Looking for some ideals for ‘Little Man’…

Maybe some pants, shoes, and a hat? A more decorative sign? Gloves? A logo on the flag? A mustache?!?

LAST MINUTE UPDATES AND INFORMATION…

…will be posted here and on the Facebook group page (click here) up until early Sunday morning. After that the only way to contact me will be by phone..
When you call you may have to keep calling as I don’t always here the phone ringing. Hopefully others will here it and alert me.

NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE YOUR MIND AND COME!

Use the post summary and links in the left hand column under “PICNIC INFORMATION” to find information.
Last minute things to consider:

• Sensible shoes: we are in the park, whether your playing games, hiking, or horseback riding either wear appropriate, or bring a change of, shoes.
• Picnic table benches can be hard: bring a foam pad, pillow, or collapsible chair, just in case.
• We can never have too much ice. Everyone should bring a bag.
• We mentioned bringing canopies, the shelter we are in this year is bigger than last year so we shouldn't need them, but if you want to bring yours that’s fine.
• We always forget something, so if you have any picnic left-overs you might bring them, such as: charcoal, lighter fluid, matches, cutlery, and anything else you think of. You can leave them in your car unless needed.
• Again… ice, ice, ice!!!  Frozen blocks, frozen jugs, or bag ice. We never know when we might need an extra cooler.
• Sunscreen, bug spray, eye shade, first aid kit. We usually have these things available, but you should bring your own just in case,. You can leave it in your car until/and/if needed.
  
  

AGENDA: July 5th Independence Weekend Picnic

Here’s what everyone should consider bringing: (in addition to your pitch-in side dish) ICE: we need ice for drinks and ice for keeping dishes and drinks cool. Even if you aren’t bringing drinks are cold food consider bringing any ice chest you have full of ice. Also consider freezing milk jugs or disposable containers so that we have block ice. Ice is cheap and we can’t have too much. Chairs: We will have plenty of seating at the picnic tables but they can get pretty hard over the course of the day so cushions or lawn chairs might make your day more comfortable. Personal items: sunscreen, bug repellant, change of clothes, hat, hand fan, etc.

This is a ‘pitch-in’. We ask that everyone eventually sign-up for a side dish or items to bring. We furnish the meats [If you want you can bring additional or your own.] If you decide to bring extra guest at the last minute, and don’t have time to prepare additional food then just grab a bucket of chicken or something on your way to the park.

Everything Looks Good, Everything Is A Go!

We are currently expecting about 30+ people. The Menu is set, the weather forecast is great, the activities are laid out. All you need to do is show-up.

This is a pitch-in, and even though the menu is set we can always use additional dishes, but if for any reason [schedule, coming by yourself, last minute decision etc.] you may not be able to bring a dish then you can make a donation to the cause to help cover expenses for the shelter and Hayride. We will have a donation jar at the picnic…there will be no solicitation though.

