FIRST ANNUAL PTO PIKNIK WEEKEND-JULY 23!!!!

Post by **WLLady** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 8:19 am

Hi Folks! As suggested by WWW-here's a topic, and i'll get it stickied!
An organizational thread for the upcoming first annual PTO PIKNIK

windwalkingwolf · Post by **windwalkingwolf** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:31 am

OK, so, Baronrenfrew has graciously offered to organize a pellet gun shooting competition, one for adults and one for young'uns. Thank you, BR! I think most of us here own a pellet rifle or two, so bring 'em if you got 'em. Stored legally and safely in your vehicle, of course :P .Even if you don't plan to participate, at least participants will have a variety of arms to choose from, and it would be fun to see how they compare. I think someone else offered to volunteer their spouse to help with these events? That would be grand, I think with the number of us that will be there, BR will need some help making sure safety protocols are being followed, and for things like shot type, distance to target, I have no idea how such a competition should go but it would be nice if we had a set of guidelines to follow, especially for the underaged set..but Baron, you're the boss, organizing this is in your ballpark. Most stuff will be happening Saturday afternoon/evening/night I think, not sure what , when, why or how but I can grab some posterboards to use for targets, and paint a big bullseye on 'em :)
I'd also like to get an approximate head count, to plan for overnight accomadations as well as to decide how many johns will need to be rented...so if you KNOW you will be here on July 23-24th, let me know, and if you don't know yet, book off work NOW to be sure you're free that weekend :D that way at least, you're halfway here.
If you want to trade birds or eggs with someone normally too far from you, and you'll both be here, I encourage it! Arrange it beforehand (please, no 'hey I've got chicks, wanna buy 'em' sorts of things), bring your birds in a large box with everything they'll need to be comfortable for at least an overnight stay, even if the recipient WON'T be staying overnight--no doubt the birds/eggs will already had a long trip and will at least be thirsty. Plan for your birds as you would plan for children...bring it even if you don't think you'll need it. I have water and bird food, but this is your show. PLEASE, no young chicks still needing heat, unless you can provide it for them in your vehicle.
I keep pretty tight bio-security, so I ask that you NOT wear shoes that you normally wear around your birds. I have had Coryza and ILT in some of my flocks, and I don't want to risk anyone possibly taking that home to their flocks. I want to take you on the grand tour if you're willing, but I don't want you to go home and possibly have your own flocks get sick, so wear something comfortable, preferrably something that will survive being tossed in the washer.
I'd like everybody to bring something for a "secret Santa" draw. I'd LOVE everyone to bring a half dozen fertile eggs of their choice, to be divided up at a random name draw, but I know not everyone will have birds laying at that time, and not everyone will have an incubator (especially one with room in it) or a willing broody...so, bring what you can, whether it be fertile eggs, crafts, jam, hen saddles, a walmart gift card, whatever, it doesn't matter. Please try to keep the value at approximately $25 or less. I'd like it to be truly 'secret', as much as possible, so don't bring THE DARKEST MARANS EGGS ON EARTH, because then everybody will know who gave them, and be jealous of the person who drew them. On second thought, DO bring them, just make sure you have enough to spread around. Just kidding :D Bring fun stuff that anyone would enjoy.
People will be arriving early, because no matter what Google or your GPS system, or old fashioned paper maps say, it's pretty easy to get here. If you're an early bird leaving at 4 a.m. because driving directions said it would take 9 hours, I can expect you long before lunch. Don't bring your potluck offerings for lunch time, we'll be having a potluck supper. If you're here by noon, I will give you the grand tour and feed you a lunch. Probably egg-salad sandwiches, so if you're sick of egg salad, I suggest you pack your own lunch LMAO!
That's another thing, the meal--gotta make a list of what everybody plans to bring, and things to keep in mind are whether it needs to stay cold or hot until mealtime, or should be cooked fresh (I have a BBQ and there will be a bonfire, but food safety needs to be kept in mind) if you're bringing a crockpot food, I can keep it warm, if you're bringing a cold salad, I can keep it cold, but in between is your responsibility.
Last, but not least, there are several people on this board or who are coming, that have severe allergies, especially peanut. I'm allergic to raw hazelnuts and lanolin (sheep oil), and I know of another attendee who is allergic to beets and another who is allergic to strawberries. I ask that when planning your potluck contributions, you please keep this in mind. If you have a special dish that you want to bring, but that contains aforementioned or more common allergens like tree nuts, legumes, soy or wheat, please keep your bounty in a closed and clearly labeled container.
I am fine with people who want or need to stay overnight. I have extra bedrooms in my house, as well as a huge camping trailer that can sleep 6, and another camping trailer I can bring over from my other property if need be. Killerbunny, who is 25 or so minutes drive from me, has also graciously offered to put up with some of you distance travellers or drunken folk if needs must. I will not allow someone who has been drinking to drive home, no matter how short the drive, so plan accordingly. Bring a tent just in case. I will do my best to make sure everyone is comfortable and safe, but there's probably going to be some overflow.
OK, so, food menu...

Post by **Killerbunny** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 7:54 am

I have 1 room with a double bed, 1 room with 2 twins and 1 room that has a double on bottom of bunk, single on top if you can tolerate hubbys tools LOL. I also have a trailer with a double at each end. Welcome to come Friday night.

TomK · Post by **TomK** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:11 am

Hotel KillerBunny....lol....

...I'm attending, btw, not staying over as Jan is only about twenty minutes away but party hearty I will, altho i rarely over indulge in the fluid libation....so get the coffee on... :running-chicken:

Bayvistafarm · Post by **Bayvistafarm** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:41 am

Not sure yet.. probably will be a last minute thing for me. Daughter is due with first baby just after the first week in July... see how that goes... and wheat may be coming off then....

Post by **WLLady** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:23 am

Hubby and I are hopeful! but i don't know if we'll be coming en route from montreal through to west lorne, or from west lorne en route to montreal....likely the first....but we haven't confirmed montreal yet. In either event, we will spend the night probably, i have a tent i can bring, or we can sleep in the back of the truck

either way is fine....

Jaye · Post by **Jaye** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:31 am

Hubby and I have it on the calendar. We thought about bringing our dog Scooby, but decided that it will be more traumatic than fun for him, since he's very social with other dogs, but very nervous about meeting new people. One of us will be DD if the other is partaking in alcoholic bevvies, so can drive home afterwards.
Now I need to give some thought to what I will bring to the pot luck :lunch:
I thought I'd suggest a list of categories that might make it easier for everyone to narrow down what they want to bring:
'appetizers', 'entrees', 'salads', 'desserts', and 'miscellaneous other', such as condiments, side dishes such as rolls ...

Post by **Killerbunny** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:45 am

I can bring 1 dozen beefburgers and buns, a lemon bundt cake (will feed 8-12 depending on appetite)
Just checked the meat supply, can bring more burgers if needed.

Jaye · Post by **Jaye** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 4:39 pm

I can bring gluten-free tabbouleh (made with quinoa instead of couscous) and pavlova, weather permitting (need a day that isn't high humidity for the meringue to be successful).
ETA: can also bring tzatziki.

JimW · Post by **JimW** » Sat Apr 30, 2016 1:05 am

I am hoping to be there, I might have a salmon fishing tournament in Whitby that weekend, not for sure yet. At the very least hopefully I can stop in for a bit on Saturday before driving down for the tournament on Sunday.

I will bring hot smoked maple salmon.

JimW