Reunions Magazine Volume 18, Number 1. August/September/October 2007 (SOLD OUT) by Reunions Magazine

Fundraising T-shirts Quilts Cookbooks VOL 18 NO 1 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 Display until October 31, 2007.

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R E U N I O N S ❖ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007

in this issue DEPARTMENTS FRONT WORDS – 4 ALUM & I – 7 A great night by Jim Sullivan Reunion search for roots by Doris Norrito Albuquerque News from class reunions in South Carolina, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Washington, California, Ontario

SCRAPBOOK – 14 Surcharges and hidden fees, new search capabilities Special places for reunion visits in New Jersey, Kentucky, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Missouri

BRANCH OFFICE – 20 Reunion magic by Maureen Taylor Centennial reunion, African American history in Montana, Ancestry.com limits free access, Flushing Remonstrance signators

MASTERPLAN – 23 Mini reunion keeps connections by Maria Moore Groshek gathering in Galloway by June Groshek Czarnezki Thinking ahead from Phyllis Naumann Review: Forty Acres by Phyllis R. Dixon Podcasts add to reunion fare

FUNDRAISING – 28 In four parts: lots of ideas, t-shirts, quilts and cookbooks Personalize a family reunion with custom t-shirts, credentials and bottled water by Jamila Robinson Spicing up your family cookbook by Christine Whittaker Sofge Highlights: Lots of t-shirts, Harmelink Centennial quilt, Mason Family Cookbook

REUNION VENUES & PLACES – 39 Affordable and amazing Bay Area reunion by Jacky Runice

FRIENDS – 45 A great reunion place with old friends by Margaret Malsam Circle of friends reunion by Sheila Hight

ETHNIC REUNIONS – 47 Whatever became of St. Patrick? by Richard W. O’Donnell 30 Harmelinks visit Netherlands from Vernon Harmelink Review: Slovak Pittsburgh by Lisa A. Alzo Tips from travel pros Reports for Reunions: Gallegos/Trevino, Burt(t)schell, Harbour Island in the Bahamas, Veloso, Maniquis/z/kis, Chilocco Indian School, Doherty Announcement: Reunion 2008 in Dominica

MILITARY REUNION NEWS – 55 REUNION RESOURCES – 58 A directory of reunion-friendly places, services, vendors and products. ON THE COVER Goodwill ambassadors for the USS Alabama. See page 56.

September/October 2007 Volume 18 • Number 1 PUBLISHER / EDITOR IN CHIEF

Edith Wagner TRAVEL EDITOR

Jacky Runice ART DIRECTOR

Jennifer Rueth SALES

Marion Liston Senior Account Manager Beth Gay Account Manager OPERATIONS MANAGER

Karla Lavin ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Jean Salzer Andrew Bordeaux STUDENT INTERN

Audrey Buswell CONTRIBUTORS

Doris Norrito Albuquerque Patricia Bolt • Rick Branch Jewel Coleman • Sheila Cooley Meg Cox • June Groshek Czarnezki Kevin Donohue Wilma Stover Douglas Vernon Harmelink Veronica Haynes Sheila Hight • Carol Idalski Margaret Malsam • Maria Moore Laura Morgan Sunny McClellan Morton Denise Murphy • Steven Napper Phyllis Naumann Richard W. O’Donnell Jamila Robinson • Paula Sheagley Shirley Smith • Christine Whittaker Sofge Jim Sullivan • Maureen Taylor Arliss Treybig • Jackie Utley Sasha Walters REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC. (ISSN #1046-5s235), is published 5 times per year. Send correspondence, queries, submissions, subscriptions, advertising to REUNIONS MAGAZINE, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. Written permission from the publisher is required for reproduction of any part of this book except pages which encourage sharing. Please explain your intended use when requesting permission to reprint. Email: reunions@execpc.com or fax 414263-6331. Tear sheets of reviews and reprints required. REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC., will not be liable for information presented as facts contained in any of our advertising, byline stories or materials. We reserve the right to edit and/or refuse any material submitted for publication. We solicit participation and take responsibility for submitted materials. Unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), submissions and photos will not be returned. All materials sent for purposes of publication become property of REUNIONS MAGAZINE, INC. Subscriptions: US and Canada $9.99/yr, $17.99/2 yrs. Foreign orders add $36 per year p&h. 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.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

FRONT WORDS

his issue kicks off the 2008 reunion season …

Be in touch! Mail to REUNIONS MAGAZINE PO Box 11727 Milwaukee WI 53211-0727 For charge orders call 800-373-7933 or visit www.reunionsmag.com or fax it to 414-263-6331. Or best of all, e-mail reunions@execpc.com.

though some readers, we realize, have not concluded their 2007 season. September is always a new beginning with school starting and everyone back on their real life schedules. It is also an important time in the lives of people who are planning reunions for 2008. Now is the time to be laying some important groundwork such as exploring destinations and searching for a venue (hotel, resort, ranch, cruise, etc.). This is also an important time to be collecting volunteers to help with details now and later. WHILE IT’S STILL FRESH: TELL US ABOUT YOUR 2007 REUNION

Celebrate your reunion by sharing the story or aspects of your reunion activities from planning through reunion day. As you know, our material is submitted by readers … you. We welcome, read and consider everything for publication. Our favorite way to receive material is email; preferably as Microsoft Word attachments. If an outline would help you to write, go to www.reunionsmag.com and click on “Help us write Reunions magazine.” Well-focused pictures are also encouraged. Where do you think we get our covers? We work four to six months ahead of the issue you’re reading or the season you’re in. So think ahead if you’re appealing to a particular season. For example, Christmas material should be here now and summer articles by winter. Pictures can be sent as prints or as email attachments in pdf or jpg formats at 300 dpi or higher. CHECK CONTESTS AND SWEEPSTAKES

We update these as we find/receive them, with rarely enough time to include in an issue so you’ll have to check them online regularly. For example, Prince George’s County, Maryland, Family Reunion Sweepstakes winner receives a package valued at $21,500! Worth consideration! And the deadline is not until November 30, 2007. Go to contests and sweepstakes at www.reunionsmag.com. PATRONIZE OUR PARTNERS, PLEASE!

Reunions magazine and www.reunionsmag.com partner with many businesses eager to help you make your reunion the best ever. Convention and visitors bureaus (learn more about them from podcasts), hotels, resorts and ranches, cruises as well as services and vendors such as t-shirt and souvenir makers and many others. They partner with us because they understand your needs and dedicate themselves to helping you organize your reunion event. See Reunion Resources at the end of this issue or go to Reunions Resources at www.reunionsmag.com, where you can click directly to their web sites, call, email and get them involved helping right now! And, be sure to tell them you discovered them in Reunions magazine. 4

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INVITATIONS ONLINE

Reunions invite! is a new feature at www.reunionsmag.com. This display of reunion invitations is not meant to invite but to suggest invitation ideas to others. Email them to klavin@execpc.com or if you are sending your invitation by mail, please send it flat and enclose a note that it’s for Reunions invite!. AND WHEN IT’S ALL OVER

You’ll want to know how everyone felt about your reunion. Those kudos, hugs and plaudits are so heartwarming, but you may also want to collect evaluations to help you plan your next reunion. Unfortunately, negative comments will not be hard to come by– it’s human nature. Take them as constructive criticism. Take them as an opportunity to recruit volunteers. Urge the critics to join the committee to help plan the next reunion OR to take over OR improve what they found lacking. You’ll capture more and fresher comments, if you solicit them at the reunion. You can have a short discussion as part of your business meeting or a wrap-up program at Sunday brunch, where people shout out their feelings. If evaluation is done on paper, try to collect them at the reunion because getting them back later in the mail sharply reduces response. For a sample evaluation form, go to www.reunionsmag.com, click on Reunion Articles, then on family reunions and finally, on wrapping up your reunion. Or go to the google box on the homepage, click to search the site and enter “wrapping up your reunion.” And in the spirit of evaluation, what are your suggestions and how did your evaluation go? DON’T FORGET ALL OUR FREEBIES EITHER!

Podcasts at www.reunionsmag.com about setting your reunion date, encouraging kids to look forward to your reunion, how convention and visitors bureaus help reunions and ideas for reunion goody bags, awards and prizes and how to set your reunion timetable. FREE REUNION TIMETABLE: Check out Reunions Workbook or you can print this timetable free from www.reunionsmag.com: click on “getting started,” then “choosing a date.” FREE FUNDRAISING HELPERS: Check contests and sweepstakes at www.reunionsmag.com. Last year a Reunions newsletter reader won the American Airlines Family Reunion Sweepstakes. FREE PICTURE GALLERY ONLINE: Join the reunion crowd! Send a picture of your reunion to klavin@execpc.com or mail to Reunions magazine, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211. FREE REUNION LISTINGS ONLINE: List your upcoming reunion at www.reunionsmag.com. Send reunion name, date, place and contact information to reunions@execpc.com. FREE REUNION CHATTER: Join the forum anytime, 24/7: http://forums.reunionsmag.com. FREE MONTHLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER: Send your email address and request the newsletter to reunions@execpc.com. FREE REUNION EVALUATION FORM: Learn more at www.reunionsmag.com, “wrapping up your reunion.” EW FREE PODCASTS:

ALUM & I

Reunion search for roots

by Doris Norrito Albuquerque

BACKGROUND

eunion West began in the east, on Long Island, New York’s, “Far East.” After graduation in 195l, some Baldwin High School classmates went off to college, but most went to work; girls married young, raised families and stayed. A few, like class explorer Bill Goodwin, ventured away and settled in places most in the class could only imagine. Bill moved to Montana, where snowy peaks and crisp air were in sharp contrast to sultry flatland towns like Baldwin that dotted the south shore of Long Island. Almost five decades later, Bill invited classmates to Montana for the first class reunion away. “East goes West” was

his was one reunion we couldn’t miss. Sure it would be great to see classmates again after so many years; but a reunion in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was almost providential. We had to go. Albuquerque is my husband’s family name and Reunion West II was a chance to find out more about the city that bears his name. Often trips to the Land of Enchantment had been pushed aside in favor of family visits to Brazil, where Paulo was born. Reunion West II was a siren song, a calling to discover part of the country we hadn’t seen while finding roots to the old world.

published in Reunions magazine in Spring 1996. High attendance and the success of Reunion West I in Montana encouraged another reunion away from home. Three years ago, Bill moved from Montana to Albuquerque, New Mexico. With a southwestern reunion in mind, he began exploring the dry desert region of his new home state. New friends and good community rapport helped direct the southwestern experience for Reunion West II. Bill found the best places to stay, eat and shop in and around Albuquerque. He mapped out side trips and set up Baldwin (New York) High School Class of ‘51 explorer Bill Goodwin lost no time investigating Albuquerque after his move from Montana. With an eye on Reunion West II, he lined up activities to engage everyone’s interest and accommodate their activity levels. “Getting us all together was most important,” said Bill. For the Albuquerques, it was that and more. Present and past histories were interwoven. Classmates with whom I had shared a lifetime, mingled with dreams of a colonial past and wonder about the first

Paulo Albuquerque with city history.

tours. After a year of preparation, Reunion West II became the reality that brought “Easterners” to the West for its second reunion away from home. With Bill as a personal guide, what could make for a better way to feel at home away from home? NOTE: Baldwin High grads from all classes still gather at Jones Beach for an annual beach party reunion that captures memories of swimming in the cool Atlantic by day and being warmed by shore bonfires (no longer legal) under the stars at night.

Duke of Albuquerque. Tracing roots began well before the September trip. Hours with email and phone calls to Brazil dead-ended. Paulo’s father came from Portugal, married a Brazilian woman and had ten children. A call to the genealogy society in Albuquerque surprised me. No Albuquerque was listed. In fact, I would later learn, the Duke of Albuquerque, for whom the city was named, never set foot there. Curiosity heightened. How did the “Duke City” come by our name? Maybe the answers were there. “Just let’s go and enjoy,” Paulo said. We suspended Albuquerque queries. When we made reservations for the trip, this was the conversation. “Name?” “Albuquerque.” “Yes, got the city but what’s your name?” Repeat: “Albuquerque.” Surprise, interest and friendly questioning invariably followed; no one let us forget. At least there were no requests for spelling, though later we learned that even the spelling had been changed. The dry desert and mountains of the great southwest were a new and welcome change from our sultry east coast shoreline and far different from the beaches of Rio de Janeiro where Paulo grew up. Rekindling memories with classmates – swimming, fishing and boating in the cool Atlantic – were all the “roots” I needed. continued SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

ALUM & I

Reunion search for roots

continued

Baldwin High School, Class of ’51 classmates get into the western theme.

For Paulo, the Hotel Albuquerque was the only place to stay. The SpanishNative Indian décor and the wide tile-lined entrances with large urns of fresh flowers set a mood for discovering “his” city. For five days Hotel Albuquerque was home base for evening dinners that followed day trips to historic Old Town, to Santa Fe and atop Sandia Peak for a spectacular view of the city. It was also a message center and meeting base for side trip departures. Our first get-together at the rustic Los Amigos Roundup broke the ice. Alumni and friends talked, danced, ate barbeque and experienced southwestern entertainment by the Watermelon Mountain Jug Band and the Aztec Fire Dancers. Entertainment with local flair accompanied the lively buzz of conversations about where to go and what to see. Next morning we strolled to historic Old Town‚ ten minutes away. Across from the 18th Century San Feliipe de Neri Church, a tree-lined plaza centers shops, museums and eateries. Credit cards got a double take and friendly kidding when I introduced

PO BOX 59713 • RENTON WA 98058-2713 800-654-2776 • http://reunions.com narm@reunions.com 8

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Paulo as “The Duke of Albuquerque.” Research of the city’s name – our name – soon took a back seat to a scenic drive to Santa Fe, the sunset funicular ride to Sandia Peak, a tour of a Native American nation, and a drive along the Turquoise trail. No one we spoke to knew any one else named Albuquerque. At the Albuquerque Museum, we learned the reason. In 1706, the city began as a small unstructured settlement. Francisco Cuervo y Valdes, then provisional governor of this new territory, wrote King Philip V of Spain and, most important, wrote the viceroy of New Spain (stationed in Mexico), describing the settlement in glowing terms in the hope of gaining favor by establishing a town. Cuervo

reported there were indeed 30 families, an urban center and a governing body. And knowing that the viceroy was “The Duke of Alburquerque,” a walled town in Spain, he flattered him by proposing the settlement be named “villa of Alburquerque.” (not a mistake: the original spelling had an extra “r”). Formal investigation in 1712 found requirements for the villa were not as reported. There was no church, no plaza and no government buildings. But by then, Albuquerque had grown and the charter was not revoked. After four days of southwest immersion, Reunion West II met at Hotel Albuquerque to say adios. “Til we meet again,” the theme for our last dinner together, led the way for planning the next reunion. “Spain!” I shouted. “No, the years are catching up; maybe a gentle cruise,” someone said. “Make it soon,” another shouted. All agreed.

About the author Doris Norrito Albuquerque is a news correspondent and features writer for Tampa Bay Newspapers weekly publications, WMNF community radio news broadcaster and freelance magazine writer.

Bill Goodwin, Paulo Albuquerque and Collier Carnienke at Reunion West II.

ALUM & I

A great night by Jim Sullivan alf a century ago, when I graduated from the 12th grade in 1956, I never thought so much time could go by so fast. And I had no desire to get together again, at least not voluntarily, with all those jocks, jerks, nerds and unsophisticated hicks. The same goes for the guys. Over the last five decades, however, I’ve come to think differently about my classmates. In fact, I’ve come to love them as family. The probable reason is onset of incurable nostalgia which led me to attend and emcee our gatherings every five years. Our 50th was truly to be a special happening, so I began preparing the program long in advance. I developed a theme and prepared humorous remarks (the most amusing I’ve ever written). I got the theme concept from the fact that our generation had no popular nickname. We were born before the baby boomers. Reflecting back, I remembered that all the good things in life then – like ice cream cones, Cokes, candy bars and gum – cost only five cents. So I dubbed us the “Nickel Generation.” Weeks later, program ready, the missus and I traveled to the reunion site, a large hall just outside Port Huron, Michigan. The décor was super and the tables for eight were elegant. Well, I may be overstating it. But the room was well-lit and each table had a white linen covering. Moreover, the eating utensils were metal, not plastic. Thank goodness for nametags, which were hard to read thanks to our aging eyesight. You had to look extremely close at the person’s face to make out who you were seeing. Even then, you couldn’t be sure. Each classmate was handed a new golden dollar coin to signify the event. Couples moseyed to the cash bar where the majority bought caffeine-free diet soda. The hard drinkers opted for just the diet stuff. A classmate gave the blessing and we were underway. The buffet food was excellent, and with the chicken and/or roast beef entrees came music. What a nice touch. Admittedly, it was a little loud, but we could still shout to those sitting next to or across from us. I heard over half of what was said to me. After the dessert cake, I started the program, which was when we discovered the music couldn’t be turned down or off. It continued blasting. We soon learned our party room was next to a wedding reception with a live dance band. Doors were shut, but it didn’t help.

I moved to the very center of the room, making it theater-inthe-round. Turning frequently, I shouted. Still, no one heard me. Not a soul heard the names of departed classmates, nobody heard the governor’s or other politicians’ congratulatory letters and, worst of all, my humorous remarks couldn’t be heard. At least, no one laughed. When each classmate stood to tell (brag would be more accurate) about grand- and great-grandchildren and what was going on in his/her life, no one could hear. Finally, in competition with Barry Manilow’s Mandy from next door, I led our crowd in a couple rousing choruses of a song from our era, Goodnight, Irene. We didn’t drown out the reception music, but we did mute it somewhat with our bellowing. Fitting justice, we thought. After the formal part of our gathering, we gadded about, talking with one bunch of classmates and another. It was magical. Somehow we managed to do this until after midnight, which was the latest most of us had stayed up since our last child got hitched. Conversations were lively, funny, sad and surprising. I discovered once again, because classmates were letting their hair down, that the years have been great equalizers. We’ve all had interesting lives filled with happiness and sorrow. No one has escaped. During these poignant moments, I chose to do something I’ve wanted to do for a long time before any more of us went to our graves. I told the two female classmates that I had had mad crushes on them in high school – separately, of course. I further stated that the sight of each back then had taken my breath away. Frankly, I didn’t know how they’d take the information, but I think they were flattered. I even kissed both of them, on the cheek, of course. And no, it wasn’t what I had imagined in my youth. It was more like kissing your sister. But so what? I knew my revelations went over all right when even the missus didn’t slap me. The evening ended with a lot of happy, nostalgic, old-timers all ready for their own beds. Make sure you go to your class reunion. It’s a wonderful experience, even if you can’t hear what’s being said.

About the author Jim Sullivan lives and writes in South Bend, Indiana. He has been published in Grit, Satire, Midwest Book Review, Cooking Light and previously in Reunions Magazine.

Mr. Olin’s Opus

merica’s early public school integration recalls disturbing images. In Manning, South Carolina, however, when Manning Training School merged with Manning High School in 1970, the transition – thanks to the faculty – was smooth, peaceful and positive. “I believed a reunion would be a symbol of how the races can come together for a common purpose,” said Susan Hovermale, Class of 1973, who organized the event. “Black, white, poor, rich … we worked together as a unit.” Band director George Olin was the honoree at a reunion sponsored by former students from 1968 to 1985. No band reunion would be complete without music, so alumni brushed the dust off

R E U N I O N S ❖ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007

their instruments and joined current band members from Manning High School to play the school fight song. “Mr. Olin was like a father to me,” said one grad. “He was my hero and an incredible inspiration. Without him, I would have dropped out, but he motivated me to do a good job.” “It’s just unbelievable. My ‘kids’ are all grown up,” Olin said. “I’m so proud of you and the directions your lives have taken. I shouldn’t be surprised by your accomplishments because you’ve worked so hard.” From a report by Brian Jarvis in the Manning Times, Manning, South Carolina.

ALUM & I

Correspondence is key

evin Donohue is chairman and creator of very clever communication for his Brandywine High School (Wilmington, Delaware) Class of 1967. “We have also been sending out direct mail contact information requests as well as reunion reminders about every four weeks. Many are posted on the class website at www.kevin67.com. We have been at this for the last four years, Kevin reports. “Response rates are doing well. The head count for a 40th reunion six months before the reunion is 200 people (37%) attending out of 547 total graduates.” Donohue keeps a good database for communicating with classmates. Marketing the 40th reunion revolves around the class website, e-mail and direct mail. “All three revolve around one another and make reference to one another for additional information. It’s a good synergy,” says Donohue.

n eple of a an exam 30 0 ’s r re e e v H t to o at wen to keep blast th y tr e ates. W classm ical and ers top l. So remind aning fu e m d an timely good. far, so

“Reunions are a labor of love – they have to be as no one gets paid! We want to maximize our 40th for all involved,” Donohue concluded.

