FRONT WORDS – 4
ALUM & I – 6
Reunions on Jeopardy
Unique class reunion logo
Jamaica High School Classes ’69, ’70 and ’71 by Bonnie Barchichat
There’s help planning your class reunion by Cyndi Clamp
BRANCH OFFICE – 12
Share family trees at your reunion from Freeprintable.net
SCRAPBOOK – 15
Reunion School
Douglasville, Georgia, workshop review by Gloria Stone
It’s the start of the new reunion (planning) season!
Determining interest
Set the date
Reunion destinations
Hospitality Answerman by Dean Miller
MASTERPLAN – 27
Daniel Webster Smith Family Reunion by Teresa Ortega
Flowers Family Reunion by Judy Ann R. Flowers
Gardiner Family Reunion by Patricia Suyak
ALAFFFA goes retro for 56th family reunion by Lisa A. Alzo
FEATURE – 37
ChatGPT for genealogists and reunion planners by Josiah Schmidt
MILITARY REUNION NEWS – 39
About Veterans Day
Branson honors military personnel past and present
Support for Veterans - a new resource
USS Cogswell DD-651’s last stand by James L. Smith and George Overman
American Heroes: Portraits of Service
PRESERVING MEMORIES – 42
Family Matters community outreach toolkit lending service
Capturing stories before they fade by Rick Voight
REUNION RESOURCES – 45
A directory of reunion-friendly places, services, vendors and products.
ON THE COVER
Chicago Northwest, Jamaica High School, Flowers Family Reunion, Scott Family Reunion
Reunion Celebrations v September 2023
Volume 32 v Number 3
PUBLISHER
Rick Voight
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Edith Wagner editor@reunionsmag.con
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Mary Catherine Stern
ART DIRECTOR
Jennifer Rueth
SALES
Roberta McLoud
Account Manager roberta@reunionsmag.com
WEB WIZARDS
Howard Ehrenberg • Chris Thompson
HOSPITALITY ANSWERMAN
Dean Miller
Lisa A. Alzo, MFA • Bonnie Batchichat
Judy Ann R. Calhoun • Cyndi Clamp
Judy Ann R Flowers • Teresa Ortega
George H. Overman • Kay Savetz
Josiah Schmidt • James L. Smith
Gloria Stone • Patricia (Gardiner) Suyak
Reunions magazine, Inc. (ISSN #1046-5s235), is published 4 times per year. Email correspondence, queries, requests, submissions to editor@reunionsmag.com or send to Reunions magazine, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727.
Written permission from the publisher is required for reproduction of any part of this book except pages which encourage sharing. Please explain your intended use when requesting permission to reprint and guarantee tear sheets of reviews and reprints.
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Welcome to the first issue of the 2024 reunion planning season. Family and class reunions are winding down and the 2023 military reunion season is just getting started. The summer reunion season seems to have really bounced back after the slow pandemic years and we hope that’s a sign that more and more reunions will appear on the scene. To prove that, we hope you will add your reunion to our list of upcoming reunions as you set the date. Then, when it’s over, you’ll share your story. See “What’s your reunion story?” below. We look forward to it!
What’s inside?
Whether yours is a class reunion or not, you’ll want to read the Alum+I section this time. Among its features are a Jeopardy class reunion category and some very clever class reunion cartoon invitations. Cyndi Clamp, owner of Varsity Reunions, outlines reasons you might want to consider hiring a company to help plan your class reunion. Cyndi’s expertise and experience are the result of many years of successful reunion planning. Finally, there’s an exciting report you won’t want to miss of three high school classes celebrating their 50th+ reunion described in great detail along with video from the event.
The Reunion School list has grown though mainly for military reunions. There are several family reunion workshops worth your attention. The Military Reunion Network has announced its entire 2024 year of familiarization (FAM) trips in various locations of interest to planners. See details on page 15.
The Scrapbook section includes considerations for those just starting reunion plans including determining interest, setting the date and reunion destinations. Hospitality Answerman, Dean Miller, addresses a current hot topic of the sometimes pricy and often unstated hotel “add ons” to the quoted prices. Read this column carefully to be prepared when you are ready to sign your hotel contract.
Josiah Schmidt continues his series of suggestions for using AI to help plan your reunion. While AI continues to mystify and intrigue, it may be coming closer to a reality that reunion planners can incorporate into action. Josiah includes examples of planning forms you will want to consider.
Please consider adding your reunion to the family, class, military and miscellaneous celebrations section reserved for your reports. We have always relied on planners celebrating their triumphant reunion events and happenings to share with others
either just starting to plan or looking for ideas, suggestions, visions and inspiration. We only require that you be willing to share your planning and reunion experience with no other stipulations. You do not need to be a writer, but just report your experience because we polish everything we use in the magazine. We do, however, require that you make sure names are spelled correctly so as not to embarrass you or anyone you’re citing.
Pictures and videos must be yours and you authorize us to use. Send high resolution pictures (250KB or higher, if digital, and 300 dpi, if scanned). Please send videos as an .mp4, .mov, or . wmv video file via https://wetransfer.com (a free transfer service that allows up to 2GB to be sent). Send reports and pictures to editor@reunionsmag.com
We acknowledge Veterans Day commemorations and celebrations and urge you to think of all the sacrifices so many make and have made for us to live in a peaceful world. EW
It’s time to reconnect – in-person – with the ones you love. Lake County is just north of Chicago and delivers the perfect backdrop to get together with your family again. Experience world-class attractions like Six Flags Great America, Hurricane Harbor Great Wolf Lodge. Enjoy beautiful landscapes with 75 lakes and beaches. Explore Forest Preserves, including Independence Grove, which provides ideal picnic locations with lots of activities to enjoy. There’s also wonderful dining, entertainment, hotels and resorts for your big event. In Lake County, Illinois, your reunion will be truly unforgettable.
Contact reunion expert, Kimberly Ghys, Kimberly@LakeCounty.org to start your planning!
Jeopardy recently had a class reunion category. While I was not swift enough to get all the questions, I did manage to capture these with answers!
The Mercer Island High School, class of 1970, in Mercer Island, Washington, had an artist create a cartoon/logo for their 10-year reunion. Then, for each subsequent reunion, he created a new cartoon using the same theme. Note the character growing older in each one.
Shared by Cyndi Clamp, Varsity Reunions; https://varsityreunions.com/blog
Our triple class reunion was almost four years in the making! This was the fourth reunion I’d planned for my class and two other classes but, it was the first time I didn’t hire a company to plan it. I did it all myself, assuming all the expenses etc. with some help from alums on the ground in Queens, New York. I live in California and needed others to check out things and to give me feedback. People popped up to help and formed our reunion committee.
In 2020, the reunion was going to be at the Terrace in the Park, a catering hall next to the old New York World’s Fair and a great site for day events. But I’ve always liked evening events. I thought a hotel would be a better site and I knew many classmates would need to stay in a hotel.
The TWA Hotel at JFK Airport was selected, where I reserved a room block. The location was designed to be a throwback to the 1950s and 60s, where we now 70-year-olds grew up. It worked like a charm! The hotel was over the top with memorabilia, the food was great, the ballroom was beautiful — not too big, not too small. It was a little pricey, but I figured it would be worth it to do it right for our 50+ reunion.
For the 80 days before the reunion, I posted daily inspiring quips on our Facebook page about why they should come; photos, comics, philosophical quotes, anything to stay on their radar. Keeping in communication with them was key as well as hearing their thoughts and opinions.
Upon entering the reunion, everyone was given a badge with their photo and graduation year. There was a souvenir magnet so we’d all remember when all the dust settled, what we accomplished: living and attending our class reunion! I also created a program with pictures and a thank you message for people to have and remember!
We had an open bar with a cocktail from a vintage bartender’s recipe book made special for the occasion called the “Ole Pals Cocktail.” Bottoms Up!
On the tables we had imprinted megaphones and imprinted pom
poms in red and blue, our school colors, donated by a classmate who is in the ad specialty business!
We had a full buffet dinner and dessert.
For our program I gave a bit of a speech and then I had several teachers who were still alive give some remarks on their years at Jamaica High School too. We paid for the teachers and some students who really wanted to come with a GoFundMe page set up by one of our classmates. I got many heartfelt thanks for that effort. At the end of the program, we had a question-and-answer game I made up called “Who Are We Now?” The megaphones were the prizes. People loved them.
Dancing with a DJ was also customized as I’d asked classmates to tell me what their favorite song was during high school and we’d dedicate it to them. The songs made everyone feel special. A congaline erupted too! What a party!
Even if you didn’t go to Jamaica High School, the party was fun to take part in. Most people came without their spouses, but many brought them!
My husband created a Powerpoint reel (he’s a rocket scientist) from photos I’d gotten from our alums who did and did not attend. I’d asked for graduation pictures, a solo picture today, and one with their family: three shots. If they didn’t have a family, I told them to send a picture with their pet or a hobby. It took a lot of time to create with back-and-forth communication. Some people submitted way too many photos for me to choose, but in the end it looked great and ran around an hour on a TV we rented through the DJ company to place in the ballroom.
Picture taking was with a backdrop I made of the school with our school logo and date and place. I promoted it as to “walk the red carpet” like the Academy Awards, but I forgot the entire ballroom had red carpeting throughout. There were lots of photo ops there! The reunion was from 7-11PM and that seemed to be just the right timing. Valet parking was included in the cost. Alums appreciated that!
All in all, everyone raved about the reunion during and after and on our Facebook page I’d set up!
Those years of waiting to make it happen and the Covid fiasco all seemed to have disappeared because our reunion was such a success.
