Hi everyone!  Well, I have comunicated with DJ already about my idea to have a get together with fellow "Moyamoyers" (this is a new phrase that I have coined....) And, this is my plan....on SUNDAY, AUGUST 29TH, 2004, from 11:30am until 5:00pm, all "moyamoyers" and their families are invited to my home in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey (about 25 miles from New York City) for a fantastic brunch, and I mean fantastic.....bagels, lox, omelette stations, eggs, bacon, sausage, croissants, fruit salad, pancakes, french toast.....basically, the works!!  This would be rain or shine.....I will have a tent set up and tables anc chairs, etc.  I have just 2 conditions....First, I will request that each person who is attending, including any children, pay $2.50 to help defray the cost of the brunch.  Second, I would ask that each person bring one non-perishable food item or household supply item that would be donated to the Helping Hands Food Pantry at my local church, Hillsdale United Methodist Church.

I live in beautiful, country like Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey on a 1 acre property.   Within 2 1/2 miles of my home are both the Woodcliff Lake Hilton and the Park Ridge Marriott, as well as a Holiday Inn in Montvale, New Jersey.  I will check out hotel rates and hopefully, if there is enough interest, I will be able to work out group discount rates (like they do for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc.)  The Hilton and the Marriott also have pools, health spas/workout rooms, etc.  

This day will coincide with a day of celebration of my recuperation from EDAS surgery.  I have my first surgery on the right  side of my brain on April 16th, and the second for the left side in mid to end of June.

I am very active in my local church and serve as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees.  Our local church service begins at 10:00am and then, in lieu of our usual coffee/fellowship hour after worship service, I am inviting our entire congregation for brunch and fellowship.  The congregation of my prior church, Christ United Methodist Church in East Rutherford is invited as well.  Also, my friends from high school, drum corps, and law school, and their families will be there as well. And, we will have many singing groups and choirs performing.....it will be a very special day.....  I hope many moyamoyers and their families will be able to come....

I am also interested in starting a charitable, tax-exempt organization for moyamoya sufferers and their families to help raise awareness of this illness and the devastation it can cause..... My thoughts also include starting a fund for those people who can't afford to travel for necessary surgery or can't afford the surgery itself.......I will announce more about it at the gathering on August 29th.  I hope all of you wll come.....continue to have a positive attitude and faith in God or whatever higher power you believe in.....Let me know if you wil be coming and how many members of your family will come.  

As an aside, New York Presbyterian Hospital and the Neurological Institute is only a 30 minute ride from my house.......My neurologists Dr. Ralph Sacco and Dr. Ji Chong (212) 305-3710, and my neurosurgeon is Dr. E. Sander Connolly (212) 305-0376 (his secretary's name is Pat and she is extremely nice and knowledgeable).  Perhaps, those of you who need a consultation or second opinion can schedule an appointment with their offices at the Neurological Institute to coincide with the time that you will spend here attending the moyamoya brunch......So, please e-mail me or post any responses.  God Bless all of you.

And, everyone please e-mail my brilliant sister, Diane Main, and tell her that she and her husband, Alex, and my beautiful 2 month old nephew MUST COME......P.S. to my sis-----Peak----Patti and the Speaketones will probably be making a guest appearance.......so, be there, girl.....