Ohio AWers (& anyone close)

[Puma]

Hi AWers from Ohio and any states bordering Ohio. Is there any interest in organizing a get together in a central location -- which would sound like somewhere near Columbus? I'm thinking just a get together to say hello and share experiences, maybe late in the summer (not August 18), probably a Saturday afternoon, twoish so there's drive time on both sides, at someplace like a Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel. Let me know what you think (and if you're interested, what days won't work for you). Puma

[Cath]

I'm NE Ohio (just outside Cleveland, lucky me :)) I'd definitely be interested in getting together sometime.

[Little Red Barn]

Cinci would be close for me!

[Susan Gable]

I'm NE Ohio (just outside Cleveland, lucky me :)) I'd definitely be interested in getting together sometime.

Hey, Cath! I come to RWA meetings in NE Ohio sometimes. :) I'm over in Erie.

Susan G.

[Shwebb]

I'd do it--I'm in SE Ohio. Columbus or Cleveland would work best for me. (Not holding out much hope for Marietta!)

[giftedrhonda]

I'm up around Cleveland... :D

[Cath]

Whee! I'm not alone. :D

[Rane]

I'm near Cleveland as well. :D

[PattiTheWicked]

I'm in a suburb of Cow-lumbus, so pretty much anywhere in Ohio is within three hours of me. Count me in!

[Braydie]

A MapQuest search on Google shows that from my home in Wetzel County, West Virginia to those cities previously mentioned:

Cincinnati, Ohio = 4 Hrs. 52 Mins. 282.67 Miles

Cleveland, Ohio = 3 Hrs. 59 Mins. 212.83 Miles

Columbus, Ohio = 3 Hrs. 17 Mins. 183.86 Miles

Marietta, Ohio = 1 Hr. 36 Mins. 73.32 Miles

No location looks to be out of the question, so, I'll keep an eye out for what's going on here. :)

[Haggis]

Columbus is an anathema for those of us in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Perhaps you could find neutral territory like...Ann Arbor, Michigan. :)

[PattiTheWicked]

Hah! You people from the State up North -- so demanding. Next thing you know, you'll be wanting a college football team.

:::smooch:::

[Haggis]

Hah! You people from the State up North -- so demanding. Next thing you know, you'll be wanting a college football team.

:::smooch:::

I'll get you, my pretty. You and your little... um...do you have a little?

[Cath]

So, Puma, you mentioned a get together.... :D

[Puma]

Hi Cath (and everyone else) - I was waiting for PattitheWicked to chime in. She and I are now working on a date and location in the Columbus area (Patti's SE of Columbus, I'm NE). We're trying to do it before school starts again but have already ruled out the first three Saturdays in August because of book signings.

If we manage to find a date that works for both of us, our thoughts are to meet about 1pm at a restaurant (Patti added Panera to my thoughts), invite everyone from Ohio and bordering states, and ask anyone who has a published book to bring it along (sort of positive experience thread starters :))

So, as soon as we have something definite, we'll let all of you know. Looking forward to meeting fellow AWers. Puma

[Puma]

PattitheWicked and I picked Saturday, July 28, for the first ever, Ohio and surrounding states, AW get together. It will be in the Columbus area at 1:00pm (to allow travel time). Patti is going to post the specifics of where and how to get there.

Please RSVP in this thread if you're going to be able to join us. And, if you're coming and have a published book, bring it along to show everyone. I'm thinking we might also have at least one doorprize (do I hear chocolate?)

Looking forward to meeting all you AW members from the "Heart of It All" (the eastern midwest). Puma

[Cath]

Sounds cool. I'll check the date with Hubby, make sure he's not got anything planned. :)

[Braydie]

We have some definite and tentative summer travel plans, and some tentative "guests are coming" plans, so what's our latest RSVP date, please? :)

[Puma]

Hi Braydie, et al - Patti TW has to reserve the room (at Panera) with a guarantee we'll spend at least $25.00. She's waiting until this weekend to see what kind of responses we get. Other than that, we have no constraints. Earlier, definite RSVPs will guarantee it will be at Panera (there are alternatives at the same freeway exit we wouldn't have to reserve), and we will be happy to see anyone who isn't sure they can come until closer to the date. Puma

[Braydie]

Thank you, Puma, for the information. If this weekend is designated as the cut-off for RSVPs to reserve Panera's, I can't confirm by that time. But, if things work out, I might be one of those "you'll be happy to see" even though she can't be sure until closer to July 28th. :)

[PattiTheWicked]

If I know that at least five people are going to make it (Puma and I being two of them), I'll book the room at Panera when I go in there Monday.

[underthecity]

If anyone's interested in venturing south to Cincinnati, I'd love to meet you. My schedule's kind of tight for a day trip to Columbus, unfortunately (if anyone wants to meet me, that is. I'm not so bad . . .)

I've met Maestrowork. Where is he, anyway?

allen

[PattiTheWicked]

Aw, c'mon, Allen, come up for a coupla hours. I'll buy you a donut.

[Little Red Barn]

If anyone's interested in venturing south to Cincinnati, I'd love to meet you. My schedule's kind of tight for a day trip to Columbus, unfortunately (if anyone wants to meet me, that is. I'm not so bad . . .)

