Two weeks til MAGTAG 2008!

15 years ago

Hello, everybody - sorry I haven't been on the boards much lately, but after a very taxing few weeks at work, I managed get sick for a couple of days. I'm OK now, and getting very excited, as it looks like I should have lots of 'maters in two weeks!

Today, I went through all the leftover supplies from last year's festival, and this is what we have:

@20 white foam plates for tomato tasting - definitely need more

Plenty of Napkins - don't need more

@25 paper/plastic dinner-size plates - need more

@30 smaller (9-in) plates - need more?

@48 7-in (dessert) plates - should be OK

@90 small (7oz) plastic cups - good for kids or wine - don'tneed more

@40 16-oz cups (foam and plastic) - will need more

@30 white foam 12-oz bowls - don't know whether these came from MAGTAG or some other party - do we need them?

@60 name tags - should be OK

I found a bag of plastic utensils, but we will definately need more of these.

We also need heavy-duty foil, 10 large paper or plastic tablecloths, pens and Sharpies.

As before, I will provide a food scale for weighing the largest tomato, the "tip box" and directional signs/posters.

As far as food items (besides tomatoes for the testing, of course), I will once again run the "BLT Bar." Can you think of anything more that I could provide for the BLT station this year (i.e., tofu "facon" for vegans, different condiments)? My DH Dave has agreed to serve as grillmeister, but we have 4 grills, so other "meisters" are welcome (Greg F? Greg M?)

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Comments (19)

trudi_d
15 years ago
Hi Cecilia,

Hubs and I can't make MAGTAG this year, but we'll be with you in spririt--have a wonderful day!

Trudi
aliceinvirginia
15 years ago
Just a suggestion: if you buy paper products or plates, try to buy recycled ones. With a high percentage of post-consumer content. http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/gtissue.asp

Or try the compostable plates at http://www.ecoproducts.com/Business/food_services/tableware/fs_tableware_paperplates.htm

Those were from random google searches, so I'm not endorsing these particular companies.

I've got a nasty cold, and based on my workplace, it is very contagious. So if I'm not better in two weeks, I guess I will miss the MAGTAG event. I'll keep looking for when the swap meet is posted.
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honu
15 years ago
Hi Folks, This is my first time on the mid-Atlantic forum, but Cecelia suggested I check here if anyone will be attending MAGTAG from out of town, and if there are any recommendations for places to stay. Prefer simple, budget, clean and safe, small is ok, since I'll be by myself, and just need 1 night, since I have to catch my flight home from Dulles on Sunday.

Cecilia, Thanks for all the work you did to coordinate this and get the word out!
alfie_md6
15 years ago
(I think we have our winner for the farthest-travelled category.)
drscottr
15 years ago
What does MAGTAG stand for and what is it?
cecilia_md7a
Original Author
15 years ago
drscott, MAGTAG is an acronum for Mid-Atlantic Gardeners' Tomato Appreciation Gathering. It's our regional tomato festival, with a tasting of many varieties of mostly heirloom tomatoes (but some hybrids), a contest for largest (heaviest) tomato, and lots of good food - most of it tomato-oriented. It's lots of fun and centrally located for most Mid-Atlantic gardeners, in a park just outside Baltimore, MD, with easy access to I-95, I-695, Route 1, and I-295. We've had folks from VA, PA, WV, NJ, NY, MD, and DE in the past - this year, if Ann/Honu comes, we'll have a Pacific attendee at the Mid-Atlantic fest!
cecilia_md7a
Original Author
15 years ago
Trudi, I'm sorry you and your husband can't make it this year. We'll miss you. Didn't you stay in the Inner Harbor last year? Which hotel was it, and would you recommend it to Honu?
cecilia_md7a
Original Author
15 years ago
Alice, I hope your cold is gone by the 16th - we'd love to see you here! Your idea of recycled paper products is a good one. FYI, I always recycle the plastic and glass bottles that accumulate after one of our festivals. We have curbside recycling in Baltimore County, and I'm sure the recycle guys curse me when they see all the bags of stuff I leave out after MAGTAG.
gflynn
15 years ago
Trudi,

Very sorry to hear you guys can't make it but it is a long way to go. Maybe next year.

