2016 Reunion C
e l e b ra t i o n s !
Vol 26 no 1 $3/USA
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12TH Annual Military Reunion Planners Conference August 8-11, 2016 For the MRPC Application or a Reunion Planner Sales Kit: Julie Peters, CTIS, CEP at JPeters@BransonCVB.com
417-243-2117
in this special issue Departments
front Words – 4 ALUM & I – 6
Together We Stand Strong by Calvin A. (Juice) Clark Steilacoom’s class celebrates 50 – two years early by Nancy Covert Thomas Jefferson High School 50th Class Reunion by Gloria Jadot Kankakee High School, Class of 1965 by Janice Shenk East Orange, New Jersey, High School, Class of 1995 by Pamela Ball-Gilbert Woodlawn High School Mega Bash by Sherrie Dale University of Buffalo’s Nursing Class of 1955 by Georgia Burnette * High school reunion was eagerly anticipated by Nancy Davidoff Kelton * Charitable class reunions * Big Sandy Class of ‘65 50th graduation anniversary by Ginger Jordan * Disconnect to reconnect @ Maine Huts & Trails * Franklin (Louisiana) Senior High School by Dwana Calhoun
BRANCH OFFICE – 14
Sheldon Family Association by Jeanne A Jeffries Family heritage activities James Family Reunions by Howard James Benrud Family Reunion by Marie Martin and Iris Othrow
REUNION SCHOOL – 18 Masterplan – 20
An 8 anniversary reunion by Cyndi Speltz Gipp Wood Family Reunion by June Wood Will the Schmidt Family Reunion be next? by Josiah Schmidt Keep calm and plan on! by Francis D. Talton 10 reasons to host a dude ranch reunion First cousins only by Cathi (Muldowney) Venis Irvin Family Reunion by Tawana Battle Reconciliation of the Hatfields and McCoys by Ron McCoy Clark/Fancher Family Reunion Sangster Family Reunion by Glenda Bardsley Celebrating Our Past, Present and Future Generations by Phyllis Moore Burnette Family Reunion by Georgia Burnette Adams Family Reunion by Christopher & Sharon Adams Cruising toward a 60th anniversary by Wendy Howarter Building Bridges – Connecting Generations by Frederick Michael Gillyard and his Bettie Gillyard Griggs Hopkins-Strain Family Reunion by Daryl Hopkins All White Fairley-Foskey Family Reunion by Sandra Lyons Radcliff Family Reunion by Richetta Andino Jenkins-Scott Family Reunion by Sondra Y. Jenkins O’Malleys and Historic Dodgertown Moran Family Reunion by Jo Ann Adiele Hamilton Hill Taylor Family Reunion by LaTanya Joseph Liske Family Reunions by Janice Wade * Still Family Reunion by Reggie Still Sr. * Green(e) Family Reunification reunion by Reverend Mike Greene * Wheaton-Dukes Family Reunion by Terry Bunch * 50th Hightower-Bush-Little Family Reunion by Denise Brown-Sampson * Slave descendants meet at Sweet Briar College * Cargill, Caldwell, Harris, Williams Family Reunion by Lydia Williams
Military Reunion News – 45
4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment Reunion by Peyton Ligon USS Eugene A. Greene (DD/DDR-711) Reunion by Robert J. Clark 317th Troop Carrier Airlift Veterans Reunion by Jim Timmons
Reunion Resources – 48 A directory of reunion-friendly places, services, vendors and products * continuations in downloadable pdf @ reunionsmag.com.
2016 Reunion Celebrations! Volume 26 • Number 1 Publisher / Editor in Chief Edith Wagner Art Director Jennifer Rueth Senior sales account manager Marion Liston sales Staff Nicole Dettmering Ksioszk Operations Manager Karla Lavin Web Wizard Josh Evert hospitality answer man Dean Miller Contributors Christopher and Sharon Adams • JoAnn Adiele Richetta Andino • Pamela Ball-Gilbert Glenda Bardsley • Tawana Battle Denise Brown-Sampson • Terry Bunch Georgia Burnette • Dwana Calhoun Calvin A. (Juice) Clark • Robert J. Clark Nancy Covert • Sherrie Dale Matthew Deighton • Frederick Michael Gillyard Cyndi Speltz Gipp • Reverend Mike Greene Bettie Gillyard Griggs • Daryl Hopkins Wendy Howarter • Gloria Jadot Howard James • Jeanne A. Jeffries Sondra Y. Jenkins • Ginger Jordan LaTanya Joseph • Nancy Davidoff Kelton Peyton Ligon • Sandra Lyons Marie Martin • Ron McCoy • Phyllis Moore Iris Othrow • Josiah Schmidt Janice Shenk • Reggie Still Sr. Francis D. Talton • Jim Timmons Cathi (Muldowney) Venis • Janice Wade Lydia Williams • June Wood R eunions magazine , I nc . (ISSN #1046-5 s 235), is published 2 times per year. Send correspondence, queries, submissions, subscriptions, advertising to R eunions magazine, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. Written permission from the publisher is required for reproduction of any part of this book except pages which encourage sharing. Please explain your intended use when requesting permission to reprint. Email: editor@reunionsmag.com or fax 414263-6331. Tear sheets of reviews and reprints required. Reunions magazine, Inc., will not be liable for information presented as facts contained in any of our advertising, byline stories or materials. We reserve the right to edit and/or refuse any material submitted for publication. We solicit participation and take responsibility for submitted materials. Unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), submissions and photos will not be returned. All materials sent for purposes of publication become property of Reunions magazine, Inc. Subscriptions: US and Canada $9.99/yr, $17.99/2 yrs. All other addresses, call for rates. 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 414-263-6331 | e-mail editor@reunionsmag.com | reunionsmag.com. © 2016 Reunions magazine, Inc. 2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 3
front words
Welcome to Reunion Celebrations!
their hands, which is why we decided upon occasional special issues. In fact we plan another special issue in his special issue highlights reunion celebrations. Big September, hoping advertisers support the idea. On the reunions, small reunions, families, classes, military subject of support, we hope you will contact advertisers on and some whose history propels their reunions. How these pages and those you encounter on our all of them celebrate. There are many website. They, like you, have but one goal: more than the usual number of reunions and successful and memorable reunions. our concentration is on their celebrations. Mail to You’ll find many ideas worth considering for If you are a beginner … Reunions magazine your own reunion that we hope will PO Box 11727 We welcome you to reunion planning encourage your reunion planning. Milwaukee WI 53211-0727 and hope the information you’re looking for Something new! and questions you’re wanting answered will call 414-263-4567 all be on our web pages and in these issues. This print version is continued online. visit www.reunionsmag.com You may want to attend a workshop, or We had many more celebrations we wanted fax 414-263-6331 download a timetable, or look for a to share, so a downloadable pdf version of e-mail editor@reunionsmag.com destination and venue for your reunion, this print magazine and the continuation can they’re all on reunionsmag.com. Visit early be found on reunionsmag.com! Just look for and visit often! this Reunion Celebrations! cover and enjoy even more reunion celebrations. Is your reunion on reunionSmag.com? For about eight months we’ve concentrated on building our Visit Reunions Hall of Fame! If your reunion is listed, web presence with additions to all our social media, our web, please send a picture and contact info so others can find you! Facebook and Pinterest pages. Since all of them focus Add your upcoming reunion to our list and your reunion entirely on various aspects of reunion planning, we urge you picture to our gallery. Submit reunion videos to share; see to migrate in that direction for countless more reunion reunion videos already online! Sign up for monthly reunion planning ideas. The ideas are tried and true examples of real news, if you don’t already receive it and enter giveaways life reunion celebrations! and contests. Since all our material is from reunion planners or people Help our next edition. who serve reunions, their only focus is reunion planning. As always we encourage you to share your reunion planning and The next print edition will concentrate on reunion celebrating stories and support our sponsors. planning ideas, the work you need to do to have reunion celebrations! We collect examples from stories you submit. Our emphasis on the web and social media is, like most We need stories and reports about your reunion planning. other publishers, because the cost for print has risen and And pictures! We’ll need (high resolution) pictures of support/advertising has not, so we must reach our audience committees in action, meet & greets, celebrations, banquets, of reunion planners in new ways. We are gratified by the worship, activities, games, mounds of luscious potluck picnic thousands of visits our pages draw each month and we foods and lots more. You know: reunions! encourage you to visit even more. Since many of those are return visits, we must be sharing information that helps you We will be thinking about you during spring and summer plan your reunion. If not, please speak up! reunions and hoping you’ll want to further celebrate your reunion by sharing your reunion stories and pictures. We truly enjoy producing print versions of Reunions magazine! Many people still want to hold the magazine in Happy 2016 reunion season! EW
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alum & I
Together We Stand Strong
I
graduated from Clarksdale (Mississippi) High School (CHS) with the Class of 1980. At that time, our class was 42% white and 58% black. Our proms and reunions were held separately, as were all the preceding classes once CHS was integrated. When the time came for our 10-year class reunion, Reverend Norman Van Collins, a black minister, now Dr. Collins, called and asked me to present the idea of having the reunion together to white committee members. He wanted to get past the racial divide and did not want the reunion to continue being segregated as it had been in the past. After all, we went to school, studied, and spent time together, so friendships and memories were made. I presented the idea to our committee. It was rejected. I was disappointed, but I did not speak up to say how wrong I believed the segregated reunions were. Not speaking up has always weighed heavily on my heart. I joined Facebook this year along with many classmates from both races. I didn’t know it, but black 1980 graduates have been reuniting for years. I joined them and have worked hard to rectify the mistake I made as a young man. As I worked with others to organize the upcoming reunion, I was overwhelmed by the love and forgiveness I felt from my black classmates. I appreciated how excited they were for me to help get both races together for a reunion, and I was grateful to them
From left Robert Bubble Agostinelli, Clarksdale Mayor Bill Luckett, Calvin Juice Clark.
for giving me an opportunity to do what I was afraid to do 25 years ago. I began telling every white classmate I could find about having a reunion together. To my surprise, they were excited about a non-segregated reunion and wanted to be a part of it. If we want change in Clarksdale, it begins with us, and it must begin in our hearts. As members of the Class of 1980, we are all coming together to start making a change. We want to set an example for our children, for future classes, and for our community. We want to let others see we care for each other, forgive each other, accept and love one another. The time has come to move forward.
One of my classmates told me, “When I saw your message about bringing both sides together, it brought tears to my eyes. With everyone’s effort and, of course, God’s help, it will work. It’s destiny.” Dr. Collins said, “Please know no apologies are needed. I have come to understand that all things happen in God’s own time. I’m just thankful that you, others, and I have matured in our thinking about so many of life’s issues due to our experiences. The best we can do is let the past be the past and focus on our future.” Our reunion was open to any Clarksdale High School 1980 graduate. We wanted this reunion to be the beginning for a change in Clarksdale – proof we care about each other and want to close this racial divide. The theme of our reunion was “Together We Stand Strong.” How fitting! Reported by Calvin A. (Juice) Clark, San Antonio, Texas.
Calvin A. (Juice) Clark made videos from this reunion and graciously allowed us to post them on our website. Pictures are from their Meet & Greet, banquet, cookout and memorial. Most are on class reunion pages but some are scattered throughout the site. Search for Clarksdale High School.
Postcards that make your reunion point! Send save the date
when you’ve set it!
Send
TIME IS RUNNING OuT when it is!
Custom Printing – $45 p/hundred; 50¢ each Fill-in cards $15 p/hundred; 20¢ each plus shipping & handling Send message, check & request to: Reunion postcards PO Box 11727 v Milwaukee WI 53211-0727 To charge, call 414.263.4567 Clarksdale High School, Class of 1980
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2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 7
alum & I
Steilacoom’s Class of 1967 celebrates its 50th – two years early
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here’s something special about being a The view was still a clear shot at Puget Sound Steilacoom student – especially being from and the cloud-cloaked Olympic Mounthe first district in Pierce County, Washington tains. – from a town that was the first one incorpoGrads dined at the TopSide’s Quarterrated in the State. deck and concluded the weekend with 26 stairs – that’s how many steps reach from breakfast Sunday at the Bair Bistro, the first to the second floor at what was Steilacoom’s historic 1895 general store. originally called “Steilacoom School;” 52 The weekend reconnection was fabulous stairs, if you count both sides. and plans for the actual “50th” in 2017 are Graduates of Steilacoom’s Class of 1967 underway. The gathering likely will include held a pre-milestone reunion in their old a visit to the “new” Pioneer School at school building in August 2015 and retraced DuPont, Washington. The original school their way over those same stairs – up to the bell, now green with decades of patina, that The official graduation program. new conference room. once hung in the tower of the 1892 building Sure, the weekend “pre-reunion” was two now hangs outside the new school’s front entry. years ahead of its official 50th anniversary – but that’s okay. From Reported by Nancy Covert, Lakewood, Washington. Friday to Sunday, a third of the 1967 eighth grade grads enjoyed a reunion in the “Town on the Sound” where they’d attended kindergarten through 8th grade. The official graduation for the class was held, according to Marlene Korsmo’s colorful graduation program, in the school’s gymnasium. That program featured “1967 Steilacoom Graduation, June 8, 6:30 p.m.” in red lettering against a yellow background. The school mascot was a Pirate. This year’s pre-50th event began at a classmate’s home. The gathering included a return to Steilacoom School, where there was a short program about Pierce County’s first school district’s history begun in 1854. The session in the recently remodeled building, now housing the District Administration Offices, offered an opportunity to peek into former classrooms, see a collection of historic photos displayed throughout the building and reminisce about teachers, classes and activities, such as the 6th grade camp held at Camp Seymour. “When we were in the 4th grade, we planted cedar trees around town” one pointed out. “They’re huge now!” The gathering featured a yellow school bus tour that included a stop at the site of the district’s first school, a log cabin near Pioneer Orchard Park. Before the tour, “grads” posed on the school’s front stairs at the spot where class photos were taken. Steilacoom’s Class of 1967, pre-milestone reunion
Thomas Jefferson High School 50th Class Reunion
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homas Jefferson High School’s Class of 1985 meets every five years. They’ve had the same chairperson since the fifth reunion, however, she passed away recently so they elected a new Chairman. Up until now the “MC” was also a classmate but he’s battling cancer for the second time. A classmate who is a DJ planned activities to have fun ... especially being the 50th reunion. They send save the date postcards ... invitations ... but now are really pushing email. In the past members were contacted primarily by mail BUT now they are getting emails. This communication is instantaneous and I can “talk” to individual 8 Reunions v reunionsmag.com
classmates to get the enthusiasm going, says Gloria Jadot. She also says it might be fun to start a facebook “page” with only classmates as “friends.” They charge across the board costs for dinner and miscellaneous expenses. There was a special part to the program for a classmate who quit after 11th grade to join the military. He was KIA in Vietnam (the only classmate killed in Vietnam). The committee got approval to award his sister an honorary diploma. Local TV stations and Pittsburgh Post Gazette were there for the presentation by the Superintendent of the West Jefferson Hills School District.
The class president, Dave Mrochek, had suggested this honor and he worked diligently to get the approvals. However, a few months before the reunion Dave was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away just days before the reunion. They also did a reading of all of our classmates who have passed over the years. Nevertheless, the reunion went great, yes there was a bit of a somber part to the evening but then fun ensued, our DJ was great and dancing was pretty heavy duty ... all was perfect. Reported by Gloria Jadot, New Kensington, Pennsylvania.
Kankakee High School, Class of 1965 Reunion
Kankakee High School, Class of 1965
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he Kankakee (Illinois) High School, Class of 1965 had a three-day reunion. 150 people attended a Friday night mixer with appetizers at the local boat club.
Saturday night dinner and dance were at the local country club. Kind of posh, so we got dressed up. Buffet dinner, DJ, photo booth and a group picture went over very well. Cost was $45 per person and included a program book of names and contact information of all who could be found. Sunday was a BBQ style picnic at a classmate’s hunting lodge seven miles from town. Over 100 attended. Very casual. We supplied pulled pork sandwiches, Italian beef and several sides. We allowed $15 per person from the Saturday night ticket sales to cover food costs for Friday and Sunday so we didn’t have to charge extra. The group picture was a wash. They cost us $15 and we charged $15 and we sold over 70. The photo booth cost $400 for two hours with an attendant. Pictures were available free online. Each person got two slides of their
picture in the photo booth. We had enough money to cover all the printing and mailings of save-the-date post cards, invitations, and pictures and envelopes for those who could not attend. And I still have money left over to start the next reunion. That is why I always handle the money for reunions! I have been saving little sums from the very first one, but I still have more left over than when I started. We have a lot of talent on the committee and some costs were donated. From a report by Janice Shenk, Kankakee, Illinois.
Note: These invitations can also be seen on our web page in the collection of invitations called Reunions invite!
2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 9
alum & I
A successful 20-year high school reunion!
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amela Ball-Gilbert lives in Deltona, Florida, and is planner of her Little-Rice Family Reunion and her East Orange, New Jersey, High School, Class of 1995 reunion. She wrote, “My class reunion went off without
a hitch and even though I worked a little more than I expected, I had a great time! We celebrated Halloween weekend. Friday night there was a banquet. Saturday morning a tailgate party preceded a
football game between our new East Orange Campus High and West Orange High School. Sunday’s Final Fellowship was held at Pleasant Grove MB Church in Newark, New Jersey. Two after parties extended the celebrations!
Panther Pride t-shirts
East Orange, New Jersey, High School, Class of 1995
Woodlawn High School Mega Bash Reunion
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herrie Dale, Center Point, Alabama, graduated from Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1980. For six years she’s been planning a reunion called Woodlawn High School Mega Bash Reunion. It started out being classes before and after hers. Now six years later she’s gathered classes from 1975 to 1990 for the next Mega Bash Reunion. Mega Bash Reunion members gathered at Dear ‘Ole Woodlawn High for a walk through with some of the coaches and teachers. Dale says she loves planning Mega Bash Reunions and what she loves even better is when she’s able “to connect old friends together again.”
