Philadelphia Gathering of Friends of WLS

Philadelphia Gathering of Friends of WLS Friday, October 6, 2006 - Sunday, October 8, 2006 Adults Only Registration Deadline is September 1, 2006 Late Registration Deadline is September 15, 2006 These weekend gatherings are about meeting and connecting with people who can understand the journey we all have taken and to have fun with fellow WLSers and support people. And this year is something a little special, a Halloween Costume Ball! You can even win prizes for your costumes! So grab your ghoulish gear and come see Philly in the Fall. We have finalized the Hotel Information for the Philadelphia gathering. The cost of the hotel is $99.00/per night, this is per room. You can call the hotel to make your reservations at 1-800-325-3535 or (215)547-4100 by September 15, 2006: Ask for "FRIENDS OF WLS". Sheraton Bucks County Hotel 400 Oxford Valley Road Langhorne, PA 19047 The hotel has a pool, hot tub, sauna and gym for guests to use at no charge. As a lot of people did at past gatherings, we recommend doubling and tripling up in rooms. If you are flying into Philly, the best choice is Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) which is about 30 minutes south of the hotel on I-95; but you could also fly into Newark Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, which is about 1.5 hrs from the hotel. Cabs are available to the hotel, but we will try to organize our own little shuttle service, if we know what time people are coming into the Philadelphia airport. Remember, "You have a Friend in Pennsylvania" is our state motto- we will get you to the hotel! Please feel free to bring your Significant other or Support person, but children will not be allowed at the Friday night or Saturday night events. In addition, the Philadelphia area has a wealth of nearby attractions and shopping. The hotel is down the street from Sesame Place for those interested in a family activity. We will be releasing a full itinerary later, but a very brief overview is as follows: Friday, October 6, 2006 Mix & Mingle, evening Saturday, October 7, 2006 Sight seeing, during the day Dinner/Dancing a the Halloween Costume Ball Sunday, October 8, 2006 Farewell Breakfast Here are the costs associated with the weekend. COSTS: Deadline: September 1, 2006 Post -Op $ 72.00 Pre-Op/Sup $ 78.00 This includes: Registration fee: $25.00 Saturday night meal: Post-op ($35.00) Pre-op ($38.00) Sunday breakfast: Post-op ($12.00) Pre-op ($15.00) COSTS: Deadline: September 15, 2006 - LATE REGISTRATION- Money Orders Only will be accepted Post -Op $ 97.00 Pre-Op/Sup $ 103.00 This includes: Registration fee: $50.00 Saturday night meal: Post-op ($35.00) Pre-op ($38.00) Sunday breakfast: Post-op ($12.00) Pre-op ($15.00) We are still working on some of the details and activities, so more information is to follow. The registration forms are posted on the Philadelphia website: www.geocities.com/philly_wls_gathering/ or you can email us for it: [email protected] Please feel free to email Steve or me at [email protected], if you have questions or need more information. We can't wait to see you all there!!!

Another airport option is Trenton-Mercer County Airport. It's only 15 minutes from the hotel. Robin

Hi Marie My name is Timmy Ray, I am in Jackson, NJ about an hour or so from Philly. I was wondering ...do you guys have a support group there in Philly that is affiliated with your event? I would like to come visit, and check it out over the summer if so. I think you have advertised before about (like last fall..maybe?) events in Philly like your october event. I wanted to come along with my wife Sandi (both of us are post op) last year but we couldnt make it fit on our schedule. I would like to know if you or your husband, or someone from your group would consider coming to Lakewood for one of our meetings this summer, also. I would love to see a bunch of us from the Toms River group We are called... Ocean County weight loss...surgical OCWLS .. we meet in Toms River and Lakewood.. two nights a month... a bariatric support group for RNY and Lapbanders... both post op and pre op. Marie, my thoughts were that if you had someone come and talk about your event, at the lakewood meeting (third Thursday each month, in Lakewood NJ, 7pm) or if one or more of us came to Philly and met some of your folks, that we could encourage and get interest going to attend your event. I am pretty involved with the group, the Lakewood meeting mid month is an offshoot of the Toms River monthly meeting, its new, and I am co moderator of the Lakewood meeting. I think it would be a blast to have more interaction between our two groups? Just a thought... thanks for the post on the NJ board, please continue to post at times regarding your October weekend, I will hopefully be able to attend this year along with my wife, and I will attempt to drum up interest, maybe a group of us can attend and get to know some of you folks. Have a super day Timmy Ray [email protected] or 732-278-1940