Letter to All congregations in the USA, 1999-10-25: 2000 Recommend List for visitors the the Bethel facilites
October 25,1999
TO ALL CONGREGATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
Dear Brothers:
We are writing to provide you with the 2000 Recommended Lodging List for visitors to the Bethel facilities in the United States and Canada. New hotels have been added to the list for the coming year, others have been deleted, and room rates have changed at many hotels. To assist you in preparing for your visit we suggest you review the November 1, 1996 letter "To All Congregations in the United States." It contains details concerning the content and length of Bethel tours and some reminders that will be helpful to you. Reduced rate parking information for Brooklyn can be obtained from the lobbies. In addition, please give attention to the Question Box on page 7 of the March 1998 Our Kingdom Ministry, regarding dress and grooming when visiting the Society's facilities in Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York, and branch offices throughout the world.
Before making any hotel reservations please read the information located at the beginning of the 2000 Recommended Lodging List. These instructions outline the arrangement the Society has made with the hotels. When contacting hotels on the list, please adhere closely to the instructions at the top of the first page. We suggest you have two or three alternate dates and/or hotels in mind when making reservations, especially if you are representing a group. NOTE: Some of the hotels from last year's listing are no longer giving special rates and are not included on this year's Recommended Lodging List.
Additionally, the Society has received several negative reports regarding the conditions at some "Bed and Breakfast" accommodations in the vicinity of Brooklyn Bethel. Standards of cleanliness and service at these establishments can be very inconsistent. Unless you have visited the "Bed and Breakfast" yourself or it is recommended by someone who has, it would be wise to exercise caution with this kind of accommodation.
If you have a group of twenty or more persons that are making plans to visit, we ask that the group coordinator write to the Society and inform us as soon as your plans are finalized. Please address the letter to:
Watchtower
Central Tour Desk
100 Watchtower Drive
Patterson, NY 12563-9204
Phone: (914) 306-1000
Fax: (914) 306-0209
Many have enjoyed the historical and archival information that has been displayed at the Society's facilities in Brooklyn and Patterson. Plans are being made to set up a historical display at Wallkill as well.
This will highlight the history of the Watchtower and Awake magazine printing and distribution, and the Society's farming and computer operations. You should allow at least thirty minutes to view these displays. This area will become available sometime during 2000.
For those that are traveling to the United States from another country, it should be noted that some car rental agencies may require an international driver's license. It would be good to verify this with the rental agency prior to your arrival in the United States so that you can follow through with acquiring the license. Also, as mentioned in the August 1999 Our Kingdom Ministry, adjustments have been made to the telephone numbers for the Society's facilities in Brooklyn and Patterson, New York. The new telephone numbers are as follows: Brooklyn (718) 560-5000 and Patterson (914) 306-1000. The telephone number for Wallkill, New York, (914) 744-6000, remains the same.
We are confident your visit to Bethel will prove to be both encouraging and motivating. May Jehovah continue to bless our united efforts in serving his Kingdom interests.
Your brothers,
Watchtower B.V.S. Society
OF NEW YORK, INC.
Enclosures
P.S. to the congregation secretary
After this letter is read to the congregation, the Recommended Lodging List and the letter should be posted on the information board for two weeks. Thereafter, it should be placed in the congregation's file and made available to those who wish to consult it.
If you do not have the November 1, 1996, letter in your congregation file, you may request one from the Society's Central Tour Desk.
On January 1,2000, please destroy all Recommended Lodging Lists from previous years. The congregation secretary should remind all who review the Recommended Lodging List to follow the guidelines at the top of the first page of the list.