I sent this by PM to everyone on the sign up list. If you did not get it read it here. If your plans have changed and you are not attending let us know ASAP.
Greetings C-Brats Please Read Carefully!
Time for further information about our Third Hontoon Island CBGT for Special C-Brats.
Preliminary Schedule :
Early arrivals are encouraged.
IMPORTANT…Signing up guarantees you may attend the gathering. It does not guarantee you a slip. Last year we had 21 boats and there were lots of slips available. This year it looks like we may fill up. With everyone’s cooperation it will work out.
You may arrive any time before the gathering. Most will get there on Thursday or before. This will be “on your own time”. Go for a cruise, hike the island, rent a kayak or just chill out with fellow C-Brats. Just make sure you pay for your slip for the full time you plan on staying. We should have full docks. If you wish to anchor out, you may do so and we will do our best to get you to a dock during the day or raft up, but I do encourage everyone to join us in staying with the group on the docks . Please…shallow draft boats pick a slip near the shore. All docks are floating docks. Most will have to back into the slips as anchors are prohibited over docks. You may of course remove your anchor. If you have a challenge with this…. like I do, please wait for assistance especially when another craft is in an adjacent slip. (Bring extra fenders) Slips have water and 30 amp power. NO WIFI!
FRIDAY, March 4, 2016: Continued arrivals. We can pay to hold a slip for a friend a day ahead. So if you cannot arrive early, contact me so that arrangements are made with the park to keep a slip for you. Thanks.
The Park may have music from 2Pm till 4Pm. This is outside our control but we have heard the style of music they have and it was not a problem.
DINNER at 5:15 Pm
Bring Dish to Pass at 4:45Pm
This is one of two official “Pot Lucks” with Burgers , Hot Dogs ,buns and condiments provided. Bring a generous dish to pass. In the past we have had a fine variety of salads, deserts and vegetables. We will have bottled water on hand but no soda this year. If anyone wants veggie burgers let us know at the sign up table.
CAMPFIRE after dusk: Bring your chairs and enjoy popcorn, the company and stories of fellow C-Brats.
SATURDAY, March 5, 2016: In the morning we will have some practical boating and historical speakers make presentations. Schedule will be posted on the C-Brats web site as we get closer to the gathering.
DINNER at 5:15 PM
Second “Pot Luck” with Chicken and Biscuits with condiments and “real butter”! Chicken will be here and ready to eat at 5:15 PM
CAMPFIRE after dusk: Bring your chairs and enjoy popcorn, the company and stories of fellow C-Brats.
SUNDAY March 6, 2016: Say goodbye to those that need to depart. Some C-Brats will be traveling on with others, some by themselves and some may stay at Hontoon for a day or so. I will be staying till Monday and start north then. In the past, we have had leftover group dinner on night Sunday to use up any extra food and that’s what we plan to do again with a campfire afterwards.
SOME OTHER THOUGHTS:
All other meals are 100% on your own. You may come and go as you please. Feel free to cruise north or south as you wish. A chart is posted on the Island and they usually have some for sale. If you are new, there will be plenty of “old timers” that can show you the way.
When you sign up at Hontoon Island there will be a volunteer sheet to help with activities.
We use channel 72 on the river and at the docks…be sure you are on frequency.
Recommended things to bring: Summer and Winter clothing, insect repellent, a big golf umbrella in case of rain , a folding chair and a sense of humor!
I will be making food runs to Deland daily and can take a few others with me
We have a free will offering for the meals we put together.
The staff at Hontoon Island are some of the nicest people around and they will bend over backwards to help us. We in turn have helped them by donating any money left over after our actual expenses to their improvement fund. A 50/50 raffle is also done on Friday and Saturday evening to help the park. The fees we pay for the slips go to the State of Florida. The park gets wages and about $30,000 from the state per year for everything else. Without donations from others like us it would be impossible to improve and maintain. There is a Camp Store on the Island that also supports improvements. Nuff said!
Looking forward to making new and reuniting with current friends. I kind of look at this SBGT as the old fashioned “Rendezvous ” that the mountain men had…..without the ax throwing competition.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE C-BRAT link for the gathering for further information.