The W5 Dinner

This social event is held every year during March or April and is the first FOC social event of the year.  It is open to members and their guests.

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W5FOC WEEKEND in Ocean Springs, MS  April 2 – 5, 2020                                                                          

Announcing the MS Gulf Coast W5FOC FOC weekend April 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2020 at Gulf Hills Hotel, in beautiful Ocean Springs, MS. Taste the Old South by visiting and touring the last home of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. Or taste the New South by visiting the John C. Stennis Space Center. Enjoy a round of golf or tennis with special convention rates at the hotel location.  Adjoining rubico tennis courts are lighted for night play.  Gulf Hills Hotel provides a complimentary continental breakfast.  Hot breakfast may be purchased 50 yards away.

Especially for the ladies.  Visit beautiful downtown Ocean Springs with stately water oaks over Washington Avenue populated with many small quaint shops.  Enjoy an old-time coke float or banana split at the soda fountain at Loves Drug store, reminiscent of the 1950s.  (Tell the OM you are going to burn off all four corners of the credit card.)

Enjoy listening and singing along with Dave, W4CI who has graciously agreed to lend us his musical FOC talents.

In the hotel lobby, a 1925 style piano is ready to be played by anyone anytime, compliments of the hotel.  Sing along, tap your foot or just enjoy.   Just let it happen!

Many other things to do, so come early and/or stay late as our host hotel is extending special rates for before and after the weekend.

Our after-dinner speaker will be Mr. Martin F. Jue, owner of MFJ Electronics, Ameritron, Hy-Gain, Cushcraft, Vectronics, Mirage and MDS-HAM.   We are indeed honored to have Martin as our guest.

HOTEL: 

GULF HILLS HOTEL AND GOLF CLUB   www.gulfhillshotel.com

13701 Paso Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

(228) 875-4211

Group Rate: $104.00 + tax per room, per night, King or Double/Double. Rate offered for early arrivals and/or stay-overs – Based on availability.

GROUP/COMPANY NAME: First Class Operators Club Annual Convention.  

The guaranteed block will last up to 21 days prior to convention.  Make your hotel reservation early if possible.

Registration per person is $80, including Saturday night Buffet meal at the Hotel. PayPal preferred to w5sg.bill@gmail.com  Checks to the following address are also acceptable.

BILL ECKENRODE
18211 MAHOGANY FOREST DR
Klein, TX 77379-3916

AGENDA:

Thursday April 2  

Early arrivals and dinner at McElroys Harbor House. 695 Beach Blvd. Biloxi, MS  Phone: 228-435-5001 

Friday April 3

NOON - Hospitality room opens at noon.  Meet, greet and socialize.

4 pm -  Gather around and sing along with Dave, W4CI in main lobby.  Piano available for anyone wanting to join in.  Bring your favorite musical instrument.

6 pm -  Enjoy the beautiful MS Gulf Coast sunset while having dinner at Anthony’s Under the Oaks- Meet in lobby at 6pm, dinner at 6:30.  Go as a group, less than a mile. Steak, Seafood, Chicken. Restaurant is built over the bay and features large glass windows for great ambiance.  1217 Washington, Ocean Springs, MS 228-8724564

8 pm - Gather back at Hospitality area after dinner, for more fun, tales,  and outright lies.

Saturday April 4

Visit any of the coast activities on your own to your satisfaction.  

9 AM Those interested in visiting the Stennis Space center will gather at 9am in the lobby to travel together.  If 20 go we will get special rate . ( Non citizens will have to have passports to go on bus tour.) Address: 1 Discover Circle, Pearlington, MS 39572 Phone (228) 533-9025

10 AM Those going to Beauvoir meet Ken K5WK in the lobby or gather at Beauvoir gift shop for group rate.  Address:  2244 Beach Blvd, Biloxi , MS 39531  Phone: (228) 388-4400

4-5 PM.   Set aside for presentations.   Meet in Dining room.  Contact N5CW at Curtwaites@gmail.com,  if you have a presentation you desire to make.   Alternatively, music with Dave, W4CI.

6:30 pm.  Enjoy a catered meal in the dining room followed by a presentation by our special Guest Martin F. Jue, owner of MFJ Electronics, Ameritron, Hi-Gain, Cushcraft, and Mirage electronics.  You don’t want to miss this.  

After dinner, gather back in the hospitality area for more socializing. 

Sunday  April 5

9 am- Gather in dining room for 2021 FOC event and other matters of FOC interest.

Breakfast on your own and depart.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO ON MS GULF COAST:

Many things of interest are available to enjoy on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Two have group rates so when you make your registrations, if interested, please indicate to Bill your choice in one of these venues for Saturday April 4, 2020:

John C Stennis Space Center- Group of 20 will get a $9 each rate.  Travel by private vehicle – carpooling suggested.  (travel each way about 1 hour).   

