On the Road AgainOn the Road AgainOn the Road AgainOn the Road AgainOn the Road Again

Who We Are Where We’re Published Where We Meet

2005

On the Road Againis a publication of

Midwest Travel Writers AssociationPO Box 83542

Lincoln NE 68501-3542402-438-2253

website: www.mtwa.orgemail: ghinz@alltel.net

Editor: Betty StarkDesign: Webster’s Unabridged, Inc.

Cover: The Cincinnati Reds are Cincinnati! Thismascot was on hand to greet President ElizabethGranger and MTWA at a lavish opening reception

in Newport, Ky., just across the Ohio River.– Photo by Gary Knowles

Table ofContents

2005

Welcome!elcome to MTWA’s year inreview. We’re excited toshare our travels and theW

Elizabeth GrangerMTWA President

subsequent articles which we’veproduced, so sit back, take a look, andenjoy the ride.

For more than half a century nowMTWA actives have been traveling theglobe and sharing their adventures withreaders everywhere. It’s true that all ofus are from the Midwest, but ourinterests and excursions cover the entireworld. So do our articles. Likewise, themany publications which print ourarticles are from around the world.

Our associates, all representingMidwestern locales, share their siteswith others from not only the UnitedStates but also a multitude of othercountries. You’ll find spirited articlesfeaturing their sites in publicationseverywhere.

This edition of our yearbookshowcases our 2005 articles withemphasis on those from our 2005meeting sites. Because we visitedCincinnati in May and Traverse City inSeptember, our articles logically post-dated those meeting times. Neverthe-less, we were quick in getting some ofour stories to our publications, and weproudly display a selection of thearticles here. These articles are, how-ever, but a fraction of the number offeatures we’ll be producing about theCincinnati and Traverse City areas.2006 will undoubtedly have an evengreater number of articles, given thelong lead time for some of ourmagazines as well as the stayingpower of the sites themselves. Beassured that we’ll be penning piecesabout both sites for years to come.

That scenario plays itself out yearafter year after year, with our memberscontinually updating information fromlong ago. Our meeting sites have alwaysprovided a wealth of diverse informa-tion which has piqued our interests – somuch so that those sites stay with us andwe make calls to update material longafter our meeting dates. Recent articleshave featured a myriad of earliermeeting sites dating back a decade ormore. We’ve included some of thosearticles here, too.

If you represent a prospectivemeeting site, I invite you to get in touchwith us so we can talk about visitingyou. Sites coordinator Gary Knowles iswaiting for you. Just contact him atOPENAIR@aol.com.

If you’re a prospective active orassociate, I welcome your interest injoining us. We’re small in comparisonto many other organizations, and wechoose to be. We may see each otheronly at meetings twice a year, but manyof us stay in contact with one anotherthrough our informal but remarkablysuccessful networking possibilities. Foradditional information about MTWA,and to get a member application,contact Glenda Hinz, our administrativeassistant, at glhinz@alltel.net.

And at any time, you can also checkus out at our website, www.mtwa.org.Come travel with us.

Pg. 3 – Who We AreBoard of Directors

Pg. 4 – Active Members

Pg. 5 – Where We’re Published

Pg. 6 – Associate Members

Pg. 7 – Where We’ve Met

Pg. 8 – Mark Twain Travel Writerof the Year

Pg. 9 – 2004 Mark Twain Award WinnersPrevious Award Winners

Pg. 10 – Fred Burns Award Spotlight Award Committees & Positions

Pg. 11 – GEMmy Awards

Pg. 12-13 – Spring 2005 Meeting, Cincinnati, Ohio

Pg. 14-15 – Fall 2005 Meeting, Traverse City, Michigan

Pg. 16 – 2004 Spring Site, Portland, Maine

Pg. 17 – 2004 Fall Site, Duluth, Minnesota

Pg. 18 – Past Meeting Sites

Pg. 19 – Past Meeting Sites

2

: Who We Are

M idwest Travel Writers Associationis the oldest association ofprofessional travel writers in the

travel writing or editing for a newspaper,magazine and/or news service. AssociateMembers are full-time editorial publicists forstate and regional areas, public carriers, andtravel writers and photographers assigned bypublic relations and advertising agencies.

Membership is limited to those living orworking in 13 Midwest states. We live in theMidwest but, for many of us, the world isour workplace.

IllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyMichiganMinnesota

MissouriNebraska

North DakotaOhio

South DakotaWisconsin

32005

United States. Our first meeting was in 1951in Chicago.

We are an organization of travel profes-sionals. Our purpose is to protect andupgrade travel writing as a profession byexchanging ideas, encouraging high profes-sional ideals, fostering communicationsbetween travel writers and readers, and

championing the cause of travelers from theMidwest.

Members of MTWA subscribe to thehighest standards in the profession ofjournalism. The organization seeks tomaintain truth and accuracy in all aspects oftravel journalism. Each member agrees toabide by the MTWA Code of ProfessionalResponsibility.

There are two categories of membership.Active Members are actively engaged in

PresidentElizabeth Granger, Fishers, Indiana

Active Vice-PresidentDan Donarski, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Associate Vice-PresidentGary Knowles, Madison, Wisconsin (to September)

Jean Freidl, Woodbury, Minnesota (since September)

SecretaryShauna Lode, Ames, Iowa (to May)

Kathleen Webster, Galena, Illinois (since May)

TreasurerSharyn Kuneman, St. Louis, Missouri

2005 Board of DirectorsTerms begin and end at our spring meetings. Unscheduled changes occur as needed.

Active DirectorsMary Bergin, Madison, Wisconsin

Jackie Sheckler Finch, Bloomington, Indiana (to May)Mary Lu Laffey, Skokie, Illinois

Peggy Ammerman Sailors, Indianapolis, Indiana (since May)

Associate DirectorJean Freidl, Woodbury, Minnesota (to May)

Charlotte Morrison, Davenport, Iowa (since May)

Immediate Past PresidentMike Whye, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Administrative AssistantGlenda Hinz, Lincoln, Nebraska

Active MembersKelly Aiglon, Evanston, Ill.Leonard Barnes, Traverse City, Mich.Mary Bergin, Madison, Wis.Kit Bernardi, Oak Park, Ill.Tim Bewer, Minneapolis, Minn.Robert Bittner, Charlotte, Mich.Jay Black, Clear Lake, IowaLaurie Borman, Skokie, Ill.Katherine Brown, Lexington, Ky.Barbara Cohen, Indianapolis, Ind.Ruth Chin, Muncie, Ind.Shirley Davis, Davenport, IowaNancy Depke, Rocky River, OhioDan Donarski, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.Amy Eckert, Holland, Mich.Lori Erickson, Iowa City, IowaJackie Sheckler Finch, Bloomington, Ind.Sylvia Forbes, Fayette, Mo.Dixie Franklin, DeWitt, Mich.Sherry Freese, Bettendorf, IowaElizabeth Granger, Fishers, Ind.Graydon Gwin, Kirkwood, Mo.John A. Handley, Northbrook, Ill.Jerry Harpt, Wallace, Mich.Ann Hattes, Hartland, Wis.Joan Hooper, Sister Bay, Wis.Don Ingle, Baldwin, Mich.Ron Johnson, Fridley, Minn.Frederick Karst, Culver, Ind.Sharyn Kuneman, St. Louis, Mo.Mary Lu Laffey, Skokie, Ill.Doris Larson, Kent, OhioBecky Linhardt, Cincinnati, Ohio

2005

All of us are from theMidwest, but ourinterests and excursionscover the entire world.So do our articles.

Active members Mary Bergin , Elizabeth Grangerand others enjoy the scenery at Sleeping BearDunes National Lakeshore near Traverse City.

- photos this page by Don Engle

Donna Tabbert Long, St. Anthony, Minn.Betsa Marsh, Cincinnati, OhioLisa Meyers McClintick, St. Cloud, Minn.Melanie Radzicki McManus, Sun Prairie, Wis.Madelyn Merwin, Manteno, Ill.Diana Lambdin Meyer, Parkville, Mo.Mike Michaelson, Chicago, Ill.Nancy Baren Miller, Akron, OhioJoan Milne, Munster, Ind.

Randy Mink, Evanston, Ill.Pamela O’Meara, Arden Hills, Minn.Joanne R. O’Toole, Willoughby, OhioThomas J. O’Toole, Willoughby, OhioBarbara Gibbs Ostman, Gerald, Mo.Marge Peterson, Ralston, Neb.Janet Podolak, Willoughby, OhioSusan Pollack, Huntington Woods, Mich.Mary Quinley, Livonia, Mich.Tom Reed, North Olmsted, OhioBob Retzlaff, Rochester, Minn.Rachael Reynolds-Soucie, Kankakee, Ill.Peggy Ammerman Sailors, Indianapolis, Ind.Marcia Schonberg, Lexington, OhioBill Semion, Canton, Mich.Joanne Prim Shade, Chicago, Ill.Betsy Sheldon, Indianapolis, Ind.Mark Shuman, Crystal Lake, Ill.Sally Snell, Topeka, Kan.Roberta Sotonoff, Glenview, Ill.Betty Stark, Portage, Wis.Janet Steinberg, Cincinnati, OhioKathie Sutin, St. Louis, Mo.Gail Todd, Winnetka, Ill.Alice Vollmar, Minneapolis, Minn.Barc Wade, Omaha, Neb.Carla Waldemar, Minneapolis, Minn.Susan Bayer Ward, Evanston, Ill.Barbara Wayman, Dublin, OhioTodd Wessell, Des Plaines, Ill.Mike Whye, Council Bluffs, IowaSandi Witkowicz, Lincoln, Neb.Kathy Witt, Taylor Mill, Ky.

