C. Virtue ([info]cvirtue) wrote in [info]sca,
@ 2008-05-29 10:47:00
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McDonalds sign from Pennsic
I commented this morning to Liam's post, but I think it's worth making another post:

*Now* is an excellent time to write to that new local McDonald's and request that the sign be turned off at night for the time Pennsic is running. Be polite, do not threaten damage to the sign, make the point that we do historical recreation and it is/will be very visible from our campsites. Copy McDonald's corporate, but send the paper letter to the local McDonald's & Pilot's gas owner(s).

EDIT:
Here is the address:

[Manager]
Pilot Travel Center
2010 New Castle Road
Portersville, PA 16051

Remember: Polite, short, and sweet.

Here's a suggestion of my own -- others welcome to post their own versions below.

Dear Pilot Travel Center (You might want to also send one to the McD manager too)

Congratulations on your new establishment!

You may be aware that from July X to August X, Cooper's Lake Campground hosts a group of 10,000+ historical re-creationists (like the Civil War re-enactors, just this is for the Middle Ages and Renaissance.) Your new sign is very bright, and I am concerned that it will disrupt the historical feel of the campground during that time. Would you consider turning it off at night during that time?

Thank you for your time,

Your name, address, etc.

Readers: feel free to copy this post to your friends who go to Pennsic. Polite and short should be our watchwords for the letters. (Course, that's easy for me, I'm 5'2".)

(Post a new comment)


[info]reabhecc
2008-05-29 03:08 pm UTC (link)
Would anyone have their mailing addresses?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]cvirtue
2008-05-29 03:17 pm UTC (link)
I hope someone more local can find it and post it in comments, and I'll amend the top post to include it.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]ariannawyn, 2008-05-29 04:08 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]etherial, 2008-05-29 04:43 pm UTC

[info]its_just_me
2008-05-29 03:11 pm UTC (link)
That's an excellent idea. Seeing as the amount of business brought in will more than likely cripple their staff anyways. I wonder if the other large groups thoughout the year would ask the same, such as the Civil War reenactors.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]cvirtue
2008-05-29 03:14 pm UTC (link)
Good point.

And, I just realized, sending a letter to the local newspaper might be useful also.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]ariannawyn, 2008-05-29 03:58 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]its_just_me, 2008-05-29 04:52 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cvirtue, 2008-05-29 05:13 pm UTC

[info]etherial
2008-05-29 03:26 pm UTC (link)
Brilliant! I was planning on circulating a petition, but more proactive is better. I realize they're a business, so I was planning on setting a realistic compromise time frame of 10 PM - 5 AM. Before 10, I imagine most of us will be too busy to stargaze. After 5, those who want coffee will need all the help they can get.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]cvirtue
2008-05-29 03:31 pm UTC (link)
I think asking (politely) for 'all night' is reasonable, and then they might compromise at 9 or 10pm, and that will be ok. Don't do their side of the argument for them. ;)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]vesta_aurelia, 2008-05-29 05:40 pm UTC

[info]luscious_purple
2008-05-29 05:40 pm UTC (link)
Sadly, between the haze from campfires and torches and the blindingly bright lights from the parking area, the entire northern half of Cooper's Lake is a lousy place to stargaze.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]pooklaroux
2008-05-29 03:29 pm UTC (link)
That's an excellent idea, if someone will post or link an address, I'll lick a stamp or two.

Edited at 2008-05-29 03:29 pm UTC

(Reply to this)


[info]ladypyrate
2008-05-29 03:30 pm UTC (link)
Additionally, sending the letters may drive home to them the sheer number of people that would be attending Pennsic, and prepare them for the onslaught!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]cvirtue
2008-05-29 03:31 pm UTC (link)
And the goodwill marketing opportunity!

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Another option....
[info]the_celestia
2008-05-29 03:37 pm UTC (link)
Make it a point NOT to patronize these businesses. Purchase your coffee and burgers on site - from Pennsic Merchants who need your business.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: Another option....
[info]cvirtue
2008-05-29 03:52 pm UTC (link)
You'll notice I didn't say to patronize them. Avoid spending money there if you like, but the sign's light will still bathe the camp if nobody writes a letter.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: Another option.... - [info]the_celestia, 2008-05-29 07:06 pm UTC
Re: Another option....
[info]blaisepascal
2008-05-29 03:58 pm UTC (link)
That probably won't get the light turned off. It is highly unlikely that a lack of patronage by Pennsic participants will drive this McDonalds location out of business.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: Another option.... - [info]the_celestia, 2008-05-29 07:11 pm UTC
Re: Another option.... - [info]cvirtue, 2008-05-29 08:27 pm UTC
Re: Another option.... - [info]the_celestia, 2008-05-29 11:12 pm UTC
Re: Another option.... - [info]cvirtue, 2008-05-29 11:15 pm UTC
Re: Another option.... - [info]psiwulf7, 2008-05-30 05:39 pm UTC
Re: Another option.... - [info]the_celestia, 2008-05-30 05:49 pm UTC
Re: Another option....
[info]its_just_me
2008-05-29 04:56 pm UTC (link)
Personally I find extending an offer of appreciation goes much further than saying that our group, (which no one person can possibly speak for) may not purchase from them if they don't do X.