With the advent of Facebook, LinkedIn, email addresses, postcards
sent, (to people with only an address and not a digital footprint), old lists and a Sherlock Holmes approach to finding alums it all worked out. Everyone who wanted to be there was found and was there!
Till the next one, maybe I’ll do a cruise! Give me another five years to recover though! Hope I’m alive too!
Reported by Bonnie Barchichat, Redondo Beach, California
Jamaica High School Classes ’69, ’70 and ’71
Did you know there are reunion planning companies that partner with high school reunion committees to plan their reunion?
Whether you’ve planned all your previous reunions or this is your first time taking the lead, consider using a professional reunion planner. They can help limit the financial risk, potentially increase reunion attendance, handle behind-the-scenes work needed to make your reunion party a great success, and save you time and money.
5 tips for working with a professional reunion planning company 1
Trust their expertise. A high school reunion is a very different party than a wedding reception or corporate event. Professional reunion planners have
experience in the uniqueness of a reunion and understand the steps necessary to ensure a successful celebration. Trust their estimated attendance numbers, their marketing plan for selling reunion tickets, and their suggested food and beverage options.
2Work as partners. Professional reunion planners share your goal to have a memorable and well attended reunion. Reunion planners manage much of the reunion busywork such as handling payments, signing contracts, finding classmates, and updating the class database. This frees reunion committee members’ time to personally reach out to classmates to encourage reunion ticket sales, which is the number one thing a committee can do to
ensure a great reunion turnout. Let your reunion planner handle the event planning so the committee can be the reunion cheerleader.
3Be prepared. Professional reunion planners will need specific information and details about your class and your vision for the reunion party. Have ready:
i A class list with last known addresses, if available. This may be a booklet from a previous reunion or a database provided by your school or district.
i Attendance numbers at your previous reunions.
i 2-3 venue suggestions where you’d like to have your reunion.
i Links to your reunion website or Facebook group.
i Details about what food options you’d like to have. Plated dinner, buffet, or heavy hors d’oeuvres?
i Do you want a DJ or would a venue with a sound system or streaming service suffice?
4Get it in writing. Protect yourself by insisting on a written contract which clearly states the reunion ticket price, services, and products to be offered by the professional reunion planner. Ask for references. A professional reunion planner will gladly provide references and answer any questions about past reunions and locating high school alumni.
5
Expect personalized service. Beware of reunion packages that contain little or no flexibility. A reunion planner should be willing to provide choices and variation for each class, with marketing materials specific to your school and reunion year. How to find a professional reunion planner?
The National Association of Reunion Managers (NARM) is a network of professional
reunion planners who follow strict industry standards while adhering to a Code of Ethics. NARM planners have strong contacts with hotels, banquet facilities, caterers, DJs, and more. Best of all, reunion committees still maintain the decision-making power when
working with a professional reunion planner. Visit www.reunions.com to find a NARM planner.
Reported by Cyndi Clamp, Varsity Reunion Services, cyndi@varsityreunions.com, (314) 647-6565, www.varsityreunions.com
iis a vast website of items for you to copy. Most, of course, are for things other than reunions though we’ve found many items of great interest to reunion planners. The following is but a small sample of family tree templates for you to use for your research and to display at your reunion.
First look at the Research Checklist that outlines details for any individual you may be studying. It includes details you would be looking for for each individual in your search from birth and baptism through death including gravesite information and probate after death. There is space for census and land information as well as military, immigration, tax, and voting records. So, as you research this one person, all the details are listed together.
Another template called Ancestor Sheet lists Personal, Family and Death information for one ancestor. For each individual, their names, birthdate, occupation and employers as well as church and organization affiliations, death and burial information are listed. For a family, their names, marriage and divorce information as well as children’s names, birth and death dates are listed.
We like the simple layout of the 5-generation family tree which is suitable for framing! It is just the outline of the five generations clearly stated with an attractive tree to tie it all together. Another template, not pictured here, is a colorful 12-generation family tree that would summarize far greater research and ancestors much further back than many people have access to! There are also 4, 6 and 10 generation family trees.
Name: Reference No.
Birth Certificate Date: Location:
Baptismal Record Date: Location: Adoption Record Date: DOB: Death Certificate Date: Funeral Home: Burial Record Cemetery: Location: Grave Photo Will Probate Property Inventory
Marriage Record To: Date:
License Officiant: Location:
Divorce Decree/Petition To: Dates:
Deed Abstract Grantor: Grantee: Date: Location:
Deed Abstract Grantor: Grantee: Date: Location: www.FamilyTreeTemplates.net
But simplest and perhaps, most recognizable, is the Blank Family Tree that starts with you and lists back through your great grandparents.
Don’t decide which template you want to use without exploring the many additional choices like bowtie and circle layouts and the more non-traditional families for kids and for pets! Find these and many other free templates at https://www.familytreetemplates.net/
Personal
Surname: First Name:
Middle Name: Maiden Name:
Ancestor #: Relationship to Me:
Alternate Surname Spellings:
DOB: Place of Birth:
Occupation: Employer: Dates:
Occupation: Employer: Dates:
Occupation: Employer: Dates:
Church(es):
Organization(s): Family
Spouse 1: Maiden Name:
DOB: Place of Birth:
Occupation: Employer:
Date of Marriage: Place of Marriage:
Date of Divorce: Date of Death:
Child 1 Name: DOB: Date of Death:
Child 2 Name: DOB: Date of Death:
Child 3 Name: DOB: Date of Death:
Child 4 Name: DOB: Date of Death:
Spouse 2: Maiden Name:
DOB: Place of Birth:
great-grandmother
great-grandfather
great-grandmother
great-grandfather
great-grandmother
grandmother
grandmother
Mother Father
grandfather
grandfather
great-grandfather
great-grandmother
great-grandfather
www.FamilyTreeTemplates.net
We hope reunion planning workshops will come back soon in many places. Many have been held as conference calls and zoom meetings since 2020 and that may continue. This list is provided as a service to reunion planners. Basic listings are free to workshop hosts.
Reunion planning workshops and familiarization (FAM) tours are exciting opportunities for planners to learn how to organize reunions. Workshops and tours are ideal for beginners and experienced reunion planners looking for fresh, new ideas. Some workshops are held as conference calls and zoom meetings so you don’t have to leave your own home to participate. Most workshops are free but require pre-registration. FAM tours listed here are limited to military reunion planners and are not free. This list is provided as a service to reunion planners. Most workshops are sponsored by a convention and visitors bureau and offered free to reunion planners. Between issues, see current list online
September 9, 2023 9 AM – 12 PM EDT
DOUGLASVILLE, GEORGIA, REUNION WORKSHOP
DOUGLASVILLE, GEORGIA, CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
Contact: Rylee Govoreau, govoreaur@douglasvillega.gov or 678-449-3268
Location: Hunter Park, tour of county parks and Conference Center, presentation, lunch, raffle prizes.
October 14, 2023 10:00 AM EDT
ALPHARETTA FAMILY REUNION WORKSHOP
ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
Location: Preston Ridge Community Center 3655 Preston Ridge Road Ste 100, Alpharetta, GA 30005 Contact: abbey@awesomealpharetta.com; www.awesomealpharetta.com; to register and more info click here.
October 28, 2023 12:00 PM ET
NATIONAL FAMILY REUNION INSTITUTE
REUNION PLANNERS WORKSHOP
This free virtual workshop covers topics of interest to reunion planners. Register: admin@familyreunioninstitute.net; www.familyreunioninstitute.net
April 8-10, 2024
DESTINATION GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, FAM TOUR
MILITARY REUNION NETWORK
Military Reunion planners only
425-501-1430; info@militaryreunionnetwork.com; https://militaryreunionnetwork.com
April 21-23, 2024
ST AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, FAM TOUR
MILITARY REUNION NETWORK
Military Reunion planners only
425-501-1430; info@militaryreunionnetwork.com; https://militaryreunionnetwork.com
May 19-21, 2024
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, FAM TOUR
MILITARY REUNION NETWORK
Military Reunion planners only
425-501-1430; info@militaryreunionnetwork.com; https://militaryreunionnetwork.com
May 22-24, 2024
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, FAM TOUR
MILITARY REUNION NETWORK
Military Reunion planners only
425-501-1430; info@militaryreunionnetwork.com; https://militaryreunionnetwork.com
June 21-24, 2024
MRN 2024 EDUCATIONAL SUMMIT
HERNDON, VIRGINIA
Military Reunion planners only
425-501-1430; info@militaryreunionnetwork.com; https://militaryreunionnetwork.com
July 15-17, 2024
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, FAM TOUR
MILITARY REUNION NETWORK
Military Reunion planners only
425-501-1430; info@militaryreunionnetwork.com; https://militaryreunionnetwork.com
October 7-10, 2024
DOVER, DELAWARE, FAM TOUR
MILITARY REUNION NETWORK
Military Reunion planners only
425-501-1430; info@militaryreunionnetwork.com; https://militaryreunionnetwork.com
Afterattending the Douglasville, Georgia, reunion planning workshop, Gloria Scott left this review on Google!
I was making plans for my family reunion and a friend told me to check out Douglasville Convention Center. Once there, I was directed to Rylee Govoreau and she shared with me their upcoming Family Reunion info meeting and tour info guide. It was held a few weeks
Who doesn’t look forward to the wide array of wonderful smells and tastes of reunion potlucks, picnics and banquets? Do these pictures remind you of wonderful memories and make your mouth water? Add these to why you can’t wait for your next reunion!
later and it was very informative. It shared ideas and great locations offered in Douglasville. I was so excited and booked one of the parks for my upcoming reunion. The presentation was great. Everyone who spoke gave direct information about their facility and how to reserve. I am so glad I attended this meeting and guided tour. It has taken so much stress away from my planning. In the presentation it
was noted that guest bags are available upon request and Rylee and her team prepared guest bags for my reunion. I am truly blessed and grateful for this great team that Douglasville Convention & Visitors Bureau has in place. I must say Rylee and her team are the BEST. Thank you, Rylee, for making things flow easier for me in planning my Family Reunion.
