Sigma Beta Michigan Meetup™ 2006

[Tannerman]

Over the weekend of July 28-30, Amy and I drove up to southeastern Michigan to visit with some friends for what we like to call the Sigma Beta Michigan Meetup. As I explained last year, this is a now-traditional gathering of some guys who lived on Sigma Beta, the 2nd floor in Bergwall Hall at Taylor University... and our significant others and kids. As a group we try to get together twice a year, once in the winter (as we did this past January) and once in the summer.

6 couples attended Michigan Meetup™ 2006

Click to view larger photo

Before the TannerWorld Junction discussion forums existed, there was Sigma Beta's House of Talk, an online community we created in 2001 to stay in touch. Today, that community continues as a private area within the Junction and accessible via SigmaBetaWorld.com.

SigmaBetaWorld.com

For the third year in a row, we met up at a cottage near Kalamazoo, MI, owned by Josh Folkerts' parents. This time around, the dynamic was a bit different than previous gatherings. Due to various circumstances, some folks who joined us in the winter were not able to attend (the Kisers were slaving away with the summer tourists at Indiana Beach, the Walstons were moving to Missouri and having a baby, and the Egglestons were off winning tons of awards with their dogs!)

Fun in the sun!


Sometimes, things get a little crazy!

Click to view larger photo

In attendance were some "regulars" to these events, such as our hosts Josh & Tina Folkerts (plus their son Jacob and Folkerts Baby #2), Eric & Kelli Childs, Rob and Katie Olson (and their son Nathaniel), and Amy & myself.

Baby shower for Rylan, Rebecca, & Jonah


I promised Rylan I wouldn't put this photo on the Web

Added to the mix were folks who we hope will become new regulars to our twice-yearly gatherings. Rylan & Rebecca Kahly (and their son Jonah) made the trip -- I hadn't seen Rylan in years... the last time was Josh and Tina's wedding in 2003 (see "What's That Smell?")... and before that, the Kahly's wedding in 2002! (see "Michigan is in the EASTERN time zone")

Cari & Andy Cook


Andy tries his hand at Ladder Golf

Also in attendance were Andy & Cari Cook (plus Cook Baby #1) -- in a perfect example of worlds colliding, Cari and Amy have been best friends since junior high, and Andy lived on Sigma Beta, thus when the Cooks got married, Cari found herself a part of the Sigma Beta world!

Josh plays tour guide on the lake


Sunset cometh soon


Steve & Amy do the self-portrait thing

Everyone arrived up at the cottage on a Friday night, which led to a fun pontoon boat ride around the lake. While not a huge lake in size, it's fun to poke around the hidden corners and explore. It's a great body of water to just "escape" to. The next day I had quite an enjoyable time taking a kayak around the lake, avoiding being killed by the various jet skis in use!

Sitting around the new campfire area
(Digitally enhanced so you could actually... well, see stuff)


Location of old campfire area


Chestnuts roasting on an open... FIRE!


Flames of death attack Katie & Rob because they were late

That evening we had a campfire with s'mores and stuff. Of note is the new, nifty firepit located closer to the cottage building (the old location used the past 2 years was near the lake). Apparently the new location is more ideal if you prefer not walking 10 miles to experience the fire! (Myself, I liked the subtle, tucked-away location of the old firepit -- there was a certain quietness and seclusion that made it... well, comfy!)

You may be able to park cars inside that tent!

That evening Amy and I tried something new at a Sigma Beta gathering. Given the number of folks in attendance and the limited space at the cottage, we decided to camp outside via tent we borrowed from a friend (it was more like a cabin made of canvas -- I think it sleeps like 24 comfortably or something!) We ran power out to the tent and had some fans running... up until 3 a.m. or so, when the power went out.

There's a lot of room in there!

The funny thing is... it was a planned outage. It seems that the electric utility in the area was going to do some planned work, which required them to shut the power off in the middle of the night for a few hours. So those inside were going to lose their A/C... Amy and I lost our fans. And given how humid and uncomfortable the weather was during this weekend, that was not a good thing.

Electric company notification regarding outage

Even odder... when the power went out, we heard it, as the hum of the fans died... replaced by the quite loud sounds of the swamp nearby. I'm going to kill that bullfrog! In the end, however, the camping idea might have merit for future gatherings to handle large groups at low cost.

Lots 'o blueberries


Healthier than homemade? Huh?

It was nice and sunny the next day... and very hot and humid! This didn't prevent everyone from having a good time, however. For example, there was the annual outing to pick blueberries at a nearby farm. Big time savings when compared to buying them at your local supermarket. Of course, we needed some more ice as well... and apparently, the ice in Michigan is better than the stuff you can get at home!

Rylan masters the art of PVC and golf balls

Ladder Golf was once again a popular favorite for the guys (relive the memories and play online!) Due to the heat (and Eric Childs' broken arm), I don't think we threw a Frisbee once. Bummer.

Stump Wars: Year 2

However, the fun really picked up when it came time to continue "Project: Stump Removal". As documented last year, the guys spent a lot of time trying to remove an old tree stump on the property. Chopping, sawing, and burning were just some of the ways that were used... all unsuccessfully. Well, guess what? The stump is still there!

