FSGW Getaway - News

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Ferrara
Date: 02 Sep 99 - 02:29 AM

I had a great talk with one of the local FSGW members this evening about possible ways to provide food for more people. Before I start posting all the potential ideas, though, I need to run them by the Getaway committee. But keep the ideas coming, we're thinking about all of them.

Rita Ferrara

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 02 Sep 99 - 12:36 AM

I'm sure we can have enough food for everybody, since the more people who come, the more bodies there are to help cook. And I remember that there are even some grilles attached to one or more of the lodges. Using cooking sites away from the dining room decentralizes the food and meals, but that's possibly an option to consider. As well as supplementing the menu with foods that don't need to be cooked in the oven. It would be nice to try to coordinate this with our chef-in-chief, and Debbie McClatchy is on tour in England at the moment and hard to reach. But have no fear, things will work out for sure!

It's just that registrations are running so far ahead of last year, that the camp might fill to what we thought was capacity. There are ways of extending that capacity, but reaching capacity is something the Getaway hasn't had to deal with in the last decade or two, and it's a new experience for your humble committee.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 10:50 PM

well moonchild, I suspect that the committee will work out something a 'bit' easier than that..*grin*...but I know that Charlie..(a co-chairman of this shindig) will get the word out in plenty of time if we DO need unusual measures...when we get closer and have a rough head count of the various categories, it will be easier to plan. I know that we..(locals AND far-traveling Mudcatters) are a resourceful bunch...and Debbie is VERY clever about food planning...so I am not too worried...better worry more about how you are gonna clone yourselves so as to get to all the workshops you want AND stay up late for late night singing AND get enough sleep to comprehend any of it...*wink*

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: bbelle
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 02:45 PM

What if attendees brought extra food in coolers and we fired up some grills, which could serve as grills and/or warmers? Would that help? As a team, I think we can make this work. moonchild

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 11:24 AM

Vegetarians (and others who need to amend their registration forms) may send e-mails directly to the registrar: Jennifer Woods at [e-mail]

--Charlie Baum

(With an e-mail like that, can you guess that she's always knitting? Did you know she's married to Mudcatter SongBob?)

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 09:30 AM

A few comments--

I'm sure we'll be able to figure out how to feed everybody. It's just that were adjusting to a new venue this year, with a smaller kitchen, so we have to rethink the comfortaqble old ways of doing things.

Vegetarians and non-carnivores (I'm one myself) should make notations on the registration form, where it asks about food allergies and dietary restrictions. If you've already sent in your form and need to amend it, stand by for instructions: I want to check with Jennifer Woods, the registrar, before I post her e-mail. Or send me a mudcat message and I'll bring it over to her--she literally lives around the corner from me. You should get specific about what kind of diet you follow--e.g., vegan; no beef, but chicken okay; fish okay but not shellfish; etc. While there's a limit to the number of things we can make, we can make sure you won't go hungry.

At last count, at least 20 Mudcatters have either sent in registrations or announced publicly on some thread that they were coming, plus another 7 or 8 who said they'd like to come, but hadn't committed. All that, plus at least 9 regualr FSGW members who are Mudcatters.

For the years 2000 or 2001, the Getaway might either stay at Prince William or move to a larger (but slightly more expensive) venue. All the FSGW regulars will be discussing this, no doubt, so you've been forewarned.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Allan C.
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 09:02 AM

I, for one am totally amazed that this event has been going on (often only a few miles away) for the larger part of my life and I am just now finding out about it! What hole did I have my head in?!! But now that I know about it, I plan to make it an annual pilgrimage. I am so-o-o-o glad that the FSGW exists and that it has seen fit to put together this kind of event. Wow!

I wish there were something I could do to relieve the kitchen problem. I like Jeri's idea about the Scouts and Nat'l Guard. Also, there are some groups like the Lions Club and Rotary who put on huge chicken roasts with some regularity. Some of these, rather than having permanent, cinder block structures, use portable units made of sheet metal.

Oh, I just remembered. When I was a baker, there was a church group that would bring in about thirty country hams in some of those huge recycleable pans. We would bake them in our huge rotating ovens. We did this in the early evenings when we didn't have much else to bake. You might be able to work out such a thing locally. We never charged them anything at all.

