Hi everybody! I am G-Girl and I will be coordinating this year's BBH Summer Training Camp BBQ. This post is intended to give everyone an opportunity to let us all know if you are planning to attend the get-together, how many people will be in your group, and provide a shopping list of requested items that you might be able to contribute.
This year's BBQ will be held on Saturday, August 7th, from 11:00 AM till 5:30 PM (between the morning and afternoon practice sessions), once again at Six Mile / Lake Rensalier Park.
Thanks to the Giants decision to delay officially announcing the schedule for Summer Camp until last week, we are now in a bit of a pinch for time. So, please take your next available opportunity to respond to this post, and help us plan another excellent BBH BBQ!
I will be regularly updating the list as you respond. And, in the near future I will make a second post with maps and directions.
The shopping list below is a continuation of a list used last year by vette for organizing the BBQ. I have made a few additions, a few deletions and some consolidation and reorganizing. If you have a
I'll be coming over with a Giant fan friend or my wife. I WILL be bringing a 12 pack of assorted SHIPYARD ALES and can bring any paper goods you may need. I'll be coming over from the Portland ME area. Just where is the park where the BBQ will be held?
SLG1 & SLG2 (Mrs) will bring the hot dogs (Nathans & Heb Nationals) , sausage, & rolls.
There is one thing I would add about Lake Rensalier Park. For those who have net been there yet it is great for our purposes but if it has a draw back there is not a lot of parking space. If you are going to the BBQ it would be my suggestion to get there by noon or perhaps just a bit later. When you get into the afternoon hours the park fills up fast. Last year if memory serves the access road to the park had cars parked on both sides making it basically a one lane rd. And I believe there was at least one fender bender.
So come early and stay late. You will be glad you did.
My wife and I will bring a case of Poland Spring water and a case of Czechvar beer.
Bill
Quote from: Webster29 on June 14, 2010, 10:32:54 PM
There is one thing I would add about Lake Rensalier Park. For those who have net been there yet it is great for our purposes but if it has a draw back there is not a lot of parking space. If you are going to the BBQ it would be my suggestion to get there by noon or perhaps just a bit later. When you get into the afternoon hours the park fills up fast. Last year if memory serves the access road to the park had cars parked on both sides making it basically a one lane rd. And I believe there was at least one fender bender.
So come early and stay late. You will be glad you did.
Webster is right about the parking last year. However, there were also two VERY large parties besides our there on that day as well. One party completely dominated the south side of the park (the side with the playground). In previous years we shared the park with at least one other group, but they were never quite as large.
Additionally, for some unexplained reason a considerable chunck of the parking area had been chained off last year. It reduced the available parking by at least 12 spaces. The combination of the three large parties and the reduction in parking was the reason that people began to park (illegally) on the access road, even though it was clearly posted as a "no parking" area.
There was an interesting observation made by Remembers Huff, however (BTW - we will miss you this year). In years past there was always a Parks Dept. Attendant in the blockhouse by the lake. He would make sure people only used the provided grills and obeyed parking rules. Apparently, cut backs on city funding may have eliminated the Attendant position, as no one ever showed up to stop either of the other two groups from bringing gas grills into the park. Or, as Webby already wrote, parking anywhere they chose.
There was even a small group that had actually staked out two of the choicest tables, near the parking area, early in the morning. They even arrived before Huff, who made our stake on tables pretty early himself. Then, they simply left the tables covered in cloths, their coolers and folding chairs, and didn't return for many hours. Our party was already rolling for more than four hours before they returned, late in the afternoon.
We will have to hope that other large parties are not also planning to use the facilities on the same day again. But, there is no way of predicting this in advance. I plan to set a new record for early arrival, and make absolutely sure we get good tables, under the shade of the cedars, not too far from the parking lot.
G-Girl
Nicely done, G-Girl!
