BY said last night that the Great Lakes area has been pretty much eliminated as a reunion site because they could not find anyplace that could provide hospitality for 1000 people.
He's leaning towards Chesapeake but said he's been overruled before.


[This message has been edited by rscroope (edited 02-02-2000).]

I haven't eliminated the Great Lakes as the possible sight for the 2001 reunion. I believe in the power of positive thinking, especially when it works.

Saint WackoPaul '
Keep the Flame

If the site for the reunion is not a Florida city, then I vote for Baltimore.

Derith

I have heard the comment before about there being no place on the Great Lakes that can handle that large of a group and don't understand where that belief is coming from. There are a number of cities with facilities that should be sufficient: Toronto ONT, Rochester NY, Buffalo NY, Niagara Falls NY (maybe), Hamilton ONT (maybe), Cleveland OH, Toledo OH (maybe), Sault Ste. Marie ONT (probably the smallest town in this list, but it can handle that size group), Chicago IL, and Milwaukee WI. I have also heard, but have been unable to verify it myself, that Traverse City MI has sufficient facilities.

I agree Frank. There are many cities in the Great Lakes region that could provide for 1000 people and have many lighthouses nearby. Tim has also listed suitable cities before as well.

If it can't be Michigan, there are many other Great Lake States that shouldn't be overlooked.

Don't count out the Great Lakes yet!

-Todd

Can't believe that. 1000 isn't all that many.

I suspect that the problem is in serving meals. I am sure that the Youngers are looking for a hotel or other facility capable of serving both breakfast and dinner to 1000 people in one serving. Seems like the dining room in Providence was pretty full and I don't think that there were 1000 people there. So a task for the folks that want the reunion in their area is to find a spot that can do this and forward the information to Harbour Lights. Maybe that will help the Youngers in making their decision.
Jim
Johnson

If we're talking summer time here, there would be options like outdoor barbeque, clam bake.

Just 'Blue Sky Thinking' - one of the reasons that Traverse City, Mi. may be out of the running is the fact that there is no airport large enough nearby to handle the large number of people. I believe the nearest 'large' airport might be Grand Rapids, Lansing, or Saginaw/Midland. Also rental cars in that area may not be readily available. This would apply to Sault Ste. Marie ONT also.

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Jim

Dr. Who ?

Here's a picture from that blue sky over Traverse City.
Cherry Capital Airport
It has a more than adequate airport.

SaintWackoPaul '
Keep the Flame

Paul,

The seahorse is great.

My apologies to the Traverse City airport.

I have been away from Mi. for too many years. I have been back in Mi. for only 3 years and up to Traverse City only once in that time. I did not visit the airport at that time.

I'll have to learn to look before I speak.

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Jim

Dr. Who ?

I love your seahorse, Paul!!

Barb

If HL thinks they can't do the Great Lakes for the next reunion, its not likely they'll ever do it. I say they need to apply their creative energies and not give up because they can't find a room with some fixed number of seats or plates. To forever penalize folks who live in the central US is not fair. Virtually any spot on the Great Lakes will be less expensive than either coast by a considerable amount, including travel costs. And don't forget - there are more lighthouses than you can shake a beaver tail at within a half-days drive from just about anywhere.

For example - look at Green Bay. Don't believe for a minute that a town which hosts NFL games doesn't have enough accomodations. There's a airport large enough to land big jets. And its just a short hop to Door County where there is lots of great lighthousing to be done. A bunch of funky little artist towns and shops dot the Door peninsula. Its perfect for HL folks.

An easy swing up to the Michigan UP for pre- and post-reunion driving and bus trips with even more lighthouses. Beautiful scenic drives along the lake shores. Boat trips available to several lighthouse islands. To the South, Milwaukee and Chicago are not that far away with more neat lighthouse stops along the way.

There is bountiful maritime and lighthouse history throughout the Lake Michigan and Superior coasts. Its drop dead gorgeous up here in the Fall. Having grown up on the East Coast, this is not big city country - its a place to relax and enjoy ourselves.

Come on HL - you can do it if you want to - I know you can. :-)

Rgds,
__
/im