Reunions Magazine Volume 20, Number 2. November/December/January 2010 (SOLD OUT)

Lilly Family is Guinness Champ Ranch reunions Hotel questions Ask GrannyŠ

VOL 20 NO 2 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 Display until January 31, 2010.

$3/USA

N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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in this issue

November/December/January 2010 Volume 20 • Number 2

DEPARTMENTS FRONT WORDS – 4

PUBLISHER / EDITOR IN CHIEF

ALUM & I – 6

Edith Wagner

Reunions the right way by Terry Marotta Job hunting? Charitable reunions

TRAVEL EDITOR

SCRAPBOOK – 8

Jacky Runice ART DIRECTOR

Reunion School: workshops, conferences and seminars for reunion planners Identifying faces in the crowd, answers to hotel dilemmas, top traits in a great guide Travel: St. Joseph, Missouri, Baltimore and Chicago Railroad reunions, lottery millionaires

Marion Liston Senior Account Manager

BRANCH OFFICE – 14

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Ask Granny© by Judith F. Russell Searl’s Ridge revisited by Dorrie Simon Where the fun is always on tap by Sandy (Gianoli) Smith Ellis Island Museum Tour Families: Booker T. Washington’s, Bailey, Rand

Karla Lavin

MASTERPLAN – 16 HOLIDAY REUNIONS How reunions celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Lilly Family Reunion breaks world record One family’s military tribute Malone Family Reunion tradition grows by Francia Malone Family reunion: from disaster to success by Glenn Liebman Carlis and Banks family reunions … by Lloyd Clements, Jr. A Mother’s Day family celebration by Ambar Villar-Smith and Joyce Warren Wright Family Centennial Celebration by Bev Stickel Evans Family Reunion Tradition by Ashley Andrews Fraziers at the Falls by Terry Frazier Zarling heritage celebrated by Mary Volmer

REUNION VENUE & FEATURES REUNIONS ON THE RANCH – 29 Flying E Ranch Many surprising things to do at a dude ranch Sundance Trail Ranch Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch

MILITARY REUNION NEWS – 32 Brevard hosts largest annual veterans’ reunions, Alliance of Military Reunions, USS Pocono reunion in the Poconos, Sentimental Journey

REUNION RESOURCES – 33 A directory of reunion-friendly places, services, vendors and products ON THE COVER Kids enjoy special wrangler status at Paradise Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming.

Jennifer Rueth SALES

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Andrew Russell Bordeaux Nicole Dettmering Ksioszk CONTRIBUTORS

Ashley Andrews • Lloyd Clements, Jr. Terry Frazier • Glenn Liebman Wilheimina Long • Francia Malone Terry Marotta • Chad Meadow Dean Miller • Sally Mulcare Judith F. Russell • Gayle Radice Skip Sander • Ruth Schmelzer Dorrie Simon • Sandy (Gianoli) Smith Jeri Sprecher • Bev Stickel Ambar Villar-Smith Mary Volmer • Joyce Warren

REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC. (ISSN #1046-5s235), is published 4 times per year. Send correspondence, queries, submissions, subscriptions, advertising to REUNIONS MAGAZINE, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. Written permission from the publisher is required for reproduction of any part of this book except pages which encourage sharing.

Please explain your intended use when requesting permission to reprint. Email: editor@reunionsmag.com or fax 414263-6331. Tear sheets of reviews and reprints required.

REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC., will not be liable for information presented as facts contained in any of our advertising, byline stories or materials. We reserve the right to edit and/or refuse any material submitted for publication. We solicit participation and take responsibility for submitted materials.

Unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), submissions and photos will not be returned. All materials sent for purposes of publication become property of REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC. Subscriptions: US and Canada $9.99/yr, $17.99/2 yrs. Foreign orders add $36 for subscriptions. All foreign payment in US funds or drawn on a US bank. Back issues available for $3 each plus postage.

Payment must accompany requests for subscriptions, back issues or other items for sale. Advertising rate information available from REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC., PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727; 414-263-4567; fax 414-2636331; e-mail editor@reunionsmag.com; reunionsmag.com. © 2009 REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC. N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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FRONT WORDS

Be in touch!

Mail to R EUNIONS MAGAZINE PO Box 11727 Milwaukee WI 53211-0727 For charge orders call 800-373-7933 or visit www.reunionsmag.com

what many others are doing and have done.

Auction? Raffle? T-shirts, mementoes, souvenirs? Histories, directories, cookbooks? And many more ideas that defy category but will inspire your reunion fundraising.

or fax it to 414-263-6331.

BE OUR FAN ON FACEBOOK

LILLY FAMILY REUNION BREAKS WORLD RECORD

he 80th Lilly Family Reunion – descendants of Robert and Frances Lilly – set a new world record in August for the largest family reunion, according to officials with the Guinness Book of World Records. 2,585 Lillys attended the reunion in Flat Top, West Virginia. Former record holders, the 1998 Busse Family Reunion in Grayslake, Illinois, registered 2,369 relatives. See more on page 19.

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Or best of all, e-mail editor@reunionsmag.com.

ARE YOU PLANNING A MILITARY REUNION?

Check out the new Alliance of Military Reunions intended to help all military groups hold successful events. See special joining offer in military reunions at reunionsmag.com.

SUBSCRIBER ALERT! As soon as each issue slides off the press it is in the mail to subscribers. The Feb/Mar/Apr issue, however, will be an exception. This issue will wait a couple weeks to be comailed with the 10th edition Reunions Workbook. You will be rewarded for a short delay by getting two books at once.

We’ll include reminders in monthly newsletters (see below).

We promise: it will be worth the wait.

MONTHLY NEWS FOR YOUR REUNION

If you’re not receiving our monthly news for your reunion, email your name, email address and the request to be added to the newsletter list to editor@reunionsmag.com.

Then, look for it early each month.

BOOKMARK REUNIONSMAG.COM

You’ll want to access a changing array of content with daily updates in freebies, contests/sweepstakes, listings, resources and on the forum. Essential planning podcasts are also available. Visit regularly, there are changes and additions all the time.

LIST YOUR REUNION FREE

Now is the time to announce your next reunion. Send reunion name, date, place and contact info to editor@reunionsmag.com.

PUMPING UP REUNION FUNDRAISING IDEAS

Lots new has been and will be added to fundraising at reunionsmag.com. So much, in fact, that ideas have been indexed and categorized to make your search easier. Read

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We’re greedy! We want lots of facebook fans and we’re growing daily. Join us on facebook: reunions magazine.

WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SURVEY?

Many of you participated in a survey by Juyeon Yun at Purdue University during the summer. Find the summary outcome online by searching for J Yun on reunionsmag.com.

JOIN THE TEAM!

Like most print magazines and newspapers, advertising is our current bugaboo. I’m of an age that loves newspapers, magazines and books and can’t imagine lying in bed reading from my Kindle. Puhleeeeez!

We’ve had to turn up our creativity to entice advertising, which is, after all, the way we pay the bills. And, as a Reunions magazine reader, you are the objective of just one of these creative ideas.

In your capacity as reunion planner, you are or will be contacting convention and visitors bureaus, hotels, resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts, cruises, ranches … you get the idea. As you contact these businesses, we would genuinely appreciate your adding a few words about Reunions magazine. You choose the words … you found them in Reunions magazine or ask why you didn’t find their ad in Reunions magazine. Tell them their message in the magazine is an important way to reach more reunions.

Tell them to contact me directly, if that makes your words stronger. I am Edith Wagner, publisher and editor of Reunions magazine and I’ll be happy to fill them in on anything you missed or couldn’t answer. My toll free number is 800-3737933, ext 6 and my email is editor@reunionsmag.com.

Yes, this is a survival cry but we feel things are getting better and, with your help, it may continue. I should also add that we are survivors and love reunions so much that there is no way Reunions magazine isn’t going to survive.

With your help, we can’t lose.

And with people like Pat Robinson-Mitchell, Tarpon Springs, Florida, who wrote this with her subscription order.

I’m excited to receive each issue. When I read the message in the last issue saying pay up or we may need to stop printing. I panicked and said let me make sure I pay so I won’t get cut off of this most valuable info.

Thanks for doing such a magnificent job.

Anyone who feels the same way can order online, click on subscribe and shop, or call 800-373-7933, ext 4.

Happy reunion planning. EW

N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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ALUM & I

Reunions the right way

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n her column in the Norwich (Connecticut) Bulletin, Terry Marotta (www.terrymarotta.com) drew this conclusion to report about her high school reunion.

And in the end this reunion seemed to be just what any school reunion should be: A field trip of the imagination to the time when we would gather in small groups to joke and commiserate and tell fond, semi-mocking stories about our families, which turned out not to seem so crazy after all when compared to other people’s families.

To a time before we were tied in tight to this world by the cords of love and obligation.

To a time when we believed – really believed – that Time would never touch us.

Reprinted with permission.

Job hunting?

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t occurs to us that class reunions are great places for networking, if you are between jobs or looking for a job. A few short tips are listed on our website to help you maximize your efforts and, just perhaps, make a lucky, fortunate connection. Visit reunionsmag.com and click on Class Reunions, then on job hunting.

Reunions magazine is quarterly.

Reunions newsletter, news for your reunions, is monthly.

IT’S FREE! Send your request and email to editor@reunionsmag.com

CHARITABLE REUNIONS

Chaz Ebert gives back to high school

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haz Ebert, wife of Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert, is an alum of Chicago’s Crane Technical High School’s Class of 1969 and the driving force behind an effort by her class to give back to students. “When a student got shot outside Crane High School, I wanted to do something,” she said. When classmates asked her to chair the 40th reunion, she agreed only if they’d agree to reach back and help the class of 2009.

The result is a $50,000 grant from the Ebert Foundation to fund scholarships for the Class of 2009. Chicago schools’

Reunion offers service opportunities

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eunion weekend for Mary Baldwin College, Stauton, Virginia, alumnae included community service: students, faculty, staff and alumnae could pick either Down and Dirty or Mission: Organization.

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Down and Dirty planted approximately 500 pine trees on campus. Mission: Organization involved service at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network.

From the Staunton News Leader, Staunton, Viginia.

Mom to mom sale funds scholarship

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udrey Seilheimer, president of the Garden City, Michigan, Alumni Association, says after a successful Class of 1995 ten-year reunion, they thought it would be fun to do things for the school.

They wanted to connect the talents and resources of former students to give back and help the school.

The group started with a MySpace page and a blog site (gchsalumni.wordpress.com), and within a month had collected more than 300 online “friends.” They

established an Alumni Fund to award a scholarship to at least one graduating senior who wins an essay contest, beginning with the Class of 2010.

Seilheimer said the scholarship will help pay for books.

The group’s first fundraiser was a Mom to Mom sale of gently used children’s clothes, toys and equipment.

From a story by Sue Mason in the Mirror, Royal Oak, Michigan.

Alum donates $100,000 for scholarship fund

A PO BOX 335428 NORTH LAS VEGAS NV 89033 800-654-2776 • reunions.com narm@reunions.com

Children First Fund will work with Crane to award scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 to seniors who must submit an essay about how they intend to give back to their community.

As part of the reunion activities, alums planned to take seniors to the Abraham Lincoln Library in Springfield and donate computers to parents of Crane students who complete computer training workshops at school.

From a column by Mary Mitchell in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago, Illinois.

member of the Whitman-Hanson High School, Raynham, Massachusetts, Class of 1951 donated $100,000 anonymously to establish a scholarship fund, and gave credit for the scholarship to his classmates, who celebrated their 65th reunion.

For 20 years, a scholarship committee will give a $5,000 scholarship each year to a deserving high school senior.

Eligibility requires the recipient to choose a career in public service, medicine or environmental studies and must be in the top 50 percent, but not necessarily top 10 percent, of his/her senior class.

From an article by Allan Stein Hanson in the Town Crier, Raynham, Massachusetts.

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SCRAPBOOK

St. Joseph, Missouri, celebrates Pony Express Sesquicentennial Most of these events are sponsored and presented by convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and take place on Saturdays unless noted. All prefer or require advance reservation, and are free or at nominal cost. If there is no date, call the host. For more information, visit reunionsmag.com.

ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA

Call Alpharetta CVB, toll-free 877-202-5961, Carol Gryson, carol@awesomealpharetta.com ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Contact Nina House, Atlanta CVB; 404-521-6640; nhouse@atlanta.net

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n April 3, 1860, a lone rider left the Pikes Peak Stables in St. Joseph, Missouri, bound for Sacramento, California, with saddlebags full of mail.

Next year marks the 150th anniversary of the historic Pony Express era that bound our nation together, east to west, before the transcontinental railroad and telegraph.

Sesquicentennial celebrations will honor remarkable feats of the 1860s American West and the annual Pony Express Celebration in Re-Ride with celebrity riders.

Visit stjomo.com.

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

Contact Tara Walton, Greater Birmingham CVB, 205-458-8000.

BRANSON, MISSOURI

August 16-19, 2010 Military Reunion Planners Conference.

Hosted by the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB. Contact Debbie Chesnokov, Leisure Group Sales Manager, 800214-3661; dchesnokov@bransoncvb.com; www.ExploreBranson.com/ MilitaryReunion COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA

Complimentary luncheon, family reunion planning guide, tradeshow (hotels, attractions, etc.). Free to anyone planning a family reunion in Cobb County; limited to two guests per reunion.

Contact Kathy Buske, Cobb County CVB, 678-303-2624 or kbuske@cobbcvb.com DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA

November 21, 2009 Contact Carol Murray, DeKalb County CVB, 800-999-6055 DETROIT, MICHIGAN

FREE Family Reunion Planning Seminar “Planning a Successful Reunion in the ‘D’!”

The Detroit Metro CVB (DMCVB) Contact Nikki Donald, ndonald@visitdetroit.com; www.visitdetroit.com ESTES PARK, COLORADO

November 13-15, 2009 Family Reunion University YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center Contact Conference Office at 800-777-9622

BACVA starts initiative

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altimore Area Convention & Visitors Association (BACVA) multicultural marketing initiatives include a partnership between the BACVA and Enoch Pratt Free Library. They encourage residents to plan family reunions in the city at the Enoch Pratt’s central branch library, or its seven neighboring libraries, where space and materials are offered to help promote reunion planning. Visit www.baltimore.org/reunion. from Trade Show Week, Los Angeles, California.

Reunion in Chicago?

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he Chicago Greeter and the downtown InstaGreeter are free visitor services by the Chicago Office of Tourism. Both are offered year-round. Millennium Park Greeter and the new Hyde Park InstaGreeter, may be available again in 2010.