If you can get a small group together to show up early and save tables, it's definitely easier to stake your claim -- it's hard to justify saying "that one's mine, too" to the 4th or 5th table as families start showing up and looking for a place to set up.
Love the folding tables idea -- it could cut down on the # of picnic tables you need to claim, and it keeps the group in a smaller area, much more sociable. Another thing that could help things from getting too spread out: I'm pretty sure that when I was talking to some of the Water Dept. people about park regs (yes, because Lake Rensselaer is under their auspices, it's the only Albany park run by the Water Dept. instead of Parks & Rec -- keep that in mind if you need to contact them about anything) they told me that folks were welcome to bring in their own charcoal grills, only gas is prohibited.
If people have the means to transport extra charcoal grills in their trucks or even car trunks, you could consolidate the food prep/cooking area (and be assured of at least some grills not encrusted in crud). If you'd like me to call the city to doublecheck on the grill regulations, I'd be happy to.
And if I could manage to get you folks the loan of a large half-drum type grill, would someone be able to travel within a 15 mile radius of UAlbany to pick it up and return it? Some of the local volunteer fire depts. have them here and I could ask around.
Webster's right about the parking, they've closed off a small but handy overflow lot that we used to use and are apparently letting it go back to nature -- maybe more picnic space eventually, but fewer places for cars. It's not a bad idea for people to leave some cars at the college and car-pool over to the park. (The other drawback is that it's a bit of a stroll to the restrooms, especially for Lenn, Drake, Weeze and any other elderly members.)
Sorry I'm going to miss this one, I think it's only my second absence in the 'modern era' of Albany gatherings.
If you need any Albany-area info, feel free to shoot me a note here or to get my email address from one of the many regulars who has it.
Nice work, G-Girl. And pilamaya!
(President) Rick and wife Phyllis plan to attend.
coming from Ohio, we can bring desserts [brownies, etc.] and paper towels.
and....it looks like there will be four from the Owens family. Our son Brian and his [soon to be] bride Adrianna [wedding is July 23!!] will be joining us. <:-P We'll bring extra desserts.
wolf road is quite a walk from suny its been a while but I think its fuller road you are thinking of.
The map G Girl sent to me shows that it's off Fuller Rd.
mea culpa. it is fuller road. how could I forget that [all those nights at the Frat House]. see, back in the day, it was always dark when we drove to albany. sorry.
G-Girl...you can count me in! Then again, as I am your brother-in-law, I guess I couldve just called you to tell you that. I'll be making my traditional "crack of dawn" departure from New Hampshire to be in Albany just in time for some coffee and a walk through the Dutch Quad to catch the morning practice. So this year, I'll bring some stuff that I can readily toss in the back of the truck, like a couple bags of charcoal and lighter fluid. I'll also bring some condiments...ketchup, mustard, relish...I got it.
Mark me down for the day.I'll bring the fruit platter /watermelon. Looking forward to seeing you all.
I'm not cross checking anything on the list right now because I'm not sure if I will be making it to camp this year. I will probably know at the end of july if I can go or not. If I do make it, I will bring whatever is left from the list.
Thanks for your time G-Girl,
Frederic
Just thought of something else regarding your leftovers: there's a shelter for homeless families right up the road from the park on Washington Ave. Extension that's open 24/7. One of the programs at the non-profit where I work involves collecting extra produce from gardens and farms and delivering it to missions, pantries, etc. and I've made many deliveries to this place.
http://st-cath.org/SCCC_Published/homeless.htm (http://st-cath.org/SCCC_Published/homeless.htm)
It's literally 5 minutes from the park by car -- just go right at the first light past the Home Depot, take another sharp right to the access road running parallel to Washington Ave. Extension -- drive past the Albany Police Dept's Pine Hills station and Marillac's driveway is the next left.
I don't have any particular contacts there, as I just show up with fruit and vegetables and give them to whoever is on duty at the desk. My guess is that they'd gladly accept any unopened packaged food -- I'm not as sure about meats, salads, etc. but you could always contact them ahead of time to explain the BBQ and ask what food donations they can or can't accept.