Beauvoir, Jefferson Davis home-   Guided through home, library.  Tour of grounds is self-guided.  Details below.

For complete list go to: www.GulfCoast.org

John C. Stennis Space Center -- Visit the INFINITY Science Center followed by a 40-minute bus tour to get a close up look of the entire grounds.  At the space center, the bus departs at 11:00 and is first come first served.  You can enjoy short orders in the INFINITY café when done.  Tickets for INFINITY also includes the behind-the-scenes bus tour.  A valid photo ID or passport for non-citizens will be required.   Cost $18 or group $9 (group of 20) Approximate travel time from hotel, 1 hour.  Leave hotel 9 am, meet and group at venue.  Travel to I-10W.  Take I-10 West to exit 2,(about 1 hour), go south ¼ mile, look on right for entry.   Address is 1 Discover Circle, Pearlington, MS 39572.   

Beauvoir, Jefferson Davis Home -   The Beauvoir estate is notable as the historic post-war home of the former President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis, its construction was begun in 1848. Groups of 10 get $8.50 rate.  Guided tour through home, library.  Tour of grounds is self-guided.  Golf cart rentals ($10) are available. 2244 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39531    If you plan this visit contact Ken K5WK at our hotel for details.  

Biloxi shrimping tour —Boat goes out in gulf and nets are deployed to bring up interesting marine life.  An expert guide explains what has been retrieved.   Questions are encouraged.  70 minutes long.   Boats depart 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM 3:30 PM   First come first served.  Cost $20 Travel time 5-10 min (6 miles from hotel)

Light tackle fishing trip —Goes out 10:30 am.  Inshore light tackle fishing trip.  Includes license, tackle, bait and cleaning of fish.  Cost $40.  First come first served.  Same location as Biloxi shrimping trip.

USS Battleship Alabama - Tour the USS Alabama Battleship.  See how Battleship crews lived and fought for their country during WWII.   Cost $13 (55+) Travel time from hotel, 1 hour 20 minutes.

Aquarium  -  Planned opening is late 2019 to early 2020.  More information when it becomes available.

Ocean Springs - Quaint shops, laid back, oak trees. Fun walking tour.  Distance from hotel is about 1 mile.

Biloxi Schooners --WALK ON SAILS 

(Minimum of 6 passengers for Walk on Sail and available when schooners are unchartered.)
$30 / adult & $15 / child ages 3-12.
Please call for sailing times & reservations. You are welcome to bring food and refreshments aboard; they provide ice chests and ice.  Walk on pier:  367 Beach Blvd Biloxi, Ms. 228-435-6320----Call for walk-on open dates and times.

Beaches—Casinos

AIR Boat rides. -  Enjoy a high-speed air-boat ride and experience the fun of traveling through an unspoiled wilderness.  Cost $30. Distance from hotel is 32 miles.   Address :10300 Highway 90 Moss Point, MS  39562 

Phone: 228-425-6026

Biloxi Brewing Company 

• 186 Bohn Street
• Biloxi, MS 39530
• Phone: (228) 273-1636 

Biloxi Brewing Company is a local craft brewery with no reservations required.  About 6 miles from hotel. 

Biloxi Lighthouse 

The Biloxi Lighthouse built in 1848 is the only lighthouse in the United States to stand in the middle of a four-lane highway. The lighthouse survived Hurricane Katrina and is reported to be the most photographed landmark on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Hwy 90 & Porter Ave, Biloxi, MS.  About 7 miles from hotel.

Ground Zero Hurricane Museum

335 Coleman Ave
Waveland, MS 39576

Phone number (228) 467-9012 

A MUST see when in the area.  You cannot imagine what these people went thru in 2005. All one hears about is New Orleans and Katrina but this area was ground zero for that hurricane. Cost: Free, Distance from hotel is 46 miles. 

Gulfport Premium Outlets

10000 Factory Shop Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39503

Open 10:00 am.  Distance from hotel, approx. 20 miles

The 2019 dinner was held Lafayette, LA

The 2018 dinner was held in Santa Fe, NM.

The 2017 dinner was held in Fredericksburg, Texas.

The 2016 dinner was held in Dallas, TX

The 2015 dinner was in Austin, TX.

Photos by WB6BEE/2.

WB6BEE, N4TY, AC5K	NA5G, K5LY & XYLs	K5NA, K5XK	K5LY, N5AN

Photos by WB6BEE/2

The 2014 dinner, hosted by K1JD and KT5X, was held in Santa Fe, NM.

Photos below by N5AN and WB6BEE/2