Friends of WLS Boston Gathering March 2006

Boston Gathering of Friends of WLS Friday, March 24, 2006 - Sunday, March 26, 2006 Adults Only Registration Deadline is February 10, 2006 Late Registration Deadline is March 3, 2006 This weekend is about connecting with people that can understand the journey we have taken and having some fun with fellow WLSers and support people. I have finalized the Hotel information for the Boston Gathering. The cost of the hotel is $79.00/per night, this is per room. You can call the hotel to make your reservations at 1-800-325-3535 or (781) 848-0600 by March 3, 2006: Sheraton Braintree Hotel 37 Forbes Road Braintree, MA 02184 (Exit 6 off Interstate 93/state Route 128 ) We have been very fortunate to secure the $79.00 room rate again this year. The hotel has a good size pool, hot tub and saunas. They also have a full gym (Braintree Athletic Club) they offer daily memberships at $7.00 a day. If nothing else, it's a great get away for the dreary end of winter... As a lot of us did at past gatherings, I recommend doubling, tripling and quadrupling up. Saturday during the day you will be free to go sightseeing in Boston or do whatever you like. There is a wonderful shopping mall across the street from the Hotel. It is a very reasonable car ride from PA, NJ, NY, CT, NH, VT, ME, MD, RI If you are interested in flying into Boston you have three airports to choose from. The first one is Boston''''s Logan International Airport, the other two are located about an hour away from Boston. They are in Manchester, New Hampshire and Providence, Rhode Island (TF Green). There is a shuttle to the hotel from Boston''''s Logan Airport. Braintree is also on the T''''s red line (the T is Boston's rapid transit). The red line is accessible to South Station (where most Amtrak''s come into from the South.) The Tara (as it's known in the area) will gladly pick you up from the Quincy Adams T station. Please feel free to bring your Significant Other, but children will not be allowed at the Friday night or Saturday night events.In addition the Boston area has a WEALTH of nearby attractions. In late March you're looking at doable weather for walking trips in Boston. Also historic Plymouth is only a 40 minute drive (the Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower are there) And Quincy, the next town over is historically rich as well. Here is a brief overview of the weekend festivities: Friday, March 24, 2006 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Mix and Mingle 10:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. - Private Pool Party Saturday, March 25, 2006 5:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. - Dinner/Dancing - Keynote Speaker being arranged Sunday, March 26, 2006 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Farewell Breakfast Here are the costs associated with the weekend. COSTS: Deadline: February 10, 2006 Post-op = $67.00 Pre-op/Support = $80.00 This includes the following Registration Fee = $25.00 Saturday Night Meal = $32.00 (4oz - post-op) = $37.00 (8oz - pre-op and support) Sunday Breakfast = $10.00 (4oz - post-op) = $18.00 (8oz - pre-op and support) COSTS: Deadline: March 3, 2006 - LATE REGISTRATION - Money Orders Only will be accepted Post-op = $92.00 Pre-op/Support = $105.00 This includes the following Registration Fee = $50.00 Saturday Night Meal = $32.00 (4oz - post-op) = $37.00 (8oz - pre-op and support) Sunday Breakfast = $10.00 (4oz - post-op) = $18.00 (8oz - pre-op and support) I am still working on getting a charter sightseeing tour similar to the duck tours we did last year, so more information on that to follow. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at [email protected]. Hope to see you all there!!!! Marie Friends of WLS

Eleanor Please email me at [email protected] and I will send you a registration form. You register with me and make the hotel reservations separately. thanks Marie

Can you please send me information regarding the Meet n Greet in Boston. Thanks. My email address is [email protected].

Where do you do the registration? When you book the hotel? I assume it is separate?

Marie--Is this affiliated with a particular doctor or program? Who are Friends of wls? Just wondering...

Lynda Friends of WLS started back on spotlighthealth.com (no longer exists) a few online people were in chat and thought it would be fun to meet everyone, so the first Friends of WLS gatering was in October 2002 in Pennsylvannia. I attended this event with my support angel and had a blast. We didn't know anyone other then online and by the time we left we left with lasting friendships (side note - I have been to a few weddings across the country from the friends I have made). Driving home we got to talking how we can do this in Boston. So we did March 2003 was the first Friends of WLS gathering in Boston. This year will be our fourth. The first year we had 55 people, the second, 65 and last year 100. I hope to match or exceed that number this year. We are not affiliated with any physicians groups. This is a group that we started on our own. I hope to make this a non-profit group and do more things around the country. Other gatherings have taken off because of Boston - Chicago, Philadelphia, Vegas, just to name a few. I hope I answered your question Marie

Hi Marie, I am interested in comming to the gathering in Boston, I however live in Springfield MA. can we still attend. I am a support group leader in Springfield, and would like to tell our next support group about this. Is this O.K. with you. The only problem is our next group isn't until February 13th. Will these other people have to pay the higher amount. Please send me an email @[email protected]. I will also email you at your yahoo address. Do you have a way for us to sign up? Please let me know either on here, or by way of my email. Thanks Harriet P.S. I had my surgery January 14, 2005 and have lost 67lbs and have almost reached my goal.