R E U N I O N S ❖ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

ALUM & I

Bonds of Friendship

M POTOSI, MISSOURI

YMCA Trout Lodge September 7-9 Branch of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis, Missouri, offers a Family Reunion Workshop for anyone contemplating this facility for their next reunion. Contact Kate Evans at 573-438-2154, x233; www.troutlodge.org. DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA

Bring Your Family Home to DeKalb! 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM September 15 DeKalb County CVB Office, Tucker www.dcvb.org/reunionservices.htm October 20 Holiday Inn Decatur November 10 Hilton Garden Stonecrest Contact DeKalb County CVB at 800-999-6055 or 770-492-5000 MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

September 29 DoubleTree Park Place Hotel, St. Louis Park Free planning reunion seminar. Contact Lori Kearney at 612-767-8114. Space is limited. www.minneapolis.org/reunions. ATLANTA, GEORGIA

September 30 Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center Contact Sales Manager, Small Meetings, Atlanta CVB, 233 Peachtree Street, NE, Ste 100, Atlanta, GA 30303; 404-521-6640; www.atlanta.net.

ore than 300 people gathered in Friendship, Tennessee, recently for a dual celebration: the dedication of a mural at Friendship Elementary and a special class reunion. The mural was dedicated to the memory of the late Fern Thompson Welch, a retired Friendship educator who started teaching in the 1920s. Marian Heathcott and her sister, Peggy Williamson, commissioned artist Jenna Cagle to paint the town’s history on the wall of the elementary school cafeteria. The mural, created in three sections, covers the 1900s to the present and depicts everything from the town’s well-known crops to school buildings. In the middle of

the mural, a handshake symbolized the town’s founding, “on a handshake.” The school also celebrated the 25th anniversary reunion of the 1982 boys basketball state champion team from Friendship High School. Players came from out of state and all over Tennessee to attend. Their win in 1982 was huge. The entire town, estimated today to be around 600, attended the winning game. Reunion organizers sold DVDs of the 1982 winning game. Proceeds from the sale will go toward funding a park. From a story by Wendy Isom in the Jackson Sun, Jackson, Tennessee.

Class of 1948 hopes to top $50,000 in scholarships

he Joplin, Missouri, High School Class of 1948 has raised money for scholarships for future graduates. This year, the group will approach $50,000 in its fund-raising campaign. They have been giving $1,000 scholarships for more than a decade. The idea for scholarships surfaced at a reunion. One classmate who lives in Houston, Texas, helped set up the notfor-profit 501(c)(3), JHS Class of ’48 Scholarship Fund. Only class of ’48

members are solicited for donations. According to one classmate, if there is any regret, it’s that the need is greater than the class has been able to satisfy. The Joplin High School Class of 1948 accepts donations to its scholarship fund. Send to James Porter, treasurer, JHS Class of ’48 Scholarship Fund, 3668 Kingswood Drive, Springfield MO 64809. From a story by Andy Ostmeyer in the Joplin Globe, Joplin, Missouri.

Man bikes over 3,000 miles to reunion

n 1980 Merle Knotts was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. At first, he couldn’t walk and couldn’t move one of his arms. Instead of sitting back, the 68year-old Knotts climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and wore out two pairs of boots walking Kennesaw Mountain. Now, his biggest adventure: biking to his 50th high school reunion – 3,300 miles away! Merle’s wife of 45-years, Jan, couldn’t let him do it alone. They hit the road

May 19, traveling 40 to 50 miles a day to arrive in Oak Harbor, Washington, August 3. Along the way, they kept an on-line diary and raised money for Multiple Sclerosis. Back in 1957, Merle Knott says he was a chubby trombone player. He will attend his 50th reunion a much different man. A man with a mission. From a story on WXIA-TV, Atlanta, Georgia

Committee meets 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 14

riting in the Joplin (Missouri) Globe, Stephanie Davis Goad describes a meeting with her high school girlfriends, making plans for the 20th high school reunion. They were looking through old pictures and memorabilia to include in a slide show set to music, to play at the reunion and send home with everyone on CD. They’ve had great

R E U N I O N S ❖ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007

laughs looking through “our dorky yearbook pictures, our school newspaper and our old student ID cards.” Their class president set up a website so everyone could upload their bios and RSVP to the reunion, “so it’s been a lot of fun getting the skinny on what each classmate is doing.”

Sequoia girls choir planning 100th reunion

equoia High School Treble Clef, a high school girls’ vocal ensemble, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary Reunion, sponsored by the Sequoia High School Alumni Association, on September 22, 2007 on the school’s campus at 1201

Brewster Ave., Redwood City, California. Contact Jay Selby, 682 Emerald Hill Rd, Redwood City CA 94061; 650-366-9831; jandjselby@hotmail.com. From the San Mateo County Times, San Mateo, California.

Technology helps marching band reunion

ew technology is helping an old organization get the word out about its upcoming 50th anniversary celebration. Contacting former members is a larger challenge because a lot of old records were destroyed in a flood. Penny Breen, of the Seaforth (Ontario) and District All-Girls Marching Band, says the popular online social networking site Facebook helped their publicity campaign. The band has its own Facebook group, which allows them

to post photos and talk to each other online. There are 106 members of the Facebook group, some current band members, some past members. Fittingly, the band was in action at the reunion with a parade of past and present members. Members were welcome to play, but were also welcome to just blend in without playing. From a story by Aaron Jacklin in The Huron Expositor, Huron, Ontario, Canada.

GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA

ABCs of Planning a Family Reunion October 12 – 10 AM to 1 PM Atlanta Marriott Norcross, 475 Technology Pkwy, Norcross Complimentary lunch, Family Reunion Planning Guide. Reservations only (no walk-ins accepted) Contact Linda Busby, GCTS, Gwinnett CVB Education Specialist, 770-814-6056; lbusby@gcvb.org. ESTES PARK, COLORADO

October 26-28 YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center Family Reunion University Contact Conference Office at 800-777-9622. WINTER PARK, COLORADO

Bill Gates gets his degree

ill Gates, considered a member of Harvard’s Class of 1977, which celebrates its 30th reunion this year, received an honorary degree when he delivered Harvard’s 356th commencement address. Gates first went to Harvard in 1973 but left in 1975 to

devote his time to developing MicroSoft, which he founded that year with childhood friend, Paul Allen. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a major donor to Harvard. From NewsFactor Network, Woodland Hills, California.

November 9-11 YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch Family Reunion University Contact Conference Office at 800-777-9622. 17th National Family Reunion Conference Contact Dr. Ione Vargus, 215-204-8703; ivargus@temple.edu.

Kindergarten Klub

ight women who were classmates of Dover (New Jersey) High School’s class of 1956 had been together since kindergarten. After high school graduation, they drifted apart, pursued college and careers or embarked on the family track. After the 45th year reunion, however, the group felt they needed to give their longlasting friendship a more formal identity. Their first memories of being together go back to the time when they were in Mrs. Petty’s kindergarten class in the Academy Street School in Dover. They decided to call themselves the Kindergarten Klub and meet regularly, rotating at members’ homes for brunch and lively talk. They made bright blue sweatshirts with “Kindergarten Klub” embroidered

in multi-colored thread on the front for their class’s 50th year reunion. From a story by Sangita Srinivasa at Dailyrecord.com, Parsippany, New Jersey.

Send your reunion workshop information to reunions@execpc.com. Listings are free as a service to our readers.

Postcards that make your reunion point! Send

save save the the date 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 – $4.60, over 200 – $8.95 Send message, check & request to: REUNION POSTCARDS ❖ PO Box 11727 ❖ Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. To charge, call 800-373-7933. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

SCRAPBOOK

Beware of surcharges and hidden fees

Reunion.com Partners with Wink

e learned from Robin Cypriano for ETURBO NEWS Global Travel Industry News that the practice by some hotels and resorts of adding surcharges and fees at check-out time has come under scrutiny. Experts say the hospitality industry started adding surcharges and charging fees to recoup losses suffered after 9/11. They have since recovered which begs the question: Why is it continuing to charge fees and surcharges that only become apparent at check-out time? For most travelers, check out is not the time to dispute surprise fees and surcharges. You should know what they are paying for. These are some of the surcharges and fees you may be faced with at check out time. guaranteed date fees (for groups) early check in fee in-room safe surcharge early check out fee room set/re-set charges shuttle service fee internet service baggage-holding fee phone service housekeeping fee fax service mini bar deposit business center mini bar restocking fee ice & bottled water charges fitness room golf club transfer fee room service surcharge resort amenity fees room service delivery fee pet fees bartender charge tourism promotion fees meet/eat fees energy surcharge room block fees cancellation fees Hotel surcharges and fees have become so ubiquitous that it is now a focal point in travel advertisements. Some hotels and resorts point out on their websites that they do not charge “hidden fees or costs.” You may want to add to your list of questions when exploring places for your reunion whether or not you should expect any of these fees.

eunion.com has announced a strategic partnership with Wink, the largest people search engine for online profiles. Reunion.com members will have access to Wink People Search, including more than 175 million personal profiles across social networks and online communities. Using Wink, people can search for old friends, relatives, colleagues and classmates. By searching across multiple social networks and other online communities, you have one place to find people and stay connected. More than just a name search, Wink People Search also provides several ways to search for people by location, interests, age, school, occupation and more.

Precious Moments Family Reunion

he Precious Moments Family Reunion will be in Carthage, Missouri, October 4-6, 2007. The reunion program will include seminars, entertainment, chapel tours, shopping and much, much more! This 50’s themed family reunion event even has a detailed point system that goes towards prizes. The first points are earned by initially registering at the reunion – 10 points, and if you are attending for the first time or bring a friend who is attending for the first time you receive – 30 points! Points are then gathered throughout the day by doing a variety of activities and before you leave the reunion, you can pick up a prize at the shop. Contact 800-543-7975, x3021; www.preciousmoments.com.

Subscribe! Call 1-800-373-7933

Ringing the Belles

he Nashville Scrapper Belles were a high-kicking and cheering squad for the Nashville (Arkansas) football team from 1957 to 1961. Some said the Belles, dressed in short shorts or skirts adorned some times with sequins, but always topped with a cowboy hat, were controversial. At least 78 Belles from the five seasons of the existence of the cheer group are expected in Nashville for a 50-year anniversary October 6, 2007. The reunion is organized by Ollie Harper Godwin, captain of the Belles from 1958-61. Former Belles planted a tree in the Nashville City Park in honor of their

former sponsor and coach, Mrs. Frances Evelyn Bradley. Godwin is looking for names and calling girls across the country. She has researched and tried to make contact with 91 former Belles. Godwin and others are working on a Scrapper Belles scrapbook, CDs filled with songs the group performed to, a DVD of a Belles performance and the group has even commissioned a doll maker to design a Scrapper Belles doll that will be auctioned during the reunion. From a story by Brandon Marcello in The Nashville News, Nashville, Arkansas.

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SCRAPBOOK S P EC I A L P L AC ES F O R R E U N I O N V I S I TS

Philadelphia Visit New Jersey’s Liberty State Park State Park in Jersey City, New Liberty Science Center is a new Multicultural Liberty Jersey, is the second-most visited educational travel destination designed park in the nation and as large as with a wholly new approach to teaching Affairs guide state Manhattan’s Central Park. There is easy science and technology. The largest

hiladelphia Multicultural Affairs guide demonstrates that the City of Brotherly Love is an ethnic/minority friendly city. With its African American, Native American, Asian and Hispanic influences, not to mention a supreme location of two hours from New York and three hours from Washington DC, it is an ideal place for family reunions. The guide names and locates, with a map provided in the pamphlet, hundreds of museums to visit, music to listen to, food to eat, and monuments like the Underground Railroad to discover. Call 800-CALL-PHL or visit www.philadelphiamac.org.

parking, shorter lines for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, plenty of picnic and playground facilities and the newly renovated Liberty Science Center (www.lsc.org).

exhibition, Skyscraper: Achievement and Impact, offers lessons in engineering, geology, chemistry, physics and psychology demonstrating how and why science is relevant to people’s lives.

Culturally diverse Louisville

he 86-page 2007-2008 Multicultural Visitor Guide by the Louisville, Kentucky, Convention & Visitors Bureau lists annual multicultural events, noted minority Louisvillians, information about Louisville’s diverse communities (African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian and Southeast Asian, Jewish, European, Middle Eastern, African and international students), neighborhoods and historic and international places of worship. The Vendor Directory portion of the Guide is designed to promote minority procurement. Call 1-888-LOUISVILLE (1-888-568-4784) or download a copy at www.gotolouisville.com.

Baltimore Family Reunion Guide

Westchester County Planner

he waterside Baltimore gives visitors and reunion goers a world of activities and sites to see while visiting this unique place. The guide gives hundreds of unique venues, accommodation options, great places to eat, cultural institutions, African American Heritage and cultural centers, religious venues and tours. This guide also promotes the Area Convention and Visitors Association’s help for reunion planners specifically. Contact 800-343-3468. grouptours@ baltimore.org or visit www.baltimore.org.

he 2007 Westchester Way Planner is for anyone planning a reunion in Westchester County, New York’s Golden Apple destination. Westchester, just minutes north of New York City, is the gateway to the historic Hudson River Valley. The Planner contains detailed information about the county’s hotels, conference centers, and the Westchester County Center. “Unique Spaces and

Newport News caters to reunions

CONNECT DIRECT TO REUNION PLACES ! Reunion Resources at www.reunionsmag.com 18

Places” describes nontraditional locations that create a special atmosphere for reunions, such as historic sites, mansions, theaters, parks, colleges, restaurants and catering facilities. A new section lists venues which provide team-building activities such as cooking classes and competitions, rockclimbing, and wine-making. Visit westchestertourism.com.

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he wealth of Newport News, Virginia, military heritage enriches the city’s Military Reunion Familiarization (FAM) Tour. The city recently introduced its heritage to several military reunion planners. The tour hosted by Newport News Marriott Hotel, made stops at The Mariners’ Museum, the US Army Transportation Museum, the Virginia War Museum, the Victory Arch and Northrop Grumman Newport News. Also, Newport News Tourism Development Office (NNTDO) offers groups a free “Passport to Savings” coupon book to help save at all the extra activities. “Passport to Savings” includes money off discounts, buy-one-get-one and coupons for free admissions, free food and even free merchandise. Visit www.newport-news.org.

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BRANCH OFFICE

Reunion magic lanning a reunion is a LOT of work. No one who’s ever been involved in handling all the details from “that’s a great idea” to the last day of the family gathering can dispute that statement. You don’t have to hire an expensive event planner to coordinate everything; other options are available. Start by using the resources available on the Reunions magazine website www.reunionsmag.com. I usually think in terms of family reunions, but a quick check of this site makes me realize that schools, organizations and military groups hold gatherings, as well. It doesn’t matter what type of reunion you’re planning; you’ll find exactly what you need by browsing this site. Consider it a one-stop shop for reunion materials. The printed magazine has great articles, and the online resources can tide you over between issues.

Getting Started contains everything you need to know about picking a Getting location, sending out the Started invites and setting the date. There’s even advice for getting the whole group involved, turning them into volunteers by delegating tasks.

by Maureen Taylor

Click on a state name and find out what’s available in your family hometown. There are even some international listings for those looking for an adventurous reunion. Want to order special items to present to attendees? Look no further than this page. Once again the topic listing enables you to see vendors and products without having to search the internet for what you need. Subscribe and Shop lets you keep your Reunions subscription up-to-date Subscribe and offers books, CDs and & Shop software to assist with your planning. I personally like the title of Laurence A. Basirico’s book, The Family Reunion Survival Guide: How to Avoid Problems with Your Family Without Avoiding Your Family (order it on reunionsmag.com). A whole year of planning can strain even the most amicable relationships.

Reunion Articles

Reunion Articles isn’t what you think. Check out the latest news for contests and news stories related to reunions.

Future and Past Reunions is a wonderful web feature. Submit photos of Future & Past your reunion to post them Reunions on this website, or use this space to broadcast that you’re having a reunion.

Reunion Resources

Reunion Resources has state resources (convention and visitors bureaus, hotels, resorts, all kinds of spaces) arranged alphabetically.

I’ve saved the best for last – the Reunions magazine website home page. Newly launched this year, the Forum is a wonderful place to share planning experiences and pick up practical tips

ranging from the general to specific problems such as designing a reunion website. It’s easy to join in the discussion. Pick a screen name and register or browse the postings as a guest. There is lots more to come in the near future. Listen to one of editor Edith Wagner’s podcasts and hear the voice of reason. She’ll tell you everything you need to know without spending a dollar. You can download the file as an MP3, transfer it to your iTunes folder, and sign up to receive new announcements via RSS feed; or, if all this technical stuff doesn’t appeal, click on the pdf button to read a transcript of the recording. The newest kid on the information highway is TV and video production. Roots Television www.rootstelevision.com/ currently has twenty channels of family history programming. The family reunion segments are from the PBS Ancestor series, but watch this space for future updates. In the next few months, Reunions magazine will have a few productions on reunionsmag.com for readers to watch. You might soon be able to post your reunion videos online (like the popular YouTube.com) as well as your photos.

About the author Maureen Taylor attends her husband’s family reunion every other year as a participant, not a planner. You can read Maureen’s blog at www.photodetective.com.

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Reunion planning starts here. 20

Getting Started

Reunion Articles

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Reunion Resources

Subscribe & Shop

Future & Past Reunions

How To Advertise

Web

Reunions

Looking for Flushing Remonstrance signators n 1657, the men who signed the Flushing Remonstrance, and John Bowne, risked their lives and their livelihoods by challenging Peter Stuyvesant, the director general of the Dutch colony, New Netherland. Their heroic stand is widely acknowledged as having contributed to the principles codified more than a century later, in 1791, in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, which guarantees religious and political freedom to all citizens. In honor of the 350th anniversary of the Flushing Remonstrance, the Bowne House Historical Society (www.bownehouse.org) is seeking descendants of the men who signed the Flushing Remonstrance. The signers were:

Nicolas Blackford George Clere Elias Doughtie Edward Farrington Tobias Feake Antonie Feild Robert Field, Sr. Robert Field, Jr. John Foard Edward Griffine Edward Hart Nathaniel Hefferd Benjamin Hubbard John Mastine Michael Milner

William Noble Nick Colas Parsell William Pidgion Henry Semtell Richard Stocton John Store Edward Tarne William Thorne, Sr. William Thorne, Jr. John Townesend Henry Townsend Nathaniel Tue Micah Tue Phillip Udall George Wright

Descendants should send their information to Flushing Remonstrance c/o Bowne House Historical Society, 37-01 Bowne Street, Flushing, New York, 11354 or by email to dcartelli@bownehouse.org. Please include mailing address, email address, and phone number, along with the name of the signer, and the line of descent. The Committee is also interested in finding descendants of Peter Stuyvesant and his sheriff, Resolved Waldron; contact Gloria Waldron Hukle, tennake2@aol.com.

LIST YOUR REUNION FREE! Email (reunions@execpc.com) Contact name, address, phone, reunion name, date, and place. Check us out at www.reunionsmag.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 â?&#x2013; R E U N I O N S

BRANCH OFFICE

Climbing the family tree earlier ccording to an article by Angela A Saurine in the Dover, New Hampshire, Community News, genealogists say young people are researching their family trees in record numbers. The trend has been attributed to reality television, the internet and greater opportunity to travel to places where ancestors lived. On Britain’s TV show, Who Do You Think You Are?, celebrities trace their family tree with the help of a professional genealogist. Ancestry.com.au managing director Josh Hanna said 38 per cent of people using the website were in the 15to 24-year-old age bracket. “The number of users aged 35 is growing significantly, which really challenges the stereotype that family history research is a hobby practiced by retirees,” he said.

Ancestry.com limits free access or many years, Ancestry.com F provided free access to patrons of Family History Centers. In April Ancestry discontinued free access to the full Ancestry.com service, though free access continues to the following databases: 1. Index and images for the 1880, 1900 and 1920 US censuses 2. Full name indices for the British 18411891 censuses (England and Wales) 3. World War I draft cards indices and miscellaneous other databases The Family History Library, FamilySearch.org, will add many new databases. Volunteers are indexing the 1900 US census and other projects. Other censuses and vital record collections will be indexed as soon as the 1900 US census project is complete. More volunteers are needed.