If any of you involved in the planning or attending the BBQ has a paypal account (address) please email it ot me at Dkerv@aol.com
Fladan
Any recommendations for hotels nearby? My wife may want to accompany me and spend Fri/Sat around Albany
I've stayed at the Marriott Courtyard, Residence Inn and SpringHill Suites. They were pretty good and I use my points for the stay.
The patrons at TownPlace Suites can bring pets, but they get lazy and the scent of urine on the carpets is a turnoff.
There are Fairfield Inns too.
There are a couple of Best Westerns that many here have stayed at and were happy.
Try to stay near the campus.
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=hotels+in+Albant+NY&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 (http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=hotels+in+Albant+NY&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8)
Cyndi and Dave,
I have booked a Hotel for Friday and Saturday night. There is a 75/25 outlook that I can make it and i will know better the weeks before. I'm just hesitant to commit to anything on the list in case work obligations keep me from coming. If I can make it, it will be Linda and I only.
I'm sorry I can't nail this down for you Cyndi and Dave. I know how everything falls last minute for this and makes the planning difficult.
I tacked up the last two year's BBQ info and recap on the Archive Board. You may want to take note on the comments about more Charcoal and Charcoal Grills, depending on the amount of people and the amount and variety of food.
For those of you that have never attended one of these events,
I can say without hesitation that you will really enjoy spending the day with some of the finest folks I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I have brought my family many times to these BBQ's and Dinners. They all had a great time. I have formed what will be lifetime friendships. If you're on the fence, keep what I say in mind.
If you can plan to come that weekend, please try to get your name up here and pick an item or a few as soon as possible, so that Cyndi can nail down all the details. There will be a lot of adjusting of inventory items if there are 16 members rather than 50.
I hope I can make it again this year and would really enjoy meeting some new Members as well as seeing my friends again. Especially those friends I haven't seen in years.
Ed
jerry....the best western is within walking distance to the practice fields and is also very close to the crossgates mall , if your wife is into shopping while you are at practice
you can also probably get a "bbi" rate if you ask.....hope johnston used to let bbwc board members use their group rate but she passed away last year....i am sure they wouldn't mind, as the more rooms they book it is easier for them to continue their block booking
Best Western Sovereign Hotel
1228 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
Hotel Phone: 518-489-2981
G-Girl... I will throw a bag of charcoal in the truck too. Tucker... a couple of old farts are staying at the Best Western. I stayed there a few years ago and it was good. You can walk to the practice fields.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!!!!
Bill
I'll be arriving Thursday and leaving Tuesday. So tell me what you are going to need me to bring.
I will be coming but I'm not sure if my wife will be. I will bring the Turkey and Veggie burgers along with a vegtable platter. If I can fit my small Weber grill in my car then I will bring it along with a bag of charcoal.
I'm coming. My wife is going to Shanghai, China on the 5th to see number one son and two grandsons so it will be just me. Hoping for a bike ride down through the Adirondacks. It will take me five hours or so. Maybe I will come down on the 6th and camp out somewhere close. I will bring the following:
Plates
Napkins
Paper / Plastic Tablecloths (5)
Plastic Utensils
Hand Sanitizer
Plastic Wrap
Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
It's all stuff I could carry on the bike without much trouble.
I will be attending, probably will have my two boys with me (12&6). I'll bring bags of potato chips, pretzels, popcorn, that sort of stuff.
there is an inexpensive but ok days inn and a more pricy hampton inn [easy walk across the street fron suny] or HIexpress on western and a reasonable hilton garden inn on washington as well. we're trying the garden inn this year because the ladies want a pool.
Put me down for wine. I'll stomp the grapes myself.
Anyone have a preference?
Quote from: squibber on July 15, 2010, 10:31:00 AM
Put me down for wine. I'll stomp the grapes myself.
