RANSVESTIA

Marilyn did a lot of preparative work back in 1972 when the first gathering was held. (I think I am right that '72 was the first. I could not go to it, so it doesn't stick in my memory too well.) Marilyn went up and down the Washington and Oregon coast trying to find a place that was nice, convenient, attractive and which would put up with such an unusual collection of people. She finally found a group of condominium apartments right on the ocean in the middle of the famous Oregon Coast which was self-contained yet only about 20 miles from Lincoln City at which she also found a nice restaurant with a large banquet room which would welcome a group of FPs "en femme." So she set the operation up there.

The logistics are pretty complex. You have to fly to Portland, Oregon and the line and flight number of everyone is known so that arrangements are made to have the local girls pick up the out-of- towners at the airport. Everyone is given a badge to wear on dress or coat so that he or she can be recognized as belonging to the group. Once connections are made everybody piles into somebody's car or camper and sets off for the resort. People arrive at all times of the first Saturday and Sunday. The condominium layout consists of one large building 3 stories high but divided into six sections with a flight of stairs for each. At each level there are two apartments. Each of the apartments is owned by a separate family and thus are decorated in terms of paint colors, drapes, furniture and rugs as suits the taste of the owners. Thus no two apartments are alike. However, they are all expensive and the owners must be pretty well heeled since they are all furnished beautifully with electric stoves, refrigerators, toasters, mixers, etc. in the kitchens. Each apartment has a master bedroom with a large double or twin beds and a smaller bedroom with twin beds in it. Each has a balcony overlooking the long, wide, beautiful beach. In short, they are luxurious places and because one is living in the midst of luxury, it rather puts everyone on their best behavior and dress to live up to the place.

The program of the week consists of several sections: (a) a woman who runs a regular charm school for women in Portland comes down together with several of her assistants and provides classes all week in deportment, charm, beauty, culture in the form of classes in wig care, color coordination and dress selection, and personal evaluation and consultation. You can sign up for whatever classes you wish. (b) there are two all inclusive banquets held in the restaurant in Lincoln City to which the whole crowd in their daintiest evening gowns are

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