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06/09/09 10:46 AM	#7
Harlan Steuer Kelly, that sounds great! I think it would be nice to have an event in Niskayuna. One question does River Road Park have sufficient parking for everyone?

06/09/09 11:09 AM

Katherine Brainard (Perkins)

Here's the town's info on River Rd and Blatnick Park. Perhaps it would make sense to reserve the pavilion for shade or in the event of light rain, and to have all the tables? Across a number of families the cost would be minimal. I haven't been to either park in years so am not sure which is better w.r.t size and or amenities. Jeff Blatnick Park This large park is located on River Road adjacent to the Niskayuna Transfer Station. Amenities include baseball fields, skate park, playground, pond, basketball courts, driving range, covered pavilion, bathrooms, tennis courts and Mohawk River and Bike Path access. Pavilion may be reserved at cost of $25 per use. Baseball fields home of Niskayuna Baseball from April 1 through December 15 each year. River Road Park This park is located on River Road near the intersection with Rosendale Road. Amenities include tot lot; pavilion with bathrooms; softball fields; basketball court; large, open area and natural walking area. Tennis courts and playground located behind park at schools. Pavilion may be reserved at cost of $50 per use. Softball fields home of Niskayuna Girls Softball from April 1 through July 31 each year.

06/10/09 09:30 PM	#9
Amy Bird (Norris) To all of you planning a Sunday park gathering, please know that I can fund the pavillion rental with money from the class account as long as it is around $50.00. There will not be enough to cover food, but there is a little in the account right now to cover the cost of a pavillion. Just let me know where to send a check. If there is anything you need from me, just let me know!

06/11/09 12:49 PM

#10

Harlan Steuer

To Amy Bird Norris and everyone,
For a small fee per classmate and family say $10 to $15 would we be able to have a lunch at the park? If that’s not enough maybe Amy can figure out what it will cost per classmate and get back to us. I think if we do offer a picnic lunch we will attract more members of our class to come to the event, possibly those who might not go to the other two planned events.

06/11/09 12:52 PM	#11
Suzanne Smalkin (Howard) All, This is a great idea... especially for those of us with kids who want to catch up with old friends but want to let our kids have some fun too! Lunch sounds great, and the cost is nominal. Let me know if I can help in any way.

06/20/09 12:04 PM

#12

Christine Schneider (Keyser)

Amy and I have been talking and we will happily inquire about reserving the Space at River Road Park for a family picnic on Sunday. After a lot of discussion, we think that the best thing to do would be to have it as a Bring your Own Picnic. That way, families with children and food allergies are included and we don't have to worry about a seperate menu. Also it would allow for last minute drop ins and people will not have to committ so far in advance to coming. People can grab whatever they want to eat or pack a picnic and head over for some family fun. Does this work?

06/22/09 09:37 AM	#13
Amy Bird (Norris) To all interested in the family picnic, we are planning on Sunday. Times will be announced once I secure the pavillion.

06/22/09 08:18 PM	#14
Katherine Brainard (Perkins) Great, looking forward to seeing people.

06/23/09 02:19 PM

#15

Amy Bird (Norris)

To all interested in a family picnic for Sunday July 26th...I called the parks and rec department in Niskayuna and unfortunatley there are no parks with pavillions available to rent...all 4 parks in the area have been booked for that Sunday, and all weekends in July. If someone would like to do research in another area and take over the planning of this event, please feel free, but at this point Chris and I have a lot to do with the other two events happening that weekend. As I said before, the class account can cover the price of a pavillion if it is around $50.00. Fell free to call me if you have questions 518-877-7943.

06/23/09 10:25 PM	#16
Tammy Hildenbrandt That all sounds great, I wont be able to attend the Marriot things but the Family Picnic sounds great, Keep in touch and let me know if I could be of any help!

06/24/09 12:40 PM	#17
Michelle Maneri Hi Amy! We could look at Congress Park in Saratoga, It's a very large park-I could check if you would like. This is a great idea! Let me know what I can do to help. I'll be around tonight. Shelle

06/26/09 12:30 PM	#18
Michelle Maneri HI Everyone! I am still working on it, waiting for a call back from Canfield Casino at Congress park. Central in Schenectady is all booked. Will post an update as soon as I have it! Another option would be to just meet at one of the state parks, without a pavillion, and go from there!

