Hotel contract primer Icebreakers Games Little Reunions
VOL 21 NO 4 MAY/JUNE/JULY 2011
Display until July 31, 2011.
M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R$3/USA EUNIONS 1
in this issue DEPARTMENTS BACK FRONT WORDS – 45
May/June/July 2011 Volume 21 • Number 4
ALUM & I – 4
PUBLISHER / EDITOR IN CHIEF
Exhibiting school spirit displaying memorabilia at your school reunion by Shannon E. Brewer Chehaw, a Rosenwald School reunion by Lloyd Clements Jr.
TRAVEL EDITOR
SCRAPBOOK – 8 Reunion School It takes just one person, tribute to Pamela Williams A hotel contract primer by Dean Miller Build memories with Memorial reunions by Julia Helvey Corvette Reunion on the Bricks by Francia Malone
BRANCH OFFICE – 16
Edith Wagner Jacky Runice ART DIRECTOR
Jennifer Rueth SALES
Marion Liston Senior Account Manager OPERATIONS MANAGER
Karla Lavin ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Ask Maureen to analyze your family photos Create a ‘Health Portrait’ and a health chart, cancer education
Andrew Russell Bordeaux Lauren Bordeaux Nicole Dettmering Ksioszk
MASTERPLAN – 18
HOSPITALITY ANSWER MAN
Is it cousins? or Cousins? Reunion of unity by Claude L. Perry Whitehurst Family Reunion Walk-A-Thon from Ne’EL Whitehurst-Joseph Planning a family reunion in Branson A family driven by purpose from Niko Cook Caldwells celebrate 10 years by Anita Howard The Philhowers celebrate 95 years The luck of the O’Reilly Clan
KIDSSTUFF – 24 Bubbles, parties, teddy bears, crafts and Junior Rangers
FEATURES – 26 ICEBREAKERS GAMES 1 down: Reunion fun with letters by Jodi M. Webb Reunion games roundup: Echols-Henderson, Bergan, Dominique, Ralph, and Olivia, Aboussie, Bolin, Evers, Neal, Conley, Dickinson, Seideman, Poulter Chalk up a successful family reunion by Ellen Javernick Family (reunion) game night
LITTLE REUNIONS Sisters’ reunion makes a big impact overseas! by Monica White The Power of Ten by Sandy Stert Benjamin Go with the flow by Edith Wagner
MILITARY REUNION NEWS – 38 Military reunions on the web by Justin Daniel Beaton Volunteer Military Reunion Planners, Introducing YMRC* *Your Military Reunion Connection, Battleship North Carolina, Military reunion tours at Annapolis, Alliance of Military Reunions, Black military women recognized, National Museum of the US Air Force, Heroes Homecoming, Replacing military medals
REUNION RESOURCES – 41 A directory of reunion-friendly places, services, vendors and products ON THE COVER Family reunion fun at Cragun’s Resort, Brainerd, Minnesota. See page 24.
Dean Miller STUDENT INTERN
Justin Daniel Beaton CONTRIBUTORS
Karen Aboussie • Phil Aboussie • George Apgar Cindy Baker • Sandy Stert Benjamin Dalvery and Aldous Blackwell Shannon E. Brewer • Kathleen Casper Debbie Chesnokov • Lloyd Clements Jr. Niko Cook • Marilyn Creason-Gobble Sandra Davis • Mary Thiele Fobian Shirley Gillespie • Cindy Goodwin Amanda Hamm • Julia Helvey • Anita Howard Ellen Javernick • Thelma Jones • Diane Lockard Francia Malone • Lovine Moss Carole Neal • Wanda Nicol • erika Page Claude L. Perry • Jim Pickell Dr. Mary D. Shaw-Ridley • Maureen Taylor Ricky Thornton • Jodi M. Webb • Monica White Ne’EL Whitehurst-Joseph • Pamela Williams Lowell (Woody) Woodworth REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC. (ISSN #1046-5s235), is pub lished 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. © 2011 REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC. M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S 3
ALUM & I
Exhibiting school spirit displaying memorabilia at your school reunion by Shannon E. Brewer
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hen the alumni of East High School (EHS) in Phoenix, Arizona, arrived for their reunion, they were immediately transported down memory lane. Literally. The EHS Alumni Association constructs a rich display of school memorabilia they call “Memory Lane.” Reunion attendees marvel over team photos, plaques, and play programs – tangible, shared bits of nostalgia. The memorabilia, displayed at every five-year EHS reunion, has special and not just nostalgic meaning for alumni. The high school was open for only 18 years (it closed in 1982). What’s remarkable is the number of alumni, about 1,000 out of 9,000, who return for each All Longhorn Round-up. And contributing to the experience is a massive collection of school artifacts. Barry Paceley, a 1975 EHS graduate, helps coordinate reunions, including the Memory Lane display. He says, “It adds depth to the reunion because it gives alumni something physical to see and touch. So much of a typical reunion is only music, food and talk. Memorabilia properly labeled and displayed is a hit.” In 2010, Paceley says, the Alumni Association was notified that several pallets of EHS memorabilia that had gone unnoticed for 29 years was found in a district warehouse. The items are now displayed in Memory Lane. The exhibit includes scrapbooks, original campus newspapers, yearbooks, trophies, photos of school opening day, All-State athletes’ photos and the school dedication plaque. Alumni also have the opportunity to contribute – not just view – the collection. “Alumni who contribute enjoy sharing their high school keepsakes, especially when each submission is labeled and they are given credit,” says Paceley. In setting up a display the size of EHS’s Memory Lane, museum specialist Elizabeth M. Holland, of the Special Collection and Preservation Division for the Chicago Public Library at Harold Washington Library Center, recommends taking cues from museum and library exhibits. Holland, who works in administrative planning and installation of exhibits, knows the value of a professionally designed and implemented display. She has specific advice for displaying original items (as opposed to copies of photos and school documents), which reunion coordinators are most likely using. “Keep in mind that you can’t replace your originals. This is your utmost concern. Take precaution to be a good steward for future generations and protect unique items. If you absolutely must show the original, do so in a protected manner,” says Holland. When displaying original items, Holland recommends wearing white cotton gloves to protect emulsion while handling photographs, and covering photos with Mylar. Make the photos sturdier by supporting each photo back with acid-free board (cut slightly larger than the photo to provide handling room). “Control the amount of light hitting the original object,” she advises. “Displaying objects in a lockable case or cabinet will protect from vandalism, theft, and accidents.” Both Holland and Paceley advise taking some security measures, even at school reunions. Dedicated alumni, touched by a special piece of nostalgia and unaware of the rules of the
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game, may walk off with an item to pass it around the gathering. Ask an alumni association volunteer to stay at or near displays to direct attendees and watch over items. Coordinating the call for memorabilia is often the greatest challenge reunion groups face. The reliability of alumni to contribute depends upon the breadth and depth of communication from the alumni association or board. The EHS Alumni Association uses its websites, as well as facebook, to keep in touch with alumni. EHS alumni responded to the call for memorabilia. Paceley and fellow Association members coordinated tagging and cataloguing items, including those once neglected in the district warehouse. A check-in system at reunions is one of the best ways to ensure alumni leave with contributions they’ve loaned to the reunion display. Each alumnus writes his name, class year, and a brief description of the item on a perforated, numbered tag (like those used for coat checks), and keeps the tag to reclaim his item at the end of the night. To make exhibiting memorabilia easier, museum specialist Holland recommends seeking out companies who specialize in “archival supplies.” A simple Internet search will lead you to the right supplies. “Also, most public libraries are good resources for books about display and often mount displays in their building,” she says. A well-designed exhibit will enhance the reunion experience in many ways, particularly by providing tangible links to a shared experience among alumni. “High school reunions have an exceptional ability to reconnect [us],” says Pacely. “It is a unique time in our lives when we grow from kids to young adults. Sharing our high school triumphs and challenges are the foundation for successful reunions.”
About the author Shannon E. Brewer is a freelance writer and poet living in South Bend, Indiana. Her work has appeared in Northern Indiana LAKES Magazine, the National Catholic Reporter and other publications. When not writing, reading or practicing yoga, Shannon spends time with her 9 year-old son, Jacob.
ALUM & I
Chehaw, a Rosenwald School reunion
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ur reader Lloyd Clements Jr., Tuskegee, Alabama, introduced us to the Rosenwald School system and his Chehaw Elementary School reunion. The Rosenwald rural school building program was a major effort to improve the quality of public education for AfricanAmericans in the early 20th-century South. In 1912, Julius Rosenwald donated money to Tuskegee Institute for construction of six small schools in rural Alabama, and gave Booker T. Washington permission to use part of the funds to revive his rural public school scheme. In 1917 Rosenwald set up the Julius Rosenwald Fund, a Chicago-based philanthropic foundation. By 1928, one in every five rural schools for black students in the South was a Rosenwald school, and these schools housed one-third of the region's rural black schoolchildren and teachers. At the program's conclusion in 1932, it had produced 4,977 new schools, 217 teachers’ homes, and 163 shop buildings, constructed at a total cost of $28,408,520 to serve 663,615
students in 883 counties of 15 states. Chehaw Elementary School was built in a community that has a rich history of its own. A Civil War battle was fought at the train station in Chehaw, and Booker T. Washington rode the train and visited the school. Flora Moss, an alumna of Chehaw School, wrote in The Tuskegee News about a reunion evening of entertainment, fun and fellowship as everyone mingled and caught up. After dinner, the floor was opened for reflections. Responses ranged from tears of joy to outbursts of uncontrollable laughter; many memories were captured and shared. Reginald Buchanan was the keynote speaker, and his message was delivered with an appreciation for what attending Chehaw School meant to him and gratitude for the experience. Sophia Crittenden Jeffries wrote and performed the skit “Chehaw Elementary School Chalkboard Confessions” as a tribute to Jesse K. Crawford, an outstanding teacher, who was in attendance.
Hardest part of planning a reunion is finding people
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he following excerpts are from an article submitted by the Alumni Association of King City Secondary School to the King Township Sentinel, Bolton, Ontario. Perhaps the biggest hurdle to overcome when planning a high school reunion, especially a milestone such as a 50th anniversary, is locating and reaching former students and staff. Compared to this task, lining up volunteers, planning events and making myriad arrangements are a walk in the proverbial park. Locating former staff means dealing with location changes due to retirement: downsizing to a smaller house, moving to sunnier climes and a natural disinclination to attend functions due to old age. Locating students brings a host of different problems.
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People move away, women marry and often change their names, and job changes result in moving to follow new dreams. “To ensure that we have located as many people as we can, the executive has amassed a dedicated bunch of people who are given one job and one job only: to find as many warm bodies as possible. It would be unfair to single out any one group of people for this task because, truth be told, virtually every year going back to 1961 has someone devoted to finding former friends and classmates. The list of volunteers was posted online and at the reunion so we may all raise a glass and toast their efforts. Meanwhile, we can all do our part to help. We can pass news along by word of mouth, a phone call here and there, or sending emails and telling everyone we know, who attended King, about the next reunion.”
Facebook keeps friends in touch between reunions
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ime was, not so long ago, that classmates caught up with each other only at class reunions. You might have seen someone from high school in the grocery store or at an event. Some who remained close friends saw each other more often. But those who moved away didn’t get that pleasure. Instead, we looked forward to our class reunions to renew friendships. That is, until Facebook and other social media exploded on the internet. Now folks can keep up with photos, status updates, instant messages, emails, comments and any number of other ways that have taken the place of overdue phone calls and sporadic visits organized around class reunions. Class reunions still bring people face to face and can’t be replaced with a poke or piece of flair on facebook. These interactions keep relationships more current, so you can actually have a conversation instead of a catch-up session when you do meet. From a story by Kate Magandy, who is the interactive editor for the Sun Herald, Biloxi, Mississippi.
Most of these events are sponsored and presented by convention and visitors bureaus. They take place on Saturdays unless noted and, for the most part, are for people planning reunions in their area. All prefer or require advance reservations and are free or at nominal cost. For information about new events – added online, as soon as we learn about them – visit reunionsmag.com and click on workshops, conferences and seminars. ALLIANCE OF MILITARY REUNIONS
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
Contact Skip Sander, 412-367-1376; MilitaryReunions@aol.com Contact Durham CVB, 800-446-8604. AllMilitaryReunions.org. ESTES PARK, COLORADO
ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA
Contact Alpharetta CVB toll-free 877-202-5961; April Cochan, april@awesomealpharettea.com
November 4-6, 2011 Family Reunion University YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center. Contact Conference Office at 800-777-9622
ATHENS, GEORGIA
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
Contact Amy Clark, 706-357-4433; aclark@visitathensga.com.
