Nothing like advanced planning!!!

Well, we all know how everyone's Holiday schedules get crazy, so put this one in your diaries NOW!!

Joan Logan, Julie Hoffman and Scott Laughlin are your co-hosts for this festive holiday MINI gathering. Chester County, PA is known for putting on some of the best holiday events, and we plan to partake in many during the all-day event! If you like to feel the warmth of the season, and take a step back in time, don't miss all the activities!!!

Details are still in the works, but here's a rough idea of what your MINI Elves (Joan, Julie and I) are cooking up for you!!!

Winterthur Yuletide - Holiday decorations at the famous DuPont Mansion!
A Longwood Gardens Christmas - holiday decorations and night-time light show!
Simon Pearce on the Brandywine - Art Glass shopping for holiday gifts!
Deck your MINI contest - prepare to dress-up your MINI and win prizes!
MINI Polyanna - get creative (with less than $10) and swap your gifts amongst friends!

The plan is to meet at 10:00AM at Winterthur, tour the museum, Motor around Chester County, shop at Simon Pearce, Motor around Chester County, visit those always hopsitable friends at Otto's MINI for our contests, partake in a little light refreshments, then Motor off to Longwood for the holiday night-light shows!!! Longwood closes at 9:00PM, so plan accordingly.

There IS a cost (on a per person basis) for this event, to gain access to the museums, which will be $25.00pp (group rates, MUST be paid in advance!) to gain access to both Winterthur and Longwood, so we will work through the logistics of money collections, etc.

So, start your holiday planning, and register by going to the following:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/phillymini/database

See you all in your holiday finest (Shep & Phyllis, we expect great things from you to match your attire to that lovely Red MC!) and come celebrate to season with your MINI Family!

Cheers.

Scott (Joan and Julie)

If you haven't already joined the PhillyMINI Club, do so while you're there!

 

The date is Saturday, December 6th, is that right?

 

YUP!

All day on Saturday, December 6th.

Cheers.

Scott

 

Scott -- just stumbled on this post by chance.

Be sure to let the Mid Atlantic and/or DC Metro groups know about the plans as they develop.

Tom

 

Hey Tom,

We'll continue to post updates on MINI2 and MCO, along with our PhillyMINI group list in Yahoo!!

You guys have been very good at finding these items!!!

Hope the Solomon Island Run was fun!!

Scott

 

Hi Scott,

Mark me down for this event. I sounds like a lot of fun!

Cheers.

Steven

 

Scott asked:

>>Hope the Solomon Island Run was fun!!

Missed you. 6 of us met at the MD32/I95 stop where we met you last month. It was a great afternoon. 46 cars showed up. Weather was perfect. Some pictures are posted here.

The only downers for the day were:
Road Construction & Traffic
Mike & Donna announcing that they are moving to San Diego next month

Tom

 

>>Scott asked:
>>
>>>>Hope the Solomon Island Run was fun!!
>>
>>Missed you. 6 of us met at the MD32/I95 stop where we met you last month. It was a great afternoon. 46 cars showed up. Weather was perfect. Some pictures are posted here.
>>
>>The only downers for the day were:
>>:x Road Construction & Traffic

Great pix, Tom!!! Looks like a lot of fun...see you at the Dragon next year!

Cheers!
Clover

 

donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

Hello Everyone!

PLEASE save this email, and read to the very end when you have time. Details at the end regarding payment, registration, etc.

Well, on a rather wet Saturday this past week-end, your ever-industrious organizers spent a better part of the day mapping out what looks to be another stellar event for all of our MINI Familia! Joan Logan, Charlie Beck, Julie and Ed Hoffman and I had fun mapping out detours around ravaged bridges, and looking for the most scenic runs!!

There are some absolutely beautiful roads out in western Chester County, and we think we've found quite a few that will keep your Motoring hands grinning with anticipation!!! Even found an un-paved road that is only 1-lane wide, and climbs a beautiful hill with vistas for days for the more adventurous in us (and, hopefully, no ice or snow cover in December!).

We continue to fine tune the routing, and the event particulars, but things are firming up nicely. This is truly going to be a wonderful day, and we know that EVERYONE is going to be in the liveliest of Holiday Spirits!!

OK, a few more details since the first posting:

Date:
Saturday, 6 December, 2003
9:30AM Registration

First Event:
10:00AM Sharp - suggest you get there around 9:30AM, as our first scheduled tour will begin promptly at 10:00AM. You will be on private tours of Yuletide at Winterthur - and if you've never been there, the Colonial-era decorations are wonderful!!! Each group can be only 10 people, so we will start-off in waves. In addition, the grounds are also decorated, and there is a lovely train to drive you around!

