Reunions Magazine Volume 17, Number 3. December/January 2007 (SOLD OUT) by Reunions Magazine

Amusement and waterparks Sharing memories

Display until January 31, 2007.

VOL 17 NO 3 DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 $3/USA

in this issue DEPARTMENTS

December 2006 / January 2007 Volume 17 • Number 3

PUBLISHER

Jeffrey P. Wallman

FRONT WORDS – 4

EDITOR IN CHIEF

ALUM&I – 7

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Class of ’72 enjoying reunions by Holly Brindle Grenoble

Susie Welsh

Elyria (Ohio) class of ’31 celebrate 75th high school reunion

TRAVEL EDITOR

Edith Wagner

Jacky Runice

SCRAPBOOK – 10 Christmas in Galveston, Seattle Southside, register online, Precious Moments reunion

BRANCH OFFICE – 14 Sharing the memories by Maureen Taylor Family data collection, DNA ties to Jamestowne colony

MASTERPLAN – 18 The Monroe Family Reunion by J.I. Soucie

ART DIRECTOR

Jennifer Rueth SALES

Marion Liston Senior Account Manager Sandy Lewis Account Manager OPERATIONS MANAGER

Karla Lavin ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Jean Salzer Andrew Bordeaux

Honor loved ones in virtual quilt project by Meg Cox

CONTRIBUTORS

Reunions of Brookins, Boatwright, Robinson Napper, Poindexter,

Barbara W. Anderson Meg Cox • Vivian Daniels Holly Brindle Grenoble Vernon Harmelink • Al and Cathy Hill Aida Kouyoumjian • Steven Napper Floyd Riley • Cheryl Robinson Marge Schwegel • J.I. Soucie JoAnn Stringer • Maureen Taylor

Lilly, Bennetts, Norton/Taylors

ETHNIC REUNIONS – 27 Renaissance of friendships by Aida Kouyoumjian LaLaFuLooza 5 by JoAnn Stringer Benrud reunion, an institution

REUNION VENUES & PLACES – 32 Park the clan at thrilling places by Jacky Runice

MILITARY REUNION NEWS – 38 398th Bomb Group, 42nd Infantry Division, Tuskegee Airmen, Kentucky’s 223rd and 438th Military Police Companies, Vietnam Veterans

REUNION RESOURCES – 40 A directory of reunion-friendly places, services, vendors and products.

ABOUT THE COVER

Families love the Tilt-A-Wheel at Knoebels Amusement Park and Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania.

REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC. (ISSN #1046-5s235), is published bi-monthly. Send correspondence, queries, submissions, subscriptions, advertising to REUNIONS MAGAZINE, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. Written permission from the publisher is required for reproduction of any part of this book except pages which encourage sharing. Please explain your intended use when requesting permission to reprint. Email: reunions@execpc.com or fax 414-263-6331. Tear sheets of reviews and reprints required. REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC., will not be liable for information presented as facts contained in any of our advertising, byline stories or materials. We reserve the right to edit and/or refuse any material submitted for publication. We solicit participation and take responsibility for submitted materials. Unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), submissions and photos will not be returned. All materials sent for purposes of publication become property of REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC. Subscriptions: US and Canada $9.99/yr, $17.99/2 yrs. Foreign orders add $36 for subscriptions. All foreign payment in US funds or drawn on a US bank. Back issues available for $3 each plus postage. Payment must accompany requests for subscriptions, back issues or other items for sale. Advertising rate information available from REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC., PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727; 414-263-4567; fax 414-2636331; e-mail reunions@execpc.com; www.reunionsmag.com. © 2007 REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

FRONT WORDS

What I did this summer ummer is always the season that’s a blur to me. Too many things happening, never enough time to take advantage of all that’s offered and then – in the blink of an eye – it’s autumn, the season of wondering where the summer went. Well, summer was all those things and more. I attended four reunions: three delightful family reunions and a 50th class reunion.

WAUWATOSA (WISCONSIN) HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1956

The class reunion was a well-planned, well-attended three-day event which included a lovely garden party with ice cream sundaes from a favored high school hangout, a school tour, banquet, and Sunday brunch at a classmate’s lake house. As seems customary for many 50th class reunions, many classmates traveled great distances, and California, Florida and Arizona seem to be residences of preference in the memory book/directory. Thanks to Dave and Pat Grant and their committee for a great weekend. Also for this reunion, our prized and generous reader Bill Williams, Hampton, Virginia, helped find five people from the missing list. As always, he took on the challenge with great energy and celebration as he succeeded. Bill says he’ll happily help other classes with their missing … for a fee. If you’re interested, contact us and we’ll forward your interest to him. We enthusiastically recommend Bill!

Seideman kids made dough from scratch for pizza later baked in a wood-fired, brick oven. Back row (left to right): Kate Seideman-Barclay, Kathy Matuszewski, and Rachel Kreif. Front row: Ana Genthe, Tina Seideman, Emily Seideman, Hayden Naumann, Travis Seideman, Amelia Genthe, and Kalie Callison.

lunch, which started early in the morning with a dozen kids helping to prepare the dough before it went into a natural brick wood-fired oven on their farm to bake the pizzas. The countless toppings included homemade sausage and kids had great fun with their own ideas of great combinations. I rarely eat pizza but this topped anything I’ve ever had. KORTENDICK FAMILY REUNION

THE FAMILIES

The family reunions I attended were the Seidemans in July in Newburg, Wisconsin (who’ve welcomed me to their reunions for at least 15 years), the Kortendicks in August in Franksville, Wisconsin, and the Banks, Hill, Outlaws in September in Washington, DC. Look for these reunions to reappear from time to time in future features, the Seidemans and Kortendicks for great attention to entertaining large numbers of small and young children, the Seidemans and Banks, Hill, Outlaws for some great fun auctions. My special thanks for their hospitality to Phyllis Naumann of the Seideman family, Vicki Hughes of the Kortendick family and Thelma Harper Jones of the Banks, Hill, Outlaw family.

Over 160 descendants of Peter and Mary Kortendick meet every five years for four days at several southeastern Wisconsin locations. The “girl cousins” start with a sleepover at a Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, cottage. Other events included a golf outing, fishing, activities for preteens and teens, and a trip to the Jelly Belly factory. Friday night they meet for fish fry in Racine, Wisconsin. Saturday was a gloriously perfect day for a picnic at Kerry and Donna Dieter’s Franksville, Wisconsin, farm, where activities for kids kept the many young ones entertained and active. Age-appropriate games were set up, as were large age-appropriate inflatables. Central to this family’s lore is a mechanical white elephant that graced the window of their parent’s legendary Racine County, Wisconsin, saloon back in the day. Reunion design

SEIDEMAN FAMILY REUNION

This was Seideman’s 74th annual reunion and they manage new ideas each and every year. This year included a petting zoo. In the past I’ve attended their Sunday event and knew that many arrived in the middle of the preceding week to set up. But I hadn’t realized that they have activities planned from Wednesday of one week until departure the following Wednesday. The Sunday reunion is the highlight, and much work goes into setting up and the chores after of stowing it all for another year. This year I was invited to many more activities, but was not able to attend a motorcycle caravan to a wine tasting at a cousin’s new wine shop on Thursday followed by a cookout, and another cookout Friday, and a shivaree Saturday. I did get to a Saturday pizza 4

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

The emblematic Kortendick elephant has an honored place in family reunion pictures.

elements and wearing apparel include the elephant, as have past reunion t-shirts. The Kortendicks take their elephants seriously! The saloon is now a biker bar, but a friendly one that welcomes the family for brunch on reunion Sunday after Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Dover. At the Saturday picnic, two clowns made balloon elephants and face-, armand leg-painted, elephants, of course. Color-coded badges and neckerchiefs representing the eight children of Peter and Mary and their descendants are worn by each family member. They also distribute a “relationship” chart for everyone, showing exactly how they are related. MailThey to produce a Family Summary Directory which gives a brief summary of each REUNIONS MAGAZINE family, updating addresses, jobs POand Boxhobbies. 11727 Each year a family calendar is compiled and printed, noting birthdays Milwaukee WI 53211-0727 and anniversaries, a descendant tree list, new family For charge members, deceased family members andorders family photos. call 800-373-7933 or BANKS, HILL, OUTLAW FAMILY REUNION visit www.reunionsmag.com

Be in touch!

Banks and Steven Hill. Scholarship winners were Emanuel Banks (a freshman at Maryland Eastern Shore), Rhett Banks and Tiffany Frizzel (at Morgan State), Jamel Banks (at the Art Institute of Washington, DC) and Henri Frizzell (transferred from A&T State University in Greensboro to Lenoir Community College). Fundraising is high entertainment at this reunion: everyone gets into the action. Thelma spends much of her year between reunions collecting items to sell and to auction, and to fill goody bags for each person attending. A table piled high with items selling at ridiculously low prices adds to the reunion coffers. Items include games, books, CDs, videos, picture frames and trinkets of all description. This is a traditional fundraiser which most members sought out as soon as they arrived to look over the choices. Central to all fundraising was an auction that started a bit slowly, but soon everyone was bidding each other up in the interest of raising money for the reunion. Jones included travel bags, gift baskets, dresses, toiletries and other treasures. Out of town family stayed at the Best Western Capital Skyline Hotel, where I recommend Room #601 from which I could see the US Capital building day and night: an awesome sight! The reunion continued on Sunday with a buffet and prayer breakfast at the hotel followed in the afternoon by a lavish cookout in the lovely garden of Lenster and Robyn Banks’ Accokeek, Maryland, home. The Banks are an example of younger family members being very involved in their family reunion. They did, after all, entertain a large family that afternoon! JONES-WILLIAMS-SCOTT & QUINN FAMILY REUNION

After a group picture, each member of the Banks, Hill, Outlaw Family Reunion is video-taped by cousin Alvin Jones, who also records individual’s names (note microphone) and relationship to the reunion.

After 42 years of reunions, Shirley and Joe Bobby Smith finally welcomed the Jones-Williams-Scott & Quinn Family Reunion to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from Tennessee … pointing out that they had come to Green Bay Packerland. They enjoyed a Friday get-together before Saturday choices that individual members made to either shop, swim, golf, go to a casino or Milwaukee’s premier music festival, Summerfest. The Jones-Williams-Scott & Quinn Family Reunion welcomed our photographer, Patrick Robinson, to their Saturday evening banquet and program, including a talent show. EW

The 26th Banks, Hill, Outlaw Family Reunion rotated to Washington, DC, this year from its headquarters of Snow Hill, North Carolina. Family members followed Hurricane Ernesto north into rain-soaked DC. Reunion coordinator Thelma Harper Jones welcomed her family on Saturday before Labor Day to a celebration at the River Park Mutual Homes community room for entertainment and a lavish catered lunch. A wonderful afternoon included an opening and libation in remembrance of ancestors by an area drum group, Umojo Dono, Unity Talking Drum. There was entertainment by family members and a fashion show in which teenagers and young adults preened and paraded to enthusiastic approval. Recognition of family achievements and scholarship awards featured more young family members. Special emphasis was given to recognition The Jones-Williams-Scott & Quinn Family Reunion banquet was predominantly Wisconsin and Tennessee families of family elders, Lois Suggs Jones, Arthur gathering in Milwaukee.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

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R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

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ALUM & I

Class of ’72 enjoying reunions

he Penns Valley High School, Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, Class of 1972 is a very close class. We really enjoy our reunions, which are held every five years, with about 80 in attendance. When we turned 50 we held two minireunions complete with birthday cake to celebrate together. We would like to have a yearly gathering if someone would organize it. Our class secretary will be spending the winter in Florida, so we must get the ball rolling without her this time. A few of us seem to be the ones to keep this class together via email, etc. (Email has made it so much easier to keep in touch.) We start meeting in autumn before each reunion. Our most recent was a fine dining experience with several large rooms, a bar and a professional DJ. At our last reunion we took a group photo. We hold

an auction at every reunion to raise money to pay expenses. Our class president runs the auction and classmates donate unwrapped items to auction off. Every reunion we are surprised to be joined by a classmate we haven’t seen in years. This was especially dear to us at our last reunion, when we connected with a classmate we hadn’t seen in 30 years. She died of breast cancer one year after our reunion. For each reunion we gather classmate names, addresses, and email addresses, plus quotes, and organize the information into a book that someone graciously prints. We distribute the books at the reunion and send them to any who cannot attend. Reunions are held on Saturday night, but on Friday we have an open night at a local tavern where anyone can attend. Submitted by Holly Brindle Grenoble, Avis, Pennsylvania.

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Hello again, Elyria High class of ’31

eorge Baker vowed to stay in touch with his classmates after they graduated from Elyria (Ohio) High School in 1931, and the 92-year-old kept his word. Baker and six other classmates recently celebrated their 75th high school reunion. Only 22 of the 253 graduates are still alive. The classmates gathered every five years since 1931 and annually since 1983. Elyria school officials proclaimed the event the oldest known ongoing high school reunion in Ohio, and possibly the country. The four men and three women compared aches and pains briefly but spent most of the time recalling memories, remembering the departed and reading letters from classmates unable to attend. Elyria Mayor Bill Grace and State Board of Education member Martha Wise spoke and presented proclamations. The group also invited dignitaries, including President Bush, Governor Bob Taft and Ohio Senators Mike DeWine and George Voinovich; none attended, but all sent congratulatory letters. From a story and interview with Carl Matzelle, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio. DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

SCRAPBOOK

Galveston Historical Foundation’s Dickens tradition

D GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA

ABCs of Planning a Family Reunion January 12, 2007 Contact Linda Busby, GCTS, Gwinnett CVB Education Specialist, 770-814-6056; lbusby@gcvb.org. ATLANTA, GEORGIA

January 28, 2007 Family Maxx Fun Entertainment Center June 24, 2007 Sheraton Atlanta Hotel September 30, 2007 Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center Contact Lydia Douglas, Sales Manager, Small Meetings, Atlanta CVB, 233 Peachtree Street, NE, Ste 100, Atlanta, GA 30303; 404-521-6640; ldouglas@atlanta.net; www.atlanta.net PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

owntown Galveston, Texas, is transformed into Victorian London during “Dickens on The Strand.” Festival visitors mingle with costumed entertainers as more than 150 period vendors hawk their wares amid one of the country’s finest collections of 19th-century commercial architecture in the Strand National Historic Landmark District. Children under 7 and everyone in full Victorian costume admitted free. To arrange a group tour, contact Galveston Historical Foundation at 409-765-7834; www.dickensonthestrand.org.

Queen Victoria (festival queen for 13 years, local actress Anne Boyd).

16th National Family Reunion Conference March 16-18, 2007 with a pre-conference workshop on March 15th New information about this conference will be added to Conferences and Workshops at www.reunionsmag.com regularly. We hope to have the full program in the next issue of Reunions magazine, which will be online as soon as we receive it. Contact Dr. Ione Vargus, 215-204-8703; ivargus@temple.edu POTOSI, MISSOURI

YMCA Trout Lodge April 13, 2007 Branch of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis, Missouri, offers a Family Reunion Workshop, for anyone contemplating this facility for their next reunion. Contact Jen Clink at 314-241-YMCA. www.troutlodge.org. BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA

July 13, 2007 More details at www.minneapolis.org/reunions

Costumed visitors at the “West India Dock” at Galveston’s Dickens on the Strand Victorian Christmas Festival.

DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA

Bring Your Family Home to DeKalb! October 12, 2007, Reservations Only Contact DeKalb County CVB at 800-999-6055 or 770-492-5000

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

17th National Family Reunion Conference March 2008 Contact Dr. Ione Vargus, 215-204-8703; ivargus@temple.edu. WINTER PARK, COLORADO

YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch Family Reunion University Contact Conference Office at 970-887-2152, x4127 ESTES PARK, COLORADO

YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center Family Reunion University Contact Conference Office at 970-586-3341, x1021. 10

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

et your reunion form up and running in minutes, at no cost to you. Streamline your reunion registration and ticket sales. Fundraise and sell memorabilia. Boost registrations through fast, secure online registration, 24/7. Contact Sarah Lowell at reunions@active.com or call 888543-7223 x 3941 today!

Precious Moments reunion

ach year in September there is a Precious Moments Family Reunion in Carthage, Missouri. Sam Butcher, Precious Moments artist and creator, was a special guest this year. Registration included admission to all Precious Moments Park attractions featuring the Precious Moments Chapel, Wedding Island Tour, and a private showing of Fountain of Angels show. Activities included seminars, games, socializing, evening programs, Family Reunion dinner and more. A market featured unique, suspended or retired Precious Moments items. The theme, “Let The Star In You Shine Through!” featured an “Academy Awards” celebration with original videos or “movies” of unique creations pertaining to a Precious Moments storyline. For information about this annual event, call 800-543-7975, ext. 3021 or visit www.preciousmoments.com.

