Constant Reader discussion
2014 CR Convention - St. Louis
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Just FYI... Sherry and I have decided to stay the extra night and go to Hannibal on Monday to tour the Mark Twain/Tom Sawyer place. Anyone else up for that?
Hope everyone has a great time in my old home town for the years I lived in the US. Clayton is a lovely area.
I wish you were close enough to join us, Sheila!
We're getting down to decision time folks! When I checked earlier this week, the only reservations the hotel had in our block were for Tonya Presley, Sherry and me. Now Sherry, Tonya and I can have a great time by ourselves, but it would be a lot more fun with more of you there and I'm pretty sure there are more who have said they planned to attend. The block at The Cheshire will expire on Sept. 13, so if you're planning on joining us (or just still thinking about it) you need to act soon. There is no deposit required and the cancellation policy is reasonable – 24 hours prior to the start of the reservation - so there's no risk if you have to cancel later.
Sherry and I have extended our reservation to leave on Tuesday instead of Monday so we can spend a half day at Hannibal visiting Mark Twain/Tom Sawyer sites. Maybe we'll even tour the cave! Please feel free to join us if you want to include an extra day in your trip. The conference rate will still apply if you add a day on either the beginning or end of your stay.
I'll be there! Making my reservation today.
Sara wrote: "Okay, you guys are stuck with me now!"Yay!
Just can't. Neither of us are well enough.
I'm so glad to hear that you'll be there Sara... and so sad to hear that you and Leif are having such health problems, Ruth. Maybe next year we can meet on the west coast and you'll be able to join us.
I know this convention hasn't even started, but this place is about 1 hour from San Diego, Ca.http://www.temeculawines.org/wineries...
Holy cow, Carol. That's a lot of wineries! And some of us do like to imbibe as much as we like to eat :)
It is either there or Napa Valley, and Napa is so exspensive. So you all think it over , I know San Diego was done a few years ago, but there are lots of things to do . San Diego, doesn't have too bad of a transportation system. Of course Jane would know more about it. I was looking up unique bookstores there also. Maybe a jazz night might be in order.I wish I could make St. Louis, but like Ruth, too many health issues and other constraints right now.
Well, we do need to plan ahead, Carol. Are you offering to host?
I wouldn't know where or how to start. I could assist someone else. I don't know how expensive hotels are in San Diego.
I'm sorry you won't be there, too, Ruth. I was so hoping to meet you so we could flaunt our Kay West earrings at each other! I hope next time.Barb, Peggy, you guys gonna help represent the upper midwest?
Sara wrote: "I'm sorry you won't be there, too, Ruth. I was so hoping to meet you so we could flaunt our Kay West earrings at each other! I hope next time...."I'm sorry, too. But we both have chronic conditions. I've lived with mine for 12 years, but it's getting worse.
This is the first I've heard about this convention. Is it open to any member of the Constant Reader Goodreads group? Is it part of a larger event?
Deborah, it is open to all Constant Readers. It is a way to get acquainted with the people you converse with on line. I have not attended any as yet, but they have a lot of fun. I have had the privilege to meet a few of the group members, as we live fairly close to each other on the west coast.
This is not a part of any larger event. The Constant Reader group has held annual in-person gatherings that we call conventions for close to 20 years, dating back to the early days of the group (pre-Goodreads). In fact, the group had been meeting for several years before I joined in 2000 and attended my first in-person meeting in 2001. I got hooked and have missed only a couple of times since then. Each year the meeting is held in a different city, with one member serving as "host" and making the arrangements. The only year we've missed was when Hurricane Katrina chased us out of New Orleans. We usually include visits to museums and bookstores, along with any attractions that are unique to the area. You can find reports of past conventions in Santa Fe, Portland, Minneapolis, NYC, Pittsburg and Austin at the end of the list of discussion threads on the main page.
The convention is open to any member of Constant Reader who wants to spend a long weekend exploring a city in the company of others who enjoy good talk, good food and some book discussions. If you're interested in attending and have more questions, please send me a Goodreads e-mail and I'll do my best to answer them.
We've been having these "conventions" (I've always thought it was a rather large name for our gathering) since before the world-wide-web!
Just bought my train ticket! You'll recognize me by all the cats in my pockets and trailing off my luggage.
Yippeee! I'm looking forward to seeing you there, Sara. I've read that the hotel has a special program for dog owners... I wonder what they'd do for cats? :)
Just a reminder... our hotel room block expires at the end of the day today! Rates would be significantly higher (and rooms may not be available) if you reserve outside the group block. If you're thinking about joining us but haven't decided yet, you can make a reservation without paying a deposit. Cancellations can be made up to 24 hours before arrival.
Lynn wrote: "Yippeee! I'm looking forward to seeing you there, Sara. I've read that the hotel has a special program for dog owners... I wonder what they'd do for cats? :)"Oh, they'll never know the kits are there--they have special powers. :-)
Very much looking forward to seeing you guys, too!
Lynn,Thank you for the reminder. Our reservation has been confirmed. Looking forward to a return visit to the city of my birth. Katy
Oh good! It won't be long now before we gather and sample the best of St. Louis. What part of the city did your family live in when you were born? And did you grow up there or move away as a child?
I can't go this year, but the mention of San Diego potentially for next year perked me up. I have an aunt and cousin there who I adore, and would likely jump at a reason to travel to their city.
I’ve arranged a block of 15 rooms for the conference – 12 rooms with a single king bed and 3 rooms with two queen beds. The room rate is $159 plus tax for either size room, as long as the room is reserved for three nights (Friday, October 17 through Sunday, October 19). If you aren’t able to stay for the entire three nights, you can still reserve from the block, but the rate will be higher (probably around $200 per night). If you would like to reserve an extra night on either end, you can do that at the same conference rate. (I’ve been thinking that we might do a half-day trip to Hannibal, MO to tour the Mark Twain/Tom Sawyer sites on Monday if you’re interested in staying that extra night.)
Reservations can be made online from the main Cheshire website (see above link). There’s a box right below the Check-In Date labeled Group ID. After you enter your arrival and departure dates, you should enter the code “73089” to make reservations at the CR discounted rate. Your can also call the front desk (314-647-7300) and refer to Constant Readers to make your reservation. I already used the website to reserve a two-queen room for Sherry and me and it was very easy to navigate. There is no deposit required and the cancellation policy is reasonable – 24 hours prior to the start of the reservation.
I’ll have more information about activities (and restaurants!!) later, but wanted to get you to think about the possibilities and make your reservation whenever you’ve decided you will be able to join us.