall break from October 18th to the 26th and then again for Thanksgiving.

October 3-5 is Family Weekend so I would stay on campus
then October 31st to Nov 1st is Old Gold Weekend.
and November 15th is the biggest football game of the season so I couldn't come that weekend.

[Nutsy]

Anytime other than the first weekend is fine with me dude;)

[Lars624]

I would absolutely love to come to one of the Chicago meets!! DH & I could make a weekend out of it!! That would be so much fun!! I am only busy the weekend of October 24th & 25th. If what you choose fits into our schedule I'd love to come! I'll watch this thread for further info.:D

[cgcw]

We'll be in WDW Oct. 4 & 5. Back on the 9th but DH & DS8 will be camping. I'll be around but would need to bring DS3 with me :eek:. That would depend on where and when.

Busy also Oct. 25 & 26.

All other October & November dates are open as of right now. Would love to see everyone again. I enjoyed last time.:D

[December99]

Just an FYI - October 10-13 is Columbus Day holiday weekend so perhaps that might work out for some - might not work for us. But we aren't really sure.

[NancyIL]

Kim - if you post a poll it would be easier to tally preferences.

[shep]

Could possibly come up as long as it isn't the first weekend in November..:)

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by NancyIL
Kim - if you post a poll it would be easier to tally preferences. Very good idea, Nancy! Too bad I didn't think of it sooner. I'm afraid that now, people won't re-post/vote so, I was just gonna keep a record on paper (the old-fashioned way)! LOL

Thanks again, everyone, for posting dates & non-dates! In the end, the decision will be pretty much based upon Dopeygirl's available dates.

Also, if anyone comes across some meeting room-type places/restaurants that don't require a minimum (25) person ressie and/or pre-payment, please give a holler! Any and all input will be appreciated! :)

[Big V]

I know that November is open, but in October I'll have to check. I think the last two weekends are open, but we might be able to change some things to see Tricia for one last time.:(

[December99]

Hey I got an idea - it's not Oct/Nov but you guys are more than welcome to drive out here September 19, 20, 21 for our schools/churches Fall Festival. There will be carnival rides, games, food, games, food, did I mention food. I will be working there most of the weekend.

[December99]

I have an idea or a proposition. I would be willing to host a meet out here in October or November. However, it would have be planned after we get the soccer schedule and I see what time DD has a game and when Tricia is available. If I hosted a meet it would have be the weekend of October 25 & 26. There are several things going on that weekend here that would work. Now I just looked back at the thread and saw that weekend might not work for alot of people. November 8/9 looks open right now as does November 14/15. I don't know when the last day is that the orchard is open. If it would be closed then I guess we could do something at my house. The pumkin fest wouldn't be going on so that would be something you couldn't do.

Here is a link to an apple orchard that is 5 miles from my house that is suppose to be alot of fun - my dd said the corn maze is awesome. The pricing and information is listed on their website. I also would then suggest a great pizza place here in town that we could get the basement and spend as much time there as we wanted for free. The pizza is great and I know the owners. Tricia has had their pizza so she would be able to tell what she thought of it. They have a game room just up from the room where we could be where the kids could go so the adults could visit.

http://www.jonamacorchard.com/index.htm
http://www.pizzavilla.com/

Also going on this weekend iin October is the annual Pumkin Fest in the town just to the north of us - Sycamore. Here is information on that.

http://www.sycamorepumpkinfestival.com

I would prefer not to have anything at my house at the moment. If people want to come over after dinner just to sit out on the patio and chat - that would be fine but I don't have room to accommodate a huge amount of people for dinner. Also we would be able to show the DISCon video either inside or outside. I also am not comfortable having people come over to drink unless they are staying in town. I would hate to have someone get in an accident on the way home and us be liable. Sorry but that's just how I am. If you are staying in town and you want to come over and party - that's fine. If you are not staying in town and you want to come over and party and not drink alcohol - that's fine too.

There are many places to stay in DeKalb and Sycamore - Super8, Best Western, Baymont Inn and Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Microtel, Amerihost Suites. If we decide this would work - depending on Tricia's dates and plans available this would be fine with me. I would not encourage you to stay at the TravelLodge or Howard Johnson. The Best Western and Baymont is by the railroad tracks. It would be best to contact me before making any ressies.

Tricia - which date is open for you?

