PLANNING
A committee is chosen (or drafted) to carry out the many assignments related to the PR. Early in the year a motel is selected which can accommodate the many necessities of an experienced PR attendee (check-in counter or equivalent, ice machine on every floor, security door chains which can be used to prop doors open for guests, credenza adequate for bar supplies, pool with appropriate deck chairs (water optional), etc.). Since day one, the preferred date has been the second Saturday in August. This date originated as a compromise between meeting requirements of the planners and the beginning of the school year. The date has been changed only three times, including the 2009 PR in St. Louis when the date was changed to the last Friday in July. There continue to be insensitive family members who schedule weddings and other quasi-important functions on the sacred second Saturday in August. The committee, however, is unlikely to be sympathetic in the future to requests for schedule changes for any reason. They may be overruled in the future, however, due to the earlier dates for school starting and necessary business dates. One earlier example of note was the possible conflict in 1996 with the U. S. Olympics in the expanded Atlanta area (Chattanooga). Olympic officials were notified to avoid any conflict with the sacred dates. It should be recorded for posterity that this potential obstacle was avoided and the PR took place, routinely, as scheduled. A postscript – no disturbances from terrorists were experienced at the PR. A site for roasting the pig must be chosen and the menu prepared, although the meat de jour is never altered. An equipment list must be prepared. These tasks have been standardized and tested over time, but each year some new twist occurs just to keep the event current. (Menu and equipment lists are included in the Appendix). The selection of the site today appears to be routine due to the smooth operational and planning techniques learned from the past. It became apparent after the second event, which took place at the "Reinke's," that a backyard environment, while warm and inviting, did not provide the accommodations necessary for an event of this magnitude. Jerry Vandegrift's river cottage was used twice, but this site, while impressive, was also rather overwhelmed by the event. Alternative sites are constantly reviewed and changed to keep pace with the progressive nature of the PR. An interesting development has occurred over the last several years. Since most of the attendees are already in town on Friday, the Friday Night Activity has become a challenge to, and often even competition for, the PR. An attempt to one- up the previous year has also added pressure. The groups, however, responded, as good planners will, when the chips are down. The Friday night meals and associated activities have been excellent. Planners are cautioned, however, to avoid over-emphasis that can detract from the main event. As most planners know, the best planning can go awry. An example occurred in Chattanooga where the Committee had chosen to dig a pit. Several hours into the cooking process, it became apparent that the pit had been placed inadvertently
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