Too many thoughts going through my head at once....

I have been thinking I'd like to see us do away with the "Mudcat Cabin" label. We have room (I think) on the application for people to state which friends they'd like to share a cabin with. I've made a lot of friends through the years just by sharing a cabin. Maybe if there is just a bit more mixing people up in the cabins?

I love the idea of an "All-night jams" cabin, too.

I'm wondering: One important thing for Mudcatters is to be able to put together a face and a Mudcat name. How about if we had a volunteer, a member of Mudcat, who would put together a set of name buttons that just contain people's on-line Mudcat name? (And a catfish?....) Instead of including them on the Getaway buttons, or commenting on Mudcat membership during the concerts?

The Saturday "Who are all these people?" workshop, which I have referred to in the photos as "Musical Meet-n-Greet," was deliberately set up to spotlight people who have found the Getaway through Mudcat, AND people who have a history with the Getaway and had already been coming for years before Mudcat existed. Mick and I co-led it, and took turns picking out people to introduce to the group. I heard from a number of people that it worked very well.

I did have to explain a couple of Mudcat jokes though, since half the group was ROFL and the other half were sitting there looking puzzled.

But, look -- that's all it took. Realizing that a lot of people weren't in on the joke, and quickly explaining it. It just takes a few minutes thought sometimes and a little extra effort.

Jeri and Jim B -- I believe FSGW, at least the parts I inhabit, has changed a lot since earlier times. I used to be fairly appalled at how little attention visitors or new people got unless they were good musicians. (I'm happy to say that people still come up to me and tell me that I made them welcome on their first visit to an Open Sing, etc.)

Dean, LaMarca and Jim, I'm very glad you brought up the subject and started this thread; this seems to me to be a fruitful, and thoughtful, discussion.

Rita