Reunions Magazine Volume 31 Number 4 Virtual Edition December 2022

Reunion Celebrations!

Seidemann Family Reunion

Oh Deer it’s Christmas: Windham Family Celebration

Gilbert/Pryer Family Reunion

USS John Young Veterans Association Reunion

The 2022 Beatty Family

2022

in this special issue

DEPARTMENTS

FRONT WORDS – 4

ALUM & I – 6 Class reunions are back

BRANCH OFFICE – 8

Oleson, Olsen, Olson Family Reunion Cemetery Tour by Diane Olson Piedt The International African American Museum opening in January

SCRAPBOOK – 10 Reunion School

Is a National Park in your reunion future?

Hospitality Answerman by Dean Miller

Do you want to see your reunion in Reunions magazine? It’s simple! Here’s how to do it!

Stay in touch

Easy way to navigate our website and Pinterest pages!

Name badges or buttons?

Are you searching for reunion hotels?

MASTERPLAN – 17 What could be cooler? Holiday reunion ideas

Cline Family Reunion by Metaleen Cline Morgan Thomas

ALAFFFA Rocks at 55th Reunion by Lisa A. Alzo, MFA

James Beatty Family Reunion by Ann Hawkinson Gavin and Katherine Schmidt Patrick

Bell Ransom Family Reunion by Jacqueline Bell Pyatt

Powell Moody Family Reunion by Allison Bell

Joseph Gilbert & Zelma Pryer Family Reunion by Melonie Pryer

Jacques Family of Somerset Reunion by LaKisha Moss

Fuller Family Reunion by Terry Davis

Crawford Family Reunion - Alabama by Wayne and Keisha Ellis

Evans Family Reunion by Valerie Rose

Canty Family Virtual Reunion by Jessie Muse Johnson-Barnes Family Reunion by Dwight Johnson

REUNION REMINISCING RECIPE – 39

Recipes, Reminiscing and Reunions by Lisa A. Alzo, MFA

Don’t Let Your Memories Fade

MILITARY REUNION NEWS – 47

Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance

USS Cogswell reunion by James L. Smith

USS John Young Veterans Association by Michael Trotta

REUNION RESOURCES – 52

A directory of reunion-friendly places, services, vendors and products

ON THE COVER

Seidemann Family Reunion, Windham Family Celebration, Gilbert/Pryer Family Reunion,

USS John Young Veterans Association Reunion, The 2022 Beatty Family

Reunion Celebrations v December 2022 Volume 31 v Number 4

PUBLISHER Rick Voight

EDITOR IN CHIEF Edith Wagner editor@reunionsmag.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Mary Catherine Stern

ART DIRECTOR Jennifer Rueth

SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER

Roberta McLoud roberta@reunionsmag.com

WEB WIZARDS

Mickel Arce • Howard Ehrenberg • Chris Thompson

HOSPITALITY ANSWERMAN

Dean Miller

CONTRIBUTORS

Loida Arce Acosta • Lisa Alzo Allison Bell • Terry Davis

Wayne & Keisha Ellis • Ann Hawkinson Gavin Dwight Johnson • Janice Maxine Jones Thelma Harper Jones • Jassica Mendez

LaKisha Moss • Jessie Muse

Phyllis Naumann • George H. Overman Katherine Schmidt Patrick Diane Olson Piedt • Melonie Pryer Jacqueline Bell Pyatt • Valerie Rose James L. Smith

Metaleen Cline Morgan Thomas Michael Trotta

Reunions magazine, Inc. (ISSN #1046-5s235) is published 4 times per year. Email correspondence, queries, requests, submissions to editor@reunionsmag.com or send 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 and guarantee tear sheets of reviews and reprints.

Reunions magazine, Inc., is not liable for information presented as facts in any of our advertising, byline stories or materials. We reserve the right to edit and/or refuse any material submitted for publication. We take responsibility for submitted materials but unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), submissions and photos will not be returned. All materials sent for publication become property of Reunions magazine, Inc. Advertising information contact Reunions magazine, Inc., PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727 | 414-467-8104 roberta@reunionsmag.com | www.reunionsmag.com © 2022 Reunions magazine, Inc.

Be in touch!

Mail to Reunions magazine PO Box 11727 Milwaukee WI 53211-0727

Welcometo the last of our 31st volume which means Reunions magazine has been around for a very long time! A generation, at least. It is also coming at the end of our many moon pandemic as evidenced by most reports in this issue about postponed reunions, most the first since 2020. You’ll notice as you read the issue, that most of reunions this year were the first in-person events though virtual and hybrid reunions still live on! We hope and are confident this trend will continue into next year and beyond.

call 414-263-4567 visit www.reunionsmag.com e-mail editor@reunionsmag.com

section that should help you get started thinking about how you’re going to submit a report. We do not judge your writing, but we do edit everything we use and we hope you’ve spelled the names correctly. We acknowledge receipt of your submission but may not be working on it for a month or two, but when we do, you can expect comments and questions.

Reunions magazine is and has always been reader-driven. That means we rely on you to share reports/stories about your reunion triumphs. Submissions you’ll read in this issue illustrate the joy and pride planners and participants take in their family or group history and traditions. They share what they enjoy about their relationships and eagerness to be together. We were struck that some were worried that if they didn’t come together this year, they might lose the connection of longevity they’d built. Then, there’s the example of one reunion that typically hosts 150 members but this year 180 came reinforcing the importance of their bond.

What is your reunion story? When and how did it start? Years ago we did a survey of families to ascertain how family reunions commonly got started. It was not intended to be short but was, because the answers were consistent. Most of the responses were that there had recently been one or more funerals and everyone agreed they needed to get together under happier circumstances. Or that few of the oldest generation were still alive and it was time to celebrate them.

Now it’s time for you or some reunion members to consider sharing your story. We’ve included a “how-to” in the Scrapbook

I direct your attention in this issue to Dean Miller’s Hospitality Answerman column which is rich in resources for your reunion. Dean is National Sales Manager for Groups and Meetings at Fairfax County (Virginia) Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and a great friend of reunions who welcomes your questions. His column should encourage you to contact the CVB wherever you plan your reunion because all CVBs have resources and are eager to help you. And, best of all, most of their services are free: always music to the ears of reunion planners!

Now, with winter and snow upon those of us in northern climes, the holidays can’t be far behind. Thanksgiving, just past, and Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the new year just around the corner, we know your attention is on those celebrations. Though we also know some planners take advantage of people being together to hold committee meetings. We hope as we arrive in 2023, you will take advantage of all our web, Facebook and Pinterest pages have to offer in ideas as you continue to plan your next reunion.

From all of us at Reunions magazine, we wish you the best of holiday seasons and a productive new year. EW

Class reunions are back

Arecent article by Alex Janin in The Wall Street Journal about high school reunions highlighted the usual concerns such as the fear of rejection or how much attention people pay to their own appearance and behavior while ignoring the fact that few people are even paying attention or notice. It was suggested that it can help to remember that most classmates are feeling the same way. Identifying a specific goal, such as making one new friend, making amends or just forming positive memories, can help you decide whether or not to attend.

The article garnered many responses — some snarky, some genuinely interesting. I grabbed a few that might match how you feel about your class reunion! Feel free to choose some to share in your communications!

I was an introvert in HS. I’ve gained some good friends at the reunions. In fact I jumped on the planning board at the 15th. Yes, 15th. We’ll arrive at our 50-year reunion in a few years and we’ve had one every five years.

”

My high school class reunion has been scheduled for September, and it will probably be the last for the class of ‘57. Out of about 700 people, there are 436 survivors, and I wouldn’t be surprised if as many as 100 show up. But I won’t be among them. It’s not that I scoff at the idea of reunions - I don’t. It’s because I won’t drive halfway across the country to spend a day with people who I don’t remember and who won’t remember me. After all these years we have nothing in common. What could we possibly talk about?

”

“ ”

My wife and I attended every HS reunion until they stopped after the 55th. Always had a good time, but unfortunately, it’s always the same suspects showing up. Wish attendance were better and more of the 200 plus classmates showed up. It’s always fun seeing people from your past life and giggling about how old everyone looks, but knowing we haven’t changed one bit. Lol – MK

“

I attended my elementary school 50th and it was great, also my 45th high school. It seemed like the ones who attended have made something of their lives, and those who made a mess of their lives stayed away. Retirement is the great equalizer. Everyone is equal because they are retired, no pecking order nonsense... have fun!!!

”

Most of the class of ‘78 (only 200 of us) were in school from Kindergarten through high school. I have many, MANY, fond memories of those days. Who better to hang out with than a whole bunch of folks enjoying the same memories?

”

Photos of Spring Branch, Texas, High School reunion courtesy of Varsity Reunion Services; https://www.varsityreunions.com.

“ ”

Many of us carry images in our brain of that star athlete or prom queen who we last saw a long time ago. It is a bit like they are in a balloon floating in your memory. Believe me that when you attend a 40th high school reunion, a lot of those balloons suddenly pop when you see those people.

Oleson, Olsen, Olson Family Reunion Cemetery Tour

Haveyou ever gone on a cemetery tour? I’ve gone on several super informative and fun ones at the Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So, I wondered about a family cemetery tour for a reunion. I did some research and found some articles about how to conduct a cemetery tour or a self-guided cemetery tour. First, I read “Creating Your Own Cemetery Tours: Find Your Ancestor’s Grave” by Lisa Lisson (https://lisalisson.com).

Lisa’s first step is to find the history of the cemetery where your ancestors are buried. Nineteen of my relatives are buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee, so I thought that would be a great cemetery to tour. I was unable to find much history online about Woodlawn Cemetery except that it was established in 1910 and was owned by the St. Lucas Lutheran Congregation. I had previously been to Woodlawn Cemetery many times checking out my ancestors’ graves. I checked Findagrave.com and Billiongraves.com to see if I’d missed any relatives at Woodlawn and found some additional ancestors. Then, I made an appointment with Jackie Franecki, Family Services Counselor, at Woodlawn Cemetery to discuss my relatives’ graves and funeral planning. Jackie said she didn’t have any additional information about the history of Woodlawn Cemetery. However, she was extremely helpful in finding my ancestors’ grave site locations, xeroxing cemetery cards, and providing a map of the cemetery (which is helpful for planning a tour).

handy. All these sources helped me to compile a short history of Woodlawn Cemetery for my family reunion tour.

To find more history of Woodlawn Cemetery, I went to the Bay View Historical Society and searched their newsletter collection. I found “Woodlawn Cemetery,” an article written by my great uncle W. H. Oleson in the Bay View Historian. Then I went to the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society website to search their newsletters from 1969 to the present. It was a slow process because there is no easy way to search newsletters except to look at each one individually. I found “History of Woodlawn Cemetery” by Lois Molitor.