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Woodlawn High School Mega Bash Reunion, Birmingham, Alabama
alum & I
60th nursing school reunion!
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embers of the Baccalaureate Nursing Class of 1955 met at Russell’s Steak House to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our graduation from the University of Buffalo’s School of Nursing (now, SUNY @ Buffalo). Classmates unable to join were sorely missed, but photographs and notes were sent. A gift to the Dean’s Fund was forwarded earlier to mark this milestone in our lives. “We called ourselves ‘The U.B. Basics’ since we were the second class of the generic nursing program begun in 1950. Veola Knowles Hawkes (deceased) and Georgia Mackie Burnette were the first African American students accepted into the generic program.” Buffalo classmates began monthly luncheon meetings 30+ years ago that continue today. The class celebrated their 40th anniversary with a cruise to the Bahamas and a delightful week in Savannah, Georgia, to commemorate the 50th. We were pleased to toast another class reunion, and reminisce about our times together as young student nurses. Reported by Georgia Burnette, Wheatfield, New York.
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Members of the University of Buffalo, Baccalaureate Nursing Class of 1955 at their 60th reunion; left to right, Joan Mangano, Beverly Loree, Shirley Lewitzsky, Lillian Pawlik, Dean of the School, Marsha Lewis, Betty Kiscunas, Doris Burnett, Georgia Burnette, Eleanor Guyette; seated, Florence Patterson.
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16-PNO-0136 Reunions Magazine.indd 1
familyfuture
1/21/16 4:32 PM
A LINK TO THE PAST A BRIDGE TO OUR
Family reunions? Think Chattanooga. Chattanooga is a family reunion destination everyone can agree on. The Scenic City offers first-class attractions, affordable accommodations and top regional restaurants - not to mention a central location in the Southeast. Our CVB reunion specialist can provide complimentary assistance, including detailed guidelines for reunion planning. Contact Christina Petro at the Chattanooga CVB, 423-424-4417 or chrisp@chattanoogacvb.com
2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 13
branch office
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Rise of the ‘Kinkeepers’
family’s historian digs into genealogical research and shares it with her clan. These historians are “kinkeepers,” who play an important role in preserving history and passing it along to new generations. Family reunion time is a kinkeepers’ opportunity for sharing and collecting family history, whether writing stories told by grandparents or passing around a faded photo of a cousin who fought in World War I.
Kinkeepers say the Internet has given their research a big boost, but sometimes the missing pieces of the puzzle are still found in shoeboxes in dusty attics or in metal filing cabinets at county courthouses. Some people even do research in countries where the family has roots. From an article by Michael O’Conner in the Omaha World-Herald, Omaha, Nebraska.
Sheldon Family Association
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or over 100 years members of the Sheldon Family Association have met annually in locations across the US. The recent meeting was in Sacramento, California, for descendants of early New England Sheldon Men: Godfrey, Isaac, John, John, and Richard who arrived in New England in the 1600s. In 1850 H.O. Sheldon collected the names of descendants and their relationships in a series of newsletters that led to a database, which now numbers over 100,000 names. Reunions are scheduled in the northeast, mid country and west. At each Reunion, members have access to the database to find connections. Each two-day event includes a visit to a local Sheldon site. In Sacramento, a trip to the Elk Grove House and Stage Stop Museum was with a docent who is a Sheldon descendant. The story of Jared Sheldon, an early settler, was featured and the
group visited his grave. Members were encouraged to make short talks of 10 minutes about various topics. Many signed up. Some members displayed posters about Sheldon forebears. Dinner speakers included a member who volunteers for the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center of Casper, Wyoming, who presented “Trail to California 1850” and another member presented Stories of Sheldon Settlers. New this year was “choose your own adventure and share a ride.” There was a long list of Sacramento area activities from Sutter’s Fort to a railroad museum and Genealogy Hunting at the California Archives. Submitted by Jeanne A Jeffries, Walpole, New Hampshire.
Quanah Parker historical marker dedicated
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omanche descendants gathered for their annual family reunion near Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon, Texas, during the dedication of the Quanah Parker arrow marker. About 45 descendants of Quanah – the last Comanche chief – were there for the unveiling of the monument dedicated to their heritage. The monument read, “The Comanches called Palo Duro Canyon Prairie Dog – Sanctuary. Quanah was known for roaming the Texas Panhandle and South Plains and fighting commercial buffalo hunters and other settlers.
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Joe Ed Coffman, Quanah’s adopted great-grandson portrayed Quanah during the ceremony and said it is important for everyone to come together and to make people aware of Native American history because there is so much history that shouldn’t get lost in time. Brian Davis, Quanah’s great-great-grandson and president of the family reunion committee, said during their yearly reunions, they always have a good time enjoying one another’s company. From a story by Vanessa Garcia on Amarillo.com, Amarillo, Texas.
Strengthen your family’s heritage!
H
ere are some fun heritage things to do at your family reunion. Personalized card deck
Does your family like to play cards? Create a custom deck with pictures of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Choose from templates like Rook, Old Maid, Go Fish, Face Cards. Family Land
Just like Candy Land, but with your family name and activities you enjoy doing together. It will keep the kids entertained for hours! Family cookbook
Have family members share favorite recipes and pictures for a family cookbook. Take it to the reunion and if family members want copies, take orders. Or have family members bring pictures and recipes to the reunion. Then make the cookbook later. Bingo
Create Bingo cards with pictures of grandparents and other relatives. This is a great way for kids to learn the names of their great grandparents. Special Memories Box
Keep your favorite cards, notes, letters and pictures all in a special place. Buy or make a special box. Scanning
If you have a scanner, members can bring pictures of great grandma, great grandpa, etc. Don’t let pictures out their sight. Scan pictures at the reunion and then everyone gets a copy of everyone’s pictures. It’s a win, win!
James Family Reunion
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have been responsible for eight or ten James Family Reunions over the years. My immediate family (five brothers, spouses, children, aunt and uncles) got together nearly every summer at our mother’s retirement home in North Carolina. I always felt there were more family members, though almost nothing was known about earlier generations. When my mother passed on, we all attended a memorial service for her in Iowa City, Iowa, where she was born. While there we went with my uncle to Sheraton, Iowa, where he was born. There at the genealogy room at the public library we discovered that many family members had come to Iowa from Zanesville, Ohio. A few months later I ran a classified ad in the newspaper announcing we were holding a James Family Reunion in Zanesville. More than 30 curious people with the James surname responded. Local James family members took over and we became their guests,
meeting in a church built by a family member. Two or three branches of our family had not been together in 150 years. Yet, when we met, it was as if we were one family with much in common. We decided to meet again the following summer in a Philadelphia suburb where our first American ancestor purchased land in 1682. I arranged for a group rate at a local motel and established several family- related activities. We visited a family member who was a professor at a major university. He lived on 640 acres or one square mile of the original family property purchased from William Penn. We visited a Quaker meetinghouse for a discussion of our ancestors’ religion, among other things. We then met regularly in places with family ties. During the intervening years I created a “James family history” dating back to the 1600s in Tixal, Staffordshire, England. Shared by Howard James, Norway, Maine. 2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 15
branch office
Benrud Family Reunion
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t this Benrud Family Reunion they honored Ole Attendance has been as high as 425. The “Benrud Kristian, one of Peder and Anne Soffie’s sons, Reader*” is sent annually to the ancestors of Peder who passed away at age 22, leaving no descendants. and Anna Soffie Benrud, who came from Norway in On Sunday they saw his restored gravestone and new 1875 with their children Olava, Carl and Ole additional marker at North Coon Prairie Church, in Kristian to join their children Maren, Lena and Newry, Wisconsin, where they held a church service Anton who had come earlier. The reunions are a way and dinner. to maintain contact with this extended family, learn The reunion which has occurred every five years about common culture and celebrate family heritage. A Family Reunion like no other! Our logo above, reflected since 1950 was in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The reunion Visit Benrud Family on Facebook. the theme of this reunion maintains contact and records for over 800 families. Reported by Marie Martin and Iris Othrow, “Honoring Our Roots.” It is coordinated by an elected board of directors. Mc Farland, Wisconsin. Three hundred and nineteen cousins attended the first reunion. *See a copy of the “Benrud Reader” on reunionsmag.com.
You’re invited to join your Benrud Family Reunion for the
Family Heritage Air Conditioned Bus Tour and Lunch Saturday, August 1st @ 10:45 AM
Days Hotel
Edith Benrud Roberts at the graves of her great-great-grandparents and her grandchildren Genevieve (13) and Nathan Goldberg (9) and Connor (13) Roberts at the graves of their great-great-great-grandparents.
Adults $20. Children ten and under $10. Children who do not need their own seat and share an adult’s lunch are FREE. See farms where Olava and Joseph Lee, Lena and Lars Anderson lived. Time will be spent in Norskedalen visiting Benrud Little White Chapel and enjoying a box lunch and the surroundings. Then on to Skogdalen Lutheran Church and cemetery and a drive by the Christian and Minnie Benrud farm. Driving north from Newry on County PC, passing by farms of Maren and Carl Olson, Carl and Gena Benrud, Anton and Maria Benrud. Immanuel Lutheran Church and Moen Cemetery are the sites for the next stop On our way back to LaCrosse, we plan to stop at Portland Lutheran Church and cemetery.
Join Our Family! Entrance to Norskedalen is extra though Norskedalen members are admitted free. We encourage you to bring children to learn about their history. Current and past generations!
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2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 17
Most of these events are sponsored and presented by convention and visitors bureaus. Most take place on Saturdays and are for people planning reunions in their area. All prefer or require advance reservations and most are free or at nominal cost. New events are added online, as soon as we learn about them. Visit reunionsmag.com, click on workshops, conferences and seminars.
Alliance of Military Reunions
Cobb County, Georgia
Contact Skip Sander, 412-367-1376 | MilitaryReunions@aol.com AllMilitaryReunions.org
Contact Dianne Lovett, 678-303-2635 | dlovett@travelcobb.org
Albany, Georgia
October 1, 2016 Roger Dudley, 614-222-6136 experiencecolumbus.com/tours-reunions
Contact Jenny Collins, 229 317-4760 | JCollins@albanyga.com Alpharetta, Georgia
April 16, August 6, October 1, 2016 Contact Anna, 678-297-2811 | Anna@awesomealpharetta.com Athens, Georgia
Contact Athens CVB, 706-357-4430. Atlanta, Georgia
404-521-6647 | atlanta.net/reunions Augusta, Georgia
Contact “Cousin� Michelle, 800-726-0243 | 706-823-6600 mbovian@augustaga.org Baltimore, Maryland
410-244-8861 Greater Birmingham, Alabama
Contact Tara Walton, CTIS, 205-458-8000, ext 206 twalton@birminghamal.org Branson, Missouri
12th Annual Military Reunion Planners Conference Aug 8-11, 2016 Contact Julie Peters, 417-334-4084 | jpeters@bransoncvb.com explorebranson.com/groups/military-reunion-planner-conference
Columbus, Ohio
Dekalb County, Georgia
February 20, 2016, Family Reunion Workshop February 27, 2016 (Black Family Reunion Expo) Contact Penny Moore, penny@dcvb.org | 770-492-5018 atlantasdekalb.com Detroit, Michigan
Contact DMCVB, 313-202-1985 | reunions@meetdetroit.com meetdetroit.com/reunions Douglasville, Georgia
March 19, 2016 Contact Kristen Tate, 678-449-3172 | tatek@douglasvillega.gov Dunwoody, Georgia
Contact Sarah Steadman, 678-244-9804 sarahs@cvbdunwoody.com | www.cvbdunwoody.com/ Durham, North Carolina
February 20, 2016 Contact Lauren Peoples, 919-680-8305 Lauran@durham-cvb.com Fairfax County, Virginia
Contact Carrie Hendrickson, 704-456-7969 Carrie@visitcabarrus.com | visitcabarrus.com
February 13, 2016 Speaker: Edith Wagner, Reunions magazine editor Contact Dean Miller, 703-752-9509 | dmiller@fxva.com fxva.com
Chesapeake, Virginia
Flint, Michigan
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Contact C. Jeff Bunn, 757-382-1352 jbunn@cityofchesapeake.net
Contact Courtney Irish, 810-600-1456 cirish@flintandgenesee.org
Chicago Northwest, Schaumburg, Illinois
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Contact Melinda Garritano, 847-278-3445 mgarritano@chicagonorthwest.com Chicago Southland, Illinois
Contact Kristy Stevens, 708-895-8299 Kristy@VisitChicagoSouthland.com Clayton County, Georgia
April 2, 2016 Contact Tangie Carter, 678-610-4242 register atatlantastruesouth.com 18 Reunions v reunionsmag.com
March 5, 2016 Contact: Kimberly Herbert, 800-260-3646 ksherbert@fredericksburgva.gov | VisitFred.com Grand Rapids, Michigan
Heidi Schmitt, 800-678-9859 ext 3557 hschmitt@experiencegr.com Greenwood, South Carolina
Contact Lindsay Burns, 864-953-2464 Lindsay.Burns@cityofgreenwoodsc.com
Gwinnett County, Georgia
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Contact Maurice Odoms, Family Reunion Expert, 770-814-6059 maurice@exploregwinnett.org
Visit visityorkcounty.com/
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Contact Will Carlson, 770-206-1445 will.carlson@sandyspringsga.org
Contact Jennifer Williamson, 269-488-0057 jwilliamason@discoverkalamazoo.com
Sandy Springs, Georgia
Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana
Kissimmee, Florida
October 22, 2016 Speaker: Edith Wagner, Reunions magazine editor Contact Jadeine Shives, 407-569-4855 jshives@experiencekissimmee.com | Reunionsinkissimmee.com Lake County, Illinois
Contact Kimberly Ghys, 800-Lake-Now Kimberly@lakecounty.org | lakecountyreunions.com Louisville, Kentucky
February 27, 2016 Contact Dallas Henson, 502-560-1487 dhenson@gotolouisville.com Macon-Bibb County, Georgia
Contact 478-743-1074 | vgruber@maconga.org Memphis, Tennessee
Contact Cassandra Taylor, 901-543-5320 cassandrataylor@memphistravel.com Newport News, Virginia
Contact Andrea Moran, 888-493-7386 | amoran@nnva.gov newport-news.org/ Peachtree City, Georgia
Contact 678-216-0282 | visitpeachtreecity.com Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Family Reunion and Travel Expo held in Decatur, Georgia April 9, 2016 Contact Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism, Joy McNealy or Kay Poole, 800-251-9100 | www.mypigeonforge.com Prince George’s County, Maryland
Prince George’s Community College, Laurel Contact Mary Jane Shearer, 301-322-0797 | shearemj@pgcc.edu
Contact Kevin Flowers, 800-551-8682 | kflowers@sbctb.org REUNION FRIENDLY NETWORK (military)
Regional Roundtables, Educational Summit, ConFAM (Conferences begin on varied days) Long Beach, California, Regional Roundtable March 14-17, 2016 Kissimmee, Florida, Regional Roundtable/ConFAM April 10-15, 2016 Boise, Idaho, Regional Roundtable, May 23-27, 2016 Louisville, Kentucky, Educational Summit June 26-28, 2016 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Regional Roundtable September 24-28, 2016 Colorado Springs, Colorado, ConFAM October 17-20, 2016 Waterloo, Iowa, Regional Roundtable O ctober 24-27. 2016 Contact, Sharon Danitschek, 425-501-1430 sharon@reunionfriendly.com | www.reunionfriendly.com Virtual Family Reunion Planning Workshops
February 20, March 19, April 23, May 14, June 18, July 23, August 20, September 17, 2016 Contact Niko Cook, webuildlegacy@gmail.com YMRC – YOUR MILITARY REUNION CONNECTION Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, February 7-12, 2016 Branson, Missouri, April 24-29, 2016 Shreveport, Louisiana, May 5-8. 2016 New Orleans, Louisiana, July 12-16, 2016 Nashville, Tennessee, August 9-12, 2016 Reno, Nevada, August 23-26, 2016 Jacksonville, Florida, November 2-6, 2016 Newport News, Virginia, November 9-12, 2016
Contact Ymrcusa@gmail.com | yourmilitaryreunions.com
2015 Fredericksburg, Virginia
2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 19
masterplan
An 8 anniversary reunion
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he Speltz family likes to get together in a big way. When my husband and I started planning our 40th wedding anniversary we wanted to include my siblings who were celebrating milestone anniversaries as well. The 1st Annual Speltz-Aversary was held Memorial Day weekend in Winona, Minnesota. Plans were made, hotels reserved, t-shirts designed, cupcakes and pink roses ordered. A renewal of vows for all the couples was officiated by Deacon Lyle Johnson with sister Renee Speltz reading from 1 Corinthians.
Our living Family Tree – all siblings
Renewal of vows
Children of Francis and Shirley Speltz who participated: Cyndi and Dean Gipp celebrating 40 years, Becky and Todd Olson and Nancy and Dean MacKenzie 39 years, Tim and Linda Speltz 38 years, Barb and Denny Gustin 35 years, Amy and Lyle Johnson 24 years, Bill and Sherri Speltz 1 year. Granddaughter Julia Gipp and her husband Andrew Galvan also celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary. A whole lot of togetherness. Even though both of my parents have passed away, we all knew they were smiling down on us. As my father, Francis Speltz, said on our wedding day, “The first hundred years are the worst!” We all are well on our way! Reported by Cyndi Speltz Gipp, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Siblings and spouses, back of shirts
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have loved Reunions magazine for many years and refer to it often, because I love family life. This summer we organized a one-week reunion/vacation in Florida. Our busy family of 18 adults and children extends from coast to coast. We began planning in January by sending emails to everyone to save the dates and plan ahead. We rented a lovely home in the Kissimmee area for one week. There were opportunities for lots of activities such as swimming, golf, Disney World, games, you name it, and lots of one-to-one personal connections. We made menu plans, shopped for groceries, and cooked most meals together. We had one special evening celebration at a beautiful hotel restaurant. We searched the internet for a photographer who could handle a group and the one we found could not have been better. The memories are irreplaceable in our minds, our hearts, and our photos. Thank you, Reunions magazine, for your years of reunioning. Shared by June Wood, Roseville, California.
