Thanks to everyone for contributing to such a fun occasion. You can find photos from the event on our naperwrimo.org blog.

------ ORIGINAL POST --------

Please let us know if you plan on coming and what you'd like to bring. You can reply to this thread and MLs will update this post. You can bring non-writer family or friends to this social occasion, but please indicate how many people.

• What: Kickoff Party
• Where:Naperville Municipal Center
• Room: BC: this is in the lower level of the center.
• What else to bring: a favorite stuffed animal for the group photo
• Note you can park in the lower level garage if you're bringing something.
• Date:October 26
• Time: 11:45 AM - 3 PM

If you're aren't sure what to bring, please try to atleast pick a category.

1. main course in a crock pot or on an electric warming tray
   1. beef stew (crock pot) and rice (2nd crockpot) -- NewMexicoKid
   2. taco soup (crock pot) + plastic soup bowls and spoons - marilynmauritz
   3. chili (crock pot) - fdahlman
2. main course - that can be room temperature (or will stay hot in your container)
   1. fried chicken - TRRDEDEAN
   2. to be determined - KellyKobayashi
3. Vegetable side dishes
   1. tiny bruschetta/caprese salad-type things on little toasts - Sapphire
   2. squash side dish and Korean noodles- KatherineWriting
4. raw vegetables & dip
   1. Anastasia007
   2. laurelkff
5. fruit salads
   • melon bites - midwestraised
   • fruit platter - geetanjali bhaskaran
6. green salads
   1. waldorf salad -- fishmama
7. pasta side dishes
   1. Vegan Cajun pasta salad - Nidia.Ceylon
   2. small meatless lasagna - TeenWriter
8. Rolls
   1. Cornbread probably - silverwolf42
   2. bread/rolls/possibly some cookies - writerbeeme
9. cheese & crackers
   1. cheese, coldcuts and cracker platter - cubfanbrian
10. appetizer
    1. Deviled Eggs - DianaArtemis
11. snack item
    1. beachpig - if ok, I will bring homemade salsa with Donkey Chips as a snack item.
    2. chips or pretzels - jenniferbuh
    3. lifesavers - KellyDuff
    4. tortilla chips and salsa - SheWrote
    5. zucchini parmesan crisps - catatone1
12. desserts
    1. French Macroons - Squiddish
    2. cookies (probably a mix of chocolate chip & chocolate/peanut-butter chip), but I could probably bring a simple pasta salad as well, if we need it. - TypesetJez
    3. Fancie-schmancie dessert - Fancieshmancie
    4. Meyer Lemon cupcakes - RLShepherd
    5. World's best chocolate chip cookies - writertodd07
13. cold soft drinks in cans -
    1. KatherineWriting --Coke products
    2. Pepsi products - P J J Walton
14. cold bottles of soft drinks and plastic cups
15. box of coffee - samcadams
16. plastic cups and ice
    1. DJRM
17. cold water in small bottles
    1. beachpig - bottles of water
18. plastic forks, knifes, spoons - have (from last year) - KatherineWriting
19. good sturdy full-sized paper plates - have (from last year) - KatherineWriting
20. sturdy small plates (for desserts) - have (from last year) - KatherineWriting
21. Napkins - have (from last year) - KatherineWriting

Who is Coming: (RSVP to this thread and the MLs will add you to the list) - 39

• KatherineWriting (Katherine) & FinBarrMcG (Barry) - 2
• Sapphire (Becky) - 1
• Squiddish (Katherine) - 1
• NewMexicoKid (Tim) - 1
• TeenWriter (Mary) and eganworks (Mike) - 2
• silverwolf42 (Kaden) - 1
• TypesetJez (Jez) - 1
• beachpig (Chris) - 1
• TRRDEDEAN (Dave) - 1
• TipTappity (Beth) - 1
• Fancieshmancie (Nancy) - 1
• Nidia.Ceylon (India) - 1
• RLShepherd (Rebekkah) - 1
• marilynmauritz (Marilyn) - 1
• jenniferbuh (Jennifer) - 1
• DJRM (Daniel) - 1
• P J J Walton (Patrick) - 1
• fishmama - 2
• fdahlman (Frank) - 1
• Anastasia007 (Anastasia) - 1
• laurelkff - 1
• KellyKobayashi - 1
• midwestraised (Gail) - 1
• SheWrote (Ana) - 1
• DianaArtemis and bird7s (dad) - 2
• catatone1 (Paula) - 1
• geetanjali bhaskaran - 1
• writertodd07 (Todd) - 2
• TriciaG - 1
• CorruptedFlame (Cassidy) - 1
• writerbeeme (Holly) - 1
• cubfanbrian (brian) - 1
• KellyDuff - 1
• samcadams - 1

