"We Are The Sons Of The Desert,
Having The Time Of Our Lives..."

You're Darn Tootin'!  Take a look here to see all of the latest details about the International Sons Of The Desert Convention to be held in Columbus, Ohio from July 14 - 18, 2004.  Here, you will find the schedule of events as it is developed, and a virtual tour of your planned stay with us!  Registration materials will also be available on line.

CANCELLATION INFORMATION:  Cancellation requests received at least 90-days before the Convention will receive a full refund (minus any registration charges paid to PayPal).  If cancellation notice is received between 30-days and 90-days before the start of the Convention, $50 will be deducted from the amount paid.  If notice is received 30-days or less from the start of the Convention, approximately half of the amount paid will be returned.  For further information, contact Rick Lindner at sodcols2004@insight.rr.com.

CLICK HERE to go to Convention 2004 Site Links (& Other Things to do while here)

CLICK HERE to go to the most current Schedule Of Events.

CLICK HERE for a printable Registration Form that can be filled in on line, then mailed in with a check.  ADOBE ACROBAT READER REQUIRED. 

CLICK HERE for on line Registration and Payment.  This is processed through PayPal.  If you do not have a PayPal account, you will be asked to create one.  The process takes a few minutes.

CLICK HERE to book your Convention Hotel reservation on line!

CLICK HERE to see Who Is Attending Convention 2004!

CLICK HERE to see a list of Sons seeking Convention Roommates.

From Rick Lindner, Grand Sheik Of The Perfect Day Tent:

We are working hard to give you a great Convention this year in Columbus!  Over 160 Sons from all over the world have registered, so don't be left out.  Here's some of the latest information:

SPECIAL GUEST--We are honored to have the son of "The Exhausted Ruler" as our guest for the Convention.  Professor John McCabe has prepared a very special talk on "The Serious Side Of Comedy."  The latter would be for a small group of devoted members, no more than fifty.  As Mr. McCabe describes it:

THE SERIOUS SIDE OF COMEDY presented by Linny McCabe.  This is not intended as an entertainment, but as a master class limited to 50 attendees.  It is only for those truly interested in the definition of comedy.  An exegesis of man's comedic impulses from the Greeks to the present, with special consideration of how and why we laugh.  One segment will be an overview of Stan Laurel's favorite book on comedy.  Note taking is encouraged, and the program will conclude with a question-and-answer period.

If you are interested in attending and have already registered, please let me know by either e-mail at sodcols2004@insight.rr.com, or by mail at my address on the registration form.  The class will be held Friday evening.

MIDWAY EVENTS--Several of the Tents have written to me about their ideas for the midway, and they are going to be a "hoot."  I don't want to tell you and spoil the surprise, but think of something your Tent could do as a midway event.  You will have a 30" by 6" table and two chairs as your base, so get creative.  If it ties in with your Tent name, even more fun.  There is only one rule: it can't be messy--so no pie throwing or water bottles, please!

GOODIE BAGS--Every attendee will receive a "goodie bag," so please send us something with your Tent logo on it to use.  Items in the past have been both clever and useful, so put on your thinking cap and get cracking.  We would like to have these items a few weeks before the Convention starts so they can be handed out with the registration kits.  Please don't bring them with you to the Convention unless you have made previous arrangements.

CELEBRITIES--Those who have "signed on" are Dorothy DeBorba, Mildred Kornman, Jean Darling and, of course, Professor John McCabe.  Many invitees have been on hold to see how they are feeling just before Convention time, so we'll have to see then.

MERCHANDISE--The jackets, T-shirts, ball caps, and other Convention merchandise will be available throughout the Convention on a first come, first served basis.  We have the list on the registration form and those items will be guaranteed if ordered as you register.  Pictures and colors of the items should be available in a future issue of the ITJ.

THEATRE TOURS--As part of the regular Convention, we will be visiting three of Columbus' oldest theatres--and they are still being used for their original purpose.  The Ohio is where Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy performed during their 1940 tour, and where we will spend a very pleasant afternoon on Saturday.  The Morton organ will be played for our enjoyment, and we may even have a sing along.

Feel free to e-mail me (sodcols2004@insight.rr.com) if you have questions about the Convention.

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