Gloria SVacation doesn’t have to mean squeezing into a single property. With GroupRentals.com, you can instantly book multiple homes in a single trip.
There are many examples and ideas on www.reunionsmag.com and www.Pinterest.com/reunionsmag/_saved/. Our Social Media Index is also an important special feature you should become familiar with. You will find it on the bottom of most of our website pages. Click to enlarge and whatever question you need answered should be in one of the items listed. Simply click again and it will take you directly to the web or Pinterest page for more information. And, if all else fails, feel free to send your question to editor@reunionsmag.com, subject line: H-E-L-P! and I will try to answer/guide/direct you to the answer(s) you need! EW
Timeto either start a new reunion or review past reunions and get going on your 2024 edition! Everyone does it a little differently but the steps, no matter what their order, should be done continuously until your actual reunion.
Reunions magazine is an important resource for information, answers, leads, ideas and friends as you go through the steps you choose, to make your reunion happen. We hope you’re not doing it alone because, no matter what kind of reunion you’re planning, it should be a team process so one person is not burdened with all the details and steps necessary to plan a successful reunion whether for family, classmates, military buddies or other group members.
Let’s start with surveying members, choosing a date, contacting and alerting members, announcing early decisions, forming committees and choosing a venue.
If the reunion idea is completely new, you are going to want to survey your members to determine if they are interested in having a reunion and what they want it to look like. One sure way to learn their preferences is to contact members to determine first whether or not they are interested in meeting at a reunion and second to learn what they imagine a reunion to be/look like.
For family reunions you will be looking at something that will accommodate ages infant to centenarian while for a class or military reunion, you are looking at people of similar ages unless families are included. You can access these survey forms online. You might also consider creating your own survey on Google Forms
If the reunion idea is completely new, you are going to want to survey your members to determine if they are interested in having a reunion and what they want it to look like. One sure way to learn their preferences is to contact members to determine first whether or not they are interested in meeting at a reunion and second to learn what they imagine a reunion to be/look like.
For family reunions you will be looking at something that will accommodate ages infant to centenarian while for a class or military reunion, you are looking at people of similar ages unless families are included. You can access these survey forms online. You might also
consider creating your own survey on Google Forms.
If you don’t already have a date set, that will be the first item to nail down. Family reunions often start on a milestone birthday or anniversary so the date is clearly understood. However, for others setting the date is not as easy. Poll members to determine if there are any important events anticipated such as weddings and graduations so as not to conflict.
Either the planners choose a date or put the question out to members. Do not ask simply: when should we have a reunion? Carefully select several dates to present for a vote. Be prepared to accept the conclusion of the majority. Once the date is certain, send an email, save-the-date card or letter to announce your decision. Be prepared for the first return call to be from someone who says they’re not able to come but do NOT be tempted to suggest that you’ll change the date. Because you just sent 50 cards and you’d have to start all over again. Say you’re very sorry and hope the person can come next time.
Learn more in Choosing a reunion date and a podcast, setting the date for your reunion.
Q:Melody emailed these poignant questions. Is there anything in print that gives SOME guidelines for proper family reunion etiquette with regard to who can attend a family reunion and who cannot? In this day and age, how does one deal with “significant others?” There are folks living together without being married. Some folks want in-laws who are not blood to attend. We understand that step-kids and adopted kids are included that’s not the problem. Exactly what is the purpose of a FAMILY reunion? The kids just don’t understand what a family reunion is about. They think it’s for entertainment: golfing, horseshoes, pool tournaments, children’s games, with groups off doing their own thing all over the place. By the time everyone leaves, we don’t know much more about each other than when we arrived! I am asking because our family doesn’t seem to know these things – especially those in their 30s. They have varying ideas about what is acceptable and what is not. The older and middle generations maintain Christian values, while the younger generation appear not to be so principled.
What is traditional reunion etiquette regarding my questions? Is there an established resource to which we can refer?
A:“Who is family?” is one of the most important questions family reunions must answer. Ironically, the real answer is that there are no real answers. Every family is different. There are many, many ways to answer your questions.
There is no one guideline unless a family chooses to set rules to exclude rather than include members. We are at a time in history when family is where you find it or where it finds you. It can be everyone descended from one ancestor or everyone who knows and cares about a descendant. It can be a group of siblings (which could be the current generation or earlier) and all their descendants. Renowned family therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who lost her entire family in the Holocaust, talks about her family that was made up of friends until she married and began to establish a new family. Children of divorce, for example, are still cousins, nieces/nephews and grandchildren of both families. Some families stay close to an ex-in-law … some even like their ex’s family better than their own blood relatives! Some families include persons too distant to really have a fix on the relationship, or even have so much fun at reunions that they want to include friends.
One of my cardinal rules about family is that you exclude no one who is related. Some families have relatives who are not favorites, not good role models or tend to embarrass others. Let those people make their own decisions about attending; they will likely not come anyway, or perhaps they’ve changed. As a young person I adored an uncle, a bon vivant who embarrassed his own generation. While they did not welcome him, I loved to see him.
Most families “deal with” how they relate to one another from the nuclear to the extended family. If the nuclear family accepts significant others or people living together without benefit of marriage, why shouldn’t the extended family accept it? On the other hand, if some members are offended, a very specific decision may have to be made to exclude. But don’t expect the relative in that relationship to be eager to join the reunion. My personal preference is to be as all-inclusive as you possibly can for several reasons. The principals will be happier and the family may well be enriched by these new members.
As for the activities “golfing, horseshoes, pool tournaments, children’s games, with groups off doing their own thing…” you might give your members a bit of slack. These are precisely the activities that draw younger members. If young people come to your reunion (which many other organizers would give heaven and earth to even have happen) and have a good time, consider yourself a success. They’ll come back if they have a good time and that means your reunion is a success, too. EW
As you plan, you’ll want to find savings to make it easier for your members to afford the reunion. You’ll want to consider budgets and potential savings as you pick your reunion destination and be flexible in your choices. Even before you’ve made a final destination decision, or at least as soon as you’ve chosen your destination, it is essential to contact the area convention and visitor’s bureau (CVB) to determine what services they provide. Best of all, most, if not all, of their services are available to you without cost to help you enjoy your stay in their area. Many have a staff person who specializes in serving groups such as reunions and some even have a specific reunion specialist. The CVB can be your best friend as you continue planning. They can help you contact hotels and other services including how to reserve picnic areas. They have contacts with businesses and services as you decide what you’re looking for (attractions, motor coaches, florists, caterers, etc). They often have discount coupon books for area merchants and many can provide goodie bags and souvenirs. Explore ads elsewhere in this issue and Reunion Resources at the end of the issue!
You’ll want to choose a destination that has accommodations, attractions and
amenities that fit your reunion and your members of all ages. This could be urban, ex-urban or rural as long as it has everything your reunion requires. If you’re looking at cities, explore surrounding areas where prices may be lower and you can often access the city on public transit. Do hotel rates include breakfast? Some offer happy hour too. Do they provide free parking and shuttle service to local malls or attractions? If a swimming pool is important, check to make sure it will be there when your reunion arrives because some hotels are eliminating that important feature looked forward to by kids.
Is the destination within driving distance? And for those who are not going to drive, do budget airlines serve the area you’re looking at?
Check Google Flights, www.tripsinsider.com, www.secretflyer.com and, of course, the ads you see on TV all the time. Does a passenger train go anywhere near where you plan your reunion? Also take into consideration transporting members from the train station or airport. Members who are driving may have to be
designated drivers unless those flying or arriving by train plan to rent cars. All these details and more must be considered when choosing a location/destination for your reunion.
Accommodations are very important.
Will you all stay at a hotel, AirBnBs, vacation homes, ranch or resort? Ranches and resorts often provide more than just accommodations and meals, with many activities included. The same if you choose a cruise ship, meals and entertainment are all included. So, while ranch, resort or cruise accommodations may seem more expensive, you’ll have to take their inclusions into consideration. Or will you be camping? And if you choose camping, is the site near accommodations where members who don’t camp can stay?
That’s a lot of choices, but it’s best you take all of them into consideration to plan the best reunion you can for all your members.
For accommodations you’ll also want to do some comparison shopping. Do not rush and reserve the first thing you see because there may be something as good or better just around the corner. We suggest that you explore
www.reunionsmag.hotelplanner.com, a site that sends your accommodation wishes to many hotels who then bid on your reunion. It’s a place where you get so much information to make comparisons, that you may be overwhelmed. Again, TV ads suggest ways to choose including www.expedia.com, www.booking.com, trivago.com and www.kayak.com. Take into account the amount of time you’ve saved by having all that information at your finger-tips as you explore accommodations!
Before making any reservation, call the hotels you’re seriously considering to ask if what you’ve discovered are their lowest prices or can they offer anything lower.
It’s also important to seriously consider site inspections before signing on the dotted line. A very good article about doing a site inspection can be found on page 11 of Reunions magazine, v31n4. You’ll want to ask what additional services the hotel is willing to include like free breakfast, free meeting rooms, free parking and transportation to local malls or attractions. And after the site inspection, keep a list of your requests and the hotel’s promises to make sure they’re all in the agreement/contract.
