4th Annual OSSGMN Spring Thaw featuring Carnie !

[Guest guest]

OSSGMN's (Obesity Surgery Support Group of Minnesota)

4th Annual

Spring Thaw Educational Conference

April 23 - 25, 2004

Introducing Key Note Speaker: Carnie

At: Grand Casino Hinckley's Conference Center

Hinckley, Minnesota

Please join us for...

A relaxing weekend of friendship, support, education & entertainment!

MORE INFO AT: http://www.ossgmn.com/conference.html

WEBSITE UPDATES IN THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY!!!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - Tentative Schedule (may change):

All activities will take place at the Grand Casino Hinckley Banquet &

Convention Center (attached to the Grand Casino).

Friday

4 p.m. - Check-in at hotels

3-6 p.m. ? SpaThaw

7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Registration

5 p.m. ? 9 p.m. Expo

7 p.m. - Midnight - 70'S-themed Social

Saturday

7:30 a.m. - Check-in & Registration opens

8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Discovery Retreat Room

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Expo

9:30 a.m. -Opening and the day begins

6 p.m. - A Celebration of Success Show, Auction, Dinner, and Casual

Dance

Sunday

10:00 a.m.First Annual OSSGMN annual meeting.Held at Tobies Big Kettle

room, down stairs at Tobies.

11 a.m. - Checkout at hotels

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON EVENTS

70's THEMED SOCIAL

There will be a cash bar, appetizers and lots of fun for everyone, so

get ready to kick off the Spring Thaw. There is no cost for this

event,

but please indicate if you will be attending so

we know how much food to order.

Hors D'oeuvres:

We will have hors d'oeuvers available at this event.

Anyone interested in helping with this event, please contact Jackie

Jepsen at jepsen@....

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

This year the Spring Thaw will offer many opportunities for education

and learning. In addition to a Keynote Speaker, we will be offering

many breakout education sessions for WLS

(weight loss surgery) patients and their support persons. We will

continue to update this site as we get speakers lined up. Can't wait

to start the learning!!

" CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS " SHOW (formerly Fashion Show)

New in 2004 Fashion Bug will be sponsoring the Show!

The highlight of the Spring Thaw!! We will be celebrating the

successes of our fellow OSSGMN members by parading across stage and

showing off the " new you " ! If you are

interested in participating in the show, and you qualify (you must

have

had surgery at least 12 months prior to the Spring Thaw), please email

tamusil2001@... to get signed

up on the list. A limited number of slots are available - first come,

first served!

BANQUET (Saturday night)

We will be enjoying a casual banquet dinner. A cash bar will be

provided for those who would like. Otherwise coffee, tea, and water

will be available with dinner.

AUCTION

We will be having an exciting, fun auction of some great packages!

EXPO

The Expo is to give our members some information and help with some of

the issues we face after having surgery. We would also like to have

some tables to support some of the

members of the group with their business and crafts (if room is

available).

Expo Participants:

THE THAW SPA ROOM ~ Retreat into a world of self-discovery ~

Discover the benefits of massage and aromatherapy, experience

handwriting analysis, palm reading and much more, all while you listen

to soothing music and relax. Treat yourself, you

deserve it!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We will need many volunteers to help us run the registration table,

clothing exchange, expo, etc. during the Thaw itself. At a later date

Ricci will be asking for volunteers and

coordinating them to work where we need you.

Contact to volunteer or for questions: tamusil2001@...

HOLLY HARWIG AWARD NOMINATIONS

Award Nomination forms will be available at the registration table for

you to fill out and turn in. This award is presented annually at the

Gala. The " Holly Harwig Award " is presented

to an individual for volunteer services above and beyond the call of

duty to encourage and support fellow OSSGMN members on their journey

to

weight freedom.

Contact for questions: Holly at holly@....

REGISTRATION

Everyone needs to also register with OSSGMN (separate from hotel

reservations).

Please send reservations via e-mail to tamusil2001@...

Or mail your check to:

OSSGMN

C/0 Theresa Musil

5615 220th St N

Forest Lake, MN 55025

This applies to everyone - whether you are staying overnight or not.

OSSGMN Registration Fees:

$60 for dues paid OSSGMN member

$70 Non paid dues members early bird before March 1

$80 After March 1

If you would like to pay your dues, you will receive the $60 discount

price, plus you will be eligible for all paid member discounts.

ACCOMMODATIONS Rooms will be released 4/1/04

We have 80 rooms reserved at the Grand Casino Hinckley Hotel (a

variety

of types of rooms) and 20 rooms reserved at the Grand Hinckley Inn.

You can stay one or both nights.

Planned activities will take place on Friday & Saturday.

Reservations:

Hotel reservations need to be made on your own. To make room

reservations please call 1- and push 0 and then ask for

reservations. Tell them you want to book a room

in the OSSGMN block for April 23-25, or a part of that weekend.

Payment will be arranged at that time.

QUESTIONS

Any questions can be directed to the Conference Co-Chairpersons:

Theresa Musil

E-mail - tamusil2001@...

Home -

Diane Ziwicki

E-mail - deedee@...

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