4

Active Members are writers who are actively employed by a regularly published magazine or newspaper, or regulary engagedin travel writing or editing in news or feature media reaching the general public, or regularly published freelance writers.

2005 5

AAA Go Magazine, AAA Home &Away, AAA Living, AAA MidwestTraveler, Accent on Living, A Guide toU.S. Doll Museums, Akron BeaconJournal, American Heritage, AmericanIsraelite, American Profile Magazine,American Way, Antique Trader, ArubaNights, Associated Press Service, ASTA(American Society of Travel Agents),Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Bed &Breakfast Getaways (Cleveland), BestDriving Vacations, Better Homes andGardens, Boston Globe, Buffalo News,Midwest Living, Campers Monthly,Capital Times (Madison, Wis.), ChicagoMagazine, Chicago Sun-Times, ChicagoTribune, Cincinnati Enquirer, ClevelandMagazine, Columbus Dispatch, Colum-bus Travel Guides, Commercial Appeal(Memphis), Contemporary Doll Collec-tor, Copley News Service, CountryDiscoveries, Country Lives Magazine,Country Living, Courier-Journal(Louisville), Current Magazine, DailyHerald (Suburban Chicago), DailyTribune (Wisconsin Rapids), DallasMorning News, Delta Sky, Des MoinesRegister, Detroit Free Press, DetroitNews, Dog Gone, Doll News, ElksMagazine, Emirates Inflight Magazine,Endless Vacations, Expedia.com, FamilyFun, Fodors, Frommers, Globe-PequotPress, Golfer, Gourmet Magazine,Grand Rapids Press, Great Inn Geta-ways, Group Travel, Group TravelLeader, House Beautiful, Huntsville(Ala.) Times, Illinois Meetings &Events, Indianapolis Monthly, India-napolis Star, Iowan Magazine, Janesville(Wis.) Gazette, Journal & Topics(Chicago Suburban), JUF News (JewishUnited Fund), Kansas City CVB VisitorsGuide, Kansas City Home & Garden,Kansas City Star, Kenosha (Wis.) Times,Kentucky Living, Lake SuperiorMagazine, Leader Telegram (Eau Claire,Wis.), Life Times Magazine, LongWeekends Magazine, Mabuhay (Philip-pine Inflight Magazine), Marco Polo,

Where We’re PublishedStories by MTWA members are printed in hundreds of national and international publications every year.

Here’s a sampling of where we’ve recently appeared:

Marshfield (Wis.) News Herald, Mason CityGlobe Gazette, Mature Traveler, MeetingsMedia, Michigan Hunting & Fishing,Michigan Living, Midwest Gaming andTravel, Midwest Motorist, MilwaukeeJournal-Sentinel, Minnesota Monthly,Missouri Life Magazine, Mobil +, ModernMaturity, Montana Senior News, MotorCoach Magazine, MSNBC.com, NationalGeographic Traveler, National Motorist,National Wildlife, New Hampshire SeniorBulletin, New York Post, Nights Publications(Canada), Noblesbille (Ind.) Daily Times,North American Inns, Northern Ohio Live,Now I Can Read (travel-themed series forkids), NY Times Regional NewspaperGroup, Ohio Magazine, Ohio Motorist,Omaha World-Herald, Orbitz.com, OutdoorCanada, Outreach, Ozarks Maturity, PalmBeach Daily, Peoria Journal Star, PieceworkMagazine, Pioneer Group Publications,Pioneer Press, Points North, PortlandOregonian, Press Gazette ( Green Bay,Wis.), Providence (R.I.) Sunday Journal,Quad City Times, Rotarian, Reporter (Fonddu Lac, Wis.), Restaurant Start Up &Growth, Rockford (Ill.) Register Star,

Rocky Mountain News, Rocky Moun-tain Sports, RV Traveler, San AntonioExpress-News, Schwing Golf Magazine,Seabreeze Publications, Shape Maga-zine, Show Me Missouri Magazine,SoGoNow.com, Southern Traveler,South Bend Tribune, Post Dispatch (St.Louis), Star Tribune (Minneapolis), St.Louis Times, St. Paul Pioneer Press, St.Maarten Nights, St. Petersburg Times,Stevens Point (Wis.) Journal, StyleMagazine, Subaru Magazine, SundayChallenger (Northern Kentucky), TheCrafts Report, The Quilter, The Peak(Hong Kong), The Plain Dealer(Cleveland),The (Nashville) Tennessean,Times of the Islands, Toronto Sun,Travel America, Travel and Entertain-ment, Travel Smart, TraveltoWellness.com, Travel World Interna-tional, Troika Magazine, Voyageur,Windy City Sports, Waukesha (Wis.)Freeman, Wausau (Wis.) DailyHerald, West Suburban Living(Milwaukee), Wine Enthusiast,Wisconsin Trails, Woman’s Day,Woodalls, Woods ‘n Waters

MTWA members take to Ohio’s Little Miami River aboard rafts with Gary Morganof Morgan’s Canoe and Outdoor Centers. –Photo by Elizabeth Granger

20056

Tracey Berry, Communications AdministratorMissouri Division of Tourism301 W. High St., Box 1055Jefferson City, MO 65102-1055573-751-3438, tracey.berry@ded.mo.gov

Joan Collins, Pres., Joan Collins Publicity, Inc.2812 Waunona WayMadison, WI 53713608-222-2899, Jpublicity@aol.com

Susan Dallas, Mktg. Communications ManagerGreater Louisville CVBOne Riverfront Plaza401 W. Main St., Suite 2300Louisville, KY 40202502-560-1480, sdallas@gotolouisville.com

Mary Ethel Emanuel, Public Relations DirectorNebraska Tourism Office301 Centennial Mall SouthPO Box 98907Lincoln, NE 68509-8907402-471-3797, marye@visitnebraska.org

Beth Ervin, Director of CommunicationsExperience Columbus90 N. High St.Columbus, OH 43215-3014614-222-6127,BErvin@ExperienceColumbus.org

Peter Fitzsimons, Executive DirectorPetoskey-Harbor Springs-Boyne Country CVB401 E. Mitchell St.Petoskey, MI 49770231-348-2755, peter@boynecountry.com

Jean Freidl, OwnerJean Freidl Communications9224 Duckwood TrailWoodbury, MN 55125651-493-3029, JeanFreidl@aol.com

Renee Graham, Tourism Marketing ManagerColumbia CVB300 S. Providence RoadColumbia, MO 65203573-875-1231, RYG@GoColumbiaMO.com

Wendy Haase, Public Relations ManagerGreater Milwaukee CVB101 W. Wisconsin Av. Suite 425Milwaukee, WI 53203414-287-4254, whaase@milwaukee.org

Jackie Hughes, Communications, PR ManagerElkart County CVB/Northern Ind. Amish Country219 Caravan Dr.Elkhart, IN 46514574-262-8161, jackie@amishcountry.org

Beverly Hurley, PresidentBeverly Hurley Public Relations12724 Sagamore Rd.Leawood, KS 66209913-451-9023, hurleypr@kcnet.com

Sharon Johnson, Public Information OfficerSpringfield CVB100 N. 7th St.Springfield, IL 62701,217-789-2360, sjohnson@springfield.il.us

Steve Kappler, Director of CommunicationsThe Beenders Marketing Group330-B E. High St.Jefferson City, MO 65101573-636-8282, tbmg00sk@aol.com

Gary Knowles, PresidentGary Knowles Marketing Communications487 Presidential LaneMadison, WI 53711608-231-3884, OPENAIR@aol.com

Barbara Kravitz, Director of CommunicationsGrand Rapids/Kent County CVB171 Monroe Av., NW, Suite 700Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2694616-459-8287, bkravitz@visitgrandrapids.org

Charles Lennon, Media Relations ManagerExplore Minnesota Tourism100 Metro Square, 171 7th Pl., EastSt. Paul, MN 55101651-297-3291, chuck.lennon@state.mn.us

Camie Lies, Communications ManagerBismarck-Mandan CVB1600 Burnt Boat Dr.Bismarck, ND 58503701-222-4308,camie@bismarckmandandvb.com

Shawna Lode, Public Relations ManagerIowa Tourism Office200 E. Grand Av.Des Moines, IA 50309515-242-4717, shawna.lode@iowalifechanging.com

Associate

Associate memberCharlotte Morrison and

keeper Erin Whiteget friendly with

lorikeets at theNewport Aquarium

in Kentucky.– Photo by

Elizabeth Granger

Kent Love, VP, Marketing CommunicationsGreater Lansing CVB1223 Turner St., Suite 200Lansing, MI 48906517-487-0077, klove@lansing.org

Lisa Marshall, Public Relations ManagerWisconsin Department of Tourism201 W. WashingtonMadison, WI 53708608-267-3773, lmarshall@travelwisconsin.com

Nancy Milton, VP, Marketing CommunicationsSt. Louis CVBOne Metropolitan Square, Suite 11St. Louis, MO 63102314-992-0651, nmilton@explorestlouis.com

Charlotte Morrison, VP, Mktg & CommunicationsQuad Cities CVB102 S. Harrison St.Davenport, IA 52801563-322-3911, cdoehler@visitquadcities.com

Tom Nemacheck, Executive DirectorUpper Peninsula Travel & Recreation AssociationPO Box 400Iron Mountain, MI 49801906-774-5480, tom@uptravel.com

Jennifer Schmitts Thomas, PrincipalHetrick Communications201 S. Capitol Av., Suite 800Indianapolis, IN 46225317-262-8080, jen@hetcom.com

Kathleen Webster, Vice PresidentWebster’s Unabridged, Inc.2170 N Blackjack Road, PO Box 311Galena, IL 61036-0311815-777-2422, websters@galenalink.com

Amy Weirick, PresidentWeirick Communications, Inc.7792 Olentangy River Rd., Suite F-1Columbus, OH 42335614-848-8387, amy@weirickcommunications.com

Associate Members are public relations professionals who areengaged full-time in publicity, promotion, public relations or

advertising primarily in the field of travel.