Reunion destinations continued on page 24
SCRAPBOOK Reunion destinations continued from page 23
When making your reservation, read the fine print in the agreement very carefully. Have they included everything you discussed? Look for deals that have no cancellation or re-booking fees. Remember Covid!? Most reunions were cancelled that year and many hotels accepted a later reservation or did not charge cancellation or re-booking fees. But that was an unusual exception. While we hope that will never be the case again, you’ll want to be very careful and protect your reunion.
Also, as you’re looking for accommodations, do you or your members have memberships in AARP, AAA or clubs that offer savings for hotels or points?
Note: carefully read the following Hospitality Answerman column that discusses potential extra costs charged by hotels and how to deal with them. You’ll thank him!
Q:We’re close to signing a contract with a hotel for our family reunion next summer, but I’m worried about some of the extra things the hotel wants to charge us for besides our rooms and our banquet. Is there anything we can do to make sure we don’t end up with a bill much higher than we’re expecting?
A:Yes, you’re right ... hotels do offer a number of services besides rooms and catering, and they’re going to want you to pay for some or all of them, sometimes regardless of whether you use them or not. You’ll want to know -- in advance -- what extra charges and fees the hotel may apply to your reunion, which ones are optional, and which ones are likely to affect you.
Let’s take a look at some of the fees you may be asked to pay, or which may apply to your reunion. Depending on the size of your group and the time of year your reunion is taking place, you may be able to get some or all of these charges waived or reduced. But ... you must ask for these concessions, and must make sure anything you and the hotel agree to is clearly noted in your contract –before you sign it!
Here’s a partial list:
1RESORT FEES. These are typically added on by resorts or hotels with significant recreational facilities (golf, tennis, a swimming pool, horseback riding, etc.) If you can’t get them waived in your negotiations with the resort or hotel, try to get them lowered. Ask to have your room rate reduced by an amount equivalent to the resort free.
suburban properties are far more likely to offer these amenities than downtown hotels or resorts. A hotel that charges $8.00 a day for using the pool and health club will cost a family of four $32.00 per day just so that dad and three children can splash in the pool for an hour while mom takes a nap. Again, if you can’t get the charges waived or reduced, try to negotiate a set number of “pool passes” with the hotel.
And … if your reunion group includes a large number of children, make sure the hotel’s pool is large enough to accommodate everyone in the group who might want to go swimming at the same time. If the hotel has a smaller pool, they may have to limit how many people can use it at once. Some hotels will allow you to “buy” an extra hour or two of pool time (past the pool’s normal closing time in the evening) for a “pool party” or similar event if you agree to pay for the cost of having a lifeguard or two on duty.
6
EARLY CHECK-IN FEE Again, these are most common at resort properties, but ask the hotel if these are charged. If they are, be sure to let your attendees know … they may wish to adjust their travel schedule to arrive later in the day, or to check their bags at the bell stand and go out for a nice lunch while waiting for their rooms to become available.
2
ADDITIONAL PERSON(S) FEE. Some hotels will quote you a rate that includes an additional charge for each extra person in the room, beginning with the second person. Try to negotiate a “flat” rate (a rate that covers up to four people in the room), or a rate that states that children under the age of 18 stay free in the same room with their parents. If you’re interested in having breakfast included in your rate, it’s usually best to have the rate include breakfast for two adults, and then pay a pre-set price for any additional breakfasts. Be sure to ask about special breakfast pricing for younger children.
7
TELEPHONE AND WIFI FEES. Telephone charges are easily avoided by using your cell phone. Really, the only times you should ever need to use the phone in your room are to call the front desk or to call another guest room. Many hotels offer complimentary use of the computers in their business center for those who need to go online, or allow you to go online for brief periods for less than the charge for a full day’s use of WiFi service.
3
HOUSEKEEPING GRATUITY. Some hotels will ask you to pay this as a separate charge. Again, ask to have this fee waived, or agree to pay a set fee for the entire reunion group up front, with the clear understanding that the money is to be given to the housekeeping staff who will be attending to your group’s rooms.
8
PARKING FEES. If the hotel offers free parking, be sure to have this included in your contract, in case the hotel changes their parking policy between the time you sign the contract and the date of your reunion. If there is a parking fee, try to get it waived or reduced in your negotiations.
4
SAFE FEE. Some hotels will charge you for having a safe in your room, even if you don’t use it to store anything. You should decline to pay this fee, and advise anyone needing to secure any valuables (a computer, a camera, etc.) to do so with the front desk. Virtually all hotels provide the use of safety deposit boxes at the front desk for free.
5
HEALTH CLUB, SWIMMING POOL, AND GYMNASIUM FEES. As with parking charges, try to find a hotel that offers complimentary use of their health club and pool. Typically,
Again, by asking your hotel salesperson about any and all fees which might apply, and carefully reviewing the list, you should be able to avoid — or reduce — many of these charges entirely! You may have to engage in some extended negotiations with the hotel on some of these items, and you’ll need to remember that a true negotiation
Hospitality Answerman continued on page 26
Hospitality Answerman continued from page 25 always involves each side giving up certain things to obtain other things. For example — if the hotel has offered you three complimentary upgrades to suites, and this isn’t terribly important to you, offer to forego the suites in exchange for something that is important to your family members, such as free parking and/or free use of the hotel’s pool. Or let them know that you’ll spend a few dollars more per person on your banquet dinner if they’ll waive the “extra person” fee for your guest rooms.
The objective — as always — is to make sure that you pay a fair price for the services you’ll be receiving, and that your family members don’t feel that they’ve been “nickeled and dimed” at every turn at what should be a festive event.
Hope your reunion goes well!
When you read these reunion reports, do you ever wish your story was here too? There’s a very simple solution to that: send your story! Do it yourself or ask a reunion member to write the story. We always love to get the story from younger reunion members: kids in high school or college who can wow their teachers with a publication credit!
It’s simple. You do not need to be a writer. We polish everything we use in the magazine and are sure you’ll be pleased with the outcome. Make sure the facts are all there and that names are spelled correctly. Be sure to include pictures with captions and/or videos so all your members can see themselves as well. Pictures and videos must be yours and you authorize us to use. Send high resolution pictures (250KB or higher, if digital, and 300 dpi, if scanned). Please send videos as an .mp4, .mov, or .wmv video file via https://wetransfer.com (a free transfer service that allows up to 2GB to be sent).
Send your story and/or questions to editor@reunionsmag.com
Dean Miller, national sales director for Visit Fairfax (www.fxva.com), the convention and visitors bureau in Fairfax County, Virginia, is a great friend of reunions. Contact him (dmiller@fxva.com; 703-790-0643) when you are planning a reunion in the Washington, DC, area. Fairfax County is nearby, affordable, and conveniently located to all the area has to offer.
The Cousins are Coming by Kay Jones with illustrator Peter Trimarco (2023, Notable Kids Publishing, hardcover, 32 pages, for children 3-9)
What happens when the annual family ‘get-together’ commences? Humor, mischief, a twinge of jealousy, an abundance of mayhem, and a healthy dose of pure joy! Through lyrical rhyme and colorful, humorous illustrations readers will realize that The Cousins are Coming—followed by a “dash out the door to meet the crew… with hugs and laughter and a kiss or two.” From ‘rock-paper-scissors’ to unauthorized spying on the parents, the family gathering presents relatable interactions between children, some coming-of-age moments, a touch of tenderness, and the building of memories. It also captures the gift of family.
THE GIVEAWAY! Copies of The Cousins are Coming will be among the September and November giveaways online. Enter to win a copy as a giveaway at your next reunion.
Since before our 2014 reunion, I used our Facebook page and email group to keep our family informed about important Smith-related happenings and discoveries; births, weddings, sickness, and death, change of memorial date, and a replacement tombstone of an ancestor.
Our very first reunion in 2014 was a wish come true for me. 167 individuals pre-registered and even more showed up. We’re not sure what our final total was; unfortunately, we neglected to keep track. We’ve done better since.
We had a two-day reunion in 2014, but our group wasn’t interested in continuing that tradition; they wanted just one day. We voted to have reunions every two years on the 4th Saturday in July. Some stay for the weekend. I’ve shared locations of graves and places they might like to visit while they’re here for the reunion.
I created programs for each reunion and solicited family members to help. At every reunion, we ask for suggestions and use the suggestions to make improvements.
The reunion committee consists of Daniel’s youngest son, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and gg grandchildren, and one is the treasurer. I spearhead the committee and keep track of our mailing lists.
Before our 2014 reunion, I solicited photos from Smith family members. Using those photos, and many I already had, I created a PowerPoint of Daniel Webster Smith’s family and descendants, arranged by child. After the reunion, some shared photos they were not originally willing to share. Photos are added and the PowerPoint is
presented at each reunion. The Power Point begins as soon as the machine is set up until we begin speaking and then during lunch.
At every reunion we set up three to four historical items tables and a memorial table, as well as a family photo rack. I guess I should call it a Family Photo tobacco horse. I shared our family tree with everyone, union documents, letters written by Daniel’s grandparents, etc.
In 2014 we gave out a few door prizes, which have gotten better every reunion. The door prizes and raffles are donations. More items were added for the children to have something to do.
At the 2016 reunion, Daniel’s two sons shared about growing up on the farm and what their father had shared with them. Everyone enjoyed the presentation which was recorded. Small presentations were shared on our Facebook page while longer ones were uploaded to YouTube for everyone to access.
We did individual family photos at the end of the reunion, but missed a lot of people.
Beginning with the 2016 reunion, I tried to come up with something new and interesting to share with everyone. I alluded to something special in my Facebook posts and emails and said they wouldn’t want
to miss it. I shared my DNA results as well as those of my aunt and Daniel’s son. The major surprise was that no Native American DNA showed up in any of us. I got others to agree to take the test and share the outcome with everyone. I manage the tests.
For the 2018 reunion the committee met in early January. One member took on indoor activities for the children and the children loved them.
