FRONT WORDS

Be in touch!

Welcome to 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.

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

Mail to Reunions magazine section that should help you get started thinking about how you’re going to submit a

PO Box 11727 Milwaukee WI 53211-0727 report. We do not judge your writing, but we do edit everything we use and we hope call414-263-4567 you’ve spelled the names correctly. We visitwww.reunionsmag.com acknowledge receipt of your submission but e-maileditor@reunionsmag.com may not be working on it for a month or two, but when we do, you can expect comments and questions. 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