I just got an email from Debbie Ward of Nature's Garden.  They're sending a rep to our Gathering!  There will be a table with their products, and according to Debbie, pre-orders will be welcome so please visit their website to see what you'd like for their rep to bring along.  Isn't this wonderful news?!

Just a reminder that I need the registrations no later than April 1 in order to receive a goodie bag.  You have till April 12 for your lunch choices, but the registrations must be in by April 1.  I thought I had mentioned that before, but I thought I'd re-post this in case anyone missed it the first time.  I've been getting payments and am eagerly looking forward to seeing these new (and "old") faces on the 26th!  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!  :o)

The Gathering lunch choices are as follows: 
 
Ham and Cheese or Turkey and Cheese Sandwich on a bun 
Chicken Salad on croissant 
Veggie Wrap 
Potato Salad or Cole Slaw 
Chocolate Chip Cookie 

choice of soda

There will be chips available for anyone who wants them

coffee and water available all day 

Lunch choices need to be sent to northcoastsoaps@buckeye-express.com by April 
12th

Registration information:

Registration is $35. 

If sending a check or money order, please send it to:
 Jackie Harris
 516 E. Madison St.
 Sandusky, Ohio  44870

If using paypal, please send it to jmharris270@bex.net   Choose "I'm sending money to family or friends" and the fee will be added to your final total and not deducted from the amount that Jackie receives. 

Rol thought someone might want to know what restaurants there are here in town, whether you like sit-down places, fast food or buffet.  Following is a list of the restaurants:

Longhorn Steak House
Outback Steak House
Olive Garden
Chipotle
Mekong
Red Lobster
TGI Friday
Applebees
Chilis
Cracker Barrel
Brick Oven
Fazoli
Diana's Deli
Danny Boy
Manny's
Samurai Japanese Steak House
Bob Evans
Ruby Tuesday
Steak & Shake
Panera Bread
El Camino
Andy's Chinese
Ming's Garden
Five Guys
McDonald's
Burger King
Wendy's
Arby's
Lee's Chicken
Taco Bell
Long John Silver's
Sonic
Pizza Hut
Home Family - Chinese take-out
Subway
Domino's Pizza
Marco's Pizza
Papa John's Pizza
Chet & Matt's Pizza
Ryan's Buffet
China Dragon Buffet
And if there are any veterans - there are the American Legion, Amvets & VFW

After posting the things to do in Sandusky, I was reminded of 2 more water parks here in town - Rain (which is associated with Quality Inn and The Thirsty Pony which is a betting parlor) and Castaway Bay which also has a hotel which I listed, and a spa.

At the Thirsty Pony/Quality Inn/Rain water park, there is laser tag as well.

There is Skate World if you like roller skating;

There are 2 museums - the Merry-Go-Round Museum down town and the Maritime Museum, both of which close somewhere between 4 and 5. 

I have a list of the Sandusky hotels that are open now and will be open for the Gathering.  Pease note that Milan Road is Route 250.

Fairfield Inn - 419-61-9500
6220 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Hampton Inn - 419-609-9000
6100 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Best Western Plus - 419-627-9595
6211 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Comfort Inn - 419-61-0200
5909 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Super 8 - 419-625-7070
5410 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Maui Sands - 419-621-7357
5513 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Sleep Inn - 419-625-6989
7509 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Econolodge - 419-626-8720
3309 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

La Quinta - 419-626-6766
3304 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Howard Johnson - 419-626-3742
2809 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Quality Inn - 419-626-6761
1935 Cleveland Rd.
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Castaway Bay - 419-627-2334
10 Harbour Pky
Sandusky, Ohio  44870

Although I've been working at trying to get special rates for the attendees of the Gathering, I've been running up against brick walls.  So tomorrow (if I can borrow this computer again) I'll post a list of the local hotels - also along Route 250 - from which you can choose.  I know you're all anxious, so I'm just letting you know that I'm working on it.  I generally can't get online during weekends or evenings, but I was able to borrow one for tonight so I could bring you all up to date.  If I've forgotten anything, please don't hesitate to let me know as I'm truly trying to get all of this done as soon as I possibly can.  :o)  And thank you for your understanding.

