Forth Annual New England Thunderbirds Cruise to the Christmas Light Displays 12.04.10

[Bird03]

Saturday December 4th.

Save the date.

Itinerary to be announced soon.

[1936Dusey]

Hi Wes; sounds good to us. Nita and I are hoping to make it this year.:peaceblob

[Birdlover]

The calendar has been marked. Wouldn't miss it! If the weather isn't the greatest and we take the Explorer, everyone can meet our new yellow Lab - "Bozo".
Richard

[Blue Heaven]

Looking forward to it!!

[Ol'Dave]

Can't wait for this year's video :-) You're going to be hard pressed to top last year's.

[Bird03]

Can't wait for this year's video :-) You're going to be hard pressed to top last year's.

Well, I've been pressing hard to try and do that exactly.

We have been filming all year long at all the events we have attended. There have been almost 120 short clips filmed that include everyone that cruised with us this year and it will all be edited into the music video "Rockstar" by Nickleback.

You can view the original Nickleback video here:

ROCKSTAR VIDEO (http://music.aol.com/video/rockstar/nickelback/1962026)

We'll all be in there and after viewing some of the edits, I think we all captured the intent of the lyrics much better than the original video. It least it's a lot funnier.

It should be ready sometime in December.

[Chuck]

Wouldn't miss it

[3rd Brd]

I'll be there in December. Will be driving up Friday the 3rd with the bird!

[Geodiver]

Oy Vay, its christmastide already...sheesh, where does the time go...seems like we were just driving with the top down and the wind flowing through the few hairs that I have left (sorry Dino, you remember the feeling right?)...see you at Christmas:biggrin:

[Blue Heaven]

Oy Vay, its christmastide already...sheesh, where does the time go...seems like we were just driving with the top down and the wind flowing through the few hairs that I have left (sorry Dino, you remember the feeling right?)...see you at Christmas:biggrin:


Yes, I do remember!!! :drums:

[02LeeBird]

Any updates on the Christmas cruise?:cool1:

[Chuck]

I would like to know where we are going to be / wind up so I can book a hotel.

[Bird03]

Standby for details at noon.

[Blue Heaven]

Thanks Wes, I was just about to inquire!

[Bird03]

The host hotel for this event is:

Homewood Suites
375 Whitney Avenue
Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040
413-532-3100

Rates start at $125.10 per night + tax for a 1 king bed suite using a AAA rate or a senior rate (seniors are 50+). There is a cheaper studio room, but it only has one queen bed. There is a very low rate listed under "advance purchase", but that reservation cannot be canceled.

You can book online here:

Book Homewood Suites (http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/en_US/hw/hotel/HOLHWHW-Homewood-Suites-by-Hilton-Holyoke-Springfield-North-Massachusetts/index.do?ctyhocn=HOLHWHW&brand_id=HI&brand_directory=/en/hi/&xch=773037322,MFZX4X1YTQLMWCSGBJBM22Q)

or call them directly at the number above. You'll need a room for the night of Saturday the 4th unless you want to stay longer on your own. Call early before they sell out.

Itinerary for Saturday December 4th

Breakfast on your own.

Meeting at 10:00 AM:

Tower Hill Botanic Garden
11 French Drive
Boylston, Ma 01505

http://www.towerhillbg.org/HDbanner2010.jpg

Celebrate the glow of the winter holidays at Tower Hill with 1000s of deftly designed handmade natural ornaments created from plants and artifacts gathered from the gardens. The result? Transforming nature to a unique holiday tribute for members, friends and families.

And now, you can explore Tower Hill’s new year-round green experience: the spectacular Limonaia or Lemon House conservatory and the Winter Garden, featuring plants at their showy best in our chilly New England climate!

www.towerhillbg.org (http://www.towerhillbg.org/hd2010_microsite.html)

Dinning 1:00 PM

Texas Roadhouse
535 Lincoln Street
Worcester, MA 01605
508-853-7266

http://www.texasroadhouse.com/media/images/photos/exterior_glow.jpg

We will be celebrating Jerry's birthday here.

4:00 PM

Old Sturbridge Village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
800-733-1830

http://media.osv.org/images/131538

Escape the frenzy of a modern Christmas with an enchanted evening of gingergbread, roasted chestnuts, music, dance, and a sleigh ride (weather permitting). Meet Father Christmas and chat with Santa Claus (bring your camera!). Discover the history of Christmas cards, exchanging gifts, hanging stockings, Christmas trees, mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, and candy canes. You'll learn about these traditions and more! Taste samples of foods long associated with the holiday and hear sounds of the season.

