Villagers Are Fed Up With Saving Chairs

[foxmeadow]

There have been previous posts regarding the roping off and saving of chairs at LSL, especially when Rocky & The Rollers are there. Last Sat. my wife and I decided to venture to the square, knowing it would be packed. We were fortunate enough to find 2 seats at the fence, in front of the clock. Our seat was next to a fellow who is an avid TOTV member. During our conversation, he mentioned that he was paying special attention to an area in front of us that had been roped off (approx 16 chairs) since he got there at 5pm. He said he watched some folks take the rope down and sit in those seats. It was now about 6:45pm and the chairs were full of people. Pretty soon a large group of people walked in front of us checking that area that they thought was being saved. They were overheard grumbling about the fact that people were sitting in THEIR chairs. I was overjoyed to see that the villagers are no longer going to honor chairs sitting empty, for hours on end, while others have to stand. Finally, a member of the party decided they wanted their rope, so while the folks were dancing, they collected their rope, still muttering about stealing their chairs.
As far as I'm concerned, the only seats that should be saved are for folks who get up to dance, go to the restrooms, or get something to drink. The entertainment dept. should be policing this activity, particularly on a busy night. We see many people, with "Staff" or Event" shirts on, walking around, but seldom see them attempting to enforce the rules. I'm not sure what they do. Maybe we really don't need them if enough people dis-honor those "saved seats". I for one hope this starts a movement.

[Bogie Shooter]

There have been previous posts regarding the roping off and saving of chairs at LSL, especially when Rocky & The Rollers are there. Last Sat. my wife and I decided to venture to the square, knowing it would be packed. We were fortunate enough to find 2 seats at the fence, in front of the clock. Our seat was next to a fellow who is an avid TOTV member. During our conversation, he mentioned that he was paying special attention to an area in front of us that had been roped off (approx 16 chairs) since he got there at 5pm. He said he watched some folks take the rope down and sit in those seats. It was now about 6:45pm and the chairs were full of people. Pretty soon a large group of people walked in front of us checking that area that they thought was being saved. They were overheard grumbling about the fact that people were sitting in THEIR chairs. I was overjoyed to see that the villagers are no longer going to honor chairs sitting empty, for hours on end, while others have to stand. Finally, a member of the party decided they wanted their rope, so while the folks were dancing, they collected their rope, still muttering about stealing their chairs.
As far as I'm concerned, the only seats that should be saved are for folks who get up to dance, go to the restrooms, or get something to drink. The entertainment dept. should be policing this activity, particularly on a busy night. We see many people, with "Staff" or Event" shirts on, walking around, but seldom see them attempting to enforce the rules. I'm not sure what they do. Maybe we really don't need them if enough people dis-honor those "saved seats". I for one hope this starts a movement.

What rules are you referring to?

[memason]

Hmmmm..... Doesn't seem to me that anyone needs to police anything. Whomever took the "reserved" seats, policed the area just fine.

Is it just me ??

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Sounds like that whole thing worked out well. Sorry about the folks with the rope! :shrug:

Bill

[Pturner]

Sounds like that whole thing worked out well. Sorry about the folks with the rope! :shrug:

Bill

... or was it the dopes with ropes?

[Bill-n-Brillo]

... or was it the dopes with ropes? HA!! :)

Bill

[redwitch]

Maybe this is what Ali meant by rope a dope?

[gear gal]

I myself was at the square in that very location Saturday night and and saw the roped off chairs. I had my own chair so I was quite comfortable. However I did see the roped off section of chairs and thought it was uncalled for. People were walking around looking for a place to sit and there the empty chairs were right under their nose. They wre circling like buzzards but no one made a move to take any of them. Finally a gentleman sick of walking around
took the rope from one of the chairs and sat down. He wasn't approached by anyone else. This was the signal to the other chairless people to make their move. In three minutes the dozen or so chairs were occupied. The time was well towards 6pm so I assume the "rope a dopes" felt their chairs were safe all night. Hats off to the guy who made the first move to sit down. Maybe if more people would step up to the plate like that, this roping off of chairs and tables would become history. A heads up though, on a Rocky and The Rollers
night bringing you own chair is a great idea..

