Hello friends!
"And now... a word
from our sponsor" (so to speak)....
We're proud to present
the much anticipated news you have been waiting for!!!
I'm pleased to announce
that my 2012 Sandra Stillwell Presents' convention, "Radio
Days", will be held in the historic city of
Cincinnati, August 9-12, at the Doubletree Airport Hotel.
The date change from
June to August was necessary due to hotel issues, but I believe our subsequent
date and hotel will prove to be beneficial overall. I sincerely apologize for
any difficulty this change may have presented and very much appreciate
your understanding in this matter.
Convention registration
and other details will be forthcoming soon, but I'm thrilled to say
the Sandra Stillwell Presents group rate at the Doubletree is
only $95! This special rate will include breakfast in the hotel restaurant on
days that we do not have a convention breakfast function.
The Doubletree Airport
offers complimentary parking and airport shuttle - directly on airport
property, the hotel is only a short 5 minute ride!
Reservations may be
made by calling 1-800-222-8733
and asking for the Sandra
Stillwell Presents group rate. It is VERY important
to book within our group block.
Set amidst the gently
rolling hills along the Ohio River, Cincinnati is a beautiful city---steeped in
historical architecture with grand Victorian homes, landmark Art
Deco masterpieces of 30's grandeur, and much, much more.
Greater Cincinnati is
the home of "America's Sweetheart" Doris Day, dancing
sensation, Vera Ellen, and "Girl Singer" Rosemary Clooney, among
other legendary celebrities...and it's contributions toward the
development of radio, television, and movie history are immeasurable.
Encompassing the decades of the 20's
- 50's, "Radio Days"
is a celebration of the golden days of radio, as we pay tribute to
Cincinnatians and their dreams of entertaining the world.
"Radio Days"
will look back at that magical time when radio airwaves carried smooth,
dreamy voices into the hearts of our nation, and "girls next
door" could become "America's sweethearts" by singing and
dancing their way to the bright lights of Hollywood and onto the glorious
silver screen.
Alive with Big Band
music and Orchestras, radio days filled American homes with music and
visions of dancing the night away. Powerful WLW Radio broadcasts,
live from Cincinnati, were heard across the nation, making household names
of local talent such as Doris Day and the Clooney Sisters, Rosemary and Betty ---
ultimately resulting in recording contracts.
Cincinnati's reputation
was far reaching, and the Caprice Pavilion Nightclub at the Netherland
Plaza Hotel was the place to "see and be seen".
Throughout the decades, the French Art Deco masterpiece played
host to many world luminaries in unparalleled 1930's grandeur.
"Radio Days"
were the glory days of luxurious train travel.... and Cincinnati's grand
Art Deco Union Terminal set the perfect scene. Smart suits and chic travel
ensembles were de rigueur, and stylish ladies and gents traveled with huge
wardrobe trunks filled with elegant evening wear and cocktail attire
for swanky parties and dining aboard the exotic streamlined cars destined
for Hollywood.
The crème de la crème of
Cincinnati society always dressed in high style, with wardrobes fashioned
by local dressmakers and European Designers alike. "Radio
Day's" will be highlighting these fashions as well the movie careers
and costumes worn by some of Cincinnati's "own".
Due to overwhelmingly positive
feedback about past conventions in Nashville and San Francisco, we will once
again feature exclusive 16" doll fashions as souvenirs, with dressed
centerpiece dolls showcased at each meal function. As with Golden Gate Glamour,
there will also be an exclusive "Radio Days" convention
collection introduced throughout the event.
We had such an enjoyable experience
doing things as a group in Nashville and San Francisco that I plan to once
again include sightseeing and/or offsite functions in the convention
registration.
I'm especially excited
that, continuing with our tradition of fashion study, the Cincinnati Museum of
Art has graciously agreed to give us a rare glimpse inside "Cincinnati's
closets" with a private, behind the scenes tour of some of their vast
costume collection, which includes impeccable examples of fashions throughout
the 1920's - 50's.