Centennial reunion ibrary of Congress ethnographers L documented the Roberts, Borders, Mauney, Howell, Briggs and Related Families Reunion at its century mark 100th reunion in Charlotte and Shelby, North Carolina. Five hundred family members attended four days of reunion events, conducted interviews, and gathered photographic, audio and video documentation for the permanent collections of the Archive of Folk Culture. The Library of Congress team learned that this family has a better sense of its history than most families do. Roberts, Borders and Mauney members know the names of their great-great-great-greatgrandmother and six great-great-greatgreat aunts – the sort of deep genealogical knowledge very few people possess. Melvin L. Watt, a member of the extended family, represents North Carolina’s 12th district in Congress and is Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Congressman Watt said, “I started going to family reunions when I was one, or probably even younger than that. Every reunion there is a reading of the oral history.” The dominant account among most family members traces the primary

branches of the family to “seven sisters,” all daughters of a single matriarch whose slave name was Sylvia or Silvy Fulenwider and whose married name was Roberts. The family’s history is one of hard work, faith and success. Their motto reflects this: “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.” Roberts, Borders, Mauney, Howell, Briggs and Related Families Reunion Journal, a souvenir book distributed at the reunion, is a rich source of information, containing transcriptions of Wesley Mauney’s PenPicture and John Wesley Roberts’s life history, memories, photographs, and information about the family. Also distributed at the reunion were an exhibit catalog for a family art exhibit at the reunion, a directory for contacting family members, a program for a prayer service with several family biographies, and a book of poetry by family members. Information from this reunion will be available in the Folklife Center Reading Room at the Library of Congress, American Folklife Center, 101 Independence Avenue, SE, Washington DC 20540-4610. From an article in Folklife Center News by Stephen Winick, a member of the Library of Congress Team.

Uncovering black history in Montana frican Americans were among many A ethnic groups who shaped Montana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There were large pockets of African Americans in Great Falls, Miles City and Butte. Many African Americans came to Montana looking for good jobs, and to escape post-Civil War violence. Some came with the fur trade, or to work as woodcutters for steamboats traveling to Fort Benton. Later, the railroad drew African Americans, often as porters or clerks. Many came with the military.

The Montana Historical Society asked the State Legislature to approve a grant to preserve and document Montana’s African-American heritage before precious information slips away in fading memories and musty attics. So far they’ve documented 2,810 people. When the database is online, families will be able to learn about ancestors’ Montana years with a simple Google search. From an article by Karen Ogden in the Tribune Enterprise, Great Falls, Montana.

For a family history exhibit Found in the Cotten Family Reunion newsletter, Celebrate a Century of Cotten. ring your family history items (labeled with your name) to display for all to enjoy and learn about the heritage of the B Cottens! Artifacts, articles, newspaper clippings, pictures, maps, books, journals, genealogy, quilts, clothing, hats, etc. Bring copies or pictures if you can’t bring the original. Also, 22

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clear sheet protectors will be provided for documents. A Family Inventory will be made to list each item, its current owner and a historical description for future generations. Shared by Sasha Walters, Albany, New York.

MASTERPLAN

Mini reunion keeps connections O

ur Moore luncheons are miniature versions of our Moore, Richard Oliver Moore, Ollie, attended and family reunions! They are so much fun and celebrated his 93rd birthday last month! He is a everyone gets to catch up on family happenings. very sweet man and has told me so much family Here’s how it works. Every third Wednesday history and stories of Maryland. Moores come (except December), the Moores of Maryland get from a long line of tobacco farmers in Prince together in Waldorf for lunch; 20-45 attend. This Georges County. Faye Cross Moore creates a is where we did the planning and information newsletter each month to update us about gathering for the 2006 Moore Reunion. family happenings, good tidings, prayers and This tradition began about 10 years ago. minutes from the previous luncheon. The Moore family is very large; there are many Moore cousins drive quite a distance each cousins. They wanted to see each other more month to attend from North Carolina, Virginia, often than at funerals. So luncheons began! Delaware and all over Maryland. The Ollie Moors, the oldest attending, Many generations of family members, in-laws and greetings, stories, smiles and laughter make the at one of the Moore luncheons friends attend each month. I love hearing stories drive worth it every time! in Waldorf Maryland. and meeting family members. Our oldest living Reported by Maria Moore, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

A Moore lunch bunch.

Family honors mom’s memory

lizabeth Knels struggled to raise a family by herself after her husband’s early death. Knels, who died in 1969, would have been 100 years old this year. To honor her memory, family and friends decided to donate enough money to help build a Habitat for Humanity house. Ground was recently broken for the house that will bear her name. Several of Elizabeth Knels’ family members, including her daughter Betty Miller, attended the groundbreaking. Miller’s husband, Johnny, has been a Habitat volunteer since he retired. In 2001, Miller and her sisters, Joan Bell, Sidney, Montana, and Vera Rediger, Albuquerque, New Mexico, conceived of the idea of sponsoring a Habitat house in their mother’s name.

“It’s very exciting to think about how God has blessed our family to be able to contribute the money,” Miller said after the ceremony. “And the meeting to do the building is the capstone, to give a family a home to live in.” The family plans to be involved in all phases of construction, and will dedicate the first week in July to working on the house as a family reunion project. Miller said she expects family to come from Minnesota, New Mexico and California, as well as other parts of Montana. The “Elizabeth House,” at 36 Washington St. in Billings, Montana, will be built for Joe and Lexis Alvarado and their children, Jared and Annzleigh Guitierrez and Ambriella Alvarado. From a story by Susan Olp in The Billings Gazette, Billings, Montana.

Plan a tribute while there’s time

n an article about his family in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gregory A. Patterson suggested you consider a tribute. “The best thing I did was to suggest a tribute to my grandmother. She was our matriarch, an unwavering supporter of all her grandchildren. She was then 91, with health starting to fail. Other family members took my initial idea a step further. We had everyone write a favorite story about time spent with her. My sister-in-law put all the stories in an album with pictures. Then we set aside time to thank my grandmother and tell her how much we loved her. That was the last reunion she attended before passing away.”

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MASTERPLAN

Groshek Galloway G AT H E R I N G I N

by June Groshek Czarnezki

hen Regina Stroik married Ray Groshek in 1933 at the tender age of 17, could she have imagined being the matriarch of a family of 12 children, 53 grandchildren and 66 (and counting) great-grandchildren? Grosheks lived the American dream. They struggled as newlyweds, clearing trees and rocks from their farm, money so scarce that they had to borrow clothes to have a photograph taken. But over the years, through hard work and persistence, the farm grew to over 200 acres and they harvested its bounty. So it was with great joy when the Grosheks gathered in Galloway, Wisconsin, to celebrate Regina’s 90th year. People

traveled from Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, California, Georgia, and all over Wisconsin. Gently rolling hills and potato farms were the perfect backdrop to the celebration at the community center, not far from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where Regina and Ray married and cemetery where Ray, two sons and one grandson are buried. The day broke sunny and humid, with only a smattering of inconsequential rain showers to punctuate the day; but many hoped for more precipitation “to help the farmers” during a very dry summer. One of Regina’s daughters wheeled her into the hall. She looked radiant. The next few hours, she spent greeting and kissing her descendants in the cool shade of the building. The hall, set with twenty round tables seating ten people each, wasn’t overwhelming. It was easy to find a stray toddler or gather people for a quick photo. A long table at one end of the room served as a portrait gallery, some in frames and others in tidy albums. A granddaughter initiated a scrapbook, asking family members to bring 12 inch by 12 inch sheets, highlighting each family group. Another granddaughter compiled a collection of stories entitled If the Barn Could Talk. Several years worth of submissions (humorous and sad) recalled memories of life on the farm written by family members, including Regina. Regina had written a story about how she, as a young girl, earned money to buy her first brand new winter coat. Guests loved the book. One book was made for each of the twelve family groups.

Regina surrounded by her 10 surviving children. Back row (l to r) Raymond, Ralph, Ronald, Joe, Dennis, Fred, George and Clifford, Front row (l to r) Joyce, Regina and Natalie.

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Food was catered locally. Each person over 20 was charged $17.50 to cover costs. There were chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, beans, coleslaw, relishes and a variety of desserts. A daughter-in-law baked and decorated a beautiful personalized birthday cake. As it neared 4:30 PM, communication via walkie-talkie from the hall kitchen announced, “Come and get it!” and the word flew liked wildfire through the hungry crowd. After dinner, there was a party-in-a-party, a family tradition called, “chickfest.” Once a summer, Regina’s granddaughters plan a visit to celebrate their grandmother’s birthday and to celebrate any gal cousin who turned 40 that year. There are so many granddaughters that at least one turns forty each year. Because of the gathering in Galloway, the gals decided to combine the two events. The lucky chickfest recipient receives an “old stuffed buzzard” which laughs A penny scramble involves burying coins in the sand for a melee of kiddies to uncover. To avoid age insidiously when shaken, proclaiming that they too are disparity, one session was for those under age five and a second for ages six to nine. now part of the over-the-hill club. As the sun began to set, some family members departed to On the grounds outside, an impromptu baseball game attend evening mass at St. Joseph’s and visit the graves of formed that was well-attended by fans in the covered family members. Another group headed to nearby Elderon Park bleachers. There were volleyball and basketball games and a to see the newly erected stone and bronze memorial to Regina’s playground for the little ones. Near the playground, in a late son, Mark Groshek, an avid baseball player and diligent covered picnic area, face painting was offered. groundskeeper of the baseball diamond there. Mark’s passing A penny scramble was prepared in the sand of the volleyball was felt strongly in this community. court. Once the scramble was done, a piñata hanging in a nearby tree was bombarded and soon bags of pennies intermingled with candy. Regina’s eldest son, the family genealogist, had exciting news, too. He recently had discovered another branch to the family tree. Thanks to the internet and the fall of the Iron Curtain in Poland, he was able to uncover microfilm from an old church ledger, discovering the family’s 7th generation grandfather. His name was Balthasar and he died on November 17, 1847, in Klukowo, Poland. To genealogy buffs, this was a priceless discovery.

A flurry of clicking digital cameras and whirring shutters worthy of any Hollywood celebrity broke the air. The center of attention was not a gilded rock star, but a sweet white-haired woman wearing a corsage and beaming with pride.

A flyer including a “word search” was handed out to departing guests to occupy the drive home. Designed on the computer by one of the grandchildren, the word search included the names of Regina, Ray and their twelve children.

About the author June Groshek Czarnezki is a freelance writer living in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband, two sons and a goldfish named Phil. She has had articles published in the Milwaukee/Journal Sentinel, Generations Magazine and has recently sold to Highlights for Children. Regina Groshek Czarnezki’s 90th birthday smile!

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Review

Podcasts add to reunion fare

Forty Acres by Phyllis R. Dixon (2004, 372 pages plus discussion questions, paperbound; New Generation Press, Memphis TN). family reunion is supposed to be a time of fellowship and fun, but this year the Washington family must discuss what should happen to the hard-earned family farm in Dwight County, Arkansas. None of the seven children agree, and therein lies the story of the gathering. As in many families, one son has stayed and helped on the farm while the others found their lives elsewhere, including daughter Carolyn, an attorney, who is asked to help put her parents’ estate in order. This is a fun read that includes many points shared by other families as they struggle to make decisions … but who are also happy to be together again. EW

ooking for new ways to find reunion planning information? Now you can listen to podcasts about reunion planning on your iPod or mp3 player while you’re driving or walking or just looking for a way to absorb information without reading. These are short sessions that address very specific reunion planning details. We started with ideas that answered questions we hear often. And so far, there is no

priority of what we will do. If you have suggestions, feel free to share them. Now, you can listen to the subjects listed below. If you have something in particular you’d like to hear a podcast about, email your idea or question to reunions@execpc.com. Same goes for sharing stories we can use in the magazine and in podcasts. Hope you find this new medium for learning about reunions fun. EW

Involving

Everyone

How can I encourage certain family members who might feel like “outsiders” (for example, singles, relatives without kids, widows) to attend? Involve them in planning the reunion from the start. Working on committees can break the ice and strengthen bonds before the reunion begins. At the reunion, help them get involved in activities that suit them (e.g., special talents such as music or crafts, keeping track of family history, entertaining young children, etc.).

From “Reunion Organizer 101” in Better Homes and Gardens.

Wrap up your summer reunion

sing an evaluation form to get reactions to your reunion can generate lots of information, feelings, suggestions and often lots of kudos and praise for what you’ve done for your

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reunion. Ideas for evaluation and a sample form are online at http://www.reunionsmag.com/reunionarticles/wrapping_up_your _reunion.html or send a stamped, self addressed #10 envelope to Reunions magazine, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211.

Thinking ahead

ext year the Seideman Family Reunion will celebrate its 75th reunion. To evaluate their reunion and to make the 75th an outstanding and memorable event, organizer Phyllis Naumann handed out this simple (5/12'' x 8''), two-sided questionnaire to solicit ideas and get everyone volunteering in all aspects of the reunion.

Encouraging interchange Found in the Cotten Family Reunion newsletter, Celebrate a Century of Cotten new idea from Summer Terry: Ask adults to bring a current business card to display on a board at the reunion so adults can connect on business and interest opportunities. In addition, ask kids (and adults, if they want to participate) to design and bring along a “business card” that lists current interests, abilities, etc. Use your imagination! These cards can be archived so that at later reunions they can be reviewed to see how the children’s interests changed over the years.

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 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

FUNDRAISING

Good ideas from Better Homes & Gardens

n its Reunion Organizer 101 series, Better Homes & Gardens suggests these fundraising ideas. 1. Hold a 50/50 raffle. The winner takes half the proceeds and the reunion takes the other half. 2. Sell or raffle goods and services (e.g., homemade crafts, baked goods, jams and preserves, or a free dental visit with cousin Mark, a massage by Aunt Marge, babysitting, etc.). 3. Sell t-shirts, hats and other keepsakes. 4. Auction off a family quilt. Each member prepares one square with a design significant to his/her family. 5. Create a family cookbook, memory book, book of family genealogy or oral history tape.

St. Louis family reunion raises $100,000

he Dolan family of St. Louis raised $100,000 during a family reunion and donated it to the not-for-profit ACCESS Academies, to support the organization’s work helping lower-income St. Louis students access high quality education in values-based schools. “Our goal is to strengthen inner-city, values-based schools and ultimately, strengthen their neighborhoods,” said John Vatterott, Sr. “We believe that middle school is the key to a child’s success in education. Our future depends on giving children access to schools that empower them to complete high school and college.” Vatterott and James P. Holloran, cousins whose mothers were Dolans, spearheaded the fundraising effort at a weekend-long family reunion of nearly 300 people at Cedar Creek Conference Center in New Haven, Missouri. The donation was made in honor of Charles and Helen Dolan, second cousins in New York, and in memory of their grandparents John C. and Winifred Dolan. Cedar Creek Conference Center, owned by John Vatterott, Sr., and his wife, Joan, was originally a Vatterott family country getaway. The property accommodates up to 86 overnight guests. Visit www.cedarcreekcenter.com.

Reunion fundraising evolves

n the beginning, the Riser siblings shared reunion expenses equally. Then one year Frank brought a wooden shelf he’d made to sell as a fundraiser. Gradually fundraising ideas were added, until the reunion became self-supporting. Frank’s wife Drema makes a beautiful quilt to raffle each year. Last year 350 balloons were sold. They contained numbers corresponding to a list of prizes, including $100 cash. They also guessed at how many pieces of candy were in a large jar to win Wal-Mart gift certificates. Sunny McClellan Morton, Euclid, Ohio, reported her favorite traditions. “We buy chances to win prizes donated by reunion attendees. Last year my eye was on the handmade Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and a turkey roaster. I didn’t win them but came home with lots of toys and Avon products.” All this fund-raising more than pays for the barn and reunion expenses. Fundraisers also get people talking and laughing. Wilma Stover Douglas, Jonesboro, Arkansas, reports that Stover Family Reunion members are asked to bring a potluck dish and a handmade item to auction. Money raised by the auction goes to a college scholarship fund divided among all the family’s college students. Every little bit helps. In 2006 they raised over $1400. Carol Idalski, Charlotte, Michigan, reported that Sandy Montague, Grand Blanc, Michigan, made a family quilt with photos of Rose and Frank Darga, their marriage certificate and old photos and wedding photos of their sons and daughters. The quilt was raffled off and won by Wally Wesolowski, whose mother, Gladys, is the oldest living grandchild of Rose and Frank Darga. Proceeds from a 50/50 drawing were used to purchase cemetery markers for stones that had been damaged or misplaced in a family cemetery. Idalski also bought a family genealogy

R E U N I O N S ❖ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007

book created using Family Tree Maker software and titled Ancestors and Descendents of Rose and Frank Darga. “I typed in all the information – when people married, children’s names and birth dates, and other information – and then the software compiles an ancestor chart and/or a report of the oldest family member and their descendants. I went to each table and checked with the family members whether my information was correct and made changes. I took prepaid orders for the books, changed the information, and sent out more than forty-five 100-page books.” “Fundraising has been our biggest success,” wrote Patricia Bolt, Communications Director, Ferguson Family Circle, Bushkill, Pennsylvania. “Over the years we have had evening cruises and bus trips to Atlantic City to raise money for the organization. However, last year we tried something new: selling holiday cards, calendars, ethnic prints and all occasion cards. We made about $500 in four weeks. As we became familiar with the ease of the process, more comfortable with asking others to buy products and more aware of how fundraising can help the entire family, sales increased. This year we made more than $1,000. We are also planning to have a silent auction at the next reunion. Bolt points out that the direction of family leadership is to encourage everyone to think about collective work and responsibility – helping family members to recognize that small efforts on the part of many people have significant effects on outcome. The family’s motto is: A dream is just a wish if you are not working toward making it come true. “We hope to have fundraising be the vehicle to ultimately pay for everyone at a reunion, and to provide scholarships for our young adults and emergency help for members in need.”

Found in the Cotten Family Reunion newsletter, Celebrate a Century of Cotten.

ILENT AUCTION. A big success last time, raising $234.50! We bring quality items, handmade or purchased gift certificates, crafts, toys, gifts of any size and list the estimated value of

each item. Minimum bids will be specified. The Silent Auction will begin at 6:00 PM Friday and end at 6:00 PM Saturday. Items may be added during the auction.

T-SHIRTS PERSONALIZE A FAMILY REUNION WITH

custom t-shirts, credentials and bottled water by Jamila Robinson

amily reunions are a great way to bond with relatives. To that end, we have some easy souvenir projects to help make your next family gathering extra special. The projects all begin with a t-shirt design, which sets a theme for the reunion. With slight changes to one design, you can customize all kinds of items. You don’t need to be a graphics whiz to do these projects. You’ll need just your home computer, a digital camera and a little imagination.

