Group 1 Dining Out

Greetings and Happy New Year to all Group 1 Civil Air Patrol members and guests, I would like to officially welcome you to this year's Dining Out event. For such a formal occasion, this email invitation is much too plain, but it does serve to quickly get information to all to "Save the Date" and answer questions.

Event: Group 1 Dining Out
Date: January 30, 2010
Location: Grandma's Landing Restaurant (Mt Vernon Airport)
100 Aviation Dr, Mount Vernon, IL 62864 (618) 242-1050

Time: 1700 (5 PM) Social/Games
1800 (6 PM) - Formal Event with Dinner - Do NOT be late.
The formal part of evening will go to about 8:30 PM with dancing until about 10 PM.

There is an optional senior (adult) activity immediately following (described below).

Who: Group 1 (Southern Illinois) CAP members and guests

Dress: Mess Dress (Military Officer), Service Dress or "Semi Formal" (Cadets), Black Tie (Civilian). Dining Outs are one of the most formal military and CAP occasions, hence the formal dress. I don't know of many people that own a tuxedo or enjoy the cost of renting one; therefore, the rule of thumb is "dress up". Coat and tie or shirt and tie works well for men - women, dress to match. Please no jeans. For CAP members, wear your BEST uniform available (Blues, Service Dress, Corporate Style) - BDUs, Flight Suits, and Fatigues are not appropriate. You must comply with proper grooming standards.

Cost: $15/person. Yes, costs have increased; however, this includes tax, tip, and lively entertainment! Grandma's Landing has been so gracious to allow us to pay as we show up. Please - we need accurate RSVPs. Since its a private event, we will need to charge you (even if you haven't paid yet) IF you cancel within 3 days or no show. I will take funds prior (address below) and will take cancellations up to the deadline Jan 27th.

RSVP: For efficiency, please notify me in person, phone, or email. (314) 941-8875 charles_gillespie@merck.com (work email) flyers.r.on.top@gmail.com (personal email). Last year, we had 73 in attendance so RSVP early. RSVPs requested by Jan 22nd.

Transportation: Cadets and Adults - make your needs known SOONER than later and we will try our best to accommodate all. Some squadrons have CAP vans available. When we have a good head count, we can arrange vans and personal transport. Drivers are needed for corporate vehicles and car pooling.

Lodging: This is a popular option for those traveling farther or staying later for the optional senior activity. Most stayed at the Holiday Inn - I am Hilton person myself and stayed at the Hampton Inn across the street. There are several other hotels in very close proximity.

Optional Senior (Adult) Activity: Immediately following the Dining Out, please join us at the American Legion for more laughs and CRUD. What's CRUD? Come and find out... Sorry, no cadets/children.

FAQs:

I am not military. Will I fit in? Dining In's were created some time ago and open only to the members of that unit. Today, Dining Out's are very popular and invite the member's family and other guests. There are "protocols" posted at the event to explain how to act. Don't worry, they are created for fun and "veterans" will be reviewing them with you.

What's the purpose? Formal military traditions would take up way too much time to go into. Let's say our purpose is to celebrate a great year together and honor those that had outstanding achievements.

What will we do? Eat. Its fun to eat out with friends and family. Grandma's Landing food was so popular last year, we had to go back. You are getting $40 tasting food for only $15. There will be plenty of entertainment (you'll see) providing many laughs and surprises. If this is your first time, you may think you are at a dinner theater. We have a surprise guest speaker - stay tuned. Then its on to awards and the informal part of the evening (dancing, etc).

It's said that the best form of advertisement is the success of the prior year. With that said, I could stop right here. For those that are joining us this year or could not make it last year, it was a huge success! Please join us this year for "Round Two"! I am available for questions; however, I will be out of country Jan 15 - 24. Email will probably be the best way to contact me. See you there.

Chuck Gillespie, 1Lt, CAP
Dining Out Officer
31 Frontenac Estates Dr
Saint Louis, MO 63131
(314) 941-8875

charles_gillespie@merck.com (work email) or flyers.r.on.top@gmail.com (personal email)