SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS IT IS

  I was going to put this on the other thread but was afraid some of you may not catch it, so I decided to start a new one.

  It seems that several of you are interested in Springfield, so if there are no objections from anyone, that sounds like as good of a place as any. Now we need to work on the dates. This is just a suggestion, but I say we go for the latter half of the summer. I know that many of you make early vacation plans and I want as many of you to be able to make it as possible. So just start throwing the dates around and we will see what we can come up with.

  Some of you gals in IL will have to help me out with this because I am not real familiar with Springfield. I have been there a few times but not enough to really know my way around. (Even though that is where I had my surgery) There are 2 large hospitals there and I thought of contacting the one where I had my surgery and see if maybe they could give me any insight as to finding a good place for us to stay. Some place that might "cater" to a group of cancer survivors.

  In case some of you don't know, google has a map sight that enables you to type in directions from one place to another. Then you can print them off. You can get directions from where you are to Springfield and then once there you can get directions right to the place we will be. We will get in to all of that once we figure out when we want to go.

So I am just waiting to hear from all of you.

  By the way, I have seen several of you back on that haven't been here in awhile. I am hoping that you will read this and take interest. I will go through though and try to contact you by personal message. I want everyone here to know that this is for YOU. This is not a group of just a few certain or chosen women. This is for all of us. So even if you don't know a lot of people here, I would like you to still consider it. It will give you (and the rest of us) a chance to become closer than some of us already are. I know that I am getting very excited about the whole thing and i hope that you are too. So lets go girls!

  Love you all
    Chris

[Morrowville]

Springfield is only 3 hours away for me!  I could do that if it were later in the summer!
I used to travel through Springfield all the time, and my husband's lodge has an annual meeting there.  I will ask him where the hotel is they all stay at, because it has a big conference room (where we could have a real party!)

How are you feeling?

Morrowville

[learninboutlife]

Hi Chris!!! :)
I'm so glad you are rolling this out! Later in the summer and Springfield as the locale sounds great. I'm just throwing the weekend of August 22nd out there -- I'll be driving to Chicago that Friday -- so that'd be my contribution to dates later in the summer. ;)
Can't wait to see everyone though. Have a great Sunday!
Love, Fran

[Shari4444]

Hey Chris,

It ALL sounds good to me. I like the idea of later in the Summer just in case some of us have to get time off from work. I'm on board with the Aug. 22nd weekend. who else????

I'm really hoping you other ladies from IL can help out Chris with ideas on where to stay. I can't wait. See EVERYBODY there!!!!!

Hugs,
Shari

[SimplyStar]

250  miles for me    thats  good   when my kids come here from AZ  they get a suite  with a kitchenette  the place has a large patio  with grills and tables    pool  and spa  we take in food and share  we all have coolers   saves going out to resturants   there are nice parks there also for cook out picnics,    many places  have group rates also   late August is good for me too   2 night stay??   Friday, Sat  and leave Sunday  ??

Ladies   Start your engines  and lets roll     Marty

[marie3B]

Aug 22nd is great for me....but any day chosen would be fine. I am coming no matter what. I also want to pitch in some gas for those coming from farther away. I don't have far to drive, and my Impala is easy on gas on the highway.

Chris, when I get done today with all of the kids running me around I will look thru my work stuff. I have stayed in Springfield for conferences. I'll get the names of where I stayed.

I want everyone to be able to come. I am so anxious to meet all of you.

Marie

[SimplyStar]

I am going to my 60th class reunion this year  in June,    fun week end with a bunch of old foggies,   also have 2 week ends camping  with my camping club.  So this summer will be a blast for me.   Old friends  and new friends,   what better way to spend  my time?  My kids keep giving me gas cards so  I won't have to use my bicycle or rollar skates.  They keep talking about a motorized wheel chair   but I ain't to that point yet.