First Motoring Time:
12:00PM - We've mapped out a lovely 1.5 hour ride along the creeks and fields. We saw much devastation from Isabel and the following storm (including a tree through the window of a first-floor factory)! The roads along the Brandywine Creek are mostly clear, and just beautiful!

Second Event:
1:30PM - Simon Pearce Art Glass Studio - If you are truly into glass, you are in for a special treat. Only once a year, the "real" Simon Pearce comes to this store (from Vermont) to personally sign pieces (and hence, increasing their value) and, SURPRISE, he'll be there the day we're coming!!! It will be crowded, but think of the collectibles you can buy and leave for your grandkids to take to Antique's Roadshow in 2103!

Second Motoring Time:
2:30PM - More country lanes, twisties and creeks!!! Weather permitting, We'll take the more hearty of the group up Hilltop View Road, and see how well our DSC works!!! A wonderful elevated dirt road not for the faint of heart! Don't worry, there's a paved alternative around for those still trying to pamper their babies!

Third Event:
3:30PM - Ottos MINI - plans are still being finalized, but remember to pack all your decorations in your MINI, because we'll be on prime display at Ottos, and you'll have 30 minutes to "Deck your MINI" for all to see!! Get creative, celebrate other holidays (i.e., maybe Kwanza?) and have fun! Food and prizes, plus a Polyanna, what more can you ask for?

Third Motoring Time:
6:00PM - Just a very short jaunt over to Longwood Gardens, but make sure your decorations can withstand the drive!!

Fourth Event:
Christmas at Longwood Gardens - Festive lights, beautiful trees, 3 acres under glass and the smell of pine and poinsiettas fill the air!!

Ending Time:
9:00PM

Further details will be forthcoming. We are still working on getting B&Bs lined up for those coming longer distances.

Please note, we will need to collect payment for the Museums IN ADVANCE, as they must be paid for with 1 single check. The cost is $25pp, which covers admission to Winterthur and Longwood. This represents a 40% reduction from walk-up prices, and includes a "little" extra ($2.00pp) to pay for some of our organizing costs.

Since we will have to pay for these centrally, we are requesting that your ticket fees be made payable to myself (you can trust me!!) and upon receipt of your checks, we will send you brochures and a few other neat items to confirm your payment. Tickets will be distributed at the event!

So, please mail checks to the following:

Scott Laughlin
219 West Gravers Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19118

If you are uncomfortable making your check payable to me, they will take walk-ups (space permitting) but you will not be guaranteed to take the tour with the MINI group.

To register for the Event, please go to the following:

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/phillymini

If you're not a member of Yahoo Groups yet, it's very easy! Join the PhillyMINI group, you'll get a very nice email from Julie Hoffman (aka CooperSQT) and just respond quickly!

One final point!! We took a few photos on Saturday, so check them out at the following:

http://www.clubphoto.com, then put in my email address (laughscott@aol.com) and look for the Deck the MINIs photo album!

Let's get this one up to the scale of the Bucks Rally!!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Having been on the pre-check, I can vouch for the roads. All are fun; some are FANTASTIC!!! Be there - you're gonna love it!
Charlie

 

Bumping up the posting!

This is shaping up to be a FANTASTIC event!

18 people so far, and still 1.5 months away!

We need everyone to pre-register, as payment for the group discounts at the museums, in advance is necessary!

Come over to PhillyMINI on the Yahoo groups, and let's MOTOR!

Scott

 

Hello Everyone,

I have just completed conversations with both Winterthur and Longwood, and have further information for you.

Winterthur:

We actually have to "block" time and # of attendees well in advance, as they get many groups for the holidays. As of right now, we have 33 spaces (people) blocked at 10:30AM for the house tour. There are an additional 26 spaces available at 11:00AM, but they could be taken by another group at any time. The earlier we have numbers, the better we can ensure EVERYONE takes the tour together. As I get closer to the 33 number, I will call back and block the additional spaces, if necessary, but the faster I get confirmation, the better.

PLEASE - register in the Database section, so even if the checks take a while to get here, I get a more accurate count of the intended number of people.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/phillymini/database

Or, you can email me directly at laughscott@aol.com if you are not a member of the Yahoo Group! Please advise # of people, and their names, then checks are sent to the address below.

Longwood:

We have no size limitations here!!! One thing they did ask me to advise the crew is that Tri-Pods are not allowed in Longwood, but Mono-Pods are!

Cost Details (again!):

Adults: $25.00/pp
Children (under 6): $12.00/pc
Children: (6-11): $14.00/pc
Children (11-15): $17.00/pc
Children (16-20): $21.00/pc

OK, is this getting complicated, or what?