Maybe: - 3

• Miranda Innaimo - 1
• cableshaft - 1 (probably not but maybe)
• ajey (Ajey) - 1

Not able to attend

• Tree @ Home (Teresa)

• PBJ63010

• jen.e.moore (Jen)

• Cee-Bee

• RobinM
  
  
  
  
  
  

I should be coming!

I plan to bring... something. Not sure yet. Maybe a main course? Maybe tiny bruschetta/caprese salad-type things on little toasts?

MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

And I'm bringing French Macaroons. And they're going to be AMAZING AND WRITERLY.
And not edible, but I'm going to bring my story stones along. (As they'll be done by then.) If y'all are looking for a fun writing thing to do during the potluck, they will be available.

Sapphire wrote:

Maybe tiny bruschetta/caprese salad-type things on little toasts?

Sounds marvelous.I love bruschetta/caprese salad-type things. (I really do.)

Squiddish wrote:

And I'm bringing French Macaroons. And they're going to be AMAZING AND WRITERLY.

And not edible, but I'm going to bring my story stones along. (As they'll be done by then.) If y'all are looking for a fun writing thing to do during the potluck, they will be available.

The story stones would be great, but the French Macaroons will be even better. If I remember, I'll wear my French Macaroon earrings. :)

.... that sounds amazing.

Ilovethemed earrings. I have all kinds of old earrings from my great grandma that are very 'costume' jewelry type. Like ice cubes. And daggers. And giant octopi.

I will be there. Trying to decide what to bring. Some thoughts:

• The little hotdog appetizers (could keep warm on a warming tray; but I've never made them before)
• Texas-style chili (slow cooker; I've brought this before; it's a lot of work to make, though)
• fried wontons (this is hard because they have to be fried just before going out; I have a food warming tray that can be used to keep them hot; and it's a lot of effort to fold them--difficult to time)
• slow cooker beef stew -- might be nice on a cold autumn day, not as much prep work as the chili; could make a double recipe
• beef brisket sandwiches (slow cooker) -- made something like this once; can be tricky to make sure it gets tender in time

Or I could make a cheesecake...

Thanks for organizing this, Katherine.

You should bring beef stew becauseyummmm.

I also vote for beef stew, and maybe plan on serving it over rice, which helps if anyone isgluten-free.

But I doubt you'll need a double recipe. The idea is the more people that come, the more food we have--so the less of each item people take.

If you're eager to cook more, I vote pumpkin-cheesecake AND beef stew.

I just learned how to make awesome potato-spinach rolls with a red sauce topping, but I'm doubtful they'll reheat well. I have to figure that out, before I commit to the food I'm bringing.The coke was stuff leftover from a family reunion, so I plan on bringing something else.

*raises hand for gluten freee!*

KatherineWriting wrote:I also vote for beef stew, and maybe plan on serving it over rice, which helps if anyone isgluten-free.

Doesn't rice have gluten in it? Also, the recipe calls for flour as thickening; do I need to avoid it in favor of cornstarch or something?

Hmmm. Well, I would suggest not using cornmeal. I don't know if there are other gluten frees out there, but I'm not allergic so a little flour won't hurt.

Beef steeeeewwwwwww~

Also, rice is gluten-free. When you're talking about glutenous rice it's not the same thing as gluten.

A recipe I'm making right now (tomato bisque, naturally I'm going to be making grilled cheese when it's done, too) uses long-grain white rice as a thickening agent, actually. It apparently helps thicken up the soup without giving it a seriously starchy taste. Granted, this won't work too well for beef stew since in order for the thickening agent to work, I'm blending it up when I blend up the rest of the soup. :)

This recipe (hearty slow cooker beef stew) sounds interesting, though it uses a cup of flour. I'll have to see about bringing rice with the stew (would I need a second slow cooker to keep the rice hot?).

