Disney versus Jersey ? Mid-July ?

Lisa writes:
So… have you ever bought one or more of those raffle tickets the kids are selling for soccer or t-ball etc, thinking to yourself you are only doing it to help them, never really believing you would win?? Well, I did that a few months ago and then I got a call from a local soccer coach saying I had won the GRAND PRIZE!!! A trip to disney or a place of my choice!! Crazy?! I really thought it was a joke at first but it’s not! My friend’s son sold me the winning ticket and we went this week to get pictures taken with the grand prize certificate. They will go up on the soccer league website.
So… anybody up for an adventure??
How firm is Ocean City for the reunion this summer?? Anyone want to go to Disney mid-July instead???
Let me know your thoughts.
Love ya – Lisa

Committee Report – house & date

Hi –
Sandy & Lisa, thanks for your trip to Ocean City to find places & give insights.  Your packet & emails help. I believe you visited a realtor & brainstormed options, giving parameters including:
* approximately 30 people;
* south Ocean City – near playground/park & beach, easy fun & food;
* summer 2009 – 6/27 to 7/4 as sample (rentals go Saturday to Sat).

Your packet shows 42 rentals, with many details. Most sleep 8-10 people, with some 12s. Rent-price varies widely based on place ($4,500, $3,200, $2,100) & date ($3,400 late June, $2,900 mid August, $1,300 early Sept).  Some times are already N/A (August is popular). There are duplex & close-by places described … all look nice … 1 includes 6 Beach tags & 3 bikes … all have kitchens … some have parking … one says yes internet & no pets … 3 have 36″ TV.

It would take one place for 10 people, 2 for 20 and 3 for 30 – generally. These counts are beds … given as guideline max … I’m not sure how babies & kids count … I know we can’t do backyard tents or sleep in cars … walking from place to place in pajamas seems ok …
As you may imagine, I have spreadsheets of details & analysis. Roughly, rental costs would vary from a low of $125 per person per week up to $385 @person @week, with $210 being average.
These cost$ don’t include food, fun, travel to PHL or at/to shore, etc.

Let’s talk about our counts.
Sandy & Lisa show 33 on list – it seems a desirable & optimistic #.
In Sept’07, we had a Madison party/reunion with 10 family folks attending (with party of 50 at our home – sorta like a wedding).
I made a rough guestimate, from email/blog talk, of 19 folks likely.

Let’s talk about dates, knowing counts & prices depend on when.
June 27 to July 4 seemed highest number of people (some NOs & MAYBEs) & highest price.
Aug 15 to Aug 22 seemed 2nd highest # & middle $ (hot ocean) .
Sept 5 to Sept 12 was 3rd # (school conflicts) & distant low price.

Let’s talk about our Sept’07 time … like wedding with some family … where a reunion was part of a personal birthday. That may be like what we’re thinking about here, where some of us are planning vacation at the shore & others are talking about a reunion. I don’t say these are in conflict but may have different time + cost + activity goals.

I’m imaging: ” Eeek – Stop – We’ll just … ” from you, the reader.
I’m imaging: if we delay much, N/A weeks/places will increase.
I’m imaging: we can brainstorm how to meet EVERYONE’s needs.

What if the folks wanting a week vacation with lots of fun+kids at the shore talk together to make plans & proposals & decisions … the others listen closely and then make plans & proposals to tie-in?
For example, Kelly & I can’t vacation a week in June but we can & want a 3-day weekend with those families during their time together.

What if we pick week (6/27 or 8/15 or ?) and re-think place?
For example, we have friends who moved to Charlotte,NC and tell us a visit there would be wonderful … a VRBO is $1,000/week.
For example, world-champion Phillies have series in St. Louis then … motels+VRBOs on Mississippi are $20 @nite @person (includes free breakfast – all stale donuts & bad coffee you want).
For example, there are rustic conference centers where families can gather in cabins with community time & meals … Kelly & I have done such things with her family & on church retreats … they seem cheaper & more nature focused (think nudist, canoeing, campfires & lanyards).

Ok, what is next step & who does it?
Please RSVP – a comment/reply would help muchly!
I hope you do the Poll in Scott’s Post above.

Love,
Robert

Robert’s Survey

Robert buried this note in a comment, but in order to get a response, I thought it would be better to make it a full Post. Comment away everyone!  (Scott)

”  Eeek … my feelings are hurt and I’m worried that no one LIKES me.   I don’t know but I don’t think that the BLOG is the problem … are there folks that refuse to use the BLOG … even if it is just to say ‘hey, I’m confused.’?