All 8 of my grandparents came from a 30 square mile area right around Springfield,  so I plan on doing a little more root searching.    Marty

[marie3B]

Just got home a few minutes ago. I will look up unfo tomorrow. My family has kept me hoppin' all day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[marie3B]

OOPS!!!!  I wrote unfo instead of info. Marie

[crecco]

Thought I would let you know that i contacted the Springfield chamber of commerce to see if they could help me in finding anyone that would give us some kind of group rates for a cancer survivor group. they are checking into it and will get back with me. Its just a start, but it is bringing us closer all the time
    Chris
  
PS Marie, go ahead with what you are checking in to also.
Yes Marty that is what I was kind of figuring on, 2 night stay, Fri and Sat and leave Sun.
  Morrowville, you can also check into your idea also. The more ideas we get, the better.

[ChrisP2236]

Chris,
Check with Springfield's Convention and Visitors Bureau -
http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/.  
109 North Seventh Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701
[phone]
[phone]

They are more in the business of helping groups find rooms than the Chamber would be.  I know because I work for our CVB and our Chamber refers requests for rooms/meeting space on to us.  I work with small groups and do all I can to help them find appropriate accommodations, so they should be able to help you.  
Good luck, the other Chris - Chris P

[butterflytc]

Aug 22nd works for me too and another website is www.enjoyillinois.com
I have never been to Springfield before so should be interesting trip, along with the joy of meeting all of you. I have been searching web for house or condo rentals too just incase smaller group. Will need to keep in mind elevators as some of us (including me) are using walkers, or wheelchairs and cannot do stairs?
Can't wait for August and so wonderful to have something nice to look forward too!!
((hugs))
butterflyTc

[cirella]

Well, poop...We'll be driving to MA, on our way to taking our daughter to college.  I will be there in spirit.

Was looking forward to meeting you all.
L

[Morrowville]

I've got a daughter to get to college this fall too, but it will depend on the weekend.
John hasn't gotten back to me with his conference place, but I'll stay on him until he does, darn it!  I hope to post before I go in for surgery tomorrow.

Aug 22 sounds wonderful, if I'm not taking Grace to college that weekend.

love,
Morrowville

[learninboutlife]

Another weekend would be good ... Lori I want to see you too!! :)

[PPhelps]

Aug 22 is right around the start of school. We'll probably run into that. I know my kids will have already started school again by then. But the real reason why I posted, is because one of my companies crews just stayed in Springfield at

Springfield Sleep Inn
3470 Freedom Drive
Springfield IL 62704
217/787-6200
***@****

[marie3B]

That is true about school starting.  It may be a problem for some, not me. Since I resigned my job I could go any time.  Do we have any guess at how many will come? Marie

[marie3B]

Holiday Inn Express, 3050 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, 62703, is where we stayed for a conference. It was nice. The regular rates are 87.95-116.95 without any group discount applied. Phone is 1-217-529-7771. Marie

[OzBron]

I would like to come - I feel so detached from everyone else in my life and feel the most connected with people on this forum who know what I am feeling and it would be great to meet in person. I would just need warning on firm dates to plan around it and ensure I am not travelling with work somewhere.
I'm from North NJ and will fly over. But I've only been in the US 6mth so aren't up with my geography -what is the nearest airport?
Perhaps we can start a Health page for people to put down their interest in coming and where they would be coming from (generally speaking) so we don't have to look back through posts etc.
Are there additional costs that we could see if one ot the Ovca groups could sponsor if the Chamber of commerce or CVB don't come through? Again I haven't joined up with any national charity or groups other than this forum so really don't know. I know this is for the forum, but I was just thinking of ways to make it easier financially.....