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REUNIONS IN
9700 International Drive Orlando, Florida 32819
Famously situated in the heart of International Drive across from Pointe Orlando, Rosen Plaza is minutes from world-renowned attractions and endless shopping, dining, and entertainment, and is only 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport. Add in luxurious renovated guestrooms and suites, free Wi-Fi, no resort fee, RFID locks, and 7 incredible on-site restaurants and entertainment venues including Zayde’s Kosher Kitchen, ’39 Poolside Bar & Grill and the cutting-edge Club 39 for an unbeatable Orlando stay. Come enjoy the energy, excitement and passion for community, service and an incredible guest experience that makes Rosen Plaza the perfect setting for your next reunion. Visit RosenPlaza.com or call 407.996.9700 for more info.
2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 21
masterplan 12 – g 19, 20 u A : g to the e Not reunion accordin y l i s is 4,514 and fam ld Record r gest o r W a f l ko Boileve family The s Boo y the Porteaus e n rance. Guin chieved b nt-Pénit, Vendée, F o a was nt-Paul-M i at Sa
Will the Schmidt Family Reunion be next?
M
y branch of the Schmidt family last Schmidt family has been in e-newsletter and are promoting and reunited on a cruise to Alaska in close contact with the publicizing the reunion on 2010. Each branch of our Schmidt family Guinness World Record facebook, a website, social has held its own intermittent reunions. Our Association for the last year media, letters, newspaper ads, first all-inclusive family reunion will be at and are jumping through all church bulletin the Clay County (Iowa) Fairgrounds, the complicated hoops announcements, texting, and approximate location is in the center of the (there is a long, rigorous word-of-mouth. US in Spencer, Iowa, July 30-31, 2016. verification process that There will be ice-breaking Hans Heinrich and Barbara (Rimbach) has to happen) necessary games, sports tournaments Schmidt were the patriarch and matriarch to legitimately break the (pitting family branches against Schmidt Family Reunion in the late 1600s and early 1700s in 4,514 attendance record and each other), presentations and logo chosen in a contest. Machtlos, Germany. In the 1800s some of be recognized by Guinness. speakers, live music, tours to their descendants immigrated to Iowa and Josiah’s dad, Kent Schmidt, ancestral farms and landmarks, settled, among other places, in West Bend, came up with the idea for holding an carnival rides and games. Volunteers are Iowa. The family gradually branched into all-inclusive Schmidt Family Reunion for organizing group games, planning meetthe Schafers, Krugs, Banwarts, Anlikers, all of the branches, most of which had lost and-greets, having a talent show, and will Jergenses, Raubs, Lindemanns, Van Lohs, contact over the past century. be giving attendees literature that shows and more. This is the first family reunion Josiah how they are related to everyone else. Josiah Schmidt became interested in has organized, although he has experience Beyond that Josiah envisions German music, researching Schmidt roots when he was in organizing political events and is the plenty of food and field trips to the Grotto high school. He didn’t know Ancestry.com fundraising director for a non-profit in of the Redemption in West Bend and other existed. His grandmother helped him and Emmetsburg, Iowa. local roadside gems. There will also be he continued researching his ancestry until The reunion budget is maintained by a games and activities specifically for the hobby became a professional career. Family Reunion Committee Board of children, as well as educational family By about 2013, Josiah had traced so many Directors and books are kept by a history materials and books aimed branches of American Schmidts from the treasurer. Josiah’s estimated budget for the specifically at young audiences. same common ancestor in Germany that Schmidt reunion is $100,000; he opened a They are looking for ways to get the there were enough to break the French bank account and will bring his Millennial generation (20s-30s) interested Porteau-Boileve Family’s Guinness World fundraising skills to bear on his relatives. and attending. Activities and attractions at Record, if they will all be reunited. The Guinness attempt alone will cost the the reunion need to be able to make Relatives will need to be herded into the Schmidts about $2,000 and entails copious younger relatives feel a cross country trek fairgrounds grandstand record-keeping. Families will will be worth the time and cost. (seats 6,500), show purchase tickets for each No doubt reaching northwest Iowa will identification and remain attendee, but they can decide be easier for the Schmidts now than in there together for at least how much they want to pay for 1883, when early family members sailed 10 minutes. The event the ticket, which allows from Antwerp, Belgium. Halfway across needs to be recorded with wealthier, more philanthropic the Atlantic Ocean they endured a vicious timestamped HD video members to contribute greater storm that nearly swamped them. The ship and approved by an amounts, while financiallylimped into the Philadelphia harbor so low We just learned the independent auditing firm. struggling family members can to the water that passengers on deck could Steeves Family is also Guinness guidelines afford to come. Due to the nearly reach out and dip in a hand. pursuing a require that all attendees enormous size of the gathering, Reported by Josiah Schmidt, Guinness World Record be descendants of a they will also seek local Emmetsburg, Iowa, single, identified, common business sponsorships, to help with some information from at their 250th reunion ancestor, and that their cover costs in exchange for an article by Kyle Munson this year in Hillsborough, lineage to that ancestor be publicity. in the Des Moines Register, New Brunswick, Canada. fully documented. The They have a subscription Des Moines, Iowa.
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Keep calm and plan on!
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very year for the past 30+ years my dad’s family, the Malones from Crawford, Mississippi, have held a family reunion in different states with about 300 in attendance. My mom’s side, the Roberts family from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, seemed to meet only for funerals. The sudden passing of two favorite cousins in 2011 and 2013, really got me thinking. We’ve talked about a reunion since the passing of my mom in 2003 but nothing ever came of it. The Roberts family isn’t a huge bunch but I felt compelled to take action and not allow another funeral to be the next time we get together! In 2014, after a 30 year hiatus, the Roberts Family Reunion, a one-day event at a park, was well on its way. I decided to do t-shirts to honor where our history began “from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to Flint, Michigan.” I also added a memorial table for deceased loved ones. Once plans were underway, each family was asked to bring a dish or drinks. We had a great time with 50 in attendance. It doesn’t take a big group to have fun! We had such a good time, that before the reunion ended, we were making plans for the next family reunion. It’s funny how time flies when planning a reunion. With one successful reunion under our belt, one year later we held the 2nd Annual Roberts Family Reunion. We My Aunt Loretha Roberts followed a similar as “ Sojurner Truth.”
Francis Talton has spoken at Family Reunion Conferences in Flint, Michigan. Her suggestions are on our web page @ bit.ly/how2plan
format to the first one and booked the same park which had plenty of activities from a playscape for the kids and teens, and adult basketball courts, tennis, fishing and, of course, soul dancing (hustling). This year, I did a family history with the help of Familysearch.org. I was able to gather marriage licenses, military registration cards and US Census info dating back to the 1800s free of charge! I also created a photo collage of family
pictures spanning a 30-year period, which everyone really enjoyed. Talent was the final element for our second reunion. Aunt Loretha Roberts did an awesome “Sojouner Truth” skit. No one saw that coming! How perfect for an AfricanAmerican family reunion and perfect for our theme “Honoring Our Heritage.” Another year and another successful reunion. Before you know it another year will be here! Reported by Francis D. Talton, Flint, Michigan.
Roberts Family Reunion Memorial Table. Author’s Maternal Great Grandmother Caroline Tate’s photo is in the middle. Photo collage is family pictures spanning 30-years. Roberts Family Reunion
2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 23
GROS VENTRE RIVERRANCH RANCH COLORADO TRAILS
GROS VENTRE RIVERRANCH RANCH SYLVAN DALE GUEST
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Durango, CO www.coloradotrails.com
GROS VENTRE TANQUE VERDE RIVER GUESTRANCH RANCH
hen it comes to planning a reunion, there’s a lot to consider. A gathering at a dude ranch guarantees the experience will be remembered fondly for years to come. Located in some of the most scenic, pristine areas of the Western U.S. and Canada, dude and guest ranches have been treating guests to their special brand of Western hospitality for decades. Why host your next reunion at a dude ranch; personalized attention, get back to nature, just the right size, proximity to national parks, versatility, opportunities for learning, state of the art amenities, all-inclusive and memories to last a lifetime!
Loveland, CO www.sylvandale.com
GROSLAZY VENTRE RANCH L & BRIVER RANCH
Tuscon, AZ www.tvgr.com
307-587-2339 www.duderanch.org
Doubois, WY www.lazylb.com
GROS VENTRE RIVER RANCH BAR W GUEST RANCH
GROS RIVER RANCH ECHOVENTRE VALLEY RANCH & SPA
CHEROKEE RANCH GROS VENTREPARK RIVER RANCH
Whitefish, MT www.thebarw.com
Jesmond Clinton, BC www.evranch.com
Livermore, CO www.cherokeeparkranch.com
GROS VENTRE RANCH C LAZY URIVER RANCH
WAUNITA HOT SPRINGS RANCH
HIDEOUT LODGE GROSTHE VENTRE RIVER RANCH & GUEST RANCH
Grandy CO www.clazyu.com
Gunnison, CO www.waunita.com
Shell, WY www.thehideout.com
A Dude Ranch Vacation is all about YOU, the guest. All member ranches of The Dude Ranchers’ Association are committed to making sure your family will have the vacation of a life time.
So book your next Western Vacation at one of these amazing DRA approved Dude Ranches! GROS VENTRE RIVER RANCH RANCH MARBLE MOUNTAIN
ELKHORN RANCH
GROS RIVER RANCH VEEVENTRE BAR GUEST RANCH
Somes Bar, CO www.marblemountainranch.com
Gallatin Gareway, MT www.elkhornranchmontana.com
Laramie, WY www.veebar.com
GREENHORN CREEK GROS VENTRE RIVER RANCH GUEST RANCH
GROS RIVER RANCH ELKVENTRE MOUNTAIN RANCH
GOOSEWING RANCH
Quincy, CA www.greenhornranch.com
Buena Vista, CO www.elkmtn.com
Jackson, WY www.goosewingranch.com
GROS VENTRE RIVER RANCH WHITE STALLION RANCH
GROS VENTRE RIVER RANCH FLYING E DUDE RANCH
GROS VENTRE LATIGO RIVER RANCHRANCH
Tucson, AZ www.whitestallion.com
Wickenburg, AZ www.flyingeranch.com
Kremmling, CO www.latigotrails.com
masterplan
10 reasons to host a dude ranch reunion
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hen it comes to planning a reunion, there’s a lot to consider. Gathering at a dude ranch guarantees the experience will be remembered fondly for years. Located in some of the most scenic, pristine areas of the Western US and Canada, dude and guest ranches have been treating guests to their special brand of Western hospitality for decades. These are reasons to host your next reunion at a dude ranch. Personalized Attention – Dedicated and knowledgeable staff at dude ranches are there to make sure your stay goes off without a hitch. A recent family reunion guest who visited Lazy L and B Ranch in Wyoming said, “The owners themselves were very involved in the entire ranch experience, even joining in on campfire sing-alongs and after-dinner games.” Get Back to Nature – Most dude ranches are off the beaten path, which makes reconnecting with loved ones and unplugging from daily life easy. Echo Valley Ranch & Spa is located more than 20 miles down a gravel road in the pristine wilderness of the Cariboo Mountains in beautiful British Columbia. At Latigo Ranch in Colorado you’ll enjoy the quiet and seclusion of a place that is also readily accessible. Find a slower pace in a hectic world without cars or the sound of traffic. Where some ranches are just off the highway, Latigo’s nearest neighbor is miles away. Just the Right Size – Most dude ranches are perfect for reunions: not so big you get lost in a sea of people, but not so small you feel cramped. Thanks to morning kids’ programs at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch and Cherokee Park Ranch in Colorado, parents don’t have to worry about their children’s whereabouts. The close proximity of cabins, dining room and other facilities makes it easy for parents to keep an eye on children, and means the property is more navigable for older guests.
Reunions at Vee Bar Ranch
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The Flying E Dude Ranch in Arizona is a working cattle ranch
Something for All Ages – You’d be hard-pressed to find a better destination than a dude ranch for multi-generational groups. Goosewing Ranch recently hosted a reunion for 20 guests, ranging in age from seven to 86. Everyone found plenty of activities to keep them occupied, including horseback riding, target shooting, hiking, mountain biking, UTV riding and just enjoying the scenic beauty of the Wyoming wilderness. The Flying E Dude Ranch in Arizona is a working cattle ranch and the ideal place to take a step back in time. Enjoy delicious home cooked meals, great horses and lots of sunshine. Proximity to National Parks – Many dude ranches are located near some of the country’s most popular national parks. White Stallion Ranch borders Arizona’s Saguaro National Park, while The Hideout Lodge and Resort is only miles outside the East entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Vee Bar Ranch is located in the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming; while a day trip to Glacier National Park is highly recommended from Bar W Guest Ranch in Montana. High in the Colorado Rockies, Waunita Hot Springs Ranch is surrounded by Gunnison National Forest. Versatility – Dude ranches offer many things to do for all activity levels, abilities and interests. Guests can choose from riding, marksmanship tournaments, hayrides, archery, whitewater rafting, fishing, overnight camping trips, trapshooting and more at Elk Mountain Ranch and Colorado Trails Ranch. Opportunities for Learning – Dude ranches have a rich and fascinating history. Blacktail Ranch in Montana is home to an archeological site with an extensive cave system dating back to the last Ice Age, as well as a Sun Wheel, Medicine Wheel and numerous tipi rings from more recent Native Americans. A favorite place at Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch is known as the “Dwelling Canyon.” Its history goes back to AD 750 and 1150 when the Mibres people inhabited the area. Today, visitors can see picotographs and ruins of cliff dwellings. State of the Art Amenities – Reunions can be sure their stay will be top notch on all fronts at a dude ranch. Guests at Tanque Verde Ranch enjoy culinary adventures ranging from Southwestern, local and gourmet flavors, to breakfast horseback rides and BBQ cookouts. Lodging is specifically designed for large groups or multiple families, and on-site amenities include a swimming pool, hiking and biking trails, tennis and basketball courts, and a nature center.
ANY-SIZED FAMILY. ANY-SIZED BUDGET. WE ACCOMMODATE BOTH. You have a big big family. We have something somethingfor for everyoneand everyone andevery everybudget. budget.From Fromfine finedining dining to to family casual, from easy-going easy-going hotels hotelsto touptown uptown luxury, we’ve got your budget budgetcovered. covered.And Andwith with a world of fun for all ages and and interests, interests,Fairfax Fairfax County is tailor-made tailor-made for for your your reunion. reunion. Cherokee art on a trail ride
All-Inclusive – At a dude ranch, everything is included in the rate, so you know exactly what you’re going to pay up front. At Greenhorn Guest Ranch and Marble Mountain Ranch in California, group packages are tailored to fit your group’s individual needs, size, and requested amenities or activities. Rates are also available with rider or non-rider price options. Guests who opt for the “Super Inclusive” rates at Red Reflet Ranch in Wyoming will enjoy all activities, lessons, guided hikes, use of ATVs, dirt bikes, mountain bikes and all beverages for one all-inclusive price. Memories to Last a Lifetime – C Lazy U Ranch in Colorado is gearing up to host a large family reunion for the third consecutive year. The family of 26 all live in the same town in Ohio, where they run a family business. Each year, they get together and enjoy some well-deserved family bonding time at C Lazy U. One recent visitor to Elkhorn Ranch in Montana simply said of her family reunion, “The week ended up being the best family vacation every single one of us had ever taken.” For information about planning your reunion at a dude or guest ranch, visit the Dude Ranchers’ Association, DudeRanch.org or call 866-399-2339.
Let us Let ushelp helpyou youplan planyour yourfamily’s family’s reunion. reunion. Visit FXVA.com Visit FXVA.com oror callcall 703-790-0643 703-790-0643
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Hayride at Sylan Dale Ranch
2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 27
masterplan
First cousins only
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his year marks the 20th consecutive annual Muldowney Cousin Reunion. Instead of all generations at our reunions, just first cousins get together. We are the 15 grandchildren of Catherine Stephens and Pat “Red” Muldowney from five different branches. We are roughly divided into two groups, the “elders” are Baby Boomers and the “youngsters” Generation X. Our first reunion was in 1989, before we were married or had children. It was a lot of fun but we never got around to arranging another until 1996. We wanted space to talk to each other about our lives and our shared experiences. The most important element is laughter … or maybe it’s liquor. My cousins are some of the funniest people I know. The jokes at our reunions are constant. We’ve developed special traditions over the years. We play a game, give out prizes and everyone is a winner. We’ve had trivia contests, numbers games, a Day at the Races, Wheel of Fortune and a custom Monopoly game. Prizes have been t-shirts, magnets, key chains and bracelets. One year, near Halloween, we had a costume party where everyone was encouraged to dress as their favorite Muldowney. The creativity that went into those costumes was hilarious. Our family’s roots are in Brooklyn, New York, and many of us still live in New York State, where most of the reunions have taken place. But we have had destination reunions. For Y2K, we traveled to our Matriarch cousin’s home in San Francisco. For the centennial of our grandmother’s birth, we celebrated at her birthplace in Ireland. Two aunts came along and were finally able to see the county their parents called home. Our last reunion was in Chicago. We have been to Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and once had an underground reunion at Penn Station in Manhattan. We’ve had group outings to Alcatraz off San Francisco, Faneuil Hall in Boston and a rooftop near Wrigley Field in Chicago. At the end of each reunion, a cousin “calls it” to be the host of the next year’s gathering. Of course, we love all our relatives. We see them at parties, weddings and, sadly, at funerals. We just need our “cousin time” to experience the healing power of the Muldowney Cousins. For our destination reunions, significant others and children often travel to the host city. After we have our official reunion, the other family members join us for sightseeing or to share a meal or cocktail. We held our 20th annual reunion the weekend before Veterans Day. To honor our veterans, we collected items we donated to a
Muldowney cousins as presidents!