[disney07]

:agree:Nice work to those who said "This is BS" and took those seats. 16 seats? That is outrageous. Almost 2hrs after the band starts in walk the Special People to claim their selected seating. Would have enjoyed watching.

[l2ridehd]

Some folks think it is there God given right to inconvenience others so they can be taken care of and do as they please. Hats off to the chair takers. I hope it starts a trend.

[Mudder]

I am happy out of my mind that someone finally sent a little message to all the chair savers who don't even bother to show uo til late !!!! In Spanish Springs people now put washcloths, chair pads, magazines and even tie two chairs together with a plastic bag. Almost all chairs are "spoken for" by 2 PM sometimes. Now I can't wait til Weds......I will be sitting in any empty chair I find. Wonder how someone will prove to me that 's their plastic bag saving a chair??? Let the revolution begin, chair by chair !

[BobKat1]

It would be interesting to hear from some chair savers for their side of the disussion. I'm guessing that ain't gonna happen though.

[Larry Wilson]

Yes Yes Yes! This has always upset me. In the past I have seen a man sitting next to me tell about 100 people that 4 empty chairs were saved. Finally 4 people show and say they can't sit as they needed dinner. :shocked:
Another time someone had put a chair on top of a chair to save two chairs. After standing 2 hours, a man walked up and sat in the two chairs telling the people saving them that as soon as their friends came they would get up. Never had to get up.:shocked: Just a couple nights ago Scooter was at SS and it was packed. People standing all over the place with saved empty chairs all over.:shocked: I bet less than half the saved chairs were ever used. I always bring our own chairs but saving chairs is for the birds.

[tghoul]

A couple of weeks ago I got in line at 8:00am at the ticket booth at Lake Sumter Landing to purchase tickets for a show at the Savannah Center. There were a few empty chairs at the head of the line. At 8:20am the people showed up, put the chairs in their cars and came back to the head of the line. The person standing next to me said those folks put the chairs there last night so they could be first in line.

[ijusluvit]

Someday, someone is going to find a secret set of written instructions, circa 1990, used to train new new Villages staff who work in the squares.

Up near the top, one of the statements will probably read...

"UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you pay any attention to patrons who reserve chairs in the square areas. Ignore any comments about this. If you are approached by persons making a complaint, do not engage in conversation or show support for what they might feel is an unfair situation. Our policy is that if patrons see this as a problem they will resolve it, if and when they choose to do so."

Congrats to the guy who moved the rope and sat down. If enough folks read this thread and pick up on it, then he's responsible for starting a small cultural shift here in TV. And I'd like to know who he is. I'd buy him a drink and we'd go sit down and enjoy the music.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

A couple of weeks ago I got in line at 8:00am at the ticket booth at Lake Sumter Landing to purchase tickets for a show at the Savannah Center. There were a few empty chairs at the head of the line. At 8:20am the people showed up, put the chairs in their cars and came back to the head of the line. The person standing next to me said those folks put the chairs there last night so they could be first in line. Didja slap 'em? :1rotfl:

Guess I just don't understand come people's thinking. Why some do things like that is beyond me.

Bill

[gemorc]

I have taken "saved" chairs a couple off times. Once it got a little hairy when the saver demanded that I leave his "saved" seating alone. I told him to find someone in authority to move me. He got up and left. Didn't see him again. Sometimes you get p___ed off enough, you don't care anymore.

[golfnut]

If I was in line to purchase tickets and there were empty chairs ahead of me the first thing I would do is move the chairs, on your feet (or absent in this case), lose your seat....gn

[graciegirl]

A fellow TOTVr sent me a message about the chair situation that you are talking about. He was there too and he said that the perps (Original ropers) were 30 somethings and they gave a lot of lip to the sitters.

Hmmm.

I say. Take back our town.

[Hawkwind]

I was on the square for other activities from about 10:00 in the morning. I asked someone about the personal chairs being over on the deck area. I was told it was for the Rocky concert. Personal chairs no problem and TV chairs were not even moved until after 2:15. Our group was off the stage at about 2 to give Rocky time to set up and TV chairs were not moved in on trailers yet.