Members

We Meet Twice a YearWe generally meet twice a year, in spring and fall. Since our founding in 1951 the following sites

have experienced first-hand the value of hosting MTWA meetings – some more than once!

2005Cincinnati, Ohio & Traverse City, Mich.

2004Portland, Maine & Duluth, Minn.

2003Oklahoma City, Okla. &Bismarck/Mandan, N.D.

2002Oaxaca, Mexico & Sonoma County, Calif.

2001Chicago, Ill. & Albuquerque/Santa Fe, N.M.

2000Vancouver, B.C., Canada & Huntsville, Ala.

1999Madison, Wis. & San Antonio, Texas

1998Nashville/Opryland, Tenn. & Tampa, Fla.

1997Kansas City, Mo. & Eugene, Ore.

1996Columbus, Ind. & Ottawa, Ont., Canada

1995Rapid City, S.D. & Pittsburgh, Pa.

1994Reno, Nev. & Green Bay, Wis

1993Wichita, Kan. & Tucson, Ariz.

1982Keweenaw Peninsula, Mich.,

Hartford, Conn. & Haiti1981

Chicago, Ill. & Tampa, Fla.1980

Colorado Springs, Colo. & Baton Rouge, La.1979

Philadelphia, Pa. & Duluth, Minn.1978

Cleveland, Ohio & Copper Harbor, Mich.1977

Louisville, Ky, New Orleans, La. & Detroit,Mich.1976

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Nashville,Tenn.

& Corpus Christi, Texas1975

St. Louis, Mo. & Southern Ohio and Indiana1974

Jamaica

1973Missouri & Canada

1972Mackinac Island, Mich.

1971Naples, Fla. & Louisville, Ky.

1970Cincinnati, Ohio & Toronto, Ont., Canada

1969Holland, Mich. & Lake Cumberland, Ky.

1968Kenora, Ont., Canada & French Lick, Ind.

1967Kentucky Dam State Park

1966Chicago, Ill., Detroit, Mich. & Chicago, Ill.

1965Chicago, Ill. & New Orleans, La.

1964Yellowstone National Park

1963Colorado Springs, Colo. & Chicago, Ill.

1962Chicago, Ill. & Chicago, Ill.

1961Milwaukee, Wis. & Chicago, Ill.

1960Chicago, Ill.

2005 7

And we did!We were greeted with this

full-page ad inCincinnati Magazine.

1992Baltimore, Md. & Columbus, Ohio

1991Chicago, Ill. & St. Paul, Minn.

1990Portland, Maine & Ireland

1989Indianapolis, Ind. & Grand Traverese, Mich.

1988Norfolk/Williamsburg, Va. & Fairbanks/

Anchorage, Alaska1987

Salt Lake City, Utah, Omaha/Lincoln, Neb. & Orlando, Fla.

1986Milwaukee, Wis. & Forth Worth, Texas

1985Portland, Ore. & Vicksburg, Miss.

1984Des Moines, Iowa & Palm Springs, Calif.

1983Savannah, Ga. & Chattanooga, Tenn.

1959Chicago, Ill. & Great Lakes Cruise

Chicago, Ill. to Detroit, Mich.1958

Chicago, Ill. & Delavan, Wis.1957

Chicago, Ill. & Detroit, Mich.1956

Chicago, Ill. & Chicago, Ill.1955

Chicago, Ill.1954

Chicago, Ill. & SailDetroit to Mackinac Island, Mich.

1953Sail Chicago, Ill. to Mackinac Island, Mich.

& Boulder Junction, Wis.1952

Gatlinburg, Tenn.1951

Chicago, Ill.

Rachael Reynolds-Soucie

TPortland, Maine.

Nestled on a picturesque seascape, Portlandis immersed in arts and culture, steeped inhistory, and inhabited by a culture-consciouspublic. The lobster capital of the world, Portlandoffers first-class museums, bargains at outletstores, and of course, those famous Mainecrustaceans. Add a mix of historic Federal-stylebuildings, fine dining, an art scene and sprawlingoutdoor adventure and you’ve got a greatdestination in one of the last untouched areas ofthe country.

After almost a week in Portland and itssurrounding areas, I decided this was a city Icould live in. If anything, a place I’d ventureback to again and again. Portland, population65,000, is everything you ever wanted in NewEngland. Life is calm, salt spikes the air, andhistoric buildings lend an otherworldly charm. It’salso everything you ever wanted in Maine, with thestate’s famous rocky beaches, the locals’ thick EastCoast accent, and hospitality you just can’t beat.

...Portland is large enough to have thatsprawling metropolitan feel, but small enoughthat you can tool around on foot. ...Portland isthe largest city in the state, even though the tallestbuilding is only 15 stories high. The tallestbuildings can be found in the Old Port District,one of the most charming areas of the city. Ashopping, dining and entertainment district thatcradles a working waterfront, this area is home torestaurants, boutiques, galleries, and funky shops.You’ll find chowder houses, coffee shops,brew pubs and exciting restaurants, whichhave given Portland the reputation of havingmore restaurants per capita than San Francisco.

...Lobstering comprises many people’slivelihoods, and visitors like to walk along thewharfs and see the lobster traps stacked 10,sometimes 15 high. Maine hard-shell lobster,shipped all over the country, isn’t such adelicacy here. It’s so cheap – about $5.99 apound – people can afford to eat it severaltimes a week. And they do, not just thetraditional bib-and-butter way, but on alobster roll (lump meat served on hot a dogbun, the classic Maine lunch), in creamystew (a Christmas Eve tradition), and evensteamed in seaweed (A.K.A the famousdowneast lobster bake).

hree hundred miles from New York City,off the back woods of New England, liesone of the country’s undiscovered gems:

8 2005

...Eighteen miles north of Portland liesFreeport – “the birthplace of Maine.” It’s a quaintand curious town that has history tucked in everynook and cranny, from the 18th and 19th centuryhomes that line the street to the town McDonald’s,which is located in an old clapboard building.

One of the town’s most beloved buildings isthe Harraseeket Inn, a rambling resort in arefurbished Greek Revival mansion. TheHarraseeket is steps from downtown, whereyou’ll find a host of factory outlet storesincluding Banana Republic and Brooks Brothers,GAP, J. Crew and Nine West. Why, many peoplecome to Freeport just for the bargains.

The biggest draw of them all is the L.L. Beanflagship store – where it all began 92 years ago. Ithas a massive collection of outdoor gear andapparel, luring some 3 million visitors a year.

...Whatever you do, don’t miss a drink at theJameson Tavern. .. The most famous historicalevent in the Jameson occurred on July 26, 1819,when Maine’s forefathers signed its independencepapers in the northeast corner of the second floor,separating it from the Commonwealth ofMassachusetts. Since then, Freeport has enjoyedits “birthplace” moniker.

...Another 20 miles up the road in the town ofBath, you’ll find a spectacular waterfrontmuseum that explores the maritime history ofMaine. This sprawling waterside center com-prises 10 different buildings that detail fascinat-ing seafaring stories told through exhibits,educational programs, narrated excursions and ahistoric shipyard.

When you visit Maine, it’s almost a giventhat you’ll have lobster. But a lobster bake isTHE quintessential way to have a bona fideDown East dinner.

...Lobster, once poor man’s food, is eatenmany ways in Maine. Some people steam them;others prefer boiling. Lunchtime often calls for alobster roll, where lump meat is piled atop a hotdog bun.

...For generations, people have fired uplobster bakes by the water, where the hard-shellsea creatures are steamed on hot coals under acanopy of fresh seaweed. They’ve been preparingthem this way for 75 years at the Sebasco Resort,a down-home, family-friendly vacation destina-tion that’s spread out over 575 acres of coastalMaine heaven. The lodge has been catering totravelers since 1930, and in many respects youfeel like you’ve stepped back in time to an old-fashioned summer resort. It’s like a scene out of“Dirty Dancing,” where candlepin bowling,shuffleboard, and an ice cream parlor is the wayof life for kids, and adults relax the day away bythe saltwater pool. Peninsula hopping through theemerald green forests and along the craggy coastis a favorite off-site pastime.

...As diners sip beer that has been kept coldin big, gleaming pails, Chef Paul Smith tends tothe clawed creatures. He layers coals in a shallowpit until they are red hot, then covers them with alayer of seaweed netted from the beach. Thelobsters are put on top – yes, live – then blan-keted with more stringy kelp before they’recovered with a damp cloth tarp. The seaweedkeeps the lobster moist, and the cloth creates asteamy environment for the crustaceans to cook.

