Hey, it's time the New Englanders have a gathering!

[LisaMurray]

Count me in for either date. It's about a 3 hr drive for me (I think....I'd have to Mapquest it to be sure), but that's no biggie. I'd love the chance to meet some of you.

Edward--I'd love to get one of those hood deflectors. My baby's only 4 months old, and I already have a couple of nicks on my hood. Let me know what I need to do to order. Thanks!

[mrv]

Gosh, it'd be nice if this was publicized on some of the other frequented Prius groups (to get more woners to show up), such as:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius-2G/
http://www.priusonline.com/
alt.autos.toyota.prius

or the more local groups:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/MA-hybrids/ (group created for the last MA meet or two)
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius2004NE/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/priusnortheast/

The last three MA-area gatherings were open to all hybrids. Is this one going to be more closed? It's been nice to chat with the other hybrid owners, try out "the competition," and such.

There have been too few people signed up on meetup.com that I haven't bothered going to any of the monthly meets. One of the groups (don't remember if it was hybridcars.meetup.com or prius.meetup.com) supposedly met at Ken's Steak House on rt.9 Framingham (Natick line).

I don't recall who set up the meet in 2001. That was held at the Paparazzi restaurant in Concord MA on rt. 2. We just got together in their large parking lot, chatted for a while, then went inside to order food. Unfortunately, you really couldn't hear what was going on on the other side of the long table...

Sam Williams did most of the work setting up the 2002 meet, although I did help out gathering names, announcing it, and such. Sam held it at his curling club in Wayland, MA (off-season, http://www.broomstones.com/ ). We had some sponsorship from Westboro Toyota for the hall rental, and otherwise we asked for $5/person for food and hall rental. Craig Van Batenburg gave a nice presentation, and we had open questions and any individual presentations... We also had the Voloci electric motorbike people give a demonstration and test rides.
http://www.kluge.net/~felicity/pics/index.php?group=16

2003 Gilles Labelle (Westboro Toyota) and Jim Dunn had me call for another hybrid meet, Oct. 18 IIRC. We held it at the Worcester Airport parking lot, in conjunction with WPI's Homecoming and 100th anniversary celebration of flight. (Worcester Airport was open to the public, with various personal planes and gliders on the tarmac, and they had a working replica of the Wright brothers' plane. Jim Dunn had the ePlane there, an electric-only plane that at the time was using Prius battery packs for electricity storage.) Craig happened to stop for gas the night before in his Insight, and was parked next to a 2004 Prius being driven by a Toyota Regional employee, and invited him to bring the car. It was the first 2004 Prius in New England, and we got it to climb all over and do test drives/rides in it for the Saturday meet. As for food, we had a pile of doughnut boxes from Dunkin Donuts and some coffee, which Gilles brought. WPI had a bunch of free cookies, and also had a small fee-based grill tent.
My pics are at: http://www2.kluge.net/2004/

2004 went by without a meet (that I know of). I don't really consider the 2003 or 2004 Altwheels festivals much of a meet, as it's difficult to get all the Prius owners or cars together (although most everyone did at some point come by my cars on display and say hi).

My experience is that you'll want someplace where some people can sit down if needed (not everyone can stand around in a parking lot for hours on end talking), with bathrooms nearby, and that you'll want some way to get out of the sun or inclement weather (tent, building). (I got a really nasty sunburn at the 2003 WPI fly-in, and the Altwheels festival.) Unfortunately, the only place that comes to mind in the Framingham rt.9 area is the parking garage at the Natick Mall and the food court there (although that would be really noisy in the food court, and the covered parking spots get filled up quick).

Where will all of the cars fit at the Tennessee's BBQ? On a normal day it is difficult to park there, let alone if you get the 2 dozen+ cars I'd expect minimally to show up... Maybe if you went to the anchor store at the end (what is it now, a Filene's Basement? I know it was a Frugal Fannie's for a while...) you'd get some parking, but...

(I work in Natick, on the Framingham line, just off of rt. 9, so I do know the area well. If I come up with a location (I can ask around at work for more ideas), I'll be sure to post it (If Priuschat will let me in again to post, it's still browser-picky on me...).)

