GRIEF RETREAT - Any Interest?

[Miss Sunflower]

I know that we have a few girls from Canada, maybe somewhere more central would be a good idea.

[Clara Hinton]

Thanks so much for all of the many suggestions. I appreciate that so much!

I think we're going to have to have two retreats....due to the cost of travel, SO, now comes another biggie.

Where is a CENTRAL place for the SOUTH? Where is a good place for the NORTHEAST? (By that, I mean a suggestion for a city.) At this point in time, I don't have enough "count me in's" for the west coast or for Canada, but don't give up. We still have time to get more input.

After we get a location, I'm going to get prices on lodging and a meeting hall/room, and then I'll need the nitty gritty from you -- that means a financial committment. An actual downpayment on the retreat.

That's a couple of months in the future, of course, but...I'm just preparing you. Once I lock in a meeting place, I will have to send a downpayment and sign a contract stating that we'll actually be using the facility. That's where the rubber meets the road. I am so very excited at the thoughts of meeting so many of you. We are going to grow in love and friendship for each other so much!!!!

Keep the suggestions coming!

Love,
Clara

[dmf53]

Clara, Atlanta is an air "hub". If we had the "southern" version in Warm Springs, people could fly into Atlanta and take the Groom's Transport van to Columbus. I think we can make arrangements to have people picked up in Columbus (assuming they send arrival times in advance). The Roosevelt Institute is about 25 minutes from Columbus, or about 70 minutes from Atl.

I don't know if that helps...

[~2angels~]

I'm really bad with towns, I don't ever remember the names but I a few ideas for the NE...Lake Wallenpaupack, Lake Ray's Town, or even in upstate NY near the finger lakes. All beautiful places.

modified to add:
Also I wonder about picking somewhere in like Kentucky or somewhere kinda in between the NE and the South, and only having one retreat. One of my dearest SG sister's is in the South & I want to meat her SOOOOOOOOOOO bad

[Clara Hinton]

I'm busy checking out the places/suggestions you are sending to me. Dru, the place you mentioned might work beautifully.

Also, the NE places....I'm familiar with all of the areas....all beautiful in the early fall, I might add! ;D

Thanks, girls! Keep the input coming, and soon we'll be in the actual "planning" stage!

Love,
Clara

[sylvia]

I'm thinking more about central USA now...I was on the south team, but if I can meet more people at a central, including my NE friend, then I'm all for central!!! Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri...those look pretty central on the map. As far as good locations IN those states, no clue, lol. I have been to all, but only passing through and jobs.

[dkh0728]

Clara, I am in Denver, but voted for the south b/c I have family all over the south. If you did something more central or even NW I would be game for that as well. I am originally from KY so if you look at something central there I'd be glad to help with ideas. Lexington has a major airport and there are lots of places we could hold the retreat around there.

[violinqueen]

I voted for the South, but Kentucky sounds good, too! If not Kentucky, my second vote would be for Atlanta, GA.

[Clara Hinton]

Thanks SO much for all of these great suggestions! I appreciate your help! I'm already excited about getting to meet so many of you! ;D

Keep talking...........I want to pull in as many ideas as possible before narrowing things down to specific places.

Love,
Clara

[AlanasMomma]

You know I'm game, but it would have to be in the South in order for me to make it.

[Clara Hinton]

Some of us will be meeting in August (friends from the 2008 Silent Grief Retreat), and we'll be doing some brainstorming when together about locations, times, places, etc. for the next SG Retreat. I'm so happy that there is this much interest! ;D I'll be posting details as soon as I know more.

Love,
Clara

[savannahsmom]

I am totally interested in something like this. South or central would work best for me and sometime next year. Also can I ask this? Are fathers welcome to come? Or is this just for mothers ?

[Jaleel's Mommy]

I am in new England but wouldn't mind traveling ;-)

[benner1976]

Kentucky would be fabulous for me!

[lisa2477]

I might be interested in joining. I'm in PA, and could attend on a weekend. I work Monday thru Friday, so the weekend would be the only time I could come.