Muldowney cousins not as presidents.
Veterans hospital. Giving back will hopefully be a new tradition. If the idea of a family reunion is too daunting for you, I suggest you try having a cousin reunion. A good time would be around July 24th, National Cousins Day. Reported by Cathi (Muldowney) Venis, Flushing, Queens, New York.
Family reunions: by the numbers 63 percent: Americans say they’ve attended a family reunion 5 days: Average length of a reunion trip 8 adults, 4 kids: Average size of family gathering 28 percent: Reunion-goers who say “drinking too much” is the top way to offend family members. In second place: “paying too much attention to your phone.” Irvin Family Reunion, Lexington, Kentucky. Shared by Tawana Battle, Twinsburg, Ohio, 28 Reunions v reunionsmag.com
Source: HomeAway Family Reunion Survey, 2014
Reconciliation of the Hatfields and McCoys
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atfields & McCoys REUNION by Ron McCoy is “one man’s journey to discover his family heritage in the shadow of America’s most famous feud.” The Hatfield and McCoy feud is a wellknown American story. The tale is a cautionary parable of two strong-willed families of rustic nobility, locked in the throes of mortal combat. It is the stuff of legend. Although most people understand the connotations of the phrase “Hatfields and McCoys,” few know anything about the feud or the families or that the feud really happened. Some think the Hatfields and McCoys are still quarreling or have maintained some unresolved grudge. REUNION is the story of the families beginning in 2000 with the Reunion of the Millennium, through the signing of the official TRUCE in 2003. And it is about the lives of Hatfield and McCoy descendants who gather once a year to remember their
past and celebrate their families. Author Ron McCoy, Durham, North Carolina, said this is the story his grandfather heard from his grandmother and wanted Ron to remember and to tell his children. The story introduced him to generations whose choices, decisions and actions, both good and bad, directly affected and shaped the lives of future generations. Ron McCoy is the great-great-great-grandson of Randolph McCoy, patriarch at the time of the feud. McCoy’s odyssey of discovering his family heritage was the catalyst that lead to the internationally recognized Hatfield-McCoy Reunion. He was co-writer of the truce and helped introduce a multitude to their ancestry. Visit HatfieldsAndMcCoys-REUNION.com REUNION by Ron McCoy. (2015, Ferguson Creek Publishing, paperback, 240 pages); HatfieldMcCoy; REUNIONbook@gmail. com; 919-609-8185. Note: an autographed copy of Hatfields & McCoys by Ron McCoy will be a summer giveaway on reunionsmag.com. Enter for your chance to win!
Clark/Fancher Family Reunion
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he Clark/Fancher Family Reunion gathers from across the US and overseas. Family roots go back to the 1950s and 60s in Southern Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee. The families have gathered every two years since 2000. Reunion locations have varied, mostly in Mississippi but they’ve started meeting in Texas, mostly Dallas, where the younger generation migrated. The reunion starts with a meet and greet, members register, get name tags, and talk about what has happen in their lives the past two years. Each family member pays h/her own way and they all pay a small reunion fee for the cookout and banquet. We are a very close family that, through life’s changes, could not get together as we once had. So I started a family website. Members keep in touch without seeing each other face-to-face. It
is wildly successful and I was appointed webmaster. We have a Facebook group so everyone has a place for communication and to display loved ones’ photos. This is also a way for everyone to have input and approval for anything we “talk” about. We can also ask for everyone’s, including the kids, opinions about everything. At the end of the banquet, someone is named to plan the next reunion. We have a family business meeting to elect a board of directors, representing each of the descendant children, and then plan the reunion with assistance from the board. Finally, we pray for the families and depart for home. Reported by Calvin A. Clark, DO-01 USAF AFMC 711 HPW/OMS, San Antonio, Texas.
Clark/Fancher Family Reunion
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Sangster Family Reunion
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he Sangster Family Reunion was a birthday wish of Grandpa Robert Sangster, my dad, who had turned 80. After listening to his friend and fishing buddy, Jim Ames, talk about a family reunion of all his children and grandchildren, Grandpa decided he wanted a reunion to honor his 80th birthday. Stevensville, Montana, is where Grandpa and Grandma raised their children. A few miles out of Stevensville is The Springs, a reception/retreat lodge. The owner had decided not to rent it out anymore, however, he consented to letting Dad rent it July 4th weekend. So the word went out to his children, who in turn notified their children. Calendars were circled and plans set in motion. Grandma and Grandpa have a posterity of 93 children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with five more expecting! Grandpa has been an integral part of most of the grandkid’s lives. He hired them to work cows, pick rocks, build and paint fence and rake leaves. As they grew up, he and Grandma were at their weddings and special occasions. Grandpa is also known for his freely given, pointed advice, sometimes not wanted, but often appreciated. 84 kids and grandkids descended on Stevensville from Connecticut, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Utah, and Idaho. The Springs has only seven bedrooms, so family members
living in or near Stevensville housed others. Everyone gathered at The Springs at noon. Meals were divided between families and activities were planned. On the night of July 3rd, after spending the day at Como Lake water skiing, canoeing, guppy catching, visiting and eating, each of the eight children introduced their family members. There were color coded t-shirts to connect families. The Fourth of July started with lunch and group pictures. Pictures were not an easy feat with 84 of us! Aunt Sherri met the challenge and even took pictures of individual families. Volleyball, fishing, and games took the rest of the day. After dinner we gathered at Uncle Adam’s to eat watermelon while the kids played games, made huge bubbles, and jumped on the trampoline. Near dusk we gathered on the front lawn and played a bingo game filled with pictures of Grandpa growing up. As he told the story behind each picture we searched for the picture on our individual boards and covered it with M&Ms candies. Next came fireworks complete with patriotic music, all narrated by Uncle Sam, himself (Uncle Eric). Saturday, after lunch, we watched a 1930 Betty Davis movie called The Old Maid where Grandpa had appeared briefly as a small child. When the scene came where Grandpa appeared, there was a standing ovation! Three days went by too fast as kids met cousins they’d never seen, siblings reminisced, and we all ate and ate good food. Reported by Glenda Bardsley, Stevensville, Montana, daughter of Robert Sangster and shared by her son-in-law, Matthew Deighton, Pleasant Grove, Utah, who is Public Relations Manager at Ancestry.com.
B I N G O
Note: A detailed list of Grandpa’s “Speaking Sangster” will be added online at reunionsmag.com in “Toasts, Speeches and Dedications,” because we know these are the foundation of good family stories. Compare them to your Grandpa’s favorite sayings!
Sangster Family Reunion
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PLANNING A REUNION?
TheRE ARE
Kim Ghys Senior Account Executive kimberly@lakecounty.org
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Things Everyone should consider
A great location like Lake County, Illinois should be at the top of your list. Conveniently located just 30 minutes north of Chicago, Lake County offers Six Flags Great America amusement park, more than 75 lakes and beaches, plus beautiful gathering spaces perfect for your big event. We also offer 60 hotels and three resorts. Choose Lake County for family friendly fun. 1-800-LAKE-NOW
Watch Kim’s Video. Kim has years of experience planning hundreds of reunions. Before you plan yours, visit LakeCountyReunions.com to get Kim’s advice for making your reunion unforgettable.
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Celebrating Our Past, Present and Future Generations
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hyllis Moore wrote, “We are excited and thrilled to announce our Lynch & Williams Family Reunion in Suffolk, Virginia. It has been many years since the family has come together for a joyful occasion.” Our family roots are in North Carolina. Each family member is a part of the family puzzle! We planned a Meet and Greet, registration and t-shirt pick up on Friday with a Virginia style menu and outdoor activities at a nearby park. Saturday included swimming, shopping, golf, tennis or a tour of downtown Suffolk. There was a Casual Celebration Dinner in the afternoon with table games, recognitions and much more. Sunday breakfast was followed by fellowship at church. A Busch Gardens Williamsburg visit was planned in the evening. Fun filled – action packed -peace loving -creating fabulous memories – remembering when... family reunion! Reported by Phyllis Moore, Suffolk, Virginia.
THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON
July 16, 2014 I am pleased to send greetings as you gather for your family reunion. Families are the foundation from which we grow, and they form the bedrock of our Nation’s communities. Celebrating with us in our greatest moments and guiding us through uncertain times, families help us live out our lives with happiness and purpose. As you reflect on your history and look toward the future, may you preserve important traditions and create new memories together. And may the love that binds you drive you forward in all you do. On this special occassion, I wish your family all the best for the years ahead.
Phyllis Moore working on gifts including nautical jewelry, plaques with sayings, garden ideas, and more.
Greetings from President Barack Obama
Lynch & Williams Family Reunion
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Editor’s note: Georgia Burnette was the genealogist and organizer of the Burnette Family Reunion for many years. As a friend, and as she gets older, she confided that she was concerned about family reunions continuing. This report by Georgia reflects her obvious delight that younger family members are stepping up! EW
Reunion 2015 – Louisville, Kentucky
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e gathered together to ask the Lord’s blessings on our family, One More Time. We thank our Reunion Coordinator, Princette Burnette, for putting together a truly great gathering of the clan. Assisting her were Barbara Jean Hall and Michele Belton, both of Buffalo, New York, and Marnina Burnette of Lorain, Ohio. We were blessed with a comfortable hotel, great weather and good food which all made for a memorable reunion. Thursday’s Meet and Greet gave travellers time to relax, enjoy hearty snacks, refreshing drinks, and catch up on the latest family news. We were most fortunate to have the Hospitality Room available for the entire three days, thanks to the generosity of Princette’s Mother, Ms. Princella Townsend. This gift permitted family to gather at any time throughout the reunion to strengthen family ties. It was one of the unique happenings of this gathering. Friday we were up for breakfast, then downtown to the Muhammad Ali Center, a fabulous museum with many interactive opportunities for learning. Dinner was on our own, then back to the hotel for more family time in that wonderful Hospitality Room. Saturday morning is always set aside for a business meeting; The Fabulous Four: Princette Burnette, Michele Belton the session devoted to discussions about our future as a family and Barbara Jean Hall and Marnina Burnette an Association. With outgoing President James Burnett officiating, bylaws were reviewed, new officers elected, and decisions made about the locations of our next two gatherings; 2017 in Columbus, Ohio, and 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Saturday evening began early with an outdoor family photo shoot, followed by a tasty buffet supper. The evening’s Banquet Program was in the very capable hands of Our Reunion Coordinator and Mistress of Ceremonies, Princette Burnette who expertly moved each event along keeping us on time and on schedule. Our Candlelight Ceremony, is always an important part of the evening and was coordinated this year for the first time by Sumayyah Hakkim. Following a heartfelt Thank You to Martiarch, Barbara Jean Hall for her ten years of service as Candlelight Coordinator, Sumayyah invited family members to light candles for loved ones who have passed. “The Old order Changeth, Yielding Place to New.” as outgoing President, James Burnett introduced and welcomed our new President, Patrick Burnett of Columbus, Ohio. I know we all look forward to new thinking, new programs and a great reunion in 2017. Hail to Our Chief! Evaluations were completed and collected; the results to be shared at a later date. The remainder of the evening was for catch-up conversations with far-a-way relatives or interacting with new family members. Old timers went to bed while younger family enjoyed that fabulous hospitality room still available to us. Sunday morning found us readying ourselves for the trip back home. Brunch was followed by a short but very relevant worship service, conducted by Patty Burnette-Jones. Her sermon was timely, on-target, and one of her very, very best. And then, another of those unique happenings occurred; there wasn’t the usual rush to leave for home. As family unconsciously sorted themselves into “generational” groups quietly engaging in conversation, one could sense an unusual feeling of togetherness permeating the room. The soft murmur of voices produced “heightened moments of togetherness and camaraderie, infusing our surroundings with a strong energizing force.” It – Was – Great! That thoughtful interlude was followed by a flurry of picture-taking, hugs, kisses and heartfelt goodbyes to put this reunion into the history books. We hope you enjoyed it. Editor’s note: Then, after Georgia Burnette shared her report with the family, she got this from a relative.
Please join us in 2017
Hi Georgia, What a wonderful account of such a loving gathering! Your picturesque depiction of the event put all of us right there as if we had all attended. Thank you for taking the time to share a glimpse of the special moments that occurred. While it will never happen quite like that again, the future holds even greater blessings and even more very special memories with family and friends. There’s Nothing like love, family and friends. Best wishes and many kind regards, Lydia Mims
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masterplan
Adams Family Reunion
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he Adams family has been gathering every two years, since their first reunion in 1972 in Coffeeville, Mississippi. Family reunions include having fun in exciting cities, such as Las Vegas, St. Paul, Sacramento, Charlotte, Petersburg, St. Louis and Syracuse. The goal is to make these gatherings a special time and a joyous, memorable experience for everyone who attends! In Memphis, Tennessee, this year, we had a turnout of 115 from eleven states. The theme was “Our Family is Your Family, We are all One Family.” During the three-day weekend, they celebrated one another and a spirit of unity, love and fellowship as a family. It was a time of remembering, rejoicing, but more importantly, reuniting! Each day began with prayer before activities and meals. They feasted on fried catfish, barbecue chicken, collard greens, corn-on-the-cob, hamburgers, lasagna, spaghetti, peach cobbler, marble cake and more! On Friday, we wore our favorite soul rhythm and blues outfits to win prizes for the best dressed. Children and teens played a family get-acquainted game to win lots of fun awards and gift cards. On Saturday, the females wore orange and males wore green reunion t-shirts. Activities included bingo, paintball, an animated chicken Adams Family Vintage Photo Collage show, hayrides, train rides, feeding farm animals, kids played on giant slides and kiddie zip lines. On Sunday, the family presented the youngest (age 3) to the eldest (age 89) with gifts. They lit a candle for the 18 loved ones who had passed away from 2011 to 2015 – they will always be in our hearts. Everyone has a family and every family has a story. Our family put together an Adams Family Heritage Book from 1855 – 2015; 606 pages, seven generations, 801 names, 1,021 pictures and documents. It helps identify ourselves by sharing who our ancestors were, where they came from and how they lived. Learning history is knowing our family’s worth and passing the information from generation to generation. A beautiful Adams family quilt was created of t-shirts from
A beautiful Adams family quilt was created of t-shirts from 1972 to 2013. This quilt represents unity, self-esteem, history, and preserves family traditions.
1972 to 2013 and displayed. This quilt represents unity, selfesteem, history, and preserves family traditions. It’s our Adams family heirloom that we will treasure for a lifetime! A one of a kind, vintage photo collage of Presley Adams and his 14 children was presented at the reunion. Their names are displayed on the back of the photo. This reunion brought family members together with LOVE, as bridges were built, accomplishments celebrated, new memories created and ancestors remembered! We look forward to the next Adams Family Reunion in New Orleans, Louisiana. May God bless and keep you, until we meet again. Lots of love!
Christopher & Sharon Adams
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Story by Christopher and Sharon Adams, Grandson and Granddaughter in-law of Presley Adams, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Cruising toward a 60th anniversary
How one family found a unique way to celebrate their history
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ixty years ago, when Dean and Linda Howarter exchanged wedding vows in a rural Kansas town, they certainly couldn’t have known how they would be celebrating their 60th anniversary. Since that day they raised four children, moved to Monticello, Illinois, and expanded their family to include three daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. In June, thirteen Howarters boarded Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas for a week long cruise to celebrate the momentous occasion. Being one of the in-laws – we refer to ourselves as “outlaws” – I was thrilled to be part of this special family reunion on the tranquil seas of the Western Caribbean. The day before the cruise, the family gathered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from airports in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Tennessee and Colombia, South America. After weather-related delays in Atlanta, we were all finally at our hotel just before midnight. The next morning, a shuttle service brought us to the port and boarding was a breeze. We had opted for early dinner seating, so we gathered in the main dining room at 6 PM and found our assigned tables. We were seated at adjoining tables, and we changed dinner companions each night so everyone had the chance to share a meal with the entire family. This caused some confusion for our waiters, who were
wonderfully patient and each dinner went smoothly. During one of the formal nights, grandparents dined with their grandkids, and on the last night at sea, the original four children shared dinner with their parents. Staff learned all our names and preferences quickly, and we shared many laughs with them. At one island visit we received balloon hats at a local watering hole. Our waiters graciously wore them through the entire meal and even during the second seating. Our ports of call included Royal Caribbean’s private island, Labadee, just off Haiti’s shore; Falmouth, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. To experience the ports of call, we went in different directions each day but some of the best family experiences occurred on board. On our last day at sea, we were treated to a private galley tour with the ship’s food and beverage director. It was amazing to see how they prepare and serve thousands of meals every day in such a short time. Entertainment on the ship included singers and dancers, comedians, a ventriloquist, a Bon Jovi tribute band, an ice skating show, a piano bar, numerous trivia games, a belly flop contest, pool-side movies, and many other family-friendly activities. There’s nothing quite like a family sing-along with music ranging from
Howarter Family Reunion on the high seas.
Dean and Linda Howarter celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.
the 1950s to the 2000s. The week sailed by much too quickly and we all parted ways after celebrating Independence Day onboard. Taking a cruise for a family milestone like an anniversary or birthday is a wonderful idea. With three generations sailing together, there was something for everyone to enjoy. We shared many wonderful experiences and made memories that will last a lifetime.