Someone asked about activities in the area for Friday.  My husband and I enjoy touring wineries when we go to new places, but there are also some local water parks that are a lot of fun for visitors - Kalahari, Maui Sands, and Great Wolf - all on Route 250 (the same road on which the Gathering will be.)  There really isn't a lot else to do close to Sandusky this time of year.  We also enjoy zoos, and there are 2 of those within an hour and a half from here in Toledo and Cleveland.  The local metropark is always nice to visit, too, you also enjoy being out in nature.  Osborn Park has some lovely walking trails.  I hope this helps -

I've learned that Kay Tibbs - the swap lady - will not be attending the Gathering this year.  However, never fear - there will be a swap.  If you'd like to be a part of this, please bring 5 handmade items with you, and you'll receive 5 handmade items in return.  This is always fun so please plan to bring some of your best work to share with the group.  It's always been something to which we look forward so we'll hope for some wonderful items again this time.  :o)

So far the vendors who will be coming to the Gathering are as follows:

Soap Equipment
Essential Depot - they are planning to debut a new product at our Gathering so you won't want to
     miss that!  :o)
Kay Bright with her wonderful goat's milk fudge, goat's milk and hopefully some tallows. 
Planktown Hardware

I have invited some other special vendors who are still waiting to get back to me, but I'm sure this will not be all who will be there.  However, please feel free to contact them to see about pre-show orders to save on shipping!  :o)

The tentative schedule so far for the Gathering this year is as follows:
8:30 - sign in and pick up your goodie bag
9:00 - Bobbie Eastman will demo her fabulous hair shine
10:00 - Kim Craigs has agreed to demo her wonderful handmade cream.  (You won't want to miss that one!
11:00 - Kristy Schemrich will show us how to make laundry soap
Noon - lunch
12:45 - Swap
1:00 - Cathy McGinnis will be doing an awesome demo altho she hasn't said just what
2:00 - I need a volunteer for this spot altho I have someone in mind to do a demo
3:00 - Door prizes

We are supposed to be totally out of the building by 4 so they can set up for church services the following day.  This schedule isn't carved in stone yet, but at least you can get an idea of what'll be happening.  I hope you all will enjoy this -

Do you like garage sales?  There will be one at this year's gathering.  So if you have any unwanted soaping supplies, please bring them to the Gathering with your name and price on them and see what you can buy to replace them.  There will be envelopes for your convenience in making change.  I've gotten some fantastic bargains and more at previous Gatherings so come prepared to see what you can find.  :o)

I have a correction to the lunch menu.  The Ham & Cheese and Turkey & Cheese will be on buns instead of bread.  I hope that will be all right with those of you who had wanted those sandwiches.  The caterer is wonderful, and I know you'll all be happy with your choices!  Please get those in to me by April 12 if not before.  Thank you :o)

The Gathering lunch choices are as follows:

Ham & Cheese or Turkey & Cheese Sandwich on bread or croissant
Chicken Salad on croissant
Veggie Wrap

Potato Salad or Cole Slaw

Chocolate Chip Cookie

There will be chips available for anyone who wants them.
Please let me know what soda you prefer.  There will be coffee and water available all day.

I need to have your lunch choices by April 12 please.  :o)

OK, soapers -
Mark your calendars for April 26, 2014 for this year's annual Gathering.  It's going to be at the Sandusky Community Church of the Nazarene located at 1617 Milan Rd., Sandusky,  Ohio  44870.  The cost will be $35 per person, and I would ask that payments be either by check or money order sent to Jackie Harris, 516 E. Madison St., Sandusky, Ohio  44870.  I've been working really hard to get all the ducks in a row along with the tremendous help of my friend Margaret.  The cut-off date for payments to be sent is April 1.  I hope to see you all!