THE	MENU
Glenn:    Hot Dogs (All beef), Brats, Hamburgers and pulled BBQ pork.Buns, condiments. Soda: Cola, Diet Cola, Lemon-Lime, Cherry Cola, Root Beer, Orange,Watermelon: 2-3 Kick-a-poo Joy Juice Plastic cutlery, Paper Plates, Paper Towels, Napkins, Cups	Jo: CONDIMENTS -- Ketchup, Mustard, Relish, Mayo or salad dressing, Hot Sauce, Jalapeño Peppers. Cheese, sliced Tomatoes, sliced onions, lettuce. sliced pickles. sliced bell peppers, Sandwich Spread. also make some jalapeno poppers,cold spaghetti salad & maybe a pie
Kelly: Potato Salad, Bourbon BBQ Baked Beans, Patriots dipped Strawberries....maybe my Sassy Bourbon BBQ Sauce	Darlene Morales: A dessert, maybe bringing 2 or 4 people
Dee: I am bringing grilled corn, meatballs, some pop, ice, watermelon cake, smores & bottled water…maybe beef ribs Tracy: green beans, macaroni salad, dessert,water and ice.	Mark Williams: Hey uncle. I talked with a supplier. I think I'll bring beef short ribs and possibly some steaks this year. Some other things of random. I'll also get extra charcoal.
Carl & Terry: Mac & Cheese, Deviled Eggs	Marshall & Debra: Corn Casserole, Desert.
‘Still Need’	Suggestions
More than one person can bring the same dish.	Two people, both bringing potato salad for example, just gives us variety.
Side Dishes
Tater-Tot Casserole	Cucumber Salad
Snacks & Treats
Cheese Ball	Veggie Tray & Dip,
Desserts: cake, pie, pastry	Chips: Corn, Potato, Cheese Puffs, Tortilla, Dips and Salsa,
Drinks	ICE!!   ICE!!   ICE!!
Ice Tea & Lemonade, Fruit Juice
ICE!!  ICE!! ICE!!	ICE!!   ICE!!   ICE!!   Everyone should bring a bag of ice or some block ice (frozen jugs of water.
Remember, there is a $7 per VEHICLE entrance fee to the park. Keep your receipt and get a map. ICE!!   ICE!!   Baby!!!	Click the “MADE IN AMERICA” icon to look for MIA products.

We’re pretty much set on meats, but if anyone is looking for a last minute dish maybe a bucket of chicken [KFC], or drummetts from Kroger or Safeway??

Early Bird [Set-up] Crew:

UPDATE 7-1-2015: Some of the Early Bird Crew are going to meet at Golden Coral (7910 N. Shadeland Ave.) for a quick breakfast between 7:30 and 8:00, before heading to the park.
Shelter Prep (Early Bird) Crew=Those volunteering need to arrive at the shelter early [about 9am] to:

• sweep out the shelter,
• clear cobwebs and such from under the picnic tables,
• arrange and cover the picnic tables,
• set up the canopies, tables, games table, badminton area,
• clear debris from the area,
• remove old ash from the park’s grill,
• help with the decorations,
• help unload as people arrive,
• and inspect the public restrooms. No need to sign-up, just show-up.

It’s a thankless job, but someone's got to do it.

2009 Early-Bird Crew

If your going to be on the Early-Bird crew but are going to leave after set-up keep your park receipt for re-entry.
Parents, if you want to volunteer your kids for the Early-Bird crew you can drop them off and leave them while you return home to get your stuff. I’ll put the ‘knuckle-heads’ to work.
Just be sure you keep that receipt and get back in time to get your side-dishes on the food line.

2014 Early Bird Crew

2009 Late Night (clean-up) Crew…

…and guest

Stick around for clean-up in the evening and this fellow will usually show-up looking for our scraps.

Our planned activities:

FLASH UPDATE 7-2-2015: We just got word of some Special Activities in the park this Sunday(7-5-2015):
10am – Nature Hike (adults and children), led by Park Staff. The nature hike will meet at the Visitors Center for an easy, 1 hour hike on the Tree ID Trail in Millennium Grove or along the wetland on Schoen Creek Trail. This activity coincided with our picnic once before and everyone who went on the hike loved it. The Visitors center is a short drive from our picnic shelter. You can go straight to the Visitors Center (get a map and directions at the gate) or come to the shelter, unload and go to the hike.

1pm – Animal Feeding Time ((adults and children), Help the Interpretive Naturalist feed the animals on display that are found at Fort Harrison State Park. Learn about what they eat and how often they eat it. The Hayride starts at 2pm so watch the clock and be back at the shelter at 2pm if your going on the Hayride.

UPDATE 5-12-2015:  The per day entry fee is $7 per vehicle ( a little more for out-state-plates.
Links to trail and saddle barn (horseback and pony rides) have been added, as well as park information.

