New England APUG Get Together

[papagene]

Hey to all APUG'ers in the New England region.
I have been in contact with a few of you already - thank you for your info. I would like to organize a get together on either Saturday Oct 16 or Oct 23. I will check for any exhibits in the Springfield area that may be up.
My thoughts are:
1) We could gather and head to the Quabbin Reservoir for some photographic fun. Its a wonderful place and I would be glad to introduce the place to all.
2) We could meet in Springfield at the Valley Photographic Center (VPC) where I volunteer as Installation Curator. We will have up on the walls an exhibit of photos from the children of Springfield. And I think there will be a show of one of our members at one of the museums in the Quadrangle.
We could meet at the VPC and introduce ourselves and show some of our photos, visit the Quadrangle and end the day up by going to Red Rose Pizza.

I have e-mails from several New Englanders already, and if anyone else is interested, please PM me with your e-mail address. Also please let me know which of the two above scenarios is to your preference.
I am glad to put together this initial New England event and look forward to meeting all of you.
gene

 

[Shesh]

Option 1

 

[papagene]

A couple of you have responded that you would like to gather and head on up to the Quabbin Reservoir for some photographic opportunities. That is quite alright with me. The date I would prefer is Sat Oct 16.
Please let me know if this scenario is OK with you. If so, we can discuss what time and where to meet.
Looking forward to meeting everyone.

gene LaFord

 

[papagene]

A third person has opted for visiting the Quabbin on Oct 16.

 

[SuzanneR]

Sounds like a fun outing. I won't be able to make it. I'm booked to shoot a job that day. I'll be doing the sunny weather dance for you... and me!

 

[papagene]

Hopefully there will be other outings and get togethers. I decided to grab the bull by the horns and coordinate the first outing.
I look forward to meeting as many of the NE APUG'ers as possible.
gene

 

[gr82bart]

I'm in. So far, either date is OK with me. Post details as you get them.

Art.

 

[papagene]

I am still planning on leading a trip to the Quabbin on Oct 16th.
A couple of questions first:

1.) How early does everyone want to meet?
2.) What route will most of you be getting to this part of the state - I90, Rte 2, I91?

I will make a trip up there before the 16th to get the exact hours of the Visitors Center. If you fall in love with the Quabbin, you may want to buy a map from them. A map will give you info on access roads and prohibited areas.

We can either do some photography first and stop by the Visitors Center afterward; or stop at the VC first and photograph second. I prefer to some picture taking first, but that's me.
Looking forward to meeting everyone.

gene

 

[papagene]

Hey all,
Here is a site to check over:
http://centralquabbinarea.org/quabbin/

I would like to meet at the Visitors' Center at 7:00 am on Sat Oct 16th - please let me know if this is OK or too early in the am.

And now - Directions...
Coming from the Boston area / Eastern Mass:
Get on to the Mass Pike West and keep going... Look for Exit 7 Ludlow, this is the exit you want to take.
After paying your toll, go to the end of the short access road and turn RIGHT on to Rte 21 North. Follow this road all the way to the end (probably a 15 min drive) to where Rte 21 meets Rte 202. Turn RIGHT on to Rte 202 North. You will go about a mile, up a hill and at the top is a traffic light. Rte 202 turns left, BUT you want to go Straight through the light and about a mile it will meet Rte 9. Turn RIGHT on to Rte 9 East. The Quabbin Visitors' Center road will be about 2 to 3 miles down the road. It will be on the Left Side and marked with a sign for the State Police (who now police the park and area). Turn Left here and follow the road a short ways to the Visitors' Center. If I remember correctly, the parking area just past the Center is still accessible, if not park right in front of the building.

Coming from the West - Berkshires or NY:
Take the Mass Pike East to Exit 7 Ludlow. Follow the directs above from that point north.

Coming from the South - Conn:
Get on to Rte 91 North. Drive up to Springfield where you will bear right on to Rt2 291 East. Take Rte 291 East all the way to the end where it will meet the Mass Pike (Rte 90). Turn right on to the Pike's access area, grab you ticket and head East. Exit 7 will be the next exit, so don't pick up warp speed! Take Exit 7 Ludlow and follow the above directions to the Quabbin.

From points North - VT or NH:
Get on to Rte 91 South. Keep driving to Holyoke (pronounced Whole-yoke) and the Holyoke Mall (which is on your left). The Exit just past the Holyoke Mall is for the Mass Pike; this is the one you want to take. Get on to the Mass Pike and head East to Exit 7 Ludlow. As stated already, follow directions from this point to the Quabbin.

If you're gonna drive down Rte 2 - points North and East:
Take Rte 2 West until you hit the town of Orange. Take the exit for Rte 202 South Belchertown Amherst. Follow Rte 202 South into Belchertown where Rte 202 will meet Rte 9. Turn Left onto Rte 9 East and follow this road for about 3 to 5 miles to the Quabbin Visitors' Center (see above directions).

