20th Anniversary of the Forum

CateP · 07-07-2015, 10:20 AM

Hi All,
I'm not sure if Don was going to mention it or not, but this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Winnipesaukee Forum. Seems like this is a special year for the Forum Fest. (an informal gathering of folks who are in the area and get together to eat and chat about all things Lake Winni).

Any ideas for an August celebration?

webmaster · 07-07-2015, 11:17 AM

Thanks for mentioning that Cate. It has been an interesting 20 years. I could write a book.

Just to be accurate, the winnipesaukee.com website is 20 years old. The forum has been running for about 15 of those years.

We sure had some memorable ForumFests but the interest seems to have faded as internet forums have become commonplace. I'd love to have a big 20th anniversary FF but it would be good to gauge the interest first before Cate and others go through too much trouble.

JasonG · 07-07-2015, 12:42 PM

Never been to one of these FF before, but why not charge $5-$10 a head and offer food or a nice venue? $= a better chance of people showing and shows more commitment.

Merrymeeting · 07-07-2015, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webmaster

Thanks for mentioning that Cate. It has been an interesting 20 years. I could write a book.

Just to be accurate, the winnipesaukee.com website is 20 years old. The forum has been running for about 15 of those years.

We sure had some memorable ForumFests but the interest seems to have faded as internet forums have become commonplace. I'd love to have a big 20th anniversary FF but it would be good to gauge the interest first before Cate and others go through too much trouble.

Don, I would be interested, as would Lyn (aka: Ms. Kentucky Derby!)

Lakegeezer · 07-07-2015, 07:40 PM

Don, write that book! It would be a local best seller.

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-08-2015, 07:21 AM

Happy Birthday to Winnipesaukee.com!

We'd love to be part of this special celebration!

NHskier · 07-08-2015, 08:28 PM

15 years of the Winni forums is a pretty good anniversary, too!

I'd like to thank our moderator for all that we have here. I began following the Boating forum about 10 years ago when first beginning to think about getting a boat, and where we might base it. I've learned a tremendous amount of information here, from boat brands to marinas to safety to restaurants and more. And this great resource allows me to keep learning and experiencing more of this beautiful lake and region.

I can honestly say this forum has made a very positive difference in my family's life, as the information and knowledge obtained here has led us to many years of fun, safe boating on Winni.

Island Girl · 07-09-2015, 09:00 AM

The forum has been part of my life for forever. I believe I found winnipesaukee.com in 1999 the first year I put my boat in these beautiful waters.

The forum has given me much information, joy, and sense of community. I have attended most of the forums. I hope we can do something this summer or fall to honor our fearless leader who has given so much to us.

Thanks, Don, for all that you do. I know that it is not always easy.

IG

ghfromaltonbay · 07-09-2015, 01:18 PM

GTXRider and I would love it we had a Forum Fest this year in either August or early September. The WCYC in Wolfeboro was a good location for our gathering in 2014, although we only had about 25 attend. There was room for many more there along with grilling & kitchen facilities. Could CateP reserve that site again for 2015? The location was great and would be fine no matter what the weather as the deck is covered and the inside room was very spacious. As long as we had parking like last year, WCYC seems like a winning spot. Count us in! We have met so many great Forum members over the years and it's great to see them all again.

Music Man · 07-10-2015, 09:42 AM

If I'm available, and the venue permits, I could provide live music.

Island Girl · 07-10-2015, 10:26 AM

It has always been difficult for this event to handle money. People say they are coming and do not show up. We do not have a bank account to handle money or cashing checks. It is a lot of work. Over the years what has worked is that people try to tell what they are bringing for food.

An "organizer" tries to make sure we have plates, utensils and something to drink.

What ends up happening is every one brings something... whether or not they signed up to bring something. We have lots of food, great conversation and go home happy.

We do need to honor our Webmaster in some way this year. Since there is no way for us to have a conversation about this privately...(he sees everything) we might as well discuss in the open.

IG

ghfromaltonbay · 07-10-2015, 12:43 PM

We have always had potluck style forum fests and food & drinks worked out well as members listed what they planned on bringing so others filled in with items not listed. Last year we had the grills and Riverat did a fantastic job with the burgers & dogs. We had lots of side dishes, chips, etc as well as desserts. As I mentioned in my 1st post, WCYC was a perfect venue. We also had LSP & the Loon Center in past years. All these places were great in any type weather. The hardest part is choosing a date & venue. Once that's done the food part always fell into place.

AC2717 · 07-10-2015, 12:53 PM

how bought that new park in Laconia

CateP · 07-10-2015, 02:20 PM

I'll look into the availability of the WCYC. I think the Club would appreciate a donation this year.

07-07-2015, 10:20 AM	#1
CateP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 868 Thanks: 584 Thanked 540 Times in 210 Posts	20th Anniversary of the Forum Hi All, I'm not sure if Don was going to mention it or not, but this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Winnipesaukee Forum. Seems like this is a special year for the Forum Fest. (an informal gathering of folks who are in the area and get together to eat and chat about all things Lake Winni). Any ideas for an August celebration?

07-07-2015, 07:40 PM	#5
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,657 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 342 Thanked 618 Times in 278 Posts	History of Winnipesaukee.com Don, write that book! It would be a local best seller. __________________ -lg

07-08-2015, 07:21 AM	#6
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Congrats, Don! Happy Birthday to Winnipesaukee.com! We'd love to be part of this special celebration!