Walkabouts are on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservations needed. Chicago Greeters are friendly, knowledgeable volunteer Chicagoans who provide “insider orientations” in informal walking tours, limited to groups of six or less.

Chicago Greeter and InstaGreeter visits originate at the Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center, 77 E. Randolph Street. For brochures and trip-planning assistance, call 1-877-244-2246 or visit www.ExploreChicago.org.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

February 20, 2010 Speaker: Edith Wagner, Reunions Magazine editor.

Contact Dean Miller, VisitFairfax, 703-752-9509

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more on www.reunionsmag.com

T&P Railway reunion

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he annual Texas and Pacific Employees’ Reunion met at the T&P Depot Museum in Marshall, Texas. The Marshall Depot Museum board of directors sponsors the reunion to honor those who worked for the T&P Railway over the years.

It is a time for employees of the shops, hospital, trains and offices to gather with their families and reminisce.

Family members of deceased employees are also encouraged to participate. An annual custom is a reading of names of employees who joined the “Train of Fame” during the year.

From a story by Steve Bandy in the Marshall News Messenger, Marshall, Texas

continued FLINT, MICHIGAN

March 27, 2010 Contact Renee Cobb, Flint CVB, 888-230-2586; rcobb@flint.travel GREENWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA

Contact Lindsay Burns, 864-953-2464; Lindsay.burns@cityofgreenwoodsc.com GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA

National Train Day

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f your reunion is in early May you might want to look for National Train Day commemorations, particularly for grandpas and their grandsons! It commemorates the day the “golden spike” was driven into the ground at Promontory Summit, Utah, connecting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways – May 10, 1869. Amtrak hosts events at its main stations in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California. Other communities host their own events. Tour exhibits and displays to learn all about trains (including the newest technologies), and attend Kids’ Corner with interactive activities, jugglers and magicians.

A different kind of family reunion

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he Newnan (Georgia) Community Theatre Company staged its first Family Reunion, a potluck murder mystery.

Here’s the story. Patriarch Scott Smith (known to the family as Great Scott and holder of the family fortune), calls a reunion to make final changes to his will before he passes on. Everyone feels they have a claim to the money.

Each member wants to discredit others to increase their own inheritance. Some people will stop at nothing to get that money ... even murder.

Here’s how it works. During the reunion, you (and your team, if you have one) follow cast members around the gathering, listening to private conversations. You find clues, search for evidence, and try to solve the crime.

Audience members are assigned a place on the family tree and are encouraged to come and act as their character.

As in many family reunions, participants are asked to bring a dish. They even offered commemorative t-shirts!

From a story in the Newnan Times-Herald, Newnan, Georgia.

January 8, 2010 ABCs of Planning a Family Reunion. Complimentary lunch, Family Reunion Planning Guide. Reservations only, no walk-ins.

Drawing for a digital camera. Contact Linda Busby, GCTS, Gwinnett CVB Education Specialist, 770-814-6056; lbusby@gcvb.org.

KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA

Autumn 2009 Contact Sara Melendez-Davis at 800-831-1844, ext 42446; smelendez@floridakiss.com LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Workshop experience includes educational sessions, exhibition from local hotels and venues, tours and idea sharing. Meet Reunions magazine editor, Edith Wagner. Contact Kimberly Ghys, Lake County CVB, 800-Lake-Now; www.lakecountyreunions.com LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

November 14, 2009 Contact Keri Willard, Louisville CVB, 502-560-1487; kwillard@gotolouisville.com MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

Contact Sheila Nickelson, Meet Minneapolis, 800-445-7412; www.minneapolis.org/reunions NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA

March 12-14, 2010 Military Reunion Planner Familiarization (FAM) Tour.

Complimentary accommodations. Contact Cheryl Morales, 888493-7386; cmorales@nngov.com SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA

Contact Kevin Flowers, Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau, 800-551-8682; kflowers@sbctb.org WINTER PARK, COLORADO

Family Reunion University YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch Contact Conference Office, 800-777-9622 N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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SCRAPBOOK

More ideas about the venues you choose

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eunion planners who are good at measuring the value of a meeting can craft a good data story. In other words, use all possible past data and information you can muster about your reunion to negotiate good prices and special amenities for your reunion.

It is unrealistic to expect hotels to offer an avalanche of freebies or to forgo attrition and cancellation clauses. Yet, markets flooded with new inventory translates into an environment where you will be able to negotiate more attractive deals.

In every business there are deals to be made, and the hotel business is no different.

Hotels are keenly aware that their product has no shelf life. An unsold room cannot be repackaged and resold at a later date, which is why hotels value business on the books and reunions represent an investment in the hotel’s future by reserving in advance.

There are many ways hotels can make their product more attractive. Your reunion meeting history (not your family history) can help access special amenities and concessions. This is a list of possibilities but do not ever expect to get all of them!

Ask for upgrades to suites, food/beverage discounts, free parking, greens fees and tee times, mall and shopping discounts/coupon books, consideration of service charges (unless it’s a union shop) and gratuities, waive attrition clause (only likely in down economy).

Ask for a simple sales agreement that is easy to read and understand.

Ideas from Meetings & Conventions Magazine

Lottery millionaires reunion

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he Missouri Lottery’s “millionaires reunion” is a chance for lottery-made millionaires to meet others who became wealthy in an instant.

For 23 years, the Missouri Lottery has organized the annual event. Millionaires pay their own way.

This year, 24 winners took in a ball game, volunteered with kids at the St. Louis Science Center and heard from a financial adviser.

The event gives newly minted millionaires an opportunity to pick up advice from those who have had years to adjust to their wealth. Most states with lotteries offer some initial guidance to large money winners.

“We continue to live as we always have,” one millionaire said. “You still have the same problems as before. You just don’t have to worry financially.”

“We’re not elaborate people,” another said.

“We’re comfortable and secure.”

From a story in the Jefferson City News Tribune, Jefferson City, Missouri.

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Hotel dilemma worth exploring

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ne Reunions forum participant posed this dilemma.

I went to the Hampton Inn to sign the hotel contract for the block of rooms I wanted to reserve. I had the pen ready to sign, but I am very careful about signing my name to anything.

When the sales manager gave me the contract, she told me they are going to be changing from the Hampton Inn to the Lexington Hotel in April. Upon hearing this, I dropped the pen immediately.

I didn’t sign anything.

I have never heard of the Lexington Hotel. The contract still has the Hampton Inn name on the header. I’m concerned. Will the same people be working there? Will the contract still be honored?

Will we still get the same rate or will it be increased? Will we have more amenities or less after the change takes place?

But have any of you signed a contract for a block of rooms and then the hotel went through management or name changes? How did you handle that type of situation? Should I sign this contract or go look for another hotel?

We turned to Dean Miller, National Sales Manager, Visit Fairfax (Virginia), for seasoned advice to respond to this entry on our web forum.

Miller said the question is a good one, as hotels occasionally do experience changes in ownership, changes in management, or both.

The new owners/managers may choose not to honor any contracts that the previous ownership/management company had entered into.

Additionally, the new ownership/management may choose to charge for items which had previously been provided “free” or bundled into the room rate, such as breakfast, parking, pool and health club usage, etc.

As with any contract, the following common sense guidelines will always apply: • you should never sign a contract you haven’t read.

• you should never sign a contract you don’t understand.

• you should never sign a contract if you feel you are being “pressured” into signing.

An excellent idea is to request that a clause be inserted into the contract, providing that you/the client has the right to cancel your booking without penalty if any of the following events take place between the date of signing and the date of the event: • a change in the ownership of the hotel • a change in the hotel’s management company • a change in the hotel’s brand or “flag” • the hotel enters into any bankruptcy, foreclosure or reorganization proceedings.

This does not mean that the client should (or will) cancel their event if there is a change in the hotel’s ownership/management. In many cases, the new ownership/management will choose to honor all existing agreements with their clients, and business will go on as usual. It merely allows clients the option to change their mind and seek another hotel, if the change results in new terms or conditions unfavorable to the clients.

If the hotel declines to include such a clause in the contract, it may be wise to select another hotel.

Please note that Dean Miller is NOT an attorney, and the foregoing opinion should NOT be construed as legal advice. Legal advice should only be obtained from a licensed, practicing attorney.

“We’ve held our family reunion here for 25 years! This property offers everything!”

TOM MARTINO Pittsburgh, PA

Identifying every face in the crowd

Days Inn Donegal, Pennsylvania in the beautiful Laurel Highlands.

THE PAVILION: Lighted Outdoor Space Seats

100 with Full Kitchen & Restrooms THE CENTER: Banquet & Meeting Rooms Groups

to 80, Fitness Room, Snack Bar & Arcade • Catering Services • Heated Outdoor Pool • Volleyball & Shuffleboard • Walking Trails • 51 Guestrooms • Complimentary Breakfast

Award Winning, 5 Sunburst property!

Easy from the PA Turnpike exit 91, I-70/76 RT31E. Minutes to Fallingwater and Idlewild Park.

724-593-7536 or www.daysinndonegal.com

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t is not easy to identify every single person who appears in a wide shot.

For captions with a large number of people, it is not required to identify every person. Another approach, if you can’t put a name to every face, is to write a caption such as “Edward and Kristen Holmes and their children, Eddie, Andrew and Susie, stood in a crowd of onlookers,” without designating.

But leave it to the clever Jeri Sprecher, Peoria, Arizona, and her sister, Ruth Schmelzer, Appleton, Wisconsin, to come up with the solution to identifying people in pictures for their recent 52nd Fighter Group reunion. Each person was given a numbered paper plate and they wrote their name on it. One picture was taken with the plates and the “real picture” was taken without! So easy to identify.

Photo credit David and Jean Taylor

Join reunion chat @ http://forums.reunionsmag.com

N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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SCRAPBOOK

Top traits to look for in a great guide

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4. Passionate and eager to share his/her knowledge about an unfamiliar destination.

5. Multi-tasks, switching from chauffeur, coach and doctor, to teacher, culinary wizard, athlete, mechanic, social worker and psychologist, all in a heartbeat.

6. Has a sense of humor and can loosen everyone up to break out of their shell, helping to create strong bonds.

Choosing to use a guide ensures the knowledge that comes with experience, and peace of mind that there is a guardian angel looking out for you.

Austin-Lehman Adventures manages all of the arrangements for small groups limited to 12 guests.

Visit www.austinlehman.com.

Photo credit Dennis Coello.

Veteran ALA guide Sheri Saari serves up a tray of sweets during a break along the bank of the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park – ALA’s Yellowstone Family Adventure – Geysers and Grizzlies.

he quality of a reunion trip can be enhanced or soured by a tour guide.

“A great guide can make a successful trip just as quickly as an average or subpar guide can ruin one,” says Dan Austin, co-founder and Director of Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA), Billings, Montana.

These are the top traits ALA looks for in selecting guides.

1. Focused with laser-like precision on making sure that guests feel like VIPs. 2. Naturally intuitive, with an innate ability to foretell what a guest is thinking or wanting.

3. Spontaneous and able to seamlessly deal with the unexpected, both pleasant and potentially disastrous … having Plan B ready in case of things such as sudden weather changes, lodging snafus and road delays.

ALA head guide Ryan Sagare is victim to a summer snowball attack high in the Absaroka Mountains during ALA’s Montana Big Sky Family Adventure – Cowboys, Canyons & Campfires.

Austin-Lehman guide, James Guild, leading a young group of Adventurers through the picturesque Montana back country

A final reunion

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hey treasured reminiscing at North End Picnics in Mansfield, Ohio, but some babies of the Great Depression, who once were stalwart about attending, aren’t up for it any more.

North End Picnics have been held every year for more than two decades.

Four women kept the annual tradition going into the 21st century. They reunite people who attended the former Creveling (Bowman Street) Elementary School before 1950 and who played together in Johns Park.

Children came from many ethnic backgrounds – Italian, French, Polish,

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Hungarian, Yugoslavian, German, African American. Many were secondgeneration Americans whose parents emigrated from Europe, for jobs in the steel mill.

Children spoke their parents’ language at home, but in the park everything was in English.

After 1950, school boundaries changed.

North Enders married and dispersed. They often wondered what happened to the kids they played with. In 1984, they planned a reunion and over 400 showed up. One year, almost 900 attended at the Richland County Fairgrounds.

Those who attend reminisce about Johns Park, a kid magnet with tennis courts, a lake with goldfish, outdoor movies, and special events like ice cream, watermelon and strawberry festivals.

Attendance at the picnics dropped off in recent years and fewer people come each year.

The last meeting was at a restaurant because they decided they wanted a place with service. Still, more than 60 attended the last North End Picnic.

From a story by Linda Martz in the Mansfield News Journal, Mansfield, Ohio.

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BRANCH OFFICE

W H O WO U L D YO U AS K ,

if you couldn’t ask granny?

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sk Granny© is a program of specially designed materials that make it easy for grandparents to create a wonderful gift for their families – putting their memories of family names and places down on paper. The creators say that no family should ever have to ask, “Why didn’t we Ask Granny about our family history?”

Gregory L. Crane and Judith F. Russell, creators of the “Ask Granny”© program.

Beginning group learning Ask Granny at the Talmage Terrace/Lanier Gardens Retirement Home, Athens, Georgia.

The group in Athens, Georgia, who developed Ask Granny© asks only that no one be charged for the materials.

The free downloadable Ask Granny.© pdf files include Ancestral Charts and Family Group Records.

The materials can be used by small groups creating their own ancestral charts, and by children who are actually “Asking Grannies” about family details.

One of the creators, Judith F. Russell, Bogart, Georgia, introduced us to Ask Granny©. You can find the link to their materials on our freebie page at reunionsmag.com.

White senator discovers family’s African American roots

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orth Carolina State Senator Tony Rand can trace his family roots back to the 1700s, but he had no idea some of his relatives were black. Their common ancestor – William Harrison Rand, “Hal” – was a white farmer and slave owner. In 1842, Hal married Sarah Ann Mullens and they had seven children. Hal also fathered seven children with his mistress, Ann Albrooks Rand, a black woman.

Every other year, hundreds of African American descendants of Hal Rand get together for a family reunion. The 2007 Rand Family Reunion was featured in “Black in America” on CNN. After the program, dozens of viewers realized they were related to the Rands who were singing, “We are the Rands. The mighty, mighty Rands.”

Tony Rand listened to the family historian describe the family’s patriarch. He knew that was the William Harrison Rand in his family.

He asked his son, Ripley, to contact their black relatives who invited them to attend the next Rand family reunion.

“My whole life I have heard about the history of our family and we had no idea about [the African-American side of the family],” Ripley Rand said. They were looking forward to meeting their cousins.