Perhaps offering to take a small collection to advertise in the Pennsic Independant for them as an appreciative token for keeping the atmosphere? I feel that would go much further than a boycott. Perhaps the PI might be persuaded to do that pro bono?

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]girlygothic
2008-05-29 04:06 pm UTC (link)
Question to anyone who has actually seen the sign...

I keep hearing talk of the "golden arches" sign being the issue. But I also hear mention that it's a combination McDonald's/Pilot Gas. Is there a Pilot Gas sign as well? Do we need to make sure to campaign about that as well?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]nazrynn
2008-05-29 04:14 pm UTC (link)
Do we also know if this is a "24 hours" McDonalds?
If the Golden Arches sign is an issue, and if the shop is open all night, it may make for a long argument in getting the sign turned off at closing time.

If the gas station's sign is up there too, I would expect that it is a 24 hour facility, and simple petitions may not work. (I'll keep my fingers crossed just the same).

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]the_celestia, 2008-05-29 07:02 pm UTC

[info]judyjudith
2008-05-29 04:13 pm UTC (link)
I found this address on the McDonald's web site:

2012 NEW CASTLE ROAD
PORTERSVILLE, PA 16051

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[info]linty_goodness
2008-05-29 04:28 pm UTC (link)
a few years ago there were massive brownouts in Ontario..a lot of businesses opted to continue to keep their signs unlit during the night. McD's in Petawawa Ontario is one that does..

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[info]raventhourne
2008-05-29 05:40 pm UTC (link)
I would also get the Society and/or Pennsic Media Relations person involved in this effort. They might have channels we do not.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]vesta_aurelia
2008-05-29 05:42 pm UTC (link)
now THAT is a great idea. And it will counter the Local Opinion of SCA=Bizarre Cult thing.

Does anyone in the area know if the Coopers have contact numbers for the Civil War re-enactors? If THEY pitch in, then it's more than just "us"....and the Civil War people may be more respected in the area.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]luscious_purple, 2008-05-29 07:03 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]psiwulf7, 2008-05-30 05:41 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cvirtue, 2008-05-30 12:10 am UTC

[info]ariannawyn
2008-05-29 06:39 pm UTC (link)
FWIW, Pennsic dates are July 25 through August 10.

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[info]pathdancer
2008-05-29 06:53 pm UTC (link)
Polite and short should be our watchwords for the letters. (Course, that's easy for me, I'm 5'2".)

My Lady... there are days when you absolutely cannot help but crack me up.

This is one of 'em!!

(Thanks, I needed that!!!)

(Reply to this)


[info]ldykatrina
2008-05-29 09:32 pm UTC (link)
I dont think you/we can ask them to turn off the sign.

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[info]cvirtue
2008-05-29 09:50 pm UTC (link)
Why not?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]ldykatrina, 2008-05-30 12:00 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]cvirtue, 2008-05-30 03:14 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]ldykatrina, 2008-05-30 06:24 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]nazrynn, 2008-05-30 02:28 am UTC

[info]strawberrykaren
2008-05-30 03:44 am UTC (link)
But what if it were a Burger King? ;)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]cvirtue
2008-05-30 03:19 pm UTC (link)
heh. ;)

I think they've torn that one down by now, but I haven't been there to find out!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]knivesreturns, 2008-05-30 07:43 pm UTC

[info]kittenkatt
2008-05-31 01:26 pm UTC (link)
Having gone to War Practice and seen it for myself, I can definitely understand the notion that it would be wonderful if they would turn the horrid garish thing off at night... but the realist in me knows that no matter how many letters are written (or polite requests made)it's a slim to nil chance of that happening. As mentioned by many, it's a business, and one that doesn't depend on Pennsic custom for it's bottom line.

That being said, rather than spend the whole time fretting over it maybe we can pretend we're Scots and turn a curse into a virtue. It's not a giant glowing sign, it's an oddly shaped candleholder and someone is up too late embroidering ;)

As a note: If it's any consolation, while viciously visible from about Iron Lance's area on up the hill, there are not a lot of camps below the tree line who will have to suffer it, and the Lake remains a good stargazing area. As someone living below the tree line, I'm more worried about the construction around the Pilot that has loud vehicles and banging starting first thing in the morning and going all day :p

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]nymfie
2008-05-31 02:06 pm UTC (link)
If I just happen to see the "Golden Arches" I will say, "Valhalla, this warrior is not ready to join your halls just yet." LOL. There is soooooooo much going on at night I think it could very easily fade into the background as does all the other mundane things that happen around and outside of Pennsic. Go, have a great time and don't get caught up with mundane things. Hope to see a lot of you there!!!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

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