MensAutumn 2004: Focus on the Mind The 2004 Regional Gathering of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Mensa

C&WM Home Page

Connecticut & Western Massachusetts Mensa's 2004 Regional Gathering (RG) was held during the second weekend of October 2004 (October 8, 9, 10) at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell, Connecticut. There are driving directions, both plain text and with photos. Because the RG is over, the Registration Form has been deleted.

C&WM thanks RG Chair Bill Vincent for agreeing to put together the 2004 RG before retiring! Bill has organized C&WM's RGs for the past several years. Bill will continue to publish the Media, our Chapter Newsletter.

Kudos to the rest of the RG Committee: Ed Sisson, RG Registrar and Treasurer; Liz C., Art S., and everyone who sat at the Registration Desk; Gisela R., printer of the RG handouts; Mike B., food/beverage guru; Barb H., RG cheerleader extraordinaire.

Special thanks to Lori and Ron, and the other people who brought goodies and helped in Hospitality!

The staff of the Cromwell Courtyard by Marriott could not have been more friendly and accommodating. C&WM thanks them for their help in making MensAutumn 2004 such a success.

Registration

Fees are listed below, as is the location. Registration continues on Saturday morning.

7:00 PM - Chapter Roundtable & Planning Session

Another name might be "Chapter Steering Session". What do you want C&WM to do? Meet with the ExComm and other Chapter members to discuss plans for your Chapter. No Friday registration charge for C&WM members who attend the Chapter Roundtable & Planning Session.

8:30 PM - Sing Along with Dick Fogg

Join Dick Fogg, C&WM's own song and dance man, singing along with Broadway show tunes or just listening to good music.

9:30 PM - The annual RG Joke-Off, with MC Art Swanson

Bring new jokes, even old jokes, and share laughs with the gang.

Be sure to ask Bill Vincent why he calls his lizard "Tiny".

All evening - Hospitality Suite

Where Mensans meet, chat, and enjoy (as David Letterman would say) a tasty snack or refreshing beverage.

Registration

Registration continues.

All day and into the evening - Hospitality Suite

Coffee (regular and decaf), tea, wine, beer, chocolate, ... need we say more?

9:00 AM - Dr. Ruth Mitman

Dr. Ruth Mitman specializes in showing how to maintain and improve physical and mental health, with special emphasis on those over 50.

10:00 AM - Beverly Sastri

Beverly Sastri talks about how to work in partnership with the energy around you to increase your enjoyment of life: Create a life you love.

10:00 AM - Jeri Reid

Jeri Reid promotes the "New Biology" of regeneration and health: One sickness, one disease, one treatment.

11:00 AM - Lois Grasso

Lois Grasso demonstrates how proper breathing can promote physical and mental health.

11:00 AM - Sharon Geil

Sharon Geil is a Color Analyst who shows how the colors you choose and prefer affect your perception of life and other people's perception of you.

12:00 Noon - Lunch

Lunch is served in the Hospitality Suite.

2:00 PM - Christian Burns

One of C&WM's young Mensans (intellectuals developing) discusses owls, including why an owl's intellectual characteristics prove it to be a well-chosen logo for Mensa.

2:30 PM - Bob Ceccarelli

Bob Ceccarelli will discuss two approaches to investing: Traditional asset allocation and "Tangible Return".

3:30 PM - John Vester

John Vester discusses changing unwanted life / behavior patterns through hypnotherapy.

3:30 AM - Sharon Geil

Sharon Geil will give us further insight into color analysis and color imaging.

4:30 PM - Marghretta McBean

Marghretta McBean, our Regional Vice-Chair, talks about where Mensa National and Region 1 are heading. No New England / New York RG would be complete without a session with our RVC!

6:30 PM - Banquet - Highpoint of the RG   Updated Information!

Beth Collins received this year's Service Award. She was the unanimous choice, and sole recipient, because she has done an outstanding job of supporting the Mensa ideals for years. Beth has hosted countless parties at her home, including her annual "Happy Hearts" in February and the Memorial Day Weekend Cookout in May, the official start of C&WM's summer. The Chapter's Scholarship Fund has benefited from the kitties at these and other events Beth has hosted. Congratulations, Beth, on well-deserved recognition!