About the author
Wendy Howarter is a travel writer living in Medalli´n, Columbia, South America.
Subscribe! Call 1-414-263-4567 2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 35
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Building Bridges – Connecting Generations
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he sixth Gillyard Johnson Mahoney (GJM) Family Reunion, in Shreveport, Louisiana, was all about involving youth and young adults in reunion planning and execution. Two young adults served on the planning team and were active participants during meetings and decision-making. The first reunion day was a Day of Service. Family members spent a minimum of two hours volunteering in the community. A group of family members served lunch at the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission, where staff were surprised to learn about our family reunion Day of Service. Day two included our Family Health Fair, which emphasized “Let’s Move.” Our Opening Ceremony included father and son pairings carrying our Family Banner, the Family Bible and the Christian Flag. The planning team used The View talk show format to present attendees with
“Swag” bags filled with the routines, playing the acoustic team’s Favorite Things. guitar, singing and dancing. They discussed Family All agreed that youth Hot Topics, presented the participation was the highlight Health Fair Coordinator of the reunion. Two of our for a Let’s Move demonyouth also authored “We Are stration, did a cooking Family,” a youth family history demonstration of Tea journal. Our youth shined like Cakes and ended with a stars and we thank God for Family Fashion Show. them, and for the many ways Day three was the that they shine among us. picnic/games day and our On Day four, we Dinner Banquet Program. worshipped together at church During the banquet, Guest which included a memoriam to Songstress Sandra family members who had Peterson sang The Greatest passed away since our last During the banquet, a Plaque of Love before the youth took reunion. As a family, we Appreciation was presented to Bettie to the stage for the Youth donated $1,410 to the church. Griggs, the reunion founder and family historian, and my aunt. Spoken Word and During the four days Expression Festival. Youth performances together, it was apparent that we, as a included a spiritual oration, gymnastic family, believe as Will Allen Dromgoole states in his poem, The Bridge Builder, “There follows after me today, a youth, whose feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been as naught to me, to that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be. He, too, must cross in the twilight dim; Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.” Visit gillyard-johnson-mahoney.com for more information. Reported by Frederick Michael Gillyard, Inglewood, California, and his aunt Bettie Gillyard Griggs, Compton, California, who mentored him during planning and organizing the reunion. Receiving Certificates of Appreciation for participation in “Youth Spoken Word and Expression Festival” are (left to right) Arya Lyles (6), Jaila Oati (7), Reina Gillyard (11), De’Monica Dumas (11), Denisha Hayden (16). Inger Daniels is at the podium.
Gillyard Johnson Mahoney (GJM) Family Reunion
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ALLEN RAWLS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MOTOWN MUSEUM
DISCOVER DETROIT’S AMAZING LITTLE HOUSE OF MUSICAL INFLUENCE AND MORE AT EVERY TURN. Detroit’s influence stands as strong as the sounds of the Motown Museum, which preserves the birthplace of a musical legacy that moved the world, and there are many more stories throughout The D. History and its makers are showcased at The Henry Ford. Culture and contributions are celebrated at the Arab American National Museum. From the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to Greektown, Mexicantown and Corktown, you’ll find worldwide wonders waiting around every corner. Discover Detroit, America’s great comeback city. View Allen’s whole stor y at visitdetroit.com/allen.
AMERICA’S GREAT COMEBACK CITY.
masterplan
Hopkins-Strain Family Reunion
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Ancestry.com, 14 resided at 533 N. Elgin Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At different points in time the elders directed our footsteps and made sure that, with God’s guidance, we travelled the proverbial “straight and narrow.” They were the village of elders who disarmed our pranks with their stern stares and allayed our fears with their comforting smiles and hugs. We paid tribute to all of them this year in an impressive memorial candle-lighting ceremony during our formal banquet the last night of our reunion. The reunion began Thursday evening with traditional “meet and greet” festivities. Friday morning we traveled to Guasti Park in nearby Rancho Cucamonga for a picnic. Guasti is a regional park that hosts fishing lakes, a water slide and a safe play area for children. That evening we returned to the hotel to enjoy a night of games and indoor recreational activities. There were no events scheduled for Saturday until we convened for our family group photo prior to a formal banquet. Who could have guessed that so many senior family members knew how to “Nae Nae” at the dance that followed? Some attended the reunion looking for hope, reconciliation and healing. Others came to renew familial ties that bind us
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Note about prizes for game winners
he Hopkins-Strain Reunion gave gift cards to winners of the cards (Spades), Domino and children’s video games contests. Winners of Dominos got Dominos Pizza gift cards. For video game winners, I purchased gift cards for Game Stop. I couldn’t think of a gift card that was exclusive for the winners of the “Spades” contest, so I gave them Visa gift cards. I did think about Home Depot gift cards, but decided against that notion. I don’t think our younger family members even know what a farm tool looks like. Submitted by Daryl Hopkins, Los Angeles, California. Photo credit David Newman
n July, members observed the 14th Hopkins-Strain Family Reunion in stunning Ontario, California. The Double Tree Hotel (by Hilton) served as our host hotel and accommodated us royally. A major factor that influenced our decision to reside there was its listing in the Reunions magazine and the professionalism of the hotel’s Sales Manager, Teresa Lozada. The Double Tree provides free shuttle service to the airport and Ontario Aaron Burns (11), left, and Mills Mall. Jaelyn Rodriguez (9) are reading Two sets of parents who the Hopkins-Strain family history.. together were the impetus of the Hopkins-Strain Family were Isom and Mary Hopkins, and Elijah and Battie Strain. When the Strain parents died, their children were taken in by Isom and Mary. Mary was Elijah’s sister. We always light a candle at our reunion banquet in their honor/memory. We rotate our reunion sites among several cities that have enough members to prepare for a large gathering. We’ve enjoyed family reunions in Los Angeles, San Jose, Tulsa, Austin, Dallas, Phoenix and Jacksonville. This year, family traveled from as far as Tennessee and Minnesota to celebrate births and successes, collectively mourn recent losses, and to look forward to anticipated milestones in each other’s lives. During the mid 1950s, gatherings were in either Tulsa or Alsuma, Oklahoma, where most of our 19 patriarchs and matriarchs resided. At one point, verified in the 1940 US Census on
Hopkins-Strain Family Reunion
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Note about reunion photographer
O Pledge of Alligence. The flag bearer is five-year-old Dominique Rodriguez.
together and reaffirm the greatest institution God created – family. That weekend we all reclaimed love, peace and harmony, in Ontario, California, at our 14th Hopkins-Strain Family Reunion.
ne of the things that was most amazing about our reunion was that we found a photographer who charged us a very nominal fee. I provided him with email addresses I had for 130 family members of over 300 family names on my reunion contact list. Not everyone has an email address. The photographer emailed all 130 family members copies of all the photos he took at the banquet – more than 450 pictures. Our family members didn’t have to pay for these photos. All they had to do was download them to their computers. As my daddy would say, “You couldn’t beat that with an egg beater.” By the way, I’m collecting “old sayings.” I’m going to include in the book I’m working on about the history of our family.
DYNAMIC CITY. DIVERSE ATTRACTIONS. Museums, dining, maritime history, waterfront cruises and shopping make Norfolk a distinct destination offering a variety of itineraries for your group to enjoy. With so much to see and do, the possibilities are endless. To learn more, visit us online or contact Melissa Hopper, Associate Director of Tour & Travel. Planning a tour is easy at visitnorfolktoday.com/reunions.
1-800-368-3097
2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 39
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All White Fairley-Foskey Family Reunion
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he 6th annual Fairley-Foskey Family Reunion was held in Dunwoody, Georgia, at the Marriott Perimeter Center where we got a great group room rate. They have shuttle service to the mall or any restaurant within a two mile radius. They drop off and pick up at no charge. The staff was gracious and helpful. Katena Posey, our event planner, was a very nice and helpful young lady. I told her what I wanted and she took care of everything; our hospitality room even had a refrigerator to keep beverages cool. We held our ALL WHITE BANQUET in the Hotel Pavilion. I would definitely recommend this hotel since it was Reunions magazine helping me find this great place. From this day forward I will be getting all hotels and different places to hold our reunion from this great magazine. It has made my job as chairman easier to plan for my family. We chose the theme “I was there” because we were remembering two siblings we lost recently. On Saturday we wore their last colors in their memory. The ladies wore purple and the men wore chocolate. We lit a candle in their memory. A praise dance called “Take Me to the King”
was performed in their honor. We spend three days together; meet and greet Friday evening, shopping Saturday and a banquet that night. Kids wanted to play in the pool the whole time. Most went home Sunday but a few stayed and visited the MLK Historical Site, checked out Stone Mountain and ate dinner at Maggiano’s. When we decided to have a reunion, we needed to decide on having it every two years or every year. Eleven of us were
Ladies wore purple and men wore chocolate in memory of siblings who passed away since the last reunion.
Fairley-Foskey ALL WHITE BANQUET
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raised separately, so we decided to meet every year to make up for missing time together. I’m so grateful we decided to get together every year. It’s a lot of work doing every year but I enjoy seeing and being with my family. Previous reunions have been in North Carolina, Goldsboro, Wilmington and cruising to the Bahamas. Next year will be in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Reported by Sandra Lyons, Philadelphia, Mississippi.
Radcliff Family Reunion
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veryone is so looking forward to seeing each other. A three-day Radcliff Family Reunion has been held every two years beginning about 40 years ago. During the last reunion event; family members volunteer to host the next reunion in their home city. Then, organizing is a team effort led by the oldest or most willing family members. The final decision is confirmed by a show of hands or cheers of all present. Hosting team members maintain the budget and finances. The reunion is financed by dues for each attending family member. The location changes every two years but returns to the original family home location in Meridian, Mississippi, about every fourth reunion. Our great-grandfather purchased and left 240 acres of land there which is collectively owned by each family member. It symbolically holds us together as family now. The older generations have passed it down to the next generation members who show interest. We share family photos of past reunions, have a dance contest and games. We have a kids talent show and games. For the next reunion, kids activities will include a movie night (parents night out), kids fishing trip and possibly a professional African folklore storyteller. Activities include meet and greet, fish fry Friday, cook out in the park Saturday, semi-formal dance with kids talent show, genealogy and memorial by Elders, church on Sunday and final Farewell Banquet. Shared by Richetta Andino, Kissimmee, Florida.
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e are the Jenkins-Scott Family Reunion in Richmond, Virginia. This picture is from our wonderful weekend of events. Shared by Sondra Y. Jenkins, Rockaway Beach, New York.
Clinseq®: A Genetics Research Study
Study Number: 07-HG-0002
What is the main purpose of this study? The main goal of ClinSeq® is to learn how to do genome sequencing in a clinical research setting. Genome sequencing is a research test that allows us to analyze many genes from a person. By doing this test, we may find changes in a gene that cause or contribute to disease.
Can I participate? If you are African American, African or Afro-Caribbean… If you are between 45 and 65 years old… Have NOT smoked regularly in the past year… And live in the metropolitan Washington, DC or Baltimore areas…
…You may be eligible to participate in the study. Participation in ClinSeq® will involve an initial visit to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. During this visit, you will learn more about the study and sign a consent form if you decide to participate.
Participants receive a series of free tests and evaluations including: • Blood tests (cholesterol, diabetes) • Urine tests • Blood pressure measurements
• Echocardiogram • EKG • CAT scan (coronary artery)
What are the possible benefits of joining the study?
You can learn more about the study by reading the information on the following website:
http://www.genome.gov/ClinSeq You may also call the ClinSeq® outreach coordinator at (301) 402-0020.
• Free clinical testing, such as testing for cholesterol and diabetes • Free CAT scan to detect coronary artery disease • Finding gene change(s) that are important to your health and/or the health of your relatives Participants are compensated. ClinSeq® is a collaborative NIH study supported by the National Human Genome Research Institute, the NIH Intramural Sequencing Center, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the NIH Clinical Research Center. 2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 41
masterplan
O’Malleys and Historic Dodgertown
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he fourth generation of the O’Malley family celebrated a Thanksgiving holiday reunion at world-famous Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida, a year-round training and conference center, where the they stayed for three nights. Established in 1948, Historic Dodgertown was the Spring Training home of the Brooklyn Dodgers and their 26 affiliated minor league teams. At that time, Walter O’Malley was Vice President and part-owner of the Dodgers, who were searching for a location that was self-contained and a safe haven for Jackie Robinson and other African-American players to train, stay and play. Six Dodger teams that trained there would win a World Championship. The recent reunion included Peter O’Malley, President of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1970-1998 and his sister, Terry O’Malley Seidler, their children and grandchildren. Peter and Terry’s parents, Walter and Kay O’Malley were involved with Historic Dodgertown from its beginning. When Walter became
Dodger President in 1950, he began to enhance Dodgertown, formerly a US Naval Air Station during World War II. Peter O’Malley said, “My sister Terry and I wanted to introduce our grandchildren to this very special place and community.” Fun family activities and a variety of sports were planned on the beautiful 80 acres with its 10½ playing fields, 7 of which are lighted, including Holman Stadium (privately built by Walter O’Malley and used for Dodger games from 1953-2008); use of all recreational and fitness facilities including tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, competition-size swimming pool and weight training room; the Jackie Robinson Room for gatherings, as well the dining room and Stadium Club Lounge. Many family members also enjoyed local airboat adventures. A year earlier, O’Malleys held a fun reunion for members of his University of Pennsylvania Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and their spouses at Historic Dodgertown. Visit www.historicdodgertown.com and www.walteromalley.com
O’Malley Family Reunion
Moran Family Reunion
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he Moran Family Reunion has met every year for over 35 years. There is one major reunion every summer and a mini one on St Patrick’s weekend. We don’t need to break the ice! We hug and get on with it! Location has always changed but this year we decided to have it at the same park every year on the same date forever! Now it will be at Camp Moran on Orcas Island, Washington. Normally reunions are three days but the next one will be four days. We need a place where we can eat, play, dance. and drink, play games and bond as a family! We choose state parks that have educational camps. Activities include
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horseshoes, washer tournaments, Olympics for kids – that are quite silly but they have fun winning prizes – Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments. And the best food out there! We have three committees that rotate every three years. The next planner volunteers at end of reunion. Kids are encouraged to help, but they haven’t been involved in planning, yet! Good idea we will institute this next one! We call Passing the Torch “generation in training.” We have a facebook page and stay in touch by email and calls Shared by Jo Ann Adiele, Shoreline, Washington.
Hamilton Hill Taylor Family Reunion
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aTanya Joseph, Mulberry, Florida, is hosting her next family reunion in “beautiful” Kissimmee, Florida. She wrote, “We have been holding family reunions every other year since 1986 and I am honored to be bringing the reunion to Florida for the first time ever. This is the first family reunion I have ever planned and I want my family to have a “phenomenal experience” that they enjoy no matter what generation they’re in. I also want them to realize that while Orlando is the home of Disney, there is SO much more here to see and do because people in Florida know how to throw a party!” Each member pays a proportionate cost based on a total overall budget for food/activities/transportation/lodging/etc. Any left over money is passed to the next host committee. Reunion committees are made up of family members who want to help out and live in the local vicinity of where the upcoming reunion will be held. We put various family members in charge of certain aspects of the reunion and invite them to get their “leg” of the family to pitch in to help with their task/project. At the reunion, they will take bids for whoever wants to host the next reunion in their home location. However, every other reunion (which is every 4th year) the reunion goes back to the home site in Greensboro, Alabama ... where it all started.
They honor those who have passed away since the last reunion. They also honor the oldest and youngest attendees and those who traveled farthest. They have a family contact roster and utilize phone calls, emails, mail and social media. They mail two or three newsletters/information packets throughout the two year planning period. They send periodic updates through the family facebook page and call those who do not have facebook. Instead of the usual meet & greet, LaTanya is thinking of doing a photo scavenger hunt. There will be a “casino night party” and a banquet. They usually have a talent show and try to get kids involved based on their talents, even if that involves planning or speaking or helping to prepare for the event. LaTanya says … I am the first in my generation who has stepped up to accept the torch passed to me by the previous generation. The previous committee members have been a great source of guidance and encouragement. My goal is not only to rise to the occasion, but I want us to “show up and show out!!” on this reunion so that other members of my generation will continue coming and will want to carry on the legacy for their kids and grandkids.
A reunion location plus a vacation,
any time of year With welcoming weather year-round and plenty go do, Wilmington is more than a great spot for reunions – it’s a destination. You’ll find venues ranging from historic homes or a riverboat to event spaces set along our scenic riverfront, while beaches beckon nearby. Book off-season for the best savings, and see where the water takes you.
NCCoastalMeetingsReunions.com | 800.650.9064
masterplan
Liske Family Reunion
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very two years we get together for the Liske Family Reunion. Reunion duties are passed down from family to family. It started years ago with aunts/uncles hosting in their home towns and now we, the next generations, are taking our turns. The “elders” did it for years and we decided about 10 years ago that it was time for the torch to be passed to the next generation. My mom has nine siblings and each of her siblings’ children have taken a turn starting with the oldest planning first. When it’s your family’s turn to host, you decide on the location which changes every two years. The last three were in the Quad Cities in Iowa, Louisville, Kentucky, and Atlanta, Georgia. The next is in Branson, Missouri. The host family determines costs for food/activities/shirts and members are assessed a fee. The host family gets the hotel and each family pays for their own room. We started auctions years ago to help make down payments. At dinners you are not allowed to sit with someone in your own family. We can tell if you sit with your own family because each family has color-coded t-shirts! We have had family competition where everyone is mixed up and we play games where you have to get to know your cousins/aunts/uncles. We ALWAYS have a Nebraska vs Iowa competition (usually tug-of-war). We have a lot of family competitions that involve the younger ones. We have stations – art/crafts/bubbles – set up for really young ones. The mid-teens/teenagers like games like Minute To Win It or scavenger hunts. Activities depend on where we are. In Kentucky (our last reunion) we visited the Churchill Downs, Home of the Kentucky Derby, and had a golf competition. In
Nine Liske siblings, left to right, Patti Gibbs, Kathy O’Brien, Jackie Waugh, Johnnie Liske, Mary Ann Caveye, Joan Stone, Donna Fest, Betty Hoogerwerf and Jerry Liske.