...As guests sit down, they tie on a bib,grab a stack of paper napkins and a cup ofdrawn butter, and drool at the big, redcrawfish looking up at them from their plate.Don’t worry if you don’t know how to pick itapart. Sebasco’s staff will direct you in yankingthe claws out, pulling the tail off, and pryingaway that nasty green “tomalley” – the liver.(Some say it’s a delicacy, but I wouldn’t try it.)

As a guitarist, violinist and accordionplayer ring out folk music, guests grab theirnutcrackers and start dissecting the lobster. Asthey suck the tender bits from the legs, biteinto the light, flaky flesh of the claws, andsavor the thick, meaty tail, butter dribblesdown their chins.

And they sigh. Only in Maine.

Since 1955, the Mark Twain Awards have been given annually to Active members for excellence in travelwriting and editing. Journalism industry veterans judge the blind competition, rating authors in: newspaper& magazine articles and series, recent meeting site articles, geographic area articles, photojournalism, booksand specialty media. Each year, the Mark Twain Travel Writer of the Year Award is given to the memberchosen as the best overall writer. The award for 2004 was presented to Rachael Reynolds-Soucie at MTWA’sspring 2005 meeting in Cincinnati. Her three-part series on Portland and vicinity ran in the Daily Journal,Kankakee, Ill, where Rachael is Travel Editor. Excerpts follow:

Mark Twain Travel Writer of the Year

Active Katherine Brown gets up close andpersonal with a lobster. – photo by Gary Knowles

92005

2004 Mark Twain AwardsNewspaper Articles

1st place: Susan Bayer Ward, On the Waterfront2nd place: Rachael Reynolds-Soucie, One Tank Wonders: Family

Memories Don’t Have to Cost a Fortune This Year3rd place: Randy Mink, Touring Two IrelandsHonorable Mention: Ron Dean Johnson, Longfellow, Lobsters

and Lighthouses

Magazine Articles1st place: Lori Erickson, Ontario’s Sands of Time2nd place: Randy Mink, Stepping Up to the Plate in Cincinnati3rd place: Sylvia Forbes, Big Art, Small TownsHonorable Mention: Barbara Gibbs Ostmann, Home on

the Range

Series, Newspaper or Magazine1st place: Jackie Sheckler Finch, St. Patrick’s Day2nd place: Janet Steinberg, Luxury Goes Exploring the

British Isles3rd place: Jackie Sheckler Finch, HalloweenHonorable Mention: Janet Podolak, Oh, Canada

Recent Sites Articles1st place: Rachael Reynolds-Soucie, The Maine Event2nd place: Rachael Reynolds-Soucie, Love Those Lobster3rd place: Carla Waldemar, Duluth is SuperiorHonorable Mention: Pam O’Meara, A Taste of Wilderness

The following were presented in ceremonies in Cincinnati:

Geographic Area Articles1st place: Randy Mink, Beards, Bonnets and Buggies2nd place: Ann Hattes, Lands of Ahhhhhhs - Ohio’s Hocking Hills3rd place: Carla Waldemar, Three-Day GetawayHonorable Mention: Sharyn Kuneman, Shea’s 66 Museum Fills a

Full Tank of Old-Fashioned Gas Station Memories

Photojournalism1st place: Mike Whye, Iron Trail2nd place: Lisa Meyers McClintick, California Coastin’3rd place: Betsa Marsh, A Frozen ForayHonorable Mention: Elizabeth Granger, Columbia, California’s

Gold RushBooks

1st place: Doris Larson, Great Inn Getaways From Cleveland2nd place: Mike Whye, The Great Iowa Touring Book3rd place: Tim Bewer, Moon Handbooks MinnesotaHonorable Mention: Kathy Witt, Doll Directory: A Guide to US

Doll Museums Collections & Hospitals

Specialty Media1st place: Sharyn Kuneman, Through the Eyes of a Civil War

Soldier2nd place: Jackie Sheckler Finch, Las Vegas, New Mexico3rd place: Susan Pollack, Destination: Romance - Make Room

for Love at These Sensual HideawaysHonorable Mention: Mike Whye, Nebraska: Simply Beautiful

2003 – Jackie Sheckler Finch2002 – Betsa Marsh2001 – Jackie Sheckler Finch2000 – Betsa Marsh1999 – Ann Hattes1998 – Jackie Sheckler Finch1997 – Mike Michaelson1996 – Betsa Marsh1995 – Susan R. Pollack1994 – John Whitman1993 – Leonard R. Barnes1992 – Sharon Lloyd Spence1991 – Joy Schaleben Lewis1990 – Joy Schaleben Lewis

1989 – Susan Bayer Ward1988 – Dixie Franklin1987 – Leonard R. Barnes1986 – Frederick Karst1985 – Leonard R. Barnes1984 – Iris S. Jones1983 – Leonard R. Barnes1982 – Rick Sylvain1981 – Janet Steinberg1980 – Iris S. Jones1979 – Leonard R. Barnes1978 – Iris S. Jones1971-77 – No Awards1970 – Henry Bradshaw1969 – Richard Dunlop

1968 – Richard Dunlop1967 – Bill Hibbard1966 – No Award1965 – Leonard R. Barnes1964 – William J. Trepagnier1963 – No Award1962 – Lucia Lewis1961 – Kermit Holt1960 – Lucia Lewis1959 – William J. Trepagnier1958 – Paul M. McMahon1957 – William Yates1956 – Dave Roberts1955 – Lucia Lewis

Previous Mark Twain Travel Writers of the Year

This is a good group, with a blend of camaraderie and friendly competition. Overtime, we build up a catalogue of each other’s strengths, specialties and idiosyncra-sies. Old friends become like a pair of well-worn jeans. The fit is comfortable andwe know what to expect. –Active member Joanne Prime Shade

10 2005

2004: Nancy Milton, St. Louis Conventionand Visitors Commission2003: Jean Freidl, Jean FreidlCommunications2002: Shawna Lode, Iowa Tourism2001: Mary Ethel Emanuel, NebraskaTourism Office2000: None1999: Glynis Steadman, Griffith/Steadman& Associates, Inc.1998: Lois Smith, Greater Cincinnati CVB1997: Joe Taylor, Quad Cities CVB1996: None1995: None

1994: Patti Young, Delta Queen SteamboatCompany1993: Patti Spaulding, Tucson CVB1992: Gil Stotler, Baltimore Area CVB1991: Eileen McMahon, St. Paul CVB1990: Kathryn Usitalo, MetropolitanDetroit CVB1989: Nicky Stratton, Springfield CVB1988: Gary Knowles, Wisconsin Depart-ment of Tourism1987: Kathryn Usitalo, MetropolitanDetroit CVB1986: Chris Dancisak, Upper PeninsulaTravel & Recreation Association

Fred Burns Memorial AwardThis award is given to a tourism department, travel bureau, carrier, resort, or similar travel-related service agency judged to have offeredoutstanding information or support to travel writers.

Spotlight AwardThis award honors exceptional works by Associate members who focus attention on travel destinations, services,

events, facilities, or areas. Emphasis is placed on works that rise above the ordinary, deserve notice, and havebrought success to clients of the Associates.

1985: None1984: Norman Phillip Bermes, BatonRouge Area CVB1983: Gail Shore, Republic Airlines1982: Charles Ridgeway, Walt DisneyWorld1981: Lois Smith, Greater Cincinnati CVB1980: Richard Newman, Richard Newman& Associates1979: W. Ray Scott, Kentucky Departmentof Tourism1978: Bob Helwig, Upper Peninsula Travel& Recreation Association.

2005 – Jean Freidl

Committees & Positions

Professional Development CommitteeDaniel Donarski

Gary Knowles to SeptemberJean Freidl since September

Nominating CommitteeSteve KapplerSusan PollackAlice Vollmar

Sites Hospitality CoordinatorMary Ethel Enamuel

Much of the work done on behalf of MTWA takes place in committees, performed by members who volunteer their time and services.

