FAQs for the Throwdown

Alicia has asked that we post the answers to some frequently asked questions here on the blog. Please spread the word. -The minions


Q) Where are Alicia and Matthew registered? 
A) Alicia and Matthew are not registered, and are not requesting gifts. 


Q) What is the dress code?
A) Costumes are encouraged, otherwise wear something comfortable enough to dance and possibly play volleyball in. So: Belt buckles- yes. Cowboy boots- yes. Fur capelets- No. 


Q) Will there be time for toasts to the happy couple?
A) Yes, the happy couple loves toasts. Who doesn't?

Letts Sleep

Hi Everyone!

I’m writing with onsite lodging guidelines/information.  I’ll lay out some information then tell you what you need you to do to reserve a spot.

What you need to know

Your 3 lodging options:

Lodges

• Stumblin’ distance from the party
• Have electricity and heat
• Accommodate 24-28 guests each
• Each lodge has 3 rooms and 2 bathrooms – on each end is a large room with 10-12 beds (nose-to-feet single bunk mattress) and a bathroom – in the middle of those is a common area
• $400/lodge
• $20/person IF the lodge is full – if your lodge is not full, expect to pay a little more…I will fill a lodge before I begin placing in the next

Rustic Log Cabins

• Operative word:  rustic
• Located in wooded area away from main camp
• Have electricity, no heat
• 12 built-in beds in each
• Bathroom facilities within walking distance

Tent Camping

• No electricity, heat or water
• Located one mile from main camp
• Walking distance to bathrooms in dining hall
• Bring your own tent
• $10/person

If you would like to be in the same lodge as another person or couple, let me know.

You must bring your own linens (bedding, towels etc.) and toiletries.

Breakfast

All guests have the option of eating breakfast at camp.  $7/person.  I don’t know what time it will be served or have a menu, but will post all on the blog when I get it. 

What you need to do:

1.       Decide where you want to stay

2.       Decide who you’d like to shack with

3.       Decide if you’ll have breakfast

4.       Email me (reneneb@gmail.com) and let me know what you’ve decided

My working deadline for accepting reservations is October 18.

If you make a reservation, I will send you an email confirming your lodging, breakfast choice and giving you your total cost by October 25.  I haven’t figured out the details of collecting payment, but will probably collect the weekend of the event.  I’ll get back to you about that.

Please email me with any questions and allow me 2 days to respond.  I cannot wait to meet some of you and to celebrate with all of ya!

Rene (Alicia’s Martin Short)

Letts Dress Up

Dress code:  It's Halloween weekend, we're honoring a freaky couple, they looove New Orleans and ya know,  people there (Philip) look like they're playin' dress up everyday SOOOOOO the dress code for the throwdown is to come as part or all of yo fa-vor-right couple....y'all figure it out and show up.  


Rene - Alicia's Martin Short

More Lodging Suggestions

If you are going to search hotels.com or other lodging consolidators such as kayak.com, some of the localities nearby include Crownsville, Edgewater, Deale, Shady Side, Galesville, Mayo, Parole, and Severna Park. You may be directed to airports at BWI -- be warned that these will be at least a 45 minute drive from the party site.

The hotels seem to be pretty booked up in the area, so bed and breakfasts would be another good option.

--- Alicia

Book Now (Or Forever Hold Your Peace) (Zing!)

Although I'm sure the cabin accommodations at Camp Letts are quite adequate, especially after 1 or 10 G&Ts, for those of you looking for a hotel in the area, here's some info to keep in mind.

On Oct. 30, the nearby Naval Academy will be hosting Duke in football. These two veritable powerhouses of the gridiron seem somehow to be drawing a major crowd that has sold out many of the closest Annapolis hotels (according to a quick search on Expedia), and promise to sell out more rooms as the date approaches. So if you plan on booking a hotel, BOOK EARLY, or else pack your sleeping bag and retainer and plan on camping 8th-grade style at Hotel Letts. (See Mrs. Ludlum's earlier post on lodging options there.)

For some other lodging options:

The football festivities notwithstanding, The Comfort Inn Conference Center in glamorous Bowie, MD, had over 100 rooms available as of 9/27. They are located at 4500 Crain Highway, about a 15-mile drive northwest from Camp Letts. Rooms go for about $110.