It pays to check your local genealogical or historical societies when looking for information. Be patient while looking for information because you never know what you’ll find. I also looked through my great grandfather Alfred Oleson’s papers and found The Equinox, an old newsletter with a short history “Woodlawn Cemetery becomes an Oak Street Property.” You never know what you’ll need to keep while doing genealogy research and when it will come in

I had several photographs and information from previous research about my ancestors. I marked the sections on the map of the cemetery where my ancestors are buried and collected copies of cemetery cards which provided more information I can use in my tour. My first stop on the tour was Charles and Nellie Olson’s headstone (the cemetery card listed their names as Olsen, Olson, and Oleson), my 2x great grandparents located in Section 1. I have photographs of them which I included in the tour booklet. Later relatives changed the spelling of Olson to Oleson. Additional research has shown that Oleson can be spelled any which way and still be your family.

Shared by Diane Olson Piedt, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Alfred Oleson - Son of Charles and Nellie - date of birth - 10 September 1879 in Illinois. Date of death - 15 February 1944. Hattie Golder Oleson, date of birth31 July 1886 in New York. Date of death - 28 December 1962 in Milwaukee. second wife of Alfred Oleson. Hattie and Alfred married on 1 July 1908 in Milwaukee. Hattie died at home. There is a coroner’s report at the Milwaukee Historical Society.

Raymond Oleson - Son of Hattie and Alfred Oleson - (1911-1968) He fell off the back porch of where he worked while smoking a cigarette. Coroner’s report at the Milwaukee Historical Society. Buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. Hazel Smith - wife of Raymond Oleson - (1916-2001)

John Golder - Hattie’s father - (April 1861 in Germany - 1934 in Milwaukee) Louise Golder - Hattie’s mother - (March 1861 in Germany - 1938 in Milwaukee).

Wallace “Wally” H. Oleson - Son of Hattie and Alfred Oleson - (1914-2006) Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Viola Stringer - Wife of Wally Oleson - (1916-1989). Both buried at Woodlawn Cemetery

The International African American Museum opening in January

The International African American Museum (IAAM), in Charleston, South Carolina, will welcome visitors for opening weekend on January 21, 2023.

The museum will honor the untold story of the African American journey at one of America’s most sacred sites. It is located at the

edge of Charleston Harbor on the former site of Gadsden’s Wharf – one of the nation’s most prolific slave trading ports – with a view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with authentic and lesser-known history through storytelling, compelling artifacts and exhibitions. Nine galleries range from introducing the African origins and diasporic connections of African Americans to revealing centuries of African American creative, political, and social contribu tions in American culture and history to taking an unvarnished look at slavery and enslaved people’s fight for human dignity.

Harvard professor and historian, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., notes that “48.1% of all the African slaves who came to the United States entered through Charleston. … I think it’s very important that a great city in the South be the home of a great museum celebrating the achieve ments, history, and culture of persons of African descent.” Gates helped shape the museum’s concept for the Center for Family History genealogy research library, a best-in-class genealogy library connected to the world’s largest genealogy databases, with a focus in developing expertise in African American ancestry research.

Source: The International African American Museum, 14 Wharfside Street, Charleston, South Carolina https://iaamuseum.org

International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina

We hope reunion planning workshops will come back soon in many places. Many have been held as conference calls and zoom meetings since 2020 and that may continue. This list is provided as a service to reunion planners. Basic listings are free to workshop hosts. These are exciting opportunities for planners to learn how to organize reunions. The workshops are ideal for beginners and experienced reunion planners looking for fresh, new ideas. Check workshops online for current listings.

February 4, 2023 11AM CST/12PM EST

WEBUILDLEGACY

The virtual session is scheduled for 60 minutes. Register: webuildlegacy@gmail.com

April 29, 2023 12-2PM EST

FAMILY REUNION INSTITUTE VIRTUAL REUNION PLANNERS WORKSHOP

This free workshop covers topics of interest to reunion planners. To register: admin@familyreunioninstitute.net www.familyreunioninstitute.net

September 9, 2023

Douglasville, Georgia

REUNION PLANNING WORKSHOP AND TOUR OF PARKS AND CONVENTION CENTER

Contact: Rylee Gorvoream, govoream@douglasvillega.gov

a National Park in your reunion future?

National Parks are all over the country and whether you go there to stay or just to visit, they are an important part of American heritage and tell many stories that engage all ages. The following are some general tips to follow when planning and enjoying National Parks.

Y Always be aware of the rules and regulations of each National Park. Some may require you to book a reservation ahead of time.

Y Be prepared to pay fees in some parks.

Y There are laws governing each park as to what activities are legal. Licenses for fishing and hunting for example are required in some National Parks.

Y Do not trust your GPS when going to National Parks, especially those that are in remote locations. Some of the directions via GPS can lead you to backcountry roads that may not be passable by your vehicle.

Y There are almost always options for accessibility in the visitor center for each of the National Parks. In these visitor centers, you can rent a wheelchair, for example.

Y When planning to hike, know your limits. Some parks’ weather can change rapidly. Thus, be prepared for any and all situations.

Y Be aware of the car limitations for each park, some may support RVs while others might not.

Y As most of these parks are covered by lush forests, the best season to visit is fall so that you can see the magnificent beauty of these National Parks.

Y Most of the details and information regarding the National Parks can be seen on the National Park Service’s website. Also see the map of the 25 Best Parks in the United States!

www.nps.gov/index.htm Y www.htownbest.com/best-parks-us/

Is

HOSPITALITY ANSWERMAN

The Site Inspection – an important part of any successful reunion

Q:Our family is thinking about having a reunion next year (2023), and we weren’t sure what help we could expect from the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) in the city where we’re planning to get together. Didn’t many CVBs scale back their operations during the pandemic of 2020 and 2021? We’re curious what help they can provide, and what we’d have to do on our own.

A:Yes, some CVBs did have to reduce their staffing during the pandemic, but most – if not all – are back to pre-pandemic operations. They’re open, they’re looking to attract new business to their destinations, and they’re ready to be of service to you and your reunion group!

I’ve said many times over the years that any planner’s first call when beginning to organize a reunion should ALWAYS be to the CVB where you’re thinking of getting together. An excellent place to start is in the Reunion Resources section at the back of each issue of Reunions magazine. Or simply look up (Name of Destination) CVB online. Call and ask for the person who specializes in serving reunion groups, and then ask the following questions:

v “Why would my reunion have more fun if we get together in your city/destination than if we go somewhere else?”

v “We’re looking for nice places to stay that can provide rooms for $ _____ in the month of ________. What are our options likely to be?”

v Why have other reunion groups met with you? What did they like best about your area? Was there anything they didn’t like?

Once you’ve spoken to several locations and received their information, narrow your search to a select few (say three or four) destinations that you’re seriously interested in and call each CVB representative again. Ask him/her to collect bids from hotels that meet your needs. You’ll need to tell them the number of rooms you’ll likely need, the dates you’ll need them, and the rates you’re looking

to pay. Include hotel features that are important to you — for example, a swimming pool, a ballroom for your banquet, a hospitality room for your group to gather in, and so on.

The CVB will respond with bids they receive from hotels that are interested in hosting your reunion, and review them with you. They’ll be happy to arrange a visit to their city so you can see the hotels and the area’s attractions first-hand.

Even after you’ve selected your destination and the hotel where you’ll meet, the CVB can continue to be of service. They can provide handouts, maps and discount coupons for your attendees, information about obtaining additional services you’ll need locally (motor coaches for sightseeing, caterers for your picnic, tickets to attractions, etc) and all sorts of additional insights and recommendations.

We recently had a group call us here at Visit Fairfax; they’d already selected their hotel and had signed a contract, but still needed assistance finding a location for their picnic and securing the services of a caterer who could provide exactly the picnic meal they wanted. Even though the group was already “booked,” we were happy to help find the perfect picnic spot and catering company they needed, as well as provide advice about tickets to local attractions and transportation to the museums they wanted to visit in downtown Washington, DC.

And best of all – and I really can’t stress this enough! – the services that the CVB will provide to you are almost always completely free! The CVB representative truly is your very best friend in whatever city your group is gathering!

About the Hospitality Answerman

Dean Miller, national sales director for Visit Fairfax (www.fxva.com), the convention and visitors bureau in Fairfax County, Virginia, is a great friend of reunions. Contact him (dmiller@fxva.com; 703-790-0643) when you are planning a reunion in the Washington, DC, area. Fairfax County is nearby, affordable, and conveniently located to all the area has to offer.

Do you want to see your reunion in Reunions magazine?

It’s simple! Here’s how to do it!

I’m often asked: how can I get my reunion in the magazine?

You’re the expert about your reunion whether as the planner or a regular participant. You know what’s unique about your group and you are proud to be a part of it. You want to celebrate with lots of others and sing it from the roof tops — or tell it in Reunions magazine. All you have to do is write a report or story and include all the details you think are important and special about your family, class, military or other group. We want to learn about it and share it with others who are thinking about or planning their reunion and can learn from your experience.

You should know that we do not judge your writing, but we do edit everything we use. If you submit something and say we can’t touch a word of it, we’ll send it right back because we reserve the right to polish everything we use. We have never had a complaint about our editing and until we do, we will continue to consider it a 300 dpi, if scanned). Please send videos as an .mp4, .mov, or .wmv video file via www.wetransfer.com (a free transfer service that allows up to 2GB to be sent). If you’re sending your large group picture, we only need to know the name of the reunion. If you share pictures of smaller groups (say two to maybe 10 people max), please identify them, left to right and add children’s ages.

The best time to write a report is right after your reunion when you are still high on the success, the adrenaline is raging and memories are fresh. It’s also when you can most easily get help from other attendees (either their ideas and/or photos and videos when they’re still at everyone’s finger tips.)

Feel free to ask questions. Send your stories, pictures, videos and questions to Edith Wagner at editor@reunionsmag.com. We will acknowledge receipt and estimate when you might see your report in an issue. It’s a fun way to celebrate the hard work of planning and staging your reunion and its many members. We look forward to learning about you and your reunion! EW

part of our duty to make the best, most enjoyable reading we can for our audience. You can make it as long or as short as you want. We want to read all about your reunion. We do ask that you make sure all names of people and places are spelled correctly.

If there is something very special you’ve included or done and you want to acknowledge that, feel free. Perhaps your historian or a genealogist has made a special presentation or you’ve invented a new game, contest or tournament other reunions might enjoy or you have special workshops other reunions might learn from. Share them!

