Driving Distances to Farragut, TN

I wanted to know how far everyone will have to travel, so I looked them all up on Mapquest. Thought y'all might be interested...




~ Aunt Barb

Appointment to see Sunnybrook Farm

Hi all,

Aunt Carol and I are going to see Sunnybrook farm on Monday June 1st @ 3:00. We are not able to go this weekend, as they currently have guests. We will take pictures if it's ok with Wilma. Again, if anyone has specific questions that you want us to ask her, please get them to us before noon on Monday. Aunt Carol has a 1:15 Dr appt, and we are going directly to Sunnybrook from the Dr's office.

Uncle Al & Aunt Carol

Sunny Brook Farms Floorplan

Here is the floor plan of the property. You can click on the picture to make it bigger.

Uncle Al and Aunt Carol are waiting to talk to the owner, Mrs. Haggard. After they talk to her we can give more explanation on the floor plan. The rooms that say "twin" have 2 twin beds. Every OTHER bedroom has it's own vanity and sink. The room that says "Cater" is a small kitchen.

Final Selection Pending

After lengthy discussion, Aunt Lori and I are recommending that we select the Sunnybrook Farm & Retreat, which has 20 bedrooms and lots of outdoor space. What we're not sure of, however, is how much indoor gathering space exists there. So, we have asked Uncle Al and Aunt Carol to drive over there to check the place out. He said he would contact the owners to find a convenient time for their visit and then let us know what he and Aunt Carol find. If they determine that this place will work for us, then we will make arrangements and put down a deposit to hold it for the weekend of Grandma's birthday.

If, however, they determine that it won't work, then our second choice is that we rent two cabins (one 8-bedroom, one 7-bedroom) from Hidden Springs Resort. This place has a year-round indoor heated pool.

So, we will have an answer after Uncle Al and Aunt Carol are able to make a visit to the Sunnybrook Farm.

I can't wait to hear!!!

~ Aunt Barb

Waiting with bated breath....

Aunt Lori and Aunt Barb will be deciding our next big move with this reunion in the next couple of hours! Woo hoo!!!

Stay tuned!!

Yet ANOTHER one to consider

I'm on the phone with Robyn. She just found this one.

It's available in Oct for the weekends of the 23rd and 30th.

$800 a night!!
20 bedrooms!!
Old Country Charm!!
Closer to Knoxville!!
Pets are NO problem!

Click here to check it out: http://www.sunnybrookfarmandretreat.com/

Feel free to post comments as always!! :)

Pets are a big issue

When you have a big group of people unexpected behaviors can happen. It would take a lot more monitoring and vigilance on our part to make sure nothing happens to the little kids. They can do damage and get into the garbage even in their own house.

If it were a smaller group of people, it might be different. Please think long and hard whether you want to have pets at this function.

-Lori

MOTION

***UPDATE***
Only 3 more "aye" comments are needed to make it official

I hereby make a motion to declare:

THE DESTINATION FOR THE HILLIGER FAMILY REUNION FALL 2009 WILL BE:

SOME YET-TO-BE-DETERMINED MOUNTAIN CABIN(S) CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE SMOKEY MOUNTAIN REGION

All in favor, comment "Aye" with your name.

All opposed, comment "Nay" with your name.

Any anonymous "Nay" comments will be thrown out.

A minimum of 10 "Aye" comments are needed
for this to be officially passed.

Robyn again..

If we need pet-friendly accomodations, I think this would be our best bet

I have info on 4 cabins in a place called Hidden Springs Resort. We would only need 2 of them, but we could pick & choose based on how many people end up coming. All 4 are right next to each other and all are pet-friendly. These prices are for 3 nights including taxes, cleaning fees & a discount.

You can take a look at:
http://hiddenspringsresort.com/index.htm
Just go to the tabs for 5 bedroom+ and 4 bedroom to see more details.

Grand View Lodge - 8br/7ba - $2171.30
Hidden Springs Mountain Lodge - 7br/4.5ba - $1631.30
Panoramic View Lodge - 6br/4ba - $1277.30
Smoket Mountain Retreat - 4br/3ba - $977.30

This location is about 1hr 2min from Uncle Al & Aunt Carol's house, and about 1hr 5min from the McGee Tyson Airport. (based on google maps)

If we did not need to have pet-friendly accomodations, then our options would open way up. Karen has already posted a couple & I know there are more out there, but I don't want to overload everyone.

