[Hotfingrs]

First I'd like to say a heartfelt Thank You to Ed and his family, for everything that they have done the last 4 years, to make this event what it is today.

The players might have changed, but the objective is still the same, make this the event that everybody wants.

As our tribute to Ed for his starting and hosting this event, the name will remain the same. It will be known as the DV Spring Fling.

The dates for this years Fling will remain the same June 24-26. I know that many of you arrive on the Thursday before, but the official dates are as stated.

In the next couple of days, hotel information will be posted. All hotels are within a 1/2 mile of I-90 and the Ohio Turnpike exit.

I know after last years Fling a number were dissatisfied with the agenda and a number of other things. We have a tenative agenda planned, but nothing is written in stone. That is why for the next few weeks I am asking all to post in this column, what they would like to see changed, or added, to make the Fling more to their liking. We will do the best, to try and accomodate, in any way we can, but much like last year, we are working on a short amount of time.

This year will be a learning experience and rebirth of the Fling, but with a full year to plan the next one, things can only get better.

Cystic Fibrosis will not be the charity of choice. We will be open to suggestions, as to where people would like to see the money that is left over, or raised as it may be, go. The primary reason this event was started was not to raise money for a charity, and I think that it's time to get back to that premise. It got to the point were people were thinking, we have to raise more than last year, and how can we raise more next year. Hopefully we don't get stuck there again, even though raising money for charity isn't bad, that's not what this event is about.

This year, unless by some stroke of luck a completed car falls in my lap, there will not be a car raffled off. I think one of the short comings of this event has been, not enough lead time to raffle a car off properly, and truely raise the money that should be raised by the cars that we have given away. I would say 6 months minimum lead time with the proper advertising should be a step in the right direction for a car.

With the new locale for the Fling, certainly events will chance, but some of the old ones will remain, hopefully with a new twist.

Again, other than hotel information, take a couple of weeks to voice opinions, under this thread, as to what you want from the Fling. A new website will have to be designed, along with planning the Fling, so please be patient. I will also be the website designer, as if there isn't enough to do already.

Hopefully I haven't left out any important points, let's get this ball rolling and see everyone at the Fling in June.