Among other things, Helen and I are talking about driving up to the Spartan Chassis plant in Charlotte, MI. Just in case anyone wants to follow... I may be able to arrange a tour??

BTW: Whomever is doing T-Shirts, how about an XL and a L for us???
Billy N Helen

quote:

Originally posted by TJ:
It'll be my wife and myself. The TJ is an abreviation of our names.

I remember now. Ted in Seattle is your brother.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill N.Y.:
I remember now. Ted in Seattle is your brother.

Yes, he is and that is where we found our Barth. Anyone at Milford will now get to see the layout first hand.

# of Employees and Guests confirmed for lunch on the 15th: 12. Just received a phone call this morning. Two out of three just added were longtime workers (15 + years) at the Barth factory, with one of them being in supervision. The 'young lady' who called said they are really excited about coming.

Lou,

That sounds great!
We're looking forward to meeting them.

Wm.

That's fantastic Lou, You're really doing a great job being our on site contact person. Honestly, everyone has been pitching in to pull this off.

I feel a little out of place commenting about who is doing what, I fear that I might alienate someone who deserves credit for some aspect of this... I have honestly done nothing but update our website and contributed to a few discussions.

I should be pulling into the fairgrounds on Wednesday and plan on leaving Sunday... Or maybe Monday, it depends on the biz back home.

Would anyone else like to update their expected arrival-departure times?

We're going to hit the road after Sherrie finishes with work on Wed. spending the night at McBarth's place. We'll roll on to the GTG on Thurs. We're planning to leave Sun.

Wm.

We should be at Elkhart on Mon. sometime in the evening...

quote:

I feel a little out of place commenting about who is doing what, I fear that I might alienate someone who deserves credit for some aspect of this... I have honestly done nothing but update our website and contributed to a few discussions.

Bill, none of this would be possible without you and what you've done for the site. Quit beating your head against the wall and just have a great time. I really wish we could be there but the reason we can't is good, too much work, so enjoy and we'll see you when we can.

It will be after 9pm on Friday before we get there. We'll be leaving Sunday.

I've spent a lot of time on this site so I may try and stop by Saturday if I can. I also traveled this area a few times and there's a few things to see if you have the time. Shipshewana, for the food and the flea market, antique stores and quilt shops. Yoder's meatmarket is a place to stock up at if you like great meat and smoked cheese. Their smoked bacon is to die for, as well as their smoked sausages and jerky. It's all good. In Middlebury you'll have to stop by the Essenhaus restaurant for great Amish cooking and food. No diets here. Roast chicken, meatloaf, mash potatoes, loads of gravey. There's the flea market and cabinet shops in Nappanee too. If you're moving around, there's a nice Amish run campround north of Shipshewana and a KOA there just south of the Indiana tollroad. Lot's of horse-drawn buggies on the backroads.

quote:

Originally posted by Danny Z:
Quit beating your head against the wall and just have a great time.

Don't worry Danny, I'll have a great time, you can bet your house on that one.

My comments were just meant to convey...
I don't know who is doing what to pull this off but it sure seems to be going smoothly!!!

Three cheers for all!!!

Not an update, but a repeat - I plan to arrive mid afternoon Monday 5/10 and leave Monday 5/17.

For those needing supplies, there is a Wal-Mart Super Center about a mile (SE) from the fairgrounds just off SR 33. There is another (non-Super Center) and a small Sam's Club about 6 miles the other direction NW), also on SR 33.

Anyone needing a big Sam's Club, there is one in Fort Wayne on SR 3 about 3/4 mile N of I-69 (exit 111).

Thanks for the shopping info, it will be very helpful for those of us that don't have a lot of storage but need a lot of things.

David and I will also arrive on Monday 5/10 and depart Monday 5/17, and we are looking forward to meeting everyone.

This appears to be the mother of all GTGs. So many Barths and Barthers and Barth builders. I was hoping that I could find a way to attend, although Barthless. It now turns out that I will be starting 6 weeks of daily x-ray therapy on Tuesday. Enjoy! everybody. Maybe next year.
Dick.