Hello Everyone,

Our banquet will be held at the Interstate Banquet and Conference Center, 2301 West Market Street, Bloomington, Illinois (same place as the Fundraising show) on May 31, 2008. I can hardly believe it has been a year since our last banquet!

Our theme this year will follow the same theme as the show, “Founding Felines” and we have some great surprises planned for you. We have a team of dedicated Banquet Committee members and they are hard at work on more than 20 fascinating and unique breed related centerpieces that follow the theme of our show and banquet. These centerpieces will be up for bids during our silent auction.

The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails and our “On The Road Again” presentation will begin shortly thereafter. Dinner will be Buffet style and will begin at 7:00 pm with the awards presentation beginning around 7:30.

Banquet cost is $40 per person. Reservations and payments should be sent to Bobbie Weihrauch, 6152 Laurene Ave., Lino Lakes, MN 55014-1478. Tables will seat only 8 this year. PLEASE, get your entire table together BEFORE sending the list to Bobbie! Specify the “NAME” for your table AND be sure to confirm the people sitting at your table BEFORE you list their names. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated.

USEFUL INFORMATION:

Photos are required for the following:
· Championship (top 25)
· Kittens (top 25)
· Premiership (top 25)
· Household Pets (top 15)
· Best, 2nd Best and 3rd Best of Breed winners (Championship only)
· Best and 2nd Best of Color winners (Championship only)
· Distinguished Merit cats

VERY IMPORTANT - Label the photograph or name the file with the CAT’S REGISTERED NAME (rather than “Fluffy”), and the REGIONAL AWARD the cat will be receiving. If you wish your photos returned and you will not be at the banquet, include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Baturin Designs are again producing our beautiful awards. Images (specifications below) are to be attached to an email sent to: info@baturindesigns.com; specify MWR Awards in subject line; mailed photos should be sent to: Baturin Designs, PO Box 305, Carpentersville, IL 60110; Attn: MWR Awards.

The cost for duplicate awards is: $60 Best, $45 for 2nd thru 25th (2nd thru 15 for HHP) and $40 for DM and these must be ordered by May 12th to be picked up at the banquet. To order a duplicate, please send your payment and the name of the award you are ordering to Bobbie Weihrauch, 6152 Laurene Ave., Lino Lakes, MN 55014; Bobbie's email is: bobbie@koratcat.net.

Melody Amundson is again producing the Regional Awards booklet AND this year the slide show presentation. Marci will forward photos of the Top 25 Championship, Premiership, Kittens and top15 HHP’s to Melody. You do not need to send a photo to both. If you wish to send a DIFFERENT photo for top 25, please send Melody an email to let her know. You may contact Melody at: amundson@qconline.com; or mail to: 1521 24-1/2 Street; Rock Island, IL 61201. Specify MWR Awards.

The MWR recognizes Best, 2nd Best and 3rd Best of Breed winners and Best and 2nd Best of Color winners in Championship only. If your cat will be receiving one of these awards please mail photos to Melody at the above address. If you wish to email a picture, please let Melody know first.

DEADLINE FOR PHOTOS: May 7th. Late submissions will incur a $12.00 late charge and no guarantee for delivery at the banquet – this goes for duplicate orders as well. If you think you are getting an award SUBMIT THE PHOTO.

Requirements for photos on the awards: digital format preferred, min 300dpi or greater; print pics - no larger than 4" x 6" (vertical or able to crop vertically for booklet). Scanned photos accepted with the same requirements. NO RETOUCHING OR ADJUSTING of images! That makes their job harder.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Mary Newmarch is doing our “On The Road Again” slide show again. Get those pictures to Mary so we can have another great presentation! Email pictures to: marynewmarch@earthlink.net or mail to: 506 S. Indiana Ave., W. Bend, WI 53095

One last item…. PLEASE consider sponsoring an award(s) for your friend, neighbor, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, mom, dad, or whoever strikes your fancy!! Award sponsorships are going very well so don't wait too long or your favorite might be taken!! If you would like to sponsor an award please contact Beth Cassely at: purrtek@swbell.net or Alene Shafnisky at: sinend_ta@yahoo.com Sponsorship payments should be sent to Bobbie Weihrauch.

If you have any questions, please let me know. I hope to see you all at the Banquet!

Kay Janosik
CFA Midwest Regional Director