Saturday, June 7
11 AM - 3 PM
GVSU Eberhard Center
301 W Fulton, Room 215
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Looks like this will be the 'official' WACKO gathering for 2003, replacing the Rosemont event.

Watch for plans from we collectors to turn this into a weekend event, including a lighthousing adventure or two.

Who's planning to attend?

Maybe

Will be there and at Old Michigan City Lighthouse on Sunday June 8th..

We plan to be there and at Michigan City on the 8th.

Also plan to be on Dave's little Weekend Jaunt the following week with visits to relatives and Lighthouses inbetwee.

This is one reason why the other's are in question.

Dennis

I would love to be at this event but my daughter has her high school graduation on June 4th.

I hope to be there.

You still have all day Friday to fly in, Lorie. My kid graduates FRIDAY night and my intention is to be there on Saturday, though they did schedule it awfully early for me.

Dave

Jake & Gloria are planning for Grand Rapids on the 7th, then in Michigan City on the 8th of June

Jake

Kathy & I will be there we are free for this, finally we can go to one of these events
Larry

I would say this one is in the cards for the Walsh family. We may try to stretch it out a little. Depends on the work schedule. Big trade show month for our company in June.

Mike

We plan to be there. Usually go back to visit family in Illinois late June, but our schedule is flexible.

We are planning to be in Grand Rapids and Michigan City at this point. June sure sounds warm good doesn't it?
MMMM..did I miss it or do we have an official Wacko hotel at this point!
Doyne and Cindy

Kate and Dave will attend and as some others plan on Michigan City the next day.

I'll be there, but can't make Michigan City on Sunday as I have to be in Kansas City for a meeting.

With HL not participating at Rosemont, does anyone know if they will be unveiling new releases at the regionals?

Frank,

I think the plan is to show the second half introductions at the Grand Rapids Regional.
By the way, congratulations on your recent win. Since you won't be able to take it home on the plane, allow us to help you line up caretakers of the picture here in the general area. . . .

Dave

The Olivera's are planning both, and I for one, am looking forward to the trip.

I guess it's safe to assume that if I don't show up on Saturday in GR with the framed 10x30 for Frank that either he or John will have a contract on my hide before the day is out after what Frank and Yelena are going through to get there for the event to pick up their new lighthouse print!

For anyone who might be interested, I'll definitely shoot at Grand Haven on Saturday evening. Probably from the Ferrysburg (north) side first and then from the beach in the state park on the south for the actual sunset. The sun will set that time of the year between the inner light and the fog signal building (look at the Collector Forum banner on any page) to see what I'm talking about. This is a shot that is nicely done at sunset with a lens in the 80-200 mm range for those of you that have an assortment to bring or choose from. Much more than about 300 mm and you'll be getting just the inner or outer light and a segment of pier.

For those who haven't seen it, White River lighthouse is also only about a 15-20 min drive to the north from Grand Haven and would make a nice afternoon side trip before going to GH for those interested.

For those HEARTY souls (ready to be committed -- going to join the fraternity this year, John???) I'm probably going to shoot at dawn down at St Joseph on Sunday morning. You can shoot Big Red at Holland from the south beach at dawn and get beautiful photos, but the residents along the south shore of Lake Macatawa have made it a major pain in the butt to park to get out to the lighthouse at dawn. At a minimum, if you can get to the lighthouse parking, which you usually can't, it's about a 1/2 mile walk to the beach where you'd want to photograph from. There are good views from Holland State Park on the north side of the channel but dawn photography from there isn't worth bothering IMO. South Haven can be photographed at dawn but the bluffs along the lake shore to the south of the channel there at SH generally keep the best light right before/after dawn from hitting the lighthouse. The exception is if it's cloudy to the west in the morning, then the clouds act as a big reflector for you some mornings making it worthwhile. In contrast, St Joe doesn'thave access problems from Tiscornia Park on the north side of the channel or one of the St Joe parks (I don't remember the name of it) on the south side of the channel. The light hitting the St Joe north pier lights at dawn in the summer is also good at first light.

If anyone wants maps, let me know and I'll see what I can come up with from the Michigan Gazetteer or something to get folks from GR to GH and wherever...