HOTEL INFO

 These are in Austinburg, directly off the 90 freeway.
Let me know if we need more rooms.

******At this hotel, they are offering us 10 ROOMS at a discount rate of
$60.00 per night, single + tax, $65.00 double rm +tax.*****
*America's Best Value Inn*
2352 State Route 45 North
Austinburg, OH 44010
United States
(440) 275-2011
MUST RESERVE NO LATER THAN TWO WEEKS AHEAD OF TIME NEEDED APRIL 12 -
APRIL 14
MUST MENTION OHIO SOAPMAKERS GATHERING
***I have stayed here three times and found it clean and comfortable,
however it is no frills.
******* At this hotel they are offering us 3 DOUBLE ROOMS; 7 ONE KING
BED at a discount rate of $94.60 PER NIGHT +TAX*******

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ashtabula-Geneva
1831 Austinburg Rd, Austinburg, OH 44010 » Map
(888) 465-4329
MUST RESERVE NO LATER THAN MARCH 22
MUST MENTION OHIO SOPAMAKERS GATHERING AND CODE EG5

Others in the same area:

Hampton Inn
2900 GH Dr, Austinburg, OH 44010 

(440) 275-2000
*** about $120.00 per night, nice indoor pool

*Sleep Inn & Suites
Center Rd, Austinburg, OH 44010
(866) 611-6773

**_Ramada Austinburg Hotel_*
1860 Austinburg Rd
Austinburg
(440) 275-2711

Tentative Schedule

 
8:30 - Sign In/registration starts ( Maybe earlier)
9:00 - Blessing by Chief Bob Quiet Wolf of the United Eastern Lenape Nation
9:10 - Gathering Useful Herbs From Your Back Yard and Surrounding Areas
Keven Goff & Brian Red Squirrel
10:00 - Making Liquid Soap - Margaret Neff
11:15 - Ashtabula Story Weavers (made up of mostly retired educators)
will perform a comedic old time radio soap opera.
12:00 - Lunch
12:45 - Handmade Items Swap - Kay Tibbs
1:00 - Cold Process Soap - Kim Craigs
2:00 - Felted Soaps - Laureen Chandler
3:00 - Whipped Body Butter - Juanita Reid
4:00 - Door Prizes and Wrap UP

Gathering 2013!

Registration is now open for Ohio-Kentuckiana Soap Makers Gathering 2013!

When:
APRIL 13, 2013
REGISTRATION OPENS 8:30 AM
ENDS 5:00 PM

Where:
ANDRUS BANQUET CENTER
2259 WEST AVENUE
ASHTABULA, OHIO  44004
440-992-8829 OR 440-964-3663 (hall phone)

COST:
$30.00 (INCLUDES LUNCH, GOODY BAG & KEEPSAKE)
($35.00 if paying/registering at the door on day of event UNLESS this is worked out before)

PAYMENT ACCEPTED:  PAY PAL, CHECK
WHEN USING PAY PAL, PLEASE USE ONE OF THE METHODS OF PAYMENT THAT DOESN'T  ADD A FEE FOR ACCEPTING YOUR PAYMENT.
"PERSONAL" AND "OTHER"  SHOULD WORK FINE!

PLEASE SEND PAY PAL PAYMENT TO:
lostgirls@roadrunner.com

PLEASE SEND CHECK TO:
Robin Eastman
3502 Dickenson Rd
Ashtabula, OH 44004
*Your registration will be counted when your check clears

THEME:
These Are the Good Old Days
so, come as you were/are - dress in style of your favorite era, if you wish!

CONTACT:
Bobbie Eastman
440-992-5525
Cathie Kristiansen
440-265-4095

Hope to see you there!

Make a list and check it twice!

Check out Nature's Garden's fragrance oils and make a list of oils you might be
interested in. Bring your list with you and sniff them at the gathering to find
out if you like them or not.
Here is a list of fos.
http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/candlemaking-soap-supplies/category/366/Frag\
rance-Oils--List.html
Click on the link to the oil to get the info.