Click for video of past "Christmas by Candlelight" (http://www.osv.org/museum/video.html?ID=43&P=1)


8:00 PM

Forest Park
Springfield, Ma

Bright Nights at Forest Park drive-thru christmas light spectacular.

http://www.brightnights.org/tour/09barneyman/images/barney.gif

http://www.brightnights.org (http://www.brightnights.org/index.html)

At the conclusion of our evening, we will check into the hotel and then have some pizza, drinks, and a few videos (including the completed version of "Leichenstiner Polka" and the world premier of "Rockstar")

For those who can stay Sunday, there will be a Christmas Pops concert by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra at 3 PM. I will need to have a head count on this as the tickets must be purchased in advance.

http://www.springfieldsymphony.org/HolidayFamilyFestival.shtml

Hope to see you all there.

[3rd Brd]

That's great Wes. Sounds like a lot of fun! I'm booked for Saturday night in Holyoke. Might drive up Friday and stay somewhere near Boylston.

John

[Geodiver]

We're booked for Saturday night and we would like to go to the concert on Sunday too.
I'm really looking foward to this!

[Blue Heaven]

We are booked for Saturday night, but will not be able to stay Sunday...have to fly down to Myrtle Beach that afternoon.

[Chuck]

We're booked for Saturday night but going to have to bag the concert on Sunday. We went with the closet, 1 queen and advanced payment, can't wait to see what the room is like. I stayed in a "studio" once in Chicago. If I stood on the bed and stretched my arms out I could touch both walls.

[DudleyM]

Ohhh, wish we could join you,:sad2:. . . I've been feelin' the need for some Christmas cheer. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, our TBird Club holiday party is Sunday, 12/5.

Hope you all have lots of Christmas fun and, of course, a blessed holiday season.

[Bird03]

We're booked for Saturday night but going to have to bag the concert on Sunday. We went with the closet, 1 queen and advanced payment, can't wait to see what the room is like. I stayed in a "studio" once in Chicago. If I stood on the bed and stretched my arms out I could touch both walls.

No worries. That's a standard size hotel room. The more expensive ones have a separate bedroom.

Hope we don't have a big snowstorm that weekend 'cause you can't cancel those advanced payment rates.

[Bird03]

Ohhh, wish we could join you,:sad2:. . . I've been feelin' the need for some Christmas cheer. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, our TBird Club holiday party is Sunday, 12/5.

Hope you all have lots of Christmas fun and, of course, a blessed holiday season.

Thanks. You are welcome anytime.

[Chuck]

About the only thing that’ll stop that F250 is a nuclear bomb, well maybe a few inches of ice but I would still give it a shot

[02LeeBird]

What a great way to get the holidays started. Cindy and I will meet everyone at Tower Hill Saturday morning. We live about ten minutes away. It seems like it's been months since we all got together.....

:biggrin::biggrin:

[Bird03]

Anyone else coming with us?

[MATBird]

Heading home to CT that weekend, returning Monday PM

[Bruce]

Sorry it took so long to respond, but we just got back from vacation. We will participate in the Saturday activities and stay at the hotel Saturday night, however, we must leave early Sunday morning. We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.

[louhari]

Hi Wes,
Just sent you an email. Courtney and I would love to join in the fun and we'll try our best to do that. We need to stop in New Jersey on Friday to sell a house. When we last met the group in June, we were buying a house in Maryland. Seems that there is some kind of relationship between New England TBN events and our buying and selling houses.

Courtney and Lou

[Birdlover]

Anyone else coming with us?

We are in at least through Sturbridge Village, maybe Forest Park in Springfield too. Will make final decision on Saturday. We'll meet up with you at the Botanic Gardens in Boylston before 10AM.

[Bruce]

Made reservations at the hotel for Saturday night. We will be coming Birdless since all the cars have been put away for the winter.

[Carmino]

Mary and i will meet up with all of you at Sturbridge Village. See all of you soon :cheers:

[Bird03]

Weather looks good albeit a little chilly.....hey it's December...bring your coats, hat, and mittens.

So far we have:

John....Tower Hill thru Christmas concert on Sunday afternoon

Bruce & Kirsten....Tower Hill thru Sunday morning

Lee & Cindy....Tower Hill thru Sturbridge Village

Chuck & Wendy....Tower Hill thru Sunday morning

Dino & Lisa....Tower Hill thru Sunday morning

Jerry & Michelle....Tower Hill thru concert on Sunday afternoon

Richard & Gordon....Tower Hill thru Sturbridge Village or Forest Park

Lou & Courtney....Sometime Saturday and staying overnight

Carmino & Mary....Sturbridge Village

Dennis & Nita....Tower Hill thru Sturbridge Village

[1936Dusey]

Hi Wes: You forgot to count on Nita and I. We'll meet everyone at Botanic Gargens. We won't be able to stay over night. We'll be leaving
after Sturbridge Village. See you then.:confused1:

[Bird03]

Hi Wes: You forgot to count on Nita and I. We'll meet everyone at Botanic Gargens. We won't be able to stay over night. We'll be leaving
after Sturbridge Village. See you then.:confused1:

Sorry.

