jimswside wrote:for sure, Ill be lugging a cooler with beer, and a few plastic airline size bottles of tequila along.

Same here...well, the beer part at least. We're thinking Fat Tire and/or Tecate cans, unless something else catches our eyes at the store on the way to the picnic.

In what I hope will not rank as one of the most bone-headed moves of my life, I plan to bring home-made char siu. I was doing a little on-line reading and actually came across a blog that impressed, complete with recipe, photos, and more. So, I was inspired to give it a shot. Moment of glory, moment of shame. Keep your fingers crossed!

P.S. Lovely Dining Companion hasn't yet settled on her contribution.

In addition to my Weber kettle, lump charcoal and yet unnamed food contributions, I will also be preparing some Bar DeVille-style Old Fashioned cocktails (all completely glass-free). Still mulling over what food I'm actually going to make.

=R=

Khaopaat wrote:

jimswside wrote: We're thinking Fat Tire and/or Tecate cans, unless something else catches our eyes at the store on the way to the picnic.

sounds good, Ill be stickin to old reliable Miller High Life..

looks like rain next saturday night, shouldnt put a damper on the pork butts, I can fit my "smoker" under the table umbrella.

Test run was a success. Fifille and I will be bringing our interpretation of the Kogi truck Korean tacos.

P.S. Cathy2, if you could bring that extra flippable grill grate, that would be awesome. I picked up one at H Mart today but two will make it go faster.

OK, got to go lay down now, too many tacos...

Octarine,

I will bring the flippable grill grate.

Regards,

Getting more specific about what I'm bringing - chilled Moroccan Tomato Soup and for the drink, daiquiris. And I see we don't have any bread, so I'll pick up a few loaves from the Georgian Bakery.

There's a small chance now that I'll be able to stop by the picnic later-ish. Unfortunately, I won't be able to bring picnic food from where I'll be coming or cook at all in the days leading up to the picnic, but I'll contribute toward what Dimitra is bringing or think of something to send with her:

Hellodali wrote:Getting more specific about what I'm bringing - chilled Moroccan Tomato Soup and for the drink, daiquiris. And I see we don't have any bread, so I'll pick up a few loaves from the Georgian Bakery.

I have decided to bring two salads:
Mango Salad
Tabbouleh

Jyoti

Here's the count. If you don't want to prepare something to bring, keep in mind that we will be grateful for all the ordinary picnic stuff - looks to me like we could use some standard condimentage, though at this point it doesn't look as though we have anything that will need it; we could probably also use coolers with ice, and standard soft drinks in addition to beer, (no glass bottles please - they're serious about those fines) which was mentioned. I will be bringing 1 1-qt. ice-cream-maker (ball style.) which I may or may not be using for 1 round, after that anyone is welcome.

Again, if you want your guest's nametag to read something other than "guest of <screen name> send me a PM - I'm making no assumptions unless I hear from you. Please check for errors and PM me if you find one:

Total guests 161

Offerings
12 Appetizers
5 Beverages
2 Bread
0 Condiment
17 Dessert
16 Main
10 Salad
4 Side
5 Supplies - Those of you who are bringing supplies and aren't listed with something specific on the spreadsheet, would you PM me with what you plan to bring?

37 TBD

My Bride will be joining us and time allowing, will whip up some traditional picnic fare. For now put her down for a empty cooler filled with ice.

Name Tag? Put her down as "The Panther's Bride".

I also remember that McDonald's used to offer a 5 gallon drink cooler (emblazoned with a big M on the side) filled with ice and a bag of orange drink on the side free for events such as this. I will give them a call.

Hi,

Rather than PM Michelle on supplies and such you can bring, please post here so everyone knows what is happening. Otherwise we'll have to wait for an update to know what is and isnt' offered.

Thanks!

Regards,

What I've found helpful, and indeed I'll do this, is to pick up a 24-pk of small water bottles at Costco or anywhere and put them in a rolling cooler with ice and stash it somewhere around the picnic, slightly out of the way. If a couple of people do this, there's water handy, you don't have to worry about providing cups, and as the cooler empties it's pretty much guaranteed that somebody will have something else to restock it with using your ice.