Add pictures and videos, of course. Speaking of pictures, we frequently receive very colorful descriptions of a groaning board or potluck of food that leaves our mouths watering. Don’t just describe it: take pictures!

You should also think about how you want us to illustrate your submission. Pictures and videos must be yours and you authorize us to use. Send high resolution pictures (250KB or higher, if digital, and

Seidemann Family Reunion

Arce Family Reunion

Banks Hill Outlaw Family Reunion

Stay in touch!

Do you get our newsletters? We send a newsletter the first and 15th of every month like clockwork! Of course, they contain news, but they also include reminders and ideas germane to where you would be if you’re planning a reunion for the next season: just as magazine issues do. For example, at the beginning of reunion planning season, we’ll suggest ways to look for destinations and places to stay. As you get closer to reunion time we may share invitation ideas and in summer we’ll concentrate on ideas for reunion day activities.

Mentions are very short with links to more information, which we hope you’ll take advantage of. We don’t try to intrude on you, but give you convenient and easy ways to follow through if what you see interests you or catches your curiosity.

We know that you aren’t as focused on your reunion as we are year-round, but we don’t want you to drop the ball; just be reminded from time to time to think about your reunion. We include reminders about our giveaways that change every month and upcoming planning workshops. We also poke you regularly to add your upcoming reunion to our list and send your reunion picture to be added to our photo gallery!

It’s just a little reminder month after month. If you’re not already on the list, sign up right now!

SIGN

Easy way to navigate our website and Pinterest pages!

We like to think that our unique Social Media Index is rather ingenious! Not to toot our own horn, but it cuts a lot of confusion and saves you considerable time navigating our online assets: of which there are many. You will find this helpful navigating tool right at the bottom of the www.reunionsmag.com home page and other pages as you explore the website. What we’ve done is listed major topic sections on the web and Pinterest boards and linked them right from the Index. Simple! You do not have to click on drop-downs, (though, of course, you’re welcome to) but go directly to the subject that you’re curious about or interested in. It eliminates the frustration of having to guess where to look. It’s a great way to plan your reunion night or day, at your leisure, by yourself or with others, even in your pajamas and slippers in the middle of the night if, like me, you can’t sleep!

Special note that for many of these subjects, you can obviously read about suggestions and solutions, but for some there are also podcasts you can listen to. An example is the governance of your reunion in two podcasts, the second focusing on planning commit tees. More material about governance is contained on the website. All together, governance stresses that reunions should be a joint responsibility of many members rather than a solitary exercise. It emphasizes the rule: do not do it alone! Involve others, preferably from many generations for family reunions.

So, you’re just starting to plan a brand-new reunion or you’re the new chairman and you need a timetable. Well! there it is: click on it and go straight to a suggested timetable of steps from beginning 18

to 24 months ahead with just the idea of a reunion all the way to suggestions for surveys at the end of your reunion to solicit every one’s reactions and suggestions for future events.

Establishing a budget is crucial for all your planning because that dictates the parameters of the reunion. Will it be a one-day potluck picnic or a full weekend extravaganza? That will certainly affect what kind of budget you develop. The budget should not be rigid so that new ideas or resources can be accommodated along the way. Make sure that every budget item will have a source of funding to avoid any one person having to make up an unexpected expense.

Paying for the reunion is always a major issue worthy of many ideas and suggestions. For family reunions there will always be a range of abilities to pay unless a benefactor steps up to provide the funds. Yes, it happens. But do not wait for that miracle! Instead, check out many fundraising ideas that can happen before, during and after the reunion. Fees, dues and freewill giving can be the basis for paying for the reunion. But fundraising can also be fun which takes planning ahead. Will you do raffles? Auctions? Sales such as personalized souvenirs or t-shirts or food or rummage?

Social Media Index v www.reunionsmag.com

Where will you hold your reunion? Will it be at someone’s home or a destination city, resort or ranch? If, as often happens, the reunion starts as a celebration of a milestone birthday or anniver sary, the location is dictated by the celebration. But then, everyone has so much fun you decide you must keep meeting so, will your reunion stay in one place or move? If you move, review “finding a location” on the website or one of many Pinterest board sugges tions. But in any case, definitely consult the local convention and visitors or tourism bureau who often have a staff member available with suggestions and all kinds of help.

PODCASTS

https://reunionsmag.com/podcast/ PINTEREST BOARDS

https://www.pinterest.com/reunionsmag/_saved/

GOVERNANCE

https://reunionsmag.com/podcast-leadership-part-1/ https://reunionsmag.com/podcast-leadership-part-2-emphasis-committees/

TIMETABLE

https://reunionsmag.com/reunion-timetable/

FUNDRAISING IDEAS

https://reunionsmag.com/category/paying-for-the-reunion/fundraising/

FINDING A LOCATION

Exploring the Social Media Index and Pinterest boards, you will find many links to staging your reunion days. Reunion day activities, games, focus on kids, who are the next generations you’ll want to engage to sustain family reunions. Incorporate history, preserve memories, have memorials. What if members don’t all know one another? You’ll want to have name tags or t-shirts that identify family branches.

https://reunionsmag.com/category/getting-started/choosing-a-place-getting-started/

CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

https://reunionsmag.com/podcast-conventions-visitors-bureaus-can/

SURVEYS AT THE END OF THE REUNION

https://reunionsmag.com/wrapping-up-your-reunion/

Explore! Spend some dedicated time exploring all the information and materials about reunions in these resources. And add back issues of Reunions magazine which highlight hundreds of reunions as excellent examples for you to learn from and enjoy.

Name badges or buttons?

In an earlier issue (v31n1; see: ISSUU.com/reunionsmag), we fea tured name tags and the various ideas that some reunions use to identify members at their events. This time we feature two laminated military reunion name badges with lanyards. An advantage of these is that they can be collected at the end of the reunion and used again for future reunions rather than having the expense of mak ing them each time. For the next reunion you only need to have badges made for people who have never attended a reunion.

Then, there are buttons rather than badges. They can identify the reunion or be used as an award, such as “most hair lost since the last reunion!” They too, can be collected and reused at the next reunion, but we suspect many members would rather keep them and wear them proudly after the reunion!

See many more ideas on our Pinterest board called “Who are you? www.pinterest.com/reunionsmag/who-are-you/

Are you searching for reunion hotels?

Hotels

are eager to bid for your reunion and often offer benefits including free rooms. Here’s a simple way for you to find a hotel. Go to reunionsmag.hotelplanner.com and state your needs; hotels will respond with lots

of detail to help you make a decision. No obligation. Explore now!

Reunionsmag.hotelplanner.com offers significant group travel advantages. There are the best rates negotiated and online

discounts. You save time: no more calling around, hotels come to you. You receive bids and can compare offers. When you have cho sen and committed to a hotel, you’ll get a free event website for your reunion.

What could be cooler?

Kay Pinkney (center, holding tote bag) and members of the Pinkney, Farar and Rodney families enjoy some cold soft drinks provide by Visit Fairfax at the PinkFarRod Family Reunion in Springfield, Virginia, in July 2022. The group was the winner of the “What Could Be Cooler?” promotion sponsored by Visit Fairfax, Fairfax County, Virginia’s award-winning Conven tion and Visitors Bureau.

Dean Miller (far right), Visit Fairfax National Sales Manager, delivered a Coca-Cola cooler to the reunion, filled with soft drinks for everyone to enjoy on a warm summer weekend. At the conclu sion of the reunion, Ms. Pinkney took the cooler home with her.

The families reunited at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Springfield, and were greeted by the hotel’s General Manager, Hai Nguyen (far left).

The younger members of the group enjoyed visiting several of the National Capital area’s many family-friendly attractions, including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Holiday reunion ideas

n a recent issue of TeamWindham Tidbits, the Windham Family newsletter, planner Janice Maxine Jones listed some interesting ideas for activities at holiday reunions that may be useful this holiday season. Caroling, singalongs and cookie/candy making are very obvious starters and include all ages during the holidays. Take the caroling “on the road” and visit relatives who can’t get out while sharing goodies made by the group.

Taking lots of pictures and intentionally including the usual photogra pher in some will last for generations as you look back on holiday celebra tions. Put pictures in albums annually to take out at subsequent holiday celebrations.

Plan games, tournaments or marathons with holiday themes for a game day or night. Poll members of all ages to determine their favorite games. Then, put holiday spins/themes/decorations on the choices with appropri ate rewards and prizes. Or plan a scavenger or treasure hunt with holiday themed objectives and prizes. Not the time for an Easter egg hunt, so substitute candy canes or chocolate Santas. Hide them and send kids off to find them. Caution: remember where they were all hidden to rescue any that were not found during the hunt or face a sticky surprise later!

How do you incorporate music other than singing? Are you able to include some dancing where members have a chance to show off special steps? Ask the youngsters to teach elders new dances and vice versa. Have a dance-off and turn it into a dance freeze where someone shouts “freeze” and whoever moves is out until the last person is standing. Everyone will be “rockin’ round the Christmas tree!”

Budding artists in your family? Have paper, paints, crayons and markers at the ready to make holiday themed drawings. Let them make what they want or suggest themes: snowmen, reindeer, Christmas trees or decorations. Have a judging and prizes to encour

And there is always room for storytelling, particularly the kind that gets members talking. Start with the elders telling the stories of their holiday memories from way back when. Let all ages add their holiday recollections. This would be a perfect activity to get out the video camera and record the stories for viewing at subsequent holidays.

Glenda Windham Guyton is the Elf Selfie.

And The Oh Deer is Marilyn Walker. Glenda again is the character in Let it Snow.

Cline Family Reunion

Our family reunion has been held every other year since 1988 (except 2020 due to the pandemic). We gather for three days over a weekend, and include an opening reception on Friday, five+ presentations, tours, catered meals, displays, a Cline Store with lots of souvenirs, and a special worship service on Sunday morning in the old historic 1850s church building. After canceling the 2020 reunion, we used that time to write a history book titled Family of Clines (202 pages, a 6-page index, 13 chapters).

Shared by Metaleen Cline Morgan Thomas, Wake Forest, North Carolina.

ALAFFFA Rocks at 55th Reunion

Howdo you celebrate 55 years of family reunions? For the ALAFFFA (an acronym for Abbott, Lizanov, Alzo, Figlar, Figlar, Figlar, Augenstein) family it was with a weekend bash held at the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia. The venue is a favorite for our group—we held our 45th reunion there in 2012 and returned for our 50th in 2017. The previous weekend reunions at Oglebay had a bit more of a formal atmosphere. We enjoyed catered dinners at the Lodge followed by sharing memories through pre-planned presentations and tributes.

