Reunions Magazine Volume 30 Number 4 Virtual Edition December 2021

2021 Reunion

Baldridge Family Reunion

Celebrations!

Austin-Withey Reunion

Bell-Ransom Family Reunion

Gardiner Family Reunion

Gilliam Family Reunion

Vol 30 No 4 Virtual Edition December 2021

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in this special issue DEPARTMENTS FRONT WORDS – 4 Generating excitement and anticipation ALUM & I – 7 Kewaskum Community High School 55+1 Reunion by Phyllis Naumann Reunion Planning A to Z from Varsity Reunions SCRAPBOOK – 10 Reunion School 7 best COVID-19 travel tips by Carole Terwilliger Meyers What lies within by Mary Patricia Voell 2000 Questions for Grandparents by Josiah Schmidt The value of interegenerational storytelling by Jonna Laster A father and daughter meet for the first time from 23andMe MASTERPLAN – 17 Discussions

Finding the spark to maintain reunions after an older planners have passed on How to accommodate aging members suffering from dementia at reunions How to create a family reunion website by Cassandra “Sandy” Duncan Gilliam Family Reunion Patricia Johnson Wells reunion in Bear Lake by Marilynn Stewart Gardiner Family Reunions, 13 and counting! by Karen Heilers Three tips for planning a memorable milestone reunion by Lisa A. Alzo, MFA Baldridge Family on the ranch by Chris Baldridge REUNION FEATURES – 28 Reunion committees Featured reunions: Spaulding, Agee Miller Mayo Dungy, Payne, Branch/Outlaw, Dixon, Canty-Harvin, Thompson/Campbell/Osgo, Curtis/Butler, Koehler, Gillyard, Johnson & Mahoney, Roark-Conner, Bell Ransom Reunion invitations Featured reunions: Stewart, Windham, Roark-Conner, Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School, Amphibious Ships, Bell-Ransom, Austin-Withey Reunion t-shirts Featured reunions: Neal, Jackson Williams, Roberts, Ransom-Sease, Bell-Ransom, Jordan, Murphy, Larling, Savage, Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School, Flint Northern High School, Windham, Agee Miller Mayo Dungy, ALAFFFA, Curtis Butler MILITARY REUNION NEWS – 47 Hospitality Answerman by Dean Miller USS Ranger Reunion by Mary Schmuhl D-Day: Freedom from Above True War Stories: Mission Report REUNION RESOURCES – 51 A directory of reunion-friendly places, services, vendors and products ON THE COVER

Baldridge Family Reunion, Austin-Withey Family Reunion, Gardiner Family Reunion, Bell-Ransom Family Reunion, Gilliam Family Reunion

Reunion Celebrations December 2021 Volume 30 • Number 4 PUBLISHER Rick Voight EDITOR IN CHIEF Edith Wagner editor@reunionsmag.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Mary Catherine Stern ART DIRECTOR Jennifer Rueth SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Roberta McLoud roberta@reunionsmag.com WEB WIZARDS Mickel Arce Howard Ehrenberg Chris Thompson HOSPITALITY ANSWERMAN Dean Miller CONTRIBUTORS

Liza Alzo • Chris Baldridge Leah Jordan Bisel • Rick Branch Sonja Branch-Wilson • Cyndy Clamp Tyrone Dumas • Cassandra “Sandy” Duncan Brian Forrester • Charlotte Glover Bettie Gillyard Griggs • Karen Heilers Marcia Jenkins • Patricia Johnson Janice Maxine Jones • Frances Koehler Linda Lapinski • Leslie Lindeman Doris Dixon McCall • Carole Terwilliger Meyers Denise Murphy • Phyllis Naumann Jacqueline Bell Pyatt • Johanna Roark Skip Sander • Josiah Schmidt Mary Schmuhl • Marilynn Stewart Francia Talton • Marilyn Thayer Mary Patricia Voell • Joan Waters Franklin Willis 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.

Reunions magazine, Inc., is not liable for information presented as facts in any of our advertising, byline stories or materials. We reserve the right to edit and/or refuse any material submitted for publication. We take responsibility for submitted materials but unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), submissions and photos will not be returned. All materials sent for publication become property of Reunions magazine, Inc. Advertising information contact Reunions magazine, Inc., PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727 | 414-467-8104 roberta@reunionsmag.com | www.reunionsmag.com. © 2021 Reunions magazine, Inc.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 3

FRONT WORDS

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nother interesting year is coming to an end, but not without great hope for a healthier year ahead. We look forward to the continued growth of reunion attendance in 2022 and beyond. For reunions that have had a two-year hiatus, there should be many joyous meetings ahead — anticipating hugs, laughs and happiness.

Be in touch!

Mail to

Reunions magazine

advice about how to pry loose those pesky phones from young and old members who seem so addicted to them. Coming to a reunion only to spend it peering at screens call 414-263-4567 seems to be a dilemma worth discussing. visit www.reunionsmag.com What are your thoughts and experience? e-mail editor@reunionsmag.com Please send to editor@reunionsmag.com and thank you.

IN THIS ISSUE We owe a deep apology to contributor Leah Jordan Bisel who reported about her mini-reunion in the last issue and asks There are our usual interesting family, class and military reunions that will give you ideas for your own planning. But perhaps more importantly, we have gathered three large features that will hopefully be just what you need for your current planning. Learn from many other reunions how their committees/planning teams work, plus see samples of reunion invitations and those special souvenir reunion t-shirts. We suspect you’ll come away from those three sections with lots of ideas to contemplate for your own reunion.

There are also two discussions that resulted from questions we often receive and we’d be honored to hear your advice.

One is “finding the spark to maintain reunions after an older generation of planners has passed on.” The second discussion is “how to accommodate aging members at reunions who are suffering from dementia.” We urge you to share your own experience so we can pass it on to other planners. And for our next issue, we’d appreciate learning from your experience/

PO Box 11727 Milwaukee WI 53211-0727

about the name on their t-shirts in this issue. Leah was not properly credited in the September issue’s Table of Contents, for which we have egg all over our face and are sincerely ashamed!

In addition, we also misspelled her surname. So sorry, Leah!

Now, how can you find your reunion on these pages? Pretty simple! Just send your stories/reports/pictures/videos to editor@reunionsmag.com. There is no requirement that it be a current reunion. Share past special memories of reunions… the ones that everyone starts out by saying: “remember when …?” Note that we edit everything we use so make sure the facts are right and the names spelled correctly and we will make you proud.

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FRONT WORDS

Our next two issues will feature Reunion Day ideas, if that helps you think about what to share. What special program do you plan? Or what recurs at all your reunions? What do your members look forward to? Activities? Tours? Games/ tournaments/competition? And food!

What food traditions does your reunion look forward to?

Pictures and videos must be yours and ones you authorize us to use. Please send high resolution pictures (250KB or higher, if digital, and 300 dpi, if scanned). Send videos as an .mp4, .mov, or .wmv video file via www.wetransfer.com (a free transfer service that allows up to 2GB to be sent).

elders or younger members whose only hesitation for going to a reunion is the cost. If concern for cost is eliminated, reunion attendance can go up and siblings, cousins and other relatives can look forward to the next gathering.

HOW TO BUILD ANTICIPATION

Curtis Butler Family Reunion T-shirts.

GENERATING EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION At this point in a normal reunion planning year, you should have notified your members of the date and place where your 2022 summer reunion will be held. You’ve sent a clever Save the Date card and posted it on your website and facebook page.

Now it’s time to really start sending more to your members.

This is the season for generating excitement and building anticipation. What do they already know in addition to the reunion date and place? What are you ready to tell them?

Actually, whatever details you’ve locked down should now be shared to get everyone excited about your upcoming event. It’s never too early to share details that are certain and ask for ideas and suggestions from members for things they are thinking about. And it’s also a great time to ask for more volunteers for chores before and during the reunion. Get everyone thinking: reunion!

No one gets as much (snail) mail as we once did so if you do have the budget to mail something for members to hold in their hands, it can come as a pleasant surprise. A particularly good idea at this time of year, if you’re sending holiday cards, is to include something about your upcoming reunion. In fact, holiday time is also a great time to plan for in-person planning committee meetings when everyone is together or when you’re doing holiday ZOOM calls. Taking advantage of holiday time to sneak in a little reunion time, reminders and planning can get everyone thinking and planning ahead.

Another holiday thought is to consider making reunion presents. If you have members who might not be as able as others to pay reunion fees or travel costs, consider making reunion attendance a gift to look forward to for some months ahead! Pay for registration or plane fare or the hotel or contribute the cost of gasoline for the trip. Many families have reluctant

Keep the details coming. Send or post them little by little to keep attention focused. If you have an active web, facebook, Instagram or Pinterest page, you can post almost constantly without too much preparation or trouble. The trick will be to make sure your members check regularly. You may need to have an email thread string set up so you can alert them to more exciting information posted for them to look at.

EXPLAIN THE NEED FOR EARLY COMMITMENTS AND WHY YOU NEED MONEY! If you are the chairperson for your reunion, you already know there are plenty of up-front financial commitments you are responsible for. Make no secret about it. Share details openly and honestly with your members from the start. The chairperson usually makes commitments that require some money to ensure you are serious. You may need to make down payments at the hotel and you’ll need a down payment to reserve a banquet facility and caterer. If you’re reserving a motor coach for touring, they’ll require an upfront commitment. These are details few members think about, but they should be apprised of them so you are not the only one paying now or at any time before or during the reunion. If your members are made to realize why you’re asking for money, they will be more willing to pay as soon as you ask. It’s the members who know nothing of the reason for the need for money who will not respond appropriately. And at some point soon, you’ll need to start getting firm commitments.

Until next time, our best wishes to you and yours for a joyous holiday season and exciting 2022! EW NOTE: Many have lamented that the magazine is no longer printed. We, of course, lament it as well. Now we can suggest do-it-yourself printing. In the upper left corner of the virtual magazine rectangle is an arrow. Click on the arrow to open a small screen. Choose “Open with Preview (default),” click OK and the full magazine will pop up. You can print individual pages or email or take it to a quick print store for them to print back-to-back pages and build your own magazine.

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FRONT WORDS

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ALUM & I

Kewaskum Community High School 55+1 Reunion

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ike many other class reunions, the 55th Class of 1965 reunion from Kewaskum (Wisconsin) Community High School in 2020 became the 55+1 reunion in 2021.

Just a friendly reminder to mark this on your calendar: As a member of the Class of 1965 be prepared to have some fun and meet up with those old friends who were a blast from the past. Cocktails and conversation, dinner and dancing, and a group photo with a paper plate in front of your face. What more could you ask for?

See you there.

The Kewaskum Class of 1965 reunion meets every five years, and they get together once a year for lunch.

They printed a booklet with names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, graduation pictures and a write-up for each member of whatever they wanted to share with their classmates.

Some wrote a couple paragraphs; some wrote a page. For their 39 dearly departed classmates, they included the obituary or a write-up from the family as a tribute. About 117 graduated in the 1965 class but they invited all members who had ever been in the class, a total of 160 classmates. They still remember the good days. Above all else, they were taught both by their parents and their teachers to respect each other and they appreciate learning that skill more and more each day, it’s a great gift.

Shared by Phyllis Naumann, West Bend, Wisconsin

Two pictures of the Kewaskum Community High School, Class of 1965 were taken. The first with numbered paper plates on which each person wrote h/her name and handed them in.

After the picture was printed, classmates names (first, maiden, and current last names of the ladies) were added to a caption by row.

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Lake County, Illinois is reunion-perfect.

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 and 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, at Kimberly@LakeCounty.org to start your planning!

VisitLakeCounty.org 800-LAKE-NOW

ALUM & I

Reunion Planning A to Z 26 tips to planning your high school reunion

A

Attendance varies by reunion, but a good rule to follow is 25% of the class size will attend. This includes guests.

B

Bar setups become less important the further you get from high school. Go with the open bar at your 10 and 20-year reunions, then switch to a cash bar for your 30, 40, and 50th.

C

Classmates rarely remember where the reunion was held, but always remember how they felt seeing an old friend.

D

Don’t underestimate the amount of time necessary to plan a reunion on your own. Block out of your schedule 45-hands-on hours, minimum.

E

Encourage your classmates to attend by making personal calls and sending personal e-mails. A little effort from the committee can mean great reunion attendance!

F

Facebook is a wonderful reunion planning tool, but it isn’t the only tool you’ll need. On average, only 35% of classmates join a reunion page.

G

Greet your classmates at the door personally the night of your reunion celebration. It eases nerves, sets the tone for the party, and gives you a chance to say hello to everyone.

H

Hiring a professional reunion planner is an easy, stress-free way to plan your reunion, and you avoid the financial liability. Find a professional planner by contacting the National Association of Reunion Managers (NARM).

I J

Invitations to the reunion should always include suggested reunion attire.

Just because you are excited about attending your reunion, doesn’t mean all of your classmates feel the same. High school wasn’t an easy time for everyone, and some classmates prefer not to go back.

K

Keep the class list and current addresses so you’ll have them for your next reunion. Giving a copy to everyone on the committee ensures you can find it 10 years later.

Parkway-Central High School, Chesterfield, Missouri, Class of 1981, 20-year reunion

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Looking through your yearbook at your first reunion committee meeting is a great way to kick off the reunion planning process. It brings back memories, and begins the conversation of “who still talks to who”, which will be important when trying to find classmates.

