Huntervf
Bored now
Given the economic turmoil of so many in this state, I wasn't going to set up a Christmas meet this year. But, perhaps this year such a meet is more important than ever, so I'm happy to announce the 4th annual GLSS Christmas meet/dinner in Frankenmuth!
The details are the same: Meet at Bronner's Christmas World in mid-afternoon (yes, there's enough spaces in the north lot to meet up, even during Christmas), shoot the breeze in the lot a bit as long as it's not too cold, wander around inside Bronner's, then adjourn about a mile north to the Bavarian Inn for their world-famous all-you-can-eat Chicken dinner, with all-you-can-eat trimmings and dessert. The atmosphere is always festive; Frankenmuth comes alive at Christmas and of course there's Bronner's, the largest Christmas store in the world. Even the grouchiest grinch suddenly becomes 8 years old again inside that place.
Downtown Frankenmuth is also filled with neat little shops (I highly recommend the Cheese Haus), there's a nice little outdoor mall right next to Bavarian Inn, and of course there's the huge Birch Run outlet mall out along I-75, right at the Birch Run/Frankenmuth exit.
The meet officially doesn't kick off until the afternoon, but there's so much to do, many folks come out and make a day of it.
In the past I've tried to have a little something for everyone in attendance that I hand out at the dinner, just my way of saying thanks and happy holidays. It's usually Ford memorabilia that I'm able to nab from my days at Ford Racing, like posters and the like. Others have brought small gifts over the years as well (I still have the toilet seat Bill!), and while I'm not sure I'll have something for everyone this year, I'll do have at least a few things to give away; maybe as a raffle or something. If some of my freelance projects finally come to fruition, well, let's just say I enjoy giving stuff away
Anyone who would like to bring a token gift to pass is welcome, but there is NO obligation to do so!
The chicken dinner runs about $19 per person, but there are plenty of other food options that go for under $10, so this can be essentially as cheap as you need it to be. Trust me however, when I say this is the best chicken dinner you'll ever have. ALL the sides--mashed potatoes, veggies, etc. are all-you-can-eat, and Bavarian Inn chicken has a taste all its own. Other than your gas to drive out and dinner, there's no other costs unless you plan to do some shopping.
Bavarian Inn website with menu and coupons:http://www.bavarianinn.com
The million dollar question now is when? Saturday Dec. 12 is going to be the best day in terms of falling evenly between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also have Saturday, December 5, and Saturday, December 19 to choose from. The poll is posted for a week and majority rules. The only thing I ask is that you do NOT vote in the poll unless you absolutely plan to attend. Which brings me to the last point.
ONLY speak up if you're serious about attending. None of this "I'll see if my car is back on the road, and if my cat is feeling okay, and if Saturn is on the cusp of Aquarius" stuff. I know people have lives and I don't want intrude on anyone's personal activities. But we have 3-5 weeks to plan for this, that's plenty of time for most people to adjust their schedules to make this happen, if you really want to go. Obviously life happens, and stuff comes up, and I can understand and respect that. If a natural disaster strikes (like the big snowstorm in 2007) or something serious, obviously I'm cool with it. All I ask is that, if you say you're going to attend, COMMIT to it. There's a fair amount of legwork in making this happen, reservations are a MUST and I must make them very soon. Making reservations for 15 with only 5 showing up isn't just a slap in the face to me, it can potentially cost me money, and that's in short supply these days.
GLSS Christmas 2009: Start the attendance list!
Huntervf +1
The details are the same: Meet at Bronner's Christmas World in mid-afternoon (yes, there's enough spaces in the north lot to meet up, even during Christmas), shoot the breeze in the lot a bit as long as it's not too cold, wander around inside Bronner's, then adjourn about a mile north to the Bavarian Inn for their world-famous all-you-can-eat Chicken dinner, with all-you-can-eat trimmings and dessert. The atmosphere is always festive; Frankenmuth comes alive at Christmas and of course there's Bronner's, the largest Christmas store in the world. Even the grouchiest grinch suddenly becomes 8 years old again inside that place.
Downtown Frankenmuth is also filled with neat little shops (I highly recommend the Cheese Haus), there's a nice little outdoor mall right next to Bavarian Inn, and of course there's the huge Birch Run outlet mall out along I-75, right at the Birch Run/Frankenmuth exit.
The meet officially doesn't kick off until the afternoon, but there's so much to do, many folks come out and make a day of it.
In the past I've tried to have a little something for everyone in attendance that I hand out at the dinner, just my way of saying thanks and happy holidays. It's usually Ford memorabilia that I'm able to nab from my days at Ford Racing, like posters and the like. Others have brought small gifts over the years as well (I still have the toilet seat Bill!), and while I'm not sure I'll have something for everyone this year, I'll do have at least a few things to give away; maybe as a raffle or something. If some of my freelance projects finally come to fruition, well, let's just say I enjoy giving stuff away
Anyone who would like to bring a token gift to pass is welcome, but there is NO obligation to do so!The chicken dinner runs about $19 per person, but there are plenty of other food options that go for under $10, so this can be essentially as cheap as you need it to be. Trust me however, when I say this is the best chicken dinner you'll ever have. ALL the sides--mashed potatoes, veggies, etc. are all-you-can-eat, and Bavarian Inn chicken has a taste all its own. Other than your gas to drive out and dinner, there's no other costs unless you plan to do some shopping.
Bavarian Inn website with menu and coupons:http://www.bavarianinn.com
The million dollar question now is when? Saturday Dec. 12 is going to be the best day in terms of falling evenly between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also have Saturday, December 5, and Saturday, December 19 to choose from. The poll is posted for a week and majority rules. The only thing I ask is that you do NOT vote in the poll unless you absolutely plan to attend. Which brings me to the last point.
ONLY speak up if you're serious about attending. None of this "I'll see if my car is back on the road, and if my cat is feeling okay, and if Saturn is on the cusp of Aquarius" stuff. I know people have lives and I don't want intrude on anyone's personal activities. But we have 3-5 weeks to plan for this, that's plenty of time for most people to adjust their schedules to make this happen, if you really want to go. Obviously life happens, and stuff comes up, and I can understand and respect that. If a natural disaster strikes (like the big snowstorm in 2007) or something serious, obviously I'm cool with it. All I ask is that, if you say you're going to attend, COMMIT to it. There's a fair amount of legwork in making this happen, reservations are a MUST and I must make them very soon. Making reservations for 15 with only 5 showing up isn't just a slap in the face to me, it can potentially cost me money, and that's in short supply these days.
GLSS Christmas 2009: Start the attendance list!
Huntervf +1
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. I want to make it this year. My wreck and prepping for finals kept me from coming last year. Thank you, Chris for heading this up and putting the plans in the works to make this happen. I know it takes some leg work to get this going. Thanks! 
