big weekend

Next weekend, while I am home for the break, I am going to record as many people as possible. So far I think I will be able to interview:
Gary
Roland
Marianne
Gerry
Jill
Justin
my mom
grandmama

I am going to start small. I am not sure if I have a meeting at Plymouth State because I have not received any confirmation but that could be very useful. The process is starting to get a bit confusing and I am not exactly sure what my role in the project will be.

Last week during my phone call with Frumie we talked about the possibility of using the brainstorming ideas as part of the Tilosten grant that the city is seeking to provide North American Dismantling with ideas for development. I was actually quite surprised that my ideas might be considered and was a little bit wary of the situation partly because I know that I will not be in Berlin next year or much at all this year to discuss them or develop them. I had to make it clear that I was unable to make a long term commitment.

I also now keenly aware that my blog is being read by someone other than my mother. Hi MOM! I think it is great but I was a bit surprised to get responses from both blogs.

Chris's idea about the civic center made me think of my other idea that I presented members of the Androscoggin Valley Economic Recovery while I was teaching. ( I never knew if they took it seriously or presented it to anyone else)

The Cabelas idea:

During the 2004 elections I watched segment on the news about the Cabelas vote. Basically, both candidates were trying to show they were outdoorsy and enjoyed hunting etc. Kerry was duck hunting. Anyway, they explained the phenomena of Cabelas and how it was not just a store but an experience. Customers drove for days and camped in the parking lot. They took classes and recreated in the area of the store.

I suggested we woo them and try to get our own Cabelas. I am not sure how you entice a business to come to a certain area so thats why I thought the AVER group could help. In the end, Cabelas is in the process of opening a store in southern New Hampshire in the Hooksett area. Development is complicated.

Responses from the blog etc:

Shawn- doing a similar project
Amy- graphic designer interested in the project and might be able help out with promotion
Chris - idea for a civic center for concerts, sporting events etc.
Tim- interested in the project

Notes from Frumie

• Technically the city has no say in what happens on the site and is trying to get a grant to give proposals to the company that owns the land
• The discussion has to be started soon because if the project is done after the decision is made for the future of the site, then it is not as effective
• If the people have no choice and then they walk around and hear themselves talking about the future but the future is already decided ----then this is depressing and mean
  
• Right now the site is under tight security
• Plymouth State image collection and website
  
• Meet with everyone involved on Tues or Wed to talk about where the ideas are intersecting
  
• Maybe collect ideas in a database?
  
• Work into other grants with Becky Rule etc.
  
• Center for the Environment--Plymouth State
• Tech College in Berlin GIS certificate
  
• How will children be involved? If at all?
  

Just contacted by a person working on a Berlin DVD. . . not sure if this person is involved with the Plymouth State project or not.