[NancyIL]

Chris and Mike - you hosted a GREAT meet in DeKalb 2 summers ago, and I'd be more than happy to meet there again. :)

[jfulcer]

Chris,

All that sounds fine as long as we all get to take rides in your new vehicle. :)

Seriously, those dates sound ok to me (gotta check with Gael). We're in WDW right in between those dates you mentioned. :)

[December99]

Now if someone else would REALLY like to host this though - please let Kim know and I'd be more than happy to pass on the ideas to those that are interested....... ;) ;) :)

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by December99
Now if someone else would REALLY like to host this though - please let Kim know Nah, you can remove the Kim reference....I just got it rolling with a thread and, it's doing just fine. I resign from the position of organizing, thank you very much. :rolleyes:

[December99]

After some minutes of deep thought, I have decided that I don't think this is in my best interest at this point in my life to host a meet. There are just too many things that happened in my life since posting this this morning and I think I need to slow down or I will end up in the hospital and what a meet that would be!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

I'm game for hosting a meet here if wanted - at the pizza place but other than that, there just isn't enough stuff to do in my town to keep everyone occupied. And I don't know if I could get my house ready in time. I don't have many open weekends prior to this. Now another proposition I do have......one of the weekends before I will need to go do my duty at our Habitat house and you would be more than welcome to either come and help us or to provide lunch for the workers!!!!! :D :D

Sorry guys - I just didn't think things through when I was posting earlier....just thought life would get easier instead of harder - read the CB if you're curious.

[Dopeygirl]

As much as I like the idea, I'm just really afraid of how my asthma would be with it. Harvest season is really tough on my asthma and I would really hate to not be able to stay b/c of it.

As I've said to a couple people, I don't really care what we do. I'd like it to be something where we can do a lot of chatting. And not be pressured to scurry on. I know I'm not going to want that evening to ever end. :( :( (She says as she's tearing up...)

Still no word on when I'll be traveling to Georgia for Jim's graduation. If I'm counting correctly, I really think it'll be the weekend of the 17th. If so, the weekend before that would probably be best or the weekend of Nov 1 or 8.

[Dan Murphy]

That was sure a nice thought, Chris, but certainly see where you are coming from too. Any dates are good with me, other than first weekend in Oct, wedding in Vegas to go to. :rolleyes:

[December99]

Hey Dan....I'd be more than happy to go to Vegas in your place!!!!! ;) :D

I have another suggestion - I think we need to do a scrapbooking meet!!!! Scrap all weekend.....would have lots of time to chat. Some of us that do it can get Dan hooked ;) ;)!!!!!

J/K...hope we can find something that we can do that will involve alot of chat time too!!!! In person that is!

[BethanyF]

Originally posted by December99

I have another suggestion - I think we need to do a scrapbooking meet!!!! Scrap all weekend.....would have lots of time to chat. Some of us that do it can get Dan hooked ;) ;)!!!!!
[/B]

PERK.....did someone say scrapbooking?
December....I see you are in DeKalb...did you go to either of the CropManias at Northern? I was at both of them.

[Dopeygirl]

October 4 is out for me now as I'm taking a trip home that weekend.

Still no official word on Jim's graduation.

[DonnaW]

Good morning, Chicago!:) Would really like to try and make this meet...gotta say good-bye to my Roselle neighbor! We're gonna miss you guys! (I want that special desert at Prairie Rock again, Tricia...how about having the meet there???)

It's so hard to plan a date that works for everyone, but right now, it looks like we're open except for the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Will keep checking this thread, and hope everyone has a great day!:)

[Dan Murphy]

Okay, guys, now Sept. Let's start to narrow down to a few dates. Who is in charge here, LOL? :teeth:

[BethanyF]

I am not offering to take charge of this thing since I am new to all this. But I have a restaraunt idea....
I was just PMing with Dan and mentioning I live near the Schaumburg airport when a lightbulb popped. Pilot Pete's (the restaraunt in the airport) has a small party room. I dont know the details for using the room, if there is a charge or whatever. But it is a cool place and the food is wonderful.

[December99]

Bethany - would you be able to call them and see what the logistics are of the room???? If there is a charge to use it, etc.

[Dopeygirl]

I don't want you guys to think I'm ignorinig you...I just haven't found out yet when I'll be going to see Jim. When I talked to him last week, he said that he saw the packets when we was in the office working on their computers for them. So as of last Wed., they still hadn't been mailed out. As soon as I find out, I'll post.

Sorry!!

[BethanyF]

Originally posted by December99
Bethany - would you be able to call them and see what the logistics are of the room???? If there is a charge to use it, etc.

I just called. They were pretty busy, but I was able to find out there is no charge for using the room on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. They do require a $100 deposit, but that gets taken off the check. I was not able to find out what kind of availability they have, or if there is a time limit on the room.
They have a website for phone numbers and directions...it is super convenient to the Elgin / Ohare Expressway.
pilotpetes.com