I killed some time and went to Red Sauce for supper. When I got back to the square it was 4:35 and I saw about 6 or 8 chairs still stacked up near the fountain. I went to get one but when I got there only 2 were left and I let the lady take both of them. I was able to score one a few minutes later but in my looking I saw 4 chairs that were chained and locked up on the deck area that is on the Urban Flats side of the square. Now that takes nerve.

Next I moved over to an open spot over by the clock and watched the entire episode unfold in front of me and it was interesting to say the least. I think it was about 7:00 when the people showed that roped off the chairs only to find them occupied. There was a blond that was involved and she was really pi$$ big time. She was standing right next to me talking on her cell about the incident. I was waiting to see a good old bar fight break out but it never did thank goodness.

[Pturner]

A fellow TOTVr sent me a message about the chair situation that you are talking about. He was there too and he said that the perps (Original ropers) were 30 somethings and they gave a lot of lip to the sitters.

Hmmm.

I say. Take back our town.

30-somethings! Off with their heads!! or at least their chairs.

[Tbugs]

Oh, come on now! We are in The Villages and have a wonderful life. Why the kvetching over some chairs at the town squares? Get there early for the popular shows and you will not have trouble getting a chair.

If there are many chairs (maybe more than 4?) roped together and there are no other chairs available, unrope them and sit down - and if someone complains, just smile and continue to sit there. No one is going to physically throw anyone off a chair.

This is a great place to live; we have all worked long and hard to get here. Be happy and get over the petty stuff.

[GeorgeT]

I saw the Ropers on Three's Company the other night!

[taylor111947]

If I'm understanding it correctly there is no written rule that says chairs can't be saved. It seems to me a simple sign stating that 'Reserving chairs is not allowed' would help prevent a confrontation if someone 'unreserves' a seat and it might encourage others to do the same. All you need to do is smile and point to the sign.

I do have a question: At a popular venue I gather it gets quite crowded. Is there any control over 'outsiders' attending these events (not accompanied by residents)? I think I'd be upset if I found a large number of chairs occupied by non-Villagers.

[redwitch]

I do have a question: At a popular venue I gather it gets quite crowded. Is there any control over 'outsiders' attending these events (not accompanied by residents)? I think I'd be upset if I found a large number of chairs occupied by non-Villagers.

Why? We don't pay for the events in the Squares. They are funded by the developer and merchants. All events in the Squares are open to the public. If an "outsider" gets there first, stays in their chair, doesn't save seats for others, I see no reason why they shouldn't enjoy an event in as much comfort as a Villager.

[Bogie Shooter]

Why? We don't pay for the events in the Squares. They are funded by the developer and merchants. All events in the Squares are open to the public. If an "outsider" gets there first, stays in their chair, doesn't save seats for others, I see no reason why they shouldn't enjoy an event in as much comfort as a Villager.

They also spend $ in restaurants and stores.

[kencam]

Cuddos to those that were "fed up" with the roping. Lest we think this situation is isolated to LS, it also has been going on at SS for a long time. Although there has been "talk" of stopping the saving practice, nothing has been done by the "Event Staff" to my knowledge. If they have taken action, I'd be ecstatic...but alas, my excitement must surely wait. Power to the people !!

[BlueHeronFan]

My wife and I went down for one of the parades recently and brought our own chairs. We proceeded to open the chair in an empty area and were quickly told by a more elderly lady that "the space in this line is being saved".

Not a seat, an area for a seat. As I am a keep the peace kind of person, we just moved to an area to the right, but not as good an area. When the parade started, the others arrived with their chairs, and claimed their spots.

What do you do, tell an elderly lady to take a hike. Not worth the aggravation.

[kencam]

Oh, come on now! We are in The Villages and have a wonderful life. Why the kvetching over some chairs at the town squares? Get there early for the popular shows and you will not have trouble getting a chair.

