{"id":570,"date":"2026-02-21T19:43:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T19:43:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/?p=570"},"modified":"2026-02-25T21:08:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T21:08:52","slug":"2026-annual-meeting-announcement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/?p=570","title":{"rendered":"2026 Annual Meeting Announcement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Due to the temporary closure of the McGuire Center (MGCL) for renovations, next year\u2019s combined meeting of SLS & ATL offers us an unusual new opportunity. We\u2019ve settled on a fun and interesting off-campus site for our traditional conference, described below. The lepidopteran fauna of the new venue (Cuscowilla) was the subject of a 2025 study by several of our SLS-ATL specialists; the published report was brought to fruition by David Fine and Montana Atwater in a fine recent issue of Southern Lepidopterists\u2019 News (August 2025, attachment n2).<\/p>\n

The planning now underway for the April 2026 meeting is reminding us of the myriad details Debbie Matthews has so selflessly arranged in the past, allowing us all to enjoy an uninterrupted series of stellar joint meetings. Our sincere thanks are extended to Debbie for her years \/ decades of devoted work! She richly deserves the coming year of \u2018decompression\u2019, as she hands the reins over to us.<\/p>\n

Launching our meeting at a new, temporary venue will be a new experience, and in the coming weeks we will invite (need! \/ encourage \/ coerce!) volunteers to help with some of the preparations. This winter, we will circulate a volunteer sign-up sheet, seeking help in accomplishing specific tasks. Any assistance offered by our members, Santa\u2019s elves, or our extended circle of friends will be much, much appreciated !!<\/p>\n

Sincerely, SLS-ATL Annual Meeting co-Chairs JFD (John) & MCM (Marc)<\/p>\n

Call for Papers (downloadable)<\/a><\/p>\n

Registration Form (downloadable)<\/a><\/p>\n

You can also make your payment on the TLS site here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

