The die is cast. Part way. The 2007 Meeting of Newsvine Minds will take place on May 18th, 2007 at some initial meeting place somewhere in Columbus, OH. Within two weeks I will choose a hotel at which I will rent a room to serve as a hospitality suite for the meeting. At this point in time I am considering the Holiday Inn which is just south of the main gate at Columbus International Airport (CMH). Any drinks will be BYOB. I will have some plastic glasses, ice will be available and we can go from there. This particular hotel has what was once, and hopefully still is, a very good restaurant and bar. It also has a swimming pool; availability of rooms is still to be determined. To visit hotel home page:

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/cmhsr

This choice of hotels or initial meeting point can change but will be firmed up within next two weeks. We can now open the discussion to an extended agenda. Activities on Saturday, May 19th will depend on many things. How many Newsviners will be attending and for how long? How will local transportation affect attendance? I have a van which I will press into service for airport pickups or to bring several Newsviners from the OSU area to the Hotel and return or any other such transport that will not detract from the overall Friday, May 18th, initial meeting. Attendees should expect to furnish any needed transport beyond that. I am suggesting that we pick some good place for Saturday breakfast and possible extended activities. I will personally need to return to Coshocton, OH, by Sunday morning, most likely departing Columbus after Saturday activities. It is possible we could arrange for attendees to keep the hospitality suite for Saturday or even longer but would become the responsibility of those so interested.

I am extending an invitation for anyone who wants to spend additional time in primitive camping at our farm in Coshocton County. Adam Hobson is invited to visit Coshocton and if so desired I will make every effort to make his stay possible. Celestina and others have indicated they might want to tent camp, such an arrangement is possible. We have a two holer, a single inside bath, and a shovel which can be taken to the woods.

There is an opening for the OSU crowd to create a party within a party. If a like minded group wants to put together a Saturday night celebration along with a Sunday sober up/go to church side tour, they should be my guest.

Now is the time for commitment. I need everyone who is going to attend to join my list of confirmed attendees. Right now that list is: Old Fogey. Please indicate your intentions asap. I would like a good idea of the number attending by April 18th. Others may find later that they can attend and, if so, I am sure we can add to the list right up until the last minute. Making a commitment now will help me decide how much more effort to expend in developing an agenda. Thanks.