For our 55th reunion, we returned to a simpler celebration with everyone gathering in a central space on the grounds of two rented houses. The setting provided enough room for the 50+ attendees to visit with one another, have a picnic lunch and catered fare for dinner, and hold the “Pop’s Memorial” Cornhole tournament (played in memory of Mike “Pops” Figlar). There was a toast to 55 years with our traditional “Surf’s Up” where everyone gathers in a circle with a shot of their beverage of choice and toasts ALAFFFA in a wave to the song “Wipe Out!”

Our theme this year was “ALAFFFA Drives 55” a send-up to the 1984 song “I Can’t Drive 55” by Sammy Hagar. Many family members dressed either in full costume or wore T-shirts to showcase their favorite rock star or band. Several Journey and Bruce Springsteen T-shirts were spotted, along with those depicting

By Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A.

Bono (U2) and the Beastie Boys. A few “Dead Heads” (Grateful Dead fans) were even spotted in full tie-dye attire!

Photo boards were dotted around the venue as a tribute. (Read more about scanning reunion photos in the June 2022, V31N2 issue of Reunions magazine.)

The night before the reunion, those who arrived early enough enjoyed gathering together to share pizza and participate in karaoke and to reminisce about memorable past karaoke perfor mances from our “Hee Haw” and “Woodstock” themed reunions.

No ALAFFFA reunion is complete without tributes. This year, individual wooden plaques, each with a slimline vase holding silk flowers next to a photo of John and Veronica Straka Figlar, were presented to first generation members, Gerry, Margie, and Laurel (in attendance) and Helen (unable to attend but joining in via FaceTime). The inscription on each keepsake reads: “Being a part of a family means something wonderful; it means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.” ALAFFFA 2022

Helen sent a message which was read by second-generation ALAFFFA-ITE, Luanne.

“To All ALAFFFA MEMBERS: I am very sad to miss our 55th reunion. I will miss seeing you all and especially the newest mem bers of ALAFFFA. Someone once said our family is very special, and this is so true and I am so grateful I have all those special memories of the great times we had together. Unfortunately, health prevents me from making the trip. I wish you all good health and much happiness. With love and for the good times!” Always, Helen, AKA “Aunt Fun.”

We also remembered ALAFFFA Co-founder Mickey Abbott who passed away in March 2022 and another first-generation member, Nick Lizanov who passed away in 2019. We all gathered at the end of the day to watch a special video tribute set to the song “Bluebonnets in the Spring” created by second generation ALAFFFA-ite, John Figlar.

Plans for ALAFFFA July 2023 were announced and we will return to our usual venue, the 100 Acres House in South Park, Pennsylvania.

ALAFFFA keepsake plaque with a slimline vase holding silk flowers and photo of John and Veronica Straka Figlar.

Photo board

Photo board

Involving participation from ALAFFFA 3G (third generation) is a priority moving forward and the ALAFFFA planning committee is looking at fun and informal ways to incorporate more family history into the reunions such as the ALAFFFA Jeopardy game (J-ALAFFFA-DY) we debuted at ALAFFFA2021, and other favorite activities from past reunions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Alzo has been surrounded by family at their 50+ year running reunion and walks in her ancestor’s footsteps, literally and figuratively, as a genealogist, lecturer and writer. Author of 11 books and endless articles for newspapers and magazines, Lisa earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the highly acclaimed Creative Nonfiction Writing Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She works as a writing coach and online educator through her website Research Write Connect www.researchwriteconnect.com.

ALAFFFA 55 Photo board with a photo of ALAFFFA Man overlooking the festivities.

Memorial Cornhole trophy.

James Beatty Family Reunion

The James Beatty Family Reunion was originally planned to occur in 2021, but was delayed due to COVID concerns.

Planner Ann Gavin started locating family members three years before the event and found them through word-of-mouth, a Facebook Family Reunion page, and Premium White Pages. Katherine Patrick researched, selected, and created a myevent.com website for registration, collecting fees, and photo sharing. They used a dedicated gmail account to enter all the contacts and used it as their principal means of communicating. They also used Facebook heavily to communicate.

Ann recruited volunteers to help on the day of the reunion. They met three or four times on Zoom beginning three months before the reunion to iron out details.

Reunion attendees were encouraged to book a local resort well in advance of the date, and the manager of the only hotel in town allowed them to set aside a block of rooms for reservations from family members. They gathered in August in Cook, Minnesota, to celebrate their shared heritage and deep Minnesota roots. Attendees were descendants of James and Lillian Beatty who homesteaded there in 1906 and had nine children. Family members and their guests numbered around 100, coming from Puerto Rico, California, Michigan, Ohio,

Idaho, Florida, Kansas, Tennessee, and Wyoming. Three members celebrating the occasion were over 90 years of age and two members were genealogy buffs.

Family members enjoyed touring the original family farmstead and the local cemetery where many ancestors are buried. The Beatty Town Hall was open for the event.

Reported by first cousins Ann Hawkinson Gavin, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Katherine Schmidt Patrick, Torrington, Wyoming

The original James and Mary Lillian Brainerd Beatty family.

The 2022 Beatty Family

An article about the reunion appeared on the front page of the Cook News Herald.

Bell Ransom Family Reunion

This report from the 2022 Bell Ransom Family Reunion is told in their voluminous materials shared at and after the reunion. The Occoneechee Neck Reunion Memorial program and subsequent amazing newsletter are just hinted at here and can be seen in full online. Featured here are the Bell-Ransom family calendar, Appreciation of Service and Special Thanks. Shared Jacqueline Bell Pyatt, Fort Washington, Maryland.

Powell Moody Family Reunion

The Powell Moody family gathered in person for the first time since 2018. Our virtual 2020 biennial reunion was a success and the family was excited to gather together in 2022.

We returned to Halifax County, North Carolina for three days in July where our theme was ”Family is a Link to our Past and a Bridge to the Future.”

We held a Meet and Greet on Friday evening in the meeting space at Hampton Inn Roanoke Rapids followed by bowling at Fairwood Lanes Bowling alley.

On Saturday, we toured Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck, North Carolina, followed by dinner in the Golden Leaf Room. Reported

by Allison Bell, Evans, Georgia.

Powell Moody Family Reunion

Sisters Cheryl Behnett-Ali and Jackie Barker-Dennis posing with the first family quilt from 1998 that travels and is put on display at every family reunion.

Alfred Bell and his great-nephew Micah Gunn (age 5) enjoying the feeding station at Sylvan Heights Bird Park.

Mariyah Hunt (10), Jordan Perry (8) and Tahlya Mungo (11) reviewing the reunion dinner program before the start of the festivities. The theme color for this year’s reunion was purple.

The collage contains photos of India (Moody) Powell and Fred Powell Jr. (center) surrounded by their children and grandchildren

Powell Moody family “bird whisperer, “ Alfred Bell surprised his family with how he interacted with birds at Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck, North Carolina.

Joseph Gilbert & Zelma Pryer Family Reunion

The Joseph Gilbert and Zelma Pryer Family Reunion was held in June at the Carl F. Grant Civic Center in Plaquemine, Louisiana. There were over 500 in attendance from California, Maryland, New York, Georgia, Texas and surrounding areas in Louisiana. The reunion was limited to one day (instead of three days) due to Covid.

The Gilbert/Pryer family history started in Vacherie, St. James Parish, Louisiana, where the ancestors faced the brutal hardships of slavery, received little to no education, lacked financial stability or basic human rights. Nevertheless, they built Vacherie and its plantations that are still preserved today.

In the late 1700s, God gave us Pauline and John Pryer, Sr. To this union, six children were born and the six had a total of 37 children. Their son, Joseph Gilbert, a sharecropper, married Zelma Pryer and had nine children, the first born in 1889, and 64 grandchildren.

In the 1990s Aaron Georgetown Jr, had the vision of bringing Joseph and Zelma Gilbert’s children and offspring together for a reunion because family members didn’t know family who lived in the North area (Maringouin, Rosedale and Grosse Tete, Louisiana). In 1996, Aaron’s vision came true when he hosted the first Gilbert/ Pryer Family Reunion. The second reunion was in 2003 with an attendance of over 700, third in 2005, fourth in 2018 and this one in 2022 with 517 in attendance. The Gilbert/Pryer reunion is one of the largest families in the state of Louisiana dating back to the early 19th century.

This year’s program began with the traditional entrance of the family Banners which represent each year a reunion was held, carried by the then President. There was a lighting of candles in memory of those who have passed, followed by an introduction to this year’s honorees; Albert Lagarde, Odelia Lucille Pryer-Lewis (oldest living family member), Albert Gilbert, Rosalee Lockman, John Gilbert, and Florida Lockman.

Information about the Gilbert/Pryer Family can be found in the Iberville Parish Library and Iberville Museum in Plaquemine, Louisiana.

Shared by Melonie Pryer, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Gilbert/Pryer Family Reunion … over 500 strong! Photo by Michelle Cross Photography

Members enjoying the reunion

Gilbert/Pryer Family Reunion t-shirt

Jacques Family of Somerset Reunion 2022

The Jacques Family roots are in Somerset, Saint Thomas, Jamaica.

The British Parliament passed The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, formally ending slavery in Jamaica on August 1, 1834. The oldest member of the family for whom they have a written record of a direct connection is Lewis or Louis Thompson Jacques. It is likely he would have been born around 1834. There is no indication who his parents could be. There are a few enslaved persons named Jacques on the slave registers of three planta tions in the parish of Saint Thomas, Jamaica. The plantations are Blue Mountain, Grange Hill, and Morant Estates.

More than 130 attendees spent a four-day weekend at the recent Jacques Family Reunion in Orlando, Florida. The reunion started with a meet and greet in the hotel lobby and moved to The Main Event for bowling and arcade games. On a gorgeous Saturday, dressed in the family t-shirt, they met at Bill

Frederick’s Park for games and food. They enjoyed hamburgers, coconut water, jerk chicken, and escovitch fish. Saturday night, the kids had a mini pajama party. They joined their cousins to hear Jamaican children’s stories read by one of their aunts. On Sunday they held a small worship service in the hotel and were joined by many other hotel guests. It was very inspiring. People stayed in the hotel and played games like bingo and dominoes while the kids swam in the pool. Later that night they had an all-white party - ev eryone looked so elegant. They concluded on Monday with a family meeting and decisions for the new planning committee and a vote to have the 2024 reunion in Jamaica.

Note: See full thorough invitation letter for the Jacques Family reunion online.

