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.
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
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!
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