Precious Moments reunion is a passion for many.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

SCRAPBOOK

Seattle Southside welcomes visitors

isitors to the Emerald City have a new guide to exploring Seattle Southside’s hidden treasures and stand-out attractions. Seattle Southside’s specific travel itineraries are available online at www.Seattle Southside.com or customized itineraries can be arranged at the Seattle Southside Visitor Center. Featuring visitor favorites like The Museum of Flight, the west coast’s largest aviation museum, the Southside travel itineraries also feature lesser known but acclaimed attractions like the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, dedicated to the history of race boats. Cultural attractions like the Great Wall Mall, a unique Asian shopping experience, makes the cut – as does Kent’s Historic Downtown shopping district where quaint streets and small shops flourish. Also experience breath-taking This group of veterans educates others about World War II and views of the Pacific Ocean, the airplane history. They meet at the Museum of Flight, the west coast’s Olympic Mountains and Islands can largest aviation museum. be seen from beach vantage points. Or visit the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden and the Green-Duwamish River Trail. In addition to Southside itineraries, regional trips are also available such as Downtown Seattle, Mt. Rainier, Victoria, British Columbia, Mt. St. Helens. Seattle Southside makes an excellent base camp for exploring the entire Western Washington territory. Seattle Southside Visitor Services serves as the Office of Tourism for the cities of Tukwila, SeaTac, Kent and Des Moines. Seattle Southside is just 15 minutes south of Downtown Seattle and minutes from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Call 877-885-9452 or visit www.SeattleSouthside.com.

The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, the only one in the US devoted to the history of raceboats, provides tours found fascinating by all ages.

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

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

Subscribe! Call 1-800-373-7933 DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

BRANCH OFFICE

Sharing the memories by Maureen Taylor

his summer my mother-in-law’s family had another reunion. It’s been a biennial event since 1959. One cousin organizes a week-long series of activities including the family picture. It’s difficult to imagine how long it takes her to coordinate it all, but she does it with a smile. This year 66 people attended with one group from New Zealand. One reunion highlight is a table full of family photo albums that date back to the beginning and that super-organized cousin brings them all with her. Many of the people in the early albums are no longer with us, but their images mean a lot to relatives who’ve been at these events since they were kids. My own children like to watch themselves grow up in the albums in two year photographic intervals. During the week, it seems cameras are everywhere! All those pictures get shared with family and it’s a lot easier than it used to be. Instead of waiting until the next reunion to see all the hysterical happenings it’s possible to use the latest technology to share photo memories.

PRINT OR NOT PRINT?

At dinner one night several relatives got into a heated discussion about digital pictures and whether or not to print them. My husband prints all our pictures and places them in (you guessed it) an album. According to the Photo Marketing Association only about fifty percent of digital camera owners actually print their pictures. The rest store our images on our computer hard drives. Producing prints using a photo printer with preservation quality inks such as H-P (Vivera), Canon (Pixma) and Epson (DuraBrite) and acid and lignin free paper makes sense. Those images last for generations. If your computer crashes and you don’t have a 14

http://picasa.google.com/

back-up or technology changes you’ll still be able to look at your photos. Printers now cost less than a $100 and print prices are falling at processing companies so that the average cost of a 4'' x 6'' print is just 12 cents. Another option is to let family members print what they want. That’s possible if you use photo sharing site like Kodak’s Easy Share Gallery (www.kodakeasysharegallery.com). Relatives can view photos and place an order so they pay instead of you. DIGITAL SHOEBOX

Organizing digital images couldn’t be simpler and cheaper. You can buy any number of photo organizing software packages at your local office supply store, but why spend a dime. Google.com’s

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

Picasa download is free! It searches your hard drive for picture files then organizes them in albums. Plus it offers several different services. You can import photos from a camera, scanner, flash drive or CD without complicated directions. Then, using the product’s email service “Hello,” send albums of images to friends and family or publish them on a family blog. Feeling a little artistic? Create a collage of your favorite images or create a slide show for viewing at the next reunion. Prints are a snap. Click on “Order Prints” and link to a photo printing company to make prints, photo stamps and other products or export your pictures to a CD and send to your cousins. Images are uploaded through Picasa. continued

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

BRANCH OFFICE

Sharing the memories PRESERVING THE MEMORIES

While you’re taking all those digital images, don’t forget to back-up your files. A multi-gig flash drive costs less than $100, as do portable hard drives. If you’re still shooting film, keep the negatives. They are the equivalent of a computer back-up. Once you’ve made prints, you’ll want to put them in albums. Don’t use magnetic ones that transfer glue to the back of your images. Use only albums and photo pages that are labeled acid- and lignin-free, and that contain no pvc plastic. Acid and lignin can stain your pictures and some plastics give off damaging gases and contribute to deterioration of your prints.

continued

h t t p : / / w w w. f o t o t a g g e r. c o m /

LABELING YOUR IMAGES

Even digital images can have captions. Picasa, like other programs, allows you to label images or keyword them for easy retrieval. Write captions in your albums using inks labeled fade-proof, water resistant, odorless and quick drying. These pens are available in most office supply/art stores and scrapbook outlets. A complete caption should include names of individuals in the picture, not just nicknames, as well as when and where the image was taken and, by whom. If it

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depicts a special event like a reunion mention that in the caption as well. A newcomer to digital labeling is FotoTagger (www.fototagger.com). It’s also a free download that lets you annotate your digital images right on the picture. Right now it only works if you use the photo sharing site Flickr (www.flickr.com). WEBBED FEET

Sharing memories doesn’t take big bucks, fancy equipment or a lot a time. Set up a family website through a site like myfamily.com and ask family to add their images and news to a private website open by your invitation only. This is a great solution for families like my husband’s that’s spread all over the world. According to their advertising, it

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

only takes three minutes to get started. That’s the truth. I tried it and it worked. In two years my family will have grown some more. A new generation is about to be born – two new babies are due this year alone. Keeping track of all the people and photos is only going to be more of a challenge for that reunion organizing cousin, but the technology exists to make it all a little easier.

About the author Maureen Taylor is the Photo Detective. She writes about family history and photography on her blog at www. photodetective.com.

ost reunions use some method for collecting data for the family tree (births, marriages, deaths) and, in this case, the Toomer’s follow the progress of members’ achievements (graduations from all levels). Other achievements and triumphs such as promotion, honors and recognitions give the family more to celebrate at the reunion.

DNA ties many to “America’s 400th Anniversary”

fter 400 years, millions of Americans can trace their family tree back to the Jamestowne colony and Colonial Virginia. DNA testing and genealogical research is combining to help Jamestown descendants find their immigrant origins from Europe and other nations. 2007 marks the 400th anniversary of the original Jamestown settlement – the first permanent English colony in what is now the US. Heirlines Family History, Relative

Genetics, and GenealogyFound are using traditional genealogy and genetic genealogy to link millions of living people to their roots in the 17th century colony. They are building a public database of Jamestown and 17th century Colonial Virginia descendants to be available in 2007. Genetic genealogy is useful in proving or disproving family legends. Genealogists can use DNA data to overcome gaps in

family trees, establish biological links to specific ancestors and identify other living family lines to which one is related. Using genetic genealogy along with traditional genealogy to discover family connections to the people of history and immigrant ancestry. To learn more about the Jamestown and Colonial Virginia Genealogy and DNA Project go to GenealogyFound www.genealogyfound.org.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

MASTERPLAN

Brookins family celebrates 16th National Family Reunion Conference MARCH 16 -18, 2007 with a pre-conference workshop on March 15th PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA New information about this conference will be added to Conferences and Workshops at www.reunionsmag.com regularly. We hope to have the full program in the next issue of Reunions magazine, which will be online as soon as we receive it. Contact Dr. Ione Vargus, 215-204-8703; ivargus@temple.edu.

fter my aunt passed away, I was charged with planning the family reunion. It’s been getting bigger every year. My mother had 17 sisters and brothers, and I have 26 siblings. My grandmother raised seven of us, so some I didn’t see until I was grown or out of school. At our reunions, everyone cooks, everyone brings something, and on Sunday everyone goes to Hallsville,

WHEN YOU’VE FINISHED USING THIS MAGAZINE, PLEASE RECYCLE IT.

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

Texas, to the home place and church where we all were raised. This year we had a ’70s reunion theme. W wore our ’70s reunion t-shirts for praise dancing, singing and poetry reading. The children dressed in ’70s attire, Afros, clog shoes, striped pants and halter tops. The music and food also were’70s-themed. Reported by Vivian Daniels, Corsicana, Texas.

Surprise! Surprise!

From whence they came

hen John and Alice Boatwright won a beach vacation in a department store contest, they were surprised at their good fortune and excited to relax for a few days. But when they arrived at Perry’s OceanEdge Resort in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, they were surprised by many familiar faces. John and Alice’s children had led their parents to believe they won a trip, to get them to Perry’s. And the Perry’s people were co-conspirators. Lisa Mischle, of Perry’s staff, helped orchestrate the Boatwright’s arrival to pull off the surprise. She was so excited she came in on her day off to make sure the surprise happened. What began as a beachfront getaway turned into a surprise 60th wedding anniversary celebration. Among the “welcoming committee” were the Boatwrights’ children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Twenty-six family members were on hand at Perry’s when the unsuspecting couple arrived, expecting a quiet three days on the beach. Instead, they enjoyed a festive family reunion and memories they’ll treasure forever. The Boatwright children wanted a fitting tribute to mark their parents’ 60th anniversary, so they planned activities that included a casino cruise and a day at the spa,

John and Alice Boatwright

including a massage. An evening cookout was a highlight of the weekend. One of the children created special gift baskets loaded with all kinds of goodies, including memorabilia and old family photographs. “My parents are still speechless about the event,” said daughter Carmen Boatwright-Bacon. “They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was a total surprise. They were overwhelmed with everything including the ambiance of Perry’s and the warmth of the staff. We especially appreciate Lisa Mischle’s help and consider her an honorary member of the family.” Thera Woodard, another Boatwright family member, said, “What a delightful weekend we had! The rooms were spacious and comfortable and the staff was gracious and helpful. The grounds and pools were beautiful.”

e brought Robinson Family Reunion home “From Whence We Came” to Walterboro, South Carolina, to celebrate our heritage and honor our ancestors. The Third Robinson Family Reunion was a success. Family and friends traveled from afar to share the weekend-long reunion of the Robinson and Moseley Family. Our roots ran deep during this weekend gathering as the power of family celebrated, nurtured and educated us. This was truly a special weekend for our family. Friday started with “The Great Meet,” welcoming family members with an open house. That evening we had late registra-tion and handed out welcome packages, t-shirts and other reunion items. It was a come-and-go affair that allowed time for everyone to meet and get acquainted. A light meal was catered by our own family member, Betty Williams of Moseley Catering Service who also catered Saturday “Family Night.” Entertainment was provided by our overly talented family members who offered songs, poems and prayers. Sunday was “Family Faith and Fellow- ship Day.” Family member James Powell preached a powerful sermon. Ancestors were definitely present and smiling on him. After the service we visited the gravesite that Aunt Ruth so beautifully restored. This day was a touching moment for me. Monday, Family Fun in the Sun Day, was a family picnic full of fun, good food, good company and activities for all ages. Somewhere in the spirit of Alex Haley’s invaluable work is written that the family you reunion with today represents the roots of future generations. If we plant the seed today and nurture the roots, the tree will grow strong to face the world tomorrow. Reported by Cheryl Robinson, Bronx, New York.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

MASTERPLAN

Gathering of Napper descendants arrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mayor Stephen Reed proclaimed June 2-4, 2006, Napper Reunion Days. The original Napper family migrated north from Virginia to Pennsylvania in the 1800s by way of Chambersburg to Harrisburg. Charles and Susan Napper were the parents of Ross, Charles, Robert, Margaret and Bernetta Napper, the original five ancestors. The Napper family has grown into a sizable clan and the reunion attracts people from many parts of the US. Many of the older generation of Nappers are still in central Pennsylvania. The oldest descendant at the reunion, Mrs. Mildred Napper McCloe, 85, lives in the Scranton area. The reunion chairpersons are from Harrisburg. The reunion was a great opportunity to educate everyone about our heritage, particularly younger family members. A vast amount of information has been painstakingly researched by a number of family members. The picnic was intended to draw family closer and keep fresh in our minds those from whom we are descended. A new family tree was the highlight of the day; it will enable future generations to have clear and undisputed knowledge of their genealogy.

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

Family groups were a popular photo subject for Napper family photographers.

There was a Friday night “Meet-n-Greet” at the hotel and a Saturday picnic followed by a family dinner, an award ceremony and a speech by Harrisburg City Councilwoman Linda Thompson. Sunday was a day of worship at the St. Paul Episcopal Church. For further information about the Napper Family, email Napper_Family_Reunion-owner@yahoogroups.com. The Napper Family is interested in hearing from other Nappers. Reported by Steven Napper, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Live the history – Make the history

Lilly family reunion

On tour, Poindexters listing to family history at the Richmond Hill Law School in East Bend, North Carolina.

inston-Salem, North Carolina, is a historic area for many past and present Poindexter family generations and ancestors. It was home to Revolutionary War officer Captain Thomas Poindexter III and his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Pledge Poindexter, the grand-daughter of Chief Donnaha. Al and Cathy Hill, chairpersons of the 2006 Reunion Committee, planned a load

of activities, including historical and genealogical presentations, visits to historical Poindexter sites (including the site where Captain Thomas Poindexter and his family lived and are buried), Donnaha Railroad Station Site (named in honor of Chief Donnaha), other Poindexter homes, and some good ol’ North Carolina food, including world-famous Lexington-Style Hickory Smoked Barbeque!

he Lilly Reunion in Mercer and Raleigh Counties, West Virginia, has been considered by many to be the world’s largest reunion. Crowds in the past have been estimated at 10,000 people. Last year’s reunion was attended by residents from more than 30 states. The Lilly Reunion began in 1930 on grounds located near today’s reunion grounds. “Some of our property now touches the property of the original reunion grounds,” Darrell Lilly said. The reunion was interrupted during World War II and again in the 1950s for a few years. The reunion association consists of about 60 board members who are responsible for conducting the reunion every year. Darrell Lilly says he is happy to have all of them. “I am really appreci-ative of all board members; they are great.” The reunion starts Friday with a fundraising dinner. Afterward, “Cousins Night” continues with singing entertainment. Anyone who wants to can call ahead and schedule themselves to sing. Participants bring their own music and a short summary of how they are tied to the Lilly family. For Saturday and Sunday, inflatable games were rented from the BradleyProsperity Fire Department for children’s entertainment. A clown/magician performed his magic show and clown entertainment for kids. Professional entertainers sang and entertained everyone else. There are hot dogs, barbecues, a breakfast menu and other foods available. You do not have to be a Lilly to attend the reunion. You do not even have to be related to a Lilly to attend. The event is open to the public at no cost. Contact Dwain Lilly at 304-253-6682 or Darrell Lilly at 304-466-0476. From a story by Adam Treadway in the Register-Herald Reporter, Beckley, West Virginia

I S YOUR REUNION PLANNED BY COMMITTEE? We’d like to learn more about your committee meetings and work. Send to reunions@execpc.com Visiting Rockford General Store in Rockford NC.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

MASTERPLAN

Bennetts chose Emerald Coast

he Bennett Family Reunion recently met in Ft. Walton Beach/Destin, Florida. This year they chose a central location offering a variety of attractions where children and adults could enjoy themselves. Many locations were considered, but they chose Florida where the hospitality was great. Sherry Rushing, Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, played a major role in helping the Bennetts locate hotel accommodations and reunion activities. They stayed at an inn in Destin that included a complimentary breakfast buffet. Reunion activities included a Friday night Hawaiian Luau, Saturday dolphin cruise and banquet, and a Sunday praise and worship service followed by lunch. Setting out to go dolphin watching.

A Hawaiian luau was a hit with all the Bennetts.

The Hawaiian Luau was right on the beach. Everyone wore Hawaiian attire. During the Luau, there was a great meal, everyone walked along the beach and played beachside volleyball. The dolphin cruise was aboard the charter boat Olin Marler. We all enjoyed going out into the Gulf of Mexico in search of dolphins. Lunch was provided aboard the boat. The water was so beautiful. Not only did we see dolphins, we also saw a stingray and we had fun feeding the birds. The smaller children had fun as they took turns steering the 22

boat, and parents took lots of pictures. After the cruise, we had free time with many choices for how to spend the day. Attractions included an amusement park, The Track (right next door to the hotel), area malls and beautiful beaches. Saturday night our family banquet was at the Seascape Resort and Conference Center, where the food and service were great. This is the one time we all dressed up for an evening of elegance. A wonderful program included a candle-lighting/belltolling memorial service for deceased family members. We gave special

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

recognition to the oldest and youngest members present, members traveling the farthest and shortest distance, etc. We also recognized sets of twins in the family, with two sets present. The teenagers presented a thought-provoking drama called “Too Young to go to Hell.” It was to show young people that even though they have busy schedules, they should take the time to have Christ in their lives. On Sunday morning we had praise and worship service with our family’s own pastors; Lonnie Weaver delivered a soulstirring message, and Jesse White, Jr., administered Holy Communion. We also gave special recognition to honor the “Mother of the Family,” Mrs. Rosa Weaver of Hueytown, Alabama. After a spirit-filled worship service, lunch was provided as we prepared to return home. We had a great time in Florida. Besides the beautiful weather and awesome hospitality, we especially liked the proximity to area attractions. Our hotel was located within a 15-mile radius of every attraction we attended, with easy access for charter buses. Everyone went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure our experience would be a lasting memory. “Thank you Floridians” for helping to make this the best Bennett Family Reunion yet! Reported by Barbara W. Anderson, Birmingham, Alabama.

