So you paid $53 for an $18 dollar dinner? Wow...that about says it all. Speaking only as a member and not an elected officer for my regional club, we do things in reverse. Our Christmas dinner is quite a nice dinner and members/guests are charged a lower rate and the club picks up the difference. It's a way of thanking the members for all their hard work during the year. Talk about a different philosophy.... Kathy Paul opines... No...they paid $35 for an $18 dinner. We did skip this one and had dinner at the local best restaurant in Albany. Can't remember its name right now...but it was kitty korner to the La Quinta. Jack was feeling so good by then...we took his filet home for him to eat later when we poured him into his room. Then we went to the meeting after the dinner. I enjoyed the National in Albany. It actually takes us longer to get there than it does to Perry for example. We drove and it took us 10 hours. That said...the facility was fine, we didn't feel restaurant derprived, our motel was excellent, and the people were as always...the best part. I enjoy the National wherever it is and have been doing so for over 20 years. It's not always the most convenient, but it is always what I wish it to be. It's a vacation that we happen to show dogs and meet with the folks we've know for 25 years now. It's always fun...and we love it. I've never been to the coming site for 05, but I will tell you I will do everything in my power to enjoy myself and hope our dogs do well. I feel sorry for all of you that just complain about how bad everything is...We've been going now for over 20 years and I do not share your feelings. Some are easier to deal with than others and when that happens...we do the happy dance. JMO...as always... Paul ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================