If there are many chairs (maybe more than 4?) roped together and there are no other chairs available, unrope them and sit down - and if someone complains, just smile and continue to sit there. No one is going to physically throw anyone off a chair.

This is a great place to live; we have all worked long and hard to get here. Be happy and get over the petty stuff.

Sorry to be negative, but you're dreaming if you think conflict is out of the question.... I agree with your position, but there is a reality !!!

[laryb]

It would be interesting to hear from some chair savers for their side of the disussion. I'm guessing that ain't gonna happen though.
I think it's obvious that chair savers don't have computers. Keep on checking your postal mail box for a hand written letter. Of course, we'll be counting on word of mouth for them to hear about this. :Screen_of_Death:

[2BNTV]

No fanny in a seat equals a non-reserved seat.

As a wannabe, I hope this situation gets resolved. This is a conflicting situation that people shouldn't have to get aggrevated over. It's a sad commentary when some people don't have consideration for other people's feelings.

Thanks to all people who challenged this situation.

[graciegirl]

No fanny in a seat equals a non-reserved seat.

As a wannabe, I hope this situation gets resolved. This is a conflicting situation that people shouldn't have to get aggrevated over. It's a sad commentary when some people don't have consideration for other people's feelings.

Thanks to all people who challenged this situation.

I like you. I like you. I like you, I do.:pepper2:;):beer3:

[Barefoot]

My wife and I went down for one of the parades recently and brought our own chairs. We proceeded to open the chair in an empty area and were quickly told by a more elderly lady that "the space in this line is being saved". Not a seat, an area for a seat.

We've seen the "chair saving" at both Squares. It's annoying, but we've never sat in a "saved" chair, because we go to the Squares for fun, not to get into a confrontation with an unreasonable person.

But saving space is a whole new dimension. :a20:

[philnpat]

On our first lifestyle preview a couple of years ago, my wife and I visited Sumter Landing in the early evening. We saw some empty chairs on the raised deck toward the Urban Flats side of the square. We sat down and immediately were told that the seats were reserved. Another couple nearby saw what happened and asked us to join them. I'm thankful for the invite because we might not have learned to love TV the way we do now.
See you all right after Christmas!

PS...save us a seat!

[hoseman]

So when we come down for our Lifestyle Preview visit, I want to be prepared. What size and length of rope do we need in order to hog 4 chairs up front? If the event is at 7, will roping off our chairs around 3 be early enough?
Kidding of course!

I totally admire that first guy that sat down in those reserved seats! Way to go man!

[Larry Wilson]

Good Luck with the Christmas tree lighting and Christmas Parade!
We bought 7 years ago and never missed any event. So much fun. Now it is so crowded it is no fun. You have the majority of the people very polite and a few of the nastiest you will ever meet. Thus, the last 3 years we have seen nasty incidents and pushy people. Rude Rude Rude. And no room to sit to see the shows whille whole groups of spaces and chairs are saved. My favorite is after getting there early, someone will come at the last minute and stand in front of everyone. Then someone asks them to move and a fight breaks out. Yes, seen this 3 times.
Always bring your own chairs and get there early. Merry Christmas.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I think it's high time we get gracie, red (broken elbow and all), and pturner to start policing these kinds of events! :boxing2:

Hee-hee! :popcorn:


Bill

[graciegirl]

I think it's high time we get gracie, red (broken elbow and all), and pturner to start policing these kinds of events! :boxing2:

Hee-hee! :popcorn:


Bill

AND just how do you think Red broke her elbow????

[Pturner]

My wife and I went down for one of the parades recently and brought our own chairs. We proceeded to open the chair in an empty area and were quickly told by a more elderly lady that "the space in this line is being saved".

Not a seat, an area for a seat. As I am a keep the peace kind of person, we just moved to an area to the right, but not as good an area. When the parade started, the others arrived with their chairs, and claimed their spots.

What do you do, tell an elderly lady to take a hike. Not worth the aggravation.

I've heard of space-saving appliances, but saving space at an unreserved public event, what the.... :shocked:

I can't understand what folks think give them the right to measure out space at an open public event and say, in effect, that "all this territory belongs to me". Using that logic, why not just claim all the space and invite your friends to a private, uncrowded event; or better yet, claim all the space and charge admission!

