OK, WACKOs, who would be interested in setting up a WACKO reunion around the Midwest Regional which now appears to be June 7, 2003, in or near Grand Rapids MI?

Would you come to Grand Rapids for this weekend and perhaps do a one day lighthouse tour on Sunday, June 8 up or down the coast of Lake Michigan?

Or would you prefer a 2-3 day trip UP the Lake Shore ending up in Mackinaw City or Mackinac Island and perhaps including a water tour by Shepler? I kind of presume if we tour for a day or 2-3 days, it would be like the Door County trip where we use our own vehicles and double up for those who are flying in.

All suggestions and ideas are welcome.

My suggestion.....

CHANGE THE DATE!!!!

June Jaques, Director of the Historical Society has changed their date to Sunday June 8th so their 30th Anniversary celebration will be at theOld Michigan City Lighthouse on the Sunday after the Regional and Bill told me to pencil him in to be at Michigan City on the 8th for the celebration...

I like the reverse much better - regional on Sunday! Heather graduates Friday night then has the final fling all night. (We gotta work the doors that night, so we will also have a longggg night). Man, I hope they at least make it an afternoon event! I think Stephen/Jakers also graduates that weekend.

Saint Tired Already

I'd like to attend, but am iffy about the date. As I mentioned on the chat this week, our school is working on an exchange with China. So, I may be going there in June. But, I am always open to a Wacko gathering. I'll keep up with the plans and if SWA is the airline, if I can't go, I can still use the ticket later. And, as Dave will tell you, I don't have much time spent in those parts of the country.
Derith

Bill tried to get the switch done but they are already committed to the place it is being held in Grand Rapids and building isn't able on the 8th...

Lighthouse tour on Friday or Monday, John?

Are you coming, Bob?

You will be able to catch a few lights in between Grand Rapids and Michigan City.. It is a little over a 2 hour drive from GR to MC.

Since the Hoosier Lighthousing Club also has a gathering the next weekend in Toledo, I am thinking about taking the week off 9th through 13th and revisit some of our favorite lights along the Michigan coastline... up the West side and down the East side..

I'd like to try and get out there for this one.

I've never been to any Great Lakes Lighthouses. I've been to Escanaba and Marquette and other points on the UP, but wasn't into Lighthouses at that point in time.

I'd be open to most anything - before or after the Regional.


Dennis

For anyone planning things in early June, the weekend of the 15th is also NASCAR weekend in Michigan. For those of you not familiar with this the traffic around Toledo, Detroit and the entire lower half of Michigan is a parking lot. Just a friendly warning. Enjoy though.

Larry and I are planning on attending at this time but we agree, early June is a bad time for those with graduates. Guess it's hard to pick a date that would satisfy everyone anyway. Hope to see lots of WACKO's there! Larry and I are planning on going on the Lake Erie/Toledo tour that Dave Hannum is putting together sounds like lots of fun!

Dave and I will be there. Sounds like a great time. A fun filled weekend between Grand Rapids and Michigan City. We wouldn't miss it. Let us know what other lighthousing activities are being planned.

Kate

Karen and I will be attending both events. Since I am a docent at Old Michigan City lighthouse, I am sure that special tours can be arranged.

Looking forward to all of the activities.

Have one in the Southeast or Mid-Atlantic and I will try and be there.

I talked about this with Esther and it looks like we're going to make a trip out of it- we can visit a nephew in Dearborn and my brother in Cleveland- unless he moves first.

He doesn't stay in one place too long- he's lived in 16 states and 2 countries since 1969. And he left the Army in 1973.

I'm going to try and secure spaces on Dave's trip. If any are left.

Dennis

I'm going try to make the trip in June.

I am very interested in any before/after WACKO lighthousing roadtrips. Please let me know if anyone is planning anything...

I was, of course, floating the hypothetical 'trial balloon' about the possibility of the WACKOs focusing on this event to replace the Rosemont gathering.

Looks like a good bit of interest this far out and with the help of some of the usual bunch of guys and gals, we'll try to put it together.

Like door county, I think it best that we car-a-van on any pre- or post-lighthousing trips rather than trying to charter a bus.

Perhaps we can talk Gary into doing a photography clinic at St. Joe and/or Grand Haven?

John,

We'll be in the area the week between the Regional and Dave's tour. We plan on visiting some relatives in Dearborn and Cleveland, but We're up for some Lighthousing in there also.

Dennis

Ok its true..June 7 will be a Michigan Regional in Grand Rapids! Look for the event details in the near future! I look forward to seeing you all there!

For those who don't know her or don't remember... Little Red is Desiree, who works for Harbour Lights and is the person in charge of organizing the Regional Events!

I would love to join you all but I have a family reunion in Idaho that week.

Dale

And what a fine state for lighthousing, Idaho. . . Guess you'll have to go Harbour Lighthousing at one of the whopping 7 dealers listed on the web site! Sure you can't convince them to change the family gathering to July??

Well of course we will be at the regional and the Michigan City celebration on Sunday. After all this regional is like being in our front yard (give or take 30 miles). We hope many of the Chicago Rosemont WACKO's can make it.

By the time June gets here maybe all the snow and freezing temps will be gone.

From snowy and freezing Michigan...can't wait

Mary and Jeff

Hey Dave,
Maybe us "Hooziers" should car-a-van up to Michigan!!!

We are planning to attend the regional in GR.on June 7th. Keep us posted if you come up with something else to go along with it.
jakescol