It's that time again! The first time I see most of you at the symposium is when we get together for dinner the night before we begin our education. This year the shelter benefit dinner will be held at Barb Carlson's Hide-E-Hole shelter (http://www.ferret-hide-e-hole.org/). As always, there will be fun and food - all at no cost to attendees. For you newbies, plan to arrive in time for dinner on Thursday night, Nov. 6. Here is a bit of info to bring you up to date. WHO? You. All attendees and shelter volunteers are invited to attend. Yes, you can bring your date/spouse. WHAT? A free meal and lots of comraderie with some entertainment thrown in. Everyone also gets one doorprize ticket. And, everyone usually gets a doorprize (must be present to win)! AND, DESSERT! WHEN? Thursday, Nov. 6 from about 4:00 to about 9:00. (I will be there earlier doing the cooking and we will feed people until the food runs out! For late arrivals, we prepare a plate for you, too. Just let us know you are coming!) WHERE? Hide-E-Hole Ferret Rescue. Directions to follow and will also be available at the hotel. WHY? To raise money for ferret shelters. Donations are accepted and encouraged. HOW? People donate wonderful doorprizes for this event - really! (And, we don't ever turn them down unless they are nutritionally unsound.) And, the food is provided by an anonymous donor. No money? No problem. There is NO CHARGE - really. No ride? No problem. We can give you a ride from the hotel or the airport. No meat? No problem. There are VEGAN options available. No ferrets? No problem. There are plenty up for adoption at the Hide-E-Hole. So, for those of you who are making travel plans, don't forget to allow time for dinner. The menu is reminiscent of our very first in Las Vegas, NM. That is when Judy Cooke declared her love for those little round, sugary things. [Las Vegas, NM is a great town, but this was Las Vegas, NV. ;-) BIG] Please let me know if you are planning to attend so we can be sure there is enough food. And, as always, specify if you are a carnivore or vegan. If you have other special dietary needs, let me know that, too. Oh, if we have karaoke or a talent show, will you participate? Let me know of your special talent and if you will share it! Thanks! See ya in Pittsburgh! -- Renee Downs "Eventually we will realize that if we destroy the ecosystem we destroy ourselves." Jonas Salk "The most effective way to do it, is to do it." Amelia Earhart It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who gets the credit! Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.) http://www.ferretemergency.org [log in to unmask] International Ferret Congress http://www.ferretcongress.org American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org [Posted in FML 6064]