07-08-2015, 08:28 PM	#7
NHskier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 284 Thanks: 40 Thanked 33 Times in 30 Posts	15 years of the Winni forums is a pretty good anniversary, too! I'd like to thank our moderator for all that we have here. I began following the Boating forum about 10 years ago when first beginning to think about getting a boat, and where we might base it. I've learned a tremendous amount of information here, from boat brands to marinas to safety to restaurants and more. And this great resource allows me to keep learning and experiencing more of this beautiful lake and region. I can honestly say this forum has made a very positive difference in my family's life, as the information and knowledge obtained here has led us to many years of fun, safe boating on Winni. __________________ NHskier

07-09-2015, 09:00 AM	#8
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	Home away from Home The forum has been part of my life for forever. I believe I found winnipesaukee.com in 1999 the first year I put my boat in these beautiful waters. The forum has given me much information, joy, and sense of community. I have attended most of the forums. I hope we can do something this summer or fall to honor our fearless leader who has given so much to us. Thanks, Don, for all that you do. I know that it is not always easy. IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to CateP For This Useful Post:
AC2717 (07-07-2015), Aguamenti (07-07-2015), Airedale1 (07-09-2015), bigpatsfan (07-14-2015), DRH (07-10-2015), Resident 2B (07-09-2015), Sandy Island fan (07-07-2015), Sully (07-09-2015), trfour (07-07-2015), webmaster (07-07-2015)

07-07-2015, 11:17 AM	#2
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 441 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	Thanks for mentioning that Cate. It has been an interesting 20 years. I could write a book. Just to be accurate, the winnipesaukee.com website is 20 years old. The forum has been running for about 15 of those years. We sure had some memorable ForumFests but the interest seems to have faded as internet forums have become commonplace. I'd love to have a big 20th anniversary FF but it would be good to gauge the interest first before Cate and others go through too much trouble.

The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to webmaster For This Useful Post:
Airedale1 (07-09-2015), BroadHopper (07-10-2015), DRH (07-10-2015), Lakegeezer (07-07-2015), moose tracks (07-10-2015), rander7823 (07-08-2015), Rattlesnake Gal (07-08-2015), Resident 2B (07-09-2015), Sandy Island fan (07-07-2015), trfour (07-07-2015)

07-07-2015, 12:42 PM	#3
JasonG Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 310 Thanks: 48 Thanked 45 Times in 33 Posts	Never been to one of these FF before, but why not charge $5-$10 a head and offer food or a nice venue? $= a better chance of people showing and shows more commitment.

The Following User Says Thank You to Lakegeezer For This Useful Post:
trfour (07-08-2015)

The Following User Says Thank You to NHskier For This Useful Post:
Airedale1 (07-09-2015)

07-09-2015, 01:18 PM	#9
ghfromaltonbay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clifton, NJ, Alton Bay Posts: 819 Thanks: 245 Thanked 224 Times in 130 Posts	Forum Fest GTXRider and I would love it we had a Forum Fest this year in either August or early September. The WCYC in Wolfeboro was a good location for our gathering in 2014, although we only had about 25 attend. There was room for many more there along with grilling & kitchen facilities. Could CateP reserve that site again for 2015? The location was great and would be fine no matter what the weather as the deck is covered and the inside room was very spacious. As long as we had parking like last year, WCYC seems like a winning spot. Count us in! We have met so many great Forum members over the years and it's great to see them all again.

The Following User Says Thank You to ghfromaltonbay For This Useful Post:
riverat (07-10-2015)

07-10-2015, 09:42 AM	#10
Music Man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 104 Thanks: 37 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	If I'm available, and the venue permits, I could provide live music.

07-10-2015, 10:26 AM	#11
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	RE: charging people for the event It has always been difficult for this event to handle money. People say they are coming and do not show up. We do not have a bank account to handle money or cashing checks. It is a lot of work. Over the years what has worked is that people try to tell what they are bringing for food. An "organizer" tries to make sure we have plates, utensils and something to drink. What ends up happening is every one brings something... whether or not they signed up to bring something. We have lots of food, great conversation and go home happy. We do need to honor our Webmaster in some way this year. Since there is no way for us to have a conversation about this privately...(he sees everything) we might as well discuss in the open. IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

The Following User Says Thank You to Island Girl For This Useful Post:
trfour (07-10-2015)

07-10-2015, 12:43 PM	#12
ghfromaltonbay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clifton, NJ, Alton Bay Posts: 819 Thanks: 245 Thanked 224 Times in 130 Posts	IG is right We have always had potluck style forum fests and food & drinks worked out well as members listed what they planned on bringing so others filled in with items not listed. Last year we had the grills and Riverat did a fantastic job with the burgers & dogs. We had lots of side dishes, chips, etc as well as desserts. As I mentioned in my 1st post, WCYC was a perfect venue. We also had LSP & the Loon Center in past years. All these places were great in any type weather. The hardest part is choosing a date & venue. Once that's done the food part always fell into place.

07-10-2015, 12:53 PM	#13
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,522 Thanks: 747 Thanked 344 Times in 257 Posts	how bought that new park in Laconia __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

07-10-2015, 02:20 PM	#14
CateP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 868 Thanks: 584 Thanked 540 Times in 210 Posts	I'll look into the availability of the WCYC. I think the Club would appreciate a donation this year.