• Ft Harrison State Recreation Area
• A croquet, badminton and volleyball court will be set up.
• We will have a FREE Hayride, tentatively scheduled for 2pm. The tractor pulled ‘Hey Wagon’ will pick us up at our shelter and take a trip along the ‘Harrison Trace’ [see park map] around Lake Delaware and the Duck Pond.
• Possible activities: Hopscotch Tournament, Water Balloon Toss, and ????
  Use   “Leave/Read a comment” link below to make suggestions.
• We'll set up a 'tarp' and table for board, card or dominoes games. More than one if necessary.
• There's room for throwing a football, Frisbee, pitch and catch, or something else if desired.
• There is a pier on Delaware Lake. You can fish, but if your an adult you need a license. 
• The park has many paved and unpaved walking and hiking trails that go along the river and around both lakes. [Delaware Lake & The Duck Pond]  Several of the trails pass within a short walk of our shelter. For pictures from the trails and information click here.
• There are three playgrounds within 75 yards of our shelter.
• Horseback rides along the saddle trail will be available. We won’t be reserving a session but that morning we will notify the saddle barn of the time and number of people who will be participating. $16.00 for 1.25 mile trail [apx. 35 minutes]. We will try to have someone there to take pictures. $1 discount for cash. Must be older than six. Less than 18 must have consent form [contact me]. When you arrive be sure to let me [Glenn} know if you want to do the saddle ride. These prices are as of 5-12-2015.    http://www.hoosiertrailrides.com/
• Adult assisted pony rides. For kids under 6. $3.50($.50 discount for cash). We will schedule this in the same manner as the horse back rides. Not a turnstile. This will occur in a corral about 200 yards long and you will be allowed up to three out and back trips. When you arrive be sure to let me [Glenn} know if you want to do the assisted pony ride. These prices are as of 5-12-2015.   http://www.hoosiertrailrides.com/

-from the conservation and naturalist walk [2009-

-a late dinner guest showed up as we were cleaning up last year-

Remember, there is a $7 per VEHICLE entrance fee to the park for vehicles with Indiana Plates (a few dollars more for out of state). Keep your receipt and get a map.

 

*All fees shown are last years fees. We will determine if any fees need to be updated this week.

The Facilities and Our Set-up:

• Our Shelter is for up to 60 people and is located with wind protection and potential shade on three sides.
• We are located within feet of the parking lot were we have a clear view of our vehicles.
• The bathrooms are not portalets. They are a permanent well structured building. Someone amongst the 'early bird' crew will hit them with a broom in the morning.
• The grill area contains a permanent, standard outdoor grill, but we will not be using it to cook on. We will fire it up with charcoal and use chaffing dishes and water to create a warming table. We will be bringing a large and medium grill to do our cooking on. If any of your 'pitch-in' dishes are to be cooked on site you can use these grills. But let us know so we can schedule you on the grill. We will fire them up at about 10am and already have them scheduled for brats, dogs and burgers. Of course you can bring your own grill if you prefer.
• We will have a medium sized, butane, 2 burner camping stove available.
• We will set up an area using chafing dishes, ice and water for keeping some dishes cold.
• The map below shows our shelter as being “Pa”, Cherry Tree Shelter. (Same as last year.)   

 

Hot Table=We will be using the park’s grill to set up a table for keeping food warm [not to cook on]. We will be using large chaffing pans with water over coals to keep food warm. If you are bringing dishes that you want kept warm then we suggest smaller chafing style dishes or bowls and pan at least 3 inches deep. The Hot Table should be ready no later than 11:30.

Cold Table=Similar to the Hot Table. We will fill large chaffing dishes with water and ice. If you are bringing dishes that you want kept cool then we suggest smaller chafing style dishes or bowls and pan at least 3 inches deep. The Cold Table should be ready between no later than 11:30.

Grilling Area=see above

Sanitation=We are required to ‘take out’ our own trash and there will be plenty of it. I [Glenn] will take care of hauling out our trash and ashes.  This area should be ready to go about noon.