Remains of the stump

This year, a professional stump removing tool was rented and used by a neighbor in an attempt to chop that thing down for good. After many attempts, and some setbacks, evidence of the stump was pretty minimal. The area was raked out and things are looking up for that spot on the property!

Floor it! (No, seriously...)


Katie & Amy catch some air... with their hands


Rob & Rylan chill on the tube

Fun in the sun often means fun in the water! The tubing apparatus that Josh hooked up to the back of the pontoon boat reminds me of some of the goofy looking devices we used to sell with one of my freelance clients, the now-defunct WaterGeek.com.

Eric contemplates how long he has to wear a cast


The Childs' dog, Fizzeau, chills under a tree


Rob, Rylan, & Andy debate which is better...
Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper or Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi


Amy sucks up to my boss by reading Order of the Ancient

Sometimes, when you do a getaway like this, it's just nice to relax a little too!

Open flames and burgers!


Diet Pepsi Jazz... why, Pepsi, why?


Great photo, except for the Packers stuff

Food is always an important part of any Sigma Beta gathering, as each couple is responsible for one meal to share with everyone else. We ate rather well... and tasted some new soft drinks too. As we've previously featured here on SteveandAmySly.com, Diet Pepsi Jazz Black Cherry French Vanilla and Diet Pepsi Jazz Strawberries & Cream are both vile beverages!

Thumbsucking... who will last longer?


Steve explains to Jacob the difference between LEGO and Mega Bloks

Whenever you get a large group of folks together, it's always a perfect time to pull out a game or two for some interactive challenges. Heck, Eric Childs felt pity on me enough to play -- and beat me -- in Pirates of the Spanish Main, something Amy is still tentative in tackling!

Eric beat Steve in "Pirates of the Spanish Main"

(Maybe because she knows I'll send her to "Davy Jones' Locker" like I did in the TannerWorld Junction Battleship Tournament!)

A 1980s classic: Clue Master Detective

Also, in an impressive late night maneuver, Josh pulled out a strong win in Clue Master Detective. No Settlers of Catan this time around.

360° Panorama of storm approaching the lake

Click to view larger 360° Panorama image

Due to Sunday morning commitments, both the Olsons and the Kahlys had to leave us on Saturday night. When Sunday rolled around, the weather was a bit more foreboding. Heck, it looked downright yucky. In fact, in late morning I headed out to take some panoramic photos of the lake and the cloud formations there... and the thunder started rolling. Not more than 10 seconds after I shot those photos, it started downpouring. We all packed up our stuff and headed home shortly thereafter.

But that's not where the story ends. Oh no, siree!

You see, it's a tradition at Sigma Beta gatherings to have somewhat of an informal baby shower for those couples who are having their firstborn. We held one during our gathering for Rylan and Rebecca. Unfortunately, another couple that is expecting -- Danny and Jamie Eggleston -- were not able to join us at this Michigan Meetup because they were down near Indianapolis competing in the North Central Regional Qualifier for Skyhoundz, a big dog/flying disc event.

Danny & Guinan kick butt!
(Source: TheStarPress.com)

Danny actually rocked during this competition, as he and his dog Guinan took 4 First Place titles, 1 Second Place, and 1 Third Place, advancing them to the national competition that takes place in Atlanta in late September.

Josh talks to Danny live via phone at cottage

After the big event, Danny was kind enough to give us all a call at the cottage on Saturday to let us know how things went. Of course, we were already thinking about the Egglestons that day! You see, we decided to have a "virtual" baby shower for them by all bringing gifts for them. The plan was for the Folkerts and the Tanners to hook up with the Eggs a week later for dinner at Folkerts' place, just over the Illinois/Indiana border. At the very least, the Eggs thought that we'd just be catching up on what they missed.

What they didn't know was that we shot a little video at the cottage featuring everyone in attendance giving prank baby shower gifts. Josh then dumped the footage to DVD, added photos from the weekend, and showed the Egglestons during their dinner visit this past weekend... along with presenting the real gifts collected for them.

Steve & Amy "give" the Eggs... Jarts?
(Source: Michigan Meetup DVD)


Katie & Rob "give"... Rylan?
(Source: Michigan Meetup DVD)


Kelli & Eric "give"... the receiving end of a baby monitor?
(Source: Michigan Meetup DVD)


Cari & Andy "give" the location of their baby's conception?
(Source: Michigan Meetup DVD)


Rebecca, Jonah, & and Rylan "give" the Eggs...
(Source: Michigan Meetup DVD)


... a new car!?! What is this, "The Price Is Right"?
(Source: Michigan Meetup DVD)


Josh, Tina, & Jacob "give" a demonstration of diaper changing on a budget
(Source: Michigan Meetup DVD)

Needless to say, it was fun to spring the surprise pseudo-shower on Danny and Jamie over this past weekend.

Jamie & Danny get wowed by a teething toy

While it was a bummer that they couldn't join us up at the cottage, we're excited for their dog accomplishments and their coming child... unless it decides to come the same weekend as Danny heads to nationals -- a definite possibility!

They can't believe it's a fake shower!

It's never a dull moment when you have a Sigma Beta gathering, that's for sure!

[Folkerts]

Looks like you had fun!

[Egg]

Thanks for doing the write-up Tanner it is really fun to see the statments with the pictures.