February 18, 2012 4th annual reunion workshop sponsored by Visit Fairfax and Reunions Magazine! Contact Dean Miller at VisitFairfax: 703752-9509; dmiller@fxva.com
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
September 2011 Contact Tara Spann, Sales Manager, 404-521-6638; Atlanta.net/reunion/reunions.aspx BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FLINT, MICHIGAN
Contact Courtney Irish, 810- 232-8902; cirish@visitflint.org
Reunion Planner Workshop, 800-458-8085
GREENWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA
BRANSON, MISSOURI
Contact Lindsay Burns, 864-953-2464; Lindsay.burns@cityofgreenwoodsc.com
August 15-18, 2011 Military Reunion Planners Conference Contact Branson/Lakes Area CVB, 800-214-3661; DChesnokov@bransonCVB.com; ExploreBranson.com/MilitaryReunion NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Contact Treasure, National Reunion Services, 925-240-1482; www.reunionsondemand.com CHICAGO SOUTHLAND, ILLINOIS
Contact Elizabeth Baun; 888-895-8233; Elizabeth@visitchicagosouthland.com; visitchicagosouthland.com COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA
Family reunion planning guide, trade show (hotels, attractions, etc.), complimentary lunch. Free to anyone planning a family reunion in Cobb County; seating limited to two guests per reunion. Contact Kathy Buske, Cobb County CVB, 678-3032624; kbuske@cobbcvb.com DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA
May 14, June 25, July 23, August 13 & 17, September 10 & 24, October 8, 2011 Contact Carol Murray, DeKalb County CVB, 800-999-6055 DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Planning a Successful Reunion in the “D”! Free planning kit and chance to win prizes. Registration required. Contact 313202-1972; visitdetroit.com DOUGLASVILLE, GEORGIA
Douglasville Conference Center Annex. For info and to register, call Randi Miles, 678-715-6069; milesr@ci.douglasville.ga.us 8 R E U N I O N S O reunionsmag.com
GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA
July 15, 2011 – Malibu Grand Prix Family Entertainment Center, Norcross October 14, 2011 – George Pierce Park Recreation Center, Suwanee ABCs of Planning a Family Reunion. Complimentary lunch, Family Reunion Planning Guide. Drawing for a digital camera. Reservations only, no walk-ins. Contact Linda Murphy, GCTS, Gwinnett CVB Education Specialist, 888-494-6638; lmurphy@gcvb.org KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA
Contact Sara Melendez-Davis at 800-831-1844, ext 28254; smelendez@floridakiss.com LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Host hotel Keylime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort, Gurnee, 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; lakecountyreunions.com LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
May 21, August 13, November 12, 2011 Contact Saundra Robertson, Louisville CVB, 502-560-1487; srobertson@gotolouisville.com MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
Contact Casey Kluber, Reunion Coordinator, Meet Minneapolis, 612-767-8106; caseyk@meetminneapolis.com; minneapolis.org
SCRAPBOOK
It takes just one person
W NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA
June 18, 2011 Keynote speaker, Edith Wagner, editor-inchief of Reunions magazine. Contact James Dean, 888-493-7386; jdean@nngov.com; www.newport-news.org PEACHTREE CITY, GEORGIA
Contact Kim Trawick, 678-216-0282, ext. 6964; ktrawick@visitpeachtreecity.com; visitpeachtreecity.com/ PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, MARYLAND
Prince George’s College Family Reunions & Oral History Workshop. Contact MaryJane Shearer, 301-322-0797 SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA
Contact Kevin Flowers, 800-551-8682; kflowers@sbctb.org WINTER PARK, COLORADO
October 21-23, 2011 Family Reunion University, YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch. Contact Conference Office, 800-777-9622 WASHINGTON, DC, AREA
July 28-31, 2011 – Herndon VA October 6-9, 2011 – Fredericksburg VA November 3-6, 2011 – Virginia Beach VA YMRC – Your Military Reunion Connection YMRC inaugural seminar registration includes three nights lodging, meals, seminars, marketplace appointments with exhibitors and additional FAM activities. Contact John Baker, 620-399-3999; info@YMRC.net; yourmilitaryreunions.com YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN
Contact Mary Zurcchero, Ypsilanti CVB, 734-483-4444; mzucchero@ypsilanti.org
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e have been asked often about reunion planning workshops, and have discussed them in these pages frequently. The workshops are not staged by Reunions magazine, although we eagerly provide resources and promote any workshop when asked, as was true for the recent Durham (North Carolina) Family Reunion Workshop. The special secret of the Durham event is Pamela Williams – visionary, organizer and Reunions magazine reader who attended a
VisitFairfax workshop in Fairfax County, Virginia. Pamela decided that Durham, where her reunions have been, also should provide a family reunion planning workshop. She lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, but made trips and phone calls. She enlisted the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau to take the lead and the Doubletree to host the event. In an There’s workshop fun, too, when door prizes are announced. These amazing few months, the pictures say 1,000 words! Understatement intended. workshop hosted 11 exhibitors and 61 workshop attendees – proving, of course, that for some things, it takes just one person. Pamela was the workshop speaker, drawing on her experience planning the Wilson Family Reunion. She recruited North Carolina native and Washington, DC, resident, Thelma Jones, to talk about family reunion scholarships. Both Pamela and Thelma were very excited about the outcome. “It was a huge success and I was delighted to have been a part of it,” wrote Jones. Pamela Williams M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S
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SCRAPBOOK
A hotel contract primer The hotel we selected for our family reunion just sent me their “standard” contract, and it’s five pages long, single-spaced! Help! How do I make sense of all of the legal mumbo-jumbo? We’re not lawyers, and we hardly know where to start! We’re not lawyers, either, and what follows is not legal advice, but rather, some common sense pointers for dealing with any complicated contract presented to you by a hotel or other service provider. First, never sign any contact you haven’t read or don’t understand. If there are any items you don’t understand, ask the hotel representative to explain it to you. If you still don’t understand it, ask to have it explained again. If that doesn’t help, ask to have it modified or removed. Remember: virtually all contract terms can be negotiated. Your ultimate goal is a contract that clearly and plainly spells out, in detail, what each side in the transaction (you, the buyer, and the hotel, the seller) are going to do for each other (when, where, how much, etc.) and what the recourse or consequences will be, if either side fails to perform as specified. There are some contract items that come up in most negotiations that you’ll want to be very clear about.
Q? A!
The basic contract. Many hotels have a “long” contract they use for large convention groups and sizable events. They also may have a shorter, less complicated contract for social groups such as reunions. Ask for the shorter, less complicated contract, if the hotel has one.
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n Your room block. In the contract, you are telling the hotel how many rooms you’ll need and when you’ll need them. Be sure the number you’re committing to is reasonable and based, whenever possible, on a factual number such as the number of rooms you utilized at a previous reunion, or the number of advance registration deposits you’ve received. Do not just make an optimistic guess, because “everyone told us they’re coming to the reunion this year!” When in doubt, be conservative. Even when not in doubt, be conservative! You are far better off underestimating, rather than overestimating the number of rooms you’ll need. If you find later you’ll need additional rooms, the hotel will likely be willing and able to accommodate you. But, if you need fewer rooms than you expected, you may very well end up paying for empty rooms you don’t need! n Your concessions. Concessions are anything the hotel is promising to give you in exchange for your business, either for free or at a discount. Concessions should be clearly listed, and any charges clearly noted. They would include (among other items) your hospitality room, the room where you’ll be holding your banquet, suites you may be using, complimentary or discounted rooms you may be receiving, meals that may be included in your guest room rate (such as breakfast), and charges (if any) for parking, health club or pool usage, etc. The hotel representative may have told you you’d receive this, that and the other, but if it’s not written in the contract, the conversation might as well never have taken place! n An attrition clause. The attrition clause specifies how much you owe the hotel if you use fewer rooms than you have 10 R E U N I O N S O reunionsmag.com
guaranteed. Many hotel contracts contain a clause that calls for 80% (or 85%) attrition, which means that you agree to pay for at least 80% of the rooms you’ve guaranteed. In other words, if you guarantee 100 rooms and use 85, you would not have to pay the hotel anything additional, but if you only use 75 rooms, you would have to pay for five unused rooms (the difference between what you used (75) and what you guaranteed (100 x 80% = 80). This is a negotiable item, so you may want to ask for a lower attrition percentage. Another option in exchange for a lower or waived attrition percentage is to agree to an earlier “cut-off” date (the date the hotel releases unused rooms from your room block for general sale). A cancellation clause. This specifies what you will owe the hotel if you cancel your reunion, and what they will owe you if they decide to cancel your reunion, for whatever reason. A cancellation clause protects both you and the hotel. You may be able to get the cancellation penalty reduced, especially if you cancel far enough in advance to allow the hotel adequate time to try to re-sell your rooms. Again, this should be clearly noted. Also request a cancellation clause that waives your penalties if you reschedule your reunion with the hotel within a specified time (usually a year). This helps both you and the hotel if you have to postpone your reunion due to unforeseen circumstances. n
n Insurance / indemnification. Many hotel contracts require groups to provide proof of insurance coverage. Having insurance for your reunion is an excellent idea, because it protects you from severe financial liability if one of your members has an accident. The cost of obtaining a three- or four-day insurance policy is usually reasonable, and can be included in everyone’s registration fee. Consult a local insurance broker or look for “event insurance” on the Internet for details.
Change of ownership or management. Hotels are frequently bought and sold, often accompanied by a change in the management company, and/or a change in the hotel’s brand or “flag.” You should request a clause in the contract that gives you the right to cancel your reunion – without penalty – if the hotel undergoes a change in ownership, management, or brand affiliation, and the new ownership / management is unwilling or unable to fulfill the terms of your agreement. You may never need to exercise this right, but it is an excellent idea to include it in your contract. And finally, always remember that, as the customer, you have the ultimate choice where you hold your reunion. If a hotel is unwilling or unable to provide you with a clear, understandable contract that meets your and the hotel’s needs, look for another hotel that is more accommodating. n
About the author Dean Miller, national sales director for VisitFairfax (fxva.com), the convention and visitors bureau in Fairfax County, Virginia, is a great friend of reunions. If you are planning a reunion in the Washington, DC, area, consider Fairfax County and contact Dean at 703-790-0643; dmiller@fxva.com.
SCRAPBOOK
Build memories with Memorial reunions
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emorial Day is a time of remembrance. It is a time to decorate graves with flowers and flags in cemeteries across our nation. When I was growing up, we picked fresh flowers and arranged them in tin cans or fruit jars on the fourth Sunday in May. These bouquets were taken several miles to where our greatJulia Helvey grandfather, Adophus Munson, was buried. When he was alive, he helped build a beautiful church where family members were buried in the late 1800s. Like many rural churches, Mount Olive Church near Marionville, Missouri, hosted a homecoming every Memorial Day weekend. For the occasion, farm wagons were laden with fresh strawberries, wilted lettuce, baked chicken, sometimes rabbit
or other wild game, and lots and lots of cakes with the frosting melting in the sun. During this family reunion everyone enjoyed visiting the cemetery, which came alive with blooming flowers families planted beside the old, weathered stones. Sadly, I think, Memorial Day in the 21st century is more often associated with a holiday from work or a rushed weekend trip to the lake or amusement park. Still, I’m thankful that many still gather for family reunions. This is the time of year to pull out the picnic basket and coolers and pack food for a gathering at a park or at someone’s home. For some, the end of May marks grilling season and signals cookouts and picnics. Reprinted with permission from Julia Helvey in the Columbia Daily Tribune, Columbia, Missouri.
Northern Illinois Quilt Fest
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hat lasts three months, spans six counties and covers 164 miles of blue highways in Northern Illinois from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River? It’s the first-ever Northern Illinois Quilt Fest. From July through September, 2011 you can follow a “quilt trail” through Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson and Jo Daviess Counties. County seats may be more familiar: Waukegan, Woodstock, Belvidere, Rockford, Freeport and Galena, plus lots of little villages. You’ll find barn quilts (giant painted quilt squares mounted on barns), quilt gardens (flower beds
planted in quilt patterns), quilt exhibits, shows, sales, demonstrations, hands-on workshops and lots more. Visit NorthernIllinoisQuiltFest.com.
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175th anniversary of the Alamo
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t is time to honor the heroes, retell their stories and remember the Alamo – an important page in the memoir of America. In downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Alamo represents nearly 300 years of history and was named “One of America’s Top 10 Historic sites” by the History Channel. Visit visitsanantonio.com. Few stories have the lasting presence of the Alamo. Originally built as a Spanish colonial mission in 1724, the famous 1836 battle forever transformed it into a symbol of liberty. Nearly 200 Texans, Tejanos and American volunteers stood bravely against General Antonio López de Santa Ana, who commanded more than 2,000 Mexican soldiers. For 13 days, the Alamo stood strong. On the morning of March 6th, Santa Ana’s soldiers assaulted and captured the Alamo after a 90-minute struggle; survivors were rounded up and executed. Just over a month later, inspired by the emotional battle cry, “Remember the Alamo,” Texan and Tejano forces defeated the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto, winning independence for Texas and a place in history. On the first Saturday of every month living history demonstrations include period cooking, cornhusk doll-making, weapon displays and discussions with authors who have written about the Texas Revolution. Remember the anniversary, remember the Alamo.
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Corvette Reunion on the Bricks
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ast summer, seven Corvette Clubs met for Corvette Reunion on the Bricks during Flint, Michigan’s, annual “Back to the Bricks” week-long event for spectators and car lovers. The first Corvette was built in 1953 in Flint. Over 300 Corvettes – including all models, with Suicide Doors, Stock (Original) Mild, Modified and Wild Class, from the 1953 to present day – parked along a mile and a half of downtown Flint. Anthony Bowling, President of Flint’s Trend Setta’s Corvette Club, spearheaded the event along with other local Corvette Clubs (Flint Corvette Club, Rainbow Corvette Club and Team Corvette) and three from southeast Michigan (V8 Estate, Corvette Legends and GMC Corvette Sett). Spectators were able to sit in these beauties and take pictures. Reported by Francia Malone, Flint, Michigan.
Trend Setta's Corvette Club
Anthony Bowling/ Gary Drago holding Back to the Bricks Club Participation Award
Corvette Reunion on the Bricks in Flint, Michigan.
Speak to be remembered
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peak to be remembered and repeated is advice given by speech coaches. Isn’t that the goal of every speaker – to be remembered and repeated? Presidents have gifted speech writers to coin ringing phrases for the history books. You can be just as memorable when you think about what you want to say and why. Patricia Fripp is a speech coach who gives these seven tips for crafting a speech or presentation. 1. Speak in short sentences or phrases. 2. Don’t step on your punch word. 3. Perfect your pause. 4. Repeat your key ideas more than once. 5. Never read your speech. 6. Use stories. Help your listeners “see” your words. 7. Say something memorable.
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How Many?! How Much!?
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ow Many?! How Much!? is designed to help anyone who is cooking or planning events for large groups. Don’t expect a cookbook. It divides the process of feeding many hungry people into 13 easy-to-follow steps, making it useful to both the novice and veteran event organizer. How Many?! How Much!? shares ways to prepare meals for 25 to 1,000 that are creatively planned, well run, priced accurately, and served hot and delicious. It includes chapters about menu planning, recipe costing, calculating expenses, recruiting helpers, designing a program, planning seating, plating and presentation, and more. Author Jennifer Cole’s light-hearted, easy to understand style comes from 15 years of experience running a catering business and cooking for large groups in restaurants, summer camps and churches. Jennifer says, “I love cooking, I love cooking for large groups, and I want to share ways that make this kind of cooking easier for everyone.” Available online at www.reunionsmag.com.
M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S 15
BRANCH OFFICE
Ask Maureen to analyze your family photos on’t let heaps of unidentified, damaged or disorganized family photos get you down. Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective and former Reunions magazine genealogy columnist, can analyze your family photographs. She combines the skills of a private detective with those of a historian/genealogist. She looks at identifying characteristics in the photo such as background, hair styles, clothing styles, jewelry, uniforms, quilt patterns, make of automobiles, etc. and even facial resemblance, if necessary, to solve the mystery of when and where the photo was taken and who is pictured. Here’s how the process works. Simply post a photo or photos you would like to know more about to her website, maureentaylor.com. Tell her as much as you already know about your photo(s). She’ll email you a cost estimate and you’re good to go. Maureen shares her findings in a phone conversation which is recorded and sent as an mp3 file for you to listen to again. Take the opportunity to work with Maureen Taylor to solve your historical photos mysteries.
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Maureen Tayloer
Sparking historical interest
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athania A. Branch Miles, Hyattsville, Maryland, and board member for the Prince George’s County Historical Society says, “People always say, ‘We’ve got to get together more often.’” Families seem to gather only during major milestones. She said they miss opportunities to collect family stories, photos and artifacts. Miles hopes to inspire families and residents of Prince George’s County to take a greater interest in history. The historical society’s current table-top book project about the history of Prince George’s County will span 300 years of
cultural history, highlighting education, churches, farming and entertainment, including auto and horse racing. The society is soliciting old photographs of life in the county from residents and county organizations. The book will be a fundraiser for the organization. Miles hopes the book will help residents, especially youth, learn from past achievements and mistakes. To submit photos or get details, call 301-641-3147. From a story by Laura C. Jackson in the Prince George’s County, Maryland, Gazette.
