[rdorman]

Thanks Joe. We actually started a lot of the planning months ago! Items such as working with Shell Valley and Bob Bondurant and Mid-Ohio have been in the planning stages for months!

Right now we are focusing on the raffle car. If we can get it done by our target date that will leave us with lots of time for the other details. Of course things like Mid-Ohio and Bondurant have to be planned a year in advance otherwise there would be no way to get them together because of schedule conflicts.

Also, am going through all the feedback forms (you did get and respond to the form didn't you?) to shape next years schedule. So far it looks like folks like this years schedule but they also had some nice ideas on how to improve the events. As soon as those that where here this year have had their say, we will work on the changes for next year. I have said it before: this is your event, you make it great! I, we, are just your hosts.

There is a great group working on this. The 'core' group now comprises about 13 guys that work to make all the plans. Then as you know, during the event that number swells a lot!! That does not include all the hard work of the folks of London, the Strawberry Festival, Cystic Fibrosis and all the businesses and organizations that support us. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count them all!

We have meetings every other Tuesday at Houlihans in Columbus Ohio, every one is welcome! Next one is 8/16.

More than likely, I am going to take more of a back seat next year. Three straight years of helping out in London and I would like to take a year off! I will still be around, of course, if they need help. 'Training' the new folks! In the mean time, I am hoping to get things off to a good start and so far, it looks like we are off to a GREAT start!!

There is always work to do and much of it does not matter where you are. Drum up support for the event and help make this a record year for CF and the most fun ever!

Rick