this event will start at 1 PM CST (Chicago time); 2 PM EST (Michigan time).
could someone bring a small saw for use around the fire? ours is still in a box from the 2021 sale of our Chicago house.
the weather forecast is calling for high winds, and there may be a wildfire alert and warnings against outdoor burning. we'll see what actual conditions are like, and evaluate whether a fire would be safe. if we do make a fire, and i'm not around to monitor it, don't build it up too high.
in any case, we will have a hike, an outdoor potluck, and many friendly faces, so the show will go on, bonfire or no.
please bring a portable CHAIR if you possibly can, as we will likely be short of seating. also, please BYOB, though i will probably provide some hot spiced cider or such.
this will be a potluck. i am making my own creation--Michigan spiced meatballs to share. these are meatballs cooked in an apple cider and cherry wine reduction, with bbq sauce and sweet spices, like cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. these are whole spices, so don't eat them, but they are organic and biodegradable, so no harm tossing them in the grass.
please bring some food or snacks to share that can be eaten on paper plates on laps. some kind of finger food will be best. i will have paper plates and bowls (keep your own to reuse for the day, and throw them away afterwards), and also plasticware (keep your own to reuse for the day, and put them in the specially marked container for me to wash afterwards).
if you can't or don't bring any food to share, just put a little extra in the donation can when it goes around.
i will provide colorful, hard plastic cups to use for the day, generously donated by Janet M in 2005 (keep your own to reuse for the day, and put them in the specially marked container for me to wash afterwards).
the forecast is for temperatures in the low 70's during daylight hours, but i would be prepared for some chill if we continue after the sun sets.
dear friends--
our November and March outdoor potlucks, and November's bonfire were merry gatherings, and i'd like to try another one here at the end of April.
we will start out with a hike through some woods and to and along the beach, then will return and gather in my front yard.
we will have an outdoor potluck on my front porch and lawn, and a bonfire if wind and other safety considerations permit.
i will pass a hat for a small donation to cover expenses. mostly, this is the cost of using the meetup website, but sometimes I need some dinero for other costs. as long as i can cover this with people putting $2-3 in a can, i prefer not doing anything more binding or complicated.
i wish i could just invite you all in, like i did many times right up to 4 days before the Pandemic was declared, but my own Covid protocols have been stricter than most, because i'm not young, i have mild COPD, and i've had bad respiratory illnesses in the past.
you may go inside to use the first floor bathroom, preferably with a mask, but otherwise this will be an outdoor event.
if you have symptoms of, or have recently tested positive for Covid-19 (or any other contagious disease), please DO NOT ATTEND.
to view photos from previous hike-bonfire events at this location, see
2019 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/30533245/
2023 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34098212/
2024 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34388860/
hope to see you there,
Rick
directions & parking instructions:
from US 12 turn north (toward the lake) onto Broadway (traffic light opposite National Lakeshore campground); continue about 1/2 mile, and turn left at Marne, go to 11 w Marne--a gray, three story house set back rather far from the road; street parking is not allowed in Beverly Shores, but you can park in the off-street spaces across the road from us, or in front of our neighbor to the east, and you can park in our neighbors' driveway to the east; take a parking permit from our front porch, and put it in the window facing the street. if all spaces are taken, call me at 773-415-0428, or ring the doorbell.
if we exceed parking capacity at my house, you will need to PARK at the South Shore STATION and be shuttled to my house, or walk the 3/4 of a mile--(we are a hiking group, after all). thanks to Bob Dunn for volunteering to do the shuttling if needed.
we will wait till 1:30 CT, then depart out the door for the hike, introducing Michelle as today's hike leader. i may stay back to direct parking and late arrivals, so please take and post some hike and beach pictures.