Cecilia and all,

I am going to send out an email to all folks who have expressed an interest and get an initial head count they I will start a new thread and post it here.

Also, it sounds like you have most of what we need. I can get some burgers and dogs and chicken if necessary. As you said before, I bought way too much last year considering that many folks brought dishes and other food. I could bring some corn this time. Its cheap and goes will with tomatoes.

Greg
trudi_d
15 years ago
We'll miss you all and everyone at MAGTAG, this was a very tough decision to make for us as we very much enjoy MAGTAG. Unfortunately, we've both been doing a lot of hours and just can't get down there the event weekend.

I exchangesd emails with HONU, I do hope she is all set up now. Last year we made a vacation of the trip and stayed for some days in the Inner Harbor at the Hyatt Regency--we booked the room through AARP Travel which got us a great rate ;-) We loved our hotel location, we could just step out the hotel and walk a skyway right to the harbor plaza below...the hyatt was very nice, very clean, very accessible--I would recommend it anytime.

T
gflynn
15 years ago
Trudi,

If we have some outstanding tomatoes, which is likely I will send you some seeds. I will be show casing my new "Emily" tomatoe :-)

I know about being busy. We have been just nuts lately. We had a new baby 8 weeks ago and that makes 5 kids. 8, 6, 4, 2 and 0. Also our newest one had a heart condition at birth and required surgery two days after her birth. The following week I was diagnosed with a hernia and Luanne's brother died. The week after that I had a camping vacation planned. I went with the kids and left mon home with the baby. She was glad to have the peace and quite.

I am currently recuperating from my operation which really was a breeze but still and anoyance. All the while the tomato plant haved needed love and care. :-0 Oh boy!

Anyway we will see you next year if conditions permit.

Greg
pumpkinhead1961
15 years ago
Hi Cecilia,
I won't be able to attend MAGTAG this year. My fiancee (yes, I popped the question) wants me to attend her family reunion this year, so I'm going to visit her in Michigan for a couple of weeks. I look forward to next year's MAGTAG.
John
cecilia_md7a
Original Author
15 years ago
Sorry to hear you won't be able to make it, John, but congratulations on your engagement!
cecilia_md7a
Original Author
15 years ago
(Cross-post on T0mat0ville.c0m)

DH was cleaning out the basement yesterday and found a large box of 9-inch paper plates, so I guess we won't need any more of those!

He also found a bag with some extension cords, heavy-duty foil, and other stuff (I'll have to look through it) in his search. Dave says he can supply a CD boombox and may make a mixed-music CD if he has the time. If not, he'll just set the radio on Jack and that should satisfy most of us at least some of the time.
janetm_md
15 years ago
We can bring some Sharpies. My Greg will be happy to help out with grill duty as he's getting some practice having just bought a new fancy pants grill and have been grilling up a storm. I'll be happy to bring some plastic tablecloths as well. If you have specific food items you'd like let me know. As it stands I plan on bringing a tomato bread pudding.
annebert
15 years ago
Hmm, I guess I shouldn't make the prize for came the furthest distance a plumeria...

I will be getting back late Friday after a 6 day business trip (most of it at a FL beach resort, though - the Army knows how to party) so I'll have to see what I come up with for food. I'll be in good shape for tomatoes, though.
manure_queen
15 years ago
Is anyone familiar with the tomato Yellow Cookie.
I am growing 1 plant. I expected a cherry by have a largish pear-shaped /
Mary
gflynn
15 years ago
Mary,

Thats what it is! I got some seeds from Dunkel. Perhaps you got them from me or him? Anyway I crossed them with Cherokee Green hoping to produce a green heart. Won't know if it worked until next year.

Are your bringing some to our event? If so I will hold off on that one.

Greg
manure_queen
15 years ago
I probably will not bring as I on;y have 2 tomatoes. and I think that is one of the 2 varieties that have bit the dust this year. My tomatoes are really late as I did not get them started until late April because we went to Japan April 23 for 2 weeks and wasn't sure I could find anyone dependable to water while I was gone.Mary

Two weeks til MAGTAG 2008!

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trudi_d

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