LTHforum, The Picnic, 13th Edition, September 23, 2018

This year we are going back to our roots. Instead of LaBagh Woods, we are returning to where it all began at Forest Glen Woods a short distance away.

Whenever I think of picnics, my mind conjures up Meridith Wilson's song from The Music Man praising Iowa Stubborness … long before any of us knew of LTHforum stubborness:

Iowa Stubborn wrote: … And we're so by God stubborn
We could stand touchin' noses
For a week at a time
And never see eye-to-eye.
But what the heck, you're welcome,
Join us at the picnic.
You can eat your fill
Of all the food you bring yourself.
You really ought to give Iowa a try...

Date: Sunday, September 23rd - Rain or Shine

Time:
- 9 AM (or earlier by arrangement): Smokers and grillers arrive to begin their cooks.
- 10:30 AM: Help with tidying up, arranging tables and supplies.
- 11:00 AM: Appetizers/Lunch/Desserts Food will be coming out in waves as they are cooked or as people arrive. It is truly a miraculous vision: Food shows up and people eat it!
(If you want to try everything, come early and stay late ... don't begin to kvetch if it is gone when you show up fashionably late! )
- 2:00 pm - Pinata breaking (children must bring their parents)
- 5:00ish - Begin tidying up - please note this is everyone's effort. Leaving early, please do your best to contribute to straightening up or tossing garbage as you depart.
- 6:30 PM: Sunset - party over followed by the Park District chaining the driveway.



Where: Forest Glen Woods, 5420 N. Forest Glen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630 pdf

Public transportation: Forest Glen Metra station at 5301 N. LeClaire. Connecting to CTA Foster 92. (If someone offers better transportation instructions, this will be updated)

Driving: Take 94 to the Peterson Exit (only exit east), then turn right (south) onto Cicero Avenue. [Caldwell is not Peterson, do not go west!] Forest Glen Drive will be on the right (west side) taking you into quiet residential neighborhood where our picnic grove is located.

If the chicken is still alive and clucking, then look for her as you turn from Cicero Avenue to Forest Glen Drive.



The chicken seems to live in the nearby woods. She is constantly threatening to cross the road, which might answer an age-old question of why!

Fee: Free!

This is a true do-it-ourselves event where we bring food to share, help set up and clean up. Please advise if you can come early or help later with tidying up. This picnic will leave pleasant memories for all of us when we share the load.

Reserve: By replying on this thread. Your information will be maintained on this reservations list, which can always be checked. Please alert us to any errors. From time to time, we will post a recap on this thread.

Everyone joining in this event is expected to contribute in food and/or supplies, keeping the event orderly and tidy up as you go.

Whatever food you choose to bring, please make sure to keep hot food hot and cold food cold

Thinking what to do? Since this is our community dinner, make the dish your friends have all admired. I am sure you will get the same reaction here.

If you are better at ordering take-out, then consider bringing the following:

- Your favorite take-out!
- Volunteer to bring one or two loaves of bread from bakers
- Bring Kvass, Bitter lemon or other foreign sodas .. Good Ol'Coke and Dr. Pepper are ok, too!
- Cheese or salamis
- Plastic table settings, paper plates, (good) napkins or cups (from Costco, Sams Club)
- Baby wipes for cleaning hands
- Plastic garbage bags
- Water and Ice is always nice!*

*If you commit and later find you cannot attend, please give advance warning. People may want to keep a stash of water in case there are shortages (like a few years ago).

Supplies from last year were used at other community events such as Laikam's Montrose Harbor grill parties. We found life was made easier for everyone by simply using supplies for ongoing community events.

If you can bring a bag to collect recyclables to bring home and dispose, that would be terrific.

Picnic Permit Rules and Regulations wrote:…
3. The Forest Preserve District is closed to all visitors after SUNSET. Night picnics are not permitted. Glass beverage containers are not permitted on the Forest Preserve District property.
…
5. The sale of alcoholic beverages in any form is prohibit.
6. Before leaving, you must extinguish all fires; collect all your paper debris, bottles and trash and deposit them in the appropriate containers.
…
10. All ordinances and regulations in effect of the Forest Preserve District must be observed and the instructions of its representatives obeyed. Please note that the consumption of alcohol upon or within 50 feet of any roadway, parking area or entranceway is prohibit. No admission fees or charges may be levied.
…

Alcohol consumption is allowed in this grove. As stated above, you cannot bring any glass bottles. BYOB -- if you share with someone then it is gift you're sharing.

