[AT] ATIS Portland Dinner 2004

[Dave Rotigel]

Hi All,
	I'm once again taking care of coordinating the Annual ATIS Dinner during 
the Portland Show this year. The dinner will be on Thursday August 26th, 
2004 at 6:00 PM at the Back 40 Junction in Decatur. Decatur is about 25 
miles North of Portland, and the Back 40 is on Rt. 27 (on the left as you 
are driving North) at the North end of town.
	I just talked to Ellen at the Back Forty and made our reservations! (In 
the course of our conversation she indicated that the waitresses asked 
[begged] to know if Arnie Ferro would be back this year. I told he that he 
would be back--there was then cheering in the background! She also asked 
(again) if that "older gentleman" from Australia would be at the dinner 
this year. I asked her if she meant Reg and she said that she didn't know 
his name but "It is the guy who gave all the waitresses what he called 'the 
traditional Australian greeting'." When I asked her what on earth that was 
she replied "A little pat on the rear end. He said it's a show of respect 
in Australia." I told her that it MUST have been Reg and that I would 
contact her as soon as I knew if he will be with us this year. Ellen also 
said that the father of one of the waiterss' said that he would be real 
glad to meet up with George Willer "if he ever shows his face in the area 
again." Do any of you FATG's know anything about this?
	As usual, the Summer ATIS Charity Auction will be conducted right after we 
finish eating.We will rely once again on the "Karch method" that we used 
the last years. Start thinking about what you will be donating for the 
auction this year! If memory serves, we took in a little over $3,000.00 for 
charity at the dinner last year!
If you know that you will be able to join us for the dinner, please contact 
me off List (rotigel at alltel.net) and let me know how many will be in your 
party. I hope to be able to give Ellen a fairly accurate count again this 
year. (We were at just around 105 people last year!) No money is necessary 
in order to make your "reservation," and if you find you can't make it 
after you have let me know that you will be there, please let me know of 
your change in plans. Thanks!
Dave
PS, Ellen promised me AIR CONDITIONING this year!