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                 Michigan Celiac Sprue Awareness Day
                 -----------------------------------
                           by Tom Sullivan

On Thursday, October 28, a bright, sunshiny fall day, about 25 people
gathered on the steps of the state capital in Lansing, Michigan.
About half were from the local Michigan Capital Celiac/DH Group and
half arrived in a three car caravan from the Tri-County group to
support the Capital Group's efforts and success in having the day
proclaimed as Celiac Sprue Awareness Day by Governor Engler.  The
first step was to troop, en masse, to Governor Engler's office to
thank him for the proclamation.  Unfortunately he was out of the
office at the time but we all signed a thank you note that his staff
said they would see that he received.

The next stop was at Representative DeWeese's office for a second
thank you.  Proclamations by the governor must be sponsored by a
member of the house or senate.  Dr. DeWeese was the sponsor of the
Celiac Sprue Awareness Day proclamation.  When we arrived, he was in
session in the house.  His staff accepted our thank you note and
suggested we go to the house gallery were they would try to contact
him.  Dr. DeWeese, from the floor of the house chamber, had us stand
in the gallery and be recognized.  He then met us outside the chambers
for a few minutes' conversation.  He already is planning next year's
proclamation and having the attendees be recognized from the floor of
the house as well as having a speaker for the group address the
representatives.  Congratulations to the Michigan Capital Group, and
keep up the great work!

The group then split up into two's and three's to see their own
senators and representatives as well as other departments and offices.
The highlight of the day was when Mary Guerriero entered the public
relations office just after a phone call had been received from a
newspaper reporter requesting information about this "Celiac Sprue
Day" and the person taking the call didn't have a clue.  Never being
one to let an opportunity to raise public awareness pass by, Mary and
her group educated the office about Celiac Sprue, provided them a
wealth of information, and left knowing the person was going to call
the reporter right back with the straight scoop.  That's awareness.

But the best part of the day was saved for the end when about 65
people gathered in the Kellogg Center for a delicious, worry-free,
gluten-free (GF) dinner prepared and served with impeccable style by
the Michigan State student chefs and volunteers.  Everyone enjoyed the
meal, including Professor Carl P. Borchgrevink of the Michigan State
University School of Hospitality Business who supervised the student
project.  He indicated to Tom Sullivan at the end of the meal that the
project had been a great learning experience for everyone, himself
included, and he intended to incorporate it into the curriculum.  More
awareness.

Michigan Capital Group did a great job in raising awareness this year.
Keep it on your calendar to help support them next year with even
bigger and better efforts.