From a report on CNN.

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Searl’s Ridge revisited

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story by Donna Baker in the Bureau County Republican, in Princeton, Illinois, reported the completion of Dorrie Simon’s book, The Searl Dozen, the history and genealogy of the family of Timothy Searl, Sr., her fourth-removed great-grandfather.

Author Dorrie Simon said researching and completing the book has been a privilege and labor of love.

“I love being thought of as the family storyteller,” Simon said. “Genealogists gather names and dates, but family storytellers tell the story of their ancestors, who the people were and what they were like.”

Several years ago, Simon organized a family reunion which also included an extensive cleanup of the Searl family portion of the Searl’s Ridge Cemetery, including putting new bases on nearly 30 stones dating from 1836 to the 1860s. This year the Searl family gathered for a 175th anniversary of the family’s first arrival to Bureau County. Another workday at the cemetery focused on more stones and erecting a new entrance sign.

Story shared by Dorrie Simon, Owatonna, Minnesota.

Where the fun is always on tap

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he fourth Gottung (Gruny-Vetter-Eck) Family Reunion in Wausau, Wisconsin, rides a yellow school bus to all activities. The theme was “Where the Fun is Always on Tap.” Reunion activities included genealogy displays, continuous picture slide show, auction, Pub Crawl, and Family Picnic at Blue Gill Bay Park. A family heritage tour of Marathon, Wisconsin, visited the original Gottung homestead on Scotch

Creek Road, then went to the Marathon Cemetery and Mass at St. Mary’s Church.

This year Arnold Gottung from Trier, Germany, joined the reunion on his first trip to the US. Others attended from Michigan, Florida, Iowa, Washington, Ohio, Minnesota and Arizona. Gottung ancestors from Germany settled in Marathon in the late 1800s.

Shared by Sandy (Gianoli) Smith, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Booker T. Washington family follows his journey arry Washington is proud of his family heritage and has spent a lot of time educating himself and family members about great-grandfather, Booker T. Washington. Booker T. built Tuskegee Institute, today’s Tuskegee University, into a significant school, assuring his career as a famous educator, orator and fund-raiser.

He was a spokesman for his people and an advocate for social change that included the development of African American-owned businesses in a postslavery society, and he founded the National Negro Business League in 1900. His autobiography, Up From Slavery, became a bestseller and he was the first African American invited as a guest to the White House.

The family has held reunions following Booker T. from child slave to becoming the head of Tuskegee. The idea to hold family reunions to trace Booker T. Washington’s life began in 1998 at a homecoming

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ver 40 descendants of Zachariah Henry Bailey, a veteran of the War of 1812, gathered on a hillside in rural McDowell County, West Virginia, to dedicate a new military headstone honoring his service, and to share stories about the impact of the Bailey family on the region.

Zachariah Bailey served three years and one month in the Virginia Militia during the War of 1812. He received this 133-acre parcel of land through a land grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia for his service. The land grant came from Virginia, but the deed for the property came from West Virginia after the Civil War. Bailey lived to be 97.

Walter Bailey of Maryland had worked to get the military stone placed, and to organize the dedication service, but was unable to attend the ceremony.

From a story by Bill Archer in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, Wyoming.

Ellis Island Museum Tour

See a copy of the Gottung Family reunion program. Go to reunionsmag.com, click on activities.

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Grave marker for War of 1812 veteran dedicated

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weekend at Tuskegee. Larry said the idea was to educate the younger generation about their family legacy. Some of the kids did not get their connection to Booker T. until the reunion. In the family they had an iconic image but not know the nuts and bolts of what Booker T. did.

The 2000 reunion was at Booker T’s birthplace, the Burroughs Farm, about 25 miles from Roanoke, Virginia. It was established as the Booker T. Washington National Monument in 1956.

Larry contacted the Burroughs Farm family and asked them to join the reunion.

Although the Burroughs family did not attend, there were about 70 people from the Ruffner and Washington families.

In 2006, Booker T. Washington’s descendants gathered at Hampton University and toured the campus and grounds.

From a story by Deborah Rider Allen in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia.

he Ellis Island Museum Tour allows you to tailor your visit to interests and time. The 45-minute overview tour provides narration and first-hand immigrant accounts that invite you to vividly relive the immigrant experience as if you were a “new arrival.” Additional options give you the opportunity to explore the museum’s exhibits and galleries in more detail via in-depth interviews with historians, architects and archaeologists.

Tours are offered in nine languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Mandarin, Arabic and Russian), and are available for children and families with a lively, interactive experience through the use of animal characters, available in five languages.

Audio tours are $8 for adults, less a 10% discount for seniors and children under 12. Free tours are available for the hearing impaired. Group discounts and advance sales are available through Statue Cruises at www.statuecruises.com.

Audio tours are also available on iTunes.

Visit www.ellisisland.org.

N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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HOLIDAY REUNIONS While we usually think about summer as high season, reunions around holidays are also popular, often because everyone’s home already. These are just a few examples of how some reunions celebrate the holidays.

50 years of family fun

Thanksgiving on Lake Erie’s shore

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n 1958, descendants of Maude and Lloyd Creekmore of Akron, Ohio, reunited on Thanksgiving Day – a onetime event, they thought. But it was fun and the holiday was an easy time for everyone to gather, so it continued.

Fast forward to Thanksgiving Day 2008 when the reunion hit the 50-year mark. One hundred seven family members met once again for food and fun.

The traditional start of the reunion is a prayer, with everyone holding hands.

Then family members count off to establish how many are there. They play cards, visit and feast from long tables.

Family members from as far as Oklahoma and Washington, DC, met to share seven large turkeys, one ham, three crock pots of mashed potatoes, green beans, marinated olives, Jell-O, croissants, pumpkin roll and more.

The reunion adopted two basic rules through the decades. Everyone except out-of-towners must bring a dish to share.

Then they must take the dish and any of the remains home. Organizers don’t want to be responsible for leftovers.

The family also found they must reserve their gathering spot early because other families have tried to duplicate their event and rent the hall themselves.

A yearly auction of toys, lamps, stuffed animals and other odds and ends brought from home netted $540.

That ensured enough seed money to stage next year’s reunion.

Family members signed a register for the first time and wondered why no one thought of it before. They also autographed a white platter with black ink.

A successful reunion also requires a special ingredient to continue for so many years. You have to like each other. You have to get along.

From a story by Carol Biliczky in the Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio.

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he Bonacorda Family from New Jersey will be returning to Kalahari Indoor Waterpark Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio, for the second year in a row! Sandusky is a great central gathering location because some family members live in Chicago. Patricia Horne, Yardville, New Jersey, the reunion planner, reported how wonderful the family found Kalahari.

“We had a wonderful weekend! My family had a great time in Ohio. In all the years we have been traveling at Thanksgiving as a group, I would commend Mike Thatcher, Kalahari’s reunion sales manager, for giving us the best weekend yet!”

Horne said that Thatcher was the best group organizer they’d had, commended him for a job well done, noted that his attention to detail was second to none. “It is not easy to please all of us, but Thatcher and the Kalahari Resort did just that!”

Discover Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands®, including Sandusky, as a destination for your reunion that’s far from ordinary. You will experience first-class event facilities and hospitality surrounded by miles of beautiful shoreline and activities only found at the water’s edge! This coastal region offers stunning scenery as well as many entertainment options, including Cedar Point, island cruises, four indoor waterpark resorts and flourishing fishing opportunities.

Lake Erie Shores & Islands® provides a memorable location for all reunion events.

This freshwater destination is less than an hour drive from both Cleveland and Toledo airports, and is easily accessible via the Ohio Turnpike and other major state routes, creating an easy-to-get-to meeting location. There are over 8,000 sleeping rooms and more than 400,000 square feet of traditional meeting space. Parking is complimentary at most meeting locations and resorts. Contact Lake Erie Shores & Islands® at 800-255-3743 to book your reunion today.

WEB PAGE: reunionsmag.com CALL: 414.263.4567 FAX: 414.263.6331 E-MAIL: editor@reunionsmag.com WRITE: PO Box 11727 Milwaukee, WI 53211-0727

Subscribe! Call 1-800-373-7933 N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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MASTERPLAN

Lilly Family Reunion breaks world record

One family’s military tribute

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he 80th Lilly Family Reunion – descendants of Robert and Frances Lilly in Flat Top, West Virginia – set a new world record in August for the largest family reunion, according to officials with the Guinness Book of World Records. Darrell Lilly, reunion president, said 2,585 registered members of the Lilly family attended the reunion during its three days. The 1998 Busse Family Reunion in Grayslake, Illinois, is the former record holder with 2,369 relatives in attendance at their record-breaking reunion.

To be counted, members had to be connected to the Lilly family by blood, adoption or marriage. Scores of non-Lilly friends show up for the reunion but weren’t counted. Attendees came from 30 states as well as the Sudan, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The Guinness publicity likely brought out more people.

Organizers called practically everyone with the Lilly last name, trying to get them to the reunion to break the record. “Southern West Virginia should be proud of having a world record,” said filmmaker Chad Morgan Meador, a Lilly cousin whose company, Good Old Boy Productions, was filming a documentary. That helped raise attendance as well. He said. “It was very close, but so exciting.”

From stories in the Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia, by Amelia A. Pridemore, Courtney D. Clark and Mannix Porterfield.

Lilly reunion history

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n the mid 1970s, the Lillys got serious about organizing and electing officers and a board of directors, leading to the purchase of a 30-acre tract on Flat Top Mountain. From then on, the Lilly reunion was in business.

Festivities open Friday with the annual family buffet and “Cuz’n Night.” Saturday and Sunday are filled with entertainment by bluegrass and gospel groups.

The reunion’s genealogy and family history committee is planning a 2010 pictorial book spanning the clan’s colorful history back to Europe.

Between the speeches, music and special events, the Lillys do what all families do at reunions – sit back, relax, enjoy sumptuous fare and catch up on all the latest news.

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin made an appearance this year.

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he Britt Family Reunion celebrated their many members who have served in the military in the past and those still serving. This poster was presented to all of the family members at the reunion. US Navy Rear Admiral Sinclair M. Harris signed a certificate of thanks that was presented to each person on the poster. The reunion was in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.

Submitted by Wilheimina Long, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

FREE Announce your reunion on www.reunionsmag.com.

Send reunion, name, date, location and contact info to editor@reunionsmag.com.

N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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MASTERPLAN

Malone Family Reunion tradition grows

by Francia Malone the song they say at least hat started on a once a year we should small farm in have a family reunion and Crawford, Mississippi, family is the solution for with my grandparents the world’s problems today Aaron and Jossie Malone … especially the father, and their 14 offspring has who is the head. turned into a legacy for Friday, the family met our family to share. We at a buffet restaurant for a won the title of “TV One’s prayer breakfast. Not only #1 Family of the Year” in he Malone Family are the reunions a time to May 2008.

Reunion Choir’s CD, reunite and eat, but a time Our 37th annual A Family Reunion, can for fellowship. There was reunion was in Kankakee, be purchased online at choir rehearsal to prepare Illinois. On our road trip reunionsmag.com. You for the annual family to the reunion, my cousin can preview “Welcome concert on Sunday. After played the O’Jays’ Family to Our Family Reunion” rehearsal the family spent Reunion. The part that on Reunions magazine the rest of the afternoon touched me most talked facebook fan page. bowling. about grandma and An evening “all white grandpa who had gone on affair” honored my aunts to glory. The O’Jay’s spoke and uncles. We surprised my Aunt Jossie of how they wished she could see the with a plaque and token of appreciation whole family... and how they sure miss on behalf of the family for her work on her face and her warm and tender the reunion. We presented medals to the embrace. I would give anything to feel five family members who competed in that embrace once again. At the end of the TV One family finals in Atlanta to show our own appreciation as a family.

The night was capped off with eating, dancing and a slideshow presentation of all previous reunions and the TV One finals in Atlanta.

Saturday, after a short rehearsal at Morning Star Baptist Church, there was a picnic. At the park we took a family photo of about 300 in all. There was a DJ. Some opted to relax, while others played softball and volleyball. The end of the picnic was topped off with a dance contest on the softball field and, last, a “Cupid Shuffle.”

Najee Comer, age 5, holding one of the prizes the Malone family won in TV One’s #1 Family of the Year.

Before Sunday dinner and prayer,

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Pile up at the Malone Family Reunion picnic in Kankakee, Illinois.

Photo credit Tonya Austin.

Aunt Jossie asked the family to go to someone they didn’t know and get to know them. This was a great opportunity for fellowship.

We sold CDs of our first choir project, properly titled A Family Reunion. Before our choir concert, the family reunion reality show on TV One was being displayed on the TV monitors throughout the church and the foyer. I introduced the Malone Family Choir and spoke of the legacy left to us by Aaron and Jossie Malone. Younger cousins came in with a liturgical praise dance as the choir was ushered in. The finale was my cousin Steve, a spiritual mime, who had an amazing impact without ever speaking.

Our family motto is: a family that prays together stays together!

Reported by Francia Malone, Flint, Michigan.

Malone Family Reunion Choir performing at Morning Star Baptist Church in Kankakee, Illinois.

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Malone family’s evening “all white affair” honored the aunts and uncles, and everyone enjoyed some dancing.

MASTERPLAN

Family reunion: from disaster to success

by Glenn Liebman

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most fondly remember the reunion at our house in Albany, New York, eight years ago. Believe me, in the days leading to the reunion, I did not think there would ever be fond memories. I thought it was going to be a disaster.

We had over 40 of my mother’s side of the family from as close as ten minutes away to as far away as Israel. The age range was from over 90 to under five.

I would like to be able to say the decision to hold the reunion in Albany was made by the mutual consent of the entire family, but that wasn’t true. The reason it was in Albany was because we volunteered.

We had some great advantages in Albany, including my wife Kathy. Her calling in life is to be a party planner. She loves discussing events well in advance and talking about themes, decorations, food and the other 150 decisions that make her parties so successful.

And only ten minutes away we also have my brother Bennett and his wife Deb, who is a tireless worker. The combination of Deb and Kathy was sure to make the reunion a success. The role for Bennett and me was mostly to stay out of the way.

Our Mom had passed away but my dad was also living in Albany as were several relatives.

The reunion was on Saturday so that on Sunday we could go to the Saratoga racetrack, a very popular travel destination in upstate New York.