Is there confusion about who & when & why some of us are doing a 4-day cruise this February? 

Can we do a survey?

On a scale of 1 to 10 … how much of an idiot do you think Robert is?

Pick a <better word> to describe Robert =

Pick one: (Yes) (No) (Can’t decide now) … do you want a family cruise this winter?

Pick one: (Yes) (No) (Can’t decide now) … do you want a family reunion next summer?

Thanks.
Robert

Anyone out there????

Anyone interested in a 4-5-7 night cruise outta Miami, FT. Lauderdale, New Orleans, or Tampa in Jan or Feb. to celebrate some birthdays????  check what your flights would be and I can let you know about cruise prices…  Really….Is ANYONE out there????  Lainey

Blog Usage

Lainey (and everyone),

I just wanted to remind you, as I mentioned in one of my messages when I initially set up this site, that this is an extra place to check for people. I would not jump to the conclusion that people are not interested in attending the reunion simply because they have not responded. I also think that we are in a holding period. We have narrowed down the time range and general place, we just need to hear what is going to come of the Planning committee’s sub-committee (The House Locators) search. My two cents.

Still thinking about when & where

As a participating member of YPC, I think we need to zero in on dates (at least more/less) and get some kind of yea or nope from folks so we know how many folks. It is kinda silly to have a house that sleeps 22 if only 13 people will be staying for the week … let’s talk some more.

I guess I’m still also having worries about places – not just house/rentals but what East Coast means.

I remember the wonderful “reunion time” in 2005 … being around Media was important to us.

I’m hearing that being down the shore during the month that some of the Kansas folks are on vacation might not be so nice … too cold, right?
I also wonder if a full week on the beach is too much for some of us … sounds like lots of money, esp if it is 13 people in a house sleeping 22.

What if we “split things” more than just into 2 houses …
A&C&E&M, do you have special plans for your June vacation – can I be invited?
can we get a place in OceanCity in August for 3 days – plus spend time in Media?
will farm / work duties be a problem in the summer – do David & Geoff have constraints?
might 2 events / schedules of 4-days each be more affordable?

Just thinking …

So….here we are – all talking and stuff

I’m getting a bit concerned about a lot of things ……#1  Does anyone realize that Ocean City in the first week of JULY is COLD…..water temp is in the 60’s…  Should we rethink it?  #2   Where are Geffy and Sandy????  and David?? #3 How does one publish a picture?  Lainey

Report from YPC sub-comittee – places

Hi. I’m pasting in some of Sandy’s email (it likey includes some Lisa & Stephanie thoughts) as a post to see if there are particular topics we can + should discuss. Your Planning Committee (YPC) has been hard at work!

About the http://www.vrbo.com/14239/ rental:
Ok that home looks perfect, but it is in “the Gardens”. We can do a little better.
Lisa and I did not go to OC this weekend, but are going down after Labor Day and will find the home(s) that we need with a reasonable price.

We all should be pleased with ourselves. We narrowed down the location and the time frame. We have eliminated the need for cockroaches, and the sleeping arrangements (everyone in the same room). Everyone is participating and we all should start to think about dgging a hole in the sand to China.

Lisa and I are VERY PROUD that you have selected us to CHECK IT OUT!!!. We will make you proud.

Hey! I’m blogging! Can everyone get there? Paste this into your browser favorites: http://www.radfordreunion.wordpress.com/

Maybe we are assuming too much too soon

I still think we need to zero in on dates (at least more/less dates) and get some kind of yea or nope from folks so we know how many folks.  It is kinda silly to have a house that sleeps 22 if only 13 people will be staying for the week…..let’s talk some more.  Also I am wondering if this blogging thing is turning some folks off….those who understand e-mail and do not understand this forum…(I would be one of them).  Let us know how you feel about that as well.  Lainey

Dates for the house(s)

To keep us organized and also demonstrate how we can use this site, please place comments under this posting for your dates of availability/unavailability.

Examples:

Christy and Aaron and kids can only go up to July 10th with that week being BEST for them…..
Geoff and Becky CANNOT go  June 7-10
Robert says they CANNOT go July 6th to 26th, but prefer last 2 weeks in June or 2nd week in Aug.
Scott and Kim prefer later in the summer – July and August