213 replies to this topic

[tammylc]

July in Ann Arbor is a great time of the year – warm but not sweltering, U of M undergrads gone for the summer, yummy Michigan produce at the Farmers’ Market – which makes it a perfect setting for our next Heartland Gathering.

Our last gathering, not quite two years ago in Grand Rapids, was a blast. This year, I’ve reserved the common house at my cohousing community for all day Saturday, July 16. (There's plenty of space, but in the unlikely event of too many potential attendees, first posted = first served.)

Just as we did so successfully in Grand Rapids, some or all of us can pool our money (probably ~$15/pp), then hit the Farmers Market and other Kerrytown shops in the morning and decide as we go what to make that night. Other food contributions are enthusiastically welcomed, of course. Beverage contributions, alcoholic or otherwise, are up to each individual. Anyone who can't join us during the day but would like to attend the dinner can just chip in when you show up.

(For those who will be in Ann Arbor Friday night and/or Sunday morning, we can decide later what to do for food. We can go out or, if there aren’t too many folks, we can cook at my place. If enough people are staying over one or both nights, I can try to arrange for a discounted hotel rate.)

For the educational part of the Gathering, I’ve arranged for a Saturday tour of Zingerman's Bakehouse and Zingerman's Creamery. And, if anyone wants to shop at Zingerman's Deli (like anyone wouldn’t!), we’ll have our own “shopping assistant.”

Also, Ann Arbor is home to the Longone Center for American Culinary Research. They’re normally open only Monday – Friday until 4:45, but there may be some extended hours by Gathering time.

I'll post or PM more details (when/where to meet, directions, etc.) as the date approaches.

So, are you in? (And for what day[s]?)


This event has been organized through the eG Forums by members but is not sponsored by the Society or its eG Forums. The event is open to all participating eGullet Society members, contributors and their guests. By participating in this event, you confirm your understanding and acceptance of the eGullet Events Policy, to which all eGullet Society members have already agreed.

[HeatherM]

Sounds like a great event! Count me in for the Saturday, since I just have to drive over from Windsor.

Thanks for arranging this!

[Alex]

You know I'm in. (I'd better be. ) Ms. Alex just got a meeting scheduled for that weekend, so unfortunately it'll be just me.

[Fresser]

ROAD TRIP!!!

Count the Fress Man in for this one. I can't wait to motor down I-94 for some good Yooper hospitality.

Who wants to ride shotgun in the Fressermobile?

[Alex]

ROAD TRIP!!!

Count the Fress Man in for this one.  I can't wait to motor down I-94 for some good Yooper hospitality.

Glad you're coming, but actually we're trolls, not Yoopers. Some genuine Yoopers may indeed show up, though.

[Yoopers = natives or long-term residents of Michigan's U.P. (Upper Peninsula); trolls = folks who live under the (Mackinac) Bridge, i.e., in the Lower Peninsula.]

Edited by Alex, 24 April 2005 - 07:24 AM.

[tammylc]

C'mon - they're must be more Heartlanders who want to enjoy some Michigan hospitality!

Or is everyone like me and just forgets to check the pinned posts?

[BeJam]

C'mon - they're must be more Heartlanders who want to enjoy some Michigan hospitality! 

Or is everyone like me and just forgets to check the pinned posts?

I'll try to make it and I will be a tranisitional Troll - Yooper.

[Alex]

C'mon, folks -- where's that Heartlander enthusiasm we saw two years ago?

So far:
tammylc & crew
Alex
HeatherM
Fresser & his slick PT Cruiser
BeJam

[tammylc]

I just had Ronnie unpin this post, in case the lack of interest is because people just weren't seeing it up there at the top of the page.

We had a blast last time in Grand Rapids - let's do it again, shall we?

[Lady T]

I need to check my Ravinia performance schedule, and also the state of the budget. I'd love to do this, but gotta deal with some other commitments.

Then again, how often do I get to brain fellow eGulletarians with a bottle of Maker's Mark? Call me a "maybe," for the moment.

