Hi All, I feel like I want to jump in here and say something about the IOLI contest.
Having just recently been through the process of selecting a contest theme and setting up the rules and submitting it to IOLI, I know that the Montreal group has probably spent many hours thinking about themes, selecting the best one and wording it, and how to best present it to the Board. Choosing an appealing theme is not an easy task. The RMLG had a long list of ideas that was whittled down over time until the best couple remained. The merits and drawbacks of each were discussed at length and we finally settled on "Winter Wonderland". After that, I had the job of wording the theme and rules, and finally the proposal was ready to be submitted to the IOLI Chairman for her consideration, which she accepted and then proposed it to the Board. And I'd like to say that we were staggered and thrilled to have 25 entries in the contest. We certainly weren't expecting that many. People had a lot of fun with our theme, and I hope that people have fun with the Table Ribbons theme. It perfectly compliments their Convention theme. I fully support the Montreal group's choice of contest theme and its requirements. Yes, it is more narrow in terms of what will be permitted this time, than what we had here, but that's how it goes. When you look back of the past however many years, there have been a variety of themes - some have been more specific in their requirements than others. We've even had contest years when it's been fans or handkerchiefs or even doilies (many years ago I think). I think the Montréal group are to be commended for their choice of theme. It's interesting and something new to many of us. It's certainly got me thinking and I've learnt something new about other ways of dressing a table. If you don't like the theme or the specifications, don't enter. This is your choice - it's not a 'have to'. Alice in Oregon puts it wonderfully, when she points out perspective (starting point versus limitation). More than anything, it's supposed to be fun! Ok, I'm back into my little cave now. Cheers, Helen, Aussie in Denver - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
