​​​​​​So, why are we holding it at the Marriott? 


1. We chose the date first.  We wanted to hold it at Penfield Pavilion, but they were under construction and still had already booked both of the weekends we thought were the best options for all of life's little conflicts.

2. We have always had a spirited class and were a little wary about choosing a place that might be too small and then, potentially, having to turn people away. (This was even a concern at Penfield which we were going to risk and we asked about putting a tent on the beach...no go.)

3. One stop shopping.... many people don't live in the area any more, and neither do many parents/siblings/ and dare I say...kids.  The Red Dot and CT Limos both deliver you directly from airport to hotel, the rooms are nice and are discounted if you call and reserve. No drinking and driving necessary.  Have breakfast with friends who stayed over or meet them at the hotel or someplace else.  They have a complimentary shuttle bus that will take you from the train to the Stratford or Bridgeport train station but you need to schedule that in advance.

4. Its ADA friendly, so if you just had a knee replaced or are in a wheelchair or on crutches for any reason, you can still come and get around. 

5. We will be outside under a tent with twinkling lights and a real floor which opens to a lawn and gazebo, but in case of inclement weather, they have an indoor room saved for us with central air, which we will move to for dessert and coffee in the latter part of the evening, regardless.

6. They have AV/technical people available to help us set up any equipment we might want to bring and to get the sound system working too.

7. If you get tired at 10pm..go up to your room take a nap, and come back downstairs to the newly redecorated lobby at 3am when your body tells you its time to get up... I bet you will see lots of friends at that time!  In all seriousness, we were told we could stay up as long as we like and hang out in the lobby which is quite lovely and comfortable.  We won't bother any other sleeping guests there either.

8. Quite frankly, some of the old haunts are a bit worn and some who wanted to wear heels didn't want to be standing all night and those who wanted to wear flats didn't relish standing in beer all night either. Others needed to have tents put up because the inside wasn't large enough, caterers, linens,etc had to be gotten and it was more work than we could handle.... maybe when we retire...