M

Money matters, but not as much as you think. Don’t be afraid of a $79-$90 ticket price. Classmates will pay if they perceive the value.

N

Never sign a venue contract with a minimum you are not willing to pay yourself if you have lower than expected attendance.

O

Only one person should be the committee contact with the venue.

This eliminates misinformation and multiple calls to your venue sales person.

P

Planning for your reunion should begin 8-10 months before the reunion celebration date.

Q

Question your classmates on Facebook about songs they would like to hear at the reunion celebration.

R S T

Read the fine print on all contracts and agreements.

Select an appropriate way to remember deceased members.

that you value their opinion, and can help put a stop to any destructive misconceptions surrounding the event.

U

Understand the upfront costs before you take on the task of planning the reunion by yourself or with a committee.

V

Videos or slide shows from your high school years are big hits. Make a copy for each classmate attending as a giveaway.

W

Wedding months mean less availability and higher prices. Book early for popular venues.

X

Multiply the number on your reunion guest list by 20% to come up with an estimate of the number of classmates and guests who will pay at the door that night: 100 pre-registered classmates and guests x 20% = 20 additional registrations at the door.

Y

Yearbooks are hot commodities at a reunion. To keep your copy safe, display it at the staffed registration table, not as part of your memorabilia collection.

Z

Zip code sorting sends your reunion invitations at the cheaper bulk rate.

But, build in extra time for the post office to deliver.

Thanks to Cyndy Clamp, Varsity Reunion Services, info@varsityreunions.com, www.varsityreunions.com.

Take time to answer each e-mail or Facebook posting, even the negative comments. It will show your classmates 2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 9

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7 best COVID-19 travel tips

I Reunion Planning Workshops are added regularly on the web at www.reunionsmag.com/getting-started/workshopsconferences-seminars/.

Don’t miss a workshop near you; check the list online for new offerings and changes.

REUNION PLANNERS EXPO GREATER BIRMINGHAM CVB REUNION PLANNERS EXPO Saturday, January 29, 2022 • noon-2 pm EST Greater Birmingham CVB Reunion Planners Expo Registration required, deadline January 15, 2022.

Contact: Tara Walton, 800-458-8085 or 205-458-8000, ext 206; www.birminghamal.org

have personally tested these tips. Recently, due to the death of my mother, I had to take two long car trips during the pandemic. The trips were far from fun as I was dealing with my emotions about my mom as well as my fears and concerns about COVID-19. On top of that, since the trips were from one end of California to the other, there was also fires and smoke.

ON THE ROAD Pack along a kit containing disinfectant wipes,

1 hand sanitizer, and snacks that you can rely on when you are hungry and having trouble finding an open spot to purchase food.

Also pack plastic sandwich bags in your kit. Use

2 them to contain various items including your mask when you take it off (folded inside in) and perhaps items found while beachcombing.

Finding restrooms can be a problem. Many

3 formerly reliable options may be closed. When driving, plan to stop at rest stops, where restrooms are usually open but not always clean, or at a Chevron gas station, which reliably offers clean restrooms. Remember not to use the hand-dryer blowers because they move air around in a way that isn't advised.

IN A HOTEL If you’re staying in a hotel, check ahead about

4 safety protocols. Best are those that keep rooms FREE VIRTUAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING AND LEGACY BUILDING WORKSHOPS Saturday, February 26, 2022 • Noon EST Attendees enjoy hearing from industry experts and participate in “live” question and answer sessions. Limited virtual seats are available. E-mail webuildlegacy@gmail.com to register.

FREE VIRTUAL FAMILY REUNION PLANNING AND LEGACY BUILDING WORKSHOPS Saturday, March 26, 2022, 2022 • Noon EST Attendees enjoy hearing from industry experts and participate in “live” question and answer sessions. Limited virtual seats are available. E-mail webuildlegacy@gmail.com to register.

FAMILY REUNION INSTITUTE REUNION PLANNERS WORKSHOP Saturday, April 30, 2022 • Noon-2 pm EST This virtual, free workshop will cover the following topics: fundraising, technology, and reunion activities To register, email admin@familyreunioninstitute.net www.familyreunioninstitute.net REUNION PARKS TOUR Douglasville, Georgia Saturday, September 10, 2022 • 10 am EST Reunion Parks Tour Time: 10 AM-1 PM Location: Ike Owings Community Center, 8830 Gurley Road Douglasville GA | Contact: Peyton Powers 770-947-5920 PowersP@douglasvillega.gov 10 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

empty for 24 to 72 hours between guests. Use some of those disinfectant wipes to wipe down light switches, door knobs, and TV remotes (see #6 below). Open windows, when possible, to promote air circulation, and air out your guest room for a few hours. Better yet, since all guest rooms do not have windows that open, book a room with a balcony or terrace.

If you’re staying in the same room more than one day, request

5 that your room not to be cleaned and that no staff person enter the room while you are in residence. You can request extra towels and amenities at the desk when you return for the night. Always wash your hands as soon as you re-enter your room.

Use a plastic sandwich bag to cover a hotel’s

6 often germy TV channel changer. Note that I had to pry the remote out of my forgetful husband’s hand to accomplish this, followed by a round of hand sanitizer.

Pack along your own pillows. Doing this

7 made me feel more secure since I

smother my face in them.

About the author Visit www.TravelsWithCarole.blogspot.com for this list on the blog by Carole Terwilliger Meyer. Carole is also the author of Miles of Smiles: 101 Great Car Games & Activities.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 11

Relax & Refresh

Gather your family and friends together for a long overdue reunion in the Hocking Hills. You’ll find lodges and event venues to accommodate twenty to two hundred. There are activities for all ages and abilities from world-class hiking to paddling down a lazy river. Get together with the people you love in tthe Hocking Hills, Ohio’s Natural Crown Jewels.

Blissful Ridge Lodge allows families to gather in one place and make lasting memories.

Among The Trees Lodging | (740) 415-3122 https://amongthetreeslodging.com/

Award-winning retreat with luxury lodging for 85 guests and stunning banquets for 200+ guests!

Cedar Grove Lodging | 740.380.2209 https://www.cedargrovelodging.com/

Unique family retreats on our 73acre property that is perfect for indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Cabins by the Caves | (614) 322-2283 https://www.cabinsbythecaves.com/

Unplug from technology and gather with a small group where your memories are sure to last a lifetime.

Glenlaurel | (740) 385-4070 https://www.glenlaurel.com/

Find lodging, dining, activities and services for your reunion at ExploreHockingHills.com/Reunions.

Fully loaded, luxury lodges designed for all ages to enjoy in the heart of Hocking Hills.

Liberty Log Lodging | (419) 957-4717 https://www.libertyloglodging.com/

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What lies within If you don’t recount your family history, it will be lost. Honor your own stories and tell them too. The tales may not seem very important, but they are what binds families and makes each of us who we are. ~ MADELEINE L’ENGLE

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fter the reunion committee has been selected, the date chosen, the site selected, the job list designated, addresses updated, AND the “mark your calendar” announcement sent, it’s time to think about how to gather stories from your members.

So much preparation time is spent gathering photos and images and creatively placing them on boards and in books. How can you expand that tried-and-true memory catcher one step further? How can you move from often told memories to untold stories? Planned interviews are a key to unlocking the colorful recollections that lie behind and beneath the memory banks of your members in attendance.

Most often, this integral part of reunion planning is left to an informal, casual approach. Think about the gold mine of memories waiting to be recorded and preserved. With a little pre-planning you’ll acquire fuller stories, puzzle pieces that fill in gaps, retell old stories, and reveal new, unheard narratives.

The Heart of Family History THE WHO

People often ask, “who do you interview first?” With so many in attendance, I often suggest you start with the eldest.

It is important, however, to understand that not every individual ‘can’ remember - especially as they age. A continuum of memory reveals those who can recall the minutest information, who attended, what they wore, what the weather was like. Others are unable to recall the simplest of elements. Respecting where the interviewee may fall on the continuum is key to a successful session. Preparing person-specific questions, having a list of general memory prompts that may help trigger a memory, supplying pictures, or including a small group of others who might help prompt similar memories, but not dominate the session, are all ways of supporting the time together.

Family reunions are intergenerational. Possibly assign a member of the younger generation to be responsible for technology and the transcription, if needed.

For organizational reunions, perhaps choose someone who may be in ill-health or has traveled a great distance to attend. Honoring them by hearing their experiences, their take on a unique shared event, their perspective on their time in the service, in school or in an organization is one of the most satisfying events of any reunion, no matter the type.

GROUP LISTENING SESSIONS At our blended family reunion years ago, five 70- and 80-year-old sisters were videotaped with their 90-year old aunt who raised them

after their mother died at age 24. The video revealed stories that had never been heard and proved helpful to identify who was speaking while transcribing the narratives for the family history book.

Reunions are a tremendous time to have others listen in a Family Story Circle. Maybe ask those in attendance and those unable to attend for questions they’d like to ask Great Grandma Donna or Uncle Leo. Having one person ask questions helps them to be articulated with recognition of the relationship, i.e., your great grandchild Peter wants to know what it was like to grow up on a prairie in South Dakota.

THE WHAT For family reunions, be careful not to fall into the “Tell me about your childhood” ocean. Prepare specific questions. Lists abound just by typing “questions to ask your parents, grandparents” into your internet browser.

Or build on familiar stories by asking ‘sensory’ questions. What did it sound like, feel like, look like, taste like, who else was there, what time of year was it?

Another favorite exercise is asking the interviewee to recall walking through the home where they grew up. This reveals so many stories not otherwise tapped by other types of questions.

THE WHEN Find out when those who are on your interview list will be attending. Even though spending time with family is the ultimate goal, listening and capturing an elder’s story, especially if this may be the last time they will be present, can be the highlight of the event.

THE WHERE AND HOW Casual conversations abound. How about setting up a story corner with video and recording equipment ready for one-on-one conversations. Distractions are the curse of the interview process, even something as simple as ceiling fans or cell phones ringing.

Find a quiet corner, preferably in a building, or under a tree where simple recording devices including one’s iPhone can used if placed close to the interviewee.

So much more can be said about the intricacies and power of storytelling through interviews. Take advantage of the face-to-face time whether in the same location or over the airwaves.

Presented by Mary Patricia Voell, principle of Legacies, LLC | Personal, Family & Organizational Historians, www.Legaciesstories.com; Classes: www.legaciesstories.com/classes 2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 13

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2000 Questions for Grandparents

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nlocking your family's hidden history has never been easier, with 2000 Questions for Grandparents, Unlocking your Family’s Hidden History, the ultimate guide to family history interviews. This book will teach you how to prepare for, conduct, and learn from interviews with family members. It includes 2000 useful, creative questions to get your relatives' fascinating memories and thoughts flowing on such topics as: childhood life, previous generations, world events, outlook on life, love, marriage and family, career and hobbies, spirituality and politics, likes and dislikes, travels and migrations, military service, and more! Author Josiah Schmidt of St. Charles, Missouri, is a professional genealogist and member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG). Josiah is also the author of Karl Crosses the Atlantic about an ancestor emigrating to America from Germany. The books may be ordered from Lulu.com or Amazon.

THE VALUE OF INTERGENERATIONAL STORYTELLING

Tips for starting the dialog

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y family loved to read to each other. My Dad liked to read aloud from Zane Grey westerns and my Mom read mysteries and loved to recite lines from Shakespeare's Macbeth. Books engaged us, challenged us and in many ways were time machines that could carry us back into ancient civilizations or hurtle us far into the future on another planet.

Slowly over years of storytelling, we began to understand what made up those very specific times, the wonderful and the terrible.

Our grandmother told us tales from her life growing up and we began to see how people made it through both difficult and happier eras. We began to understand why those well-worn books traveled with us from place to place.

Many books are really just intergenerational story telling scripts.

As I learned so much from books as a child, I learned equally from the storytelling of my mother, father, and grandmother. Different generations have much to share and learn from each other. My challenge to people of all ages is to make an effort to contact a

family member from a different generation or make a friend from your community and be open to sharing stories with them.

This doesn’t have to be just a look back into the past either. You might be surprised how open your grandmother is to hear about all the new technologies you are using at home and at school. The sharing and storytelling in an intergenerational relationship can be a two-way street. Just remember that good storytelling is collaborative so be open to listening and speaking.

TIPS TO HELP THE STORYTELLING PROCESS

h Stories about the past, especially events experienced by grandparents, parents or older family members, are often fascinating to younger listeners … especially when stories include how they made mistakes or got into trouble.

h Build confidence and skill with younger listeners by encouraging them to tell stories of their own.

h Don't be afraid to ham it up. h Don't be afraid to tone it down. Sometimes what is wanted is a nice cozy cadence to fall asleep to.

h The more you tell stories, the more vivid details become and consequently, the more you find yourself remembering.

h Keep listeners in the loop by involving them in the story.

About the author Jonna Laster is author of Nutshell Regatta, an homage to her grandmother, the person who championed and introduced her to imaginative play. “My grandmother would turn on any random soap opera, then turn the volume off. We would make up the story for the actors … we would create a lot of drama, it was so much fun and also such a great learning exercise.”