Honor loved ones in virtual quilt project by Meg Cox wenty-one million quilters in the US today continue a quilting renaissance that began around the Bicentennial 30 years ago. Today’s passionate quilters take advantage of the latest technology, well beyond the computer chips that help power modern sewing machines. Quilters use the internet daily to buy fabric, download patterns and communicate with other quilters around the country and across the globe. Quilts and quiltmakers are a common sight at reunions. Sometimes family members contribute squares to a quilt that is finished during or after the reunion. Such quilts may be auctioned off to raise money or might be bestowed on the oldest or youngest person, or given to the family hosting a reunion. At other times, special quilts are made to document a family’s history and they are displayed and shared at reunions. Now there’s a way to pay tribute to beloved quiltmakers, quilt collectors and quilt teachers, including the ones in your family. If yours is a family proud of its quilting tradition and you want to honor a special quiltmaker or quilt collector in your family, check out the Memory Quilt project at the Center for the Quilt Online (www.centerforthequilt.org). Established by non-profit Alliance for American Quilts, this project allows you to create a personal tribute that will be displayed permanently on a website that attracts 5,000 visitors a week. The Alliance, founded in 1993 to document, preserve and share the history of quilts and quiltmakers, has always employed cutting-edge technology. Its Center for the Quilt Online offers free resources, including experts who answer quilt questions, a growing digital reference library with searchable information and

This photo of quilter Jo Cox with the first quilt she made is featured in Meg’s tribute to her mother on the website www.centerforthequilt.org. Anybody can publicly honor a quilt mentor or teacher.

For more information and forms to download, go to www.centerforthequilt.org. Click on the icon marked Memory Quilt. There are two virtual quilts: a Star Quilt features photos of honored ones (click to read their stories), and a colorful Chinese Coins quilt (which costs less) includes text-only commemorations. photographs of thousands of quilts, interviews with more than 500 quiltmakers, web portraits from many of the notable individuals behind the twentieth-century Quilt Revival, and much more. The Alliance recently named Oscarnominee Tess Harper celebrity spokesperson for the Memory Quilt project. Harper, whose films include Tender Mercies, Crimes of the Heart and the new Broken Bridges, grew up in the Ozarks surrounded by quilts. She purchased a square in the Memory Tess Harper Quilt to memorialize two beloved quilting aunts. The Alliance’s Memory Quilt project offers two distinctive looking quilts, one with a traditional eight-pointed star pattern and another in the Chinese Coins pattern, which looks like colorful stacked bricks. The Alliance offers a range of benefits

depending on the size of the donation (donations are tax deductible as allowed by law). Tributes on the Chinese Coins quilt cost only $100 ($75 for Alliance members) and feature text only. Star quilt blocks require donations of at least $350 ($100 less for members) and these allow for a photograph of the honored person to appear in the middle of a star. When anyone clicks on that picture, they will see a written tribute explaining the person’s quilt history. Reunions magazine readers whose families have a great quilt tradition might consider a Memory Quilt tribute. Contributors to the Star Memory Quilt receive a beautiful certificate and notecards, which could be presented to the family’s honored person during a ceremony at the reunion, when the tribute is announced.

About the author Meg Cox, an author, quilter and former reporter for the Wall Street Journal, purchased the first square in the Alliance’s Memory Quilt to pay tribute to her late mother, who taught her to quilt. Cox’s last book was The Book of New Family Traditions, and her next book, a resource guide for quilters, will be published in March. Sign up for her free traditions newsletter at www.megcox.com.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

Monroe Family Reunion MASTERPLAN

ifty years ago my grandmother, Geneva Florence Fox Monroe, started the Monroe Family Reunion in memory of her late husband, Ernest Duane Monroe, who died at age 49. Geneva was left with seven kids; Darrell Allen is my father. At our most recent reunion, 89 attended – our largest turnout – for our 50th year. At the family farm in Lewis County, New York, not far from Lake Ontario, my grandmother held the first Monroe Family Reunion. For a while there was a debate if the reunion should be called the Monroe-Petrie Family Reunion. Two Monroe sisters married two Petrie brothers. But the reunion had been started in memoriam to my grandfather, who was a Monroe, a far cry compared to what the Monroe Reunion has blossomed into today. The family reunion is held every year at the end of July. Places vary, as do reunion hosts; there is no set strategy for who is chosen. Since 1956, the reunion has changed from a general get-together with food to a get-together with food, games, bonfires and camping. My cousin Bill, a Mohawk Indian, has manned the grill for several family reunions and cooks hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken breasts. Many other cousins and siblings bring yummy dishes to pass, like Marla’s macaroni and cheese, and my brother Jeff’s chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting – which is the traditional dish of the Monroe Family Reunion. The cake is called a Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing Cake. My mother made it a lot for my father and when family came over. I’m not sure if she started this tradition. Still, chocolate mayonnaise cake with peanut butter frosting is always a hit! This year a cousin sent letters to family members asking for donations for a cousin whose daughter has leukemia. The fundraiser was a great surprise. Games for kids begin after lunch, but this year we had rainy weather. A large white canopy under the prickly limbs of large pine trees provided added protection. One game was 50-50 where you guess how many items are in jars full of stuff. You write your name and estimate. The person who has the closest guess to the actual number wins a prize. The Monroe Family Auction raises money for the next reunion. Many items are sold, like my father’s peanut butter or chocolate fudge made with Velveeta Cheese. 24

Rain forced the Monroe family under tents for protection.

Inexpensive items are auctioned off. This year my brother Jeff and cousin Ernie, who recently returned from Kuwait, were auctioneers. What a rowdy bunch it was with everyone one yelling, trying to outbid one another. We had the largest and longest family auction ever! I’m not sure who came up with Monroe Family Bingo, but it’s fun. The same rules apply as with regular bingo, only you must get six letters across or diagonally and spell M-O-N-R-O-E before you can win. Winners get prizes. Later, with children playing catch and adults catching up, a large bonfire was

Favorite Morton Reunion Cake CHOCOLATE MAYONNAISE CAKE

(also called Salad Dressing Cake) 2 cups flour 1 cups sugar 1 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 4 tablespoons cocoa, heaping 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 cup mayonnaise (or salad dressing) 1 cup water Sift all dry ingredients together. Make well in dry ingredients. Fill with vanilla, mayo and water. Mix well. Pour into pans. Oven Temp: 350º Time: 40 minutes Pan Size: 8x10 or layer pans PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

2 cups creamy peanut butter 2 cups powdered sugar 1/4 cup milk With an electric mixer beat ingredients until well blended. If necessary, add more powdered sugar or milk until frosting reaches desired taste and consistency.

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

by J.I. Soucie

started not far from the campground. Marshmallows were roasted and family members enjoyed lounging by the fire. Neighbors brought out bagpipes and drums and played them in their backyard. They were practicing for a performance and we enjoyed listening to the bagpipes reminiscent of Monroe heritage. We preserve each reunion in photos and video recordings. The Monroe Family Photo Album is full of pictures from past reunions, the earliest from 1958. There is no committee for the reunion, and whoever is in charge establishes, approves and maintains our budget. Willing helpers make hosting the reunion easier. A few months before each reunion, postcards are crafted and sent to let everyone know where and when the reunion will be, what time we’ll eat and what games we’ll play, and to remind everyone to bring a dish to pass. I asked my father, who was in charge, “What kinds of dilemmas pop up that leave you stunned?” My father said, “Having it rain after the reunion is all set up.” I also asked, “What would make organizing responsibilities easier?” He said, “Keeping accurate records about what happened, final financial balance to know how much we have to spend next year, and keeping addresses up to date, especially after people move.” I remembered he said there were 89 people, but from how far away did they travel to be here, I wondered. Most of the family lives around New York, while others traveled from Michigan, Rhode Island and Vermont, and my cousins returned home from Kuwait in time for the reunion. Another cousin in Korea wasn’t able to attend. What a turnout we had. Yet one question remains: Where will Marla host the reunion next year? Will she choose one of the reunion’s former locations in New York, such as Wescotts Beach State Park, Whetstone Gulf State Park, Cedar Point, Whittaker Falls, or will we have another around Clayton?

About the author J.I. Soucie is a creative/ free-lance writer and desktop publisher who has many projects on her agenda. Earlier this year her poetry and lyric book, A Breeze of Whispers I, was published and can be purchased at many stores online.

Join the Forum

ast issue we introduced Amber Leigh Davis as our forum moderator and, at the time, had our collective fingers crossed that we would be introducing a second moderator this issue. So we are delighted that Prince Leftridge II also has agreed to act as moderator for http://forums.reunionsmag.com. Join us! Prince and Amber were regular, active forum members whom we are happy to welcome to our Reunions family. Both are very involved in their own reunions. Amber leads the Mullis Family Reunion in Mint Hill, North Carolina, and Prince has worked on two Lawrence Family Reunion Committees and designed logos for t-shirts, a souvenir book and correspondence and created the family website. Prince lives in Chicago, Illinois, where he is a Technical Support Specialist on Macintosh and IBM compatible systems. His software experience is extensive and impressive. In fact, his first order of business upon agreeing to be moderator

Prince Leftridge II

of the forum was to work with our webmasters to vastly improve the forum. See for yourself. Prince’s interests are computers, cars, bowling, billiards, driving, baseball, football, motor sports, fishing, Consumer Electronics (e.g., Home Theater), photography, bicycling, travel, softball, fine dining … among other things. He is also moderator of Maxima and Nissan forums, and for five years has moderated and is administrator of www.autopia.org.

m o r e o n w w w. r e u n i o n s m a g . c o m

Spauldings get healthy

uke University Medical Center hosted a health symposium for the Spaulding Family Reunion, with onsite testing and data-gathering for eye evaluations, bone density and heart disease indicators. Over 500 members attended a four-day event at Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. Family members from virtually every state attend this bi-annual event. Information seminars scheduled throughout the weekend included the process of success and how it defines the

family legacy by Stedman Graham, Oprah Winfrey’s beau. Six students received $2,000 scholarships from the Spaulding Scholarship Foundation at a Scholarship Award Gala. With deep roots in North Carolina, the Spaulding family has a history in business through the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company (established in 1898) and the Mechanics and Farmers bank (founded in 1907). From a press release by Bernard Goins, Columbus, Ohio.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

MASTERPLAN

Norton/Turner Family Reunion Song Written by Marzela R. Moore and Olivia Woodfork Bradley JULY 2006

VERSE 1:

It’s our family reunion It’s nice to come together I know it’s been a long, long time Everybody’s looking real, real fine We’ve got fathers and mothers Sisters and brothers Cousins and you’ve got me CHORUS:

So get up everybody and sing ‘Cause we are family Forget about your worries and cares It’s all about a family affair A time to come together No matter what the weather I got you and you got me ‘Cause that’s what family means It’s family reunion time VERSE 2:

It’s our family reunion It’s so nice to come together I know it’s been a long, long time Every body’s looking real, real fine A family like no other No need to look any further Just take a look around you and see CHORUS 2:

Forget about your worries and cares It’s all about a family affair A time to come together No matter what the weather I got you and you got me ‘Cause that’s what a family means With love on our minds It’s family reunion time

Reuniting in the midwest euniting in the midwest makes at separate reunions and noticing many sense geographically and attendees were the same at both. Since economically. It’s centrally 1996, the two families have gathered and located, accessible by air and car, enjoyed new cities and the company of and less expensive than major family and friends. metropolitan areas. They worked with Hamilton County, the Hamilton County Indiana, is located CVB (Ashley Roth, just 20 miles from 800-776-8687) to downtown find locations and Indianapolis. It tour ideas that fit provides many their needs. The attractions, parks and weekend’s activities events that can kicked off on Friday accommodate both with a meet-andlarge and small greet barbecue and reunion groups. In fish fry. Attendees fact, many of the enjoyed the talents of attractions and parks “Indiana Idol” while in Hamilton County playing games, offer group rates and sharing stories and programs designed for surprises. Saturday Turner book given as a favor to each family family groups. tours included the attending the 2006 reunion. The book was filled with itineraries, pictures from previous reunions, The Norton/Turner Children’s Museum planning committee information, reunion song and Family Reunion theme of Indianapolis and prayer, family reunion history and family history. was “Connecting the shuttles to Clay Roots and Filling in the Branches.” More Terrace for afternoon shopping. Others than 110 gathered in Carmel, Indiana, for played golf at The Fort Golf Resort. In their sixth combined family reunion. Every the evening, family and group portraits two years they travel from all over the US were taken, followed by the family to spend time getting re-acquainted and banquet and dance. Festivities rekindling relationships. concluded on Sunday with worship and It started years ago when four breakfast buffet. children of John Lemuel and Mariah Each family left the reunion with a Jackson Norton married four children of family history book filled with pictures the John and Jane Harris Turner. Years from previous gatherings, a family song later, Cardell Manning (son of Mattie and prayer, and family history information. Norton Manning) proposed they join the The 2008 Norton-Turner Reunion will be two reunions after seeing pictures taken held in Kansas City, Missouri.

Norton/Turner Family Reunion in Hamilton County, Indiana.

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

ETHNIC

Renaissance of friendships “

he good old days are here again!” We heard that phrase incessantly when, in 1992, our group of Baghdadi Armenians from the Diaspora came to Seattle, Washington. We had been separated for more than forty years yet, momentarily, the elapsed time seemed non-existent. Seeing our group beyond the confines of Baghdad overwhelmed nearly every one. We continued where we left off, doing what we used to do best and loved most. Our friendship was on fire. And that was the start of our Baghdadi Armenian Reunion (BAR-‘92). Local newspapers ran stories on the uniqueness of the 72 people from Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, England, Switzerland, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and fourteen states of US. Who are these Baghdadi-Armenians?

The team in Baghdad, circa 1949.

By 1953, we were dispersed among universities throughout the US. After the Iraqi revolution in 1958, some settled in Europe, a few in the Middle East and Canada, but most of us remained in the US. Only two returned to Baghdad. Although we’ve lived apart for decades, our affection for each other is like that of a tightly knit family. Our

Group photo of the Seattle reunion (BAR-’92).

I organized and hosted the Seattle reunion for purely nostalgic reasons. After all, once upon our youth, 17 of us played tennis at the Agoomp, the Armenian Club in Baghdad. Together we partied, picnicked and celebrated our youthful lives. Then one day, like the thief of Baghdad, each of us hopped onto a flying carpet and was swept off to fulfill our dreams in the land of Gregory Peck and Betty Grable. Each of us left Baghdad in pursuit of higher education. Like me, others earned Fulbrights or comparable scholarships.

closeness brought us to Seattle, and the nostalgia for Baghdad propels us to reunite biennially since. Wherever one of us resides and offers to host the next reunion, is where the group renews its camaraderie. We have traveled to South Carolina, Toronto, London, The Versailles, Geneva, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Baltimore and San Diego. The next rendezvous will be in 2008 in Beirut, Lebanon, God willing. A committee, composed of the first three reunion hosts, consults with the host of the next reunion. The Seattle

by Aida Kouyoumjian

reunion established a tradition to replicate the Baghdadi activities for which the group is nostalgic. ❖ Structured activities, Thursday through Sunday, with options to extend the stay ❖ Long leisurely breakfasts at the hotel ❖ Party serving Armenian dishes in the host’s home ❖ Scenic boat ride and dining on seafood ❖ Formal banquet with impromptu speeches, comedy acts, talent shows and dancing ❖ Chartered bus tour to local sites ❖ Professional group photograph ❖ Displays of personal posters, albums, videos, books and DVDs reminiscent of Baghdad ❖ All expenses are individually incurred, except the host’s party ❖ Attendance at an Armenian church, if one exists at the venue, to commemorate our ancestors. The original seventeen are all children of survivors of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Gendarmes during WWI. In reality, these reunions have brought us closer than we were in Baghdad. Our exuberance is not because we are all from Baghdad, share our youthfulness or laugh a lot. The magic emanates from us, the original 17, who appeared on the Seattle horizon with spouses, family and friends. Like the mysterious luster of natural pearls, chaste and beautiful today as when they were found, we find each other as we used to be in Baghdad – wonderful and unchanged. With them, I am no longer in beautiful Seattle, sunny Long Beach or picturesque Geneva, but am back in glorious Baghdad. And like the pearl in its oyster shell, I become unaware of the outside world or the passage of time. Best of all, I imagine I am unchanged too. Perhaps I need glasses!

