VR.com 2003 Reunion - Chicago, IL Oct 9-12

[LUVMyBirman]

Hello all,

We are gearing up and moving the reunion plans to the front burner.

It will be very helpful if you could log your attendance intentions by using the poll associated with this thread. This will be a major indicator in guesstimating the number of member attendees.

Based on responses we can block off an appropriate number of hotel rooms at the best rate available. Make reservations for the main dinner and other associated activities. Which are purely optional. If you do not feel like participating in the activities. There will be down time to just sit and visit. Or venture off on your own to explore the city.

On behalf of Hank and Michelle, Myself, Lorraine, Perry your Chicago reunion committee. Please feel free to contact us at anytime with questions or concerns.

Accommodation information will follow shortly. Final agenda will be posted in the next couple of months.

We are greatly looking forward to seeing you all there!

[Ross]

The reasons I'm not are what we discussed through email. If anyone has a lap top and the hotel has internet access, go live from the scene and keep me up to speed. ;)

[epstns]

Gina,
You know I'll be there -- it is too close to home to miss!

Not sure whether I'll stay downtown the whole time or flit in and out, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.

[LUVMyBirman]

Laptop request granted. Anyone have a web cam?;)
Wait. Don't answer that, LOL.

Hank and Ross. Is there a way to put a head count in when a response is entered on the poll? You can vote one. How about 2-3, etc.?

[LUVMyBirman]

Thank you for checking Ross.

Yes, everyone please use the poll. As Ross suggested log your best guess for number attending in your party.

Thanks!

[Hank]

Multiple head counts - I voted for myself, and then went into the moderator options and added one more for Michelle. I'm gonna see if there is a way to make that kind of thing standard. As of right now, only Ross and I can go into the poll and change the numbers.

[Hank]

If anyone want's to vote with a count of more than one (spouse or friend attending with you), you will need to contact either me or Ross to add the additionals into the poll.

[LUVMyBirman]

That's better than rolling heads, right Hank;) Put me down for two if you can.

Added 1 to attending- Ross

[Lorraine]

Hi Hank,

Never thought about we should be able to add multiples guest. I just said yes. My count will be two by the way, if you can change it for me also. Looking forward to October!:D :D

Added 1 to attending- Ross

[Georgia]

My husband and I will both attend so count me twice, too!

Added 1 to attending- Ross

[fyrfytr]

Hey Gina, can you send me info on the reunions? It sounds great. Thanks



Dave
_________________________________________
SURGERY: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm repair
Aortic Valve replacement with a St. Jude Mechanical Aortic valve with graft sleeve.
Poudre Valley Hospital, Heart Center of the Rockies

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Dave,

We have our dates October 9-12, 2003. Location of Chicago, IL vicinity locked. In the middle of contract negoation for group rates with a hotel.

Will be posting more information very soon. We have a few members coming from the Denver area. Maybe you all can meet up and fly over together. That would be Rain, Pillarpaul. Also AlLodwick if we are lucky!

Hope to see you there!

[sylviayasgur]

if joey and i are planning on attending, but we will be staying with close family friends in chicago, do i still sign us up as 2 attending (or 3 if our daughter joins us)? we will most likely spend a day or two with the gang and then are committed to being with our friends (we don't get to see them much since they moved from NYC to chicago).
i am still in shock that i actually convinced joey to join me in doing this. i can't wait to meet you all and give you all big hugs!!!!!

Added 1 to attending-Ross

[Billy]

It's a little early to make a definite decision, but looks like I might just make it to the reunion.....well, of course, that is subject to a confirmation from my very good friend Big Ben Smith that he is planning to attend.

Where are you Ben?........you're working too hard these days.

[bvdr]

I don't know if I'll be pre or post-op in October. I will be there if possible since I would love to meet each of you. I would combine it with a trip to Michigan. I can't commit though until I know what is happening. I guess I will just take my chances on last minute availability. My husband would probably come as well. He is familiar with most of your names anyway:).

Betty(bvdr)

[Rich]

Gina,
As you know we havn't been able to make one yet but we sure would like to make this one.
Just not 100% sure yet.
In this case we would drive to Chicago from here and there would be two of us.



Added 1 to undecided-Ross

[Ross]

O.k. folks, things are starting to get confusing. Please vote yourself in the poll under the proper category and then email or pm me to add any additions to that category.

Thank You

[LUVMyBirman]

Great to see! Waiting for the hotel contract. Soon as we are sealed specifics will be posted.

I can tell you this much for budgeting ahead.
Room rate is $89 a night for a suite.:)

[Les]

Gina,
That rate is fantastic! Especially considering the marathon and the Columbus Day holiday weekend! In 2000, paid $235 per night for a hotel that went out of business right after the marathon, and it was a dump........elevators didn't work all the time, restaurant had closed down, and the last renovation had to have been during the Johnson administration! Great job!
________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

[sylviayasgur]

hi all!
joey and i will both be at the reunion for one or two of the days. we will be staying with our good family friends in town (they would be insulted if we didn't stay with them), but will join in the activities with you all. i can't wait to meet those of you who will be there!!! so excited!!

taken care of in previous post-Ross

[LUVMyBirman]

We were up a major brick wall with the room rates downtown. So....to make a long story short we will be near O'Hare International Airport. Shuttle distance so folks will not need to rent a car. Still close enough to hop the "blue line" train into the city. More info coming soon. The hotel wanted me to hold posting call in info until we sign and return the contract.