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A father and daughter meet for the first time NOTE: The original idea for Reunions magazine was about reunions of adoptees and birthparents. However, as we researched and developed the concept for the magazine, people said it sounded interesting, but “let me tell you about my family/class/military/ other reunion.” It was those discoveries that broadened the focus of the magazine. But occasionally, we still like to share an adoptee/ birthparent reunion!

A

t 16, Stephanie reached out to her biological mother. Her birth mom didn’t reject her, but she wasn’t interested in establishing a relationship. The disappointment didn’t prevent Stephanie from looking for her birth father.

Stephanie was an adoptee with loving, supportive parents, but she still wanted to know about her origins.

It took receiving 23andMe as a Christmas gift from her mom and dad to connect her to Tom’s dad, Tom Sr. Both Stephanie and Tom Sr. had opted in to 23andMe DNA Relatives. She then connected to Tom. Tom wasn’t aware he’d had a child. He and Stephanie’s birth mom dated briefly while they were stationed in Alaska 34 years earlier. Tom was in the Marines. The birth mom was in the Navy. Shortly, Tom shipped off to another billet in Hawaii, while the birth mom went to a base in Virginia. Tom never knew the birth mom was pregnant.

First, through a series of phone calls, video calls over Zoom and texts, the two got to know each other. Then, Stephanie came to Arizona to visit him. When Tom and his wife, Krissy, brought Stephanie home, there was a sign that read: “It’s a girl.”

Tom introduced Stephanie to his family and friends.

The two shared old photos of themselves. They did everything they could to go from being strangers to being daughter and father.

“It’s uncanny how many things we share in common,” Stephanie said. From mannerisms to personalities to even the kinds of things they each find humorous. “Even the way we talk, there’s a similar cadence and similar facial expressions,” she said.

Meeting him helped explain some of her own characteristics. Like her, Tom was an extrovert, someone who seemed to thrive with many people around him.

“It’s all those things that I missed, that I wasn’t there for and couldn’t share with her,” he said. “That hurts inside, but it’s in the past, and now I want to make the most of it.” So does Stephanie.

He’s coming to visit her and her family.

Stephanie said, her parents “are so awesome. They want to share this with me and see it more like bringing someone else into the family.”

Found in a 23andMe blog.

ANY-SIZED FAMILY. ANY-SIZED BUDGET. WE ACCOMMODATE BOTH. You have a big family. We have activities for everyone and every budget. From fine dining to family casual, from easy-going hotels to uptown luxury, we’ve got your budget covered. And with a world of fun for all ages and interests, Fairfax County is tailor-made for your reunion.

The new National Museum of the United States Army in Fairfax County is a great place for families. Current COVID-19 safety precautions established.

Let us help you plan your family’s reunion.

Go to FXVA.com or call 703-790-0643

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 15

Photo Photo Solutions Solutions for for Family Family Reunions Reunions

Maureen Taylor Author Author •• Keynote Keynote Speaker Speaker •• Podcaster Podcaster

“Nation’s “Nation’s Foremost Foremost Historical Historical Photo Photo Detective” Detective” —WSJ —WSJ

Identify, and Photos Identify, Preserve, and Share Share Your Photos CousinPreserve, Connections: PlanYour a Virtual Family Reunion

On-Demand Classes: On-Demand Maureen Taylor’sClasses: 3-Part webinar

series has you covered whether it’s a small/large family gathering or a virtual family reunion. From how to recruit volunteers, to fun reunion activities, this class covers it all. Plus Edith Wagner, Editor of Reunions Magazine weighs in on what makes a reunion successful.

maureentaylor.com maureentaylor.com

masterplan

Family reunion issues for discussion

P

lease consider the two following discussions as a plea for YOUR input! If either or both of these issues is in any way related to your family reunion, we urge you to share your thoughts and suggestions to expand these ideas. Send to editor@reunionsmag.com.

THE FIRST DILEMMA FOR DISCUSSION

Finding the spark to maintain reunions after an older generation of planners has passed on …

This question came from Tyrone P. Dumas of the McNair Brazil Scott Family Reunion whose query is a common one. “What happens with the future of your reunion when your key family members pass on? We are finding it difficult to spark interest in younger family members and especially the issues associated with raising money to get started. Now that I have had health challenges, it has been hard to gather momentum. I believe when we start again, interest will be rekindled but $$$ is the barrier so far.”

It should be noted that in the past, Tyrone had been very successful at raising seed money for his reunion from sponsors, corporations and foundations. So much so that after we featured his successes in the magazine, many other reunions tried to raise money for sponsorship as well. While that might have worked 25 years ago, the possibility now is so remote that getting your hopes up and spending the time and energy is rarely worth it.

I have not heard of any reunion receiving any contributions from outside their family in a long time. Tyrone’s success many years ago was the envy of many reunions but rarely, if ever, did others succeed in raising money this way. Others have more recently tried crowdfunding but last I looked, even that was not very fruitful. I think you just need to rely on your own members. Consider a graduated payment schedule where members donate small amounts over a period of time until you have what you need.

Perhaps cutting down on costly events should be considered as well. If you’ve not met for a while, make meeting/gathering the highlight without a lot of frills. Then, build it back up over time.

Tyrone’s query is a common one. He is by no means the only one wondering the same thing. In fact, we’ve gotten information recently from reunions where no kids are present and the planners say it’s because kids are not interested. I say: what did you do to interest them?

The common question used to be why don’t the young people come to the reunion? I’d suggest asking young people what would make them want to come to the reunion. Including things young people like to do would yield greater attendance, but planners (usually older folks) seemed surprised by these suggestions. Like what elder ever thought that scheduling an outing to a roller-skating rink would attract kids or a trip to an amusement park or the

zoo. Not surprisingly, when they tried it, it worked!

By holding consistent reunions where kids grow up coming to reunions, eventually those kids will realize they need to take some responsibility OR their parents/grandparents can “volunteer” them to start taking that responsibility at an early age. Including teenagers and young adults on planning committees engenders interest and ultimately responsibility for making the reunion happen.

Listen to WeBuildLegacy’s FREE Virtual Family Reunion Planning and Legacy Building Workshop with live questions and answers from reunion planners. My experience is that there’ve always been young reunion members who are trying to learn about taking over reunion planning! Register in advance to get call-in info www.webuildlegacy@gmail.com.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 17

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The second dilemma for discussion

How to accommodate aging members at reunions who are suffering from dementia.

M

arilynn Stewart recently lamented that she’s dealing with her 90-year-old parents, both with dementia, and it is tough.

She is wondering how to accommodate and make reunions meaningful for aging parents.

She said “I don't know all the answers, but my experiences of what works and doesn't work are mounting. For example, instead of overwhelming the elders with large groups where it might be hard to hear or is too chaotic, plan some one-on-one time. Also, instead of planning your reunion at a faraway location, find a location close enough that the elderly person can go home and sleep in their own bed. Or plan reunions that are shorter, a day at the park or a BBQ. Are you or have you needed to accommodate relatives with memory issues? If so, what are/were their problems and how did you deal with it? It’s clear that at some point the reunion may have no meaning to some people but it should be important to everyone in the family to include them as long as possible and for the young members to get to know them as well.

Marilynn Stewart’s mother, Darleen, talking with her seven-year-old great grandson, Ryder, at a recent reunion. Marilynn says, “It’s when I realized that a one-on-one visit was more valuable for my mom than the craziness of a big crowd. The day after the picture was taken, we had to take mom home — it was just too much for her.

How to create a family reunion website

I

f you’ve been looking for a no or low-cost website option to create a family reunion website, look no further than Google Sites. I created a short video about how to create a family reunion website using Google Sites. It is free and very easy to use. The other Google products such as Google Maps, Drive, Forms, Docs, and Calendar integrate seamlessly with your website. You can easily use Google search for royalty-free images for your reunion website. You may not have all the freedom to change things like with a paid website, but this will give you what you need to get Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=siXWrtSwLaY to check out this how-to video.

18 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

Visit www.sites.google.com/view/massey-family-reunion/ home to see our finished project.

Visit www.facebook.com/groups/MasseyFamilyReunion to see our Facebook page.

Reported by Cassandra “Sandy” Duncan, Burtonsville, Maryland.

Learn a new way to have a reunion !

Learn a new way to have a reunion!

Zoom brings people together.

Zoom brings people together.

Zoom brings people Zoom brings people together. together.

The more the merrier !

The more the merrier merrier!

Teaches you how to connect, literally and emotionally.

Teaches you you how how to to connect, connect, literally and emotionally.

Teaches literally and emotionally.

Teaches you how to connect, literally and emotionally.

Tutorial Videos by: Tutorial Videos by: Tutorial Videos by: Tutorial Tutorial Videos Videos by: by:

Vivid-Pix.com/Education Vivid-Pix.com/Education

masterplan

Gilliam Family Reunion

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he 2021 bi-annual Gilliam Family Reunion met in Portsmouth, Virginia. They typically have over 100 family members in attendance, but this year there were about 60, down mostly due to the pandemic. A requirement for attending was to either be vaccinated or to test negative two to three days prior to arriving.

Two family members actually tested covid positive and were not able to attend.

Gilliam Family Reunion video

This year was also special, because they had a family member in attendance who they didn't even know existed until last year.

This is the special backstory according to planner, Patricia Johnson.

“In 1966, my mother's baby sister, who would have been in her early 20s at that time, left their home in Alabama to relocate to Florida. She left her three young children with their father, while she set up a home in Florida. She was to return to Alabama to get her children, after she was settled. But she never went back to Alabama and eventually lost contact with the whole family including her three children. Over the years, many family members searched for her, traveling to Florida to look in person, including filing a missing persons report.

“I began searching for my mother's missing sister over 15 years ago, with small clues from my mother, who insisted that I

Name: Rella Gilliam

MISSING PERSON

DOB: Approximate: 1945-48 Last Seen: 1965, Approx. 75 years old now Last Known Location: Lowndes County AL Circumstances in Disappearance: Purportedly traveling to Florida from Lowndes County/Hayneville AL area – certain to have boarded a Greyhound bus (not sure if she made it to Florida and, if so, unsure of what area/ town). Her three young children were left in the care of family members until she was to return.

Last known picture of Rella just before she was missing.

should look in Miami, Florida, and that she believed my aunt would have changed her name. As DNA testing became available, I took both AncestryDNA and 23andMe, hoping I would get a match.

I encouraged my cousin (the missing aunt’s daughter) to also take the DNA tests, which she did.

“As years have gone by, we've lost several family members, including my Jimmie Edmonds, son of the missing mother who passed in 2013. sister, pictured with his newly found One of her final wishes to half-sister Joane Pincheon. Joane and me was to find her missing Jimmie were able to confirm their relationship by testing on sister. During the pandemic, AncestryDNA. I decided to amp up my search efforts. I created a missing persons poster (see attached) and shared it on many Facebook family search related group pages, which actually paid off. With very little information to go on and one single picture, a search angel ultimately led me in the right direction. I reached out to a man on Facebook, who I believed to be my first cousin, my missing aunt’s son. He was extremely reluctant at first, but then agreed to speak to me on the phone. We exchanged information, I provided him with the one picture I had and he provided a few other pictures of his mother.

We both believed that his mother was my missing aunt. He hadn't taken any of the DNA tests, but he agreed to take one. Six weeks later, he was confirmed to be my first cousin, and half sibling to my missing aunt’s daughter. Unfortunately, my aunt had passed in 2013, just a few months after my mother had passed.”

Growing up, my newfound cousin said his mother never mentioned family other than her father - our grandfather. She didn't mention having children she left in Alabama and she didn't mention having many siblings although there was a total of 17 children. My mother had been correct, my aunt changed her first name, got married (new last name) and had three additional children, two of whom are deceased. We will never know why she did what she did, but at least the mystery has been solved.

My newfound cousin was able to attend the family reunion and was able to celebrate with this side of the family for the first time in his 40 years of life. He also met two of his three half siblings; unfortunately, one was not able to attend.

Shared by Patricia Johnson, Stratford, Connecticut.

Family is desperately looking for answers – she has sisters, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews anxiously looking for answers.

Help us find her!

Questions or more information?

Please email jlpincheon@gmail.com

Missing person flyer posted on many Facebook family search related group pages, which actually paid off.

20 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

Gilliam Family Reunion in Portsmouth, Virginia.

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Wells reunion in Bear Lake

W

hen the pandemic hit, we had already scheduled two main reunions for 2020. The first, the Wells Family Reunion, was scheduled for the end of June. We debated whether or not we should hold it, but when our state, Utah, issued the guidelines of “no gatherings of more than 50 people,” we felt it would be safe to gather for the three-day, two-night reunion. We invited members to attend as long as they had no COVID symptoms. Most activities were held outside at the lake or the park where we played volleyball and wiffleball. We did gather inside for some meals and activities. We followed state guidelines and between 25 and 35 people attended at various times during the reunion. No one contracted the virus. It was the one and only activity we partici-

pated in during 2020.

The Stewart Family Reunion usually has over 100 family members attend during Labor Day weekend. I was in charge of that reunion and it was very stressful trying to decide if we should hold the reunion. The Stewart reunion is held at an outdoor group campsite in Utah. I worked on the “Space” themed reunion until August when the campsite cancelled our reservation due to the pandemic. It was about that time, my nephew, an EMT and firefighter, told me that, “COVID is real and it isn’t safe for the older people in our family to attend the reunion.”

I feel we made the right choice for each reunion.