Giant Cabins

Hi guys, Karen here,
My mom and I both found giant cabins that we could all fit in, in Gatlinburg. They both have two outdoor hot tubs, fireplaces, huge kitchens/dining rooms, pool/foosball tables, porches, etc.
Catch you soon!

:D

Check 'em out:

Black Bear Manor- Available last two weekends in October, $3742.49, 12 bedrooms, sleeps 54 adults- It's really really beautiful, all pine, has an outdoor pool
http://www.tennesseecabinrentals.com/cabins/12-Bedrooms/Black-Bear-Manor--C1026


Buckskin Lodge- Available Oct 15-18 $3,483 for 3 nights, 12 bedrooms sleeps 44 adults, has a 9' projection tv/powerpoint thing with seating for 34 for a photo montage ;)
http://www.volunteercabinrentals.com/pigeon-forge-cabins/buckskin_lodge/buckskin_lodge.php

This is getting confusing, so...

Hey all, this is Theresa (Tracy) writing:

I love you all dearly and can't wait for this reunion to happen, but this planning is getting a little complicated. I was thinking that it might be helpful and stress-relieving for someone (me) to compile everyone's opinion about each potential location (Gatlinburg cabins vs. Robyn's camp) and then post it. So...could everyone please post a comment to this posting (or feel free to e-mail me at theresa_a_harris@yahoo.com)? In your comment, it would be great if you could include your top choice and the pros and cons of each location for your family. I will compile it into a table and post it for all to see.

Luv U's,
T

PLEASE Respond!!!

ATTENTION: Trace, Mark, Rose, Mitch, Sam, Robyn, Ray, Nancy, Ollie, Cindy, Bill, & Ann
Teri here.

I'd really like to get feedback from my cousins with little kids about how they feel accommodations would work out if we're in a situation where the main meeting/activity area is in a separate building from our sleeping kids in the evening.

I said a little bit about this in my comments for Ray's post on the cruise ship. While I think that Robyn's camp would be awesome in SOO many ways, I also see either myself or Josh having to stay back with our kids from 6:30-7:00 on in order for the other parent to go and hang out with the adults and have a good time in whatever building the evening fun is taking place in.

I guess if we are in a situation where we're all spread out in different buildings one option would be to just get my kids to stay up later and go to bed with us around 11 or so, but I don't know if every one of us cousins with little ones would be down with this adjustment to their kid's schedule.

That all being said, the Gatlinburg cabins seem like the location where cousins with little kids who go to bed early would be able to participate in evening festivities without having to leave their kids and one parent in a separate building.

I'd love anyone's feedback or suggestions with this issue.

I'm on the phone with Robyn right now and she says that her Lodge building has 8 bedrooms with 8 bathrooms surrounding a big meeting room that they can put about 5 couches in. So if we used this room for our evening activities we could have all families with little kids staying each of these bedrooms. Between the 8 bedrooms in the lodge (nice kitchen in the lodge with a porch overlooking the lake and rocking chairs) along with their 4 leadership cabins AND the cottage that can house pets we should be good at the camp. Problem solved.

That's really 13 separate bedrooms total. ALL adult cousins (besides Aunt Lori's crew) could stay in the Lodge, Aunt Lori and her crew could be in the 3-bedroom leadership cabin along with Uncle Al, Aunt Carol, Jen, and Kristi in a Leadership cabin that sleeps 4, and everyone else either in the remaining two leadership cabins or the cottage. Odds are that there will be a bedroom in the lodge that won't be taken by one of the cousin families because they can't make it.

THOUGHTS???? PLEASE let us know what you're thinking.

Robyn on a Rambling Rant...

Well, I didn't want my previous post to sound like a hard sell, but I have to bring up a couple more good things about having it at our camp.

First of all, you have me (and Chad by default)! Now you might think to yourselves "hum... OK... so what?", but the good thing about that is I would be able to make sure everything is set up just like we would need. I could make sure that meals are yummy and good for everyone involved (all Celiacs raise their hands). I would also be able to have alot of things pre-organized and Chad would be able to have everything set up in the cabins and meeting spaces exactly as we would like. Also, not to sound like a gloomy gus, but should an emergency arise, I know where the closest hospitals and things like that are.

