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: : : WHAT : : : Picnic/Industrial Bellybutton Race Celebration : : : WHERE : : : James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park, approximately 3 miles East of Summerville, Georgia (near the Alabama state line), just off Highway 27 – on the right going East of Summerville, look for the big brown park sign, next to a big white sign for the Wayside Baptist Church. $2 parking fee. Please see park-specific directions on map. : : : WHEN : : : 12:30 PM – 9:45 PM? (If you want to stay that late…you’re more addicted than I am) : : : Saturday, May 21 : : : WHO : : : YOU, of course! And, a whole lot of other Georgers, including our guest of honor, Industrial Bellybutton, Where’s George’s most famous marathoner, *and* a Mystery Guest! Woo hoo! : : : This is a very pretty park with various on-site things to do. There are two lakes, one has a bridge spanning it which reminds me a lot of the one at Callaway Gardens (which Janis and I had a grand time exploring). The lake with the bridge also has paddle boats. If anyone would like to bring their boat to the gathering (I think that would be a first – and oh so cool), there are ramps on the “lower” lake. For you fishermen (chett) and fisherladies (June), there are several boats onsite available for rental and you are allowed to fish with a license. : : : Picnic Pavilion #4 is reserved for us and I selected the one best suited for folks in wheelchairs so ANYONE and EVERYONE can come. The pavilion is on flat ground with paved access from the parking area and is directly across from the office where there are nice, handicapped-accessible restrooms. And, yes, the ladies’ was clean the evening I went. Didn’t have the nerve to check the mens’, despite the fact the park was virtually deserted. Our pavilion also has the following amenities: : : : - Nice view of lake and dam : : : - Two bench swings : : : - Picnic tables extending full length of pavilion (can accommodate 60 people) : : : - Three standard park grills : : : - Lights : : : - Electrical outlet (hey, bring a laptop and save your battery) : : : - Faucet : : : If you would like to stay overnight at the park, there are campsites and four cottages. The website for IB’s race (linked below) has a list of area accommodations and I’ll be happy to provide more upon request. : : : There are plenty of activities and things to do in the area. To begin with, although the picnic begins at 12:30 PM, IB’s race starts at 9:00 AM and I’m sure he would be thrilled to have some Georgers on hand to cheer him on at the start and give him encouragement. Also, according to the website, there will be a fine arts fair in the park that morning. Other activities: : : : - The late folk artist Howard Finster’s Paradise Gardens (BTW, although this site says [today, anyway] that it is closed, the Howard Finster website says it has reopened – may want to call first) : : : - Barnsley Gardens (app. 25 miles) : : : - Area Geocaches : : : Speaking of Geocaching, if anyone would like to contact local Georgia and Alabama cachers and invite them to join us, that’d be great. The two hobbies often appeal to the same types of folks and there’s usually a good crossover between the two activities. : : : Food! Let’s talk about food! Following is the current menu: : : : - Hot dogs : : : - Hamburgers : : : - Potato chips : : : - Homemade chocolate chip cookies : : : - Homemade ice cream : : : - *Maybe* fried apple pies (if I can talk Mother into making them) : : : - Soft drinks : : : Feel free to bring something. One item we cannot bring is alcohol. There are prominent signs throughout the park stating “Intoxicants Prohibited.” Some items you may want to bring: : : : - Your Bills print-out : : : - Print-out of favorite hits you wish to share : : : - “Autograph” book : : : - Coloring book of hits : : : - Sun glasses : : : - Sunblock : : : - Bug spray : : : - YOURSELF! : : : I have one volunteer for the grills. This person also has another duty so I’d almost bet they wouldn’t mind another chef helping out, too. If you would like to volunteer in any way for the gathering, please contact me. If you will be attending, PLEASE let me know so we can have a good estimate of the folks coming and be prepared. Family members and friends are welcome. Also, a gathering is a perfect opportunity for a newbie to pick up tips from “old-timers.” Please don’t be nervous about coming. You are only going to be talking to one or two folks at a time and they share the same enjoyment of this crazy past-time that you do. Believe me, you will have a BLAST! Can’t wait to see you in Summerville, GA, on May 21st! :-)

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