To keep this moving, I propose that we definitely agree to meet in Naples and that the posters from Naples identify the best place to hold it, and that all of the rest of us take parisonmymind up on her offer to coordinate it by sending her the day and dates that work best for each of us so she can select the date and time for this gathering and let us know when (and with the help of the Neapolitans--where) it will be. She volunteered to take e-mails at her address which is:
themayberrys at earthlink dot net So send her your info. Let's get this going. (And when we're done, let's post a "recipe" for doing a get together, like Step 1, step 2, etc.

Thank you JMV!

Great idea and thanks to parisonmymind for agreeing to coordinate, but I suggest we start with a few specific options. I'm guessing that Saturday or Sunday lunchtime would be the most convenient for the majority, so I'm going to list several possible dates giving us enough time to do some planning. How about contacting her with comments on these (or other dates) just to get the ball rolling.
Then after she's heard from a number of people she can post back here with a choice of several options for vote. This is in regards to Naples.

Saturday, January 31
Sunday, February 1
(skipping Valentines-President's day)
Saturday, February 21
Sunday, February 22

We came down from Destin last month and stumbled upon Woodys with some friends. Not suitable for a large GTG would be our conclusion. Caters to a rough blue collar crowd was our thinking. Lets keep it in Naples.

I'm crossing my finger that I can go! My parents (in Naples) remarked to me that the annual Parade of Homes is in February, and I've been wanting to see that. Now I could get three birds with one stone, as it were--visit the folks, look at some great interior design, AND visit with Fodorites. Think cheap airfare, everyone!!!!!

I'm still not sure if I can make the trip but please consider that if others drive from at least three hours north (some people are in Orlando) that we might want to make this later than noon. Perhaps 2P would be better. And we wouldn't be competing for seats with lunchers or brunchers.

Making it later makes more sense, but not too late because rush hour tends to back up the cars at the Sunshine bridge tool booths, and around 3 pm, I think they raise the bridge for the boats too, which really slows you down. Thats what I recall when we came down from Destin to see the Dolly Museum.

JanetG--

If we meet on a Saturday rush hour won't be a problem. I don't think there are bridges along the SKyway causeway that open OR maybe I've just never been stuck at one!

If the Skyway bridge raises up while I'm driving over it, I'm going to be one mighty shocked mama!!

Let's get this get together together. I think we're up to a lunch somewhere in Naples at 2:00 p.m. on Sat. Jan 31, Sun Feb. 1, Sat. Feb. 21, or Sun Feb. 22. Please send your preferred dates to themayberrys at earthlink dot net so parisonmymind can tally them and give us back something definite to mark on our calendars so we can get started shopping for appropriate ball gowns. Parisonmymind, are you getting responses (besides mine, that is)?

I've gotten a few responses so far. We're pretty even with January 31 and February 1.

I hate to say this, but those dates won't work for me. We are headed for the Super Bowl that weekend, Fri-Mon. In truth, though, as much as I love Naples and if the decision were just mine I'd go in a second, I'm going to be hard pressed to get my husband to drive down and back for the day. Sad but true. :( So...we'll have to shoot for another time, perhaps closer to this area, or during a period where we can take the time and $$$ and spend the night there. Party on though. You all have a fun then come back here and report on all we missed!

Any of the Saturdays are fine with me and I'll be there. But I have matinee performances on Sundays (at 2) until Feb. 8th, when I could be free on Sunday.

By the way, for those wanting to spend a night (especially a Saturday night), I can't promise great rates in season at Escalante, LaPlaya, or The Ritz, but there are some nice places like Trianon, The Inn on Fifth, or Comfort Inn, etc. which may offer a good deal for a Saturday night only.

Is it you in there Elena?
Well, I am going to be in Florida in Feb and March. And you know, I would sure like to see you again.
If you guys can get organized and set a date, let me know, please.
Sherry([email protected])

P.S. I should say will not be there until after Feb 17 and after March 8, so this one may be out for me.
But keep me in mind. If this gets going, I might be back in Florida in April.
Sherry

The only day that is good for me is Feb. 1, and that's iffy. Since it's season in Naples hotels will be expensive and hard to find. Should this be postponed until spring? Would Sarasota be more central? Will we ever find a date that will be good for all?!!

I think there's no way we'll ever find a date that's right for everyone. Parisonmymind, can you piece together what people have sent directly to you and what they're saying here and come up with a count of roughly how many appear able to make it to Naples on Jan 31, and Feb. 1 (assuming there's been more interest in that than the Feb. 21 or 22 which were also proposed) Can we just say something like--if there are x (10, 8, 6?) or more who are available for one of those two dates we'll go ahead and schedule it and if not, we'll explore again in March or April? If we hold one now with some reasonable number and it works out, there's certainly nothing stopping us from using that group as a base and scheduling another say in September/October or whenever. Parisonmymind, can we trouble you for an update/count for the various dates as of today sometime? Thanks. I'd hate to see this great idea die of its own weight.

Patrick, why don't you pick one of the dates that works for you? Since you will be our "host", it is important that you be there. (One detail we discovered the hard way - we need a restaurant that will give us separate checks). I hope we will be able to do this again in the near future so that anyone who cannot attend this gathering can attend one soon.

No single date emerged as best, though 1/31 was close. I would say let's do it then and plan a next date at that time.

So far, I have 6 email addresses on our list.

So, if Patrick can pick a restaurant for us in Naples, and we're agreed that Sat. Jan. 31, at 2:00 p.m. is the time, I'd say the next step would be to do another posting under the title Naples Get Together and put it on both the Europe and US boards to see if we can attract a few more attendees and then just meet at Patrick's selected restaurant at that time. Patrick can you find us a place to have this?

Oh my God, the pressure is on. This is a difficult task. I wonder what the average price people will want to pay? And while we're at it, having been to many of this type function, I wonder what kind of restaurant is suitable. I picture people meeting, having to sit at a place and spend the next hour or so being able to chat with the two or three other Fodorites next to them. Kind of defeats the basic idea, doesn't it? Restaurants tend not to be a great mixer place. Let me check on doing a "pavillion" at Cambier Park off Fifth Avenue or Lowdermilk Park on the beach. Semi-cater a casual meal or have people bring dishes and BYO. Ooops. Can we do wine or beer, etc. at one of these places. OK, I'll check tomorrow. Or maybe a "private" room at a restaurant where we can mingle?
Do we have even a rough estimate of how many people, parisonmymind?