I presented the idea of getting a memorial tombstone for Daniel’s father to be placed alongside his wife and two of his children, if the church would allow it. I explained we couldn’t get a federal marker because the church had no record of him being buried there. Everyone was in favor of trying to get one. I agreed to get permission from the church. Once we had approval, one of our committee members looked into getting a tombstone. In flyers and emails, we mentioned getting a tombstone and seeking donations for the tombstone and for the raffle. We received more donations than needed and all the extra funds went into our account for reunion expenses. I donated a DNA kit as a fundraiser and we had other items as door prizes.
Flyers showing where the tombstone would be placed were shared. I told everyone at the reunion that we’d notify them when and where the memorial service would be held. In December, I cleaned Daniel’s
MASTERPLAN Daniel Webster Smith Family Reunion continued from page 31
father’s and siblings’ tombstones that desperately needed cleaning and shared before and after photos on our Facebook page and via email. On the day of the memorial, they looked like new. The memorial service was live-streamed on Facebook. I was surprised with a plaque honoring me as the family historian!
Our 2020 reunion was canceled due to COVID-19. We asked everyone about having it in 2021, but the majority felt it still wasn’t a good idea. So, the next reunion was in 2022. Turnout was good; not as good as we had hoped but there were some who had not attended before.
Before this reunion, I began announcing early (I had waited two years to finally share this) that there was a special surprise they
wouldn’t want to miss and as I did before, I did not give them any idea what it was though I’d been dying to tell them for two years. I still left what I was sharing as a mystery.
I’d gotten a number of Smith Family photos of our paternal grandmother’s and mother’s sides restored. I presented some of my favorite restorations. I shared before and after examples and, as I expected, everyone really liked them. At the end of the presentation, I shared the biggest surprise that I had gotten them all for free and they could too.
Over300 Flowers converged on the east coast for the 53rd annual Flowers Family Reunion. They were the offspring of Sam, Henry, Mary, Dennis, and Albert Flowers. There were over 300 in attendance from 37 states and 26 major US cities on both coasts, south, midwest, and far north plus four new first-time states.
At our themed Friday night Meet & Greet Welcome Reception, everyone wore camouflage as we paid homage to our military service family members, past, present and future. We played “Family War Games” … every game imaginable that night; boards, cards, Trivia, Bingo and more! Rap battles, anthem battles, and friendly war games were a hit! We sang karaoke loud and proud and ate great pizza and salad from Listrani’s.
Saturday was the annual Flowers Board Meeting. A family photo in our orange t-shirts was taken by a photographer arranged by Dean Miller and the team at Visit Fairfax. Visit Fairfax also assisted in finding the perfect location for our picnic at Frying Pan Park in Herndon. The annual family BBQ catered by
Carolina Kitchen in DC was delish! Games and music prevailed for Flowers, Food, Folks, and Fun! Later that evening was the first-ever Sole of Flowers Sneaker Ball with a 360° Photo Booth, gowns, sneakers, fashions and more! We crowned a King and Queen of The Ball. The
royal icing jerseys and basketball cookies were incredible!
Sunday Morning comprised an amazing Worship & Praise Service in the sunlit atrium with Demetrius Simmons and Dylan Allen’s musical talents.
Our last event was the Flowers in Bloom Brunch! We enjoyed succulent brunch dining of chicken and waffles, fresh fruit, potatoes,
eggs, pastries, and beverages. The Jonathan Flowers Sr. Scholarship aided collegiate students and recent high school graduates to continue their education! Our Scholarship is named each year at the discretion of the hosts. The name must be a deceased family member and hold a significant connection. As hosts, we chose my late grandfather and his son, my father, made the presentations. Two of his granddaughters, Alexandria and Alexis Flowers, were among the 2023 recipients.
We honored those who went before us, and acknowledged our oldest, youngest, farthest traveled, and most members from one family present. We memorialized those gone on, and celebrated the achievements of many.
Finally, we passed the baton to The STL (St Louis) Connection as the 2024 Flowers Family Reunion hosts. It was an epic event that was the highlight of The MD (Maryland) Connection summer to host!
Reported by Judy Ann R. Calhoun, Germantown, Maryland, who with her husband, Jesse, children, Jesse III (Naquisha), Vashti (Adam), and Kendall (Kelsey) and cousins, Charlie and Virginia Davis planned.
For our family, the reunion fun doesn’t just begin when we arrive. Nor does it end when we say our farewells.
We all try to enjoy the long drives to and from reunions and to make the most of the time we spend waiting at airports. So, we started to document our travels in our reunion memory books.
Last year, some of our family flew over the Grand Tetons. Others stopped in the “Smallest Town in America”, Buford, Wyoming. My group visited the “Original Pony Express Station” established in 1854 in Gothenburg, Nebraska. We also endured three hail storms and a tornado warning along I-80 in Nebraska.
There’s just no telling what you might see or do on the way to or from our reunions.
While driving home from our reunion a few weeks ago, I was thinking that since I was alone on my trip, I would have no photos for the “On Our Way” pages in the next book.
So as soon as I saw the exit sign for Bowling Green, Kentucky, I knew what I had to do. I stopped in at the National Corvette Museum to see the new exhibit depicting the 70-year history of the iconic sports car. Sadly, the exhibit wasn’t open to the public just yet, but the museum visit was worth the time. I especially enjoyed re-visiting the 2014 sinkhole exhibit.
On my way out, I purchased a photo package of me standing next to a Corvette, and a few days later, everyone who was at the reunion, and even those who had not been able to go, received a card from me in the mail. The front shows the photo of me with the corvette and a caption that read, “I did some shopping on my way home from the reunion.” I figured that would get their attention. The sentiment on the inside? “Do you like my new photo?”
Call it trickery if you like, but that’s definitely one for the reunion book. Reported by Patricia (Gardiner) Suyak, Owensboro, Kentucky.
Patricia Suyak’s phantom purchase on the way home from the reunion!and Montana.
MASTERPLAN Retro Reunion continued from page 29
In a fast-paced world dominated by technological advancements and ever-changing trends, there’s something inherently charming and heartwarming about the past. The allure of nostalgia, the desire to revisit cherished memories, and the joy of reliving moments from bygone eras have made retro reunions increasingly popular events. This year, my mother’s family (our acronym is ALAFFFA) decided to take a nostalgic journey back in time with our 56th gathering on a Saturday in mid July.
We started planning this year’s event as soon as our 55th reunion ended in 2022. The first step was to select our date and secure our venue — the 100 Acres House in South Park, Pennsylvania.
Once the details were in place, our reunion committee held a series of Zoom meetings throughout the year to discuss the theme and budget, plan the menu and activities, and create a schedule for the day.
The retro reunion idea gave us an opportunity to review our reunions from the past decades, revive some favorite costumes and games, and refresh some elements to make the reunion more enjoyable for attendees across all generations. We implemented a few changes to our food and beverage offerings. We planned two meals. For lunch we had chicken and steak taco bowls (which reflected the ALAFFFA fiesta theme from 1991) and traditional picnic fare dinner (hamburgers, hot dogs, kielbasa and sauerkraut, potato and macaroni salads, and a fresh fruit tray and dip), which was a throwback to our reunions from the 1970s and ‘80s; a dessert table with plenty of cookies (including some homemade family favorites such as Brownies and Lady Locks) was available throughout the day. Since we opted not to go with a caterer, a sign-up sheet using Sign-up Genius was helpful to identify what items we needed to purchase and who was bringing them. Family members who reside locally kept the storage bins for staple items such as plates, cups, utensils, napkins, cleaning supplies, etc.
By Lisa A. Alzo, MFAWe implemented a Bring Your Own Beverages (beer, wine, liquor, and soda pop) policy for anyone who wanted something else to drink beyond the provided water, iced tea, or lemonade.
Attendees were asked to wear attire from their favorite reunion or dress in a retro costume that members from our first generation wore to themed reunions from the past. Some members recreated their costumes from our Irish-themed picnic, while others channeled our Woodstock event by wearing their tie-dyed shirts and bell bottoms. Others celebrated our Luau theme (1986) with Hawaiian shirts and leis. Many ALAFFFA-ites wore T-shirts from the 25th, 40th or 50th reunions. A few of the youngest members wore T-shirts that belonged to their parents.
A cornhole tournament and some retro relay games followed the lunch along with Bingo and Pokeno. Water balloons helped the youngsters cool off from the heat. Throughout the day, family members were able to reminisce with one another while looking at photo boards and a scrapbook filled with copies of speeches, songs, and poems from the past and photographs of memorabilia items stored in the ALAFFFA time capsule kept at the home of one of the second-generation members.
Hosting a retro reunion was a wonderful way to bridge the gap between the past and the present, bringing together our family for a nostalgic journey back in time. By carefully planning the theme, venue, activities, and menu, we created an unforgettable experience that fostered our connections, sparked fun memories, and helped us to celebrate the people and moments that have shaped us into who we are today. Plans are now underway for our 57th ALAFFFA reunion in 2024.
Aretro reunion can be a delightful way to connect, reminisce, and celebrate the past. These are 10 tips for planning and organizing a memorable retro reunion that will transport everyone back in time.
1
Define the theme. The first step in hosting a successful retro reunion is defining the theme. Selecting a specific era or time for the event will give it a sense of cohesiveness and make it easier for guests to prepare and dress accordingly. The theme could be the swinging 60s, groovy 70s, rad 80s, or any other era that holds significance for the group. Once the theme is set, be sure to communicate it clearly in all invitations and event materials.