I'll also bring a cooler with ice, and a sun tea container that I'll set out with black tea and fresh mint [which will steep for later in the afternoon]. I'll bring some beer in cans IF someone will recommend a decent beer that's sold in cans. [I guess those Guiness pub cans are ok, but is there something better? I'm a big hoppy microbrew fan.]

And. I see from the shelter photograph that there's a recycling bin on site. Maybe some more bags would be useful? I still have some of those overpriced blue bags left over from the blue bag program. Perhaps I'll bring some along so that the question of where to put extra recyclables [as opposed to trash] is easily answered.

Giovanna

Giovanna wrote: I see from the shelter photograph that there's a recycling bin on site. Maybe some more bags would be useful? I still have some of those overpriced blue bags left over from the blue bag program. Perhaps I'll bring some along so that the question of where to put extra recyclables [as opposed to trash] is easily answered.

It doesn't appear that anyone has signed up to bring soft drinks yet, so I'll go to my default position and bring the pop--a variety of flavors and regular and diet.... Any special requests, let me know.
And great idea, Giovanna! I was just going to ask if we were going to try to recycle, as I was thinking of bringing cans as well as 2-liter bottles and hated to think of all of that going into the garbage.

RAB and I will be bringing a pickled veggie platter, a tomato feta salad, with possible, additional foodstuffs TBD.

Ronna

I'm planning on coming too--I think it's been several years since I've been to an LTH event! I'll probably have to wait to the last minute to decide what I'm bringing, since I'm not sure how much time I'll have the previous day.

Count us in (+2).

I found this site quite by accident and have been lurking for two years. We are also members at the Chicago Botanic Garden and met Cathy2 at her mushroom demo last Sunday. Her enthusiasm won us over, pulling us out of the closet, and we can't wait to attend the picnic.

We are newcomers to greater Chicago. We love to cook and have found many sources for ingredients thru this site. We greatly appreciate the effort put into identifying GNRs, have benefited, and hope to contribute, especially to increase the number of restaurants that are evaluated in the far, far NW where we reside.

I look forward to meeting many of the posters that I have followed in these two years.

We'll bring a tagine of some description (wife spent her young years in Casablanca) cooked the day prior lo' an' slo' over lump charcoal with a touch of wood (ahem, . . . hope to meet you Mr. G Wiv - and will you sign my book???) and to continue the Med theme, a Baba Ghanouj laden with enough garlic that vampires dare not approach Labagh Woods (our contribution to a safe event).

MHays. Mrs. DRC1379 would like to be tagged 'Marzipan', for one of her favorite things in life. But it was a tossup between that and 'Marshmallow'. So Pucca, since you are offering homemade marshmallows, expect an attentive groupie to approach your table.

Looking forward to the event.

Hi, all!

I'm wondering if it's too late to RSVP for this? I was making plans to see my parents this weekend and had this event in my calendar, so it occurred to me that I could maybe kill multiple birds with one stone by bringing everybody to the picnic.

We would be four adults and two kids. I wish I could commit to making something, but I'm crazy-busy and it simply won't happen. I'd be happy to bring some plasticware, napkins, beer, or something.....just let me know what's still needed.

Thanks...and sorry. I kind of feel like I'm barging in (and bringing my whole family) but I've been meaning to get to this event for years and this seems like the perfect opportunity.

DRC1379 wrote:MHays. Mrs. DRC1379 would like to be tagged 'Marzipan', for one of her favorite things in life. But it was a tossup between that and 'Marshmallow'. So Pucca, since you are offering homemade marshmallows, expect an attentive groupie to approach your table.

Welcome DRC1379. I am not committed to making marshmallows, as I am still contemplating a variation of rice krispie treats or a s'more pie.....

I will be there with 2 adults and 2 children as guests. Not sure if I am bringing pickles and pies or an inspiring farmer's market savory...will try and post toward the end of the week.

Hi,

At this moment, we are expecting ten picnic tables from the forest preserve. If we can count on more, I will advise.

We have over 160 people expected and climbing. Tables and chairs will be a premium. Please check what you can bring with you and advise.