Shared by Marilynn Stewart, Bear River City, Utah

Wells Family Reunion in Bear Lake Utah. Look at this cool couch, yes, it was one couch.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 21

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Gardiner Family Reunions, 13 and counting!

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ypically a Gardiner Family Reunion lasts three or four days, but when we go to the beach it’s always for a week. It’s a time when family and friends come together to honor the memory of our parents, Betty and Joe Gardiner, also known as Grandmom and Uncle Joe and Great-Grandmom and Great-Granddad who loved life.They loved their family, and they left us with many fond memories and traditions.

It was ironic that our parents passed away just weeks before Christmas — Dad in December 2006 and Mom in mid-November, 2008 — because Christmas was their absolute favorite time of year. As toddlers, we learned to ice skate on double-bladed skates Dad skillfully made for us on a rink he built in our very own yard. Both Mom and Dad were good skaters, although I think Mom preferred roller skates. That ice was pretty cold on our bottoms as I recall, but we were warmed by the love of parents who spent quality time with us. Every year shortly before Christmas, Mom and all the neighborhood ladies would fill our house for days on end with the sweet aroma of baked snickerdoodles, chocolate chip cookies and other assorted treats.

Gardiner Family Reunion

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Patricia recalls the day that started it all “I remember so well the night we all sat around after Mom’s funeral service and unwrapped the Christmas gifts she’d left for us. We laughed and cried and remembered. Then we decided that we would have a reunion the next year in honor of Mom and Dad. Who knew it would be the first of so many?”

The very first Gardiner Family Reunion in June 2009 was truly an “all hands-on deck” event and only 21 of us were there to pose for our first family reunion photo.

Everyone pitched in to help and no one was ever asked to contribute a cent although donations were gladly accepted.

This has become the main tenet of all our reunions: “All you have to do is get there!”

We rented several cabins at Camp Carlson, an Army recreational facility just down the street from Fort Knox, Kentucky.

The cabins were nice and well equipped, except for bed and bath linens. Everyone who wasn’t flying to the reunion was asked to bring their own. We took turns at KP duty and the backyard chefs took turns cooking the main courses on a huge smoker. There was little to offer in the way of sightseeing, but there was a small lake

nearby for fishing. A hose and small inflatable baby pool provided some heat relief for the little ones. And a porch became a concert venue as some of us boogied on down to the dueling rhythms of guitars and raindrops on the roof.

Every reunion has been successful in its own right because each hosting team had its own unique way of organizing it. Since our humble beginnings in Kentucky, we have visited Colorado, North Carolina, Indiana, Wyoming and Virginia. We stayed in cabins, hotel rooms, several large beachfront rental houses, and even an entire three-story inn in Nashville, Indiana.

The hosts have the freedom to plan activities and entertainment for their reunion guests. We have marveled at the sight of grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, moose and other wildlife while traveling the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway in Wyoming on our way to Yellowstone National Park, caught 540 pounds of tuna while deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, and straddled two time zones during a weekend at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park in Jamestown, Kentucky.

Mom and Dad were always giving of themselves to others in their time of need,

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was our only soldier. We now have over 20 and it seemed those times were always in veterans in our ranks and have served as winter. Dad was the go-to guy on the block officers and enlisted in every branch of our who could fix anything, especially furnaces nation’s armed forces except Space Force. and stalled cars in snowdrifts, while Mom We have seen duty both here and abroad— comforted the neighbors and offered them from the North Pole to Afghanistan, coffee and a listening ear. During our third Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the depths of reunion, Connie, our family’s oldest member, the oceans, and everywhere in between. suggested that we might consider “giving We wore combat utilities and service dress back” to the local community by performing blues, hash marks, shields, eagles and some act of kindness or service project. Thus began a tradition of collecting donations to globes…and Dad was always so proud of benefit a local charity or other non-profit us! At our reunions we take some time to organization. We are proud to say that we thank those who have served—and are still Santa Claus, Jerry Owens, a member of have given to local food pantries and other serving—and acknowledge the family and charities, such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, International Santa Claus Hall of Fame in Santa friends who supported us … those who Claus, Indiana, with author’s grandson, Vincent. the 22q Family Foundation and Santa have always kept the home fires burning.

America’s Military Support Program, and we collected enough There is, however, one activity that has evolved over the years funds to send two veterans on an Indy Honor Flight. This past year and is now the only “mandatory” part of every reunion; we call it our donation went to one of our own…a cousin who suffered a our main event. Family members and guests are expected to stroke. The donated funds helped with the cost of his rehabilitation. attend a meal and a showing of video clips and pictures from By now you may have guessed that we are a military family. previous reunions, pose for a family reunion photo, and attend a Dad started it all with a stint in the Army during World War II. He Christmas party.

Gardiner Family Tree

Early on we would have Christmas gift exchanges, Dirty Santa, Betty Bag gift exchanges (regifting items in bags Mom and Dad had gifted to us in prior years), and a Christmas party for the children. It is the children’s Christmas party that has stood the test of time and is almost always expected — and enjoyed — by young and old alike. Santa has even visited us on a few occasions to pass out the gifts. But in 2020, during the depths of COVID, instead of a gathering of all the children, Santa traveled to all our rental houses and left a gift for each of the children at the front doors so they would have a present to open when they woke up the next day.

Why do we do this? Because two people fell in love.

Our family tree has evolved into a small forest where everyone is welcome to come and grow and make new memories and traditions. Our reunions have inspired some of the younger generation to consider hosting a reunion in their neck of the woods. The five of us “elders” (all now in our 60s and 70s) have handed down the reins to our children, but the fact that their children have expressed a desire to host a reunion in the future speaks volumes of the love of life and family our parents instilled in us. We hope to share that love with others and introduce new generations to their “roots” … to keep Mom and Dad’s spirit alive and vibrant for generations to come.

In November 2009, we interred Mom and Dad’s cremains in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery just across the street from Fort Knox’s famous gold vault. Like a gold vault for our family’s treasures, their memory rests there but their spirit lives on in our minds and our hearts.

I think Mom and Dad would be proud.

Shared by Karen Heilers, Louisville, Kentucky.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 23

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Three tips for planning a memorable milestone reunion

by Lisa A. Alzo, MFA

R

eaching a milestone birthday or anniversary is an occasion often associated with a special celebration. Marking a milestone family reunion is more than just a number — it honors a deeper commitment for those families fortunate enough to get there.

For my family—the ALAFFFA (an acronym for Abbott, Lizanov, Alzo, Figlar, Figlar, Figlar, Augenstein) Reunion has seen its share of milestones through the years. With reunion number 55 on the way in 2022, we have found a solid formula to make the planning as painless as possible.

One of the traditions of the ALAFFFA reunion is to hold our annual event at the 100-Acres House in South Park, near Pitts-

burgh, Pennsylvania. While we changed up the location to some venues in Ohio during our near-55-year run, the consistency of a familiar and convenient location has made it easy for family members to attend. Our first real “milestone” reunion — our 25th — was held at the South Park house in 1992. For this silver anniversary celebration, we arranged for a caterer, designed our first official t-shirts, and marked the occasion with toasts, a poem, and other tributes. For our 45th in 2012, we held a weekend celebration at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia. With a formal dinner we honored our ancestors with a family tree chart, and filled the evening with special tributes to past ALAFFFA reunions. The longer celebration gave us more time to visit. The format worked so well, we went back for our 50th in 2017 and have chosen Ogelbay as our venue again for 2022. Based on our experiences, here are three tips for planning a memorable milestone reunion.

1. Determine the destination in advance. Our planning for yearly reunions starts at least one year in advance, but for the extended reunions we plan for two years. As venues are starting to bounce back from the pandemic pause, it is more important than ever to plan ahead to make sure you can secure your first choice of date(s). There are many considerations when choosing a destination—size of your reunion, travel for attendees, cost, accessibility, amenities, and more. We have one person designated as the planner/contact person who interacts with the venue staff to gather information and negotiate terms and contract. We take a survey at least two years before the milestone event to gather ideas, hear concerns, share preferences and take a vote. Because our venue of choice worked so well in the past it makes it a bit easier to plan for future events in the same location (with adjustments, if needed). A week after our 2021 reunion, the organizer sent an email invitation to all family members to mark our calendars and to make the lodging reservations early.

Toga Party at the 21st ALAFFFA reunion.

2. Build a budget. Cost out per person how much each person

ALAFFFA Family during 2017 50th reunion celebration 24 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

masterplan will pay for the reunion itself (food, entertainment, etc.). For our reunion, travel costs (hotel, gas, airfare, individual meals) are not included in that amount.

Make sure the attendees know up front how much to estimate for expenses.

One of our strategies over the past several years is to pare down costs for annual reunions and have a fund to help defray the per person amount for the special event. We have done special fundraising to add to the fund, such as auctioning a t-shirt quilt made by one of the senior ALAFFFA members, and a 50/50 raffle. Due to 2020 pandemic circumstances, the reunion that year was small, and we saved a considerable amount of money to have enough put away to cover the per-person cost for everyone who attends. Attendees will only have to pay for their room, travel and extra meals. For our 55th reunion, we are making some changes. On the Saturday, rather than a sit-down dinner, we will have a catered event between two large houses being rented by two families in our group so we can enjoy the entire day together like we typically do each year. A brief survey is being sent to determine what food and drink will be preferred.

3. Arrange activities. A milestone reunion provides many opportunities for attendees to participate in group activities. Trivia, karaoke, games, and sharing memories in a toast can involve all ages. Photo albums and family trees make great conversation starters. For example, at the ALAFFFA 45TH reunion, I presented a slideshow from my trip to Slovakia and visit to the ancestral villages of my grandparents (John and Veronica Figlar) who immigrated to the United States and served as the inspiration for the start of our reunions. I also arranged for a special keepsake called Voice Quilt — a collection of stitched together audio memories recorded by individuals and delivered in a music box.

(Note: Voice Quilt shut down in 2013). The keepsake is held by my cousin who keeps a time capsule of our ALAFFFA memorabilia at her home. For our 50th reunion we viewed a tribute with photos and video clips from past reunions and short video ALAFFFA Voice Quilt Keepsake Box messages from anyone in the from 45th reunion (2012) family who wished to participate. Such activities can be organized in advance, designed to involve all generations and created with little to no cost. Use photo editing software such as Vivid-Pix Restore to add new life to your family photographs. Voice and video recording is easy with a smartphone. For video editing there are many free apps or programs available. See “Edit Videos Like a Pro: The 12 Best Free Video Editing Software Programs for 2021” for suggestions.

When it comes to family reunions there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, especially for organizing those extra special gatherings. However, with a solid plan, good communication, and building anticipation for fun activities, it is possible to find the right formula to make some milestone reunion magic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lisa Alzo has been surrounded by family at their 50+ year running reunion and walks in her ancestor’s footsteps, literally and figuratively, as a genealogist, lecturer and writer. Author of 11 books and endless articles for newspapers and magazines, Lisa earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the highly acclaimed Creative Nonfiction Writing Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She works as a writing coach and online educator through her website Research Write Connect www.researchwriteconnect.com.

Singing the song

Poem written for the 25th ALAFFFA Family Reunion (1992)

by Helen Lizanov

WE WILL HAVE ALAFFFA TO REMEMBER FROM NUMBER ONE TO TWENTY-FIVE WE’VE KEPT THIS FAMILY TIME ALIVE WE WILL HAVE ALAFFFA TO REMEMBER THE SOFTBALL GAMES THAT NO ONE WON THE DAY THE PORTA-JOHN CAME DOWN WE WILL HAVE ALAFFFA TO REMEMBER FROM POTLUCK TIMES TO CATERED FARE WE’VE BEEN TO MANY PLACES HAWAII, ROME AND MEXICO WITH LAUGHTER ON OUR FACES FROM WOODSTOCK TO THE COUNTRY AND THE POLISH 50’s WE’VE DANCE THE HULA, LIMBO TOO AND DON’T FORGET THE KISHKA THO WE MAY GO OUR SEPARATE WAYS WE’LL NOT FORGET THESE SPECIAL DAYS WE WILL HAVE ALAFFFA TO REMEMBER -HYE-FYE 7-11-92 (Transcribed By Lisa Alzo, 18 October 2021) 2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 25

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Baldridge Family on the ranch

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was on a trip to Lake Louise and Banff in Alberta, Canada, with a friend, at a meeting planning event, in March 2019. I am always on the lookout for a fabulous property where we can take our 18-person family. My friend introduced me to Brady Johnson who was representing C Lazy U Ranch in Colorado.

I had been looking at this property for a long time because it would accommodate all of the ages in our family, from one to 68-years old. I asked Brady lots of questions! We wanted to go to the ranch in the summer of 2020 but there was no availability at first for our large group. Brady

worked with us on specific accommodations and we were able to book for the end of July 2020. We had flight reservations from Dallas to Denver and transportation hired to pick us up in Denver and take us to the ranch. We were totally organized. Then we had to deal with Covid.

C Lazy U assured me that they were prepared for Covid and made many adjustments to provide the full experience for everyone. We did not want to take a chance on flying so I called transportation companies all over Dallas and ended up hiring Vonlane, a private transportation

Chris Baldridge and C Lazy U fishing guide.

Baldridge Family at C Lazy U Ranch.