2
Prepare a guest list and invitations. Creating the guest list is essential to ensure that the right people are present at the reunion. Update attendee contact information. Social media platforms and networking websites can be great tools to track down individuals who might have lost touch over the years. Send out “Save the date” notices and personalized invitations with the theme prominently displayed and urge guests to RSVP to get an estimate of the attendance.
3
Select a venue and decorations. Choosing the right venue is vital to set the ambiance f or the retro reunion. Look for locations that resonate with the theme and have ample space for activities and mingling. Historical venues, vintage theaters, or oldschool diners could be excellent choices. When it comes to decorations, get creative with iconic symbols and elements from the chosen era. For instance, disco balls, lava lamps, and neon signs can transport guests back to the 70s, while cassette tapes and Rubik’s Cubes can be nostalgic nods to the 80s.
can walk the runway and showcase their period costumes. Encourage creativity and award the best-dressed participants.
4
Establish a dress code. Encourage guests to fully embrace the retro theme by suggesting a dress code and costume ideas. Whether it’s bell-bottoms and tie-dye shirts for the 60s or leg warmers and scrunchies for the 80s, dressing in periodappropriate attire will enhance the overall experience. Additionally, consider organizing a costume contest with fun prizes to motivate guests to put in the effort to look their retro best. Host a retro fashion show where guests
i5 Plan entertainment. A retro reunion is incomplete without a lineup of entertaining activities that pay homage to the chosen era. Include music. Designate or hire a DJ or create a playlist with chart-topping hits from the past. Encourage guests to show off their dance moves, whether it’s the Twist, the Hustle, or the Moonwalk, or set up a karaoke machine to sing classic hits. If you have access to the necessary equipment (TV, computer, projector, etc.), consider screening a classic movie or TV show from the past that holds sentimental value for attendees, or play videos or converted movies from past reunions.
Organize retro activities. Create a retro-themed trivia quiz with questions related to pop culture, historical events, and iconic figures from the chosen era. You can also set up classic arcade or board games, or even host a Pac-Man or other popular arcade game tournament See www.classicgamesarcade.com. Set up a retro-inspired photo booth with props and backdrops that reflect the era. This will give guests an opportunity to capture memorable moments with friends and loved ones.
6
iMake time for memory sharing. Set aside a designated space for guests to share their nostalgic stories and memories from the past. This can be in the form of a storytelling circle session or a memory wall where guests can post notes or photos.
7
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MASTERPLAN Retro Reunion continued from page 37
8
Decide on food and beverages Curate a menu that complements the retro theme, featuring dishes that were popular during the chosen era. For example, for a 1950s theme, consider classic hamburgers, milkshakes, and Coca-Cola floats. For an 80s theme, serve finger foods like sliders, cheese balls, and Jell-O desserts. If possible, arrange for a bar area with themed cocktails or mocktails, such as martinis or virgin piña coladas. Don’t forget to cater to any dietary restrictions or guest preferences.
9
Display memorabilia and souvenirs. Offer guests small souvenirs or party favors that they can take home as mementos of the event. These could include retro-inspired keychains, mini posters, or customized merchandise with the reunion’s logo and date. Additionally, set up a memorabilia display showcasing vintage items from the chosen era which can be a great conversation starter and evoke fond memories.
10
iMake a time capsule. Have guests contribute to a time capsule filled with memorabilia and messages. Seal it and plan to open it during the next retro reunion, creating a link between the past and the future.
About the author
Lisa Alzo has been surrounded by family at their 57th year running reunion and walks in her ancestors’ footsteps, literally and figuratively, as a genealogist, lecturer and writer. Author of 11 books and countless newspaper and magazine article, Lisa earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Creative Nonfiction Writing Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She works as a writing coach and online educator through her website Research Write Connect
ALAFFFA Reunion co-founder Mickey Abbott poses in front of the banner at the Woodstock Reunion, 1990.
IInour June 2023 article, Reunions magazine provided an introduction to artificial intelligence and large language models, as well as how genealogists and reunion planners could benefit from getting on board with this technological development. Planning a reunion, especially a family reunion, involves a wide array of varied tasks that require lots of mental energy. AI can help you organize your information, come up with ideas, and create content. The most popular and well-known example, a large language model AI developed by research lab OpenAI and called ChatGPT, is also one of the easiest to use.
To get started with ChatGPT• , simply navigate in your preferred Internet browser to www.chat.openai.com. You will be presented with an empty conversation box, and — at the bottom of the screen — a text field encouraging you to “Send a message.” Because ChatGPT’s developers train it on vast amounts of text (books, websites, real human conversations, etc.), it can communicate with you very much like another live person would. Therefore, you can chat with it just like you would text with a friend, family member, or colleague.
The best way to get off on the right foot with ChatGPT•is to set some ground rules and give it some context. Tell it what your role is, what you are trying to accomplish, how you would like it to assist you, what your expectations for it are, and what you think it should know about your project before you launch into questions and answers. You can word such a message conversationally: “Hello! I am the planner for a family reunion. This reunion will take place in a rented building in rural, Midwestern USA on July 15th. It will host attendees ranging in age from 5 to 95. I need help organizing my RSVP list. I need help coming up with ideas for fun activities. And I need help coming up with a schedule for the day.”
Another way to approach ChatGPT•is to give it a role and ask it to role play. “You are a family reunion planner. You have 150 guests planning to attend and there are only two weeks left to make arrangements before the event. You have just discovered that many of
the guests have planned to be in town for two days, rather than the one day you originally planned. The first day agenda of events has icebreaker activities, outdoor games, storytelling sessions, and karaoke. You now need to
ChatGPT continued on page 38
FEATURE ChatGPT continued from page 37
come up with an itinerary for a second day with all new activities.”
Here are some other, interesting prompts that you can type to ChatGPT to help you plan reunions and reunion-related activities:
F “The family reunion I am planning is in one week. Give me a list of things I should remind attendees to do or bring before they come to the reunion.”
F “I am putting together a family reunion newsletter. Write me a 400-word article on the topic of why it is important to attend family reunions.”
F “Here is a list of 30 facts about my ancestor: [fact 1, fact 2, fact 3…]. Write an engaging biography of this ancestor for me to share with attendees at my family reunion.”
F “Take this biography of my family’s ancestor and turn it into a script for a play or skit that four actors could perform in eight minutes.”
F “Pretend you are an attendee with young children, planning to come to the family reunion I am organizing. What questions might you have?”
One of the other great things about ChatGPT is that you can keep a running conversation with it, or even ask it to modify its previous answers based on new, tweaked parameters. You can type something like, “Remember the icebreaker idea we talked about several minutes ago? Can you give me another, different example of an icebreaker?” Or you can type something like, “That ancestor biography you generated for me was pretty close to what I’m looking for, but it sounds a bit too academic. Can you rewrite it for an audience of 5- to 15-year-olds?” or “…can you
rewrite it to sound 25% more dramatic/theatrical?” or “…can you rewrite it so that it is 600 words or less?”
ChatGPT is, of course, not perfect. There are things it does well, and things it does not do so well. One of its limitations is quantitative reasoning, or math. If you ask it to calculate the number of supplies needed for a given
Consider Josiah’s suggestion to ask ChatGPT for ideas about specific reunion activities. See how it works for your reunion planning. Are you planning a worship service? For ideas, quotes, and citations, ask www.chat.openai.com Ask for suggestions to get your grandparents talking about their history. Ask it to plan a plan an ethnic meal.
I tested these ideas and got some amazing answers.
Try for yourself and share the outcome with me.
editor@reunionsmag.com
number of reunion attendees, it may give you an incorrect figure. This is because large language models, as their name indicates, are trained on language rather than on mathematical rules.
Another of ChatGPT’s limitations is its inability to retrieve historical facts. It isn’t a search engine like Google. It can’t look up information on the Web and it certainly can
not do good quality historical or genealogical research. If you ask it for historical facts or sources, it may come up with plausible sounding text, but not reliable or trustworthy data. It will also not be able to, for instance, tell you which venues in a given geographic area are capable of hosting a specific number of reunion attendees. ChatGPT’s goal is to produce text that sounds as conversational and human as possible, but it has no access to reputable primary or secondary sources, nor is it reliable at citing sources.
AI cannot replace the hard work real humans do in planning family reunions, researching genealogy, and presenting family history but technology like ChatGPT is a potent tool. It offers a helpful, conversational interface to assist with brainstorming, organization, content creation, and much more. With the capability to engage in a dynamic dialogue that feels akin to human conversation, it provides a new, exciting way to get assistance.
We encourage you to experiment with ChatGPT by testing its capabilities, pushing its boundaries, and leveraging its unique ability to generate human-like text. In doing so, you will be joining the ranks of many who are exploring the frontier of AI, reaping the benefits of this novel tool, and incorporating it into their reunion planning toolkit. It is time to embrace the future of reunion planning today!
Josiah Schmidt is a genealogist and president of the Hans Schmidt Family Association. He holds a BA and MA in History and is currently a PhD candidate (ABD) in the History Department of Washington University in St Louis, specializing in Digital Humanities.
Branson, Missouri, salutes veterans and active-duty armed forces members every day of the year. November is especially dedicated to celebrating military personnel past and present, from all branches and all wars, conflicts and peacetime service. Branson Veterans’ Homecoming celebration takes place November 5 through November 11. Branson is filled with commemorative events, tribute shows, military reunions and more. The celebration culminates in a big Veterans Day Parade … always beginning at the eleventh minute after the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Also look forward to a new group aimed at younger vets called the Branson Legacy Coalition. Look for Rally Point Branson. the inaugural event in May 2024.