DESIGN ADVICE:

1. KEEP IT SIMPLE. T-shirts should have large type

with straightforward designs so that they are easy to read. Keep phrases to just a few words. 2. LOGOS FOR ALL SIZES. John Anton of the online company Designashirt.com (www.designashirt.com) says “keep in mind that a logo for the toddlers and triple-X Uncle Joe won’t fit on the same shirt.” He suggests using only a small front logo for kiddie shirts. T-SHIRT TIPS:

On average, 150 family reunion shirts cost about $6 to COOL T-SHIRTS $7 each, depending on the color Knowing that you’ve of the shirt, number of ink colors likely had to wear an electric used and shipping. In most cases, orange family reunion t-shirt, you will need to give the printer at least we’d like to offer some ideas for two weeks to complete the job. some t-shirts that family 1. USE A QUALITY SHIRT. Nancy members will love and want to Trammell of Grand Slam Promotions From the 2006 Jones-Williams-Scotts & Quinn Family wear again. Thanks to in Kirkwood (www.grndslam.com) Reunion in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Shared by Shirley Smith. technology, printers can take a suggests using a 6.1-ounce cotton Photo Credit: Pat Robinson. digital file and print it onto shirt because “it is very durable and shirts. That opens up lots of won’t have any shrinkage.” possibilities for creativity. Here are just a few ideas: 2. USE COLOR WISELY. Printing costs for t-shirts go up when multiple colors are used. To keep costs down, CITYSCAPE: Skylines make cool shirts because they are easy Trammell says to purchase “a bright shirt in red or to print. Use a recognizable landmark such as the World’s Fair blue or green, and limit ink colors to one or two.” Pavilion or the Arch, in St. Louis, Missouri. 3. CONSIDER GIRL T-SHIRTS. If you are expecting a lot FAMILY PHOTOS: If you have an old picture of your greatof adolescent girls, Trammell says to consider putting great-great-great-great-grandparents, simply scan it in and your design on girl-cut t-shirts. “Just be aware that design your t-shirt around it. Design tip: If Grandpa won’t let they run small, and a little tight,” she said. you part with cherished photography, use your digital camera 4. DEADLINE: If you get into a bind, Designashirt.com to make a copy. can have shirts printed and delivered in as little a ACROSS THE NATION: Family members come from across the three days. country. Print a US map on white paper and secure it to a piece FAMILY CREDENTIALS of cardboard. Stick push pins in all the cities where relatives Note: the author uses the word credential for name tags. live. Use a different color to define where the reunion meeting There is something about a credential that makes people place is, then scan it or shoot with a digital camera. Upgrade: feel important. The same can be said for remembering a name, Use a bunch of toy cars and planes to show where people are which is hard to do at a reunion. This project lets you do both. arriving from. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Card stock, inkjet printer, scissors, hole NAME GAME: Use the names of all the reunion participants, punch, lanyards. separated by dots. There’s no need to alphabetize as relatives After printing the cards, you can take them to a printing will have fun searching for their names. Keep a permanent center such as Kinko’s to have them laminated. To save time and marker handy so that family members can mark their names cash, five credentials can be made from each sheet of cardstock. when they find them. continued SIGNATURE: Have each family member sign a shirt for $1. The cash collected can be seed money for the next family gathering. Present the next committee member with the shirt. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

FUNDRAISING PERSONALIZE A FAMILY REUNION WITH

custom t-shirts, credentials and bottled water continued DIRECTIONS:

1. DESIGN YOUR CREDENTIAL.

You can modify the t-shirt design by making the reunion name smaller and matching a border to the shirt color. Copy five versions of the design onto the page. Use guidelines to leave about 1/2-inch of space between each version. This will make the cutting you will do later easier. Remember to leave room at the top for the lanyard. 2. ADD THE NAMES. You can type the name of each relative, or you can use a word-processing program to do a mail merge of your list of participants. Remember to check spellings and make type large so names can be read from a few feet away.

Tony Branch enjoying a Branch Outlaw Family Reunion in Snow Hill, North Carolina with friend, Jacqueline Spruill. Shared by Rick Branch.

3. PRINT ONTO CARDSTOCK,

then cut into individual cards. For precise cuts, have the printing center do the work for you. Kinko’s charges $1 per cut. 4. LAMINATE. You can save on production costs by laminating your cards by the foot. Leave enough space between the cards so that the edges can seal. Now cut into credentials. 5. PUNCH a hole in the top and hook in the lanyard. Tip: Large quantities of lanyards – which also can be customized – can be purchased at deep discounts on the web. Kenny Products (www.kennyproducts.com) offers 150 nylon lanyards with a swivel hook for 36 cents each, plus shipping (800-3315818). Buy small quantities of lanyards, at a local office supply store.

COLLECTORS’ PINS

This digital process will allow your t-shirt design to be screened onto a lapel pin. There is no need to simplify your logo because the image will be recreated onto the pin. DESIGN ADVICE: Start a new family tradition by using your logo and the date. Each year, relatives can add a new pin to their credentials. MORE INFO: Grand Slam Promotions can create several kinds of lapel pins and buttons in different sizes (www.grndslam.com). OTHER ADVICE:

Cooley ♥ Shelton ♥ Chiles Family Reunion. Shared by Sheila Cooley. From the 2006 Napper Family Reunion in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Shared by Steven Napper.

BOTTLED WATER

Custom labeling can make something as ubiquitous as bottled water into a souvenir. Folsom Distributing in St. Louis

and Wood River – which delivers custom-labeled bottled water to small businesses – can take any completed piece of artwork and add it to bottles of Mountain Valley Spring Water. All you have to do is send the company a jpeg or pdf, and in about two weeks, Folsom will ship your cases of customized bottled water. At $20 per case, custom-labeled bottled water starts at about 80 cents per 16.9-ounce bottle. DESIGN ADVICE: Reduce your t-shirt design to 5 inches by 2 1/2. Center the logo so that it will be in the front of the bottle. Your design will need to leave about one inch for the nutrition information. If you have a brief family story that is passed down, add it to the label. MORE INFO: Call or e-mail Scott Addison at Folsom Distributing. 314-355-0555 or 618-254-0427 or Sales@folsmomdistributing.com.

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SHOP AROUND. Many promotional items such as lanyards, t-shirts and pins can be purchased at deep discounts from online retailers, but you will have to factor in shipping charges. Other things are more affordable by shopping locally. Reprinted with permission from Jamila Robinson, Home and Crafts Editor, originally published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri.

Companies deck out families with custom-designed reunion gear

Found at the forum

color and material. There are standard themes, like a tree with the family’s name around it, the place and the date of the reunion. That’s the route most people go, because it’s less expensive than having an artist create a design. If a reunion brings an idea, the artist can create it. We’ll show them a proof, and we can change it if they’re not satisfied. Darker shirts are pricier than white and lighter colors. The number of inks used, the type of material (cotton blend or 100% cotton) and shirt sizes are also factors. Prices depend on quantity and what they want printed. They either print front and back, or on just one side, depending on how much money they want to spend. One family even did t-shirts for each of the dogs. From a story by Jeannine F. Hunter and Suzanne Normand Blackwood in The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee.

-shirts, caps, visors, banners, coffee mugs – all are part of the “business” of family reunions. For the Perez family, who own L&P Silk Screen Company in Nashville, Tennessee, about 20 percent of their business is for reunions. T-shirts, caps, handbags and other textile printing for family reunions are common requests, which increase between Fourth of July and Labor Day, said Gina Perez. “Orders range from 10 pieces to 100; 100 is a big order for tshirts for reunions. Fourth of July is the busiest weekend for family reunions, and the weekend before is usually when we are bombarded.” Turnaround time is usually seven to 10 days. Normally, someone who is helping plan the reunion gives more lead time, and repeat customers call at least two months in advance – for example, in April for an event in July. Costs vary, depending upon design,

Mayor is t-shirt man

arasota, Florida’s Mayor Fredd “Glossie” Atkins presided over the Campbell Family Reunion, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. T-shirts are a tradition. The mayor’s wife, Shelia Atkins, explained that each of the 16 family branches got a different-colored shirt. Mayor Atkins said he’s had a hand in designing a few shirts over the years. “I’m the t-shirt man,” he said.

eunions magazine’s forum (http:// forums.reunionsmag.com), that is.

The winner was used on t-shirts.

Demur, forum screen name of Denise Murphy, wrote about her Murphy Family Reunion t-shirts. “I asked a company to come up with three designs. I told him what I wanted in the designs and he worked with the ideas. They came up with some great ideas, which I sent to family members for a vote. The t-shirts looked great, were very well made with a great low price for everyone. The other two designs that were not used on t-shirts were used for an address book and information packet that were passed out.”

T-shirts on the spot

raystone Graphics/Reunion Gear opened a retail store in Nixa, Missouri, to make personalized-to-order merchandise showroom with a Personalized While You Wait service according to Brad Simpson, General Manager. You can shop, order and receive personalized apparel and gifts in one stop. A production viewing area allows you to watch your products being printed. There is a complete library of ready-to-personalize designs available. Graystone Graphics has provided screen printed apparel and accessories to schools and organizations, nationwide and abroad, since 1982. Visit www.reuniongear.com.

The second place winner was used for the family directory.

CANYON OF THE EAGLES LODGE & NATURE PARK 940 ACRES OF SCENIC TEXAS HILL COUNTRY ON LAKE BUCHANAN The destination for a family outing or reunion of a lifetime, corporate group meetings and retreats. 64 ROOM LODGE • CAMP AND RV SITES • CONFERENCE CENTER & DINING FACILITIES

Packages include: lodging, fine hill country cuisine (breakfast, lunch and dinner), 14 miles of nature trails, hiking, swimming, fishing, birding, hayride, live music, campfires & s’mores, astronomical observatory. Additional activities include: Vanishing Texas River Cruise, kayaking, canoeing on Lake Buchanan. “Where the road ends, adventure begins.”

website www.canyonoftheeagles.com; email Annette@canyonoftheeagles.com; 16942 Ranch Road 2341, Burnet TX 78611; 800-977-0081 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

FUNDRAISING

Rabb-Herron reunion takes t-shirts seriously

aura Morgan, Chicago, Illinois, wrote about the Rabb-Herron reunion tshirts. “Regarding the t-shirts, the brown color worn by Tom Rabb’s descendants (our paternal great-grandfather) and his siblings was for the root of our family tree or the foundation. Other colors worn by David Rabb’s descendants (our grandfather and son of Tom Rabb) represent the many flowers or limbs the

tree produced. On each t-shirt, a red banner indicates that we share the same blood and a banner reads ‘We Are One Family.’ One advantage to wearing the different t-shirts, it helped each family keep track of their children.” One year the younger Rabbs could have the number of their favorite football, basketball or baseball player placed on their t-shirts.

“I made t-shirts to market businesses owned by family members for entrepreneurs. Our plan was to auction the t-shirts, but we ended up raffling them instead. Some of the business owners refused to give up their t-shirts for the raffle so they paid for them instead. They are now keepsake items.” Reported by Laura Morgan, Chicago, Illinois, Rabb-Herron Reunion.

Rabb-Herron Family Reunion, 2006, Athens/Ruston Louisiana.

The Yordy family t-shirt celebrated a family tradition of turkey farming. The front of the t-shirt had a large turkey design with the name and date of the reunion and the back of the shirt was inscribed with the scripture “God gives us richly all things to enjoy” (I Timothy 6:17). Shared by Jewell Coleman.

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QUILTS Quilts are gifts from the heart From a reunion newsletter ersuade various branches of the family to decorate quilt squares before the reunion. A crafty family member then can stitch the squares together to make a family quilt. Auction the quilt to raise money for the next reunion or award it to a deserving family member, such as the oldest attending, the one who traveled the farthest or the couple married the longest. Quilts are a popular activity/fundraiser at reunions, reports Meg Cox, Princeton, New Jersey. Families who conduct reunions usually feel strongly about honoring the family matriarch. “My late mother taught me to quilt, and that passion has become a bigger and bigger part of my life,” Cox said.

The “virtual memory quilt” on the Alliance for American Quilts website honors quilt mentors, people who taught others to quilt or turned them on to quilts. There are two quilts, at different price levels. On the Star quilt, each person’s face is put inside a star on the quilt. You are sent to another screen to see a photo and read a tribute to that person. There are different price levels: from several hundred up to $1000. A second quilt, Chinese coins, gives you a rectangle to thank the person in words for $100. Both are perpetual, as long as the organization exists. You also get a beautiful paper certificate. To learn more about the “virtual memory quilt,” go to www.centerforthequilt.org, then click on the Memory Quilt logo on the left hand side.

McNeill family quilts at reunion

escendants of Willie Bee and Maggie Fairley McNeill of Maxton, North Carolina, focused on quilting for their 43rd Reunion hosted by Dorothy Jemison of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The family completed a full size quilt. Each family was sent a square to complete, send or bring to the reunion, where everyone sat and stitched them together by hand. As they worked, many recalled childhood memories of threading needles, putting cotton on the lining, putting up the frame and doing other things to help work on the quilt. One even

recalled taking the cotton seeds out of the cotton, while another recalled buying bags of cotton to put in the quilt. The younger children were excited to see the quilting handwork. Younger family members helped thread needles or quilt rows. Everyone in attendance stitched a square that represented their families. Aside from the quilting project, special games and puzzles about the family history were played. From a story by Lilly E. McNeill Dumas Wells in The Wilmington Journal, Wilmington, North Carolina.

Patriotism runs deep for quilter

hirty-four family members of Credella Shriver’s family have served or are serving in the military. She made a quilt she entered in competition at the Dover, Ohio, Tuscarawas County Fair, featuring names of several generations of servicemen and women. Shriver made the quilt to honor her father, Eugene Clark, an Army infantryman who served in France and Germany during World War I. It took about a year and was presented at the 34th Clark Family Reunion with all 34 names and pictures in an accompanying frame. The red, white and blue work was hand-pieced and machine-quilted and features a white star with each family member’s name and military branch, as well as four blank stars for possible future service persons. Each corner also features an emblem of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines. Family members have been in each of those branches, beginning with her father’s time in World War I and following through “about every conflict since.” Some family members are active, some retired, including three women and two sets of twins. From a story by Noah Blundo in the New Philadelphia Times Reporter, New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Harmelink Family Reunion Centennial Quilt

etty Harmelink Dorsman, Mesa, Arizona, dreamt of an historical family reunion quilt and did it with her cousin Joan A. Harmelink Goetsch, in Iowa and her daughter Carol Dorsman Petty in Montana. The result is this lovely quilt with Harmelink barn (built in 1873) still standing in Gelderland, Netherlands. Other symbols on the quilt include Blest Be the Tie that Binds, their family theme song sewn into the four white triangles about the diamond-shaped center, 100 color squares surrounding the song represent the 100 or so people who loyally attend the reunion. The dairy scene represents Wisconsin and Iowa farms the family established but not all Harmelinks were farmers as represented by the stars for the other professions and military they followed. The quilt was raffled at the 2002 Harmelink Centennial Family Reunion. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

FUNDRAISING

Plate Full of Memories

very family has treasured recipes, loved not just for their taste of the past but because of warm memories they bring to mind of family gatherings, reunions, holidays and long gone grandparents. Old family recipes, handed down through generations from mother to daughter, written on scraps of paper, backs of envelopes, recipe index cards or in the margins of old cookbooks, languish between the pages of cookbooks and in the bottom of kitchen drawers’ across America. Some of these meals are still served for special family events but many haven’t been enjoyed in years. Now it’s relatively easy to put those recipes into a memory cookbook.

Our Family Cookbook

ackie Utley, Jackson, Tennessee, reported that the Utley Family Reunion cookbook project exceeded her expectations! Months before the deadline she had over 225 recipes. She feared she’d have to ask the more prolific contributors which recipes of theirs she might remove because those 225+ recipes were contributed by a small number of enthusiastic cooks. Jackie included this order form in regular family newsletters.

Personal historian, Hella Buchheim’s expertise in legacy preservation has produced a coaching guide called Plate Full of Memories to help you create a family cookbook. These cookbooks become family heirlooms while preserving family recipes and stories. “One of my saddest regrets is the loss of family recipes. I blame it on language because my grandmother never learned English or most of her recipes were never written down. The inability to create these foods compelled me to create a way to create a family cookbook,” said Buchheim. Plate Full of Memories is a user friendly CD that will lead you through the step-by-step process and make it not only possible, but easy and fun for anyone to create a memory cookbook. Charts allow you to follow your progress and it works with Microsoft Word; $19.95 +s/h. Order at www.platefullofmemories.com or call 612-203-2103.

R E U N I O N S ❖ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007

Postcards that make your reunion point! save the date

Send Send save TIME IS the date RUNNING OUT when you’ve set it! when it is!

COOKBOOKS Spicing up your family cookbook by Christine Whittaker Sofge “

ool! Did you know we had ancestors fighting on BOTH SIDES in the Civil War?” This comment was overheard at our recent family reunion during a discussion of the new family cookbook. Yes, cookbook! We spiced it up by adding a pinch of family history and a dab of family legend, turning our cookbook from “one for the family cooks” to a “bestseller” at our reunion! In fact, we had to contract for an unanticipated second printing! A family recipe book can be a delightful project and a lucrative fund-raiser for your reunion. But sales are limited to family cooks and a few others who want a keepsake of the reunion. With a little extra effort, you can give your family cookbook broader appeal, increasing sales and creating a family treasure. WHERE DO I GET FAMILY HISTORY INFORMATION?

With the popularity of family history as a hobby these days, nearly every family can claim at least one genealogist. The official documents, photos, family trees and stories in the files of your genealogist can be one of your greatest sources of information. If you have time and the inclination, an immense amount of genealogy data can also be found on the internet. Wading through the volume to find what’s relevant, though, can be time-consuming. Great information can be gleaned from discussions with older relatives. Personal interviews usually work best for getting family stories (remember your tape recorder!), although telephone calls and letters work well, too. One of the best strategies for gathering family stories is to provide a memory cue – such as a photograph or a bit of a family story you’ve heard – then let your relative reminisce. Focusing on single events or locations can yield especially rich memories: weddings, graduations, the old homestead, family “traditions,” especially holiday traditions such as greasing the trolley tracks at Halloween (one of my great-grandfather’s favorite stunts!). And remember that everyone in your family has information about genealogy and family stories, even when they don’t realize it! Since you will be asking them to send in recipes anyway, an additional request for an interesting family story or photo can turn up surprising tidbits.

The outcome of Christine Whittaker Sofge’s SOFGE Family Roots, Ramblings and Recipes. ©CW Sofge, 2007

WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD GO INTO THE FAMILY HISTORY?

There are several good ways to approach this. In our book, we focused on the first three American generations of our family and included a brief description of our European roots, short biographical accounts of Civil War service, accomplishments of musicians in the family, family legends of royal connections, and a delightful anecdote submitted by a family member about a rafting trip down the Mississippi River. We illustrated family history with simple descendant charts, photos, music composed by ancestors, obituaries, and copies of official documents such as naturalization papers and patents granted. Other ideas for illustrations could include military awards, maps, and stories or poems by family members. Another branch of our family developed a wonderful family history section for their cookbook. They focused on the lives of the immigrant ancestor couple and included reminiscences from many family members about those ancestors and stories about the “old days.” They filled several pages with funny, often touching and beautiful anecdotes. The book was a splendid tribute to the ancestral couple and a delightful glimpse into family life. This format works especially well for families who have little collected genealogical data. How you put together your family history will depend on information you have available or can easily obtain and what you believe will delight and entertain your family.

HOW DO I PUT IT ALL TOGETHER?

Natural organization will develop by choosing a focus or theme for your family history. The usual problem is too much information, rather than too little. Whatever theme you choose, keep text light and lively. Admittedly, this can be difficult when reporting genealogical pedigree information. We included pedigree information in our cookbook, but tried to keep the dry genealogical text as short as possible and spice it up wherever we could. For example, an ancestor’s German marriage certificate from 1786 noted that the bride was not a virgin, and, in fact, their first child was born two months later. The groom’s occupation was noted as soldier. In the midst of reporting family data, we speculated about whether this local girl was swept away by the dashing figure of a uniformed soldier! In general, when we had to choose between conveying information and entertainment value we leaned toward continued

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

FUNDRAISING

Finally, a cookbook Our dear friend, Paula Sheagley, Cañon City, Colorado, wrote about assembling her Mason family cookbook, which was a long time coming.

❖

think everyone had forgotten they contributed to the cookbook several years ago, as I put it aside for so long. In fact it was so long ago, I was just learning to “turn on” a computer. Used to scare me to death to input the info. I was afraid it would blow up. If I were to completely start out fresh today, it would be in a much “fancier” format and more professional. But when I started working on that quick reunion last summer, I thought I’d better drag that box out again and finish it. I knew how much my mother at 89 would love it. Now she keeps it by her favorite chair and reads and re-reads it often. It has brought her so much joy. It makes my heart sing with happiness that the family has enjoyed it even more than I expected. They’re always writing how much they enjoy it and trying this and that recipe. The latest was a note from my sister that she makes my favorite banana nut (easy!) bread recipe now, and it is her favorite! I laid a cookbook in each family’s lodging room as a little welcoming present when they arrived. My brothers and sisters took books for their children and families who were unable to attend. I also gave cookbooks with homemade banana nut bread (yes, made from the recipe in the book) to my co-workers and friends for Christmas. I plan on making an addendum within the next year or so. Makes for a great record of family history! And yes, we MASONS do love to cook and eat!

Spicing up your family cookbook the funny, odd or exciting bits we collected. This was appreciated by relatives. If nothing else, it made for some hilarious dinner conversation! Remember, this is not a scholarly report; its purpose is to add charm (and sales) to your cookbook. WHAT ABOUT FORMAT AND LAYOUT?

