The 20th Dam Gathering of the tears, May 1-5, 2013 ...!

[nevadatear]

While we are on activities, Randy and I, along with our good friend and retired ornithologist, dr alan gubanich, will be leading a bird and nature walk around the camp and lake shore. If you ever wondered what those pretty birds were, then grab your binoculars if you have them and join us. We will have some extra pairs if you don't have any. No experience necessary! This will be great fun. Last year we saw a pileated woodpecker, thats the one that looks like woody woodpecker, and a bald eagle, among other things. Meet Friday morning at the registration desk 8:30.

[dguff]

We'll be having a wine and beer tasting http://damgatheringofthetears.weebly.com/activities.html on Thursday evening around 6pm. How many of you are planning to attend this? We want to be sure to have enough supplies, so please let us know if there is a chance you're over 21 and will be participating.
Thanks!

There is a chance that I am over 21 and we will be participating. Will be bringing some red wine.

Jerome

[mjg444]

My friend and I are planning on being there. Two of us with Washington State wine and beer and snacks.

Michele

[desertmoose]

Kat and I don't do alcohol either, but we'll show up with some sodas, munchies and hang out.

Sam

[TENNJIM]

Count us in! We will bring red wine, possibly beer, and some snacks. Also, it is easy for us to bring our own cups, plates, napkins and utensils.

Jim and Sheryl / Utah

[Phooey]

Trying to get organized .

Thank you for reminding me about utensils. Please bring your favorite glass or cup and plate for appetizers if you can so that we can make this a "green" event We will also provide some for anyone who might forget or need extra. Can't believe it's almost time for a Dam good time!

See y'all soon

[S. Heisley]

Trying to get organized .

Thank you for reminding me about utensils. Please bring your favorite glass or cup and plate for appetizers if you can so that we can make this a "green" event We will also provide some for anyone who might forget or need extra. Can't believe it's almost time for a Dam good time!

See y'all soon

I understand that no trays, sectioned food trays or other "food shovels" are being allowed this year at any of the food events; so, those can be left at home. I would think that the same would be true of giganic beer mugs and wine goblets.

[Ron Dickey]

I understand that no trays, sectioned food trays or other "food shovels" are being allowed this year at any of the food events; so, those can be left at home. I would think that the same would be true of giganic beer mugs and wine goblets.

what does this mean are you talking about divided plates? We use divided plates so we can keep different tastes apart and taste the different ones. It also keeps the wet ones from running onto the dryer ones. We have only been to this gathering once and that was the Damp Gathering. Left early cause everything in the trailer was soaked. On top of that on the way home we found the cooler had leaked too and even the mattress was wet. So I do not remember food so much, except for Doug's waffels!

Please explain better
Ron

[Wolffarmer]

I think she meant. No beer mugs under 2 gallon.

[Ron Dickey]

only if they bring them Pre Filled!! and share!

[Phooey]

I'm not going to worry if you want to bring a divided plate for personal taste but if you need two hands to lift your glass you might want to rethink that. We're just tasting, not bathing. This is a Dam good time with Dam nice people! No worries.

[S. Heisley]

I understand that no trays, sectioned food trays or other "food shovels" are being allowed this year at any of the food events; so, those can be left at home. I would think that the same would be true of gigantic beer mugs and wine goblets.

what does this mean are you talking about divided plates? We use divided plates so we can keep different tastes apart and taste the different ones. It also keeps the wet ones from running onto the dryer ones. We have only been to this gathering once and that was the Damp Gathering. Left early cause everything in the trailer was soaked. On top of that on the way home we found the cooler had leaked too and even the mattress was wet. So I do not remember food so much, except for Doug's waffels!

Please explain better
Ron

Last year, I ate at my campsite, during the potluck, and walked up to the group gathering when people were finishing eating. However, even I heard rumblings from the people who were towards the end of the food line that they were left with a piece of store-bought sheet cake and some salad because people before them might have been over-indulgent with their portion sizes or felt they had to sample everything.

People have taken to bringing those placemat-sized, larger-than-a-plate food trays. Those really looked like a good idea and, at one time, I almost bought one of those divided food trays too. The problem with those is that it doesn't look like one has any food unless the bottom of tray is filled. Most people cannot begin to eat that much food as the stomach is only the size of a fist and will only stretch until the brain starts sending "full" and "Ohhh...too full" signals. So, much of the food on those trays, that could have given a nice meal to those last people in line, ended up being tossed. I don't think that people mean to be greedy; it's just that seeing all that food lined-up on those tables puts people into a feeding-frenzy mode and they end up on a "see-food" diet. Also, if one is at the front of the line, it looks like there is plenty of food for everyone with some left over to waste because we are looking at the food-filled bowls and pots and not the line of people behind us.

If you look at the Dam Gathering Agenda, here: http://damgatheringofthetears.weebly.com/agenda.html

You will see that enough people complained last year that, this year, our hosts are supplying paper plates and bowls:

ALSO NEW THIS YEAR... In another attempt to ensure EVERYONE gets fed this year..we will be providing dinner plates, chili bowls, napkins and plastic utensils (bring your own utensils if you wish but PLEASE leave the buffet platters at your campsite).

Please note that I am not affiliated with the gathering other than to have fun and help if I can; nor, am I the “food & wine police” . However, I saw this as an opportunity to get the message out to people who may not read the above noted ban on food trays until they get to the campground. If people are aware before going to the potlucks, it keeps them from feeling quite so disappointed and keeps them from tromping up to the potluck with their food tray in hand and then feeling embarrassed or even overly angry when they are asked to leave their tray behind.

Additionally, the other point was that the wine tasting is supposed to be just that: a taste, so that many others will have a chance to taste too. Therefore one should bring a small glass or cup for tasting and simply put a small amount in the bottom of it, to taste the product.

Posting this also gives people a chance to let their feelings be known and to talk about it or think of alternative ideas for future gatherings. After all, nobody wants to be seen as a glutton and most people want everybody to have a good time at the gathering, themselves included.

Don't shoot the messenger!

...Did that help, Ron?

[nevadatear]

Grant is providing plates for the saturday potluck. This is to make sure there is enough to go around as it will be a very large pot luck. A few folks bring very large plates and fill them very full, and by the time the line gets to the end, folks are not left with much to choose from. The thought is after everyone goes through, you can always go back for more, but that everyone starts with the same size plate. For more info about this, go to the website for the gathering. It is at the bottom of the page about the potluck. .

[S. Heisley]

Grant is providing plates for the saturday potluck. This us to make sure there is enough to go around as it will be a very large pot luck. A few folks bring very large plates and fill them very full, and by the time the line gets to the end, folks are not left with much to choose from. The thought is after everyone goes through, you can always go back for more, but that everyone starts with the same size plate. For more info about this, go to the website for the gathering. It is at the bottom of the page about the potluck. .

Wow, Debbie! It took me 17 sentences to say what you wrote in 3!

[Wolffarmer]

Point well taken folks. I have never seen that happen before and I have been to a lot of camping potlucks. Take a normal plate/bowl. Can always go back for 2nds. And I usually give most people a head start at the chow line. I am embarrassed to be at the head of the line as obese as I am.

Randy