[bobc]

Hi Michele,

Thanks for your thoughts and input.

No, it isn't closed to other hybrids. I don't have the time to frequent other forums so I limited the posting to this one. If someone wanted to post elsewhere, please do!

I was totally unaware that a history exists of active meets in New England!

Your comments about location are very good ones. Aerometer was going to look for a meeting place this Friday. He's thinking about a mini mall parking lot (I can't remember the store names....) I haven't been to Framingham in 10 years so I don't know the place. If others know of a good area with shade, or the ability to hang out inside in case of inclement weather and bathrooms, that would be great!

And, should we look at another restaurant if parking is an issue as Tenn.'s BBQ?

BTW, from the poll, it's looking like we'll be getting together the 6th. But, would still like to finalize things so that people can plan their day.

-bob

[mrv]

To get your bearings, the Tennessee's mini-mall is on the street right across from the Framingham main post office on rt. 30. From the post office, on the left is a McDonald's, Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, and eventually Walmart and rt. 9. On the right from the post office is Filene's Basement and the fast-food packed mini-mall, an apartment complex, Bennigan's grill/bar, and then rt. 9.

Don't get me wrong, I love Tennessee's (I get take-out dinner once every week or two), I just don't see it as large enough to take in everyone, and the parking could be tricky. There's a little more parking at the ends (Lotus Flower http://www.lotuscuisine.com/ and Filene's Basement), but Tennessee's http://www.tennbbq.com/ is in the middle where there's only 2 rows for parking (and that includes the Papa Gino's http://www.papaginos.com/, Big Fresh, Gold Star Indian http://www.indiangoldstar.com/, and Boston Market http://www.bostonmarket.com/index.jsp). I suppose if people were willing to walk... or if we wanted to do reservations of some form...

Other ideas that people at work came up with:

To stay with BBQ, either everyone park at the Filene's basement and walk to meet over at Tennessee's or similar, or everyone park at Walmart over by the rt. 9 side of the lot and carpool to Tennessee's. Or, there's a bit more parking available at Firefly's on rt. 126 (really close to rt. 30 and 9): http://www.fireflysbbq.com/Framingham.htm (at least we could use the Stop & Shop parking area next door).

Park at Jordan's furniture. eat at Kelly's Roast Beef. sit in comfy floor model chairs, or at Kelly's. be entertained by the Mardi Gras celebrations at Jordan's. send the family to watch an IMAX movie at Jordan's while you talk about car-things. http://www.jordans.com/about/find_store_de...asp?type=natick

You could probably reserve a room at most any of the numerous restaurants in the area. Ideas are the Bugaboo Creek across the street from Tennessee's, and also the Vinny T's of Boston in Natick on rt. 9 (but getting to that location could be tricky as it's on the divided section of rt. 9), but pretty much you name the type of food or the national/regional chain, and it's here. Problem with a restaurant room reservation is that you'd really want to have people be able to mingle, and not stuck talking/listening to the same people on their end of the table if a sit-down meal.

another suggestion was to go to someplace like Lake Cochituate State Park on rt. 30 in Natick. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/coch.htm Problem there is that you pay per car to enter, and there's no food concessions. Good thing is that there are picnic tables, shade, bathrooms/changing rooms, and swimming for the other family members. So, if everyone wanted to do a pot-luck thing or pack their own lunch, it might be a good idea. There are some other state parks that might similarily work, such as Ashland http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/ashl.htm, Hopkinton http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/hpsp.htm, or Walden Pond (Concord) http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/wldn.htm. (although, if it's a hot enough day the parks could fill to capacity and close early... might be a good idea to call ahead here too...)


unfortunately, most of the area newspapers require a 2-week notice for placement in their what's happening/community calendar sections, so it's doubtful if you could get the word out other than online forums.

(I'll note that my 10-year high school reunion was only announced about a month before the date; myself and a bunch of people already had plans and couldn't make it. I'd suspect something similar with either date in the poll.)