Anyone have a preference?
I nice pinot grigio during the summer would be nice for a BBQ
I'm already down for Shipyard Ale and I offered to bring paper goods. Whast do you need?
Hey, squib, are you gonna wear your socks when you stomp the grapes? =)) =)) =))
QuoteI'm already down for Shipyard Ale
:ok: =D> <:-P :cheers: :drunk: :drunk:
QuotePut me down for wine. I'll stomp the grapes myself.
Anyone have a preference?
(http://www.clevelandseniors.com/images/italian/columbus-day-07/italian-girls-stomp-grapes.jpg)
squibber, if you don't look something like these young women up above, then I'll pass on the wine. otherwise I would suggest:
Pinot noir I looked this up
"Pairing Wine with Food"
Is Pinot Noir the ultimate food wine? http://students.depaul.edu/~egrue (http://students.depaul.edu/~egrue) it's interesting stuff.
I'm sort of like the guy on the right :drunk: Bushmills is my drug of choice.
Quote from: jimv on July 15, 2010, 01:05:17 PM
I'm already down for Shipyard Ale and I offered to bring paper goods. Whast do you need?
Hey, squib, are you gonna wear your socks when you stomp the grapes? =)) =)) =))
Yes, Jim. I wear old dingy white sox. After I'm done stomping, they become purple dress socks.
I hope no one finds toe nails in their glass.
save those socks they will match my Pirate gear for next season at ECU games.
G-Girl, great job there!
I will bring a case of assorted regular Stewart's soda, & a case of assorted Diet Stewart's soda.
I should arrive Fri. afternoon. Currently attending is me + 1. If others join us, I will respond asap.
Ciao,
Jaime
I'm in. Linda and I will bring Chicken Wings and try to fit a grill in the car with a bag of charcoal. We are coming on Friday and leaving Sunday.
Who is up for dinner on Friday night and brunch Sunday morning?
We have done the Barnsider, Maggie's and the Japanese Hibachi place for dinner in the past. I thought Brunch at the Cheese Cake Factory was very good last year.
Vette;
Dinner on Friday night sounds like a great plan. My wife and I hope to get to the Best Western across from the campus sometime between 3 - 5 pm. Coming down from Maine so timing is not precise. We are really looking forward to this. It will be the first time I will get to meet the BBH group. :happy:
Bill
Vette,
Yeah!! It's great ro read that you and L are joining us again this year!
Dinner at the Barnsider was very good last year. They offer a pretty broad cross-section from seafood to steak, and they easily handled the separate checks for the big group. I vote for a return engagement.
I also agree that the Cheesecake Factory was an excellent choice for Sunday brunch, and wouldn't mind a return this year as well.
Count Cyndi and I in for both (where ever they are).
pagan43
Count me in for Fri. nite dinner.
I'm goin' to try to arrive early Fri. to catch the 2:35 - 4:35 Practice. My chart said that it was an autograph session(?) what ever that entails. If anyone else is up to speed on this, give me a shout.
Jaime
Jaime,
Last year the team encouraged the players to spend time after practice ended signing autographs for the fans who lined up along the fence.
Most of the players spent some time, although some did not spend a lot of time (so I was told), and some spent over an hour signing everything and talking to the fans.
I drove past it, and it was PACKED. But, it's still probably worth it to try to make it up to A-town a little earlier on Friday to take advantage of it.
pagan43
Glade to hear about Fri night dinner. Count my friend & I in! We'll be staying at the Best Western (first time there for me). We plan on getting there in time for the Friday afternoon practice. I'm trying to get Pat Traina to go to dinner Friday night. She also has Gail & Ron Bahr and her husband with her. I'll invite them if it's OK with you guys. Pat has deadlines to meet and hasn't much time for socializing. If she can't stay at the restaurant maybe we can get the Bahrs to stay. They do training camp articles for IF & are VERY kinowledgable. I'll check with my friend about Sunday brunch.