If you are using one of the popular cookbook publishers, you may be limited to several pages for family history. These can be used effectively to produce a captivating introduction to your family and its history. If you need more space, most cookbook publishers allow you to purchase extra pages at very little cost. If your family history section is done well, this investment will easily pay for itself in additional sales. If you are self-publishing, there are no restrictions for how you incorporate family history data. Self-publishing is not necessarily less expensive or better than using a cookbook publisher. It is considerably more work! We decided to self-publish for several reasons. First, I am one of the family genealogists and I knew this might be the only family history many would ever see. I wanted to make sure that all the genealogy data was well-documented, referenced and indexed. Therefore, the family history was referenced by endnote numbers, the endnotes section included annotated references, and the entire book was indexed. The cookbook publishers were not set up to easily accommodate these special requests, and these were important issues to me, so I convinced my partners to look into self-publishing. Our second reason for self-publishing was that it gave us absolute control over (and, of course, responsibility for) every facet of the book. This gave us the luxury of going beyond having family history appear only in the beginning of our book. We decided to include a family history story and a page of illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. Selfpublishing also allowed us to feature a single recipe on each page, which was

continued

nice for the contributors. We used clipart, jokes and cute or funny quotations as fillers for those pages with short recipes. Playing with the layout was fun, but it was also time-consuming and the tasks could be overwhelming if you don’t have sufficient help (or time). If you do not have strong feelings about these or other issues that would exclude use of the cookbook publishers, they are well worth checking out. They will assist you in every phase of your cookbook, from recipe collection to final product. And the end result is a professional-looking book geared toward your family and its history. WHAT DO I GET OUT OF IT?

Putting the cookbook together was a joy. The process of soliciting recipes and stories engaged family members from all branches and even inspired ten members of a distant branch of the family to travel from Mississippi to Florida for the reunion – a first for our family! The addition of the family history helped make the book truly special. Even our family minister pulled a story from the cookbook during our Sunday morning reunion worship service. He had purchased the book Saturday and read parts of it before bed in his hotel room. Since the reunion, family members have been in contact asking for more information, and as the cookbooks are shared around the country, additional orders are coming in. Adding the family history was a little extra work. Was it worth it? Without a doubt!

About the author Christine Whittaker Sofge lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. She has researched her family history for several years and has authored and selfpublished the book, SOFGE Family Roots, Ramblings and Recipes (Kith’n’Kin Publishing, 2001).

Share your fundraising ideas!

hese fundraising activities are used by many reunions to help defray some of their costs. We encourage you to send your fundraising ideas and stories (reunions@execpc.com or Reunions magazine, PO 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211).

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MORE TO COME

In the next issue, we will continue to discuss the business of reunions, including those that have fees and solicit donations. We will also tackle the idea of incorporating your reunion.

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Oakland Where your reunion is the center of ever ything.

Cool restaurants, great hotels, attractions, entertainment and 3 major league sports teams.

oaklandcvb.com 463 Eleventh Street Oakland, Ca. 94607 (510) 839-9000

R E U N I O N S â?&#x2013; SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007

VENUES & PLACES

Affordable & amazing BAY AREA REUNIONS

sk anyone who had to live in the shadow of a fashionable, popular and attractive sibling, friend or (good lord!) parent, and you’ll quickly understand how humbling a fate that can be. On the other hand, some folks find their resolve and become determined to make their own way and name despite the comparisons that will be a constant companion. Michael Douglas surpassed dad Kirk in awards and allocades; Janet Jackson had people saying, “Michael who?” and Warren Beatty and Shirley MacLaine are so successful and individually talented that many don’t realize they’re even related. So it is with Oakland, California, just across the bay from flamboyant San Francisco. Both cities share some of the same genes – pleasant winters and cool summers, charming hillside neighborhoods, interesting architecture and a picturesque waterfront among their mutual attractions. But Oakland can boast some notable distinctions. It is the only city in California with three professional sports teams – the Oakland Raiders, the Oakland Athletics and the Golden State Warriors. The internationally acclaimed Oakland Museum is the only attraction entirely devoted to the natural sciences, history and art of California. Oakland is the most ethnically diverse city in the US with at least 100 languages and dialects spoken. Most importantly, you can enjoy

by Jacky Runice

a fantastic Bay area reunion at a substantially lower cost in Oakland. “Oaktown,” its informal nickname, is the hometown of musicians M.C. Hammer, Green Day and En Vogue. Oakland, the other city by the Bay, boasts one of the largest visual and performing arts communities on the West Coast from acclaimed symphonic and ballet companies to museums and galleries. See wonderful architectural treasures from the early to mid 20th century in the Broadway Historic District as well as bold examples of modernism downtown. With a Mediterranean mix of weather, you can visit year round expecting

comfortable 50’s and 60’s in winter and spring and ideal 70’s throughout summer and fall. Since there are more parks and open space per capita here than any other city in the Bay Area, a reunion picnic is a no brainer. And then, there are the friendly people. “Locals are very proud of their city and enjoy sharing it with out of town visitors,” beamed Manette Belliveau, Executive Director of the Oakland Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB), “and the people are extremely friendly and helpful to visitors.” In fact, Belliveau’s top three reasons for you to consider Oakland for your next reunion are “location, people and price!” continued

Members of the USS LST901 were happy they chose Oakland, California, for their reunion.

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VENUES & PLACES

Affordable & amazing BAY AREA REUNIONS continued

“Oakland is not as well known as our sister city of San Francisco, however, we share the same assets at a lower price,” she explained. “Oakland is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country, which attracts people from all over the world. Oakland has a very large faith community, which also centers around family. We have a new cathedral under construction that is sure to draw more visitors.” Don’t get her started on the multitude of activities groups can take in. “Some of the popular activities include dinner and shopping at Jack London Square, waterfront activities, bay cruises, wine tasting, East Bay Regional Parks, the Oakland Zoo, Chabot Space & Science Center, Children’s Fairyland, professional

sports, concerts and events at the McAfee Coliseum and Arena. A short drive away visitors can enjoy a day in San Francisco, wine tasting in Napa or a night at the Casino,” Belliveau explained. With a population of about 400,000 (seventh largest city in California), Oakland is no Mayberry, so the CVB is there to help you work out the details. “The OCVB offers a number of services for planning reunions,” she began, “goodies like maps, guides, pens, name badges, assistance with offsite functions and events, help with securing hotels, dining and even park areas.” The OCVB has a unique Hometown Host program that helps Oakland residents plan a reunion, meeting or

The Howell Family Reunion enjoyed Oakland, California.

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even a wedding (www.hometownhost. oaklandcvb.com). Reunions get incentive rewards as a “thank you” for helping bring tourism travel to Oakland. Among the rewards for qualifying groups are a free group photo, public recognition, name badges, postcards, Oakland pens and more. Sonia Brown used Hometown Host to organize the McClain Family Reunion and the Veazie Family Reunion got off without a hitch as well. Organizer Monique Brown needed to wrap her mind around getting 100 people lodging and activities for the weekend. “She (Belliveau) got me a lot of info about historical tours of the area, pamphlets for our family members about where to shop and what to see. She helped out a lot.” Other reunions held during the recent summer months included the DangerfieldThompson Family Reunion while crew and families of the USS Nehenta Bay, CVE74/USS Shamrock Bay CVE 84 Reunion look forward to an October, 2007 Oakland meet-up. The OCVB website is very informative and provides a number of recommendations as well as announcements for new events and specials. Houses of worship were recently added to the site (www.oaklandcvb.com). One of the programs offered is a drawing for two free tickets on Southwest Airlines to groups who book ten or more rooms in Oakland between May 1 and October 1, 2007. The OCVB understands that the needs of reunions are sometimes unique and they need to offer activities and lodging to meet everyone’s budget. Oakland has five star accommodations as well as many budget hotels, restaurants and attractions that most families prefer. Oakland is a popular reunion choice hosting hundreds each year. June through August are very busy when kids are out of school. “Oakland is a popular site for family, military and faith based reunions,” Belliveau said. “Family reunions are a popular activity for the African American community, which encompasses about 50 percent of all our family reunions.” The Oakland International Airport is served by 12 major domestic and international airlines and getting around within the town and to neighboring communities is easy by train, automobile, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), bus and ferry. If a west coast reunion, that’s simultaneously affordable and amazing, sounds good to you - take a look at this little sister who grew up to be a remarkable lady in her own right. Go to www.oaklandcvb.com.

About the author Journalist Jacky Runice pens the “Family Travel” column for Chicago’s Daily Herald, as well as feature stories for Dining Out Magazine. A former Chicago radio talk show host, she is the mother of three adventurers who love travel as much as she does.

Gondoliers glide across Lake Merritt in beautiful Oakland, California. Photo: Barry Muniz

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FRIENDS

A great reunion place with old friends by Margaret Malsam

e love the music and fun of Branson, Missouri, any time, but fall is our favorite time, when autumn leaves turn golden. Last October we reunioned with long-time college friends in Branson, and found this popular tourist town to be better than ever! Over 40 years ago we lived next door as young married couples attending Oklahoma State University. The years flew by as we settled in different cities and raised our families. We kept in touch with Christmas letters, but we wanted to reconnect and we were happy we chose Branson. We live in Denver, Colorado, and they live in Cincinnati, Ohio, so we met at the Springfield, Missouri, airport, where we rented a car and drove to Branson. Before starting our trip, we booked the Shoji Tabuchi show online and made lunch/show reservations on a two-hour cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle, a turn-of-the century-style paddlewheeler. The full-course lunch was one of the best and most relaxed meals we had. Both shows provided first class family entertainment, and we even got first row seats at the Tabuchi Theater when we checked in with our prepaid voucher. When asked how this happened, the clerk said, “You got lucky – someone just cancelled.” The result: we got Tabuchi’s autograph and had our picture taken with him at intermission. We allowed one full day to see Silver Dollar City, but we could have spent more time visiting with the friendly craftspeople during their annual fall craft festival. We were all born and raised in small Oklahoma towns, so it felt good to relive the old days at Silver Dollar City’s family pioneer village theme park. We especially enjoyed the lively musical shows presented by authentic country folk who performed enthusiastically. We rate Silver Dollar City with its variety of skilled artisans, musical entertainment and rides as a “must see” in Branson. It was hard to choose from over 100 shows and many attractions during our four days in Branson. One of the attractions we especially enjoyed was the Ralph Foster Museum on the campus of the School of the Ozarks, a

The author, Margaret Malsam with Branson entertainer, Shoji Tabuchi.

unique college that requires all students to work 20 hours a week on the grounds and in the buildings. We spent several hours touring this museum, which houses

nearly a million objects relating to ancient and modern Ozark history. Our friends were especially intrigued with their antique doll collection. We could sit in the original truck featured in the Beverly Hillbillies TV series and pay to have our picture taken. For lodging, we picked the Westgate Branson Woods resort in a scenic wooded area. We stayed in a two-bedroom, twobath cabin with a screened porch, kitchen and living room where we could sit and reminisce. We found this corner of the Ozarks, with all its natural beauty, historic and musical attractions, the ideal place for a reunion with long-time friends. Contact Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB, 800-214-3661; www.explorebranson.com. Reported by Margaret Malsam, Westminster, Colorado.

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FRIENDS

Circle of friends reunion by Sheila Hight

“

f you guys want to have a reunion, you can use our house in Montrose, Colorado.” Elizabeth’s words sent emails flurrying around the world. “You’re on the A-list. Come to a reunion.” Eight months later, Elizabeth and Jim, their daughter Becca, and son-in-law Chuck, found themselves assailed by twenty-two people from Canada, England, New Zealand and the US. For three days, this group – who shared a common faith and had once shared a common working environment – laughed, cooked together, played tourist, reminisced and rekindled friendships. The ten years that had passed since most had seen each other dissolved as soon as familiar eyes met, and squeals of delight and hugs were exchanged. How’d we do it? Through good old technology: email and the internet. Jim and Elizabeth posted the Montrose, Colorado, internet site to give us a taste of life near the Rockies. From England and New Zealand, airlines and flight schedules were selected, and from the US and Canada, rental cars, hotels and Map Blast directions were obtained. “What do you want at this reunion?” an email queried. “Good food, lots of laughter and drinks.” Everyone was in unison. “What shall we do for meals?” JoAnn and Sheila wondered, wanting to cook really good food, but also wanting to be mindful of budgetary constraints. “How much money should we ask each one to put in? Can we cook for that many people and still enjoy ourselves?” For eight months questions and menu ideas flew through cyberspace. A rudimentary menu and price per person was set. Emails informed all. Elizabeth and Becca volunteered to set out breakfast foods so we could fend for ourselves. JoAnn and Sheila would cook, along with the help of the men, who would barbeque two meals. Hoping the grill would provide the men a chance to

bond, Russ, Bill and Jim were recruited. Bill and Russ volunteered to be drink chefs. Everyone pitched in on prep and clean up. “When do you arrive and leave?” All information was sent to Elizabeth and Jim, who were amiable chauffeurs, getting everyone where they needed to go at the right time, thanks to Elizabeth’s precision calendar. “What about sleeping arrangements and bathroom space?” At bedtime, Carol (who set up her bed under the dining room table) and Nancy (who slept in the living room) inflated their air mattresses while pajama-clad friends watched, cheering them on, talking late into the night. “Don’t even think you can get in that shower before me,” Mary said to Nancy, her former roommate, as Nancy slipped past her bedroom door. “I have dibs on it.” Mornings found Ruth and Anne, the British contingent, staring into a pot of boiling water, willing it to turn into tea, while a jet-lagged Sheila just stood in the kitchen and stared. “Good Morning!” sang out bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Geri and Russ, and JoAnn and Bill chirped as they arrived from Becca’s house. Cindy Lou, the Miller’s miniature

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daschund, raced mad circles around the living and dining room, streaking into the kitchen barking as if she hadn’t already seen these people. Dana, the quietest of the group, joined in with good humor and great movie reviews. With raucous hilarity, never-before-confessed admissions were captured on tape while we sat around the dining and kitchen tables. Caught for posterity was Mary’s first French manicure. At the end of our time together, we agreed that JoAnn would set up an ecommunity site where we could all post pictures and feelings about this reunion. We all decided to have another in three years. Let the planning begin!

About the author Sheila Hight is a psychotherapist and writer. An American, she lives in New Zealand with her Kiwi husband, two cats, a Golden Laborador named Blake, and a very naughty former New Zealand biosecurity Beagle named Cody. NOTE: This circle of friends worked for a non profit called Mercy Ships which provides medical and practical care to people in developing nations

ETHNIC

Photos by Pat and Valerie Johnson

Burt(t)schell Family International Reunion 2007

he Lucas Burttschell family of Texas hosted the 2007 reunion in April at the St. Roch Catholic Church hall in Mentz, Colorado County. Members of the German, French and US branches from Virginia, New Mexico, New York, Louisiana and Utah joined the Texas branch for a day of visiting and sharing family history. Lucas and Maria Elizabeth Laux Burttschell and their ten children immigrated to Texas in 1846 from Büdesheim by Bingen on the Rhine, Germany. They settled first in the Frelsburg area and later in the Mentz community with other families from Büdesheim. The French branch descends from Lucas’s brother Stephen, who had emigrated to France in 1823. Other family members evidently

Some of the Burtschells touring German settlements in Texas. The author Arliss Treybig is front and center in the denim shirt.

Ten year old German cousin, Dominik Burtschell, from Krefeld, Germany, meets his first longhorn with Crockett and Dorothy Leyendecker, who raise Longhorn cattle and have a small winery in the Columbus-Mentz area in Texas. They are described as gracious hosts to the German visitors.

remained in Germany, except for Francis R., Lucas’s nephew, who settled in Crescent City, California. Michel Rodier organized the first reunion in France in 1974. Later, a second French branch was discovered and included. By 1997 the German, Texan and west coast branches were

discovered in genealogical research. The 2000 reunion in Bingen and Büdesheim, Germany, included all four branches. The family met in Mentz, Texas, in 2002 and Cernay, France, in 2005. Lucas and Maria, many of their children, and large numbers of descendants are buried in the Mentz

cemetery. Family members visited graves, many for the first time. Activities included family history displays, a silent auction and a raffle. The day concluded with a Mass for living and deceased members of the family. Flowers in memory of family members decorated Mary’s altar. Remembered especially were Claude Burtschell, the oldest member of the French branch, and Margaret Burtschell, the oldest member of the German branch, both of whom died in 2006, and Ed Willrodt of the Texas branch, who died in February 2007. Prior to the reunion, members of the French, German, and west coast branches joined several Texans for a tour of nearby German settlements. They visited the farmhouse of the descendant of another Büdesheim family for a look at his longhorn cattle. The German flag was raised for the German visitors. The 2009 Burt(t)schell Family Reunion will return to Marly sur Arrox, in France. Reported by Arliss Treybig, El Campo, Texas.

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Whatever became of St.Patrick? by Richard W. O’Donnell

ll things considered, we had a grand old time on our family trip to Ireland. Our sons and daughters, their spouses and all of the grandchildren were on hand. In all, there were 22 members of the clan on the trip. We rented a big old house at the end of a rugged dirt trail in Glengarriff, a quiet village tucked away in the southwest corner of Ireland, and we all had quite a family reunion. The Blarney Stone was kissed and step dancers shook the floors. We heard a fair share of Irish tenors and sampled stout at the pubs. In moderation, of course. And there were those narrow roads that kept getting tighter, when they should have been trying to get wider. Somehow we survived, even though everybody was traveling on the wrong side of the road. We didn’t see any leprechauns. Or pots of gold. However, we had our credit cards, and everybody went on a shopping spree, buying Irish crystal, Claddagh rings, Irish wool jackets and sweaters and countless other things. That pot certainly would have come in handy when the bills arrived. Our Irish trip was a rip-roaring success and we all returned home with a trace of a brogue. Also a lot of bills. So be it. We spent a pile of punts. However, there are two disappointments. First off, since I am a great walker, I 48

wandered the countryside taking in the greenest of green scenery. It engulfed you, and, quite frankly, I was overwhelmed. Though I searched long and hard, nowhere did I find a shamrock. Nary a trace of one. There were green plants and bushes and the trees were loaded with green. Plenty blades of grass, too. And the weeds were even magnificent. Where did all the shamrocks go? Were they growing somewhere else? It was summer in Glengarriff, a delightful time of year. Do the shamrocks go into hibernation in Glengarriff when the sun peeks out, as the rain clouds fade away and a gentle wind graces the land? Is such a thing possible? Who knows? What is known is that I never came across a shamrock during my woodland romps. St. Patrick also proved to be a bit of a disappointment. Not the great man himself, but the obvious lack of his presence in the land where he became a legend. My plan was to buy seven St. Patrick medallions for the grandchildren. I planned to have their names and the

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trip date inscribed on the reverse side of the medals. My thought was the gift would serve as a reminder of a memorable trip they made when they were young. First we tried Bantry, the nearest town. And then Kinsale, Macroom and Dunmanway. No St. Patrick medallions were available in the religious shops or church stores we visited. As time went by, family members on side trips were alerted to be on the lookout for St. Patrick memorabilia wherever they traveled. My oldest daughter, Mary Anna, and her husband Scott, while on a trip to Dublin, failed to find the medallions I wanted. Time went by, and in a hurry too, as it often does when you are on a trip and enjoying yourself. My wife Barbara and I were in Killarney, mostly because she loved the stores there. I checked a religious store near a place called the Blarney Woolen Mills where my wife was shopping. “St. Patrick medallions?” said the clerk, who had more of an English accent than a brogue. “No, we don’t have any St. Patrick

medallions. Used to have some St. Patrick statues but they have been gone for years.” As I was headed out the door, he halted me. “Try up at the Cathedral,” he suggested. “Five minute walk. They have a little store out back. They may have St. Patrick there.” By then my wife had joined me and we headed for the Cathedral. A young lady was on duty behind the counter reading a scholarly tome, when we arrived. “St. Patrick,” she said, checking the inventory mentally. “Sorry, we haven’t a thing.” Then her face lightened up. “Wait a minute,” she said. “Some of those pins may still be here.” She scurried around the small store, checking out cardboard boxes on the various tables. Finally she found the right one. “Here it is,” she said, fingering her way through a swarm of religious medals, pins and prayer cards. One by one, she removed cards with small St. Patrick pins on them. They were made of brass, I think. “How many grandchildren?” she inquired. “Seven,” I responded. “Seven,” she echoed, and did some more digging. One by one, she found the precious pins. “You’re lucky,” she said. “All we have is seven St. Patrick pins.” I bought them. They each cost less

than a dollar American. I think they were the only thing in Ireland our family purchased that cost less than a dollar. Still, I was disappointed. Those medallions had been at the top of my shopping list. Later that day, I gathered the grandchildren around and pinned them. “Keep these pins,” I told them. “You don’t have to wear them every day, but years from now they will remind you of the trip we all made to Ireland.” Our grandchildren accepted the humble St. Patrick pins with grace and gratitude. The younger ones may have even thought they were made of pure gold. Then we all celebrated our final night in Ireland by holding a farewell party at the big old house we rented. Our guest of honor was our next door neighbor, Maureen O’Hara, probably Ireland’s most popular actress. She spends her summers in Glengarriff. I footed the bill for our final salute to Ireland. Why not? I had saved a penny or two on those medallions. I could afford it.

