to A Going Concern, a North Carolina-based tour group whose day, overnight and international trips are created primarily for women. The company was begun 8 years ago by Kay Miller, a travel and garden writer of substantial experience.

Whether in this country or overseas, we enjoy visiting historic homes, cathedrals and castles, exploring museums, admiring grand gardens and nurseries, applauding actors, artists and other creative souls, poking through shops -- and always enjoying each others' company.

Day, Overnight and International Trips

While our day trips are probably most practical for those who live nearby, we encourage those of you who live farther away to read about our longer U.S. trips and the international jaunts. Because we create the land-only portion of trips, you can easily obtain air tickets from your home base or use frequent flier miles to join us at the destination. No need to fly in to Raleigh-Durham International Airport first, in order to join everyone for the package.

Those of you who have traveled with A Going Concern know that these trips are not run-of-the-mill, cattle call-like ventures. Trips are run in small groups, which makes it easier to get to know one another and lets you browse through museums and shops easier. It also enables us to have lunch in any charming restaurant we choose -- it's when a bus disgorges 50 or more people that meals are pretty much restricted to chains or cafeterias. (And let's not even think of the waits for the bathroom on such large trips!) Not for us, that cookie-cutter kind of travel.

So come with us, more is ahead. Be sure to click on the first three bars on the left -- Women's, Co-Ed and International -- to learn about all the trip possibilities. Then, simply click on the trip titles to learn more about each getaway.

For those of you new to the site, you need to know that as Kay Miller posts the new trips, everyone who has provided an e-mail address for the Trip E-Mail Alert list will be notified. To get on the list, click on the bar in the lefthand column of the home page and just pop in your e-mail address. The information is neither shared nor sold. And if you ever want to leave the list, that is a snap, too.

If any of you who have web access are also on Kay's mailing list for the paper flier, PLEASE tell her to switch you to web notice alone. As we know, first-class postage is rising even more -- an enormous cost for a small company to bear, especially when coupled with the printing costs for the fliers.

If you need to call with a question or to register, just dial 919-380-1495.

The Latest News.....

Don't let winter doldrums get you down!! Make plans to join us on some wonderful day trips or overnighters. By clicking the bars to the left -- Women's, International and Co-Ed you can learn about trips already on offer for 2008. You are bound to find several that pique your interest.

We begin with a day trip Sat., March 8 to the James River plantations. The trip has enough women registered to be a 'go,' but space remains. To join us, just send a check to A Going Concern, PO Box 661, Cary, NC 27512.

This is followed by 3 wonderful home and gardens tours -- Southern Pines/Pinehurst, Bath and New Bern. Each year different homes and estates are on the tours, and each year it's a great way to get a closeup view for decorating, gardening and entertaining ideas.

We had lots of fun on our Mitford/Jan Karon Festival trip to Blowing Rock last year. This year there's not a festival, but we intend to have just as much fun -- and we will see the comedy 'Leading Ladies' while in the mountains. That trip is an overnighter, and is scheduled July 5 and 6 -- so we will consider it our private celebration of Independence Day!

There are several co-ed trips listed (which means a man is welcome, but one is not required). 'Merlot and Monticello' heads to Charlottesville, and also posted is our trip to Biltmore Estate for Christmas. The latter carries an October deadline -- but in 2007 it was sold out by July. That's a word to the wise.

And then we are off to Paris at the end of May -- that trip is also a 'go,' but space remains. Again, to join us, just drop a check. Paris must be seen at least once in a lifetime, in my experience the Parisians have always been helpful and friendly (save for one nasty train clerk years ago), the city is glorious and our itinerary is wonderful.

In late August, we go back to Ireland. This will be our third trip there. It is a delightful tour -- a mix of Dublin's city attractions and then off to the picturesque countryside. A Titanic trail tour, Waterford, Galway Bay, the Cliffs of Moher -- well, that's only a peek at what we'll be enjoying. People are already signing on for Ireland, so if you would like to come with us, don't delay too long.

Oh, and be SURE to have a functioning passport. That is, with at least 6 months on it, AFTER you finish a trip. If you have no passport, start applying now when there is no stress on you. It's not amusing to fret about whether your new or renewed passport will get to you in time to board a terrific trip. You can get forms on the web through the Department of State or at a post office.

When registering for a trip, please be sure your phone number is on your check or on a note you enclose -- otherwise it is pretty tricky for me to call you with trip information or to ask a question!! And also please note for which trip you are registering -- either by putting it on the Memo line of the check or on an enclosed note. It's hard to remember from phone conversations who was intending to go on which trip!

To keep up with new trips as soon as they are posted on the web site, just put your e-mail address in the Trip E-Mail Alert section. You will get notice as soon as it goes up on the web. The information on that list is neither sold nor shared.

And do let your girlfriends, daughters, office colleagues, fellow book, garden or workout groups know about these trips. The more women who know of them, the more trips can be offered.

About the Co-Ed trips.... Following plaintive requests by some husbands, some trips are designated as co-ed. On co-ed trips, a man is welcome, but NOT REQUIRED. Women (with or without a man in tow) can sign up for ANY of Kay's trips at any time....EVEN co-ed trips. So do be sure to click on the Co-Ed bar to find even more tour possibilities.

A Going Concern has also created and led groups for organizations. Among the groups who have opened up their Going Concern-created trips to others are the Wake County Historical Society, Glenaire Retirement Community, Carolina Preserve at Amberly (a Del Webb community), the Morrisville Community Center and the Cary Senior Center. If your group would like a trip, give us a call.

In the meantime, look to your upper left, and start clicking on the Women's, Co-Ed and International bars, to bring you details about all trips. Click on the trip names that interest you and you get all the information needed.

Let's also talk perfume!! Kay loves Chanel, Diorissimo, Chantilly, on and on. But lots of perfume, cologne, toilet water (and men's after-shave on co-ed trips) -- whatever, in various blends, inside a vehicle, can make for some sinus headaches and very sick stomachs! So please, skip the perfume when you come on a trip.

And more.......

Here's another site for you to link to, one that's important to all of us........

The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site & click on 'donating a mammogram' for free - their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate a mammogram in exchange for advertising.

Here's the web site!

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com

Pass it along to all your women (and men!) friends!! Just highlight, copy and paste the web site onto your 'Favorite Places', then go there daily to click on the pink 'Fund Free mammograms' square. That's it!

And to help animals in need, the Animal Rescue site is having similar trouble to get food donated every day to abused and neglected animals. Please go to their site and click on 'feed an animal in need' for free.

As with the breast cancer site, this doesn't cost you a thing. Corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising. Pass the web site along to people you know.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com