See https://reunionsmag.com/branson-honors-military-personnel/ Editor’s note: I experienced Branson Veterans’ Homecoming and recommend it to anyone, military or not! EW
UVeterans Day celebrates those who served in the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Air Force or Coast Guard. Veterans Day dates back to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, always known as the official end of World War I/The Great War. But it was on November 11, 1918, when the armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities between Germany and the Allied Nations, went into effect. On November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson celebrated the first Armistice Day. The name changed following the Second World War and Korean War when it became Veterans Day, dedicated to American veterans of all the wars.
More than 218,000 American service members are buried or memorialized (remains missing) at 26 American military cemeteries and 32 monuments away from the homeland. The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) is the US federal agency charged with maintenance and management of these hallowed sites. American Battle Monuments Foundation (www.abmf.org), the official non-profit partner of the ABMC is building a network of active-duty military, veterans, their families and those who appreciate their service to tell the stories of those who died in defense of freedom.
Veterans Guide is a new advocacy center whose mission is to assist veterans with an array of issues including obtaining proper disability compensation, financial assistance, information about the GI bill and more. The website has helpful (www.veteransguide.org/va-disability-calculator/) guides and a calculator veterans can use to discover how much their VA rating should be, especially when combining ratings and complicated VA math. Veterans Guide wants to make sure veterans have all the resources necessary to ensure they struggle as little as possible with their health and finances. Visit www.veteransguide.org.
See details on page 15
South Dakota is known for “Last Stands” and the USS Cogswell DD-651 Association is planning its last stand reunion in Rapid City. The Association is hoping that our “Last Stand” is a much more pleasant one than General George Armstrong Custer’s was in June 1876.
While there is a possibility there could be future reunions, this may be the last one that is not combined with other reunions or downsized due to dwindling member interest in traveling. We are hopeful that many shipmates who can make it to the reunion will come this year.
The youngest shipmates of the USS Cogswell DD-651 Association are at least 73 and many of our World War II and Korean shipmates have departed for their eternal destinations. It was decided at our last reunion in Kissimmee, Florida, to organize at least one final reunion and that is this one.
The Association’s skilled reunion organizer, George Overman, negotiated a really attractive hotel rate with the Best Western Ramkota Hotel. He also arranged a wonderful all-day tour that includes stops at Mount Rushmore National Monument, Crazy Horse and a drive through Custer State Park for only $35.
To register for the reunion, contact George Overman at secretary@usscogswell.com or download the forms from the Association’s website at www.usscogswell.com and mail them to George.
Reunion registration will continue throughout the day on October 17th until the welcome meeting at 5 PM. Sandwiches and snacks will be available for all reunion attendees thanks to our great and efficient chef, Alice Lincoln. A raffle drawing will be held at the conclusion of the meeting. October 18th will be the tour day and shipmates will have plenty of time to meet, greet and swap sea stories in the hospitality room in the evening.
On October 19th after breakfast, there will be a short business meeting with the rest of the day open for attendees to explore the area on their own or in groups. The closing banquet will start with photo taking followed by announcements, necrology and a dinner buffet. The reunion speaker is Blaine Kortemeyer, assistant chief of Interpretation and Education at Mount Rushmore, as well as a member of the “Rope Team” that works over the face of the monument to monitor cracks on the massive sculpture.
See more about the USS Cogswell DD-651 Association at www.usscogswell.com
Reported by James L. Smith, Lapeer, Michigan, and George Overman, Oceanside, California.
portrait is of a courageous individual who served during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.
Informative storyboards accompany the portraits, offering insights into the veterans’ remarkable journeys.
Belmont Village Senior Living, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), has unveiled an inspiring permanent exhibition, American Heroes: Portraits of Service, at both Chicago International Airports, O’Hare and Midway.
The exhibition showcases a heartfelt tribute to the selfless heroes who served in the US Armed Forces. The portraits are of veterans residing in Belmont Village Senior Living communities across the nation. Each
Since the launch of the photography project commissioned by Belmont Village Senior Living in 2008, renowned photographer Tom Sanders has captured over 1,000 portraits of Belmont Village senior veterans. These portraits established more than 30 permanent ‘Honor Wall’ exhibits in Belmont Village communities, preserving the legacy of their remarkable courage.
RICHMOND, VA, MAY 31, 2023 –
Today the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and Vivid-Pix announced the launch of an equipment and software lending service for their Family Matters Community Engagement Program. The Family Matters program combines NGS’s vast membership with ready-to-use solutions from Vivid-Pix and NGS to assist families and loved ones with their family history pursuits.
The Family Matters Community Outreach Toolkit combines the Vivid-Pix Memory Station™ (scanning hardware, and software that improves images and captures stories), with turnkey marketing and education materials. “The Toolkit provides organizations with the tools needed to connect with the public and attract new audiences to the wonderful world of family history,” said Rick Voight, CEO of Vivid-Pix.
“Recording and sharing our life stories become more important as we mature. In addition to providing education to assist all individuals in sharing their stories, we are particularly pleased that genealogy organizations can help teach caregivers how to use family history and photo reminiscence to support loved ones with memory loss,” said Voight. “Organizations can provide programs that teach family and professional caregivers how to use photo reminiscence to improve connectedness and quality of life for loved ones experiencing cognitive loss.” — Rick Voight
“The opportunities for genealogy and family history organizations to expand public programming are unlimited,” said Matt Menashes, CAE, executive director of NGS. “With this equipment, software, and educational programming, genealogy organizations can open the world of family history to new audiences including youth groups, community centers, senior living facilities, and local business organizations.”
NGS member organizations can borrow equipment via an online request form. NGS will ship the Vivid-Pix Memory Station™ directly to those organizations.
They only need to pay for return shipping. Vivid-Pix will supply software and training materials via download. NGS organization members can participate in this program immediately and begin to plan for when and how to take advantage of this new partnership.
While having dinner with my 92-year-old mother and 94-year-old stepfather, the guy’s, Dave (dad), John (friend), and I started reminiscing about some of the funny things we’d done in the past. At one point, John looked over at his wife and said “We’ve all been through times in our life and, looking back I can truly say, “I’m lucky to be here.”
While some of the moments we described seemed like guy things, lucky moments are universal. My sister and I had a few too and I don’t want to think about some of the experiences my daughter has had. Ok, here’s one of my daughter’s. While attending school in Colorado, my daughter and her friends drove to Moab, Utah, for a long weekend. She texted me a photo I will never forget … their truck was on a cliff, likely thousands of feet off the canyon floor! Why is this pertinent to a family history article?
We all have times in our lives that define us, make us who we are and how we live/lived and, if we don’t capture these stories, we won’t know who our loved ones are/were, and our loved ones won’t know who we are/were.
For this reason, we must Capture Stories before they fade.
I LOVE taking pictures of my adventures to reminisce and share with others. But sometimes life happens too quickly, or you’re “in the moment” and not thinking about taking a picture. When this
happens we need oral reminiscence and writing/journaling to capture these stories.
I also LOVE to “do good” and have been honored and humbled to help others in archiving their history. For the past 2 years, the International African American Museum (IAAM) utilized the Vivid-Pix Memory Stations my company developed to capture images, mementos and stories for patrons in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. The International African American Museum Family History Center opened June 27, 2023, and Memory Stations are available for your use to enhance old photos and mementos so more stories can be shared.
IAAM explores the history, culture, and impact of the African American journey on Charleston, on the nation, and on the world, shining light and sharing stories of the diverse journeys, origin, and achievements of descendants of the African Diaspora. With eleven galleries, a memorial garden with art, objects, artifacts, and multi-media interaction, IAAM is a champion of authentic, empathetic American history storytelling. As a result, the museum will stand as one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as it evolves today. The mission of IAAM is to honor the untold or unheard stories of the African American journey at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf and beyond.
For more information, please visit www.iaamuseum.org or call 843-872-5352
We encourage you to tell the listings you contact that you learned about them from Reunions magazine. Notify us immediately at editor@reunionsmag.com if you find any info that is inaccurate or e-mail or web links do not work; or write us at 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.
GREATER BIRMINGHAM CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
950 22nd St. North, Suite 550, Birmingham, AL 35203 Birmingham is becoming one of the most celebrated reunion cities in the southeast. The success of your reunion depends on its early groundwork. The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau is here to help. For more information regarding reunion services, please contact the Convention Bureau at 205-458-8000 | 800-458-8085
Email info@inbirmingham.com www.inbirmingham.com
DELAWARE
SOUTHERN DELAWARE TOURISM
Looking for the perfect place for your next reunion? How does this sound – 5 Star beaches. Comfy accommodations to fit every budget. A jam-packed events calendar. Lots of group activities on land and on the water. A huge variety of visual and performing arts & entertainment. Scenic and historic sites, events, and venues ideally suited to group events. Exceptional Culinary Coast™ dining. Southern Delaware is a great place to gather! 827 E Market St
Georgetown , DE 19947 800-357-1818
SouthDel@VisitSouthernDelaware.com www.visitsoutherndelaware.com/
FLORIDA
GREATER MIAMI CVB
701 Brickell Ave, Suite 2700, Miami FL 33131 305.539.3000 | 800.933.8448
www.MiamiAndBeaches.com
Whether family, class, alumni or military, Miami is perfect for your reunion any time of the year. Let us help you create the best reunion that people will be talking about for years to come. Play in the sun and sand, visit historic heritage churches and other locations, find fun parks and recreation areas or specialized venues to hold your family reunion or other get together. With diverse multicultural jewels and robust outdoor activities, Miami lets you find your roots and reunite with the past. Reconnect today in Greater Miami and the Beaches. Visit www.MultiCulturalMiami.com to see our special Plan Your Reunion page or email PANAMA CITY BEACH CVB
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
17001 Panama City Beach Pkwy Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Phone: 850-233-5070 | Toll Free: 1-800-722-3224
Known for its sugar-white sands and turquoise waters, Panama City Beach is the ultimate reunion destination. Visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/ groups/reunions-in-panama-city-beach/ and plan your trip now to PCB, the Real. FUN. Beach.
