Miss-Lou, I am in the planning stages for the fourth annual Scrap–N-on the River, July 24, 25 and 26.

The Lord has truly blessed my family and our Natchez convention. Four years ago I had a brainstorm of bringing a scrapbook convention to Natchez. I went around looking for support for an event of this kind; there was a lot of escapism.

The first year we had 78 scrap bookers and 30 vendors to attend plus the shoppers. The Eola Hotel has been a big supporter by giving a great room rate. The 2007 convention brought in 250 scrap bookers plus shoppers. I am hoping that we will double this year too.

Every scrap booker is given a survey to fill out to rate the convention, hotel, food and Natchez. In three years, I have a 100 percent return rate with 100 percent positive remarks.

Everyone that attends the convention as a scrap booker receives a goody bag full of scrapbook supplies. They receive one bag per day and the vendors receive something from Natchez. The scrap bookers love to get the latest and greatest of scrapbook supplies.

I am predicting the number of goody bags for each day of the 2008 convention will be 400 bags per day. This makes for a lot of work for my family but we enjoy every minute together. The one thing that is consistent on the surveys is the fact we are one big family. Last year’s convention proved to be the best one yet even with the loss of my brother Jerry Roberts.

Instead of doing a benefit for breast cancer, we choose to set up a scholarship to be awarded to a senior at Vidalia High school. Jerry was so active with the young people in the Miss-Lou and a school board member in Concordia Parish we felt this is a way to keep his memory alive.

I am a lifelong resident of Natchez and have proven my determination to help boost Natchez economy.

Only my family knows the hours on hours I devote to making Scrap-N-on the River the best convention of its kind. I would love to see Scrap-N-on the River grow to be as large as scrapfest in Mandeville or the Great American Scrapbook Expo.

I am looking for sponsorship for the convention. There are a few different ways that you can participate with sponsorship.

1. By providing items for door prizes, we give away at least one door prize every hour.

2. By providing items for goody bags; we are expecting 400 scrap bookers.

3. Donating money to purchase the latest and greatest in scrap booking.

Anything will be greatly appreciated. Everyone is invited to come by and see what Scrap-N-on the River is all about.

Anyone wanting to learn how to scrapbook or organize your pictures please call me. I enjoy helping people learn to preserve their pictures for future generations. If you have any questions please contact me at 601-445-9003 or 601-597-4705.

Pam Frank is the organizer of Scrap-N-on the river.