BTW, Hank have you seen anything in your Valvereplacement mail box? They were going to copy me. We need to get that back ASAP.:D Thanks

[epstns]

WOW, cool, Gina. You know, I only live 10 minutes from the airport. . . <g>

Which hotel does it look like?

[LUVMyBirman]

Yep, me too Steve. Will almost be a shame to get a room. The way I see things.... major excuse to get away and relax!
Will be there the entire time but will commute on Thursday. Checking in on Friday AM for the weekend. :D Now if we can get the contract in we can post the specifics. They assured me we are blocked off. Will give them a call tomorrow.

Sheraton Gateway Suites

[Granbonny]

Gina..You have had 41 voting..22 replies. I thought that it was just someone voting is why the site came up?:confused: :confused: :confused: I know yall will have fun..but after the tragic deaths of John's cousin, wife and mother-in-law..who lived in the Chicago area and who we had just talked with 2 days before about reunion.. it really put a damper on our trying to come up for the reunion.. I pulled up the hotel and it looks great. Know yall will enjoy.. Would love to help plan one in the Atlanta area..How will you know this soon..how many rooms to block? October is a busy month for leaf-looking..Colors are great.. Anything North of Atlanta is booked in early summer for October...and rooms triple:eek: :eek: :eek: Of course, everyone is invited to stay with me and I'll make possum stew:p :p :p And for breakfast..Smothered Quail, cheese grits and biscuits stuffed with country fried ham... Coffee and V-8 juice for anyone who needs to lower their INR's.....:p :p :p Yall come..Bonnie

[Ben Smith]

Cindy and I have discussed comming, however we are not 100% Sure.
Would love to make it out to see everyone, but the change in the date took us from 100% sure we would attend to unsure if we can make it happen.

Was also waiting to hear if RobThatsMe and his wife will be attending.

God Bless all & yes Billy, I am extreamly busy right now. Thursday early afternoon with 44 hour already this week.

Ben

[greggo32]

Just saying, "Hi". Looking forward to the reunion. Sorry I haven't been an active participant for the past 6 months.

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Bonnie,

Very sorry to hear you will not make it to the reunion. Hopefully we can make one in Atlanta. I would like to stay awhile when we come though town. Can't tell you how many times we have connected in your city!

[Brad Nowak]

Just checking in so I don't get nuked. Definitely can't make the reunion now that the date has changed.

[Sherry]

Hi, Gina and other coordinators,
My husband and I may be able to come up for the reunion. We're in Southern Indiana and my brother just moved to Madison, WI, which would give me an excuse for a visit with him. (I'm on fall break that following week.) The only thing that will prevent this would be my son's varsity tennis schedule. Can I offer a "maybe" for right now? Sherry

[Granbonny]

My daughter just came home last night from a week's Marketing Convention in Chicago. Stayed downtown at one of the larger hotels. Said, it was wonderful. Streets lit up at night. Did the Wrigley Field Roof Top ****tail parties. (Homes across the street)Watched the Atlanta Braves play the Cubs...Saw many All-star players..at the Westin Hotel..Did the dinners at the top of the high-rise buildings..ect. Just Brave reviews for Chicago. Bonnie

[bvdr]

What do you think guys? If surgery goes as planned on Aug 25th, will I be ready for the reunion in October?

Betty(bvdr)

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Betty,

You will be just fine by then. My surgeron told me I could fly 2 weeks after. Did not feel like taking him up on it, but the option was open.;) At six to seven weeks you may still require a cat nap. Nothing that could not be easily had as we will be in a hotel. Wishing you all the best on your forthcoming surgery! Hope to see you at the reunion.

We are still working on the hotel group rate. They are asking for a percentage commitment for rooms that are blocked and not booked. No funding for that type of agreement. It's a go, do not fret! Working on a few other alternatives. Will keep everyone posted.

[epstns]

Hey Betty -

I hope you can find a way to make it to Chicago -- I would like to be able to meet you and thank you for all the help you've given me.

See Ya!

[fyrfytr]

Hey Betty,
You should be just fine. We went to Branson 6 weeks after my surgery and I drove the whole trip, 1654 miles total and didn't have a problem. We would stop about every 2 hrs. for a short break. I am hoping to go to the reunion but that depends if I get to go back to work, if I do than I will not be able to attend. Keep us posted on your surgery. Best of Luck and you are in our prayers. Dave


Keep your fires small!
____________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

[Les]

Hi Betty,
Hope you can be there!
_______________
Les AVR '93 / '95

[sylviayasgur]

hi betty!
i really hope you will feel well and strong enough to join us in chicago.
we'll forgive you if you just fall asleep at the dinner table. after all, who better would understand???
no, really, see how you feel and go from there. we all do hope we get to meet you though.
be well, sylvia

[Mara]

We might be coming. Not for the whole weekend but at least for part.

Billy can you make it across the pond?

[Billy]

I'm workin on it at the moment. If you could get Delta or AA to lower their fares, it would sure help to make up my mind.

Chances are that I'll be there, sooooooo please ensure that David wears his kilt, otherwise how would I know y'all....hahaha.

Cheers from Norn Iron where we're having a heatwave this week.....sorry, just had to brag.

[bvdr]

Hi, I just want to change my undecided to planning on attending. I have my hotel and plane reseservations. I can't wait to meet everyone!

[LUVMyBirman]

Great Betty! I am so happy you are joining us! Is your surgery on the 25th?

Hank and Ross. Can we find a better way to track reunion attendance including guests? Maybe another thread? I can extract informaiton for the hotel. As I understand....some of the locals are not staying overnight. This will be helpful when making reservations for dinners, etc.

Thanks

[Hank]

I'll see what I can do Gina...