557 replies to this topic

[MatthewB]

At the Heartland paella festivities, Aurora & I briefly discussed a gathering in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The intent would be to bring Heartland folks together that may not often travel to Chicago as well as provide a shorter trip for our Ontario friends. Of course, any eGulleter would be welcome.

Late August, September, or early October timeframes?

Let's hear your thoughts.

[NeroW]

Yay!

[maggiethecat]

Yay!

Word.

Matthew, (or guajolote) tell us about what's happening in GR. Is there anything foodie of note coming up that we could tie this to? Not that any of us need a reason to get together and eat, drink and be merry.

Some lucky ducks of us might be going to Varmint's, so, although October is my Main Month, we might want to do something in September.

And yes, Ontarians, Grand Rapids isn't too long a poke.

[fresco]

August is getting very busy--there's a trip to Alberta and a pig roast in my future. Don't know what the weather is like in Grand Rapids in October, but that month looks good.

[guajolote]

I gave Matthew a bunch of ideas and he didn't post them .

OK, I'll admit the fish ladder idea was kind of lame.

Here's some possibilities:
Picnic on Lake Michigan Dunes
Outing to Botanical Garden and Dinner
Apple picking and Hayride
Saugatuck / Winery Tour - There's a beuatiful winery in Fennville, 40 miles south of Grand Rapids. The wine kinda sucks though.

To bad we missed the Ionia Free Fair, I think Ted Nugent played this year.

GR Also has a great and cheap (I mean really cheap) Farmer's Market

[guajolote]

Here's another one I forgot about:

We could take a tour of "The Center for Free Enterprise" at Amway.

[MatthewB]

I gave Matthew a bunch of ideas and he didn't post them .

GR Also has a great and cheap (I mean really cheap) Farmer's Market

I wanted *you* to post your ideas. Which you did.

On a pendantic note, there's nothing cheap about the GR Farmer's Market. Very inexpensive, yes. But not cheap.

Edited by MatthewB, 23 July 2003 - 09:48 AM.

[maggiethecat]

We could take a tour of "The Center for Free Enterprise" at Amway.  

Running downstairs for paper towel. Thanks, Dean.

[Dave the Cook]

Here's another one I forgot about:

We could take a tour of "The Center for Free Enterprise" at Amway.  

OK! Now I'm in!

[MatthewB]

Saugatuck / Winery Tour - There's a beuatiful winery in Fennville, 40 miles south of Grand Rapids.

Saugatuck's great.

FWIW, if we do a winery thing, I'd vote for Tabor Hill.

Paul Landeck & his family run the vineyard & the restaurant. Paul is the leader of the Slow Food Michiana Convivium & we could probably get him to do something special for us. (And get more people signed up as Slow Food USA members!)

But that might be a different event as the destination is much closer to Chicago. (As far as time, if 94 isn't backed up.)

[MatthewB]

Outing to Botanical Garden and Dinner

Info on Frederik Meijer Botanical Gardens & Sculpture Park

[MatthewB]

Apple picking and Hayride

Here's a popular destination.

(Though I'd like to find the guy who's doing all the heirloom apple varieties in Ottawa County.)

[MatthewB]

These folks do some wonderful theatre.

[Lady T]

October is a magnificent month in Michigan, with the trees in color and all. Remembering that Varmint's pig pickin' is October 11th, it'd be neighborly to schedule for any weekend but that one, though...

[MatthewB]

. . . it'd be neighborly to schedule for any weekend but that one, though...

Absolutely. No conflicting with previously scheduled eGullet events.

[guajolote]

Outing to Botanical Garden and Dinner

Info on Frederik Meijer Botanical Gardens & Sculpture Park

What's the deal with that big horse? Wasn't it based on drawings done by Michaelangelo? It's amazing, something like 40 feet tall.

[MatthewB]

What's the deal with that big horse? Wasn't it based on drawings done by Michaelangelo? It's amazing, something like 40 feet tall.

More info here.

[guajolote]

I was close, it was Leonardo. I knew it was one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Edited by guajolote, 23 July 2003 - 10:54 AM.

[MatthewB]

If none of the above activities are appealing, we could do like many Grand Rapidians . . .

Go to church Sunday AM & then to Russ' afterward.

Which reminds me of a joke:

"What's a Dutch girl's favorite w(h)ine?"

"Daddy, I wanna go to Russ'."

Edit: Wait, all the Russ' are closed on Sunday.

Edited by MatthewB, 23 July 2003 - 10:59 AM.

[Fresser]

Trip to Grand Rapids? Fresser's in!

Hop in my Chrysler, it's as big as a whale!

[beans]

What's the current news on this? I've sort of run it by the SO....his only question was how far north into the "mitten" are we talking about?!

There's hope! After all I got his enthusiastic approval on Varmint's in October....


edit: sloppy proof reading -- I've been plauged with it all day!

Edited by beans, 28 July 2003 - 06:07 PM.

[WHT]

Works for me!

[beans]

edit:  sloppy proof reading -- I've been plauged with it all day! 

Oh, I so cannot type....

Matthew! Any ideas on a date?

[MatthewB]

edit:  sloppy proof reading -- I've been plauged with it all day!

Oh, I so cannot type....

Matthew! Any ideas on a date?

Let me do a bit of checking.

I'll get back soon.

[Aurora]

I'm with Lady T on a time in October.

Perhaps we can venture to a cider mill/orchard?

Amway -- no. Hay ride, yes!

Matthew - are bonfires permitted on the beaches without bureaucratic wrangling?

Where would we stay?

Dibbs on Matthew's guest room!

[guajolote]

October is prime time for the Fish Ladder

No fires on beaches.

[NeroW]

No fires on beaches.

If you pay attention to what The Man says.

Fire on beach!

[Aurora]

No fires on beaches.

If you pay attention to what The Man says.

Fire on beach!

If I don't see posted signs, I could reason that THE MAN would green light a nice gathering around a beach fire among friends.

If said MAN appears to lay down the word, Maggie will speak. You and I will sit quietly with our heads down and not reveal our drunken states. This will allow THE MAN to remain in good spirits, thereby eliminating the need to pose possible threats of sanction and/or confinement.

Does The Man have something to say about libations during hay rides?

[guajolote]

Hayride!

[Aurora]

Right on! Put rails on that bad boy (because I would be the one to fall off), and we can fly.