I totally blanked out.

[Chuck]

Wes, We're in no real rush to get outta there on Sunday morning, I was thinking that we would be hanging out until you guys head to the concert. Please don’t plan anything crazy on our account, if nothing is going on Sunday morning NBD we’ll just have a leisurely breakfast and head back to CT.

[Bird03]

Wes, We're in no real rush to get outta there on Sunday morning, I was thinking that we would be hanging out until you guys head to the concert. Please don’t plan anything crazy on our account, if nothing is going on Sunday morning NBD we’ll just have a leisurely breakfast and head back to CT.

Have you ever been with this group when there's nothing going on?

[Bird03]

We will be filming our annual Christmas video while we are on the trip.

If you could wear something red or green that would be good. I have some Santa hats and antlers, but could use a few more so bring them if you have them. Also dark sunglasses, preferably black.

Music this year will be "A Great Big Sled" by the Killers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpXXpufFrP8

After we get back from the trip, I'll be asking you to email me a picture of you at Christmastime when you were young so I can also include it in the video.

[Bird03]

The new list. More people added:

John....Tower Hill thru Christmas concert on Sunday afternoon

Bruce & Kirsten....Tower Hill thru Sunday morning

Lee & Cindy....Tower Hill thru Sturbridge Village

Chuck & Wendy....Tower Hill thru Sunday morning

Dino & Lisa....Tower Hill thru Sunday morning

Jerry & Michelle....Tower Hill thru concert on Sunday afternoon

Richard & Gordon....Tower Hill thru Sturbridge Village or Forest Park

Lou & Courtney....Tower Hill thru Sunday morning

Carmino & Mary....Sturbridge Village

Dennis & Nita....Tower Hill thru Sturbridge Village

Roger & Terry....Tower Hill thru Sunday morning

Barbara....Sturbridge Village

Doris....Tower Hill thru Texasroadhouse

Me....everything

[Bird03]

See everyone tomorrow.

Remember to wear red or green if you can and sunglasses.

I have plenty of hats.

[3rd Brd]

Where did this weekend go? Had so much fun it just flew by! It was so nice spending some time with everyone for the holidays. Thanks to Wes for putting together another great list of things to do and for producing another batch of amazing videos!

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Best Wishes,
John

[louhari]

Courtney and I had a great time visiting our New England Thunderbird friends. As usual, Wes planned the event very well, leaving no stone unturned, thereby ensuring an outstanding day filled with activities. Thanks Wes. We're glad we made the trip.

Lou

[Bruce]

+1 on what John, Courtney and Lou said. It was a very nice get together. See everyone in February - Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[Chuck]

Great time, video debuts were just amazing, thanks Wes, your usual stellar job. My favorite was the go a little heavy on the rum hot AJ & Rum they were doling out at Sturbridge Village.

[02LeeBird]

Thanks to Wes for another GREAT event. Cindy and I had a wonderful time. It's alway a blast getting together with everyone.....

The Bird is now put away for it's long winter nap. It's always a sad day for that.....:cussing:

[Geodiver]

We had a great weekend. It really helped to put us into the Christmas spirit. Thank you all for the birthday wishes and gifts. As usual, you were too generous, seriously. It's not easy for a 78 year old to take that kind of attention. Great weekend planning and outstanding video's, Wes. John, I hope you found your phone. Merry Christmas everyone and Happy Holiday's.

[Bird03]

Big thanks to everyone for making it another great Christmas Cruise.

Special thanks to Frosty and Santa for starring in our 2010 Christmas Video "Big Red Sled" by the Killers.

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/Newenglandbird03/2010%20Cruise%20to%20the%20Christmas%20Lights/e6316a2d.jpg?t=1291736906


http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/Newenglandbird03/2010%20Cruise%20to%20the%20Christmas%20Lights/41186c26.jpg?t=1291737025

The rest of the still pictures from the trip can be found here:

Click here for slideshow (http://s566.photobucket.com/albums/ss102/Newenglandbird03/2010%20Cruise%20to%20the%20Christmas%20Lights/?albumview=slideshow)

[MATBird]

Great job Wes, thanks for posting them

[Blue Heaven]

As everyone has said...another great weekend!! We had a lot of fun and enjoyed seeing everyone again. Thanks Wes for all that you do...there are no words...

:pbj:

[Chuck]

Great pictures - lots of smiles

[1936Dusey]

Hi Wes; Nita and I had a great time. Looking forward to doing something
in Feb.