Hey wait... I thought of it first. I hereby claim all the space at the Christmas Parade. Space available to the highest bidders.

[Ohiogirl]

I went to my first free "Total Workout" at one of the regional rec centers this week - I called first to make sure it was open to all and to confirm what to bring. Was told to "come early" as it gets crowded. Apparently they do limit the # of people in the large room, and have another room for the overflow, or maybe some people prefer it, but when I arrived (about 15 minutes early), could only find a little space in a back corner. Not too many people, but all kinds of spaces marked with mats, bottled water, etc.

Apparently, groups of friends must take turns coming early and marking their spots. Just like the town squares. Hard to tell for sure whose spaces they are as there are some people standing around, but not nearly as many (maybe 50%)? as there are spaces marked off.

Same kind of deal - wish it wasn't so.

[pauld315]

Some folks think it is there God given right to inconvenience others so they can be taken care of and do as they please. Hats off to the chair takers. I hope it starts a trend.

These are the same people that see the lane ending sign on a highway construction zone but stay in the lane all the way until they can go no further and then cut in frontof all the people who have followed directions to get over. They believe they are just more important than everyone else.

[wesmin]

We were on the spare at 11 am and saw chairs on upper deck tied with rope and two had a CHAIN! Whats next locks.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

AND just how do you think Red broke her elbow???? So she's been fibbin' to everyone about how it REALLY happened, eh? :jester:

Bill

[GeorgeT]

These are the same people that see the lane ending sign on a highway construction zone but stay in the lane all the way until they can go no further and then cut in frontof all the people who have followed directions to get over. They believe they are just more important than everyone else.

OK, here we go with assumptions. Might as well blame everything that irritates
you on them.

[Pturner]

I went to my first free "Total Workout" at one of the regional rec centers this week - I called first to make sure it was open to all and to confirm what to bring. Was told to "come early" as it gets crowded. Apparently they do limit the # of people in the large room, and have another room for the overflow, or maybe some people prefer it, but when I arrived (about 15 minutes early), could only find a little space in a back corner. Not too many people, but all kinds of spaces marked with mats, bottled water, etc.

Apparently, groups of friends must take turns coming early and marking their spots. Just like the town squares. Hard to tell for sure whose spaces they are as there are some people standing around, but not nearly as many (maybe 50%)? as there are spaces marked off.

Same kind of deal - wish it wasn't so.

It's a shame that this is allowed. It causes most participants to have to get there earlier and earlier to get into the class at all, just so others can sleep late and waltz in at the last minute.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

It's a shame that this is allowed. It causes most participants to have to get there earlier and earlier to get into the class at all, just so others can sleep late and waltz in at the last minute.

P - Time for you and your two cronies to step into this one to straighten out these misguided souls......just like with the "Rope A Dopes"!! :boxing2:

:)

Bill

[Tweety Bird]

:agree:Nice work to those who said "This is BS" and took those seats. 16 seats? That is outrageous. Almost 2hrs after the band starts in walk the Special People to claim their selected seating. Would have enjoyed watching.

Ditto...ditto...Nice work alright. That rope was put there by a RUDE dope. Gather the rope and dump it in the nearby garbage. NO ONE has the right to do that. Rope a Dope! :girlneener:

[memason]

I read all these posts and wonder why someone doesn't take it upon themselves to seek a real solution to this problem. I'm not in TV now, but if the seat saving bothered me that much, I would like to think I'd contact someone to see what could be done. I liked the idea of posting "No Reserved Seating" signs in the squares.

Again....if it "appears" to be a common practice in TV to reserve seating for an event, people will do it. It isn't being rude; it's adjusting to the "culture".

Just saying .... :shrug:

[Challenger]

I read all these posts and wonder why someone doesn't take it upon themselves to seek a real solution to this problem. I'm not in TV now, but if the seat saving bothered me that much, I would like to think I'd contact someone to see what could be done. I liked the idea of posting "No Reserved Seating" signs in the squares.

