Putting together a Kilt Night for DFW

[Drac]

Hi all,

At the Games this past weekend there were a couple remarks on it being one of the largest get togethers of the DFW X-markers. Also was brought up that we should get a kilt night in the future.

The last one didn't go over well because of poor planning on my part with it being both a weekday, a holiday and a hard to get to location.

So how about we start throwing some ideas out for something here in the future? Some of the ideas were Arligton (in the middle for everyone) and Frisco (a major highway from all the outling areas).

I'm good most of the times except for the 2nd weekend each month due to the Reserves. Also ok with most drives.

Some ideas shot down were Trinity Hall (hard to get to) and Tilted Kilt (not family friendly).

Jim

[Cynthia]

It's a little easier when something like the Games are going on and people are going to be there anyway. People get busy and time flies!

I know when RowdyRed and I were trying to get some kilt nights going in the past it can be hard -- not everyone logs on, and I had to contact them myself to round them up! That wasn't an easy task either. I definitely recommend people join the D/FW Texas social group and subscribe to it. That way, when someone posts there, you get a notification. You're only allowed to send a PM to about 10 people at a time (or at least that's the way it used to be), and although cut and paste works well... you get the idea.

Good luck planning something -- hopefully you'll get some good feedback. This area is so spread out that you're never going to be able to get enough people all at once due to timing and location. At one of the last kilt nights Rowdy and I put together, it was just before the holidays and some of the Dallas members didn't even have their kilts on because they rushed there after work and didn't have time to change understandably.

We'll see how things go for the hubby and I... the schedule is still a little crazy and might be for a while.

[Drac]

Just trying to see what will happen

I will say I didn't get the notification of new topics from the Group. I've tried subscribing to see if that helps.

Jim

[Cynthia]

The only problem with the social group notification system is the slight delay, almost next-day emails. I hope you're able to get it to work.

I've also closed up a few of the older threads in there to hopefully avoid confusion.

Keep in mind, there are other things you can do... not just bars or pubs for those with little ones or don't drink. I always wanted to do a little trip to the British Emporium in Grapevine (with something else to help round it out -- although hubby and I are also in the camp who prefer not to go to the Tilted Kilt), and there had been talk off and on about a kilted bowling night.

Like I said, the hardest part is getting people's attention, as well as agreeing on a place and time.

[Cynthia]

For those who are not familiar with Social Groups... you can subscribe to the group by scrolling down that group's page and right before you get to the list of topics, there is a blue-colored bar running across that says:

"Social Group Discussions" "Search Discussions" and "Group Tools"

Click on "Group Tools" and you should see the subscribe option there (later, it will be "unsubscribe" if you need to stop getting email updates).

To join a group, you should see a "Join Group" in the upper right hand (also on a blue bar that says Social Group -- it won't be on the absolute upper right hand of the page, it might be a little lower down). Clicking that should let you join the group.

Hope this helps.

[chewse]

As an idea other than a meet up at a bar, the Scottish Rite Hospital puts on many different events throughout the year. I know they love it when the men wear their kilts to these events.

[Drac]

I like the ideas of something besides bars though I'm always for food.

It maybe harder to get people to agree on what we're doing. It can hard just to get people to agree to where and when without adding what

Oh well, in for a penny...

I am always up for helping out. The Scottish Rite Hospital is good for me but are we pushing the rules on soliciting for charity?

Jim

[McMathTX]

I forgot about it Saturday, but the TSF's e-group organizes a Scottish Invasion the last Saturday of every July. They invaded Trinity Hall last year although it is usually somewhere in the mid-cities. I haven't heard where or when yet, but that could also be an opportunity for Xmarkers.
Dean

[Drac]

TSF?

I'm drawing a blank on that.

Jim

[Cynthia]

I just wanted to add that I personally have no problems with bars, I just know in the past I remember at least one person who had children and didn't drink had asked about non-bar options, not to mention all the other fun options out there

It's definitely a good idea to plan for all sorts of things, spread it around the area (before we stopped really doing kilt nights we were thinking of taking turns on different sides of the metroplex to give each group a break with the drive), and even throw in different times/days. Just let people know (like I said -- I had to really get the word out), give them enough time to plan, and you'll get some folks at least. If it keeps rolling, hopefully the D/FW group will get active.

Since I don't know if we'll be available yet, I have no ideas offhand. I've let my husband Christopher know about this thread, so hopefully we'll chat later. Sadly, we may not even know until last minute if we could attend. Massive deadlines with his job and some other stuff, and all

Since Frisco was mentioned, there is a place called Lochrann's that I've been to and enjoyed. In Grapevine, there is The Tap-In, although they do allow smoking (they're next door to a tobacco shop) and sometimes the atmosphere is not so good for a gathering (cover bands, really busy "tourist-y" days on Main Street, etc). There are various lakes in the area, like Grapevine, for more picnic style gatherings or hikes, but with summer about to hit I recommend waiting until later in the year for that.

I'm trying to think of a few places more central, but that's all I can think of at the moment. I know Arlington has come up in the past, but I only know of J Gilligan's on Tuesday nights for sessions (which doesn't work for many, understandably, and their menu and drink selection is limited). So I don't know if there is anything in the Irving, HEB area, or Arlington that would work better on the weekends.

And I still say not to forget about Dallas or Ft Worth occasionally as well. Heck, I wonder if there's anything fun in the Denton area.

Drac is right, though... let's get a general feel for time (I won't be available before the 15th at least) and place... then we can try getting the word out. Sometimes I can't get people to actually visit the board until an actual event has been posted (seriously! -- they just want to know when/where and then they'll decide if they can come).