11th Annual LTHforum Picnic, September 25, 2016

LTHforum's 11th Annual Potluck Picnic

Our tradition of the best potluck picnic carries on and on and on! We're all friends and yet there is a bit of a competitive spirit in wishing to offer your best. We're all looking forward to whatever you wish to share from a favorite dish to something you always wanted to try, we know we'll love it all!

If you need a few ideas, why not consider preparing a dish you learned about on LTH. A dish you never thought to make until someone posting their experience made it come alive and jump high on your must do list. Of course, everyone will be thrilled to eat what you know best.

Some offerings are collaborative such as the Little Tiki Hut, 2015 (Image by Ronnie Suburban)


Though individual efforts like Josephine's Maryland stuffed ham are welcome, too!

(Steve Z)


Date: Sunday, September 25th – Rain or Shine!

Where: Labagh Woods, Grove 1

Shelter in grove 1 (image by Steve Z)



Driving:
From the north:
Take 94 to the Foster Avenue Exit, then turn right (west) until the stoplight at Cicero Avenue. Turn right (north) onto Cicero Avenue for a few hundred yards. Turn left (east) at the LaBagh Woods Forest Preserve sign. Follow the road over US 94 and keep to the left to reach the lot.
Or
From the north, take the Edens (I-94) to the Cicero exit. Go 3 1/2 blocks south on Cicero to the Labagh Woods entrance on the left, then follow the road over the expressway and keep to the left to enter our grove 1.

From the south:
Exit from the Edens Expressway/I-94 at Foster Avenue. Turn west toward Cicero Avenue, then turn north (right) onto Cicero Avenue staying in the right lane. There is an entrance to Labagh Woods on the right. Follow the road over the expressway and kept to the left to enter our grove 1.

Follow the red arrow (image by Ramon)


Time:
- 9 AM (or earlier by arrangement): I will arrive to reconfirm our picnic permit. Smokers and grillers may arrive to begin their cooks.
- 11:00 AM: Help with tidying up, arranging tables and supplies.
- 11:30 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! )
- 4:00 pm - Pinata breaking (children must bring their parents)
- 5:00ish - Begin tidying up - please note this is everyone's effort.
- 6:52 PM: Sunset - party over followed by the Park District chaining the driveway.

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, keeping the event orderly and tidy up as you go.

Shelter interior with food laden tables (image by Steve Z)
(Steve Z)

BBQ smokers and Grills: Please arrange your equipment in the front area, just off the main walk into the shelter. Sure a blast of wind from the wrong direction might send smoke into the shelter. Consider it a shared experience.

Crazy C’s smuggled on the hoof Jamon, 2010 (image by G Wiv)


BYOT & BYOC: Seating is at a premium with only 10 picnic tables provided with the shelter. These will be filled with all kinds of food. If you want to guarantee a seat, bring your own. Ditto for tables. There are lovely grounds for sitting on a blanket. You might consider setting up your seating behind the walls of the shelter.

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

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

- Tables and chairs (we might get as many as 10 benches from the park district)
- Bring take out!
- Beverages*
- Cheese or salamis
- 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 irisarbor's Mardi Gras party last February and via Laikom's series of lakefront picnics and grill parties. We need everything with any leftovers used at LTH functions throughout the year.

We will need paper plates, paper napkins, plastic cups and some baby wipes. Check the list to find out what is still needed or send a PM to Cathy2 with any questions.

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 prohibited.
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 (in original plastic) is otherwise a-ok.

Tents sized no more than 10x10 are allowed. Anything larger will require a permit.

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 feeling happy.

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 and non-alcoholic beverages

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, advise if you can organize a game or two.

There will be a pinata filled with candy whimsies organized by Octarine and paid by LTHforum's owners.



(Images by Steve Z)

Mom and Dad: Keep an eye on the kids. If someone else keeps an eye on them, you can be assured they are not enjoying themselves as fully as they'd like.

On the grove’s premises are portapottys plus brick-and-mortar flush toilets and water to clean your hands.

Waste not, want not: We encourage everyone to bring food storage containers, tupperware, ziplocs or plastic bags. We know there will be food to feed more than will be present, so please take home leftovers to enjoy the party just a wee bit longer the next day. When you are ready to leave and getting a container to go, please be considerate of those who may still be eating. Take a modest portion of any dish, especially if it just arrived.

We are not encouraging people to bring pets. There will be lots of noise, people, fire, food, liquor and kids. Even the best behaved beast may not respond well in these conditions. Promise them a good walk and lots of love when you return home, please. I am leaving my cat at home, who does not like to be without me. We all understand these sacrifices.

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

Now come out to eat and play!

Regards,
Cathy2

I will be there with a dessert.

Jenny Ross

Great!

Teresa and I will be there, but our flight back to Chicago lands the morning of at 5am! I may need a nap in the hammock, but I won't miss the best day of the year!

As I mentioned somewhere else on the board, Moetchandon and I will be there, bringing small bites of some cooked dead creature which probably won't bite back, since it's dead, and some homebrewed beer in plastic bottles.

laikom wrote:Teresa and I will be there, but our flight back to Chicago lands the morning of at 5am! I may need a nap in the hammock, but I won't miss the best day of the year!

We will pray to the airline Gods that your flight is not delayed!

