I know you have all heard the rumors, so here is the official announcement: I will be hosting a get-together for TRT on the East Coast in the Spartanburg, SC area at the
Walnut Grove Seaquarium (my house) on
SATURDAY, May 16th, 2009 from 3:30 PM until dark --RAIN OR SHINE-- (if it rains, we'll have BIG tents), at which time there will be an awesome fireworks display to end the event! I will be supplying a pig and preparing several BBQ sauces, along with some veggie alternatives for those that don't eat meat (Cath has a KILLER BBQ tofu...). We'll have fixin's and iced tea to support the pig, but adult beverages will be BYOB if you want a beer with your bbq... 'though there is a vicious rumor of a possible keg of cold dark beer showing up...
DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERAS!
IF YOU ARE COMING FROM A DISTANCE OUT OF TOWN, I WOULD SUGGEST STAYING OVERNIGHT somewhere in nearby Spartanburg, as the fireworks will not be over until after 9:30 PM or so. Cath has graciously agreed to make finding a place to stay as effortless as possible and within a reasonable budget for folks, and we will make sure that no one has to drive back to their accommodations under the influence. If you are having problems finding accommodations for Saturday night, I will be forwarding requests for assistance in finding lodging to Cath, so send any of
these requests by midnight May 13th (Wednesday night).
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. If you bring crustaceans for swaps, please be aware that the stony tank will have the potential of killing crustaceans (shrimp, crabs, etc.), so please make sure to leave them in the softie tank. 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, but no styro coolers, so if you have distance to travel, don't forget to bring a cooler for your swap specimens. If you know that you have flatworms, please do not bring coral specimens or sand. It's been suggested that we have a flea market for old equipment sitting in folks’ closets, I will not be opposed to this, but items need to be pre-priced before they show up here.
In order for me to supply enough for everyone that shows, I will require that you RSVP to TRTreefpicnic09@aol.com for information INCLUDING how to get to the picnic and a list of hotels NO LATER THAN MAY 13TH (Wednesday) AT MIDNIGHT.
Included in my response to your
RSVP will be a MapQuest 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 or pets other than wet ones, as it is primarily an adult gathering, BYOB, and I'd prefer not to deal with crying babies or potential fights between pets (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
TRTreefpicnic09@aol.com 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.
I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Saturday May 16th as possible!
Check back here often, I will post any changes here that may occur, but the event is rain or shine: There will be a tent if it rains, and the house is big, so don't worry about the weather.
Vince aka VINNIE 
Slow down: fish tank ahead! 
