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Houston Gathering of The Blind Handyman

Hello All, The people associated with blind like me and the blind handy man group ask me to post this message. we will also be putting up a link for this information coming soon on our home page. As most of you know we are in our sixth year of The Blind Handyman and, our fifth season of Blind Like Me.

In years 2004 and 2006 we hosted a gathering in Houston of fans, friends, and people who participate from time to time in the shows. In October of this year we will have another event at the same location in Houston and with most, if not all the same participants. Our pretext for getting together this year is the recording of the two hundred fiftieth Blind Handyman show. Of course this gathering is open to all and you are certainly welcome and very much encouraged to come and join us. I can absolutely guarantee this. You won't be asked to sign anything, pledge any help or money, listen to any long speeches, or express a particular political opinion. We will arrive on Friday October twenty-fourth and depart on Monday October twenty- seventh. This gives us most of Friday, all Saturday, and then there is Sunday to party. By partying I mean visiting, meeting new friends, recording shows, cooking in the dark, eating good food, and maybe a few of us hoisting libations. We are, for the most part, a friendly civilized sort except Sunday night late. That's when most of us over sixty go to bed and those young whipper-snappers play that rock and roll and have them selves a dance. We plan, as we have done in the past years to play much live music. If you play an instrument please bring it along and plan to either be a part of our little band or showcase by your self if you like. If you play guitar, accordion, or some form of key board those will be furnished at the gathering. I have several other musical instruments like fiddle, mandolin, base, auto harp, and dobro and will be glad to bring any or all along if you can play them. If you are a vocalist and sing with pre recorded tracks, bring your music. If you have a poem or something you would like to read or recite, feel free to let us know of your wishes. We certainly encourage everyone who is so inclined to play sing or do what ever. Please don't hesitate to let us know what you want to do. We aren't much on speeches or lengthy lectures about whatever. What I am trying to say is, don't expect to learn anything earth shaking during this fun weekend. Do expect to make many new friends, hopefully hear some good music and, maybe learn about some things that you didn't know existed that will help you or someone else.. We are gathering at the Sheraton Hotel North, very close to Bush intercontinental airport. Your room can be reserved by calling and saying you want a room for the Blind Handyman gathering. Information on whom and when to call will be given at the and of this document. You will need a credit card to guarantee your room but, of course no charge will be applied to your card until you arrive in Houston. There is a shuttle that will transport you and your luggage with out hassle from the airport to the gathering and back to airport as a free service of the hotel. Rooms are 72$ per night single or double that is of course plus tax. The hotel has a restaurant that has quite good service and comestibles. It is open for breakfast, lunch and the evening meal. Here in Texas we call that supper. As one might expect in a hotel of this caliber the food is quite pricey but very good. Registration fee for this gathering is 25$ per person and must be paid by Friday October third 2008.To register just send me a check for 25$ times as many persons as are coming with your party. Then you can spend the next 5-6 months dreaming about how much fun you are going to have in Houston at the Blind Handyman Gathering. I will have all my contact information at the end of this document. Below is a list of thus far scheduled events. This list may not be complete as someone might think of something fun to do during the gathering, communicate that idea to us and we could incorporate it into our plans. All activities at this gathering will be in the El Paso room at the Sheraton Hotel. Kicking things off on Friday night, both in the bar and in our conference room, there will be the Blind Rifleman's association party. Said party is hosted by the president of blind mice mart, our own Dale Campbell. Tee shirts not required but requested and, on sale at the party. Saturday morning, 9 30 A M, after breakfast, will be our get acquainted session with introductions all around.. Aspirins for those who need them. Saturday afternoon, 2 o'clock, Cooking in the Dark with Cheryl Cummings and Dale, too cool Campbell. This means good food and good fun, don't miss it. Last time it took them three hours to do a one hour show.

Let's see this year if we can break that record. Remember, the longer they cook the more we get to eat. That evening, as the sun sinks slowly in the west, we will began playing live music. Those who can will play, some, will just listen or maybe dance. We certainly hope all who can and want to, will participate. This will probably go on quite late and everyone will get to do their thing. Because of the late playing of music on Saturday night Sunday religious service will began at 9 30 A M. Don and his wife Emma Lee will host this mostly singing and praising event. At 11 Sunday morning we will record show 250 of the Blind Handyman. As usual, we don't know what will happen during the show but, you'll want to be their to witness it. Sunday afternoon at around two we will do a Blind Like Me program featuring-- well, a guest to be named later. After that we will have, for lack of a better name, show and tell. There are always some surprises and lots of fun during this event. Maybe you have something blind friendly or unique you would like for all of us to see. Please, bring what ever it is along and show it to us.

Sunday evening, more live music until about say 10. At that time Carla Joe and Her friend Mary will start the dance party, or as Tim would say, the awesome! dance party. You can call me and get more details on any of these events or, just show up and enjoy. As I stated at the outset, this is very much a public gathering and all, that means you, are certainly invited. If you have suggestions for things we might do during this gathering, please get in touch and where possible we will consider. I sincerely hope you can come down to Houston in October and get acquainted with us, I believe you will have a fine time. Hopefully, this covers everything but, I am harassed with doubts. If you have questions contact me and I will attempt to clarify.

Here is all the contact information and see you in Houston. Reservation persons at the Sheraton are only there from 8 A M till 5 P M weekdays. This means any other time you call you will be given to the national reservations office. The local reservations persons are, Frances, 281-969-1267 or, Martha, 281-969-1269. As you can tell, these numbers are not toll free. The national toll free reservations number is, 800-325-3535. Be sure and tell them you need the special Blind Handyman gathering rate. The Block of Rooms is limited so make your reservations early. Send checks (for the registration money only) to Phil Parr, 1604 Southwood Drive, Lufkin Texas, 75904 Phone, 936-634-9500 E mail, philparr@consolidated.net , Phil Parr

Note from Webmaster:  This sure looks fun!  Looks like a great social gather.  I'm looking for more information on this event.  Will post more as info comes in. Clyde and Tom