Nr706, before I took down the save-the-date notice, I listed everyone who already commented on the reserve list. I did make sure to note the opportunity for a dead critter from you! It will be a sad day for the picnic when you don't bring a critter to knock off life's bucket list.

Regards,
Cathy2

Definitely count Sue and i in. No clue what we're doing yet, but I do have this propane wok burner sitting around...

Joel & Sue - terrific! Can't wait to see what you dream up!

Our group is doing Thai Town this year--Attrill, BR, petite gourmande, Laikom, teresa, Tyler J Watkins, and anyone else who wants to join us. Menu TBD.

Our group is doing Thai Town this year--Attrill, BR, petite gourmande, Laikom, teresa, Tyler J Watkins, and anyone else who wants to join us. Menu TBD.

All that are known have been added to the list with tt in their dish category.

Great!

laikom wrote:Teresa and I will be there, but our flight back to Chicago lands the morning of at 5am! I may need a nap in the hammock, but I won't miss the best day of the year!

I also arrive on an overnight flight. But as always, I am excited to attend.

Let's say I bring something simple so right now either Wacky cake or Potato Chip Crack, maybe lacto-fermented pickles if I can get a batch done before my trip.

The Chow Poodle and I will be there. I'm still deciding on what I am going to cook, but in addition to whatever that turns out to be, I'll be happy to supply a Costco-sized package of napkins, plates, utensils, or whatever else is in short supply.

The Chow Poodle will, no doubt, bake something.

stevez wrote:I'll be happy to supply a Costco-sized package of napkins, plates, utensils, or whatever else is in short supply.

Great! Let's figure out as we get closer to prime time.

Whatever Chow Poodle makes will be wonderful!

CAthy

FYI Foster will be closed from Cicero east to Pulaski starting this weekend for a couple months.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016083 ... -next-week

Octarine wrote:FYI Foster will be closed from Cicero east to Pulaski starting this weekend for a couple months.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016083 ... -next-week

Once the traffic pattern is understood, could you offer instructions for those going northbound on the Edens?

Thanks!

Regards,
Cathy2

Hi, we'll be there (2 total). Dessert and a side to be decided at the market right before. Maybe a galette. Hard to know what works best for big groups.

Cathy2 wrote:

Octarine wrote:FYI Foster will be closed from Cicero east to Pulaski starting this weekend for a couple months.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016083 ... -next-week

Once the traffic pattern is understood, could you offer instructions for those going northbound on the Edens?

Thanks!

Regards,
Cathy2

Driving north on Cicero to Peterson is the best alternative, unless they maintain access to the Foster on ramp.

whocanitbenow wrote:Hi, we'll be there (2 total). Dessert and a side to be decided at the market right before. Maybe a galette. Hard to know what works best for big groups.

You don't have to really worry about feeding the masses. You could make a recipe, then have it cut into smaller pieces. Or make a few, whatever you like.

You don't have to worry about 100+ portions.

Regards,
Cathy2

LeekMan and I will be there. Will update with dish...

leek wrote:LeekMan and I will be there. Will update with dish...

Terrific!

The Panther and His Bride will be in attendance.

What to bring? (thinking cap on)... Will update later.

Perennially this time of the year, the Monarchs migrate down to Michoacan and I--bringing the comfort & joy of Will Specials--go up to LaBagh.

Fiat, fiat, fiat.

--Matt

P.S. Planning to bring a +1 with me.

I'll be flying back from Seattle Saturday, landing at 9pm. So what I bring depends on whether I can find time this week to make something or just fall back on picking up a a couple of nice salami. I'll let you know by the end of the week.

Posting on behalf of ONJ4EVER who will attend and later update what she is bringing. She can't reset her password so I am posting for her.

pairs4life wrote:Posting on behalf of ONJ4EVER who will attend and later update what she is bringing. She can't reset her password so I am posting for her.

Hi,

Ask ONJ4EVER to send an e-mail to me, which I know you have. We'll organize resetting her password.

Glad she's attending the picnic.

Regards,
Cathy2

Hi,

Somebody asked offline if they came late, like around 1:00 pm or so, was it still worth attending?

That picnic is humming at 1 pm. People come when they can. For instance, Jazzfood's food as art doesn't usually happen until 2 pm or later.

You will miss some dishes, but certainly you will be there for most of it.

Come early or come late, there will always be food to eat!

Regards,
Cathy2

stevez wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:

Octarine wrote:FYI Foster will be closed from Cicero east to Pulaski starting this weekend for a couple months.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016083 ... -next-week

Once the traffic pattern is understood, could you offer instructions for those going northbound on the Edens?

Thanks!

Regards,
Cathy2

Driving north on Cicero to Peterson is the best alternative, unless they maintain access to the Foster on ramp.

It appears that they did maintain access to the Edens on and off ramps at Foster during construction.

Alderman Margaret Laurino wrote:Can I access the Edens on and off ramps? Access to the on and off ramps at the Edens Expressway will not be affected.

Dani Jake will be there with four people

Mark
Kimberly
Daniella
Jaco

I will bring homemade polish kielbasa....see you all soon!!

Okay -- I was going to try to tackle something new and exciting -- but I'm on deadline now, and then I'll be out of town, so no time for research and extensive experimentation. So I figured I'd go with something I know that has been well received in the past -- Scottish shortbread. Hope that fits the menu.

Foodie1 - Dish type/name TBD - 4 adults/1 child