Atlanta – we went to Stone Mountain. We always acknowledge the people who have died. We take a group picture on Saturday and it is a challenge to get 300-400 people to try to sit with their families for the picture. But with everyone in their colored shirts, the picture looks really cool. On Friday there is an activity planned (golf/swimming/park) for those who arrive early. Friday night is a very informal meet and greet. We play cards, drink a few and catch up on what everyone is doing. Saturday everyone is on their own until about 2 PM. Lunch is served and we begin games, which last a couple hours. We always have Mass. Then dinner is served.
2012 Liske Family Reunion
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We have had a few different activities after dinner. Some more formal with a DJ and dancing or, if we had dinner in a park, we would go to a night show. Saturday the host talks about any competition stories/golf stories/prizes and passes the torch to the next family. Hosting is given to the next oldest child in the family whose turn it is. The “notebook” of expenses and any additional information that we found useful – is passed on to the next family in charge during our closing ceremony. Sunday we have a quick breakfast and say our goodbyes. From a report by Janice Wade, Gretna, Nebraska, who attends and plans the Caveye and Liske Family Reunions.
military reunion news e
4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment Reunion
Group Photo at American Legion Post 161in Rushville, Nebraska.
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he 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, held a reunion at the Prairie Wind Casino and Hotel in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, 56 former Sky Soldiers, spouses, family, friends, and guests attended. The Reunion was a huge success. Everyone who attended was able to visit all of the many attractions in the area, including Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, Crazy Horse Memorial, the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota Reservation, the Badlands of South Dakota, Deadwood and the Woolly Mammoth archeological dig site at Hot Springs. And they did not miss seeing many who attended the 75th Biker Rally at Sturgis and surrounding areas.
The highlight of the reunion was a traditional dinner and Reunion Program on Thursday. Following the Opening Prayer by 4/503rd Battalion Chaplain Jack Torp, LTC (Ret), several distinguished guests were recognized. Evening entertainment was provided by Bill Brewster, C Co, on “Cowboy Poetry and Humor.” In closing, we observed a moment of silence in remembrance of our fallen comrades, followed by the Closing Prayer. Friday afternoon, everyone attended the annual Oglala Lakota Pow Wow held on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Later that
evening, everyone participated in a Veterans Dance. Friday evening we drove to Rushville, Nebraska, where we enjoyed a superb prime rib dinner at the American Legion Post 161. After remarks including more “cowboy poetry” by Bill Brewster, we managed to take a very good group picture, which we hope will make the cover of Reunions magazine! The next 4/503rd Bn Reunion will be in Columbus, Georgia. Submitted by Peyton Ligon, Hoover, Alabama.
Families keep Tuskegee memories alive
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ost of Nebraska’s Tuskegee Airmen have passed into history, but some family members gathered to make sure the airmen’s memory remains alive. Tuskegee Airmen were trained by the Army as pilots and crew members during an era when segregation and harassment of African Americans was prevalent. Many were highly decorated for their accomplishments during the war. Members of the Alfonza W. Davis Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen invited relatives of the African-American air crews from World War II to get together in Omaha. Their goal is to find family members to preserve and perpetuate the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. From an article by Steve Liewer in the Omaha World-Herald, Omaha, Nebraska. 2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS SPECIAL ISSUE! v Reunions 45
e military reunion news
USS Eugene A. Greene (DD/DDR-711) Reunion SS Greene Association Reunion began on a September Monday at the Millennium Hotel Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. Forty-seven crewmembers and guests attended. Hosts were Jack and Linda Plasterer. A large hospitality space encouraged everyone to renew old friendships and enjoy snacks provided by attendees. Memorabilia from cruise books, pictures and newspaper articles were available to enjoy. On Tuesday there was a bus tour of Buffalo and the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park. A self-guided tour of USS The Sullivans (DD-537), USS Little Rock (CLG-4) and the submarine USS Croaker (SSK-246) highlighted the day. After lunch the group toured Buffalo City Fire Department’s, Edward M. Cotter, the oldest working fireboat. Wednesday, they visited Niagara Falls which included a ride on the boat, “Maid of The Mist,” and the view from New York State Observation Tower. After a buffet lunch they cruised the Erie Canal passing through the Lockport Locks. Some of the Greene’s crew have been through the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal and now part of the Erie Canal.
Everyone enjoyed a rousing sing-a-long.
Photos by Tom Weir.
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USS Eugene A. Greene reunion group after riding on the Maid of the Mist to Niagara Falls.
At the ship’s business meeting on Thursday, $200 was approved to be donated to Tin Can Sailors and $100 for upkeep of Edward M. Cotter fireboat. A vote to hold the next Greene Reunion in Charleston, South Carolina, in September 2017 was approved with Tom and Linda Weir hosting. After a social hour and rousing sing-a-long the group moved to the dining room for the evening banquet. Retired Senior Chief John Branning, Superintendent of Ships Buffalo Naval Station, was guest speaker. He spoke about “passing on” the heritage and legacy of US Naval Service to the next generation. The banquet concluded with an opportunity raffle. “Friends come and go, but shipmates are forever” … The Greene Reunion concluded Friday morning with all looking forward to the Robert Clark 2017 Reunion. Submitted by Robert J. Clark, Louisville, Kentucky.
317th Troop Carrier Airlift Veterans Reunion
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ur Savannah, Georgia, reunion was a huge success. We had a larger than expected turnout and exceeded our room block. Fortunately, we were able to secure additional rooms, which is not easy during tourist season. We had a capacity banquet crowd, the Low Country Boil was really delicious, and entertainment was above par, with great singing and music by recording artist, Bobby Ryder. Everyone had a great time.
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An aircrew from the 317th Airlift Group’s 39th Squadron based at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas also attended. Capt. Crowley gave an excellent presentation about the group’s airlift mission to Afghanistan. A GoPro video taken from the cockpit of their new C-130J aircraft made us feel like we were right there. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum was near our hotel and the museum staff provided a
guided tour. The museum grounds include memorials to aircrews who served with the 8th Air Force in Europe during WWII. They also have a chapel modeled after those in England. The chapel is used for many weddings; in fact, there was one the day of our tour. If ever you are passing though Savannah on Interstate 95, take the time to visit this museum. Reported by Jim Timmons, Pasadena, Maryland.
VetFriends.com helps veterans reconnect
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pecial bonds are formed between military personnel withstand the test of time because of the unique and often difficult circumstances under which they were formed. Founded by a US military veteran, VetFriends.com is the largest website reuniting US veterans. The mission of the site is to reconnect and support veterans and military personnel.
Visit VetFriends.com. Search over 1,800,000 members to make contact; search over 10,000 military units; how to obtain military records and medals; veteran job boards; message boards; upload photos; military jokes; search, post reunions, military pride merchandise and more. Create a profile free at vetfriends. com/new_member/index.cfm.
“Big Red One”
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eterans of the Army’s renowned 1st Infantry Division, the “Big Red One,” will hold their 98th annual reunion in Atlanta, Georgia, June 8-12, 2016. Over 600 Big Red One members attended the 97th annual reunion in Lombard, Illinois. The reunion is conducted by the Society of the First Infantry Division headquartered in Ambler, Pennsylvania. The 1st Infantry Division is the Army’s oldest and arguably most famous division. It served with great distinction in World Wars I and II, Vietnam, and Desert Strom as well as in Germany and the US during the Cold War. Elements of the 1st Infantry Division have participated extensively in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The 1st Infantry Division has also trained thousands of Military Transition Team members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Everyone who ever served in the First Infantry Division or any unit attached to it is invited to attend the reunion. Visit www.1stID.org.
From here, your family can enjoy Atlanta’s attractions or just each other.
San Diego’s Reunion Specialists Host your special reunion at the Holiday Inn Bayside overlooking beautiful San Diego Bay. • Selected as “One of the Top 10 great places to hold a Reunion,” as seen in USA Today, June 2010 • Beautiful and spacious guest rooms • Tropical courtyard with heated pool, spa, shuffleboard, billiards • Family style restaurant and cocktail lounge • Non-smoking and disabled access rooms • 9-hole putting course, exercise room • Free parking and airport transfers • Kids eat and stay free program
Special Reunion Features • Complimentary one-night stay for reunion planner with site inspection • Complimentary hospitality suite • Complimentary Welcome Amenity • Senior discounts in our restaurant • Special reunion rates
4875 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92106 619.224.3621 • 800.650.6660 • Fax: 619.224.3629 Email: Jodie@holinnbayside.com • holinnbayside.com B artell Hotels…San D iego’s U n forgettable Lo cat ion s
© 2016 Sandy Springs Hospitality and Tourism. All Rights reserved.
When your family reunion is in Sandy Springs, you’re minutes from downtown Atlanta and near 950 acres of natural areas. With plenty of choices for group dining, easy parking and countless activity options, it’s everything a group needs, and everything each person wants. Email will.carlson@sandyspringsga.org to start planning your Everything You Love reunion today. VisitSandySprings.org About Greater Atlanta
Web page: reunionsmag.com Call: 414.263.4567 Fax: 414.263.6331 e-mail: editor@reunionsmag.com write: PO Box 11727 Milwaukee, WI 53211-0727 2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 47
CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES
Welcome to Reunion Resources! We encourage you to tell the listings you contact that you learned about them from Reunions magazine. And if at any time you find any info that is inaccurate or e-mail or web links do not work, notify us immediately at editor@reunionsmag.com; PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. And by all means, feel free to comment and/or suggest changes and additions you’d like to see in this section. Reunions magazine will not be held liable for information presented as facts in these ads. We reserve the right to edit and/or refuse any material submitted for publication.
CANADA ECHO VALLEY RANCH & SPA
PO Box 916, Jesmond Clinton BC V0K 1K0 250-459-2386 | info@evranch.com www.evranch.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
ARIZONA BEST WESTERN PLUS TEMPE BY THE MALL
MARBLE MOUNTAIN RANCH
92520 Hwy 96, Somes Bar CA 95568 530-469-3322 guestranch@marblemountainranch.com www.marbelmountainranch.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
COLORADO ELK MOUNTAIN RANCH
PO Box 910, Buena Vista CO 81211 719-539-4430 | info@elkmtn.com | www.elkmtn.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
COLORADO TRAILS RANCH
12161 Country Rd 240, Durango CO 81301 970-247-5055 | info@coloradotrails.com www.coloradotrails.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
C LAZY U RANCH
PO Box 379 Granby CO 80446 970-887-3344 | news@clazyu.com | www.clazyu.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
WESTERN RIVIERA LAKESIDE LODGING & EVENTS 419 Garfield Street, Grand Lake CO 80477 970-627-3580 | motel@westernriv.com www.westernriv.com
Erva Nykiforuk | Director of Sales 5300 S Priest Drive, Tempe AZ 85283 480-820-7500 X 2175 | fax: 480-820-9826 ervanykiforuk@bestwesterntempe.com www.bestwesterntempe.com
WAUNITA HOT SPRINGS RANCH
TANQUE VERDE GUEST RANCH
PO Box 237, Kremmling CO 80459 800-227-9655 | info@latigotrails.com www.latigotrails.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
14301 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson AZ 85748 520-296-6275 | dude@tvgr.com www.tanqueverderanch.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
WHITE STALLION RANCH
9251 W Twin Peaks Road, Tucson AZ 85743 520-297-0252 | info@whitestallion.com www.whitestallion.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
ARKANSAS
8007 County Road 887, Gunnison CO 81230 970-641-1266 | info@waunita.com www.waunita.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
LATIGO RANCH
CHEROKEE PARK RANCH
436 Cherokee Hills Drive, Livermore CO 80536 970-493-6522 | info@cherokeeparkranch.com www.cherokeeparkranch.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
SYLVAN DALE GUEST RANCH
reunion and is surrounded by great attractions including Arvest Ballpark, home of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. You’ll also find museums, art galleries, a water park and variety of family-friendly activities to be enjoyed at the Jones Center for families. 1-800-972-7261 | springdale.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
2939 N County Road 31D, Loveland CO 80538 970-667-3915 | ranch@sylvandale.com www.sylvandale.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! YMCA OF THE ROCKIES has two Colorado resort destinations – Estes Park and Winter Park- where your family can reconnect, relax and enjoy group activities. A variety of affordable lodging is available, from individual lodge rooms to a 16-bedroom cabin. Activities include zip line, horseback riding and guided hikes. 800-777-9622 | www.ymcarockies.org
CALIFORNIA
DELAWARE
SPRINGDALE offers endless possibilities for your
VISIT OCEANSIDE CVB
928 North Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054 A classic SoCal beach town, Oceanside is a familyfriendly community featuring 3.5 miles of sandy beaches, California’s longest wooden pier, a Cape Cod-style harbor village, historic Mission San Luis Rey, museums and unlimited outdoor activities. Oceanside is conveniently located between Los Angeles and San Diego, bordering Camp Pendleton. For easy reunion planning contact Dana Higgins at dana@visitoceanside.org | or toll-free at (844) 269-6551 | www.visitoceanside.org
GREENHORN CREEK GUEST RANCH
2116 Greenhorn Ranch Rd, Quincy CA 95971 530-283-0930| ride@greenhornranch.com www.greenhornranch.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
HOLIDAY INN SAN DIEGO BAYSIDE
4875 N Harbor Drive, San Diego CA 92106 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 hospitality 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. 619-224-3621 | 800-650-6660 fax 619-224-1787 | dos@holinnbayside.com www.holinnbayside.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! 48 Reunions v reunionsmag.com
DAYS INN Newark/Wilmington
900 Churchman’s Road, Newark, DE 19713 Contact Donna Lauria, 302-368-2400 Fax: 302-731-8620 | donnalauria55@gmail.com www.daysinn.com
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA See GENETIC RESEARCH for study in your area.
FLORIDA BEST WESTERN COCOA BEACH HOTEL & SUITES
5600 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach FL 32931 Experience Cocoa Beach for your next reunion! The Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel & Suites is the closest oceanfront hotel to Port Canaveral and is located at the Cocoa Beach Pier! Featuring 229 standard guestrooms, one bedroom suites and ocean tower rooms, two pools, BBQ Grills, 3 meeting rooms that can accommodate from 10-80 ppl and two restaurants on property. A perfect beach location for your next reunion! 321-783-7621 | fax 321-799-8640 cgromlich@oceanpartnerscb.com www.bestwestern.com
THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL
2201 Second St., Suite 600, Fort Myers, FL 33901 Share a tradition of timeless beauty and endless opportunity for togetherness. Whether on the pristine sands of beautiful beaches, on the glistening waters
of the Gulf of Mexico, or in countless charming towns, your family comes together when you get away here. To begin planning your reunion, visit FortMyersSanibel.com for more information. TELEPHONE: 239-338-3500 | U.S. & Canada: 800-237-6444 | www.fortmyers-sanibel.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
DESTIN - FT WALTON BEACH FL - OKALOOSA ISLAND
1540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32458 Let’s go Emerald Coasting! Have your next reunion in the Heart of Florida’s Emerald Coast. Emerald Coasting is sugar-white sand beaches, great golf and fishing. It’s fresh seafood and rich military history. Find out why we’re “one of Florida’s favorite meeting venues.” 850-651-7647 | MyEmeraldCoastEvents.com.
CROWNE PLAZA HOLLYWOOD BEACH
4000 South Ocean Drive, Hollywood FL 33019 954-454-4334 | sales@cphollywodbeach.com www.cphollywoodbeach.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
EXPERIENCE KISSIMMEE
215 Celebration Blvd., Kissimmee FL 34747 Kissimmee, Florida, the gateway to fun and next to Orlando is your gateway to the perfect location for your next reunion. We offer planning assistance to reunions of all sizes and budgets. Let us help you make planning your next reunion easy. Plus… we’ll provide your reunion T-shirts free! For details see ReunionsInKissimmee.com or call our reunions specialist at 407-569-4855 email JShives@ExperienceKissimmee.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
PARK INN by RADISSON RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER
3011 Maingate Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34746 Contact Valerie Gallo, Valerie.gallo@parkinn.com 407-997-2156 | fax: 407-396-1171 www.piresortorlando.com/family-reunions.htm
STAR ISLAND RESORT
5000 Avenue of the Stars, Kissimmee FL 34746 Located just 4 miles to Walt Disney Theme Parks. Our gated all suite resort & spa offers spacious mini suites, 1 & 3 bedroom Villas with full kitchens and mini kitchens that can accommodate up to 8 guests. Enjoy tennis, basketball, pools, putting green, mini golf, paddle boats, putting green, pool bars, beach volleyball, game room, fitness center, children’s activities, BBQ grills and much more! Indoor & outdoor function space available to rent. Free reunion tee shirts through our partners at Experience Kissimmee. Group rates for 8 or more units. For group quote call 800-789-0715 or email jmoquin@ star-island.com. Visit our web site at www.star-island. com. We look forward to hosting your reunion!
