Reunion pics courtesy of Larry Lutz

Rob Wilson, Ed McIlroy, Larry Lutz

Larry and Ed McIlroy

Larry McIlroy and Larry Lutz

George Karol, Larry McIlroy, Jim Deforge

George Karol, Chuck Goodyear and Larry McIlroy

Ed McIlroy and Jim Lockard

Front L-R Rob Wilson, Larry Lutz, Dean Rouse; Middle L-R Chuck Goodyear, Dave Mantini, Al Evalds; Rear L-R George Karol. Rick Goodyear, Larry McIlroy, ??, Jim Lockard, Ed McIlroy

Charter Member Howard Good (far left seated), ??, Charter Member Jack Thomas (seated), Steve Krizsan, Doug Bowering (standing on chair), Jan Lech (seated) Harry Burkman, Frank Healey (hidden) and Jim McCutcheon

Jim Campbell with his back to camera

Charter Member Howard Good and Ed McIlroy

Butch Maves, Richard Smith, ??, Howard Good (Charter Member), Jack Thomas (Charter Member) Steve Krizsan, Doug Bowering, Jan Lech, Harry Burkman, Frank Healey

Howard Good and Ed McIlroy

George Karol and Larry McIlroy

Ed McIlroy and Larry Lutz

Alpha Omega Fraternity - 5th Update - Reunion Weekend - This Weekend

Hi guys.

Our fraternity’s 60^th reunion is this weekend.

In this update:

1. Last-Minute Attendees are Welcome

2. RSVP Please for Meals

3. Events Schedule

4. Inexpensive Accommodations Option

5. Who is Coming (107 To Date)

6. Directions to Event Locations and Rodeway Inn

1. Last-Minute Attendees are Welcome

We anticipate that quite a few members who have not yet confirmed will be at the reunion on Saturday. If you have not purchased a ticket, no worries. We look forward to seeing you there. You can pay your $20 at the Badminton and Tennis Club.

2. RSVP Please For Meals

We need to know how many will be coming to the Saturday-night dinner and the Sunday brunch at Taps Brewhouse and Pub.

Please confirm to Jan Lech at jan.lech@sympatico.ca or at 905-682-8929 if you plan to attend either or both of the meals at Taps and how many persons will be attending with you.

From what we can tell thus far, most will be at Taps as well as the reunion gathering and barbeque.

Separate bills will be provided by Taps for both meal events. The $20 ticket price covers the Reunion and Barbeque in the afternoon and the after-dinner social at the Badminton and Tennis Club but not the 2 meals at Taps.

3. Events Schedule

The reunion includes 4 events as follows:

Saturday, September 26

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Reunion Gathering and Barbeque - Niagara Falls Badminton and Tennis Club. Volleyball and change/shower facilities are available for those who wish to play.

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Dinner - Taps Brewhouse and Grill, a brew pub / restaurant featuring a broad range of reasonably priced menu items along with 8 beer / ale freshly brewed onsite, Ontario wines, live music and a beer-making tour.

9:30 p.m. onwards - After-dinner social - We will host a round of drinks for those who return to the Niagara Falls Badminton and Tennis Club after dinner for some further socializing.

Sunday, September 27

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Brunch - Taps Brewhouse and Grill.

All events are informal. Dress is casual. Everyone is welcome.

Maps and directions are below.

Electronic tickets have or are being sent out to those who have purchased tickets. It is not necessary to bring this ticket to the reunion. We will have a list at the door of those who have purchased tickets.

4. Inexpensive Accommodations Option

A special Alpha Omega Fraternity Reunion room rate of $60 a night including tax is being offered at the Rodeway Inn By the Falls. http://www.choicehotels.ca/hotels/hotel?hotel=CN383

Call Mina at (905) 356-6959 and mention the fraternity rate.

The Rodeway Inn is at 5553 Ferry Street, Niagara Falls across from Cupolo’s Sport Store (just west of Stanley Avenue). A map and directions are below.

5. Who is Coming

107 have to date purchased tickets or have otherwise confirmed they will be attending this weekend. We understand that many more will be attending as everyone realizes that this is going to be a great reunion.

81 tickets have been purchased by members in the list below. Those marked * have otherwise confirmed they will be there.

If you notice someone whom you would like to see out and who should be at the reunion is missing from the list below, please take the initiative, get in touch with them and encourage them to attend. Members’ contact information is available at http://aof.dougbowering.com . The password is 123.

