Dear all
VERY
IMPORTANT!!!!:
Everyone, I
need to know what every group is contributing to the block party by way
of activities, so that I know what to announce, and so you all can
get cracking on making plans. Please let me know well in advance
what you need from me, if anything. Also I need to know the "point man
or woman" for each group whom I go to bug for information. I have
"plugged in" some names below, make sure you let me know if you can or
cannot assist as indicated. In other words: READ
THIS LETTER CAREFULLY!!!
Place and Date:
Our date is set: August
21st 2004. "Stormed out" date will be August
22. Base camp will be at Camp
Earth Connections.
Getting the word out:
Caissa
Willmer and I will be designing posters and RSVP cards
to set out sometime in June at various area businesses to raise
awareness of this event beyond the virtual reality of Email. We
will also be writing press releases to send to the Ithaca Journal,
Ithaca Times, Dryden Courier, and Ithaca Net. (Suggestions on other
publications? Would this be something the local radio stations
would be interested in announcing over the air, Casey?)
Trail Work:
Time for when the trail crews
should gather at the camp: 8 am? 9 am? Wandering
Minstrals will start at some point after that, as will the "Treats
and Water" crew. Dave Forness and John
Clancy, you are my point men for the trail projects, unless you tell me
otherwise. =)
I need volunteers for "trail work"
and "treats and water" crew leaders.
Wandering Minstrals:
Mike
L& co, Scott U, Charlie G, Jay G. Anyone else? Can
I count on you to play for the workers and/or possibly later during the
block party?
Block Party:
Will start at 1 pm with a chicken
BBQ and dish to pass. Susan R, you are
in charge of the chicken BBQ Dish to pass will be a
sign up arrangement (indicated on the RSVP cards) so we get a variety
of complimentary foods. Jillian, you
care to coordinate this? Or possibly someone in
the Historical Society, Gina?
Following food, people can chose from
a buffet of fun doings:
1) A Fun Run set up by the Finger
Lakes Runners Club. Joe D,
Evan K, can you spearhead
this effort?
2) A "History-O" orienteering
course set up by Central New York Orienteers, Stacy P, I'm hoping you can assist me
with registration/starts. Shawno,
you are great coaching beginners, can we have your help doing
that? Anyone else from CNYO able to come? Stina, Eric, Barb, Larry,
Elizabeth? Ack, help!
3) A gathering spot set up by the
Dryden Historical Society, that will also have a bunch of Hammond
Hill history on display, and lots of chairs for people to sit and
reminisce. Gina P, I
need your input on what the Historical Society needs from me, and
wants to do. We will set aside one of the shelters for this.
4) I am hoping the Audobon
Society/Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Upstate NY Birding can do
something by way of a bird walk and/or demonstration. Jillian, Allison, Larry, have you been
able to generate any interest?
5) Mike
L, John K, Wayne G, and all other Mtn bikers, how shall
mtn biking be represented? A bike tuneup clinic? A riding
clinic?
6) Horse
people. The pony ride idea is out. I'm open for
suggestions. Please, all of you jump in at once!!! I can handle it. Julie L, Marie, Suzanne ??
7) Nordic
Ski Club and Bill Koch League What do you folks want to do? A ski swap? Dry land
demonstration? Like the horse people, you need to help me, here. Dave L, throw me a
lifeline!
8) What
would the Finger Lakes Land Trust
and Sierra Club care to
do?
9) MUSIC!!! based at one of the
shelters, I need all
musicians contact me personally, so I can
coordinate everyone's music Julie L,
how about your singers?
10) DC
DRIFTERS What would you
folks like to contribute?
11) Anyone I have inadvertantly
overlooked? (many apologies, if so!)
Thanks
to you all for caring so much and helping out in any way you
can, big or small. I am very grateful.
Cheers! Ann
-----
Also this added later in the day:
Hi all, and mountain bikers, trail runners and
horse folks in particular:
Very briefly, I had the obvious
pointed out to me this evening by Glen Swan, road biker
extraordinaire. He suggested setting out a Mountain Bike Orienteering
course for the bike portion of Block Party. Now, as an orienteer, I
should have thought of this first, but I didn't (don't I feel
dumb!) But it's a grand idea, and I would be happy to assist setting up
a challenging Bike O course separate from the History-O, (which isn't
all on trails, and I had thought to put out historical markers at the
different checkpoints instead of the usual orange and white flags)
Although the Bike O will be all on trails, it ain't easy, as
Ski-O folks can attest, and is spread over a longer distance than a
regular "Foot-O" would be. Route choice is pivotal to success. As is
knowing where the heck you are on the map! =) Also, I'm curious to
know, would this also work for your trail runners Fun Run? Or had you
something else in mind?
This is also a neat idea for
Equestrians, but since 1) horse can't be locked to trees while their
owners play elsewhere on block party day, unlike bikes, and 2) I am a
little worried about space in the parking lot and trailers take a lot
of room, perhaps I could set the course and bikers (and runners)
use the course on Saturday and equestrians could bring their horses on
Sunday and try orienteering on horseback (I will have to rehang
the controls higher on Sunday, so the horse people don't have to
be always dismounting, as well) That is, if there is enough
interest. On Sunday, I will be able to go play on my horse,
too, whereas on Saturday I really should stick around camp. =)
Comments, anyone?
Ann