A tribute to
Cincinnati's "Radio Days" would not be complete without a visit to
the magnificent Netherland Plaza Hotel, so we will be planning something
special there...
As always, I am working to give you
as much value as possible with your registration, while keeping costs
reasonable. (We will be changing our format a bit and I am looking into adding
a Thursday and Sunday breakfast) With all that Cincinnati has to offer, it will
be difficult to fit everything into a 3 day format, so I would encourage
you to plan to extend your stay before and after the event for additional
sightseeing.
I recently had the opportunity
to experience two very special Cincinnati area activities that fit into
our theme. I believe our group would enjoy these very much! Please take a look
below and let me know what you think....
and Cincinnati Dinner Train: http://www.cincinnatirailway.com/dinnertrain/
- Step back to the 30's as
we visit one of Cincinnati's Art Deco gems, Union Terminal. We'll
explore the Cincinnati History Museum located inside the terminal and complete
our visit with an optional treat in the Ice Cream Parlor decorated entirely
with original vintage Rookwood tiles.
- Our day will wind down with a
private or semi private 3 hr dinner excursion on the Cincinnati Dinner Train,
an original streamline train featuring cars from the 30s, 40s, and 50's.
Our tour will take us through Cincinnati, down to the river and back to our
boarding point. The menu is great and the cars are all decorated with wonderful
vintage Railroad advertising!
This would be a complete
"Sandra Stillwell Presents" off site function featuring centerpieces
and an exclusive gift. (Most likely a fashion, but not guaranteed).
IMPORTANT DETAILS: Price TBD,
but this off sire function is expected to be in the $150 - $165 range.
In order to book a private
charter, we will need a minimum of 70 people. We will be opening the event to
friends and family. If we still cannot fill the minimum, our other option is to
possibly find another group to share the train on a different car.
This function will entail much preparation work. Considering
the price, if it is something you are interested in, it’s very important you
let me know as soon as possible.
Sunday: The Rosemary Clooney House/Museum http://www.rosemaryclooney.org/
-Our tour bus will take us to
Augusta, KY to visit this charming riverfront Victorian home that Rosemary
called home for much of her life. There are 5 rooms of memorabilia from
Rosemary's career, including some from her nephew, George Clooney, and former
Miss America, Heather Renee French, the owner of the museum.
-On exhibit are
several costumes from White Christmas. We will hear personal stories
about Rosemary's life and career from our museum guide, one of Rosemary's dear
friends.
This is an informal, but sweet and
interesting museum....
-Lunch will be at the historic
Parkview Inn, a charming bed and breakfast built in the 1880s. (The
food is VERY good).
-Augusta, KY is a tiny, nostalgic
community where Rosemary's brother, Nick, and his wife, Nina, still live
(George's parents). Nina owns a little resale shop in town where she sells
personal memorabilia. You never know what treasures you'll find there...and if
time and interest permits, we may just go treasure hunting!
IMPORTANT DETAILS: Minimum
25
Our price will vary depending on the size of our group,
but will most likely be in the $50 - $70 range, including lunch. If an
exclusive outfit is added, the cost will be higher.
Depending on the size of our group,
our tour may also include a bus tour of tiny Maysville, KY, Rosemary's home
town and the historical movie theater that was the site of one of her
movie premiers...
I am currently exploring other
offsite tours, and in the weeks to come will ask for your feedback about our
options. If there is something in particular you would like to do or see in the
area, please be sure to contact me right away.
It is extremely important that you
let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in joining us for
"Radio Days" and if you plan to extend your stay either before or
after convention.
Your feedback is crucial to know how
many people to count on when planning souvenirs, meal functions, and
offsite functions.
Please email or phone me directly
with your feedback, questions or comments!
I want to once again thank everyone who contributed to the success of 2011's
"Golden Gate Glamour"... both during and after the event!!
I hope to see you in
Cincinnati, August 9-12, for "Radio Days, but until then...
as we resume our broadcast...
Shut your eyes, listen
closely, and let the music sweep you away on a sentimental journey
via the airwaves to the stars!
Sincerely,
Sandra