Also, anyone that is a member of either destination MUST tell me they are coming, so I can add your name to the list. Members of Longwood get free access, members of Winterthur pay a $5.00 tour fee.

Julie (aka CooperSQT), in her infinite creativity, is designing a "Flyer" which will have ALL the details (including driving directions) completed in a few days, and we will post that for downloading in the "FILES" section of the Yahoo group site.

We are up to 18 paid "spaces", and several checks winding their way through the U.S. Post Office, per recent emails and posts!

Looking forward to a fun day!

Scott

 

Well,

We have 44 persons (and 22 MINIs) so far that have registered (but not yet all paid!). This is turning into a nice group!

We have bumped up the total number at Winterthur to 58 persons reserved, so if you're toying with your schedule, make sure to confirm soon! Only 14 spaces left!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Hi Scott -

I'm definately interested in joining the fun on Dec. 6th - just have to line it up with another NMINI friend of mine and my wife. But I've also joined your Yahoo group (phillymini) - so I guess I'll start getting emails from the group, right? - is it a little like a bulletin board system?

Anyway - hope to see you on the 6th - looking forward to it!

Cheers - - michael

 

Hey Michael (et. al.),

Glad you've joined the PhillyMINI group, and hope you can make the 6th.

Please note, we have a limited number of spaces for the Winterthur House Tour. As of right now, we have 10 spaces left (out of 58!). Try and decide quickly, as the spaces will go to the first 58 people that pay for the event.

If the Winterthur tickets sell-out, there are several options for the remaining people who still want to enjoy the festivities!

There are no MINI or space limitations for the remainder of the day's events. You can join for the Motoring, the Simon Pearce Art Glass Studio, the Deck the MINIs contest at Ottos MINI, the Polyanna and for Longwood Gardens! The cost (without the Winterthur ticket) is $12.00/pp.

If you still want to go to Winterthur, they may take walk-ups (and at the group rate) but they cannot guarantee you'll take the tour with the MINI group!

So, try and make up your mind quickly, and send me a PM to laughscott@aol.com and give me the names of who will be joining you!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Good Morning Everyone!

Well, we are now at capacity for the Yuletide at Winterthur portion of the Deck the MINIs rally! I called Winterthur yesterday, and there is NO WAY that we can increase our numbers, so....

1) You can still come at 9:30AM, and "hope" that there is a no-show from either another group, or from our group.

2) You can still register for the remainder of the day, and arrive at Winterthur at 11:30AM to join for all the rest of the fun.

The cost for the remainder of the day (Longwood Gardens tickets) is now $12.00/pp. Please continue to to RSVP via the database, and send your checks in for the event. I will have to make the FINAL payment to both Longwood and Winterthur by 28 November!

PS, everyone that provided payments at last night's MINI Monday Diner Drive is confirmed!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Hello Everyone,

Not much action over here on MCO/NAM, but we have plenty of Action scheduled for this coming Saturday!!!

Still room to come for everything (except Winterthur!), and the weather is holding out for us!!!!

So far, we have...

58 people for Winterthur
61 people for Longwood Gardens
72 people in total coming for all/parts of the fun!!!
33 MINIs, Minis and MINI wanna-be's!!!!

So, still trying to figure out what to do this weekend, join in the fun!!!

Scott

 

Hello Everyone!

Well, a holiday festivity wouldn't be complete without the potential
for SNOW!!!! :smile:

I know everyone is excited about the full-day of activities, and for
some, a little snow won't hold off the die-hards. Heck, we may not
even get any, but people are starting to ask...

Barring a HUGE amount of snow, the Rally will go on!

1) Longwood says they NEVER close!
2) Winterthur has closed on the rare weather ocassion, but rarely!
3) Ottos MINI generally closes when there's 12"s of more!

Now, we want to have LOTS of fun, but we also want people to feel
safe and secure. Ultimately, it will be your own personal call
whether you join in for the fun, or snuggle up in front of a roaring
fire in your respective homes!

So, the Deck the MINIs weather watch has now begun!!!!!

I will be at Winterthur on Saturday morning, no matter what the
weather!

As for those who feel the need to stay home, the issue of tickets
for the venues is as follows:

1) Winterthur - if they close, the group can either re-schedule, or
they will refund the payment. I will NOT know if they close until
Saturday morning!
2) Winterthur - if they are open, yet you personally decide NOT to
come, they will allow individuals to re-apply their tickets to a
future date of your choosing.
3) Longwood - I will refund you $10.00/pp if you do not come. They
do not close, but I have not yet paid for the tickets, and they
won't honor individual tickets in the future, at the group rate.