26 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

company that has luxury buses with a driver, personal attendant to serve food and drink as well as a bathroom on board. They served drinks, snacks and food for the long 14-hour trip to Colorado. They had never rented privately before, but now are chartering all over the south.

We loved C Lazy U Ranch because there was something for every member of the family, children to adults. Each day began with a breakfast for everyone somewhere on the property. Then the kids were off to their activities and the adults were off to theirs. Although they were at separate

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activities, adults could join their children or have their own adventures together, if they wanted to. All of our kids (aged three to eight; we brought a nanny for those under three) had the vacation of their lives: riding horses, fishing, playing games, and learning activities they had never done prior to the ranch. The counselors at this ranch were wonderful with kids.

The C Lazy U Ranch was like family ... every person who works there could be your sister, brother, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc. Everyone was friendly and if we needed anything, all we had to do was ask. The stay was perfect and all of my family loved the ranch!

Shared by Chris Baldridge, Dallas, Texas.

(Left to right) Whitney Nowlin, Chris Baldridge and Blaire Trammell cattle rustling

3640 Colorado Hwy 125 | PO Box 379 Granby, CO 80446 www.clazyu.com | 970-887-3344 Contact Brady Johnson, The girls on the fence from the left are granddaughter Brynn Nowlin (2nd and 3rd girls are not related), Sloane Trammell, Caroline Nowlin and Emerson Trammell. They had just participated in the "Shodeo" where they rode their horses (each had the same horse for the week) around an obstacle course for the fastest time or they rode their horse around some obstacles, had to get off of the horse and run to a bowl of whipped cream and without using their hands, put their face in the bowl to find the strawberry and run back, get back up on the horse and ride to the finish line.

Director of Sales and Marketing, 970-887-5926, bjohnson@clazyu.com

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 27

Reunion Committees

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EUNION COMMITTEES, as will soon become clear, take many forms according to the particular reunion group.

Some form of governing group is a good idea for large reunions to decide what shape the event itself will take and who will be responsible for the details. For smaller groups, formal committees may not be necessary but in any case, large or small, someone must be in charge and able to delegate responsibilities for the many details that make up a successful reunion of any size.

It is my firm belief that no one should plan a reunion alone, if for no other reason than that the more people involved in planning, the greater the commitment to the success of the endeavor. In fact, one of my cardinal rules of reunion organizing is that no one do the planning alone.

One of my favorite reunion committee stories comes from a man, (alas, I do not remember who) that loved and so looked forward to committee meetings because the food was always so good! That does not mean that committee meetings require food but if that is a feature, it might be one way to recruit committee members. EW

Tips for effective committees

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eamwork is important for any successful committee. If the committee isn't organized, chances are the reunion won’t be either.

m Determine the committee’s purpose.

Committees need to know where they’re headed. Encourage a sense of ownership by making sure every member is involved in planning goals and objectives. Clearly stated objectives give members confidence and a way to assess progress.

m Committees make the reunion more democratic, ensuring everyone has a stake.

m Set ground rules, goals and determine who calls the shots.

m Create a schedule, how often the committee will meet and whether in person, by conference call or ZOOM.

m Keep meeting minutes. Send copies to all parties, including those who weren’t able to attend.

m Make participation voluntary; ask members to send a representative if they can’t attend.

m Use committee members’ knowledge, expertise and experience.

SOME MAYBE NOT SO OBVIOUS REUNION COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Obvious committee responsibilities include the chairperson, secretary, treasurer and someone in charge of the program.

The chairperson oversees all aspects of the reunion, delegates subcommittees and is regularly in touch to make sure details are being done. The secretary records and reports meeting minutes, compiles lists, keeps track of attendees, sets up a website, 28 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

newsletter, facebook page or blog to stay in touch and sends invitations. The treasurer sets and monitors the budget, handles accounts, pays bills and makes financial reports to the committee and often at the reunion. The person in charge of the program has many helpers with any of the responsibilities listed below …

BEFORE THE REUNION Of course, the committee will have to schedule regular meetings to report and set deadlines, but there are also some details the committee may assign others to accomplish and report back.

If yours is a traveling reunion, is someone willing to do site selection and visit hotels, venues or campsites to determine their suitability? Often retired members can take this opportunity for a short trip. Convention and visitors bureaus (CVB) will help with arrangements and may include complimentary hotel stays, if you are serious about choosing their area. Also while there, talk with the CVB about other services they offer and whether they have souvenirs for your reunion’s goodie/welcome bags.

depot when they arrive and return them when they leave.

AT THE REUNION The program/entertainment chairperson will need all kinds of assistants to help organize games, herd members on tours, provide story time, face painting, crafts and other activities for young children. Teenagers can be a great help in these areas.

If the program includes contests, talent, style or fashion shows, someone must set the rules, organize, stage and provide judges.

Someone must determine and collect prizes to entice participation. Also recruit a master/ mistress of ceremonies to ensure a successful show.

If you have exhibits, someone must organize, set up and later clean and pack up the area. A historian or genealogist will want

ON THE WAY TO THE REUNION Some reunions with a large contingent coming from one place may hire a motor coach and driver to get to the reunion. That will require someone to explore transportation possibilities, make arrangements, collect fares and get everyone to the bus on time to take off!

If members are flying, taking the train or bus to your reunion and there is no shuttle, you may need a transportation committee to meet members at the airport, bus or train

Covid prevented the Baldridge family from flying from Dallas to their reunion in Colorado. They hired a luxury coach with a driver and attendant to serve food and drinks for their 14-hour trip.

www.reunionsmag.com/podcast-leadership-part-2-emphasis-committees/

Reunion Committees time to regale participants with their surprises and finds since the last reunion.

Someone must oversee fundraising activities: sell souvenirs, t-shirts, history or cookbooks, organize and stage a silent auction, recruit an auctioneer and assistants for a live auction, and someone to organize and run a raffle.

For a buffet or picnic, you’ll need cooks

and help setting up food, “manning” grills or smokers, serving and clean up. If you include drinking, you’ll need bartenders.

Don’t forget to recruit a assigned photographer and videographer.

It is also wise to have someone experienced in first aid in case of injuries, bug bites or sunburn!

Assembling a clean-up crew is a great

assignment for kids of all ages, particularly if there is a reward of sweets or a small amount of cash.

The Willis Connection, according to Franklin Willis, also has the following committees: event committee, scholarship committee, calendar committee, t-shirt and tote bag committee, photo/DVD committee, and a recipe committee.

Committee roundup SPAULDING FAMILY REUNION

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he Benjamin and Edith Spaulding Descendants Family Reunion has a long and storied history of many years. Their officers include a Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer and Chairperson of Hotel and Logistics. Their committees include picnic and social, Saturday night banquet, health issues/workshops, hospitality, registration, souvenirs/t-shirts, souvenir booklet and Sunday morning church service.

Agee Miller Mayo Dungy Family Reunion committee.

FROM REUNIONS MAGAZINE FORUM …

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any years ago Reunions magazine’s website included a forum where planners could ask and answer questions.

Amber asked: How did you guys form different committees? Did you just ask around about who wanted to join in?

Linda Lapinski, McHenry, Illinois, of the Payne Family Reunion answered.

This is just a general outline, there are many tasks to be done in planning a reunion and then making it all happen. Each Committee Chairman is responsible for recruiting their own volunteers. First you need to decide what needs to be done. This is how I labeled my committees: Development - The main organizer; usually decides where, when and theme, if any. They are the main contact for all other committees to report to. Decides what activities will take place (you may also want to get input from others on this). I produce newsletters and put up our website (this could be done by anyone, depends on what you are good at). Delegate volunteer duties.

Finance - Sets up the reunion checking account, receives all deposits, pays all bills. Reviews all contracts, reports back to Development.

Food/Clean Up - Contacts local caterers for quotes; reports to Development. Puts together a clean-up crew. If refreshments are being served, plans and shops for items. Reviews hall rental contract for clean-up responsibilities.

Entertainment - Scouts out talent amongst family members or local talent for music entertainment. Plans for games, etc.

Membership/Genealogy - Maintains membership rosters; provides for and solicits family genealogies for sharing at the reunion.

Organizes the registration table. Works with Development in putting together “goody bags” to be given at the registration table.

How to get people to serve on committees? First, send emails, make calls or write letters to everyone asking them to volunteer for whatever committee chairpersons you need or to volunteer to be a helper. If your reunion is going to be a simple picnic in the park, you wouldn't need as much. But if you are going to put on an “event,” you need help in the organization and planning. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You may only get away with “designating” duties to your close family members (husband, parents, siblings). Hold meetings regularly prior to the reunion, discuss what’s been done, what needs to be done, brainstorm or ideas.

Again, the best way to get ideas is to read Reunions magazine and the large website at www.reunionsmag.com and on www.Pinterest.com/reunionsmag/invitations.

Discussion by Linda Lapinski, McHenry, Illinois.

BRANCH/OUTLAW FAMILY REUNION

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ick Branch, Capitol Heights, Maryland, wrote this to his Branch/ Outlaw family as he began planning their reunion.

This is what family gathering is all about: coming together on a happy occasion and working together without being forced to.

Please contact me ASAP if you are interested in participating as a member of the Branch Outlaw (B/O) Family Reunion committee.

The committee and I plan to treat this B/O reunion like the movie Field of Dreams where the memorable line is “If you build it they will come.” We want to make the reunion the “Reunion of Dreams” and we want everyone’s suggestions. We want all ages (2 to 99) to let us know what you want. We believe if we create the reunion from your suggestions, then more will come and enjoy it. The stipulations for suggestions are that they are fun, thought provoking, entertaining, enlightening and most of all the suggestions have to be INTERACTIVE for folks to get up: we have all eternity to lay continued on page 30 2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 29

Reunion Committees

continued from page 29

still. Nothing kills a reunion like a lot of folks sitting and staring at each other thinking “when is this over I am ready to go I am bored.” Please send your ideas for our reunion committee meeting in September. Remember one of the objectives of a family reunion is to strengthen the bond with family members.

In addition to the festivities we will plan, we want everyone to encourage our eldest members to come because they are our most precious commodities and I especially want to interview them so that they can tell us our real history. We will also interview other ages from many walks of life about issues covering various topics. Plus I want to gather information for the creation of a B/O book which will be submitted to and kept in the Library of Congress documenting our family history for future generations. Spread this information to those whom I have not reached.

have regularly scheduled meetings and conference calls with the steering team and committees. Then, six weeks prior to the reunion, they meet and update weekly, then meet daily one week before and re-confirm everything constantly. They have plans, forms and reports in a standard format and expect updates on time. They have a Treasurer and Historian and have a financial meeting the very first hour of the reunion. They keep good records.

Sybel says, “Don’t be judgmental, be helpful and acknowledge everyone's work and input.”

Joan Waters (center) with daughters Rashida Tyler (left) and Jill Waters (right).

CURTIS/BUTLER FAMILY REUNION

J DIXON FAMILY REUNION

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oris Dixon McCall, Redondo Beach, California, wrote that Dixon Family Reunion committee members posted their photos to gain a “visual” of who was working on the reunion. They were in various parts of the country, different generations, hearing about one another, but not necessarily knowing each other. It was great to see their faces.

The reunion committee started preparation in September for the following summer with family member volunteers participating on the committee, headed by a coordinator. They began with monthly conference calls, which then progressed to weekly calls to share ideas, discuss funds and funding, meet and greet, plan a picnic and banquet and determine what each committee member was responsible for.

CANTY-HARVIN FAMILY REUNION

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arcia A. Jenkins, Newark, Delaware, was chairperson of the Canty-Harvin Family Reunion for their 25th reunion. There are chapters throughout the US and for each reunion, one of the city chapters hosts the event. In earlier years, Canty-Harvin reunions occurred each year but in 2000 they voted to have them every two years. Marcia Jenkins wrote: “Our committee (Philadelphia) was formed right after we took on this huge adventure.” Consequently, they started meeting right away and by the time of the reunion, Marcia and her committee had been planning and putting on fundraising events for three years.

THOMPSON/CAMPBELL/OSGO FAMILY REUNION

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ybel Higgins, Monroe, Michigan, plans a reunion for 160 to 225 people from all over the country. They have committees and let the committee managers do their thing! They assign mini-projects,

30 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

oan Waters, Charlotte Hall, Maryland, said, “our six-member Reunion Planning Committee began coordinating this year’s reunion in the fall. The first mailing to family members announcing the reunion was sent in January followed by frequent email reminders and more mailings before and after registration deadlines. Because this was our first multi-day reunion, we gave everyone the option of paying reunion fees in two installments, due in March and June. Each household was asked to pay a $10 registration fee, plus the cost of the banquet dinner for each family member. Kids’ banquet meals were half price. T-shirts could be ordered when registering for the reunion. Fundraisers and money from the previous reunion provided cash for advance expenses (decorations, deposits, kids goodies, etc).”

KOEHLER FAMILY REUNION

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he Frank and Emma Koehler descendants meet every five years.

They move the reunion around the country so everyone, no matter their location, has the opportunity to attend. They try to keep lodging and reunion costs as low as possible so expenses are minimal, because they know travel is the highest ticket item. By having the reunion every five years, they can plan for expenses. Many family members extend their stay in the reunion area to see the sights.