If you want to be closer to Annapolis, Quality Inn Annapolis (1542 Whitehall Rd., Annapolis, MD, 410-974-4440) let me know 9/27 that they still have 40 rooms available (out of 73 total on site). These rooms go for somewhere in the $100 range. The hotel is a roughly 13-mile, 20 minute drive from the party.

And for early-bird ballers, Laurel Grove Inn on the South River (2881 South Haven Rd., Annapolis, MD, 443-370-2394) is a bed and breakfast that is roughly 10 miles from the grounds. They currently have two rooms available for $175 and $150.

Anyone with any other suggestions, comments, tips, etc. regarding alternate lodging, please post them here, or e-mail either camplettsthrowdown@gmail.com or denise.napoli@gmail.com.

See you there! -Alicia's friend Denise

It's All About The Music

Ah yes, the music.  What is life without music? For Matthew and I, music -- and dance -- are the centerpieces of our life, our wants, our desires, our happiness, our center, our loves...practically our reason for being, aside from each other.  Matthew likes to describe himself as the "fickle audience member," but he is truly an afficionado, who has superb taste and great historical and critical insight.

One of his favorites is James Intveld, a rockabilly, roots-country singer/songwriter extraordinaire and all-around nice guy.  James has graciously agreed to drive up from Nashville (straight off a recent gig at the Grand Old Opry) to play the first set at our party.

Be prepared to swing, two-step and sway to James' rocking numbers and moving ballads.  To hear some of his music, go to his MySpace page by clicking here.

Or, check out his Facebook page.

After James rocks the house for a few hours, King Soul will take the reins.  And ya'll will be wanting to get down with your bad selves.  Got the horns! Unh. Got the keys! Unh. Got that funky bass! Unh.

Yeah, it's a bunch of white boys, but to paraphrase front man and paisley-pants-wearer in chief Tom Clifford, if it's time for a black man in the White House, then it's time for a white man to lead a soul band.

To get an approximation of what you're in for from Mr. Clifford, please view this clip of James Brown from the T.A.M.I. show in 1964.

Lodging at Camp Letts

You can savor your experience even longer (and spare yourself some driving while perhaps inebriated) by staying overnight at Camp Letts.  If you are interested in this option, please contact my very own personal Martin Short (only much much better looking):  Rene Beesley, at reneneb@gmail.com.

DO NOT CALL CAMP LETTS!  All the lodging must go through Rene.  She will help coordinate who you will be bunking with and where you will stay.

Here are the options:

Lodges — Lodges have a capacity of 24 to 28 guests in each of the 12 buildings. Each lodge is divided into three rooms. The two end rooms are dormitory–style bedrooms with either 10 or 12 beds and a bathroom. These are nose-to-feet, single mattress bunks. The center room is like a common area, with four twin beds. These buildings have heat and electricity. You must bring your own bedding/sleeping bags and towels and toiletries. If the lodge is at capacity, expect to pay $20 per person. Fewer people, the rate goes up.

Rustic Log Cabins — The Rustic cabins are within walking distance to bath facilities and all program areas.  They are situated in the woods away from the main camp. There are seven cabins with 12 built-in beds in each. When they say rustic, they mean RUSTIC. Think back to your most heinous summer camp days.  Electricity, but no heat.

Tents — For a true camping experience the tenting area is about one mile from the main camp and does not have water or electricity. However, it is not far from the dining hall and the bathrooms at the lodges.  You could pitch your own tent and spend a mere $10 to stay overnight!

Overnight guests will have the option of eating a breakfast at camp -- cost is $7, and you must inform Rene if you plan on having breakfast, as we have to notify the camp to prepare the meals.  Or, you could drive out of camp to any of the nearby convenience stores or fast food places to eat.

You must vacate the camp by 1 PM on Sunday.

Letts Party!

Matthew and I are very excited that you'll be coming to our Big Fat Wedding Celebration at the world-renowned, or at least, regionally well-known Camp Letts.  Sorry for the short notice, but once we got it into our heads that we were going to seal the deal, we just had to do it right away. We also hope you'll understand if things don't come off quite as anticipated, and that you will not be buffeted by any unforeseen changes.

Look back often at this blog for any updates.

More posts to follow with details, directions and everything else you'll need to let the good times roll.