Circle of Friends 2012 BRANSON !: Lodging @ 1000 HIlls

We have arranged for Condominiums this year, and it will allow "family / friend time" together. It will allow either quiet private time for yourself, or a gathering place for friends to sit and chat... after the retreat is closed for the night, of course :) The prices are special for our group, and INCLUDES tax on the rooms!

The costs of the Condo's will be ~

mini Queen suite, $81 per night has Queen size bed, chair, table and mini-kitchen

1 bedroom condo, $120 per night has Queen size bed, private bathroom, full kitchen, common sitting area

2 bedroom condo, $152 per night ~ that's $76 per bedroom has 2 private bedrooms, King size in master bedroom, and Queen size bed in remaining bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen, common sitting area

3 bedroom condo, $233 per night ~ that's $77 per bedroom has 3 private bedrooms, King size in master bedroom, and Queen size bed in remaining bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, full kitchen, common sitting area ... there are only a few of these available.

Our accommodations offer free high-speed wireless internet, patio/deck, comfortable living area, cable TV, DVD players, washer & dryer and beautiful views. All prices INCLUDE tax ! They have offered our special rates 3 days before and 3 days after retreat (and they encourage longer stays, so you can check on special pricing past the 3 days). Talk to the reservation department about extending special pricing beyond those dates!

** We have wheelchair accessibility and elevators for those not on ground floor **

I can tell ya ... these accommodations are nice .... really nice !

We will be staying at the fabulous~

THOUSAND HILLS GOLF RESORT

245 South Wildwood Drive

Branson MO 65616

You can access information at their website ... http://www.thousandhills.com/

We will be located just off the Hwy 76 Country Music Blvd, where most of the shows and restaurants and attractions are :)

I've also included a map of our location in relation to the other Branson attractions. We're just down the road from GREAT restaurants, Tanger Outlet Mall, shopping, and shows. OR you can find a copy on the net BRANSON MAP

RESERVATION PROCEDURES

Reservations are made directly through the reservations dept. See the HGTV Message Board for information. Give them your name, address, phone and your credit card number. The first nights deposit will be due with the making of each reservation, but may be canceled 14 days prior to the arrival without a penalty. Any cancellations within the 14 days will be charged for one room night + tax. Any "no shows" will also be charged one night room + tax.

All surplus Units not reserved by Noon on June 15, 2012 will be released from the room block. Any person making reservations after this time can no longer be guaranteed availability, although group rates will be given if there are rooms available.

HOTEL & ROOM RATES:

The Condominiums will allow "family / friend time" together :) It will allow either quiet private time for yourself, or a gathering place for friends to sit and chat... after the retreat is closed for the night, of course :) The prices INCLUDES tax on the rooms!

The costs of the Condo's will be ~

mini Queen suite, $81 per night ($72.10 + tax) has Queen size bed, chair, table and mini-kitchen

2 bedroom condo, $152 per night ($136 + tax) ~ that's $76 per bedroom has 2 private bedrooms, King size in master bedroom, and Queen size bed in remaining bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen, common sitting area

3 bedroom condo, $233 per night ($208 + tax) ~ that's $77 per bedroom has 3 private bedrooms, King size in master bedroom, and Queen size bed in remaining bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, full kitchen, common sitting area ... there are only a few of these available.

Our accommodations offer free high-speed wireless internet, patio/deck, comfortable living area, cable TV, DVD players, washer & dryer and beautiful views. All prices INCLUDE tax! They have offered our special rates 3 days before and 3 days after retreat (and they encourage longer stays, so you can check on special pricing past the 3 days). Talk to the reservation department about extending special pricing beyond those dates!

** We have wheelchair accessibility and elevators for those not on ground floor **

CHECK IN PROCEDURES

Check in time is after 4pm, and check out time is 11am.

You will check in at the Thousand Hills GOLF CLUBHOUSE and they will give you everything you need. If you are in need of a wheelchair ramp, the ramp is on the left side of the building, and will take you through the Golf Shop and into the lobby.

You will be given a list of all retreat attendees, what condo they are located in, as well as their condo phone number. Each condo is just like being at home, with phone, wi-fi connection, and all the latest appliances.... should you decide to cook :)

Our condos are at the ROYAL LINKS, which is just across the road from the Clubhouse. Each floor of the condos has an elevator and bell boy cart. Even though we are housed across the road, we have full access to the Thousand Hills amenities including:

o Swimming Pool	o DVD Player
o Whirlpool Jacuzzi-Type Tub	o Televisions in all bedrooms
o Tennis	o Cable Television
o Exercise Facility	o Premium Channels with ESPN, HBO
o Private Patio or Deck	o Pull-Out Sofa Sleeper
o Spacious Living Room	o Washers and Dryers
o Fully-Equipped Kitchen	o Soaps & Detergents
o Free WiFi Internet	o Iron with Ironing Board
o All Major Appliances	o All Linens Furnished
o AM/FM Alarm Clock Radios	o Electronic Door Locks

One more great amenity is the access to the 18 hole public golf course at Thousand Hills. Our retreat guests will be given special pricing. This course is known far and wide as the most popular golf resort in Branson, and was rated 4-Stars by Golf Digest magazine in 2009 and voted Best of the Ozarks for Branson Golf Courses for the past two years in a row. Thousand Hills Resort also has gained popularity from its unique ability in catering to all different golf skill levels. From novice to professional, our three separate sets of tees will ensure that the golf course in Branson remains challenging, yet fair for all golfers without discriminating on age or experience.

For more information on the great accommodations, please look up www.thousandhills.com on the web !

July 29th

I had some GREAT fun this week visiting Branson ! It IS one of my favorite places to go... even with the heat and even with the traffic ... did someone say traffic? Yes, Branson has TRAFFIC during the tourist season, but there are maps in every store or restaurant, with side roads that all us locals take to avoid getting stuck in the downtown or on the strip traffic. But even with that, Branson has the MOST courteous drivers... it just promotes that kinda atmosphere. It's not uncommon to have people stop and just let you in... and yes, we still wave when we pass people on the backroads !

My first stop was to the bus company and put down our deposit to reserve our bus for the Springfield Ozark Piecemakers Guild Quilt Show on the Saturday of the retreat. That was one of the good "pulls" to have it that weekend in Branson! Quilt shows are always fun, and there's some REALLY good talent and beautiful work to see. Lots of vendors and eye candy everywhere!

I went to our condos to work out a couple details in my mind, and visited my friend who helps me. It was SO beautiful there ! The crepe myrtles were blooming, and the golf course was really lush and green. They will be working on a special price for our retreaters and/or guests who like to golf! I'll publish that as soon as I know what it is :)

We went over the room set up and some details about our sewing room and classes, where we'll have the boutique, where we will eat, which patio we'll be using, that sort of thing.

As time gets closer, we will be adjusting and readjusting details and agenda items ... and y'all will be getting info. This place is really working nicely with us to make this the best time y'all would expect! And they are ALL ABOUT showing visitors a good time in Branson ... more on that later :)