For those who will bring supplies, here is the current list of supplies pledged with supplies we need more are bolded:

Mrs. Ingie 2 folding tables
jimswside - banquet table
Joel F - folding table
MBH - Folding table - 1
Aschie - card table - 1
C2 - camp table - 1
C2 stock 6" dessert plates - 44
Stock 7" dessert plates - 400
Stock Aluminum pan
dfmickley baby wipes
moetchandon - Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer
Stock Coffee/wine cups - 64 - we might be ok with the Solo cups
elakin Coffee cups - #?
moetchandon cups - #?
Bride of Panther In The Den Cooler of Ice
C2 stock Dinner plates - 20
Stock Dinner plates - 75
elakin dinner plates - #?
mbh Chinet dinner plates - 165
Khaopaat folding table
C2 stock Forks - 108 (kirkland)
Stock Forks - 243
MBH Forks - 180 (kirkland)
C2 stock Knives - 25 (cheap white)
Stock Knives - 39
C2 stock Knives - 92 (kirkland)
MBH knives - 60 (kirkland)
Stock Napkin wrapped knife, fork, spoon - 43 sets
C2 stock Napkins, dinner, 15
C2 stock Napkins, lunch, 300
Stock Pie servers - 3
Stock Plastic serving utensils - 4
Stock - plastic table cloth - 2
MBH - plastic table cloth - 1
C2 stock Plastic table cloth 2
Stock Plastic tray
Mrs. Ingie Plastic utensils
Stock Salt/Pepper shakers
C2 stock Solo drink cups - 11
Happystomach - Solo cups - Lots!
Stock Spoons - 65
C2 stock Spoons - 94 (kirkland)
MBH Spoons - 120 (kirkland)
Stock Sterno - 4
Stock Styofoam take-out box - 60


If anyone identifies any necesssary items not mentioned and would be a good idea to have there, please speak up. Probably some Clorox bleach wipes.

Everyone is encouraged to bring containers to take leftovers home. You can enjoy the glow of the picnic for a few days more with those treats brought home.

Recycling has been suggested. I will ask the Forest Preserve tomorrow if they have a preferred method. Last year, many people brought a blue bag home.

Less than a week to the big day!

Regards,

DRC1379,

I am looking forward to your tagine as well as introducing you to your list of people you're intrigued by. Fortunately, they will have screen name tags making it much easier to identify them.


elakin,

We look forward to meeting the crew. Please review the supply list. Maybe with your background, you can identify a necessity overlooked by us.

tarte tatin,

You have good soda sensibilities. I tend to buy the 2-liter, because of price. You will do whatever you consider best. As for special requests: Dr. Pepper is an excellent beveratge, any vintage will do.

Regards,

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:For those who will bring supplies, here is the current list of supplies pledged with supplies we need more are bolded:

C2 stock Solo drink cups - 11

Cathy,

I'll send a Costco supply of cups with Hellodali--I'm guessing about 300 cups?? Please advise if you have a better sense of the number needed (I'm guessing each person would use at least 2 cups). I'm happy to buy however many you think is needed.

happy_stomach wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:For those who will bring supplies, here is the current list of supplies pledged with supplies we need more are bolded:

C2 stock Solo drink cups - 11

Cathy,

I'll send a Costco supply of cups with Hellodali--I'm guessing about 300 cups?? Please advise if you have a better sense of the number needed (I'm guessing each person would use at least 2 cups). I'm happy to buy however many you think is needed.

Your estimate sounds about right. If someone knows better on this cup thing, please comment.

Regards,

I can bring a folding card table, if that helps. Also, I believe I have 2 plastic tablecloths leftover from the 5th Anniversary Party. I will look for them later and check back in.

Sorry for the delay. My family and I will be there -- 4; we will bring a local ham that my wife will slow cook with her secret spices.

Just to update I picked up dinner sized Chinet plates and a big box of knifes, forks and spoons at Costco. Besides cheese and salami I'll add bread to what I bring, I'll just figure out which bakeries I like are open on Sunday morning and go from there. I'll also bring a long folding table and plastic tablecloth from MIM. I can't wait!

mbh,

For my bean counter personality, how many Chinet plates will that be? I've bought them myself at Costco, but don't recall the quantity.

Regards,

Hi,

Forest Preserve advised there will be 10-14 picnic tables (seating 6 each). We will use the picnic tables for dining at. We will line up our motley crew of tables brought from home to place the food up the middle.

There is a recycling bin at Labagh woods. If those who have leftover bluebags bring them, we can station them at different locations. Later they will be piled at the recyclable location.

Lost and Found: if possible, try to stick some ID on your serving plates.

Regards,