Naples Gathering Info

DETAILS

OVERSEAS MARYLANDERS ASSOCIATION (OMA) GATHERING

NAPLES, FLORIDA, 7-9 November 2014

Please bring this message with you to the Gathering  as we will not have copies available.  Also bring your own notepad.

As you have probably noticed from the OMA website www.gypsyscholars.org over 50 persons including guests will be attending---a really good turnout.

The Naples Hilton will be our primary gathering  point.  As we’ve mentioned before, the entire weekend will be on a pay-as-you-go basis. To cover Hilton charges for the conference space we will be using on Saturday and to pay for our luncheon buffet that day, the per person cost will be $ 35.00.  You will be able to pay the designated OMA representative upon arrival at the Hilton on Saturday.

 Our fervent thanks again to Patsy Reeves for putting this all together!

 Schedule (as of 15 Oct. 2014)

FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER

1300  onward -  Meet and Greet at the Hilton.

Some combination of Rosemary Hoffmann, Patsy Reeves, Julian Jones and/or Joe Arden, will be in the lobby of the Hilton.  Similar to most large hotels, the Hilton lobby lends itself to being able to sit and talk in small groups, but in addition, the lobby leads directly into "Don Shula" bar/coffee  shop/restaurant. Easy to go there to have drink/talk/whatever. 

As you arrive, please pay your $35 contribution for Saturday. Also let us know if you will need transportation within Naples for dinners on Friday and Saturday so we can coordinate.

1800   Leave Hilton (or wherever you are staying) for Dock at Crayton Cove Restaurant.

Those needing or offering transportation should meet at the Hilton entrance by 1755.  Note that although the restaurant is only a 10-minute drive from the Hilton, the lay-out of Naples is such that walking is not feasible.

1830   Group Dinner reservation at the Dock at Crayton Cove Restaurant  (Recommend arriving by 1815) 

We will be seated outside as a group, overlooking the boat docks and the bay. DOCK will be able to handle individual orders so there will not be a pre-set menu.

DOCK is located in "Old Naples".  After dinner, there are many places to walk, have a drink and/or just hang out for those who are so inclined.

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER

Breakfast on your own at place of your choosing.

0930-1000   Coffee/Tea available at OMA meeting space in the Hilton

1000-1145   Group Meeting at Hilton.  

Primary purpose of the morning meeting is to further acquaint ourselves and/or catch up with one another. You will each have  2 minutes to describe 1) when ,where and in what role you were overseas with UMUC and 2) where you are now and what you are doing.

NOTE: There will be no mercy on the 2-minute limit. Advance rehearsal or crib sheet might be indicated for many.                      

1200-1315    Group "buffet lunch" at Hilton.  (Price included in $35 contribution)

1330-1500   Group meeting at Hilton. 

Primary purpose of the afternoon meeting is to discuss what sort of relationship OMA wants/does not want with today's UMUC.  A time to share thoughts/ideas and hear suggestions.

1800   Group dinner at BrioTuscan Grill in so-called "Waterside Shops."  (Five minute walk from the Hilton.) 

We will be seated inside as a group.  Will be a fixed menu but with several options---to include option of being able to order additional  items from the menu.   More information will be provided during the earlier meetings. 

 After dinner, the "Waterside Shops" complex offers a fair bit to see/do.

SUNDAY 9 November

Daytime

We decided, after considerable thought, not to schedule a formal group activity during the day on Sunday.  Rather, the thought is that folks will likely want to break up into smaller groups and do various things  to include meeting others for breakfast/brunch at different venues---and certainly there is no shortage of good places to eat in Naples. Patsy will also offer many suggestions of what to do and see in the area by way of sports and sightseeing.

Evening

For those who will be staying Sunday night in the immediate Naples area, several of us will be gathering at the Naples Beach Club Hotel at the Sunset Bar by the pool from around 1800...until whenever.  The band plays from 6:00 to 9:00.