About the author Aida Kouyoumjian is a retired educator who lives in Seattle, Washington.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

ETHNIC

REUNION PLANNING

Q &A

LaLaFuLooza 5 by JoAnn Stringer

Did you survey potential attendees and what did you ask? We’ve done Yahoo group polls. We find out where people want to go, the best weekends and a consensus on hotels. Where did people prefer and where did you go? We started in Chicago in 2001 because there was a concentration of children from our orphanage. Other locations have been Niagara Falls, New York, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (near Dollywood), and Lancaster/Hershey Pennsylvania. A lot depends on how accessible the location is and what other attractions interest the rest of the family. One of the most important things is to have someone in the area who is willing to check venues and deal with local people. We can do a lot online but nothing beats having a johnny-on-the-spot. Were people “open” to time of year for the reunion? Say the week between Christmas and New Year? Spring Break? Labor Day? Only summer? What did they say? Spring break varies so much and there is only a window of about six weeks in the summer when everyone is available.

Fu sisters happy to be together again.

hat do you get when you put 50

in Chicago’s Chinatown, and we planned

Fu’s together? A whole lot of

to go to the Brookfield Zoo. We wanted

luck and tons of blessings! My daughter,

to keep costs down, because we had no

Stephanie, was adopted from the Fuzhou

idea whether anyone would join us.

Social Welfare Institute (SWI), the

From those beginnings, LaLaFuLooza

largest orphanage in Jiangxi province,

has grown and prospered. This year,

China. All the children from this SWI

190 people – about 48 families –

are surnamed Fu, which means “lucky”

attended in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Did you ask if people wanted a “reunion” created in every aspect or a “sign-up” for an event where everyone there would be from China; or a “tagalong” event like Families with Children from China. We always do a stand-alone event.

or “blessed” or even “happiness.” For

Did you have enough volunteers to make things pretty easy for your planning team? Planning is carried out mostly online. Create a separate Yahoo group so the planning group can make decisions without trying to please everyone or getting so many opinions they become unable to make ANY decisions.

Most reunion organizing was

five summers, the Fu family has been

accomplished by email, with a small

gathering. Our first reunion (in Chicago

Yahoo group discussing and making

in 2001) happened because my

decisions. Several Fu families in the

travelmate Denee, my online friend

Lancaster area met in person. The

Sue, and I wanted to get together after

reunion chairman, who sidelines as a

three years of corresponding and

DJ, had the children doing the Chicken

sending photos of our beautiful Fu girls.

Dance and forming conga lines to do

I kept a directory of Fu families.

the “Locomotion.” We spent Sunday at

Most lived in the Midwest. Sue in

Hershey Park riding the merry-go-

Chicago was willing to find locations for

round and roller coasters, and meeting

a Friday night get-together, a restaurant

other Fu families.

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

The reunion follows a basic formula, with a pizza get-together Friday night, a picnic in a park Saturday afternoon and a catered banquet Saturday night. A professional photographer takes group and single portraits as well as candid shots throughout the reunion. The DJ was a fabulous addition, as the kids couldn’t get enough of dancing and jumping; and parents couldn’t get enough video and photos! I marvel at connections we’ve made through our Yahoo groups and reunions. Next year’s LaLaFuLooza is scheduled for YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado. More than one family said they absolutely planned to go, even if it meant rearranging their vacation or saving for airfare because it was important as a connection and, well, just plain fun. The reunion is wonderful and exhausting. Even after five years, I marvel that people travel great distances and spend money to be with others they’ve never met.

About the author

Are people looking for a vacation where they meet other Chineseadoptive families with a strong focus on other activities? Or does your group want a “reunion oriented” gettogether where there may be other attractions but that isn’t too important? It’s important to remember that for some families, this IS their vacation. And for families with other children – particularly non-Chinese children – there has to be an attraction for them. We’ve had reunions near large amusement parks for the last two years which seems to go over well. We schedule the amusement park on Sunday, so families have Friday night and Saturday to concentrate on the reunion. Being at a larger venue (amusement park or zoo) fragments groups. How much do you think the average family spent for the reunion (not counting transportation)? This is hard to know. We fly from Texas (no one seems to want to come here), spend two or more nights at a hotel and meals. Reunion fees include a Friday night event (pizza and crafts), Saturday picnic and Saturday night banquet. We also buy tshirts. This year we charged $25 registration fee to cover miscellaneous.

JoAnn Stringer and her husband have two adopted daughters from China. She is active in online groups that promote friendship and bonding between families who have adopted from the same orphanages. She is also on the board of her local Families with Children from China organization.

How did you work with hotels on the number of sleeping rooms and meeting rooms needed for group get-togethers? With several years experience, we now reserve about 50 rooms. How are people charged? Say there is a group dinner one night – it’s a cookout (or something). Did people sign up and pay in advance? We create a registration form and link it to a website. You definitely want people to pay in advance. Or consider a service like active.com where people can charge fees. Is there anything the group really really really liked? The girls loved the DJ and his music. We’ve created a scrapbook every year and someone coordinates it and then a traveling family takes it to the orphanage. Swimming is always big; be sure to get a hotel with indoor and outdoor pools. What are kids’ ages? We had a lot of eight- and nine-yearolds. No babies, but some toddlers and young kids. Lots of siblings, too.

The kids couldn’t get enough of dancing and jumping.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

ETHNIC

Holland

Benrud Family Reunion, an institution

he Benrud Family Reunion was described by Dorothy Jasperson in the Westby (Wisconsin) Times as “like a family sitcom begun in 1950 which still manages to keep between 300 and 500 viewers tuned in after 55 years.”

hirty Harmelink Family members took a two-week tour of their ancestor’s country of origin, the Netherlands. Among sites they visited were the farm estate on which the Harmelinks received their name in 1664. Database records trace the family back to 1420 through two name changes from Dashorst to Berenschot to Harmelink. Shared by Vernon Harmelink, Phoenix, Arizona.

The Benrud family celebrates their ethnicity with demonstrations of special Norwegian foods. Here making lefse, a traditional flatbread made from potatoes and flour, are Sophie and James Benrud.

Peder Pettersen Benrud was born at Benerud, Norway, in 1820 and married Anne Soffie Jonsdatter in 1842. They had six children. The family reunion is for descendants of Peder and Anne’s five offspring in Wisconsin, where they emigrated when Norway was becoming overpopulated and immigrants sought a better life with more land and prospects for the future. In 1867 land sold for $1.25 an acre and soon the rest of the Benrud clan came to America, settling in Wisconsin’s Coulee Region, gradually expanding to Minnesota and Iowa. The first family reunion was in 1950. Today it is a three-day celebration. Benruds currently live in 38 states, six Canadian provinces and Norway, Australia, Germany and Thailand. The family has over 3,000 descendants including spouses. Last year the committee organized classes with local artists, including rosemaling, wood carving, lefse-making, Norwegian folk art and Norwegian ring cake. At the reunion there are displays of historical family background through pictures and past family history books. They compile a self-guided tour map of the region, present a family talent show, hire musical entertainment and hold a heartwarming church service on the final day. The Benrud family raises funds with sales of t-shirts depicting the newest family logo, along with picture albums, lapel pins, genealogy books, caps, totes, 30

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family videos from prior reunions and a family recipe book dedicated to descendants who passed away within the last five years. Money from sales offsets the expense of newsletters and booking the reunion. BENRUD NORSKEDALEN PROJECT

The Benrud extended family of over 2000 is working to build a Pioneer Church at Norskedalen, located three miles north of Coon Valley, Wisconsin, near where their ancestors settled. The family is soliciting tax-deductible donations for church construction, and contributors’ names will be listed on a brass plaque inside the church. To date they have raised over half of the funds needed to build the church and sustain it for future generations.

Here in native dress, making the Benrud reunion cake, the multi layered ring cake with its Norwegian flags, is Karrie Aaseby.

The building will be historically consistent with the other buildings at Norskedalen and like those built by the Benrud family’s Norwegian pioneer relatives. Historical records and drawings of the original log church show vertical siding outside, and wainscoting and plaster inside. It will be approximately 24' x 30' and seat about 60 people. Local artists will carve wood furnishings and furniture. The church complements the Benrud Family Mission and provides a memorial to their heritage. Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center (www.norskedalen.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation partnering with the family to make donations tax deductible. Contact Paul Benrud/Edward Jones, (Norskedalen Pioneer Church Account), 4512 East Washington, Suite 13, Madison WI 53704.

Family traces ancestor’s steps

mily Budnick’s family often talked of her late mother, Ursula Zabulis Yaknunas, who emigrated to the US from Lithuania in 1910 and migrated to Connecticut in 1917. They talked about how she lived in the big city and walked the Brooklyn Bridge to work at a licorice factory in Manhattan. Eighteen family members, from coast

to coast, met in New York City to retrace Ursula’s long-ago daily walk. They walked the bridge together. Later, Emily and her daughter visited Lithuania, where Ursula grew up. They met 16 family members, and visited the house where Ursula was born and burial plots of many relatives. From a story by Bob Montgomery in the Bristol Press, Bristol, Connecticut.

Swiss tradition celebrated

esidents of New Glarus, Wisconsin, present an annual Labor Day weekend performance of the Wilhelm Tell Pageant. The cast of local residents – dressed in replicas of 13th century costume (along with cattle, goats, and horses) – present playwright Friedrich Schiller’s story of how Wilhelm

Tell, with his arrow and an apple, helped Switzerland achieve independence from Austria in 1291. Three performances in a beautiful outdoor theater are in English and one in the original German. Contact New Glarus Chamber of Commerce at 800-527-6838; www.swisstown.com. Ask for New Glarus Visitors guide.

Family celebrates 100 years

n 1906 Atenogenes Magaña, born in Galeana, Michoacán, Mexico, arrived in Oceanside, California. His sons don’t know what brought him as a teenager, but they know it cost him 6¢ to cross the border legally from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to El Paso, Texas. Atenogenes farmed his whole life. Sons Pete and Refugio prepared sixfoot-long poster boards of family pictures for the reunion. One poster, titled “A Patriotic Family,” showed Magañas and their extended family in uniform from World War II through the current conflict in Iraq. Organizers hoped a grandnephew would arrive from Okinawa in time for the gathering. Another poster featured a family tree

predating the Magañas’ arrival in Oceanside, back to ancestor, Librado, who lived in Mexico in the mid-1800s. His son, Atenogenes, married Belaria Nares, from another pioneer Oceanside family, and they had seven children – six boys and a girl – four of whom are alive. All the brothers were able to send their children to college. And a reunion will be repeated next year when Ref’s son, Andy, a high school band director in the Capistrano (California) Unified School District, plays at Carnegie Hall in New York. “We’re all going,” Ref said. From a story by Lola Sherman in the San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego, California.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

VENUES & PLACES

Park the clan at these

thrilling places by Jacky Runice

ccentric characters, roller coasters of emotions, learning when to sit it out and when to soar – all describe the arc of family life. You might not realize that these elements also serve as the setting for one of the best kinds of reunions on the planet. Strap on your seat belt; it’s going to be a very smooth ride. Theme parks have come a long way from the tilt-a-whirl and Ferris wheel affairs of a generation ago. Today, it’s a water park full of family raft rides, lazy rivers on which to float and mega slides for heartpounding action. Theme and water parks have so many attractions, in fact, that to spend just a day means you’ll miss a lot. Why not plan your next reunion at one of the nation’s hospitable hubs of fun? According to Debbie Evans, Corporate Communications Manager at Six Flags, Inc., “a group that screams together, stays together.” Six Flags, the world’s largest regional theme park company, owns and operates 29 properties in North America that include theme parks, water parks and even a brand new hotel and indoor water park in the Adirondacks. Celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2006, the company boasts 15 of the US’s largest theme parks, and 95 percent of the US population lives within an eight-hour drive of a Six Flags park. Visit www.sixflags.com. “Each year, our parks host hundreds of fun-seeking individuals with a common bond: their desire to reunite with family, friends, former 32

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Zip coaster at Chula Vista Resort.

co-workers, classmates and military buddies,” Evans explained. “For most groups, the big appeal of hosting their reunion at a Six Flags property is one destination that offers something fun for everyone and the ease of one-stop-shopping,” she continued. “Group members can get together in the morning to start their day, enjoy time on their own or in smaller groups throughout the park, then get back together for a giant group meal and photos.” Six Flags staff can help arrange menus, private catering or picnic areas as well as bonding activities such as t-shirt making, sack races, door prizes, karaoke and horseshoes. “Many parks offer group packages with features such as special visits by Justice League or Looney Tunes characters, appearances in the park’s daily parade, custom in-park signage and special group seating at live shows,” Evan added. “Many ticket options are available, making it easier for the reunion planner to enjoy the event as much as participants!” Every Six Flags park has a different layout, live shows, an amazing collection of rides, special areas just for kids and many restaurants. The characters in your family have nothing on Looney Tunes characters who stroll the parks. Justice League superheroes – Batman, Robin, The Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman – entertain kids and bring back fond memories for adults. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that a Six Flags reunion is only for the thrill monkeys in your group. It’s an continued

VENUES & PLACES

overall package of parades, shows, fireworks, gentle rides that families can enjoy together, concerts, celebrity appearances and, yes, thrill rides – all in a safe, clean environment. Many theme parks have adjacent water parks and some contain animal parks, too. For details on one-of-a-kind catered group outings, group discount tickets, local lodging and more, go to www.sixflags.com, pick a park and click on “Groups.” Facilities with indoor waterparks offer year-round fun so you can gather whether or not the weather cooperates. Great Wolf Lodge Resorts have become America’s largest developer of indoor waterpark “resorts” with properties from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Sandusky, Ohio, and from Niagara Falls, Canada, to Kansas City, Kansas. The company’s flagship resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, the waterpark capital of the nation, hosts 50 to 100 reunions every year, yet the lodge in Pennsylvania’s Poconos has hosted that many in less than the full year it has been open for business. “This is a great place to meet since Great Wolf Lodge creates family traditions one family at a time,” reported Jennifer M. Beranek, Public

The whole family can enjoy the waterpark at Chula Vista Resort.

Relations Manager of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. “We have many attractions for the whole family. Bear Track Landing, our 78,000 square foot indoor waterpark, has something for all ages. Magiquest is a magical scavenger hunt the entire family can participate in throughout the Lodge,” she explained. “We offer group rates for overnight stays and we also have banquet

Wiley Woods at Great Wolf Lodge.

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space if the reunion wishes to host a private function.” Beranek continues, “Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky is 55 miles west of Cleveland and 55 miles east of Toledo, with Columbus and Detroit within a two-hour drive. Cedar Point Amusement Park, known as the home of several top-rated roller coasters, is only five miles from the front door and beautiful Lake Erie, just minutes from Great Wolf Lodge, is perfect for fishing or boating,” We have fullservice catering and private banquet facilities, which many reunion guests choose to utilize. Families use banquet rooms to play games and just be together. We’ve offered private craft sessions for both senior citizens and pre-school age children. Our Ambassador of Fun chooses an age-appropriate project and convenient times for the reunion group. We have also sent out reunion announcements and secured tickets for area attractions. Whether you choose a Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City, Michigan, or the Wisconsin Dells site with its over 100,000 square feet of indoor entertainment, staff will assist with budgeting and choosing the best accommodations. There are various suite configurations and some resorts offer spacious condominiums, with a log cabin rustic ambiance. When Shirley Hunter of South Holland, Illinois, was looking for a place in the Dells to get her family of 50 together, a friendly voice on the telephone paved the way. “When I called Great Wolf Lodge, they were so friendly I chose them,” she explained. “They helped me with all the planning and especially with

putting together the menu for our formal banquet dinner,” Hunter described. As one might imagine, the kids had a ball, but Hunter said the adults really enjoyed themselves, too. Would she suggest others consider Great Wolf Lodge? “I sure would. It was fun for the entire family and is good for all age groups,” Check it out at www.greatwolf.com. With so many Dells waterpark resorts from which to choose, how on earth do you? If your group is longing for big indoor/outdoor waterpark action as well as opportunities for grownup fun, all amid dramatic views of soaring Norway and White Pine forests right on the banks of the pastoral Wisconsin River Wisconsin River, Chula Vista Resort is your next reunion site. A family-owned resort for more than 55 years, Chula Vista is tucked away from the cacophony of downtown Dells and the Interstate. The Kaminski family unveiled a new 80,000 square foot multi-level indoor waterpark, “Lost Rios,” in July 2006 to the squeals of families and thrill seekers. In addition to the indoor waterpark, however, Chula Vista offers an array of onsite activities; the redesigned 18-hole Cold Water Canyon Golf Course got a $2 million facelift with link-style hills, canyon fairways and stunning views; on-site Spa del Sol offers manicures, pedicures, tanning, full-body treatments, facials and massage; and the unique “Fab 50s Live!” musical show makes for a fine night out right at the resort. There’s also a sand volleyball pit, mini-golf course and hiking on more than 100 acres of resort grounds. Lodging ranges from double queen rooms and junior suites to large family suites that can sleep up to eight adults. Stay in one of the new Rio Condominiums, in one-, two- or three-bedroom designs that can sleep up to 14 people. Families value the spaciousness and full kitchens as well as nice extras like fireplaces and whirlpools. Chula Vista has over 50 years of meeting and event planning experience, and a variety of large and small meeting facilities. It’s also the leading banquet and dinner meeting resource in Wisconsin Dells and Central Wisconsin, whether you opt for a simple catered lunch or a sit down multi-course banquet for 1,000. One of the resort’s “Certified Meeting Planners” is waiting for your call at 800-388-4782, or browse www.chulavistaresort.com.