2002 – None2001 – Beverly Hurley

2004 – Beverly Hurley2003– Wendy Haase & Beverly Hurley

2000 – Julia Hertel,Gary Knowles & Glynis Steadman

Sites Revision CommitteeDaniel DonarskiGary Knowles

Jean FreidlMember Applications Committee

Nancy MiltonBetsy Sheldon

Barc Wade

Member Requirements CommitteeJen Schmits Thomas

Roberta SotonoffPeggy Ammerman Sailors to May

Katherine Brown since MayMembership Recruitment Committee

Mary Lu LaffeyAmy Weirick

Diana Lambdin Meyer to OctoberWendy Haase to November

GEMmy Awards CommitteeLisa McClintick

Tom ReedDiana Lambdin Meyer to October

Marge Peterson since October

By-laws Revision CommitteeMike WhyeBetsa Marsh

Tom Nemacheck

Technology CommitteeMary Bergin

Renee Graham

Ethics CommitteeElizabeth Granger

Sites CoordinatorJay Black to September

Gary Knowles since September

Mark Twain Award CoordinatorShawna Lode to May

Susan Dallas since MaySpotlight Award Coordinator

Gail Todd

Fred Burns Award CoordinatorElizabeth Granger

Scrapbook CoordinatorBeverly Hurley

E-News EditorJackie Sheckler Finch

Yearbook EditorBetty Stark

Website EditorMelanie McManus

2005

2005A World of Accordians Museum, Superior, Wis.Bayfield Heritage Tours, Bayfield, Wis.2004Mandan Drug, Mandan, N.D.Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, N.D.Brownsville, Neb.Renfro Valley, Ky.California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento, Calif.Motown Museum, Detroit, Mich.National Cowboy Hall of Fame & WesternHeritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Okla.2003Farmington Valley, Conn.Scala’s Restaurant, Sonoma County, Calif.Irish National Potato Famine Museum,Strokestown, IrelandFoynes Flying Boat Museum, Foynes, Ireland2002Seelye Mansion, Abilene, Kan.Prairie Museum of Art & History, Colby, Kan.University of Okoboji, IowaAunt Eunice’s, Huntsville, AlaHotel Hacienda los Laureles, Oaxaca, MexicoChocolate Mayordomo, Oaxaca, Mexico2001Fort Scott, Kan.Granville Island Museums, Vancouver, B.C., CanadaThe Rocky Mountaineer, , B.C. & Alta., CanadaFrederick Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, Mich.2000Beluga Interaction Program, San Antonio, TexasSpirits of San Antonio Tour, San Antonio, TexasAerie Resort and Restaurant, Victoria, B.C., CanadaBanff Centre, Banff, Alta., CanadaHH Bennett Studio, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.1999Strategic Air Command Museum, Ashland, Neb.Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Madison, Wis.Little Norway, Blue Mounds, Wis.The Fireside, Fort Atkinson, Wis.1998Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Calif.1997Living History Farms, Urbandale, IowaBata Show Museum, Toronto, Ont., CanadaThe Lincoln Museum, Fort Wayne, Ind.Ottawa & Canada’s Capital Region,Ottawa, Ont. CanadaSteamboat Arabia Museum, Kansas City, Mo.Toy & Miniature Museum, Kansas City, Mo.1996Fantasy of Flight, Polk City, Fla.Indiana Medical History Museum, Indianapolis, Ind.Columbus, Indiana, Visitor Center, Columbus, Ind.1995Wilton Candy Kitchen, Wilton, IowaBreitbach’s Country Dining, Balltown, IowaD.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery, Spearfish, S.D.

GEMmy AwardsThis award is given to attractions, sites, events, accommodations, restaurants, drives, walks,

or excursions which are found to be travel “gems” as an exceptional travel experience.

Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City, S.D.Prairie Edge Trading Co.,Rapid City, S.D.Reptile Gardens, Rapid City, S.D.Waldo County, Maine, Waldo, Maine1994EAA Air Adventure Museum, Oshkosh, Wis.Heritage Hill Living History Museum, GreenBay, Wis.Fox Cities Children’s Museum, Appleton, Wis.

The cast of “West Side Story” at The Fireside, Fort Atkinson, Wis. – photo by Gary Knowles

1993Langdon Hall, Cambridge, Ont., CanadaSouthmoreland on the Plaza Inn, Kansas City, Mo.Hidden Valley Inn, Tucson, Ariz.Amerind Foundation, Dragoon, Ariz.1992Forest View Gardens, Cincinnati, OhioWard Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury, Md.

Members muster at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, N.D. – photo by Mike Whye

11

12 2005

2005 Spring MeetingThe Cincinnati meeting gave us plenty of stories about that wonderful city and the surrounding area. Here are snippets from a few...

Using exhibits, programs, research andinteractive experiences, Cincinnati’s new

National Underground Railroad Freedom Centertells the story of –and the city’s role in– thefamous network of safe havens for slaves

escaping the South. – Photo by Mary Bergin

“Boutique Streets: Hyde Park Square”Midwest Living Magazine, December 2005– Betsa Marsh

The clothes are the latest cuts, and thegifts reflect the newest trends, yet there’s adelightfully familiar feeling to shopping inHyde Park Square. Begun in 1896, thesquare is seven miles northeast of downtownCincinnati. It boasts large homes, uniqueshops and creative restaurants offeringFrench pastries, crab cakes and create-your-own pizzas. The neighborhood also isbasking in $1.25 million in lighting andsidewalk improvements....

Boutiques line both sides of ErieAvenue, making Hyde Park Square H-shape.A tiny park in the the middle of the boule-vard links the two sides, with additionalstores capping the “H” on Edwards Roadand Michigan Avenue.

“Special Exhibits Across U.S. SpotlightBlack History Month” The Detroit News,February, 2006 – Susan Pollack

Legend has it that a runaway slavenamed Tice Daniels swam for his life acrossthe Ohio River in 1831 with his owner inhot pursuit. Upon reaching land in Ripley,Ohio, he immediately disappeared fromview, prompting the frustrated slave-ownerto conclude that it was as if Tice had “goneoff on an underground road...”

Discovering the roots of the UndergroundRailroad, the fabled network of anti-slaveryactivists, is just one of the possibilities

awaiting travelers during Black HistoryMonth... check out “Threads of Faith” bythe Women of Color Quilters Network,through Feb. 26, at Cincinnati MuseumCenter in Union Terminal, an Art Decolandmark with lovely mosaic murals.

Continue your tour at the NationalUnderground Railroad Freedom Center onthe riverfront...

“Aspiring Architecture Abounds in thisHoosier Town” The Times (Indiana-Illinois), Jan. 29, 2005 – Joan Milne

Columbus, Ind., often is called an“Architectural Showplace” because morethan 50 of the town’s buildings weredesigned by some of the world’s foremostcontemporary architects. In fact, theAmerican Institute of Architects ranksColumbus sixth in the United States for thequality of the architecture, after New York,Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., andSan Francisco.

“City Union Terminal” Herald-Times, May2005 – Jackie Sheckler Finch

In 1944, as many as 34,000 people wereusing Cincinnati Union Terminal each day— many of them leaving home for the firsttime during World War II. On a layoverwaiting for the next train, service men andwomen would try to grab a few winks ofsleep. They would prop a cardboard sign bytheir chair. Red Cross volunteers couldglance at the sign and know what time the

traveler needed to be awakened to catch thenext train.

The terminal’s rich history is shared atthe Museum Center. The renovated facilityhouses the Cincinnati History Museum,Cinergy Children’s Museum, Museum ofNatural History and Science, and anOmnimax theater. The massive Art Decoterminal was built between 1929 and 1933and, at its peak, had 216 trains daily.Restored and reopened in 1990, the terminalcould easily take most of a day to enjoy...

“Beer Lovers Toast Hofbrauhaus”Life Times Magazine, August 2005– Jackie Sheckler Finch

Newport, Ky. - Folks at the HofbrauhausNewport have rolled out the barrel andpeople are having barrels of fun.

”We are the first licensed Hofbrauhausin the United States,” host Jim Egbertsaid. “It’s fitting that it should be here. Itbelongs here.”

Located just across the Ohio River fromCincinnati, the protypical German beer hallopened in April 2003. It is one of a fewplaces outside Munich, Germany, wherepeople can buy fresh Hofbrauhaus beer.

“Batter up!” Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park – photo by Mary Bergin

132005

Cincinnati, Ohio & Region“Pride in a Diverse History”Noblesville Daily Times, Noblesville, Ind.,May 2005 – Elizabeth Granger

Festivals fill the autumn calendar, butmuch of Warren County, just north ofCincinnati, beckons every day of the year.

Take, for example, the Golden Lamb, thestate’s oldest continuously operated restau-rant. Charles Dickens belittled the eatery in1842 because he couldn’t get a drink whenhe wanted one, but his criticism caused noharm – undoubtedly because he didn’t namenames. The Golden Lamb did, though,naming both a dining room and a bedroomfor the British curmudgeon. Now Dickens’name is pretty much bandied about on adaily basis.

“Plenty of Fun at the New Ballpark”Daily Herald (Chicago suburbs), August2005 – Mike Michaelson

Love him or leave him, Pete Rose is anindelible part of Cincinnati’s baseballhistory. To many, he remains “CharlieHustle,” the dedicated professional who wasan integral part of “The Big Red Machine”during the club’s dynasty years, ready togive up his body in a headlong dive into firstbase to stretch an infield hit into a single.

“Rafts of Fun on the Little Miami River”Daily Herald (Chicago suburbs), August2005 – Mike Michaelson

Wander around London, England, andyou’ll encounter an improbably largenumber of inns where Charles Dickensreputedly quaffed an ale or two and wherethe illustrious novelist laid his head. Wanderaround Lebanon, Ohio, and you’ll also findan inn that Dickens visited. But it is one atwhich he never took a drink nor stayedovernight. And thereby, as he might himselfhave written, hangs a tale.

“Historic Hospitality”The Times newspaper (Indiana-Illinois),May 6, 2005 – Joan Milne

Historic hotels can provide a lookingglass into America’s past. Step through thedoors and enter a world filled with theluxury and style of yesteryear...the nostalgiccharm of a bygone era... Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza:

The award-winning Hilton CincinnatiNetherland Plaza in the heart of downtownCincinnati was built in 1931, is listed on the

National Register of Historic Places andbills itself as “one of the world’s finestexamples of French Art Deco architecture.”

“To Market, To Market“ Post-Bulletin(Rochester, Minn.), February 2006 – BobRetzlaff

It’s been called America’s wackiestsupermarket. On the other hand, it mightbe better described as a theme park forshoppers. But whatever the description, anestimated 50,000 persons come through thedoors of this most-famous “foodie” paradisethat’s located in suburban Fairfield, Ohio,north of Cincinnati.

“A River Town with Lots to Offer”Journal & Topics Newspapers (Chicagosuburbs, all editions), Oct. 12-17, 2005– Todd Wessell

Without the River, Banjo Bob wouldn’tbe strumming the chords of “Dixie” as thepaddle boat River Queen gently slushes pastCincinnati’s skyline. Without the River, theseven bridges that span the Ohio wouldn’texist………and without the River, it’sdoubtful that this city of 317,000 and regionof 2 million would resemble anything like itdoes today, a bustling metropolis that linksAmerica’s geographic and spiritual Northand South.