Bill Vincent had kept the details of the entertainment secret! All Bill would let us say was "We have been extremely fortunate to get executive producer Floyd Andresen, who will be conducting the final round of casting for Survival of the Fittest, the hottest reality show. He will be accompanied by the host of the show and three past winners."

The "executive producer", "host of the show" and "three past winners" turned out to be members of Off the Cuff, the comedy improv troupe that had caused much laughter at the 2002 and 2003 RGs. One member of Off the Cuff, staying in character, sat at each table and engaged us in conversation. Near the end of the Banquet the executive producer was poisoned and died a lingering, painful death. Everyone at the Banquet questioned the suspects. The perpetrator was duly detected and was taken away in handcuffs. The Off the Cuff cast members were congratulated and asked to join us in Hospitality, which some of them did. Many people expressed the hope that we see Off the Cuff again next year; who knows what they'll do!

This year there was a buffet featuring mixed-green pasta salad, Gemelli pasta salad, sliced roast beef with Madeira sauce, stuffed filet of sole, seasonal vegetables, rolls, deserts, coffee, and tea. A vegetarian dinner was available upon request.

From wake up until time to go home - Hospitality Suite

Bagel? Donut? OJ? You've got it!

9:30 AM - Denis Picard

Denis Picard will demonstrate Gong Meditation.

Regional Gathering 2004 ends

Sayonara from the C&WM Chapter as friends new and old look forward to next year!

Each set of directions has its own printer-friendly Page with photos! Just click on the link that says "Photo Directions Page". Each Photo Directions Page has text and thumbnail photos; clicking on one of the thumbnails will bring up a full-sized photo with its corresponding text.

From Springfield, MA or Hartford, CT and other points North of Cromwell, CT

Photo Directions Page
Take I-91 South-bound to Exit 21, "Route 372, Cromwell, CT".
At the end of the exit, you'll see a Mobil gas station straight ahead; turn right onto Route 372 West.
At the next intersection, you'll see a Burger King on the right; turn right onto Sebethe Drive.
The Cromwell Courtyard by Marriott is at 4 Sebethe Drive, after the commuter parking lot, on the right-hand side.

From West Hartford, CT or New Britain, CT and other points near Route 9 North of Cromwell, CT

Photo Directions Page
Follow Route 9 South-bound to Exit 20, I-91 South-bound.
From I-91 South-bound take the first exit, Exit 21, "Route 372, Cromwell, CT".
At the end of the exit, you'll see a Mobil gas station straight ahead; turn right onto Route 372 West.
At the next intersection, you'll see a Burger King on the right; turn right onto Sebethe Drive.
The Cromwell Courtyard by Marriott is at 4 Sebethe Drive, after the commuter parking lot, on the right-hand side.

From New Haven, CT and other points South of Cromwell, CT

Photo Directions Page
Take I-91 North-bound to Exit 21, "Route 372, Cromwell, CT".
At the end of the exit, you'll see a Sunoco gas station straight ahead; turn right onto Route 372 West.
You will go under I-91 North-bound and South-bound, and past the entrance to I-91 South-bound.
At the next intersection, you'll see a Burger King on the right; turn right onto Sebethe Drive.
The Cromwell Courtyard by Marriott is at 4 Sebethe Drive, after the commuter parking lot, on the right-hand side.

From Old Saybrook, CT and other points near Route 9 South of Cromwell, CT

Photo Directions Page
Take Route 9 North-bound to Exit 19, "Route 372, Cromwell, CT".
At the end of the exit, turn left onto Route 372 West.
Stay on Route 372 West, going through several traffic lights, passing the entrance to I-91 North-bound.
You will go under I-91 North-bound and South-bound, and past the entrance to I-91 South-bound.
At the next intersection, you'll see a Burger King on the right; turn right onto Sebethe Drive.
The Cromwell Courtyard by Marriott is at 4 Sebethe Drive, after the commuter parking lot, on the right-hand side.