KNOEBELS AMUSEMENT PARK & RESORT, ELYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Who doesn’t like bumper cars?

f Six Flags is the model of a 21st century theme park, then Knoebels Amusement Park & Resort, in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, is the place that harkens back to a simpler kind of life. The eastern Pennsylvania park hosts several hundred group outings each season according to park spokesman, Joe Muscato. These include company picnics, church outings, union gatherings and family reunions. “It seems that Saturdays are more popular for

gatherings like company picnics, while Sundays we host more family reunions.” Muscato explained. “As America’s largest free admission amusement park, we’re an ideal location for reunions. Admission and parking are free so nonriders aren’t charged for attending. Knoebels has sheltered picnic seating in pavilions and tents for over 10,000 people. Use of these facilities is free although on busy weekends, reservations are required,” he said.

Hold on tight for a spin in the Looper.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

VENUES & PLACES

Park the clan at these

thrilling places

Operating since 1926, Knoebels is one of a remaining handful of classic amusement parks that offer plenty of thrill, family and kiddie rides. Available on the old-fashioned, familyfriendly, pay-per-ride-plan (or choose Pay One Price option), there are 12 thrill rides including the High Speed Thrill Coaster, believed to be the only operating Overland Coaster left in the world. More than two dozen family rides include antique cars, flume ride, bumper boats, Ferris Wheel and The Grand Carousel that was built in 1912-1913 by Kramer Carousel Works in Brooklyn. “Families can also take advantage of reduced rates on ride tickets,” Muscato explained, “and when purchased in bulk, some families even use this as a fundraising opportunity.” Sixteen kiddie rides include hand cars, helicopter and kiddie versions of bumper cars and the Ferris wheel. And Knoebels is currently building its own version of a classic wooden ride called Flying Turns. Family rides cost between $.80 and $1.50 per ride. Knoebel’s features over 55 rides; other activities include a giant pool and waterslides, gift shops, free shows and games, and mini golf – all in a beautiful setting nestled in the midst of a pine and hardwood forest. When your crew gets hungry, Knoebels offers a host of choices. “Families can choose a covered dish potluck or use

A truly old fashion carousel built in 1913.

continued

Screams and shouts from Knoebels Twister Helix.

Knoebels extensive catering services,” Muscato explained. “Knoebels offers everything from a simple bulk food purchase dropped at your pavilion to a full service meal. These meals are even more special because Knoebels has won the Golden Ticket Award (based on a survey conducted by Amusement Today magazine) for best amusement park food eight years in a row.” Each pavilion has electricity and coin-operated gas burners or you can bring your own charcoal grills. The Boyer Family Reunion has gathered at Knoebels every fourth Sunday in August for over 30 years. In his lilting Pennsylvania Dutch accent, patriarch Elwyn Boyer, of Pillow, Pennsylvania, explains, “First of all, it’s a free park to get into and the pavilion is free and it’s real nice for the whole family. I’m 80 years old and I don’t go on rides, but I go to shows and listen to music. We have people come in from California and Maryland who rent motel rooms or stay with relations. You don’t have many parks like this anymore where you can get in for free and the older people can watch shows and the young people can go on rides. And Knoebels gives us a break on tickets, too. They’re very accommodating!” Reunion members can stay at one of two nearby campgrounds, enjoy catch and release fishing at beautiful Lake Glory campground or simply kick back at Knoebels Campground next to the park. There are cozy log cabins and over 500 camp sites on 160 acres. Kids love the campground pool and video arcade. Check the website, www.knoebels.com, for additional lodging facilities reasonably close to Knoebels that serve guests of the park. To arrange pavilion space, lodging, menus and a ticket plan, call 800-ITS-4FUN.

About the author Journalist Jacky Runice pens the “Family Travel” column for Chicago’s Daily Herald, as well as hotel/spa and restaurant reviews for AOL. She is a member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and mother of three young adventurers who love travel as much as she does. 36

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DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

E MILITARY REUNION NEWS

Gulf War

ore than 100 people gathered for a reunion of soldiers from Kentucky’s 223rd and 438th Military Police Companies. This was the first reunion for the 223rd. The 438th got together five years ago and helped plan the event. At the time of the war, both companies were based in Louisville and their deployments were just a month apart. Now the 438th is based in Murray, Kentucky. Sharing memories with other soldiers is special because people who haven’t been in a war zone can’t really relate, said Tinagay Riddle, the only female platoon leader in the 438th. One table was filled with memorabilia from the war, including photo albums, journals, camouflage and a yellow flag that said “‘Til they come home.” Any members of the companies who were not contacted can be added to the database for future reunions by calling Tom Gavin at 502-239-7736. From a story by Melissa Gagliardi in the Louisville Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky.

Man explores places once overseen by his grandfather

ichael Braddock wanted to explore sites where his grandfather, the late Maj. Heyward Braddock, US Army Air Corps, was in charge of control towers, mess halls and ground transportation for B-17 bombers. So he joined a reunion group who visited England where the 398th Bomb Group was stationed and where his grandfather was in charge of the 325th Station Complement Squadron. At the Squadron’s archives Michael was able to retrieve everything with the Heyward Braddock name on it, and got letters asking for leave, bills, business cards and other items. The trip was called “One Last Peek” because there are so few remaining veterans; those in their 80s now probably started flying when they were highschool age. Michael got inside an authentic B-17 bomber and wondered how they would ride in it for nine hours. Visit www. 398th.org. From a story by Patrice Stewart in the The Decatur Daily, Decatur, Alabama.

WWII “Rainbow” vets are few but proud

ugo Grimm, 81, of Wentzville, Missouri, is active in preserving the memory of men who fought in the 42nd Infantry Division – called the Rainbow Division. Its former soldiers reunite every year, but their numbers are dwindling. Grimm maintains the mailing list of Rainbow veterans; often the Post Office returns newsletters, marked “deceased.” The national reunions have dropped from thousands of veterans in attendance 10 years ago to only several hundred this year.

The Rainbow Division was organized as a national unit in 1917 by selecting men from the National Guards of 26 states. One of the division’s first commanders was Douglas MacArthur, who said the division would “stretch over the whole country like a rainbow.” In both World Wars, the men wore a rainbow patch on their shoulders. At the 2003 reunion, Rainbow veterans created a foundation that will endure when no World War II veterans remain to

perpetuate the division’s legacy. Time spent together under the duress and danger of combat created a bond strong enough to last the six decades. The 42nd Infantry Division is now a National Guard unit and still wears the rainbow. It finished a rotation in Iraq early this year and some of the men and women returning from Iraq are attending the group’s reunions. Visit www.rainbowvets.org. From a story by Tom Long in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri.

Vietnam War Vets

he Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists the names of 58,245 men killed in the war, 825 of whom flew in Marine combat helicopters. At these helicopter crew gatherings, death and carnage and post-traumatic stress always take a back seat to furious ribbing

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

and the din of laughter, better fueled by large quantities of beer. Roger Herman, a retired pilot, said, “We said early on that we’re not going to have speeches or committees or do anything official. We’re going to relive the good old times.” Even the stories of bullets whizzing and mortars thumping sound funny when told by men in their 60s. Many are retired police officers, accountants or firefighters who can hardly talk for their laughter. A recent reunion in Fort Worth, Texas, drew 1,400 people, including wives of Marines who once served with the Ugly Angels, Purple Foxes, Lucky Red Lions, Raging Bulls and other squadrons. More than 2,000 usually show up, but a shortage of hotel rooms downtown hurt attendance. The 20-year-old association is open to pilots and crews from other wars, but it was started and continues to be dominated by Vietnam veterans. The men come to these reunions for friendship, the kind they say is forged by life and death. So everyone tells more war stories, drinks a few more beers and laughs some more. From a story by Chris Vaughn in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas.

Tuskegee legends share memories

ach year, the Tuskegee Airmen’s Lonely Eagle ceremony gets a little more lonesome. When lights are dimmed and candles lighted, there are fewer airmen to hear the small brass bell tolling once for each comrade who has died since the last reunion. Last year the bell tolled 47 times. This year it was 53. The attendees lean on canes and scoot about in motorized wheelchairs. They wear bright ball caps embroidered with images of airplanes they flew and the words Tuskegee Airmen, and Tuskegee Airmen t-shirts emblazoned with “Who said Black men couldn’t fly?” Despite segregation and degradation, the Tuskegee Airmen carved a place in history as the country’s first African American combat pilots. For years, Tuskegee Airmen never talked about their experiences. However, over the past decade, some airmen have published books and a recently made documentary has been released. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created a pilot-training program for young Black men, separate from white pilots. From 1942 to 1946, the unit trained at Tuskegee (Alabama) Army Field and graduated

nearly 1,000 pilots. More than 15,000 African Americans, flight navigators, mechanics and support personnel were part of the whole Tuskegee experience. During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen produced some of the military’s most outstanding accomplishments while escorting white bomber pilots into combat in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa. They never lost an American bomber to enemy fighters, a record that remains unmatched. They fought two battles, the one overseas and the one at home against racism. “People think the civil rights movement started in the 1960s but really came about when we were fighting for the right to fly,” said Bob Ashby, 81, Sun City West, Arizona. Recent reunion activities included flying with young aviators near Sky Harbor and attending the dedication of a memorial air park in their name at Luke Air Force Base. President Bush recently signed legislation to honor each Tuskegee Airman with the Congressional Gold Medal for heroism. From a story by Angela Cara Pancrazio in the Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona.

Marine colleagues reunite

oldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine regiment in the Vietnam War never imagined that, 38 years later, they would be together again talking about their war experience as if they were boyhood memories. Unlike today, when entire battalions circulate in and out of combat as a unit, men rotated in and out individually at different times in the Vietnam War. This event reunited veterans who were stationed with the Third Marine Division along the demilitarized zone, the dividing area between warring North and South Vietnam in 1968. The reunion never would have happened if not for 57-year-old Bob Citron’s determination to find his fellow soldiers. He did four mailings, and put ads in Leatherneck magazine, on the Vietnam Veterans memorial wall website and in the VFW magazine. He also tracked down some of the vets individually.

Citron found 24 men from Lima 3/9, who are from 14 states. Forty people attended the reunion, including wives and relatives. Many attendees sported white T-shirts with the Marine Corps logo on the front and a cutout image of Vietnam next to the words “Lima 3/9” on the back. They also had bumper stickers, red, white and blue wristbands and “We support our troops” pins. The Vietnam War, from 1961 to 1975, was the longest military conflict in the history of the US. More than 58,000 servicemen died in the southeast Asia country. “We weren’t heroes when we came back…used, abused and put aside,”’ Citron said, explaining why they didn’t seek one another out to relive those memories. But in the days before the reunion, he said, he had been looking forward to it “more than anything.” From a story by Kim Norris Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Michigan.

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DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES

Welcome to Reunion Resources! How to use REUNION RESOURCES Reunion resources is divided into sections. Reunion friendly places include destinations (convention, visitor and tourism bureaus) and locations (hotels, resorts, ranches, condominiums, bed & breakfasts, inns, dormitories, camps). They are listed alphabetically by state and city. The sections which follow list books and publishing, cruises, fundraising and mementos, invitations, photography, preserving reunions, postcards, and other products and services. Many resources include e-mail and web page addresses. Start on our web page www.reunionsmag.com and in just one click, go directly to other resource pages – a wonderful way to visit, get more details and in some cases even place orders. We encourage you to tell the listings you contact that you learned about them from REUNIONS MAGAZINE. And if at any time you find any info that is inaccurate or e-mail or web links do not work, notify us immediately at reunions@execpc.com; PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. And by all means, feel free to comment and/or suggest changes and additions you’d like to see in this section. REUNIONS MAGAZINE will not be held liable for information presented as facts in these ads. We reserve the right to edit and/or refuse any material submitted for publication.

INTERNATONAL DESTINATIONS CARIBBEAN BOLONGO BAY BEACH RESORT, ST. THOMAS, USVI for smallsized groups seeking a casual, tropical setting. 65 beachfront rooms. 2 restaurants/bars. All inclusive option and customdesigned programs. Outdoor pavilion for themed events. Karaoke, BBQ parties & cocktail cruises. Free non-motorized watersports, beach volleyball, and much more. 1-800-524-4746. E-mail: info@bolongobay.com; www.bolongobay.com.

U.S. DESTINATIONS ARIZONA MESA ARIZONA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 120 North Center, Mesa AZ 85201. (800) 283-6372. Minutes from Phoenix and Scottsdale, miles from ordinary... Enjoy first class hotels, dinner theaters, desert jeep tours, golf, & more! The Mesa CVB has experience in planning great reunions and is here to assist you with finding a hotel that meets YOUR needs! Call today for your free destination-planning guide! janet@VisitMesa.com; www.visit mesa.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! EMBASSY SUITES PHOENIX AIRPORT - 44th STREET 1515 N. 44th Street, Phoenix AZ 85008; 602-244-8800; fax 602-306-1636; Kimberly Mehalos 602-358-0909; kimberly_mehalos@hilton.com; www.PhoenixAirport44thstreet.embassysuites.com.

CALIFORNIA BUENA PARK CONVENTION & VISITORS OFFICE 6601 Beach Blvd. Suite 200, Buena Park CA 90621-2904. Come see why we are the ideal spot for reunions and family vacations. We are home to five major tourist attractions including Knott’s Berry Farm and only ten minutes away from Disneyland. Accommodations, restaurants and shopping are all within a mile! Beaches and mountains close by. Call 800-541-3953 for a free Travel Planner, or fax 714-5623569. tourbp@buenapark.com; www.visitbuenapark.com. ANAHEIM MARRIOTT SUITES 12015 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840. A luxurious, all-suites hotel located 5 minutes from Disneyland and Angel’s stadium. Double suites sleep six. Starbucks in the lobby. Full-service restaurant with breakfast buffet and made-to-order omelets. (714) 750-1000; 1-800-831-1000; www.marriott.com/snaas. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! THE LAUREL MILL LODGE PO Box 368, Los Gatos CA 95031; 408-353-5851; esther@laurelmilllodge.com; www.laurelmilllodge.com. OAKLAND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 463 11th Street Oakland CA 94607; 510-839-9000. Oakland is California’s best-kept secret. Just minutes to San Francisco by rapid transit, ferry, bus or car. Breathtaking waterfront views. Unique, affordable venues for reunions of all sizes. World-class jazz, restaurants and major-league sports. Call or email today for your FREE Visitors Guide. Oaklandcvb.com; info@Oaklandcvb.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! MARRIOTT ONTARIO AIRPORT 2200 E. Holt Blvd, Ontario CA 91761; 909-975-5000; fax 909-975-5051; isarmiento@sunstone hotels.com; www.marriotthotels.com/ontario.

PALA CASINO RESORT & SPA Southern California’s Most Spectacular Playground™ with 2,250 slots, 85 table games, 8 great restaurants, and live entertainment daily. Enjoy our Four Diamond 507-room resort, including 82 luxurious suites, and 10,000 sq. ft. world-class day spa, and you really do have the Vegas experience closer to home. Pala also features 30,000 sq. ft. of fully-equipped meeting and convention space, as well as a garden wedding area. 1-877-WIN-PALA (1-877-946-7252), www.palacasino.com. RADISSON HOTEL SACRAMENTO 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento CA 95815. Just 5 minutes from the state capital & historic old Sacramento. 307 spacious guest rooms. Fitness facility, lakeside pool and spa, to casual dining at Basil’s By the Lake. Cocktails at Crocodiles. Meeting space from 10 to 2,000 with 50,000 square feet of flexible meeting space complete with theatrical stage and Sacramento’s largest ballroom. (916) 922-2020; 1-800-333-3333; www.radisson.com/sacramentoca. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! HOLIDAY INN SAN DIEGO BAYSIDE 4875 N Harbor Drive, San Diego CA 92106; 619-224-3621; 800-650-6660; fax 619-2241787. Host your reunion at the beautiful Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside across from San Diego Bay. Our experienced staff will assist you in creating a very special event. Complimentary hosp suite and special reunion rates. Beautiful guest rooms, heated pool, spa, shuffleboard, ping-pong and billiards, exercise room, family restaurant and cocktail lounge, free pkg, in-room movies, coffee makers, refrigerators, hair dryers. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! dos@holinnbayside.com; www.holinnbayside.com. NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOE™ RESORT offers a great place to sleep, eat, play and relax in a beautiful mountain setting with a wide variety of accommodations and activities such as golf, swimming and tennis in the summer and snow sports activities in the winter. It’s no wonder Northstar was voted as a top 10 reunion destination by Family Travel Forum. A personal event planner is provided to help plan your unforgettable reunion. Highway 267 & Northstar Dr., Truckee, CA 96160, 800-926-5096, northstar@boothcreek.com, www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com. THE LAZY Z RESORT located on 40 acres in California’s Gold Country. First class Cabins with Clubhouse meeting space, natural designed pool and outdoor hot tub. Our 12 Cabins sleep from two to six people. Perfect for Family Reunions, Business Retreats, Weddings and vacations too! We look forward to having you join us and share with you this very special place! 22732 Middle Camp Rd., Twain Harte, CA 95383, (800) 585-1238, www.LazyZ.com, info@LazyZ.com.