BTW, Cyndi, can I give you my case of ale Friday night? then I won't have to get to the picnic area at 7 AM. Please say "yes" & take pity on me!
I am up there from Thurs to Tuesday so count me in for everything.
Dave: I remember the autograph session last year and you are correct. IT WAS PACKED. I had bought a nice Manning photo over at the Crossgate Mall for a friend of mine at the sheriff's dept and was going to see if I could get Eli to sign it. I took one look at that mob scene and decided he will be happy with just the picture. Even Adam didn't stay for it and he is the autograph hound.
I think it would be advantageous if we split the topics of Friday night dinner / Sunday morning brunch out to a separate thread, so that we can get a feel for consensus, and put together a pair of lists, while G-Girl wraps up the BBH BBQ coordination in this one.
Agreed?
pagan43
Hi folks, glad to see the planning coming along so well.
I was up near the park a couple weeks ago and drove in to see if anything's changed. The picnic and playground areas were the same as always, but it appears the caretaker's trailer is gone -- probably no on-premises staff any more, just city employees dropping in now and then as needed.
One thing: I can't promise it will be the same when you're there, but on the Monday morning I dropped by, the barrier was gone from that extra parking area we always used. It's possible they finally realized that leaving that lot open will help them avoid the parking nonsense we dealt with last year.
I checked with everyone I know at firehouses, etc. and hit a total brick wall on getting a large charcoal grill hauled up there. Sorry about that, I'm sure it would have been useful.
The only other advice I've got: Don't flaunt the beer in front of city employees or cops, since groups your size aren't supposed to have alcohol in the park without a permit. Nobody has ever given us a hard time about it, but just know that they could if they wanted to.
Have fun!
PS - I had my vacation dates fouled up, I'm actually leaving the morning of 8/7. Not sure how hectic Friday the 6th will be yet, but if anyone is in town a day early and wants to get together at some point, please shoot me a note here or by email or give me a ring.
Wow, Huffster!! You are STILL our man in Albany!! That's some good recon!
Reading about how the caretaker's trailer has been removed only confirms in my mind what we already suspected; cutbacks have probably eliminated the position. Last year that could have meant weekends without a caretaker. It probably means that this year weekdays are now without a caretaker too.
It's good news to read about how that gravel parking lot was opened up during your reconnaissance trip. G-Girl and I will aim for locking up some table close to that lot, as it makes for the shortest walks and the security of keeping our vehicles within sight.
When we originally put together our shopping list we eliminated "cups", as they were barely used last year. And, it reduced the list by one less item. However, if we take your warning about keeping the brewskys on the down-low, then maybe putting "cups" back on the list isn't a bad idea.
If we all use solid color (not clear) plastic cups to hold our beverages, we should avoid any unnecessary attention from the authorities.
Thanks for asking around about a barbecue for us. That was a good idea, and maybe it's something we can try for again next year. But, we have a few people bringing portable charcoal grills, and when we combine them with the grills provided in the park, I think we should be in pretty good shape.
Now... Can you get us some good intel on what the weather is supposed to be like?
pagan43
Pagan43,
I hope there won't be any pagan rituals. How about camoflauge colored colored cups? Enough with the corny jokes.
So once I turn into the park, you guys will be the first group we see? It wouldn't be a bad idea to have an official "greeter" to take the first timers around and introduce them to the regulars. Just a suggestion.
Luigi(Lou)
You know, Lou, when I first read your suggestion about the camoflage cups, I thought: "That's a GREAT IDEA!!"
You had me going there. :confused:
I'd be glad to walk you or anyone else around and introduce you (and I'll gladly share that duty with anyone else who would enjoy that opportunity).
If we haven't already met before you arrive at the BBQ, look for me wearing my white, "PAGAN 43" jersey and red Giants dew-rag. Our group will be on the right side of the park as you enter the park road.
