leek wrote:Argh - someone give me some ideas of what YOU want, I'm completely stumped and uninspired

We still don't have a cheese/charcuterie plate, so far as I can see...

BTW, I can bring my ice cream ball with the caveat 1)I may forget it; if you want it you'll need to PM me for my phone number and call me around 9am Sunday to remind me, and 2) it tends to misbehave, so it isn't a done deal that your ice cream will freeze properly.

nancy wrote:I will make spicy North African Beef Ribs (I WILL NEED TO GRILL THEM ON SOMEONE"S GRILL.....?) They are Korean style cut ribs that are pounded flat and only stay on the grill for a few minutes....

Just an FYI - Nancy will be taking over my grill after 12-12:30

And spreadsheet, info via pms et al are updated - if you sent information to us within the last 48 hours, please go check that it is correct!

We are at 189 people.

25 Appetizers
19 Beverages
9 Breads
2 Condiments
21 Desserts
29 Main
5 Salads
9 Sides
6 Supplies

We have about 20 people who have not yet decided what they're bringing (though I see that a few are with another party) We'd really like to put a nametag on your dish, so please let us know ASAP!

4 need grill (remember - fuel!), 5 bringing grill

6 Setup, 5 Cleanup

Also, in light of the recent press, it is important to note that we need to know how many are coming - if you plan on bringing extra guests, please let us know to add them to your count, and if you plan to come but haven't posted, please let us know ASAP. Although right now we aren't near our limit of space, we can't guarantee that there will be room closer to the event time - so, again, if you plan to come, please make sure you post here with the number in your party and what you plan to bring.

Due to all kinds of crap piling up on us this week, plus a last-minute work trip, I must change my contribution.

I'll now be bringing smoked Hungarian sausage & fresh bratwurst from European Homemade Sausage Shop and knockwurst from Usinger's (can anyone guess which city my meetings were in? )

To go with these, I'll have a few types of mustard (picked up at the last minute from a certain highway-adjacent pseudo-medieval cheese-based fortification ) and buns from Nicole's Divine Crackers (a.k.a. "Franks N Dawgs buns").

If anyone can point me to some really good sauerkraut, I'll pick some of that up too.

Mhays wrote:Also, in light of the recent press, it is important to note that we need to know how many are coming - if you plan on bringing extra guests, please let us know to add them to your count, and if you plan to come but haven't posted, please let us know ASAP. Although right now we aren't near our limit of space, we can't guarantee that there will be room closer to the event time - so, again, if you plan to come, please make sure you post here with the number in your party and what you plan to bring.

Will there be a "By Invitation Only" sign, velvet rope, and/or large, black-clad bouncer with a clipboard & one of those secret service ear thingies at the end of the parking lot, to keep away freeloaders inspired by NBC's re-airing?

Hi,

I think we can handle just about anything that comes our way. I learned about this community from an article in the Chicago Tribune. We all got our start somehow.

The kids will be thrilled to learn the parachute is returning courtesy of Josephine:

From the second picnic: The kids get ready to play "Sharks and Lifeguards" with a parachute as the turbulent sea. (image by Mike G)


Regards,

Hi,

Hmmm something didn't calculate right for MHays, I just totalled up 219 people for Sunday.

The media effect generated several phone calls from friends and maybe five people I am aware of. You never know where the next inspiring poster comes from.

Khaopaat - I am thrilled with your selection from European Sausage. My only visit was when he was temporarily retired. Milwaukee is a wonderful place!

Regards

Turns out I won't be able to get there as soon as I thought - I might just make the end of setup. My two differeent appetizer sandwiches with be a CLT and a BBLT.

Hi,

Everyone:
- If you leave early, why not pick up around you to ease the job later on. If a dish is empty, move it off the serving tables.
- There is always a few things left behind. If you put your name or screenname on it, it will get back to you more quickly and reliably. I'm still sorry about the missing stainless bowl from two years ago and the soccer balls from last year.

For those who come early for cooking and set up:

If you are coming at 9 am or earlier, let me know. I will send you a copy of the permit, in case you get there before I do. If anyone comes wanting to borrow a table, smile and decline. We need every table we can get. The forest preserve captain for the area said we would have at least 15 tables. If it is less, we will work with what we have.