ROSEN PLAZA/ORLANDO
9700 International Drive, Orlando FL 32819 Located on International Drive across from Pointe Orlando and minutes from world-renowned attractions, shopping and dining, and only 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport. Offering specialized reunion menus, 800 luxurious guestrooms, complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, no resort fee, 7 restaurants and lounges from bountiful buffets to fine dining to a state-of-the-art nightclub. More than 60,000 sq. ft. of meeting/event space. 407.996.9700 | RosenPlaza.com sales@rosenplaza.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
THE RESORT AND CLUB AT LITTLE HARBOR
611 Destiny Dr. Ruskin FL 33570 Your Caribbean-style island resort on Tampa Bay awaits you! Experience a tropical getaway with features such as water view rooms, restaurant, lounge, tiki bar, beach, deep water marina and so much more. Nestled between Tampa and Sarasota, we feature a wide range of suites all perfect for your reunion. Contact Mai Perez, LHReservations@littleharborflorida.com 813.922.6000 | www.staylittleharbor.com
CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES HYATT PLACE SARASOTA 950 University Parkway, Sarasota FL 34234 Contact Dana Scott, 941-554-5803 fax 941-952-5679 | dana.scott@hyatt.com www.sarasotabradenton.place.hyatt.com Planning a reunion? Consider the THUNDERBIRD BEACH RESORT for your gathering. Directly on the white sand beaches of Treasure Island, the Thunderbird Beach Resort’s staff is renowned for extra friendly customer service that treats your family like our family. Enjoy rooms, efficiencies and suites in a tropical courtyard setting with 2 pools, hot tub, Tiki bar and restaurant. Private functions, from casual to formal will be unforgettable when hosted in the Sunset Room overlooking the courtyard. Catering by Feola’s Italian Restorante will be the star of your event! Contact one of our Group Specialists for personal service planning your Reunion. 1-800-FOR-BIRD (367-2473) | 727-367-1961 Thunderbirdflorida.com
GEORGIA HILTON ATLANTA MARIETTA HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER 500 Powder Springs Street, Marietta GA 30064 The Hilton Marietta offers your group 138 double/ double rooms. We are located near parks, White Water, Six Flags, Main Event and Dave and Busters. Resort style accommodations for your reunion, rates from $109 with breakfast included. Georgette Lake, 770-427-2500 I Direct: 678-819-3134 I fax: 770-429-9577 c: 678-390-5253 | Georgette.Lake@hilton.com atlantamarietta.hilton.com | facebook.com/hiltonmarietta twitter.com/hiltonmarietta
RENAISSANCE ATLANTA MIDTOWN 866 W. Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta GA 30308 678-412-2362 | fax 678-412-2401 sabine.kimble@renhotels.com www.renaissanceatlantamidtown.com
SANDY SPRINGS HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM Located minutes from downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs is the perfect location for your next family reunion. Sandy Springs Hospitality and Tourism provides event planning assistance, customized itineraries, complimentary gift bags and more. Call 770-206-1445 or email will.carlson@sandyspringsga. org to start planning today. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
HOTEL TYBEE 1401 Strand Ave, Tybee Island GA 31328 David Thomas, 912-786-7777 | fax: 912-786-7080 david.thomas@hoteltybee.com | hoteltybee.com/weddings-reunions-and-groups.aspx
ILLINOIS Plan an unforgettable reunion in Lake County, Illinois – We’ll work together to help you plan an event that lets you explore all the excitement of Lake County. From entertaining attractions like Six Flags to our convenient, centralized location close to Chicago, there are so many reasons to choose Lake County for family friendly fun. For free Reunion Planning Assistance call or email us with your reunion planning questions. 800-LAKE-NOW | kimberly@lakecounty.org LakeCountyReunions.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
MARYLAND UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center 52 King George Street, Annapolis MD 21402 410-293-8687 | fax 410-293-3365 tourinfo@usna.edu | www.navyonline.com
DC, Maryland & Virginia See GENETIC RESEARCH for study in your area.
MICHIGAN
NEVADA
DETROIT METRO CVB
Host your family reunion in Detroit, America’s great comeback city. The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau can assist you in planning to create itineraries, find accommodations, recommend activities and more. Detroit has many family attractions like The Henry Ford, Detroit Zoo, SEALIFE Michigan Aquarium, museums, festivals and outdoor spaces. For more information, visit http://www. meetdetroit.com/reunions or call 313-202-1985. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
GOLD COAST HOTEL & CASINO offers the magic of Las Vegas with a different view; full service, off-strip hotel/casino, 30,000 sq. ft. meeting/banquet space, seven restaurants, bowling, bingo, keno lounge and exercise facility. Special offers available for reunions. Superb service, appealing prices. Stay where, “It’s good to B-Connected.” 4000 W Flamingo Road, Las Vegas NV 89103 702-251-3560 | fax 702-367-8419 revadavis@boydgaming.com www.goldcoastcasino.com
MINNESOTA
SUNCOAST HOTEL & CASINO
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/family-reunions/ MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL is the perfect destination for your next reunion. Meet Minneapolis represents the entire MSP metro area. Use our FREE planning service to connect with hotels metro wide. We also provide your group with FREE welcome bags. Let us help you plan your next successful reunion in Minneapolis! 612-767-8106 | caseyk@minneapolis.org www.minneapolis.org
MISSOURI THE BRANSON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
awaits to assist you in finding your lodging for your next reunion in America’s heartland! Branson, Missouri, the ideal destination, offers live music shows and attractions where family values and budgets are honored! Branson’s breathtaking scenery and authentic Ozarks hospitality warms you any time of year! Call us toll-free at 800-214-3661 or visit our website at ExploreBranson.com and request a Reunion Planner Sales kit. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
9090 Alta Drive, Las Vegas NV 89145 Suncoast is an elegant gaming resort located on the picturesque western edge of the Las Vegas Valley. The stylish 427-room hotel is near three championship golf courses and has scheduled shuttle bus service to and from McCarran International Airport. Among the Suncoast attractions are 25,000 square feet of convention space, nine restaurants, a 64-lane bowling center, a 16-screen movie complex, a pool and a 500-seat showroom. 702-636-7050 | www.suncoastcasino.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! THE ORLEANS HOTEL AND CASINO blends the glamour and excitement of Las Vegas with the festive flavor of New Orleans. The 88-acre full-service resort has 1,886 rooms and suites, 40,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, 12 exceptional restaurants and an oasis-like swimming pool. Attractions also include a spa and fitness center, a 70-lane bowling center, an 18-screen movie complex, a 900-seat showroom and 9,000-seat arena. 4500 W Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89103 702-365-7050 | 888-365-7111 X 7050 www.orleanscasino.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
CANNERY CASINO HOTEL
2121 East Craig Road, Las Vegas, NV 89030 702-507-5810 | fax 702-507-5778. Conveniently located in North Las Vegas near I-15, Nellis Air Force Base and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Cannery Casino Hotel is a spacious casino, seven restaurants, three bars, luxury movie theater, a half-acre pool with Jacuzzi and fitness room. Everything for a reunion-vacation is here, including free parking to our guests. Check us out at www.cannerycasino.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT SPA RENO
MONTANA
3800 S. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89502 Have your reunion in Four Diamond luxury. Atlantis showcases 50,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, perfect for reunions large or small. Stay in Reno’s only Concierge Hotel Tower. Discover eight award-winning restaurants from gourmet to buffet. Enjoy an action-packed casino floor with the newest and hottest slots, table games, Race & Sports Book, Keno and poker. Experience exquisite treatments at Spa Atlantis, voted top ten in the world as SpaFinder’s Readers’ Choice award recipient for Best Casino Spa. Atlantis is the home of Reno reunions. Sales Department 800.994.5900 sales@AtlantisCasino.com | AtlantisCasino.com/reunions
ELKHORN RANCH
NORTH CAROLINA
BRANSON YELLOW ROSE INN AND SUITES
3140 Falls Parkway, Branson MO The award winning Branson Yellow Rose Inn & Suites features 103 beautiful, soundproof ultra clean & very comfortable Guest Rooms & Suites. Enjoy the quiet and beautiful views of the Ozark hills from your room, our gazebos, or the outdoor pool. Free hot deluxe breakfast included. Elevator on site. 407-334-1717 | gm.yellowrose@gmail.com bransonyelloroseinnandsuites.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
33133 Gallatin Rd, Gallatin Gateway MT 59730 406-995-4291 | linda@elkhornranchmontana.com www.elkhornranchmontana.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
BAR W GUEST RANCH
2875 Hwy 93 West, Whitefish MT 59937 406-253-4181 | info@thebarw.com www.thebarw.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
FLYING E RANCH - MT 2801 W. Wickenburg Way, Wickenburg MT 85390 928-684-2690 | vacation@flyingeranch.com www.flyingeranch.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
WILMINGTON AND BEACHES
Wilmington, N.C., and three island beaches offer extraordinary experiences from the river to the sea. From the historic river district anchored by a scenic Riverwalk and 200+ shops, cafes and vibrant nightlife to a new Ocean Front Park and beachside boardwalks. Get together in NC’s most accessible coastal destination. For group itineraries & events: NCCoastalMeetingsReunions.com 800-650-9064, ext. 113
Please patronize our advertisers. 2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 49
CATALOG OF REUNION RESOURCES OHIO
TEXAS
DC, Maryland & Virginia
HOCKING HILLS TOURISM ASSOCIATION
PLANO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
See GENETIC RESEARCH for study in your area.
13178 State Route 664 S, Logan, Ohio 43138 The Hocking Hills are Ohio’s natural crown jewels and the perfect location for reunions. The region is a mecca for nature based recreation. World class hiking, eco-adventure tours and more than 50 ziplines. Luxury lodges provide private resort amenities for groups of three to thirty. Located just 50 miles southeast of Columbus. 740-385-2750 | fax 740-385-1146 http://ExploreHockingHills.com | Contact: Karen Raymore kraymore@explorehockinghills.com
PENNSYLVANIA THE INN AT POCONO MANOR
One Manor Drive, Pocono Manor PA 18349 Set amidst 3,000 acres of stunning scenery, The Inn at Pocono Manor is an ideal retreat for family reunions. Amenities include: 242 guest rooms and suites, complimentary WiFi, restaurants, movie theater, game room and arcade, library, riding stable, golf, fishing, shooting, archery, hiking and more, based on the changing seasons. 570-243-401 | fax 570-839-0807 alenton@poconomanor.com | www.poconomanor.com
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 email at chrisp@chattanoogacvb.com to begin planning your next reunion! www.ChattanoogaMeetings.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
DISPLAY ADVERTISER INDEX NAME PAGE
Branson Lakes Area Chamber/CVB. . . . . . . . IFC Branson Yellow Rose Inn & Suites. . . . . . . . OBC Cannery Casino Resorts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Chattanooga CVB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach. . . . . . . . . . 21 Detroit Metro CVB DMCVB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 The Dude Ranchers‘ Association. . . . . . . . 24-25 Fredericksburg Area Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside. . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Lake County CVB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Lee County CVB/Beaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 of Fort Myers & Sanibel Norfolk CVB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Plano CVB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Rosen Plaza/Hotels & Resorts. . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Sandy Springs Hospitality & Tourism. . . . . . . . 47 Springdale A&P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Suncoast Hotel & Casino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 The Orleans Hotel & Casino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Visit Fairfax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Wilmington and Beaches CVB NC. . . . . . . . . 43 Customink T-shirts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 National Institute of Health/. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Genetic Research 50 Reunions v reunionsmag.com
Located just minutes from Dallas, Plano is the perfect place to stay. You will find unique and entertaining attractions, a multitude of restaurants for every taste and style, and all the shopping you could ever want, as well as a variety of hotel and lodging offerings. Let Kay at the Plano Convention and Visitors Bureau assist you in all your travel planning needs. kays@plano.gov | 800-81-PLANO | visitplano.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
WYOMING LAZY L & B RANCH
1072 East Fork Road, Dubois WY 82513 307-455-2839 | Ranch@lazylb.com | www.lazylb.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
GOOSEWING RANCH
VIRGINIA
PO Box 4084, Jackson WY 83001 307-733-5251 | Â info@goosewingranch.com www.goosewingranch.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
RESIDENCE INN ARLINGTON PENTAGON CITY
VEE BAR GUEST RANCH
550 Army Navy Drive, Arlington VA 22202 703-413-6630 | fax 703-418-1751 Breanna.Litle@marriott.com www.ResidenceInnPentagonCity.com
38 Vee Bar Ranch Road, Laramie WY 82070 307-745-7036 | veebar@veebar.com www.veebar.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
CHESAPEAKE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
PO Box 206, Shell WY 82441 307-765-2080 | info@thehideout.com www.thehideout.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
1224 Progressive Drive Chesapeake, VA 23320 Can you hear it? That voice inside, beckoning you to get together. Reconnect with friends, families and memories. The refuge, the waterways, the beach” so close you can enjoy them all. For more information on planning a family or military reunion in Chesapeake, VA, call 888-889-5551 or go to www.visitchesapeake.com
FAIRFAX COUNTY
3702 Pender Drive, Suite 420, Fairfax, VA 22030 Enjoy everything that Northern Virginia has to offer. From the monuments and memorials of nearby Washington, DC to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, Fairfax County is the ideal location for your military or family reunion. Call Visit Fairfax at 703-752-9509, and Dean Miller, our reunion specialist, will go to work for you! dmiller@fxva.com. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
FREDERICKSBURG
TIMELESS. That’s the perfect description of the Fredericksburg region. Visitors to the area encounter the richness of the American experience, and walk in the footsteps of presidents and generals. They feel the joy of discovery in the Fredericksburg area’s unique present and entertaining past, in its historical attractions and battlefields, shops, galleries, beautiful wineries and chef owned restaurants. To book your reunion, please contact Kim Herbert, Conference Sales and Services Specialist at 540-372-1216 or 800-260-3646 | ksherbert@fredericksburgva.gov www.VisitFred.com | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD! NEWPORT NEWS – Looking for the perfect place to “drop anchor” during your reunion in Virginia? Look no further than Newport News! Minutes from Williamsburg and a short drive to Virginia Beach, Newport News provides the perfect location and services to make your reunion a success, whether you’re getting together with old classmates, shipmates or relatives. We offer the best value and plenty to see and do. Let Newport News make your next reunion a memorable one! Call our Visitor Center at 888-4937386 or email amoran@nnva.gov to book your reunion today. www.newport-news.org
VISIT NORFOLK
232 East Main Street, Norfolk VA 23510. Norfolk’s beautifully revitalized waterfront, rich military heritage, and walkable downtown make it the ideal destination for your next reunion. Norfolk is home to the nationally-renowned Chrysler Museum of Art & Glass Studio, Battleship Wisconsin, MacArthur Memorial, Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the world’s largest naval base. The City offers thousands of hotel rooms in various price ranges. Call 800-368-3097 | dallen@visitnorfolktoday.com | www.visitnorfolktoday. com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
THE HIDEOUT LODGE & GUEST RANCH
DUDE RANCHES DUDE RANCHERS’ ASSOCIATION
1122 12th. Street, Cody, Wyoming 82414 Helping people find quality Dude and Guest Ranch vacations since 1926. Let us help you find the perfect all inclusive location for your next reunion call 866-399-2339 or e-mail colleen@duderanch.org www.duderanch.org | SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
CRUISEs Expedia CruiseShipCenters Leesburg
866-595-3667 kitttsonmunzell@cruiseshipcenters.com www.kittsonmunzell.cruiseshipcenters.com www.reunionvideo.waterwaytravel.com facebook.com/ExpediaCruiseShipCentersLeesburg
HOLIDAY CRUISEs and tours
Brian Forrester, is a Cruise Group Specialist and is eager to help make your reunion memorable. Contact Brian at 480-998-1112 | brian@hcttravel.com. He will ask questions to understand your needs and present what works best for your reunion. He can get the best deals and knows how to make your reunion cruise a success. Brian will work with you to organize deposits, payment plans, announcements, and special arrangements. Relax! He will handle all the details.
GENETIC RESEARCH Genetics Research Study Seeks Participants
Want to learn the role your genes play in your health? Are you an African American, African or Afro-Caribbean between 45 and 65 years old who has not smoked in the past year and lives in the Washington, DC metro area? If so, you may be eligible to join the ClinSeq® project that is currently underway in the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This study offers free medical testing for heart disease and free genetic testing. Please SEE OUR DISPLAY AD for more information or contact Sandra at 301-402-0020.
T-SHIRTS CUSTOMINK
Create amazing reunion shirts online in our fun & easy Design Lab! Choose from name-brand apparel and 60,000+ images, or upload your own art. No hidden charges or set-up fees. Guaranteed delivery dates. FREE shipping and FREE design help 7 days a week. Call us toll-free at 877-803-5887. We love to talk tees! Or visit us online at customink.com/reunions. SEE OUR DISPLAY AD!
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alum & I
Note: This is the second of two op-eds by Nancy Davidoff Kelton from The Buffalo News, Buffalo, New York. The first, in anticipation of the reunion, was published in our Volume 25, Number 4, Summer 2015.
High school reunion was eagerly anticipated by Nancy Davidoff Kelton
I
returned to Buffalo, New York, to attend my 50th Bennett High School reunion with a) more enthusiasm than I had as a student; b) my husband, Jonathan; c) a little black dress; and d) a bigger little black dress in case I couldn’t fit into c. Here are things I wish to share. • I wore the bigger little black dress. No one knew. Until now. • The footlong hot dog at Ted’s, our first Buffalo stop, tasted as good as I remembered it. • I recognized most of my classmates when I saw them at the School 66 (North Park Academy) tour Saturday afternoon, remembered the poem from my fourth-grade safety play when I played a rusty nail and recited it to the group in the auditorium, which looked exactly the same. • After driving along Hertel Avenue and by the houses of my friends and relatives on Colvin, Jewett, Starin, Parkside and Woodbridge, I rang the bell of my childhood home on North Drive. The owners invited us in. The bay windows, fireplace and my little bedroom at the top of the stairs were the same as when I lived there. Homey. Cozy. I felt my parents’ spirits everywhere. • Jonathan was impressed with Buffalo’s residential areas and architecture. • Our second Ted’s footlongs were as good as the first. • Driving by Kleinhans Music Hall and thinking about the Van Cliburn, Glenn
Gould and Leonard Pennario piano concerts I attended with my mother, I felt her presence even more. • Inez, my first best friend, greeted me at the reunion dinner with so much love and so many hugs. Some things never change. • Others do. I didn’t recognize the stores at the University Plaza or on Hertel and Delaware. • My classmates look great. Without reading name tags, which I couldn’t anyway without glasses, we recognized each other. • I know myself better now than I had in high school. • I was not a cheerleader then. • I would not qualify now. • I would not qualify as one of the good dancers, either. • Al, who helped me pass French, kept it a secret that I didn’t have an ear for languages. • Don, my first boyfriend, is just as good-looking and more talkative now. • I must have been part of the reason he kept so quiet back then. • Miss Gerase, our history teacher, attended the reunion. I had the opportunity to tell her that she and the psychology class she also taught changed my life. It was my favorite class at Bennett. I majored in psychology. • Fast dancing with the girls is still tons of fun.
