A big thanks to to all for your efforts to make this happen. It made for a great time with some great people. The hotel was a very pleasant place for all we did there. The food ordered in to our private and quiet meeting rooms was delicious.

This was a first rate gathering.  The hotel was comfortable, the meeting room was a nice feature for Friday's gathering, and the "dining hall" arrangement for the Saturday dinner was perfect.  We were able to have a conversation without the typical background noise of a restaurant or hovering wait staff.  Also the lobby featured a continuous source of fresh, hot coffee and cookies ... a nice spot to sit with a couple of others and chat.

The accompanying food (and beverage) service was outstanding.  Friday night's pizza and excellent and the Saturday BBQ was first rate.

Overall:  WINNER!!!

A special thanks to those making all the arrangements, especially OldSalt and MuleLars.

dd

Full disclosure: MuleLars, Wally 13, and I have formed an ad hoc 'arrangements' team for doing Copia planning. MuleLars is the 'boots on the ground', having lived in Madison for many years. He is well acquainted with the area and has 'taken one for the team' many times checking out local restaurants and dives.

Wally 13 simply has made himself available to help any way needed. He and MuleLars provided a generous supply of many popular beers. I provided pop and water.

My point is, when we divide the load, it doesn't take much to put these things together. The process got started with your responses to our polls last year. For that, we thank you! BTW, if you want to help, we have no minimum standards, just pm one of us.

You might wonder what we discuss for 4-5 hours per evening? I wish I could tell you Needless to say, much of it has to do with canoeing and fishing, and is valuable information you won't find on any websites. A few trips were planned. You'll just have to come and find out.

Kudos and credit to Mr and Mrs Kingfisher who planned these gatherings for many years. They did a great job! When I went to the first one for me, I was pretty skeptical that I would have a good time. They welcomed me and others and the food facilitated new friendships. We miss you guys.

It is indeed a great pleasure for me to do my small part to have a good weekend in my fair city! It is always good to see everyone, and I'm already looking forward to next year. I agree that the hotel arrangements really worked well. Much easier to connect and converse.

In the mean time, if anyone finds themselves in Madison, please let me know!

ml

Thanks Mulelars. It all worked out great -- both the QJ parlor and the downstairs meeting room. It was good to connect with new & old QJ acquaintances!