Dear Friends and Fans:

June has been a wonderful month and July is shaping up to be even better!

The month began with our 5th Annual Convention. Friday night, the rain held off long enough for a lovely evening. Along with the wonderful music, the guys ate, sang, and blew up watermelons with fireworks and generally had a ball. When the rains came, we moved the party into my house. It was crowded - but - fun!

Saturday afternoon, the seminars were lively! Terry Price, a professional beautician, gave great tips on hair care. Jerome discussed the new EEN contract, Cherie Beechin demonstrated stage make-up, and Scott Fox answered questions about the EEN website. Kathy Hood then hosted an exciting discussion of judging. The ETA's asked many great questions and learned lots. Mary and Joyce Vest also participated to help give the judges' perspective.

Saturday night's show sparkled! Chicago Magazine is doing a large article on the EEN. They were there with photographers and got great pictures for the magazine. The writer has been interviewing EEN members for several weeks on the telephone and was happy to put faces to names and voices. The Change of Habit Band did a perfect job backing up the EEN members and had many inquiries for future jobs!

Sunday's Gospel Brunch at Adam's Pub was packed! The food was spectacular and the music beautiful! We heard so many gorgeous tunes that we have only heard Elvis® sing before.

I want to thank many people - if I miss anyone, I'm sorry - so many helped. Jerome, you are my buddy. You burned 4 tanks of gas trimming my yard and it looked great! I love all the lights in the trees - I'm leaving them there - they make the yard look like a wonderland! Your advice, your support, your kindness - you and Michelle are priceless to me.

Johnny and Cindy Loos - thanks for coming in early to help. John - you did so much with your new miracle glue - thank you! Cindy, you are a classy lady and I'm proud to call you my friend. And, Dakota, what can I say - he's adorable!

Sara - you are precious to me. Thanks for helping with the picnic, working at the show, doing a great job with scarves, and, most of all, for your friendship.

Tracy Klusek, Carol and Pops Cass, Kathy Hood, Mary and Joyce Vest, Ronny Craig, Irv Cass - thank you for all you do.

To my son, Scott, and his wife Lisa - you are the greatest. I could not begin to list everything you do and help with. Thank you and I love you! Amanda and Bryan, you did a wonderful job on stage - you were great!

Also, sincere thanks to all of you who brought me lovely birthday presents! It was very sweet...

Last week was the FANtasy Fest Indy. Paul and Kay Lipps held the Fest this year in a beautiful restored theater in downtown Indianapolis. The contest went well with the Exspence Account Showband backing up the contestants. After a hard fought battle, David Lee snagged the top honors followed by Matt King and Kavan. The special guests - Paul Halverstadt, Quentin Flagg, Robert Washington & Irv Cass along with Myrna Smith from the Sweet Inspirations - rocked the house on Saturday night! It was a fun weekend even though we had to wait an hour for dinner and Irv forgot his wallet - hmmmm - does that sound familiar? Irv, you're picking up someone's bad habits!

July brings us four big events!

The Ypsilanti Elvis® Fest is July 9-11 and features many EEN members as featured performers. Bluff's Run Casino hosts their annual ETA contest July 16-17. Johnny Ray Gomez is a wonderful host and treats all the ETA's like kings! Collingwood Elvis® Fest is July 22-25 - we will be traveling to beautiful Canada for this exciting contest! July 31st and August 1st will find us in Middletown, NY, at the Orange County Fair for Gene DiNapoli's 1st Annual ETA contest featuring Irv Cass as special guest.

Thanks to all of you who have been in touch this month. It's a pleasure to turn on my computer and find emails from so many good people.

We all hope you are enjoying a fabulous summer and we hope to see each and every one of you at one of the EEN events this summer and fall.

Happy birthday to July babes Brian Mach, Jerome Marion, Kevin Curtis and Keith Irwin. Many happy returns!

Sunshine to all!

Nance