Gary

For anyone looking for a lighthouse-related place to dine, I would suggest:

Lighthouse Depot and Brew Pub Restaurant
1 Lighthouse Lane, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 982-7397
(about 1½ hours from Grand Rapids)

If you are familiar with how to get to the St. Joseph Lighthouse, this restaurant is on your left when you are about 1 block from the parking area for the lighthouse. It is housed in a former U.S. Lighthouse Service supply depot.
I have eaten there twice. Between those two times, the restaurant went out of business, went on the auction block, and reopened under new ownership. The first time I dined there, it was mainly a beer and pizza place. The second time, it still featured the brew pub, but the menu was considerably more gourmet.

The pub may not be open - about a month ago it was very un-populated and had a "for sale" sign out front.

The restuarant/pub is out of business and has been for some time. It was recently donated to the Saint Joseph Yacht Club and their jumior sail boating club by developers that wanted the property where the club presently resides. The reason; very upscale homes overlooking the lake and is next door to the Upton (founding family of Whirlpool)compound.
Schu's is located on the bluff in downtown and has a direct line of sight of the light. They have a great selection of food and drink.

Jeff and I will be at both the regional on Saturday, the lighthouse viewing on Saturday night and the wacko caravan that will be forming to go down to Michigan City for the big ho ha that is going to happen on Sunday. Grand Haven is a must for those who like lighthouses.

Come one, come all it will be a fun weekend in Western Michigan with the wackos for the Wacko Reunion 2003.

Mary and Jeff

Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't that be GVSU rather than VSU for Grand Valley State University?

Gary

Yep, sure should be. And it's going to be in room 215.

Put us down as a more -than-likely. We were just in the area two weeks ago to get some winter shots at Little Sable, Grand Haven, Holland, South Haven and St. Joe. We migrated over to spend a couple days at Marblehead waiting for the roads to get cleared so we could get back home after the big snow. Clementine's in South Haven is a MUST for a great meal!

I'll second Clementine's in SH for good meals, Bud... my favorite place to grab something to eat while I'm waiting for the sunset or need a break. Captn Nemo's, a little breakfast hole in the wall across the street is good if you're shooting the sunrise... they're open early!

Gary

Man! A regional and Wacko gathering within a few hours of home, and I will most likely miss it!

See my post in the Personal Time forum to see why

-Todd

Harbour Lights reports a number of phone calls regarding parking availability for this event. Seems the 'Grand Rapids Festival' will be going on at the same time and general location.

There will be a dedicated parking lot just for those attending this regional, according to Desiree Wolf at HQ.

I didn't realize that the regional was the weekend of Festival in downtown Grand Rapids. We will need dedicated parking. Festival is a giant preforming arts and eating kind of thing. If the weather is nice a zillion people come out. If you are planning to stay overnight I would recommend either Holland or Grand Haven. Besides if you are going to Michigan City on Sunday morning it would be easier to form up the WACKO caravan.

Mary and Jeff

Wow! All the time I've spent recently in Michigan and now there's going to be a Regional Event there. Of course it seems like my husband only gets sent to Michigan when it's snowing and nasty. Not sure if I'll be going, but I'm sure at heck doing to try. Plus I would love to see all those lighthouses WITHOUT SNOW for a change!

Amazing, this regional actually coincides with a planned visit to Michigan (my niece's high school graduation). It'll be great to join this regional event.

Carol & I will attend the Regional and the Michigan City event. Looking forward to it and to meeting ald and new friends. Dan

For those going to the Regional on June 7th here is a Map to help to find the Grand Valley State University Eberhard Center and the parking lot.. The Regional is to be from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM..

If we're not wacko's does that mean we can't go to Michigan City on Sunday with ya? It is on the way home, and would sure break up that trip...

The other Larry

Hi Larry from Oshkosh, I am sure all the wackos would love to see you in Michigan City. Have you joined the Wisconsin Lighthouse District yet?

Suzanne Murphy

Larry R - WACKO status is mostly a state of mind. You're already a WACKO if you are 'into' collecting Harbour Lights.

And even if you weren't, everyone is welcome at the Michigan City event. It is not a WACKO event or a Harbour Lights event, but one put on by the County Historical Society.

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