Family history is a silent treasure
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Parker Family Reunion in 1990 inspired Felicity Logan to explore her family history and write a fictional biography, A Silent Sin. Logan started searching archives and records because she was intrigued by the fact that her greatgrandfather’s surname was the same as his mother’s maiden name. She discovered he was the son of a bigamist who had another wife. His mother left for Australia while she was expecting him. Since 1999 Logan has travelled to England, Australia and throughout New Zealand in search of genealogical
information. In a prologue she explains that attending family reunions can reveal unanswered questions about heritage. An unexpected twist at the end of the story answers questions about the possibility of the truth. Although her great-great grandmother was born in 1839, Logan feels she knows her well. A Silent Sin is self-published and available online at lulu.com. From a story by Sandra Crosbie in the Manawatu Standard, Manawatu, New Zealand.
Harder family tree
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he Harder Family Reunion displays their family tree drawn over 50 years ago on the back of a tablecloth. Anne Petrous says, “I also display our lineage, which has been traced back to the late 1500s.” She has put the info online and others are
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starting to add more. Last year, she started a Yahoo Group for family to stay in touch. Reported by Anne Petrous, New Baltimore, Michigan.
Chart your ancestor’s health
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ary Thiele Fobian, Pacific Grove, California, former editor and sometimes contributor to this magazine, shared this very practical way to organize ancestors’ health information using Family Tree Maker’s “Medical” record field, which includes cause of death. “As I locate my ancestors’ death certificates, I add their cause of death and other health information into my FTM database. A few years ago, in anticipation of my own annual physical, I generated an ancestral chart displaying names, birth-death years and age at death/cause of death. My doctor really appreciated it and studied it for quite some time. Then, she asked me to generate one for our kids, too, which shows medical information from both my and my husband’s parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.”
Cancer education for African-American family reunions
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ary D. Shaw-Ridley, PhD, director of Texas A&M’s Center for the Study of Health Disparities (CSHD) in the Department of Health and Kinesiology in the university’s College of Education & Human Development, proposed “More Than A Picnic: It’s A Family Affair for Lifestyle Change.” Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) funded a Texas A&M University program to take advantage of family reunions as venues for teaching African-American Texas families about cancer prevention. The project initially will recruit families from Texas (Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Bryan-College Station). Participants will
be trained to serve as “family health coaches” to deliver a 30-minute education session during their reunions. Families then will undergo a 12-month health education program to improve lifestyle behavior, create family support networks, and take advantage of early detection screening. The project expects to educate at least 1,500 adults ages 18 to 70, and at least 50 health care professionals. For information visit www.tamucshd.org or email morethanapicnic@hlkn.tamu.edu.
Dr. Mary D. ShawRidley
Create a ‘Health Portrait’ high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, mental disorders or amily reunions provide an historical “anchor,” a sense of kidney failure. Then, during the reunion, set aside time to talk tradition especially because several generations attend. So about the benefits of knowing family health history. If anyone what better time to talk about family health? resists, make it clear that a good data bank can save a life. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, cystic has a free, computerized tool designed to help families gather fibrosis and sickle cell anemia can run in families. Talk health information. “My Family Health Portrait” organizes specifically with family members who smoke or abuse alcohol or family information into a printout members can take to their drugs; they are at risk for lung cancer or renal failure. physician to help determine disease risk and develop Present the information in a way that’s concise, respectful personalized health strategies. and interesting for your family. Physicians use this information to help identify potential “My Family Health Portrait” and additional information are health problems, develop treatment to prevent them and available at www.hhs.gov/familyhistory or call 888-Ask-HRSA improve patient care. There is an the important connection (888-275- 4772). English and Spanish versions are available. between family and health. From an article by Dr. Ernest Levister, Jr. in Black Voice News. Ask family members to list conditions like heart disease, Note: Examples of family reunions who have incorporated health information in their reunion programs at www.reunionsmag.com, click on family health history.
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M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S 17
MASTERPLAN
Is it cousins? Or Cousins?
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ere’s a letter we got that we felt summarizes what a lot of people feel/experience when they commit to planning a reunion. Tell us you don’t relate to what Shirley Gillespie writes. And on the subject of the name, should it be cousins rather than Cousins – which could be a surname? Further, as cousins, they all have a common ancestor. Who is she/he? Maybe that’s who should name the reunion. And it could be a first or last name or both. How the reunion got its name can start a family legend. Shirley Gillespie writes from Chandler, Arizona, “My cousins and I have been discussing a cousins reunion for several years and no one did anything. Cousins? No, that’s not our name. We have too many names, therefore, I’ve called it Cousins Reunion meaning we are cousins by relationship. Well, I volunteered to plan the reunion and thanks to reunionsmag.com I’ve found so much information on all subjects about a reunion. Even a t-shirt vendor with lots of ideas for shirts. My idea with the shirts is since the back of the shirt is blank, use fabric markers and everyone sign the back of everyone else’s shirts. Then in WordPerfect I found a template for a newsletter and the first one will be mailed in two weeks. It’s full of who, what, when, where and even notes from relatives who have furniture, etc., that they don’t want to sell but keep in the family. Let’s trade this stuff. This reunion organizing has become so much fun. Then the San Bernardino Visitor Center in San Bernardino, California, is full of brochures, hotels, etc. I suggested in the newsletter to contact them for further information about the area. Thanks for all the ideas I found in the Reunions magazine website, reunionsmag.com.
Reunion of unity
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n August weekend was just a “regular” weekend for most people in Greater Mobile, Alabama, coastal communities. But in quaint little Theodore on the outskirts of Mobile, the Jones Family was gathering at the Fowl River Community House for activities, fellowship, food and fun. This was the first time the Joneses secured an indoor facility for a reunion, mainly out of concern for elderly family members in an Alabama summer which is extremely hot and often experiences unpredictable storms. The decision was fortunate because “heavy rains” were in the weekend forecast. While most activities were indoors, the children enjoyed themselves on an outdoor water slide. It’s not unusual for families to host a talent show so that “Little Jr.” can do his Michael Jackson impersonation or “Janie’s little girl” can show the family her rendition of Etta James’ “At Last.” We opted for something different. We performed a religious skit which brought everyone in the house to their feet in praise. The elders were so impressed, they wanted us to perform an encore presentation at church the next day. Characters such as Miriam, Esther, Ruth, Martha, Kings, Angels and Roman Soldiers were brought to life before a captive audience. Monica Leland provided custom-made costumes and Rochelle Leland produced the skit giving “Glory to God” for all He has done. Family traveled from as far as Iraq and Germany, as well as from around the US. We missed some members who attended in previous years, but welcomed others who had not made it before. This event brought our family closer and the laughter continues today as locals meet each other daily. This Jones Family Reunion will long be remembered as a “reunion of unity.” Reported by Claude L. Perry, Birmingham, Alabama.
The Jones Family Reunion Players in full regalia.
reunionsmag.com
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he Whitehurst Family Reunion Walk-AThon was a great success! We raised $200. The winner ran over 10 miles and won the grand prize of a fitness book, a mug and a card declaring him the winner. See YouTube video of the walk-a-thon at whitehurstfamilyreunion2012.myevent.com. Reported by Ne’EL Whitehurst-Joseph, Houston, Texas.
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Planning a family reunion in Branson, Missouri
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family reunion may last a weekend, but planning pays off all year long! Family reunion season winds down when school activities begin. Many travel planners say late summer is probably the best time to begin planning family reunions for next year. Wanda Nicol, a group coordinator for Thousand Hills Golf & Conference Resort in Branson, Missouri, offers these tips for reunion planners. First, create a family reunion checklist. There are multiple reasons for starting with a clear list to make sure nothing is forgotten. Any time you think of something that needs to be done, add it to the list. According to Wanda, “[it] also offers the important benefit of being able to check off items on the list. It brings a sense of accomplishment and proof that you’re not just spinning your wheels.” Note: the timetable and checklists in Reunions Workbook and online at reunionsmag.com are great starting points for your list.
are one of the most common causes for poorly attended family reunions. Let the family know well ahead of time what dates they need to reserve on their calendar.” This is important when picking the location for a family reunion, whether renting a shelter at a park or booking a cruise for the whole family. Most reunion venues fill up months in advance for prime summer reunion season. Wanda advises clients to begin planning in fall, even though family reunion season seems far away on the calendar. Of course, family reunions in the 21st century wouldn’t be complete without a
Photo credit Jim Pickell.
Next, pick a date. This is a crucial part in planning and one which is often overlooked until the last minute. As Wanda says, “Last minute date changes
Wanda Nicol
high tech angle, something Wanda encourages, especially for larger reunions. “Create a reunion website, make an email list, set up a facebook page or twitter account. Don’t be afraid of new technologies which encourage the alwaysimportant younger generation to get involved – something all reunion planners struggle with.” Many free or inexpensive web and social networking services* are available, so there’s no reason not to have at least a small online presence. Most online tools come with tutorials or examples that make them easy to set up with little computer experience. Of course, the sooner these tools are used, the more time the family has to use them – another good reason for planners to start laying the groundwork in fall. Wanda has learned that the best reunions were planned months and sometimes years in advance. Advance planning makes it more of an event, a special occasion, and you’re more likely to see family members coming from far away. Wanda’s final advice to planners is, “A family reunion may last a weekend, but family reunion planning pays off all year long!” * Note: we recommend myevent.com.
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he Philhower family originated with Wolhauer Palatine immigrants Philip Philhower and Mary Mueller, who married in 1752 at St. Michael Zion Lutheran Church, Germantown, Colony of Pennsylvania. The Philhowers have held annual reunions since 1917 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. This family photograph was taken at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Cokesbury, New Jersey. Their 95th annual Philhower Family Reunion will be September 10, 2011. Contact Jane Eick at 908-766-0807. Reported by George Apgar, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
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MASTERPLAN
The luck of the O’Reilly Clan
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2004 Reilly began adding emails to his small list of names, a phone list of relatives. The list went from 16 to book and a decade of hard work 180 names in 2006. resulted in the eight branches of “I began to discuss planning a reunion the O’Reilly Clan having their and relatives were interested,” Reilly first combined reunion in Dublin, Ohio. It all began when Tim Reilly received a handwritten list of One of Dublin’s most popular family names from his grandmother experiences is the Four-Leaf before she passed away in 1998. He Scavenger Hunt, which takes started looking for family members groups through the Historic using genealogy records from the Dublin District discovering Irish collections gathered by the Church facts, answering trivia questions, of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints learning about the area and enjoying treats and others from Irish genealogical along the way! Visit www.IrishisanAttitude.com. researchers, as well as going through white pages. “I started calling people and it took a number of years to find relatives. I only had names,” said Reilly. “Using leftover cell phone minutes I would take a Saturday and call, for instance, every John Reilly in the state of Pennsylvania.” That’s some dedication. “Of course, some Reillys weren’t my relatives,” the Rockford, Illinois, resident said. “But the ones who were led me to other relatives. The contacts kept snowballing.” Through 2003 and
said, “So I decided that 2010 would be the first reunion of the entire clan.” Tim Reilly had the list of names and a set year. Now the planning would begin. The O’Reilly Clan’s Irish heritage was an important factor when they started thinking of places to hold the reunion. “I wanted to center it around an Irish festival or event,” said Reilly. “I learned that Dublin, Ohio, actually has the world’s second largest Irish Festival. Also, no one lived in Dublin so it seemed fair everyone would have to travel. Since Dublin is centrally located they wouldn’t have to travel far.” Dublin is located in central Ohio, 15 minutes northwest of the state capital and within 500 miles of 50% of the 20 R E U N I O N S O reunionsmag.com
population. Its upscale, suburban atmosphere provides easy access, free parking and over 2,000 hotel rooms. As the home of the Annual PGA Memorial Golf Tournament and 25-year-old Irish Festival, Dublin is accustomed to hosting large and small events. “More than 100,000 guests come to the Dublin Irish Festival each year,” said Allison Potter, Sales & Marketing Manager at the Dublin (OH) Convention & Visitors Bureau. “With seven stages, 65 acts and more than 535 performers, there is truly something for everyone during this
festival and in the City, where Irish is an Attitude. There is a gorgeous area called Gatherings at the Pond where several families will rent tents during the festival.” “I wish every family could experience having a reunion in Dublin.” Reilly said. “Seventy-year-old men were hugging and kissing me because it was the grandest affair they had ever attended. The atmosphere in Dublin, Ohio, is special. We were a part of the whole celebration. Everywhere we went we felt special.” Tim Reilly found the eight branches of the O’Reilly clan and about 150 family members attended from all over the country.
We found this letter in anticipation of a reunion very interesting, with ideas for others to consider. Subject: Saffore-S
cyffore Family Re
union Itinerary...
We are a family , DR IVEN
by Divine Purpose
Greetings Family, We will be gatherin g God has really bles together later this week. It will be a bl sed us to have an opportunity to gath essing to see and fellowship with ev We are getting read er again; we have y to bust the door much to be thankf eryone. open on the 32nd a family, DRIVEN ul for. Annual Saffore-Scy by ffore Family Reun reunion founder, Ot Divine Purpose.” This reunion will ion. “We are highlight the life an hella Beatrice Ever celebration. Enjoy d et the food, fellowshi t-Scyffore. The kick-off event is a bi legacy of our family p and the wonderfu rthday (in memory) As we progress th l memories that so rough the reunion m e will share. ev en Robin cuisine and the family bowling ts, you’re sure to enjoy the visit to the Oklahoma Aqua bonanza at Sherid will enter Sunday an Lanes. Sunday rium, Red with worship and is Othella Beatric praise at Full Gosp picnic celebration e Day! We el Family Outreac at LaFortune Park h Min .W memories that will forever be written e hope the gravitas of the fellowship istries, and cap it off with a on we share will crea th e ta bl es of our hearts and m Attached to this co te inds. mmunication is th e fin al reunion itinerary A few reminders ... ; please print and review carefully. Please remember to bring the non-pe risha each and every fam ily member 18 year ble items for the “Service-Giving” project. We are re baskets. The food s qu and gift baskets wi or older to bring one non-perishabl e food item for food esting ll be donated to tw host church will fa o less fortunate fa and gift cilitate the selectio milies (outside ou n of the families wh In addition, we wa r fa m o ily). Our wi ll receive the basket nt to show our love s. , encouragement an with a care packag d support by presen e. ting our new colle health and beauty We would like to receive toothpaste ge students , tooth brushes, to aid products, snac wel sets, school su ks, laundry coins college students wo pplies, (money), postage an uld enjoy. d any other items We will need the ite you believe ms at the start of th e reunion, so please Family reunion m bring them to Frid emories will last a ay night’s kick-off lifetime; hugs from absolutely priceles event. family members m s. iles away, long talk s … are I still need volunt eers to perform various ta sks throughout the reun io please look forwar n, so d to hearing from me. I understand that som have invited guest(s e ) other member(s) of and your family to attend th e reunion. All are we lcome, but guest(s) must be accommodated for financially. If there is anyone area, city or town in your email, please prin that does not have Thanks for taking t of f a access to co py of this email an the time and makin d all attachments. g the sacrifice to at tend. Safe travels to Tulsa! Note: NEW! We are adding samples of reunion programs in communications at reunionsmag.com. To see a copy of Saffore-Scyffore Family Reunion program online, go to reunionsmag.com, click on activities. M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S 21
MASTERPLAN
Caldwells celebrate 10 years
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leveland, Ohio, will host the Caldwell Family’s 10th Family Reunion! Twenty years of celebrating for this family whose roots began from a small town in Quitman County, Mississippi, called Marks. The theme is “New Vines from Strong Roots.” We now have family members living in nine states and over 28 cities in the US. Our family newsletter, “Keeping in Touch,” has been in print since our very first reunion. This year, we will honor family members for outstanding service or achievement. In these difficult times, we should have an attitude of concern and service that extends beyond ourselves.
