OK, I know you have all heard the rumors, so here is the official announcement. I will be hosting a get together on the East Coast in the Spartanburg, SC area for TRT at the
Walnut Grove Seaquarium (my house) on
SATURDAY, May 17th, 2008 from 12:30 PM until dark --RAIN OR SHINE-- (we'll have BIG tents IF IT RAINS), at which time there will be an awesome fireworks display to end the event! I will be supplying a pig and preparing some BBQ, along with some veggie alternatives, including fixin's and iced tea. It will be BYOB if you want a beer with your bbq... though there is a vicious rumor of a keg of cold dark beer...
IF YOU ARE COMING FROM OUT OF TOWN, I WOULD SUGGEST STAYING OVERNIGHT somewhere in nearby Spartanburg. Cath has graciously agreed to make finding a place to stay as effortless as possible and within a reasonable budget for folks planning to stay the night (recommended). I will be forwarding requests for assistance in finding lodging to Cath, so send any of
these requests by May 15th with your RSVP to
reefpicnic08trt@hughes.net
There will be 2 long shallow tanks set up for frags if folks want to swap frags: one for softies and one with milbimycin in the water (Interceptor
@- to kill
red acro bugs) set up for stony corals. There will also be a tupperware tank for a sand swap for those of you that want to participate (sand samples will be dumped together, and if you contribute you can take some home at the end of the evening). I will have bags, extra ASW, and sealing bands for specimen bagging.
In order for me to supply enough for everyone that shows, I will require that you RSVP to
reefpicnic08trt@hughes.net for information INCLUDING how to get to the picnic and a list of hotels
NO LATER THAN MAY 15TH AT MIDNIGHT
Included in my response to your RSVP will be a MapQuest link with directions as well as a phone number for access to a real person the day of the event in case you lose your way, and some more general info about the picnic. You can bring kids if you like, but please, no very small children, as it is primarily an adult gathering, BYOB, and I'd prefer not to deal with crying babies, as the fireworks will be VERY LOUD (sorry, no offense to those with very small children, call me if you have questions on this).
There will be no cost to members of TRT or local reef clubs and their families, this is my gift to TRT and the reefers of the boards as a token of my esteem for them. There will be a tip bucket if you'd care to help defray the expenses, but this is TOTALLY voluntary, I do not want cost of the meal to keep folks away, traveling gas expense will be bad enough.
If you do want to bring something, please clear it with me by at least 3 days prior to the event.
REMEMBER, if you do not RSVP with an email to
reefpicnic08trt@hughes.net including how many folks will be coming in your party and your expected arrival time, as well as if you need help finding lodging, I cannot promise you that you will be fed (and lodging may become scare as we get closer to the event). Also keep in mind that I am footing the bill for this, so if you tell me you're coming, please stick to it, as two days prior to the event, I will finalize the size of the pig and start the final prepartions of cooking it, so by the morning of the 16th, I'll have spent the cash...
I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Saturday May 17th as possible!
Check back here often, I will post any changes here that may occur, but the event is rain or shine, don't worry about the weather. I will post a list of confirmed names with this thread as I send out responses to folks that are coming.
Don't forget to please bring a lawn chair for each person you bring if at all possible! We’ll have a kiddie pool full of ice if you need a place to chill your favorite beverage!
