Re: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH convention locations.

[Bob Harty <bharty@xxxxxx>]

Funny thing about expectations 

Sent from my iPad

On Aug 31, 2013, at 8:45 AM, Gary Lehmann <gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I like Vancouver, but in the words of an associate, "That just ain't gonna happen" LOL
> 
> 
> On Sat, Aug 31, 2013 at 9:25 AM, Bob Harty <bharty@xxxxxx> wrote:
> I think that Vancouver is a reasonable option. I think alternating east and west coasts would be a good idea.
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> On Aug 30, 2013, at 7:06 PM, EGS1217@xxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> > Arthur: I don't believe Americans having passports or not would be the real
> > issue in going to Vancouver for a SPAH.
> >
> > SPAH is an American organization and most of us simply wouldn't be willing
> > to travel THAT far away or out of the Country since there still are several
> > Stateside clubs willing and able to help put on a SPAH (the very
> > willingness of  St. Louis' Gateway Club to take on the task 2 years in a row due to
> > SPAH  getting a great deal on the Hotel, speaks to this issue).
> >
> > I completely disagree though with the idea of having SPAH 'in one place'
> > every year as has been suggested and know for a fact that very many SPAH
> > members  feel as I do because I've asked. The chance to travel to other parts of
> > the  Country (if we aren't able to ever have it in our own specific areas),
> > is a  plus. You're not the only one out of the loop--it'll never be held in
> > the New  York area either for various reasons including the considerable
> > expense which means I'LL have to almost always fly to 'wherever' despite my
> > extreme distaste for and discomfort with flying. I make the sacrifice
> > because SPAH's worth it. The single time I might have been able to get  there via
> > a road trip--Virginia Beach, illness prevented my attendance.  Rats! Mais,
> > c'est la vie.
> >
> >
> > Like Emile said: it'd be lovely to have it held there again purely for my
> > own selfish wish to experience a SPAH reasonably close to where I could get
> > to  without flying....but is the Virginia Club willing or able to do it
> > again so  soon? Big question. Does New Orleans have people willing to put in the
> > work  necessary? I don't believe so, but am curious since I've never had a
> > chance to  visit New Orleans. My personal thoughts are that Florida might
> > certainly have a  big enough club (or a couple of clubs which could join
> > together) to host a  SPAH--but would those clubs have an accessible airport?
> > These are all  valid questions the BOD has to consider.
> >
> > We DO know that Texas is always willing to host (I missed Dallas too) and
> > there are a couple of clubs there as are the people in California:
> > SPAH,Sacramento and Denver were two really great SPAH's to my mind.
> >
> >
> > Kickstarter sounds intriguing, but how would one go about that? How to
> > educate the people involved about all that they'd need to know TO put on a SPAH
> > --when the various harmonica clubs which have already done so have it down
> > to a  science? As well, as far as I know all kickstarter campaigns require
> > funding by a cut-off-date. Why would there be a requirement for funds and
> > what  happens if/when SPAH turns the City running that campaign down? Usually
> > there  are a few submissions and no guarantees.
> >
> >
> > The idea that clubs are not recruiting newer and younger members is
> > actually not true. I know of two clubs in particular where younger members have
> > joined up in serious numbers over the past 2 - 3 years. People in their 30's
> > and  40's. They're the right age to be around for a while and able to
> > volunteer. It  took serious work on the part of a couple of good people to get out
> > and recruit--many clubs don't seem to feel they should. I believe that's
> > where a  lot of the problems of 'defunct' clubs stem from. Anything can be
> > accomplished  with some effort and using one's smarts with today's technology.
> >
> >
> > This SPAH had more even younger people in attendance than I've ever seen
> > before. Encouraging their participation with the realization that SPAH will
> > eventually be in their hands is already having its effect from the
> > conversations  I enjoyed with some of these interesting young people. They were eager
> > to learn  more.
> >
> >
> > The groundwork is done and I think a lot of the 'worry' is pretty much a
> > tempest in a teapot stirred up by folks who don't seem content unless
> > they're complaining about something; creating concern where there shouldn't be.  I
> > think you shouldn't worry unnecessarily about the future of SPAH since I
> > honestly feel it'll be in good hands.
> >
> > Elizabeth
> >
> > PS: your comment about the average age-range of the St. Louis Club being in
> > their 'mid-70's' is a bit unfair, though. Those who are considerably
> > younger  might feel a bit put out by being described as older, and those I  saw
> > certainly ran circles around me, for one. And IF you saw him in action,  Stan
> > Harper at 92 played and joked as sharply as he did when years younger.  I
> > noticed only that he felt the cold a bit (as usual, some Hotel rooms were
> > freezing, but that's typical of Hotels)...he's as brilliant a wit and  player
> > as he always was. So 'tis true: harmonica playing seems to keep one a lot
> > healthier and younger than the rest of the population so 'mid-70's' is
> > nothing  to be overly concerned about today. :)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 12:10:27 -0700
> > From: Arthur Jennings  <timeistight@xxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH convention  locations.
> > To: Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
> > Cc:  "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> >
> > "I'd love to be involved,  but I live in Vancouver, which I don't think
> > would
> > be a good choice; the  hotels here are expensive, we're too far from major
> > population centres and,  besides, many Americans don't have passports.
> >
> > I think New Orleans would be a great location, if there's a local  group
> > willing to step up."
> >
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Gary