Ok Here is the Deal. A lot is happening in my life right now. It may be possible for me to attend. I would like to make a tentative reservation as I am not sure of the closing date on my house. If it sells before May then I am there. If it does not sell before May then I am out. Market is Hot and it goes on the market in a week or so.

I hate to be wishy washy but there has been a lot of life changing events recently. I will explain in person if interested.

As far as a get together on the left coast I am actually trying to purchase 45 acres just north of the Columbia River. And with that space comes the potential for such an event.

Cheers
Meric

Just keep us posted of your progress and intentions. As you can see we still have sites available.

Good luck with your life changes!

If that deal goes with the 45 acres, it could make a possible location for a west coast GTG!

Funny thing is my friend already has a little farm down there. I am trying to purchase the neighbor piece. We are trying to make a destination for people. So it's already in the works just have to add RV parking and hook ups.

Cheers
Meric

Hi Gang,

Here's a letter I am sending today to a friend and former employee of the Barth Factory, Sue Lechlitner.
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Dear Sue,

It was nice to speak with you today.

As I mentioned, we are having another Barth RV get-together at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds from May 29th to June 1st. We have 41 coaches and trailers coming so far. The families & friends of these owners have already made reservations. These Barth coaches and trailers will be coming from across the Country. We expect more as the date draws nearer.

I am trying to get the addresses of anyone and everyone who has ever worked at the Barth factory, plus all known relatives of the Barth family, so that we can send them an invitation to be our guests during this event. The highlight we would like them to attend is a Saturday noon barbeque on May 31st and, of course, lunch will be on us. (We realize that this date may not work for everyone, and so we invite these same folks to stop by anytime from May 29th to June 1st to say ‘Hi’.) We will also do press releases in local news media in the very near future.

I am enclosing a list of the names and addresses of the folks we have so far. If you could review this list to see whether there are any adds, changes or deletions that I should make I would greatly appreciate it.

We very much appreciate your help. Best regards and see you in May,

Lou Thierwechter
PO Box 547
Allegan, MI 49010
(269) 673-2874
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Lou

Lou, you are a good PR man and the letter seems to cover it all.

If there is anything I can help with just let me know.

Great job Lou.

Kudos also go to you Stinky Daddy. With your contribution of the invitations and t-shirts you certainly make us look like a class act.

One hundred days and counting.

Last year we donated 10.00 per site to cover the cost of the food for the GTG. This cost was previously covered by a few Barth owners but we have grown by leaps and bounds and it is not fair for a few to cover this cost.

I am hoping that this meets with approval, this is not mandatory.

We also had a "Gas Pot", you could donate 10.00 and your site number was then entered into a drawing and the winner won the pot. How many are interested in doing this again. Since I was the winner last year in fairness I will not enter this year.

Won't be long now!!!

Mary

Who is going to purchase the food. They should get the donation early so they won't be out of pocket.

It looks like we will be feeding a small army if all the guests show up.

ED.

How are we going to feed 50 Barth families and 100 guests for $500. The last event I am familiar with budgeted about $18 per person for food and non-alcoholic beverages. That equates to about $75 per Barth (that was a catered meal and servers). Has anyone asked the Fairgrounds for advice?

Most people will be at the GTG by Thursday and the money will be collected then, if you are not there then just pay when you do get there.

Usually each site will bring a dish to the lunch (anything that will go with burgers and dogs), with the money collected and what is brought by site members we have always had plenty. The money collected will furnish the burgers, dogs, chips, buns, condiments, assorted drinks, necessary eating utensils and paper products.

This plan has worked for us before and there will be plenty of food but any new ideas are welcome.

One of our members (Sloop John B) furnishes the grills and does most of the cooking but I am sure he would not turn away anyone that wanted to help.

We have some members that are musically inclined and we are hoping they will bring their instruments and furnish us with music so that we can have an old fashioned "street dance" on Saturday night.

Hope this answers the questions, if you have any other ones just let me know.

Hello all! This is Loraine speaking, of course Tom doesn't get involved in food, except to eat!!
We were at the last Milford GTG and it was beautiful. I see the concern for feeding so many people. I agree that each person should pay $20 this year to cover costs. My suggestion is that we have a sign up for things like paper products, condiments, silverware, drinks and whatever is usually boughten with the money that way the money can go strictly for the meat and buns. I have no problem bringing something to support the lunch as well as a dish to pass. We are very excited for this years GTG and can't wait to see everyone!! Oh and I love Mary Rays idea of a street dance !!!

Loraine, we had about 32 Barth's at the GTG last year and we had plenty of money for food and the rest of the necessities, I will ask the people responsible for buying the food and see what they say.

Another thing to consider is the Auction and swap.

Swap
Some folks bring odds and ends others can use if so inclined. I think that is how Steve VW got his new fancy auxiliary heater.

Auction
We also bring stuff to Auction with the proceeds going to Barthmobile. $10 ice Creme comes to mind. I'm still thinking of what to bring this year. I brought a Sage fly rod last time. I'm looking for something with more broad appeal.

We had lots of different stuff for everyone. Time is getting shorter every day!

How time flies like superman!