REGISTRATION & PAYMENTS<\/b><\/p>\n

\u25ba[Due date for REGISTRATION is March 21, 2026.] \n\u25ba[Keith Willmott has offered to be the \u2018single payer\u2019 for larger, anticipated expenses, via ATL checks.]\n\u25ba[Jeff Slotten will keep track of SLS & ATL volunteers\u2019 incidental expenses (e.g., veggie trays, misc. supplies).]  \n<\/pre>\n
\n
MEETING LOCATION & DATE<\/b> – Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center, 10 mi. south of Gainesville, Florida, from Friday to Sunday, 17-19 April 2026 (shown in attachment 2; map, attachment 3).<\/p>\n
\n
VENUE & COLLECTING<\/strong>, Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center (Micanopy)<\/p>\n
\u25ba[Our 2026 contact person at Cuscowilla is:  Ms. Jamie Bass (Tel. (352) 574-2372, \n<jbass@alachuacounty.us>).]  \n\u25ba[Blacklighting & moth-collecting are welcomed every night.] \n\u25ba[New moon is April 16-17.]\n\u25ba[Vaughn Shirey from MGCL will help with communal light sheet(s).]\n<\/pre>\n
\n
SCIENTIFIC TALKS<\/strong> – Fri. aft.[optional] & Sat. morn.-aft.-eve.; no talks are currently planned for Sun.<\/p>\n
\u25ba[In-person and recorded talks will be scheduled, but no LIVE virtual talks.]\n\u25ba[Titles & abstracts must be received by March 15, 2026, to be included in the printed program.]<\/pre>\n
\n
BUSINESS MEETINGS of ATL & SLS<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u25ba[Our 2026 contact person for the Zoom connecting is:  Joe Martinez (Tel. (786) 650-9753).] \n\u25ba[ALL lepidopterists are welcome at both of these meetings!!] \n<\/pre>\n
\n
LODGING & ROOM BLOCKS<\/strong><\/p>\n
-   -   -   -   -   - \n\u25cf Motel chains nearby - Several well-regarded establishments offer reasonably-priced accommodations \nin the Gainesville area.\n\u25ba[Some of these are listed here:  <https:\/\/www.booking.com\/city\/us\/gainesville>.] \n- - - - - - - - - -\n\u25cf Cuscowilla itself - On-site accommodations are available.\n\u25ba[Our 2026 contact person at Cuscowilla is, as above:  Ms. Jamie Bass (Tel. (352) 574-2372 <jbass@alachuacounty.us>).]\n\u25ba[n=5 cabins are being held for us (at $100 each per night) for the period April 16 (early arrivals) to April 20 (late departures). Each cabin accommodates 20 guests, and each room is outfitted with double bunks.]\n- - - - - - - - - -\n\u25cf Hilton UF Conference Center, Gainesville\n\u25ba[Our 2026 contacts at Hilton UF in Sales (Tel. (352) 371-3600) are:  Kj\u00ebrstin Terry, Kristin Bond, & Christina Rodenwoldt (Tel. (352) 384-3412).]\n\u25ba[n=10 Standard King rooms ($249.\/night) are being held for us for Thursday through Sunday, April 16-20, \nas follows: Apr.16, 5 rooms; Apr.17,10 rooms; Apr.18,10 rooms; Apr.19, 5 rooms.]   \n\u25ba[Our 2026 booking link for making reservations is: < https:\/\/group.hilton.com\/jjbg2l >.]\n\u25ba[Our event name is Southern Lepidopterists\u2019 Society.]   \n\u25ba[The 2026 release date for our 10 held rooms (after which they will be available to the general public) Is March 16.]    \n- - - - - - - - - - \n\u25cf Sweetwater Branch Inn, Gainesville  \n\u25ba[Our 2026 contacts at Sweetwater (Tel. (352) 373-6760) are:  Ginny Schatzman (Tel. (352) 373-6760, \n<sales@sweetwaterinn.com>) & owner & General Mgr. Cornelia Holbrook (a long-time friend of lepidopterology).]  \n\u25ba[n=5 units are being held for us for the weekend of the meeting, Apr.16-20.]  \n\u25ba[Room choices can be made individually, from among the illustrations & descriptions \t\t\t\t\tat <https:\/\/www.sweetwaterspa.com\/lodging>.]  \n\t\u25ba[To reserve units individually, please call at your earliest convenience.] \n \t\u25ba[The 2026 release date for these units is March 16.]  \n- - - - - - - - - - \n\u25cf Herlong Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Micanopy (attachments 4,5)   \n\t\u25ba[Our contact is owner & nature-lover Kim Shore (Tel. (352) 466-3322 OR cell (352) 278-6284, \n\t\t<herlongwedding@gmail.com>).]\n\t\u25ba[n=11 units in this beautiful mansion are being held for us for Apr.17&18.]\n\u25ba[Room choices can be made individually, from among the illustrations & descriptions \t\t\t\t\tat <https:\/\/herlong.com\/portfolio\/herlong-suite>.] \n\u25ba[Rates are based on double occupancy.]\n\t\u25ba[Prospective guests are encouraged to make individual arrangements at their earliest convenience.]\n\t\u25ba[The 2026 release date for these units is March 1.] \n<\/pre>\n
\n
MEALS<\/b><\/p>\n
- - - - - - - - -\n\u25cf Overall (snacks & carry-out)\n-   -   -   -   - \n1. Publix Catering, Gainesville, e.g., at Butler Plaza West (Tel. (352) 375-2968)\n\u25ba[A wide variety of offerings are available, including, e.g., deli platters, fruit & vegetable platters, \n\t\tdessert platters, party trays.] \n2. Blue Highway Pizzeria in Micanopy, along U.S.441 (Tel. (352) 466-0062) \n\u25ba[Our 2026 contact is Frank, Mgr., <catering@bluehighwaypizza.com>.]\n\u25ba[Menu is online.]  \n3. Pearl Country Store & Barbecue in Micanopy, along U.S.441 (Tel. (352) 466-4025)  \n\t\u25ba[Our 2026 contacts are James (Catering Mgr.), Serenity, & Damon.]\n\t\u25ba[Dinner & lunch platters: pick up in bulk, they can help serve.]\n- - - - - - - - - -\n\u25cf Thursday - Local sources (Overall, above). \n- - - - - - - - \n\u25cf Friday  \n1. light snacks, soft drinks (lemonade, iced tea) - Local sources. \n2. pizzas, veggie trays, soft drinks - Local sources. \n- - - - - - - - -\n\u25cf Saturday  \n-   -   -   -   -  \nLunch\n1. Lunch on Saturday:  Subway sandwiches will be provided for us thanks to the generosity of Tom and Ada Neal  (<chouwah@aol.com>).]\n2. Gluten-free pizzas are available from Blaze Pizza (Tel. (352) 377-6644 (alternatively, Five Star Pizza). These will  be picked up & brought to Cuscowilla if desired. \n\u25ba[Our 2026 contact at Blaze Pizza is Sherry, Mgr.]       \n-   -   -   -   -   -   -  \nDinner\n1. Dinner on Saturday at Cuscowilla will be catered (self-serve, buffet-style) by Hill\u2019s BBQ of Gainesville. \n\u25ba[Our 2026 contacts at Hill's BBQ & Catering (Tel. (352) 376-8072, <info@hillsbbq.com>) are:\nPaul Anderson, Amy (scheduling), & Michael.]\n\u25ba[Alcohol at Cuscowilla will be okay if brought in and handled privately (e.g., in coolers).]\n2. Menu choices have been submitted to Hill\u2019s BBQ, and gluten-free options will be available. \n3. For advice on purchase of spirits, online advice is recommended:  Evite\u2019s Drink Calculator, .]\n- - - - - - - - - - -\n\u25cf Sunday - Local sources (Overall, above).\n<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Due to the temporary closure of the McGuire Center (MGCL) for renovations, next year\u2019s combined meeting of SLS & ATL offers us an unusual new opportunity. We\u2019ve settled on a fun and interesting off-campus site for our traditional conference, described below. The lepidopteran fauna of the new venue (Cuscowilla) was the subject of a 2025 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=570"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":574,"href":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570\/revisions\/574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southernlepsoc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}