Second, this camp is not only where Chad works, but we also live here with about half of the staff. We're all kinda like family and I know that will mean a little bit more attention and thought for our group. We wouldn't be just some nameless family that is staying for the weekend.

But my biggest concern when it comes right down to it is that we get everyone here. This is an important thing we are trying to do here. It's not just celebrating the 80th year that our matriarch has been on this earth (and that is important enough by itself). This is about getting us all together as a family. We may all be scattered around, but something connects us together that goes past physical resemblance. Until today, I didn't know that I share an obsession (bordering on lunacy) with my cousin for inputting everything into a spreadsheet. (Yes, Teri I mean you), and I would like to have the opportunity to have everyone together to see how many things we all have in common.

I guess it's a little late to jump on the 'family' bandwagon seeing as how I haven't shown my face at anything prior to this, but I guess when I jump in, I do it with both feet right into the deep end. So, I'll make my apologies and hope that everyone will forgive me.

Maybe everyone already knows what we all have in common, and if that's the case than just think about what this would mean to Gram. I know that when I'm 80, it would make my heart burst to have see & have together the family I helped create.

So, I guess what I'm getting at is that the location isn't as important as the attendance. Sorry I had to ramble so much to get to the point.


ps - Has anyone asked Gram what she wants?

the poll isn't recording votes...did Bush set this thing up?

We have a NEW poll --->

please check out the links on the right as well. I've added a link to the Gatlinburg cabins Robyn found online. Availability is sketchy, though.

However, as Robyn said to me on the phone earlier, if there's one option out there like this one there are many more like it. We can keep looking till we find something that works. Robyn might be posting something on this later, so scroll down a little to check out the cabins link over here --------> in the meantime.

-Teri

What about taking a short cruise--the cost is comparable--about $200/adult with every 8 cabins we would get a discount on one cabin to offset some cost. Gluten-free is not a problem; lots of stuff to do . What do y'all think about that?

This way everyone is entertained, we don't all have to do the same stuff and nobody gets stuck with the dishes or cooking. We would leave from Miami or Ft. Canaveral FL. The two destinations I talked about were Nassau and a private island in the Bahamas

from Ray

OK, here we go...

Well, first of all, if you want to check out the rates more, follow this link to the rate schedule. These are the rates normally given only to Methodist Churches, but it also serves as the employee discount. There is a chance we may get additional discounts as well.

http://camping.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library/09_UM_Rate_Schedule_HRZX4FMM.pdf

Now for the rest:

The rates I posted earlier were for all of us fitting in into our "Leadership Cabins". These are basic cabins, nothing too fancy (but not rustic), and most have kitchen facilities. If you go to the website for the camp ( WarrenWillisCamp.org ) and look under "Who We Are > Lodging" you will see a description of them. Please note that the Dawkins Memorial Retreat House is across the street from us and I have not checked on it's availability. There is the possibility that some of us would have to be in one of the Cabins or Lodges. The good thing about this is that the price for those in the Cabins/Lodges would go down by $12 per person for their entire stay.

In reference to all of these prices, let me also make a note that not everyone has to stay the same amount of time. People can stay longer or shorter, and the meals would be flexible along with that. While I'm talking about meals, everyone may be happy to know that the new kitchen manager has experience with cooking for Celiacs.

Also, as a fun little tidbit. The average temperatures are a high of 83 and a low of 62, with an average monthly rainfall of 2.54"

There is also a lot of things we can do while we are here: Boating (canoes & the pontoon boat), Campfires, Pool w/ slide (if it isn't too cold & lifeguard charges MAY apply), Fishing, and if we are really adventurous we can all do team-building exercises on our ropes course! (I know that would be something Gram would really want to do - hehe.) Those are just some of the things, Chad was ratteling off a long list and I didn't catch them all.

I also know that there was a concern about pets. Well, there are no pets allowed in the regular facilities, but there is a cottage on camp that does allow them. The cottage is mainly used by out-of-town family members that are visiting staff. It is a 1BR/1BA with a kitchen and living room. (And an extraordinarily small hot water heater - just ask Jenny!) I didn't check on availability, but my guess is that it would be open. Depending on how many dogs we had, we may be able to have them all together there. My place wouldn't be good - one of my dogs doesn't get along well with strange dogs.