Host your special reunion at the Holiday Inn Bayside overlooking beautiful San Diego Bay. Our experienced staff will assist you in planning the perfect event. • Beautiful and spacious guest rooms • Tropical courtyard with heated pool, spa, shuffleboard, billiards • Family style restaurant and cocktail lounge • Non-smoking and disabled rooms • 9-hole putting course, exercise room • Free parking and airport transfers

Special Reunion Features • Complimentary one-night stay for reunion planner with site inspection • Complimentary hospitality suite • Welcome letter and box of chocolates in each room • Senior discounts in our restaurant • Special reunion rates

About the author Richard W. O’Donnell was a writer for the Boston Globe. His work has appeared in Smithsonian, American History, Family Digest and many other publications.

4875 North Harbor Drive • San Diego, CA 92106 (619) 224-3621 • Fax: (619) 224-3629 (800) 650-6660 www.holinnbayside.com • email: dos@holinnbayside.com

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10 tips from travel pros

our directors have seen it all. They know mistakes travelers make, and tricks to save time and effort. Since they handle travel details on the ground – transportation, hotel check-ins and sightseeing – they know the best ways to experience and enjoy a new town or country. 1 Don’t be a tourist. Mingle with locals. Learn a few key words or phrases in the local language and be a courteous guest. 2 Study up. Before leaving, read books or research background about major sights, weather and local culture. Read local authors. 3 Use a digital camera. Email pictures home or create an electronic journal with notes for each image. 4 Meet new friends and keep in touch. One of the best ways to preserve travel memories is to stay in touch with friends you meet. 5 Be open-minded and flexible. Be open to new experiences and changes from your itinerary. Embrace cultural differences. Unforgettable experiences come when you relax and try a new way of doing things. 6 Take only the basics each day. Keep only essentials on you, like pocket money and a camera. Never take valuables; leave them in a hotel safe. 7 Bring cash or a credit card. Traveler’s checks are always safe, but nothing beats the convenience of cash or a credit card when traveling. 8 Pack lighter than you think. Don’t bring too many clothes, or appliances that are easily obtained at a hotel. Extra supplies can always be purchased during your trip. Pack an adapter, if needed, as well as prescriptions. 9 Get in shape. Practice daily strolls before departure so you can walk up to two miles easily in one stretch. 0 Take the trip best suited for you. Decide if you are looking for adventure or something relaxed. You’ll be happiest if you match your needs to the trip. These tips from Grand European Tours; visit www.getours.com.

30 Harmelinks visit Netherlands

hirty members of the Harmelink family from all over the US visited all twelve Dutch provinces, focusing on the Achterhoek (back corner) of Gelderland, where Harmelinks received their name in 1664. Several members extended their tour to visit Ravensbruck, Germany, the only major concentration camp for women established by the Nazis during World War II. After Germany, they visited Normandy in France and toured Omaha

and Utah Beaches, remembered for the thousands of Allied military troops who invaded and gave their lives. Reported by Vernon Harmelink, Rock Valley, Iowa, and Phoenix, Arizona. Dordrecht’s Great Church, chartered in 1220, was the setting of the Synod of Dordt in 1618-1619, in which the hardline Calvinists rejected the more moderate tenets of the Remonstrants. The Harmelink family held a worship service in the Great Church on a Sunday in Sept. 2005. Officiating and preaching the sermon was the Rev. Mr. Herman Harmelink III of Poughkeepsie, NY.

These are Harmelink relatives who have Harmelink genes, no spouse/inlaws included. Photos by Rick & Gail Harmelink of Inwood, Iowa, and Michael, Louise and Sarah Hooyer of Anchorage, Alaska.

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Chilocco Indian School reunion

Veloso clan national reunion

their traditional lifestyle. They were taught eginning in 1892, many Native American children were subjected to skills, reading, writing, math, art and English. transformation from reservation life at On September 9, 2006, Chilocco Indian distant off-reservation boarding schools. Agriculture School was listed in the More than 100,000 Native American National Register of Historic Places. Five children attended 500 boarding schools after Richard Henry Pratt established the American Indian tribes – Otoe-Missouria, Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania in Tonkawa, Kaw Nation, Ponca Nation and 1879. Boarding schools were established the Pawnee Tribe – plan to renovate and refurbish a historic Indian school into a far from reservations so students would living history museum. have no contact with family or friends. Former Chilocco Indian School students Indian boarding schools were established during the late 19th and early keep the connection at yearly reunions, 20th century. For many, boarding schools usually in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, Oklahoma, but this year in Albuquerque, using Euro-American standards represented the first contact many Native New Mexico. Activities included a Golf Clinic & Tournament, Santa Fe tour, American children had with the outside white world. They had white teachers and reception/social hours, a Veterans’ Breakfast, honoring the Golden Class of missionaries who hoped to “civilize” 1957, Hall of Fame Induction and dancing. them. Children could not speak in their From an article by Tom Mark, Navajo, native languages or call each other by Class of 1966 in Native Times. native names, and were forced to leave

he Veloso Clan reunions have met since 1983. Over the years, they’ve discovered many similar habits, affiliations and hobbies. Examples are that (1) many Veloso clan members are artistically or musically inclined, (2) politics is in the blood, and (3) a charismatic personality is another common factor. At a recent reunion, the Philippine Department of Tourism Secretary and governor attended functions. Cultural presentations from each lineage or province were encouraged. Fundraising dance contests included the “Curacha.” Side-trips to Tacloban were encouraged so attendees could get to know their roots and history. Clan members who were not able to attend were encouraged to send personal video greetings, photos/digital files of previous reunions, family pictures (with captions), and videotapes or wave files of their own Veloso family reunions for clan archives. From Global Nation, Manila, Philippines.

NOTE: For additional information about Indian boarding schools, there is a very, moving exhibit at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. Visit www.heard.org.

Harbour Island reunion

embers of 18 families with roots in Harbour Island in the Bahamas (3 1/2 miles long and 1 1⁄2 miles wide) recently enjoyed their 30th annual reunion in Miami, Florida, complete with a junkanoo band, a banquet and remarks from Bahama’s Consul General, Alma Adams. The five-day celebration included worship services at Historic Saint Agnes Episcopal Church in Overtown, pastored by a member of the Harbour Island

group, a picnic at Oleta River State Park on Biscayne Bay in North Miami, banquets and fashion shows. The families represented are Albury, Barry, Bethel, Cash, Curry, Cleare, Grant, Higgs, Johnson, Fisher, Major, Roberts, Saunders, Sawyer, Stirrup, Sweeting, Walker and Percentie. In 30 years, reunions have taken place in Fort Lauderdale, Nassau, New York and Canada. The reunion group has donated a set

of encyclopedias to the Harbour Island All Age School in memory of Thomasena Lindsey, windows to St. John’s Episcopal Church in memory of family members and victims of Harbour Island Hurricane Andrew, and scholarships to help students in the group. The Harbour Island Family Reunion was incorporated in 1993. From a story in the Miami Herald, Miami, Florida.

Biennial Maniquis/z/kis Family Reunion

he 3rd Biennial Maniquis/z/kis Family Reunion in Glendale, California, included a barbecue, fun and games, contests and “get-to-know” each other activities. A dinner-dance was the evening event. The immigrant ancestor, Don Carlos Agustin Maniquiz, came from Spain during the Christianization of the Philippines after Magellan’s discovery of the Philippines. There are 10 generations since Don Carlos, and many of the 6th through 10th generations live in the US and Canada.

The first USA Reunion of the Maniquis/z/kis Family was held on Memorial Day weekend 2003 in San Jose, California, where 150+ family members and friends attended. The Alejandro clan hosted the event. The second reunion was held July 4th weekend 2004 at Balboa Park in San Diego, California, hosted by the Dionisio clan. Almost 200 family members and guests attended. It was decided to make the reunion a biennial event. The 2006 reunion in Glendale, California, was hosted by the Santiago

clan. Relatives came from all over the US, Canada, England, New Zealand, Australia and the Philippines. The Maniquis/z/kis Family in the Philippines also holds their annual reunion in one of the local resorts or a family estate. About 300-400 family members attend the Philippine reunion. Contact Geraldine Yumping, 818-6366534, nygyumping@hotmail.com; Hill Maniquis, hillman116@aol.com; Oliver Maniquis, 818-502-5023, oliman06@hotmail.com. From Asianjournal.com, Los Angeles, California.

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ETHNIC

Reunion 2008 launched in Dominica

ovember 3, 2008, will mark thirty years since Dominica attained political independence from Great Britain. Reunion 2008 is anticipated as a Renaissance Year for Dominica, promoted as a time for introspection, assessment and rebirth. Activities for Reunion year 2008, from January to December, will focus on the following areas and themes: Education; Environment, Botanic Gardens, National Monuments, Festivals/Expositions, Science and Technology, WellnessCelebrating longevity, Diaspora, sports and games, among others. Caribbean Net News – Georgetown, Cayman Islands

Review Slovak Pittsburgh by Lisa A. Alzo (Images of America Series, 128 pages, softcover, $19.99. Arcadia Publishing, 888-3132665; www.arcadiapublishing.com). onoring your ethnicity and celebrating where your family came from is one of life’s greatest gifts. Liza Alzo celebrates her Slovakian heritage in this lovely collection of her Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, extended ethnic family’s life. The book focuses on the daily lives of immigrants such as family, religion, work, celebrations and service illustrated in pictures from individuals and organizations. There are short introductions to many aspects of life followed by well-captioned pictures of Lisa’s family, friends and Slovak neighbors growing up. The Ithica, New York, resident and renowned genealogist is also a well-documented reunion organizer. Many of her joyful and creative family celebrations have been featured in this magazine. Bravo, Lisa! EW

Nuestra Familia

am a sixth-generation Texan on one side of my family, which makes my daughters seventh-generation Texans, which says a lot. We Texans are very proud of that status and you don’t meet very many seventh-generation Texans. In addition, our family’s general attitude is very inclusive by culture. We are Hispanics. And so the name of my family’s reunion is Nuestra Familia, which in English would be called “Our Family.” But, to tell the truth, you lose a great deal in the translation. When we say “our family,” great emphasis is put

on inclusivity and possession. We all make up our family. Hence our family’s tagline/slogan, in Spanish, “Pasado, ahora, y antes: Porque de tal razon vivimos, y sobrevivimos – Siempre Reunidos!” English translation: “Past, present and future: For this reason we live and survive – always to reunite!” As you can probably tell, great pride is put into our modest little organization, but it’s done with immense love and caring. Reported by Veronica Haynes, Gallegos/Trevino Family Reunion, Rosansky, Texas.

NOTE: This reunion picture is also in Reunions Picture Gallery online at www.reunionsmag.com Is yours?

400th Doherty anniversary reunion

ahir Rua O’ Dochartaigh – the last Irish-based O Dochartaigh clan chieftain – fell at the hands of the English forces in 1608. A massive gathering of ancestors who use various spellings of the traditional Irish O Dochartaigh name will be held from July 1 to July 10, 2008. Buncrana, ancestral home of the clan – where The Keep is all that remains of the castle built by the O Dochartaighs in 1430 – will be the center for festivities. There will be tours and attractions, according to Eva Doherty Gremmert, 2008

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Reunion Coordinator, on the official reunion website, www.odochartaighreunion.com, which will carry information, schedules and registration. Events planned to commemorate the anniversary of Cahir Rua’s death include genealogy workshops, pub crawls and a Mayor’s reception in Derry City, as well as the feasting and drink of a medieval banquet. In 2005, 437 people attended the reunion from ten countries and 39 American states. From the Derry Journal, Derry, Ireland

REUNION PRODUCTS BACK ISSUES, REPRINTS, WORKBOOK & POSTCARDS order form over BACK ISSUES Vol 1 No 1 Family, town and military reunions, adoptee search. Vol 1 No 2 Families, reunion places, fundraising. Vol 1 No 3 Reuniting the Relatives, memory books, interviewing, cemetery memorials. Vol 1 No 4 Ranches, Desert Storm reunion, camping. Vol 2 No 1 Commemorations, college memory book, how reunions change people. Vol 2 No 2 Family associations, 30th HS reunion. Vol 2 No 3 Ethnic origins, fundraising, Vietnam reunion. Vol 2 No 4 Cookbook, food/beverage tips, cruises. Vol 3 No 1 CVBs, evaluations, China Beach reunion. Vol 3 No 2 Cookbooks, family heritage, history travel, African American family reunions. Vol 3 No 3 Kids’ activities, storytelling, communicating. Vol 3 No 4 Century reunion, recipes, interviewing. Vol 4 No 1 Ancestry, riverboat reunions, videotaping. Vol 4 No 2 D-Day re-enactment, WWII battlefield tours, honoring ancestors, reunion prizes. Vol 4 No 3 African American reunions, D-Day reunions, memorial services. Vol 4 No 4 Recipes, fundraising, WWII reunion tips. Vol 5 No 1 Fundraising, love letters, diaries, Italian ancestry, WWII flight nurses. Vol 5 No 2 Wild West reunion, WWII remembered.

Vol 5 No 3 Flyers & newsletters, welcoming 1st timers. Vol 5 No 4 Writing family history, kid’s stuff, flyers and newsletters, recipes. Vol 6 No 1 Family history, kudos & citations. Vol 6 No 2 Fundraising, finding reunion site, registration. Vol 6 No 3 50th HS, reunion with Dutch “savior.” Vol 6 No 4 Kids stuff, cemeteries, communications. Vol 7 No 1 Golf, delegating, reunion glossary, CVBs. Vol 7 No 2 Ethnic reunions, memory books, t-shirts. Vol 7 No 3 Dr. Ruth talks, ice breakers, invitations. Vol 7 No 4 Rainy day activities, memory books, quantity cooking. Vol 8 No 1 Found: everyone! Getting started. Vol 8 No 2 Storytelling, web pages, mystery photos, day camp for kids. Vol 8 No 3 Databases, subpoena invitation. Vol 8 No 4 Christmas in July, health histories. Vol 9 No 1 Class search, fundraising, newsletters. Vol 9 No 2 Goody bags, cruises, mystery photos, CVBs. Vol 9 No 3 Souvenirs & games, questionnaire, gaming. Vol 9 No 4 Heritage Haunt, drama, survey, scholarships, food. Vol 10 No 1 Bylaws & philanthropy, schedule and registration form. Vol 10 No 2 Kids, diaries & journals, ethnicity.

Vol 10 No 3 Oral histories, ranches, theme ideas. Vol 11 No 1 CVBs help, golf, camping, books. Vol 11 No 2 Ethnicity, family history test, legends & myths. Vol 11 No 3 Games, teenagers will talk. Vol 11 No 4 Icebreakers, games, memoirs, catering, fundraising. Vol 12 No 1 Communication, games, banquets, fundraising. Vol 12 No 2 20th HS reunion, CVBs, adventure reunions, cruising. Vol 12 No 3 Reunion survey, kids stuff, newsletters.

Vol 14 No 5 Games, visit cemeteries, many family reunions, national WWII reunion. Vol 14 No 6 Food, ethnic reunions, school history. Vol 15 No 1 Snow foolin’ winter reunions, newsletters inform, evaluating keeps it fresh. Vol 15 No 2 Great communication, fundraising successes, cruising reunions. Vol 15 No 3 Themes, goodies, favors & prizes, house histories. Vol 15 No 5 Tuskegee Airmen, Valley Forge, family medical history. Vol 15 No 6 Quilts, cruises, camping.

Vol 12 No 4 Camping, ethnicity, catering, cemeteries.

Vol 16 No 1 Down on the farm, WWII 60th anniversary reunions, attractions.

Vol 13 No 1 Fundraising, golf, all inclusives.

Vol 16 No 2 Fundraising ideas, Tracking the wild class-mate, Co-workers reunite.

Vol 13 No 2 Ranches, themes, invitations, get kids involved. Vol 13 No 3 Heritage tours and homecomings, patriotic themes, celebrate teachers. Vol 13 No 4 Internet genealogy, military reunions, ethnic reunions. Vol 13 No 5 CVBs help, plantation and neighborhood reunions, music. Vol 13 No 6 Camping, family associations, treasures. Vol 14 No 1 Awards, create a reunion dvd, ethnic celebrations. Vol 14 No 2 Fundraising: raffles, cookbooks, plan a military reunion, travel agents. Vol 14 No 3 Memorials, workbook. Vol 14 No 4 Family tree celebrities, take a bus, lady veterans, chef does his class reunion.

Vol 16 No 3 Icebreakers, games and ethnic reunions. Vol 16 No 4 Gulf Coast open for reunions, feeding reunions, military diary. Vol 16 No 5 Reunion rodeo and ranches, Reunion communications, Registration and schedules. Vol 16 No 6 Family reunions, video histories, scrapbooking for kids. Vol 17 No 1 Fundraising, family health, cookbooks. Vol 17 No 2 Genealogy at reunions, RSVP, where to have reunions. Vol 17 No 4 National Family Reunion Conference Program. Vol 17 No 5 Kiddsstuff, food, games & activities. Vol 17 No 6 DNA links, down on the farm, camping.

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MILITARY REUNION NEWS E

Gathering of Mustangs & Legends – The Final Round Up

‘Honor Tour’ takes vets to DC

onetime event honoring the heroes who flew the legendary P-51 “Mustangs” will be at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, September 27-30, 2007. An estimated 100 Mustang aircraft will be on display and some 51 heroes who flew the Mustang will be honored, including members of the WW II Flying Aces, Tuskegee Airmen, Women Air Service Pilots and others.

The weekend will include a worldclass air show, featuring the P-51 with special invited aircraft: P-40, P-63, P47, P-38, ME-109, FW-190 and Spitfire, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, The Red Barons, AeroShell Team and other top civilian air and military show performers. Attractions and military appearances will honor the 60th Anniversary of the US Air Force. Visit www.GML2007.com.

ob Callahan of Marble Hill, Missouri, got the idea for the Honor Tour when he realized many World War II vets were unable to see the World War II Memorial. The tour is all-expensespaid for Southeast Missouri veterans to visit the Memorial in Washington. Callahan secured a donation of 30 round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines and bus accommodations from Three Rivers Travel. Callahan, a third-generation military man retired from the Air Force, said getting veterans to the memorial is one of the most rewarding things he’s ever been a part of. Callahan’s goal is to ensure all veterans who go on the trip do so for free. Contact Callahan at 573-718-1076. From a story by T.J. Greaney in the Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Great service

W P-51 Mustangs: the final roundup.

PT boat officers last reunion

eter Tare, Inc., an organization for former officers of PT boats took one last sail down memory lane. The group began meeting in 1947 and has better than $25,000 in assets according to William Paynter. Originally the plan was to turn the assets over to the sole survivor, but as years passed, that seemed impractical. They plan to turn it over to the P.T. Boats, Inc., which has restored and displays a pair of PT boats at Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts. Somewhere between 60,000 and 66,000 men served on the boats, 331

were killed in action and of 531 PTs in US Navy service, 69 were lost. During 60 reunions, the stories have flown, battles fought again and memories trotted out to thrill a willing audience. Former PT officers show the wear and tear of age. Their hair is gone or white, hearing aids fill many ears. They use canes to get around and even then they frequently miss parts of conversation. Visit www.petertare.org/menu.htm, www.ptboats.org/07-0-05-museum.html and www.ddaymuseum.org/. On KATC, Lafayette, Louisiana

Time to list your 2007 (and later) reunions now to appear at www.reunionsmag.com. Include the reunion name, date and place and contact info. Email to reunions@execpc.com.

e are on the mailing list of the 52nd Fighter Group and American Beagle Squadron reunion. They recently sent a letter announcing new ownership and a name change for the hotel where they will be staying. That seems basically unremarkable since the address probably stays the same but the reservation number changed necessitating a mailing. The former Ramada in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is now a Quality Inn & Suites. An extra mailing might have broken the bank but the hotel paid for the it to make sure all members were aware of the change. A very good service!

