Present at meeting: John, Shelagh, Rudy, Lori, Mellen, Kari, Marion, Lily, Deb
2023 Retreat (Shelagh)
Shelagh, Rudy, Krista, Julie, and Lily considering three venues: Ferry Beach, Pilgrim Lodge, and Wavus. Short story: If Wavus does not respond in another week or so, PCD will book Ferry Beach.
Ferry Beach (Rudy): A known entity, responsive, and more affordable
- Rowland Hall (same building as before) has been upgraded with heat downstairs (but heat may rise to 2nd floor!); floor re-finished
- April 14/15/16 (off-season…all to ourselves)*
- $500 down payment
- The food off-season is "healthy and clean,” but very limited in scope
- They do have a registrar, but it may be better for PCD to arrange registration for better service/efficiency.
*After Meraki, 9.21.22, Rudy learned of a May (4/) 5/6/7 cancellation open to us, with the only caveat that there will be a small group there at that time using a side room in Roland Hall…with the following details:
Ferry Beach total Cost per person for retreat.Dorm style Rm* (2 Nights): $40-160**
Food*** (6 meals): $90
Membership: $30…with alternative of PCD paying for a group membershipDJ Costs: TBD=================Total: $160-$280 (not including DJ costs)Minimum #: 25$80 pre-recorded/$175 live per dance, usually with 4 dances* There are a limited # of rooms available in heated cabins hose are more expensive. Details and links with pricing provided in previous eMail below.** Majority of rooms have 2 bunk beds (4 beds). Cost for 2 nights is $160, regardless of number of people o sharing a room lowers individual cost.*** Includes vegetarian option: vegetarian meal plan must be requested at registration. To avoid food waste, vegetarian option only available to those who register for it.
Pilgrim Lodge (Lily): Too pricey
- desirable location on Lake Cobbosseecontee in West Gardiner
- Dock & boats, but req. lifeguard for swimming ($100 per 2-hour block)
- dates available before Jun/Jul/Aug
- capacity: 65 or fewer
- 10K for three days, plus food…so, estimate for 40 attendees: $250/pp for lodging = $150/pp for food = $400/pp…ouch!
- sound system
- (new-ish) large barn with a beautiful wooden floor
Wavus (Shelagh): Unresponsive
- previous retreats there before educational-group requirement; that appears to have been lifted and all/any groups are acceptable for retreats now
- very desirable location on Damariscotta Lake
- docks, swimming, bunk rooms, camping
- as yet unresponsive to communications
Search for 2023 dance venue (Lori)
- gathering any additional considerations for new venues
- neighbors/neighborhood regarding sound if openable windows
- parking/access
- bare feet
- type of floor
- Sunday morning!
- Lori will update Google doc spreadsheet and invite people to contribute info they collect
- new/old venue ideas
- Westbrook Community Center (Kari)…Sunday morning gym full of basketball; dance studio space small and without any windows
- Maplewood (Deb)
- Odd Fellows @ Woodfords (Deb)
- Masonic Lodge (Deb)
- Woodford’s Club (Lori)…Shelagh dances there Thu nights; no noise issues, as dance hall is on the parking lot side, with the closest neighbor being the funeral home.
- UNE Westbrook Campus (?)
- St. Brigid’s on Steven’s Ave (?)
- Christian School in S. Portland (Mellen)
- Breakwater School (Mellen)
- Grange Halls, e.g. Highland Lake (?)
- Longfellow School (?)…in the midst of renovation, so not good timing!
- synagogues!
Annual Membership Meeting (Mellen)
- Zoom again, or do live, after a dance? The latter would most likely guarantee more attendance!
- Meraki agreed on allocating 1 hour following the Nov. 20 dance for an in-person meeting!
- Mellen to contact Ketcha to schedule that extra time (1:30 :30) and find out what if any additional fee; as soon as that is verified, a Save the Date email can be sent out to community.
- Suggestions about the inclusion of food:
- potluck, with BYOF if special diet
- BYOF/bagged lunch
- consider masking policy if indoors since there will likely be eating; if outdoors in the pavilion, get permission/help to unroll the walls if chilly
Recruitment for Officers and Board of Directors (Mellen)
- Search committee for recruiting officers is the current roster of officers, so Mellen, John, and Lori
- Deb submits herself as option for President.
- Shelagh suggests making an announcement to the PCD community re: a call for nominations/volunteers for officers.
Meraki Meetings
- John will open Zoom meeting 10 minutes early so that socializing can happen before meeting
- Future dates: October 11, November 15
- In Oct & Nov, revisit masking policy