Paid / Confirmed Members (at September 23, 2009)

Wayne Astle *
Joe Biamonte
Bob Birrell *
Douglas Bowering
Gary Bowman
James Bredin
Norm Brown *
Tom Buchanan
Jerry Burke *
Harry Burkman
Bill Campbell *
Jim Campbell
Bob Cerminera *
Rick Collard
Bob Collard
Gary Collier
Barry Cramp
Jim Deforge *
Pat Arbour *
Joseph Dennis
Ken Dow
John Drewette
Tom Dwyer
Gary Ewart
Randy Garrett *
Wayne Gilmore
Howard Good *
Charles Goodyear
Richard Goodyear
Don Green
Bryan Hart
Frank Healey
Bob Hicks
Bob Higgins *
Hugh Jenkins
Gary Johnston
Art Kalbfleisch *
George Karol
John Kirkby
Tilly Kershaw *
Wayne Kershaw *
Grant Knox
Lewis Knox
Steve Krizsan
Lorne Lambourne
Lewis Lambourne
Allan Leake
Vic Kovacevich *
Jan Leach

Gregory Lee
Lee Lindley *
Jim Lockard
Glen Lockhart
Larry Lutz *
Grant Maidens
Byron Massard
Tad McCallum
Jim McCutcheon
Donald McIlroy
Ed McIlroy
James McKernan
David McManus
Dave Middleton
Louis Mitrovich
Larry Moore
Ron Moore *
Fred Murray
John Neal
Douglas Palmer
Robert Penner
John Pool *
Bruce Pospich *
John Potts
Douglas Rapelje
Dean Rouse *
John Sentineal
David Serafino *
James Sharkey
Michael Sirianni
Timothy Sirianni
Bryan Smith
Lester Snow
John Steward
David Steward
Roy Stoner
Alan Sundeen
Winston Taylor
Jack Thomas *
John Thomas
George Vancea
Jerry Van Kleef
Hank Van Moorsel
Wallace Vrooman
Bruce Ward *
Ronald Wilson
Michael Wood

6. Directions to Event Locations and Rodeway Inn

Niagara Falls Badminton and Tennis Club - 5300 Willmott Street, Niagara Falls

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&source=hp&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=5300+willmott+street,+niagara+falls,+ontario&fb=1&split=1&gl=ca&cid=0,0,7763322716815880390&ei=mv2lSuWuEYKgnQe248nDBQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1

Taps Brewhouse and Grill - 4680 Queen Street, Niagara Falls

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&source=hp&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=5300+willmott+street,+niagara+falls,+ontario&fb=1&split=1&gl=ca&cid=0,0,7763322716815880390&ei=mv2lSuWuEYKgnQe248nDBQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1

Rodeway Inn By the Falls - 5553 Ferry Street, Niagara Falls

http://www.choicehotels.ca/hotels/map?chainId=W&classId=I&lat=43.089699&lng=-79.086304&hotelName=Rodeway%20Inn%20By%20The%20Falls&hotelAddress=5553%20Ferry%20Street%2C%20Niagara%20Falls%2C%20Ontario%2C%20Canada%20L2G%201S3

We are really looking forward to seeing everyone again this weekend. Please encourage your friends to join us.

Your Alpha Omega Fraternity 60^th Anniversary Reunion Committee

Frank Healey (Chairman), Doug Bowering, Harry Burkman, Gary Johnson, Steve Krizsan, Jan Lech, Jim McCutcheon and Jim Sawada

WHEN THE BIG "C" WORD REALLY IS A 4 LETTER WORD!

When the big “C” word really is a 4 letter word ...

HI THERE TO ALL MY A. O. BROTHERS:

To the billions and billions of you who have been asking, “Where are you? ... we haven’t heard from you for so long ... “ have you started on your ride from Thunder Bay? ...

BAD NEWS ... NOT ONLY FOR ME ... BUT FOR YOU ALSO ... !!!

ME?? ... I’m going to miss the reunion!!! ... BUT FAR WORSE ... You’re going to miss out on connecting with me!! ...

Hey, ... quit cheering!!! ... and screaming, “Thank God!!!” ...

During the late summer, as the result of a colonoscopy, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and since then have been undergoing examination after examination .. ad nauseum ... and I’m now in radiation, chemo, and immuno therapy.

For those of you thinking ... how ironic for such an asshole! ... you're not alone ... my ex-wives beat you to it ... (never lose your sense of humour!!!)