The place is JungleJim’s InternationalMarket, where theowner – JungleJim Bonaminio –usually is garbed in awizard suit and scootsaround his near-300,000-square-footsupermarket in rollerskates.

The Cincinnati Museum Center in Union Depot is an Art Deco landmark – Photo by Fred Granger

Members pause in theCincinnati Reds’ dugout

during a VIP tour ofGreat American Ball Park.

– a Gary Knowles photo

“One of the top 10 cities to work, live, and play.” – Fortune Magazine

14 2005

2005 Fall MeetingThe beauty of Traverse City and northern Michigan took our breath away. Here are a few cuts from our stories so far..

“Grand Hotel Remains a Lavish Retreat”Midwest Features Syndicate (Wisconsin),October, 2005 – Mary Bergin

There’s no escaping the geraniums.They’re woven into carpeting, printed ontotoiletries, planted in front of the rockingchairs outside.

There are 2,500 of the live plants, areddish-orange bloom called Yours Truly,and they are a brilliant symbol of what isexcessive and remarkable about GrandHotel on Michigan’s Mackinac Island.

“Birth of a Tempest on Grand Hotel’sPorch” Peshtigo (Wis.) Times – Sept. 21,2005 – Jerry Harpt

Rain or no rain, no one should miss theexperience of the Grand Hotel at least oncein his or her lifetime.........After beingpampered by Jamaican waiters in themassive dining hall, we returned to the porchto relax on the white wooden rocking chairsthat stretch along its length. To our delight,the Straights of Mackinac were giving birthto a storm that was heading our way.

It was a Nikon Moment for sure.Women in fine dresses and men in dinnerjackets sat or stood, glasses of wine inhand, to absorb the sights of lighteningand sounds of thunder approaching fromthe west. It was dark now and the lights onthe ‘Big Mac’ spires glistened in themoisture laden mist. Occasionally the skylit up to give us a better view of thebridge. Lights from a few pleasure boatsdotted the waterscape. We spent a longtime settling into our rocking chairs, notsaying much, just listening, smelling, andwatching.

“Crazy for Cherries” Noblesville (Indiana)Daily Times/Fisher’s Weekly, Sept. 24, 2005– Elizabeth Granger

[Cherry Republic] owner BobSutherland sold stones to tourists when hewas a child......when he got older and was incollege, he went to a local artist who made aT-shirt for him—with a cherry tree andBob’s motto, “Life, Liberty, Beaches andPie.” He spent all his money on these shirts,and he had his poor brothers and friendshelp him sell them at the cherry festival.That lasted about 20 minutes, and they quit.So he sold them himself, for years, out ofthe trunk of his car.

“Locked in Sandstone, Water, andHistory” Peshtigo (Wis.) Times, Sept. 21,2005 – Jerry Harpt

A warning horn sounded and someonecommented, “They’re closing the lowergates behind us. We hurried to the back ofour Soo Locks Tours” cruise ship to watchthe massive gates clamp shut. Then we werehemmed in, encrypted if you’re claustropho-bic, in a multi-million year old time capsule,the Canadian Lock, on the north side of St.Mary’s River, the international boundarybetween Canada and Upper Michigan….

“Lighthouse, Northport, Michigan”Quad-City Times, Davenport, Iowa –Shirley Davis

In Northport, Mich., there’s a lovelyhistoric lighthouse, built in 1858, that isopen to visitors through the summer and latefall, a nifty place to visit. But, here’s theunique wrinkle: Those looking for a totallyoriginal “vacation” idea can sign up to livein the lighthouse for a week or two. It’sactually more like a “working experience”than a “vacation,” but it sounds like a lot offun!

“Grape Stories” Long Weekends Maga-zine, Spring/Summer 2005 – Amy Eckert Before beginning a tour of Michigan’snorthwestern wine country, settle into thecozy B&B at Chateau Chantal, itself an

Northern Michigan’s one and only Grand Hotel...”a lavish retreat”– photo by Mary Bergin

award-winning winery. Set near the northernend of Old Mission Peninsula, ChateauChantal isn’t the most centrally locatedlodging in wine country, but you won’tcare……a modern European theme domi-nates the inn’s décor, incorporating repro-ductions of Impressionist masterpieces,thick down duvets and elegant tapestries.

“Life, Liberty, Beaches and Pie” – The CherryRepublic in the “pinky finger” of northernMichigan is the largest exclusive retailerof cherry products in the United States.

– photo by Don Engle

152005

Traverse City & Michigan

“The Faces of Michigan Boating”Michigan Boating Annual, 2005 – Bill Semion

What is the face of Michigan boating?If you’ve ever owned a boat, are looking

for one at a boat show this season, arethinking of looking for one, or have hitcheda ride on a friend’s, you’re looking at theface of Michigan boating each time youlook in the mirror.

“Grand Traverse Resort”Midwest Features Syndicate, Oct. 15, 2005– Mary Bergin

There are four walls of windows, eachwith a fetching view, from lush and rollinggolf courses to a curvaceous swimming pooland never-ending lakeshore. Our perch is 16stories above ground, as a flaming orange-red sun melts into Lake Michigan.

Dinner has begun at the Trillium Restau-rant, named after the plant that has threeleaves, three white petals (when abloom inspring) and three pointed sepals (leavesunder the petals).

The gentle name is a contrast to theimposing Grand Traverse Resort, whichhouses the restaurant and 17th floor TrilliumLounge. The glistening tower is easily thetallest building for miles, surrounded by 900resort acres that follow Lake Michigan, 6miles northeast of Traverse City.

Peninsulas chock-full of cherry orchards, vineyards, and so much more!

“Offbeat Entrepreneur Makes the Ordi-nary a Destination” Hometown News/Drake Publishing groups (SW Wisconsin),November 2005 – Betty W. Stark

Tucked up in the pinky finger ofnorthern Michigan’s glacier-sculptedLeelanau Peninsula, across Lake Michiganfrom Wisconsin’s Door County, nestles theserene little town of Glen Arbor. It’s apicture perfect summer place, graced withshaded lanes, tidy white cottages and asheltered harbor set in the glacier-sculptedsweep of the Sleeping Bear Dunes NationalLakeshore. Visitors stroll along the pictur-esque main street at a leisurely pace,enjoying the eclectic art galleries, upscale

“Sipping and Sleeping in the Great LakesState” Wine Enthusiast Magazine,April2005 – Amy Eckert

The locals laughed at the firstwinemaker to plant his grapes in northernMichigan. No one’s laughing today. Set onthe 45th Parallel—the same line that runsthrough the heart of the great wine regionsof France and Germany—tempered andnourished by Lake Michigan, Traverse Cityis home to dozens of winemakers. They’vequieted their critics by producing theMidwest’s finest wines.

“Take Care of Business and Pleasure onMichigan’s Slopes” Michigan Meetings andEvents – Bill Semion

Whether you enjoy “skinny skis” oncross-country trails, ripping onsnowboards, or learning to cut gracefulturns on downhill runs lined by pine andhardwood trees looking over some of theMidwest’s most beautiful scenery,Michigan’s ski resorts are calling....

North of Traverse City, Boyne Mountainis considered the king of Michigan’s skiareas, and is home to the largest family-owned resort system on the continent....Boyne Mountain even has its own 5,000-footrunway, and airports at Traverse City andPellston are also nearby. Boyne Mountain’sCivic Center can handle up to 400 fordinners and events, and Boyne Highlandscan host similar-sized groups.

Historic Fishtown in Leland, Michigan, a 140-year-old fishing village on the Leelanau Peninsula, is apowerful lure for fishermen, artists and writers.– photo by Mary Bergin

boutiques and smallmuseums. Andalmost to a person,they stop at TheCherry Republic, thelargest exclusiveretailer of cherryproducts in theUnited States....

Old Mission Peninsulaon Grand Traverse Bay

produces award-winning wines that

rival the best ofCalifornia and Europe.

– photo by Mary Bergin

watching intently in the upstairs bar as ifthey were in a grand movie theater. Wewere on an overnight ferry ride fromPortland, Maine, to Yarmouth, NovaScotia, and I found this mini-cruise to be arelaxing and fun “added attraction” on myrecent trip to Maine.

It wasn’t really a poor man’s cruise;rather it was a high-class ferry that wastrying everything possible to behave like areal cruise ship, and that made it a ratherenjoyable crossing, and just folksy enoughto be “different.”

“Old Port Feeds Appetite for Seafoodand ‘Mainer’ Ambiance” St. Paul (Minn.)Pioneer Press, May 22, 2005 – LisaMeyers McClintick

Climb 103 steps up the octagonalPortland Observatory and Maine’s largestcity unfurls below. Vintage neighborhoodslined with Victorian homes grab the bestviews on Portland’s hilly peninsula. In themiddle, modest neighborhoods and abusiness district drop into the historic OldPort and the adjoining harbor. Workingwharves hum with activity as ferries, shipsand boats head into Casco Bay pasthundreds of islands scattered toward theAtlantic.

This growing city of 65,000 residentsreflects both its working-class fishingroots and an artsy renaissance...thepersonalities blend into a folksy, funky,yet fiercely local atmosphere that rewardsanyone who doesn’t immediately head tocoastal resort areas. Old Port, in particu-lar, begs you to linger.

