Update - this is not the "official" pootie diary, but that was where this love story started.
As many of you already know, Kossacks it really is that important and trs are getting married in July, and trs is moving away from northern Illinois to join his new family. When this was first announced here, fellow Kossack GollyMissMolly suggested that we have a meet-up to serve as a wedding shower and farewell dinner, so I took her brilliant suggestion and got to work.
So on June 26, we will meet at The Lodge in Starved Rock State Park (the site of several of trs' wonderful photo diaries). We hope many of you will join us for dinner and a raucous good time!
Details below the Orange Fold:
Note: Although this is in part a Wedding Shower, they do not want any gifts. If you want to give them a wedding gift, please donate to Netroots for the Troops.
I have placed a reservation with the lodge for 6:00 pm on Saturday, June 26 for 20 people, with the understanding that the exact number will likely change (hopefully increase?). We do not need or expect many committments this far out (the lodge wants a relatively firm number by June 12), but it would be nice to start getting an idea of how many to expect, so my poll will be redundant to the one khloemi was kind enough to post in her diary yesterday.
My lovely wife and I met with iriti, trs, Kidlet, and the Lodge's Dining Room Manager to prepare for this meet-up (and MLW & my 25th anniversary dinner later this month). We tasted several of the dishes they serve, and have put together a menu for the dinner that should please most everyone, including vegetarians & vegans.
Starved Rock is located in north-central Illinois, conveniently just off of I-80 @75 miles southwest of Chicago (map). For those wishing to stay the night, GollyMissMolly informs me that she got the last room at the lodge for that night, but it can't hurt to check in case there are cancelations. They also have cabins, and there are also many hotels and B & Bs in the area.
If you have specific questions, or wish to RSVP, please email me at normal1792 (at) yahoo (dot) com, and let me know if you are bringing a guest or family members (welcome!), if you plan on arriving early to explore the park (beautiful1), or just to meet early for drinks in the bar. I hope to answer any more public questions in the comments section.
Hope to see many of you there!