Gathering Update...

[Sly]

I don't think Stacy will mind if I repost... If you'd like to volunteer email gathering at aldha.org

Dear Fellow ALDHA member,

Can you believe it, the 25th Anniversary Gathering is only a couple of
weeks away and as the Board finalizes the details, presenters practice
their show's timing and prepare their handouts, and printers prepare the
program, the excitement builds for everyone who will be attending.

The dates, once again, are Oct. 13, 14 and 15, at Concord University in
Athens, W.Va., with camping at the nearby Appalachian South Folklife Center
in Pipestem, W.Va. If you haven't pre-registered, don't worry. Register
when you get there. After 25 years, it's still only $10 per person! Details
are online, at http://www.aldha.org/gathring.htm

Greg and I are excited about the celebration. This year's Gathering has a
wide range of workshops and clinics, Saturday and Sunday community
programs, and another fabulous set of evening presentations. The Hiker Fair
will represent the ideals of the long distance hiking community. The fun
and educational potential of this event cannot be understated.

And, it would be appropriate for me to say "we need a few volunteers," if
you could spare an hour over the weekend please call us.

The line-up your wondering? Friday's Feature is two-fold. Weathercarrot is
premiering his 25th Anniversary DVD -- a must see! Following the first half
of the opening night
programming will be ALDHA's 25th Anniversary Party. More than just cake and balloons, Dutch Treat will be sharing his lyrics and musical talents and will feature a newlywritten song for the special occassion. Want to bring a sign, feel free, we've got lots of space for decorations.

Our go-to person for the Aniversary Cake is Frea Erickson. She can be
reached at [email protected] or 215-723-1462. She desperately needs cakes for the event; call her if you can bring one. Terry Wilson is her
assistant and can be reached at [email protected] or 812-936-3366.

Saturday's Evening Program is the unveiling of the newest long distance
hiking trail -- The Great Eastern Trail. Jeffrey Hunter, American Hiking
Society, will be the presenter and programs will follow on Sunday for
additional information and a mapping workshop for segments in need of
completion.

Of course, staying with tradition, a Square Dance with the Horah Cloggers
is Saturday night. Get those dancing shoes ready, this is the time for fast
moving and calls of changing partners.

The United States Forest Service has celebrated 100 Years of existence and our community has a chance to see The Greatest Good, a film noting their
achievements and failures of those 100 years. This documentary will give
you a chance to make your own decision on Sunday night and since we have all spent time walking in the forests during our hikes it would be great to see how Pinchot, Gifford, and Muir envisioned our use of public lands.

ALDHA's all community participation activities have dwindled in the recent
past -- hopefully that will change this year. On Saturday, we can all share
in BBQ and Bluegrass. You must have registered and picked up your
registration packet prior to the BBQ to receive your discount ticket. Your
discount ticket is worth $5.25.

All ALDHA is asking is that you pay $5 for the AYCE (please bring correct
change), $10.25 without the discount registration ticket. We envision
hikers filling up on good eats and sitting on the lawn listening to music.
Let's make this happen.

Sunday's community activity is a Scavenger Hunt. While many of you THINK
you are too grown up to participate in such behavior we assure you -- you
aren't. Two ways to play, lots of prizes and give aways.

The most important change for you to remember before the Gathering is that the homebase this year will be the Concord University gym. Here, you will find registration, theGathering information booth, and the Hiker Fair. The Student Center has undergone rennovations as the University grows and the gym simply makes more sense as a central location for the nuts and bolts of the Gathering. Got questions, go here. Need to Register, go here. Vote in the Photo Gallery Contest, go here. Get the idea, go here (Concord gym).

We look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks. Prepare yourself for
constant on the go of the weekend and seeing your hiker family.

Happy Trails!
Stacy and Gregory Boone
2006 Gathering Coordinators

[bfitz]

See you there, Sly!
Is there a rancor-free WB get together planned?

[Lone Wolf]

Won't be the same without Warren.

[A-Train]

What happened to Warren?

[Sly]

See you there, Sly!
Is there a rancor-free WB get together planned?

Of course, but after 8 beers all bets are off

[Sly]

Won't be the same without Warren.

One person does not a Gathering make. Warren will be there is all his glory, just on DVD!

[Wonder]

I can't wait!! I need a good fix of being around hikers!

[Sly]

I can't wait!! I need a good fix of being around hikers!

Yeah, should be a good one!

[Jack Tarlin]

A-Train:

To answer your question in Post #4, to my knowledge, nothing has happened to Warren. I'm sure he's fine.

In re. to the Gathering, he has publicly announced that he won't be attending the Gathering this year, for any number of reasons, the principal one being his anger over being denied the opportunity to chair this year's event. He was evidently so distressed when the decision was made to let other folks run the Gathering (and eminently qualified folks, by the way) that he decided he wanted nothing to do with this year's get-together.

That decision was his, and his alone.

[the goat]

i'm looking forward to the gathering, should be a blast!

[SawnieRobertson]

Thanks, Sly, for reposting Stacy's message. I had not seen it, and what it says does make a difference. So, what is your favorite kind of cake? How about every one else? For me, I like icing. Only to balance things, underneath globs and globs of white frosting, I like either angel food or chocolate. Yep, I'll be contacting Frea as soon as I figure out how to unlock the broken lock on my bedroom door a la Cabin C. <g> --Kinnickinic

[Panzer1]

In re. to the Gathering, he has publicly announced that he won't be attending the Gathering this year, for any number of reasons, the principal one being his anger over being denied the opportunity to chair this year's event. He was evidently so distressed when the decision was made to let other folks run the Gathering (and eminently qualified folks, by the way) that he decided he wanted nothing to do with this year's get-together.

Warren will never chair another Gathering, at least I hope. Though I have nothing against him attending as a regular member.

Panzer

[StarLyte]

This is the 25th anniversary of the Gathering of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association.

The Gathering is a large hiking event devoted to hikers, dreamers and their families. There are forums, classes, slideshows, presentations of every kind, celebrations, and this year will be very special.

We are celebrating in many ways.

Try to attend.

If you need a ride, there is an "Online Rider Board" on the website itself. Or, start your own thread here. Many are hiking in. Many arrive a week ahead of time just to be there. They come from all over.

This is an exerpt from the DVD that will be shown Friday night that MANY of you are in, I am quoting: ".....ALDHA is a magical experience......the Gathering is a magical experience.....that's why I keep coming back....."

[Ewker]

I don't think I am going to be able to make it maybe next yr

[Wolf - 23000]

Sad to say, I will not be there. I have to work. Have fun everyone!!! I'll be thinking of all of you.

Wolf

[MOWGLI]

Good times are just around the bend. I look forward to seeing some old friends & making some new ones.

[Lone Wolf]

I hear Billville is throwing an all nite kegger at the Folklife center campfire!?

[MOWGLI]

Where will we "gather" to watch some NY Yankees playoff baseball?

[Lone Wolf]

Where will we "gather" to watch some NY Yankees playoff baseball?

Ain't no bars in that college town?

[Hammock Hanger]

Where will we "gather" to watch some NY Yankees playoff baseball?

I ain't going to no hiker get together to watch no stinkin' baseball....

But I do look forward to seeing some of my hiking buddies, especially Mowgli
Sue/HH