Retreat Information

A friendship of HGTV's Quilting & Needlework Message Board
Harrisburg, PA June 21 - 23, 2013

WE ARE EXCITED you are coming to the 2013 Circle of Friends Retreat in Harrisburg!!!

Harrisburg is a town filled with fun and interesting things to do for everyone! Hershey / Harrisburg recently gained national appeal by being placed fifth in Forbes magazine’s “America’s Most Livable Cities” rankings. RelocateAmerica ranked the region 13th in the “Top 100 Places to Live” and was named the nation’s top minor league sports market by Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal. Combined, these awards make Hershey / Harrisburg your next must-stop destination!

This year it's required that paperwork for registration and a refund agreement form be signed and returned to Gonesewin ... address to return it to is:

Lori Suchomel

1730 Wickford Rd

South Plainfield, NJ 07080

For email correspondence, please use the address of COF2013PA@gmail.com. All COF correspondence will be going through here as to not be overlooked :)

First let me tell you a little about the Circle of Friends Retreat in 2013 ... The Retreat is OPEN TO

ALL BOARD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING. That means you participate in the message board, and have completed your swaps or other commitments. We understand life happens, and sometimes we miss deadlines or even have to drop out. However, "good standing" means that you have set things right with your fellow sisters... that you are not owing to anyone ... that your cyber friends won't be angry at you being there. Hope you understand, but we want to make this a relaxing and enjoyable retreat FOR EVERYONE! So if you're owing... please make it right so you can come join in the fun! I know this does not pertain to 95% of you, but wanted it said loud and clear for those

that are the 5%.

The DATES of the retreat will be Friday, June 21st thru Sunday, June 23rd, 2013.

The cost of the retreat will be the same as last year. :)

RETREAT FEES: Here's the timeline on retreat costs and deposits. Please be sure to MARK

THESE DATES on your calendar... those not received by these dates will be put on the waiting list,

and a waiting list person will be moved into your spot.

a. Deposit: $60.00 - Due by November 3, 2013.

You will have until then to get it to me or your name will go on the wait list and the first person on the wait list will get your spot.

b. Remaining Fee: $120.00 - May be paid in full or due in 2 payments of $60. One by January 3, 2013 and the final payment of $60 due by March 3, 2013.

 

Payment arrangements will be made for anyone taken from the "wait list"and put on the "guest list"

*** Make all checks out to me (Lori Suchomel) ***

 

MAIN RETREAT FEE: The total fee for the retreat is $180.00 per person. Your total fee covers the

following:

a. Meals provided by your retreat fees will include Friday supper, Saturday supper, and Sunday

brunch.

b.1/4 yd Challenge fabric + postage to get them to everyone.

c. A host of door prizes, challenge prizes, thank you gifts, and welcome gifts.

d. Projects and classes!

e. Gas money for those driving on Saturday's excursion.

f. Welcome totes

........ and lots more!

Extra Guest Meals: If your guest wants to join us at meal time, I will need confirmation of that and a check for their meals due by May 21, 2013 . Their meals will be $25 each, and will need to be taken care of in advance... thank you! We will have the Friday Dinner - Saturday Dinner - Sunday Brunch. The price quoted includes taxes and gratuities.

HOTEL & ROOM RATE INFO:

We have a special rate of $95 per night and this price will be good for 3 days before and 3 days after the retreat dates ... We encourage you to come and enjoy the area - there's SO much to do and see :)

**Free airport shuttle**

**Wheelchair accessible and elevators**

**Health & Fitness Center on site**

**Indoor & Outdoor Swimming Pool**

**Hot tub**

**Free Wi-Fi**

**Guest Laundry Facility**

**24 hour Lounge**

**10% discount on Breakfast**

** INFO ON HOTEL BOOKING WILL BE SENT BY EMAIL WHEN REGISTRATION IS CLOSED **

AIRPORT:  Harrisburg International Airport is only minutes away from the hotel. Harrisburg International Airport is served by several major airlines, including Air Canada, American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways-which provide daily, nonstop service to 14 destinations with one-stop connections to cities around the world.

You could also fly into Philadelphia International Airport  (PHL), which is a 2 hour drive to Harrisburg and you will need to either rent a car or you could take Amtrack to Harrisburg (only about $30!), neither of which is covered by the retreat costs.

MEALS OTHER THAN THOSE THAT COME WITH THE RETREAT: These are all on your own. The hotel is offering a 10% discount on their breakfast. The buffet is loaded and comes with drinks. Or you can order off the menu if you prefer.

There are a couple restaurants within walking distance and many closeby if you drive or catch a ride with a friend.

CLASSES: We have a great host of classes this year taught by some awesome ladies to help you

enjoy your relaxing retreat stay. We've put together some great ideas for your fun !

Quiltslots will start a separate thread with class sign-ups and a full list of classes later. So,

please be watching for that. We think you are going to love the fun!

F/Q CHALLENGE: This year we are changing things up a bit and our FQ challenge will be a 1/4 YARD CHALLENGE instead. After Registration is closed and your initial payment is made, the 1/4 yds will be mailed out.

TRIP THROUGH LANCASTER COUNTY!! On Saturday morning we will load up and head out for a day of fun, food, site seeing and shopping. Again, we are changing things up a bit but you'll have to wait for details! Approximately 9 AM we will leave the hotel and find our way to Intercourse, PA for a great time. We'll stop at various locations on the way and see lots of new sites -- so bring your cameras! Everyone will meet for dinner at the Bird in Hand Family Restaurant in Bird in Hand, PA - they sure do have some strange names in this part of the country, don't they??? After dinner we'll head back to the hotel for some more fun :)

 

ROW ROBIN: The robins at last two year's retreat were so inspiring! This year, we're gonna

do a ROW ROBIN with a twist. Watch for sign ups for that on a separate thread. Jane_kiwi will host the robin. When it is time to mail the quilts to the owners, you will actually mail them to Gonesewin, and this will ensure everyones quilts are delivered to them at the retreat. Watch for sign ups to begin soon.

ODDS AND ENDS:  We have a few games planned for you all to participate in with some prizes to win, and as always Fat Quarter Bingo and the 1/4yd Challenge!!

THERE WILL BE MORE INFO TO COME AS IT IS TIME TO RELEASE IT so please keep your eye on the message board for the latest info ... We will also keep the information updated on our blog at http://cof2013.blogspot.com/. You will (hopefully) find this an easy to access and organized way to find information on the retreat. Your committee is SEW looking forward to the fun in Harrisburg!!! Glad you are joining us!!!