GEORGIA
ALPHARETTA CVB
Want to plan an AWESOME reunion in metro Atlanta? Don’t know where to begin?
Worry no more and gather your group in Alpharetta! Attend our free workshop for a collection of insider tips from our reunion planning specialist. Contact Alpharetta CVB at 800-294-0923 or visit www.awesomealpharetta.com
HENRY COUNTY GEORGIA
Henry County, Georgia’s close proximity to Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—makes it a convenient reunion destination. In addition to the county’s prime location, the area is home to more than two dozen hotels with a variety of amenities, great event venues, group-friendly restaurants, and family-friendly attractions. For families looking to
host their reunions outdoors, at a local eatery, or at a hotel with event space, Henry County delivers an action-packed experience for everyone.
Janna Szeto
(678) 967-3567
1709 HWY. 20 WEST, MCDONOUGH, GA 30253
www.VisitHenryCountyGeorgia.com
ILLINOIS
MEET CHICAGO NORTHWEST
1933 N. Meacham Rd. Suite 210
Schaumburg IL 60173
1-800-847-4849 | info@chicagonorthwest.com
The Chicago Northwest region is conventionally located on the edge of O’Hare Airport and Chicago. Outstanding attractions for all ages to gather together for fun and memories. Our team is ready to assist in finding your reunion the perfect spot to rest, eat, and play while building stories that will last a lifetime. Connect with us today and take advantage of our free services!
CHICAGO SOUTHLAND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Great memories start with great locations. Reunions of all kinds can find superior facilities conveniently located to anywhere in the Midwest – and across the country. With our true Midwestern hospitality, the Chicago Southland feels like family. We offer complimentary services to ensure your reunion’s success. Visit www.ReuniteInChicagoSouthland.com or call 888-895-3211.
LAKE COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Visit Lake County Illinois
Plan an unforgettable reunion in Lake County, Illinois. We’ll work together to plan an event that lets you explore all the excitement of Lake County and enjoy your time with family and friends. From entertaining attractions like Six Flags to our convenient, centralized location close to Chicago, there are so many reasons to choose Lake County for familyfriendly fun. For FREE Reunion Planning Assistance call or email us with your questions.
5465 West Grand Avenue Suite 100 Gurnee, IL 60031 | 847-662-2700
kimberly@lakecounty.org
www.visitlakecounty.org
SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 5.
NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM
Make your family or military reunion a unique and memorable occasion at The National WWII Museum! Ranked the #1 attraction in New Orleans, this remarkable venue is an incomparable experience for all generations. Customize your reunion with a guided group tour, live BB’s Stage Door Canteen lunch or dinner show, and more!
The National WWII Museum
945 Magazine Street, New Orleans LA 70130 group.sales@nationalww2museum.org
877-813-3329 x222
www.nationalww2museum.org/groups
GARRETT COUNTY DEEP CREEK
THE DEEP CREEK EXPERIENCE
15 Visitors Center Drive McHenry , MD 21541
301-387-5238, 301-387-4386 www.visitdeepcreek.com
Find the perfect reunion destination tucked away in the mountains of western Maryland. The Deep Creek area is a four-season destination with a wide variety of activities. Explore our mountain waters, whether it be on Deep Creek Lake, our rivers or waterfalls. Your group will love our location, central to several major cities (3 hours from Baltimore & D.C., 2 hours from Pittsburgh and four hours from Cleveland and Columbus).
kim@garrettchamber.com
Kim Folk, Heritage Area & Groups Director
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area www.garrettheritage.com
EXPLORE BRANSON in Southwest Missouri, surrounded by the beauty of the Ozark Mountains. For helpful information call the Branson Convention & Visitors Bureau to assist you in securing the perfect lodging for your next reunion in this ideal destination at the center of America’s heartland! Faith, Family and Flag are honored every day in Branson! Plus the breathtaking scenery, world-class entertainment and exciting attractions for all ages are served up with a generous side of authentic southern hospitality that will create memories worth re-living! Whether your reunion is family, military, or graduating class, request our Complimentary Welcome Bags and/or our comprehensive Branson Reunion Planner Kit: Yvette Long, CTIS, CSTP | 417-243-2121
Email: ylong@bransoncvb.com or Visit: www.ExploreBranson.com/groups.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO on I-55 between St. Louis & Memphis. Perched on the Western banks of the Mississippi River, Cape Girardeau is a small city with a big heart and something for everyone, from families to history buffs, outdoor adventurer and everyone in between. Consider us the prime location for your reunion.
Call VisitCape at 1.800.777.0068 or visit us online at www.VisitCape.com.
HALIFAX COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Let us make planning your next family reunion as EASY as Grandma’s apple pie! Conveniently located
on Interstate 95 midway between New York and Florida. The Halifax County CVB is excited to help make your family reunion memorable by offering a complimentary welcome reception with cookies & lemonade, assistance with hotel arrangements, including group discounts, trip planning & tailored itineraries for your family, and resources for venues, meals & catering, banners, photographers, videographers, tent & chair rental etc.
260 Premier Blvd.
Roanoke Rapids , NC 27870
800-522-4282
info@visithalifax.com
www.visithalifax.com/ OHIO
EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS
Columbus is full of unforgettable experiences, distinct neighborhoods and one-of-a-kind tours. Whether you’re planning a group activity or giving individuals time to explore on their own, Columbus’ neighborhoods welcome groups in their own special way.
Contact the Tourism Sales team at 1-800-354-2657 tours@ExperienceColumbus.com www.ExperienceColumbus.com/reunions
SOUTH CAROLINA
HILTON GREENVILLE
45 West Orchard Park Drive, Greenville, SC 29615 d: +1-864-248-1942 t: +1-864-232-4747 f: +1-864-235-6248
www.greenvillesc.hilton.com
Reunite, Relax, Reconnect
Ideal location for your Reunion headquarters. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, only 8 miles from Greenville-Spartanburg Airport and easily accessible to interstate 385/85 located between Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA.
TENNESSEE
PIGEON FORGE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE -- We’re a gold mine for reunions. Need attractions? Try Dollywood, Titanic Pigeon Forge, mountain coasters and the action-packed Parkway. Want nature? Great Smoky Mountains National Park is next-door. Want entertainment? More than a dozen theaters await you. Hungry? We’ll feed you well. Details: 1-800-2519100 or visit www.pigeonforgereunion.com
TEXAS
PEARLAND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
11200 Broadway Street #1390, Pearland TX 77584 Contact Teri Mazhar, 281-997-5970
pearlandcvb@pearlandtx.gov
www.visitpearland.com/reunions
Rebekah Burns, Marketing Manager
Pearland Convention & Visitors Bureau
City of Pearland | 11200 Broadway Street, Suite 1390 | Pearland, TX 77584 Phone: 281.997.5971 | Mobile: 832.492.3161 www.visitpearland.com
VIRGINIA
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
10560 Arrowhead Drive Suite 350 Fairfax, VA 22030
Enjoy everything that Northern Virginia has to offer. From the monuments and memorials of nearby Washington, DC to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Fairfax County
is the ideal location for your military or family reunion. The spectacular new National Museum of the United States Army is now open and welcoming visitors.
Call Visit Fairfax at 703-752-9509, and Dean Miller, our reunion specialist, will go to work for you! dmiller@fxva.com | www.fxva.com
SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 11.
FREDERICKSBURG TOURISM VISIT FRED
The Fredericksburg Region is known for its Colonial and Civil War History, arts community and year-round group-friendly offerings.
Just 50 miles south of WDC, the Fredericksburg Region boasts an award winning distillery, wineries and breweries, outdoor adventures, parks and more. Make memories with your family, classmates, and military buddies in the Fredericksburg Region.
To book your reunion, contact Victoria Matthews: (540)372-1216 | 1-800-260-3646
vamatthews@fredericksburgva.gov
www.VisitFred.com
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLooe9ESVe8
NEWPORT NEWS – Get closer to ships, history and the great outdoors with one central destination: Newport News, Virginia. Get all this, plus Williamsburg and Virginia Beach, too! Whether getting together with old classmates, shipmates or relatives, Newport News provides the perfect location and services to make your reunion a success. We offer the best value and plenty to see and do. Let Newport News make your next reunion a memorable one.
Call Cheryl Morales at 757-926-1428 or e-mail her at cmorales@nnva.gov to book your reunion today! www.newport-news.org
WASHINGTON
TRAVEL TACOMA-MT RAINIER TOURISM & SPORTS
1516 Commerce St. Tacoma WA 98402
Our region serves up an array of activities and meeting spaces for your guests. The area can accommodate meetings and budgets of all sizes with more than 5,700 hotel rooms including boutique, limited and full-service hotels and plenty of meeting + exhibit space.
When in downtown Tacoma, stroll across the Bridge of Glass displaying artist Dale Chihuly’s work. Visit world-class history and art museums, take a glass blowing class at a local hot shop and see collector vehicles at the largest automotive museum in North America: LeMay—America’s Car Museum. In the evenings, check out the selfguided craft beer crawl or stroll along Tacoma’s waterfront, enjoying regional cuisine.
253-830-6606 | sales@traveltacoma.com www.traveltacoma.com
GROUP RENTALS
GroupRentals.com is the leading online marketplace specifically geared for group vacation rentals. Through www.GroupRentals.com, members are able to view and instantly book their perfect vacation bundle! Members simply input your key travel points (location, dates, number of travels and amount of homes) and they are able to book their perfect package of vacation rentals, all within their desired distance from each other.
SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 17.
