9th Annual Minnesota Hepfest 2006

[Guest guest]

9th Annual Minnesota Hepfest 2006

Open invitation to all heppers, families, and friends

This August we will not hold our regularly scheduled LiverHope meetings. Instead, we encourage everyone to attend the Minnesota Hepfest from August 3-6. It really is a four-day long support group. It’s a lot of work, but well worth our effort. And it promises to be better than last year!

If you come from out of town, you should fly into the Minneapolis/St. airport. Plenty of people will have cars so we will arrange pickups from the airport. There is no need to rent a car unless you want to do some sightseeing on your own. Last year people carpooled to and from the hotels and for sightseeing trips (don't miss the Mall of America).

I have a large house and yard with a swimming pool and hot tub so swimsuits are a must! Actually, you may swim in any attire if you are too shy to wear a swimsuit. There is also a public park across the street if the crowd gets too large, but I think we will be fine. We had 110 people here last year with plenty of room to spare.

We will take turns cooking meals and will pass a hat for donations to cover the grocery bill. Donations are requested only if you can afford it. I don’t want anyone to feel that they can’t afford to attend. If you don’t live in the Twin Cities area and you can’t afford a hotel, of course you are welcome to stay here, but you will need to let me know in advance. There is also plenty of yard space for tents and there is room on the driveway to park a motor home. Unfortunately, we can’t allow locals to sleep here, as it just gets too crowded. But please, feel free to come every day.

I have included (at the end of this note) a list of hotels in Brooklyn Center that are close to my home (less than a mile) and in close proximity to each other. I have listed national toll free numbers for some of them along with the local numbers.

If you have any questions, please email me: patb@... or give me a call at (763) 566-3839.

I'm sending warm thoughts and prayers to everyone in their continuing fight against Hepatitis.

Hugs,

Pat Buchanan

Local Hotels

Comfort Inn

763 560-7464 or 1 800 228-5150

Super 8

763 566-9810 or 1 800 800-8000

Country Inn and Suites

763 561-0900 or 1 800 456-4000

Hilton

763 566-8000

Baymont Inn & Suites

763 561-8400

Americinn

763 566-7500 or 1 800 634-3444

Best Western

763 566-4140

Motel 6

763 560-9789

Driving directions to the Hepfest

From WI: Follow I-94 West to Minnesota and watch for the I-694 exit. Follow I-694 west until you cross the Mississippi River. Take an immediate right onto 252 north. Follow 252 to 73rd Ave and turn left. From 73rd, take the first right, which is Aldrich Ave. Follow Aldrich until you come to the T in the road, which is Meadowwood Drive. Turn left onto Meadowwood. I'm the 4th house on the left side of the street. My address is 901 Meadowwood Drive, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444.

From the South: Take I-35W North to I-94 West to 252 North. Follow 252 to 73rd Ave and turn left. From 73rd, take the first right, which is Aldrich Ave. Follow Aldrich until you come to the T in the road, which is Meadowwood Drive. Turn left onto Meadowwood. I'm the 4th house on the left side of the street. My address is 901 Meadowwood Drive, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444.

Call for directions from anywhere: (763) 566-3839

PS—What is a Hepfest?

It's real hugs from other persons with hepatitis.

It's love and caring and sharing of thoughts and feelings.

It's meeting a very good friend face to face for perhaps the very first time.

It's renewing ongoing friendships with someone who knows exactly how you feel like no one else ever could.

It's hepper helpers finding out they aren't alone either because other helpers (spouses) have the same feelings they do.

It's good friends, good times, good food, and good music.

It's wonderful.