I've met Maestrowork. Where is he, anyway?

allen
Im in on Cinci :)

[Shwebb]

I'll have to check with my hubby, as well. I think that's one of his 12-hour weekend days; he works them every other weekend. And I'm not going to bring all three kiddos.

There is a small chance I could swindle--er, I mean convince--some folks to babysit, though.

Where is Panera? Is it at Easton Mall? (I lurve Easton Mall.)

[PattiTheWicked]

The Panera I was going to book us at is just north of I-70, at the Reynoldsburg exit. I thought about Easton, but I'm afraid the out-of-towners might get bepuzzled.

I'll post directions to this particular Panera in a day or two.

[Cath]

Sorry, I'm not likely to make the 28th. Maybe next time?

[Puma]

Preyer sent me a PM. He has to work on Saturdays so he can't make it.

Sorry you're not likely to make it Cath.

Still waiting to hear from more of you. Puma

[PattiTheWicked]

OK, so far the only person I know for sure is coming is Puma... if anyone else is interested in attending a meet-up in Columbus, please PM me by the end of the week. We're looking at holding it July 28 at 1:00.

I know darn well there's more Buckeyes -- and folks from other nearby states -- out there!!

[Shwebb]

Sorry, but I won't be able to make it. Hubby is, indeed, working his 12-hour shifts that weekend, and he can't even request a vacation day right now; there are too many people on his schedule off on workers' comp. :(

I'd still love to meet up sometime soon, though.

[PattiTheWicked]

OK, folks, looks like the July 28th date will have to be scrapped due to everyone's crazy schedules.

We're now thinking of Sunday, August 12th. PM me or post it here if you can make it that afternoon instead.

[Puma]

Come on Ohio AWers (and anyone in a surrounding state who wants to pop in). Join us on Sunday, August 12, 1pm, Panera Bread - Reynoldsburg exit off I-70 east. Did you know Panera even makes chocolate filled croissants - just perfect for writers. And the chocolate nut bagels - yum! Come and join us! Puma

[Little Red Barn]

Cath, Puma, I can do Cinci!

[Cath]

I'll do my darndest to talk hubby into Columbus. (I'd need to borrow his car)

Kimmi, I promise, next time hubby's working down in Cinci, I'll join him and we'll meet up. :)

[TsukiRyoko]

I can literally walk to Ohio from my house and be there within 2 minutes. I'm not sure how long the drive from my area to any of the marker cities of Ohio will be, but I know it's not very long at all.

[PattiTheWicked]

Two hours from the West Virginia line to Cow-lumbus.

[Puma]

We've gotten some responses to the Ohio get together but there are still quite a few people we haven't heard from. So - how about it, the rest of you in Ohio (and close to Ohio), are you going to be able to join us on Sunday, August 12th, on the east side of Columbus? Hope you are. Puma

[Puma]

PattitheWicked can't make it on August 12 now and the room at Panera is only available from 2 to 3. So - we need some input from those of you who were hoping to come - and everyone else who didn't respond who might like to come to an Ohio get together.

Should we postpone the get together and make it later in the fall - could more people come then?

Should we go ahead with August 12 at 1pm and meet at either Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel at the same exit off I-70 or at the Bob Evans at the Gahanna exit off I-270? (I don't think an hour at Panera is going to cut it; we might have to wait for a table for a few minutes at either restaurant.)

Let me know by posting in this thread or send me a pm. Puma

[Puma]

The Ohio AW Get Together scheduled for August 12 is cancelled - apparently no one could come then. Maybe later in the year. Puma

[Cath]

Sorry Puma - it's difficult for me to travel far at the moment. :(

Maybe later, like you say.

[maestrowork]

Perhaps fall would be better, when everyone is done with their family vacations.

[Braydie]

Puma,

Thanks for keeping us posted. A get-together is such a good idea. Maybe it will work out later.

[Shwebb]

I'm sorry, Puma. I haven't even been able to look at the calendar--so much as been going on, lately. I really do want to get together with everyone.

[TsukiRyoko]

I'll be able to make room in my schedule at any time in order to meet up with you guys (not because my schedule's loose, per se, but because I have no problems dropping whatever I'm doing to go there. Just ask my supervisor).

I really hope we can get together soon. I'm still pumped up about it.

[Puma]

We'll see what we can do Tsuki. I'm glad to hear you're pumped about getting together. I've been having fun reading the thread about St Louis and seeing some pictures of the AW group. We can do it too, Ohio and neighbors. Puma

[Little Red Barn]

We'll see what we can do Tsuki. I'm glad to hear you're pumped about getting together. I've been having fun reading the thread about St Louis and seeing some pictures of the AW group. We can do it too, Ohio and neighbors. Puma
Can we so Cinci Puma,.
Hey Suki

[Puma]

Hi Kimmi - The problem with Cincy is there are more AWers in the northern part of the state than in the south. Why don't you think about setting something up for the southern AWers (but make it open to anyone in Ohio) and include your closer neighbors in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Indiana in the invite. I don't see anything wrong with having more than one get together per state. Puma