Tips:

What everyone should consider bringing=Ice will be a premium, if everyone will bring at least one bag of ice and block ice for community use that will be great. By block ice* we are suggesting everyone take a disposable plastic jug and freeze it solid. We will use it to maintain the Cold Table baths by breaking it up and putting chunks in the water. Only bag ice will be used for drinks. We will have a cooler with a ladel designated for drinking ice.
Extra chairs: The picnic tables can be hard and in case our group grows they may become crowded so you might want to bring extra chairs [lawn or foldable]. If you have coolers or canopies please bring them. You can leave them in your vehicle until it becomes apparent they are needed if you want to.
Shoes: If you think you might want to go on the trails, hayride, horseback riding, etc. you may want to bring extra shoes [closed toe].
Sunscreen.
If your dish is going into the hot or cold baths it should be at least 3 inches deep. We suggest medium or small aluminum chafing style pans. GFS has various size inexpensive disposable Chaffin dishes/pans with fitted lids. We recommend you visit GFS for these items, disposable serving spoons, paper plates, etc.
Remember there is an admission fee to the park [7 dollars], it is per car, get a map at the gate and be sure to keep your receipt. You can use it for re-entry.
Please provide some cover for your dish, something that won’t blow away.

Ice and more Ice.

Deserts: If you bring ice cream be sure to bring plenty of ice and a cooler to pack it in. Most parents aren’t going to want kids starting the day off with desserts. On the other hand because of the heat we may want to make the popsicles and watermelon available throughout the day.

 

Shelter Prep (Early Bird) Crew=Those volunteering need to arrive early [about 9am] to sweep out the shelter, clear cobwebs and such from under the picnic tables, arrange and cover the picnic tables, set up the canopies, tables, games table, badminton area, clear debris from the area, remove old ash from the park’s grill, and inspect the public restrooms.

 

Shelter: Depending on the weather we may need some fans so please consider bringing a fan (20 inches). You can keep it in your car if it isn’t needed. We have only two outlets. If we need more fans or outlets then we will need a generator, if someone has a generator it would help if they would have it ready in case its needed.

 

Remember, there is a $7 per VEHICLE entrance fee to the park. Keep your receipt and get a map.

SUNDAY's FORECAST:

as of Thursday

Picnic Menu:

Its still to early to put up the menu sign-up post, but its not too early to be thinking of what your side dish might be. Between now and when we post the sign-up sheet I will be posting suggestion/recipes for anyone who might be having trouble deciding.

I will also be posting suggestions for those who might be purchasing their side dish as opposed to preparing it themselves.

I will also be posting information on any sales I become aware of between now and the picnic day, as well as list and suggestion of Made in America suppliers.

You can contribute information comments and suggestions using the comment links below every article/post, and by using comments links on FaceBook or directly posting or sharing on the FaceBook Group page.

Here’s the first recipe suggestion: CUCUMBER-TOMATO SALAD W/EQUAL  I’ve made this in the past for this picnic and the MPLSM picnics, it’s a great cold salad dish and diabetic safe also.

Click here for recipe

7th Annual Independence Weekend Picnic!!!

This years picnic has been schedule for Sunday, July 5th.

This is a ‘pitch-in’. We ask that everyone eventually sign-up for a side dish or items to bring. No rush, its still early. We furnish the meats [If you want you can bring additional or your own.] If you decide to bring extra guest at the last minute, and don’t have time to prepare additional food then just grab a bucket of chicken on your way to the park. This is open to friends, relatives, co-workers, their friends and family etc., etc., etc.  You can invite friends and family too, just be sure to keep us posted on who and how many   We will be setting up as early as 8am and hopefully cooking full blast NLT 10:30am. Food should be ready to serve between 11 and noon. Arrive at your leisure, but don’t miss any of the fun. You can use the Comment Link List button to ask questions, RSVP, or volunteer for menu items. You can RSVP here or on FaceBook, E-mail, or all three. To see Slideshows from past picnics click the ‘tabs’ under the page banner at the top of the page..