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R E U N I O N S O reunionsmag.com

PREPARATION

REUNION DAY

Kathy and Deb worked very hard planning the reunion. We had some concern about doing it at our house because we have a small place and if it were hot, older relatives would want to be inside, not outside by the patio and pool. This led to a debate about renting a tent. Sometimes I go into a debate knowing I have no chance of winning … this was one of those times. Kathy wanted to rent a tent on the off chance the weather would be bad. Even worse, she said, we should rent side panels to protect from rain. My point was that in the middle of August, the weather in Albany is almost always good and why should we pay extra for side panels. She won the point, even though I thought we were wasting money.

The menu was another concern. When you have 40 people you get all kinds of tastes, from those with fancy palates to the burger and hot dog crowd (the team I’m on). We ended up going with a guy who had a catering/barbecue business specializing in hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, fries, potato salad and ice cream. In theory, he was a great choice.

The food was inexpensive, there was lots of it and he comes right to your house and cooks in the driveway.

I dreamt that miraculously, there was not a cloud in the sky, birds were chirping and there was a warm breeze in the air.

My prayers had been answered.

Actually, none of that was true, it was freezing, the rain was coming down in buckets and the birds all left for Florida, thinking it was November.

Our son woke up still feeling sick but a little better. But now we had a new problem. Everyone arrived on time … the caterer didn’t. After several frantic phone calls, we reached him. He thought he was supposed to be there at 2 PM, not noon.

Great! Pouring rain, freezing temperatures, a sick kid and no food.

What a wonderful reunion.

But as I was stressing about the day, something wonderful happened: everyone was having a great time. Kids were swimming in the heated pool.

Adults were in the tent, talking, smiling and laughing. It was as if it were 80 and sunny. We spent the day playing games, sharing wonderful memories, eating lots of food and even playing a little basketball when the weather got better.

Later in the day, Frankie’s fever broke and he was full-bore, playing with his cousins, some of whom he had seen only once or twice in his life.

It turned out to be a wonderful memory. I never get tired of hearing childhood stories from my older relatives, several of whom came from Europe before World War II. Their courage and resiliency is something the younger generation will always remember. Of course, on a personal level, it was wonderful to hear so many of my relatives sharing memories of my mother and the impact she had on their lives.

I learned two important lessons that day: 1) If you have a wonderful family, they don’t care about the trappings surrounding events; they just care about each other’s company. 2) If you rent a tent, don’t forget to also rent the side panels.

DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN

Our first sign of impending disaster was the weather report. Rain showers all day and predicted record lows in the 50s.

I was up the night before till past 1 AM, praying for the sun gods to appear.

Actually, I was thanking God that I was smart enough to be married to someone who had the good sense to make sure we rented a tent with panels to protect us from the rain.

I went to bed convinced things could not get worse. I was wrong. At 2:30, our six year old son, Frankie, who never gets sick, was running a fever and throwing up all over his bed. What do we do? We couldn’t call off the reunion. People had come in from Israel, California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, New York City, New Jersey and Long Island. We just had to wait it out and hope that he would get better overnight. Finally, we got him to bed after 3. We both had to be up at 7 AM to get ready for the reunion. By then, I was thinking that I wanted a family reunion as much as I wanted a root canal.

About the author Glenn Liebman is a freelance writer who has written 14 quote books about the humor of sports. He lives with his wife and son in Albany, New York.

Carlis and Banks family reunions have special purpose In an oral history ears ago, the US Public interview, my great aunt Health Service Annie Lou “Bama” Miller organized the Tuskegee indicated that her parents Syphilis Experiment, a study sold the 80 acres on which in which 399 AfricanTuskegee Institute was built American men were used as to Booker T. Washington. It guinea pigs in a series of is the only institution of illegal experiments. The men higher learning in the nation were in the last stages of to be declared a national syphilis, but didn’t know it. historic site.

Three of my family members In 2003, the keynote – my great grandfather, his speaker was Aaron son and grandson – were Wheeler, chairman of the subject to these unethical Examining Tuskegee: Ohio Civil Rights The Infamous Syphilis Study and experiments. Instead of its Legacy by Susan Reverby Commission, who spoke being angry, we’ve chosen to (Chapel Hill : University of about growing up move past this in our lives, North Carolina Press, 2009). surrounded by racism and using it as an opportunity to poverty. At our most recent reunion, our inform others, so history has no chance of relative, Alabama State Senator Myron repeating itself. We’ve banded together Penn, was our keynote speaker, and and, through media interviews, John McGowan, first black mayor of successfully shed light on a topic that Union Springs, Alabama, also spoke. was once so dark.

We get to reconnect and there is Our family get-togethers are off-thealways the chance to learn and grow in charts. Since the times we come together the process. By supporting one another, are so important to us, we go all out. In we’ve emboldened our own individual 2002, our family reunion was held at the lives, and by doing so, we’ve contributed Tuskegee University Kellogg Center in immensely to the world around us.

Alabama. Our keynote speaker was Fred Our family will be featured in an Gray, Sr., a Civil Rights attorney who upcoming book by Susan Reverby about represented Rosa Parks and Martin the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

Luther King Jr. He delivered an amazing Reported by Lloyd Clements, Jr., speech and stated that our family was the Tuskegee, Alabama. largest in the Tuskegee study.

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Green your family reunion

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riting in Mother Nature Network in Atlanta, Georgia, Jenn Savedge suggests planning a family reunion that’s easy on the environment.

If your family is spread out around the country, or even the world, travel is the single largest expense to the planet. Look for a location that requires the minimal amount of travel for the most people.

Choose a pedestrian- and cycling-friendly place to reduce driving. It helps if even a few folks forgo their cars. Or look for locations with good public transportation.

Minimize trash by skipping disposables and using reusable dishes, cutlery and linens whenever possible. Use recycling wherever possible.

Bring your own reusable tote bag. Instead of t-shirts, make a practical and environmental keepsake of customized bags with your family name, and reunion insignia on it.

Capture treasured moments with a digital camera. Use free picture-sharing websites to share pictures after the reunion.

WEB PAGE: reunionsmag.com CALL: 414.263.4567 FAX: 414.263.6331 E-MAIL: editor@reunionsmag.com WRITE: PO Box 11727 Milwaukee, WI 53211-0727

N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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MASTERPLAN

Jenkins celebrate

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bout 150 family members from all over Georgia and Florida attended the First Jenkins Family Reunion. The idea for the Jenkins first reunion was a solemn promise made to a family elder, Ella Ruth, that we would hold a family reunion for our grandmother’s maternal side. Soon after, I gathered relatives and created a reunion planning committee. The committee’s planning culminated in a 2½ day event that included an evening reception, a family picnic, an evening banquet, and a Sunday service.

Each event was thematic, starting with Friday’s “Everybody’s Birthday” to celebrate everybody’s birthday, with people grouped according to their season of birth. The Saturday picnic, a large family-style barbecue featured the family’s special barbecue sauce recipe and group photo. The evening banquet was accompanied by color-coded, intergenerational activities and prizes, along with a raffle that featured tickets for admissions to Busch Gardens amusement parks, paintings and a four-day Caribbean cruise for two (donated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line). The final event took place Sunday morning with a religious family service held at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, the family parish.

A good time was had by all as we celebrated the family reunion theme, “Celebrating Our Family Ties.” Our second family reunion is scheduled for May 2011.

Reported by Joyce Warren, Live Oak, Florida.

A Mother’s Day family celebration

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crapbook entry from 11 year-old Ambar Villar-Smith, Miami, Florida, about the Jenkins Family Reunion.

Several years ago, my grandmother, Joyce Warren made a promise that we would conduct a family reunion soon. So after eight months of planning and preparation, we held our firstever Jenkins Family Reunion in Jacksonville, Florida, since most of family grew up in South Jacksonville.

The first night we held a meet-n-greet that celebrated “Everybody’s Birthday Party” and in particular my greatgrandmother, the oldest living relative, Doris Bryant because it was actually her 83rd birthday! Saturday afternoon we gathered at Lonnie Miller Park in North JAX to enjoy picture perfect weather, good barbecue and a relaxing time of sharing memories. Later that evening we had a Family Dinner/Dance at the hotel and honored all mothers for Mother’s Day. At the end we raffled off tickets to Busch Gardens and a four day cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

The theme of the family reunion was ‘CELEBRATING FAMILY TIES’, and I enjoyed meeting everyone (especially my cousin Shatavia) who I never knew and had a lot of fun with. I look forward to seeing my family again at our next reunion in May 2011!

The Jenkins family on Mother’s Day.

Family reunion ‘builds’ relationships

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he Klassens – brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts and nieces and nephews – spent their reunion Saturday doing what they do best: building houses. They volunteered to build two of 11 Habitat for Humanity homes that were rising out of the ground in Elmwood, Manitoba, Canada, part of its annual “Blitz Build.”

Klassens call themselves the “Oma Tribe,” a tribute to their matriarch, their late grandmother, Katherina Klassen, who instilled in them the joy of creating with their hands, arms and backs.

Klassen lost her husband and three of her seven children in World War II. After the war, she uprooted her family from the Ukraine and relocated to Paraguay, then Brazil and finally to Winnipeg, Canada, in the early 1950s.

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Several members of the tribe own their own building companies or are framers, bricklayers and cabinet makers. In fact, it’s not unusual for several to be working on the same crew.

One grandson said, “Our family is doing Habitat work because we’re all on the same page. We believe everything we’ve got isn’t really ours. We were given a gift of who we were born to and our talents and our skills. We’ve got to give back.”

Not every member of the Klassen clan donned a tool belt, however. The younger ones played on the zip lines and 30metre waterslide in a cousin’s yard, which backs onto the Red River. Others got ready for the family barbecue Saturday night, preparing such delicacies as rollkuchen, a deep-fried pastry eaten with watermelon.

From a story by Geoff Kirbyson in the Winnipeg Free Press, Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Wright Family Centennial Celebration

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he 115 descendents of James and Grace Wright set a goal to assemble 100 for the 100th anniversary of their grandparents’ wedding in Grove City, Ohio.

James and Grace Wright were married in 1908. She was a girl of 19 and he was 34. James was a photographer specializing in family portraits. Grace stayed home and raised 10 children. Including spouses, the family now numbers more than 180 descendants.

The family has remained close. Female cousins get together for lunch every other month. A family website, Wright Site, keeps the family in touch with news, old and new photos, and listings of family events all year long. There is also a quarterly family newsletter. Family fundraisers help with reunion costs.

One year they created a cookbook of family recipes, and a Columbus Dispatch columnist wrote about it in her column. For other fundraisers, they’ve had a wine tasting The Wrights with their grandparents as cut outs. party, progressive dinner, bowling painted and made hats of all kinds. The DJ played marching party/potluck where they music while the kids paraded around the adults to show off rented the entire bowling their hats. Some talented cousins formed a jazz band to alley, Christmas gift wrapping entertain the family. service and holiday boutique A reporter from the local newspaper covered the event in an that featured handmade items article headlined “Family Reunion Was Done Wright.” Aunt for sale by the remaining Mae wrote a song that brought most to tears to the tune of Auld aunts – aged 78 to 96. They Lang Syne. Everyone sang it at the end of the reunion. also had a showcase of bridal There was a drawing during the reunion for a grand prize of fashions from the last 100 a week stay in a condo on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast, years to raise money. Several generously donated by a cousin. beautiful 20-something One cousin commented on reconnected family ties, saying, cousins modeled the dresses.

“I traveled the world over searching for what I already had in Grandmother Grace’s my own backyard.” namesake was married almost The day after, many went to breakfast and to bask in the 100 years after her great afterglow of the reunion. They decided right then on the date for grandmother. next year’s reunion and called the Elks to book it.

An Elks Club party room Reported by Bev Stickel, Grove City, Ohio. was the site of the reunion. A James Wright cardboard photo stand-up family member who is a DJ and with grandson James Wright. kept the party moving, and another instructed the crowd how to do the Electric Slide. Life-size cardboard photo stand-ups, James and Grace, were a surprise and many had pictures taken with the grandparents, who were included in the group picture of 115 reunion attendees. One special picture was taken of descendents named after either grandpa or grandma.

There was an “I remember Mama” segment, based on an old radio/TV show. James and Grace’s four living daughters spoke one at a time, telling their memories of their mother. Aunt Mildred, the eldest, manned a memory table, answered questions and told stories about items that belonged to or were made by her parents. Old pictures were blown up to poster size and displayed around the room.

Someone outside the family was paid to oversee the The aunts! (left to right) June Wright Rigdon, 77, Mae Wright Steinhoff, 88, Mildred Wright Geller, 95, Juanita Wright Scoles, 84 (their ages when this photo was taken 2008) kids’ activities in a separate room. Kids had their faces N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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MASTERPLAN

Evans Family Reunion Tradition H

ugh and Ellen Evans emigrated from Wales to America in 1886 and had four sons – Edward, David, Hugh and Henry. The four sons had 14 children, three of whom are still alive. Hugh and Ellen’s descendants have had family reunions every year for the past 60 years, and every person at the reunion is related to these four brothers.

The first reunion was in 1947 at the Presbyterian Church in Delafield, Wisconsin. Since 1947 they Hugh and Ellen Evans, the couple who have missed only about seven started the family. times, due to family weddings or anniversaries, where they got together anyway.

At early reunions they brought sandwiches and a dish to pass. They also had soda, which the children went nuts for because most of them only had soda at the annual reunion.

Their mouths turned blue, orange, or purple from the dye in the soda. Ice cream was also a tradition, whether it melted or not.

Every year the family updates the family tree and plays games. This year they played balloon toss, the limbo, and had an auction to raise money plus donations for next year’s reunion. Before the auction they review how much was raised at the previous year’s reunion, decide when and where the next reunion will take place and who will be in charge of food, games, etc.

by Ashley Andrews

The auction is a great fundraiser, but is also lots of fun.

Everyone brings either new or used items to auction to the highest bidder. Some of the items this year were a malt maker, homemade hot pads, Corningware and candles. Many of the younger people love it because they can get items inexpensively for their homes when they are starting out. Before they started having auctions, each family brought about $5.00 to contribute.

This year 45 people attended, and last year we had 62 people.

Though attendance is down a little from years past, one thing is sure: this will be a family tradition for many years to come.

About the author Ashley Andrews is a senior at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee, getting a Professional and Technical Writing degree. She will graduate in December. She was a summer intern for Reunions Magazine.

Hugh and Ellen’s four sons, Edward, David, Hugh and Henry.

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his is the Sheriff Family Reunion in Dacusville, South Carolina, where they “spent three fabulous days together and loved every minute.” They had good fun, good food and lots of hugs!

They had a giant water slide, tug of war and hiked at Ceasar’s Head Mountain/Park.

Shared by Gayle Radice, Easley, South Carolina.