Well, I better close for now, but I'll post more later if people are interested.

Robyn again..

Ok, I've info coming in like crazy, but I thought I would start you all off with pricing while I get everything else together. For 3 nights/4 days with 9 melas included it would be:

$159 for Adults
$147 for Children

Adults are 9 & up
Children are ages 4-9
Children 3 & under are free

Preliminary info on FL camp site

Robyn is, at this very moment, working on gathering details for pricing and stuff. However, in the meantime you can visit the website of Robyn and Chad's camp here:
http://www.warrenwilliscamp.org/

Flights from the North to the South

Teri here.

I took the liberty of doing a quick search on Orbitz for the following flights in October/November and the results were as follows:

Detroit to Orlando - Around $150 (this price includes taxes and fees)
Chicago to Orlando - Around $200 (this price includes taxes and fees)

All they offer are non-stop flights. So..that's a plus.

Just to throw my two cents in...

Hello all...

This is Robyn coming from Sunny Florida at our 300+ acre camp where cabins abound, rates are cheap (meals included), and fermented beverages are not banished...

Just an idea, more details & pricing to come.

Let us know if the geographical change would mean you couldn't come.



ps. I may be able to find similar accommodations in Tennessee, but that will take more research.

One more teensey, weensey little detail.........

umm....I don't know how to tell you this.


It might just be a deal breaker.........


I just read the contract and it states:

"No alcohol, tobacco, or drugs" (sorry kids) "are allowed on Beechpoint site, nor shall anyone under the influence be allowed on the premises"


So...what does that mean for all you thirsty people? No pretzels?

I'm almost afraid to ask after all this hoopla over Beechpoint, but....your thoughts on this??

Uncle Al? Uncle Larry? Ollie? Kare? Jules? Boog? Bob? Mom? Aunt Lori? Mark? Trace? Sam?

Some changes to our who's coming/who's not list!!

Click here to check it out!!

Just to be sure that you stay TOTALLY informed...

please make it a point to read all comments on the posts. AND...be sure to comment and let everyone know what your two cents are. You DON'T have to register with a google account if you don't want to. You can choose to comment under the "Anonymous" or the "Name/URL" option and not have to log in or anything. You don't have to type a "URL" for the "Name/URL" option. If you choose the "Anonymous" option just please be sure to type your name at the end of your comment before you hit "post comment".

Activity Plans

Hey y'all - this is Aunt Barb...

Aunt Lori and I were just talking and throwing out ideas on what to do when we get there. We thought of the following:

• Scavenger hunt
• Volleyball
• Campfire (marshmallows & s'mores)
  
• Bunko
• Talent Show
• Board Games
• Crafts
• Hay ride (?)
• Steal the Flag
• Kick Ball
  
• Canteen for the kids
• Family Photos
• Family Tree (Aunt Sue is working on one of these)
  
• Story Telling
• Karaoke
  
• Ghost stories
• Face Painting
• Costume Party
• Pumpkin Painting
• your idea
  

While tossing around ideas, we thought that the grandparents could "babysit" the little ones with some activity (nap, maybe?) while their parents go do something else. Built-in baby sitters! If you have ideas and want to help plan the activities, please let me know. I think we should have a schedule made up for the weekend so that everyone knows what's happening, when, and where. I welcome your comments.

Just to be sure that you stay TOTALLY informed...

please make it a point to read all comments on the posts. AND...be sure to comment and let everyone know what your two cents are. You DON'T have to register with a google account if you don't want to. You can choose to comment under the "Anonymous" or the "Name/URL" option and not have to log in or anything. You don't have to type a "URL" for the "Name/URL" option. If you choose the "Anonymous" option just please be sure to type your name at the end of your comment before you hit "post comment".

More on the accommodations...

Camp Beechpoint's accommodations are as follows:

THE LODGE
4 - Dorm-style rooms that sleep up to 6 each
10 - Single rooms with double beds

I don't know any info on the bathroom situation with the lodge, except that I think the dorm style rooms act as a suite with two rooms sharing a bathroom in between. I'll find out more about this tomorrow.