06/26/09 12:51 PM	#19
Harlan Steuer Hi everyone, Thank you Michelle for all that you are doing to find a venue for the picnic. One suggestion is Collins Park in Scotia, NY. They have plenty of parking, lots of picnic tables, a beach and swimming, Jumping Jacks is right there and we might not even need to reserve anything, just have everyone show up there on Sunday.

06/26/09 03:20 PM	#20
Christine Schneider (Keyser) Thanks so much to everyone for their work on this and ideas. Amy and I really appreciate you guys sort of taking the lead. Let us know what you find out and we can send a message to the class. Thanks again for your efforts! :-)

06/26/09 04:57 PM	#21
Michelle Maneri Hi everyone! Canfield Casino isn't an appropriate place. It's for weddings. I like the Collins Park idea! Jumpin Jacks is great for the kids. What does everyone think? I can also try the state park in Saratoga if people would rather that! Let me know!

06/26/09 09:27 PM

#22

Katherine Brainard (Perkins)

If we do Collins Park, what are the options for a central meeting place? So we can be sure to see as many people as possible and not be all over the park? I am not going to the other events and if I drive in for this, I'd like to be able to catch up w/ as many folks as possible. Thanks Michelle for looking into the options. Are there any other options towards Saratoga or Clifton Park or?
-Katie

06/28/09 09:47 AM	#23
Katherine Brainard (Perkins) Friday is great for me as I have to go to Albany anyway that day . . .I realize it wouldn't work for everyone . . . .does it work for anyone?

06/28/09 08:14 PM

#24

Amy Bird (Norris)

Kelly, thanks for your suggestions. I just want you guys to know that if you do this Friday, those people doing the bar crawl may not do both, that was why we suggested Sunday. If you want us to send out an e-mail asking what others prefer, and who is planning to attend a picnic let me know and I'll have Chris do that. I don't want you going through all the trouble of setting something up and not having a good turnout...let me know what you would like us to do.

06/28/09 10:37 PM	#25
Katherine Brainard (Perkins) Good point, Amy. If we could get a better handle on interest/availability (Fri or Sun), that would be great. I don't want to make a special trip if no one is going to be there.

06/29/09 11:54 AM	#26
Christine Schneider (Keyser) A survey is now active on the site under the page Family Picnic.

06/30/09 10:48 PM

#27

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ross

hey!

here is a last minute thought -

if people are attending a bar crawl in saratoga on friday night, i think it may be prudent to suggest that they book a room there as well.

thinking about the drive from saratoga after a night of drinking poses some obvious problems.... and of course we wouldn't want anyone to miss the reunion dinner because they became intimate with a police officer or a jail cell or god-forbid a hospital.... right?

i am looking into it and will post whatever i find.

anyone else have any thoughts/suggestions?

thanks for all your hard work.

all my best,
Lizzie

07/01/09 08:16 AM

#28

Amy Bird (Norris)

Lizzie,
Very good suggestion...if you need hotel listings in the area let me know. But beware, it's the first open weekend of the track so you may have a hard time finding a place. A cab ride down to Clifton Park would not be too bad if you want to look there too. There is a Comfort Suites, Hampton Inn, and a Best Western in CP. Also in Malta, a little closer to SaAratoga than CP there is Fairfield Inn by Marriott and a Hyatt Place. Hope this helps!

07/06/09 10:11 AM

#29

Heather Skoburn (Fronczek)

I did a little research for rooms on Friday night in Saratoga. The Hampton Inn and Suites is a fairly new hotel. My husband says it is very nice as he stays there often for business. They are located on Lake Ave which is very close to Bailey's Cafe, our starting point. They have about 40 rooms available as of today.

For that night the rooms start at $189 or if you have AAA it starts at $170 a night. If you book online you can get a rate of $160, but you can not cancel or change the type of room you have. If you happen to have Hilton honors points it is 30,000 points.

I hope that helps!

Heather

07/24/09 04:14 PM	#30
Amy Bird (Norris) Let's get this party started!!!!! 3 hours and counting! See you all soon!

03/25/14 04:52 PM

#31

Andrew Dickinson

Just got the e-mail! It'd be nice to see you all! But... honestly, I'm not at all happy with the choice of venue; I think it's a little exclusionary. A "family friendly" event is nice, but for people who don't have families (or even spouses), it can be very awkward and uncomfortable. :-( It would have been nice if you had picked an event and venue where everyone could've felt included.

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