PLEASE READ: The BGC needs your help for 2025 (and 2026!)

[Mark Barnes]

Our annual hosting fee is now due, and I once again humbly ask for your assistance.

Hosting costs alone have soared to approximately $800.00 annually. Like everything else, they have been escalating significantly each year. In addition to the regular hosting costs, I retain the essential services of a professional security/maintenance firm to monitor the site and assist with any technical issues that arise. In short, it has become an increasing financial burden for me to maintain the site after nearly twenty years.

As our regulars know, the BGC is 100% member supported.

So, if you enjoy visiting the BGC, please consider a donation at your earliest convenience. This can be accomplished in minutes in the following ways:

Paypal: beatgear@gmail.com
Venmo: @Mark-S-Barnes

If neither of the above methods are convenient, contributions can be mailed to:

Mark Barnes
108 Stafford Ave.
Waterville NY 13480

No amount is too small, and any contribution will be most gratefully accepted. At the end of the day, this is your space. To those who've been in a position to assist with the heavy lifting here from time to time, thank you so much...this hangout will not continue to exist without you.

May thanks, and I wish you all a pleasant holiday season!

Mark

[Mike_D]

Done! Thanks for keeping the lights on,Mark!

[Voxman 4120]

I'm all in!
Mark, as always, thank you again for all that you do!!

[DrummerMann]

Mark

Is PO Box 86 still OK, or is 108 Stafford better?

[Mark Barnes]

Mark

Is PO Box 86 still OK, or is 108 Stafford better?

The latter, thank you. The former was my law office address, but I retired in 2023.

[lefty_sean]

Done! Thank you Mark for all that you do!

[Voxman 4120]

At the moment the amount due each year is 800.00 USD to keep the lights on.
If 40 members kick in just $20.00 we would have the $800.00 in no time.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

[DrummerMann]

Mark

Is PO Box 86 still OK, or is 108 Stafford better?

The latter, thank you. The former was my law office address, but I retired in 2023.

Snail mail check on its way.

[CynthiaTork]

Sent via PayPal

[Rodeo Joe]

PayPal sent Mark, Happy Holidays!

Joe

[JohnnySavant]

Tried to send to Beatgear Cavern via PP, but it says

"There's a problem
Sorry, this recipient can’t accept payments right now."

However, it worked to send to "Mark Barnes."

Last edited by JohnnySavant on Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Barnes]

Thank you, gentlemen...one and all!

[sparklejet]

Sorry it took me so long! B

[Mark Barnes]

Sorry it took me so long! B

Thank you so much!

[bassbob]

I thought maybe I fell asleep and woke up and it was Christmas time.

[Mark Barnes]

Many thanks to those of you who keep this place going...a couple of whom were heard from over the past couple of weeks. Your ongoing support is much appreciated!

[AndyKC]

I've coasted here way too long Mark, check your PayPal thingie.

[Mark Barnes]

I want to sincerely thank everyone - AndyKC deserves special mention! - for being HUGE difference-makers here the past year...and to BGC stalwart "bassbob" for kicking-off this year's campaign to support your community.

Am always pleasantly (and genuinely) surprised when I find one of you has placed something in the plate. There aren't many corners of the 'net like this anymore...free from the annoyances of social media, advertising, pop-ups, etc. Proudly so.

Life is quite different for me now in health-issue-induced retirement over the past couple of years from the occupation in which I was actively engaged for about thirty-five. And I apologize for leaning more heavily on you guys than in the past. But I'm quite fond of all of you, and of our little virtual barroom I've looked after for twenty years, and am thrilled so many of you still find it a comfortable, informative, and ultimately-worthwhile place to visit. And it will remain so, as long as I have anything to say about it. Thank you, gentlemen!

[bassbob]

Man, I was scrolling through this thread and I guess because it says 2025 on it I figured it was a brand new thread. I got to Cynthia's post and my heart skipped a beat.

Anyway, seems an apt opportunity to express my thanks to the counselor for all he does to keep this place together and to thank everyone here for the couple decades now of friendship and camaraderie. We don't always see eye to eye and at times seem to be at each other's throats, but there's no other place that I personally feel like ALL OF US genuinely care about each other.

I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season.

[Mark Barnes]

Thank you, Mike_D, for your donation today...much appreciated!

[Mike_D]

Thank you, Mike_D, for your donation today...much appreciated!

Right on!

[Mark Barnes]

Many thanks to BGC member "Wait" for his donation...much appreciated!

[Mark Barnes]

Thank you "Drummerman," for your regular support of the BGC...wishing you all the best, my friend!

[DrummerMann]

Thank you "Drummerman," for your regular support of the BGC...wishing you all the best, my friend!

I can give some to you or leave it all to my wife. Choice made. I coasted here for too many years. My gift to you is a pittance compared to what BGC has given to me over the years.

[OldSchool]

Done with love via Paypal.

Thanks for tending to us miscreant Beatlemaniacs, Mark!

[Mark Barnes]

Done with love via Paypal.

Thanks for tending to us miscreant Beatlemaniacs, Mark!

Thank YOU, kind sir...great to hear from you! (I'll let Bobby E. know, the next time I see him.)

[Howdy]

Small contribution sent. I love this site!

[Mark Barnes]

Small contribution sent. I love this site!

Thank you so much, and nice to hear from you!