Football is in the air this week for Florida and Georgia fans as EverBank field in Jacksonville welcomes the Dawgs and the Gators in one of the most prominent rivalry games in college football. Georgia claims the rivalry dates back to 1904, but U of FL says that date is based on one from a predecessor school, based in Lake City, Florida and the University of Florida in Gainesville was not founded until 1906. One thing all players and fans agree upon is that the days leading up to the event are referred to as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party". Good luck to both teams and may the game be played with no injuries.
We will be meeting on November 14th in Valdosta, Georgia at the Ole Times Country Buffet which is a half mile off I-75 at exit 18. The banquet room will be available to us from 10:30 - 3:00 and the cost per meal is $8.69.
If the cost of a meal will tax anyone's budget, please notify me by kosmail. Likewise if anyone would like to join us and hasn't because of a lack of funds. We may be able to help, but we can't help if you don't tell us. All names will be kept completely confidential.
Attending
- JaxDem
- Vetwife
- Vet -- namvetkato
- kay3295
- Lily O Lady
- PHScott
- Nannyberry
- nancyjones
- susanala
Maybees
- soaglow
- pajoly
- Josiah Bartlett
- foresterbob
- ProseAndThorn
Our guest speaker will be Dr. Thomas Aiello who is an associate professor in the Department of History and the African American Studies Program at Valdosta State University. He recently presented an open lecture as part of a series at the University: Courageous Conversations About Race. Dr. Aiello has authored eight books, his most recently published book is Jim Crow's Last Stand: Nonunanimous Criminal Jury Verdicts in Louisiana. His presentation will be based upon racial discrimination as it relates to voter suppression and disenfranchisement, current Jim Crow practices and the Black Lives Matter movement's potential impact on election.
I issued an open invitation to the Lowndes County Democratic Party club, which is headquartered in Valdosta, to be our guests since we will be meeting right in their backyard and you can never have too many democrats as friends and contacts. I received a most warm response from Tom Hochschild, Chair of the Lowndes County Democratic Party who promised to spread the word about our meet-up.
Our official photographer, PHScott has agreed to share his talents for the meet-up. Thank you, PHScott!
* Special Notes:
orlbucfan lives in downtown Orlando, she is seeking a ride to the meet-up. She will contribute towards driving expenses.
Lily O Lady is coming from Peachtree City in Fayette County and is offering a ride to anyone interested.
ProseAndThorn is a strong "maybe attending" and will be driving in from Atlanta. He has offered a ride to anyone interested.
Final Notes and Odds & Ends:
- Name badges will be provided. Please let me know by kosmail if you want your screen name and IRL name on the badge. If I don't hear back from you only your screen name will appear.
- We must insist on no discussion on individual candidates. Friends, they serve real pies there and things could get messy.
- Weekly update dairies will be posted on Thursday evenings at 7:45pm eastern time
- If you have any petitions, action items, etc. that can be shared at the meet-up let us know and we will print them out and place them on our handout table
- If you need a ride or can offer a ride let us know in the comment section and your info will be added to the next diary.
- If you have suggestions, input, or questions let us know in the comments.
*Sad News: In Case You Missed It* Co-organizer, Vetwife has suffered a tremendous loss this week. Her grandson, Anthony unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday. He was only 31 and leaves behind four children. Vetwife posted this diary Nothing but Tears with some of the details. She and her family will be traveling to Georgia in the early morning hours to attend the funeral which is set for Sunday, November 1st. Please keep good thoughts and prayers for this family for the heartbreaking days ahead. Thank you. (Vetwife and her husband namvetKato assured me this afternoon that they plan on making the meet-up as they believe it will be helpful in their healing process).
Previous Meet-Up Diaries:
FL/GA Line Kossacks Scheduling a Meet-Up -- Decisions, Decisions
FL/GA Line Kossacks: Updates on November Meet-Up
FL/GA Line Kossacks: Meet-Up Updates -- Guest Speaker Details
FL/GA Line Kossacks: Meet-Up Updates - Official Photographer
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Florida Georgia Line Kossacks welcomes everyone to join our group; let us know in the comments if you are interested in joining or send a kosmail to either the group or to me, JaxDem. We appreciate any and all help in turning our states a more pleasing shade -- Blue! |