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Thank You Jeff Belonger! Active Rain Gathering in Annapolis!

By Patricia Kennedy

Real Estate Agent with RLAH@properties AB95346

December 23, 2008 12:07 AM

One of the really fun things about blogging on Active Rain is that you sometimes get to meet your blog buddies in person! And there are always surprises!

We got together at Famous Dave's (a barbeque place) just off Route 50 in Annapolis. Jeff came down to Washington for the Eagle's Redskin's game. OK, for Jeff it's the Eagle's Redskin's game! And on the spur of the moment, Jeff got a bunch of us together for lunch today.

Now, I'd already met many of the attendees. Jeff was at Blogger's Connect last year and last September came down to Washington to support down payment assistance programs in Congress. And John MacArthur came to a gathering at my house during the NAR gathering in DC last summer.

It was fun to meet some other people I feel like I've known forever.

Super agent and author, Margaret Rome, was there. My first with Margaret was showing some of her listings in Baltimore. I was showing really big houses to a couple of doctors (one at Georgetown and the other at Hopkins) and all of the really gorgeous listings were Rome Homes! I was impressed by Margaret's professionalism then, and loved meeting her today.

And Audrey June-Forshey has a southern accent! Now, she doesn't blog in a southern accent - well, gee! Maybe she does! And Martha Brown showed up, camera in tow!

I've so enjoyed reading and commenting on Richard Iarossi's posts, and there he was, sitting right next to me! Pat Hommell and Camille O'Donnell also came by.

Annapolis mortgage broker Lewis Poretz sat at the other end of the table, and while I got a good picture of him, we didn't get a chance to schmooze! And I know I'm leaving somebody out! Hmmmm.

We gotta do this more often!

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Stephen Kappre

KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ

Helping You Home

Sounds like fun and great times - maybe I'll crash it next time. I work right around the corner from Jeff :-)

Dec 23, 2008 12:22 AM

Sasha Miletic - Windsor Real Estate

RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - Windsor, ON

Hi Patricia, Good post. Thanks for sharing. Keep posting best.

Best - Sash

Dec 23, 2008 12:23 AM

Barb Szabo, CRS

RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH

E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Sounds like a wonderful time. How nice to meet bloggers in person.

Dec 23, 2008 12:26 AM

Richard Iarossi

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD

Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Patricia,

It was MY honor to sit next to you yesterday. You are even more engaging in person than your on line persona.

Great time...wasn't it?

Rich

Dec 23, 2008 12:32 AM

Brian Block

RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA

Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

Pat, wish I could have been there yesterday. You know I try not to miss get-togethers will my favorite bloggers. I'm sure we'll get together again soon.

Dec 23, 2008 12:54 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Pat, I love reading about these gatherings around the country. I'll have to get to one nearby one of these days. It does look like so much fun.

Dec 23, 2008 12:58 AM

Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Pat - thanks for sharing - Happy Holidays!!!!

Dec 23, 2008 01:33 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Patricia - sounds like a good time. What fun to recionnect with some folks you have met but also meeting some new ones. Nothing like meeting on-line friends in person. Kudos to Jeff B.l for organizing a great event.

Jeff

Dec 23, 2008 01:46 AM

Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL

Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Patricia,

I was once at a AR party in Orlando during the NAR convention. It was a strange feeling meeting people from the computer. There were so many people, though, that it was both confusing and intimidating. I guess, the more you know, the easier it gets.

Dec 23, 2008 01:50 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Pat, you were part of quite the AR even there. Interesting how so many folks are getting together.

Dec 23, 2008 02:26 AM

Jeff Belonger

Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ

The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Pat..... it was great to meet so many new 'Rainers'..... and it was good to see you again. Thanks for making the trip.

In regards to John MacArthur... he was a hoot. Telling us that he is a tad shy and doesn't care for gatherings or to socialize.... lol He could have fooled me. I think I met my matcj when it comes to socializing and as a charmer.

@Brian Block... yea, like you showed up for my rally last time.. lol But using the excuse that you wanted to meet Palin... lol

Overall, thanks for the polite mention and Happy Holidays.

jeff belonger

Dec 23, 2008 04:19 AM

Ken Montville

RE/MAX United Real Estate - College Park, MD

The MD Suburbs of DC

Hey, next time something's going on, give me a holler. Annapolis is just a hop, skip and a jump for me. Who do I bribe to get on the "A" list?

Dec 23, 2008 06:19 AM

Audrey June-Forshey

RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD

GRI, Gaithersburg, MD

If you would not have gone over to Queenstown to shop, your post would have been on the front page. You have much better info than I did, I was just excited to post the photos. We have to do it again and soon.

Dec 23, 2008 11:42 AM

Martha Brown

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD

Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Pat- I have been a fan of your posts since I first started on Active Rain so you can imagine how wonderful it was to meet you and sit across the table to boot. It was a great time for sure.

Dec 23, 2008 12:17 PM

Steve Shatsky

Dallas, TX

Hi Pat... Meeting other agents that you've met in the Rain is always fun. I have met a few and enjoyed it immensely. Sounds like you did too! :)

Dec 23, 2008 02:48 PM

Jeff R. Geoghan

Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA

REALTOR, Marketing Manager

I'm jealous. Not sure if I'll be out in the rain tomorrow so if not have a great Christmas, Pat!

Dec 23, 2008 04:41 PM

Peg Silloway

The Silloway Press - Beaverton, OR

Pat, it was a hoot! Thank you again for your etiquette lesson on the proper placement of the Blackberry, and for just being a delight to spend time with. I hope we'll have another gethering soon.

Dec 24, 2008 01:40 AM

Cindy Jones

Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA

Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Sorry I was already out of town and missed the gathering. Jeff and I had emailed about it so now I think I owe him lunch!

Dec 24, 2008 06:50 AM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Your photos are wonderful and I think you have the only one of Martha. We are a fine looking group!

And I had the delightful place of honor sitting on the other side , sharing you with Rich. Loved getting to know you outside the 'puter

Dec 25, 2008 02:37 AM

Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan

Samson Properties - Bowie, MD

I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

Pat I wished I could've been there. But I couldn't make it. That's like my second one that I have missed so far that I at least knew about. Next year,I am definitely going to be at some Active Rain gatherings. Great pictures by the way. Merry Christmas to you. Great post.

Dec 25, 2008 01:04 PM