• Roast beef on weck and chocolate frozen custard at Anderson’s for lunch – and dinner – on Sunday did not disappoint. • In between, we visited my parents’ friend at the Park Lane apartments and then drove to Niagara Falls. The falls still wowed me. The ride seemed shorter than it did when I went as a child with my parents. • The Park Lane, where I got married the first time, is gone. Millard Fillmore Hospital is half gone. • Eating egg sandwiches at Wegmans and walking up and down the aisles before driving home brought back memories of shopping with my father and could not have been a better send-off. • My husband said that Wegmans, Ted’s and Anderson’s, but mostly my classmates, are warm and welcoming. True. The Bennett reunion beat going to high school. I had a blast in my bigger little black dress.
About the author
Nancy Davidoff Kelton is author of six books and hundreds of essays in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Buffalo News, Redbook, and Parents, among numerous other newspapers and magazines. Her memoir will be published in the spring of 2016 by Passager Books, affiliated with the University of Baltimore.
Bennett High School, Class of 1965.
2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 51
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Charitable reunions
Class of ‘60 gives back
M
arysville, Kansas, High School’s Class of 1960 met its fundraising goal set at the class’ 25th class reunion in 1985. Money was raised at food stands, recycling, donations and memorials. The class raised $105,031, set aside as principal with only the interest available for purchases. The intent is to enrich the classroom experience for all students. To obtain an item, a teacher makes a request to the Endowment Fund Board. S/he explains the need and attests that the district is unable to provide for the items. Through 2014, the class had given more than $59,000 to Marysville schools for purchases from $100 to $1,000. The donations have significantly improved the education experiences of MHS students. From a story by JoAnn Shum in The Marysville Advocate, Marysville, Kansas.
Class of 1965 sets 50th reunion giving record
class reunions
Class of ‘65 gives Clemson $1.2 million
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ifty years after they received their diplomas, nearly 100 Class of 1965 Clemson University alumni presented the school $1,227,872 to help future students. The group gathered near the Class of 1965 sidewalk – a shady path under lush oak trees of Fort Hill – to celebrate their Golden Tiger Reunion and present the check to President James P. Clements. The Class of 1965 Scholarship Endowment was established in 1989. They were one of the first to establish a scholarship in conjunction with their 25th reunion. Class members’ goal was to endow at least $25,000 by their 25th reunion and they far exceeded that goal with $43,000. The endowment has grown and regularly provides support for Clemson students. Classmates said Clemson did not just teach us how to make a living, it prepared us to make a life. In gratitude for that and our golden anniversary we wanted to make a lasting impression of our own for future Clemson students. Including the endowment, the class has given a total of $15,122,050 to Clemson initiatives. From an article by Ken Scar in the Clemson Newsstand, Clemson, South Carolina.
W
hen the time came to plan its 50th reunion and the commemorative class gift, the Committee for William & Mary’s Class of 1965 Reunion had its sights set on breaking the record for the largest 50th reunion gift in the university’s history. They soared past an original fundraising goal of $13.5 million and a stretch goal of $15 million to raise a grand total of $20.6 million for their alma mater. The previous record was set by the Class of 1962, which raised more than $13 million for its 50th Reunion. The reunion gift included contributions from 52 percent of all alumni from the Class of 1965 and 60 percent of those who graduated. During the luncheon where the class gift total was announced, William & Mary President, Taylor Reveley – an honorary member of the Class of 1965 – praised the class for its dedication to the university through the decades. “Fiftieth reunions are joyous occasions, not just for the classmates but also for the alma mater,” he said. “Reunions remind us that people are at the heart of the university, and those people who remain connected to William & Mary across the years, throughout a lifetime, are precious beyond measure.” More than $1.1 million of the reunion gift total is designated for the class project – the expansion of William & Mary’s Alumni House. From a story by University Advancement staff in William and Mary News, Williamsburg, Virginia. 52 Reunions v reunionsmag.com
Conard High School’s Class of ‘74 collection honors deceased classmates
D
uring planning, West Hartford, Connecticut’s Conard High School, Class of 1974 Reunion Committee members learned a number of their classmates had died. They wanted to recognize the classmates so, along with reunion invitations, they sent a request for donations in their honor. Funds will help graduating students, in need, pay for caps, gowns, yearbooks, and similar expenses. The effort, which is continuing, raised $1,500. Tracy Root Class of ’74, issued a Facebook and email challenge. He had donated $100 and he would donate an additional $100 and, if 29 other classmates donated $100, he would double the donation. The “Challenge” reached $4,700. The challenge has been issued to all Conard graduates to “Pay It Forward” to make sure that every senior enjoys the hoopla at the end of their public school years. From the West Hartford News, Middleton, Connecticut.
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Reunion raises cash for audio book
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Big Sandy Class of ‘65 50th graduation anniversary
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tudents from the Brechin High School Class of 1977 in Scotland raised money for a children’s talking book and a local worthy cause. Plans had been to hold the reunion at a large venue, with hope of over 100 people attending. However, when they realized the number wasn’t going to be reached, they opted to use the reunion for a fundraising effort. Moving to a smaller venue meant fewer expenditures. They thought about refunding some of the ticket price but that got complicated so they decided to raise money for a charity. They agreed upon the Royal National Institute of Blind People as their charity because a school friend was registered blind shortly after leaving high school. The group chose The Dreamsnatcher by Abi Elphinstone for the audio book. They raised money to make the children’s talking book, which costs £500, with a JustGiving page, as well as a raffle at the reunion to go with money already raised. The total raised came to £880, so they also made a donation of £380 to the Dalhousie Day Care Centre. From an article in the Brechin Advertiser, Brechin, Scotland, UK.
Iona alumni raise over $1.2M
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he Big Sandy High School, Class of 1965 reunion was at Lake Livingston State Park, Livingston, Texas, with an air conditioned enclosed pavilion on the water. There were 13th year and 25th year reunions. Now they plan to have one every two years “as we are getting rather old!” The next one will be in 2017. After each reunion they put out a report with reunion details and updates on class members and teachers. They notify a year ahead and then six months, three months and six weeks before they send notices/reminders. Decisions are made by a majority of the committee who donate time and money. For such a small group it has been easy. This year one of the spouses is emceeing. Members help with set up, photos, cooking and cleanup. There is a Memory table, games with prize certificates. “But mostly we just visit.’ Ginger’s planning concerns, matched many other planners, is that there are the same few alumni who never attend and they live in area. Reported by Ginger Jordan, Livingston, Texas.
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ew Rochelle, New York, Iona College alumni and friends raised more than $1.2 million to celebrate Iona’s 75th anniversary at a two-day annual reunion weekend. Weekend highlights included a Golden Gaels luncheon for alumni who graduated 50-plus years ago, a presentation of the Iona Forever campaign, heritage trail tours of campus, a barbecue and reunion Mass. The weekend concluded with the annual Reunion Gala at Beckwith Pointe on New Rochelle’s Sound Shore. From a report by Robert Berczuk in The Daily Voice, White Plains, New York.
2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 53
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class reunions
Disconnect to reconnect
H
osting a reunion with Maine Huts & Trails in Kingfield, Maine, seemed like a no-brainer for alumni of Holderness School, an independent boarding and day school, grades 9-12, in the heart of New Hampshire lakes and mountains. Holderness alumni are avid outdoors people and are looking for experiential moments. Disposable time and family time are luxury commodities these days and this Maine Huts & Trails experience was a perfect opportunity to host an event that was active and engaging. Family members were included in a way they may not at most school reunions. What makes an alumni outing with Maine Huts & Trails so enticing is that participants can choose how they want to get to the hut. While most of our group
took to the trails on snowshoes, a good number showed up by Nordic skiing. We chose the Stratton Brook Hut for our first adventure because it was easy to reach by a challenging route for the more experienced in the art of Nordic skiing or winter hiking. The trip was promoted as a take-off from an experience all Holderness students have during their junior year – Outback, a 10-day winter camping experience with three days of solo camping. It is a transformative experience for students. Many alumni mention Outback as one of their best experiences at school. Our theme was “Outback 2.0. You survived your original Outback, now head
Relaxing at Maine Huts & Trails Stratton Brook Hut.
back into the woods with Holderness, but this time there will be a hot shower, gourmet food (and beer) and a warm cabin to rest your head.” We had more than 20 alumni (from four decades, 60s-90s) and family members take part in the adventure in February. Staff was so welcoming and easy going, it felt like a homecoming when we arrived. The food was out of this world. We played a Holderness trivia game and Holderness trinkets were awarded. There was conversation about each individual’s original Outback experience. The sunset was spectacular and most of us were up with the sun the following morning when staff had coffee ready before the sun peeked over the mountaintop. We have re-booked the Stratton Brook Hut for next February. We are adding a few guided hikes along more difficult routes. It will be another great adventure!
Franklin Senior High School, Class of 1985
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wana Calhoun, Covington, Georgia, is Franklin (Louisiana) Senior High School Reunion Committee Chairperson. She
54 Reunions v reunionsmag.com
shared 30-year class reunion photos from the Class of 1985. It was attended by a former Vice-Principal, teachers and the Mayor. Visit franklinhornets1985.myevent.com
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till Family Reunions are on every second Sunday in August. Come rain or shine. This was the 145th consecutive Still Family Reunion. They started at Dr. James Still’s house in Medford, New
masterplan
Jersey, and for the last 40+ years are held in the back yard of Reggie Still Sr. More pictures at www.stillfamily.net/still Shared by Reggie Still, Sr, Lawnside, New Jersey.
Green(e) Family Reunification reunion Greetings Cousins!
As you know, the Green(e) Family Reunification reunion will be held in Columbia, South Carolina, in June. This promises to be a momentous and historic gathering as it will be the first time in 90 years all the descendants of Isaac Green gather. We are expecting nearly 100 cousins, most of whom have never met. The timing of this reunion is remarkable for many reasons. First, the reunion starts on Thursday, the 175th anniversary of the birth of our common ancester, Isaac Green. Friday is Juneteenth. A history tour will be available for those interested. Then, Friday night we come together for a Green(e) Family Dinner & Banquet. Saturday, we’ll gather at Sesquicentennial State Park for the Green(e) Family Reunification Reunion Cook Out. We will be occupying the largest picnic pad in the park located directly on Sesqicentennial Lake. Nonmotorized fishing boats, canoes and/or kayaks, pedal boats and stand up paddleboards (SUPs) are available for a fee. A sand volleyball court, softball field, dog park and playgrounds are all in the park. On Sunday, we will worship at Stover Chapel AME Church. Exactly 90 years ago to the day, Isaac’s 2nd son, Jesse Green, delivered the message at this church after returning to Columbia for the first time in 35 years. His brother, Isaiah Green, also returned after a 37 year absence. Prior to worship services we will conduct a Civil War veteran memorial headstone dedication ceremony at Stover Chapel Cemetery. We hope to have a military honor guard for the occasion. We have decided against requiring a reunion fee in order to make it possible for more to attend this historic reunion. Thus, the financial burden for our activities are currently being absorbed by the event coordinators. Contributions to help with the cost of food for the dinner and the cook out are welcome. For questions please contact Cousin Mike Greene, et cetera.
Wheaton-Dukes Family Reunion
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n an effort to gather my family, I came up with the idea of us getting together for a “family reunion” July 4th weekend. It had been more than 30 years since my family had come together to enjoy each other’s company. In my opinion, that was far too long. I planned the entire reunion solo (whew!). My best friend stepped in and helped where needed during the reunion, and it was a success. It was great to see everyone! My family was so excited that they “suggested” that we have a reunion every year. So now, I am planning our next family reunion which will be held Labor Day Weekend. It’s always a good feeling to get together with family. I look forward to seeing everyone this year, especially since reunion attendance is growing. Thank you for creating this forum for people (such as myself). I have been able to find ideas that will help create a lifetime of memories for my family. Shared by Terry Bunch, Riverdale, Georgia.
Sign up for Reunions E-newsletter @ reunionsmag.com
Shared by Reverend Mike Greene, Portland, Maine. 2016 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v Reunions 55
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50th Hightower-Bush-Little Family Reunion
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he Hightower-Bush-Little Family Reunion celebrated their 50th family reunion on Long Island, New York. They rotate every year for a July weekend between New York, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Washington DC. If for some reason a group cannot host a reunion, the board will host it somewhere else. It’s only happened once. Each reunion group gets $5,000 to start and will give that same amount to the group for the next reunion. If we run short on money, the general board will let everyone know at our meeting the Sunday at our annual meeting. Captains and general board hold office for four years then we get new officers. We start sending information two weeks before Thanksgiving so when family is eating together, they can talk about going to the reunion. We let them know before they leave one reunion where the next will be, then keep posting on facebook. The last reunion was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The next will be in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Reunion traditions include a family photo at every reunion, release balloons in memory, a memorial during the banquet where
three elders speak about the family. They also crown the oldest male/female and have gifts for the youngest. Denise Brown-Samson says, “I keep track of everyone by email and mail. We encourage everyone to join our two facebook pages, Hightower Bush Little Reunion and Hightower Reunion. Members email to update their info. “We start training the young people at age 12. They attend every meeting in their state. They even go to the hotel and watch the process of what to do.” Friday they enjoy a meet and greet with light refreshments/ snacks. Saturday is an all-day picnic with games for the kids. Sunday starts at church with family ministers. There is a banquet later. In-between there is – something new for older members – a history meeting, to go over DNA and family history. Later they’ll include the younger generation. From a report by Denise Brown-Samson Randallstown, Maryland.
Slave descendants meet at Sweet Briar College
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weet Briar College in Amherst County, Virginia, is a private women’s college that was also home to a population of enslaved blacks. Among that group were a married couple, James and Lavinia Fletcher, born in 1835 and owned by Elijah Fletcher. When Elijah Fletcher died in 1858, Lavinia and one of the couple’s sons, Nelson, were given to Elijah’s daughter, Indiana. Later, Indiana Fletcher Williams was the founder of Sweet Briar College. College administrators, citing financial difficulties, announced in March 2015 the school would close. But the Fletcher Family Reunion was scheduled to be there in summer. The extended Fletcher family has come together in numerous reunions through the years, but 2008 was the first year a reunion was held at Sweet Briar College. The campus hosted another
Fletcher reunion in 2010. “This morning marks a new era for our Fletcher family, and it’s because our history is so entwined with the history of Sweet Briar College,” said reunion chairwoman Annette Anderson. Without the work of the Fletcher descendants’ ancestors, Sweet Briar plantation would not have been able to operate. Without the success of the plantation, “there would have been no Sweet Briar College.” Growing up, Maryland resident Bethany Pace often heard statements about a connection to Sweet Briar College. “Once we got here in 2008, it lit a fire under all of us to know more about what was happening at Sweet Briar – what had happened in Sweet Briar,” Anderson said. Anderson spoke of the similarities in family lore expressed by different branches of the family.
Grayson Sandidge traveled from Pittsburgh to attend this year’s reunion. “We talk so much about what we’ve given to this country,” Sandidge said. “I look down here and say, ‘We gave this school.” Being on the same ground of her ancestors, Sheila Fletcher of Yorktown, Virginia, spoke of a feeling of pride. “I’m a strong person because I know where I came from. I think it makes me a better person. I don’t have to guess my history, I know my history, and I get to be around my history.” Note: Students, parents, alumnae and others resisted Sweet Briar closing and raised millions of dollars to keep the school open, securing a new board of directors and college president. From a story by Sherese Gore in the News & Advance, Lynchburg, Virginia.
Cargill, Caldwell, Harris, Williams Family Reunion
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he Cargill, Caldwell, Harris, Williams Family Reunion originated with my father and his nine siblings. There are four branches of the family over six generations. The fifth generation is now hosting reunions. The last reunion was in Montgomery, Alabama, and the next will be in Chicago, Illinois. We will be hosting our 25th biannual family reunion over six generations from many states. The location of the family reunion is voted upon by families during the business meeting. Nominations are made for various locations and host/hostess within that state. Once the state is selected by vote, the host/hostess takes charge. The host and committee establish, approve and maintain the budget and finances. I am the treasurer and have the major responsibility to over-see the finances. 56 Reunions v reunionsmag.com
We use a family website, emails, blog, phone calls, conference calls and US mail to stay in touch. We send all kinds of correspondence with follow ups, save-the-date, emails, postcards, letters and telephone calls. We include a participation/ activity sign up form along with the registration form to get everyone involved. We have an agenda and schedule for three days of activities. Hospitality night on Thursday; golf, tour, banquet on Friday; picnic and business meeting on Saturday; church and departures on Sunday. There is also a talent show, tours, and mall visits. There is a barrage of activities for kids; swimming, sports, board games, crafts, water balloon toss and a dance off. Fundraisers, raffles, donations, and members are responsible for their lodging cost. Reported by Lydia Williams, Frankfort, Illinois.
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