AramcoBrats, Inc.

Brats,

In this announcement:
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1- How Would You Like to Pay for That?
2- Election Time!
3- Room At The Inn
4- A Ghutra By Any Other Name
5- So Long, Farewell...
6- Shuffleboard Anyone?
7- You're Probably Tired of Hearing This
8- A Picture is Worth...

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1-How Would You Like To Pay For That?

Great news. We finally have our merchant account set up with Paypal, so you can now pay your AdBak and make donations to the ABI with your credit card or Paypal account online. You need not have a Paypal account to use this method of payment. This has been many years in the coming and we are thrilled to be able to offer this option to everyone. Reunion registrations will also be payable using this method as soon as registration opens up. So, whip out your plastic and support the ABI today!

2- Election Time!

Elections are quickly approaching for the ABI board. If you have been thinking about getting involved with the ABI, now is the time to throw your hat into the ring. All positions are open each election period, so if you know you are the one to fill one of the elected positions, let Gary Barnes DH'70 (gary@aramco-brats.com) know immediately. In addition to the four elected positions on the board (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) there are a variety of appointed positions to be filled after the election. If you think you might like to fill one of those posts for two years of fun-filled ABI action, also let Gary know right away. We need to wrap this up very soon in order to get candidate statements and ballot information put together so the deadline is March 5 to get on the ballot.

3- Room At The Inn

We have been informed that the Crowne Plaza in Asheville (the reunion hotel) is sold out. As in the past, many people will cancel their reservations as they find they are unable to attend the reunion. The hotel informed us that when calls come in for a reservation at the Crowne Plaza they are suggesting the caller make reservations at the Best Western (overflow hotel). At that time they also take your information and place you on the wait list. IMPORTANT: We are recommending that you not call the 800 number for reservations as the folks at that number don't have access to the wait list. Instead, call the Crowne Plaza Asheville directly between the hours of 7am and 11pm at 828-254-3211 and *ask for in-house reservations*. That last bit is really important if you want to get on the wait list for a room. If a room becomes available, the hotel will call the wait-listed people and let them know they have changed their reservations from the Best Western to the Crowne Plaza. There is always a chance on any given day, that there is no wait list and rooms are available when you call to make reservations. One just never knows. If you run into difficulty or have questions regarding the room situation, feel free to contact diana@aramco-brats.com

4- A Ghutra By Any Other Name

The North Carolina Reunion Committee is still asking for any donations of ghutras. Check your linen closets again and if you have any extras to donate to a good cause (the reunion), let the committee know by e-mailing reunion2007@aramco-brats.com. Let's not make them grovel any more than they have to.

5- So Long, Farewell...

After many years of service to the ABI, first as Secretary and then as E-mail Director and Birthday Lady, Doral Zadorkin-Allen DH'66 has decided to move on. Doral has always been good for a lift even when things were looking down for the ABI Board. We will miss her sharp mind and perpetually cheery disposition. But most of all, we'll miss that scintillating, hair-raising laugh of hers.

6-Shuffleboard Anyone

With Doral's departure, the ABI board has shuffled some duties and responsibilities around a bit. Class Rep Director Dawn Kolb DH'92 and Webmaster Gretchen Connally DH'91 have taken on Doral's work. The two like working together so much that they also have split up some of the day-to-day drudgery as well as some redesign work on the website. Webmaster@aramco-brats.com will get a message to both of them.

7- You're Probably Tired of Hearing This

...But we're still looking for items for the reunion raffle and auctions. If you have any Aramco/Saudi/Middle Eastern stuff taking up room in your attic or garage, why not see if the ABI can hawk it at the reunion? The raffle and auctions are a major source of funding for the ABI, so your clutter can make a big difference. If you have something that you think might fit the bill or have any questions, send a note off to raffleauction@aramco-brats.com.

and

8- A Picture Is Worth...

Give something back to your brat family by loaning an image to the reunion slide show for all to see and enjoy! How? Email a digital image (formats listed below) to Pam Branch at pbranch1@triad.rr.com, or send photos to Pam at 3211 Kinnamon Road Winston-Salem, NC 27104. Please include names of any folks in the pictures, and make sure you include your name on the back of each photo. They will be returned to you!

Digital Image Formats: Reasonably High Resolution JPEG or GIF files, made at 72 dots per inch at least...or 300 dpi if available.

For Photo Formats: 35mm slides or negatives, or photo prints up to 8x10 size