For set-up, if you come around 10:30 we can sweep up, move tables around and begin to put cheery red tablecloths on. Hammond will arrive around 11 am with supplies, then it is off to the races.

Cathy2 wrote:Hammond will arrive around 11 am with supplies, then it is off to the races.

Races?

We're having races?

Nobody told me! Shucks, I better bring my runnin' shoes. They'll help me get from table to table, I expect.

Thanks for the heads-up.

OK, I've decided. I'm going to bring kuku sabzi (Persian herb pancake).

I don't think I'll be able to get there in time for set up, and I won't be able to stay until the end, but I'll do a thorough mid-day tidying up.

I'll be there with a 30 pack of PBR.

Hi,

It is not too late to sign up, if you desire to attend.

Regards,

In addition to the promised sorrel rum punch, Ronna and I will also be bringing BLT crostini (featuring our homemade spicy tomato jam and black pepper and garlic bacon).

Woo. See you all in a few days.
--Rich

Inspired by my first trip to Elephant Thai today, I'm adding a second dish--thai apple salad with dried shrimp and chilis.
I'll be there by 11:00. I'll also bring a card table and 4 chairs, assuming I can fit them in my car.

Do we need trash bags? I remember the dumpsters were sorta full from the prior days' festivities.
I'll be happy to pick up any last minute misc supplies, just lmk. I'll be there around 10am. -Liz!

I am adding Pickled Grapes to my contributions.

Jyoti

Sorry, I suspect I am not going to make it after all (put me down as a probably not) - if I do come I'll bring some cheeses

If I make it I will be one, not two. I'll probably bring smoked sausage from Bende's.

+2

Harold's Chicken fried rice

lazygal09 wrote:Do we need trash bags? I remember the dumpsters were sorta full from the prior days' festivities.
I'll be happy to pick up any last minute misc supplies, just lmk. I'll be there around 10am. -Liz!

Hi,

Let's hope there is a small party the day before. We do have trash bags from last year.

See you at 10!

Regards,
Cathy

I'm bringing Artisanal Mother-in-Laws: tamales from La Cebollita (Pilsen), in baguettes from Bonjour Bakery (Hyde Park), topped with Ramova Grill's chili (the pride of Bridgeport), garnished with lightly pickled red onions and Hungarian wax peppers (both locally grown).

Hi,

In addition to the sandwiches I mentioned above (similar to Will's Specials but more personalized to my exacting specifications ), I'm also bringing some bacon-horseradish-roasted garlic dip, made with my homemade bacon and some crackers/chips to go with it. I'm also bringing a 24-pack of water.

I'm hoping to bring a couple other treats -- including a dessert and an over-21 beverage -- and I'll update here if I have the time and energy to make it happen.

Also, my group is down to 4 people and Cathy has all the names.

=R=

Rene G wrote:I'm bringing Artisanal Mother-in-Laws

Very much looking forward to that; MiL has always seemed a preparation that, with upgraded raw materials, could be scrumptious.

The Excited Pig is rearing its snout again...and may be at the picnic if I can get the right cologne.

Sorry its taken me so long to decide what I'm bringing. Hectic week. I'll bring a watermelon salad and hopefully I'll find enough time to make a dessert.

Jean

Rene G wrote:I'm bringing Artisanal Mother-in-Laws: tamales from La Cebollita (Pilsen), in baguettes from Bonjour Bakery (Hyde Park), topped with Ramova Grill's chili (the pride of Bridgeport), garnished with lightly pickled red onions and Hungarian wax peppers (both locally grown).

Nice! I'll be sure to wear my crappiest shirt

Unfortunately, life has gotten in the way, so I and my plus one won't be able to make it tomorrow. Hope everyone has a fantastic time!

Hi,

If someone(s) are still wondering what to bring, pierogies from nearby Smak Tak are a thought.

Regards,

2 more come rain or shine - We'll be bringing Korean jap chae (glass noodle, veggie & little beef dish)

Ok--last change I promise.

Decided, after harvesting some more tomatoes at my home and away gardens that I needed to add one more salad to my offerings. So now it's trio of international salads: Italian raw corn w/arugula and walnut pesto; greek shrimp, tomato and feta; and thai apple. All will be served with appropriate crackers/crostini so as to make them "finger" food. The corn salad will have walnuts for those w/nut issues ( )

See ya'll tomorrow!