Again....if it "appears" to be a common practice in TV to reserve seating for an event, people will do it. It isn't being rude; it's adjusting to the "culture".

Just saying .... :shrug:

a sensible solution IMHO

[Talk Host]

After reading this thread, I began thinking about another thing that I have wondered about.

First, let me say that we use this all the time. "Restaurant Call Ahead"

A restaurant doesn't take reservations. First come first serve, except if you call on the phone and have them put your name on the list. I wonder how fair that is to the people who come in and sit for an hour waiting for a table, only to have me walk through the door and get a seat.

The same thing would happen if they did take reservations, but in these cases, many people don't know that you can call ahead.

I don't want the practice to go away, but I have to wonder how fair it is. Or is it different in a way that I'm not seeing?

JLK

[graciegirl]

I read all these posts and wonder why someone doesn't take it upon themselves to seek a real solution to this problem. I'm not in TV now, but if the seat saving bothered me that much, I would like to think I'd contact someone to see what could be done. I liked the idea of posting "No Reserved Seating" signs in the squares.

Again....if it "appears" to be a common practice in TV to reserve seating for an event, people will do it. It isn't being rude; it's adjusting to the "culture".

Just saying .... :shrug:

Memason.

The reality is that we live in a restricted community that is restricted in a way that few have seen. The Developer really makes the rules and has the power to change them. We don't.

Most of us seem to think that things run pretty smoothly around here with a few who want fences or other things, but the right to change things isn't part of our lovely lifestyle.

I imagine that in some hidden board room this has been discussed by the powers that run TV and maybe they have come up with the conclusion that it would be a beast to enforce, being that they are dealing with a lot of really strong willed people who think they are right.

And so we are left with this little drama to watch. Many here have read the book "Winning through Intimidation" and many more have read that other one with the Golden Rule.

We will see.

[dillywho]

After reading this thread, I began thinking about another thing that I have wondered about.

First, let me say that we use this all the time. "Restaurant Call Ahead"

A restaurant doesn't take reservations. First come first serve, except if you call on the phone and have them put your name on the list. I wonder how fair that is to the people who come in and sit for an hour waiting for a table, only to have me walk through the door and get a seat.

The same thing would happen if they did take reservations, but in these cases, many people don't know that you can call ahead.

I don't want the practice to go away, but I have to wonder how fair it is. Or is it different in a way that I'm not seeing?

JLK

There are several differences:

1) The restaurant is in charge and it is their call to have such a policy or not.....not all do.

2) You have to give them an arrival time and you are seated as close to that as possible. You can't just show up if and when you feel like it. If you are not there when you say, they seat someone else instead of holding it indefinitely.

3) You don't have to stand just to eat.

3) You may choose to go elsewhere for food if you don't want to wait; there is no choice at the squares for the entertainment.

These are just a few. I'm sure others can think of more.

Just something to think about....if someone gets physically abusive, charges could be filed. Might be something to keep in mind.:boxing2:

[GeorgeT]

Again....if it "appears" to be a common practice in TV to reserve seating for an event, people will do it. It isn't being rude; it's adjusting to the "culture".

Memason,

Well said. Until something officially is done, (posting one sign) then it's sink or swim. However, I still think it's rude. I for one don't want to see anymore signs telling me what I can and cannot do. It's like that song "Signs"


The aggressive people will save chairs, the timid will not sit in them but the rebels will. I choose to be a rebel.

[Boomer]

OK. I know this is a slight little veering off topic....but when TH said that about waiting for tables in restaurants, it brought back fond memories for me.

I am feeling quite nostalgic now for the days before we were handed those little round things with the red lights -- the things that look like spaceships -- that let us know when our table is ready.

Remember when they used to call us over the loudspeaker....

It was not my idea of a good time to stand around in a crowded lobby, waiting to hear the voice on the loudspeaker, summoning us, "The Boomer Party, your table is ready."

And sometimes I could get pretty hungry during those waits and I knew others waiting were probably getting hungry, too.

And so I started giving a different name to the hostess. Instead of Boomer, I said that my name was Donner.