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Fraziers at the Falls ulie Bell Wood met Mack Frazier in Cabbage Town, a poor J part of Atlanta, Georgia, in the late 1930s. They married, had 11 children (Hannah, Furman, Frances, Hershel, Judy, Olin, Sarah, Virgil, Elaine, Theresa and Sherry) and lived in Southwest Atlanta. Julie stayed home and raised the children.

Mack worked for Atlanta Gas Light. They lived through rough times with not always enough food for the large family, but the brothers and sisters created a loving bond that endures today.

Elaine Frazier was my best friend as a child and I remember many good times at the Frazier house. Mrs. Frazier was so much fun and always had time for us children. She took Elaine and me as teenagers to the movies “to hunt boys.” I always wanted to be part of the family and got my dream when I

The eleven children of Julie and Mac Frazier. Nine survive.

married Virgil and became Mrs. Frazier’s real daughter-in-law.

Of course, the son is a pretty good prize, too.

Now, the first Sunday every May, nine surviving children, plus grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins and friends gather at Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Georgia, for a Frazier/Wood Family Reunion.

Amicalola Falls has a wonderful lodge (two-night minimum) and cabins at the top and bottom of the mountain. The falls are breathtaking, the fishing is good and the trails are rewarding with flowers, trees and wildlife (but watch out for an occasional bear). There’s even a chapel in the woods and the Appalachian Trail crosses right by the Lodge.

For the last five years I have had the honor to plan this reunion because I know what family meant to Mrs. Frazier.

The reunion is a three-day event, and 80 to 120 attend each year. Friday is a welcome hot dog and s’mores cookout at our cabin. Saturday is usually a trip to the gold mines for the men and children, and shopping in Elijay with a great Mexican lunch for the ladies. Saturday night is a wonderful buffet at the Lodge restaurant, followed by a gathering. Last year, Colonel Glenn Frazier, a Battaan Death March survivor, spoke.

Something fun and interesting is planned each year. The main event is Sunday noon, when the reunion centers around a big meal of southern delights and mouth-watering desserts. We Fraziers and Woods all love a good Southern meal and I think we all have a sweet tooth.

I am sure that Julie Bell Wood Frazier smiles down on this gathering every year. She always loved a good reunion and nothing meant more to her than family.

Reported by Terry Frazier, St Cloud, Florida.

The Fraziers N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S

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MASTERPLAN

Zarling heritage celebrated

M

ary Volmer founded the bi-annual Zarling Heritage Family Reunion and has continued to coordinate it. They finance the reunion with a registration fee for anyone under 75 and by selling t-shirts.

Reunion traditions include a silent auction, genealogy workshop, t-shirts and card games. They find places that accommodate their various activities such as workshops, places to chat and play cards, and an area for kids. A craft table is set up for the youngsters to showcase their creativity. Members bring ribbon, buttons, stickers, craft paper, etc., for inspiration. Tables are set up for rousing games of sheepshead – or, for the Michigan family, euchre.

Curt Gehling (above), the family researcher, showcases the immense Zarling family history he has gathered including the Zarling family tree with his lineage maps. He has compiled six books on our family using oral history, LDS files, and obituaries. Curt also sells Zarling Family Heritage booklets.

Rebecca Zarling produced a timeline about what was happening in history at the time the Zarlings immigrated to the US from Wisbu (now Wyszobor, Poland). Harold and Bessie Kinas display their collection of old family pictures and encourage others to bring theirs to share.

members what types of toys and games were played through the ages. Older members were asked to bring a game, toy or memory to share. Mary Volmer had found her ancient ViewMaster and was on the hunt for her favorite reels. She wondered if they’d know how to operate it without batteries! Her grandson wondered where to plug it in!

For a book exchange, everyone was asked to bring one of their favorite books, inscribed with their name and the year 2009, to trade with another family member. They suggested that perhaps, later, Marlene Zarling and Barbara (Zarling) Kannenberg viewing pictures readers can meet for coffee and have a book chat. This was for family members of all ages.

The Zarling Heritage Scholarship From a report by Mary Volmer, silent auction raises money to reward Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. family members who are continuing their education. Everyone brings something handmade (crafts, homemade preserves, baked goods, sauces, wine, etc.) or something that reminds them of the family.

The reunion supplies (non-alcoholic) drinks, meat, bread, condiments, flatware and plates. The family potlucks salads and/or desserts; everyone is asked to bring enough to serve six to eight people and there is always too much food.

New this year was Roger & Donna Zarling, Mavis (Zarling) Gehling identifying pictures showing younger

Make plans for seniors

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lder persons long to reconnect with long-lost cousins, reminisce with the oldest members, and share stories of the good ol’ days.

For some, wanting to participate is one thing but making it a reality can be big task. While the family may want to include someone with memory impairment, it is important to evaluate whether or not it is best for that individual. Large crowds can be overwhelming to the person with memory impairment. The chaotic atmosphere, conversations going on and loud music mixed with laughter is too much for a person with Alzheimer’s disease to process and comprehend. Overstimulation can increase the person’s confusion and lead to agitation and restlessness.

For individuals caring for a spouse with memory impairment, making arrangements to attend family functions

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takes special consideration. Rather than insisting the person attend the large event, include them in a quieter way.

Being proactive goes a long way in reducing or preventing undesirable behavior.

When making decisions about whether to attend a family reunion, the distance and travel to the event must be considered. For persons with memory impairment, the travel itself may result in behavioral symptoms.

A better option may be to arrange for care at home or in a long-term facility while the caregiver travels to the reunion. The caregiver can truly enjoy the event with less worry.

From an article by Dottie St. Amand in The News-Press, Fort Myers, Florida.

RANCHES

For Greenhorns and others G

ary Ordway, writing in California Weekend Getaways, says Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch is a real-life version of the movie City Slickers. Located in Plumas County, California, about an hour west of Reno, Nevada, where ranch owners, Trish and Ralph Wilburn, strum their guitars and sing western songs by the campfire Most guests at Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch spend a couple of hours each day on the back of a horse. Beginner, intermediate and advanced rides are offered for as many as a couple of two-hour rides daily. Everyone is assigned a horse, from 125 available horses, that matches their abilities and experience level.

Saturday night karaoke competition is held at the ranch’s kid-friendly bar and dancehall, which is more about singing and dancing and less about drinking. It’s also the location of the frog-racing competition. Foot-long frogs are captured from the ranch’s pond then give them to the children to race. Kids can’t touch their frog during the race. But they can blow, slap the floor or other way to get their frog moving.

Sun-up to sun-down activities consume most guests. Cabins for most are only for sleeping or reading. On Saturday, there’s a steak barbecue held a few miles from the ranch. Guests can choose to go by wagon or on their horse.

Visit www.greenhornranch.com.

No Butch Cassidy here D

ude ranches are ideal for family reunions. In fact, at Sundance Trail Ranch in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, a family of 20 to 24 can have exclusive use of the entire ranch! Imagine that! An "all-inclusive" family reunion with all the horses and wranglers and activities at your command. Your own private reunion ranch for one week!

Kids can ride horses, and play in a safe dude ranch environment with acres

and acres of room to roam. There’s no cooking or dishes or cleaning for moms who can relax and even play! Special diets are available and if your family must consider someone in a wheelchair, they’ll find accessibility here.

Additional activities include white water expeditions on the Cache La Poudre River with experienced guides, trap shooting lessons and flying clay target challenges, rock climbing, fishing,

hiking, archery, shopping, and, of course, hammocks. Even cowboy poetry by the light of a campfire.

Denver International Airport, in the heart of the US, is easy to reach from just about anywhere in the world and Sundance Trail Ranch is only 100 miles from the airport, in the quiet beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Visit sundancetrail.com or call 800-357-4930.

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RANCHES

Many surprising things to do at a dude ranch D

oes “dude ranch” conjure images of time in the saddle, or sleeping under the stars? “While dude ranches still provide that one-of-a-kind ‘cowboy-style’ vacation you can’t find anywhere else, many have also expanded their offerings to appeal to the diverse and discriminating tastes of today’s traveler,” says Colleen Hodson of the Dude Ranchers’ Association. Here are eight surprising things to do on today’s dude ranches.

• GET A MASSAGE OR SPA TREATMENT

Many dude ranches now offer massage, salon and spa services.

• WATER SKI

Not all dude ranches are located in desert terrain. Some are located on lakes and offer water skiing, kneeboarding tubing or sailing.

• TAKE A YOGA CLASS • INDULGE IN A WINE TASTING

Many ranches also offer wine tastings where guests can experience, savor and learn about different varietals.

• CATCH A MOVIE

From 27-seat movie theaters to stateof-the art home theater equipment or simple, old-fashioned family-style viewing on a big-screen TV, dude ranches are equipped to show recently released films.

• WORK ON YOUR TENNIS SERVE

Some dude ranches offer other sporting opportunities, such as lighted tennis courts.

• SURF THE INTERNET

Many dude ranches are in step with the times and offer guests free Internet access.

• CHASE A CHICKEN

Immortalized on the TV reality show “Girl Meets Cowboy,” the chicken chase at Paradise Ranch pits man, woman or child against fowl. No chickens are harmed in the competition and the activity is unusual fun for the other two-legged participants as well. To date, the score tally remains in favor of the chickens.

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Flying E Ranch rendezvous M

ichael and Felicity Byrne, Rainhill, Merseyside, England, have enjoyed nine trips to the Flying E Ranch, in Wittenburg, Arizona. They report that Ande and Steve Taylor work so successfully to provide an authentic western experience for all guests. Byrne continued, “We are now a reunion of over 25 American and English friends and family, spread over three generations, aged from 80 to 2 years.

We return each year to renew friendships in a true western setting: a perfect destination for the whole western experience.” The riding is at all levels and always properly supervised. Herding and penning cattle is great fun for all ages, especially in competitions with children against parents.

Breakfast, lunch, and evening meals

are sometimes taken out in the desert, and after-dinner activities such as games and cowboy singing wind up a genuine western day. The atmosphere is established by the Taylors and their committed staff, for whom nothing is too much trouble. They put their stamp of dedication to the guests’ good time on everything. You arrive as a guest but leave as a firm friend. Big smiles, warm hearts, western sunsets, great food, friends and activities combine to make this an enjoyable experience worth crossing the world for. The best advert for their success is the continual return of old satisfied customers. This ranch and the managers’ dedicated service is the best example of authentic western hospitality. We can’t wait to return next year. Visit flyingerance.com.

MILITARY REUNION NEWS

Brevard hosts largest annual veterans’ reunions

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n idea for a 1988 reunion of a small group of Vietnam veterans became a “super turnout” when about 3,000 people showed. The idea was that other veterans groups would host the reunion at different locations. But the Vietnam Veterans of Brevard in Melbourne, Florida, continue to host it.

Now Florida’s Annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion has evolved and grown into what is billed as the largest veterans reunion in the nation, and includes veterans of any war, including some who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It started out just to be a barbecue with friends,” said Ralph Earrusso, director of the reunion committee. “We saw what it did for people, just the healing process, being able to meet with friends.”

Veterans estimated that this spring’s weeklong reunion and display of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall attracted up to 100,000 people.

From a story by R. Norman Moody in Florida Today.

Sons and daughters who lost their fathers

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ons and Daughters In Touch (SDIT) is a national nonprofit organization of nearly 3,000 grown children whose fathers never returned from Vietnam. They will observe their 20th anniversary with a series of national events Father’s Day weekend. There will be a series of remembrances, seminars and special events in the Washington, DC, area from June 18 to June 20, 2010. The gathering will culminate with a moving Father’s Day ceremony at The Wall, when more than 2,000 red, white and yellow roses will be placed along the base of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Visit www.sdit.org.

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R E U N I O N S O reunionsmag.com

New for military reunions

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he Alliance of Military Reunions is a new, cooperative networking and support organization of, by and for military and naval reunion groups. Learn more about the organization at http://www.allmilitaryreunions.org.

Join The Alliance of Military Reunions free! Reunions magazine is a member of The Alliance and, for a

limited time, we can sponsor you to join The Alliance, free. They have agreed to waive the $25 initiation fee for any group that includes the words "Sponsored by Reunions magazine" in the comments box on the online Membership Application.

If you're not ready to join, click onto "get on the contact list" to put yourself on the non-member list for occasional email updates as the Alliance develops.

USS Pocono crew reunion in the Poconos

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rew from USS Pocono held their annual reunion in the Poconos in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania. The Pocono crew list contains more than 1,000 former crewmen who served from the 1945 commissioning through the ship’s 1971 decommissioning.

USS Pocono (AGC-16/LCC-16) was an Adirondack-class amphibious force command ship designed as a floating command post with advanced communications equipment and extensive

combat information spaces to be used by the amphibious forces commander and landing force commander during largescale operations.

About 120 former officers and crewmen, admirals and military command staff, marine communications detachment and their families attended.

From the Pocono Record, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

Sentimental Journey

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eanie Raney, Maggie Palmer Corry and Patty Moore are three former USO performers whose songs recall a time when they entertained on truck beds in Vietnam and in airplane hangars in Korea.

Spectators tap their feet and quietly mouth the lyrics while the women sing “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” “This Can’t be Love,” “I’ll Be Seeing You” and other popular songs from the past.

The women first met in Missouri State University’s drama department in Springfield. From 1965 to 1970, they sang and danced in various USO shows at military bases and outposts around the world.

In 2003, their alma mater asked Raney to reconstruct a USO show for its Veterans Day celebrations. “I jumped at the chance,” says Raney, 64, who quickly recruited her former classmates. “You

won’t find a better audience than veterans.”

The ladies added two male singers and created a show of patriotic songs and comedy routines like those used during their tour days. Appreciative audiences remind the three that they made the right decision to perform again after 40 years.

“It was just like the past,” says Corry of the veterans’ response. “They wanted to know where you were from, tell you where they were from, and show you their ribbons and medals.”

The women perform at military reunions, senior citizen centers, nursing and veterans’ homes. Each show ends just the same as it did during their USO days, with the audience singing along to “God Bless America.”

From a story by Vicki Cox in American Profile.

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES

Welcome to Reunion Resources!

How to use REUNION RESOURCES Reunion resources is divided into sections. Reunion friendly places include destinations (convention, visitor and tourism bureaus) and locations (hotels, resorts, ranches, condominiums, bed & breakfasts, inns, dormitories, camps).

They are listed alphabetically by state and city. The sections which follow list books and publishing, cruises, fundraising and mementos, invitations, photography, preserving reunions, postcards, and other products and services.

Many resources include e-mail and web page addresses.

Start on our web page www.reunions mag.com and in just one click, go directly to other resource pages – a wonderful way to visit, get more details and in some cases even place orders.

