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2012 Reunion FAQs - At the OMNI Interlocken Resort

Thu, 2011-11-10 17:26 — Aron Benett
  1. What are the reunion dates?
    • Thursday, August 2, 2012 – Sunday, August 5, 2012
    • Because ISB alumni like to arrive early and in such great numbers, we will again organize the optional Thursday night Thai Dinner on August 2.
    • Since the Thursday Thai dinner is optional, it will be priced separately. The official reunion will still begin with the reception on Friday evening, August 3.
    • Badges will be required at the three catered events.
  2. What if I just arrive at the Omni with no prior notice to either the hotel or the reunion committee?
    • You will be warmly welcomed – we pride ourselves in not ever turning anyone away.  That said, we would much prefer to know in advance if you are planning to attend.
    • You will pay the Walk-Up Reunion Rates (listed on our website) which will need to be paid by cash or credit card during normal Reunion Registration times (see Reunion Agenda) or with CASH ONLY at the door of the event. Note that a T-shirt in your size may not be available. The Omni has an ATM on the lower level next to the Spa.
    • You will be given a badge to wear with your name written with a marking pen without your ISB Erawan photo. We regret that we are unable to add your ISB picture to your badge if you register as a walk-up. Badges will be required at all catered events.
    • The hotel will do its best to accommodate you with a room at the prevailing prices, or if the Omni is sold out you will be referred to a back-up property nearby if rooms are still available at the prevailing rate.
  3. What is the Cancellation policy?
    • Hotel Cancellation Policy-please see the hotel website for full information
      • Each person is responsible for canceling his or her hotel reservation directly through the hotel. Any individual cancellations received less than 72 hours prior to the reservation arrival date will be billed for one (1) night room and tax.
    • Reunion Registration Cancellation Policy
      • You will receive a full refund of your Reunion Registration Fees paid to the ISB Network for cancellations received prior to July 15, 2012.
      • Cancellations after July 15, 2012 will not be eligible for a refund unless the funds are available after the final accounting some weeks after the reunion.
  4. If I’m not going to rent a car, what’s the best way to get from the airport to the hotel? There are a few choices:
    • Denver's Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates a 500 bus system around the metro area. One of the services is called the "Skyride" which picks you up at Denver International Airport (DIA) and delivers all over the metro area and... vice versa. The round trip Skyride to the Broomfield Park n Ride and back to DIA is $24 and will be on the "AB" bus.  You can contact the OMNI and they will pick you up at the Broomfield Park n’ Ride.
    • Another service is called the "Call n Ride", which are 16 person vans that pick you up at various "Park n Rides" and takes you WHEREVER you want in that particular Call n Ride service area.  To get from the Broomfield Park n Ride to the Omni on a Call n Ride is......$2. You need to reserve a Call n Ride a few days ahead of time and tell them you will be picked up at the US 36 Broomfield Park n Ride and the Omni is your ultimate destination. The phone number for the Interlochen/Westmoor Call n Ride is 303-434-8990. Go online to the RTD-Denver Skyride web page and check things out and also check out the Call n Ride service. IN CONCLUSION....$28 will get you from the airport to the OMNI and back to DIA. A savings fo $4 can be realized if you contact the OMNI and they will pick you up at the Broomfield Park n Ride.