“Beyond Portland” Des Plaines (Ill.) Journalchain, Oct. 6, 2004 – Mark Shuman

With more lobster than you can eat, afascinating working harbor, exceptionalmuseums and history around everycobblestoned corner, Portland, Maine, is agreat home base for vacationers in searchof changing leaves and solitude from theEast Coast’s summer tourist...

A more leisurely Maine stay this yearproved Portland also has the goods as adestination in its own right. To see the cityas it works, we headed downhill to pokethrough the galleries and shops in the OldPort neighborhood.

Spring 2004 – Portland, Maine

“How About O’Naturals?” Ohio Motorist(AAA), July 2005 – Nancy Depke

If you’re craving fast food, Portlandhas pretty much kept out the fast foodchains, except for one Starbucks and aDunkin’ Donuts. Its only fast food restau-rant, so to speak, is O’Natural’s, whichserves all natural salads, soups, sand-wiches, pizza and baked chicken nuggets.Sandwiches are on organic bread and youhave to stand in line just like McDonald’s.Washable plastic plates and real silver-ware are used. But they do use disposablebrown paper cups.

“Maine Lobster Rules Aim to SustainCrop” The Capital Times, Madison, Wis.,June 21, 2004 – Mary Bergin

Buyers from all over New Englandcome to the Portland Fish Exchange,where fresh fish and other seafood aresold five days a week.....Nearby, the city’soldest wharf is a testament to both themaritime work and web of commerce thathas spanned generations. Union Wharf,built in 1793, continues to be where muchof the catch lands, or begins.

All the businesses are marine-related.That includes Portland Trap, whichbuilds lobster traps, and another place thatsells herring as lobster bait. A new tenant,

Don Morrison, makes lobster stew here.Maine Lobster Direct also is on thiswharf, shipping Morrison’s product aswell as live lobsters and various seafooddinners all over the country.

”It’s a circle,” says tour guideAngela Clark.

“The Maine Attraction” Noblesville(Indiana) Daily Times/Fishers Weekly,Feb. 19, 2005 – Elizabeth Granger

Smart businessman, that LemuelMoody. Truly smart. In 1807 he combinedhis sea-faring experiences with a strongsense of entrepreneurship and created asuperb money-making venture for himself.

Enter the Portland Observatory, alighthouse-looking structure not at theshore but perched on Munjoy Hill highabove this northern New England town.Moody’s maritime signal station’s princi-pal job was communication...Using astrong telescope, he would identifyincoming ships and then signal merchantsbelow with coded signal flags.

“Portland, Maine” Quad-City Times(Davenport, Iowa) – Shirley Davis

“Something’s Gotta Give” was show-ing on the only TV set aboard the ScotiaPrince ferry, and the passengers were

Businesses in Portland’s working harborfront are all marine-related. And of course, lobsters rule!.

200516

Members embark on a harbor cruise of Casco Bay – photo by Gary Knowles

172005

Fall 2004 – Duluth, Minnesota“Birthday Party Becomes an UpliftingExperience” Post-Bulletin (Rochester,Minn.), July 30, 2005 – Bob Retzlaff

In Duluth, they’re celebrating thebirthday of a bridge!..... The city’s best-known landmark, the Ariel Lift Bridge, iscelebrating its centennial this year, andthe city is in the midst of a summer-longcelebration to mark the event. The span isconsidered by many to be the most-photographed site in Minneapolis, and itonce made the cover of the SaturdayEvening Post.

“Lighthouse and Apple Festivals inBayfield, Wisconsin” www.justsaygo.com -webzine– Ann Hattes

Bayfield is worth a visit even when thereisn’t a festival going on..... If you’re reallybrave, take a ghost tour. Virginia Hirsch,educator, storyteller and professionalspeaker, leads visitors on Ghost Walks earlyevenings, June through October. For herhistoric walks, Hirsch was awarded aGEMmy by the Midwest Travel WritersAssociation in 2005.

GEMmy awards help focus publicattention on “the extraordinary attractions,facilities, events, tours and experiences thatmake travel so enriching and enjoyable...thesurprises and discoveries that add anunforgettable magic to the travel experience.

“Museum Spotlights Accordions”Midwest Features Syndicate (11 Wis. dailynewspapers), Oct. 2, 2004– Mary Bergin

Frankie Yankovic and Lawrence Welkwould have loved this place, way up in thecity of Superior, way down in the basementof a former Presbyterian church.

Here rest about 1,000 accordions, thehumble and the complex, the world’s mostrare models and the more commonplace.There are about 700 more of these instru-ments upstairs, where the altar has beenconverted into a professional concert stage.

“Edmund Fitzgerald Remembered inSites and Song” Kansas City Star, Oct. 23,2005 – Diana Lambdin Meyer

It was on an eight-track tape and playerwhere I first learned about the wreck of theEdmund Fitzgerald...in the 1970s Canadianfolk singer Gordon Lightfoot was among my

eight-track collection. His biggest hit, TheWreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, tells of theNovember 1975 loss of the big freighter inLake Superior near the Upper Peninsula ofMichigan. Lightfoot’s woebegone voice andthe song’s droning rhythm capture the perilof the maritime disaster that even todayrelives the pain felt by all those affiliatedwith the shipping industry.

“Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilder-ness” Des Moines (Iowa) Register, 2005– Mike Whye

One August evening a few years agowhile some friends and I were in theBoundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness,we sat on some rocks overlooking a me-dium-sized lake not far from the GunflintTrail, watching the moon rise in the south-east. Shortly after it cleared the distanttrees, it soon fell into the earth’s shadow,turning from a bright silvery disk in thestarry sky into a soft, orange-red ball,beginning a night show we could not haveplanned.

Then someone glanced to the northeastand gave a cry—the northern lights were atplay. Huge sheets of transparent green andpurple sails billowed slowly across thatquadrant of the sky.

“Host of Christmases Past” AAA LivingMinnesota edition - November/December ‘05– Lisa Meyers McClintick

Duluth and Red Wing....showcase theirgrandest historic sites during the holidays....Duluth’s Holiday Tea Tour Sundays, Dec. 4and 11, blends a progressive feast with anarchitectural tour hosted by four bed andbreakfasts. They’re among the fanciesthomes in a city that once claimed the mostmillionaires per capita in the nation. EachB & B presents live music and somethingdifferent to dine on. This year’s menufeatures roasted turkey croissants withcranberry wild rice sauce and chocolatelava cake.

“Legends and Lakes”Highways (Good Sam magazine), Novem-ber 2005 – Jackie Sheckler Finch

The Edmund Fitzgerald left port on asunny Sunday afternoon with only rippleson the lake. The largest vessel then operat-ing on the Great Lakes, the Fitzgerald wasloaded with iron ore. Anticipating badweather, the boat’s captain, ErnestMcSorley, set a course hugging the shelteredMinnesota north shore. But it was clear thatthe approaching storm was growing inintensity well beyond the initial forecast.

By the shores of “Gitchigumi,” Duluth and Minnesota’s arrowhead offer “Superior” travel experiences.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park’s signature beacon towers over Lake Superior – photo by Don Engle

18 2005

Meetings: Past Sites

2003 — Bismarck/Mandan, North Dakota“Lewis & Clark in North Dakota” TravelAmerica, March 2005 – Diana LambdinMeyer

Winter in North Dakota, by somestandards, may be considered harsh, withbitter temperatures, blinding snow andunrelenting winds. However, for membersof the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the 146days and nights spent in North Dakota in thewinter of 1804-5 were among the warmest andmost enjoyable of their two year, four monthjourney to the Pacific Ocean and back.

Today’s travelers, too.........will find thepeople of North Dakota equally hospitableand a visit to their region filled with thetranquility of the northern plains.

2003 — Oklahoma City“Oklahoma Museum Fired Up About itsMission” Herald Times (Bloomington, Ind.),Sept. 18, 2005 – Jackie Sheckler Finch

When the fire alarm sounded, the horseswould immediately move to a spot on thefirehouse floor. Their harnesses would bedropped from the ceiling and the horseswould speed away to the fire.

“Horses had to be trained from birth topull a fire engine,” said Jim Sanders. “Andthey had to be large horses, because the castiron boilers they had to pull were very heavy.”

A retired firefighter and director of theOklahoma Firefighters Museum, Sanders isa wealth of information about the history offirefighting. The facility is the largestmember-owned fire museum in the nation.

2002 – Sonoma County, California“Simply Sonoma”Thomas Guide California State Atlas– Mary Lu Laffey

The names of the country roads inSonoma County whisper of romance: OldRiver Road, Sweetwater Springs, theBohemian Highway. These back roads linkcoastal villages with more sophisticatedtowns found inland along the expressway.They pass sprawling olive groves, andancient forests and curve through vineyardscooled by fog in the morning, then warmedby the California sun in the afternoon.Meandering through the heart of the countyis the bucolic Russian River.

The jaunt through Sonoma begins atOccidental, once a lumber camp. Near oneend of the main street, a third generation ofthe Gonnella family operates the historicUnion Hotel property as a restaurant.Recently, the family added the Union HotelBakery Café. Cyclists, hikers, and backpack-ers crave the nutritional kick of the bakery’s“power pies,” made with locally grown

organic fruit and thickened with polenta.Another specialty is saucer-sized chocolatechip chocolate oatmeal cookies. Parents lovethe one dollar price-tag as much as kids lovethe taste. So do wine devotees as this cookieis paired with area reds for wine tastings inthe hotel’s saloon.

