353 replies to this topic

[Alex]

Be there AND be A-square. Sounds good to me, too.

Edited by Alex, 04 February 2010 - 10:35 PM.

[white lotus]

Anytime July-August except for the weekend of July 24 will make it easier for Dance & I to represent the NW part of the country & bring any goodies, requested or not.

We would also love to experience Ann Arbor as we had missed out on the earlier gatherings. Besides, We are curious to see if there is sign of Asian tea-life out there, if not, let's make it happen...

I still have my well worn SEVA restaurant vegetarian cookbook. It has been over 30 years that I was a student there briefly & remember Jane Fonda stopping there overnight for an anti-war movement meeting. Things have probably changed since then. Hope to see you all this Summer. cheers, wl

[tino27]

I am also good for any weekend in late July / early August as well ... whichever weekend can accommodate the most people.

[Chris Hennes]

I'm in for Ann Arbor, if my schedule will accommodate. I have a conference the first week of August so probably can't make the weekend of July31/Aug1.

[tammylc]

Looking at my calendar, I think my best dates would be August 6-8, with second best being August 13-15.

I've created a quick Doodle poll to get a consensus on dates - please go indicate which of those Saturdays you are available for (of course the Gathering will be the whole weekend, but I could only specify a day, not a range). That way we're not adding a million messages to the thread with date voting.

Definitely looking forward to hosting you all again.

As Tino mentions upthread, one of the great advantages of this site is that we'll have kitchen access, for free, all weekend. Which means it'll be easy to do workshops on Friday - what hands-on workshops would people like to offer or request?

[Kerry Beal]

Looking at my calendar, I think my best dates would be August 6-8, with second best being August 13-15.

I've created a quick Doodle poll to get a consensus on dates - please go indicate which of those Saturdays you are available for (of course the Gathering will be the whole weekend, but I could only specify a day, not a range). That way we're not adding a million messages to the thread with date voting.

Definitely looking forward to hosting you all again.

As Tino mentions upthread, one of the great advantages of this site is that we'll have kitchen access, for free, all weekend. Which means it'll be easy to do workshops on Friday - what hands-on workshops would people like to offer or request?

I'm happy to do a workshop if there is anything anyone wants to do.

[tino27]

I'm also happy to do a bread workshop for attendees and members of Tammy's community. From what I remember of the common house, it's big enough where several groups could be simultaneously doing workshops.

[Darienne]

Is there a description of what goes on at these gatherings that I could look up? I might be able to make it to Ann Arbor in August. That would be incredible to take part in an 'eGullet' event at last.

[tino27]

Darienne --

Here are two links to the last two years of gatherings so you can check them out for yourself.

First, 2009 in Kansas City

http://forums.egulle...in-kansas-city/

and 2008 in Chicago

http://forums.egulle...ing-in-chicago/

[LuckyGirl]

I am game for Ann Arbor. I will abstain from voting for a specific date as I can not be certain whether or not we will be around at any given time.

white lotus, I was sorely disappointed in TeaHaus on a recent visit to Ann Arbor but my Mother has since told me that this is a wonderful place for tea-

http://www.cafejapon.net/

I stopped drinking coffee and took up tea about 8 months ago. I am eager to share tea with you this summer!

[Darienne]

Darienne --

Here are two links to the last two years of gatherings so you can check them out for yourself.

Thank you tino27. Looked at both websites and then went back and read this thread again. It sounds like a wonderful weekend.

I'm looking forward to coming now.

ps. Voted OK for both dates, because there was no 'prefer' choice. Would prefer the earlier date.

Edited by Darienne, 07 February 2010 - 07:19 AM.

[tammylc]

So far all 9 people who've responded were good with both dates. But given that both Darienne and I prefer the first weekend, I'm going to go ahead and declare August 6-8 as the dates for this year's Heartland Gathering (and probably the 5th too with some Thursday night activity).

[Darienne]

So far all 9 people who've responded were good with both dates. But given that both Darienne and I prefer the first weekend, I'm going to go ahead and declare August 6-8 as the dates for this year's Heartland Gathering (and probably the 5th too with some Thursday night activity).

Hooray for us. I am so looking forward to this. And I am over the moon that once again I can stand and walk and actually attend an event.

[tino27]

Yay!

[Chris Hennes]

Alright! Me and my +1 are in, and I will be bringing along a rather large selection of homemade charcuterie if I can work out the logistics of getting it there. And you can sign us up for dish-detail again as well, I like to get in the way in the kitchen.

[Kerry Beal]

Alright! Me and my +1 are in, and I will be bringing along a rather large selection of homemade charcuterie if I can work out the logistics of getting it there. And you can sign us up for dish-detail again as well, I like to get in the way in the kitchen.

Chris - you and your +1 are the best!!!! getting in the way in the kitchen.

[Darienne]

Is there something which I could offer to do? Night-times are probably still pretty much out for me and I can't guarantee to attend any evening events. Never mind. I'm still over the moon.

What can I do? I can wash dishes, etc during the day and NOT get in the way.

