What An Adventure! Part 2

So I hope you didn't think I was finished with my story. There's more!

Thursday was a full day again. In the morning I ran into Claire Bettag. I just adore Claire. You may remember her better as the "Motorcycle Mama" from my adventure at IGHR at Samford University. Randy Seaver - GeneaMusings - and I toured the Gentech area of the exhibit hall. Lots of exciting technology happening.

I also ran into Becky Jamison who writes Grace and Glory. What a delightful lady! And Janet Horvorka - The Chart Chick - You have got to see her new toy called ChArtist, you'll never look at charts the same way again. Janet also wrote the most helpful series of getting to know Salt Lake City before the conference.

I volunteered an hour at the APG booth. My partner was Bob McLaren who is a most interesting man. I'll have you know that I behaved myself. Not once did I ask him what he was wearing under his kilt!

Stopped by the Family Tree Magazine booth and talked with Diane Haddad - Genealogy Insider - and Allison Stacy. OMG they are so young but so talented!

Finally caught up with Denise Levenick - The Family Curator and aka Penelope Dreadful from Shades, the Magazine - I met Denise last summer at Jamboree. She is a most excellent person to hang out with. Speaking of Shades, the April edition has been published and it is a doozy! 116 pages devoted to the Civil War. My column this month is "The Year Was 1865"

Back row L to R: Megan Smolenyak, Randy Seaver, Maureen Taylor, Steve Danko, Donna Pointkouski

Front row L to R: Lou Szucs, Kathryn Doyle, Diane Haddad, Me, Elizabeth Hansford

The photo above I swiped from Randy Seaver. I was so busy schmoozing I only took 4 photos the entire time I was gone! The group of mahvalous people above were just a few of the hundreds who attended the private screening of the last "Who Do You Think You Are" series sponsored by Ancestry.com.

In the group above were a couple of people I had never met before. Megan Smolenyak, a genea-star and the Chief Family Historian for Ancestry.com, is really a very nice person. Lou Szucs known for her book "The Source" (just one of many books and publications) is one of the most respected authorities in the genealogical world and Maureen Taylor aka The Photo Detective, who I owe a Geneablogger ribbon. Maureen if you are reading this I found one while unpacking and I mailed it to you today!

Elizabeth Hansford is the Genealogy Geek and I am so glad I met her. With her sharp wit and humor, she fit right in!

I'm ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille

There was another event going on at the Salt Palace during NGS. I couldn't resist the photo op!

More of the lectures I went to: "From Research To Report: How To Write A Proof Summary" by Kay Haviland Frelich, "The Case Of The Disappearing Dude" by Debra Miezala, The BCG Certification Seminar, "Anatomy of a Genealogy Research Report" by J. H. Fonkert, "The Time of Cholera: A Case Study About Historical Context" by Alison Hare

Me, Randy Seaver, Denise Levenick and Donna Pointkouski

One of the photos above and below is mine and the other I pilfered from Randy Seaver. I couldn't decide which I like better so I am gifting you with both of them. Thanks Randy! The smiles on our faces are there because we just finished a great dinner at the Olive Garden.

Me, Randy Seaver, Denise Levenick and Donna Pointkouski

I saw some old friends like Angela McGhie who I know through the ProGen Group and finally met in person at Samford last summer. Angela, Randy Seaver and I are alumni from the 1st ProGen group. It is one of the most wonderful educational opportunities out there today and I encourage all genealogists to participate. Angela is the administrator for the organization and they have their own website.

Lisa Alzo is another dear friend. Lisa's blog - The Accidental Genealogist sponsored a fantastic writing challenge last March called "Fearless Women." Lisa is an expert in Eastern European research, especially Slovakian research, and the author of several books the most recent being "Cleveland Czechs" and write regular columns for "Family Chronicle" and "Family Tree" magazines.

From L to R: Randy Seaver, Janet Horvorka, Lisa Alzo, Amy Urman, Madaleine Laird, Angela McGhie and Me

Some of the new bloggers I met were Michelle Goodrum - Turning of Generations; A. C. Ivory - Find My Ancestor; Amy Urman - The Genealogy Search. If you haven't already read what they have to say, then get on over and visit with them.

I have to tell you, my week at the conference and in Salt Lake City was time and money well spent.

ps. At one point during the conference, I met a gentleman who I exchanged business cards with. Or so I thought I had. I accidently handed him my hotel card key instead of my business card. Sir, if you are reading this - I forgot to tell you that particular kind of service will cost you extra.