And then I waited with silly anticipation to hear the voice over the loudspeaker call out, "The Donner Party, your table is ready." (And usually they said it twice.)

And then I would look around at the faces in the crowd and I would see who was looking at us and smiling or maybe even laughing a little, and I would smile back.

Easily amused Boomer

[GeorgeT]

OK. I know this is a slight little veering off topic....but when TH said that about waiting for tables in restaurants, it brought back fond memories for me.

I am feeling quite nostalgic now for the days before we were handed those little round things with the red lights -- the things that look like spaceships -- that let us know when our table is ready.

Remember when they used to call us over the loudspeaker....

It was not my idea of a good time to stand around in a crowded lobby, waiting to hear the voice on the loudspeaker, summoning us, "The Boomer Party, your table is ready."

And sometimes I could get pretty hungry during those waits and I knew others waiting were probably getting hungry, too.

And so I started giving a different name to the hostess. Instead of Boomer, I said that my name was Donner.

And then I waited with silly anticipation to hear the voice over the loudspeaker call out, "The Donner Party, your table is ready." (And usually they said it twice.)

And then I would look around at the faces in the crowd and I would see who was looking at us and smiling or maybe even laughing a little, and I would smile back.

Easily amused Boomer

Very Funny!!!! Did you order the "Rack Of Man"

[Tbugs]

Well, I plan to be at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony early today. I am really anxious to see if chairs are "roped" or chained or if there are entire blocs being saved. I am anxious to see if any of those saved seats will be taken by others.

Personally, I am betting that there will be some saved and some "blocs" being saved but also am betting the Villagers will act civilized instead of the bar room brawls that some in this forum believe will occur.

[graciegirl]

:(:grumpy::cryin2:

P is there and I am not.

[Mudder]

When I got out of Spin class at 9:05 AM this morning I took a little stroll into the square.....yep, some chairs were already tied together with plastic bags saving them for tonight. Wanted to rip the bags off but then decided in the spirit of the season not to do that, but I may just sit in thise chairs tonight !

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I had the pleasure of meeting Pturner this week and let me warn ya all. Dynamite comes in small packages and she wouldn't be one you'd want to mess with:thumbup:
Skip 2 P - Is this assessment accurate??? :)

Bill

[Pturner]

I had the pleasure of meeting Pturner this week and let me warn ya all. Dynamite comes in small packages and she wouldn't be one you'd want to mess with:thumbup:
Skip 2

Who moi? :shrug: I plead not guilty.
:(:grumpy::cryin2:

P is there and I am not.

What a coincidence. I said the same thing about you! :(:grumpy: :cryin2: To make matters worse, I'm not there anymore. (Another cryin' buddy goes here, but I had to cut it. TOTV counts smilies-- including those I quoted-- and said I'm past quota. Kindly picture another grumpy face here.)

I did meet some wonderful people who don't save chairs though. (Notice how I got back on message.;)) Let's see, there was Bare and Fireboy! Beedy! Mr. and Mrs. Scrapple! Then there was Skip2MySue. Gotta watch out for those two.:girlneener:

[Larry Wilson]

Good news. This cooler weather and wind will keep many people away from tonight's tree lighting. Yes, both square have chairs with the ropes already but I'm betting I won't have any problem because we bring our own chairs.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Good news. This cooler weather and wind will keep many people away from tonight's tree lighting. Yes, both square have chairs with the ropes already but I'm betting I won't have any problem because we bring our own chairs. You've got the best solution, Larry - "bring your own chairs"!

Bill

[Barefoot]

You've got the best solution, Larry - "bring your own chairs"! Bill

Bringing your own chairs doesn't work when people are saving air space for their friends. :popcorn:

And I'm pleased to report that PTurner is just as perky in person as she is in her posts.

[Taltarzac]

Some of the morning regulars at the Doggie Doo Run Run have bought chairs and brung them to the dog park where these chairs remain. All of these chairs have their owner's names somewhere on them. The chairs do get moved around at times by the very early morning or late afternoon people looking for a seat.

