Informal meeting: September 11, 1999
Picnic at Gasworks Park

"Summer" and "picnic" are practically synonymous, so it's no big chore to gather hardworking indexers for an afternoon of sunshine, food, and socializing.

Or so you'd think, wouldn't you? Folks in eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and other places with normal seasons can plan outdoor events without regard to the weather report. Not so along the I-5 corridor!

Luckily for us, in spite of record dreariness for months, when September 11 rolled around Seattle was at its sparkling photogenic best. Gasworks Park, sitting at the foot of the Wallingford neighborhood on the north shore of Lake Union, basked in warmth. Pristine blue skies, mild breezes, and silvery sequined waters lapping lush green slopes completed the picture perfect real-time postcard.

Indexers from Oregon and Washington, some with family or friends in tow, produced a delicious potluck feast that included two gourmet cheesecakes, fabulous salads and casseroles, fresh fruit, and other great nibbles. Gathered around a big picnic table in the shade, old friends and new acquaintances swapped anecdotes and caught up on everyone's doings. A student beginning the University of Washington's library degree program showed up, as did an Oregonian hoping to learn indexing. Both enjoyed the warm welcome from "old hands" and appreciated the advice offered.

By the end of the afternoon, we were all relaxed, pleasantly surfeited, and caught up on gossip. There were no significant leftovers and no mess to speak of. Clean-up took only 3 minutes. A good time was had by all.

See you next year!