COLORADO PINNACLE PLACE Looking for the perfect place for your family reunion? Come to the Rocky Mountains and enjoy Colorado’s yearround playground. Our luxury vacation home is ideal for groups of 14 - 22 and has lots of amenities. For larger groups ask about additional condos. For more information contact Carolyn O’Neill at 1-888-825-3442, www.pinnacleplace.com. BRECKENRIDGE is a world away from everyday! Vibrant history, natural beauty, and adventures for all ages make for an ideal locale, especially in our mild mountain summers. Our full-service reservation center also books activities, lift tickets, golf, and transportation. Let our reunion expert help create the Colorado getaway you’ve always imagined! Breckenridge Lodging & Hospitality P.O. Box 8329, 535 S. Park Avenue, Breckenridge CO 80424; 888-483-6140; fax 970453-5165; brecklodginggroups@vailresorts.com; www.breckresorts groups.com. DENVER, THE MILE HIGH CITY Planning a reunion? You’re in luck. Because there is something about Denver that brings people together. After all, it’s where the mountains meet the city. We offer free travel planning assistance – from accommodations and special event locations to transportation and dining options. Come discover how we can help make your reunion a memorable one. www.DENVER.ORG or call 800.880.9095. SOPHIA RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTER P.O. Box 1620 Dolores, CO 81323; 970-882-4920;fax:866-548-7437; ruth@sophia retreatcenter.org, www.sophiatretreatcenter.org BIGHORN MOUNTAIN LODGE 1340 Big Thompson Avenue, Estes Park CO 80517; 800-530-8822; info@BighornMtnLodge.com; www. BighornMtnLodge.com. ESTES PARK CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU PO Box 1200, Estes Park CO 80517. Estes Park may be the perfect setting for your reunion! Nestled in a valley surrounded by Rocky Mountain National Park, fabulous scenery and recreation await you. Enjoy shopping, trout fishing, horseback riding, river rafting, golf, go karts, barbecues, hayrides, miniature golf, tram rides, scenic drives and hiking. Let our group specialist help you find lodging, meals and fun things for the whole family to enjoy! 970-577-9900; fax 970-577-1677; groupsales@estes.org; www.estesparkcvb.com. THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN INN WINTER PARK COLORADO The perfect reunion location! Lots of activities, convenient mountain location, plus gorgeous scenery and great weather. In the Rocky Mountains just 1 1/2 hrs from Denver and near Rocky Mtn

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

Nat’l Park. Enjoy world-class golfing, fishing, rafting, hiking, biking and more. A charming Inn with a huge gourmet kitchen and 10 private rooms to indulge your entire group. Friendly staff to assist activity planning, catering, etc. Box 600, Winter Park CO 80442; toll-free: 866-467-8351 or 970-726-8256; groups@therocky mountaininn.com; www.therockymountaininn.com. DOUBLETREE HOTEL 743 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506 is CONVENIENTLY LOCATED OFF I-70, EXIT 31. What we do best, is to make your reunion the most memorable event yet!! Our Hotel setting is on 10 beautifully landscaped acres. We offer a huge variety of outdoor activities. Our convention space is 12,700 sq. ft. We are nestled in the Grand Valley, surrounded by the Grand Mesa National Park, Colorado National Monument, Bookcliff and Mount Garfield Mountains. The scenery here is unique and the adventures await. Contact us for special group rates! Please call 970-257-8107; or e-mail @ doubletreesm@sbcos.com; www.grand junction.doubletree.com. STONE MOUNTAIN LODGE AND CABINS 18055 N St. Vrain Drive, Lyons CO 80540 (2 miles west of Lyons on Hwy 36). Mountain setting convenient to both Estes Park & Boulder. Lyons is a picturesque small town without the bustle. Our 45 scenic acres offers Room to Roam or Relax with duck pond, pool, hiking. Outdoor group areas near pool and pond. Affordable lodging includes cabins, rooms and campsites to fit everyone’s needs. Dogs OK. Call for special group discount! 800-282-5612; info@stonemountain lodge.com; www.stonemountainlodge.com. LION SQUARE LODGE is located at the base of Vail Mountain next to the Gondola in Lionshead Village. Lodge rooms & 1-3 bedroom condominiums with kitchen, living room, BBQ grill & mountain views. Outdoor pool, hot tubs, mountain-view banquet rooms, riverside party tent, catering & group coordinator. Walk to shops, restaurants & mountain activities. 660 West Lionshead Place, Vail CO 81657; 800-525-5788; fax 970-476-7423; www.lion square.com. VACATIONS INC, WINTER PARK COLORADO! PO Box 3095, Winter Park CO 80482. Rocky Mountain Reunion Specialists! Just 67 miles from Denver and close to the Rocky Mtn Nat’l Park, Vacations Inc offers affordable downtown Winter Park lodging, onsite amenities and family activity planning. We offer studios, condos, pools and hot-tubs. Play golf and tennis, or go rafting, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and ballooning – all in our back yard! Vacations Inc – Certifiable Family Fun! 800-289-8541; fax 970-726-8004; res@vacationsinc.com; www.vacationsinc.com. WINTER PARK AND COPPER MOUNTAIN are your destinations for summer fun! Enjoy golf, scenic chairlift rides, family activities, biking, hiking, shopping, dining, music festivals, and more through Labor Day. Book your cool, green, summer mountain vacation today! Visit www.winterparkgroups.com and www.copper colorado.com, or call (800) 979-0332 and (866) 841-2481 for more information and to book reservations. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! TEMPLED HILLS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER Free stay for children from 0-12! Come up the mountain for a splendid … exhilarating … inspiring retreat. Explore 155 acres of Rocky Mountain splendor at 8200 ft. Families experience mountain views, humming birds, wild-flowers, aspens, ropes course, rock climbing, zip line, hiking, playground. Delicious home-style buffet. 40 min. from CO Springs & Pikes Peak attractions. Our Promise: “We enable you to experience simple living, comfortable surroundings and personal service allowing time and space to renew your spirit, appreciate nature and make a friend”. Ideal for reunions, non-profits, churches, schools, seminars. 1364 County Rd. 75, Woodland Park CO 80863; 800-229-6955; fax 719-686-0796; Retreat@templed hills.org; www.templedhills.org. EASTHOLME IN THE ROCKIES BED & BREAKFAST 4445 Hagerman Avenue, Cascade CO 80809. Elegant 1885 Victorian Inn listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located just minutes from Colorado Springs at the foothill of Pikes Peak. Lodging accommodations for 26 people. Reunion packages include lodging and full gourmet breakfast. Meal plans for lunch & dinner available. Abundance of local attractions, restaurants & activities for the family. Perfect Colorado destination getaway. 800-672-9901; info@eastholme.com; www.eastholme.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

CONNECTICUT SUNRISE RESORT PO Box 415, Moodus CT 06469. 400 acre summer resort in rural Moodus, CT. Rates include great food, swimming, tennis, live music, softball, volleyball, mountain bikes, canoes, planned activities, mini-resort and discounts for kids. Midway between NYC and Boston – 160 sleeping rms, meeting spaces, planning assistance on request. Call 800-225-9033 today! SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! Suntimes@connix.com; www.sunriseresort.com. HERITAGE RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER Southbury, CT. Heritage is magnificently situated in the picturesque Litchfield Hills of Connecticut. Complete with on-site activities such as: golf, Spa, indoor/outdoor heated pool, tennis and activities for all ages. Well appointed guest rooms, versatile event space for groups up to 250 and kids’ programs make Heritage a desirable reunion destination.

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES 522 Heritage Road, Southbury, CT 06488; 800-932-3466; fax 203264-6910; info@heritagesouthbury.com; www.heritagesouthbury.com.

DELAWARE DYNAMITE IMPRINTS www.greatgifts4reunions.myevent.com. Personalized gifts for classmates, family, and military reunions. Mouse pads, Hats, Mugs, Magnets, Key Chains, T-shirts, Cheerleader Bears, Sublimated Name Badges with class picture and up to 3 lines of text, 2 X 3 hard plastic. Yearbook DVD’s no up front costs to committee, classmates purchase directly from us. Big plus when budget is tight! We just need a clean yearbook, and a list of music you would like. Cost to classmates $21.95 includes shipping anywhere in USA. Free Samples upon request Rose Culver (801) 510-2775 RECulver71@aol.com.

FLORIDA RADISSON RESORT AT THE PORT 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral FL 32920. The Radisson is located just one mile South of Port Canaveral with free parking and Shuttle to the Port. Choose from a variety of accommodations: Sleep number beds, two-room whirl pool suites and standard rooms available. Enjoy Flamingo’s Restaurant and Starbucks Coffee. Also, just minutes to the Port, Kennedy Space Center, Orlando airport, and Orlando attractions. 321-784-0000; 800-333-3333; www.radisson.com/capecanaveralfl. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! RESIDENCE INN CAPE CANAVERAL COCOA BEACH 8959 Astronaut Blvd. Cape Canaveral FL 32920. Enjoy our warm and friendly home-like atmosphere in spacious suites, with fully equipped kitchens and appliances. Open April 2006 this impressive Key West style hotel offers; Heated Pool, Spa, Lounge, Complimentary Full American Breakfast Buffet, Complimentary Weekday Social Hour (Mon-Thu), Complimentary High Speed Internet Access. www.marriott.com/mlbri; 321-323-1100. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! BEST WESTERN COCOA BEACH 5600 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach FL 32931. Anything you want for your ocean retreat: from Standard Courtyard rooms to private balconies. Enjoy the Durango Steakhouse & Lounge, Poolside Veranda Bar, and just a short walk to Cocoa Beach Pier entertainment. 800-962-0028; 321783-7621; www.bestwesterncocoabeach.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! COMFORT INN & SUITES RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER 3901 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach FL 32931. Our five acre tropical beachside resort in the heart of Cocoa Beach is just 300 feet to the beach, near Ron Jon’s & restaurants. Choose from Ocean & Courtyard view suites, standard rooms and efficiency rooms. Lush courtyard surrounds heated pool, whirlpool, snack bar, outdoor grills & Lagoon Lounge. 321-783-2221; 800-247-2221; www.comfortinncocoabeach.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT COCOA BEACH 3435 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach FL 32931. Make this your most memorable stay ever! Sun, Sand, Surf, and Cruise, plus free high speed Internet access, restaurant, lounge, Whirlpool rooms, two-room suites, private balconies, refrigerators, fitness center, heated pool, laundry facilities, and more… 321-784-4800; www.courtyardcocoabeach .com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! DOUBLETREE OCEANFRONT HOTEL 2080 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach FL 32931. This newly renovated oceanfront hotel is located in beautiful Cocoa Beach. All rooms have private balconies, free high speed Internet, refrigerators and microwaves. The Double Tree is also equipped with over 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. 321-783-9222; 800-55-Beach; www.cocoabeach doubletree.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! HILTON COCOA BEACH OCEANFRONT 1550 N Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach FL 32931. Take pleasure in the area’s largest ocean front pool deck; direct ocean front location on 300 feet of sandy beach. Enjoy the heated pool, Tiki bar, two restaurants, and lounge.

This full service hotel has a new large exercise room, high speed Internet, and many more amenities. 800-526-2609; www.hilton cocoabeach.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! HOLIDAY INN COCOA BEACH HOTEL & RESORT OCEANFRONT 1300 N Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach FL 32931. An oceanfront, full service resort, our hotel has a wide selection of accommodations. From standard guest rooms to suites; or upgrade to two-level lofts and villas, you’re sure to enjoy your stay with us. Olympic size heated pool, tennis, volleyball courts, and more… 1-800-20-Oasis; www.hicentralflorida.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! HAMPTON INN COCOA BEACH 3425 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach FL 32931. Guests enjoy direct beach access, breathtaking ocean views, sandy beaches, cruises, historic villages, out of this world space experiences, the World Famous Surf Shop and free high speed Internet. Rooms also include continental breakfast, private balconies, refrigerators, and microwaves; 877-49-Beach; www.hamptoninncocoabeach.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! EL CARIBE RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER 2125 S. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach FL 32118. Oceanfront rooms, efficiencies and suites overlooking Daytona Beach. Two outdoor pools (one heated) large kiddie pool and plenty of activities for everyone. Facilities include: reception and banquet rooms with on-site catering. Favorite retreat for groups. Reservations 800-445-9889 or web site: www.elcaribe.com. LA PLAYA RESORT & SUITES 2500 North Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach FL 32118. The La Playa Resort provides delightful Daytona accommodations at an affordable price. Upon arrival, you’ll be swept away to a tropically decorated room – complete with a microwave, refrigerator, and private balcony. Soft ocean breezes will draw you outside to the large oceanfront pool deck with whirlpools, tiki bar, and shuffleboard 800-874-6996; fax 386-677-0982; bsmith@oceansresorts.com; www.staydaytona.com. PERRY’S OCEAN EDGE RESORT 2209 S. Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach FL 32118. Located on the quiet side of Daytona Beach, offers spacious ocean front units with two queen beds, sleeper sofa, full kitchens and views of the Atlantic Ocean from your private balcony. Two outdoor pools, indoor heated pool and spa in our atrium. Family oriented activities program. Reservations 800447-0002 or web site: www.perrysoceanedge.com. Simple Pleasures...Simpler Times...We Remember... Explore your memory. Was it the smell of the salt air? The feeling of the soft sand on your toes? A strawberry ice cream cone? Seeing your first dolphin? Having your dad’s full attention? A towel hug from your mom? Give your family the memory you most cherish. Everything is here waiting – incredible sand, warm waters, tropical drinks, fresh grilled seafood, kid’s activities, live entertainment and someone to make your reunion happen. Outrigger Beach Resort Ft Myers Beach. 800-211-8441; www. floridareunion.com EMERALD COAST CVB, INC. Destin-Fort Walton Beach-Okaloosa Island a reunion planner’s paradise with 24 miles of sugar white beaches and emerald green waters, 14,000 first-rate accommodations, 400 events & festivals, water sports, superb dinning, championship golfing, designer shopping, Air Force Armament Museum, Big Kahuna’s Water Park, art galleries and the largest fishing fleet in Florida. Emerald Coast Conference offers 35,000 sq. feet of flexible meeting space and gourmet catering. Please contact Sherry Rushing, CTIS at 1-800-322-3319; srushing@co.okaloosa .fl.us; www.destin-fwb.com. VACATION POOL HOMES & RESORT CONDOS NEAR DISNEY The largest selection of vacation rentals in the Orlando area. 2 to 6 bedrooms fully furnished and equipped for less than the cost of a hotel room. Let Advantage Vacation Homes assist with your next Orlando family reunion with all the comfort, privacy, and more open spaces for new memories to cherish for a life time. call 1-866-216-

5094 or visit www.AdvantageVacationHomes.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! KISSIMMEE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 1925 East Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee FL 34744. In Kissimmee reunions are our specialty. We offer planning assistance to reunions of all sizes and budgets. Let us help you make planning your next reunion easy. Call for information regarding Kissimmee’s meeting venues and services. 407-944-2484; fax 407-847-4114; meet@ floridakiss.com; www.floridakiss.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! GROSVENOR RESORT 1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista FL 32830; www.grosvenorresort.com; The Grosvenor Resort is the gateway to your authentic Disney® reunion! As an official Walt Disney Resort®, we are located just steps away from Downtown Disney®, Pleasure Island®, Disney’s premier nighttime complex, Planet Hollywood and Disney’s West Side. We look forward to pampering you with all of the wonderful things the Grosvenor Resort has to offer you and your reunion! For information call 800522-3272 SEMINOLE COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 1230 Douglas Avenue, Suite 116, Longwood, FL 32779. Just a stone’s throw away from all the major attractions of Central Florida, and within a 15-minute drive from its more expensive neighbor Orlando, Seminole County is the perfect destination for reunions. With flexible accommodations, dining, shopping, golf and recreation options, Seminole County’s charming villages and natural beauty will make your reunion one to remember. Call 800800-7832 or visit www.visitseminole.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! EMBASSY SUITES/MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 3974 NW South River Drive, Miami, FL 33142. 305-634-5000; fax 305635-9499; barbara_raza@hilton.com; www.miamiairport.embassy suites.com. PANAMA CITY BEACH FLORIDA 1000 condos and hotel rooms, 40,000+ square feet of indoor conference space and the areas best collection of outdoor beachfront and bay front pavilions. All units include FREE daily maid service. Book your next reunion with Getaway to the Gulf. 800-224-GULF, www.getawaytothegulf.com. PENSACOLA CONVENTION & VISITOR BUREAU 1401 East Gregory Street, Pensacola FL 32502. Pensacola, Florida is the perfect location for your group’s next reunion. Whether it’s a family reunion, a military reunion, or a get-together with friends, Pensacola’s mild climate, stunning beaches, and divine coastal cuisine provide the perfect setting for an exciting and memorable reunion. 800-4741234; fax 850-432-8211; lorvis@visitpensacola.com; www.visit pensacola.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! COMFORT SUITES – WORLD GOLF VILLAGE 475 COMMERCE LAKE DR, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA 32092; 877-940-9501; Adjacent to World Golf Village, visitors have convenient access to area courses, the IMAX Theater, and the World Golf Hall of Fame. All 162 luxurious suites come equipped with desks, microwaves, refrigerators, coffee-makers, two telephones, and high-speed Internet access. A heated indoor pool, exercise facility, outdoor pool, whirlpool, and sundeck round out the hotel’s recreational facilities. Enjoy an upscale continental breakfast and drinks at the popular Mulligan Pub in the evening. Group discounts available. www.cswgv .com or comfortsuites@bellsouth.net. TAMPA MARRIOTT WESTSHORE 310 well-appointed rooms. Health club, whirlpool, game room and Tampa’s largest indoor/ outdoor pool. Westshore Grill and Champions Sports Bar. Newly renovated meeting space. Pool deck is ideal for tropical cocktail parties. Convenient location, deluxe accommodations, versatile function space and first-class service. 1001 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607; 813.287.2555; fax 813.287.0561; www.marriott .com/TPAWE.

DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST Orlando’s Closest Beaches, 72 miles of them. The Ultimate Florida! Attractions, including Kennedy Space Center, shopping, dining, accommodations and recreation on land or sea. All so affordable for groups from 30 to 300. Reunite on the Space Coast and create a memorable experience you’ll cherish forever. Call 800-93-OCEAN or visit www.space-coast.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

IOWA

DISCOVERY CRUISE LINE If you’re looking for the ultimate in fun for your reunion, you should consider Discovery Cruise Line sailing daily from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island and offering same day roundtrip cruises and Cruise and Stay vacation packages. The price of the cruise includes three lavish buffet meals, entertainment, a Las Vegas-style casino, and more. There’s special pricing for kids and teens. Call 1-888-213-1454. www.discovery cruiseline.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

ELIZABETHTOWN/FT. KNOX From military reunions to family reunions, Elizabethtown is the place to share memories & make new memories, too! Freeman Lake Park; the Patton Museum; antique & boutique shopping; the Coca-Cola Museum; historic sites. Intersection of I-65 and the Bluegrass Parkway. Elizabethtown Tourism & Convention Bureau, 800-437-0092; www.TourEtown.com

ALL STAR VACATION HOMES offers the most upscale selection of homes in the closest locations to Disney. Each home is within 4 mi. of Disney and offers every amenity a family needs for the perfect reunion. Choose your home from 2-3 bedroom condos or up to 7 bedroom private pool homes. Location, Luxury, Choice – Experience the ALL STAR Difference. 7822 W. Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee FL 34747; 1-800-731-0337; 407-997-0733; fax 407-997-1370; reservations@allstarvacationhomes.com; www.allstarvh.com/reunions. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

GEORGIA THE GEORGIA TECH HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER offers a superlative Reunion experience in the heart of Midtown’s Technology Square! Enjoy deluxe accommodations, personalized service, and easy access to Atlanta’s historic & entertainment venues. Walking distance to upscale & fast food restaurants; Indoor Pool & Fitness Center; Free Shuttle to MARTA; urban-contemporary décor; 252 guest rooms; state of the art meeting & banquet space. www.gatech hotel.com; To reserve your Reunion Package – Ingrid.abrams@ gatechhotel.com; 404-838-2128. HILTON ATLANTA NORTHEAST 5993 Peachtree Blvd., Norcross, GA 30092. Premier full service hotel with 272 guest rooms and 38 suites. Central location with easy access to all major highways. 272 guest rooms, 38 suites & executive concierge level floor. Wellequipped fitness facility/sauna and indoor and outdoor pools. Casual Mediterranean dining at Basil’s Kitchen & cocktails at Basil’s Bar. 770-447-4747; www.atlantanortheast.hilton.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

GREATER DES MOINES CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 400 Locust Street, Ste 265, Des Moines IA 50309; 800-451-2625; fax 515-244-9757; kboisen@desmoinescvb.com; www.SeeDes Moines.com.

KENTUCKY

MAINE SAMOSET RESORT 220 Warrenton Street, Rockport ME 04856; 877-237-3610; fax 207-594-0048; info@samoset.com; www.samoset resort.com.

MASSACHUSETTS FALMOUTH INN CAPE COD 824 Main Street, Falmouth MA 02540; 800-255-4157; fax 508-540-9256; falinn@cape.com; www.fal mouthinn.com.

MICHIGAN ZEHNDER’S SPLASH VILLAGE HOTEL AND INDOOR WATERPARK 1365 South Main Street, Frankenmuth MI 48734; 800-8637999 ext. 421; www.zehnders.com. Zehnder’s Splash Village – 152 overnight rooms/suites, 30,000 sf indoor waterpark, game arcade, full service restaurant, hospitality room. America’s Largest Family Restaurant, famous family style chicken dinners, seating for 1500, golfing, shopping, complimentary shuttle. Contact ckennedy@ zehnders.com. KALAMAZOO COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 346 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo MI 49007. Discover Hospitality. With a diverse and rich community culture, Kalamazoo is an ideal destination for reunions, offering more than 2,600 affordable hotel rooms, and one of a kind attractions. As well as recreation, dining and shopping for every preference and budget. A short drive or 30 minute plane ride from either Chicago or Detroit, we invite you to Discover Kalamazoo. Easy to get to. Hard to leave. 800-530-9192; fax 269-343-0430; smonroe@kalamazoochamber .com; www.discoverkalamazoo.com.

DAYS INN & SUITES OCEANSIDE RESORT 60 S. Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island GA 31527; Toll free: 888-635-3003; phone: 912-635-9800; fax: 912-635-2280. An award winning oceanside hotel on Georgia’s Jewel-Jekyll Island. 124 rooms, including 84 standard guestrooms and 40 one bedroom suites. All rooms are furnished with micro-fridge units, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards. 2 outdoor pools plus bike rentals on site. Catering is available with meeting space that can accommodate 150 guests. Golf packages are also available. Visit website: www.daysinn jekyll.com; send email: mgdaysinn@bellsouth.net.

BAY POINTE INN & RESTAURANT 11456 Marsh Road, Shelbyville MI 49344. Rated one of MI’s Top Resorts, Bay Pointe features elegant accommodations, exceptional service & extraordinary dining on Gun Lake. The Inn offers 38 beautiful guestrooms, indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness area, nightly movies w/popcorn & a private conference room. Located conveniently in the heart of Southwest MI where local attractions include: Yankee Springs State Park, Gilmore Car Museum, golf & shopping. 269-672-8111; fax 269672-5970; info@baypointe.com; www.baypointeinn.com.

CALLAWAY GARDENS RESORT offers exciting activities and seasonal events for all ages, plus exceptional accommodations and cuisine. Golf, tennis, butterfly center, biking, fishing and much more! Ask about our remarkable reunion packages when you call. U.S. Highway 27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822; 800-543-7121; sales@callawaygardens.com; www.callawaygardens.com.

WORRY-FREE REUNIONS AT CRAGUN’S RESORT 11000 Craguns Dr, Brainerd MN 56401: 800-CRAGUNS (272-4867). Since 1940 Cragun’s has taken pride in creating memorable reunions ...here’s why: 1) trained coordinator will help plan it all, 2) arrival “Welcome” and registration areas with planned activity agendas, 3) activities including golf outings, lake cruises, picnics, fishing contests, horse drawn trolley rides and more, 4) indoor facilities to ensure you a “weather-proof” reunion, 5) private gathering areas, 6) special celebration meals, 7) professional group photos, 8) and best of all, enjoy a safe, secure friendly environment. Come to Cragun’s for your reunion. Named “One of MN’s ideal locations to hold a Reunion.” by AAA. Call for FREE Reunion Planning Packet or visit: www.craguns.com/157.

IDAHO Great family fun! Boise offers the culture and entertainment of a large urban area in a place that feels a little like everyone’s hometown. Festivals, whitewater rafting, golf, riverfront bike trails, downhill and cross country skiing, unique and historic attractions, a vibrant downtown, shopping, fine dining and performing arts will ensure a reunion jam-packed with memorable experiences. BOISE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU PO Box 2106, Boise ID 83701; Lisa Edens; 800-635-5240; 208-344-7777; fax 208-3446236; BOISE…Feel It!

ILLINOIS CHICAGO MARRIOTT SUITES DEERFIELD Two Parkway North, Deerfield, Ill 60015. 248 all-suite hotel off of Tri-State Tollway. High-speed Internet access. Indoor & Outdoor pool, healthclub, whirlpool and sauna. Complimentary parking. Basil’s Kitchen & Bar on site for Mediterranean cuisine. Convenient to downtown Chicago, Six Flags, golf, shopping, Botanic Gardens and other area attractions. (847) 405-9666; www.marriottsuitesdeerfield.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! RECONNECT IN LAKE COUNTY Lake County’s natural spaces and fun places are the perfect place for your next reunion. Our world-class attractions and more than 50 lodging properties will make your next reunion a resounding success. For free Reunion Planning Assistance call 1-800-Lake-Now or email us with your reunion planning questions to tourism@lakecounty.org; www.lake county.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

MINNESOTA

CARIBOU HIGHLANDS LODGE 371 Ski Hill Road, Lutsen MN 55612. Stephanie Slanga, 800-642-6036; fax: 218-663-0141; groups@caribouhighlands.com; www.caribouhighlands.com. THE GREATER MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION & VISITORS ASSOCIATION can help plan your reunion in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. We’ll take a one-stop-shop approach to your family, class or military reunion. Let us secure bids for hotel accommodations, suggest banquet facilities, provide info on city tours and transportation and help secure special discounts at area attractions. Best of all – it’s all free! 800-445-7412 ext. 8114; patic@ minneapolis.org; www.minneapolis.org/reunions. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! RADISSON HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth MN 55441. 763-559-6600; (fax) 763-559-7516; sales@rhccmeetings.com; www.rhccmeetings.com.

MISSOURI TROUT LODGE is located in Potosi, Missouri, just 90 minutes south of St. Louis, and offers guest rooms, loft suites & cabins,

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

with activities including archery, arts & crafts, kids club, pontoon tours, Cowboy Campfires, climbing towers, hayrides, 18-hole golf course, caving and much more! Rates include lodging, meals & most activities. 573-438-2154; www.troutlodge.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! DAYS INN 2781 Veterans Memorial Parkway, St. Charles MO 63303, 636-949-8700, Fax 636-946-8996, www.daysinnstcharles .com. The St. Charles Days Inn offers 114 spacious guest rooms full of amenities complemented by friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere. Within walking distance to shopping & restaurants, 2 miles to Historic District, Ameristar Casino & The St. Charles Convention Center. Onsite bus parking. Enjoy 2 large meeting rooms totaling 1200+ square feet. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! SUPER 8 MOTEL 3040 W. Clay, St. Charles MO 63301, 636946-9992, Fax 636-724-9992, www.super8.com. 52 comfortable, clean rooms. Indoor pool. Free Continental Breakfast. Cable TV/ HBO. 3 miles to Bass Pro Shop, 8 miles to St. Louis International Airport. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! MILLENNIUM HOTEL ST. LOUIS 200 South 4th Street, St Louis MO 63102. Affordable elegance located in the heart of downtown St. Louis overlooking the Gateway Arch. Highlights include a rooftop revolving restaurant, a three-story glass wall in the lobby overlooking the Arch and riverfront and banquet space for up to 2,000 attendees. Military reunion packages from $79 including parking and free hospitality suite. 314-516-8113; fax 314-5169310; www.millenniumhotels.com/stlouis. ST. LOUIS CONVENTION & VISITORS COMMISSION One Metropolitan Square, Suite 1100, St. Louis MO 63102; 800-9169314. Explore St. Louis with your reunion group and discover hundreds of great family, sports and cultural attractions, a thousand one-of-a-kind restaurants and an exciting nightlife and music scene. The Gateway City also boasts a central location, a range of plentiful accommodations and numerous free world-class attractions. Call today for a free Reunion Planner Kit and see why St. Louis is the best reunion destination in the Midwest. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! www.explorestlouis.com.

NEVADA HAWTHORN SUITES AT DESERT ROSE RESORT 5051 Duke Ellington Way, Las Vegas NV, 89119; Phone 800-811-2450, Fax 702-597-3345; Spacious one and two bedroom suites; Each room is beautifully decorated; Property features a hot breakfast each morning and Managers Cocktail Reception Mon.-Thurs.; location is just minutes from the famous Las Vegas Strip, McCarran Airport, and just off I-15; Resort consists of 276 suites in addition to newly refurbished pool and Jacuzzi with BBQ facilities and shaded seating; This property makes for a perfect reunion of any kind. Email: sales@desertroseresort.com; www.desertroseresort.com IMPERIAL PALACE HOTEL & CASINO 3535 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas NV 89109; 702-794-3286; fax 702-794-3368. Center “Strip” location and moderate prices make staying at the Imperial Palace Las Vegas memorable! Everything for a reunion-vacation is here, free, covered parking, value-priced menus, “Legends in Concert”, The Auto Collections, on-site medical clinic, beauty salon and “The Spa”, friendly staff and more. Imperial Players receive free rooms, comps and merchandise. ip@imperialpalace.com; www.imperial palace.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

NEW HAMPSHIRE BEST WESTERN WYNWOOD HOTEL & SUITES 580 US Highway 1 Bypass, Portsmouth NH 03801; 603-436-7600; fax 603-436-7600; info@wynwoodportsmouth.com: www.wynwood portsmouth.com.

NEW YORK PEEK‘N PEAK RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER A resort for all seasons featuring the finest amenities, recreational activities and group friendly staff you would expect to find at any premier resort in the country. Featuring summertime fun with 36 holes of championship golf, pools, on site dining; winter boasts 27 ski slopes, snow tubing, cross country skiing and more. Special group rates and catering options available. Convenient free transportation to local events and attractions. 1405 Olde Road, Findley Lake NY 14736; 716-355-4141; 716-355-4553; sales@pknpk.com; www.pknpk.com.

OHIO OHIO DIVISION OF TRAVEL & TOURISM Create memories of a lifetime and bring your reunion to Ohio. From world-class cities teeming with arts and culture to quaint small towns, thrilling amusement parks, exhilarating outdoor adventure and important historic sites, you’ll see Ohio truly has So much to Discover! Call 1-800-BUCKEYE or visit www.DiscoverOhio.com. And give your entire family a reunion to look forward to. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

OKLAHOMA BARTLESVILLE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 201 SW Keeler, Bartlesville OK 74005; 800-364-8708; nhulse@bartles ville.com; www.bartlesville.com.

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES PENNSYLVANIA

UTAH

> READY> SET> COME HOME! Pennsylvania – your premiere homecoming and family reunion destination. Seven regions waiting to welcome you. See our display ad on page 9. VisitPA.com/Reunions; 1-800-VISITPA.