Needless to say, I have been feeling pretty “shitty” (no pun intended) ... and really haven't had the energy to "punch the keyboard" let alone be my usually brilliantly insightful and profoundly creative self ... YAH RIGHT!!!

The tumor that has been identified is in Phase 1 (or maybe Phase 2 at worst) .. which means: Phase 1: cancer is confined and has not spread to neighbouring tissue;
Phase 2: cancer has spread beyond the original (primary) site, but there is no lymph node involvement.

After the last week+ in Thunder Bay (with no e-mail or internet) I have flown back home for a couple of days to get the house ready for the next couple of months ... by the end of October we will have ice on the lake ... and stuff will begin to freeze in the house ... so I have to get all the “freezable stuff” moved out ...

Also, I have to set up the solar system to take care of itself for the next couple of months ... which means equalizing the specific gravity of the cells of the batteries, then making sure that the batteries have a full charge ... a process that takes about 12 hours and $100 for gas for the generator to do this ...

While this is going on, I will clean out the fridge and shut down everything ... except the freezer ... which I’ll keep running until December. After that, it will be so cold I won’t need the freezer plugged in for 4 months ...

While you’re relaxing and having fun ... I will be also ... perhaps my “tanning under the rays” won’t be the same as yours!!” While you're chugging back a couple of brew ... I will be chugging back a few litres of barium ... and laxative ... If you think of me, I will think of you!!

I have another appointment with the surgeon on September 24th ... then an appointment with the Chemo-oncologist and team on September 25th.

Radiation and chemo therapy continues on September 28th ... five days (5) per week for the next five and one-half (5 ½ ) weeks ... roughly 28 days ... and then???? Who knows ... ??? For sure it's going to be "me, ralph and the big white bowl " for the next while ... what the hell, didn't we used to do this after every party when we were young and stupid??

It will depend upon how much of the tumor the radiation and chemo has killed ... and then a decision will be made when the remaining tissue will be “cut out” ...

Am I upbeat? ... Yeah!! ... I’ve been through this twice before ... once during the ‘90’s .. and again during the early 2000’s ...

Back then it screwed up my PhD ... and this time, a 60th Reunion with a great bunch of people and a much-anticipated bike ride ... but what the “hell” ... the last 2 made me stronger and more focused on what’s really important in life ...

I honestly feel that the secret is "not panicking" ... and not becoming despondent ... my attitutude has been, "I would prefer not to die, and will fight like hell, but I'm not afraid to die." ...

If you’re religious, say a prayer for me ... if you’re spiritual, make an offering to the Creator ... if you’re not ... then please raise a pint and say “Giv’er hell Jim!!” Regardless, keep sending your emails, cards, letters, and blank but signed cheques ...

For you Delta guys getting blasted at the Irish Harp Pub ... each of you had better have an extra brew (or as many as you think is appropriate) for me ... and in my “honour” ... and I won’t even mind if you pass them through your kidneys before dedicating them to me ... !!

Radiation, chemo and immuno therapy should be done by end of October, ... then a month of “sitting, waiting and watching” for a month ... before the surgeon decides if he would like to “have a go at me”. ...

Will keep you posted, ... watch for more exciting news ... and “Y&R” style drama!!! On that program someone always has some incurable disease that seems to get cured, .. has some fatal disease that always seems to be misdiagnosed, .. some crazy ex-lover trying to kill him (hasn’t happened yet, but I’m sure it will!!! ...

My wife, Ida, has decided that we will spend some time in Niagara as soon as my therapy is over .. and visit with anyone who is within driving distance ... she is as disappointed as I am ..

Key ‘ya more later ... so watch out ... and if need be, notify the local police !!!

Reasonable lodging available

Jim McCutcheon has come up with another reasonably priced available lodging at the RODEWAY INN BY THE FALLS, 5553 Ferry Street, across from Cupolo's Sports store.  Contact Mina at (905) 356-6959 and mention Alpha Omega Fraternity for a flat $60 cash fee, no tax.

 

 

Alpha Omega Fraternity - 4th Update - Reunion Weekend - September 26 and 27

HI again guys.

We are 8 days away from our fraternity’s 60^th reunion.

Here is an update with a further request for your help.

The help we request is simple and easy for you to do. Just contact your friends and get them to be at the reunion.

1. Who is Coming

Cheques arrive every day. 70 tickets have been purchased to date. Another 11 members have confirmed they will be at the reunion.