Reported by LaKisha Moss, Hollywood, Florida.

Family members were able to purchase a family narrative that included six generations of family members, dating back to the 1800’s.

Jacques Family of Somerset family tree

(left to right) Cameron Bell, April Bell, Tanya Moss and Taylor Bell at the All White banquet.

Jacques Family of Somerset Reunion

Fuller Family Reunion, Descendants of

Thomas Edward Fuller

Editor’s note: Terry Davis, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Fuller Family Reunion planner, sends very detailed and complete messages before each reunion. He sends about 110 emails each time. I’m including two as excellent examples for your review. I hope he would be flattered to have his ideas copied! EW

June 1st

Fuller cousins, as the reunion draws nearer and nearer, we want to remind you of a few important details. First, please look through your photo collections and grab some of your old pictures to bring to the reunion. We’d love to see them! Also, if you live in the Batesville area, we are asking you to bring your favorite dessert dish, and help us with the drinks and ice. Fox Creek Barbeque will be providing the main course for the day, but we need your help on dessert. We know that you will come through just as you have for previous reunions. And don’t forget - we will have Fuller cookbooks on sale, along with our big raffle event Saturday afternoon! In addition to smaller items to raffle, we will have a painting by our own Kristi Fuller Gillihan and a handmade heirloom Fuller quilt donated by our cousin Joy Epperson! Raffle tickets are only $1 each, and you’ll want to purchase several to give you a better chance of winning! Our cookbook sales and the raffle are our major means of covering reunion expenses. In addition, we will have our “tip jar” available, and all donations are greatly appreci ated! Remember the dates: Friday, June 17 - reunion set-up and decoration @1 p.m.; Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m. - Re union Event! If you have any questions or comments, please reply to this email. See you in Batesville! TD

June 10th

Cousins, Just a few reminders concerning next week’s reunion –On Friday, June 17th, beginning at 1 pm, we will be meeting at the reunion site, Ramsey Heights Baptist Church, to decorate and set up displays. If you can’t make it at 1 pm, come whenever you can! Everyone is invited to help! If you have pictures or anything else to display at the reunion, this is the perfect time to bring them. (Be sure to have your name on anything you bring so we can make sure nothing is misplaced.) The day before the actual reunion is always one of the highlights of reunion weekend, as everyone has more time to visit in addition to helping prepare for the Saturday event. And afterwards, we can all go out to eat together, if you wish.

And remember, registration Saturday begins at 11 a.m. If you are bringing drinks, desserts, ice, ice chests, etc., feel free to come as early as 10 a.m. We will have several items that you may possibly win at the raffle, and since tickets are only $1 each, you’ll want to purchase several tickets to give you a better chance of winning. As always, the ultimate raffle prize is a handmade quilt donated by our cousin Joy Epperson. In addition to the raffle, we have quite a few Fuller cookbooks left over from our 2019 reunion. These make excellent birthday and Christmas gifts, so you’ll want to purchase several. And although our reunion is always free of charge, we hope you will want to donate to our “Tip Jar.”

For those of you who are coming from out of state, and who may wish to visit the graves of your ancestors, and need assistance in locating a cemetery, just reply to this email and we’ll make sure that you get directions, or a personal guide from one of the local cousins.

See you in a week!!!

Raffle picture by Kristi Fuller Gillihan.

Post Reunion Followup

Our numbers were smaller when compared to previous reunions, which was totally expected. Covid fears, some very serious health issues that several of our cousins are experiencing, and (of course) the high price of gas, all factored into having fewer cousins in attendance. However, those who were in attendance will, almost to a person, tell you that it was one of the best reunions, if not the best, we have ever had. We had our usual exhibits, the food was awesome (thanks for all of the great desserts!), and the best part was the time spent with each other!

We were blessed to have cousins who made the long journeys to Batesville, Arkansas, from places like Florida, California, Washington State and Oregon. We can never thank those cousins enough for their sacrifices in getting to the reunion. I am always humbled when I think of the time given up, and the financial burdens these cousins face so they can be a part of our Fuller gatherings! We owe so much to them.

And it’s not too early to go ahead and put the dates in your phone for our next Fuller reunion, June 14-15, 2024. That’s two years — plenty of time to plan a trip to Batesville. We are in the preliminary discussions about something new and exciting for the 2024 reunion. All I can say at present is to “stay tuned!”

And finally, I want to thank all of those who helped decorate, set up displays, brought drinks and desserts, and manned the check-in tables. Special thanks goes out to Barbara Finley for another great job of decorating! Kudos to Mark Fuller for a beautiful memorial video honoring the memories of those cousins we have lost since the 2019 reunion. Thanks to Kristi Gillihan for securing our place for the reunion, in addition to making sure we had the electronic equipment that was necessary. Thanks to Ramsey Heights Baptist Church for allowing us to use their facilities. And a very special thank you to Fox Creek Barbecue for a great lunch.

A final request - we may, or may not, have your current contact information on file. And even though you may believe that we do, it would be a great help if you could email your address and phone number, just to be on the safe side!

Again, thank you for being a part of a special family! We look forward to seeing you in 2024!

Your cousin, Terry

Handmade heirloom Fuller quilt donated by cousin Joy Epperson (right) shown here with the winner, Melanie Miller (left).

2022 Crawford Family Reunion - Alabama

HOSTS: ELLIS FAMILY

Our reunion was initially supposed to be in July 2020 and we were ready. Everything was planned, venues booked, t-shirts ordered ... we were working on some of the last-minute details when Covid-19 happened! We rescheduled the reunion for 2021 but Covid was still wreaking havoc in the world along with social and political issues such as Black Lives Matter and the Election. So little was known about Covid-19, this horrible illness ... so many people lost their lives and so many others were in hospitals fighting for theirs. Our doctors and nurses and other hospital staff were overwhelmed and exhausted and many of my family members were afraid ... so we rescheduled the reunion for July 2022.

In the meantime, I had been working on this theme of “family unity and the bonds that are created around the family table.” Although I have not been able to find a specific scripture to tie to the theme in my reading and research, I have found that in the Bible, we see that mealtime was a time for being together and enjoying each other, and it was also a time for teaching and imparting wisdom. From Sarah hosting the angels (Genesis 18) to Jesus changing water to wine for a wedding feast (John 2), we would have missed some of the Bible’s greatest moments without mealtime. Perhaps the most famous meal in the Bible is the Last Supper (Matthew 26). Found in all four Gospels, it’s clear this night made a huge impact on Jesus’ disciples, not only because it was the night before Christ’s crucifixion, but also because of the many truths Jesus packed into this one meal. From the importance of servant leadership to how to pray, Jesus taught so many important things to his disciples during this evening.

Gathering your family around the table means that your focus is on one another. In today’s time we are so distracted it’s dividing us. Even in our homes everyone has their meal in separate spaces and at different times, often on their phones, iPad, gaming systems or in front of the television. There is no conversation and no face-to-face time. If we do not take the time to gather as a family consistently, setting aside distractions, we miss the opportunity to invest in one another and in our relationships with those we love and care about. I hope that understanding the importance of family meals can help us make dinner around our tables a priority again. So, the focus was family time around the table and the importance of reimagining that time today. In planning the events of our Alabama reunion, I made sure that every day we spent together ended with a meal around the table enjoying face-to-face time, connection, conversa tion, laughter and making new memories. In addition, the image on the welcome bag was the foods of Alabama listed in the shape of the state and “So glad y’all stayed for supper.” Each family received a box filled with foods made in Alabama: Conecuh Sausage and one of their cookbooks, McEwen & Sons grits, honey straws from a local bee farmer, Too Chilled tea made by one of our family members and a letter that explained our intentions as hosts of this Alabama reunion!

THURSDAY, DAY 1

The first day together was the Meet and Greet and Table Talk. I recruited a few very knowledgeable family members to start conversations with the Crawford family about the importance of physical and mental health. We have lost so many family members at very young ages due to illnesses and diseases that are hereditary. I felt it was time to talk about that so our children and grandchildren were aware. Surviving Covid and witnessing George Floyd being killed on

BackoftheCrawfordFamily Reunionwelcomebag

national TV and the aftermath brought mental health issues to the forefront; it was time to talk about that. The epidemic of drug abuse, alcohol abuse and prescription meds abuse and how the world was using them to cope with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues ... it was time to talk about that. And so, we did. As we ate a delicious meal, Sharde’ Gray (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), Raymond Gray (Drug Court Coordinator), Clora Johnson (Registered Nurse) and Cheryl Jolla (Certified

Crawford Family Reunion welcome bag

Crawford Family Reunion t-shirt

Reunion newspaper that served as itinerary and special information resource

Explore back issues for more reunion planning ideas!

Dialysis Nurse) talked to us about some of the issues of the day as well as the illnesses that exist in our family. Questions were asked, family members engaged and conversations were had. It was an amazing night that ended with a Blue Bell Ice Cream Bar!

FRIDAY, DAY 2

We had an early start! At 6:00 am we boarded the bus of Covenant Elite Charters and headed to Montgomery, Alabama for our Civil Rights Tour with Jake Williams, our tour guide. Jake was a foot soldier during the Civil Rights era and his parents were involved in the movement. Our tour started in Selma where we learned so many interesting facts about the movement and visited Brown AME Chapel where many of the meetings were held with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. We retraced the trail of the March to Mont gomery and on the way, we walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. We visited one of the homes where Dr. King lived when he pastored Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery which is where we chose to take our family picture! From there, we arrived for our reservation to tour the Legacy Museum and immediately following we visited the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. One of our family members found a memorial at the Lynching Memorial from Avoyelles Parish (Louisiana) which is where quite a few of us grew up. Before getting on the road for our two-and-a-half hour return ride, we stopped for dinner at Martha’s Place in Montgomery for some delicious soul food.

SATURDAY, DAY 3

Saturday morning, the family had free time to either explore our city of Loxley, Alabama and the surrounding area or sleep in. At 3:00 pm they boarded the bus and headed to the beach. I rented the Gulf State Park Pavilion for our family dinner on the beach! Naman’s catered and served our meal. Our cousin, DJ Michael Nichols, played beautiful music while we ate and after dinner we danced. Tracy and Stacy organized games and gave away prizes; some family members walked out to the beach while others relaxed and talked. Before we left, we gathered and had our family meeting. I presented the 2022 reunion budget and costs report and we discussed the details of the reunion and the current financial status of the account as well as the destination of the 2024 reunion. Cheryl Jolla from Moreno Valley, California, volunteered to host the 2024 reunion and her focus will be on the Crawford family children. She is considering a Disney Cruise or Las Vegas!

