2016 CHAPTER REUNION

Florida "Space Coast" Reunion, March 14-17 2016:

* Update - February 10, 2016 *

If you are just now thinking of joining us, please call the hotel (contacts below) to reserve a room in the hotel and email Robin Broadfield ( robin,broadfield@gmail.com) or Sandra Hadler (sachadler@gmail.com) to add your name to the distribution lists.

The 1818 Society's Florida Chapter is hosting a three-day reunion on Florida's "Space Coast" from Monday, March 14 through Thursday, March 17, 2016 to which all Society members, their families and friends are invited. The Space Coast is in central Florida, an hour east of Orlando, on Florida's Atlantic coast. The reunion will feature a welcome reception, two group dinners, day visits to the world-famous Kennedy Space Center, a guided eco-kayak tour or boat trip and an educational visit to Port Canaveral, one of the Florida coast's major cruise embarkation points.

Participants will stay at the beach-side boutique Inn at Cocoa Beach (www.theinnatcocoabeach.com, Tel. 800 343 5307, 321 799 3460) where room rates range from $125/night plus taxes for Pool/Garden rooms, through $170/night for Ocean View rooms up to $225/night for Junior Deluxe Ocean View rooms. A block of rooms has been reserved for members through February 14, 2016. After that, rooms can be booked on an "as available" basis. Members are asked to inform the Inn they are members of the 1818 Society when booking.

On the evening of Monday March 14, members and their guests will gather for a welcome reception at the Inn, followed by a group dinner in a private room at a nearby Italian restaurant.

Tuesday March 15 will feature visits to the nearby Kennedy Space Center (www.kennedyspacecenter.com). Members can choose between a self-guided tour and one of the Center's group tours, or a combination of both. Dinner that evening will be by own arrangement.

On Wednesday March 16, Robin Broadfield, the event organizer, will lead an eco-kayak tour of the nearby Banana River. Alternatively, members can enjoy a scenic boat trip on the river, or visit the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, which is famous for its aquatic bird life. In the afternoon, Robin will lead a group tour to Port Canaveral’s Exploration Tower, which explains the history of the port area and how the port operates. A farewell group dinner that evening at a local seafood restaurant will wrap up the event.

The likely cost for the event in a lowest cost room at the Inn would range from approximately $640 for a single and $870 for a double, including 3 nights in the hotel, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, opening night cocktail, Space Center tour and kayak or river cruise, exclusive of alcohol. The Reunion will be limited to the first 40 members to register.

Cocoa Beach is one of east Florida's iconic surfing towns and home of the famous Ron Jon surf shop. It's an hour from Orlando and its famous theme parks, two hours south of historic St Augustine, two hours north of Palm Beach and three hours from Miami. The weather in mid-March is typically warm and sunny. Want to stay longer? There’s lots to do in a beautiful and sunny environment - http://www.cocoabeach.com/. For further information about the Space Coast, go to www.visitspacecoast.com. If we are lucky, we will also be able to observe a space launch.

Members who sign up are asked to notify Robin Broadfield, the event organizer (robin.broadfield@gmail.com) who can also answer questions about the event.

See you there!

Sandra Hadler, Chair, Florida Chapter, sachadler@gmail.com