REGION SIX GATHERING IS SET FOR SEPT. 18, 19, 20th.

[Shannonbeau]

Special Update of All Details

HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER SO FAR.

I will post this to the Child Forum that Tim Suggs has created since it is out there now.  BUT ALL FINAL INFORMATION WILL BE IN THIS FORUM SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO POST TWICE AND RUN THE RISK OF OTHERS NOT KNOWING TO GO TO THE CHILD FORUM..
I am also going to request Jack to change the first post in this forum to read the most up to date information.
YES there is information with links and maps in this thread to the event. Additionally they are right here.

There are no reservations as this is a county park.  However, I will be setting up pre-registration payment through my pay pal so that anyone that wishes, I will be there on the morning of the 18th and I can place a paid card in a camping location for you. 
I am sure this will be updated with a schedule and even that is subject to change.  The session are subject to change as well based on presenter availability.

Here ya go.

REGION 6 Gathering, Anamosa, Iowa.

DATE:              Friday   September 18th Setup Camp and Get to know each other.

Saturday   Sept. 29th GATHERING

      Sessions and activites in no particular order.
      First Aid and making a first aid kit.
      Edible and Medicinal Plants
      Energy Alternatives – Solar, Wind and efficiencies
      Gardening, permaculture and homesteading (off site demonstration)
      Novelty rifle and pistol shooting. (prizes)
      Door Prizes and giveaways
      Potluck supper – Each family provides a meat dish and Salad or Desert.
      Coupon Exchange
      Round Robin – Bring stuff you are willing to trade. Fun time.
      Lunch – Cracker barrel (bring goodies and snacky items like summer sausage, hors derve’s, cheese, veggies, chips and dip, lunch meat, bread etc.  Everyone eats.
      Fire starting conventional and primitive (bow drill, flint and steel, battery and steel wool….
      Kids Games all day. (Prizes)
      Brownells firearms accessories – Setting up dealers accounts and state of the industry.
      Personal Firearms Safety – IDPA President speaker.
      Home Makers – (Stereotypically ladies but the guys could learn a thing or two) Coupon clipping, salvage grocery shopping, sewing and more.
      72 hour bug out bag.
      Amateur Radio – KC8SON – Presenting (Bring some gear if you have it.)
      Bucket food and how to plan it. – Shannon

   Sunday More Shooting – discussion – friendship – tear down – Leave Happy and more educated.     


LOCATION:        Matsell Bridge Natural Area – Linn County Iowa.
ADDRESS:          Matsell Bridge is located north of Viola, IA in eastern Linn County. East on County Home Road (E-34) to Stone City Road; north on Stone City Road to Matsell Park Road; continue north on Matsell Park Road to the park.
http://maps.google.com/maps?t=h&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=42.131633,-91.380758&spn=0.015945,0.027509&z=15

Camping Fee’s       $8.00 per night.
Contact – Shannon Appleby                       319-361-7777
               Stacy Appleby                           319-361-7729
shannonbeau@hotmail.com




Would you be interested in getting together for an Iowa Gathering?  If so, I would ask that you invite at least one friend that is not currently a member here to share what you are learning or have to offer.
I will be putting an event/weekend together this summer yet but I need to get the details together first.  Let me know if you have any input or can help with anything.  Also, what would you like to see at an event like this?
I want to make sure that it fits as many peoples needs.
Gardening, Weapons, ammo resources, Prepping, Water purification, Guerilla gardening, Food Storage....
Any information that is shared or resources that you may have at your disposal, please share them and we'll all try to make this happen.
If I am going to orgainze this one, it will probably take place in Eastern Iowa.. (I know, the farthest from everyone) but we have some great grounds here, river, parks, shooting range etc. all in one place that will work perfect for this.  
I am putting together an agenda and I will have a planning meeting in the next few weeks that I already have 3 other people attending.  I have some resources penciled in but we will need to make this a group effort.  I will be sharing the agenda and planning process with the forum when it is completed and we can communicate the details as they come in on this forum also.

I can also be contacted at shannonbeau@hotmail.com about this event only please.

[derajer]

As I stated in my PM, I would be happy to attend a semi-local event, but I can't commit to anything without a specific date. Is there anything in particular that you would like attendees to provide?

[Shannonbeau]

There will be a potluck for this so you'll need to bring a dish and your own plate, bowl, spoon, fork etc.
I would like to see if the foods made can come from your garden, or a farmers market or something you can make out of a prep bucket.  it'll give you a story to tell about your dish at the table.  Sounds goofy but beleive me, it's worth it.
Also want to show people a new way of gathering food and sharing with neighbors.

[Shannonbeau]

derajer, I also wanted to thank you for offering up some assistance.
May is busy as busy can be, June is just as bad for me.  I am thinking sometime in August but I need to make sure it isn't the weekend I am going on a canoe trip with my Boy Scout troop.  where are you from?  Could you attend a planning meeting next month?

[ejsandstrom]

As long as gas is <$3 and the weekend works out, I would be willing. I could do a "Idiots guide to Generators".

[derajer]

I live in Altoona. I would attend a planning meeting, what time/day works for you?