Useful Phone Numbers
Airport to Hotel transport:  Nick First Class Limo                                                 239-595-7215

Hilton Hotel                     5111 Tamiami Trail N. Naples                                         239-430-4900

Dock Restaurant            845 12th Ave. S. Naples behind Crayton Cove Hotel        239-263-9940

Brio Tuscan Grill            5505 Tamiami Trail N. at Waterside Shops                        239-593-5319

Beach Club Hotel           851 Gulfshore Blvd. N. at Sunset Chickee [!] Bar by the pool   239-261-2222 

Patsy Reeves 239-398-3927;  Rosemary Hoffmann (in Naples)   240-330-0485                          
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Naples, FL Gathering Info - Nov 7-9, 2014

Schedule as of July 16, 2014

UMUC Overseas Marylanders Gathering

Naples, Florida, November 7-9, 2014

 

FRIDAY November 7 -- Arriving, Settling in, and Group Dinner

Afternoon 5-ish. Happy hour in the Hilton hotel lobby. Cocktails can be purchased at the adjoining Don Shula's restaurant.

6:30pm. Group dinner at the Dock at Crayton Cove Restaurant, which is 10 minutes away by car.

http://www.dockcraytoncove.com/
845 12th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102
239-263-9940

 

SATURDAY November 8 -- Meetings, Group Dinner, Oral Histories

Breakfast: On your own. (Check for others staying at your hotel)

10am. Meeting in the Hilton hotel conference room

12pm. Lunch at the Hilton hotel following meetings.

2-4pm. Afternoon sessions

6:00pm. Group dinner at Brio Tuscan Grille, which is one block from hotel.

http://www.brioitalian.com/index.html
5505 Tamiami Trail N., Naples, FL 34108
(239) 593-5319

 

SUNDAY November 9 -- Sightseeing, Oral Histories

Patsy Reeves has lived in Naples, FL since 1976 when she arrived from living/working in Rota, Spain. Patsy predicts the weather will be mild and warm, and she has a long list of suggestions for things and places to visit including the beach with its coconut palms, white sands and clear waters....and there are several very pleasant walking / shopping / dining zones. For golfers, there are lots of options, including the public course one block from the beach at the Naples Beach Club and Hotel (239-435-2475); however, Patsy recommends making reservations as soon as possible.

For those still in Naples Sunday late afternoon, it's a local ritual to gather by the outdoor chicken bar and pool at the Naples Beach Club hotel. Everyone stays for the sunset. Free except for your drinks, and there is a live band.

 

ORAL HISTORIES 

Throughout the weekend, OMA attendees with have opportunities to sit for oral history interviews. This project was initiated by Bruce Janoff during the November 2013 Gathering [thank you, Bruce!] and has been enthusiastically welcomed by UMUC. These interviews will kick-start the project to document the treasure trove of experiences that all of us had during our time overseas with UMUC as either faculty or administrative staff. Please bring any photographs or other documents you would like to give to the UMUC library for preservation. (Make sure to label them as to the content and time or occasion taken and to list your name and contact information as the donor.) These items will then be preserved for historical purposes in the University of Maryland University College library and will be available for future historians to study.

 

Hotel Information

The primary venue site is the Hilton Naples (5111 Tamiami Trail North, Tel: 239-430-4900). http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-naples-APFNHHF/index.html

Just to note: There are scores of hotels in the immediate Naples area. Some tend to be in the $ 100--115 area...whereas others...are in the $ 250-275 range. And, needless to say, there is NO need to stay at the Hilton Naples.

 

Airport Info

If booking a flight, the best airport will be RSW Fort Myers Fl. It is an international airport and only 25 minutes to Naples. The Miami airport is a minimum of 2 hours away and traffic on a Friday is horrible. Fort Lauderdale airport is an 1.5 hours from Naples but it has bad traffic as well. Fort Myers is brand new with wifi thru out and is a good choice.

 

Contact Info

Have a question or need additional info? Patsy Reeves lives in Naples and is coordinating activities. If you want to contact her, her email is: travellight27@aol.com

Other members of the OMA Gathering Committee can be contacted at:

 

Registration

Please note that this event is NOT sponsored or subsidized by UMUC. Therefore, please be aware that air fare, hotel, food, and event costs are your responsibility. If you are planning or even considering attending the Naples, FL gathering, please register now as we need good counts to give restaurants and for planning.

To register, please click * Naples Registration * in the menu list on the top left side of the web page.

p.s. Last-minute additions are most welcome. If you haven't been planning on coming, but decide that you can come, then COME. It's more important to have you join us than to stick to any sort of advance protocol..



MAP