What can I bring? I have lots of chocolate tools. I have a small Revolation 1. Lots of confectionery books.

My sole specialty would be ice cream I think. Not too practical. And candied stuff. I'll think on it.

[CaliPoutine]

Wow, fantastic. I'm always eager to take a trip to Ann Arbor!!

[Sam Iam]

Sam & Joyce from Lambertville, MI will be able to help out the entire weekend, according to our calendar at this point. We're about 35 miles S of AA.

[Alex]

As usual, I can make something (especially if Edsel brings his Vita-Mix ).

[Sam Iam]

I received my Vita Mix this week, and will have it there too.

[edsel]

Wow, lots of activity since I last looked in on this thread! I'll block out that weekend in my calendar now.

Is there a description of what goes on at these gatherings that I could look up? I might be able to make it to Ann Arbor in August. That would be incredible to take part in an 'eGullet' event at last.

Here's the topic discussing the most recent Ann Arbor event:

Member-organized Event - 2006 Heartland Gathering

... and I will be bringing along a rather large selection of homemade charcuterie if I can work out the logistics of getting it there. ...

Since AA is within driving distance of home I'll be able to bring appliances, etc. (Sounds like Sam already has the Vita-Mix covered). We can work out what's needed as we get closer to event time. Really looking forward to it!

[Darienne]

The most incredible news on a new topic from Lior (Ilana)Ilana in Madison. She will be in Madison Wisconsin in July/August. What if she could get a short flight to Ann Arbor and attend the Heartland Gathering?

That would be wonderful!

[Lior]

Yes! I am seriously considering this! A flight from Madison or even a train. How far is it by road? Or boat? I need to see it all on a map, I guess. If I do, I will be happy to make or show something from my part of the world or anything else that I can do like chocolate. I can be Kerry's resident.

[Kerry Beal]

Yes! I am seriously considering this! A flight from Madison or even a train. How far is it by road? Or boat? I need to see it all on a map, I guess. If I do, I will be happy to make or show something from my part of the world or anything else that I can do like chocolate. I can be Kerry's resident.

Oh, oh - maybe we could find a way to combine the wonderful savory sesame sauce and chocolate. Looks like about a 6 1/2 hour drive. But a train would be a great and inexpensive way to travel.

[tammylc]

Yes! I am seriously considering this! A flight from Madison or even a train. How far is it by road? Or boat? I need to see it all on a map, I guess. If I do, I will be happy to make or show something from my part of the world or anything else that I can do like chocolate. I can be Kerry's resident.

Madison is about a 6 hour drive from Ann Arbor, but you have to go through Chicago, so depending on how that's timed and traffic there, it can add a lot of time to the trip. There's a quick one-hour Delta flight between Detroit and Madison, but IME it's usually pretty expensive because it's the only direct option. Much cheaper to fly another airline via Chicago.

There's a ferry, but you have to drive to Milwaukee, cross the lake, then drive from Muskegon to Ann Arbor, so I don't think it saves you any time at all.

[Lior]

SAvory sesame and chocolate? I have made a sesame gianduja from unsavory paste! I can try to think of something. We can use saleb.
IS there a train to Ann Arbor? I really need to look at a map!!!And check out indirect flights as well as.
Thanks all.

[Kerry Beal]

Here is the link to the train. I was able to pull up a schedule, but can't link directly to it for some reason. Looks like it's very doable. I love train travel.

[ronnie_suburban]

At this point, it looks like the Suburban clan of 3 is in. Our plan is to drive in on Thursday morning and stay through Sunday afternoon. We're very much looking forward to this.

A couple of phone calls informed me that our weekend is taking place during a relatively lengthy Plumbers and Pipefitters Convention. As such, rooms around town are a bit scarce, so I suggest booking one asap, just to be sure you've got something. Weber's Inn is completely booked during this time and the Marriott Courtyard on Boardwalk -- where we booked our room -- is near capacity. Tammy, if there are more conveniently-located hotels you'd recommend, please let us know asap.

Thanks,

=R=

Marriott Courtyard Ann Arbor
3205 Boardwalk
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(734) 995-5900

[Alex]

The Lakeshore Express ferry is very cool but also very expensive if only one person is in the car, and yes, it won't save any time at all from Madison. Amtrak is about a 10-hour trip, assuming the Madison train arrives at Union Station with enough time for you to make your connection (one-hour layover). There's also bus service from Madison to Chicago.

If driving from Madison, you don't necessarily have to go through Chicago proper. You can stay in the 'burbs by taking 294 to 80. I can't speak for other eG'ers, of course, but I imagine that as the date gets closer, a Chicago person or two might be open to carpooling.

Re flying, the cheapest MSN-DTW fare today is the nonstop on Delta, for $399. Sales do happen, so you might want to sign up for a fare-tracking notification system like airfarewatchdog.com. The airport is close to Ann Arbor, so I'm sure that someone will be able to pick you up.

Edited by Alex, 15 February 2010 - 03:21 PM.