[marie3B]

There is an airport in Springfield. I think it is called Abe Lincoln Airport. Marie

[crecco]

You guys do not know how tickled I am to see that so many want to be there. If we have to have it a little sooner then we will. As I said in the begining I want everyone that can to be able to come. Like a few of you I can come anytime so maybe we can look at the few weeks prior to the 22nd. Thanks for all of the suggestions too. I just did a little checking it to things the other day out of curiosity. But one we get a definate time set it will be a little easier. I have also checked out a website, hotelplanners.com in which hotels put in their bids for the rates that they can give us. So along with all of the suggestions hopefully we will find a great place. Have to make sure that it isn't some rat hole!
  I am getting so excited!!!!
   Love Chris

[butterflytc]

I am excited too Chris, and am also able to accomodate with date changes. Would love to be able to meet everyone!
((hugs))
butterflyTc

[crecco]

Chris P, Thank you I have already received a response from the Springfield Convention and Visitors Center. They are sending me some info.

I have also heard from hotelplanners.com with several bids.

Just wanting you all to know that I am working on it. And if anyone can suggest any other dates that will not conflict with school starting etc, lets hear them! I actually forgot about school, it starts so much earlier than it did when I went.

  Chris

[PF_PVD]

I have been to Springfield numerous times on business, as we have both an office and a customer there.  I've always stayed right downtown at I believe either the Renaissance (Marriott) or the Hilton across the street and have been happy with the location.  Unfortunately, Springfield is quite a long haul from Providence, and I will probably still be having chemo so I am a doubtful.  I have gone to many, many of these type of events with a group of frequent flyers I met on a similar board and have seen some great places, had some really fun times and made good friends from strangers all over the world.  Oh yeah, what's that local sandwich they have there?  A pony or something?  So bad for you but so good! Paula

[crecco]

OKI here is a suggestion. How does everyone feel about either the weekend of Aug 8th or the weekend of the 15th? Maybe this would make it easier on those who have kids starting school. Or if anyone has any other ideas, lets hear them.
Paula, it would be really nice if you could come, esp since you have done something like this before. I could still use a lot of help in making this a success. and in my opinion, the biggest success we could have would be to have a really big crowd of us there.
  As I said, I am already getting feed back from a few places in Springfield, but if we can decide on a date for sure, I could start narrowing it down.
  I also need for you all to come up with suggestions of things to do and see, if that is in your plans.  To get some ideas as to what is there, just google in Springfield IL, click on the official website and click on Sites and Attractions. Actually there is a lot more there than I had realized. But don't feel like we have to run all over the place the whole weekend, because I am sure that many of us will not be up to it. Just anything that you can think of to make it a week end for us all to remember.
  (yes someone mentioned something about it possibly turning in to a yearly event. Now that would be awesome.)

So, this will be   "The First Annual ____________ "

So come on guys, I need your help if we want to make this work. Oh and feel free to get hold of me by private message to. and if anyone needs I can send my e-mail address and/or my phone number.
          Chris

[SimplyStar]

The first week end in August sounds good to me.  any one living between Cedar Rapids and Springfield I will be glad to pick up.  Les had her first Gemzar yesterday, she complained of it burning her veins, so they slowed it down, only took 45 minutes compared to hours with the Doxil.  Will be taking weekly Xs 2  then 1 week off.  Now we just set back and wait for results . Marty

[marie3B]

Either week is fine with me. Whatever is best for the majority. I'll look into Springfield attractions. The last time I was there on a sight seeing trip was my 8th grade field trip!!! That was a few years back, HA! Since then I have only been there on seminars and conferences for work. Then I only saw the hotel. I think this will be a good thing. I can't wait. Marie

[crecco]

Don't feel bad Marie, the ONLY time I have been there in the past 10 years was to see my gyn/onc and to have surgery. So I didn't see much either!
Ok, we will see what everyone thinks and then we can get the "when" part out of the way.
I have several e-mails out and a new bid put in with hotelplanner. The hotels they have come up with for the cheapest rates sound pretty good. A couple even have airport shuttle. I will give it a few days and see what else pops up.
     Chris

[marie3B]

Thanks for all you are doing. Marie