This was the first reunion planned by a committee composed of family branch representatives. Instead of host families from an area bearing the expense, they established a per person charge to cover most site and food costs. They had to do this because of the increase of reunion attendees over the years, the decentralization of family from pockets in the US and Canada and they wanted input to meet interests of ages from 1 to 91. There are only five family members in Virginia, two in their 90s, so when they tallied the reunion survey and the majority voted for Virginia, the move made committee planning and a per person fee possible.

As a family member from Virginia, Frances Koehler was responsible for site selection and coordination with other committee members. She had had substantial experience in meeting and

Reunion Committees conference planning for community and state agencies and non-profits. She was prepared for this adventure. Having the family branch committee approach has been a great experience because they’ve gotten to know each other better and have become more aware of what’s happening in between reunions. They do not think that they will go back to single family branch hosting.

One thing Frances can foresee for future reunions is a need for more ADA accessible options. They will need to look for sites that can accommodate aging baby boomers. There are not enough resorts or hotels that can meet the needs of aging or disabled travelers. While people without accessibility needs can easily use rooms designed for people who are elderly or disabled, people with these needs cannot use rooms that present barriers.

Reported by Frances Koehler, Richmond, Virginia.

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eunion planner, Johanna Roark of Birchwood, Tennessee created this short video to increase Roark-Conner Family Reunion board participation.

The Roark-Conner virtual reunion in the time of Covid was held on Saturday (www.roark-conner.org) which would have been the day they would otherwise have met face-to-face. A Board of Directors ZOOM meeting followed on Sunday in hopes a number of family members would “attend” to catch up since they couldn’t meet face-to-face this year. The Board of Directors hosts a meeting at each reunion for the membership to inform them of various ongoing activities, give reports, host a Memorial Service and recognize family members. Twenty cousins participated in the Board meeting.

The Gillyard, Johnson & Mahoney Family Reunion offers prizes for people who submit their registration and fees by deadline dates. Here Daisy Reed is pulling winners at a committee meeting. Scroll down.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 31

Reunion Committees BELL-RANSOM COMMITTEE LIST The Bell-Ransom Committee list is an impressive display of full family involvement in reunion planning and execution.

Reported by Jacqueline Bell Pyatt, Fort Washington, Maryland.

32 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

reunion invitations

You can’t expect a crowd without an invite!

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oordinating a family reunion is not easy, but it should be.

In an idyllic world, we would all grow up in big houses in tree-lined neighborhoods full of kids and people who know each other’s names. And we would return to these homes for family get-togethers where you’d never know which happy relative would walk in next. But that’s not the world we live in. It’s a struggle to create reunions that work. Good things take work.

Who do you invite to a reunion?

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et’s start with the easy ones. Class reunions bring together people who attended school at the same time — any level, but usually high school and college. Some schools have all-class or all school reunions. Some include persons who did not go all the way through school together and some include teachers as well.

Class reunions are almost always at or near the school attended — although more older class reunions are traveling, to resorts or on cruises.

Military reunions assemble people who served together

to reminisce about their experiences at various stages of their military experience in war and peace. They often meet where they were stationed or trained, but also take the opportunity to travel far and wide!

Neighborhood reunions gather people who lived in the same neighborhood, and co-worker reunions bring together people who’ve worked together. There are no such obvious expectations, however, for family reunions.

Francia Talton, Flint, Michigan, shared her Ralph J Bunche Elementary School Reunion invitations. The school opened in 1967 and closed in 2012. She wrote, “Myself, my siblings and our entire neighborhood attended Bunche. I have always wanted to do a reunion. After years of talk, I just decided to do the first annual reunion in 2015 followed the second in 2016. I was not getting much help and paid for pretty much everything myself. So I decided after the second year to let someone else take the reins. Sadly, there has not been another.”

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 33

reunion invitations For More Invitations Online …

On The Web: www.Reunionsmag.com/Reunion-Invites/ Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/Reunionsmag/Invitations/ Podcasts Who To Invite: www.Reunionsmag.com/Podcast-Invite-Reunion-Anyway/ The Opening Letter: www.Reunionsmag.com/Podcast-Opening-Letter/ The Art Of The Loving Invitation: www.Reunionsmag.com/Podcast-Art-Loving-Invitation/

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his website inspired 130 people to attend the multi-ship reunion in Annapolis, Maryland.

Many of the attendees had never been to a reunion before!

Shared by Louis “Skip” Sander, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, The USS Rankin Association.

Defining family for a reunion

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or a family reunion, you must define what constitutes the family. The family can be mom and dad, their children with spouses and grandchildren. Or is it you, your brothers and sisters and all your children and grandchildren? Or everyone descended from your grandparents or great-grandparents? Or everyone descended from a couple who settled in Newburg, Wisconsin, in 1848? Or anyone with the same family name who

34 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

emigrated from Bavaria in Germany? Or all the women in one family? Or even everyone with the same last name (usually an uncommon name), even if they’ve not yet discovered the relationship? The reunion can be an opportunity to try to figure it out.

You see, there are many ways to define family for the sake of forming a reunion and you probably know even more. And once you decide on a “definition,” you must (and

this is only my rule) invite everyone fitting that definition. A family reunion is not a wedding where you pick and choose who to invite. A family reunion should include everyone or at least you should invite everyone. Occasionally there may be family members you’d rather not encounter. On the other hand, not everyone wants to come, either, which is how it often works out. So who is your family reunion?

reunion invitations

Where to start?

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onsider this. It’s not unwise to start with a potluck picnic or barbecue in someone’s backyard or a nearby park. Just think through the details for a single day event that is lots of fun and makes many want to repeat it next year and the year after. Some reunions take off slowly and build. Some groups opt for a longer reunion -- commonly a weekend, Friday through Sunday -- and include activities in more than one location. Longer reunions may also be some distance from home and resemble a family vacation, but with a larger group. You may include tours with

stops at family-related or local sites, or visits to attractions such as theme parks, museums or the zoo.

ANNOUNCE THE DATE AS SOON AS IT’S SET If you have nailed down that all-important reunion date, do not waste a minute: get the message out as quickly as possible. Collect as many email addresses as you can to save on the cost of paper, printing and postage. One way is to use email, but another is a bright color, pops-off-the-fridge-door, save-the-date card.

What if yours is a small family?

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et’s look at a particular issue of encouraging members to come to your reunion. If you’re organizing a family reunion for 150 relatives, you can’t worry about a few not showing up. But if your family is small, a dozen or so, the absence of even one member leaves a gaping hole in the picture. Anything less than 100 percent attendance means your get-together may not rise to the level of “reunion.”

Rather, it will be remembered by who wasn’t there. So how do you get all these people in the same place at the same time? They can’t take time off from work.

They can’t afford it. Their kids are scheduled to the hilt. The skiers don’t want to go to the beach. The surfers don’t want to go to the mountains. Persuading them seems like a daunting task, and it might be.

Beneath our worries, concerns, excuses and considerations, we all really do want to get together. We want to share meals, enjoy each other’s children, hear the old stories, look into each other’s eyes, go to sleep under the same roof and remember why we love each other. If that’s where you want to end up, then, this is where you must begin.

Leslie Lindeman of Pasadena, California, has helped organize many family reunions and offers his perspective for consideration.

No matter how much they protest, whine and complain, they really do want to get together. Let go of your expectations. You may encounter a family member who is utterly compliant, completely grateful you’re taking the initiative and just wants to know when and where to show up and how big a check to write. What’s more likely, however, is that family members may not be jumping to attend your reunion. They may not want to help plan, but they want to be in on the deliberations. Presenting them

with a fait-accompli is likely to be met with reluctance, perhaps even ire, even if your intentions are entirely good. Even if you try to begin the conversation from a neutral standpoint, if your agenda is fixed (although hidden), you’re in for trouble.

Offer choices. As the conversation coordinator, you’ll have to keep the process of elimination moving along so things don’t disintegrate into a never-ending discussion.

While it may seem like the choice approach will be a longer, more frustrating route, the seemingly more direct “one offer, take it or leave it” road too often heads off a cliff.

CONSIDER – ASK – LISTEN This approach works best for small reunions. The important thing is to let each family member know you’ve thought about them. You’ve considered their likes and dislikes and you want them to be excited about showing up and having a good time.

When people feel considered, the pull is almost irresistible. But even though you know these people well, misunderstandings happen. To be sure you are thinking accurately about what they’d like in a family reunion, ask them. For instance, if Ed and Kirsten are the mountain biking family, let them know that one of the campgrounds you talked to rents bikes and has great trails. The lake has a sandy beach, important because their son Noah loves to swim. But a lot of the food will probably be grilled. Is Anya the teenager still eating vegetarian, or would she enjoy grilled salmon? What else would you guys like in a campground? Then: listen.

Your initiative will create interest, probably enthusiasm, but also, excuses. A better word for excuses is, “considerations.”

The sales process – and the role of

reunion coordinator is a sales position – is uncomfortable at times for most people.

Move forward deliberately and do significantly more listening than talking. By listening you’ll discover the ingredients that are missing for each family member.

Let members handle their own considerations. Let them know you’ll work to alleviate their concerns. But know too that when people are within reach of something they want they’re usually able to remove whatever obstacles are in their way.

Start early. Yes, the process can feel like herding cats and it may take months, perhaps a year, depending on how many nuclear families you’re working with and how complicated the logistics. Where children are involved, know summer schedules tend to firm up in February.

Many obligations compete for precious break time, so start your conversation far in advance. Ask everyone to agree on a deadline of Martin Luther King Day, the third Monday in January, to decide which summer week to set aside for the reunion.

Then set a deadline of St. Patrick’s Day, the 17th of March for an agreement (with deposits) on whether you’ll go to the lake house or the mountain lodge.

Be relentless. Your persistence will be seen as hard work born of a true spirit.

People know it’s tough to be the one making the next phone call, and the next, and the next, in pursuit of getting everyone together. It will dawn on them that you’re not going to stop and that what they really want, is to find a way to join you.

Phone calls, emails and videoconferencing are the tools we use to get us through our absences. But sooner or later there is no substitute for standing close, shaking hands and hugging.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 35

reunion invitations

Initiating the idea of family reunion

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re you trying to figure out how to initiate contact with family members about a reunion? Jean Johnson of Venice, Florida, asked for ideas to begin a letter to family members about reunion locations, time of year and cost. Ethel Epstein called it an “opening letter” in her request for help to notify her family about starting a family reunion project.

To start, let’s say the question is: I would like to propose we organize a family reunion. Simple! But where do you start? First, I urge you not to do this alone. Start by talking to family members to determine the level of interest. If you’re lucky, the idea will generate excitement. On the other hand, if you need to cajole people, you may need to call in help or re-think your approach. Consider

forming a committee of helpers from the very start. See section about committees in this issue.

Decide what kind of event you are willing to take on. A one-day picnic in a park or someone’s backyard? Three-day weekend?

Week-long stay? Urban? Rural? Resort? Hotel? Ranch? Cruise?

Camping?

What would best get your family's attention? Something simple?

Down to earth? Something personal? Something serious that sounds more like a convention or maybe something whimsical and a lot o' fun. Send an explanation of what you have in mind, in whatever form you think your family will react to most favorably: on paper, by phone, by fax, by email, or posted on the web via facebook or blog.

Bell-Ransom Family Reunion

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ell-Ransom Family Reunion invitations reflect a long (43-year history) of preparing for reunions. Each includes a cover sheet with the important facts: when, where and the invitation to gather with family and recognize achievement, excellence, unselfish service, neighborly love and memories. The second page outlines in great detail what to expect at the reunion. A third page lists registration and t-shirt order information with the final, fourth page, a high school award application. The first two pages outline each annual reunion while the latter two pages are consistent in their annual invitations.

Examples shared by Jacqueline Bell Pyatt, Fort Washington, Maryland.

e Cover announcements for 40th (above) and 41st (right) Bell-Ransom Family Reunions

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reunion invitations

e Outside of 2020 Bell-Ransom Brochure Invite

e Inside of 2020 Bell-Ransom Brochure Invite

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 37

reunion invitations

Austin Withey Family Reunion

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he Austin Withey Family Reunion was back in 2021 celebrating their heritage with local family members in Cortland, New York.

Shared by Marilyn Thayer, Mexico, Florida

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reunion invitations

Stewart Family Reunion

Use superheroes, cavemen, mermaids, pirates or circus clowns to enhance your invitations!

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arilynn Stewart’s family reunion always has a theme that starts with the invitation and goes throughout the whole event. The hero invite is from her Superhero reunion, which she says is her favorite. It is clear from her website that she loves creating invitations that help build excitement for the reunion.

For instance, she says, “I can tell my

family that the reunion will be at the park and we're having hamburgers and games or I can send a fun invitation that says, ‘Let your inner beast loose at the Stewart reunion!’ It's all in the presentation. It really helps if your reunion has a theme that you can design your invitations around.”

Visit familyreunionhelper.com to see many more of Stewart’s theme packages and original invitation ideas!

Windham Family Reunion

Encouraging words from a Windham Family Reunion newsletter.

