Everyone on this site might want to go to www.marscon.net and check out the link for Paul Cory's MarsCon 20ll Pics. Some great ones of Jim and some of you that I never got a chance to meet.

Butch

Priscillie - That is a good idea. Virginia only passed the law recently to make all restaurants non-smoking and although the area is inching closer to total non-smoking, hotels still have smoking rooms.

Butch

We are often asked why we don't change hotels to a larger one. We could always use more space for programming and gaming, but it is very difficult to leave a place that truly wants you. The Patriot is a older hotel but unlike other older hotels in the Williamsburg area, the owner is making improvements every year. I visit the hotel often and I'm always noticing improvements. Last year he put on a new roof to the tune of $200,000. By next MarsCon, every TV in the place will be replaced with new HD flat screens. Most of you probably didn't know this, or even noticed it, but the owner was there the whole weekend. He enjoys the con just as much as the fans. The display in the lobby is done to keep him happy. Three years ago, we did a SteamPunk theme for our con. My wife and friends built a time machine and he allowed us to put it in the lobby. He keeps telling us stories about the postman and police officers coming in and looking at it. So every year since, we have been building a display in the lobby. We could never do some of the things that we do in other hotels. Hard to leave. Now if we could just solve the problems with reservations.

Butch

Hi Everyone. Getting ready to head off to the hotel and make sure of all the last minute details, stuff like decorating, setting up the gaming, dealers, art room etc. are done. All that stuff that helps make it a great con for everyone. Hope to have a chance to watch the Dr. Horrible shadowcast tonight as they get ready for the con. Might be the only time I will get to relax for a few days. Anyway, wishing all you guys that are traveling a safe and quick trip. Be careful out there and looking forward to meeting you at the con.

Butch

I have officially decided. Everyone on this site is totally WEIRD!! You will fit in perfectly at MarsCon. By the way I want to try some of the home brew!

Butch

Thought I would highlight a few events going on at the con. Friday: Opening Ceremonies with Champagne Toast - Jim and Shannon's Panel at 7pm - Poisoned Dwarf (Celtic Music) with potentially a Celtic dance school performing with them - Urban Fantasy Theme Party - Baked Potato bar in the Con Suite (5:30pm) - Rocky Horror Picture Show 11PM - SF Win Lose or Draw 11PM.  Saturday: All the Jim and Shannon Panels - MarsCon's got Talent - Doctor Horrible Shadowcast - Comedy of Luna-C - Karaoke - Treasures of the Sand (Dance) - Charity Auction - Coyote Run (Celtic Rock) - Dance - Saturday Night Room Parties!! - Sunday: Tom Smith - Boogie Knights - Dead Dog Party.

Okay. I hope you guys don't get bored!

Butch

The last I heard we were having a dealer that will be selling the audio books. He may also have some of the newer books. Priscille will have something also.

Butch

From an insider's point of view, here are the things you don't want to miss if you can fit them into your schedule.

Coyote Run - Excellent Celtic Rock band. They are local to Williamsburg but perform all over the East Coast and once a year they travel to Scotland, Ireland and next year England. This is one of the groups you get your dancing shoes on for. Plus you will need a couple of brews to cool down when they finish their set.

Poisoned Dwarf - They are more of your traditional Celtic Band. Great musicians. Their following has increased over the last few years and their local concerts all ways draw well.

Tom Smith & Boogie Knights - What would any SF con be like without your filkers. They will be performing 3 times throughout the weekend so you should be able to find a performance you can attend.

Treasures of the Sand - You like Dancing Girls? We got Dancing Girls! This is not just your typical Belly Dancers. They perform various Middle-Eastern dances and are an annual favorite. Especially with our Hotel Owner.

Fishnet Inc. and Rocky Horror - They perform all over the Tidewater Virginia area and help keep the legacy of Rocky alive. They also throw one hell of a Saturday Night party.

One of my Favorite Programs - SF Win, Lose or Draw. Great party game. In the days when MarsCon was a small Relax-a-con, this built our reputation as a con to attend. They would lynch me if we ever dropped this from the con schedule.

Finally, the best part of MarsCon - other than Jim and Shannon Butcher - is our con suite. You can pretty much feed yourself through-out the weekend. Yes you might go out for Pizza - wait a second the con suite if having pizza - okay you might want to go out for Coffee - wait we will have coffee, maybe even some Starbucks - well you know you'll have to buy drinks - nope! We have them all weekend long. Want hot tea, ice tea, milk (only available during Filk and Cookies), homemade cookies. We got them. For Breakfast, we will have pastries and fruit, but we will also have some ham and hard boiled eggs. At lunch time, we will have sandwiches. For dinner, we will have some hot foods. During our party we will have some great snacks. If you away hungry from MarsCon, then (A). You are a very picky eater, or (B) You have a medical issue and although we try very hard, we can't cover everything.

And don't miss the Champagne Toast at Opening Ceremonies. If you still have questions when you get to the con, just ask for Butch. Every regular knows Butch.

Sincerely,

Butch