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Who in our family is committed to God and mankind and exhibits a mindset other than “us four, no more?” There are family members who have some incredible achievements – brave individuals who conquered obstacles to attain them. Members were asked to nominate someone in the family who demonstrates any of the following or similar characteristics: service, generosity, leadership, ethics, empathy, tolerance, love/kindness, perseverance – whether in their home, church, workplace, communities or schools. Submit a brief summary about the person, including
their name, city, a specific incident, service or the person’s outstanding achievement and the obstacle(s) they had to overcome. You must also tell why you believe they deserve recognition. We will review all nominations, and acknowledge the most outstanding during the reunion! Since our family has several over-achieving, selfless and caring individuals, it will be a difficult decision! Note: See Caldwell Family Reunion program online; reunionsmag.com, click on communications, then on newsletters. Reported by Anita Howard, Cleveland, Ohio.
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KIDSSTUFF
Kids’ parties
Don’t forget the bubbles
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ubbles are always a surefire hit. Whenever kids get restless, blow bubbles for them to pop. It keeps everyone entertained.
Let’s Move Outside
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he National Park Service and the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition encourage American families to add outdoor activity to their days. Kids can earn Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger designation. Every family member can work toward a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA). Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger and the PALA activity log are available at 52 national parks. Visit www.nps.gov/aboutus/letsmove.htm for participating parks and activities. To download an activity log, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.
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ragun’s Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota, has special kids’ programs. For kids age 4 through 12, they have “the most fun parties around.” Theme parties include luaus, beach party, PJ movies and many others. Oh, and the best part of all? No parents allowed; only kids can have this much fun! Visit craguns.com. CRAGUN’S CONFERENCE & GOLF RESORT
in Brainerd, Minnesota, has been serving the meeting needs since 1940. Contact 800-CRAGUNS (272-4867); www.craguns.com.
Don’t forget crafts
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rts and crafts are often a highlight for kids. Have lots of paints, crayons and fingerpaints. Search for, then decorate, stones and rocks. Press leaves and flowers. Draw a family tree or design a family crest or logo. Make lanyard, yarn and string friendship bracelets. Make reunion scrapbooks, posters and banners. Make and fly kites. The possibilities are endless. Kids all love to color. We have found two free sources of coloring sheets you can print and use at your reunions; www.freeprintable.net has a kids section as does www.doverpublications.com. The latter, Dover Publications, also publishes countless theme coloring books which are always a winner for kids. Then, how about a new discovery (at least to us), Wikki b Stix Creatables. Wikki Stix look and work somewhat like um ti x b Wikki S pipe cleaners but are brightly colored non-toxic wax covered yarn that is twistable, stickable, buildable, and playable into shapes and figures for lots of fun. No glue, paste, preparation or cleanup needed. Kits come with lots of examples, projects and ideas for the imaginative fingers that will play with Wikki Stix. Visit www.wikkistix.com.
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ovine Moss reported that for the past several years people have donated stuffed animals at the Moss Family Reunion so each child gets a stuffed toy to take home. This goes over big with the small kids.
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Teddy bear anyone?
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ICEBREAKERS
Icebreakers mix things up INTRODUCTION
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any reunions want to include activities designed to get everyone involved. Icebreakers introduce and mix members. Often silliness and laughter are an intended consequence which, in and of themselves, break down countless barriers. Talking, interacting and conversation break the ice and advance camaraderie. Here’s a fairly simple way to start mixing. Ask everyone to not stay glued” to the people they know. Instead get up, seek out those you don’t know well and experience the joy of getting to know someone new. Or to encourage conversation, print place cards with questions that get attendees chatting. To get attendees going, ask two questions: What is the biggest accomplishment you achieved in the last year that was not about your career (or school)? and What is one of the most outrageous (or courageous) things you’ve done in your life? Another version of the last suggestion is to facilitate conversations at a mixer with an “Ask Me” activity. First, write a variety of prompts on blank name tags. For example, “Ask me about the best course I ever took” or “Ask me about my role model.” Attendees choose a tag to wear or write their own; when they get tired of answering that question, they can take a new one or switch with someone else. These ice breakers were used at a 30th high school reunion in Fremont, California. Classmates were asked to send a postcard from where they live now. Cards were cut in half and as people entered the Friday night welcome reception, they picked half a post card out of the bowl and were told to find the matching half. It really opened conversation. There were 24 prizes for the first 12 “couples” to match their halves. Even after the game was over, everyone kept playing, trying to match their half of the postcard. Some cards were so funny, people wanted to see the whole message. T-shirts made for the 30th reunion were soaked, wrapped in rubber bands and put in the hotel meat freezer. They were frozen SOLID! They asked for 5 five female and five male volunteers for a “game,” not telling what it was. T-shirts were presented and each volunteer selected a shirt. The first one to get the shirt ON was the winner. The prize, of course, was the shirt celebrating the reunion. People had so much fun they suggested doing that again. It is rumored that paramedics were standing by. 26 R E U N I O N S O reunionsmag.com
ICEBREAKER ROUNDUP I
Before the reunion, write a word, message or sentence as large as possible on large, light cardboard. For example, you could use the word Welcome or the name of the reunion. Then cut into pieces, mix them up and place on the floor. When kids arrive, ask them to work together to complete the puzzle. Once they’ve assembled it, ask them to yell the word or message. This encourages the group to work together as a team and breaks down anxiety and any fear of new surroundings. Adapted from icebreakergames.co.uk.
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Another site offers eccentric icebreaker games like “StraightFaced Unabashed Liar,” in which players write down two truths and a lie about themselves for people to guess.
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Pin a sheet of plain paper to each person’s back, then, hand out a stack of Post-it Notes to everyone in a group. Ask everyone to write a positive or neutral adjective that describes another person on a Post-it and to stick it to that person’s piece of paper. Do this for about 20 minutes. Then ask everyone to introduce themselves using the adjectives on the piece of paper. I
This icebreaker can spark conversation at a meal. During the first seated meal, ask every table to find things that everyone at the table has in common. Offer a list of possible questions to get them started, such as whether they have children, pets, spouses, etc. After 15 minutes of spirited conversation, the table with the longest list wins a prize.
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Suggest topics for meal discussion. Have generations talk or ask about group history, with elders providing sometimes surprising answers or revelations.
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To promote mixing throughout your reunion, slip the name of another member behind each name tag. Ask attendees to seek out that person during the reunion. When pairing people, match individuals from different cities to increase the chances of everyone meeting someone new. This should be done very thoughtfully. So if a teen is interested in science, that name goes to an adult who has something to offer the teen.
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Bananagrams, a fast-paced new game, works as an icebreaker for groups of up to eight (multiple sets needed for larger groups). Each player must form a network of connecting words from the letter tiles (number based on number of players). The first person to run out of letters wins. Make things more fun by requiring that all words relate somehow to your reunion. Visit bananagrams-intl.com
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Kathleen Casper suggests planning for story sharing at the beginning of the reunion. Have everyone make their own nametags and, next to their name, draw pictures representing something important to them. The challenge is that everyone must memorize each person’s name and what their symbol stands for. Then take the name tags off and see who can remember the most symbols.
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GAMES
1 down Reunion fun with letters by Jodi M. Webb
W
ord puzzles are a way of life for my family. Every morning my grandfather walked to the post office for The Philadelphia Inquirer so he could do the Daily Jumble. I end every day with my local paper’s crossword. Puzzles are a fun way to get to know your relatives at the next reunion. If the thought of constructing a crossword puzzle seems daunting, don’t worry. Computer programs make crossword puzzles as simple as typing in a few words and waiting while the computer arranges them. My favorite is Crossword Compiler (crossword-compiler.com; $59 to download – not a lot if you use the program for several puzzles). Or just take the free demo for a test drive. A free program with nice puzzles is Eclipse Crossword (eclipsecrossword.com). If you’re not computer savvy and you have lots of patience, try constructing a puzzle using graph paper and a pencil with a large eraser!
WHAT WILL THE WORDS BE?
Dziadzu means grandpa. “Mom” was our grandmother who called the family business a “beer garden.”
For a few days before I even go online, I jot down words I think would make good puzzle answers. Start with the obvious: relative’s names (first, last and nicknames) and places (hometowns, states, streets). Think about family members: their hobbies, cars, favorite sports teams, jobs and unusual characteristics (red hair, over 6 feet tall, etc.) or abilities (speaks German, rides a unicycle) can all make great words. Don’t hesitate to put a word down two or more ways – chances are the program won’t use it twice. For example, PA and Pennsylvania or different names someone was known by: PopPop, Vincent, Vince, Red. Don’t be afraid to have a long list of words. It’s been my experience that only 30% of your words are used by the computer program so aim for 100 words. Include lots of twoand three-letter words, if you want a puzzle that doesn’t have a lot of black spaces. WHAT ARE THE CLUES?
Clues will probably occur to you as you write your list but don’t forget to play by the rules. Is your word an abbreviation? Include (abbr.) in your clue. Is your word in a foreign language? Include the language in parentheses in the clue (Sp. or Germ.). Make clues a challenge, but not impossible. “Uncle Charlie’s oldest son” is too easy. “Cousin whose favorite elementary teacher was Miss Gierson” is too hard. “Eagles fan with season tickets” is just right. Even in-laws remember that Jay wears Eagles green from August through January. Some words will be generic, while the clue is family-related. For example, “How many relatives still live in the old hometown?” Word: nine. “Which month has the most family birthdays?” Word: December. Another great place to find clues is in old family stories. Think back over funny stories that are told after holiday dinners. For example, “What kind of car did PopPop crash on the way home from Aunt Jenny’s wedding?” Word: Mustang. 28
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WHEN WILL WE PUZZLE?
Crossword puzzles are a fun way to get family members in a reunion mood. Include one in your reunion newsletter or post one on your reunion website. They pass the time on the ride home after the reunion. The crossword programs are so easy you can construct a puzzle about events that happened at the reunion so relatives can relive the get-together the day after it happens! Ask relatives to mail completed puzzles to the reunion committee to draw from a hat for a prize at the next reunion. Or, at the start of reunion hand out an icebreaker crossword with clues about family members’ recent accomplishments. Everyone will quickly feel at home, grilling each other to learn who just graduated from Penn State and the name of the youngest baby. If your reunion is a large crowd, consider several crosswords breaking the ice at once. Maybe the Syracuse branch of the family has a puzzle about the Philadelphia branch while the Philadelphia branch has a puzzle about the Florida branch. Or the teenagers have a puzzle about the 60+ crowd while the Baby Boomers are puzzling about tweens. Constructing crossword puzzles is now so easy you should not have a reunion without one!
About the author Jodi Webb lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, three children and a multitude of extended relatives – thankfully, not all in the same house! When not attending family weddings, reunions and other events, she organizes WOW Blog Tours (www.wow-womenonwriting.com ), pens the blog Words by Webb (http://jodiwebb.com ) and writes articles for magazines such as The GRAND, Birds and Blooms and PTO Today. It is a family rule that she gets to complete the daily crossword in the newspaper, although she occassionally asks for help with sports and foreign language clues.
Games Round-up Davis of Round Rock, Texas, says the Echols5 Sandra Henderson Family Reunion is small but they have two and a half days of fun. They are campers, so reunions are at Texas State Parks. They play bingo each year to pay for next year’s prizes and postage for invitations. Lockard, West Jordan, Utah, reported that her family 5 Diane reunion had 40+ attendees: four generations, a 90-year-old aunt visiting from the care center, and one of two surviving members of her father’s generation (Bergans). One of her sisters-in-law organized games on the front lawn of the hotel (and other guests leaned out of their windows to watch). She laid out two 15-foot-long hoses (heavy colored ropes can be substituted) parallel to each other. Families divided into two teams, with one person from each team at the end of the rope. Each receives a pair of binoculars – “wrong side up” – and looks through them as they try to walk next to the rope. Each person has his or her own style. “Some start slow and some hurry …” First team to finish wins! ladies to offer their purses for inspection. Give a prize 5 Ask for the weightiest handbag! someone choose a category (movies, actors, food), 5 Have then each person name something in that category. Here’s the challenge: the next person must name something in the category that starts with the last letter of the previous word. Orange ends with “e,” so the next word could be eggplant, followed by tomato, then onion, and so on.
Marion Area (Ohio) CVB offers Amazing Treasures III 5 playing cards. Split the family into teams and send them out on the Marion Treasure search. Cindy Baker, Wauseon, Ohio, describes activities and 5 games from the Dominique, Ralph, and Olivia Family Reunion. They play golf, visit museums, have an inflatable castle for kids and do horse race betting using dice and kiddie horses. The family was divided into four teams of 15, with more watching. One game consisted of a table of family items (grandpa’s pipe, the vase from grandma’s kitchen, etc.). Members were told to memorize items on the table and then as a team had to answer questions such as the type of pipe tobacco grandpa used, the height of the vase, etc. Teams received points for each correct answer. Baker wrote about another game that consisted of four teams of 15 who were told to line up by height, then by names, then by age. They had to stand on a 2 x 14 board and had to change without getting off the board. The first team done in each category won points. There was also a question-and-answer quiz about family trivia and, of course, the always popular balloon toss … with a slight deviation: Teams got in a line and the first person threw a balloon to a bowl. Then the person who had thrown the balloon became the bowl holder and the other person went to the back of the line. Everyone had a chance to throw and hold until all the balloons were gone. There was also a candy toss for the wee kids along with kids’ games.
Bolin Family Reunion
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icky Thornton, Activities Coordinator for the Bolin Family Reunion in Slocomb, Alabama, describes this game. Three people were chosen to sit at a table with cake in front of them and a scarf around their shoulders and lap. Three more people were chosen to each stand behind one of the people sitting. The people standing put on food service gloves and were blindfolded. On a count of three, the people standing had to reach around their seated partner and feed them cake, by hand. Being blindfolded, the one doing the feeding had to use one hand to feed cake and the other hand to feel for the mouth. Of course, cake was all over their faces by the end of the game. After one minute a whistle stopped play and the winner was the couple who had actually eaten the most cake. What fun!