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eunited and it feels so good. Yes, it would. Do you feel the same? Are you ready to come together with #TeamWindham again? Are you ready to eat good? Are you ready to laugh hard? Are you ready to compete fiercely? Do you miss the good times? Close your eyes and reflect on the memories we have made in past family gatherings. What memory comes to your mind? Were you being dragged on a blanket or pulling it? Are you carrying an egg on a spoon in an egg relay race? Are you holding your child or grandchild legs during a wheelbarrow race? Were you snapping pictures while posing in the family

frames? Were you trying to get the hula hoop over your head and through the circle? Are you trying to throw or catch a water balloon with a towel? Or were you starting a water balloon fight? All good times and that is what I love about being reunited with my family. I love the games, the food, the fellowship and the fun!!! Covid-19 caused a halt to our family reunion last year. 2020 was not kind to our family, but I thank God that we took advantage of the opportunities we had to make great memories with the people that are no longer with us. That is why I always say “Coming together in Good Times will give you Strength to Endure Bad Times.”

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 39

reunion t-shirts

Reunion t-shirts in summer are ubiquitous

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isee several reunion t-shirts every time I go to the farmers market i(what’s that connection?) and always at the grocery store and lots of other places. Franklin Willis reported that at their Willis Connection Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada, members were stopped and asked about their ancestors. This sparked interest from complete strangers about hosting their own reunions and honoring their ancestors.

And T-shirts can be a reunion souvenir, a memento, a billboard and a message. And t-shirts can also be a nice source of income for your reunion. You can either decide to take pre-paid orders in advance and only print those ordered and paid for, or order personalized shirts in varying sizes and mark them up to contrib-

ute financially to the reunion. So, one decision to be made is whether your t-shirts are going to be a souvenir, fundraiser or both.

Whether souvenir or fundraiser, you’ll have to decide, design and produce your t-shirts. If you decide your reunion t-shirts are a fundraiser, you’ll have to market and sell them as well.

One important caution is to order t-shirts early enough to ensure their delivery before the reunion. If you do not have them at the reunion, you’ll incur the additional cost of packing and postage to send shirts to everyone after the reunion. And anyway, you’ll want everyone wearing their t-shirts for the reunion picture!

Personalize your reunion with custom t-shirts DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

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t is wise to start with the design you intend to put on the shirt before choosing colors because an exceptional graphic printed on even a simple white t-shirt is desirable.

Putting the creativity in the design and how the reunion’s name is incorporated is the ultimate way to achieve maximum pop-appeal.

Keep it simple. T-shirts should have large type with straightforward designs so that they are easy to read. Keep phrases to just a few words.

Logos for all sizes. Keep in mind that a logo for triple-X Uncle Joe’s t-shirt won't fit on a toddler’s t-shirt. Use a small logo for kiddie shirts.

Family reunion t-shirts are a great way to remember the event, but they can help keep the event running smoothly as well. If the family reunion is held in a location such as an amusement park where non-reunion attendees will be, family reunion t-shirts help attendees recognize one another and remain together as a group.

T-SHIRT DESIGN SUGGESTIONS T-shirt designs can be the name of the family, class/school or group and the year of the reunion, a motto or special message.

T-shirts can be customized with special pictures or colors to go with a theme or location.

Neal Family Reunion 40 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

Jackson Williams Family Reunion You can design your own or most t-shirt printers have many designs to choose from.

If there is a reunion member who is eager to demonstrate h/her design chops, this may be just the project. Make sure h/she signs the design!

Cityscape: Skylines make cool shirts because they are easy to print. Use a recognizable landmark such as the Statue of Liberty or the St. Louis Arch.

Family photos: If you have a picture of your great-great grandparents, scan it and design your t-shirt around it.

Name game: Use the names of all the reunion participants, separated by dots.

There's no need to alphabetize as relatives will have fun searching for their names.

Keep a permanent fabric marker handy so members can mark their names or autograph shirts.

Signature: Bring white or light color t-shirts to your reunion along with fabric markers. Have everyone sign shirts as a reunion activity.

ORDERING T-SHIRTS Order a quality shirt. Use a 6.1-ounce cotton shirt because it’s durable and won’t shrink.

Use color wisely. Printing costs for t-shirts go up when multiple ink colors are used. To keep costs down, purchase a bright color shirt and limit ink colors to one or two.

Wear shirts of different colors: to identify family branches or generations Prices of t-shirts depend on the quality of fabric and color of the shirt, number of ink colors used, shipping and sometimes the shirt sizes. In most cases, you will need to give the printer at least three weeks or more to complete the job. When ordering reunion t-shirts, consider ordering a few extra for unexpected attendees and to have extra sizes for exchange.

Roberts Family Reunion

Thanks to Frencia Talton for the T-shirt designs on this page.

reunion t-shirts RANSOM-SEASE

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he Ransom-Sease Family Reunion was held in Niagara Falls, New York. The slogan, printed on the back of the shirt was, “A Strong Family Survives the Falls.” The purple and light blue colors were chosen to honor two key members of the Family Reunion Planning Team who passed away in early 2021. The light blue lettering was to honor Reunion Committee Treasurer Cynthia Vaughn. The purple was to honor Buddy Glover, who co-edited the family Newsletter for 17 years, was President of the local host committee for six Reunions, served as the National Reunion President for 12 years, and was a strong advocate and mentor for the growth and longevity of the yearly reunion gatherings. Also in his honor many attendees wore black Chuck Taylor Converse All Stars, the only brand Buddy wore most of his life.

Also, this was the first time, women were given a choice of a round or V-neck shirt. As it turned out, the V-neck shirt was more form fitting and needed to be ordered in a size larger than in the round neck version.

Thanks to Charlotte Glover.

BELL-RANSOM

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he front of the Bell-Ransom Family Reuion t-shirt has changed over the years. The back, drawn by family member Tyus Fee, shows the family tree and has remained the same. In the early years of the reunion, Few and his wife, the late Elaine Bell Few, designed and printed the t-shirts. We now order them from a local trophy shop. Family members order t-shirts with their registration and receive the shirts when they arrive at the reunion. The shirts are not a money maker. We give away a shirt as a door prize at the Saturday afternoon reunion dinner.

The registration fee and family donations cover reunion costs.

Thanks to Jacqueline Bell Pyatt.

Hundreds more t-shirt ideas on www.pinterest.com/reunionsmag/reunion-t-shirts/

A tree is known by the fruit it bears.

T-shirt maker, CustomInk, offered these reunion slogan ideas.

TRADITIONAL SLOGANS

LESS SERIOUS SAYINGS

Reuniting the past, and shaping the future.

We put the ‘fun’ in dysfunction.

From a common thread.

From our roots to our leaves, we are truly blessed.

Family is like peanut brittle – it takes a lot of sweetness to hold the nuts together.

The legacy never ends.

We are the people your mom warned us about.

Each of us is a link in our family chain, and when united, we stand strong.

Our chains may stretch a little, but they never break.

Blessed to be connected.

Survivor of the ________ reunion.

________ Family Reunion. We have a story to tell.

All roads leads home.

Relivin’ the glory days.

From the root to the fruit, ain’t we a hoot.

Crazy is a relative term in my family.

It’s a ________ thing. You just wouldn’t understand. ________ Family. Livin’ the dream.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 41

reunion t-shirts

Reunion name dilemma QUESTION Are they Jordans? Or not?

Leah Jordan Bisel, West Bloomfield, Michigan, wrote their problem is that “We’re not all descended from one family name.

We include my sister-in-law's sister's family. So, we can't say ‘Jordan Family.’ How can we handle this?”

ANSWER There are NO rules about reunion names, other than those you impose. Choose a name and use it. It sounds to me in your case that the majority are “related” to Jordans which might be a consideration to choose that as the name. If you include another family and your reunion name is already Jordan, then stick with Jordan. There is sort of an understanding that you will never be able to include everybody’s names, particularly if you have lots of girls who married: they’re still Jordans.

But this group has done several reunions and already has a collection of t-shirts.

The younger generation made Circular family design the t-shirts. The first year it just said “Family Reunion” on the front with a tree and the back listed seven surnames. The next reunion was at a niece's wedding. They had a picture of a cake on the front with the bride and groom’s names, and on the back, the seven names. Then, there was the t-shirt with an outline of Michigan with the name of the town where the reunion was held and the seven names on the back.

One year they had two t-shirts. A yellow one with the shape of Michigan on it and a blue puzzle theme t-shirt. The latter had a crossword puzzle with all their names and clues on the back.

Sounds like there’s already a precedent for seven names on the shirt and if everyone’s comfortable with that, then, that’s the way it should be!

Jon Rosenson, Noah Jordan, Sarah Jordan Rosenson and Chuck Bisel.

Quilt made from backs and fronts of t-shirts.

Chuck Bisel, Steve Jordan and Jon Roseson sport the front of the blue puzzle shirts. The crossword puzzle is on the back of the shirt.

42 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

Across 3 Our favorite “One of 40 Under 40 6 Legal Eagles (IL) 7 Store their overflow in Deerfield 8 Top Chef 10 Party girl 11 Most organized 12 Most retiring 13 Has hands of gold 14 Still newlyweds 15 Muffy Feldman Down 1 First-time reunion participant 2 Dog Whisperer 3 Legal Eagles (PA) 4 Primogenitors 5 Would like to be sailing 7 Genealogist 9 Attends most meetings 11 Would like to be golfing

reunion t-shirts

From eHow: these suggestions for making your own t-shirts

Y Ralph J Bunche Elementary School

Thanks to Francia Talton

ou’ll need: t-shirts, t-shirt transfer paper, iron, stencil and fabric paint.

Ask a reunion member artist to create a design. Or use clipart.

Test the design by printing a test page on plain paper. If you like the way the design looks, print it on t-shirt transfer paper following directions provided with the transfer paper. Sometimes a reverse image will need to be printed onto the transfer sheets, especially if the t-shirts are white or light grey.

Check transfer paper directions for the proper heat settings. Transfer the t-shirt design onto the shirt using an iron. Place the finished shirts flat and allow to cool.

Flint Northern High School

T-shirt roundup

M

any years ago, Reunions magazine had a forum online where this discussion occurred. Denise Murphy, Antioch, Tennessee, described how she ordered t-shirts. “I had a California company come up with three designs. I told him what I would like in the designs. He worked with my thoughts and came up with some great ideas. Then I sent diagrams to family members and had them vote. The t-shirts looked great, were well-made and priced low. The two designs that were not used on t-shirts were used for an address book cover and information packet that was passed out at the reunion.”

Curtis Butler Family Reunion

•A ccording to Mary Valmer, t-shirts at the Larling Family Reunion had the Bible verse “You will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:16” along with names of family members in attendance.

• Shirley Savage Harris, Hernando, Mississippi, wrote that her grandfather headed the Savage Family Reunion from the 1960s until he died in the 1990s. Harris has now planned 10 more reunions, most recently at Hugh White State Park in Grenada, Mississippi. Everyone brought a plain white t-shirt and as an activity, they spray painted them. It was a great time.

Thanks to Joan C. Waters.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 43

reunion t-shirts

Windham Family Reunion t-shirts • Thanks to Janice Maxine Jones

AGEE MILLER MAYO DUNGY Design by Sonja Branch-Wilson and Angela Booker Thanks to Sonja Branch-Wilson

44 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

reunion t-shirts

F

or their 40th reunion, special ALAFFFA Family Reunion t-shirts were designed by Soon Pak. The front featured the words, “Happy 40th ALAFFFA” using the original ALAFFFA logo as the “0” for the number “40.” High school photos of each of the seven siblings were displayed in mini-portraits across the back. Also special shirts were distributed to ALAFFFA members who celebrated milestone birthdays including one designed in remembrance of John “Pee-Wee” Figlar (who would have turned 80 that year). It was accepted by his granddaughter, Kayla Figlar.

Thanks to Liza Alzo

See lots more about t-shirts on www.reunionsmag.com/t-shirts/.

Add your reunion t-shirt pictures to our online. t-shirt gallery The gallery is there to inspire you, showcase reunion t-shirt designs and share them with other reunions. Would you like your t-shirt to inspire other reunions? Send high-resolution pictures to editor@reunionsmag.com.

t-shirt gallery 2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 45

military reunion news e

Hospitality Answerman

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t’s always our pleasure to assist the many military reunion groups meeting in Fairfax County, Virginia, each year in making arrangements for their memorial services.

Many groups elect to hold their memorial service at the hotel where the group is staying, usually in the hotel’s ballroom, or on a landscaped terrace out-of-doors, if the weather is pleasant. One of the more memorable such reunions was the one held here in February 2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. Approximately 350 people attended the weekend-long reunion at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in McLean, Virginia. Of those attending, approximately 75 were US Marines who had fought on Iwo Jima; other attendees were friends, spouses, children and grandchildren of those who had fought in the battle. The group’s memorial service was held in the hotel’s grand ballroom on Sunday morning; Gen. Michael W. Hagee, the Commandant of the Marine Corps at the time, was the featured speaker at the group’s banquet. The reunion received considerable press attention, given the significance of the battle.

Many Army groups choose to hold memorial services at General George Washington’s tomb, located on the grounds of his Mount Vernon estate in Fairfax County. General Washington and his wife Martha are entombed together in a crypt located The Pleiku MP Association’s in a tree-shaded glen, within walking wreath at the Vietnam Veterans distance of the General’s beloved Memorial.