From Sturbridge, MA or Boston, MA and other points East of Cromwell, CT

Photo Directions Page
Take I-84 West-bound to Route I-91 South-bound.
Take I-91 South-bound to Exit 21, "Route 372, Cromwell, CT".
At the end of the exit, you'll see a Mobil gas station straight ahead; turn right onto Route 372 West.
At the next intersection, you'll see a Burger King on the right; turn right onto Sebethe Drive.
The Cromwell Courtyard by Marriott is at 4 Sebethe Drive, after the commuter parking lot, on the right-hand side.

From Providence, RI, or New London, CT and other points near Route I-95 East of Old Saybrook, CT

Photo Directions Page
Follow I-95 South-bound to Exit 69, Route 9 North-bound.
Take Route 9 North-bound to Exit 19, "Route 372, Cromwell, CT".
At the end of the exit, turn left onto Route 372 West.
Stay on Route 372 West, going through several traffic lights, passing the entrance to I-91 North-bound.
You will go under I-91 North-bound and South-bound, and past the entrance to I-91 South-bound.
At the next intersection, you'll see a Burger King on the right; turn right onto Sebethe Drive.
The Cromwell Courtyard by Marriott is at 4 Sebethe Drive, after the commuter parking lot, on the right-hand side.

From Danbury, CT or Waterbury, CT and other points West of Cromwell, CT

Photo Directions Page
Take I-84 East-bound to Exit 27, "Route 691 East, Meriden / Middletown".
Follow Route 691 East-bound to I-91 North-bound.
Take I-91 North-bound to Exit 21, "Route 372, Cromwell, CT".
At the end of the exit, you'll see a Sunoco gas station straight ahead; turn right onto Route 372 West.
You will go under I-91 North-bound and South-bound, and past the entrance to I-91 South-bound.
At the next intersection, you'll see a Burger King on the right; turn right onto Sebethe Drive.
The Cromwell Courtyard by Marriott is at 4 Sebethe Drive, after the commuter parking lot, on the right-hand side.

From New York, NY, Bridgeport, CT, or Stamford, CT and other points near Route I-95 West of New Haven, CT

Photo Directions Page
Take I-95 North-bound to I-91 North-bound. Please be careful at the junction of I-95 and I-91 in New Haven, CT!
Take I-91 North-bound to Exit 21, "Route 372, Cromwell, CT".
At the end of the exit, you'll see a Sunoco gas station straight ahead; turn right onto Route 372 West.
You will go under I-91 North-bound and South-bound, and past the entrance to I-91 South-bound.
At the next intersection, you'll see a Burger King on the right; turn right onto Sebethe Drive.
The Cromwell Courtyard by Marriott is at 4 Sebethe Drive, after the commuter parking lot, on the right-hand side.

Train

New Haven, CT is about half an hour South of Cromwell. If you plan to take MetroNorth or Amtrak please let us know so that someone from C&WM can give you a lift to the RG.

Plane

Bradley Field is about half an hour North of Cromwell. We can meet you at BDL by arrangement.

Registration, et cetera

No charge for the Chapter Roundtable & Planning Session, etc., on Friday evening!

$55.00 per person through October 1st. $65.00 per person after October 1st.

Save money! Register now!

Saturday only: $40.00 per person

Some people prefer to arrive on Saturday morning and head home on Saturday night.

Children pay only 50% of the adult rate.

Is this a deal or what?!

The Saturday Banquet is still only $30.00 per person.

During the Banquet we have entertainment and the Service Awards are presented. Details are listed above.

Please use the on-line Registration Form that opens in a separate window so that you print it and close its window. We do not have the capability of processing forms and billing electronically.

Latest revision: 31 October 2004

To report broken links or submit comments or suggestions, please contact the Webmaster at WebContact@CWM.US.Mensa.Org.

Copyright © 2004 Connecticut & Western Massachusetts Mensa. The Mensa logo is a registered trademark of Mensa International, Ltd. and American Mensa, Ltd.; all rights reserved. Mensa does not hold any opinions, have or express any political or religious views.