Everyone is invited to post a short note on this thread letting folks know which of the gatherings below you plan to get to. This thread is intended as a convenience – you certainly don’t have to post anything here at all to show up at any of the gatherings! We’re hoping that having most of the information in one place will help you decide the easiest way for you to meet some of those “electronic” friends whose faces you’re dying to get a peek at.

The gathering places listed below should be viewed as both initial meeting places and meal venues. Depending on the number of folks attending a gathering, smaller groups may form at these initial locations and choose to have separate gatherings at alternate restaurants of their choice. A few alternate restaurants suggested by FTE members are listed below the gathering information. Many more can be found at www.mypigeonforge.com/Restaurants_list.asp.

PLEASE WEAR AN FTE HAT OR T-SHIRT TO THE GATHERINGS SO WE CAN IDENTIFY EACH OTHER!

GATHERING #1
======================
Day: Thursday, May 15, 2003
Time: 4:00 pm
Place: Golden Corral Steak Buffet, 513 Winfield Dunn Parkway, Pigeon Forge, 865-453-3557

GATHERING #2
======================
Day: Friday, May 16, 2003
Time: 4:00 pm
Place: Smoky Mountain Brewery & Restaurant, 1004 Parkway, Suite 501, Gatlinburg, 865-436-4200, www.smoky-mtn-brewery.com/smb/index.htm, kids are welcome

GATHERING #3
======================
Day: Saturday, May 17, 2003
Time: 7:30 am
Place: The Great American Steak & Buffet Company (formerly the Heartlander), 2301 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, 865-429-3120

Alternate Restaurants Suggested by FTE Folks
=============================================

Duff's Smorgasbord, 3985 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, 865-453-6443

Apple Barn Restaurant, 240 Apple Valley Road, Sevierville, 865-428-1222

International House of Pancakes, 1802 Parkway, Sevierville, 865-429-3925, ihop.know-where.com/ihop/cgi/site?site=00486&address=

 

Looks like I'll be there for the Friday and Saturday offerings. My brother and youngest son are planning on attending as well.

 

What if a person doesn't have an FTE shirt?

 

Buy one. I have to buy one even though Ken promised me one for the tech article I wrote a couple months ago and I never got it. Sniff ... sniff.

 

I just want to help cover all the issues.

 

"Buy one. I have to buy one even though Ken promised me one for the tech article I wrote a couple months ago and I never got it. Sniff ... sniff."

My ROTW free FTE T-shirt arrived in three days. Maybe if you tried being nice to people around here

For your count estimates, put me down for 3 on Friday and 1 on Saturday. Thursday isn't out of the question but not certain yet.

 

Don't you have three t-shirts now?

 

Earl, email your info. If you didn't get the shirt it was by accident (I'll blame this on Jolene or Frank ).....

 

hey Nathan....

I've got five !!! nah...nah...nah

j

 

Boy, John sure knows how to win friends and influence enemies.

 

Maybe we should pick a place for Wed. for us earlybirds. Don't forget, a lot of the "long distance" trucks will also be in town by then.

May I suggest Huck Finns, an all you can eat fried chicken/catfish house just before light 7 on the south side of the road (opposite the Grand Hotel side). Catfish is really good, so good that even for us token Yankees living in Virginia like it!

If there are any other takers, pls post and we
will be there that PM at about 4PM or whatever is the best time. They have other food also. It's one of the better values in PF.

Regards,

Paul Gayda

PS: If you like good breakfasts, one of many good places is a Mels Diner, one block south of light #3, just behind the Royal Inn.

 

Where is Winfield Dunn Parkway? Is that the same as the main drag Parkway?

 

Paul,

The red star is supposedly at 513 Winfield Dunn Parkway. Looks like it is just northwest of Sevierville.

 

John's High School Teacher:

"Now John did you bring enough T-shirts for everyone?"
"No, Mrs. Hoover"
"Could you please put your jacket on."

 

2 for friday,please.