Youth Shines in Minnesota

Hello again YAN followers. The Minneapolis Convention turned into a major hit. It all started Thursday night when we played Bingo, Lebanese style. This icebreaker was extras fun for Richard Anter, as he took home the grand prize of a Marriott Courtyard pen and notepad! The St. Jude Run/Walk broke a record as over 50 participants withstood the brutal 8.A.M. conditions following a full night of dabke.  Special thanks to Yasmine Abdulraheem, the chief organizer of this wonderful event. The buzz of the weekend was about the St. Jude tee shirt which is consistently one of my top choices of apparel. During the Saturday night banquet, YAN introduced a “Heads-and-Trails” fundraising game. Participants paid $10 for a chance to win a GPS navigation system. After several coin tosses, Renee Nimer emerged as the winner of the Garmin Nuvi 255w. Later than night, all eyes were on the Cedar’s Dabke Group of Minneapolis as they danced with enthusiasm and passion for their Lebanese culture. On display throughout the weekend was Maggie McGlade’s collection of pictures from the 2008 Cedar Rapids Convention. The 2010 Convention in Chicago will feature more pictures from the 2009 Minneapolis Convention, as well as a special tribute to famous Lebanese sport figures. To the young adults out there, check out our Facebook group titled “Young Adult Network (YAN)” – add me!! I thank all of you for your help, and I am already listening to Frank Sinatra in anticipation of the next time we all dabke in the Windy City – my kind of tow.

Joe Coury - YAN President
Cell: 610-574-1851
Email:  lonestar07@comcast.net

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