To Preserve "Whate'er is left to us of ancient heritage." T.E. Brown

51st NAMA Convention - Platteville, Wisconsin

Our 2012 convention will be held August 9 - 12, 2012 at U W- Platteville in 1 University Plaza Platteville, Wisconsin

Register by clicking on this form, print, and mail to: Jody Morey, 408 Blue View Drive, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572

Convention: All convention activities will take place on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus, except for the bus tours to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Dubuque River Rides, Rollo Jamison Museum, Linden Methodist Church, Laxey Cemetery, tour of SW Wisconsin, and National Brewery Museum, Potosi.

Housing: Reservations may be made at the Country Inn (608) 348-7373 (Queen @$105.30/King @$113.00 plus tax) or the Super 8 (608) 348-8800 (2 Double @$68.99/Queen @$67.02 inclusive). You may drive to campus, or we will provide transportation. Both motels include continental breakfast, free wireless access, and handicap rooms. Notify the motels that you are with the North American Manx Association. To secure these rates, please make reservations by July 2. Additionally, you may reserve single rooms at Southwest Hall on the university campus at $40.00 per person per night. Southwest Hall has suites that include 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a living room and kitchen. If you request a roommate you will share a bath. Otherwise you will be assigned a single room and bath. No more than two people will be assigned to a suite unless roommates are requested. An overnight parking pass will be included. Reservations can be made online at www.uwplatt.edu/confservices/housing.html then click on “Summer Conference Accommodations Registration” to see the list of conferences. Free wireless access is in the suites. Morning coffee and pastries will be in the lobby or you can make your own breakfast in the kitchen. Dorm registrations are due July 20th. Please follow credit card entry guide.

Transportation: There is a FBO airport in Platteville. The Dubuque Airport has three daily flights between Chicago and Dubuque. Avis and Hertz rentals are at the airport. Enterprise is located off- site and will pick up passengers. Taxi service is available from E & R Taxi (563) 564-9938, Starlight Limousine (563) 552-2028, and A1 Taxi (563) 582-1818. Coast-to-Coast (563) 590-4445 is also available. This service can also pick up people from Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago. Van Galder busses (www.coachusa.com/vangalder/) run between Chicago, Rockford and Madison and Megabus (www.megabus.com) runs between Minneapolis and Chicago. There is also one daily bus between Madison and Platteville(Lamers Bus 1-800-236-1240).

Registration Fee: Registration covers the reception dinner on Thursday evening, Friday lunch and bus to Dubuque for the museum, river ride and dinner, Saturday lunch and bus to Rollo Jamison Museum, Manx Museum Grand Opening and reception, banquet and entertainment, Sunday bus to Linden Methodist Church, a Cornish Pasty Dinner, tour of Laxey Cemetery and surrounding area and tour of National Brewery Museum in Potosi (beer or root beer included). Also included is shuttle service between motel and dorm, all meetings and sessions and convention booklet and favor. The motels and dorm will provide breakfast. The only meal not included is the Potosi Brewing Company Sunday evening. All meals were included so you have time to socialize with your fellow attendees.

Parking: If you wish to drive between your hotel/dorm and Ullsvik Hall parking is available in lots 2,3 and 3A.

Raffle tickets: Attendees will receive their tickets at registration or they may be purchased at the convention. Major donated prizes include a Laxey Manx Blanket and a Welsh blanket from Afonwen Woollen Mill and more. You DO NOT need to be present to win. Auction items include a week’s lodging on Maui, courtesy of Larry Fargher.

Movies: During any free time during the convention there will a classroom available where you may view movies filmed in the Isle of Man, courtesy of Isle of Man Film. They are 5 Children & It, Lassie (PG), Miss Potter (PG), and Me & Orson Welles (PG-13). One adult will need to be present all at times.

Wisconsin Room: The Wisconsin Room will also be available for reading, research and genealogy. James Hibbard will be presenting a session on all the research possibilities contained in the Wisconsin Room.

Souvenir Book: Please send your ads, greetings, and memorial copy to Mary Kelly at kelevans@centurytel.net or P. O. Box 425, Platteville, WI, 53818, by July 2. All contributors who do not attend the Convention will be sent a copy of the Souvenir Book.

Registration includes all four days of activities, Thursday through Sunday. You are encouraged to attend the entire convention, however the registration form allows You to select individual days in case you are not able to attend all activities.

About the North American Manx Association

The North American Manx Association (NAMA) is a non- profit, ethnic and cultural heritage institution founded in 1928, as a successor organization to Mona's Relief Society of Cleveland, Ohio. NAMA is a group of Americans and Canadians dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of the Manx culture. Most of NAMA's 850 active members are second and third-generation North American. In the U.S., there are chapters in Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Rocky Mountain; Galva, Illinois; the Greater Washington, D.C. area; Minnesota; Nebraska; Northern California; San Diego, California; and Wisconsin.

In Canada, you will find Manx groups in Ontario; and in Vancouver, British Columbia. NAMA is interested in helping Manx in all areas get in touch with local chapters or assisting those who want to start new chapters.

NAMA publishes the quarterly NAMA Bulletin, sent to each of its enrolled members.

For Manx genealogy, there is the Isle of Man Family History Society (IOMFHS). Since they are not a part of NAMA, you should join both organizations.