Note that we will be in rooms BC in the Naperville Municipal Center, not the Lunch Room (I'll update the main post).

Hmmm, I'm in Lemont, which isn't too far away. Put me down as a solid MAYBE. tehehe. Hope to meet some of you soon! <3

My brother and I will be there! I'll bring a small meatless lasagna for the pasta side dish, if that works. :)

Looking forward to those macarons! And, of course, everyone's delightful company. ;P

Sadly I won't be making it this year either. But this year it is because I will be meeting Veronica Roth again and getting my copy of Allegiant signed. (And I am ridiculously pumped about this!)

Have fun everyone.

I will be in attendance with a tasty morsel!

Quite possibly a desert of tasty proportions!!

I will be there, and I will bring bread/rolls--probably cornbread

Jealous! Have a great time!

I'll be there. Put me down for cookies (probably a mix of chocolate chip & chocolate/peanut-butter chip), but I could probably bring a simple pasta salad as well, if we need it.

I will be there. Put me down for bringing water bottles and if ok, I will bring homemade salsa with Donkey Chips as a snack item.

Thanks.

I am a Maybe for now. I will be happy to bring a nice big bag of LifeSavers since we'll all be mingling. LOL

Alright, so it has come to my attention that I will not be able to make this years' pot luck (first ever missed I am ashamed).

However, I'll be celebrating the wedding of family friends and will be thinking of you all the whole time.

Promise I'll be at some write-ins this year!!!

I will definitely be there, probably with some kind of green salad.

Hi all!

I plan to come and I'll bring some fried chicken. I guess that would be a main course.

See you then.

Dave

AKA TRRDEDEAN

I will be attending! I'll bring a Vegan Cajun Pasta Salad!

I'll be there! I'll bring hummus and chips.

I'll be a little late, so I'll bring a dessert. Fancie-schmancie

I'll be attending and bringing Meyer Lemon cupcakes.

I will bring Taco Soup --that's a crock, so to speak. I will bring some smaller sturdy but plastic soup bowls and plastic spoons as well as some toppings to choose to add in little soup bowls as well.

Looking forward to it!

Marilyn Mauritz

I (Jennifer) will be there, and is it okay if I bring a bag of chips or pretzels or does it have to be vaguely nutritious?

jenniferbuh wrote:I (Jennifer) will be there, and is it okay if I bring a bag of chips or pretzels or does it have to be vaguely nutritious?

It's a party--no nutritional value required (though some have volunteered to bring nutritious foods :-) ).

Awesome Sauce :)

I will bring cheese and crackers (plus small plates and napkins) as I did last year, but this year I will show up on time. :)

Domitius

I will be at the party.

I think I have some plastic cups and ice.

I'm planning on coming and will be bringing my hubby and a Waldorf salad. See you then!

So sad I can't be there, but kick things off in a big way for me, 'k?

Hi Everybody!!

I plan on attending this event and will bring some Pepsi Products (I noticed Coke products were on the list, why not have the best of both worlds?)

Look forward to meeting everyone and seeing everyone there!! :)

Thanks,

P J J Walton

Patrick Walton

patrickwalton11@yahoo.com

www.facebook.com/patrick.walton.52

I will be there. I think I am going to bring some chili. It's supposed to be cold so I will warm us up from our tummies outward. :)

Can you confirm the address of the Naperville Municipal Center? Google Search is driving me bonkers right now! ;)

I'm afraid I'm going to have to withdraw my attendance - but I've been offered tickets to a steampunk Dracula rock ballet that afternoon, and I couldn't pass that up. See you all at the write-ins!

P J J Walton wrote:Can you confirm the address of the Naperville Municipal Center? Google Search is driving me bonkers right now! ;)

Hi, Patrick,

Located at 400 S Eagle St, Naperville, IL, the Naperville Municipal Center is one block south of the Nichols Library in downtown Naperville. Everyone bringing things to the party can park in the underground parking garage; just enter from the door there and go straight in to reach rooms BC (at the foot of the stairs leading up to the main floor; from the foot of the stairs, rooms BC are to your right).

Cheers,

--Tim

Hi, I'm new to the group but I'd like to come and I can bring number 4 on the list - the vegetable tray and dip. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

I'm a probably not but maybe. I have two potential conflicts, one being maybe helping someone move that day, and the other being my parents trying to come up and visit that day.

