The city fathers are still in the midst of re-writing the sign ordinance, which has been over 2 years in progress, and I was hoping they would have the ordinance in place by the time I announced the meet dates... oh well!

I'm not sure if there will be any conflict with other major meets, etc. but this is our preliminary date. I met with the Mainstreet chairman last week along with an important figure with Leinenkugel Brewing both of Chippewa Falls, and they are very excited and are ready to roll out the red carpet to the Letterheads.

We are located about an hour and a half east of Minneapolis on the Chippewa River. Our population is about 12,000 and we boast having the Purest Water in the World, and celebrate that fact with "Pure Water Days" every summer.

The main "theme" of the meet will be lettering on 2 to 4 wall projects which will feature some of our local business' that are 100 years old inlcuding Leinenkugel Brewing. For those of you who didn't see my Leinenkugel mural photo that Steve posted a month or so ago, you can check it out under "Hand Painted Mural" on my website which is www.gabersigns.com

I'm not sure of the scope of how big we want this meet to be, so I'm going to put feelers out by posting this information to see what kind of response we get, and then possibly make some decisions based on what kind of feedback, replies, suggestions, etc. come of this.

To those who don't know, Chippewa Falls/Chippewa River is one of the most beautiful places on earth--don't y'all up there call it God's Country?

Is there still that little taco stand downtown? Yum!

Just wondering here--seeing as Miller Brewing (div. of Phillip Morris) actually owns Leinenkugel's, would y'all be actually getting paid for their mural? Seems like a lot of corporate advertising gets done for free by enthusiastic Letterheads, doesn't it?

Anyway, good luck!

Thanks for the kind words... I consider it God's country here. It's not Banff, no elk or mountains, but we do have whitetail deer, golf courses (at least 6 within a 20 minute drive), the river, Lake Wissota (from Titantic fame) and a friendly small town atmosphere.

As far as Miller/Leinie's paying for the mural, Leinie's has agreed to be one of the main sponsors for this meet, and I'm still waiting to get feedback from folks like yourself before I actually define the "scope" and size of this meet. I've never hosted a meet before, and the entire issue of money was a big concern as whether or not to have this meet. I've heard from different high profile Letterheads that have hosted meets, that there are several formats. I can designate a crew and "hire" them to take care of one large project, and pay them equally, and have another project for more of the newbies to work on at the Letterhead payscale: zero. I've painted at 3 or 4 meets and never received a cent, but sure enjoyed the entire experience!

I don't want the money to be the issue, I want people who want to come and paint and learn in a new setting, and for people to have a great time. If Leinie's and a few other sponsors who have signs painted for them happen to shell out money for their signs and our meet costs, that's great. I don't want to make this a "for profit" venture, but obviously, everyone in our town will win by having a Letterhead meet... great advertising, some revenues generated for the motels, restaurants, etc, and it should make our local folks aware of what we can do for them by exposing them to great talent and signage.

Could it be a return of the Three Amigo's Sign Company......?

Sounds like a deal Kurt I'm gonna have to start planning now for next August. Keep me informed...

Need to hear from that third partner in crime.......Oooohhhh Rich...ya listnin' ??

[ September 20, 2001: Message edited by: Signs By Sam ]

Sam: It'd be great to get the 3 Amigos back at it again, and I see Rich has already answered the call. That's a long haul for you both, but it would be great to have you here!

Rich: Yes there will be racecars and with a sponsor like Leinenkugel's, I'm just guessing there might be some free beer available... along with brewery tours.

Debbie: There are some very nice camp sites quite close. Lake Wissota State Park is only 15 minutes away at most, and there are several others within 10 minutes.

Lee and Paula: You are counted in.

Steve: Our timing may not fit your schedule as we are working in a pretty narrow time window because of local celebrations, county fairs, etc.

Don and I will be there with bells on, and looking forward to seeing you again Kurt.