[LisaMurray]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mrv\";p=\"108855)</div>

another suggestion was to go to someplace like Lake Cochituate State Park on rt. 30 in Natick.  http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/coch.htm  Problem there is that you pay per car to enter, and there's no food concessions.  Good thing is that there are picnic tables, shade, bathrooms/changing rooms, and swimming for the other family members.  So, if everyone wanted to do a pot-luck thing or pack their own lunch, it might be a good idea.  There are some other state parks that might similarily work, such as Ashland http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/ashl.htm, Hopkinton http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/hpsp.htm, or Walden Pond (Concord) http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/wldn.htm.  (although, if it's a hot enough day the parks could fill to capacity and close early...  might be a good idea to call ahead here too...)[/b]

Something like this would definitely get my vote. I think a pot-luck type thing at a park sounds awesome, and way more relaxing than sitting in a parking lot.

[aloha]

Bob:
Either date is fine with me, but I will vote for the July date. Looking forward to it.
Aloha

[bobc]

Hi folks,

Great to see so much interest!

Comments and the votes were tepid until Aerometer did the mass emailing last week. Great that the word got out and people are now aware and responding!

Sorry that this is such short notice for a bunch of you... We're hoping to finalize plans by Monday (25th) so that things can be definitive for you. According to the poll, it looks like people are favoring the 6th.

From a couple of posters, there is some concern about locations and having some basic amenities like shade, cover if its raining and bathroom facilities. Any other thoughts on the Lake Cochituate State Park? The fee for entry is $5.

Also, I've been trying to line up a master tech. But, I haven't received any responses to the emails I sent.

I
As for location or if you know of a master tech, drop me a note. I'll get it quicker if you send it to my email: bobc at hopper dot unh dot edu

Thanks and look forward to catching up!

[Areometer]

Hello Everyone. A lot of beneficial input indeed. Pardon my unprofessionalism as I have never organized anything like this before, not even when I was back in school.

I agree that Tenessee BBQ parking lot is a bit tight as we reach 20+ Prius. I agree that Jordan's Furniture parking lot is a lot bigger and there are restrooms & Kelly's Roast Beef & IMAX right there. But we will need Jordan's permission for sure. Will the Bugaboo Creek's parking lot be big enough? They are a Canadian BBQ house with great food (lcdJunky, hope your bf won't mind).

The Cochituate State Park idea is also neat, but have you been to it lately during weekends? Will there be enough parking for say, 50+ Prius?

I plan to drive around tomorrow (Fri) near the Framingham area (incl. Cochituate State Park in Natick) and look around. mrv if you have other great suggestions, please share. I'd greatly appreciate it. Time is running out. Thanks.

Edward

[ice weasel]

I'm not sure what I could as I am far away (physically) and you haven't decided on a date yet. Nonetheless, once you do decide on a date, please email me and I'll be happy to post it on the site:

www.priusownersgroup.com

I'm not sure if I could make it to the actual meet, though, depending on the date, I will try. I'm in Lancaster, PA so it's a bit of a drive.

Thanks very much for your work in organizing this and good luck!

Russell Frost
owner
priusownersgroup.com
2005 Super White Prius
russell@priusownersgroup.com

[hobbit]

... Pardon my unprofessionalism as I have never organized anything like this before
.
Here's all kinds of encouragement; it seems like you're
doing great! A couple of additional thoughts on venue ...
seems like slightly out of Framingham you've got lots of other stuff
around Rt. 9 and maybe Speen St, largish malls, that sort of
thing, which aren't necessarily a single organization trying to
preserve some kind of "image" [I'm thinking Jordan's here] and
whose rent-a-cops may be less likely to get upset by a
gaggle of Prii occupying an out-of-the-way corner of their parking
lot for a while. Still, if it's generally felt that some kind
of permission should be obtained in advance, hopefully
that's reasonable and the querier won't just get blown off
with an off-the-cuff "no".
.
Any further ideas about presenters? I could probably stand
around and yak prius tech all day, but not in any coherent,
organized fashion...
.
_H*