So, keep a close EYE on the Yahoo Group, and on your emails.

Of course, this entire weather forecast could just be a ruse between
the networks and the American Dairy Association to get more people
to buy milk and eggs!!!!

Looking forward to good weather, good friends, and good Motoring!

Scott

 

Hello Everyone!

Well, a holiday festivity wouldn't be complete without the potential
for SNOW!!!! :smile:

I know everyone is excited about the full-day of activities, and for
some, a little snow won't hold off the die-hards. Heck, we may not
even get any, but people are starting to ask...

Barring a HUGE amount of snow, the Rally will go on!

1) Longwood says they NEVER close!
2) Winterthur has closed on the rare weather ocassion, but rarely!
3) Ottos MINI generally closes when there's 12"s of more!

Now, we want to have LOTS of fun, but we also want people to feel
safe and secure. Ultimately, it will be your own personal call
whether you join in for the fun, or snuggle up in front of a roaring
fire in your respective homes!

So, the Deck the MINIs weather watch has now begun!!!!!

I will be at Winterthur on Saturday morning, no matter what the
weather!

As for those who feel the need to stay home, the issue of tickets
for the venues is as follows:

1) Winterthur - if they close, the group can either re-schedule, or
they will refund the payment. I will NOT know if they close until
Saturday morning!
2) Winterthur - if they are open, yet you personally decide NOT to
come, they will allow individuals to re-apply their tickets to a
future date of your choosing.
3) Longwood - I will refund you $10.00/pp if you do not come. They
do not close, but I have not yet paid for the tickets, and they
won't honor individual tickets in the future, at the group rate.

So, keep a close EYE on the Yahoo Group, and on your emails.

Of course, this entire weather forecast could just be a ruse between
the networks and the American Dairy Association to get more people
to buy milk and eggs!!!!

Looking forward to good weather, good friends, and good Motoring!

Scott

 

Good Morning Everyone,

Well, all eyes continue to be peeled to the local weather, so this morning, watching the news, here's what they are saying about the Philadelphia metro area.

Snow begins late THURSDAY evening, with little accumulation, changing to rain on FRIDAY and continuing with rain through SATURDAY, tapering off with a few light flurries on SATURDAY afternoon/evening.

Currently, it is expected to be all wet stuff, not WHITE stuff in Philadelphia, South and West (where we will be Motoring). Of course, there MAY be accumulation to the North of Philadelphia, where a few of you will be coming from, so keep an eye on your local forecasts.As of today, it looks like this is changing into a regular rainy day down here.

Cheers.

Scott

 

Good Evening Everyone,

It's Thursday evening, and our friends down South are starting to get some of the snow, albeit in smaller doses.

Well, I told you there was a conspiracy between the Networks and the American Dairy Association to cause agita amongst the MINI-acs!!!

OK, as of tonight, there are two VERY different forecasts for the West Chester area.

NBC10 (with Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz) stated on tonight's evening news that Philadelphia and the Western suburbs (which includes West Chester) could get between 2" to 10"s of snow!

AccuWeather, the ABC affiliate, has 2"s forecasted for Friday, then 2"s forecasted for Saturday.

So, the Elves have been talking, and we have the following options being reviewed, in priority order:

1) Continue with everything as planned for Saturday, 6 December.
2) See if we can re-schedule the group tour for Saturday, 20 December and keep everything scheduled exactly as is, for those that can make the new date (and, possibly get some other people who couldn't make the original date)
3) See if we can re-schedule for Sunday, 7 December. Do everything on the tour except the contest/pollyanna at Ottos (their closed on Sundays).
4) Cancel all together.

I know we're keeping people's schedules up in the air right now, but it's very hard to get EVERYONE to make it on another date, yet we want to ensure everyone's safe and secure.

We will post out to the group by 5:00PM tomorrow (Friday) what we decide to do with Deck The MINIs for Saturday.

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting tingling too. Come on, it's lovely weather for a MINI ride together with you!!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we've no MINIs to drive, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the one's I used to know. Where the treetops glisten, and children listen, to hear MINI horns through the snow!!!!

Dashing through the snow in a 163-horse open MINI Cooper S, o'er the fields we go, laughing all the way!!!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. O what fun it is to ride in a 115-horse MINI Cooper, hey!!!

Enough frivolity for the evening!!!

Festive spirits to all, and to all, a good night!

Scott

 

Can I come? Maybe I could pick up some of you MINI folks.

Bill

 

Dear Bill,

The Deck the MINIs event has been postponed to December 20th.

If you want to come, send me an email to laughscott@aol.com.

Scott

 

So how did this event turn out Scott?