This will continue the discussion of when and where the next reunion will happen, or not? See previous discussion at:
http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=44;t=000006

"When you wish upon a star...."

Think Great Lakes Harbour Lights Reunion in 2005!

P.S. - It's okay to cross your fingers...

Bob

Has the enthusiasm for another reunion waned? Have we just given up hoping? The only reunion I’ve attended was in Baltimore, and it was a real experience. Not knowing what to expect, I managed to meet many wonderful and wild “lighthouseaholics”. The camaraderie was exceptional – it didn’t seem to matter if the collector had three or three hundred lighthouses in his or her collection.

If we were to have a chance to vote on location, I would choose the Great Lakes Region. Not Mackinaw Island, however – it’s way too expensive and too uppity for my simple tastes. I ‘m more of a casual blue jean type of person. Besides, it’s halfway for many people. But no matter when or where the next reunion happens, I’ll be there. Unless, of course, I will have passed away by then -- in which case please excuse my absence.

Bob

Congratulations on WACKO status BOB!!!

Another WACKO! Congratulations Bob!

Bert

Congratulations Bob! Only 450 more posts to go to achieve "Super Wacko" status. And while we're on the subject of reunions, the south will rise again and maybe even a reunion in the future. It appeared the great lakes had a lock on the reunion, buttttttttttt, one never can tell.

Congratulations, Wacko Bob! We have been to all the reunions and they have been great. At this point I would go anywhere! Hopefully they will choose the Great Lakes since we have seen the fewest in that part of the country.

Judy

We've already started saving up for the next Reunion. We have never been in the Great Lakes area and look forward to seeing the lights there, that is, if the reunion is there. Earlier rumors indicated that it would be.

Joyce

Congratulations BOB
Question is becoming a Wacko make you a marked man? :rolleyes:
I do agree with you, the great lakes is fine, but not Mackinaw Island, I think most all of us collectors are more the casul type. And would not be as comfortable there as we would be else where.
And again Happy Wackoing

I must admit, it's been a few days and I'm a little surprised theres been no response to John's comment in the Rumor Mill all but confirming a Great Lakes Reunion for next year! Maybe everybodys waiting for the Legacy to arrive, but I'll be honest wth you, I'm already pretty stoked! Anybody else pick up on Johns comment?

Mike

Mike,

I saw it but decided to let it rest for a bit. It's been discussed before- albiet not in as much detail as this time.

I'm interested in facts not rumours, though at this point.

I can wait for them. Don't really have a choice.

Dennis

Well guys, I went for the e-mail legacy and as soon as I have the details you can be sure that they will appear right here. So watch this spot for news in the not too distant future!

Jim, we'll all be watching for the details!
Bob

Great Lakes 2005

Kim confirmed the Mackinac rumor at the Kim signing at Mileagers in Racine, WI in June.

This is a dumb question, but can someone list all the places and years that reunions have been held?

2001 - Baltimore
1998 - Providence
1997 - San Diego

If you've been to all three, sign in, please:

John Chidester

I can't sign in on this one. I attended but two of the three, Providence and Baltimore.

(Note no signature)

We've been to all three and looking forward to the fouth.

Yes, I have been to all three and wouldn't miss the next one. It's a great way to meet fellow collectors of Harbour Lights

Yes I've also been to all three
And I will go to the next one, if it is put on by Harbour Lights .
I will say I liked and got more out of, the one in Providence R.I.
We'll just have to wait an see if the Rumors are true.

My daughter Teresa and I have been to all three and are looking forward to number four

Bill and I have been to all three and hope to attend the fourth. They have all been great fun and we especially like the pre and post tours.
Judy

I'm a bad girl. I've never been to one, but if they are better than Regional gatherings, I can't wait!!

I have never been to a reunion, so the fouth will be my first. And I am sure looking farwards to it!

John and I have been to all three. We plan on adding #4 as soon as the word is out.

Robert and I attended our first reunion in Baltimore (my home town) and are already saving for the next one. We had so much fun on the last one.

Joyce

I have been to all Three! Can't wait for another if it's Great Lakes.

I've been to all three. I was on the waiting list for the first two but still managed to attend.
Looking forward to the next reunion.

Baltimore and the next one
Derith

Well it seems that HL wants to be involved in the next reunion without doing the leg work and they are leaving that up to some of our midwest forum members.

If that's how it's going it will most likely be a fine affair as these folks have done a magnificent job setting up some recent Wacko Events!

The question that comes to mind at this point is, should Wackos be given first dibs at attending???? What do you think???

I've only attended the last reunion and enjoyed it. My only problem seemed to be not having had time enough to participate in all that was planned.

Well, of course, I would vote for "Wackos" having first Dibs for the reunion. I'd be crazy not to vote that way. My fingers sure got tired hitting that redial button the last time, and it took 3 hours to get through.