Tents sized no more than 10x10 are allowed. Anything larger would require a permit we do not intend to pursue.

From talking to the Cook County Forest Preserve Police, the consequences of a violation are: At a minimum two tickets with fines and mandatory court appearances will be issued: to the violator and the person named on the permit. Let's end the day with happy memories.

Please reserve by posting below with what you plan to bring to the picnic, where it fits into the meal and how many are attending:

Appetizer
Bread
Cheese/Sausage (to be sliced)
Side Dishes
Salads
Main course
Snacks
Desserts
Alcohol beverages
Non-alcohol beverages
Tablesettings, paper products, garbage bags

Please advise if your food needs heating, grilling or smoking. Plan to bring your own equipment unless you have arranged to share grill space. If you have a tabletop grill, then be prepared to have it sit on the ground.

We have a special spot in our hearts for unique and weird food. Things you never thought you'd have an opportunity to eat.

Let's do this again, because it works so well: If you have small bites to easily pick up, consider walking through the crowd offering tastes to people.

***

Adjacent to our picnic area is a large field for games. I've heard adults are now playing games from their youth like kick ball. If someone brings a ball and refreshes our memories on the rules, there just might be a game. There are trails to the north branch of the Chicago river to trek to. On the grove’s premises are flush toilets and water to clean your hands. If you want to guarantee drinkable water, then bring your own.

Come with the classic LTHforum open spirit to break bread with friends who share your culinary interests.

Regards,
Cathy2

Sadly I will be out of town for this year's picnic . . . I'll miss the food & festivities.

I've got it on my calendar. Happy to say my late September trip isn't until the 25th, so I won't miss this. Hurray.

I'l be there with some sort of dish made from a dead critter.

nr706 wrote:I'l be there with some sort of dish made from a dead critter.

You are pretty good at coming up with stuff one can mark off their life's bucket list.

Thank you!

Regards,
Cathy2

Thank you, Cathy. Julie and I wouldn't miss it. Contributions tbd. I'll update as inspiration hits.

=R=

BR wrote:Sadly I will be out of town for this year's picnic . . . I'll miss the food & festivities.

Sorry! You always make such exquisite stuff.

Regards,
Cathy2

I will be there with either a salad or dessert. I will bring 1 - 3 semi adult children and/or an adult friend who will also bring food and/or beverages to share. Will refine the numbers as it gets closer.

JennyIL

This sounds good. I will not be out of the country, unlike some previous years (the FlyerTalk forum trip to Vancouver, BC, Canada is the previous weekend). I will have to investigate what foodstuff I would bring. I am fairly certain I can bring some soda (12-oz. cans) from the beer cellar downstairs.
Sit by for more transit directions.
Unfortunately, riding transit to here is problematic, especially if you're toting something bulky or heavy. If you were able to get to Jefferson Park {on the “L” }, you would wind up on the #92 Foster bus. The stop for the forest preserve is Foster & Leclaire: ½ mile south. [Address for here = 5420 N Forest Glen Ave, Chicago, IL 60630] You would pass underneath a railroad embankment.
Like I scrawl; it is not going to be fun strolling this distance. I intend to motor here (which should be the blatant tipoff).

I will be in Chicago that weekend and both myself and Mrs. Jlawrence01 will be there.

As for what I will bring will depend on the quality of the kitchen in the suite hotel that we will be staying at.

SueF and I will certainly be there. Recipes unknown, but past experience is that SueF will make some sort of dessert, and I'll do something salad or dip-like.

Sadly the Mr and I will miss this one.
His cousin's kid is getting married in Fla-ri-da that weekend.
Maybe the daughter and friends will represent.
I'll let you know if they do.
E

irisarbor wrote:Sadly the Mr and I will miss this one.
His cousin's kid is getting married in Fla-ri-da that weekend.
Maybe the daughter and friends will represent.
I'll let you know if they do.
E

You will be missed. Since you usually bring a container of water or iced tea, could I borrow the container?

