February Update: We’re paid in full, are you?

Time for an update as we continue tightening the screws on this year’s reunion.

First, the big administrative milestone: the final payment to Hop & Vine Inn was made yesterday which means we are 6 months away. Although they had a very aggressive payment schedule, the resort is now fully paid, locked in, and no longer an open item.

Thanks to everyone who paid their balances early. That kind of reliability makes planning these things infinitely easier and keeps me from having to chase people down. Early payments genuinely help reduce stress and prevent last-minute surprises, so it’s appreciated more than you probably realize.

With that said, here comes the necessary reminder for the 10 of you that still carry a balance.

Final payments are due no later than April 30, 2026.

This deadline was already extended from March 31 so this is the long leash version. By then, you should know if you can attend. If your balance is not resolved by April 30, your registration will be dropped. No mystery, no negotiation, no emotional appeals – just simple math and logistics. These events only work when everyone carries their share and the deadlines have to mean something. You’ve been warned.

Fundraiser Shirt Design

In other news, I’m currently working on this year’s fundraiser shirt design, and it’s coming along very slowly. Every one of my other commitments have demanded extra of me lately and there’s a reasonable chance I may not have enough time to produce a second design for voting. If anyone feels inspired, bored, or just dangerously confident in their artistic abilities, volunteering to create a second design would absolutely be welcomed. This is your opportunity to contribute something memorable and some competition.

As always, creativity is encouraged, good taste is optional, and artificial intelligence can help. If you’re interested, let me know… there’s a couple of guidelines that you’ll need.

Help Wanted!

If you’re not that creative, but still want to contribute somehow, we’re looking to build a menu and what’s a menu without someone to cook it! Every year, it seems like the same people cook. We need other volunteers willing to step up and take some responsibility to cook allowing the usual chefs to relax.

If you’ve attended before, you already know how this works: claim a meal slot, feed the herd, and accept the completely unreasonable criticism that inevitably follows. We’ll buy the groceries, you provide the final result.

Sign up below and contribute to keeping everyone properly fueled and moderately civilized. Women need not apply!

Wrap-up

More updates will follow as we get closer, but for now the priorities remain simple:

Square away your balance.
Consider helping with the shirt design.
Volunteer for mess duty.

We’re sorting everything else out in the coming months. Questions? Just ask.