8th SWFL ER.org Get-together

[omni550]

<mod note> See post 13 for updated information and details.

Greetings, all. I received a request about planning our 2025 SWFL E-R.org Get-Together.

(By the way, SWFL is Southwest Florida, which is simply where we are meeting. Prior attendees have hailed from from all over Florida, including residents, vacationers, and snowbirds.)

This will be #8!

Here's a link to the one from 2024 7th SWFL ER.org Get-together

As we have developed a format that works for most, I'm planning on replicating it.

We'll be meeting for a late lunch on a Saturday or Sunday in February at a restaurant in the Sarasota area (most likely Gecko's Fruitville, 351 N. Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232. This is near Sarasota, just west of Exit 210 on I-75, with ample parking, so it's easily-accessed for folks who are driving from a distance.) We've gathered there for a number of years and had a great time.

As to who's invited, basically it's ERs, OMYs, W*rkers, Spouses/SOs...(and even Lurkers <--we had one a couple of years ago!)

This initial post is to ascertain if there's any interest? And if Saturday, Feb. 15, Sunday, Feb. 16, or Sunday, Feb. 23 works for you (all 3? or which one(s)?)

Please respond with who's thinking of coming and, if so, which date(s) works for you.

Thanks,

omni

 

[Lewis Clark]

I'm available Sunday Feb 16 or Sunday Feb 23.

 

[nvestysly]

DW and I are available Saturday the 15th or Sunday the 16th. We may be able to make Sunday the 23rd work but it's questionable.

omni550, thanks for organizing this for the past several years. I've been a lurker on the thread hoping to join the lunch group someday.

 

[Dtail]

I am available all 3 days. Prefer Sunday to Saturday but all are fine. Just me.
Omni550, thank you so much for organizing. Lots of fun every year.

 

[latexman]

I am available all 3 days. Thank you, omni550!

 

[38Chevy454]

Sounds like fun again! No date preference for me.

 

[boog]

Either 15th or 16th first choice, 23rd possibly. Just me.
Thanks Omni550!

 

[FLSUnFIRE]

15th is my preference.

I can probably make the 9th work and have a bike ride on the 16th I'm scheduled to lead but I'd try to get out of it if that's the date. The weekend of the 22nd I'll be out of town. Not much availability this year but hope I can make it! Wow, it's almost February, how did that happen?!

 

[FlaGator]

Thank you, Omni, for coordinating yet again! All those dates are good for me.

 

[Scuba]

Thank you, Omni, for organizing this again. Last year was our first time and DH and I really enjoyed it. We can make 2/15 or 2/16 for sure. May be able to make 2/23 also. Looking forward to it!

 

[BeachOrCity]

I can make any of them work. Prob just me

 

[simple girl]

Mr. Simple Girl and I can make any of those.

 

[omni550]

Thanks for all the prompt replies.

Looks like we have a lot of people who are interested in attending, 15 so far.

And Sun. Feb 16th is looking like the best date for everyone (except for FLSUnFIRE, who may be able to get out of his bike tour guide commitment).

Attendees so far:
1. Lewis Clark
2.&3. nvestysly +1
4. Dtail
5. latexman
6. 38Chevy454
7. boog
8. FlaGator
9.&10. Scuba +1
11. BeachOrCity
12. omni550
13.&14. simple girl +1
15. FLSUnFIRE (can possibly make the 16th)

omni

 

[omni550]

As we have had so many responses already, the Finalized Date is Sun. Feb. 16th.

We'll be meeting for a late lunch in the Sarasota area (most likely Gecko's Fruitville, 351 N. Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232. This is near Sarasota, just west of Exit 210 on I-75, with ample parking, so it's easily-accessed for folks who are driving from a distance.)

Attendees so far:
1. Lewis Clark
2.&3. nvestysly +1
4. Dtail
5. latexman
6. 38Chevy454
7. boog
8. FlaGator
9.&10. Scuba +1
11. BeachOrCity
12. omni550
13.&14. simple girl +1
15. FLSUnFIRE

If anyone else cares to join, just post on this thread....

omni

 

[Lewis Clark]

Thanks for organizing agin!

 

[FLSUnFIRE]

I'll be there!

 

[omni550]

I'll be there!

Yay!

 

[Flyfish1]

Turns out we will be in SW FL for our first "mini snowbird" event ever at that time. Staying for a month. Put us down as a maybe as I have to look at travel times and distances. Thx

 

[omni550]

Attendees so far:
1. Lewis Clark
2.&3. nvestysly +1
4. Dtail
5. latexman
6. 38Chevy454
7. boog
8. FlaGator
9.&10. Scuba +1
11. BeachOrCity
12. omni550
13.&14. simple girl +1
15. FLSUnFIRE
16.&17. Flyfish1 +1 (tentative, pending travel plans)

If anyone else cares to join, just post on this thread....

omni

 

[38Chevy454]

Turns out we will be in SW FL for our first "mini snowbird" event ever at that time. Staying for a month. Put us down as a maybe as I have to look at travel times and distances. Thx

I'm coming from over on east coast by Cape Canaveral. You most certainly have less distance than I have. Make it happen, it's fun to put faces to the names.

 

[omni550]

Flyfish1, and other potential newbies,

As a bit of background. Our gathering in Sarasota evolved as it's a bit more centrally located to a locus of forum members. Thus we draw folks from the Sarasota/Tampa/St. Petersburg area as well as repeat attendees from the Panhandle, Space Coast, northern Florida plus the Ft. Myers-Naples corridor.

I'm the organizer and am driving up from the Bonita Springs area. It's an easy Sunday drive on I-75.

It's always been a great group, and a lot of fun. Hope you'll join us.

omni

 

[FLSUnFIRE]

I really look forward to this every year; thank you for organizing omni550!