SUNDAY, DAY 4 - FINAL DAY

At 9:00 am the family gathered at the Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, our church home, where my husband Wayne Ellis is pastor. We had a beautiful church service after which we enjoyed a delicious brunch, talked about the great time we had and said our good-byes to those who were headed home. Our job was done and it was a beautiful weekend that we will not soon forget!

Until we gather again ... peace and blessings!

Shared by Wayne and Keisha Ellis, Loxley, Alabama.

Evans Family Reunion

The Evans Family continues its 54-year consecutive reunion streak. Undeterred by the Omnicron scare, the reunion had its third zoom meeting over the Memorial Day weekend. The reunion featured multiple music numbers by Tara Baker (Memphis, Tennes see) and its very popular theme song, Ain’t You Glad to be an Evans? and the popular chorus, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,

Friday, Saturday and ALL DAY SUNDAY. There was a scripture reading by Bryce Horton. Headlining the event was family member, Shaun del Spivey, MSEd, an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the education industry and expert in Equity and Inclusion and Social Justice. He recently gave a TEDX talk at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

Evans Family Zoom Reunion

Taste of reunions!

Who doesn’t look forward to the wide array of wonderful smells and tastes of reunion potlucks, picnics and banquets? Do these pictures remind you of wonderful memories and make your mouth water? Add these to why you can’t wait for your next reunion!

Shared by Valerie Rose, Eagan, Minnesota

Canty Family Virtual Reunion 2022

THEME: ROOTED IN LOVE

The biennial Canty Family Reunion, canceled in 2021, convened virtually in July 2022 with incredible excitement and surprising participation. The Canty Family National Leadership Team (*see next page), along with the reunion planning committee was concerned about delaying the next reunion until 2023 or 2024. Waiting four years to get together as a family held too many potentially negative possibilities. Becoming disconnected may have caused family members to lose interest and the loss (through illness and death) of older family members were two good reasons not to wait.

After conducting a brief survey of all members on the family roster, it was determined that a majority was not ready to return to an in-person 2022 reunion, so the organizers went to work. They first sent out the announcement of the virtual reunion which included tips about how to participate in a Zoom experience with instruc tions to practice before the reunion date. Some members who lived in the same locations gathered in groups which added to the sense of togetherness. Other members zoomed in from wherever they were—in cars with their kids, on personal outings, etc.

Organized and hosted by a technically savvy family member, Michael Mathis, of Norfolk, Virginia, and co-host, Annessa Wyman, of Elyria, Ohio, the reunion was a smashing success. The organizers

prepared a 2-hour program that began with a creative video showing past family reunions and photos of past family gatherings. Family members were reminded of why we come together with a traditional reading of “What is a Family Reunion” (**see next page). A brief update about family history and past family reunions was presented. Instead of a business meeting, the Leadership Team gave a quick overview of business decisions that had been made since the last reunion and some insight into the anticipated goals for future reunions. We continued the tradition of recognizing family members who had reached the age of 90 years and over with a nominal monetary gift. During a live raffle, one high school graduate won the high school graduate of the year monetary award and one family member won a pre-paid registration fee for the next in-per son reunion. We added a fun activity in the form of a live scavenger hunt with prizes. This was quite a hit for the more than 100 partici pants who signed on. The program ended with the usual video tribute to those family members we’ve lost since the last reunion.

One of our goals this year was to create excitement and anticipa tion for what we hope to be an in-person reunion in 2023 in Ohio.

Submitted by Jessie Muse, Mitchellville, Maryland, President Emeritus/Acting President, Canty Family National Leadership Team

Canty Family Reunion in 2017 in person reunion in Montgomery, Alabama.

*Canty Family Reunion National Leadership Team

According to Jessie Muse “When our attendance grew to more than 300, we discussed the need for a more orga nized structure so we would remain strong and focused, our financial base would grow and family traditions would remain intact.” Each of the five family branches elected a representa tive to create a National Committee charged with developing bylaws to include guidelines for family reunions and a process to elect officers. At the 2007 reunion, they established the Canty Family National Organization and elected the first National Leadership Team — a president, three vice presidents, secretary and treasurer. The purpose of three vice presidents is to distribute project leadership responsibility among the younger generation and to enhance leadership skills and expertise. Two appointed representatives from the other two of the five family branches who attend the reunion make up the rest of the Leadership Team. This means each family branch is a part of the family leadership group. Bylaws and reunion

guidelines were presented, discussed, revised and voted on. The Leadership Team provides general oversight responsibili ties for family reunions and initiates programs to keep the family strong and reunions growing through passage of responsibilities from one generation to another.

The first National Leadership Team represented the family’s intergenerational transition (5th and 6th generations) and geographical areas (Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest). Jessie Muse declared that as the first president of the family organiza tion, her goals were to keep the organization moving in a positive direction, set a progressive tone, establish a standard of quality and then relinquish her office to one of the sixthgeneration persons who holds office on the Leadership Team. As they improve their structure, perfect their organizing efforts, and design reunion activities, they expect to inspire each succeeding generation to continue the family legacy far into the future.

**What is a Family Reunion?

AFamily Reunion is a gathering of generations of family members who come together in unity to honor the past, celebrate the present, and prepare for the future. It is recon necting with relatives and friends for the purpose of fun, food, fellowship, and the strengthening of ties that bind us one to another. Our unconditional love for one another is reason enough to celebrate; for this love and our blood unite us forever one with the other. A loving and joyous reunion allows us to renew friendships with family and friends whom we seldom see and some we may never see again. We come to honor the legacy of those ancestors who sacrificed so much for our benefit and who have finished their journey here on earth. We come to show gratitude and humility for our blessings and all that we have achieved and continue to enjoy; and we come to present our hopes and dreams for future generations so that our family legacy continues.

With unity of spirit we come to bond, seeking a future that has the potential for an abundant and enriched life. This is a

by Jessie Muse

time to promote peace and harmony; restore broken relation ships; engage in thoughtful and caring activities; express love, patience, compassion and understanding; seek wisdom and guidance; and give praise to the almighty God for the opportu nity to share an experience with a common purpose.

It is also a time for rest and relaxation, learning and growing, worship and prayer, guiding the young and appreciating the aging. It is a time for using our talents, expressing our creativity, and encouraging others. It is about working together and finding solutions, meeting challenges and providing leadership, seeking forgiveness and healing our souls. It is about making a difference in the lives of others, strengthening families, providing role models and protecting our youth; taking time to visit and share family news, sharing our knowledge and being receptive to new ideas, caring for our sick and elders and keeping us together. But most of all, it is about thanking our God and our ancestors for the privilege of being here.

Johnson-Barnes Family Reunion

The 50th annual Johnson-Barnes Family Reunion was held in Memphis, Tennessee, in June after two years of cancellations due to the pandemic A handful of family members arrived on Thursday to get things set up in advance.

The three-day event started on Friday with a Meet and Greet and lots of food to get the weekend going. Every family received a special engraved glass with the 50th reunion logo, t-shirts and a gold border Souvenir Program. Everyone was so glad to see each other after the two-year absence. Rather than the usual 150, 180 attended this year.

Saturday was a full day. A tour of Memphis stopped by Aretha Franklin’s birth home, the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated, Stax Record Museum, and ended on famous Beale Street. Later that afternoon, the family picnic was held at a local forest preserve where the group photo was taken with a drone camera. The kids enjoyed a bounce house with a water slide, and plenty of down-home Southern food. The remainder of the evening was reserved to further enjoy the fruits of Beale Street.

Sunday evening was a Black Tie and Gown banquet which saw many family members dressed to kill. The DJ kept everyone entertained through the night. After dinner, the family historian presented a video of one of the founding uncles telling the story of the family history. There was a silent auction which included a bottle of Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey with the Johnson-Barnes 50th Family Reunion engraved on it. The family photographer set up a 10-foot backdrop with the family logo and everyone enjoyed getting individual and group photos in front of the backdrop.

Reported by Dwight J.J. Johnson, Waukegan, Illinois.

Silent auction prize bottle of Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey with the Johnson-Barnes 50th Family Reunion engraved on it.

Kyla Johnson (5) on the bouncehouse.

Guys night out on Beale Street in Memphis

Girls night out on Beale Street in Memphis

Rose Wright and her grands, Juliana (2), Jasmine(5) and Jayelle (7) Wright.

The Bright family, Leslie, Landin, Lena and father, William Jr. aka LB. Johnson Barnes t-shirt history

Recipes, Reminiscing and Reunions

INTRODUCTION

Holidays are a time when we reminisce about family memo ries. Whether it is a long-standing tradition to gather for a meal, a party, or other family activity, the feelings of nostalgia can be evoked through favorite family recipes, heirlooms or ornaments, and photographs from the past. With many families hosting gatherings both large and small it’s also a good opportunity to plan your next family reunion.

Recently I uncovered some treasured holiday photographs stashed away in boxes and old photo albums. Among them were photos of me baking cookies with my auntie, and sitting on Santa’s lap, and a snapshot of my maternal grandmother rolling out dough for pirohy, bobalky, and other dishes for our family’s traditional Slovak Christmas Eve supper. (See the recipe on page 44). I also found a few of my mother’s handwritten recipes for some favorite desserts she made for special occasions, including our ALAFFFA Family Reunions.

These precious memories of loved ones and documentation of traditions ready to be passed to the next genera tion made me think about my relatives who are also gathering with their own nuclear families. And if they’ll uncover any treasures of their own. It inspired me to plan a family scanning event and recipe exchange at our next reunion.

By Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A.

PLANNING A FAMILY REUNION SCANNING EVENT

To host a scanning event at your next reunion, you can follow these steps that I will be implementing with my family.

1. Purchase a Memory Station. To make the event run smoothly, the reunion organizer or family historian should purchase a Vivid-Pix® Memory Station. Depending on the size of your reunion, you may need to purchase more than one. The Memory Station is a combination of a Fujitsu ScanSnap SV600 + Vivid-Pix RESTORE software. In the bundle, Vivid-Pix includes FileShadow cloud archive, if desired, providing storage for 1,000 images for free and the ability to record 100 voice memories that connect with the photos. (Having a central cloud repository where photos can be securely stored makes it easier to share scanned images.) Learn more on the FileShadow website. Perhaps reunion funds can be used to help with the cost, donated or loaned by a family member, or it can be built into the per person reunion fees. For those who will be operating the scanner, classes are available on the Vivid-Pix website www.vivid-pix.com/solutions and www.vivid-pix.com/ education/

Vivid-Pix Memory Station

Before Vivid-Pix After Vivid-Pix

2. Involve the family.

To build excitement, the reunion organizer or committee lead should create ongoing emails and begin sharing his/her own photos to the FileShadow Collaborate Folder. Reunions magazine will be providing free planning suggestions every two weeks in their e-newsletter providing step-by-step instructions.

