Hallson Gardens summer get together - 2010!

[Chris_W]

Hi Everyone!

As most of you know, every year we host a middle of the summer get together for forum members to come out here and meet face to face and spend a wonderful day here like a big family reunion

This year, just like last year, the get together will be the last weekend on July, on Saturday, July 31st. This is between the June and August races held at MIS so that there will be rooms available at motels or local bed and breakfasts.

On Saturday we will have the meet and greet in the morning (roll in at your own pace Saturday morning), then just before lunch we should hold the hosta swap/trade - bring a hosta or three (no more than FOUR) to submit to the hosta pool, then we will draw raffle tickets to see who gets the first pick until they are all gone. Brian and I will donate a "special" hosta to the last two draws We will have lunch around noon to one - we will provide baked spaghetti, salads, bread, plus feel free to bring a dish to share or a dessert or snacks. We will also provide pop, water, beer, and wine. After lunch we will have the hosta auction - if anyone wants to donate plants you can, plus we will auction off a few more special plants too. The auction is a lot of fun, proceeds go to Hallson Gardens to help pay for the event and help the business. In the afternoon we will have hosta leaf painting. We will provide concrete hosta leaves and you get to be creative and paint your own leaves.

If you get into the area on Friday night lots of people also get together here on Friday evening and night for drinks and fun conversation. We are also here all Saturday night and leftover lunch makes a great dinner! There is never a shortage of food or beverage

If you need a place to stay there are some bed and breakfasts nearby: The Brick House of Somerset is close, also the Claddagh Inn is nearby. Or you can stay in a Motel in Jackson, MI (these are about 20 miles north of us).

Look forward to seeing lots of old and new members this summer

Chris

[Chris_W]

So will there be anyone there this year? Hopefully lots of you can make it

Chris

[razorbackfan]

I'm in middle Tennessee so I probably won't be able to come to this, but this is the NEATEST IDEA!!! You Hallson people know how to have fun!!! What a friendly, gracious way to connect people.

I wish I could attend--I'll have to start making plans now to go next year. Frankly, I only have a few hostas (10-15), but i've looked at some of your pages and yours lists with 100s of hostas--I'm so JEALOUS!!! Clearly, I have to get busy. . . .

Have a great time at the get together!

[steg]

Steph and I are planning on it. We're working on sitters for the kids now.

[Chris_W]

Hi razorbackfan,

You know, we are really only about an 8 1/2 hour drive from Tennessee, give or take. You could make a weekend trip out of it some time, couldn't you It really is a fun weekend, something we really look forward too.

And great to hear that you and Stephanie can come, Mike.

Chris

[gardengirl13]

Oh I really wish I could come! I don't travel well and it's a long drive. If i was closer I would be there!

[renaldo75]

I think I may actually get there this year. That's my plan anyway.

[DBoweMD]

I'm likely to be there too.

[Linda P]

I'm HOPING this is the year!

Linda P

[gamekeeper]

A weekend with gardeners would be a great time for me but I am stuck here in hump dump N.H. doing dogs and kids etc.However I will make it one day,I also want to get to Arrowhead Alpine Garden also in MI near Kalamazoo is that close to you Chris?

[twoblackdogs]

I am going to try to get over there this year, since I've probably got one of the shorter drives to get there - for the last ones it seemed that every summer we've been gone that weekend. It would be fun to meet people in person.

Gamekeeper - the Arrowhead Alpines I'm familiar with is in Fowlerville, MI, which is about an hour or so north of Chris' place.

[ladyblue]

I plan on being there! I can't wait to see everyone.
Bonnie

[pauhaus]

I'm hoping to be there too. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

[LucyGoose]

I am still figuring it out.....Jay's job has changed now, and I don't know what the heck I am doing... ....But I have always made it......God willing!

[Chris_W]

Sure hope lots of you can make it again this year. This is always the highlight of our summer to be able to host the forum get together

One more note about the hosta swap - you can bring whatever you want to trade, choosing things like you would for the secret trades, but please limit yourselves to no more than FOUR plants per person in the trade. That way it will go quickly

Thanks!

Chris

[Lessadragon]

I'm not sure yet if we can make it. I may have a new job and not sure of my hours. Art is off, so it all hinges on me...again. Sigh.

Lynn

[lessa's dh]

What's this "we" stuff Batgirl??? I'm off for 5 days right then and could very easily make it 9 days ..... hmmmmmmmmmmm

[dmi188]

Not going to make it this year. Promised FIL we would have a yard sale for him that weekend.

[Chris_W]

Sorry you can't make it again this year Denise. Hopefully you can make it again some time though

Chris

[Patrushka]

We will be there. I can hardly wait!