ive tried telling the people I’ve spoken to that it was more of a “gathering of like minded friends” and compared it to when some of the fishermen locally have get togethers to show off their new fishing equipment. they seem to like the idea of something less formal and friendly. based on the responses on the forum, i don’t plan on doing any flyers or anything. but keeping it mostly word of mouth.
With the move is already going to be jarring enough, I figured that I will do everything that I can to keep it as close how the Meetup has been done before. But the option will be there for a group discussion if there is a desire for the event to get larger. But i would hate to make it overwhelming for anyone.
My dad has gotten really excited with all of this as well. He has experience in organizing meetups and fundraising events for a few different groups, such as boy scouts, the fraternal order of eagle, Nationwide photographic, and a couple churches, when I was younger. It got him tickled that I was doing what I could to help and he has been advising me through the process. It’s actually been very nice to see him this interested. He hasn’t been this engaged since he lost his ability to walk. Makes me feel good that he seems to have a sense of purpose in doing what he can to help the group as well.
First I would like to thank you very much for all you are doing and the time and effort you are putting into this event .
I might make a suggestion of getting a show of hands of the number of people that might attend the event . I would hate for you to go to all this effort and expense to have only a dozen or so people show up .
You might want to get some feedback on having the woodgas event every two years vs every year .
Next time I get a chance, I’ll take a video of the drive down to the campground. It might be easier for some members if they can see how the roads look. I know there was some concern about that earlier.
Can certainly go ahead and set up an early sign up sheet. Never hurts to plan ahead and get a rough idea of who all would be interested in coming
Thomas,
I am pleased with the new location you have found for the event, especially the 4H camp. I will be there, God willing! Can’t speak for the rest of my family, because it is farther from home base, harder to just pop on by for the day.
Ditto what Wayne and Mike said. Thanks Thomas for all you doing. I second that a sign up sheet would be good as would a intenerary sheet( Thursday thur Sunday)
The poll is a great idea! It would at least give us a rough idea of who we can hopefully count on making it. Even with word of mouth I am certain that there will be plenty of people that will be interested in coming to experience wood gas for the first time just as I had for my first meetup.
From my point of view, if the group only has a handful of members with working units and real world knowledge able to come to the meetup, I believe we could still consider it a success.
Certainly speaking from my limited experience, even if there was only a couple people when I had shown up to Argos I would have still enjoyed myself greatly just from being able to see how the units worked and the knowledge that was available. It really was one of the most enjoyable things that I had participated in, being able to talk to like minded wonderful people that had so much knowledge and experience to offer.
There are lots of people that don’t know that they want to learn more about wood gas yet. Because they don’t know it exists unfortunately. I have only ran into a couple of people that were even familiar with the concept. But from my initial conversation with the people I’ve spoken to so far, they seem to be very interested. And it would be nice if they had the same opportunity that I had to see working units in action and to learn a little bit more as well. I am honestly shocked that there is anybody that wouldn’t be immediately curious to learn more about this technology. This sad part is that they had for the most part never had been given an opportunity to learn about it.
I know this for absolute certain. Everyone I have spoken to are more than accepting of the concept, and we absolutely will not be considered an eyesore in the background of someone else’s gathering.
Need some volunteers to work up a 20-ish minute presentation, to be given at the Meetup. It is a whole different environment, so some of the old schedule habits will necessarily need to be modified!
Thomas,
I was thinking whatever woodgas subject the presenter has learned something about and/or has expertise in, like engines, making charcoal, welding, history, different filters, coolers, chunkers, materials, building methods, driving experience, trips, etc. (could be anything interesting and woodgas related.)
We have tried to do this in the past, and had a few brave souls work up a presentation.
Alrighty, i got june 13-14-15 penciled in with the fairgrounds manager. that would be a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. i can still adjust it while im getting the insurance and final approval straightened out. i can move it back or forward a little bit if needed, but this felt like around the best time. its currently scheduled in for the main building and event area at the moment. this includes the indoor building with showering facilities and kitchen as well as a small inside dining room
on a side note, the blazing bluegrass festival we hold in our county is June 2nd to June 9th. i tried to get it pretty close in case anyone wanted go to it as well, but not so close as to risk bumping heads.
this pic was taken from some drone footage of the area. for a little closer reference. i got more detailed pictures uploaded above of course where i went there and took some
Raul,
Thomas Foster has reserved the Whitley City, Kentucky campground facility for June 13, 14, and 15, 2024. If you go back a few posts , that is explained, and there are photographs. Good to hear from you!
Hi, Randy!
No changes that I know of. The reservation is penciled in. Young Thomas has made contacts there and he is doing a great job. The larger event there, the Blazin’ Bluegrass festival. is the weekend before. Any changes and I will pass them on ASAP. We all have to make our plans far ahead these days!!
