Relax - at least the trash has been put out. Dream - of someone else having to do it. Smile - when you think of how they will react. Laugh - cause they gona have to do it anyways. Live - to create more trash. Hope - that someday it can all be dissolved with water in the garden. Look up to the day there will be no trash. Great sign.

If the usual vilification is over.... maybe this isn't quite the disaster everyone is telling you it has to be. Is this going to be a potluck? If so, has anyone asked them to say what they're bringing? Otherwise, have to assume all is going to be provided. How many shortcuts do you want to take? How many kids? How many roasters/slow cookers can you round up? Pulled pork/beef is easy - just season & slow cook 'em in the roaster and put on the BBQ sauce (homemade or store bought), sloppy joes... Brats, polish, dogs can go on the grill and/or in a roaster. You could also do meatballs/cocktail franks for appetizers. Scalloped/Au Gratin potatoes usually send back a clean dish. Bakery buns do well for sandwiches. A smoked turkey is very popular at our picnics and I made a ham one year which is always popular. Chicken salad can be sandwiches or a side. Could even do coldcuts and make your own sandwiches or a taco bar. Sides? Beans seem traditional. As is potato salad and slaw. Pasta salads, green salad, strawberry salad, corn on the cob, wild rice salad, bean salad and take whatever shortcuts desired. Desserts? Ice cream (sandwiches are easier), cookies/bars, apple pie if you want to go All-American, watermelon, grapes or any fruit... Snacks? Chips, nuts, platter of crudités, dips, salsa... Beverages? Water & lemonade are simple and popular. Cooler of pop & water is simple and a 5 gallon dispenser of lemonade is simple too. Alcohol of your choosing. Juice boxes for little kids? Supplies? Paper plates, plastic SFK, I like to use paper towels rather than napkins since a roll won't blow away like a stack of napkins. Garbage cans with liners spread around. Charcoal/propane. There's always the concern if people are going to demand special food because they have dietary issues, which I usually say is their issue at an affair like this. Also put out a call for tables, BYO chairs. It really doesn't have to be a big thing. Or it can be elaborate with crystal wine glasses, Dom Perignon or Cristal? Caviar. Or could hire someone to roast a pig. Does anyone have a volleyball net/ball? Basketball/hoop? Football? Horseshoes? Bat/softball? I usually enjoy the "simpler is better" philosophy. Have fun.

We were there for a couple of days (from Texas) before we went to see DH's Grandma in the nursing home. Loved the view from Sam's Chowder House (but thought the food could be better), loved the shopping in town, esp. a little store called "Half to Have it" (lots of coastal decor stuff...and just lots of stuff!), Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. - yummy food and beer. We aren't surfers ourselves - but it was fun watching! Look out your balcony early in the morning... We wondered what the heck those people were doing digging deep holes in the sand. Turns out they were digging for gooey ducks (nasty looking things!) Have fun!!!! p.s. fun to take a winery tour too!

We seem to have 2 threads going. This is what part of what i posted on the other thread in ans to SanddNY's ? There is a dunkin donut shop at 15 W Main Street aka Montauk Highway. I will post this information on the other thread and see who responds how about 10:30 meeting time? Please answer if ytou will be able to make it. Marci