Game ideas from the Evers family
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he Evers Family Reunion is on the verge of their 100th gathering, according to Cindy Goodwin, Maineville, Ohio. They work hard to keep generations engaged and excited about attending the annual three-hour event in Michigan. These are games they’ve enjoyed. Guess who? Everyone is asked to bring their baby photos to post during the reunion. They use a magnet board to post the photos and allow everyone to “guess who?” Trivia They developed trivia cards about their family history.
Every year they add ten more questions and answers to the trivia deck. Every table has a set of cards. They also enjoy drawings, family bingo cards, sack races for the kids, family calendars, family photos, signs, family cookbook, a talent show and presents for achievements during the year. They are always looking for ways to spice up the reunion and avoid becoming stale. At recent reunions, attendance of the 30- to 40-year age range members is higher than any other age group. M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S
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GAMES
Chalk up a successful family reunion by Ellen Javernick
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f you could pick just one simple supply to have on hand for a family reunion, what would it be? For me it would be sidewalk chalk. Here are some of the things we’ve used it for at our family reunions.
REUNION RELATED
Draw a family tree on the driveway or the parking lot of your reunion venue. Give each branch of the family a different color chalk to add leaves for their family members. Adults and school age children can write their names on the leaves. Big brothers and sisters can help their younger siblings. Draw a time line. Mark off years before guests arrive to make it visually accurate. Have family members write their names in their birth year. When multiple people have the same birth year, just stack the names. Make a height graph. Kids love the idea of lying down to be measured, but take a yardstick to measure grown-ups who might not be as enthusiastic about lying down. Be sure to measure babies, too, so the next time you get together you can see how the graph changes.
Draw a target on the concrete or blacktop. On the chalk target, write the number of points earned for the bullseye and each outer ring. Provide bean bags and let the fun begin. SUPER STARS
Offer a mini Olympics to tame the tough teen and preteen crowd. These IN FOCUS are some activities you might include: In addition to taking pictures Long jump: Use your chalk to of chalk activities, you’ll want record the distance covered by each to take pictures of all the folks contestant. in front of some silly 3-D chalk Balloon toss: Safer and sillier than pictures. Artistic adults and a shot put. even older kids can create Ty Bakker (4) and Zack Bakker (3) coloring in their people. Balance beam: A chalk line drawn backgrounds. Even if your event on the drive is the “beam.” The goal is takes place in Kansas, you can make it appear that the family to do the fanciest trick without stepping off. has gathered beneath the shadows of the Eiffel Tower or on a Soccer slalom: Draw colored circles like slalom markers for beautiful beach in the Bahamas. The secret to making the your contestants to kick a soccer ball around. Time the results. drawing look 3-D is using contrasting colors directly beside CRIME SCENE OR PETITE PARADE each other. Check the website of chalk artist, Julian Beever (http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever), for ideas. For the crime scene, the kids lie on the sidewalk or blacktop while grown ups or older kids draw around the kids’ bodies. HOPSCOTCH, AND ESCARGOT Teens love to add gory details (tattoos, blood). Draw out a hopscotch play area and you’re sure to draw a Younger kids will be entertained for long stretches of time if crowd. Seniors will be eager to share memories of their they are given the chance to draw clothes on their picture people. playground strategies. Small folks will love being introduced to A FINAL ARTISTIC EFFECT chalk games that have survived through centuries and still are played around the world today. Before you spray away the memories of the day, wet down a Escargot (pronounced es-car-go, French for snail) is a twirly new area of the concrete or blacktop. Let guests “paint” with sidewalk game played by children in France. Perhaps you’ll their chalk. The results may seem almost as magical as your discover that family members from other cultures will have reunion has been. their own chalk drawn games. For directions for Escargot, google “How to play French hopscotch.” About the author Ellen Javernick is a second grade teacher and author from RIGHT ON TARGET Loveland, Colorado. Her most recent picture books are The Grown-ups take horseshoes seriously and the clang of metal Birthday Pet and What If Everybody Did That. She’s the proud often reverberates at reunions. Sidewalk chalk makes it “Grams” to 10 grandchildren. possible for children to play a similar – but much safer – game. 30 R E U N I O N S O reunionsmag.com
Family (reunion) game night
Family Talk games
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recent survey conducted by Hasbro says that three in four Americans would rather play board games than video games as a group activity at a family reunion or gathering. Involve everyone in planning. Allow kids to pick games or choose snacks. Keep a family scoreboard: recognize the member who won the last game. Or create a family crown to be worn by the winner at the next game. Games provide the benefits of laughter, bonding and learning. They can be subtle learning tools that teach kids important life skills such as patience, concentration, teamwork and perseverance. By taking turns, following rules and even losing a game, kids learn skills they can apply at school and at home. GAMES FOR ALL AGES
Families with kids ages 6 to 8: Pictureka! Sorry! Sliders, Operation, Monopoly Jr. Families with kids ages 8 to 10: Clue, Monopoly, Cranium Family Edition, The Game Of Life Families with kids ages 10 to 12: Monopoly, Yahtzee, Clue Families with teenagers: Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition, Scrabble, Cranium Wow, Jenga, Catch Phrase, Trivial Pursuit From North Florida NewsDaily, Glen Saint Mary, Florida.
Reunion Trivia
amily Talk and Grandparent Talk facilitate fun and relaxed conversation. Question cards fit a wide age range and any type of family. Our families learned new things about each other in a short period of time. The tin container makes the game easy to play at the dinner table or outside at a picnic table. The carabiner set takes the already portable game to even more destinations. The carabiner set fits easily in a backpack or picnic basket for onthe-go conversation. There is no worry that cards will be lost or damaged. Family Talk and Grandparent Talk enlivens any family conversation, anywhere. Visit aroundthetablegames.com. Reviewed by erika Klauk Page, Waupaca, Wisconsin.
Boom Boom! Cards Family Deck
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eunion Trivia is an interactive team trivia quiz designed for high school, college and family reunions. Each class reunion game is composed of 20 questions related to events that occurred during a specific graduation year. Attendees work together to test their trivia knowledge in a fun, fast-paced format reminiscent of nostalgic moments from their graduation era. The Reunion Trivia Quiz includes an electronic slideshow designed to be projected, along with easy to follow step-bystep instructions. All supporting materials needed to conduct the event are included: participant score sheets, overall team scoring worksheet, text versions of all questions, and tips and guidelines. Reunion Trivia also offers a customized product in collaboration with reunion committees to create a quiz designed specifically for their own school and graduating class. The committee answers a simple 10-minute questionnaire about their school and members of their class. Reunion Trivia then uses that information to create a customized interactive game designed specifically for that class. Visit www.reuniontrivia.com.
LIST YOUR REUNION FREE! Email (editor@reunionsmag.com) contact name, address, phone, email, reunion name, date, and place. Check us out at www.reunionsmag.com
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ew Boom Boom! Cards Family deck encourages the whole family to share in the experience of performing acts of kindness and can be played by children and adults. Each Boom Boom! Cards deck contains 26 individual acts of kindness designed to create a social revolution of giving. Cards in the new Family edition focus on everyday acts that children and family members can perform to create and inspire kindness. Once a card has been completed, a “mission accomplished” sticker can be placed on the Command Central Activity Board so the whole family can get involved with tracking their success. It’s a wonderful opportunity for parents to reinforce the values of compassion and kindness, while having fun and sharing positive experiences with their kids! Boom Boom! Cards Family edition ($14.99) Talk About It! discussion cards inspire conversation between parents and kids about their experiences performing acts of kindness. Visit http://boomboomcards.com. Five percent of the purchase price is donated to iSpot Compassion and 5% to the charity of the purchaser’s choice. M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S 31
GAMES
Scavenger hunt highlight of winter family reunion
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Bingo under an old shade tree is a staple at the annual Seideman Family Reunion in Newburg, Wisconsin.
argaret Carney, Durham, North Carolina, sent three generations into knee-deep snow on a nature scavenger hunt at a family reunion. The list was straightforward. Find three different leaves, three seeds, three birds, three animal tracks, three different-coloured stones, an insect, something more than 100 years old, and something less than a month old. In half an hour. What they couldn’t collect in their bag, they could draw or describe. Carney, an outdoor writer, was pleased by the booty teams brought back. For the insect category, two produced goldenrod galls, one with a hole pecked by a downy woodpecker to get at the grub inside. Another team found a snail shell in a ridge of sand where the sun had melted the snow – not an insect, but she gave them marks for trying. Birds included a chickadee, blue jay, cardinal, Canada goose, goldeneye and gull. Tracks included cottontail, squirrel, coyote, fox, dog and bird – and what seven-year-old Jacob was convinced was a deer. Two teams brought snow for the less-than-a-month-old category. Ironically, the other team chose snow for their more-than-100-years-old item, arguing that water was ancient and had been on Earth for millennia. Their monthold item was a bud they claimed was sprouting. From Margaret Carney’s column on Newsdurhamregion.com, Durham, North Carolina.
Poulter Family Reunion
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arilyn Creason-Gobble wrote for family members to anticipate the fun they could expect at the Poulter Family Reunion in Mannford, Oklahoma. “We few, we happy few,” Creason-Gobble wrote, “remember reunions in the ’80s at Aunt Marcene’s house when we played a traditional Egg Toss game. It was a lot of fun.” Tim Poulter MC’d a White Elephant (also known as a Chinese Christmas) planned for indoors. Everyone who wanted to participate brought a white elephant gift that fit in a brown paper grocery sack. Members were asked to bring something from home that they no longer want, or to purchase something for no more than $5. Or, in desperation, put $5 in a bag. Creason-Gobble said, “We gave prizes for Poulter 20 Questions, which got members out of the rut of sitting down immediately and waiting for Worker Bees to tell us it was time to eat. And if the weather is nice, they also plan croquet and horseshoes.”
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Steve and Deborah Hicks play a friendly game of checkers in the lodge lobby at the Dickinson Family Reunion at Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Georgia.
Aboussies enjoy games and golf
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very two years, the Aboussie family gathers from Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond for four days of food, fun and games. For one reunion, the lakeside setting of Louisiana’s Cypress Bend Golf Resort was perfect for games and events, including a golf tournament, bingo night and “Aboussie Olympics.”
Olympic contests relate to the family’s Lebanese heritage, such as grape leaf rolling and squash coring competitions. They also created a version of Password with words relating to their rich heritage. Reported by Phil Aboussie and his sister Karen Aboussie, Austin, Texas.
Neal Trivia
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arole Neal, Castro Valley, California, shared this trivia quiz from the Neal Family Reunion. It was used in a newsletter sent before the reunion. MATCH THE NEAL SIBLING WITH THE CORRECT ADDRESS.
1. Eliza Ross 2. Eleazer Neal, Jr. 3. Solomon Neal 4. William Neal 5. Jesse Neal, Sr. 6. Charlie Neal 7. Carey Neal, Sr.
a. 1902 Havard b. 3325 Jennings c. 1401 Monroe d. 3313 Jennings e. 1782 Newcomb f. 1105 Maple g. 1022 Hollister
Reunions at Granny Conley’s
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manda Hamm, Raleigh, North Carolina, wrote that what the house lacks in size is more than made up by the abundant backyard at her grandmother, Hazel Conley’s house. There is plenty of room for running around with water balloons, or the more subtle cup of water that one is pretending to drink. Poles stand year-round waiting for the volleyball net that comes out for the summer reunion. It has, on more than one occasion, taken longer to find the net than was spent playing the game. The size of the court changes from year to year, depending on the shoe size of the person mapping the boundaries. And the boundaries have even been known to change in the middle of a game if everyone agrees the space is too hard to cover or if, say, someone gets stepped on. Out of bounds has been marked by rocks, shoes and other things people can trip over and by, at least one year, duct tape. The ball is not always inflated ahead of time and is sometimes not even a volleyball. We’ve never found a better spot for a game.
Explore for more @ reunionsmag.com Timetable! Podcasts! Fundraising! Icebreakers, games and activities for all ages! Themes, history, toasts, speeches and dedications! Contests, sweepstakes and free stuff. Where to go, what to do and much, much more.
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 M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S 33
LITTLE REUNIONS
Sisters’ reunion makes a big impact overseas! by Monica White
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hen it comes to family reunions, bigger is not necessarily better, as three sisters found during a very special summer reunion. The sisters enjoyed a small, yet significant reunion planned around a unique set of circumstances. Two sisters live in the US, the third and youngest was away at war in Afghanistan. The sisters planned a reunion trip to Israel! Touring the Holy Sisters relaxing on the beach Land had long been a desire of the youngest sister. Once she received a 15-day military leave, reunion plans swiftly got underway. Careful planning was needed with special consideration of the youngest sister’s military leave and travel status. The sisters used a US travel agency and were reunited in Tel Aviv, Israel, where their reunion began! They took several guided tours of Israel’s major tourist destinations. They were utterly floored and humbled as they witnessed historic and mystical sights, such as the actual place where Jesus is believed to have been born. The sisters enjoyed a unique opportunity to indulge in spa treatments using mud taken directly from the Dead Sea. Finally, they took advantage of a little rest and relaxation on the beach in Tel Aviv. Reunions like these can be tailored easily to suit the needs of various size groups. In fact, what the sisters found was that their small number contributed to the spontaneity of the trip,
allowing a more relaxed and personally fulfilling reunion. Location and size notwithstanding, when people are reunited with guided and thoughtful planning, a successful reunion is sure to be the result. CONSIDERING AN OVERSEAS REUNION?
These are a few suggestions to make yours a special and memorable reunion. • Plan early for better deals, accommodations and prices. • Remember passports, visas and birth certificates for each family/group member. • Choose a reputable travel agency experienced with overseas/military travel. • Consider sightseeingonly tours that accommodate elderly or disabled family/group members. • Bring enough medication and extra for unexpected delays. • Keep medication accessible and with you at all times. Do not Three sisters meet in Jerusalem check it in your luggage. • One bag per person. Checked bags add unnecessary cost, delay and inconvenience, not to mention the added aggravation, if bags are lost. Generally speaking, small reunions lend themselves well to overseas travel. The small number fosters better mobility, spontaneity, and closeness.
About the author Monica White lives with her family in Tampa, Florida. She is a former flight attendant, private pilot and travel writer. She owns and manages a four-unit apartment building in which she enjoys taking on repair/home improvement projects. Sisters and camel
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The Power of Ten
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ho says a reunion has to be large? Sometimes less is more. Our mini reunion, as it’s come to be known, was never intended to be an annual tradition, but rather a one-time event. In 2002, a friend mentioned that some pals from high school would be in town, and asked if I’d like to see them. It sounded like fun, so I invited another school friend, who in turn asked another, and soon the guest list had grown to eight. The original eight. Today our little high school group numbers 10, which is especially fitting since we’ll be holding our tenth reunion this year. So far we’ve enjoyed lunches, brunches and even played our hunches,
with potlucks at each others’ homes. During our visits, there’s no shortage of hugs, conversation and picture-taking. And it just keeps getting better because we’ve been friends for 40 years. Our annual get-togethers are a great time-out from work, stress, husbands and kids, and a perfect opportunity to channel our giggly teens within. It keeps us happy and connected, which is the way a reunion should be. Reported by Sandy Stert Benjamin in the gray pantsuit, second from the right, Los Angeles, California.