Reunion timetable? www.reunionsmag.com

Click on Getting started, then on Choosing a date.

Podcasts on reunion planning topics.

Listen online – www.reunionsmag.com. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

E MILITARY REUNION NEWS

St. Simons Island Crewmates chosen for ‘Coasties’ reunion Battleship Memorial Park

ormer US Coast Guard personnel who served on St. Simons Island, Georgia, are invited to a special reunion November 9-11, 2007, sponsored by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society (www.saintsimonslighthouse.org). The event is open to all Coast Guard personnel, regular and reserves, who were associated with Station St. Simons from 1937 and 1995. Most activities will be based at the Maritime Museum at the Historic Coast Guard Station and will include tours of Station St. Simons, restored and opened as a museum in 2006; a banquet and worship service. The Coastal Georgia Historical Society is especially interested in personal stories, photographs and other memorabilia. To share them, contact Michelle Collins, reunion coordinator, at 912-638-5481 or 912-628-4666.

ix young women were selected as goodwill ambassadors by the USS ALABAMA Battleship Commission for Battleship Memorial Park and the State of Alabama. Each Crewmate receives a $1,000 scholarship to the college of her choice.

WW II vets give HHAFFA funds

All hands on deck!

he Hoosier Hills (Indiana) Armed Forces Families Association was able to start the Emergency Leave Grant Project because of the donation from the 138th Tank Battalion, an Indiana National Guard unit. The group decided to give their remaining funds to help support area service people. Time was catching up with members according to treasurer, Paul Miller. “Ten years ago we had 400 dues-paying members, but at the last meeting we only had 11.” “The decision was made to give the money to HHAFFA because of the much needed services they provide for our area military personnel,” World War II veteran Miller said. The Red Cross sends a message to the military service member in the case of a family emergency. The service member, however, must pay for transportation home. It’s just another way the community shows we appreciate the service and sacrifices of our military people. From an article by Pete Schreiner in the Times-Mail, Bedford, Indiana.

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ormer crewmen of the Battleship USS ALABAMA (BB-60) met in Mobile for their annual reunion. About 35 former crewmen with wives, children, and even grandchildren here were in attendance. Since 1970, all but two annual reunions have been in Mobile. Membership is waning due to old age, since the vast majority are over 80. Although old age is creeping up on its

members, they still maintain a strong spirit. “Most of our guys will tell you we can still take her out to sea,” former Crewmen’s Association Director John R. Brown of Keller, Texas, said. However, the Association is still robust, and members number about 400. 6,322 men served aboard the battleship during its active service from 1942 until decommissioning in 1947.

Marines hold joint reunion

ecause there are so few WW-II veterans remaining in the VMF125/VMF-155 and VMA-124 Marine Corps squadrons, they decided to open the reunion to any Marine Corps personnel of squadrons that operated the F4U Corsair in WW-II or the Korean War. VMF-124 was formed in September 1942 at Camp Kearney, California, and became the first Marine Corps F4U Corsair squadron to operate the F4U against the Japanese in 1943 at Guadalcanal. Later 124 became the first Marine Corps squadron to operate from an aircraft carrier and the first F4U

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squadron to operate from a carrier in combat operations. VMF/VMO-155: VMF-155 was activated on October 1, 1942 at Camp Kearney, California, originally designated VMO-155, for much of World War II. The squadron flew a variety of aircraft including the F4F-3P Wildcat, specially designated for photo reconnaissance. The squadron was deactivated in 1945, shortly after the cessation of hostilities with Japan. Contact Colonel David A. Hallin, USMCR (Retired), 936 East Riverwalk Dr, Memphis TN 38120-2600.

Celebrate women veterans

lmost 15,000 Connecticut women served in the US Military and qualify as veterans. The Connecticut General Assembly authorized the new Connecticut Wartime Service Medal last year to honor Connecticut’s veterans who served in time of war. To date, more than 7,500 medals

have been pinned on hometown veterans. To find out if you are eligible for this award, contact Chuck at 866-928-8387 or visit the Veterans Affair Web site at www.ct.gov/ctva. From the Windsor Journal, Windsor, Connecticut.

Something good in the air in Aliceville

amp Aliceville, Alabama, was one of the largest prisoner of war camps in the US from 1943 through 1945. Most Americans are unaware that about 450,000 German POWs spent time in our country during World War II, including 6,000 at Aliceville. The Camp Aliceville reunion is a gathering of former German POWs, former American MPEGs (Military Police Escort Guards), former civilian camp employees and Aliceville residents, with their families. Through the years, they have established relationships have fostered memories of good will and respect now being passed down to second and third generations on both sides. During the war, many Aliceville residents worked with POWs at a sawmill,

in the cotton fields and in surrounding pulpwood forests. After the war ended, some stayed in touch and when they learned of conditions in defeated postwar Germany, they sent packages of food to the POWs and their families. The numbers of World War II participants who are able to return for reunions is dwindling now, but their families continue to gather. This is something good gleaned from the evil of war. It has grown in the hearts of those who lived it, and it is my hope that it will continue to grow in the hearts of those who hear about it. From a story by Ruth Beaumont Cook author of Guests Behind the Barbed Wire, Crane Hill Publishers, in the Anniston Star, Anniston, Alabama.

Red Tail Project honors Tuskegee Airmen

he Red Tail Project is restoring a rare World War II P-51C Mustang and developing a traveling museum to help promote understanding of the Tuskegee Airmen’s perseverance against discrimination at home and against the Luftwaffe in Europe. The Tuskegee Airmen were a World War II fighter group composed of African-American pilots and support per-

sonnel who fought discrimination and prejudice in order to serve their country. Their remarkable story of vision, hope, hard work and discipline proved that individuals can accomplish the remarkable, regardless of the obstacles, and remains as relevant today as it did 60 years ago. Contact Red Tail Project, 182 W. Division St., River Falls WI 54022.

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CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES

Welcome to Reunion Resources! How to use REUNION RESOURCES Reunion resources is divided into sections. Reunion friendly places include destinations (convention, visitor and tourism bureaus) and locations (hotels, resorts, ranches, condominiums, bed & breakfasts, inns, dormitories, camps). They are listed alphabetically by state and city. The sections which follow list books and publishing, cruises, fundraising and mementos, invitations, photography, preserving reunions, postcards, and other products and services. Many resources include e-mail and web page addresses. Start on our web page www.reunions mag.com and in just one click, go directly to other resource pages – a wonderful way to visit, get more details and in some cases even place orders. We encourage you to tell the listings you contact that you learned about them from REUNIONS MAGAZINE. And if at any time you find any info that is inaccurate or e-mail or web links do not work, notify us immediately at 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.

DESTINATIONS & LOCATIONS ARIZONA Best Western DOBSON RANCH INN 1666 S Dobson Road, Mesa AZ 85202. Central location, complimentary full hot breakfast buffet, full service catering, ample indoor/outdoor function space and consistent affordability make the Dobson Ranch Inn an ideal hotel for reunions. Our 213 guest rooms are situated on 10 acres of beautifully landscaped courtyards. Hotel amenities include large heated pool, two spas, exercise room, free high-speed Internet access and Dale Andersons “The Other Place” restaurant. 800 528-1356; 480 831-7000; mmccaffrey@dobsonranchinn.com; www.DobsonRanchInn.com. TEMPE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Affordable, easy to get to and with an array of attractive amenities. Tempe is the ideal destination for more successful meetings. With amazing indoor and outdoor meeting places, a progressive urban atmosphere, eclectic downtown Mill Avenue District and endless outdoor activity – all just minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport – Tempe is engaging, enlightening and able to suit almost any group. Toll free 866-914-0685; www.MeetinTempe.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS! Home of Wal-Mart, the 1875 Peel Mansion, over 100 restaurants, and 21 hotels. Let us help you plan a perfect reunion in the booming northwest corner of Arkansas! We can create daily itineraries, assist in booking lodging, and help make restaurant reservations. For more information, call or logon: 1-800-410-2535 or www.bentonville.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! BEL’ARCO RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER over looking Bull Shoals Lake, # 2 Crestline Road. 25 Acres, 53 hotel rooms, some with kitchens, two condos, restaurant, 8000 sq ft meeting space (6 break out rooms), pool, game room, marina next door, 3 golf courses within 20 mile, White River Trout fishing. Catering to corp. meetings, church retreats, family reunions. www.belarco.com. 1-866-235-2726. HOSTING REUNIONS SINCE 1908! Fort Smith, Arkansas In 1908 the retired United States Marshals and Deputies who served under “Hanging” Judge Isaac C. Parker during the taming of the western frontier held their last reunion in Fort Smith, and the city has been hosting reunions ever since. Fort Smith is also the future home of the U.S. Marshal Museum. Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau. 800-637-1477 or www.fortsmith.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

shows, water fun, quaint villages, relaxing spas and more. Send for your free Group Tour and Meeting Planners Directory. Call 800-872-1259. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! www.arkansasgrouptravel .com. THE LODGE AT MOUNT MAGAZINE STATE PARK, ARKANSAS Reconnect with family or friends at this mountain resort lodge while you enjoy the view from Arkansas's highpoint. Guest rooms and cabins. Conference and meeting rooms. Indoor pool, plenty of outdoor activities and nature programs. Make this reunion one to remember. Call 1-877-665-6343 for group rates or log on to MountMagazineStatePark.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

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 714-562-3569. tourbp@buenapark.com; www. visitbuenapark.com. AYRES HOTEL HAWTHORNE/MANHATTAN BEACH / LAX 4400 Hindry Avenue, Hawthorne CA 90250; 310-220-6444; fax 310-220-6461; www.ayresmanhattanbeach.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! THE LAUREL MILL LODGE PO Box 368, Los Gatos CA 95031; 408-353-5851; esther@laurelmilllodge.com; www.laurelmilllodge .com. SUNNY, SAN DIEGO REUNIONS AT COMFORT INN & SUITES ZOO / SEAWORLD AREA You can’t get more convenient, comfortable or affordable than the Comfort Inn & Suites Zoo/SeaWorld. Featuring 200 rooms including kids suites with bunk beds and separate parents room and 2-bedroom suites accommodating six people, this hotel is just minutes from San Diego’s top attractions and offers a pool & complimentary hot breakfast buffet daily. Call 800-665-0305; visit comfortinnzoo.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! 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-TAHOETM RESORT offers a great place to sleep, eat, play and relax in a beautiful mountain setting with a wide variety of accommodations and activities such as golf, swimming and tennis in the summer and snow sports activities in the winter. It’s no wonder Northstar was voted as a top 10 reunion destination by Family Travel Forum. A personal event planner is provided to help plan your unforgettable reunion. Highway 267 & Northstar Dr., Truckee, CA 96160, 800-9265096, northstar@boothcreek.com, www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com. COLORADO BED & BREAKFAST 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.

COLORADO

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 ARKANSAS With great facilities and activities for all, Arkansas always imagined! Breckenridge Lodging & Hospitality P.O. Box is a natural for your next reunion. Hold yours on a houseboat, at a 8329, 535 S. Park Avenue, Breckenridge CO 80424; 888-483scenic resort, in a peaceful state park, in a music show theatre, or 6140; fax 970-453-5165; brecklodginggroups@vailresorts.com; scores of other places. Enjoy shopping, dining, galleries, antiquing, www.breckresortsgroups.com. 58 R E U N I O N S ❖ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007

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! 800-44-ESTES; fax 970-577-1677; groupsales@estes.org; www.estesparkcvb.com/ groups.cfm COLORADO ROCKIES – BEST WESTERN LAKE DILLON LODGE – located 70 miles west of Denver, within 11 miles of Keystone, Copper Mtn, & Breckenridge Resorts. Full-service hotel includes banquet & catering facilities, volleyball and horseshoe pits, indoor pool & Jacuzzi, great family rates, and O’Brien’s Restaurant & Bar. Year round recreation for everyone. Visit us at www.lakedillonlodge.com, 800-727-0607, 970-6685094, sales@lakedillonlodge.com, 1202 N. Summit Blvd. Frisco, CO 80443. LUXURY GATED ESTATE IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS Reconnect, Relax and Rejuvenate at the Bella Vista Estate. Located just 7 miles outside Steamboat Springs, Colorado your family will have access to all this resort town has to offer: Skiing, Snowmobiling, Sleigh Rides, Strawberry Park Hot Springs, Horseback Riding, Whitewater Rafting, Hiking Trails, Mountain Biking, Alpine Slide and much, much more. Sleeping up to 26 in pure comfort, the Bella Vista has panoramic views of Lake Catamount, the Yampa River Valley and the Continental Divide. Onsite property managers provide vacation planning, concierge, maintenance, housekeeping and shuttle services. Other amenities include: in-ground pool, indoor hot tub, pool table, pinball, arcade games, outdoor fire pit, tennis court, basketball, satellite big screen TV and built in bar. Visit our website: www.steamboat1.com for a full property description, floor plan, virtual tour and image gallery, or call 970-879-4449 to reserve your dates today. 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! 800-2898541; fax 970-726-8004; res@vacationsinc.com; www.vacations inc.com.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HYATT REGENCY WASHINGTON ON CAPITOL HILL Located in the heart of Capitol Hill, within walking distance of the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian Museums, the National Mall and Amtrak’s Union Station. Featuring 834 spacious modern guest rooms, including 32 suites, a full-service restaurant, lounge, coffee bar, 41,000 square feet of meeting space, 24-hour Business Center, and Health Club with indoor pool. 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20001. 202-737-1234; fax 202-719-8419; saleswasrw@hyatt.com; www.hyattregencywashington.com.

FLORIDA NICK’S FISHMARKET OF HAWAII located in Boca Raton is one of South Florida’s most beautiful restaurants & is the ultimate setting for reunion’s social events and dinners. Facilities include the Lanai Deck, a smoker-friendly outside area featuring an authentic Tiki Bar, the dramatic Pineapple Bar inside plus two private dining rooms. Restaurant is also available for buy-outs. Live entertainment on weekends and is available for booking other nights. 150 E. Palmetto Park Rd., #175, Boca Raton, FL 33432. 561.393.9815; fax 561.393.9870; info@nickboca.com; www.nicksboca.com. COUNTRY INN & SUITES OF CAPE CANAVERAL 9009 Astronaut Blvd. Cape Canaveral FL 32920. “Closest Hotel to the Port!” 2000 sq. ft. of meeting space. 151 Spacious Guest Rooms, including garden tubs, Children suites & Jacuzzi Suites. Free local calls, free high speed internet, Arcade, Fitness Center, 48,000 gallon salt water/mineral pool, Jacuzzi w/waterfall & Children’s pool with large waterfall. FREE Upscale Continental Breakfast! Park & Cruise Package with FREE parking & FREE SHUTTLE!! Come see the difference of staying at the Country Inn & Suites of Cape Canaveral. 321-784-8500; fax 321-784-8500; cx_cafl@countryinns.com; www.Countryinns.com/capecanaveralfl. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES 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; 321-783-7621; 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, tworoom 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. cocoabeachdoubletree.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.hiltoncocoabeach.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! EMERALD COAST CVB, INC. DESTIN – FT. WALTON BEACH FL 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway, Ft. Walton Beach FL 32548; 850-651-7647; fax 850-651-7130; 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.AdvantageVacation Homes.com.

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! ORLANDO VACATION HOMES & CONDOS FOR FAMILY REUNIONS! VillaDirect directly manages and rents the newest pool homes, townhouses and condominiums in the Disney area. Choose from over 500 fabulous vacation homes, designed for family comfort – with spacious rooms, luxurious furnishings, private pools and game rooms for family entertainment. All our homes located near Disney and other major attractions. Toll free – 1-877-259-9908. Website: www.villadirect.com. COMFORT SUITES ORLANDO 9350 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando FL 32819 Relax in the luxury of newly furnished accommodations. We have all the amenities for your convenience to make your stay more enjoyable. Our tropically landscaped courtyard with heated pool; kiddie pool; Jacuzzi; playground, Tiki Bar and Grill. Hotel is 2 miles to Universal Orlando and 2.5 miles to Sea World, 6 miles to Walt Disney. Orlando Convention Center is 2.5 miles. The Florida Mall is 5 miles from hotel. 407-351-5050; fax 407-363-7953; comfort.orlandto@ahmco.net; www.comfortsuites orlando.com FLORIDAYS RESORT ORLANDO 12550 Floridays Resort Drive at International Drive South, Orlando FL 32821. Located just two miles south of SeaWorld on International Drive, offers spacious two-and-three bedroom Grand Suites, with room for everyone. The free shuttle to the attractions and the I-Drive trolley makes it easy to get around town. With two heated swimming pools, game room, fitness center, and poolside bar and grille, you’ll want to spend quality family time right here at the resort. 321-329-4022; fax 321-329-4001; mlund@floridaysorlando.com; www.floridays resortorlando.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! WORLDQUEST RESORT 8849 WorldQuest Blvd. Orlando FL 32821. Come Discover More WorldQuest in Orlando. Two and three bedroom suites, 1,400 sq ft of living space, master bath w/jetted tub, full kitchens, washer/dryer, private screened in balconies that overlook our beautiful pool. Complimentary continental breakfast, sunset social, sweet dreams, 24 hr market, fitness center and security gate. Come Discover More at WorldQuest. 407-387-3800: fax 407-387-3810; jobailey@remingtonhotels.com; www.world questorlando.com. GEORGIA ATTRACTIONS

Luther King, Jr. Home, the new Aquarium and Stone Mountain Park! Call Cricket Elliott toll-free at 1-888-494-6638, ext 6049; direct at 770-814-6049 or by email at celliott@gcvb.org to plan your next Atlanta-based reunion today! www.gcvb.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

HAWAII MEET IN PARADISE! Share old memories & create new ones in comfort and spacious luxury at a large private home (with 3 suites on 3 levels) in Kauai’s exclusive Princeville resort. Easy access to beaches, golf, tennis, hiking, kayaking, shops. Relax at home over ping-pong, a jigsaw puzzle, or a gourmet meal! House sleeps 6-9. We can also arrange additional accommodations nearby. Toll free 866/624-4800, www.kuhinakoa.com.

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.marriottsuites deerfield.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! HOLIDAY INN HOTEL & SUITES CHICAGO NORTHWEST – ELGIN Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites at 495 Airport Rd, Elgin, Illinois 60123 is a full service hotel for your reunion needs. 3 miles from Hemmens Cultural Center, Grand Victoria Casino & 16 miles from Woodfield Mall. 243 rooms with 63 suites & 7,500 sq. ft. of meeting space with onsite catering. There is an indoor pool, fitness center, game room & Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern. 847-488-9000; Fax 847-488-9800; www.holidayinn.com/elginil.

IOWA GREATER DES MOINES CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 400 Locust Street, Ste 265, Des Moines IA 50309; 800-451-2625; 515-286-4960; fax 515-244-9757; info@desmoinescvb.com; www.SeeDesMoines.com.

