Upper Midwest Spring Gathering

[Merle Coggins]

With the recent discussion regarding Tim's "Clements, CA Tailgate BBQ", the idea of holding a similar event in the Upper Midwest popped up. I will offer to host this event, but since I don't have the space to hold it at my home I will search for a nice park with a pavilion that we can reserve. Since I am in the Milwaukee area I'll probably look for something close to home, probably out on the western side of the Milwaukee Metro area.

I will gladly provide brats and burgers to grill up, and I'll even bring along my grill. Then if everyone who attends brings a side dish or desert to share we'll have a nice little BBQ party of our own.

My initial though was to hold it the same weekend as Tim's event out in California, but then I considered the possibility of doing something in conjunction with the POC meet coming to Oconomowoc next summer (June?).

For those in this area, please provide your feedback and I'll use it to start organizing this thing.

Merle

[rearview]

Sounds good to me... of course all depending on scheduling of work, camping, other car shows, etc.... you know how it is.

Might even have my junk on the road again by then

Bob

[Norm's Coupe]

Not much into grilled food if done on a charcoal grill. But...........your idea sounds good to me. My wife loves to make deserts but since I don't eat many sweets she has to eat most of it if she makes it. Because of that she doesn't get to make them as much as she'd like to. So.........she said she will make a desert of some kind to pass.

So, the way things look now we can make it. The dates for the POC are June 17 - 21, 2009. Here's a link to the local POC site with that information. http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=dairylandplymouthclub

By the way, you use to be able to buy Klement's brats by the box direct from the plant in Milwaukee. Don't know if you still can since it's been awhile since I did that. Think the boxes were about 10 or 12 lbs in each box. You do have to tell them you are buying them for some type of organizational party, etc., otherwise they won't sell them to you direct like that, unless you are an employee.

If you need extra grills I probably won't be of much help there. We don't cook out. All I have is a very small camping type gas grill that I keep in case the power goes out. But I can bring that if needed.

[daddyo23]

Sounds good to me. My motor is in the shop now getting bored out and set up. Hope to have the car done sometime in Feb-March. What dates are you looking at? May might be good, the earlier in the year the better. Events start piling up fast. Either way, we'll do our best to make it.

[MacGyver]

Count me in!!! I know of a few others in the area that aren't on the forum that would be interested as well. Holding the event near one of the local lakes might be fun for those from out of town. Or perhaps a smaller area town with a nice 'downtown' such as East Troy with the nice town square, etc...

[Norm's Coupe]

If part of Merle's intent is to draw more people from the POC meet, that's in Oconomowoc. So........most of the people will probably be in hotels closer to there. If it's to be near a lake, Pewaukee might be a better choice. Pewaukee would also be between the sight seeing events and tours that the POC members have scheduled. That would also be out of the Brookfield high traffic area.

[David Maxwell]

...I would love to ride up to Wisconsin to visit the Harley Museum this summer. Tying it into another great event would be cool.

[Merle Coggins]

...I would love to ride up to Wisconsin to visit the Harley Museum this summer. Tying it into another great event would be cool.

That's fine with me David, but you missed it by a year. The big Harley party was this summer.

The idea of doing something around the POC meet was contingent on their schedule. I wouldn't want to interfere with any of their doings. It sounds like their event starts up on Wednesday and everyone heads for home on Sunday. So to schedule a party on the preceding Sunday would mean that those coming in for it would have to be here a few days early, adding more expense to their trip for the added day's stay. If that's the prefered dates I'll go with it. Otherwise I'll go back to late April or early May, before the summer gets too busy.

I was kind of thinking of the Pewaukee, Hartland, or Delefield areas. I don't want it to be too difficult to find for those not familiar with the area, but a nice lake side park would be nice. I'll start looking around for nice park areas, I know there are plenty of lakes and parks around.

Keep the feedback coming, and I'll keep woking on the details.

Merle

[claybill]

i think the dairyland POC is having a harley ' tour as one of their options...

we are trying to make it a nice meet, but $$$ might prevent a high turnout. but we will make it as fun as possible.

sounds like a good spring idea!! ever been to Galena ill.!!!????? also a good place, and very welcoming.

claybill

[daddyo23]

sounds like a good spring idea!! ever been to Galena ill.!!!????? also a good place, and very welcoming.

claybill

I get that more-door running good and I'd come down that way, too!

[Norm's Coupe]

Merle,

Not so sure about having an outdoor affair in April or May around here. It can still be pretty cold around here to sit outside all day, or for several hours at that time of the year. I've been to the Jefferson swap meet many times the end of April wearing gloves and winter jackets and still freezing my tail. In fact, even had snow at that swap meet some years. And, remember the Mothers Day we got all that snow several years back.

After June 1st is probably a better time for an outdoor event. Even then it can be a little iffy, but shouldn't be all that cold. I remember a 4th of July party we had at our house back in the mid 70's. Was to be an outdoor pool party in the yard. However, it turned into a party in the garage and house because it was so cold out.

[Ken Bartz]

Merle, I would be in favor of some place near the I-94 corridor between Milwaukee and Madison. How about near Watertown then we could get the group to go to Jacks Auto Ranch. This is a nice old auto salvage yard. There are also lots of weeds and giant mosquitos. My last visit I forgot the insect repellent. I found another use for WD-40 from my tool box.