’76ers “gone wild”
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ome dreams start with a simple challenge. Two classmates missed their 30-year reunion of the Clay Center (Kansas) Community High School (CCCHS) class of 1976. One lives in Spokane, Washington, and the other lives in Woodland, Washington, not far from Astoria, Oregon. One challenged their classmates in Clay Center, Kansas, to come see them. They thought it would be fun for their 50th birthdays. They didn’t know who to invite, so they sent a letter inviting all the girls in their class. Then a number of them got together for a planning session and they started meeting monthly. Someone ran into a male classmate who said he thought he ought to go on the trip but the women said no. He said, “I can see it now: Girls Gone Wild ’50s edition!” The group had t-shirts printed using that thought. They wore their tshirts on the airplane and got lots of comments. Two German men asked the group, “What does it mean?” pointing to the slogan “Girls Gone Wild ’50s Edition.” At the Portland airport one man asked the group if he could send his wife with them. In the Oakland airport two women came up and hugged members of the group and asked to join. When they were shopping, people in stores would say, “The rest of your group went that way.” Even in high school, when they did something, there were 14 or 15 in a group. It got them in a lot more trouble. They stayed at the pilothouse on the Columbia River where ship pilots stay
while waiting for a ship to lead into port. The Port of Astoria was right out their deck. They could just sit and watch the ships. The group also visited lots of area attractions. One night they stayed in, ordered pizza, reminisced, laughed and
watched old class reunion movies. But the most important part of the experience wasn’t the sightseeing, it was renewing relationships. From a story by Elby Adamson in the Clay Center Dispatch, Clay Center, Kansas.
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LITTLE REUNIONS
Go with the flow by Edith Wagner
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his is a different reunion story because, while most reunions meet and stay in one place, this is a reunion road trip. And, as such, we’ll assume it is a small, rather intimate reunion. Girlfriend reunions are big right now, or guy friends going fishing. Or a reunion of cousins, particularly older cousins who can enjoy a leisurely, several-day drive. Or neighbors, maybe former neighbors and even book clubs. Now book clubs can go to a bed and breakfast whose large, albeit cozy, living room was built specifically for book clubs to curl up in front of a roaring fireplace. There are many areas where a road trip would be a fun reunion, like the Texas Hill Country or Sonoma County, California, or the Smokies in Tennessee. This particular road trip is along the mighty Mississippi River on Wisconsin’s Great River Road National Scenic Byway. This route passes through 33 historic river towns and borders some of the most important wetlands in the US. Well worth your attention.
Good places to stay along the way
Stockholm’s Blue Bicycles are available free for cruising at your leisure and at your own risk. Then, just return them to a convenient bike rack when you’re finished.
Here the river and the rail lines tell the story of significant gritty but romantic American history. The wide river valley was formed thousands of years ago by massive torrents of water produced by melting glaciers. Over the centuries, the meandering river sculpted the floodplain, producing an elaborate maze of channels, islands and sloughs. Along with being one of the most scenic rivers in the world, the Mississippi is still a true working river today, with barges, a lock-and-dam system, and train tracks paralleling the river, all
MAIDENWOOD IN STOCKHOLM, WISCONSIN
Quiet, rural, beautiful vistas and a very interesting hostess, Deb Hansen, make this place very special. There is a renovated barn for your banquet. This is an ideal stop for book clubs because Hansen converted a large garage into a place just for book clubs with sinkdown-into furniture facing a roaring fire in the stone fireplace. Visit www.maidenwood.net. MAIDEN ROCK INN IN MAIDEN ROCK, WISCONSIN
This is a fascinating work in progress in a repurposed 1906 schoolhouse. Enjoy tasting Alsatian wines in the grotto. Visit maidenrockinn.com. LITTLE BLUFF INN IN TREMPEALEAU, WISCONSIN
This is a vintage motel with some kitchenettes. Visit littlebluffinn.com/. INN AT LONESOME HOLLOW IN SOLDIERS GROVE, WISCONSIN
Hosts Pete and Nora Knapik are fonts of area knowledge and full of suggestions for how to enjoy your time in the Kickapoo Valley. Their setting, accommodations and breakfast are outstanding. Visit lonesomehollow.com. 36 R E U N I O N S O reunionsmag.com
Overlooking the mighty Mississippi at the junction with the Wisconsin River from the bluffs of Wyalusing State Park.
living in harmony with nature. And the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad line remains quite active, with dozens of trains passing along the route each day. (Hint: This is an amazing journey for anyone who loves trains.) Tourists welcome! But, beware: real people will welcome you with open arms and a friendly smile and word. These are often towns between two bluffs cut again by river, rail and
TRAVELWISCONSIN.COM
1-800-432-8747 or 608-266-2161 www.travelwisconsin.com/ Highway 35. Along this narrow strip and off-shoots you will find so much to satisfy all tastes. You may wonder, as I did, why you never did this before. Each small town has much to speak to its character and its “characters.” You’ll want to learn the story of each settlement. You’ll find answers quickly from a hostess or shop keeper who will also direct you to whatever your desires are. Among the myriad choices along the Great River Road are exploring, eating, shopping, fishing, hiking, birding, biking, kayaking, golfing and more. History is on display wherever you go in the old and lovingly restored storefronts, factory buildings and homes. B&Bs and inns continue that charm, fronted by ever generous and resourceful proprietors, many of whom are transplants from big cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul. They find this an idyllic spot to enjoy their less hectic lives, which they are eager to share. Visit a small town ice cream shop that stops trains on their tracks (Flat Pennies Ice Cream in Bay City), eco-friendly inns, towns who put themselves on the map, boat captains who are passionate about the Mississippi and spokespeople for places that invite the traveler to come on in. You can swing ever so slightly east along the way and to explore Amish country near Cashton, or to Westby, a strong Norwegian community. My trip took us from Prescott in the north to Potosi in the south. The Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center at Freedom Park in Prescott is a must to establish a perspective for your journey. You can gaze up and down the river valley from atop a 400-foot bluff to see where the mighty Mississippi and St. Croix rivers meet. For more details for planning this trip, go to www.reunionsmag.com and search for Go with the flow, a Mississippi River Road trip. M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S 37
MILITARY REUNION NEWS
Military reunion websites by Justin Daniel Beaton
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ost people know about annual family reunions and more often than not either attend one or know someone who does. However, it may come as a surprise that many military units have reunions annually following their tours of duty, some for decades. They are tight-knit, and one would be hard pressed to distinguish differences between the camaraderie and closeness of a family reunion vs. a military reunion. In fact, military reunions may as well be called family reunions, as that’s how close the men are. Like family reunions, military reunions like to stay organized and keep members involved and informed through websites. Websites are useful resources and make planning easier. Each military reunion website is produced for a group who experienced something together that most of us never will, so they want to remind people of their experiences immediately upon accessing the site. The website helps those involved in their reunions to stay current, with updates about reunion time/date, activities and those involved. Each site is geared toward informing people who may not know much about the reunion or who want to become members. Background information tends to remain static because, obviously, their history together has already been written. However, these sites are being updated constantly to reflect current news pivotal to the upcoming reunion. Military Locator & Reunion, Inc., a company that plans and manages reunions, also will host and help run your website. Hosting means that instead of having your own exclusive web address, your web address will include the host site’s name. One example of a reunion using their services is the Airforce’s 34th Bomb Squadron (www.mlrsinc.com/34thbombsqd/). This type of website essentially belongs to the company, and your reunion information is noted along with company information. However, the drawback is that you’re limited in site features that you can choose from. The 34th Bomb Squadron’s site contains links to information, attendees list, and member profiles but not pictures and other activities. Hosting your own web domain (www.yourreunionhere.com) requires a monthly or annual fee. A website that’s privately operated is USS Radford 446 Naval unit (www.ussradford446.org/). The Radford has a museum for the ship and its crew’s history, which is primarily what their website is about. They send reunion information through email and dedicate their website completely to historical awareness, drawing in new people, and generating revenue from museum visits. The website features a lot of pictures and event descriptions, but no reference to the reunion. However, the site offers contact information so people with questions can send an email anytime. The USS Radford site is an exception, as most websites offer lots of information about their reunions. The Marines USS Hornet reunion (www.usshornetassn.com/) is a great example, as it offers reunion features and tries to raise awareness and be interactive as well. Full of features, photos and descriptions, it also links to contact information, store and membership, and it’s organized very well. There is a section where updates about
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current reunion members can be viewed. Being able to see what regular attendees are up to is a neat feature. You can become a member, learn the history, sign up for the newsletter, browse the store, and find reunion information under “Events.” The site offers registration, tour events and even information for reunions two and three years in advance. The USS Hornet also has a museum, but it isn’t the focal point of their site. All branches of the military celebrate reunions, and rightfully so. The US Army’s Battle of the Bulge (www.veteransofthebattleofthebulge.org/vbob/) is a famous event in American military history. Their website has reunion information right on the main page, along with pictures of where it’s taking place, the dates and other quick information. Link icons are army helmets, and choices are very straightforward: join, buy merchandise, attend reunion, donate, and research. There are also links to photo galleries, renewing membership, newsletters, contacts, national chapters, and a president’s message. The Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge site is an excellent example of a military reunion website oriented toward recruiting new members. The first link on the page is “Join VBOB,” with information tailored to someone without knowledge about the reunion, how it works, or the events it includes. Most of these sites have recruiting new members high on the priority list made obvious by the informative tone used in the text. Current members know where to go and what to look for, but potential members aren’t as well-informed; these military sites, primarily this Battle of the Bulge reunion site, do an excellent job of changing that. The USS Bausell Naval reunion page (www.ussbausell.com/) has all the usual links: history, photo gallery, memorial page, member information and application, but with a difference. You can’t scroll down the home page because information is contained so closely together. It is a very simple blueprint, one that many webpages are electing to use. Most people visiting the site and looking to become new members won’t want to be confused by a long main page. And the USS Bausell reunion has done a good job of eliminating that. It has a picture of its heritage right in the middle of the main page and everything else operates around and based off this primary focal point. All military reunion websites share this in common: the goal is to raise awareness and shed light on both their history and their reunions. Each has its own way of going about it, but this is the objective. Some sites are indicative of someone who really knows about website construction and others aren’t. The goal is still the same. Be interactive and user-friendly so the main objectives of raising awareness about history and reunions will be successfully achieved. If you are interested in starting a website, several sitebuilding websites offer free and fee-based hosting and even help building the site. Myevent.com is one such site.
About the author Justin Daniel Beaton, a student at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, is an intern for Reunions Magazine.
Battleship North Carolina reunion on the Battleship North Carolina
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rew members who served aboard the Battleship North Carolina (BB55) in the 1940s returned to what was once their home to celebrate the ship’s 70th birthday, along with her 50th anniversary of being moored in Wilmington, North Carolina. Former crew members had time to reminisce and tell stories of days past. Captain Bragg, Executive Director of the Battleship, said, “They have a love of the Ship, but I think it really is a love for each other. The battleship North Carolina served to make them a family.” Former crew and their families received a private behind-the scenes tour of the ship. The crew toured Wilmington and rode in the Azalea Festival Parade in a Wilmington Trolley as onlookers cheered and waved to those deserving veterans who fought so bravely during World War II. The battleship North Carolina is self-supporting, not tax-supported, and relies primarily upon admissions to tour the ship, sales in the ship’s store, donations to the Friends of the Battleship and investments. Visit www.battleshipnc.com; facebook.com/battleshipnc and Twitter.com/battleshipnc.
Volunteer Military Reunion Planners
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olunteer Military Reunion Planners (VMRP) is a yahoo.com messageboard/forum founded and maintained by Lowell (Woody) Woodworth, Jacksonville, Florida. Any VMRP interested in sharing experiences and ideas and asking questions to solve problems will benefit from this forum. There are no membership fees or dues but memberships are pre-screened and must be approved. If you would like to be part of the group, go to groups.yahoo.com/group/VMRP/. When the homepage opens, click on “Join this Group.” Yahoo will walk you through the membership process. Woody suggests that if you are turning your reunion over to another person to handle; that person should also have access to VMRP where he or she can ask questions of the group.
Introducing YMRC*
*Your Military Reunion Connection MRC is a group who offer military reunion planners an opportunity to learn how to plan reunions. They have timely newsletters and seminars around the country to share knowledge and experiences, and network with other planners and reunion service providers. Seminars promise new and exciting learning experiences based on your needs designed with you in mind. They work closely with CVBs, hoteliers, and vendors about how to generate more reunion business. The inaugural YMRC Seminar/FAM is July 28-31, 2011, in Herndon, Virginia (Washington, DC, area), followed by others listed on the Reunion School page 8 of this issue. The YMRC team – Debbie Chesnokov, Michael Stewart, Ron Cohen, Brian Forrester, and John Baker – have a combined 100+ years experience in reunion planning and the hospitality industry. Visit www.YourMilitaryReunions.com to become a member and sign up for their newsletter.
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Military reunion tours at Annapolis
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he Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, offers a customized military reunion tour for veterans. The tour includes a special welcome, audio-visual presentation, customized guided walking tour and complimentary postcard book for each guest. Wheelchairs are available by prior arrangement. The Visitor Center strives to ensure that time spent at the Naval Academy is memorable. Veterans are treated like VIPs. When a military reunion group finalizes its visit to the academy, answers to a questionnaire help personalize each tour. A Military Reunion Tour for 16 or more is $9.00 per person and takes two and a half hours. Public guided walking tours of the Naval Academy are approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Visitors 16 and older must have a photo ID to enter the grounds. Visit www.visitannapolis.org. M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S
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MILITARY REUNION NEWS
The Alliance of Military Reunions
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he Alliance of Military Reunions is a nonprofit organization of military reunion groups and those who serve them. Think of it as a “brotherhood of veterans” committed to constant improvement in reunions and reunion groups. The Alliance provides military reunion group leaders with the most upto-date information available to assist with planning and organizing successful reunions and reunion associations. Their mission is to be a valuable resource for those who organize, manage, host, and serve military reunion groups from all services and all eras. They provide members with information, training, and personal networking opportunities. For seminar and town hall meeting schedule, email MilitaryReunions@aol.com or visit www.allmilitaryreunions.org/
Replacing military medals
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edals awarded while in active service are issued by the individual military services. Veterans or next of kin can request replacement medals, decorations, and awards by directing requests to the military branch in which the veteran served. Requests for replacement medals should be submitted on Standard Form 180, “Request Pertaining To Military Records,” from VA offices or www.va.gov/vaforms/. Forms, addresses, and other information about requesting medals are available at the Military Personnel Records section at www.archives.gov/st-louis/militarypersonnel/index.html. Or call Military Personnel Records at 314-801-0800; MPR.center@nara.gov. When requesting medals, type or clearly print the veteran’s full name, branch of service, service number or Social Security number and veteran’s exact or approximate dates of military service. The request must contain the signature of the veteran or next of kin, if the veteran is deceased. If available, include a copy of the discharge or separation document, WDAGO Form 5355 or DD Form 214. Found in the Ex-POW Bulletin.