[kimbertac2]

Shannon,
Based on limited response, limited time, and conservation of limited resources, here's my suggestion:  Cancel the big plans ideas we discussed earlier, but schedule a smaller "introductory" get together for the  2-4 people who might show up. derajer offered to attend a planning meeting... so combine both objectives... Maybe meet for some good beer and fishing somewhere. Plan a lunch and talk about plans for a more formal get together later. Tailor it back to the current interest, but keep up the interest to garner more support later.  Just my gut feel.

Unless you can get Jack to announce in his podcast for more people to communicate a higher level interest. Without more feedback, it won't warrant the  planning effort we previously discussed.

[Shannonbeau]

I do plan on doing some planning meetings, it will all depend on how many people we can get to reply.  Things have just been very hectic this spring and summer so far.
If I can get more potential involvement, we'll see what happens.
If anyone reading this is from the region, please respond to your likelyhood of attending, even if you cannot.  This help us gauge our need for this event.

[derajer]

As I said before, I would love to attend a real event and will gladly attend a planning meeting. In the meantime, care to get some coffee or something? I don't actually drink coffee, but you get the idea. I attempted to do this with Zombie Squad about a year ago, I got one good friend out of that and could probably round up 2 or 3 people.

[Shannonbeau]

I would like to get together for coffee (I don't drink coffee either) on July 18th.  I have some other guys ready to get together too...  Cedar Rapids will be the place.
How fitting would it be to have it in a town that really could have been more prepared even if it wasn't the end of the world.
This will be a planning / brainstorming session.
Jack is going to start announcing on the show that we want to get this thing done.
I would really love to have a great showing out of the midwest.
If anyone plans on coming from very far away, let us know, we'll see about lodging arrangements.  We can come up with some good camping on private ground nearby.

We will be meeting at 10 AM at a location yet to be decided. It will depend on the intended attendance.
Please contact me at my regular email address Shannonbeau@hotmail.com if you plan to attend.  Also, reply to this post.  I cannot view this post from my 9-5 job and I can only get on the site from home every so often due to my schedule.
If nothing gets accomplished, at least we'll make some new friends.

[jwilli]

I live in Mankato, MN but was raised in Iowa.  I would be interested in attending a get together if you guys will let me back.  I will be watching for the posting. 

[derajer]

I'll have to talk to the wife, but I think I can do the 18th of July. How set are you on a 10 AM meet time?

[Shannonbeau]

jwili,
More than happy to let you back into Iowa... Besides, this is a region thing. 
See you on the 10th.. Time is not definate yet.
ALL - Let me know what time would work best for all of you.

[derajer]

Did I miss something? Are doing this on July 10th or 18th? The 10th is actually better if we are.

[jmaninolin]

This is a great idea.  I would be up for a planning meeting also.  Time and place?  18th in C.R. works with me.

[jwilli]

Is this going to be a planning meeting or an actual get together? 

[Shannonbeau]

The planning meeting will be on July 18th at Noon in Anamosa, Iowa. 
The location will be at Wapsipinicon State Park in the Central Pavillian.
The change of location has been made simply because I cannot think of a place approriate in Cedar Rapids for this...
This is going to be a preliminary planning meeting. 
I would like to have input instead of just doing what I want to do.
Please plan on bringing something for a potluck. If the event location is changed due to weather, keep you dish for the ride home.
The meeting will be about 2 hours long, possibly longer depending on how much fun we are having and what we get decided.
There are caves to explore, trails to hike and a creek to play in should you decide to bring the family and make a day of it.  I will be bringing my family.
Be prepared.  Bring dishes and eating utinsels as again, this will be a potluck.  There is a grill on site should you need to warm something up or cook anything.
I will get the pavillion at sunrise so please don't leave me hanging as the only one there. 
Jack has put much of his personal time to do this without any compensation, I think that is great as we have all learned a great deal from him.
Let's make sure this event is one that will be remembered around the country as the best of the first.

For some background on me.  I have been involved in many large event plannings.  I have organized clubs and organizations such as Fraternal Order of Eagles, Buckskinner club, Boy Scouts, Concerts, festivals and much more.
I will appoint duties to other members that wish to participate so to utilize the best talents of each person.  Please volunteer for something, no matter how small, it will help.
As stated before, please bring a dish for potluck.... 
Hope to see you all there. 

[Shannonbeau]

THE PAVILLIAN is located in the center of the park. 
Google Wapsipinicon State Park for Anamosa Iowa.  In the middle of the park, you will find a road in the center of the park near a creek, this is where the meeting is.  Whether you take the high road or low road, you will find this pavillion.  I will have it marked with a TSP sign and probably my truck... OD Green Jeep J10 pickup named Kritter Gitter, you will know why when you see it.

[MisterE]

Though I won't be able to make the planning meeting, I would for sure be interested in a get together. You could count us in for at least two more atendees possibly four.

[madcap1one]

Since our region cant seem to agree on a get together - I would be happy to make a day long road trip of it coming from Chicago with my better half and our two 4 legged beasts!

