Blitzkrieg wrote:
apacolypse wrote:
As for mentioning a specific location...I am going to have to refer you to Millsy. He knows of a HALL ...with tables, bathrooms, a kitheonette and parking...which is FREE to Pottsville Residents...such as Millsy. As it is a hall....there is no need for "Squatting on the site"...as it is reserved...and a done deal. I also mentioned a local Fire Company's Pavillion for the service...but considering Millsy's route is absolutely free...aside of us doing damage to the facility (which I don't see us doing)...I figured his would be the best route.
As for info on Pottsville itself...not to seem lazy...but alot of info can be grabbed from mapquest.com. Pottsville PA zip 17901....click on hotels/motels tab....or campground tab. Myself and Millsy will also offer up any and all info we can post on the subject....one thing we both can agree on is this....LESS CRIME THAN WILKES BARRE.
Keep in mind...we tried this for the fall meet...which most wanted to have in Allentown...but those in that area didn't put forth the effort...and frankly I wasn't doing the "leg-work" on an area a good 45 minute drive from my residence while others lived in that neighborhood...not to be an ass...but would you drive an hour to find a place in someone elses neighborhood for a meet???
As for the Fall meet stated in your post....honestly the reason it didn't get off the ground is...the guys who were local to that area didn't want to do the "footwork" for that area. For Instance....Blitzkrieg, you are from NJ/NY area....would you expect me to ask you to come to Pottsville and do footwork for this area on a meet? I don't think you would...which was the same when it was asked of me to do the same in the lad's in Allentown area. Sorry...ask me to do legwork in MY area...no problem....ask me to do legwork in YOUR BACKYARD...yeah, that aint happening...sorry. I agree...tis a group effort...and when one part of the group gets lazy...other parts need to step up...twas all Millsy and myself were doing in this instance.
[Part 2]
Millsy's hall location sounds great to me. Even if it's not really a "picnic" in the traditional sense, there are many advantages to having the picnic indoors. Climate control: the past two times we got together seemed to be the hottest days of the year. No need for squatting: this makes for a more leisurely arrival schedule. Bathrooms: No need to use the port-o-potty with no sinks to wash your hands.
Yes, the Internet has made research easier than ever. If my research is correct, there is a Ruby Tuesday in Pottsville on Rt 61 where we can go to dinner at night, like we did at Smokey Bones BBQ and Ground Round. However, the Internet also has alot of incorrect information and a number of differing opinions. For every one thing that a person thinks is awesome, there is another person out there who thinks it sucks. That is where personal testimony from our crew is critical. We know what we need as far as resources are concerned for a picnic area or hall, and the Internet isn't personalized enough to tell us that kind of information.
To answer your rhetorical question, no, I wouldn't expect you to have me research the Pottsville area. Not knowing exactly where everyone lives in PA, I wasn't expecting someone to do scouting for a location that's 45 minutes away. However, I think there is a misunderstanding of what my perception/expectations were. Please note that I posted "The main reason that last fall's PA JoeCustoms Get Together didn't get off the ground is because no one provided a detailed/concrete location at which it could be held." I meant a detailed/concrete location... period, not necessarily in Allentown. There also may have been an assumption on all of our parts that since meeting in Allentown was successful in pulling in people like MBB and yojoe-a-go-go that we should have in Allentown again. Perhaps I didn't express myself correctly during our last meet when I mentioned that the non-picnic location could be traveling/rotating, so it could be Allentown, or somewhere else, to give people from places such as Pottsville a shorter road trip to be fair.
I was just a bit disappointed that no one figured in mid-fall 2008, "Hey, this Allentown choice isn't working out. All we're hearing is crickets and watching tumbleweed blow through the forum. Maybe if I suggest someplace (detailed) local to me, it may generate some buzz." I could have offered a place in New Jersey, but I figured that would have defeated the purpose of a PENNSYLVANIA JoeCustoms Get Together.
So you and Millsy throwing out alternate places for the picnic is fine with me, as long as we get things locked down, which definitely sounds what Millsy plans to do once we set a date.
Blitzkrieg
Understood my friend.
As for the Allentown Area....it was discussed at the last Fall meet....but sadly...it ended there. I spoke via PM's with those in that area from this board...but again...it ended there. Sadly ...when it was put in my lap via PM to "Come down here and find a spot for it."....yeah, I lost all ambition in it...considering I had almost an hour drive...to look for a venue in which others could merely walk down the block or two. Again...ask me to look in my area...NO PROBLEM...ask me to do your legwork so you can sit back and watch tv in your town...while I am down the street from you pounding the sidewalk...yeah, that is not happening.
To add to Pottsville area:
Multiple hotels...I know I have said this before, but the best tool is mapquest and the "Hotels/Motels" Tab. If you are thinking of a specific one...please by all means let Millsy or Myself know and we can tell you what we know of these establishments.
Family wise: Knoebel's Grove is a mere 40 minutes away....the nations only free admission amusement park. Also...Hershey Park of Hershey PA is only 45 minutes away. Other attractions include Pioneer Coal Mine Tour...after all this is home of the coal region....they take you via an old coal train trolley into a coal mine, a real treat during the summer as it is like natural air conditioning - I actually got kicked out as I didn't want to leave it was so pleasant.
We are but 30 minutes from the Crystal Cave exhibit....and underground natural cave.....with much geological sites to be seen. Not to mention home to Yuengling Brewery...home of America's Oldest Brewery...which features free tours during week days.
There is much in this area....for all, including family. Campgrounds area (which I know Frost will be interested in) can also be viewed via mapquest...go to Pottsville Pa 17901 and search "campgrounds"...Millsy and I will report any and all info we have on what prospective sites you think of.
Again...wherever the mass decides on the meet...I will do my best to attend.
. 
