THE END IS NEAR!! THE END IS NEAR!!

AS MENTIONED LAST WEEK:

In preparation for media appearances and press releases, I need to have a definitive list of those committed to the crossing by 6/6/07.

If you do not reply by the deadline, I will assume you have changed your mind.

I also need you to indicate your approval (or not) to two items: Use of your name in press releases, and whether or not we can indicate your hometown or state.

I have updated the public website www.XLakeMI.com and the member's blog, http://www.crossthelake.blogspot.com with pictures, more location information, etc.

We will be departing from Point Beach state forest, just north of Two Rivers, WI. There are campsites available right across from the beach and nearby motels/hotels in Two Rivers. The dates for being on site and ready to go are July 30-Aug. 5th. Those who wish to remain at home and commute to the site in the early morning hours are welcome to. I will give you a phone call by 10pm the night before with the local marine forecast for the next day. The "go/no go" decision will be made by group vote each morning. If it is a "no go" day, the park's lake front is a great place to tool around for the day and have some fun. For those with families, it is a great vacation spot. That is what my family will be doing this year: a few days at the campsite, a few at a local hotel. There are a variety of hiking and other fun activities nearby.

Those desiring to go, please reply to me with where you have made lodging arrangements, and a way to contact you (cell phone ideal). If you will be driving in the day we go, please let me know that and a cell phone number in case we scrap things due to weather while you are en route.

I will also need to have everyone's home address or another address where I can send you fliers for distribution around you area/your place of employment/your usual beach/your kb shop/wherever. After all, this is a fund raiser. I would hope that everyone can come up with some contributions for the Children's Hospital Foundation.

I have spent the last four days in Michigan near our destination point. Big Sable Point lighthouse, and the beach to the south are beautiful places for kiteboarding. I am envious of our members from Michigan and their beaches and wind conditions! It is also a state park, with camping. It is about a 15 minute drive north of Luddington.

Finally, we have not secured any boaters to do the crossing voluntarily as chase boats. I am having very little response from the media in assisting with this effort. The Children's Hospital Foundation monthly newsletter will be coming out soon and we will be noted there and our need highlighted. I hope to have some favorable responses from this.

I have secured positive responses from a few fishing charter captains with larger/faster boats who would do this for us for cost. This will be our final option of we cannot secure volunteers. As one boat per rider is my goal for safety, this may limit the number who can cross, unless you can "chip in" out of pocket for your own boat.

As a last item of note, all donations should be collected by members, ideally in the form of a check made out to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. If you receive any cash donations, please send a personal check of your own for the cash amount. Please indicate "X Lake MI event" on the memo line

Donations can be sent to:

Heidi Schade
Special Events Coordinator
Children's Hospital Foundation
5583 Waterford Lane, Ste A
Appleton, WI 54913
attn: X Lake MI Event


www.XLakeMI.co now also has a website donation sidebar "widget" from Google checkout.

You can also, of course, bring donations to the event.

I hope to hear back from you all soon!

Sincerely,

Chaz Bartelt