Here's what's up with Carlisle 2012!! - Updated 5/17/12!!

[ViperMan]

Hey guys,

4C texted me the other day and said the Carlisle forum was starting to light up!  I thought I'd stop in and give you guys an update.

Two major things I want to address this year is hotel and Saturday dinner.  Last year, both of these items were "okay, but could have been better..."

Last year's hotel (A Courtyard Mariott) had really nice rooms, and was easy to get to, but price was high, parking was decent but left no room for a "hang-out spot," and it didn't offer (free) breakfast.  Saturday dinner was a lot of fun and the buffet was certainly convenient, but the food overall was somewhat lackluster (their menu offerings are usually better than what the buffet provides).  The greatest thing about the "Your Place" restaurant is ample Viper drifting space in the parking lot...  ;-)

Probably in early February, my wife and I will be visiting the Harrisburg area to check out a few hotels and restaurants.  A few people stayed at a hotel off of route 114 that got good reviews for parking and price (can't remember the name but I saved it.)  Also, there's a restaurant in Harrisburg called "Dodge City."  It was featured on an episode of "Restaurant Impossible" on the Food Network last year.  We're going to check it out for food quality, group-reservation options, and parking convenience.

MEK has offered to cover the club's dinner on Friday.  I was thinking Maine lobster tails and an oyster bar...  Anyone else?

Also, lunch on Saturday will again be provided by my wife and I.  Stay tuned to this forum for a survey I'll be posting soon - I'm going to let the club decide what's on the menu!

AND, there will be more homebrewed beer!  Don't know exactly what it'll be yet, but I have a name decided on already, which usually gives me a direction to work towards!

So that's what's up for Carlisle 2012.  I wanted to get through the New Year before I started focusing on it, and ever since 1/1/2012 things have been a bit nightmarish...  But hang tight - we'll get this party started up here right nice indeed...  ;-)

ViperMan (MAN, DAMMIT!  MAN!)

[72cudamaan]

If we're not careful with the teezing, you might get a complex huh! 

[TreeFrog]

But he is so cute when he is angry

[ViperMan]

Quick update:  My wife and I are going to Mechanicsburg next weekend to look at hotels and restaurants.

I had mentioned a place called Dodge City in Harrisburg.  Looking at them online, I think they're prices are going to be too pricey for some people.  Then again it's hard to balance good food with ample wait staff/quick service AND "cheap."

But we have a few places slated that we're going to visit, and I'll let you guys know what we find.

[TreeFrog]

Thanks for doing the leg work!

 

[ViperMan]

Alright guys - here's an update.  We went to Harrisburg and checked out a few restaurants and hotels today.

With hotels we had little luck - no managers or sales agents were available to chat with us.  But we left messages and emails wherever possible and I'm planning to have it all resolved Monday.  Check the hotel thread for more information.

With restaurants we did much better.  We found a new place that's sprung up in Mechanicsburg since we moved out - a place called Arooga's.  It's a sports bar with a menu unlike anything I've ever seen - 8 pages of sandwiches, burgers, wings, wraps, salads: you name it, they've got it.

They have two locations that are convenient depending on which hotel we end up getting.  Both showed areas that we could sit at, and can entertain groups of 30-60 depending on location.  Prices are a smidge north of what we've seen at Your Place Restaurant, but the quality of food is MUCH better, and again the variety is impressive.  They can also prepare a buffet, or promised that they could handle regular menu orders for a crowd of ~30 without excessive delay (as they have a large cooking staff).

Visit http://www.aroogas.com/ for menus.  Treefrog, we asked about food allergies and such - they said they'd try to accomodate as best they can, but suggested that you call beforehand to discuss any specific needs.  One thing they don't handle well is gluten-free items, but I'm not sure if that applies or not for you guys.

Questions/comments/concerns are welcome - we still have time to sort things out of course.

ViperMan

[Cuda Cody]

Thanks for all the hard work!  Sounds like a great place!   

[MEK-Dangerfield]

It sounds good!

When do I get to meet the girl on their homepage??     

[ViperMan]

It sounds good!

When do I get to meet the girl on their homepage??     

LOL - we walked out of the second restaurant after chatting with some GORGEOUS college-age girls in the same outfits and I turned to Ash and said, "A few of our guys might get in trouble eating in that place..."

Ash goes, "Heh, yeah....  DAVE...." 

Love ya 4C!!

ViperMan

[4Cruizn]

LOL - we walked out of the second restaurant after chatting with some GORGEOUS college-age girls in the same outfits and I turned to Ash and said, "A few of our guys might get in trouble eating in that place..."

Ash goes, "Heh, yeah....  DAVE...." 

Love ya 4C!!

ViperMAN!!  (MAN DAMMIT, MAN!!!)

Sounds like some good trouble to me!   Sign me up!   

[ViperMan]

 

[Jesus H Chrysler]

Giggitty!

[TreeFrog]

Alright guys - here's an update.  We went to Harrisburg and checked out a few restaurants and hotels today.

With hotels we had little luck - no managers or sales agents were available to chat with us.  But we left messages and emails wherever possible and I'm planning to have it all resolved Monday.  Check the hotel thread for more information.

With restaurants we did much better.  We found a new place that's sprung up in Mechanicsburg since we moved out - a place called Arooga's.  It's a sports bar with a menu unlike anything I've ever seen - 8 pages of sandwiches, burgers, wings, wraps, salads: you name it, they've got it.

They have two locations that are convenient depending on which hotel we end up getting.  Both showed areas that we could sit at, and can entertain groups of 30-60 depending on location.  Prices are a smidge north of what we've seen at Your Place Restaurant, but the quality of food is MUCH better, and again the variety is impressive.  They can also prepare a buffet, or promised that they could handle regular menu orders for a crowd of ~30 without excessive delay (as they have a large cooking staff).

Visit http://www.aroogas.com/ for menus.  Treefrog, we asked about food allergies and such - they said they'd try to accomodate as best they can, but suggested that you call beforehand to discuss any specific needs.  One thing they don't handle well is gluten-free items, but I'm not sure if that applies or not for you guys.

Questions/comments/concerns are welcome - we still have time to sort things out of course.

ViperMan

Yeah we are eaten up with the need for Gluten-Free (another in this group is as well, but I am not sure if they will join)  We will look into Aroogas and see what we can do.  Thanks again!

[ViperMan]

Yeah we are eaten up with the need for Gluten-Free (another in this group is as well, but I am not sure if they will join)  We will look into Aroogas and see what we can do.  Thanks again!

I was afraid of that.  They said you can call in and chat with a manager, and they also said that they have no problem with bringing in food for someone with unique needs.

The only thing I'm not 100% sure of yet is WHICH Arooga's we're going to, so you might want to hold off just a bit before calling so that I can finalize the arrangements and such.

Jeff

[Gumby]

Something must be wrong with my eyes. I thought ref's wore shirts with straight stripes. Those were crazy curvy strips!