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As our train is chugging around the mountain our SRD Chairman and Committee have a few opening words to share with you.  

Come join us, one and all, aboard the “TOPS & KOPS Express” train at the Wellsworth Hotel in Southbridge, MA.  

Listen to the returning motivational speaker Liz McKinnon to fuel your inspiration for success.  Check out our many workshops including a KOPS Social & Men’s Workshop.  Have fun with other TOPS Chapters across the state.  We may even have a surprise guest conductor on board the train.  

It is sure to be an inspirational weekend to keep you on the right track or help get yourself back on track.  We hope everyone will purchase their ticket to board the TOPS to KOPS Express this April 24 – 25, 2026.  ALL ABOARD!!!!!!  

Wow what an opening by our State King and SRD Conductor Ralph Lesure.  He has been working hard with his chapter MA 0229 North Adams planning this year’s SRD, and I cannot wait.  I am looking forward to Graduating with my Best Friend, also our State Secretary Melissa Elridge and all our other Amazing Graduates this year. On Saturday afternoon.  Please keep in mind that all Graduates and Reinstating KOPS are asked to wear black.  Women should wear a semi/formal dress or gown, palazzo or dress pants, and the men are asked to wear black suites.  If you have any problems or questions, please feel free to call me, your Coordinator, at 508-813-7948.  I can help you through any dilemma you may have.   

Due to my excitement, I am jumping ahead of myself.  We did go up another $5 on the price this year, however we are offering the same early bird special as we did last year.  If you send in your registration by February 15th, you will receive a $10 discount and pay $65 a person.  We are going to a new hotel this year and we changed the date from what was originally announced.  April 24th and 25th at the Wellsworth Hotel in Southbridge.  It is just outside Sturbridge, but we feel you will be much happier with the venue.  Please feel free to check out their website WellsworthHotel.com where you will learn more about their history and all that they offer.  Oh, and yes, they have a restaurant, a beautiful Spa for exercising, 2 Raquet Ball Courts and more.  We heard about your concerns and did something about them, so please come on out and see what we found for you.  Hotel rooms are $119 plus tax a night for 2 people and $10 extra for each additional person, and we currently have rooms blocked for both Friday and Saturday Nights and a few for Thursday.  All I ask is that you book your room with them under TOPS so that we do not have to pay for any unused rooms.  Here is the link to book your room: URL: https://reservations.travelclick.com/13066?groupID=5070081  

We are currently looking for a motivated speaker for Friday night and are still in the planning stages so the only workshop we have established the time for is our KOPS Social.  Here is a list of some of the workshops you can expect to see:
·         ELMO Workshop – Eat Less Move Often
·         How to Navigate tops.org
·         Men’s Workshop
·         Line Dance/Chair Exercise
·         KOPS Social – 2:00 pm
·         Inspirational Workshop – 3:30 pm
If there is a workshop you would like to see done or would like to conduct please contact me or Ralph.  

Each Chapter is encouraged to enter the Banner Parade. Remember there is a special prize for 1st and 2nd place.  The rules for the Banner Parade are as follows:
 1.      Theme related
 2.      No smaller than 3 feet x 2 feet, No bigger than 4 feet x 5 feet
 3.      Display full chapter name; example: TOPS MA 0000 Town
 4.      Use any type of material
 5.      Let your imagination go wild!  

Friday Evenings Session will include a Banner Parade with participants from each chapter, Facilitators Parade, Before & After Parade, Railroad Costume Parade, Liz McKinnon’s – The Choice is Yours Updated, and a Guest Speaker to be Announced.  

Saturday Morning will be filled with Celebrations.  We will recognize Century Award Recipients, Greatest Improvement and KOPS Beauty & Most Charming Winners, Division Winners, hear from our 2024 Royalty and the Coronation of our 2025 State Royalty, and much more.  After lunch our celebrations will be about recognizing our new KOPS as they Graduate and our Reinstating KOPS who fought hard to get back their KOPS status.  We will Celebrate our KOPS Alumni, Pendant Recipients, the beautiful Yellow Rose Ceremony and of course lets not forget the Circle of Light!  

Each chapter is also being asked to donate either $25.00 or a basket gift for the Raffle.  

Each attendee will be able to choose from one of the following entrees for their luncheon.
 ·         Baked Haddock
 ·         Baked Pecan Crusted Chicken (GF)
 ·         Vegetarian Grilled Vegetable Risotto
Each entrée will include a garden salad, chef choice of potatoes or rice, and fresh vegetables of the season, as well as cheesecake for dessert.  Coffee and tea will also be available.  There is also a meal sheet included in your packets.  May copies to share with your members.  One sheet covers 3 members.        

Help needed – we are also looking for volunteers who would like to help with SRD.  If you can help in any way or in any of the following areas please let Pattijean know via pattijeanh@gmail.com or 508-813-7948.  I will create a list and share information with Ralph and our team.
 ·         Announce winners from an event
 ·         Registration tables (please be there if you are volunteering)
 ·         Sales & Souvenirs
 ·         Selling Raffle Tickets
 ·         Selling the Coordinators Raffle Tickets
Please let us know no later than February 15th if you are interested in helping so we can put our planning together ahead of time. We appreciate your willingness to make a difference as we work to make special memories for everyone participating in this SRD.  

We look forward to seeing you all on the train “TOPS to KOPS Express – Where the Magic Begins”.  We have so much to celebrate, memories to make, and lifetime friendships to establish.  Until then “She’ll be coming around the mountains” listen for the train, maybe it’s the TOPS to KOPS Express bringing a New KOPS to Celebrate!  Is that KOPS you?  I sure do hope so, but if not, I believe in you and I know one day you will be there!  

Your SRD Committee,  
 
Patti Jean Horton – Coordinator
Ralph Lesure – Chairperson, 2024 State King, Advocate
Gerry Lesure - Chairperson
TOPS MA 0229 N. Adams – Co-Chairs
Melissa Eldridge – State Secretary
Kathy Passerini – State Treasurer
Debbie Harrison – Advocate
Deb McGuire – Advocate
Mary Ann Sullivan – Advocate
Susan Dee – Advocate
Robb Topolski
Mary LaTremouille
Debbie dos Santos
Donna Miller
Erica McGuire
Patricia Peters

Massachusetts 2026 SRD Packet also Greatest Improvement & KOPS Charm & Beauty