PARK CITY, UTAH – A MOUNTAIN RANGE OF POSSIBILITIES Located just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, Park City, Utah is a prime setting for your next reunion. With numerous lodging options, over 100 restaurants and bars and activities to suit any group’s need, Park City truly has something to suit every group’s need. Call 800-453-1360 for further details. Or visit www.parkcityinfo.com/reunions to download your FREE Group & Event Planner. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

BUTLER COUNTY TOURISM & CONVENTION BUREAU 3008 Unionville Road, Cranberry Township PA 16066. Butler County, PA offers you beautiful settings from charming towns to the great outdoors. You can fish, boat, golf, shop, explore our history and enjoy our events. We invite you and your guests to take advantage of our relaxing accommodations including hotels, B&B’s and campgrounds. Contact Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau today to start planning a Reunion that everyone will remember. 866-856-8444 www.visitbutlercounty.com. VisitPittsburgh 425 Sixth Avenue, 30th. Floor, Pittsburgh PA 15219; www.visitpittsburgh.com; 412-281-7711; 800-359-0758; fax 412644-5512. For Reunion information, contact Barb Hollie, barb.hollie@ visitpittsburgh.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! VALLEY FORGE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 600 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting PA 19462. DO WHAT WASHINGTON DID, SET UP CAMP HERE IN VALLEY FORGE FOR YOUR REUNIONS: Quality hotels & unique off-property sites. 30 minutes from downtown Philadelphia and easily accessible to great regional attractions, shopping, fine dining and exciting nightlife. For a free copy of our Valley Forge Meeting Planner’s Guide call Courtney at 610-834-7971, e-mail to babcock@valleyforge.org or visit website www.valleyforge.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! POCONO MOUNTAINS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 1004 Main Street, Stroudsburg PA 18360. If you’re looking to hold a reunion in a place that is only 90 minutes from NYC and 2 hours from Philadelphia, has scenic beauty, a variety of exciting attractions, outdoor recreation, ski areas, golf, quaint towns, great shopping, a wide variety of places to stay, and fine dining, the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern PA has it all. For help planning your reunion, and a Free Travel Guide and Map, call us today at 1800-722-9199, e-mail groupsandmeetings@poconos.org, or visit www.800poconos.com.

VERMONT SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH RESORT At America’s Reunion Resort, you’ll experience Mountain Resort Living, award-winning children’s programs (6wks. - 17yrs.), family activities and entertainment, swimming, skiing, hiking, dining, shopping & more. Smugglers’ Notch Resort – the only resort in North America to guarantee Family Fun – Summer, Winter & Fall. For more information, call 1-800-521-0536. or visit www.smuggs.com/reunions. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

VIRGINIA HAMPTON ROADS CONVENTION CENTER 800-487-8778; www.hamptoncvb.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

WEST VIRGINIA CANAAN VALLEY RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER offers 250 lodge rooms, 23 cabins, and 34 campground sites in the highest mountain valley east of the Rockys. Activities include 18 hole championship golf course, paintball arena, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, mountain biking, and much more. Over 10,000 sq ft. conference space available. HC 70, Box 330 Davis, WV 26260; 800-622-4121; krhodes@canaanresort.com; ww.canaanresort.com. THE WOODS RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER is located in the Northern Shenandoah Valley & offers lodge rooms, cabins, villas & private rentals. 36 holes of golf, 3 pools, basketball, racquetball, tennis, softball, playground, exercise room, & the Sleepy Creek Spa. Conference & dining facilities. 1694 The Woods Rd., Hedgesville WV 25427; 800-248-2222; fax 304-754-8146. Kathy@TheWoodsResort.com; www.TheWoodsResort.com.

SOUTH DAKOTA

WISCONSIN

PALMER GULCH/MT.RUSHMORE KOA 12620 Hwy 244, PO Box 295 Hill City, SD 57745; 605-574-2525; fax 605-574-2574. Beautiful Black Hills resort located on scenic byway between Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. Features diverse lodging options plus a 600 site KOA campground. Main lodge consists of 62 rooms including suites. Rustic mountain cabins with fireplaces, kamping kabins and 3-4 bedroom, deluxe full-service executive lodges. Spacious indoor and outdoor reunion gathering areas. Restaurant, lounge and catering service. Horseback riding, two pools, hot tubs, sauna, waterslide, mini-golf. Car rentals and tour service. Shuttles to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse night lightings. www.palmergulch.com; email: info@palmergulch.com.

WISCONSIN INNKEEPERS ASSOCIATION 1025 South Moorland Rd., Suite 200, Brookfield WI 53005. For information on Lodging properties in Wisconsin, Search www.lodging-wi.com; 262-7822851; fax 262-782-0550; sales@lodging-wi.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

TENNESSEE CHATTANOOGA AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 2 Broad Street, Chattanooga TN 37402; 800-964-8600 ext. 3017; fax 423-265-1630; chrisp@chattanoogacvb.com; www.chattanooga meetings.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

TEXAS The place for your next reunion…BAYFRONT PLAZA HOTEL, on the bay in sparkling Corpus Christi, Texas. 601 N. Water St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401. Packages include: Complimentary Suite; Full Breakfast Daily; Tenth Floor Hospitality room; Panoramic View of City, Bay, Lexington Museum. Shop downtown and trolley to the beach. Call 1-800-688-0334 to speak to our Reunion Friendly sales staff. Full catering services. Packages starting at $65.00. Visit www.bayfrontplazahotelcc.com. COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT BLACKSTONE 601 Main Street, Fort Worth TX 76102. Located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, the historic Courtyard by Marriott Blackstone is within walking distance of shopping, entertainment, and over 30 restaurants and bars. The hotel boasts an outdoor heated pool, indoor whirlpool, and onsite workout facility. Come enjoy our recently renovated guest rooms with new plush bedding package. 817-885-8700; 817-885-8303; www.marriott.com/dfwms. THE FREDERICKSBURG CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAU 302 East Austin, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. In Fredericksburg, your reunion will be remembered long after it’s over. Discover small town charm mixed with German heritage and Texan hospitality. Whether it’s college friends, military buddies or Oma’s family, plan today for a tomorrow filled with memories of yesterday. Call toll free 1-866-997-3600 for information or visit www.fredericksburg-texas.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

LAKEWOODS RESORT & GOLF For nearly 100 years we’ve specialized in Reunions and Getaways of any size with the finest accommodations and amenities offered to the families and visitors of Northwest Wisconsin. Our banquet rooms, outdoor patio and expansive grounds are great for groups of 3 to 300. Let Lakewoods bring you together. 21540 County Hwy. M, Cable WI 54821; 715794-2561; www.lakewoodsresort.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! TELEMARK RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER offers you a combination of abundant indoor meeting space with 900 acres of land for outdoor recreation. The largest meeting destination in the region, Telemark has 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting, banquet and exhibit space and can accommodate from 10 to 500 attendees. 42225 Telemark Road Cable, WI 54821; 877-798-4718; www.telemarkresort .com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

THE COMFORT INN AND SUITES featuring the North Star Conference Center opened in June 2006. The North Star Conference Center ballroom can accommodate up to 400 people or be split into three smaller rooms. In addition Voyager I & II will be able to accommodate up to 85 people or can split into two smaller rooms. I-90/94/39 Exit 126 De Forest, WI 53532; 608-846-9100; www.choicehotels.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! NEWPORT RESORT Located right in Egg Harbor, walking distance to shopping and attractions. Newport Resort features one and two bedroom suites with kitchens, whirlpools and fireplaces. Many family friendly amenities – indoor & outdoor pools, indoor & outdoor playgrounds, whirlpool, sauna and fitness room. Free continental breakfast. 7888 Church Street Egg Harbor, WI 54209; 800-468-6160; www.newportresort.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! WAGON TRAIL RESORT & VACATION HOMES Experience Door County’s quiet side. Comfortable lodge rooms and secluded vacation homes open year round. Perfect for conferences, retreats, weddings and reunions. Restaurant, bakery, marina and gift shop open May - October. 1041 County Rd ZZ, Ellison Bay WI 54210; 800-999-2466; www.wagontrail.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! TUNDRA LODGE RESORT & WATERPARK is a full-service, all-suite property featuring an amazing three-story indoor/outdoor waterpark plus 2,500 sq. ft. of banquet space – the perfect destination for a memorable reunion! Tundra Lodge offers an upscale northwoods ambience located in the heart of the Stadium District of Green Bay. 865 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay WI 54304; 920-405-8700; www.tundralodge.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! HEIDEL HOUSE RESORT At Heidel House Resort, we understand that reunions and family gatherings are important events that deserve special attention. We are devoted to offering the facilities and planning expertise to make your get-together memorable. Our resort offers a variety of charming estate buildings throughout our twenty acres that lend themselves perfectly to family gatherings. 643 Illinois Avenue, Green Lake WI 54941; 800-444-2812; www.heidelhouse.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! BLACK BEAR MEETING HALL Crivitz, WI: new/upscale for up to 150 – cathedral ceiling, stone fireplace, huge kitchen (cook or cater). Accommodations: 2-bedroom waterfront units, fully furnished, completely equipped kitchens, king beds, A/C, boat slip, gas fireplace, fun themes, year-round activities, affordable prices! www.peshtigoriverrentals.com or 800/505-0485. BIRCHWOOD LODGE 337 Highway 57, P.O. Box 646, Sister Bay WI 54234; 866-854-7195; fax 920-854-9385; info@birchwood lodge.com; www.birchwoodlodge.com. THE RESORT AT PHEASANT PARK Our personal planner will make your next meeting one to remember. 1, 2 or 3-bedroom suites w/full kitchen, fireplace, whirlpool & free wireless high-speed Internet access. Indoor/ outdoor pools, whirlpool, sauna, fitness center and business center including a computer, fax, copier & printer. Walk to shops, restaurants & waterfront. 130 Mill Road Sister Bay, WI 54234; 920-854-7287; www.pheasantparkresort .com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! BRIDGEPORT WATERFRONT RESORT Features suites with many options including: full kitchens, double whirlpool tubs, fireplaces and water views. The resort has indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool, sauna, fitness room, game room, indoor children’s playground and indoor splash park. Located downtown within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and attractions. 50 West Larch Street Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 800-671-9190; www.bridgeport resort.net . SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

Postcards that make your reunion point! e sav the e dat

Send save the date when you’ve set it!

Send TIME IS RUNNING OUT when it is!

Custom Printing – $45 p/hundred; 50¢ each, Fill-in cards $15 p/hundred; 20¢ each; plus postage: 100-200 cards – $4.05, over 200 – $8.10. Send message, check & request to: REUNION POSTCARDS PO Box 11727 ❖ Milwaukee WI 53211-0727 To charge, call 800-373-7933. DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES WESTWOOD SHORES WATERFRONT RESORT A breathtaking view of the water from every suite! The Resort features one and two bedroom suites with kitchens, whirlpools and fireplaces. Recreational amenities include; indoor & outdoor pools, whirlpool, sauna and fitness room. Free paddle boats and row boats. Located north of Sturgeon Bay, close to shopping, restaurants and attractions. 4303 Bay Shore Drive Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; 800440-4057; www.westwoodshores.net. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! BEST WESTERN GRAND SEASONS HOTEL Experience the charm of the beautiful Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes area in central Wisconsin. Unique shopping, great golfing, Chain O’ Lakes sternwheeler cruises, petting zoo, mini-golf, batting cages, horseback riding, snowmobiling and much more. The perfect location for your next reunion. Overnight stay includes breakfast, cocktail, on-site health club and indoor waterpark. Banquet accommodations for up to 350. Make memories in Waupaca! 110 Grand Seasons Drive, Waupaca WI 54981; 715-258-9212; www.bestwesternwaupaca.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! JEFFERSON STREET INN 201 Jefferson Street, Wausau WI 54403. Why settle for just any hotel? Schedule your next event at the Jefferson Street Inn, downtown Wausau’s new luxury boutique hotel. Perfect any time of year. Easy walking distance to shopping, dining and the famous Artsblock. Meetings to 400 and banquets to 200. 715-845-6500; www.jeffersonstreetinn.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

WYOMING THE DUDE RANCHERS’ ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 2307, Cody, Wyoming 82414. Helping people find quality Dude and Guest Ranch vacations since 1926. Let us help you find the perfect all inclusive location for your next reunion call 866-399-2339 or email info@duderanch.org; www.duderanch.org.

BOOKS THE REUNION PLANNER 11661 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 306, Los Angeles CA 90049; 800-899-6978; fax 310-820-8341.

WHEN YOU’VE FINISHED USING THIS MAGAZINE, PLEASE RECYCLE IT.

GIFT OF HERITAGE The Gift of Heritage product line includes exciting family history resources. They consist of ideas for enhancing a family reunion or gathering, scrapbooking, games to encourage sharing memories with family members, genealogical research resources for most ethnic origins, how to create a family newsletter, design and publish your own family Web site. Interview extended-family members with suggested questions to ask, preserve the past, shoot family videos, write your life story. Create a family documentary and computer and Internet guides plus much, much more! Receive free 10 Tips To Preserve Your Family History And Memories. Call 800-224-8511. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! www.giftofheritage.com.

CRUISES DISCOVERY CRUISE LINE If you’re looking for the ultimate in fun for your reunion, you should consider Discovery Cruise Line sailing daily from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island and offering same day roundtrip cruises and Cruise and Stay vacation packages. The price of the cruise includes three lavish buffet meals, entertainment, a Las Vegas-style casino, and more. There’s special pricing for kids and teens. Call 1-888-213-1454. www.discovery cruiseline.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

FAMILY TREE CHARTS YOUR FAMILY TREE CHARTED Poster Size for reunions/get togethers. Really Nice! Mrs. Ross; 3700 Sulene Drive, College Park GA 30349; 404-768-5698, ftcreations@bellsouth.net.

MAGAZINE Subscribe to Reunions magazine Ensure a full year of reunion planning advice plus workbook. Subscribe now. Send $9.99/yr or $17.99/ 2 yrs to Reunions magazine, Inc., PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. To charge to credit card call 800-3737933 or visit our website www.reunionsmag.com.

MEMENTOS CREATE A KEEPSAKE 1-866-437-1314; jwilliams@special eventgames.com; www.specialeventgames.com. DIGITAL MAGIC 6390 Windharp Way, Columbia MD 21045. Photos printed on-site. Take your memories home with you the same day. 410-290-9838; email: digitalmagic2@comcast.net.

POSTCARDS POSTCARD ANNOUNCEMENTS Notify your reunion members to SAVE THE DATE (bright red, they’ll not miss it!) and when you need reminders, send postcards that say TIME IS RUNNING OUT. Fill-in cards – $15 p/100 postcards or 20 each – you fill in the dates and reunion name; or Custom printed cards – $45 p/100 postcards or 50¢ each. Send info to be printed: for SAVE THE DATE! (name, date, & place of reunion, contact info). For TIME IS RUNNING OUT (name & date of reunion & RSVP date) + fax number or email address to get your approval before we print. Send to Reunions magazine, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727; credit card charges call 1-800-373-7933 or order online; www.reunionsmag.com/shopping.

PRESERVING REUNIONS GIFT OF HERITAGE The Gift of Heritage product line includes exciting family history resources. They consist of ideas for enhancing a family reunion or gathering, scrapbooking, games to encourage sharing memories with family members, genealogical research resources for most ethnic origins, how to create a family newsletter, design and publish your own family Web site. Interview extended-family members with suggested questions to ask, preserve the past, shoot family videos, write your life story. Create a family documentary and computer and Internet guides plus much, much more! Receive free 10 Tips To Preserve Your Family History And Memories. Call 800-224-8511. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! www.giftofheritage.com. DIGITAL MAGIC 6390 Windharp Way, Columbia MD 21045. Photos printed on-site. Take your memories home with you the same day. 410-290-9838; email: digitalmagic2@comcast.net.

REUNION PLANNING CLASSMATES.COM – THE #1 REUNION PLANNING SITE When you plan your reunion with us, you’ll have access to the world’s largest alumni database, plus you’ll find the latest tools to make a hard job a little easier. Contact your class with one message, post updates as you plan, send invitations and reminders, and create fun surveys to find out what people want from the big event. Get started now at www.classmates.com.

REUNION REGISTRATION Register and charge reunion fees at www.activereunions.com. Get your reunion form up and running in minutes, at NO COST TO YOU! Streamline your registration and ticket sales. Boost attendee registrations through fast, secure online registration, 24/7. Fundraise and sell memorabilia. Contact Sarah Lowell at reunions@active.com, 888-543-7223 x3941 today! Hints on how to increase Online Registration: www.active.com/myevent/helpfulhints.cfm.

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

T-SHIRTS REUNIONTSHIRTS.COM 7001 South State Street (on the Dan Ryan Expy), Chicago IL 60637. It’s reunion time and ReunionTees .com is ready to print reunion T-shirts that will make you look good. We have over 100 family reunion designs for you to choose from. Fast Service, quality products, affordable prices. Your family deserves the best. Toll free 1-888-483-8337; www.REUNION TSHIRTS.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

TRAVEL AGENT GROUP TRAVEL CONSULTANTS of Orlando, FL specializes in organized group travel packages to Florida destinations and all cruises destinations. We are a Florida based company which gives us easy face-to-face contact with the cruise lines, theme parks and hotels. Our volume of repeat business entitles you to the highest quality trip at guaranteed lowest prices. (800) 829-8841 / www.GroupTravelConsultants.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

List Your Reunion free! Email reunions@execpc.com. Contact name, address, phone, reunion name, date, and place. Check us out at www.reunionsmag.com. 44

R E U N I O N S ❖ DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007

When you gather in Kissimmee, the results are always remarkable, affordable, and most importantly, memorable. Learn all the advantages of staying next to Orlandoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famed attractions at FloridaKiss.com or 800.831.1844, ext 484.

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