3. Make it personal.

The reunion planner or other designated person(s) should contact attendees in advance by email (or a phone call) to let them know that the theme for the reunion will be “Family Stories and Legacy” and ask them to bring 5-10 photos to the event. If possible, perhaps the reunion organizer can suggest the family getting together over the holidays

Before Vivid-Pix

Before Vivid-Pix

After Vivid-Pix

After Vivid-Pix

either in person and/or virtually to discuss how to make this year’s reunion something special. If not meeting in person, Zoom meetings can be held and recorded (with permission of all on the call) and shared with anyone who is unable to attend. Vivid-Pix provides free Zoom classes.

4. Include those unable to attend. Due to age, mobility, and other factors, some may be unable to attend the reunion in person. This should not be a hindrance to their participation and, in fact, can be a wonderful way to connect generations. As many older adults have technical difficulties and younger family members may be more comfortable with the technology, connect young and young-at-heart to scan and record memories – that will become treasured for generations to come – enriching the souls of both.

5. Designate a space at reunion site. Establish a schedule for the scanning event. Make it a fillable form or spreadsheet shared in Google Drive or One Drive and include a shared link in an email to attendees with reunion invitations and reminders a couple of months and weeks before the event. Be sure to secure adequate table space and set up all equipment (the Memory Station, laptop computer, wi-fi connection, and some USB drives) in advance on the day of the reunion. Have file bins labeled “to be scanned” and “scanning complete” and acid free storage sheets on hand that can be labeled to keep track of who brought which photos. Have a sign-up sheet to post on the day as well.

6. Create a Conversation Circle.

In addition to scanning the photos, designate a place where family members can sit and talk about the photos (identifying people, places, occasion, etc.). Show photos with a projector for storytelling. Host a Zoom meeting for those unable to attend so they can also participate. Stories about people, events, and even family heirlooms can evoke powerful memories and discussion. For example, my family likes to hear the story about my mother’s powdered sugar can, which she used to add a special touch to those cookies she baked from the recipes I discovered. See the post I wrote about this heirloom on my blog, The Accidental Genealogist.

KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING

Let everyone know that the Reunion Committee will be sending out instructions pertaining to the Scanning every 2 weeks prior to the date of the reunion so that everyone can partake in the activity. Emails should include instructions for additional scanning (photos, documents, slides, negatives), sharing movies, and printing images and keepsakes for the event using Vivid-Pix Prints). Special features on helping family members that can’t travel and those with cognitive decline/Alzheimer’s can also be included. See Vivid-Pix education for tips www.vivid-pix.com/reminisce and www.vivid-pix.com/education/

REMEMBER TO START EARLY!

Participation will be the key to a successful scanning event. Plan to capitalize on the time together this holiday season to spark an interest in a family reunion scanning event. Connecting through shared memories and stories provides a way to preserve the past and build a legacy for future generations. For more information about hosting a scanning event at your reunion, see the article, “Turn a family reunion into a family history scanning party” in the June 2022 issue of Reunions magazine

Before Vivid-Pix

After Vivid-Pix

Links

Vivid-Pix: www.vivid-pix.com/solutions and www.vivid-pix.com/education/ The Accidental Genealogist: theaccidentalgenealogist.com/2016/03/06/fearless-females-6-march-2016-family-heir loom-the-powdered-sugar-can/

Vivid-Pix education for tips: www.vivid-pix.com/reminisce and www.vivid-pix.com/education/ Reunions magazine June 2022 issue: www.issuu.com/reunionsmag/docs/reunions_v31n2_mag_june2022

Nut and Poppyseed Rolls

[as written by Anna Alzo and submitted by Lisa A. Alzo]

A favorite Slovak recipe, especially for Christmas and Easter!

1 large cake of yeast ¾ c. lukewarm milk 4 eggs (beaten) ¾ c. lukewarm milk 1 tsp. vanilla 8 tbsp. sugar ½ pint sour cream

1 tsp. salt 7 c. flour ½ lb. butter

1 egg beaten with a little water Sugar water (approx.1 tbsp. sugar and ¼ c. water)

Dissolve yeast in the ¾ c. lukewarm milk. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl and then add butter to dry ingredients with pastry blender. Add eggs, vanilla, sour cream and yeast to dry ingredients and mix well until it comes clean from hands (you can add a little more flour if needed). Let dough rise in bowl until about double in size. Punch down and divide into 8 piles. Cover and let rise for a while (until you prepare the fillings). Take one of the piles, roll out with rolling pin on a floured board and then spread with filling; starting at top, roll tightly and place on cookie sheet; let rise for about 15 minutes. Brush lightly with 1 beaten egg and a little water. Prick with fork. Bake 350 °F for 30 minutes. Make sugar water and brush on rolls immediately after taking out of oven.

This recipe and many others are available in Baba’s Kitchen: Slovak & Rusyn Family Recipes & Traditions by Lisa A. Alzo. Available for purchase at www.Lulu.com See www.lisaalzo.com/babas kitchenbook for more information.

Don’t let your memories fade

Reminiscing Provides Health and Social Benefits

Challenge your brain …the more you stimulate and challenge your brain—and the earlier you begin that stimulation—the more of a buffer you’ll create against the detrimental effects of aging.

Reminiscence Therapy (RT) involves the discussion of past activities, events and experiences with another person or group of people, usually with the aid of tangible prompts such as photographs, household, and other familiar items from the past, music and archive sound recordings.

A stroll down memory lane conjures up stories of the past that can be shared with future generations.

Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance

The Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation recently hosted the dedication of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on the 69th anniversary of the end of the war. Long known as the forgotten war, the Wall of Remembrance ensures the over 36,000 American servicemen and 7,100 Korean members of the Augmentation to the US Army (KATUSA) who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of democracy will never be forgotten. The dedication offered the US and The Republic of Korea an opportunity to express their gratitude for those who served in the war to defend democracy and the people of South Korea.

For more about the Korean War Veterans Memorial visit www.nps.gov/kowa/index.htm

For more about the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation visit www.nps.koreanwarvets memorial.org/our-progress/

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance

Private ceremony and visits by families of the fallen to the new Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance. Washington, DC, July 26, 2022.

Photo: Jay Mallin / Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation

USS Cogswell DD-651

For the first time in its history, the USS Cogswell DD-651 Association held a reunion in Florida. Finding a hotel for a small military group was a little daunting in Mouseland, but reunion organizer, George Overman, found a connection at the last minute that saved the day and the reunion.

The Homewood Suites by Hilton in the Buena Vista section of Orlando, Florida, turned out to be a great host at a very reasonable price ($106 a night) for the Association. It also included free parking which is becoming harder to find as well. In fact, some of our members who have attended multiple reunions said it was among the very best of hotels we have used. With our numbers shrinking in the Association, it is harder to find hotels willing to host a small group (50-100) like ours. The hotel extended the low rates for a number of attendees who came early and a few who stayed late to enjoy the area.

The hotel staff worked hard to make sure they accommodated our needs and wants, including a large hospitality room that housed our memorabilia, souvenir sales items and beverages and snacks. During the official three days of the reunion, the hotel provided a free and full breakfast buffet that our members really appreciated.

As this was the first reunion where we didn’t offer an organized tour option – by our

members’ choice – the location was central enough to give various touring options for attendees on their own. Some chose to go on a nearby airboat ride, others visited Disney shops and even more decided to take advantage of the beautiful pool and patio and just enjoyed a quiet day in the hot sunshine.

During the day, the hotel sent a representative to welcome our group.

On our opening night, our Association President welcomed everyone to the reunion and the hotel assisted us in assembling our “MIA” – Missing in Action – table for our traditional ceremony.

With just a small café on site, most of the attendees found plenty of dinner options in the surrounding area. Of course, each

evening included “sea story” sessions in the hospitality room.

On Thursday we held our Association meeting and discussed future reunion plans as well as the disposition of some of our collected traveling museum items.

We held our dinner banquet on Thursday night with a presentation by Mat “Mas” Wittal, an automation and robotics systems engineer at nearby NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and a Navy veteran. Mat, who is working on the ambitious commercial and international mission “Artemis,” gave us an inside look at the plans for a new moon landing and an eventual base for a future manned mission to Mars.

The banquet, as it always does, included a poignant time of remembrance as the list of shipmates who’ve died since the last reunion was presented. One of our guests was a World War II submariner, an uncle of one of our members, who lives in nearby Vero Beach. The reunion included three first time attendees and the banquet included several family and friends of members.

Planning is underway for a Fall 2023 reunion in the Mountain Time Zone. The USS Cogswell website is www.usscogswell.com

Reported by Association VP and newsletter editor, James L Smith, and shared by George H. Overman (RM 64-66), Secretary/Reunion Planner.

Enjoying USS Cogswell picture collection

Ready for an airboat tour

“MIA” – Missing in Action – table for our traditional ceremony

USS John Young Veterans Association

The reunion in Charleston, South Carolina, included a meet and greet, Veterans Association Meeting, and tours of Patriots Point, the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey

Our veterans enjoyed a dinner cruise — our big night out —hosted by Spiritline Cruises. The harbor tour was breathtaking. The views were fantastic and so was the (much talked about) she-crab soup. Everyone enjoyed the fine cuisine and drinks onboard. There was also live acoustic guitar music. There were 26 guests, 20 of whom were Navy Veterans. This event was significant as the integration of women to fleet assignments (at sea) occurred in the mid 90s and we had several women attend, two of whom were among the first onboard. They mentioned that the men were not very accommodat ing in the beginning and that it took some time for adjustments to allow for them to serve at sea. Visit www.ussjohnyoungdd973.org/ for more about this reunion.

Florida.

Reported by Michael Trotta, Tarpon Springs,

Significant for this event, two of the first women assigned to the USS John Young in the mid 1990s, along with some of the women who were also onboard through early 2000.

USS John Young museum display

Left to right: Jack Gunsett, Larry Stoddard, Michael Geubert and Herbert “Lou” Drenner. They were the first to board the USS John Young and go out to sea in 1978. USS John Young group in Charleston, South Carolina.

Robert Brooks, a former Navy Damage Controlman, was the recipient of the amazing raffle prize, a USS John Young tribute plaque (designed by Metal Art of Wisconsin) during the dinner cruise.

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.