Here is a list of those who have purchased tickets and those who have confirmed (*).

Wayne Astle *
Joe Biamonte
Bob Birrell *
Douglas Bowering
Gary Bowman
James Bredin
Tom Buchanan
Harry Burkman
Bill Campbell *
Jim Campbell
Rick Collard
Bob Collard
Gary Collier
Barry Cramp
Jim Deforge *
Joseph Dennis
Ken Dow
John Drewette
Tom Dwyer
Gary Ewart
Randy Garrett *
Wayne Gilmore
Charles Goodyear
Richard Goodyear
Don Green
Bryan Hart *
Frank Healey
Bob Hicks
Bob Higgins *
Hugh Jenkins
Gary Johnston
George Karol
John Kirkby
Tily Kershaw *
Wayne Kershaw *
Grant Knox
Lewis Knox
Steve Krizsan
Lorne Lambourne
Lewis Lambourne *
Allan Leake
Jan Leach
Gregory Lee
Jim Lockard
Glen Lockhart
Grant Maidens
Frank Massard
Tad McCallum
Jim McCutcheon
Donald McIlroy
James McKernan
David McManus
Louis Mitrovich
Larry Moore
Fred Murray
Robert Neal
Douglas Palmer
Robert Penner
John Potts
Douglas Rapelje
John Sentineal
Timothy Sirianni
Lester Snow
John Steward
David Steward
Roy Stoner
Alan Sundeen
Winston Taylor
John Thomas
George Vancea
Jerry Van Kleef
Bruce Ward *
Ronald Wilson
Michael Wood
Richard Woodruff

A number of others are attending but have just not yet got around to sending in their cheque or confirming.

Some of your friends, however, may not be on the list above and may need a prompt. Please contact them and encourage them to join us for the reunion.

Members’ contact information is available at http://aof.dougbowering.com . The password is 123.

It may be a while before we have another reunion. Our last one was 30 years ago in 1979.

Everyone (spouses, partners, others, families and friends) is welcome to attend all of the events whenever they wish. In particular, we anticipate most spouses/partners/others/families and friends will be attending the meals at Taps.

2. Schedule of Events

The only change from the last update is that the Sunday brunch will start an hour earlier at 11 a.m. and it will be at Taps Brewhouse and Grill (where we are having the Saturday-night dinner).

Here is the reunion weekend’s schedule:

Saturday, September 26

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Reunion Gathering and Barbeque - Niagara Falls Badminton and Tennis Club. Volleyball and change/shower facilities are available for those who wish to play.

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Dinner - Taps Brewhouse and Grill, a brew pub / restaurant featuring a broad range of reasonably priced menu items along with 8 beer / ale freshly brewed onsite, Ontario wines, live music and a tour of the beer-making process.

9:30 p.m. onwards - Post-Dinner Social - We will host a round of drinks for those who return to the Niagara Falls Badminton and Tennis Club after dinner for some further socializing.

Sunday, September 27

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Buffet Lunch - Taps Brewhouse and Grill

3. RSVP Please

We need to know who is coming to the meal events so we can reserve your seats and plan ahead.

Please confirm to Jan Lech at jan.lech@sympatico.ca or 905-780-8049 if you will be attending either or both of the Saturday-night dinner and the Sunday brunch at Taps and how many persons will be attending with you. Separate bills will be provided for both events.

4. Ticket Order Information

Tickets are $20. To purchase, please:

(i) mail a cheque for $20 a ticket to Harry Burkman (payable to him) at Suite 2810, P.O. Box 129, 1 First Canadian Place, Toronto, Ontario M5X 1A4; or

(ii) e-mail the payment to Harry Burkman at hburkman@burkman.com . Your confirmation question should be Name of Fraternity / Answer (one word) = alphaomega .

Please include your street address, phone numbers, e-mail address, chapter and active years with your payment or e-mail transfer message so that we can keep our members’ database current.

Tickets will be sent by e-mail before the reunion to those with e-mail addresses or mailed to those without e-mail addresses.