We encourage you to tell the listings you contact that you learned about them from REUNIONS MAGAZINE. And if at any time you find any info that is inaccurate or e-mail or web links do not work, notify us immediately at editor@reunionsmag.com; PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. And by all means, feel free to comment and/or suggest changes and additions you’d like to see in this section.

REUNIONS MAGAZINE will not be held liable for information presented as facts in these ads. We reserve the right to edit and/or refuse any material submitted for publication.

DESTINATIONS & LOCATIONS ALABAMA MOBILE BAY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 1 South Water Street, Mobile AL 36602. Rely on us to make planning your reunion easy and affordable with these services: Direct contact with hotels to obtain rates and banquet pricing, a single proposal packet detailing military sites, attractions, dining and transportation, follow-up to answer all your special needs, sightseeing service to coordinate your leisure activities.

Call 800-566-2453 ext 4 for a free Planning Guide. E-mail to ron-mcconnell@mobile.org. Visit us at www.mobilebay.org.

ARIZONA RADISSON SUITES HOTEL TUCSON AIRPORT 7051 S. Tucson Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85756. We are Reunion Specialists!

Our spacious suites with full amenities, lush courtyards with fountains, pool and whirlpool spa will make your group feel right at home! We have great on-site dining and beautiful banquet facilities for groups large & small. A full American breakfast buffet, evening reception & internet access are included in the rate! Call 520-225-0800 for information or email: habbott@ viharas.com. www.radisson.com/tucsonaz

CALIFORNIA BALBOA INN “The Resort” and Banquet facility is located on the beach offering 45 rooms and ocean view suites with balconies and state of the art amenities. Located at 105 Main Street, Newport Beach CA 92661. 949-675-3412; Toll Free: 877BALBOA-9; fax 949-673-4587; www.balboainn.com; info@balboainn.com HOLIDAY INN SAN DIEGO BAYSIDE 4875 N Harbor Drive, San Diego CA 92106; 619-224-3621; 800-650-6660; fax 619224-1787. Host your reunion at the beautiful Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside across from San Diego Bay. Our experienced staff will assist you in creating a very special event. Complimentary hosp suite and special reunion rates. Beautiful guest rooms, heated pool, spa, shuffleboard, ping-pong and billiards, exercise room, family restaurant and cocktail lounge, free pkg, in-room movies, coffee makers, refrigerators, hair dryers; dos@holinnbay side.com; www.holinnbayside.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOETM RESORT offers a great place to sleep, eat, play and relax in a beautiful mountain setting with a wide variety of accommodations and activities such as golf, swimming and tennis in the summer and snow sports activities in the winter. It’s no wonder Northstar was voted as a top 10 reunion destination by Family Travel Forum. A personal event planner is provided to help plan your unforgettable reunion.

Highway 267 & Northstar Dr., Truckee, CA 96160, 800-9265096, northstar@boothcreek.com, www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com.

GREENHORN CREEK GUEST RANCH 2116 Greenhorn Road, Quincy CA 95971; 800-334-6939; www.greenhornranch.com.

SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

SACRAMENTO MARRIOTT RANCHO CORDOVA 11211 Point East Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742, 916-638-1100, www. marriott.com/SACMC. Hotel is conveniently located off Highway 50, with easy freeway access, complimentary parking and access to regional transit light rail. We are a short driving distance to activities for your reunion: railroad museum, Aerospace Museum, state capitol building, Old Sacramento, shopping, rafting, wine tasting, casinos, Gold Country, Lake Tahoe & San Francisco. We offer spacious guestrooms, hospitality room, full service banquet department, onsite Italian restaurant and bar, Starbucks, live jazz poolside on Fridays June-October. Call Kristin Goble at 916861-2204 or kgoble@stanfordhotels .com to book your reunion.

VACAVILLE CONFERENCE & VISITORS BUREAU 1671 E. Monte Vista Avenue, Suite 112, Vacaville CA 95688. Discover the hidden the hidden gem of Vacaville, California. We’re only a short drive from the Golden Gates of San Francisco, the Wine Country in Napa and Sonoma, our historic Capitol in Sacramento and the spectacular Sierra mountain range in Lake Tahoe. For more information please contact us at info@vacavillenow.com or 888822-2132; visitvacaville.com.

YOSEMITE PINES RV RESORT & FAMILY LODGING 20450 Old Highway 120, Groveland, CA 95321 (209) 962-7690 We offer some of the best lodging near Yosemite National Park with an assortment of cabins in a variety of sizes and price points. Our Luxury Cabins offer plenty of space with a large double loft and room for eight people, while our Premium Loft Cabins offer a large single loft and room for six people. Spaces to accommodate all types of RVs and group tent sites. The whole family will enjoy our pool area, our gold mine tour and our games area complete with sand volleyball court, tetherball and horseshoes. www.yosemite pinesrv.com.

COLORADO BLACK FOREST B&B LODGE & CABINS 11170 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs CO 80908: AAA-3 diamond Log Lodge & Cabins on 20 acres of pines overlooking the city lights of Colorado Springs and the Rocky Mountains. 4 guest houses can sleep up to a total of 40. Indoor gathering space for up to 50 and outdoor log pavilion for up to 100. Playground, wireless internet.

Minutes away from all Pikes Peak area attractions. Ideal for weddings, reunions, retreats, conferences. 800-809-9901; 719-4954208; fax 719-495-0688; blackforestbb@msn.com; www.black forestbb.com.

GOLD POINT RESORT Breckenridge CO 80424; 866-664-9793.

Incredible views inspire incredible memories. Gold Point Resort provides the perfect backdrop for bringing your family together.

Located above beautiful Breckenridge, Gold Point offers scenery that is second to none and residences that are as expansive as the vistas. Rafting, fishing, horseback riding, alpine slide and numerous dining options are all close by. Call today to learn how to save 40%, source code REUNN. www.goldpoint.com.

COLORADO TRAILS RANCH 12161 County Road 240, Durango, Colorado 81301; 800-323-3833; www.coloradotrails .com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! ESTES PARK CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU PO Box 1200, Estes Park CO 80517. Estes Park may be the perfect setting for your reunion! Nestled in a valley surrounded by Rocky Mountain National Park, fabulous scenery and recreation await you. Enjoy shopping, trout fishing, horseback riding, river rafting, golf, go karts, barbecues, hayrides, miniature golf, tram rides, scenic drives and hiking. Let our group specialist help you find lodging, meals and fun things for the whole family to enjoy! 80044-ESTES; fax 970-577-1677; groupsales@estes.org; www.estes parkcvb.com/groups.cfm.

SNOWMASS TOURISM Looking to plan the perfect reunion?

Snowmass Tourism makes it easy. From a personalized package on our website to customized evites to your event, to one-stop booking for lodging, meals, and activities, our experts have the answers to all your questions. Best of all, our services are absolutely free. Give us a call today, and we’ll help you plan the perfect affordable getaway. Contact Karla Baker P.O. Box 5566, Snowmass Village, Colorado 81615: 970-923-2000; 800598-2009; fax 970-923-5466; www.snowmassgroups.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! SUNDANCE TRAIL RANCH 17931 Red Feather Lakes Road, Red Feather Lake CO 80545; 800-357-4930; ride@sundance trail .com; www.sundancerail.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! SYLVAN DALE RANCH Loveland, Colorado; 877-667-3999; www.sylvandale.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

DELAWARE GREATER WILMINGTON CVB Nestled in the heart of the MidAtlantic, along the I-95 corridor, Delaware’s Greater Wilmington and Brandywine Valley offers meeting/event planners and their

attendees’, unparalleled variety to experience ... tax-free! Easily accessible by I-95, Amtrak (80 trains daily) and Philadelphia International (20 minutes), Greater Wilmington offers more than 6,000 guest rooms and the ability to accommodate 1,600 attendees. To unlock all that this tax-free destination has to offer, the Greater Wilmington, DE-CVB holds the key. Please explore us at VisitWilmingtonDE.com or call 800-489-6664. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

FLORIDA COMFORT SUITES – WORLD GOLF VILLAGE 475 COMMERCE LAKE DR, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA 32095; Make your reunion memorable at this beautiful lakeside hotel with 162 suites located ten minutes south of Jacksonville and north of St. Augustine Historic area and outlet malls. Banquet facilities, bar, indoor/outdoor pool, fitness center, complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. Activity planning and golf available.

Special rates for reunions. 844-940-9501; fax 904-940-9600; ComfortSuites@CSWGV.com; www.CSWGV.com EMERALD COAST CVB, INC. DESTIN-FT. WALTON BEACH FL Emerald Coast CVB, Inc. Destin-Fort Walton Beach – Okaloosa Island a reunion planner’s paradise with 24 miles of sugar white beaches and emerald green waters, 16,000 first-rate accommodations, 400 events & festivals, water sports, superb coastal cuisine, championship golfing, Air Force Armament Museum, Big Kahuna’s Water Park, art galleries, nature trails and the largest fishing fleet in Florida. Emerald Coast Conference Center offers 35,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and gourmet catering. Let us make your reunion planning easy! Contact Sherry Rushing, CTIS, srushing@ co.okaloosa.fl.us, 1-800-322-3319; www.destin-fwb.com.

FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS ... Stay In Hotels! There’s only one choice to host your family reunion and that’s to stay in a Florida Leisure Vacation Home. Hotels can be expensive particularly when you need multiple rooms to house everyone.

Florida Leisure has an expansive range of 3 to 7 bedroom vacation homes available and many of them are located close together so housing large parties is no problem. Our homes all have a full kitchen, living area, laundry, multiple TV’s, private swimming pool and best of all our homes are really close to Walt Disney World and the other area attractions. Call 1-866-6786088 or email Reservations@Florida Leisure.com or visit www.

FloridaLeisure.com FLORIDAYS RESORT ORLANDO 12562 International Drive, Orlando FL 32821. Located just two miles from SeaWorld and Disney on International Drive, offers spacious two-and-three bedroom Grand Suites, with room for everyone. The free shuttle to the attractions and the I-Drive trolley makes it easy to get around town. With two heated swimming pools, game room, fitness center, and poolside bar and grille, you’ll want to spend quality family time right here at the resort. 321-329-4024; fax 321-329-4001; mwinter@floridaysorlando.com; www.Floridays ResortOrlando.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! QUORUM HOTEL TAMPA 700 N. Westshore Blvd. Tampa, FL 33609. Summer 09' Weekend Group rates starting from $69 with breakfast! Perfect location for Busch Gardens and pristine beaches. Restaurants and shopping within walking distance.

You’ll love our free massage, and complimentary drink. Ask about our reunion planning gift. Call Becca Zarcone 813-2883611 or bzarcone@quorumtampa.com. Visit our website at www.

QuorumTampa.com.

SEMINOLE COUNTY Minutes from Central Florida’s major attractions, Seminole County is the perfect reunion destination.

Nestled among historical villages, Florida's Natural Choice has world-class accommodations, fine dining, unique shopping, golf and recreation options making your visit one to remember. Call 800-800-7832 or visit www.VisitSeminole.com. Seminole County Convention and Visitors Bureau 1000 AAA Drive, MS#14 Suite 200, Heathrow FL 32746 Phone: 800-800-7832 Fax: 407-6652920. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! SHERATON FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH HOTEL After a multimillion-dollar renovation, this beachfront hotel is reclaiming its place as one of Florida’s most cherished destinations. The newly transformed Sheraton offers stylish surroundings, upscale amenities, state-of-the-art technology, 485 inviting guestrooms and convenient access to an array of dining, shopping and entertainment options. 1140 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316; 888-627-7109; sheraton.com/fortlauderdalebeach. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! THE POINT ORLANDO RESORT 7389 Universal Blvd, Orlando FL 32819. Orlando’s newest, all-suite boutique hotel is one block from International Dr., and one mile from Universal Studios.

Walk to Wet ’n Wild or take the I-Ride Trolley to shops, restaurants and amusements. We offer an outdoor heated pool, banquet rooms and fitness center. Junior Suites sleep 4 and two-bedroom suites sleep up to 8. 407-956-2056; www.thepoint-orlando.com.

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CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES WET ’N WILD Orlando 6200 International Dr. Orlando, FL 32819.

407-351-1800 Toll Free: 800-992-9453; www.wetnwildorlando .com; info@wetnwildorf.com. Make your reunion a splashing success! Come join us at Wet ’n Wild to celebrate your unforgettable Family Reunion. We offer a variety of group discounts for groups of 15 or more. Various food and beverage options can be added for the complete package. With more multi-passenger tube rides than any other waterpark in Orlando! Open year-round with pools heated seasonally, Wet ’n Wild is the perfect place for the entire family to relax, have fun, and soak up the warm Florida sun!

GEORGIA DOLCE ATLANTA – PEACHTREE offers 40 beautifully landscaped acres located only 25 miles South of Atlanta. With 233 guest-rooms, tantalizing food and on site activities that include swimming, volleyball, tennis, horseshoes, basketball, biking and access to 90 miles of walking paths throughout the city, there are endless options for enjoyment. Nearby shopping, golf, summer concerts and easy access to downtown Atlanta ensures something for everyone. 770-487-2666; www.dolce-atlanta-peachtree-hotel .com.

DOUBLETREE HOTEL ATLANTA NORTHWEST-MARIETTA 2055 South Park Place, Atlanta GA 30339. Located off I-75 north of downtown Atlanta in Marietta, close to all area attractions, shopping & restaurants. Our oversized rooms feature signature Sweet Dream bedding and Chaise lounge, Coffee Makers, Full Sized Ironing Boards and Irons, Flat Screen TV, Data Ports & Wireless Access in Rooms. Indoor and Outdoor Pools. Hotel has free parking, fitness center, restaurant & coffee bar on site. 770272-9441; fax 678-252-5907; lori@resourcehospitality.com; www.atlantamarietta.doubletree.com.

DOUGLASVILLE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU With a great location near Atlanta and over 1,800 hotel rooms why not choose Douglasville, Georgia! For details on complimentary services, including welcome bags and name badges, contact the Douglasville CVB today and let us help plan your next reunion. For more information call us at 1-800-661-0013 or email us at milesr@ci.douglasville.ga.us. www.visitdouglasville .com JEKYLL OCEANFRONT RESORT 975 North Beachview Drive; Jekyll Island GA 31527; 912-635-2531; fax 912-635-9072: linda.amazon@jekyllinn.com; www.jekyllinn.com

IDAHO Boise offers the culture and entertainment of a large urban area in a place that feels a little like everyone’s hometown. Festivals, whitewater rafting, golf, riverfront bike trails, snow skiing, unique and historic attractions like the Warhawk Air Museum, a vibrant downtown, shopping, fine dining and performing arts will ensure a reunion jam-packed with memorable experiences. BOISE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU PO Box 2106, Boise ID 83701; Lisa Edens; 800-635-5240; 208-344-7777; fax 208-3446236; ledens@boisecvb.org; www.boise.org.