ALABAMA

GREATER BIRMINGHAM CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

950 22nd St. North, Suite 550, Birmingham, AL 35203

Birmingham is becoming one of the most celebrated reunion cities in the southeast. The success of your reunion depends on its early groundwork. 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 800-458-8085 | Email info@inbirmingham.com www.inbirmingham.com

DELAWARE

SOUTHERN DELAWARE TOURISM

Looking for the perfect place for your next reunion? How does this sound – 5 Star beaches. Comfy accommodations to fit every budget. A jam-packed events calendar. Lots of group activities on land and on the water. A huge variety of visual and performing arts & entertainment. Scenic and historic sites, events, and venues ideally suited to group events. Exceptional Culinary Coast™ dining. Southern Delaware is a great place to gather! 827 E Market St Georgetown , DE 19947 800-357-1818

SouthDel@VisitSouthernDelaware.com https://visitsoutherndelaware.com/

FLORIDA

GREATER MIAMI CVB

701 Brickell Ave, Suite 2700, Miami FL 33131 305.539.3000 | 800.933.8448 www.MiamiAndBeaches.com www.MultiCulturalTourism@gmcvb.com Whether family, class, alumni or military, Miami is perfect for your reunion any time of the year. Let us help you create the best reunion that people will be talking about for years to come. Play in the sun and sand, visit historic heritage churches and other locations, find fun parks and recreation areas or specialized venues to hold your family reunion or other get together. With diverse multicultural jewels and robust outdoor activities, Miami lets you find your roots and reunite with the past. Reconnect today in Greater Miami and the Beaches. Visit www.MulticulturalMiami.com to see our special Plan Your Reunion page.

PANAMA CITY BEACH CVB

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER

17001 Panama City Beach Pkwy Panama City Beach, FL 32413

Phone: 850-233-5070 | Toll Free: 1-800-722-3224 Known for its sugar-white sands and turquoise waters, Panama City Beach is the ultimate reunion destination. Check out www.visitpanamacitybeach. com/groups/reunions-in-panama-city-beach/ and plan your trip now to PCB, the Real. FUN. Beach.

GEORGIA

ALPHARETTA CVB

Want to plan an AWESOME reunion in metro Atlanta? Don’t know where to begin? Worry no more and gather your group in Alpharetta! Attend our free workshop for a collection of insider tips from our reunion planning specialist. Contact Alpharetta CVB at 800-294-0923 or visit www.awesomealpharetta.com

ILLINOIS

MEET CHICAGO NORTHWEST 1933 N. Meacham Rd. Suite 210 Schaumburg IL 60173 1-800-847-4849 | info@chicagonorthwest.com

The Chicago Northwest region is conventionally

located on the edge of O’Hare Airport and Chicago. Outstanding attractions for all ages to gather together for fun and memories. Our team is ready to assist in finding your reunion the perfect spot to rest, eat, and play while building stories that will last a lifetime. Connect with us today and take advantage of our free services!

CHICAGO SOUTHLAND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Reunions of all kinds, including family and military, can find superior facilities located conveniently to anywhere in the Midwest – and across the country. With our true Midwestern hospitality, the Chicago Southland feels like family. We offer complimentary services to ensure your reunion’s success. Visit www.visitchicagosouthland.com/SocialEvents or call 888-895-3211.

LAKE COUNTY CVB

Plan an unforgettable reunion in Lake County, Illinois – We’ll work together to help you plan a family experience that lets you explore all of the excitement of Lake County. From entertaining attractions like Six Flags to our convenient, centralized location close to Chicago, there are so many reasons to choose Lake County for familyfriendly fun. For free Reunion Planning Assistance call or email us with your reunion planning questions.

5465 West Grand Avenue Suite 100 Gurnee, IL 60031 | 847-662-2700 kimberly@lakecounty.org www.visitlakecounty.org

LOUISIANA

NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM

Make your family or military reunion a unique and memorable occasion at The National WWII Museum! Ranked the #1attraction in New Orleans, this remarkable venue is an incomparable experience for all generations. Customize your reunion with a guided group tour, live BB’s Stage Door Canteen lunch or dinner show, and more!

The National WWII Museum

945 Magazine Street, New Orleans LA 70130 group.sales@nationalww2museum.org 877-813-3329 x222 www.nationalww2museum.org/groups

MISSOURI

EXPLORE BRANSON in Southwest Missouri, surrounded by the beauty of the Ozark Mountains. For helpful information call the Branson Convention & Visitors Bureau to assist you in securing the perfect lodging for your next reunion in this ideal destination at the center of America's heartland! Faith, Family and Flag are honored every day in Branson! Plus the breathtaking scenery, world-class entertainment and exciting attractions for all ages are served up with a generous side of authentic southern hospitality that will create memories worth re-living! Whether your reunion is family, military, or graduating class, request our Complimentary Welcome Bags and/or our comprehensive Branson Reunion Planner Kit: Lenni Neimeyer, CTIS, CSTP | 417-243-2105 Email:lneimeyer@bransoncvb.com or Visit: www.ExploreBranson.com/groups.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO on I-55 between St. Louis & Memphis. Perched on the Western banks of the Mississippi River, Cape Girardeau is a small city with a big heart and something for everyone, from families to history buffs, outdoor adventurer and everyone in between. Consider us the prime location for your reunion. Call VisitCape at 1.800.777.0068 or visit us online at www.VisitCape.com.

NORTH CAROLINA

HALIFAX COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Let us make planning your next family reunion as EASY as Grandma’s apple pie! Conveniently located on Interstate 95 midway between New York and Florida. The Halifax County CVB is excited to help make your family reunion memorable by offering a complimentary welcome reception with cookies & lemonade, assistance with hotel arrangements, including group discounts, trip planning & tailored itineraries for your family, and resources for venues, meals & catering, banners, photographers, videographers, tent & chair rental etc. 260 Premier Blvd. Roanoke Rapids , NC 27870 800-522-4282 info@visithalifax.com www.visithalifax.com/ SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 38.

OHIO

EXPLORE HOCKING HILLS

13178 State Route 664 S, Logan, OH 43138

The Hocking Hills are Ohio’s natural crown jewels and the perfect location for reunions. World class hiking, eco-adventure tours and more than 50 ziplines. Luxury lodges provide private resort amenities for groups of two to two hundred. Located just 50 miles southeast of Columbus. Have your reunion in Hocking Hills, Ohio. Contact Karen Raymore, kraymore@explorehockinghills.com 740-385-2750 | fax 740-385-1146 www.ExploreHockingHills.com

EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS

Columbus is full of unforgettable experiences, distinct neighborhoods and one-of-a-kind tours. As a leader in experiential tourism, Columbus knows that getting groups in the middle of the action and behind the scenes is important. We put your well being first with the Live Forward Safety Pledge. Whether you’re

REUNION RESOURCES

planning a group activity or giving individuals time to explore on their own, Columbus’ neighborhoods welcome groups in their own special way.

Contact the Tourism Sales team at 1-800-354-2657 tours@ExperienceColumbus.com www.ExperienceColumbus.com/reunions

SOUTH CAROLINA

HILTON GREENVILLE

45 West Orchard Park Drive, Greenville, SC 29615 d: +1-864-248-1942 t: +1-864-232-4747 f: +1-864-235-6248 www.greenvillesc.hilton.com Reunite, Relax, Reconnect Ideal location for your Reunion headquarters. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, only 8 miles from Greenville-Spartanburg Airport and easily accessible to interstate 385/85 located between Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA.

TENNESSEE

PIGEON FORGE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE -- We’re a gold mine for reunions. Need attractions? Try Dollywood, Titanic Pigeon Forge, mountain coasters and the action-packed 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: 1-800-2519100 or visit www.pigeonforgereunion.com

TEXAS

PEARLAND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

11200 Broadway Street #1390, Pearland TX 77584

Contact Teri Mazhar, 281-997-5970 pearlandcvb@pearlandtx.gov www.visitpearland.com/reunions Rebekah Burns, Marketing Manager Pearland Convention & Visitors Bureau City of Pearland | 11200 Broadway Street, Suite 1390 | Pearland, TX 77584

Phone: 281.997.5971 | Mobile: 832.492.3161 www.visitpearland.com

VIRGINIA

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA 10560 Arrowhead Drive Suite 350 Fairfax, VA 22030

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, Fairfax County is the ideal location for your military or family reunion. The spectacular new National Museum of the United States Army is now open and welcoming visitors.

Call Visit Fairfax at 703-752-9509, and Dean Miller, our reunion specialist, will go to work for you! dmiller@fxva.com | www.fxva.com

SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 17.

FREDERICKSBURG TOURISM VISIT FRED

The Fredericksburg Region is known for its Colonial and Civil War History, arts community and yearround group-friendly offerings. Just 50 miles south of WDC, the Fredericksburg Region boasts an award winning distillery, wineries and breweries, outdoor adventures, parks and more. Make memories with your family, classmates, and military buddies in the Fredericksburg Region. To book your reunion, contact Victoria Matthews:

(540)372-1216 | 1-800-260-3646 vamatthews@fredericksburgva.gov www.VisitFred.com

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLooe9ESVe8

NEWPORT NEWS – Get closer to ships, history and the great outdoors with one central destination: Newport News, Virginia. Get all this, plus Williamsburg and Virginia Beach, too! Whether getting together with old classmates, shipmates or relatives, Newport News provides the perfect location and services to make your reunion a success. We offer the best value and plenty to see and do. Let Newport News make your next reunion a memorable one.

Call Cheryl Morales at 757-926-1428 or e-mail her at cmorales@nnva.gov to book your reunion today! www.newport-news.org

WASHINGTON

TRAVEL TACOMA-MT RAINIER TOURISM & SPORTS 1516 Commerce St. Tacoma WA 98402

Our region serves up an array of activities and meeting spaces for your guests. The area can accommodate meetings and budgets of all sizes with more than 5,700 hotel rooms including boutique, limited and full-service hotels and plenty of meeting + exhibit space.

When in downtown Tacoma, stroll across the Bridge of Glass displaying artist Dale Chihuly’s work. Visit world-class history and art museums, take a glass blowing class at a local hot shop and see collector vehicles at the largest automotive museum in North America: LeMay—America’s Car Museum. In the evenings, check out the selfguided craft beer crawl or stroll along Tacoma’s waterfront, enjoying regional cuisine. 253-830-6606 | sales@traveltacoma.com www.traveltacoma.com

WYOMING

DUDE RANCHERS' ASSOCIATION

1122 12th Street, Cody WY 82414

Helping people find quality Dude and Guest Ranch vacations since 1926. Let us help you find the perfect all-inclusive location for your next reunion! Call 307-587-2339 | info@duderanch.org www.duderanch.org