For my contribution, I plan to smoke a couple of turkeys (I never inhale! - well, almost never) to bring along.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Ferrara
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 08:20 AM

Jeri, one of the reasons this is working as well as it is, is that Mudcatters, being musicians, know other musicians around the country, so it turns out that in doing this, i.e. inviting Mudcatters here, we're giving lots of old friends a chance to sing together, including FSGW members who aren't on Mudcat at all!

Even at the Rick Fielding concert, I learned that Roger in B. already knew locals Judy and Dennis Cook from a coffee house where they all sing. And Sandy and Caroline Paton have been to the Getaway in the past and are always invited. And Dick Greenhaus and Susan of DT have been to every one I can remember and probably more.

And of course, when Joe Offer dropped in to an Open Sing and the Rick Fielding concert, he made lots of instant friends who would like very much to have him come back.

You get the picture. It seems like a very natural and welcome thing to invite the Mudcatters to come and meet each other as well as the people who are already here.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Jeri
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 08:03 AM

Just a viewpoint. It's remarkable that the FSGW, a local folkie organization, would open it's event doors to a horde of Mudcatters descending from outside the organization, many of whom they've never before met. I appreciate it - I think we all do. No one wants to crowd anyone out, and I'm sure if there's a way we can help, all you have to do is let us know how. I can personally survive on fewer than three meals a day, and wouldn't have a problem just grabbing a sandwich for lunch.

I could kick myself for having been a member of the FSGW for several years and never once attending the Getaway because I didn't know people very well - it would have been a great opportunity to remedy that.

To end with an idea, organizations that do a lot of camping-type activities may have field kitchens - e.g. Scouts, National Guard.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Ferrara
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 12:31 AM

First of all let me say that, Mick, since you've tentatively signed on to do a mini-concert, you are considered to have registered. I'll e-mail you on the whole thing but don't worry.

Second of all let me say that I appreciate it that no one has jumped on me with both feet about this. (Overall I consider the tone of the comments to be remarkably civilized.) I sprung it on everybody with short notice, mostly because certain decision-makers were out of town before this.

I'm sorry the potential for conflict exists at all. In July I asked the Powers-That-Be if we had room for lots of Mudcatters and they said there were about 50 more beds than last year so we'd be fine. It wasn't until much later that someone thought about the problem of a limited number of meals that can be prepared in the ovens.

Third, lots of people want all the Mudcatters who are interested to be able to come. We have a lot of 'catters in FSGW now, you know! -- So there's going to be lots of brainstorming and discussion to try to work it out so that no one loses out. I'm still hoping that literally everyone who wants to will be able to come. It will take a fair bit of extra work but we'll sure try.

Bear with us a while longer. The old camp (Camp Letts) offered us the whole camp this year at twice the cost, or half the camp and no dining hall for the old price. We have been scrambling to find a permanent, reasonably priced, comfortable, conveniently located, adequate spot with plenty of concert space and a great kitchen and dining hall. Not surprisingly, compromises were necessary.

OK, hang in there, we'll do the best you can. Thanks again for the amount of understanding people have shown.

- Rita Ferrara

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 11:33 PM

Oh yeah Mick, we're coming, but what I meant was that I'm changing my already in registration which was for me F_M with the works...$95. to several day tripping things for 2 adult and 2 kids with NO meals. Owing some dietary things, it's easier to bring our own food....and in this case, cheaper too in the long run.

Spaw

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 11:23 PM

hold on...*grin*..message from Rita coming soon..

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 11:17 PM

That's allright, Spaw. I mailed it with meals included. We will see what happens. Don't change yours. We will get it worked out. You are still coming, I hope.

Mick

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 10:45 PM

Hey....how about putting Mick's name on my alredy paid registration? I'm having to make changes anyway and diet wise we'll be basically day tripping with NO FOOD, so instead of refunding me...Put Mick in my place.

There isn't some sort of problem with numbers re: daytrippers/no food is there?

Spaw

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 10:20 PM

This is very disappointing for me. It has been said a number of times that we need not worry, there is plenty of room. As it happens, I am mailing the money out in tomorrow's mail. I certainly hope that I am able to get in on this. I took a week's vacation just to do this gathering. I understand what you are trying to accomplish, but had I had any inkling that there was a problem, I would have mailed much sooner.