It's always better to have more fluid than less.

Have fun at the wedding!

Regards,
CAthy2

i have no problem going back to our original site: but i'm just wondering why you made the change.
and i'm RSVP'ing for myself, my usual fruit punch and something TBD.....

justjoan wrote:i have no problem going back to our original site: but i'm just wondering why you made the change.
and i'm RSVP'ing for myself, my usual fruit punch and something TBD.....

The only reason we moved initially was loss of our time slot to someone else. From time to time this space was checked and due to construction was not considered desirable. Now it is a desire to return to see if it is as nice as memories suggest.

Regards,
Cathy2

Hi,

I will bring empty spice containers to give away.

If dog people need plastic bags, I can bring those or I will take them to recycle. Just let me know if any are wanted.

Regards,
Cathy2

I (solo) will have to leave early (by 2 pm or earlier) for another food event far away. Do I take my contribution, or leave it in a disposable container? Or play it by ear (if little interest, take; if popular, leave)?

tentatively : varietal hummus & dip, roll your own cup elotes including vegan.

I gather quantities brought should be large? or at least large compared to what many of us are used to at other gatherings? Did I miss a suggestion to "bring xx servings"?

diversedancer wrote:I gather quantities brought should be large? or at least large compared to what many of us are used to at other gatherings? Did I miss a suggestion to "bring xx servings"?

There will be so much food, expect dozens of tastes, not servings.

diversedancer wrote:I (solo) will have to leave early (by 2 pm or earlier) for another food event far away. Do I take my contribution, or leave it in a disposable container? Or play it by ear (if little interest, take; if popular, leave)?

Either bring it in a disposable containers or load onto paper plates. If you feel like taking it with you, that's ok.

I gather quantities brought should be large? or at least large compared to what many of us are used to at other gatherings? Did I miss a suggestion to "bring xx servings"?

JoelF is correct to suggest tasting portions instead of feeding an army.

Forgive my directness, but would someone like me who has been inactive in this forum for many years be out of place if I join the festivities with my family? I would be bringing my wife and two boys (9 and 7).

I'll be there. I will figure out what to bring later.

Leekman and I will be there

Justin R wrote:Forgive my directness, but would someone like me who has been inactive in this forum for many years be out of place if I join the festivities with my family? I would be bringing my wife and two boys (9 and 7).

Not at all, Justin!

My Bride and I will be in attendance.

Love to sit in Smoker Row so it will be an entree off of charcoal.

My Bride will have some type of side.

Thanks for your work!

The GP wrote:

Justin R wrote:Forgive my directness, but would someone like me who has been inactive in this forum for many years be out of place if I join the festivities with my family? I would be bringing my wife and two boys (9 and 7).

Not at all, Justin!

Justin, you and your family are on the list. Now think up something delicious to bring!

Regards,
Cathy2

Cathy2 wrote:

The GP wrote:

Justin R wrote:Forgive my directness, but would someone like me who has been inactive in this forum for many years be out of place if I join the festivities with my family? I would be bringing my wife and two boys (9 and 7).

Not at all, Justin!

Justin, you and your family are on the list. Now think up something delicious to bring!

Regards,
Cathy2

Thank you, Cathy! I will begin brainstorming immediately.

I will be there, plus two! We will bring the pinata. Do you know if there will be a suitable place to hang it from at this location?

Glenn

glennpan wrote:I will be there, plus two! We will bring the pinata. Do you know if there will be a suitable place to hang it from at this location?

Glenn

Hi,

I think I saw the tree where Ramon (RIP) had set it up originally. It is close to the parking lot.

Octarine lives nearby, I can ask him to do a drive by review.

Regards,
Cathy2

Me + 1
Contribution TBD

Hi,

glennpan will bring a fully loaded pinata plus stick and rope.

Octarine has checked the site and identified a tree near the handicapped parking.

Due to a recent injuries, we may need some help getting the pinata set up.

Keep this in mind. If you can offer great. If not, then we will see who can help on the day of.

Thanks!

Regards,
Cathy2