Regarding the M & G -: Last year, the M & G was postponed due to travel restrictions and other issues caused by the C***d 'bug' in the hopes that this year would be better

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Last year, the M & G was postponed
due to travel restrictions and other issues caused by the C***d 'bug' in
the hopes that this year would be better - NO SUCH LUCK !

Inflation is worse, food and gas
prices HIGHER rather than lower
(as had been hoped) and money put aside for the trip has been used for other necessities (in my case, a new windshield and set of tires), so even
if it came about, some of us could
not go at this time !

Since it's more expensive (about $300/$400 more than last year) and still not really safe (for C***d), later may be better for most of us (again) !

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Y'all do want you want to do. If it's gonna be in Kansas, I can't be there. I had heard talk of a mini m&g here in California somewhere. I'd be up for that.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

Same here!

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

There's been some guys talking about having mini M&G around the country. Would be a lot easier right now for people to get together. Y'all stay safe out there 👍

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Big A wrote:

Last year, the M & G was postponed br due to t... (show quote)

I have to agree with you, Big A. I started getting my hopes up the last couple months because it looked like the C***d restrictions started loosening up a bit. Then this Russian invasion happened and the gas prices have doubled since we started planning the M&G. For many members, who originally planned to attend, this increase in gas money alone has made it difficult or impossible to go forward with their original plans. Plus, there’s no way to predict at this point just how high the prices may get to by May! ( not to mention our national security and other things that are affected by inflation and uncertainty) Usually, when gas prices increase sharply, so do many other things as well.
My feelings are we should postpone the M&G another year to hopefully make it financially possible for everyone to attend that wants to.
Please, everybody continue to post your thoughts on this, and thanks to those who have already done so. 🙏🏻

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Randyhartford wrote:

I have to agree with you, Big A. I started gettin... (show quote)

I agree 100% Randy. The cost of everything is higher than last year, and the huge fuel increases will drive up everything delivered by truck. Hopefully by next year, things will settle down as close to normal as possible. I like the idea of the mini M+Gs around the country. We're talking about one around the Northeast, and we'll see how that goes.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Fredfish wrote:

I agree 100% Randy. The cost of everything is higher than last year, and the huge fuel increases will drive up everything delivered by truck. Hopefully by next year, things will settle down as close to normal as possible. I like the idea of the mini M+Gs around the country. We're talking about one around the Northeast, and we'll see how that goes.

Thanks for your response, Fred. 🙏🏻

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Spiritof27 wrote:

Y'all do want you want to do. If it's gonna be in Kansas, I can't be there. I had heard talk of a mini m&g here in California somewhere. I'd be up for that.

Spirit you and Barnacles should contact saw he’s setting something up by you.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Whitey wrote:

There's been some guys talking about having mini M&G around the country. Would be a lot easier right now for people to get together. Y'all stay safe out there 👍

You and Fred are both in the loop for something in our area. Last I heard Grizzly and Slimshady where picking a lake in PA.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

For now, I think that mini M&G's are the way to go.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Barnacles wrote:

For now, I think that mini M&G's are the way to go.

I agree. Some of the guys I’d REALLY like to meet are a long ways away so that’s not good and some of the guys I’d really NOT want to meet are too close. Kind of a catch 22. I do have a good friend coming to see me from the stage that lives in California before long so I’m excited about that. For me it’s personal get together with a small group that appeals to me most. There’s no way I’d want to meet the trio that only offers to wipe up the floor with me at the M&G. I don’t think that’s what it’s all about and I, certainly, would not want to spend time, money and be involved in anything that would ruin the event.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

J in Cleveland wrote:

You and Fred are both in the loop for something in our area. Last I heard Grizzly and Slimshady where picking a lake in PA.

Right on J guess i missed that post 🤔

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Randyhartford wrote:

I have to agree with you, Big A. I started gettin... (show quote)

So true Randy. I went to the hardware store yesterday and they were in the process of increasing the prices on everything in the store. The owner said “we either keep up with our increases in deliveries or we close the doors and it’s not looking like the doors are gonna be open much longer”. $8.00 for a tube of caulking that was $3.69 a year ago. $62.00 for a sheet of 1/2” plywood that was $13.00 a year ago. People are not getting increases in wages so it’s, quickly, coming to a halt in many places. And it started way before the Russian invasion.

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

Catfish h****r wrote:

So true Randy. I went to the hardware store yester... (show quote)

You're not kidding it started before the Russian Invasion on the Ukraine. Two years ago when I was doing my bathroom remodel I went to Lowes for a sheet of plywood,,$70.00 bucks. It was for flooring and I was floored by the price.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Ivey wrote:

You're not kidding it started before the Russian Invasion on the Ukraine. Two years ago when I was doing my bathroom remodel I went to Lowes for a sheet of plywood,,$70.00 bucks. It was for flooring and I was floored by the price.

Prices around me have come way back down. Still way more expensive then pre C***d but the prices I pay daily (I’m a general contractor) are less than half of what Catfish is experiencing. Also no shortage of work despite the fact my prices have gone way up.