    • Super Shuttle (800) 525-3177
    • Karen Berkow 1968 will be coordinating transportation from the airport, so contact her with your flight information so groups can be put together. kberkow@yahoo.com
    • Once you arrive at the OMNI we will have a large poster with departure dates and times for those who provide that information to Karen in advance or where you can fill yours in – groups traveling back to DIA can then be formed.
  5. Other travel information:
    • Travel insurance – we encourage you to contact your travel agent or AAA for information about obtaining travel insurance to protect you from loss in the event of flight cancellations, family emergencies and the like.
  6. Will activities be arranged?
    • YES, many activities are offered as there is lots to see and do in the near vicinity. Lunch on Saturday is NOT part of the reunion package so everyone can do as they please and have lunch where it is convenient. Check our website for menus from the various eating options at the OMNI and also the nearby Flatiron Shopping Center – a free shuttle is provided by the OMNI.
    • For the activities and contacts (where applicable) please read below:
    • GOLF is being handled by Bill McIntyre 1970 billymac70@msn.com. There is a 27 hole course at the hotel – here is the link: http://www.omnihotels.com/golf/denver/index.html
      Times and details TBA – see Reunion Agenda
    • MOTORCYLE FUN! Nick Lim 1974 will organize motorcycle tours around the area. Contact Nick if you are interested, he has information on rental options and the route of the rides that will be taken. nicholaswlim@gmail.com
    • Polo Club Reunion and optional Horseback Ride will be arranged by Sandy McCoskrie Blanchette 1972. Sandy.Blanchette@umb.edu Times and details TBA – see Reunion Agenda
    • HIKING options have been worked out by Mike Bennett 1968 with opportunities for all of you would-be mountain goats; from accomplished to those looking for an opportunity to get off the couch and into the out of doors. Mike has compiled a great summary of all of the options – Check our web site. If you have questions you can contact Mike at mgvb737@comcast.net
    • YOGA on Friday and Saturday mornings, bring your mat if interested or a towel from your room. Time and place TBA – see Reunion Agenda.
    • "Brats-Our Journey Home" will screen on demand – check with the cashiers in The Shack to get the DVD. If you haven’t seen this video, make a special effort to do so. In particular, if you have a spouse or an SO at the reunion, bring them to see this video, which generally elicits a kind of "aha" experience on their part and helps to explain how we got to be the way we are. Place TBA – see Reunion Agenda.
    • We plan to have an Alumni Children Get-Together on Friday in the mid-afternoon so those children at the reunion can meet each other. Time and place TBA – see Reunion Agenda.
    • The Shack will be open with merchandise from the ISB Booster Hut as well as from other SE Asian countries. Come score an ISB sweatshirt, ball cap, or other grea tstuff! The Shack will operate for limited hours, so be sure to get there while it’s open – check the Daily Agenda. Get there early for the widest variety of merchandise. Times and place TBA – see Reunion Agenda.
    • Our Archives will be open as well for limited hours. Come and see our treasure trove of pictures and memorabilia from Thailand and our times at ISB. It’s guaranteed to make you smile and say "I remember that!" None of the items in the Archives is for sale, but are simply meant to be seen and enjoyed by all who seek to take a stroll down memory soi while having a lot of fun. Times and place TBA – see Reunion Agenda.
    • A full list of activities will be on our website with links to each activity.
  7. Will there be a photographer again this year for Saturday night class photos?
    • We will arrange to have a photographer in the Ballroom on Saturday night to take class pictures, just like in 2010. The schedule will be posted on our website in advance of the reunion, enclosed in your Reunion Registration Packet and posted in the hotel lobby – it is your responsibility to be in the room ahead of time so you too can be included.
    • Class pictures will be available free of charge by down loading them from our website beginning on Sunday, August 5. Within a few weeks higher resolution photos will be available as well as the names of the individuals in order.
    • MEMORY BOOK Sherry Gardner has again offered to create a Reunion Memories Photo Book. More information on this will be available during the reunion and after the reunion on our web site.
  8. Will there be a room raffle this year?
    • We will once again hold a raffle for free room nights at the hotel. Volunteers will be wandering around the reunion areas selling tickets, so keep an eye out for them.  Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the ISB Network Community Service and Scholarship Award. We hope that you will again support this worthwhile effort in the spirit of giving back to ISB.
  9. If I want to help out, how do I volunteer?
    • As we get closer to the reunion we will issue a call for volunteers in early May – mostly to help with setup, teardown, and manning of The Shack and Archives. Additionally, we will need volunteers to help set up and man the registration area. We will use the reunion website, the Bulletin Board and email blasts for these volunteer requests.  Should you want to get your name on our list before we send out the call please contact Jameela (Cricket) Fluker Lanza 1967 jflanza1@yahoo.com.
  10. Does the ISBN Board or Directors profit from being a Board member?
    • All ISB Network Board members, past and present, and other individuals connected with the ISB Network serve strictly on a volunteer basis, and are prohibited by law from deriving any personal gain or profit through their association with the ISB Network.
    • The cost of each of our reunions is about $70,000. Our goal is to break even so that each reunion is self-supporting. We never know until the day of the reunion exactly how many people will attend, so the budgeting process involves some degree of guesswork.
    • After paying the ISB Network’s expenses, any surplus generated from the reunion will first be used to refund as much as possible to those who registered but were unable to attend. After that, the remaining funds, if any, will be carried forward to offset expenses for the next reunion.
  11. Does the ISBN Board of Directors have any of their personal expenses paid in conjunction with the reunions or any other activities?
    • All members of the Board of Directors pay exactly the same fees as all other attendees for both their rooms and the actual reunion. They do meet for their bi-annual meeting on the Wednesday of the reunion week and the ISB Network pays for their lunch.
  12. A List of Things To Do:
    • For Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes Park) & a small bit of Colorado Springs! These are things I have done & really enjoyed! (P.S. I will not be held responsible if you disagree) by Laurie McLeod Jess, Class of '73
    • TOP 2 Train Rides:

      • Historic Georgetown Loop Railroad
      • This one is 45 minutes from the Omni. Tour an abandoned mine and stay in town for a nice lunch. Then hike an easy 14,000 ft. peak just south of town on Guanella Pass. http://www.georgetownlooprr.com/

      • Pike's Peak Cog Railroad
      • This one is in Colorado Springs area about 2 hours from Omni Hotel, but there is a lot of other stuff to do down there too like the "Garden of the Gods" . It's a cool ride for flatlanders. And you wind up at the top of the furthest east 14er in the country and catch the view that led Katherine Lee Bates to write "America the Beautiful." http://www.cograilway.com/

      • There's also the ride at Royal Gorge.
      • http://www.royalgorgeroute.com/
    • Best Tour of Boulder: You wont be sorry. I take this bus tour "Banjo Billy's" every time a friend is in town!!! Great tour & very unique bus. http://www.banjobilly.com/

Top 12 Places in Boulder List
From TripAdvisor for Boulder.
I agree with all of it but skip #9. and do not do any over the #12 ranks:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g33324-Activities-Boulder_Colorad...

  1. Chautauqua
    • Go do this, & have breakfast at the old dinning Hall. You can rent a cabin here too. A major Trailhead park to some really nice nature trails.
  2. Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory
    • I enjoyed this a lot! Then I did the Leanin' Tree Museum #12 that is near this.
  3. Pearl Street Mall
    • The Pearl is a must see. Take a nice stroll down flower lined street (closed off to cars) a nice restaurants & shopping area.
  4. Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
    • Then you can take a walk down the Boulder Creek Path just steps away.
  5. Fair Winds Hot Air Balloon Flights
    • I've not tried this one, but I see them every morning & evening.
  6. Eldorado Canyon
    • This canyon should be ranked higher. If you like to rock climb this is a must see/do. Or just go to take a really pretty hike.
  7. Boulder Creek Path
    • I like to rent bikes & do this with visiting friends. Nice shaded area for hot days along the creek.
  8. Flatirons
    • FYI, You can also get to this place via the #1 ranked place Chautauqua
  9. Ocean First Divers
    • What? Not sure why Ocean Dive is on the list?
  10. National Center for Atmospheric Research
    • Great hikes behind this building, a major Trailhead.
  11. University of Colorado at Boulder
  12. Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art
    • Very cool free museum. great collection of Western Art & next to the free Celestial Tea tour.

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP)
http://www.rmnp.com/
Spend the night in a cabin or just do a day trip. From Omni it is about a 45 minute ride.
At the foot of the park is the town of Estes Park. Here is the link to the official town video
http://www.estesnet.com/pressreleases/epvideo/
Be sure to walk along the rivers banks behind the towns main street. It is a hidden walking path behind all the little shops & restaurants, very pretty as it follows the river.

Rocky Mountain Rush - Best Tour Experience Inside The Park:
www.rockymountainrush.com
Make an early reservation for this. I do this with friends from out of town & I love it each time I go! Best way to see the park! Also very affordable, worth the $. You learn and see so much more this way. They stop at all the best places that only they know about. Several pretty waterfalls in a convertible special truck.

Estes Park Outfitters - Best Horseback Ride.
http://www.estesparkoutfitters.com/Horse-Rides.htm
Call in advance to book this one. This is for the experienced rider only. It is a fantastic ride in the Rocky Mountain meadows. Small groups of 4 only. You will get a trail lunch picnic & it's very pretty. Not a nose to tail ride. This is a very special once in a life time ride. Do the Homestead Horse History Tour. They also have a great wagon ride for the less experienced rider. Hunting trip too!

Or for the less experienced try this with this same outfit:
http://www.estesparkoutfitters.com/Colorado-Wagon-Tours.htm


Best Hike of All: - Inside the Brainard Lake area & Lake Isabelle in the Indian Peaks Forest

This is about a 1 hour beautiful drive from Omni Hotel.
http://www.protrails.com/area.php?areaID=5
http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/blog-1324...

Colorado Springs

If you drive 2 hours South of the Omni Hotel you will find the city of Colorado Springs
There is lots to do here too. Two of my favorites are

  1. Garden of the Gods
  2. Cog Railway
    • It's a cool ride and you wind up at the top of the furthest east 14er in the country & catch the view that led Katherine Lee Bates to write "America the Beautiful." There's also the ride at Royal Gorge...
    • http://www.cograilway.com/