Joyce

Yes Wackos
should have first Dibs for the reunion
And first dibs on the low numbers.
And for the midwest forum members that are putting this together should have 1,2,3,4,5, or a special Artist proof just for them.

Since I am relatively new, just how many WACKOs are there? I wonder if HL will be keeping the numbers about the same. Each reunion seemed to add a few more people so the size is critical as the HL membership has grown.
Judy

Wackos should have first pick

Unfortunatley Larry and I missed the 1997 San Diego Reunion, but, we made the other two and plan to attend the fourth God willing. Any place, any time is fine for us to meet with other lighthouse friends and enthusiasts. Love You Guys!!!!

It would make more sense that Harbour Light Clubs be the first to get to choose. After all it is the reunion of Harbour Lights.IMHO
Ruthie

I've only been to the Baltimore Reunion, but I definatly will be at the next one. I wouldn't miss it.

Ken

Perhaps those who have been to previous reunions should also be given some type of priority. It was really nice to be recognized at the last reunion as someone who had attended all reunions.
Just my two cents worth.

Fortunately, MJ and I attended all three of the Harbour Lights Reunions so far. We plan to attend the fourth one and hope that all who wish to attend are given the opportunity and are able to be there. It is great to be with all of our friends who love Harbour Lights.

Ron & MJ
(CT Keepers)

Roy & I have been very lucky to attend all 3 Reunions and we are hoping to attend the 4 as well. I to agree that priority should be given to those who have made the other 3 Reunions. After all they were lucky enough to attend them.


Carolyn & Roy

Diana and I have not made it to a reunion yet, but we will be at the next one. As soon as the details are made known as to how and when to make reservations, we will be signed up .

Dale

For those newbies out there, the registration process for the last 2 reunions involved a three hour window of time on a Saturday morning when you could call Harbour Lights and register for the Reunion. The first sucessful callers got the reunion piece with the lowest numbers (not even Bill got to keep his traditional 1 to 10 on these). For the last reunion in Baltimore, any Harbour Lights collectors club member could register early through the club but the numbers assigned were at the high end of the scale. You could then call in, even if registered through a club, and try for a lower number if successful. There was never a chance for Wackos or attendees of previous reunions to register early, other than through the clubs. It is obvious that the online wackos had a much better knowledge of the clubs and procedure than the collector without that connection and just as obvious that it's pretty easy to join a club to guarantee a spot at the reunion. Another reason to support your nearest or favorite HL Collectors Club!

I'll add my two cents worth to this one- I
ve never been to a Reunion. I signed up for Baltimore but had to skip it due to other events happening that year that precluded going- not enough time & money for all of them.

I'm sure i'm in the minority on this but I don't think anybody should be given preference to signing up for the Reunion.

I recall the bad blood that was riled up when the Registration happened for the last Reunion. It was stated emphatically on the HL Website that Registration would be on a first come first served basis and they then "quietly" let it be known that collectors clubs could preregister their members.

I don't like the idea of preferential treatment but at least be above board about it.

I expect the same thing to happen this time- early registration for Collectors Club members, although I expect it to be announced this time. I hope so at least.

Dennis

I tend to agree with Dennis that I'm not sure that it would be such a good idea to show any preferential treatment to anyone, other than maybe club members. And to the club members, I would stipulate that they needed to be members of a club for at least one year, or something like that.
I know of at least one person that's posted here that started too late for the first reunion, but "has 'em all", so where do you put the special treatment? I wouldn't say that person's any less loyal than someone thats been to all 3 reunions but only has room to purchase 100 or so lights. Know what I mean?

Personally, I kinda liked the "thrill" of the call in proccess, but I guess that's because I made it in. If given a chance to pre-register with a club for the next one, I'd probably do that.

One last point, if it's going to be held on the island, other than the Grand, I'm not sure there's any place thats big enough to hold the same amount as Baltimore in one place, so we may be dealing with a smaller crowd, or multiple hotels.

Mike

But Mike, wouldn't that be giving preferential treatment to certain clubs?

What about recently formed clubs?

Judy,
Founder, Outer Banks Lighthouse Lovers
Harbour Lights Collectors Club

A club is a club, new or old. My point was to avoid people joining a club the week before sign-up just to guarantee a spot, and then "dropping out" for the next three years. I can't say it's the right thing to do either, just putting the thoughts out there.

Mike

Thanks Mike, for clarifying.

I just don't care for preferential treatment, period. I'd be happy with ample time announcement of sign-up period, and then first come-first serve. That is to say, registering with required payment.

Seems like that would also be less headache for the folks in charge of registration.