Mount Vernon. The staff at Mount Vernon will schedule a time for your group to conduct a private memorial service, as well as provide a wreath for the ceremony. A copy of General Washington’s “Prayer for His Country” is provided, and is traditionally read aloud by the oldest surviving member of the group. (www.mountvernon.org) Army groups may choose to hold a memorial service at the new National Museum of the United States Army, on the grounds of Fort Belvoir. The stunning Veterans Hall and the outdoor Medal of Honor Garden both offer private, quiet, reflective spaces ideal for a memorial service. Both spaces can be reserved in advance for private events. (www.thenmusa.org) Navy reunion groups frequently hold memorial services at the United States Navy Memorial, located on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington, DC. The outdoor plaza of the memorial features a striking map of the globe, watched over by a statue of The Lone Sailor, representing all those who have ever served the United States upon the oceans of the world. The memorial is ringed by fountains commemorating the major Naval battles in American history, with quotations from well-known sailors etched into the marble walls.

The Naval Heritage Center, adjacent to the memorial, features a small museum with an auditorium, reception area, exhibits, gift shop, and Naval research library. Allow time to tour the Heritage Center following your memorial service. Navy Memorial staff will assist groups in arranging for a memorial wreath, a chaplain to conduct the ceremony, if desired, and seating for group members. (www.navymemorial.org)

The United States Air Force Memorial, located in Arlington, Virginia, towers above a high bluff overlooking Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, and the Washington, DC, skyline.

Memorial services are held on the memorial’s broad plaza, honoring those who have served in the Air Force or its predecessor organizations. The three soaring spires of the memorial tower above the plaza in a “bomb burst” formation. Air Force Memorial staff members are delighted to assist with scheduling, obtaining a wreath, seating, and providing a chaplain and/or a bugler, as the group desires. (www.airforcememorial.org)

The Pleiku MP Association, a Vietnam era Army reunion group laid a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Both photos by Ms. Kathi Petrowski

Groups representing all Armed Forces branches can hold wreath-laying services at the Tomb of the Unknowns, located in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. As the nation’s most revered military shrine, services here are particularly moving. (www.arlingtoncemetery.mil) Visit Fairfax (Fairfax County Convention and Visitors Corporation) is always eager to assist military reunion planners by providing site tours of venues noted above, as well as arranging introductions to each venue’s professional staff. They can also assist in arranging group transportation between the group’s hotel, the site of their memorial service, and other area attractions.

About the Hospitality Answerman

Dean Miller, national sales director for Visit Fairfax, the convention and visitors bureau in Fairfax County, Virginia (www.fxva.com), 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.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 47

e military reunion news

USS Ranger Reunion

S

peaking on behalf of the Rangerettes, ladies for the USS Ranger members, I would say the reunion in Norfolk, Virginia, was a big success. The Sheraton Waterside was a beautiful hotel and the setting on the Elizabeth River couldn’t have been better. The weather was sunny and in the mid 70s the whole week we were there the end of September. Reunion planner Brian Forrester had arranged some great tours on the Victory Rover, a Naval base cruise, along with Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and a wonderful

Rangerettes Joanna Teran, Susan Forrester and Belinda Heinen

dinner cruise on the Spirit of Norfolk. I think the highlight was that everyone was looking to finally get together after 18 months of Covid-19 and the variant. I have never seen as many enjoy the Hospitality room this year as I have at past reunions and the banquet and entertainment Brian arranged, were just the icing on the cake.

Reported by Mary Schmuhl, who, with her husband the USS Rangers Association President, live and travel in a motor home.

Rangers on the Victory Rover tour along Virginia Beach

USS Rangers in Norfolk, Virginia 48 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

military reunion news e

D-Day: Freedom from Above

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he US Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum (ASOM), at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina, is hosting an interactive augmented reality experience titled “D-Day: Freedom from Above” through March 14, 2022.

This new French American project commemorates D-Day. It was created in partnership with Parisian company Histovery and the Airborne Museum in St.-Mere-Eglise, Normandy. The experience allows visitors to witness the invasion of Normandy through the eyes of the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions paratroopers.

“HistoPad,” a tablet with augmented reality technology provides an immersive experience allowing visitors to manipulate a series of 3D virtual relics, view unpublished photos and extracts of exceptional archival

films, interact with animated maps, and learn the incredible destinies of some of our nation’s heroes. The exhibit shows the bravery, courage, and planning it took for US Soldiers and our Allies to liberate

villages and towns from Nazi oppression across France and throughout Europe.

Admission to the ASOM is free. There is a $5 rental fee for the HistoPad. Visit www.bit.ly/DDayexhibit

True War Stories: Mission Report

T

rue War Stories: Mission Report podcast series is an anthology of historically true, gripping war stories told by the veterans who lived them.

They captivate listeners and fascinate history and war buffs, patriots, the politically interested, and people who just love a good tale. Each episode, a different true story spanning WWII to Vietnam, is told either by the veteran who lived it or those directly connected to the stories.

The collection of stories is curated for their realism, as well as the uplifting acts of heroism, love and compassion that war often elicits.

“These are important stories, taken from the wars we’ve fought, stories that the world doesn’t usually get to hear about, stories that need and deserve a platform.” according to Nat Mundel, Voyage Media Founder and CEO. Camouflage Sisters: Veteran Lila Holley The series is available on all shares her powerful bond with the military major podcast platforms and sisterhood and some of the female www.voyagemedia.fm. veterans’ stories she's collected.

More Than a Soldier: captured by the Nazis, a young soldier escapes through the floor of a moving train and hides out with an Italian family, falling in love with their daughter, before trying to make his way home.

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 49

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e military reunion news Welcome to Reunion Resources!

We encourage you to tell the listings you contact that you learned about them from Reunions magazine. And if at any time you find any info that is inaccurate or e-mail or web links do not work, notify us immediately at editor@reunionsmag.com; PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. And by all means, feel free to comment and/or suggest changes and additions you’d like to see in this section.

Reunions magazine will not be held liable for information presented as facts in these ads.

FLORIDA

FLORIDA PARADISE VILLAS Kissimmee and Orlando, FL 866-939-7376 reservations@floridaparadisevillas.com www.floridaparadisevillas.com Attention groups!! Sleep 8-30 per vacation rental in the Orlando area! We offer condos, townhomes or pool homes in resort settings with water parks and more! Homes include full kitchen, additional bathrooms, 3-14+ bedrooms, game rooms, movie theaters and much more. Similar to the cost of one room, from $900/5 nights.

REUNION RESOURCES GREATER MIAMI CVB 701 Brickell Ave, Suite 2700, Miami FL 33131 305.539.3000 | 800.933.8448 www.MiamiAndBeaches.com www.MultiCulturalTourism@gmcvb.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.

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

ILLINOIS

CHICAGO SOUTHLAND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Reunions of all kinds, including family and military, can find superior facilities located conveniently 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.ReuniteInTheChicagoSouthland.com or call 888-895-3211.

LAKE COUNTY CVB Plan an unforgettable reunion in Lake County, Illinois – We’ll work together to help you plan a family experience that lets you explore all of the excitement of Lake County. From entertaining attractions like Six Flags to our convenient, centralized location close to

Chicago, there are so many reasons to choose Lake County for family-friendly fun. For free Reunion Planning Assistance call or email us with your reunion planning questions.

5465 West Grand Avenue Suite 100 Gurnee, IL 60031| 847-662-2700 kimberly@lakecounty.org www.visitlakecounty.org SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 8.

MISSOURI 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, worldclass 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: Lenni Neimeyer, CTIS, CSTP | 417-243-2105 Email:lneimeyer@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.

OHIO

AMONG THE TREES Lodge & Tree Houses, Hocking Hills OH 740-415-3122 www.amongthetreeslodging.com info@beyondthetreeslodging.com Blissful Ridge Lodge is a spectacular lodge that comfortably sleeps up to 32 people, making it perfect for family reunions, group vacations, corporate events, and weddings. With floor-toceiling windows in the great room, 9 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and a gorgeous backyard with a

2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 51

e military reunion news swimming pool, the lodge is delightfully secluded yet accessible to area attractions. Enjoy the breathtaking views while relaxing in all the comforts and amenities of home.

SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 12.

CABINS BY THE CAVES Rocky Fork Road, Logan OH 43138 www.Cabinsbythecaves.com info@cabinsbythecaves.com Family fun awaits at the Olde Homestead property. 73-acres that’s perfect for dining and outdoor activities. Only minutes to the Hocking Hills Parks. Relax in the evenings with 60 plus cabins to choose. Private hot tubs, fireplaces, full kitchens, and more! Free event planner included.

Shuttle and catering services available for additional fees.

SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 12.

CEDAR GROVE LODGING 19555 OH-664 Scenic, Logan OH 43138 740-380-2209 www.cedargrovelodging.com info@cedargrovelodging.com Award-winning luxury accommodations for up to 85 guests in six cabins and two lodges nestled close enough for convenience and far enough for privacy. Private trails, hot tubs, gourmet kitchens, fire pits and a stunning event center for banquets of 200+ guests. Everything you need for an unforgettable reunion, all located minutes away from the world-renowned Hocking Hills State Park SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 12.

GLENLAUREL, A SCOTTISH INN & COTTAGES 14940 Mt Olive Rd, Rockbridge OH 43149 740-385-4070 www.Glenlaurel.com Info@glenlaurel.com World-Class Cuisine • Scottish Links Golf • Private Gorge with Hiking Trails • Adult-Only Resort Enjoy an indulgent experience at Glenlaurel, A Scottish Inn & Cottages. Unplug from technology and come together for a fun and relaxing get together.

Whether you choose to gather with a small group of family members or college pals, your memories are sure to last a lifetime.

SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 12.

52 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com

REUNION RESOURCES LIBERTY LOG LODGING 16568 Collison Road, Logan OH 43138 419-957-4714 www.libertyloglodge.com hockinghillslogcabin@gmail.com Fully loaded, luxury lodges designed for all ages to enjoy in the heart of Hocking Hills SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 12.

EXPLORE HOCKING HILLS 13178 State Route 664 S, Logan, OH 43138 The Hocking Hills are Ohio’s natural crown jewels and the perfect location for reunions. The region is a mecca for nature based recreation. World class hiking, eco-adventure tours and more than 50 ziplines. Luxury lodges provide private resort amenities for groups of two to two hundred.

Located just 50 miles southeast of Columbus.

Have your reunion in Hocking Hills, Ohio. Located just 50 miles southeast of Columbus. Contact Karen Raymore, kraymore@explorehockinghills.com 740-385-2750 | fax 740-385-1146 www.ExploreHockingHills.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 12.

EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS Columbus is full of unforgettable experiences, distinct neighborhoods and one-of-a-kind tours. As a leader in experiential tourism, Columbus knows that getting groups in the middle of the action and behind the scenes is important. We put your well being first with the Live Forward Safety Pledge.

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. Our dynamic city has all the splendor of natural parks and a bustling downtown full of activities for your family to enjoy. With over 14,000 square feet of meeting space, the Hilton Greenville can accommodate over 300 people for your reunion event. Enjoy our complimentary hospitality room, the Overlook Lounge, customized Reunion menus, free parking and wi-fi.

Call the Sales Office for booking details and ask for the- HGSC Reunion Offer!

SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 39.

TEXAS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY, FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS is an ideal destination for reunions. Just over an hour from either Austin or San Antonio International Airports, or a quick drive from any of the major metro areas in Texas, Fredericksburg has everything your group needs to host a memorable reunion. Local attractions include the National Museum of the Pacific War, Lyndon B. Johnson State and National Parks, the Pioneer Museum, Wildseed Farms, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Luckenbach Texas, more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms, award-winning restaurants, boutique shopping and more. Numerous unique accommodation options, including boutique hotels, motels and luxury guesthouses, are group friendly 302 E. Austin Street, Fredericksburg , TX 78624 830-997-6523 www.VisitFredericksburgTX.com 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 15.

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

e military reunion news 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 SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 46.

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

REUNION RESOURCES museum in North America: LeMay—America’s Car Museum. In the evenings, check out the self-guided craft beer crawl or stroll along Tacoma’s waterfront, enjoying regional cuisine.

253-830-6606 | sales@traveltacoma.com www.traveltacoma.com

WYOMING

DUDE RANCHERS' ASSOCIATION 1122 12th Street, Cody WY 82414 Helping people find quality Dude and Guest Ranch vacations since 1926. Let us help you find the perfect all-inclusive location for your next reunion!

Call 307-587-2339 | info@duderanch.org www.duderanch.org

COOKBOOKS

www.reunionsmag.com/free-stuff/

PRESERVE RECIPES AND FAMILY HERITAGE WITH A CUSTOM COOKBOOK. Create a unique keepsake that can be handed down for generations. A family keepsake cookbook can also be used to raise money for a fundraiser or family reunion.

Morris Press Cookbooks, the nation’s oldest and most trusted Cookbook Publisher!

Visit www.morriscookbooks.com for information and FREE samples.

800-445-6621.

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2017 Reunion Celebrations!

nion

Celeb

y Reunion

Arce Famil

ra t i o n s !

Reunion on Family

Newt

Evans Family

Reunion Marine Helico

pter Squad

Hunter-Arnol

d Family

ron HMM

165

Reunion USS Eugen

e A. Greene

DD/DDR-711

The Wall

ersary of

Morse High

School Class

of 1966

35th Anniv

2 VOL 27 NO $3/USA Thayer Family

y Reunion

Sowell Famil

Reunion Chandler

Family Thanks

giving Reunio

n

Vol 28 no 2 $3/USA

LINK TO WWW.ISSUU.COM/REUNIONSMAG 2021 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 53