5 Directions to Event Locations

Niagara Falls Badminton and Tennis Club - 5300 Willmott Street, Niagara Falls

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&source=hp&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=5300+willmott+street,+niagara+falls,+ontario&fb=1&split=1&gl=ca&cid=0,0,7763322716815880390&ei=mv2lSuWuEYKgnQe248nDBQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1

Taps Brewhouse and Grill - 4680 Queen Street, Niagara Falls

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=4680+Queen+Street,+Niagara+falls+ontario&sll=43.106592,-79.069741&sspn=0.01142,0.017874&g=4337+Queen+Street,+Niagara+falls+ontario&ie=UTF8&s=AARTsJoc4qthO1lCZUo1tRPLbi5BNe8zGw&view=map

We hope to post another update next week (with over 100 tickets sold).

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, September 26 (and at the brunch on the 27^th). Please encourage your friends to be there too.

GLEN FINBOW

 

Hi, Everyone.

 

Glen Finbow, here. Hope all's well with everyone. I am hopeful of making the shindig over the Sep 26/27 weekend, but we are having an Open House of our own over that weekend here in Ridgeway. If any of the old gang is looking for something else to do while they're visiting, drop by for a visit. It's a lot of fun and 20 minutes from the Falls. Here's a copy of the invitation below. Follow QEW South to Exit 7 - Bowen Rd - take right at top of ramp onto Bowen West. Follow approx. 2kms. Take left onto Ridge Road (big dark green barn at turn). Follow another 2kms or so and we're on the left. Would be great to see some of you then!

 

All the best,

Glen

Glen & Lynda Finbow
SPLIT ROCK FARMS ALPACAS
1652 Ridge Road North
Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada L0S1N0
phone - 905-382-7777
email - splitrockfarmsbb@aol.com
website - www.splitrockfarmsbb.com
Specializing in Alpacas
of Distinction!

Your Personal Invitation to: Split Rock Farms Alpacas 3rd Annual Open House [Over 2,000 people in attendance in 2008] WHERE: 1652 Ridge Road N, Ridgeway, Ontario 905-382-7777 or 905-687-1319 Please call for Directions WHEN: Sat. Sept. 26 & Sun. Sept. 27 10:00 am to 5:00 pm FEATURING: So much to do for the little kids & the "big kids," too: Farm Tours -- meet our 16 beautiful new babies, learn about alpacas and alpaca fleece in our Q&A sessions... Warner Farms Belgian horse wagon rides... Laurie Corriveau, fibre artist & spinner... Cindy Praakel, artiste extra ordinaire... Sexsmith Farms jams and jellies... Many Canadian one-of-a kind fashions, eh!!... Peruvian garments & accessories... Purely alpaca yarn or blended with cashmere, silk, bamboo or cotton - simply beautiful Delectable foods/beverages provided by the renown Chef Paul Emond, Ridgeway's Restaurant.    Put some fun into your weekend. Share the experience with family and friends. See you there!

 

 

Alpha Omega Fraternity - 3rd Update - Reunion Weekend - September 26 and 27

Hi guys.

With just under 3 weeks to go before our 60^th anniversary reunion, here is an update and a request for your help.

1. Events Are Now Planned For Both Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27

Many members are coming to the reunion from some distance away and are spending the weekend in the Niagara Region.

Accordingly, 2 more reunion events are being planned, including a Saturday-night post-dinner social and a Sunday brunch. The reunion day is now a reunion weekend.

The schedule now includes:

Saturday, September 26

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Reunion Gathering and Barbeque - Niagara Falls Badminton and Tennis Club. Volleyball and change/shower facilities are available for those who wish to play.

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Dinner - Taps Brewhouse and Grill, a brew pub / restaurant featuring a broad range of reasonably priced menu items along with 8 beer / ale freshly brewed onsite, Ontario wines, live music and a tour of the beer-making process.

9:30 p.m. onwards - Post-Dinner Social - We will host a round of drinks for those who return to the Niagara Falls Badminton and Tennis Club after dinner for some further socializing.

Sunday, September 27

Noon - Buffet Lunch - Several locations are being considered. Details to follow.

All events are casual / informal. Some events may be held outdoors if the weather is particularly nice that weekend, e.g. Taps has a large patio.

Addresses and links to maps for the Badminton Club and Taps are set out below.

2. Ticket Sales

53 tickets have been purchased as of September 4. Another 15 or so members have confirmed that they will be attending and are sending in their payment.

Ticket sales are expected to dramatically pick up as the reunion weekend approaches and our members realize that this reunion, our 1^st in 30 years, will be a good time and a great success. This is the perfect opportunity for our members to see their friends from many years ago while meeting a great group of other people from our collective past.

Tickets are $20. Your prepayment is requested to help us be able to plan the events. Ticket order information is set out below.

