Year 2000 Spring Event

We began on Friday with a 7:00 P.M. barbecue dinner, followed with a welcome by organizer Terry Lawler Early. Terry gave a brief talk on the history of Big As TEXAS, including some of the wild and whacky behind-the-scenes things that have happened in the last five years. Terry also acknowledged the 16 people who have attended every Big As TEXAS assembly since its inception.

Following Terry's talk, everyone got a chance to hear Lee Martindale sing some of her off-beat songs while the models readied themselves for the fashion show, which was narrated by Victoria Shackelford.

The late night pool party, always a popular favorite, brought nearly everyone out at the witching hour!

Saturday morning kicked off with two workshops. The first concerned itself with "How to start a Local Group," presented by the Reverend Karen Smith of Mount Gilead, Ohio. In the second workshop, Terry Early of Sour Lake, Texas, gave a workshop on "Building Better Self-Esteem (to Better Model Size Esteem)."

The group broke for lunch at noon.

In the afternoon, we were treated to three workshops.

• (Left) Actress Darlene Cates (of What's Eating Gilbert Grape fame), of Forney, Texas, gave a workshop entitled "Teaching Size Esteem to Children."

• Our now annual hands-on activism workshop was facilitated by Avon, Connecticut, activist Nora Mills. At this very important workshop we discussed and executed our attack on H.R. 3177, the "Lifelong Improvements in Food and Exercise (LIFE) Act."

• The last workshop of the afternoon was facilitated by our Sunday closing speaker, Susan Mason, of East Rutherford, New Jersey, whose talk was entitled "Snappy Comebacks for Rude Comments."

Concurrent with the afternoon workshops, we also had a clothing swap. Attendees were invited to bring clothing that no longer fits, and take home previously worn clothing that does. All left over clothing was donated to a Fort Worth battered women's shelter.

Our Keynote speaker for the Saturday Italian dinner was Lee Martindale, Texas size rights activist. Lee is publisher and editor of Rump Parliament Magazine, the first serious publication on the market that dealt with the political aspect of the movement.

Following Lee's speech, we once again danced the night away under the care of that Rockin' Mortician from Dallas, Tim Stone.

(To the right) Caron and Martha take a breather during Saturday night's dance.

There are more photos from the dance.

On Sunday morning, we concluded with our closing speaker, Susan Mason, who talked to us about "Taking it (all the good feelings) Home."

(To the left) Susan with Terry (left, top) and Jody (middle).

If you missed this event, don't miss next year's, in Houston!