2002 — Oaxaca, Mexico“Oaxaca” Des Moines Register, 2005 –Mike Whye

...If you’re in the Zocalo and smellchocolate in the air, be sure to follow yournose to Mayo Domo, one of the city’schocolate factories just a few blocks away. There you can buy chocolate goodies off theshelf or have cocoa beans ground to yourwhim with whatever you like such as sugar,cinnamon, almonds and vanilla. Chocolatewas once thought of as food of the gods andonce you’re here, you’ll think you are inheaven.

...The beach that surfers love is PlayaZicatela, where the waves of the famousMexican Pipeline—powerful hollow rollersthan can build up 18 feet high—thunder as thewind whips white feathers of water off theircurling green crowns. Competitions are heldhere, usually in April, August (theinternationals) and November, and the bestwaves form between 10 a.m. and noon.

2001 – Chicago, Illinois“Touring Chicago” Home & Away Maga-zine (AAA), 2004 – Mark Shuman

With its 77 distinct communities andimmigrant residents from nearly that manynations, “Chicago is everything,” says StudsTerkel, the 91-year-old author and oralhistorian some would call the city’s patronsaint. “Anything can happen here,” Terkelsays. “Of all our cities, it’s America’s metaphor.”

“An Architectural Gem” The Timesnewspapers (Indiana-Illinois), May 20, 2005– Joan Milne

When the great Chicago fire virtuallyreduced the city to smoldering ashes,architects and engineers beat a path to get inon the ground floor of the resulting buildingboom. Daniel Burnham, the architect anddeveloper who created the Chicago Plan of1909, advised, “Make no little plans – theyhave no magic to stir men’s blood.”

The Santa Fe School of Cooking was a favorite with members in 2001 – photo by Gary Knowles

In 2005, we were still telling the stories from Oregon in 1997 to North Dakota in 2003

2005

Meetings: Past Sites2001 – Albuquerque NM“Alive and Kicking”Home & Away Magazine – March/April 2005– Marge Peterson

Albuquerque’s first European familiessettled near the banks of the Rio Grande in1706 in the area now known as Old Town, inwhat would later become a part of NewMexico.

Today, Old Town is a charming area offlat-roofed, adobe buildings with brickpaths, hidden patios, private gardens andwrought-iron benches. Colorful arrange-ments of chili peppers (ristras) hanging fromeaves and over windows are said to bringgood luck.

The area has 25 art galleries specializingin American Indian and Southwestern artand more than 100 shops offering every-thing from pottery to kaleidoscopes andfetishes to hand-designed cards portrayingthe Southwest.

2000 – Vancouver, British Columbia“Rocky Mountaineer” Ambassadair’sJourney (ATA inflight magazine), May-June2005 – Alice Vollmar

Wildlife sightings brought an excitedshifting of seats, creating a spirit of camara-derie on the two-day daylight RockyMountaineer Railtour excursion fromVancouver to Banff, along the KickingHorse Route. Through the arched windowsof the domecar, we “oohed” and “ahhed” ateach new discovery, exclaiming overbighorn sheep on rocky ledges, pristineconifer-rimmed lakes and rushing rivers,white-topped mountain peaks and canyon-spanning railroad bridges.

2000 – Huntsville, Alabama“Preserving the Past: Huntsville’sCelebrity Signatures” The Quilter, July2001– Diana Lambdin MeyerRaffling quilts for community fundraisers isnothing new, particularly when the cause isfor historical preservation purposes. Thehospitality and nostalgia of hand-piecedquilts naturally lends itself to such partner-ships. So when the Historic Huntsville (AL)Foundation began looking at ways to raisefunds to purchase an old hardware store onthe city’s downtown square, the membersnaturally looked to some of the city’s quiltguilds to lead the way.

1998 – Nashville, Tennessee“Hauntings Live on at the Hermitage”Herald Times (Bloomington, Ind.), Oct. 2,2005 – Jackie Sheckler Finch

Andrew Jackson loved his home so much thathe chose to be buried there with his beloved wife,Rachel. Some say that the man known as “OldHickory” still keeps watch over his Tennesseeplantation.

“Many people don’t think that he has evertruly left,” said Paula Hankins, director of salesand marketing for the Hermitage. “GeneralJackson had such a strong personality that I thinkhe stayed around to watch over his home.”

1998 – Tampa, Florida“The Dolls of Lake Wales, Florida” DollsMagazine, October 2005 – Kathy Witt

Like politics, doll collecting can make forstrange bedfellows. Take the 100-plus piececollection at The Depot Museum at the LakeWales Museum and Cultural Center in centralFlorida. A dignified Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedystands beside a grinning Ronald Reagan.Mohammad Ali, in full boxing regalia, posessternly beside Pee Wee Herman in his shrunkensuit. The Duke goes shoulder to shoulder withBogie.

The collection was established in 1975 byMimi Reid Hardman, a native of Paducah, Ky,who now resides in Lake Wales. She is founder ofThe Depot Museum and has been its director forthe past 30 years.

Haceta Light, Oregon’s most photographed landmark, doubles as a B&B. – photo by Elizabeth Granger

1997 – Lane County, Oregon“Illuminating a Dark Tale” Noblesville(Indiana) Daily Times/Fishers Weekly, April23, 2005 – Elizabeth Granger

It’s one of the most photographedlighthouses in the United States. And oneof the few to have become a bed-and-breakfast.

A haunted bed-and-breakfast.The keeper’s house at Heceta Light,

perched high above the Pacific Ocean inOregon’s Suislaw National Forest at Devil’sElbow State Park, offers six themed rooms.Sometimes there’s an extra guest.

1990 – Ireland“Heartbeat of Ireland” Endless Vacations– Jan./Feb. 2005 – Lori Erickson

If you yearn to march to the beat of adifferent drummer, make your way toRoundstone Musical Instruments on thewest coast of Ireland 50 miles west ofGalway. There in a former Franciscanmonastery you’ll find the workshop ofMalachy Kearns, the world’s foremostmaker of bodhrans, or Irish drums.

In the hands of a skilled musicianthe bodhran produces a racing, almostthrobbing sound. It is the hauntingheartbeat of Ireland, pulsing today as ithas for centuries on this most musicalof isles.

And 15 years later, Active Lori Erickson is still telling stories from MTWA’s meeting in Ireland

19

“Hosting MTWA’s fall conference in 2005 was a delightfulexperience. This is a diverse group of seasoned travel writersand professionals who know their business (and each other)quite well. As a result, we found them very easy to work with,eager to explore and learn about our area, and refreshingly

adaptable. It was a bit like spending time with a big bumptious,creative family whose members seemed to enjoy our commu-nity and each other’s company in almost equal measure. We’vealready seen some very nice clips as a result of the fall conference,and we’re expecting to see many more.”

– Mike Norton, Media Relations, Traverse City (Mich.) CVB

Hosting an MTWA meeting paysdividends for years to come.

Like most other destination marketing organizations, theGreater Madison Convention Bureau looks for ways to buildlong term results with its advertising and promotional expendi-tures. One of the best investments we’ve ever made was hostingthe 1999 Spring Meeting of the Midwest Travel WritersAssociation. It’s still rewarding us with press coverage sevenyears later.

We were impressed with the professionalism of MTWAmembers and feel the organization’s annual review process setshigh standards that ensure productivity. Hosting the group takesgood planning, a supportive community and dedicated staff tofollow through, but it certainly brings great results.

The return on our 1999 investment has been excellent.Dozens of articles about Madison and the surrounding area

were generated by MTWA members. Stories have appeared innewspapers and magazines throughout the Midwest and all overthe country. We’re pleased to see them appearing on the Internetas well.

Among the best benefits are the on-going relationshipswe’ve developed with some of the active writers who continueto return to cover additional stories years after the MTWAmeeting ended. In fact, just this month we were pleased to seeanother feature article by an MTWA friend appear in a majornewspaper in Chicago, our largest out-state metropolitanmarket.

We recommend that any destination looking to build long-term media presence give serious consideration to hosting aMTWA meeting. We’re glad we did.

– Deb Archer, President, Greater Madison (Wis.) CVB

To learn more about how your area can host an MTWA meetingplease contact our sites coordinator:

Gary Knowles487 Presidential Lane

Madison, WI 53711PH: 608-231-3884

OPENAIR@aol.com

Duluth was host to the Midwest Travel Writers Associationfor their Fall Conference September 8-12, 2004. The VisitDuluth and members of the local hospitality industry puttogether an outstanding itinerary for the gathering, introducingthe writers to the many activities and attractions in the city.While they were out exploring, the writers were collectinginformation for future articles in dozens of newspaper, maga-zine or news service publications, providing Duluth withinvaluable exposure.

Duluth has received numerous articles from the Midwest TravelWriters. Some of the featured articles included: The DailyHerald, Chicago, Hoosier Times, Indiana, St. Louis Times,Globe Gazette and Des Moines Register, Iowa, Home & AwayMagazine, Association News Magazine, Interweave Magazine,Reader Weekly, Copley News Service, and articles continue tocome in. More the 70 articles can be attributed to the FallConference 2004. – Gene Shaw, Director of Public Relations, Visit Duluth

Announced Future Meeting Sites include:Seoul/Daegu/Busan, South Korea – March 28-April 1, 2006

Perry & Central Iowa – Sept. 13-17, 2006Indianapolis, Indiana – May 2007Amarillo, Texas – June 4-8, 2008

Macon, Georgia – March 25-29, 2009Specific dates for Indianapolis and the Fall 2007 & 2008 sites had not been set at press time.