The ticket cost includes everything except for drinks at the Badminton Club (a cash bar will be available other than the hosted round later Saturday night) and dinner and drinks at Taps and at the Sunday brunch (separate cheques will be provided).

Should a modest profit be generated beyond our fixed costs and the hosted drinks after Saturday-night’s dinner, the committee is considering that a series of charitable donations be made in the name of the fraternity to a cross-section of deserving local charities.

3. Everyone is Welcome

Members’ spouses/partners/others/families and friends are welcome to attend all of the events whenever they wish. In particular, we anticipate most spouses/partners/others/families and friends will be attending the dinner at Taps.

4. We Need Your Help

(i) Contacting Members

The reunion will be a much better time if your group of friends is there. We need your help by encouraging them to attend by calling or writing them. Let them know that you plan to be there and that you hope to see them there as well.

Should you need to obtain contact information for certain members, the fraternity’s list of members, phone numbers and e-mail addresses is maintained by Doug Bowering. It is online at: http://aof.dougbowering.com .

The list is password protected. Doug has previously sent out the password. Should you need it again, you can obtain it from Doug at dougb@thebowerings.com .

(ii) Providing Your Ideas and Input

We need your suggestions and ideas to make the reunion events more successful and meaningful. Please either post your ideas on this blog as Jim McKernan has done with his posts, including “Stuff for Spouses to Do” with activities in the region, or contact the Reunion Committee chairman Frank Healey at abuash.healey@gmail.com .

5. Ticket Order Information

To purchase tickets:

(i) mail a cheque for $20 a ticket to Harry Burkman (payable to him) at Suite 2810, P.O. Box 129, 1 First Canadian Place, Toronto, Ontario M5X 1A4; or

(ii) e-mail the payment to Harry Burkman at hburkman@burkman.com . Your confirmation question should be Name of Fraternity / Answer (one word) = alphaomega .

Please include your street address, phone numbers and e-mail address with your payment or e-mail transfer message so that we can keep our members’ database current.

Tickets will be sent by e-mail before the reunion to those with e-mail addresses or mailed to those without e-mail addresses.

6. Accommodations

For those from outside of the Niagara region, there is an abundance of accommodations options offering a range of quality, amenities, prices, location, etc.

Due to the variety available and individual preferences (including as to price and duration of stay), no particular hotel or bed and breakfast has been selected.

Your committee has noted several options (following in no particular order) while further noting that there are numerous other hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts throughout the region:

- Hampton Inn, 5591 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls (Scott Johnson - 905-374-5018). Rates include continental breakfast plus 2 hot selections, free parking and internet. www.hamptoninnatthefalls.com

- Hilton Hotel & Suites, 6361 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara Falls (1-888-370-9301). www.niagarafallshilton.com

- Marriott Fallsview Hotel, 6740 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara Falls (1-888-501-8916). www.niagarafallsmarriott.com

- Great Wolf Lodge (Gayle Walters - 905-353-5614). www.greatwolf.com/niagara/waterpark

- Old Town & Country Landing (Bed and Breakfast) , 211 Niagara Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake (Tom McMillan - 905-468-2896). www.otcl.ca + http://www.bbcanada.com/5256.html / octl@niagara.com

- Vintage Hotels (Queen's Landing, Pillar & Post and the Prince of Wales, all in Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Heather Wilson - 905-468-3246 x6515 or Fred Gamula). www.vintage-hotels.com / f.gamula@vintage-hotels.com

- Overlooking The Falls (Doug Birrell - 905-358-4666). www.overlookingthefalls.com / ceo@overlookingthefalls.com

You can post information about where you are staying, particularly good rates, etc. on the blog.

7. Directions to Events

Niagara Falls Badminton and Tennis Club - 5300 Willmott Street, Niagara Falls

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&source=hp&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=5300+willmott+street,+niagara+falls,+ontario&fb=1&split=1&gl=ca&cid=0,0,7763322716815880390&ei=mv2lSuWuEYKgnQe248nDBQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1

Taps Brewhouse and Grill - 4680 Queen Street, Niagara Falls

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=4680+Queen+St,+Niagara+Falls,+Niagara+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario&sll=43.102142,-79.078989&sspn=0.016419,0.050211&ie=UTF8&ll=43.101484,-79.074697&spn=0.012158,0.035963&z=16&iwloc=A

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, September 26 (and at the brunch on the 27^th). Please plan to be there.