Mick

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 06:57 PM

Hi, this is Ferrara. Bill said there were questions, so I figured I'll answer them as well as I can right away.

First, the whole point is that it wouldn't be right to turn the Getaway into primarily a Mudcat reunion when it has been a well-loved FSGW reunion for years. So we are trying to ensure that the *CURRENT* FSGW members, who have been coming to the Getaway for years and take it for granted that they can register at the last minute like they always have, don't find that the doors are shut.

We all want the Mudcatters to come. But there are lots of folks who aren't aware that the camp will be crowded this year and that they need to register early.

There hasn't been an official decision yet, but for the reasons above, I suspect the committee won't give priority to people who join FSGW just to get to the Getaway. It defeats the goal of trying to be fair to everybody including the regulars who regularly and traditionally register at the last minute because for the last few years there has been plenty of room.

Second, it may indeed be helpful for folks to bring their own supply of PB&J or whatever -- but we don't know yet. I.e., yes, there will almost certainly be wiggle room for people who don't need food.

We're considering all kinds of ways to make sure everybody can come who wants to come, and BYO meals could be one of them. Or, some people may decide to carpool and go outside the camp for meals. Or, we may be able to fix huge pots of chili and salads and stews for the last 20 or 30 people who register late.

Third, day trippers are signed up for lunch and dinner as of now, see comments above about bringing own food.

Fourth, I'll check on the vegetarian meals. Usually we have 'em.

Does this help any? -- Any more suggestions will be welcomed, since we're looking for ways to make it better. (It already looks like one of the best Getaways ever...)

- Rita Ferrara

The most important thing is, everyone at FSGW wants everyone at Mudcat to be able to come and we'll do our best.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: bbc
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 05:19 PM

Is there any provision for non-carnivores in the meals?

bbc (asking for Duane D.)

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Cara
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 03:43 PM

Yes, will there be wiggle room for day trippers who don't need food, or for anyone who doesn't need food?

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Dani
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 02:36 PM

Good question. My registration will be in the mail tomorrow!

Another question - how will that affect day tripping?

Also, would it help if I bring a carload of pancake mix and PB and J's?

Dani

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Allan C.
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 02:19 PM

"we're going to give FSGW members and previous Getaway attendees priority UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20" - Does that refer to existing members? Or if we join now and register for the Getaway as well would we be guaranteed a slot?

Subject: FSGW Getaway - News
From: Ferrara
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 12:17 PM

We've had a terrific response from Mudcatters since we issued an invitation to the FSGW Getaway and everyone is very excited. But it's a good wind that blows nobody ill, and the Getaway spaces are filling up weeks earlier than usual.

This shouldn't have been a problem. There are plenty of beds, either in cabins or in the reserved motel rooms. But the ovens at this camp are smaller, and the menu that Debbie McClatchy has contracted to provide depends heavily on baking chicken, etc. We're working on the food problem and hope to lick it, but Debbie's in England, having already prepared everything for the Getaway before she left, and won't be back in time to change the menu or prepare more meals.

In the meantime we need to be sure that FSGW Getaway regulars have a chance to register.

The compromise we've reached is this: For NEW registrations ONLY, we're going to give FSGW members and previous Getaway attendees priority UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20. Mudcatters and other new people who apply in this period will be put on a wait list until that date.

If you are on the wait list, we'll let you know on Sept 20, probably by e-mail, whether we have the extra room. By then we hope we will solve the food problem. If we do, we'll have plenty of room.

PLEASE NOTE: If you've already mailed your registration, or if the postmark is NLT today, or if you've signed on to do a concert or workshop, you do not have to go on a wait list, ie we can give you a firm "yes." If you decide to register after today, we'll hold your registration until Sept. 20 and let you know then.

You can e-mail me for more info, or just post an entry to this thread. To anyone who's missed me -- I've been trying not even to log onto Mudcat lately, because I can't read just one thread -- once I see all the tempting titles, a little switch turns in my head and I have to read everything that interests me. It uses up my time and exhausts the hamsters.

- Rita Ferrara