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Black military women recognized
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omen were part of the all-black 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in 1945, handling massive backlogs of mail piled floor to ceiling in warehouses and airplane hangars. Letters were the main connection soldiers had with their families. After their work was done, 885 women were discharged without any recognition for what they had accomplished. The National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW), formed in
Hampton, Virginia, hosts a reunion every two years of black women members of the military. It also collects stories about women who have served. Gladys Schuster Carter, called the mother of NABMW and a member of 6888, was 87 when she died last year. Meeting her was described as like walking through a history book. She loved the military. Visit www.nabmw.com. From a post on HamptonRoads.com.
National Museum of the US Air Force
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enovation of the Southeast Asia War Gallery at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, is underway in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the first US Air Force campaign during the Southeast Asia War. The museum offers the opportunity to learn more about the aircraft and personnel who served. The museum’s UH-1 “Huey” helicopter served with the 20th Special Operations Squadron in South Vietnam, flying dangerous, highly classified missions inserting special operations personnel into Laos and Cambodia. In June 1969, this aircraft was converted into a UH-1P gunship equipped with two rocket pods and two miniguns. The aircraft on display is painted to appear as the UH-1F flown by Capt. Jim Fleming on Nov. 26, 1968, when he braved intense enemy fire to rescue a small reconnaissance team that was about to be overrun by a much larger enemy force. Fleming was awarded the Medal of Honor for the mission, and there is a diorama around the helicopter to tell this particular story. Visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
Heroes Homecoming VIETNAM VETERANS WELCOMED HOME
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eroes Homecoming is Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s way of showing all Vietnam veterans we remember and appreciate their courage, their sacrifice and everything they’ve done to defend our freedom - now and forever. Fayetteville, North Carolina, has a unique connection with the Vietnam conflict, as more than 200,000 soldiers underwent basic combat training at Fort Bragg before departing for the war. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation (ASOMF) will host the Traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial on the museum Parade Field November 6-14, 2011. The traveling wall is a replica of the official Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC, provided by the Vietnam Combat Veterans, Ltd., in Michigan. Visitors also will be able to trace names of those killed in action. As the wall is delivered, members of Rolling Thunder®, Inc., Chapter 1 NC will escort it to the ASOM, and will help provide 24-hour surveillance of the wall during its stay. Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the US, also has signed on to participate. During Heroes Homecoming, the Vietnam War Memorial on base will be rededicated. Visit HeroesHomecoming.com.
LIST UPCOMING REUNIONS FREE! Send reunion name, date, place, and contact information to editor@reunionsmag.come. Check us out at www.reunionsmag.com
CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES
Welcome to Reunion Resources! 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 GREAT WOLF LODGE Indoor Waterpark Resorts, featuring an 84-degree indoor waterpark, spacious, cabin-themed family suites, fullservice spa, restaurants, meeting space, gift shop, fitness center and children’s activities. Amenities vary by property. For more information, visit greatwolf.com or call 1-800-905-WOLF(9653). For group bookings, contact groupsales@greatwolf.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
ALABAMA GREATER BIRMINGHAM CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 2200 Ninth Avenue North, Birmingham AL 35203. Birmingham is becoming one of the most celebrated reunion cities in the southeast. There are lots of details to see to – good planning is hard work. The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau is here to help. For more information regarding reunion services, please contact the Convention Bureau at 205-458-8000 or 800-458-8085; fax 205-458-8086; twalton@birminghamal.org; www.birminghamal.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
CALIFORNIA ANAHEIM PORTOFINO INN & SUITES 1831 South Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802; 866547-2913 Looking for a seamless reunion packed full of laughter and memories at an affordable rate? Let the knowledgeable experts at Anaheim Portofino Inn & Suites, located across from Disneyland, create a magical reunion package for you including discount Disneyland tickets and spacious, comfortable accommodations. www.portofinoinnanaheim.com
PALM COURT INN 1983 North Palm Court Drive, Palm Springs CA 92262: 800-667-7918. Convenient location with 108 newly renovated rooms, free continental breakfast, free parking, free WiFi and expansive banquet and hospitality rooms spread throughout four acres of lush gardens, make Palm Court Inn a great spot for your reunion! Call now for great packages. www.palmcourt-inn.com.
HOLIDAY INN SAN DIEGO BAYSIDE 4875 N Harbor Drive, San Diego CA 92106; 619-2243621; 800-650-6660; fax 619-224-1787. 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@holinnbayside.com; www.holinnbayside.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
RAMADA PLAZA HOTEL SAN DIEGO 2151 Hotel Circle South, San Diego CA 92108; 866-4362833. You can go wild in San Diego and still save money! Featuring 182 guestrooms with tons of FREE amenities including daily hot breakfast buffet, parking and WiFi, Ramada Plaza also offers discount Zoo and SeaWorld tickets, tour planning assistance and more, and is located just five minutes from San Diego’s best attractions! www.ramadaplazasandiego.com.
NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOE™ RESORT
FLORIDAYS RESORT ORLANDO
Nestled in the mountains and minutes to North Lake Tahoe, families can enjoy a multitude of on-site activities which makes staying and playing at Northstar affordable, easy and fun for the whole family. On-site activities include golf, biking, hiking, and skating as well as events, dining, and shopping in the Village at Northstar. The resort offers a variety of lodging accommodations, starting at $105 per night. All-inclusive family reunion packages make planning effortless; starting at $249 per person including two nights lodging, meals, and activities. 800-926-5096, reunions@northstarattahoe.com, www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com
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; groupsales@floridaysorlando.com; www.FloridaysResortOrlando.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
THE LAZY Z RESORT
5500 Gulf Blvd. St. Pete Beach FL 33706. Located on the white sand beach of Florida’s west coast, TradeWinds offers a wide variety of delectable dining options and flexible function space. Just 30 minutes from the airport, your group will enjoy an array of activities and entertainment far surpassing their expectations. Our award-winning staff ensures a successful and fun reunion for all. 727-363-2215 or 800-345-6461; fax 727-3632221; DProbst@twresort.com; www.JustLetGo.com; http://www.tradewindsresort.com/tampa-reunionhotel.aspx
Located on 40 acres in California’s Gold Country. First class Cabins with Clubhouse meeting space, natural designed pool and outdoor hot tub. Our 12 Cabins sleep from two to six people. Perfect for Family Reunions, Business Retreats, Weddings and vacations too! We look forward to having you join us and share with you this very special place! 22732 Middle Camp Rd., Twain Harte, CA 95383, (800) 585-1238, www.LazyZ.com, info@LazyZ.com.
COLORADO
TRADEWINDS ISLAND RESORTS
THE NATURE PLACE CONFERENCE & EDUCATION CENTER
GEORGIA
6,000 acres of private land in the mountains of Colorado, 1 hour from C. Springs. We specialize in hosting extraordinary family reunions. Designed to bring families of all ages and interests together in fun and unique ways. 48 studio apartments/ occupancy for 130. Contact us 719-748-3475 / office@thenatureplace.net or Visit www.thenatureplace.net
246 Perimeter Center Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30346. The Hotel is located adjacent to Perimeter Mall and the Dunwoody MARTA station offering easy access to all city attractions. Amenities include onsite restaurant and lounge, room service, indoor/outdoor swimming pool, meeting and banquet space for up to 350 people and complimentary hotel shuttle within a 2 mile radius. Ask about our special reunions packages. Call 770 394-6500 or visit www.atlantamarriottperimeter.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
FLORIDA AWARD VACATION HOMES
ATLANTA MARRIOTT PERIMETER CENTER
“Why stay in a hotel?” over 150 new luxury vacation homes just minutes to Disney. Offering 3 to 6 bedroom private pool homes, many with spas, game rooms, lake views, multiple master suites, and many character themed rooms for the kids. All of our homes are centrally located many next to each other and back to back for families to stay together in comfort for less than the cost of area hotels. Every home is fully equipped with all major and most small appliances. Our homes are available to view online at www.awardpoolhomes.com or call 1-800-338-0835; 1536 Sunrise Plaza Drive, Suite 100, Clermont, FL 34714.
CROWNE PLAZA ATLANTA PERIMETER at RAVINIA
SHERATON FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH HOTEL
EMBASSY SUITES ATLANTA PERIMETER CENTER
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; 888627-7109; sheraton.com/fortlauderdalebeach. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
1030 Crown Pointe Pkwy, Atlanta GA 30338. 770-3945454. All suite, upscale, renovated hotel located in beautiful Dunwoody, just steps away from Perimeter Mall, Perimeter Shoppes and more than 30 area restaurants/dining facilities. Hotel features complimentary amenities such as: cooked-to-order breakfast, Manager’s Reception, area shuttle, parking deck, indoor pool/sun deck, Precor fitness center and business center. Hotel offers an onsite restaurant with Starbucks café, meeting space and wireless internet throughout. Flat screen TV’s in all suites. Easy access to downtown via MARTA. Hilton Family Hotels. Book us at www.atlantaperimetercenter.embassysuites.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
COCO KEY HOTEL & WATER RESORT – ORLANDO 7400 International Drive, Orlando FL 32819 Family-friendly resort features a 54,000 sq. ft. canopycovered and outdoor water park. With 14 water slides, 4 pools, and a 6,500 sq. ft. Arcade there is something for everyone. Located on International Drive, this AAA 3 diamond property is near all of Orlando’s major attractions. Newly renovated rooms feature modern décor furniture, and a variety of amenities. Connecting rooms are also available for larger families. On-site dining includes TradeWinds restaurant, Callaloo Grill, and Pizza Hut Express. For groups of 10 or more, special reunion menus are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For more information, please call 407-351-2626 or email info@cocokeyorlando.com. Visit cocokeywaterresort.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
4355 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30346 Located in Central Perimeter area nestled on a 45-acre park, with waterfalls, terraced gardens, facilities for gatherings of 10 to 1,000. 495 guestrooms, 33 spacious suites. Featuring a three-story greenhouse atrium lobby, fitness center, indoor pool with sundeck. Across from the Perimeter Mall. Free shuttle to area restaurants, parks and MARTA station for downtown attractions. Visit www.cpravinia.com or call 770-395-7700. Mention this listing for 10 % off reunion banquet pricing. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
STAYBRIDGE SUITES PERIMETER CENTER EAST 4601 Ridgeview Road, Atlanta-Dunwoody GA 30338. Staybridge Suites is an All-Suite Hotel and offers a premier location in the Dunwoody – Perimeter Area within walking distance to some of the best Restaurants and Shops Atlanta has to offer. Minutes away from attractions like Stone Mountain, Six Flags, Zoo Atlanta, Hartsfield Airport and the Georgia Dome. Fantastic amenities like Free Full Breakfast, Free Shuttle within a 3-Mile Radius, Free Internet, Free On-Site Fitness Center and Guest Laundry! 678-320-0111; Fax: 678320-0250; Reservations: dos.atlpr@wm.staybridge.com; Website: www.staybridge.com/atlanta-pr. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S 41
CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES W ATLANTA PERIMETER
MARYLAND
NEVADA
111 Perimeter Center West, Atlanta GA 30346. Find sanctuary in 121 deluxe guest rooms and 154 fantastic suites complete with the W Signature Bed, Bliss™ Sinkside Six amenities and balconies in all rooms. Suites feature a full kitchen. Free shuttle service within a 3-mile radius, which includes Perimeter Mall and MARTA stations. Banquet spaces with full catering available. For reservations, call 770-396-6800; fax 770-394-4805; GMWAtlantaPerimeter@whotels.com; www.whotels.com/atlantaperimeter. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
ALEXIS PARK ALL SUITE RESO RT
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: 410-2938687; fax 410-293-3365; tourinfo@usna.edu; www.navyonline.com.
DOUGLASVILLE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
BETHESDA NORTH MARRIOTT HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
Enjoy an oasis of 16 lushly landscaped acres, 3 sparkling pools, 4 unique suites to suit your style and a rooftop Terrance (with views of The Strip) for parties. With 495 suites and 50,000 square feet of conference space our friendly staff can take care of a reunion of any size! Alexis Park is located across the street from the world famous Hard Rock Hotel, one mile from The Strip and McCarran International Airport. 375 E Harmon Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89169. Contact Chris Chapman, 702-7963395 or 800-582-2228. http://sigtour.com/lasvegas/alexispark/ebrochure/Alexis Park Resort Hotel.html
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
5701 Marinelli Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20852; 1-301822-9200; fax 1-301-822-9201; BethesdaNorthMarriott.com
CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU OF DUNWOODY, GA Just 10 minutes outside Atlanta in DeKalb County, Dunwoody is the best location for your next reunion. Minutes away from Stone Mountain Park, Georgia Aquarium, the MLK Center and more! Home to five excellent hotels with tons of meeting space and all within walking distance to Perimeter Mall and shuttle services to MARTA! Call today to plan your reunion – 678-2449800 or visit www.discoverdunwoody.com! SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
GWINNETT CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU (ATLANTA Minutes from Atlanta, the GCVB provides a FREE Reunion Planner, group welcome bags with gift; and free lodging assistance! Gwinnett has 97 group-friendly hotels with 33 of Atlanta’s best parks, and easy I-85 access to Six Flags, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Home, the new Aquarium and Stone Mountain Park! Call Cricket Elliott toll-free at 1-888-494-6638, ext 6049; direct at 770-814-6049 or by email at celliott@gcvb.org to plan your next Atlanta-based reunion today! www.gcvb.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
RAMADA INN & CONFERENCE CENTER 2024 Watson Blvd. Warner Robins GA 31093. Surrounded by native Georgia pines in the heart of Warner Robins our hotel is 5.5 miles from Exit 146 on I75. 100 guest and 5 spacious meeting rooms make us the perfect choice for all types of reunions! Robins Air Force Base, the Museum of Aviation, many restaurants, and shopping are nearby. Call or visit online and ask about group discounts. 478-923-8871; www.ramada.com
ILLINOIS RECONNECT IN LAKE COUNTY Located 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!
IOWA WATERLOO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 500 Jefferson Street, Waterloo, IA 50701. New Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, Historic Veterans Memorial, Isle Casino & Hotel Waterloo. Meeting facilities to 2,000 people. Family attractions – Lost Island Water Park, Phelps Youth Pavilion, and Bluedorn Science Imaginarium. 800-728-8431; fax 319-233-2733; Lonnie@TravelWaterloo.com; www.TravelWaterloo.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
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MICHIGAN THE BENZIE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU Located along Michigan’s northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula, the gateway to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park and serenely positioned on Lake Michigan’s astounding shoreline, Benzie County is an optimal location for your reunion, wedding, meeting or gathering. Facilities to fit nearly every need from world class resorts to private homes and cottages on our pristine lakes and rivers. www.visitbenzie.com or call 800-882-5801.
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.