[Shannonbeau]

Quick change of PLANS on the date for the planning meeting.  Instead of Saturday, the meeting will be this SUNDAY, JULY 19th at Thomas Park in Marion, Iowa.
Marion is a suburb to the east of Cedar Rapids at the east end of Blairs Ferry Road... The road heading east ends at the park at a T intercection. 
We will be meeting at a pavillion if I can get one registered, if not, we'll have picnic tables to use.  Should there be inclement weather, I will have the alternate location picked out at that time.
Below is an agenda of the day.  I want everyones input on this so that everyone gets out of this what they can instead of it just being stuff that I want to learn.  Be prepared to volunteer to hunt down an expert or to do a presentation yourself no matter how silly you think it would be.
Here is the exact location of Thomas Park

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=thomas+park,+marion,+iowa&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=46.898798,113.027344&ie=UTF8&ll=42.03052,-91.612716&spn=0,359.944811&z=15&iwloc=B&iwstate1=sscorrectthiscard&layer=c&cbll=42.030469,-91.612817&panoid=aT0Elq3H5LPKlNiDzUJmSQ&cbp=12,127.91,,0,5

The area will be marked with TSP lettering for signage.
If someone has an American Flag with Pole and a stand, please bring it.  The session will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.


TSP REGION 6
PLANNING MEETING AGENDA
Date:     Sunday, July 19, 2009
Time:     11:00 AM
Location: Thomas Park in Marion, Iowa.


11:00 – 11:15                      Greetings / Getting to know you.
11:15 – 12:00                      Pledge of Allegiance - Wants and Needs of potential attendees.
12:.00 – 1:00                       Lunch – Potluck (Weather Pending)
1:00 – 1:30                          Resources available? (Speakers, experts, materials)
1:30 – 2:00                          Date and Location?
2:00                                     Dismissed or hang around, it’s up to you.

[derajer]

I'm pretty sure I can swing that, let me check my wife on our other obligations for the day. We probably wouldn't arrive until closer to noon as it is a two hour drive and I won't be out of church until 10:00.

[Shannonbeau]

I'll be getting out of church at the same time.  My 5 yr old is in Vacation bible school this week and has a program on Sunday.  He is really looking forward to it.

[MisterE]

Awesome, though I won't be able to make it due to being short notice. Though as soon as you get the date set for the main event let us know! As I stated before I know I can count on two attendees and possibly four. Keep up the good work and let's make this happen people!

[Shannonbeau]

I just hope that myself and Sablewolf aren't the only ones at the meeting, him and I have planned a ton of events before but it always sucks to be alone.  I understand if people cannot make it due to short notice, but remember, natural disasters don't give any notice and you always have to be prepared to do something for a few hours that wasn't in your plans.
Please let me know if any of you can make it.  Also, make sure to tell all of your friends about this. 
Not to gloat but I have been known to put on some pretty great events and this one will be one to remember.  We hope to set the standard for Region TSP events.
Hope to see you all there.
 BTW, This isn't wacking at anyone for not being able to make it.... I really understand if you cannot make it.. I haven't been more than 30 miles from home unless It has been to fly somewhere for work in about a year...  Just a home body now a days.

[timsuggs]

Hi guys!  I wish you all the best of luck with your event!  Both BigDaninTX (R-5) and I (R-3), tried to launch events for our regions only to meet with dismal results.  Please take the time to look over our messages concerning our "plans" for our events so that you can reap the benefit of the hard lessons learned by both of us.  I truly wish you the best of luck and offer my help in any way I possibly can.  The coveted title for the FIRST TSP Regional event is still up for grabs to the best of my knowledge, so go for broke and do us all proud!

Tim.

[jmaninolin]

I was planning to come on Sat.  Unfortunately I am unalterably indisposed on Sunday.  I have a P/A system that I could offer for use.  Bueno suerte on Sun...I will be in touch as to what I can do to help in the arrangements.

[MissouriHuntress]

Where in Eastern Iowa?  I live in MO, and am wondering if your get together is an option for me.  I'd be coming from the Kirksville area if it worked out.  Thanks.

[MissouriHuntress]

So sorry, just figuring out this posting thing.  I thought the posts on top were most recent.  I'm interested in the get together, but live too far away to do any planning sessions.  I'll keep reading for a date/place for the event.  Good luck planning! 

[Shannonbeau]

Hello everyone, It is 7:30 AM and I am getting ready for some breakfast, then going to church to watch my 5 yr old in his program from Vacation Bible School.
We'll all be meeting up at 11 AM at Thomas Park in Marion Iowa for the planning session. 
I hope that some of you can make it.  I know it is short notice to change the date but I had a Board of Review meeting all day yesterday at Camp Wyoming that I completely forgot about.

To those that were going to make it but cannot now, I am really sorry.  The worst thing I could have done was to change the date of the meeting, I know several people were going to make it but now cannot.
We are going to push forward and make this work.
I will make good notes and provide those notes on this forum when I get them typed together.
I'll also give the details of how the meeting went and what can be changed to make it work better if that is the case.

I think we'll be having an online planning session as well, just need to work out the details.... i'll let you all know how it goes.
See ya.