[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by tomwed

Everybody has an ID. Pick a rec center in the middle of the villages.
Everyone can bring their own drink, plate, fork and napkins--and for a snack everyone can bring any kind of cut up fruit to feed 4 people on a serving plate with a toothpick in each piece so there is no "double dipping." You could cut up a melon. wash some blueberries [that's a lot of toothpicks], pineapple, apples, whatever. You walk around the "Fruity Buffet Table" and make a fruit salad. The leftovers go back home.
No head count
No collecting money
No one to call if you can't make it
No decorating
No clean-up
[does anyone have a table cloth?]

Sometimes there were just a handful of people that turned out for the monthly meeting; sometimes more.
I personally find rooms in rec centers to be rather sterile and off putting, especially if there is a small gathering.
But I don't have a dog in this fight.
I regretfully can't attend a meet and greet this summer as I'm "up north".