Judy

Dennis, All though I didn't agree the way the small group of people who were able to pre register for the last reunion, but If memory serves me it was only one club and a fairly small number of people who were busy with some kind of work/clean up day at a lighthouse (Nobel cause) and would not have access to phones or something along those lines. Hopefully someone with a better memory can clear it up better.

But it was not a broad preregistration of any or all clubs, if that had been the case I would have done so..... too as a proud member of the Hoosier Lighthousing club, If anyone is interested in becoming a member of the Hoosier Lighthousing club contact Dave Hannum and I promise you will also be shown no special treatment in registering for any upcoming Harbour Lights reunion as I was for the last reunion.

And remember to vote for Miller for President of Beers.

Thank you and god bless Miller, Mark

Mark,

I believe it was more widespread than just one small group of people. I believe it was any Lighthouse Collectors group but not all got the message in time. It was a bit on the QT.I want to emphasize though that the aspect that bothered me (and some others) the most was the statement made publicly that the registration was strictly on a first come first serve basis and then pre-registration was arranged for members of some collectors clubs.

I'm not in favor of preferential treatment but I am even less in favor of misleading and false statements.

I was involved in a lighthouse activity that day- roaming around the state of NJ during the first NJ Lighthouse Challenge. I just kept dialing that cellphone until I got through- as soon as I did I had Esther pull over so I didn't lose the signal.

I know there are several threads roaming around here on the Forums about this specific topic that caused great discussion and debate at the time.

Dennis

I have since received a e-mail from someone some what in the know, and apparently it was a larger deal than I recall, and also because the Hoosier club had not been formed until after registration had taken place (which would explain why I had no advance knowledge of this) The person who informed me of this may wish to remain anonymous so I will just call him Dave (so no one will know his true identity)

Now I feel I have been slighted too, and I am outraged, I think we should drive to HL and protest, Who's with Me?? I have a Suburban, it will seat 8, I will pick up the first 7 additional people who post their address and we'll go to HL and give them what for!!

Power to the People!!

And still, remember to vote for Miller for President of Beers.

Mayor Quimby -- I am going to get the Sheriff after you - you know there should be no subliminal advertising on these Forums.

My apologies John, I mean I have a SUV, sorry my bad

And let us not forget to vote for Miller for President of Beers.

(paid for the committee to reelect Quimby)

With respect to a pre-registration process, and as a member of the Hoosier Club (HLC), the Derby Club (DLC), WILD, and NELL, I wonder how each of the Clubs would be prioritized in placing their members? I guess it just points out that there are not any 100% fair methods that would treat all alike. Someone will end up feeling slighted and hurt.

If getting the low # pieces is the main area of concern and dispute, that could be solved by not having #s on the pieces!? :p :p

Dan

Dan,

I disagree with one point you made- there is only one 100% fair method.

Treat everybody the same. Announce by various methods the date and time of registration and let it be on a first come first served basis- one person's reason for not being available at that specified time could be as important as anothers and just because it's Lighthouse related shouldn't push anyone to the head of the class.

I don't believe that YOU personally have to register- you can have someone you trust to do so I'm sure. They would just have to know your persoanl and credit card info (hence someone you trust- I'm not sure it would be Dave, but I'm very trustworthy )

Dennis

I also do NOT believe in any kind of preferential treatment relative to registration for the next Reunion. WHY? Because I do not believe there exists any 100% fair way to handle the problem. No matter what, someone is bound to be hurt or feel slighted.

And that is definitely NOT what our organization is all about. Sure, I’m a WACKO. But so are a lot of others. I do NOT belong to any lighthouse club, but many do. Sure, I would like to obtain a low number, but I’d rather just take my chances like everyone else. Maybe some folks have over 300 sculptures? But what about those who could only afford to purchase 30? Or only have room to display 30?

All participants have a common bond – the love of lighthouses. The comradeship and bonding of the interested people is awesome to behold. Let’s try to keep it that way.

Bob

I would like to correct the use of Mackinaw in this thread.. Mackinaw City is the city on the South end of the Mackinac Bridge which is over the Mackinac Straights. Mackinac Island is where the Grand Hotel, for one thing, is located and is where the Reunion is talked about being held. The Old Mackinac Lighthouse is located on the Southern shores of the Mackinac Straights, right at the end of the Mackinac Bridge in Mackinaw City where you can get on a boat and go over to Mackinac Island..

All I want to know is this-

"Who's On First?"



Dennis

A wonderful site to view for beautiful pictures, lots of local information on the STRAITS OF MACKINAC .

www.mightymac.org

Well, since we've heard that it has to be before Labor Day, and Labor Day is not too far away, I'm sure we will hear something very soon. As I recall they start the registration about a year's time before the reunion. So, all our fears and questions should be answered soon.

Joyce

Thanks for the discussion everyone. Since this is getting well over our normal limit of 50 posts per thread I will close this our and continue our discussion here:
http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=44;t=000010