I may be able to sneak it in with the moving though, not sure, and it's still possible that neither will happen.

I will bring veggies and dip.

I plan to attend, and will bring fried chicken.

Yes indeed I have a big bag of ice. does the party need ice? I might be able to bring something else too if needed.

I will be coming with some kind of main dish that does not need a heat source! Don't know exactly what yet! See you there! ( ` )

Thank You! :)

DJRM wrote:Yes indeed I have a big bag of ice. does the party need ice? I might be able to bring something else too if needed.

I think your ice and cups sound great; but feel free to look through the list above and see if there are any gaps you can spot.

Thanks!

--Tim

I'll bring a squash side-dish and a Korean noodle side-dish.

(And coke products and all the plates & stuff leftover from last year's TGIO.)

Katherine,

Hope all is well. I'm feeling "fruit-ish" Will bring a supply of melon bites if they remain in season through Saturday. I believe this will fall under item 5.Naturally gluten-free. However, expect natural carbs.

I am having NaperWriMo withdrawals :-(

There's supposedly a group down here, but they are nowhere near as active as Naperville. I haven't seen anything about prep sessions or get-togethers or write-ins once November hits.

I am sooooo envious (y'all are so lucky to have such great MLs in Tim, Katherine and Frank).

Have lots and lots of fun and win NanoWriMo.

I will be bringing Deviled Eggs. My dad, Bird7s will be coming with me

I will actually come (I know my event attendance has been sparse. School is my only excuse...) .

I will bring:

either crack bread

or molded chocolate (ie legomen, chess, han solo)

or bacon fried rice

or zucchini parmesan crisps

no idea which one yet.

Hello everyone,

I am new to this. I will be attending and will bring a fruit platter. Or does anybody have any other suggestions.

Thankyou.

hello,

I'm planning on coming with my better half, and will bring the world's best chocolate chip cookies.

Todd

hi, all,

I'm coming with my better half and world's best chocolate chip cookies.

See you soon,

Todd

I plan on attending. What do you need most for me to bring?

I notice Cass hasn't put in her RSVP yet--she is also coming with me. :)

TriciaG wrote:I plan on attending. What do you need most for me to bring?

Maybe a main dish or a side dish that doesn't have meat?

Or anything else that you'd like.

Hi - my name is Holly (writerbeeme). I am planning on trying tocomefor at least a little while. I think I will bring bread/rolls and probably some cookies. Looking forward to it. I am a new member. First timer!

I will be attending. I will bring a cheese, coldcuts and cracker platter.

Brian

As much as I'd love to come, I'll be in Texas for a wedding.

Ajey wrote:I plan to attend, and will bring fried chicken.

It is appearing like I may not be able to attend. Please keep me on the list, though, and I will try to get there!

I am going to try my best to come. Anxious to meet other writers in the same boat! Right now it looks good and I should be able to make it.

I wish I could be there! I have been ill for a week. Finally went to the doc -- "I've got Bronchitis" (Maybe a cold pop will help) Anyway, I'll see some of you at the write-ins. Have fun!

I will be attending and bringing my traditional box of coffee.

Sam

I'll be there with tortilla chips and salsa. See you tomorrow!

probs the zucchini thing.

I just have to share--I spent quite a bit of time last night chopping up ingredients and browning the beef for the beef stew. It simmered in the crockpot all night (filled our 6 quart crockpot to the brim!) and I tasted it this morning. Wow--I had made it just last week (in a much smaller portion), but this week's effort seems to be tastier!

Doing last minute prep (made an extra three squids for display)... Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

I am planning on attending now. I will be bringing something I can pick up on the way, since I didn't fall asleep with enough time to do any cooking.

Fruit Salad Smoothie (For Tim and Ana)

2 8oz cans of chunk pineapple in juice NOT SYRUP
2 Peeled and diced bananas
1 Peeled and de-seeded lemon
1 Tablespoon of orange marmalade
2 Teaspoons of ground ginger
1/2 Cup of matcha (green tea) powder
1 Tray of ice-cubes
1 Cup of milk

ENJOY!
()(^o^ )

I'm sorry that I couldn't make it!

We missed you, Ajey!

Thanks, Kel! It was awesome and delicious!