Doubt if this would work at the Squares though that a person would bring his or her own chair and expect that no one else would sit there. You would probably have to guard your chair or have a friend watch it or go to the old standby and throw some rope around it.

The people who come to the Doggie Doo Run Run almost daily would recognize the various names on the chairs.

I wonder if the people who frequent the Squares would recognize each others names on chairs waiting to find a sitter.

[Tbugs]

I was at the Lake Sumter Landing tree lighting last night and it was just wonderful.

I arrived around 3:30 with my own chairs and was able to set them up in the second row very close to the Christmas tree. Yes, there were lots of chairs tied together but people came to them when the program started. No trouble with anyone arguing about hijacked chairs at all.

We stayed in our chairs until around 5 and then went to Cody's for their 2 for 1 fajita special (and a couple glasses of warmth - also 2 for 1) and returned at about 6:30 to our chairs. The chairs were right where we left them.

The Classy Lassies, the Silver Rockettes, and the Chatham Chick Cheerleaders gave a great show and the tree lighting was the highlight at 8.

The square was full of Villagers (and some from outside The VIllages) and everyone had a great time. Big traffic jam at 8 pm getting out! Took us 10 minutes to get onto Buena Vista. We laughed at that happening once a year instead of the 1 hour traffic jams every night going home from work in Washington, DC.

[graciegirl]

I was at the Lake Sumter Landing tree lighting last night and it was just wonderful.

I arrived around 3:30 with my own chairs and was able to set them up in the second row very close to the Christmas tree. Yes, there were lots of chairs tied together but people came to them when the program started. No trouble with anyone arguing about hijacked chairs at all.

We stayed in our chairs until around 5 and then went to Cody's for their 2 for 1 fajita special (and a couple glasses of warmth - also 2 for 1) and returned at about 6:30 to our chairs. The chairs were right where we left them.

The Classy Lassies, the Silver Rockettes, and the Chatham Chick Cheerleaders gave a great show and the tree lighting was the highlight at 8.

The square was full of Villagers (and some from outside The VIllages) and everyone had a great time. Big traffic jam at 8 pm getting out! Took us 10 minutes to get onto Buena Vista. We laughed at that happening once a year instead of the 1 hour traffic jams every night going home from work in Washington, DC.

What a nice post. I am glad for you and pleased that the Christmas Spirit is alive and well in my favorite part of the universe.

[Larry Wilson]

We also had a great time on the SS side. SS can close down all the 4 roads around the square and put up tons of tables so there are many many chairs and more room than Sumter. As the roads have no cars and become part of the square and walkway there is plenty of room. People carried the chairs from the tables to set up on the sidewalk to get better views. Everyone was wonderful. A lady with a cane came just before the lighting and I went out and got her a chair and there were tons of chairs left over. The organizers thought the crowd was down about half from other years because of the weather. There was a great Christmas spirit. I think all the nastiness goes away when there are enough chairs.

[2BNTV]

I was at the Lake Sumter Landing tree lighting last night and it was just wonderful.

I arrived around 3:30 with my own chairs and was able to set them up in the second row very close to the Christmas tree. Yes, there were lots of chairs tied together but people came to them when the program started. No trouble with anyone arguing about hijacked chairs at all.

We stayed in our chairs until around 5 and then went to Cody's for their 2 for 1 fajita special (and a couple glasses of warmth - also 2 for 1) and returned at about 6:30 to our chairs. The chairs were right where we left them.

The Classy Lassies, the Silver Rockettes, and the Chatham Chick Cheerleaders gave a great show and the tree lighting was the highlight at 8.

The square was full of Villagers (and some from outside The VIllages) and everyone had a great time. Big traffic jam at 8 pm getting out! Took us 10 minutes to get onto Buena Vista. We laughed at that happening once a year instead of the 1 hour traffic jams every night going home from work in Washington, DC.

:mademyday:

I'm glad everyone had a good time. the Christmas spirit is alive and well in TV.

I would be nice if everyone kept this spirit throughout the year!!!!

:BigApplause: for Larry Wilson for helping a lady with a cane.