Dan Sullivan:
If you are staying in Amherst at a B&B - get on to Rte 9 East - Amherst College is at the intersection of Rte 9 & Rte 116 South - head East to Belchertown and follow directions from where Rte 202 & Rte 9 intersect.

One Cautionary Note: Some of these small western New England towns love out of towners that speed and will ticket at the drop of a hat - especially Rte 21 where the Speed Limit is 35 mph in places (Oh the lessons of experience!!). So please drive carefully.

If you have any questions, please contact me either through e-mail, APUG PM or phone (413-733-6001). I am looking forward to meeting everyone and hope that this is the first of many outings/meetings.

gene

 

[Eric Redard]

I'm thinking about showing up but it really depends upon how far I get on my sermon for Sunday. I live in Reading, I can stay with my parents in Westminster so I don't have to get up at 5am to meet you. I'll keep you posted.

Shalom,
Eric

 

[arigram]

Ah, I was five years in Boston and now that I am not anywhere near the place,
fun things like that happen!

 

[papagene]

For those who are planning to be there tomorrow, looking forward to meeting you. The weather looks like it will be Ok, on the cool side but OK. I should arrive at the Visitors' Center just about 7:00 am. If anyone sees a white Saturn that looks like a designated target for bird droppings that's me. There's a big, old oak right next to my driveway that the pigeons and grackles roost in and I sometimes have to wear a protective suit just to go out to the car!!
See ya bright and early.

gene

PS. Ari, next time your in Boston we'll include you as an honorary New Englander.

 

[gr82bart]

I would have loved to go, but 7am is too early for me - I'm just going out right now and it's 11:30pm! I also have my Long Island photo road trip tomorrow late afternoon. Next time, for sure.

Art.

 

[papagene]

I want to thank Peter, Steven, Shesh and Larry for an enjoyable day up at the Quabbin today. It was good to put faces to names. The weather held out for us and the water level was down revealing some nice rock combinations to photograph.
I do have to apologize for not being able to find the deer paths I used to use to access the shore. They were quite overgrown since my last visits a few years ago.
If anyone else would like to wander around the Quabbin, it wouldn't take much arm twisting to get me up there again.

gene

PS. Who's gonna plan the next NE-APUG event??

 

[Peter Schrager]

NE APUG GET TOGETHER

Why not a day in Boston with some Galleries/Museum of Fine Arts to see the Jeseph Sudek Show? Could break out the View Cameras and do some Architecturel. This thing could snowball Gene!

 

[Eric Redard]

I could definately make Boston.

Shalom,
Eric

 

[Peter Schrager]

Shalom

Shalom Eric- sorry you missed the outing. Curious as to what format you are using? Three of us had L.F. and two had 35mm but they OWN 4x5 cameras. I'm pushing for these gatherings so that we don't all work in obscurity. Haven't really seen Boston in a while but I'm sure there's plenty to photograph. Thanks for checking in. I PM'd Papagene today that I'm willing to show you guys how to make enlarged negs in the darkroom with your negs and then we make Platinums. I only have room for 4 or 5 people at my house. If anyone else in the Tri-state area;I'm in Ct.; is interested please PM or email me.
Look foward to meeting you
Regards Peter

 

[papagene]

Hey guys,
We forgot to get a group picture of us at the Quabbin that day!!

gene

 

[Shesh]

I took a slide of you guys peering through Larry's camera. I will try to scan it in after having it processed.

 

[Eric Redard]

Hey Peter;

I am 35mm. I use a Nikon F5 and N6006 with various lenses. Almost exclusively bw. I have assisted using a 4x5 and found it really fun but slow. I had a bronica sqai but that too, was too slow for what I like doing. Would love to get together and learn, experiement, shoot... whatever.

Shalom,
Eric

 

[chaim]

Couldn't make it, but please keep me informed of regional events--Chaim

 

[papagene]

I am thinking about going to the Quabbin this Sunday Oct 31 - exact time I am not sure of yet. I will check with the family to make sure they don't have something planned where I won't have the car.
If anyone else is interested, I would be glad to have company.
I will post more info tomorrow - Sunday looks like the best weather day of the weekend.
gene

 

[papagene]

I plan on being at the Quabbin about 12:30 - 1:00 Sunday.

 

[papagene]

The weather still looks OK for tomorrow. I think I'll will stop by the Visitor's Center around 12:30 then head out to my favorite spot.
It looks like I'll be toting the Fuji MF rangefinders as it might be a little windy up there tomorrow.
Will let you all know how it goes tomorrow.

gene

 

[L Gebhardt]

I wish I could go, but I have a project to finish up as well as a Halloween party to take my kids to. Have fun.