MISSOURI 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 800-214-3661; 417-243-2117 or visit our website at ExploreBranson.com and request a Reunion Planner Sales kit. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
PULASKI COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU 137 St. Robert Blvd. St. Robert MO 65584. Centrally located between Branson and St. Louis, Missouri on I-44. Enjoy the Museums at Fort Leonard Wood or family activities on the Gasconade and Big Piney Rivers. Trail of Tears, Historic Route 66, Fairs, Festivals, Antiques, and more. Over 1,500 sleeping rooms and 70 restaurants including the Cave Restaurant, dining in a real cave. Call toll-free 1-877-858-8687 or visit www.ReunionsAtFtWood.org for additional information. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
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 award-winning 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 plan your next event! 800-9945900; fax 775-825-1170, www.AtlantisCasino.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 800-894-3588 or visit circusreno.com for more information. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
GRAND SIERRA RESORT AND CASINO is just five short minutes from the Reno/Tahoe International Airport and just 45 minutes from majestic Lake Tahoe. With 2,000 rooms and suites, a full service casino, 10 distinct restaurants, an 1,800-seat theater with headlining entertainment, branded retail shops, a cinema, a 50-lane championship bowling center, outdoor thrill rides, aqua golf driving range, and Fun Quest Family Fun Center, you’ll never run out of fun and exciting things to do. 2500 E. Second St., Reno, NV, 89595 – 866.473.6672 – www.grandsierraresort.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
NEW JERSEY MURRAY GROVE RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTER The perfect place to get back to the simple things in life for your Family Reunion! Murray Grove is a private non-profit organization in Ocean County, NJ. A purposely simple, relaxing oasis on 20 acres located 90 minutes from both Philadelphia and NYC, 60 minutes from Atlantic City, 25 miles from beautiful beaches. Ideal for Family Reunions, open year round, with comfortable and affordable accommodations for as many as 50, meeting space, large kitchen, dining room, living room with fireplace, labyrinth, fire pit, playground, athletic fields, outdoor pool. Visit murraygrove.org or call 609-693-5558.
OHIO EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS 800-354-2657, www.ExperienceColumbus.com/reunions. Columbus is ranked one of the top value destinations in the country. With four downtown entertainment districts, annual festivals, the #1 rated Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, and an array of outdoor parks to choose from, you won’t want to have your family reunion anywhere else. Planning a reunion in Columbus is easy. And we’re here to help. Plus, all of our services are free. We will assist you with finding hotels, local attractions and more. And when the time comes, we’ll provide you with Visitors Guides, Visitor Maps, plastic bags and pens. Contact Brian Cheek at 614-222-6136 or BCheek@ExperienceColumbus.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES DUBLIN OHIO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT MARRIOTT
CRUISES
9 S. High Street, Dublin OH 43017. Dublin is located in Central Ohio and is home to the PGA Memorial Tournament and one of the largest Irish Festivals in the world. Experience our European settings, impeccable golf courses and charming Historic District. With the closest hotels to the #1 Zoo in America – The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, a safe suburban setting, free parking, and 46 accredited parks, Dublin makes a fun and affordable reunion destination. Learn about our 22 custom experiences. Contact Allison Potter: apotter@IrishisanAttitude.com; 1-800-245-8387; www.IrishisanAttitude.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
45020 Aviation Drive, Dulles, Virginia 20166; 1-703471-9500; fax 1-703-661-8714; DullesAirportMarriott.com
CELEBRATION RIVER CRUISES
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; groupsales@seamist.com; www.seamist.com. 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 800964-8600 ext. 3017 or by e-mail at chrisp@chattanoogacvb.com for free help planning your next reunion! www.chattanoogafun.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE We’re a gold mine for reunions. Need attractions? Try Dollywood, Titanic Pigeon Forge, Zorb and the actionpacked Parkway. Want nature? Great Smoky Mountains National Park is next-door. Want entertainment? More than a dozen theaters await you. Hungry? We’ll feed you well. Details: 1-800-285-7557 or visit pigeonforgereunion.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
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.ParkCityLodging.com. Let our knowledgeable staff assist you in creating a memorable mountain experience.
VERMONT SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH RESORT At America’s Reunion Resort, you’ll experience Mountain Resort Living, award-winning children’s programs (6wks. - 17yrs.), family activities and entertainment, swimming, skiing, hiking, dining, shopping & more. Smugglers’ Notch Resort – the only resort in North America to guarantee Family Fun – Summer, Winter & Fall. For more information, call 1-800-521-0536. or visit www.smuggs.com/reunions. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
VIRGINIA CRYSTAL CITY MARRIOTT AT REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT 1999 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202; 1-703-413-5500; fax 1-703-413-0192; CrystalCityMarriott.com
CHESAPEAKE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 860 Greenbrier Circle, Suite 101 Chesapeake, VA 23320. Can you hear it? That voice inside, beckoning you to get together. Reconnect with friends, families and memories. The refuge, the waterways, the beach – so close you can enjoy them all. For more information on planning a family or military reunion in Chesapeake, VA, call 888.889.5551 or go to www.visitchesapeake.com.
VISIT FAIRFAX / FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA. Enjoy everything that Northern Virginia has to offer. From the monuments and memorials of nearby Washington, DC to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, 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!
The Celebration Belle, an 800 passenger riverboat, located in the Quad Cities, is the largest non-gaming riverboat on the Upper Mississippi River. We offer a wide variety of cruises ranging from 1 hour narrated sightseeing cruise to a daylong cruise. The Celebration Belle is known for our live entertainment, our hospitality, and our food, which prepared fresh onboard, not catered! The Quad Cities is a great destination for your reunions. Go to celebrationbelle.com or call (800) 297-0034 for more information.
FAMILY TREE CHARTS
NEWPORT NEWS
YOUR FAMILY TREE CHARTED.
Get close to the ocean, ships, history and the great outdoors with one central destination in Newport News. 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! With 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.
Names of all Family Members are charted. Large Poster size for display. Smaller, framed size for gift. Plus A Family Tree Book of individual Family Trees. Really Nice! Make charting your Family Tree part of the legacy you leave behind. www.FamilyTreesCharted.com; FamilyTrees@bellsouth.net. 404-768-5 698, JoAnn Ross.
VisitNorfolk 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 5,000 committable hotel rooms in various price ranges. Call 800-368-3097; dallen@norfolkcvb.com; www.visitnorfolktoday.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
CROWNE PLAZA RICHMOND WEST’S premiere location includes 282 guest rooms and over 10,000 square feet of banquet space for large or small reunions. Perfectly set between downtown Richmond and the city’s west end, we are less than 10 minutes to Richmond’s science and historic museums, fashionable shopping centers, renowned outdoor gardens and downtown nightlife. Our features include a full service restaurant, indoor pool and complimentary parking. Visit us at crowneplaza.com/richmondva or call 804-285-9951.
TYSONS CORNER MARRIOTT 8028 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Virginia 22182: 1-703734-3200; fax 703-734-5763; TysonsCornerMarriott.com
VIRGINIA BEACH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Virginia Beach offers the perfect blend of coastal charm and big-city amenities. Instant beach access and a modern city feel, we offer great variety in accommodations, dining and shopping. From the Master Jet Base of Oceana to the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek and Fort Story, enjoy a variety of military reunion exploratory opportunities. Our team of hospitality professionals are ready to assist you! Call 1-800-8223224 Email: smorgan@visitvirginiabeach.com, www.visitvirginiabeach.com
PRODUCTS & SERVICES 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!
MEMENTOS REUNION THINGS AD-fordable Imprints…your ALL in ONE Source for Reunion Products & Mementos T-shirts, stadium cups, napkins, drinkware, koozie drink holders, tote bags FREE Screen, FREE set-up, FREE design layout. Free t-shirt coupons. Toll Free 1-888-602-9450, sales@reunionthings.com, www.reunionthings.com
FAMILY REUNION HUT VERY CHEAP – Family Reunion Favors, Gifts, Banners, Buttons, etc. with no minimum order requirements or setup fees! Submit an online entry to win a FREE family reunion banner, winner drawn weekly. The Family Reunion Hut™, familyreunionhut@gmail.com, 281-968-COST, www.familyreunionhut.com
REUNION PLANNERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REUNION MANAGERS (NARM) PO Box 335428; North Las Vegas NV 89033 narm@reunions.com; www.reunions.com.
REUNION 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 MAKE THE BEST REUNION T-SHIRTS! Design reunion shirts online – it’s fun and easy! Create your own design or have us create a design for you. From infant sizes to adult 6XL, you’ll find the perfect shirts for your reunion. FREE shipping, AFFORDABLE shirts, FREE expert-design help, and GUARANTEED delivery dates! Visit www.customink.com/reunionwbk or call 1877-803-5885 today! Use voucher code RW210 to save $10 on your order of 6 or more shirts. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
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CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES flexibility and value afforded by timeshare ownership has never been better. If you are considering investing in a timeshare or would like to rent a villa to get a feel for ownership, be sure to check out the online resale market where you can often find terrific deals directly from current vacation owners. Visit SellMytimeshareNow.com
AWARD VACATION HOMES
VACATION HOMES SellMytimeshareNow.com Interested in Vacation Ownership? Vacation ownership is a terrific way to ensure that you set aside time each year to enjoy with family and friends. It’s also a convenient way to prepay for a lifetime of great vacation accommodations at today’s rates. And with brand names like Marriott revolutionizing the industry, the quality,
“Why stay in a hotel?” over 150 new luxury vacation homes just minutes to Disney. Offering 3 to 6 bedroom private pool homes, many with spas, game rooms, lake views, multiple master suites, and many character themed rooms for the kids. All of our homes are centrally located many next to each other and back to back for families to stay together in comfort for less than the cost of area hotels. Every home is fully equipped with all major and most small appliances. Our homes are available to view online at www.awardpoolhomes.com or call 1”800”338”0835; 1536 Sunrise Plaza Drive, Suite 100, Clermont, FL 34714.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
FOOD PREPARATION
All of the following can be purchased at www.reunionsmag.com/shopping or by calling 1-800-373-7933, ext.4
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. HOW MANY?! HOW MUCH!? A Step-by-Step guide to cooking for a large group, by Jennifer Cole This book will help you with menu planning, recipe costing, recruiting helpers, budgeting. Spiral bound, 73 pp.$19.95 plus $4.95 s/h.
BOOKS 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 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. 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.
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. Send to Reunions magazine, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727; credit card charges call 1-800-373-7933 ext. 4, or order online; www.reunionsmag.com/shopping.
Want to see your reunion on these pages? The answer is simple. Send a report, add terrific, well-focused pictures and we'll consider it.
what's We have Include out your no d b e a adlines, w l ia c t spe a h w nd read it w e he reunion aire other we get it. n will insp ions. reun
For more details and ideas, read these pages and learn more from Media Alerts and Writers Guidelines at reunionsmag.com.
Pictures MUST be at least 300 dpi.
Send with your report to reunionsmag@gmail.com; subject line: name of the reunion.
We have LOTS of submissions so make yours stand out! 44
R E U N I O N S O reunionsmag.com
BACK FRONT WORDS
Be in touch!
This is it! Reunion season 2011
W
e hope this finds you on top of your 2011 reunion season details and looking forward to your own successful event.
Mail to R EUNIONS MAGAZINE PO Box 11727 Milwaukee WI 53211-0727 For charge orders call 800-373-7933 or visit www.reunionsmag.com or fax it to 414-263-6331. Or best of all, e-mail editor@reunionsmag.com.
IN THIS ISSUE
This issue focuses on what to do on your actual reunion days. Each year during reunion season we receive many requests for ideas for icebreakers, games and kids activities so we’ve filled many of these pages with answers. There are also countless more pages of tried and true ideas for icebreakers, games and kids activities at reunionsmag.com. Our Hospitality Answer Man, Dean Miller, National Sales Director for VisitFairfax, provides a hotel contract primer that is required reading for all reunion planners. You’ll find family health a focus in Branch Office and new resources for military reunions.
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If so, you must “opt in” (sign up) again. But it’s really GO easy and it’s free. Go online (www.reunionsmag.com) and look for the bright red newsletter sign up box right on our home page. You’ll receive the current newsletter, then monthly after that. If you’re not already getting the newsletter, feel free to “opt in” now. Newsletters include links to useful reunion planning information and ideas to make your job easier. We include the latest info and resources to help you plan and actually stage your reunion. Sign up now
HOW DO WE GET OUR REUNION INTO REUNIONS MAGAZINE?
It’s so easy. Send your story and pictures. That’s all. Of course, we look for reports that include something unique for our readers especially if pictures illustrate the points. Reports attached to emails get far faster attention. Digital pictures must be at least 300 dpi or we cannot use them. Wellfocused prints are fine. Think about and plan a report before your reunion and focus for the uniqueness of your reunion for us to feature. Using this issue as an example, what games do you play and why? How do you entertain kids? Oh, yes, and we particularly like reports from kids about their reunions. Soon reunions will start being planned for next year and we are always interested in how you plan. We're looking forward to your report. FAREWELL FORUMS
For five years, we’ve hosted forums on the web but interest waned until recently we closed them. Thanks to everyone who participated in discussions. There were questions and answers and often, lively exchanges but not so much recently. Activity on our facebook page is picking up so we urge you to join the discussion there. Join (www.facebook.com/Reunionsmagazine), and post your questions, answers and ideas. SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
Advertising is an essential part of our business and allows us to produce this magazine and our web projects. We urge you to contact advertisers. Go to Reunion Resources online where you can link to all their web sites directly. Link and you’ll see what they offer. Contact them and tell them you met them in Reunions magazine!
EVERYONE’S LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FREE!
REUNIONS MAGAZINE IS IMPORTANT
Well, for reunion planning, you’re in the right place. Explore www.reunionsmag.com for countless ideas shared by many people who have planned and enjoyed reunions. Learn how they raised money or notified their members or planned their reunion meals. While you’re there, check our Free Stuff pages. Again, lists of many things and ideas for freebies that can enhance your reunion. Add your reunion to our list of upcoming reunions. Add your reunion to our picture gallery. Listen to or download reunion planning podcasts. Check our latest list of contests and sweepstakes that have prizes for reunions. Note! This paragraph is repeated in our May newsletter with each suggestion directly linked.
Gloria Mhoon, Chicago, Illinois, who plans the BranchGray Family reunion wrote. “I love all my Reunions magazines, they are great reference when I'm planning my family reunion. When I go back to the magazine, each time there is always something different to read that you didn't read or see before.” REUNIONS ARE IMPORTANT
After our last issue, Sue Bombenger, Nisswa, Minnesota, wrote how pleased she was with a story about the Tema Family Reunion. Several recent unexpected family losses prompted her to add that “Good times like a reunion cannot be underestimated and I hope more people read your magazine and realize that.” Our condolences for your losses, Sue, and thanks for the reminder how precious reunion times should be. EW M AY / J U N E / J U LY 2011 O R E U N I O N S
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P.O. Box 11727 O Milwaukee WI 53211-0727
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