KENTUCKY 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

LOUISIANA

GEORGIA AQUARIUM 255 Baker Street, Atlanta Georgia 30313. The Georgia Aquarium is the world’s largest with more than 8 million gallons of water and more than 100,000 animals including whale sharks, the world’s largest fish species. Host your reunion event in the Ocean’s Ballroom, the city’s newest and most unique environment for special events with catering provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering. Group ticketing is available for groups of 25 people or more. For more information contact Paul Selby at 404-581-4451 or log on to georgiaaquarium.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

GEORGIA ATLANTA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 233 Peachtree Street, Suite 100, Atlanta GA 30303. World-class restaurants, festive nightlife, six major league sports teams and top attractions help make Atlanta the entertainment center of the South. Add 92,000 hotel rooms in every price range and the city’s accessibility via Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and Atlanta is the perfect destination for family reunions. Contact the Atlanta CVB for reunion services, www.atlanta.net or 800.ATLANTA. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! DOUBLETREE HOTEL ATLANTA NORTHWEST – MARIETTA 2055 South Park Place, Atlanta GA 30339. Located off I-75 north of downtown Atlanta, close to all area attractions, shopping & restaurants. Our oversized rooms feature signature Sweet Dream bedding and Chaise lounge, Coffee Makers, Full Sized Ironing Boards and Irons, Data Ports & Wireless Access in Rooms. Indoor and Outdoor Pools. Hotel has free parking, fitness center, restaurant & coffee bar on site. 770-272-9441; fax 678-252-5907; lori@resourcehospitality.com; www.atlantamarietta.doubletree.com. GWINNETT CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU (ATLANTA) Minutes from Atlanta, the GCVB provides a FREE Reunion Planner, group welcome bags with gift; and free lodging assistance! Gwinnett has 97 group-friendly hotels with 25 of Atlanta’s best parks, and easy I-85 access to Six Flags, Dr. Martin

NEW ORLEANS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 2020 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans LA 70130; phone 504-5665011; fax 504-566-5002. Let us assist with your family reunion planning by helping you select a date with the best hotel rates and providing you with banquet, picnic and sightseeing information. Our services are free. Please contact Leslie Straughan at 800748-8695 x5018 or lstraughan@neworleanscvb.com and be sure to ask for the Family Reunion Planner. www.neworleanscvb.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! EXPERIENCE JEFFERSON, THE GATEWAY TO NEW ORLEANS! With plenty of easy access hotels, world-class dining, terrific shopping, swamp adventures, first-class fishing, meeting spaces, and more, this is the place for your reunion rendezvous! Contact the Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau at 504-731-7083, 1-877-572-7474 (toll free), or log on to our website, www.neworleansgateway.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

MAINE SAMOSET RESORT on 230 oceanside acres, in Rockport, ME, offers AAA four diamond service and quality and features 18-hole championship golf, newly remodeled guestrooms, meeting space, dining, health club, indoor pool and outdoor pools, hot tubs, tennis courts. With the ideal setting and amenities for relaxation, Samoset is the perfect reunion setting for all ages. 220 Warrenton Street, Rockport ME 04856. 877-237-3610; fax 207594-0048; www.samosetresort.com.

MASSACHUSETTS GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 9 Central Street, Suite 210, Lowell MA 01852. 8002159805; fax 978-4594595. Just a half-hour from Boston the Greater Merrimack Valley is rich in history and natural beauty. The region offers the unbeatable combination of lower costs, first-class facilities, easy accessibility, and our commitment to give your reunion all the attention it deserves! www.merrimackvalley.org

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES MICHIGAN DETROIT METRO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Thinking of meeting in Detroit? We offer great services such as tracing your family history, securing permits for area parks, searching for hotel accommodations and much more. Detroit is home to great family fun attractions including The Henry Ford, America’s greatest history attraction, the Detroit Zoo, fine museums and numerous festivals and events. 1-800-CALL-DTW (225-5389), www.visitdetroit.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! 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@kazoochamber.com; www.discoverkalamazoo.com. KEWADIN CASINOS Plan your next reunion at Kewadin Casinos. Choose from 320 deluxe accommodations on-site in Sault Ste. Marie. Enjoy Vegas-style gaming action, including keno, bingo, blackjack, roulette poker and craps. Join our Northern Rewards Club. Use your card when you play and rack up points for cash, coupons and comps. And after the gaming, visit the incredible local sites, such as Tahquamenon Falls State park or Mackinac Island. For information call 1-800-KEWADIN or book online at www.kewadin.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! BAROTHY LODGE 7478 Barothy Road, PO Box 69, Walhalla MI 49458; 231-898-2340; fax 231-898-3106; barothylodge@carr inter.net; www.barothylodge.com

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

MISSOURI THE BRANSON/LAKES AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Located in America’s heartland, Branson, Missouri is the perfect destination for your next reunion because we offer so many choices of entertainment, lodging, attractions, dining and more. Remember, in Branson, our value is unrivaled, our scenery breathtaking and our time-honored Ozarks hospitality inviting. Call us toll free at 800-636-8573 or visit our website at explorebranson.com and request a 2007 Reunion Planner Sales kit. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! TROUT LODGE is located in Potosi, Missouri, just 90 minutes south of St. Louis, and offers guest rooms, loft suites & cabins, 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!

NEVADA

DESERT ROSE RESORT 5051 Duke Ellington Way, Las Vegas NV, 89119; Phone 800-811-2450, Fax 702-597-3345; Spacious renovated one and two bedroom suites with full kitchen separate living room, dining room and a relaxing balcony. Each room is modern and beautifully decorated; Property features continental breakfast each morning; location is just minutes from the famous Las Vegas Strip, McCarran Airport. Resort consists of 284 suites in addition to newly refurbished pool and Jacuzzi with BBQ facilities and shaded seating; Banquet space available for special events. This property makes for a perfect reunion of any kind. Email: Sarah-Marie Vergara, Sales Manager 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 reunionvacation 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.imperialpalace.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! MESQUITE, NEVADA Situated just one hour north of Las Vegas, Mesquite is the perfect alternative for value-minded reunions of all sizes. Mesquite is Nevada’s gateway to Utah’s national parks. Awesome adventure awaits your group in majestic Mesquite. For assistance with your group of ten or more rooms, contact Gina Mann, Sales Executive at gmann@lvcva.com, or via phone at 702-892-7625; www.VisitMesquite.com. CIRCUS CIRCUS HOTEL & CASINO – RENO 500 N. Sierra Street, Reno NV 89503; 800-894-3588; www.circusreno.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

NEW JERSEY WYNDHAM GARDEN MT. OLIVE AT INTERNATIONAL CENTER 1000 International Drive North, Mount Olive NJ 07828. The Wyndham Garden Hotel Mt. Olive boasts the finest catering staff and banquet facility in all of Northwest New Jersey. With an ideal location in the International Trade Center, we also feature special group rates, a charming outdoor garden, a lobby lounge with martini bar and easy access from Routes 80, 46 and 206. Plan your ideal event with us and let us play host by making arrangements by visiting www.wyndham.com or calling 973448-1100. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

NEW YORK LAKE GEORGE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “The Queen of the American Lakes” – 32 miles of crystal clear water ready for fun, relaxation, exploration and building memories. “Surrounded by picturesque mountains, Lake George is a family destination paradise with Adirondack flare. 4 hrs from NYC and Boston, less than 3 hrs from Montreal via interstates. 1 hr from Albany International Airport. FREE VACATION GUIDE. Luisa Sherman at 518-668-5755 or 1-800-705-0059. reunions@Lake GeorgeChamber.com, www.LakeGeorgeChamber.com. SURFSIDE ON THE LAKE The Surfside Resort offers 144 clean, comfortable, well kept rooms. We are located in the heart of Lake George Village, with a large beach and boardwalk deck pool, a water view dining room and are surrounded with historic sites and exciting activities. A great place for Reunions, Weddings and Tours. We offer many customized packages to suit your every need. 400 Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845; 518-668-4224; fax 518-668-3202; website www.surfsideonthelake.com; e-mail: grant@surfsideonthelake.com. WESTCHESTER COUNTY OFFICE OF TOURISM 222 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains, www.westchestertourism .com; north of New York City and gateway to Hudson River Valley, is the perfect place to reunite. Choices include; cocktails in a castle, meet in a mansion, barbeque on a beach, gather on a golf course or frolic at Playland Amusement Park. Call 914. 995.8502, fax 914.995.8505 or email kab6@westchestergov.com for your free planning guide.

OHIO HORIZON CASINO RESORT LAKE TAHOE is located on the beautiful South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Enjoy golf, skiing, or the BERTRAM INN & CONFERENCE CENTER 600 North Aurora beach, each located just minutes away. 539 deluxe rooms Road, Aurora OH 44202. Located minutes from Geauga Lake in including luxury suites offer spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the historic Western Reserve. Offering 225 deluxe guestrooms & the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Three restaurants allow you to suites, heated outdoor pool, fitness & game room, banquet facilities, choose from buffet to gourmet. Enjoy 24 hour gaming, cabaret casual & fine dining restaurants onsite. Area activities include shows, free live music & dancing, arcade, and an 8-plex movie spa, golf, fly-fishing, shopping, museums, horseback riding, theater. Horizon Casino Resort Lake Tahoe, 50 Highway 50, PO canoeing & amusement parks. Local & airport shuttles. Virtual Box C, Lake Tahoe NV 89449; Ruby Turner, Director of Sales, tour at www.thebertraminn.com. For reunion packages contact 866.478.8463 or 775.588.6211; fax: 775.588.7761; sales@ Amy Feller at 330-995-7628. horizoncasino.com; www.horizoncasino.com. 60 R E U N I O N S ❖ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007

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

PENNSYLVANIA GETTYSBURG CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU For 144 years people from around the world have made Gettysburg, PA their destination to regroup, reconnect, and remember the Nation’s history. The scenic views, outdoor activities, affordable accommodations, and friendly small-town people bring guests back each year. Why not let Gettysburg show you an historical good time – come to Gettysburg for your next reunion, where history lives and the fun never ends! PO Box 4117, Gettysburg PA 17325; 717-334-6274; fax: 717-334-1166; sfox@gettysburg .travel; www.gettysburg.travel. LEOLA VILLAGE INN & SUITES 38 Deborah Drive, Leola PA 17540; 717-656-7002; fax 717-656-7648; jallen@leolavillage.com; www.leolavillage.com. PHILADELPHIA MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS CONGRESS 1700 Market Street, Suite 3000, Philadelphia PA 19103; 215636-3300; fax 215-636-3327; www.philadelphiamac.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! VisitPittsburgh 425 Sixth Avenue, 30th. Floor, Pittsburgh PA 15219; www.visitpittsburgh.com; 412-281-7711; 800-359-0758; fax 412-644-5512. For Reunion information, contact Barb Hollie, barb.hollie@visitpittsburgh.com. SOUTH CAROLINA ATTRACTIONS RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM Myrtle Beach SC, staffs experienced special event managers who are fully qualified to tailor extraordinary events for any group. Our catering team will create magnificent menus for any occasion including: Breakfasts, gourmet dinners, themed events, incredible family reunions & receptions. Please contact us at 1-800-724-8888 ext. 269 or at www.ripleysaquarium.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

SOUTH CAROLINA At 14 stories the HOLIDAY INN RIVERVIEW stands tall. This unique Charleston landmark offers guests 180 nicely appointed guest rooms and a full service restaurant with panoramic views of Historic Charleston and the Ashley River as well as complimentary shuttle service to the heart of the city for shopping and tours. Enjoy easy planning with our experienced staff. Ask about special incentives for event planners. 301 Savannah Hwy, Charleston SC 29407. Contact Megan O’Hara Owen at 843-4601440; fax 843-766-8355; mowen@hiriverview.com; www.holiday inn.wm/chs-riverview.com. DAUFUSKIE ISLAND RESORT & BREATHE SPA provides a safe atmosphere for a reunion your family won’t soon forget. With Inn rooms, cottages & private homes, 36-holes of golf, trails to explore by bike & full equestrian center, we easily accommodate groups of all sizes. Located between Hilton Head Island & Savannah. www.daufuskieislandresort.com/reunions. 800-960-9089. SEA MIST OCEANFRONT RESORT – MYRTLE BEACH SC 1200 South Ocean Blvd., 29577. REUNIONS MADE EASY! Specializing in reunions from military to family at the most affordable rates in Myrtle Beach. Sea Mist’s premier oceanfront location is near shopping, theaters and golf courses. Over 600 of our 800 units have been completely remodeled, restaurants, miniature golf, 10 pools, Jacuzzis, fitness room, 17,000-sq.ft. of versatile meeting space and much more! 800-200-8687; groupsales@seamist.com; www.seamist.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

SOUTH DAKOTA RAPID CITY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Nestled at the base of the legendary Black Hills, Rapid City lies at the heart of the American experience, just minutes from the highest concentration of public parks, monuments and memorials in the world. Explore the South Dakota Air and Space Museum and Ellsworth Air Force Base, then cap it all off with exciting tours and fine dining before winding down in luxurious and affordable accommodations. Visit www.visitrapidcity.com or call 800.487. 3223. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

TENNESSEE CHATTANOOGA AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU We are ready to host your next family or military reunion. Our Staff works closely with the hotels, attractions, tour companies and you to provide exactly what you need to have a great reunion. Contact Christina Petro at 800-964-8600 ext. 3017 or by e-mail at chrisp@chattanoogacvb.com for free help planning your next reunion! www.chattanoogafun.com.

CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES CRUISES

KINGSPORT CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 151 East Main Street, Kingsport TN 37662; 800-743-5282; 423-3928819; fax 423-392-8803. Come to Kingsport, Tennessee and discover America’s First Frontier! Marvel at the scenic beauty... hear the music and stories...sample the mountain fare. Kingsport – your perfect vacation destination. rcole@kcvb.org; www.kcvb.org. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

CRUISE PLANNERS – WE HAVE THE BEST PRICES AFLOAT! Best rates on all cruise lines. For more information and free brochure, Contact Your Vacation and Reunion Specialists: 1-888-707-SAIL (7245). www.cruiseandtravelassociates.net. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER NASHVILLE 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville TN 37214; 615889-1000; www.gaylordhotels.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

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.

TEXAS

MAGAZINE

CANYON OF THE EAGLES LODGE AND NATURE PARK 16942 Ranch Road 2341, Burnet TX 78611; 830-980-4014; fax 830-980-4013; COE 800-977-0081; annette@canyonoftheeagles .com; www.canyonoftheeagles.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! SAN ANTONIO HOLIDAY INN HOTELS 1-888-MEETING; www.sanantoniohotels.holiday-inn.com.

Subscribe to Reunions magazine Ensure a full year of reunion planning advice plus workbook. Subscribe now. Send $9.99/yr or $17.99/ 2 yrs to Reunions Magazine, Inc., PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. To charge to credit card call 800-373-7933 or visit our website www.reunionsmag.com.

UTAH

MEMENTOS

ACCLAIMED LODGING (managed by R & R Properties), is located in the beautiful mountain setting of Park City, Utah. Enjoy select properties throughout Park City, Deer Valley and The Canyons resort areas, many providing ideal accommodations for reunions, retreats and weddings. Call 800-348-6759. Let our knowledgeable staff assist you in creating an experience you will never forget. www.parkcitylodging.com.

INNOVATIVE SPECIALTY GIFTS, LTD. Is a full service promotional marketing company. We help our clients promote their products and services with thousands of promotional items. Tee shirts and promotional items are a fun inexpensive way to get the word out about your event, fundraiser or business. We are your one stop source for all your family reunion gear. We can provide you with caps, tees, visors, save the dates, chairs, cameras and fun giveaways and keepsakes for your family reunion. You can use one of our family reunion stock designs or we can do a custom design for you. Contact us today to help with all your family reunion needs. 770-369-3729; customerservice@ ourfamilyreunionstuff.com; www.ourfamilyreunionstuff.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 NORFOLK CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 232 East Main Street, Norfolk VA 23510. Norfolk’s beautifully revitalized waterfront, rich military heritage, walkable downtown and central Mid Atlantic location make it the ideal destination for your next reunion. Home to such attractions as the Battleship Wisconsin, MacArthur Memorial, Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the world’s largest naval base. See why American Heritage named Norfolk “A Great American Place.” Offering over 2,000 committable hotel rooms in various price ranges. Call 800-368-3097; dallen@ norfolkcvb.com; www.norfolkcvb.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

PRODUCTS & SERVICES BADGES & BUTTONS ReunionBadges.com offers reunion attendees a fun way to recognize old classmates – through a picture of who they used to be. We’ll take your old yearbook photos and create professional quality name tags that attendees will cherish for years. Custom neck lanyards and other accessories are also available. Visit www.reunionbadges.com or call us toll free at 800.729.3722. NAMETAG (PHOTO BUTTON) Using the alumni’ photo we create a custom labeled button incorporating your school name, colors, and reunion year. Attachment options and accessories are available. We offer personalized service and quick turnaround. A Special promotion is underway for 2007 40th year reunions. Visit us at www.TheButtonFactory.com/Reunions.htm

COOKBOOKS FUNDCRAFT PUBLISHING & COOKBOOKS.COM A Reunion Cookbook is a lasting keepsake that brings your family together, across the miles, through good food, good times & good memories. Call for a FREE “Recipes for Success” cookbook kit & a FREE Reunion Guidebook. It’s so EASY! Fundcraft customer service specialists are here to help! Great Gift, Great Keepsake, Great Way to Fund a Reunion. Call 1-800-853-1364 xt.253, P.O. Box 340, Collierville, TN 38027, www.cookbooks.com PLATE FULL OF MEMORIES...is a coaching guide for family memory cookbooks. Perfect for reunions, family get togethers or designing family keepsakes. It’s fun and easy to use. This CD is only $19.95 (plus $2.50 s/h). It puts you in control with no limits on stories, photos or recipes. The PLATEFULL OF MEMORIES CD contains templates and sample materials to put it all together. Open, customize materials for your family and you are on your way! For information contact us at 612-203-2103; info@plate fullofmemories.com or www.platefullofmemories.com.

FAMILY TREE CHARTS

REUNION ’08? Colorful, embossed custom ribbons (in your words) add a “touch of class” to your event & name badges. Ideal bookmark – keepsake that says “you were here.” Created expressly for class, family and military reunions. Class Ribbons available in school colors. For sample ribbon and idea brochure: REUNION MATE 800-208-6804, or FAX 419-738-8463, or donklock@bright.net

PHOTO ART SERVICES PHOTO RESTORATION AND COMPOSITES 632 Pacific Avenue, New Orleans LA 70114 (by appt.) 504-309-9554; fax 504-309-9554; Reunions@imaginationStudio.com; www. imaginationStudio.com.

POSTCARD ANNOUNCEMENTS 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 (plus priority mail S&H) or 20 cents for blank cards – you fill in the information and address; or Personalized cards – $45 p/100 postcards (plus priority mail S&H) 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.

Contact Alex Romagnolo at reunions@active.com or call 888543-7223 ext 3998 today! Hints on how to increase Online Registration: www.active.com/myevent/helpfulhints.cfm.

REUNION RIBBONS REUNION ’08? Colorful, embossed custom ribbons (in your words) add a “touch of class” to your event & name badges. Ideal bookmark – keepsake that says “you were here.” Created expressly for class, family and military reunions. Class Ribbons available in school colors. For sample ribbon and idea brochure: REUNION MATE 800-208-6804, or FAX 419-738-8463, or donklock@bright.net

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

T-SHIRTS Apparel by TshirtsOnYou.com 4662 Ashton Road, Sarasota, FL 34233; 941-924-4945; TshirtsOnYou@yahoo.com; www. TshirtsOnYou.com. INNOVATIVE SPECIALTY GIFTS, LTD. Is a full service promotional marketing company. We help our clients promote their products and services with thousands of promotional items. Tee shirts and promotional items are a fun inexpensive way to get the word out about your event, fundraiser or business. We are your one stop source for all your family reunion gear. We can provide you with caps, tees, visors, save the dates, chairs, cameras and fun giveaways and keepsakes for your family reunion. You can use one of our family reunion stock designs or we can do a custom design for you. Contact us today to help with all your family reunion needs. 770-369-3729; customerservice@ourfamilyreunion stuff.com; www.ourfamilyreunionstuff.com. JONESWEAR FAMILY REUNION APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES STARTING AT $3.99. T-shirts, Pullovers, Keychains, Hats, Assortment of Bags MUCH MUCH MORE! Give us a call for more info @ 404-681-0908. JONESWEAR 131-E Walker Street, Atlanta GA 30313. FAX (404) 681-0607; joneswear@yahoo.com; www.joneswear.net REUNION GEAR America’s #1 source for reunion apparel and gifts. See our large collection of full color designs; simply add your name and event info. Choose from t-shirts, apparel, and keepsakes. Reunion Kits start at only $5.00 with a minimum of just 12. Or send us your own art, we provide free art services with orders of 36+. 1-800-451-1611 www.reuniongear.com.

TRAVEL AGENT GROUP TRAVEL NETWORK Personal travel industry relationships are the backbone of our company. Not only do we have contracts with each of the attractions, restaurants and hotels that you will be using during your trip, we also have the personal relationships with their staff to ensure that the prices and service you receive are second to none. (866) 563-3703 / www.grouptravel network.com.

Subscribe! Call 1-800-373-7933

PRESERVING REUNIONS JUST SPECIAL PHOTOS preserve special photos on CD or DVD. Customized Presentations set to music. Preserving your special photos is our specialty. Unique fundraiser with 60% return. See Demo at www.justspecialphotos.com. Just Special Photos, 3430 E Jefferson, Ave 641, Detroit MI 48207. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!

REUNIONS MANAGERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REUNION MANAGERS (NARM) PO BOX 59713, Renton WA 98058-2713. 800-6542776; info@reunions.com; www.reunions.com.

REUNION REGISTRATION Register and charge reunion fees online at www.active reunions.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 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ❖ R E U N I O N S

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