Actually once before, at an earlier BBQ, someone brought name tag stickers. I wonder if they are still around someplace, or if anyone has a package of them available? Should we put it on the list?
As for the pagan rituals... Lou, you bring the fruited wine and I'll bring the fatted calf. Together, we'll petition the football gods to keep injury gremlins far away from our heroes in Blue. The ceremony is not too uncomfortable. However, at one point you may be asked to expose a single, bare butt cheek.
(I promise you, that will only happen if absolutely necessary.)
pagan43
I'm coming. My wife isn't. I think I still have an old Jason Sehorn jersey. Where's the shopping list?
Troyfan, look at page one of this thread.
You will find that most of the items on the list have already found volunteers ready to bring them.
What I think might be a valuable addition at this point is a spare cooler with a few bags of ice, to serve as a reserve.
Is that something you might be able to pitch in with?
pagan43
Cooler and ice, no problem! Plus I'll look at page 1.
'
I'm going to suggest that we wear banners with our poster's name on it.
I'm opting to wear one that says "MIGHTY GIANTS" in large print and in smaller print "I'M THE GUY THAT CREATED THIS PLACE..................YOU'RE BUYING ".
As some already know, I haven't made a committment to this years BBQ. The dates are all wrong for me.
I am doing my best to try and make it, but if I do, more than likely it will only be for the day and I won't know until the very last minute.
I really hate missing these events, but personal life comes first.
all I can say is I am working on it.
There has been a small roadblock thrown up as to if my wife and I will be attending. I just returned home today from a two day stay at the local hospital with a collapsed lung. If you have never had one of those, I will tell you it's not a lot of fun. I have a followup visit with the surgeon on Aug 5. At this point in time I can't say for sure if I will be feeling well enough to make the trip but we are still hoping that things will be good enough to come. I will keep our names on the list and if things go well we will see you Friday the 6th at the dinner.
Bill
We hope your ok Bill. We would like for you to be there, but if you don't feel up to it, there is always next year.
Quote from: ps11yat14 on July 30, 2010, 03:26:49 PM
There has been a small roadblock thrown up as to if my wife and I will be attending. I just returned home today from a two day stay at the local hospital with a collapsed lung. If you have never had one of those, I will tell you it's not a lot of fun. I have a followup visit with the surgeon on Aug 5. At this point in time I can't say for sure if I will be feeling well enough to make the trip but we are still hoping that things will be good enough to come. I will keep our names on the list and if things go well we will see you Friday the 6th at the dinner.
Bill
Thanks Vette;
But that's what I said last year when our plans fell apart due to my best friend from college and his wife showing up to stay with us on last years BBQ weekend. I still think we'll make it down. Just might have to take it easy.
Bill
Well, after a long debate, Martine and I will make it to camp this year. Unfortunatly, we will do it as a round trip. Depending on how long it is at the border, we should be in Albany between 12 and 2PM.
Looking forward to seeing you guys!
Fred
I am sorry to say I will not be able to make camp this year. I was truly looking forward to meeting some of our new members and renewing old acquaintances, but it will just have to wait.
Have a great time and I will be thinking of you all.
Things did not work out for me either. I was really looking forward to getting to camp this year and meeting the group. The weather forecast starting on Friday sounds great. To all those who are fortunate to be attending enjoy the BBQ, take pictures and write up some nice camp reports.
Bummer on Lenn and Tommy, But I'll see you gentlemen during the season I'm sure.
We should exchange phone numbers for any new comers to get in touch with the group for directions etc. Use the personal message feature for Rich or I and we will exchange cell phone numbers. I recommend not putting your phone number on this thread as outsiders can read it.
Good idea V.
I've sent pm's to everyone on my list who has confirmed their attendence at the BBQ.
If any of you feel comfortable, please reply with a pm back to me that has your number too.
Thanks!
Looking forward to a great weekend!
pagan43
I'm moving this to archive board as a reference for next year.