Planners to gather April 4-5

In less than four months, German-Russians from across the country -- even from across the sea -- will converge on Casper, Wyoming for the International Convention of Germans from Russia. As many as 1,000 attendees may attend the July 28-August 3 gathering.

This year, members of both the Germans from Russia Heritage Society and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia will meet in a joint convention.

Understandably, the event requires considerable planning, and that's just what a large group of representatives from both societies will be doing this weekend (April 4-5) at the Parkway Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Casper. That'll also be the site for the grand event this summer. Chaired by AHSGR's Patti Sellenrick and GRHS's Al Feist, the convention planning committee is set to put the finishing touches on plans that have been underway for more than a year. The committee will have a full agenda.

We expect a blitz of activities in the next few weeks, following many decisions that will be finalized at this planning session.

Lodging Update

We understand that lodging accommodations are filling up fast in Casper for the July 28 - August 3 convention.

If you've not yet made your reservations, we're advised that it's best to call the hotel/motel directly rather than through any national toll-free number. This is the BEST way to ensure that you'll get the special convention rates. Be sure to indicate that you're with the Germans from Russia convention. Among the popular lodging sites:

Parkway Plaza Hotel: (307) 232-2140

Holiday Inn (Soon to be Ramada): (307) 235-2531

Ramkota (307) 266-6000

Reservations at Holiday Inn?

Convention co-chairperson Patti Sellenrick has notified the planning committee that the Holiday Inn Riverside in Casper will become Ramada Plaza Riverside, effective April 1st -- and that's not an April Fool's joke!

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Please remember, however, that our convention site is the Parkway Plaza Hotel & Convention Center.

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However, given the number of attendees to the convention, many folks have made reservations or may be planning to stay at the Holiday Inn Riverside. We're told that reservations already made at Holiday Inn will be honored by Ramada Plaza Riverside. If you have questions, you can call the hotel toll-free at (877) 576-8636. Other accommodations are noted in the links posted in the column to the right under Lodging Opportunities.