Rick's Hiking & Fun Group

Join us for the opening reception of the Cosmic Connections exhibition at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts! Let's meet inside the main gallery between 5-5:15pm for introductions and then explore the exhibit. This free event features three artists' work, Ravi Arupa, Megan Greene, and Michiko Itatani, who investigate the universe as an improvisational, creative process mirrored in human imagination. This is sure to be an interesting evening of exploring the scientific, spiritual, and subconscious insights of our deep, ongoing connection to the universe. I hope to see you there! -Eileen

Come join us at the historic Chellberg Farm for Maple Sugar Time! Please note this is the first day of daylight savings time. I will be volunteering inside the farm house, so let's meet outside at the front of the house near the porch. After introductions, Kathy will lead a hike to the historic Bailey cemetery, back to Bailey Homestead/Fur Trading Post, and then back to the farm to enjoy the festival. You will need a National Park pass to park in either of the two parking lots at the south or east ends of the farm. I look forward to seeing you there! -Eileen

From the Friends of the Dunes:
Enjoy a sweet taste of spring during the 49th annual Maple Sugar Time festival. Take a self-guided tour of the sugaring operation at historic Chellberg Farm which will be bustling with maple sugaring activities.

Learn how Miami and Potawatomi Tribes first boiled maple sap into sugar and how early settlers used large iron kettles to make syrup. While walking along the maple trail you will pass by the sugar shack where sap is still boiled down the way the Chellberg family did it back in the 1930s. You can even learn how to make maple syrup at home as well as how modern maple sugar farmers use advanced technology to make syrup today. Kids can learn how to tap a tree at the Maple Fun Zone and meet some of the farm animals.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=8A61A0CE-CABB-854C-284F4ED45C69C378

note: This event will start at 6:00 EDT, 5:00 CDT; we suggest you arrive about 15-30 minutes early to find our seating.

The game is happening at the Melissa Cook stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana. The meetup app has been very glitchy lately with locations and directions, but you can input "Melissa Cook Stadium" in your navigation device and find it ok.

We invite you to enjoy competitive college women's softball, as the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame invite the Valparaiso Beacons to a game at Melissa Cook Stadium in Notre Dame, IN,

introducing Margaret, new member since January who has organized this event, which is also posted on the Meet5 group where we originally met.

Admission is free, and details about seating and how to find each other will appear later.

Come cheer on your Alma Mater, your home town, or just enjoy a great sports rivalry.

Hope to see you there!

i expect that the weather will be warm enough to eat outside by this time ... and maybe to make a trip to the beach also!

tell the hostess you are with Rick's Hiking and Fun Group, or check the outside seating first.

i will be wearing a black and orange cap with a scene from ancient Greece on it, to recognize me by if you haven't met me before.

i scheduled this event for their lunch opening time at 11:00. i think that is the best strategy for a situation where we won't be sure exactly how many people will be coming, and sometimes people are late. it also makes it easier to get separate checks, because they usually aren't too busy yet.

i recently joined another community building group called Meet5. i've invited a few people i've met online there to today's event. please greet them warmly like you would any other new person who comes into our group.

dear friends--

we've had a good time at the last two Saturday lunches, that i thought i would plan one more.

we invite you to join us for lunch at The Goblin Duneside Bar & Eatery http://www.goblinandthegrocer.com/ in beautiful downtown Beverly Shores.

to make things run more smoothly, I strongly recommend that you have enough cash to pay the bill: some restaurants don't like splitting up credit card charges; i'm not totally sure we can get separate checks for so many people--and the Goblin has a discount for cash.

we try to get separate checks when possible, but if not, just figure what your order cost (don't forget beverages, desserts, and your share of appetizers), add about another 30% of your total for tax and tip, and contribute it to the pot.

If you have a coupon you’d like to use at this or any other meal, please check with me first. If I have a coupon for the whole group to use, and there is a limit of one per table, the group coupon will take priority. If not, feel free to use yours.

if you have symptoms of, or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, or any other contagious disease, please DO NOT ATTEND.

after lunch, if the weather is at all decent, we could take a walk down to the beach. i doubt we would be able to find parking available at the beach, and you would need a National Park permit also, but we could park at the train station, or maybe at my house and walk down Broadway approximately 3/4 mile to the shore.

i could give up to three people a ride in my car or golf cart because i have a permit to park in the Beverly Shores town lot.

we could go down to the shore at the Broadway staircase, and depending on the weather, we could walk, wade, or even swim.

more information will be posted on these prospects when the weather forecast is available.

Feel free to text or call me at 773-415-0428 if you are lost or delayed, or with other questions.

Please cancel your RSVP if you can't make it, so we don't wait for you.

hope to see you then,

Rick