[Maria]

I'm in. I will bring my new husband (we got married this last Saturday). Are non egulleteers allowed to come? Because if so, I can probably wrangle a few more local folks I know who are into food.

[ronnie_suburban]

. . . Are non egulleteers allowed to come?  Because if so, I can probably wrangle a few more local folks I know who are into food.

Absolutely! In fact Alex and/or Tammy will make a little pitch about the eGullet society and its mission at the event. Hopefully, your food-loving friends will take the bait . . . erm, have their interests piqued and want to learn more about our society and how they can become a part of it.

From the eG Calendar and Events Policy:

Any event organized through eG Forums must be open to all Society participating members, Society donors and their guests.

=R=

[Maria]

Well, then I will definitely promo it. Is the date definite?

Edited by Maria, 03 May 2005 - 04:55 PM.

[tammylc]

The date is definite. And as Ronnie noted, non-eGullet food lovers are definitely welcome.

Some other details:
Our tour of Zingerman's Bakehouse is scheduled for 10 am and will take about an hour, then we'll go next door to tour Zingerman's Creamery.

When we're done there we can head down to Kerrytown for lunch and supply shopping at the Farmer's Market, Sparrow Meats, Monahan's Fish (and Zingerman's Deli, of course). Then back to my place for the cooking extravaganza.

How's that sound to people?

Depending on how many people we have, I have this idea about organizing individuals or small groups to each take on the planning and preparation of a single course, and serve dinner a multiple course plated dinner instead of family style. Does that sound fun to anyone else, or am I being too ambitious?

Edited by tammylc, 03 May 2005 - 05:55 PM.

[Maria]

Tammy,

It sounds good.

My husband said he wants to contribute to the desserts.

[ronnie_suburban]

R.W. Apple has a nice piece about the Longone Center for American Culinary Research in today's edition of the New York Times:

FOR anyone intrigued by the history of food on this continent, it is a collection of staggering richness and diversity: well over 20,000 items, from books to magazines to menus to advertisements, from the first American cookbook, "American Cookery," by Amelia Simmons, published in Hartford, Conn., in 1796, to a century of advertisements for Pillsbury flour, to a copy of every issue of Good Housekeeping.

It holds not only priceless volumes but also curiosities like Philomelia Ann Maria Antoinette Hardin's 1842 recipe book "particularly designed for Buckeyes, Hoosiers, Wolverines, Corncrackers, Suckers and all epicures who wish to live with the present times." (That caught my eye. I was born a Buckeye, and I grew rapidly into a sucker, if not a Sucker, for a good meal.)

Delicious Collection for Readers or Eaters

=R=

[Devilkitty]

Sounds interesting, and not too far from Walled Lake.
Definite maybe at this point; I'll have to see whether I'll be on call that weekend.

[Fresser]

Sounds interesting, and not too far from Walled Lake.
Definite maybe at this point; I'll have to see whether I'll be on call that weekend.

Calling Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard!

[TJHarris]

You can count me in (barring any changes to my work calendar.

[TJHarris]

Tammy,

Will this be a family friendly outting? Will Zingerman's allow small ones on the tour?

Thanks,

T.

Edited by TJHarris, 06 May 2005 - 06:55 AM.

[tammylc]

Tammy,

Will this be a family friendly outting?  Will Zingerman's allow small ones on the tour?

Thanks,

T.

How small are your small ones? The Bakehouse website says no children under 6 on the tour, and I expect the Creamery will be the same.

The common house has a big kids play room, and there's a playground just outside. And lots of friendly neighborhood kids to play with. My one year old will certainly be around for much of the day. It could be a long day for kids though - I expect we won't be eating dinner until 7-ish.

[TJHarris]

Tammy,

Will this be a family friendly outting?  Will Zingerman's allow small ones on the tour?

Thanks,

T.

How small are your small ones? The Bakehouse website says no children under 6 on the tour, and I expect the Creamery will be the same.

The common house has a big kids play room, and there's a playground just outside. And lots of friendly neighborhood kids to play with. My one year old will certainly be around for much of the day. It could be a long day for kids though - I expect we won't be eating dinner until 7-ish.