ILLINOIS RECONNECT IN LAKE COUNTY halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee. Lake County’s natural spaces and fun places are the perfect place for your next reunion. Our world-class attractions and more than 60 lodging properties, including three resorts, will make your next reunion a resounding success. For free Reunion Planning Assistance call or email us with your reunion planning questions to tourism@lakecounty.org; www.lakecounty.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! REUNITE IN REAL, ORIGINAL ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS. Located just 60 miles west of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, the Rockford Region offers the perfect mix of big-city variety and small-town value. You’ll be sure to find something everyone will enjoy! Contact Jaki Berggren, Meeting Sales Manager, at the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, for assistance planning your next reunion. Call 800.521.0849 or email Jaki at jberggren@gorockford.com. RACVB, 102 N. Main St., Rockford, IL 61101; www.gorockford.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE BAY ESTATE 250 ACRE MARYLAND WATERFRONT. SLEEPS 52, PLUS UP TO 100 IN NEIGHBORING LOCATIONS. (888)-988-5747; www.chesapeakeretreats.com.

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center, 52 King George Street, Annapolis MD 21402. Designed specifically for those who participated in military operations while in US service. Tour focuses on role of Naval Academy in supplying officers and midshipmen in various conflicts. Tour includes audio-visual presentation and walking tour. Tour time: 2 hours 30 minutes. Tour price: $9.00. Call for tour package and dining information: 410-293-8687; fax 410-293-3365; tourinfo@ usna.edu; www.navyonline.com.

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MICHIGAN GREATER LANSING CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Greater Lansing, Michigan is a great place for a family reunion, meeting or special event of any kind. Centrally located, offering updated meeting facilities, affordable lodging and lots of fun entertainment and nightlife option – All right in the palm of your hand! For help planning your reunion call 1-866-377-1402 or visit www.lansing.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

MINNESOTA WORRY-FREE REUNIONS AT CRAGUN’S RESORT 11000 Craguns Dr, Brainerd MN 56401: 800-CRAGUNS (272-4867).

Since 1940 Cragun’s has taken pride in creating memorable reunions...here’s why: 1) trained coordinator will help plan it all, 2) arrival “Welcome” and registration areas with planned activity agendas, 3) activities including golf outings, lake cruises, picnics, fishing contests, horse drawn trolley rides and more, 4) indoor facilities to ensure you a “weather-proof” reunion, 5) private gathering areas, 6) special celebration meals, 7) professional group photos, 8) and best of all, enjoy a safe, secure friendly environment. Come to Cragun’s for your reunion. Named “One of MN’s ideal locations to hold a Reunion.” by AAA. Call for FREE Reunion Planning Packet or visit: www.craguns.com/157.

EAGLE LAKE CAMP & RETREAT CENTER 17040 Cty Rd 102, Brainerd, MN 56401; 651-633-4871: Modern, comfortable, self-service facility located on 120 wooded acres on private lake near Brainerd, Minnesota. Lodge with eighteen rooms, lounge, modern restrooms/showers. Three bunkhouses. Wooded camping area. Modern restroom/shower facility serving bunkhouses and campsites. Large dining room and kitchen facilities.

Swimming, fishing, boating & canoeing, basketball court and sand volleyball, children’s playground, hiking. http://www.eagle lakecamp.org/ PEHRSON LODGE RESORT ON LAKE VERMILION Let us help you plan your perfect Minnesota lakeside reunion. We will coordinate group events and provide a wide variety of individual and small group activities to accommodate personal interests of each group member. From guided fishing trips, pontoon tours and wilderness hikes, sailing and waterskiing instruction and daily children’s programs to relaxing time at the beach, we provide the ideal setting for your next gathering. Choose your own “neighborhood” grouping of cabins on our secluded point or on our beautiful beach. .... or choose to be under one roof in our magnificent new 10,000 sq. ft. reunion house (Grand Vermilion Chalet). The Grand Vermilion is a stand alone retreat center offering 12 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, meeting space for 65, multiple kitchens, and spacious decks and patios. Golf two minutes away.

Please join us! 2746 Vermilion Dr., Cook MN 55723, (800) 5439937 or (218) 666-5478, vacation@pehrsonlodge.com, www. pehrsonlodge.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

MISSOURI

plan your next event! 800-994-5900; fax 775-825-1170, www.AtlantisCasino.com.

MARDI GRAS HOTEL & CASINO 3500 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV. Conveniently located just off the Strip and a 3 minute walk to the Monorail. Spacious oversized guestrooms each 400 sqft w/ mini-frig. Fun, affordable restaurant/bar open 24 hours.

Have your banquet in our 4000 sqft of flexible event space. Enjoy all the fun and excitement of Las Vegas without the high price tag.

Create a lasting memory for all with the personal attention you will receive from our friendly staff. Call today for great group rates! 702-731-2020 x 743; www.mardigrasinn.com.

CIRCUS CIRCUS HOTEL & CASINO RENO 500 N. Sierra St. Reno NV 89503 Whether business or pleasure brings you to us, Circus Circus Reno offers over 1,500 rooms, six sensational restaurants, a unique Midway of Fun, an expansive casino floor with all the latest gaming action, and state-of-the-art convention facilities. Free airport shuttle and parking available. Call 800894-3588 or visit circusreno.com for more information. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! DESERT ROSE RESORT 5051 Duke Ellington Way, Las Vegas NV, 89119; Phone 888-732-8099, Fax 702-597-3345; Spacious renovated condo-style suites with full kitchen, separate living room, dining room and relaxing balcony. Each room is modern and beautifully decorated; Property features continental breakfast each morning; location is just minutes from the famous Las Vegas Strip, McCarran Airport. Resort consists of 284 suites in addition to newly refurbished pool and Jacuzzi with BBQ facilities and shaded seating; Banquet space available for special events.

This property makes for a perfect reunion of any kind. E-mail: Sarah-Marie Vergara, Sales Manager svergara@shellvacations llc.com; www.desertroseresort.com.

THE PLATINUM HOTEL 211 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169 (877) 211-9211. At The Platinum Hotel, see what life is like on the quieter side of Las Vegas. Escape to a welcoming hideaway where each of the 255 one and two bedroom Las Vegas hotel suites ensure unmatched personal attention, gourmet kitchens, exquisite whirlpool tubs and balconies with beautiful views. This non-gaming, smoke free hotel offers the best of both worlds. Select from an assortment of great Las Vegas hotel deals, combining special rates and unique services for getaways. The Strip is there when you need it, just a block away. www.thelatinum hotel.com SANDS REGENCY CASINO AND HOTEL 345 North Arlington, Reno NV 89501 800-233-4939. Located in downtown Reno. 833 rooms in three connecting towers. 12,000 square feet of meeting space. Flexible hospitality policies. Affordable rates. Five restaurants, free airport shuttle, outdoor swimming pool, rv parking.

Contact Leslie Art lart@terriblescasinos.com. www.sandsregency .com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

NEW HAMPSHIRE

THE BRANSON/LAKES AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Located in America’s heartland, Branson, Missouri is the perfect destination for your next reunion because we offer so many choices of live music shows and family entertainment, lodging, attractions, dining and more. Remember, in Branson, our value is unrivaled, our scenery breathtaking and our authentic Ozarks hospitality inviting. Call us toll-free at 800-636-8573 or visit our website at ExploreBranson.com and request a Reunion Planner Sales kit. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! INDEPENDENCE, MO TOURISM DEPT., 111 E. Maple, Independence, MO 64050; 866-657-MEET. Let Independence welcome your reunion group, all at a great value and in a convenient location. Enjoy nationally recognized heritage and cultural attractions, one-of-a-kind restaurants, great shopping, outdoor activities, a variety of accommodations and more. Add in a trip to nearby Kansas City or an afternoon of professional football or baseball. We provide itinerary planning, discounts and other assistance. www.IndependenceMeetings.com.

LAKE LURE & THE BLUE RIDGE FOOTHILLS Family, girlfriends, military buddies, golfing, relaxing...whatever your reason for getting together, you’ll find the perfect setting here. Cruise on beautiful Lake Lure, shop, go to a spa, dine, hike, bike..do it all – or do nothing at all, and enjoy your gathering with family and friends. Choose from sumptuous accommodations in an historic hotel, cabin on the lake or other unique accommodations. We are surrounded by major highways, have three major airports within an hour, and are only thirty minutes from Asheville NC. Please visit us at reunionsyourway.com.

MONTANA

OHIO

LAUGHING WATER GUEST RANCH Fortine, Montana; 800847-5095; www.lwranch.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! RICH RANCH OUTFITTING & GUEST RANCH Seeley Lake MT; 800-532-4350; www.richranch.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! BAR W GUEST RANCH Whitefish MT 866-828-2900: www. barwguestranch.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

THE LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS®, located in Northern Ohio is a year-round destination that delivers adrenaline-pumping adventures, soothing relaxation and everything in between; Perfect for reunions. The world's best amusement park, the country's largest indoor waterpark, the most plentiful sport fishing on all the Great Lakes and diverse island escapes just a short boat ride from the mainland- the options seem endless! For a free visitors guide or to plan your visit please call 877-255-3743 or visit www.SHORESandISLANDS.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

NEVADA ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT SPA RENO 3800 S Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89502. Voted Reno’s “Best Hotel” our recent $100 million dollar expansion takes northern Nevada to a whole new level. From our all-new Spa Atlantis to our eight awardwinning restaurants – Atlantis has it all! Winner of the Hospy Award for “Best Ballroom & Convention Space Design,” Atlantis boasts 50,000 SF of flexible new high-tech meeting space catering to reunions from 1,500 to 15. Let our experienced team

NASHUA RADISSON 11 Tara Blvd, Nashua, NH 03062; 603-8889970. Have your reunion at the largest castle hotel in Boston’s north neighbor-Nashua! Attractions include Canobie Lake Park, indoor skydiving, skiing, Anheuser Busch Brewery, & tax free shopping! Newly renovated, 326 guestrooms, indoor/outdoor pool, restaurant, free parking & health club. www.radisson.com/nashuanh.

NORTH CAROLINA

OREGON LOON LAKE LODGE & RV RESORT 9011 Loon Lake Road, Reedsport, OR 97467 (541)-599-2244 Reserve Cabins or the Lakefront Home with fully furnished kitchens, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi, for your next Family Reunion. Spaces to accommodate all types of RVs and group tent sites. There is plenty of open water for fishing, kayaking, WaveRunner riding, water skiing, or just

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES relaxing on a leisurely pontoon boat ride. Restaurant and general store on property and catering available. Some of the smoothest water skiing in Oregon is right here at Loon Lake! www.loonlake rv.com.

PENNSYLVANIA COMFORT SUITES CARLISLE 10 South Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013. Downtown location conveniently located between Gettysburg, Harrisburg & Hershey. One mile to US Army War College, Army Heritage & Education Center and walking distance to Dickinson College & PSU Dickinson School of Law. Banquet facilities for up to 325. Offering special rates / packages for family, class, military and other reunion groups. Visit our website at www.comfortsuitescarlisle.com or call our Sales Department at 1-800-704-1188.

The perfect Days for your reunion – DAYS INN DONEGAL, in the heart of the beautiful Laurel Highlands, conveniently located just off the PA Turnpike at exit 91. 51 lovely guestrooms, elegant outdoor pavilion seats 125, new banquet room seats 80, catering services, snack bar, arcade, outdoor pool and patio, volleyball and shuffleboard courts. Route 31 east, PO Box 184, Donegal PA 15628. Call Rose: 724-593-7536; daysinndonegal@yahoo.com; www.daysinndonegal.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! VALLEY FORGE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 1000 First Avenue, Suite 101, King of Prussia PA 19406. DO WHAT WASHINGTON DID. SET UP CAMP IN HISTORIC VALLEY FORGE FOR YOUR NEXT REUNION! Quality hotels, unique offproperty meeting sites, world class shopping and fine dining.

Thirty minutes from Philadelphia. Surrounded by great regional attractions. Get a free Valley Forge Meeting Planners Guide.

Contact Courtney Pozo: 610-834-7971,or pozo@valleyforge.org or visit www.valleyforge.org.

WOODLOCH RESORT & MEETING FACILITY Nestled in the pristine forests of the Pocono Mountains Lake Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Woodloch Resort is the ideal destination for family vacations, reunions, weddings and corporate retreats!

Featuring a private lake and miles of beautiful scenery, this 250 acre resort is located only two and a half hours from New York City and is the perfect combination of old world charm, gracious hospitality, and modern resort conveniences. We invite you to visit our website at: www.woodloch.com or call 1800-572-6658 for further information and reservations.

RHODE ISLAND THE BEST WESTERN THE MAINSTAY INN 151 Admiral Kalbfus Road, Newport RI 02840; 401-849-9880. Located 1/2 mi. from Newport Navy Base, Minutes from Historic Harbor, Newport Mansions and across from Newport Grand Casino. Full Service hotel with 200 guest rms, full service Restaurant, Lounge, Banquet and Meeting facilities. Comp. Hospitality Rm and Group Leader Room. themainstayinn@aol.com

SOUTH CAROLINA SEA MIST OCEANFRONT RESORT – MYRTLE BEACH SC 1200 South Ocean Blvd., 29577. REUNIONS MADE EASY! Specializing in reunions from military to family at the most affordable rates in Myrtle Beach. Sea Mist’s premier oceanfront location is near shopping, theaters and golf courses. Over 600 of our 800 units have been completely remodeled, restaurants, miniature golf, 10 pools, Jacuzzis, fitness room, 17,000-sq.ft. of versatile meeting space and much more! 800-200-8687; group sales@seamist.com; www.seamist.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

SOUTH DAKOTA RAPID CITY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Nestled at the base of the legendary Black Hills, Rapid City lies at the heart of the American experience, just minutes from the highest concentration of public parks, monuments and memorials in the world. Explore the South Dakota Air and Space Museum and Ellsworth Air Force Base, then cap it all off with exciting tours and fine dining before winding down in luxurious and affordable accommodations. Visit www.visitrapidcity.com or call 800.487.3223.

SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! SIOUX FALLS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Sioux Falls, South Dakota is located in the Heart of America at the junction of I-90 and I-29, is accessible by major airlines, and has all the offerings of a big city! Over 4,200 hotel rooms and a 100,000 sq. ft. convention center are available to accommodate your next reunion. Best of all, our full service CVB makes your life easier. So relax, we got it covered. Visit www.siouxfallscvb.com or call 800.333.2072. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

TENNESSEE CHATTANOOGA AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU We are ready to host your next family or military reunion. Our Staff works closely with the hotels, attractions, tour companies and you to provide exactly what you need to have a great reunion.

Contact Christina Petro at 800-964-8600 ext. 3017 or by e-mail at chrisp@chattanoogacvb.com for free help planning your next reunion! www.chattanoogafun.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

TEXAS BLUEBONNET EVENT CENTER Adjacent to Lake Conroe KOA. 35 fully furnished 1& 2 bedroom cottages. Great Family Reunion Package – free hospitality room with kitchen if family rents 10 or more cottages for 2 night minimum. Campfires, indoor pool/hot tub, 6 acre fishing lake, playground, tennis court, shuffleboard, horse shoes, paddle boats for rent – 1 1/2 miles from Lake Conroe. 19785 Hwy. 105 West, Montgomery TX 77356; 936-582-5100; fax 936-582-1218; bluebonnetevents@ consolidated.net; www.bluebonneteventcenter.com.

LEWISVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 606 W. Main Street, Lewisville TX 75057; 800-657-9571; fax 972-2193719; pcox@cityoflewisville.com; www.visitlewisville.com Bring your reunion to Lewisville TX, a small town within an urban metropolis. Groups choose Lewisville because of our location, hotel variety, mall shopping, restaurants, golf & Lewisville Lake.

Enjoy bass fishing, bird watching, catamaran sailing, water parks & historic Old Town, all conveniently located 10 minutes from DFW International Airport.

UTAH PARK CITY LODGING (formerly R&R Properties) is located in the beautiful mountains of Park City, Utah. Enjoy properties throughout Park City, Deer Valley and The Canyons resort areas.

We can provide many ideal accommodations for reunions, retreats and weddings. Call 800-348-6759; www.ParkCity Lodging.com.

Let our knowledgeable staff assist you in creating a memorable mountain experience.

VIRGINIA VISIT FAIRFAX / FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA Enjoy everything the National Capital Region has to offer. From the monuments and memorials of Washington DC to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Fairfax County is an ideal location for your military or family reunion. Call us at 703-790-0643 or visit our website today at www.fxva.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! NEWPORT NEWS Close encounters with the ocean, ships, history and the great outdoors in one central destination. All this, plus Williamsburg and Virginia Beach. Whether getting together with old classmates, shipmates or “familymates”, Newport News provides the perfect location and services to make your reunion a success!

Outstanding services and support, the best value and plenty to see and do, Newport News will make your next reunion a memorable one. Call Cheryl Morales at 888-493-7386 or email her at cmorales@ nngov.com to book your reunion. www.newport-news.org.

NORFOLK CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 232 East Main Street, Norfolk VA 23510. Norfolk’s beautifully revitalized waterfront, rich military heritage, walkable downtown and central Mid Atlantic location make it the ideal destination for your next reunion. Home to such attractions as the Battleship Wisconsin, MacArthur Memorial, Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the world’s largest naval base. See why American Heritage named Norfolk “A Great American Place.” Offering over 2,000 committable hotel rooms in various price ranges. Call 800-368-3097; dallen@norfolkcvb.com; www.norfolkcvb.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

WEST VIRGINIA CANAAN VALLEY RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER offers 250 lodge rooms, 23 cabins, and 34 campground sites in the highest mountain valley east of the Rockies. Activities include 18 hole championship golf course, hiking/biking trails, indoor/ outdoor swimming pools, scenic chairlift rides, summer tubing, as well as winter activities. Over 10,000 sq ft. conference space available. HC 70, Box 330 Davis, WV 26260; 800-622-4121; rhodesk@canaanresort.com; www.canaanresort.com.

THE WOODS RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER is located in the Northern Shenandoah Valley & offers lodge rooms, cabins, villas & private rentals. 36 holes of golf, 3 pools, basketball, racquetball, tennis, softball, playground, exercise room, & the Sleepy Creek Spa. Conference & dining facilities. 1694 The Woods Rd., Hedgesville WV 25427; 800-248-2222; fax 304-754-8146.

Kathy@TheWoods.com; www.TheWoods.com

WISCONSIN AMBASSADOR HOTEL 2308 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee WI 53233, 888/322-3326, www.ambassadormilwaukee.com.

SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! BELLA VISTA SUITES 335 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, 800/773-5119, www.bellavistasuites.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! BLACK BEAR LODGE 1330 Halberstadt Road, St. Germain WI 54558, 715/479-5778, www.blackbearlodge.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! BRIDGEPORT WATERFRONT RESORT 50 West Larch Street, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235, 800/671-9190, www.bridgeportresort .net. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

GRAND GENEVA RESORT & SPA 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva WI 53147; (800) 558-3417. At Grand Geneva, find yourself surrounded by beauty. Two golf courses, newly renovated guest rooms, spa, 62,000 square feet of meeting space and indoor/outdoor waterpark located an hour from Milwaukee and 90 minutes from Chicago. Meeting planners: “Pick your free” when you book a room for $99 between November 1 and March 14, 2010 and choose from a FREE reception, FREE ski lift tickets or FREE continental breakfast. www.grandgeneva.com/specials/ wintermeetings.asp NEWPORT RESORT 7888 Church Street, Egg Harbor WI 54209, 800/468-6160, www.newportresort.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! SAND COUNTY VACATION RENTALS PO Box 409, Lake Delton WI 53940, 800/822-7768, www.sandcounty.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! SPUR OF THE MOMENT RANCH 14221 Helen Lane, Mountain WI 54149, 800/644-8783, www.spurofthemomentranch.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! THE DELAFlELD HOTEL 415 Genesee Street, Delafield WI 53018, 800/594-8772, www.thedelafieldhotel.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! WAUKESHA PEWAUKEE CVB N14 W23755 Stone Ridge Drive, #225, Waukesha WI 53188, 800/366-8474, www.visitwaukesha .org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! WESTWOOD SHORES WATERFRONT RESORT 4303 Bay Shore Drive, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235, 800/440-4057, www.west woodshores.net. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

WYOMING THE DUDE RANCHERS’ ASSOCIATION 1122 12th. Street, Cody, Wyoming 82414. Helping people find quality Dude and Guest Ranch vacations since 1926. Let us help you find the perfect all inclusive location for your next reunion call 866-3992339 or e-mail colleen@duderanch.org; www.guestranch.com.

SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! RED ROCK RANCH Jackson Hole WY; 307-733-6288; www. theredrockranch.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! THE HIDEOUT AT FLITNER RANCH Shell, Wyoming; 1-800354-8637; www.thehideout.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

PRODUCTS & SERVICES All of the following can be purchased at www.reunionsmag.com/ shopping or call 1-800-373-7933, ext.4.

BOOKS THE FAMILY REUNION SURVIVAL GUIDE: How to Avoid Problems With Your Family Without Avoiding Your Family by Laurence A. Basirico. (2003, Identity Publishing, $11.95). A book about relationships at family reunions and how to enjoy them. Based on original research. 2106 Coy St., Burlington, NC. (336) 584-1442.

Secrets of Successful Family Reunions by Robert W. Wolfe a.k.a. Uncle Bob A how-to-book for successful family reunions. Whether simple or elaborate it helps those who wish to pass their values to the next generation. 2008. $16.99 + s/h.

Treasure and Scavenger Hunts (3rd ed.) How to Plan, Create, and Give Them, by Gordon Burgett Communications Unlimited, 2007, 134 pp. $15.95 + s/h or $12.95 digital.

Your Living Family Tree: Keeping your family together forever through print, photos, sound and video by Gordon Burgett Communications Unlimited, 2008, 174 pp. $17.95 + s/h or $15.95 digital.

Family Reunion by Mary Quattlebaum, Illustrated by Andrea Shine. Thoughtful and fun, this book gives glimpses of family togetherness and tradition through various poetic forms, including free verse, a sonnet, haiku, a ballad and more. $16 + s/h.

The Pick A Party book set, by Patty Sachs, party-planning expert.

Book #1: Pick a Party, The Big Book of Party Themes and Occasion 100 theme party plans for holidays, milestone occasions and special events.

Book #2: Pick-A-Party Cookbook Includes menus, recipes and table decoration ideas for the 100 theme parties in Book #1. Regularly $20 for the set, only $16.00 + $2 s/h) for Reunions magazine readers.

The Miles of Smiles: 101 Great Car Games & Activities by travel writer Carole Terwilliger Meyers.“May be the ultimate solution for back seat squabbling” on the way to your reunion.

Keep kids entertained all the way there. $8.95 + s/h.

N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R / JA N UA R Y 2010 O R E U N I O N S 35

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES FOOD PREPARATION COOKING FOR LARGE GROUPS (CD) Over 1400 recipes. System requirements: Windows 98/NT 4.0/XP, Intel Pentium Processor or better, 32 MB RAM, 20 MB free hard disk space, CD-ROM drive, SVGA monitor, keyboard, web browser, Adobe Reader, Window-compatible pointing device. $49.95 plus $1.29 s/h. Purchase at www.reunionsmag.com/shopping or call 1-800-373-7933, ext. 4.

MAGAZINE Subscribe to Reunions magazine. Ensure a full year of reunion planning advice plus workbook.

Subscribe now. Send $9.99/yr or $17.99/2 yrs to Reunions Magazine, Inc., PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. To charge to credit card call 800-373-7933 or visit our website www.reunionsmag.com.

MUSIC THE MALONE FAMILY CHOIR: A FAMILY REUNION is an original gospel CD opening with a song you'll want to play to say Welcome to Our Family Reunion! at your family reunion. CD $15 or tape $10 + s/h.

POSTCARD ANNOUNCEMENTS Notify your reunion members to SAVE THE DATE (bright red, they'll not miss it!) and when you need reminders, send postcards that say TIME IS RUNNING OUT. Fill-in cards - $15 p/100 postcards or 20¢ each – you fill in the date and reunion name; or Custom printed cards - $45 p/100 postcards or 50¢ each.

Send info to be printed: for SAVE THE DATE! (name, date, & place of reunion, contact info).

For TIME IS RUNNING OUT (name & date of reunion & RSVP date) + fax number or email address to get your approval before we print.

AIRPORT PARKING PARK RIDE FLY USA is the fastest growing seller of offsite airport parking on the Web. All pre-paid parking reservations include complimentary shuttle service, luggage assistance, and $100,000 of Automatic Flight Insurance provided at no additional cost. Visit www.reunionsmag.com and click on Park Ride Fly for discount airport parking at more than 50 U.S. airports and start saving today!

BADGES & BUTTONS NAMETAG (PHOTO BUTTON) Using the alumni’ photo we create a custom button with your school name, colors, and reunion year. Attachment options and accessories are available. We offer personalized service and quick turnaround. Visit us at www.TheButtonFactory.com/Reunions.htm

GAMES Seeking ideas to build enthusiasm before your reunion? Create an online matching game of Then and Now photographs and challenge everyone to pair them up. We help you digitize old photographs inexpensively and invite everyone to contribute current pictures. 10% discount coupon: RM1. Can you recognize everyone at www.YouHaveNotChangedOneBit.com

MEMENTOS & SOUVENIRS REUNION MEMORY BOOKS PO Box 181530, Fairfield OH 45018, ph: 866-391-7281, fax: 513587-3523; info@reunion-memory-book.com . Make your reunion a memor- able one with full color memory books. We do the layout for you! We also offer printed customized placemats, nametags, and other reunion related products and services. Go to our website at www.reunion-memory-book.com to download a sample. Professional reunion planners receive a 15% commission.

PLANNERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REUNION MANAGERS (NARM) PO Box 335428; North Las Vegas NV 89033 narm@reunions.com; www.reunions.com.

PRESERVING REUNIONS REUNION MEMORY BOOKS PO Box 181530, Fairfield OH 45018, ph: 866-391-7281, fax: 513587-3523; info@reunion-memory-book.com. Make your reunion a memorable one with full color memory books. We do the layout for you! We also offer printed customized placemats, nametags, and other reunion related products and services. Go to our website at www.reunion-memory-book.com to download a sample. Professional reunion planners receive a 15% commission.

RIBBONS REUNION 2010? Colorful, embossed custom ribbons (in your words) add a “touch of class” to your event & name badges. Ideal bookmark-keepsake that says “you were there.” Created expressly for class, family and military reunions. Class Ribbons available in school colors. For sample ribbon and idea brochure: REUNION MATE 800-208-6804 or www.ribbons4reunions .com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

WEBSITE BUILDER MYEVENT.COM Create your own reunion website with no skills. It’s fast and easy to use. Your reunion website has great features and planning tools. It will make planning much easier and everyone will love it! Features: Online registration, rsvp, ticket payment, message boards, family tree, guest book, quiz, poll, stories, photo albums, no ads, travel information, more. 7 day free trial. No credit card required for the free trial! Only $9.95/month. http://reunions.createswebsites.com. Any Questions – 877-769-3836 or info@myevent.com.

T-SHIRTS AMERICA’S #1 SOURCE FOR REUNION APPAREL AND GIFTS T-shirts, Totes, Keepsakes & Gifts Easy-To-Order. Fun-To-Wear. Fast-Turn-Around. Beautiful and colorful reunion designs as featured on Good Morning America, personalized for your event! Browse our huge selection of quality apparel and exciting new products. Shop our Reunion Kits for great package pricing and low minimums!

REUNION GEAR 1-800-451-1611 www.reuniongear.com CREATE YOUR OWN FAMILY REUNION T-SHIRT STORE at Store4Reunions.com. Design and set prices for your own family’s products. Sell regular screen-printed t-shirts, special photo tees, embroidered polos, coffee mugs, and buttons. Call 800-575-2595 for FREE planner or email info@store4reunions.com for reunion planning spreadsheet templates.

TRAVEL DIRECTORY COLORADO VACATION DIRECTORY: Make your search for the perfect family reunion destination easier! FREE FAMILY REUNION DESTINATION LOCATION SERVICE: www.TheCVD.com/ groups and click on “EMAIL US your Request for Group Accommodations.” We will then send your requirements to Cabins, Vacation Homes, Lodges, Motels, Condo’s, B&B’s, and Camp-grounds that can accommodate your desires; each one will email you directly with additional information. OR download our free Colorado Vacation Directory to compare reunion locations, which includes Places to Stay & Fun Things to Do. www.TheCVD.com/OrderForm.html 36 R E U N I O N S O reunionsmag.com

P.O. Box 11727 O Milwaukee WI 53211-0727

www.reunionsmag.com TM