LAKESIDE CABINS

3 - Heated lakeside cabins with their own
bathrooms that sleep up to 12

If I remember correctly, these cabins are right next to the lodge. Like, within 30 feet or so...but things have changed since I've been there, so I'm not sure.

******EVERYONE WILL NEED TO BRING THEIR OWN BEDDING AND TOWELS******

Who's who...

Who's Coming:
1. Aunt Lori (confirmed via Facebook)
2. Uncle Larry (confirmed with Aunt Lori on phone 5/24)
3. Julie (confirmed with Aunt Lori on phone 5/24)
4. Karen (confirmed with Aunt Lori on phone 5/24)
5. Lorena (confirmed with Aunt Lori on phone 5/24)
6. Brenda (confirmed with Aunt Lori on phone 5/24)
7. Sean (confirmed with Aunt Lori on phone 5/24)
8. Aunt Barb (confirmed via facebook)
9. Uncle Bob (confirmed by default with Aunt Barb)
10. Teri (duh)
11. Josh (duh)
12. Hunter (duh)
13. Nathanael (duh)
14. Uncle Al (confirmed via facebook)
15. Aunt Carol (confirmed via facebook)
16. Ray (confirmed via facebook)
17. Nancy (confirmed via default with Ray)
18. Katie (confirmed via default with Ray)
19. Bill (confirmed via facebook and phone w/Teri on 5/24. He's waiting to see how his new casino work schedule will be for how much time he can get off. He'll definitely be there, just not sure how long)
20. Ann (confirmed via default with Bill)
21. Kiersten (confirmed via default with Bill)
22. Mackenzie (confirmed via default with Bill)
23. Victoria (confirmed via default with Bill)
24. Grandma T (big duh!)
25. Aunt Judy (confirmed via facebook)
26. Aunt Wendy (confirmed on phone 5/24)
27. Trace (confirmed via phone on 5/24)
28. Ashlyn (by default with her mommy)
29. Matthew (by default with his mommy)
30. Ollie (confirmed via facebook from Cindy. They will definitely be there for a day, but need a plan for their two dogs and also need to see about Ollie's work schedule.)
31. Cindy (see Ollie)
32. Lena (see Ollie)

Yes...I was quite busy on the phone today.

Who's PROBABLY coming 80% chance or more:
1. Mark
2. Rose
3. Piper
4. Jenny (YES, Jenny...I said it. 80% chance or else you'll have ME to deal with)
5. Kristi
6. Aunt Sue (confirmed on the phone on 5/24. They have to figure out what to do with their dog, Lassie. :( And they have an 18+ hour drive ahead of them, but they'll do their best to be there!)
7. Jim (confirmed by default with Aunt Sue)

Who's 50/50:
1. Sam
2. Alisa
3. Dominick
4. Johnny
5. Robyn (Confirmed via email by Robyn on Sunday night 5/25. They have many obstacles to overcome, but are going to do their absolute best! PRAY for them! Woooooooo hoooooooo!!!!!)
6. Chad (see Robyn)
7. Tadg (See Robyn)

Who's NOT coming (Boo Hoo!!!):
1. Mitch (somethin' about some silly nuclear warhead boat needin' to be repaired...likely story)

We got the contract and now....

if you haven't already done so please contact Teri on facebook OR phone (239) 353-1330 to let us know if you can come...or she'll hunt you down at the most inconvenient times and give you the third degree until you beg for mercy.

The prices are as follows for 3 nights, and 9 meals:

Adults: $141.00
Kids Ages 3-6: $70.50
Babies 0-2: Free!

PLEASE, PLEASE NOTE THAT IF MONEY IS AN ISSUE THAT WOULD KEEP YOU FROM COMING, WE HAVE WAYS TO HELP WITH THAT!!!
Contact Teri for more details.

We want EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE to be there! What an awesome 80th birthday gift for Grandma this would be!

Don't delay! Contact Teri today!!

PS - BAD NEWS: I just read the contract and NO PETS are allowed. :( Sorry

Mark your calendars!!!

Friday, October 16th - Monday, October 19th
Camp Beechpoint
Allegan, MI

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE, BABY!!!