The older of the two is seven and the younger will turn six just eight days after the gathering. But you are right, it does look like a long day. Guess that they just might need a day with grandma. ;)

[Fresser]

Are couch-crashing privileges available for migratory Heartlanders? I'm making the jaunt early Saturday morning (tentatively with Maggie the Cat as co-pilot), so I just need one night of sleepspace.

DISCLAIMER: You haven't lived until you've seen the Fress Man with early-morning bed-head.

[tammylc]

Are couch-crashing privileges available for migratory Heartlanders?  I'm making the jaunt early Saturday morning (tentatively with Maggie the Cat as co-pilot), so I just need one night of sleepspace.

DISCLAIMER:  You haven't lived until you've seen the Fress Man with early-morning bed-head.

Sadly, Alex has claimed the spare room, and I don't have a couch that's fit for sleeping (not to mention that it's in the living room and my little person gets up way too early).

There are three hotels very near by, at a variety of price points, including a Super 8 which should be super cheap. Or perhaps another local can offer crash space?

[Fresser]

Are couch-crashing privileges available for migratory Heartlanders?  I'm making the jaunt early Saturday morning (tentatively with Maggie the Cat as co-pilot), so I just need one night of sleepspace.

DISCLAIMER:  You haven't lived until you've seen the Fress Man with early-morning bed-head.

Sadly, Alex has claimed the spare room, and I don't have a couch that's fit for sleeping (not to mention that it's in the living room and my little person gets up way too early).

There are three hotels very near by, at a variety of price points, including a Super 8 which should be super cheap. Or perhaps another local can offer crash space?

Tammy,

I'm happy to crash on the living room floor. And don't worry about the munchkin running about in the early morn--I'm known as the unofficial babysitter of the Heartland.

Also, I have a hunch that my co-pilot Maggie might need accommodations as well. Maybe we can all pitch a tent and eat pastrami under the stars!

[tammylc]

Tammy,

I'm happy to crash on the living room floor.  And don't worry about the munchkin running about in the early morn--I'm known as the unofficial babysitter of the Heartland. 

Also, I have a hunch that my co-pilot Maggie might need accommodations as well.  Maybe we can all pitch a tent and eat pastrami under the stars!

I'm sure we'll manage to figure something out - there's certainly plenty of room for tent pitching, and in July that could be quite nice. :-) My husband and I were just discussing some options for crash space. One of the nice things about living in cohousing and knowing our neighbors is being able to borrow spare rooms in other people's houses, so that's an option still to be explored.

[CaliPoutine]

Please add Robin and I to the list.

We'll probably come Friday night and stay at our friends in Chelsea.

Btw, we usually bid on Priceline if we need a good, cheap room.

We just stayed at the Marriott at Detroit airport for 35$ a night.

Feel free to PM me if anyone wants tips on priceline bidding.

[Alex]

C'mon and join the crowd! --

tammylc & crew
Alex
HeatherM
Fresser & his slick PT Cruiser
BeJam
Maria & husband
CaliPoutine & Robin
TJHarris
Devilkitty (a definite maybe)
maggiethecat (tentative)
Lady T (tentative)
[your name here]

[daniellewiley]

C'mon and join the crowd! --

tammylc & crew
Alex
HeatherM
Fresser & his slick PT Cruiser
BeJam
Maria & husband
CaliPoutine & Robin
TJHarris
Devilkitty (a definite maybe)
maggiethecat (tentative)
Lady T (tentative)
[your name here]

I think I'll be able to make it - I'll check with Mr. Wiley and see if he wants to join me - and see if we can get a babysitter! My only caveat is that I'll be VERY pregnant, so I might need to take some breaks during the multiple tours - heck, I used to bake bread at Zingerman's - maybe I'll skip that one.

[Maria]

Oh, I just got married, so we might be able to supply some wine, beer, and such (I just need to keep some for a couple of parties we are having in the next few months). However, it might not be up to a connoisseur's standards. The wine guy here said that the wine is decent (in the top 100 wines). Having worked for a fine beer import company before, I know that the beers are just your normal local bar fare (Heineken, Guiness, Miller, Budweisier).