Moose Family Reunion 2025
Burton Family Reunion 2025
Foster Family Reunion 2025
Groshek Chicks 2025
The Highground’s Vietnam Veterans Reunion 2025
in this special issue
DEPARTMENTS
FRONT WORDS – 4
ALUM & I – 5
Confessions of a Reunion Organizer by Rob Hirschheimer
Phrases to know when selecting your reunion event venue by Cyndi Clamp
BRANCH OFFICE – 7
Holidays are gathering time
Family trees at your reunion
Love forms: a novel by Claire Adam
Abandoned at Birth – Searching for the Arms That Once Held Me by Janet Sherlund
SCRAPBOOK – 9
Reunion School
Hospitality Answerman by Dean Miller
More ways to celebrate your reunion
Reunion winter planning timeline
Paying for your reunion = REUNION B*U*D*G*E*T
MASTERPLAN – 16
Bell-Ransom Family holds 47th annual reunion by Jacqueline Bell Pyatt
More than t-shirts and barbecue: Why family reunions keep our stories alive by Clifton Kirkman II
Gilliam-Grant Family Reunion by Patricia Johnson
Groshek Chicks Reunion by June Groshek Czarnezki
90 years of family tradition by John Christopher Fine
Making memories together by Tamara Bell
Taking it back to the country: Foster Roundup 2025 –Boots, Hats & Family Ties by Anika Foster
Rodgers, Rogers, and Bobo Family Reunion History by Tamerlin Barner
From setback to blessing — How faith led our 10th family reunion to an unexpected gift by Bettie Gillyard Griggs
Miller Family Reunion by Maureen Taylor
MILITARY REUNION NEWS – 42
USS Ranger Reunion by Brian Forrester
The Highground’s Vietnam Veterans Reunion hosts over 250 Veterans
VetsForever
REUNION RESOURCES – 46
A directory of reunion-friendly places, services, vendors and products.
ON THE COVER
USS Ranger Vietnam Veterans, Groshek Chicks, Moose Family Reunion, Burton Family Reunion and Foster Family Reunion.
Reunion Celebrations v Winter 2025 Volume 34 v Number 4
PUBLISHER
Rick Voight
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Edith Wagner
editor@reunionsmag.com
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Mary Catherine Stern
ART DIRECTOR
Jennifer Rueth
SALES
Roberta McLoud, Account Manager
roberta@reunionsmag.com
WEB WIZARDS
Howard Ehrenberg • Chris Thompson
HOSPITALITY ANSWERMAN
Dean Miller
CONTRIBUTORS
Tamerlin Barner • Tamara Bell
Lauren Briggs • Cyndi Clamp
June Groshek Czarnezk
John Christopher Fine
Brian Forrester • Anika Foster
Bettie Gillyard Griggs
Rob Hirscheimer • Patricia Johnson
Clifton Kirkman II • Jacqueline Bell Pyatt
Maureen Taylor
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, 3657 Oak Tree Lane, Eau Claire WI 54701
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.
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It’s hard to believe another year is winding down. Planning for 2026 and later reunions is well underway. We hope you will find information, encouragement and ideas in this issue to help with your reunion planning.
In this issue
As always, we feature reports that provide a range of reunion ideas for you to enjoy. In his Confessions of a Reunion Organizer, Rob Hirshheimer concludes that “In the end, a ‘like’ (on facebook) can’t replace a hug.” Dean Miller’s Hospitality Answerman outlines factors that affect what you’ll pay for hotel services and why.
Be in touch!
Mail to Reunions magazine
3657 Oak Tree Lane Eau Claire WI 54701 call 414-263-4567 visit www.reunionsmag.com e-mail editor@reunionsmag.com
As planning reminders, we provide a timely winter planning timeline and reunion budget suggestions. Then, many family reunions summarize the outcome of loving planning and joyous meetings all over the country. Reunions range from large multi generations to a small group of female relatives who meet regularly to celebrate milestone birthdays on a family farm, from “young” reunions to one over 90 years old. The range of plans and activities demonstrates the creativity of planners who go out of their way to celebrate their present and past.
Military reunions
When Reunions magazine was born almost 36 years ago, World War II reunions were burgeoning at an amazing rate. Those veterans drove reunion business that certainly helped us flourish and grow. However now, sadly, most of those veterans are no longer with us and military reunions have slowed to a trickle as subsequent wars have not produced the same level of ongoing camaraderie. We urge anyone planning or attending military reunions to consider sharing your stories and pictures and/or videos. Send to editor@reunionsmag.com
A reminiscence
Clifton Kirkman II writes As time goes by and the more I grow in age, I become more aware of the importance of family reunions. At the Burney-Burnett Family Reunion, this
year, (see page 20) I realized that in 15-20 years from now, family members that are my parents’ age, may or may not be here any longer. Then I began to recall when I was younger, learning about my cousins of all ages and how we were all connected. Family reunions are not just important but in my opinion they are essential.
Share the taste of your reunion
We are always eager to learn about your reunions.
Share your reports with pictures and/or videos anytime to editor@reunionsmag.com. For our spring issue we’d like to feature reunion food. What are your traditions? What do your members love to provide and, most of all, what do your members look forward to? Please share your tasty reunion memories and plans; pictures, videos, recipes and reactions.
Send to editor@reunionsmag.com
New reunion planning idea
GroupRentals.com connects large groups with property owners for unforgettable experiences. Small families already have AirBnBs, however, there wasn’t the same service for large groups. For his own family, Shalom Pinson, founder of GroupRentals.com, spent countless hours figuring out where to go, how many properties were needed, occupancy across said properties etc. Now they are adding more properties all the time. They created a platform that makes group bookings easy. I had to prove that our trips could be adventurous, authentic, and still leave room for individuality, Pinson says. Let guests plan a trip in Utah or Montana, not just Orlando!
Celebrate your reunion!
Share your reunion planning and event in a report to appear in Reunions magazine!
Make sure your facts are accurate and names are spelled correctly. Gather pictures and/or videos that illustrate your points. Send your report, pictures and/or videos to editor@reunionsmag.com
More ways to celebrate your reunion
Announce your upcoming reunion. After your reunion, add your picture to our web photo gallery.
Our very best seasonal greetings and wishes for a happy and prosperous new year. EW
Foster Family Reunion puppy, Javier Escobar Suarez, ready for the hoedown.
Confessions of a Reunion Organizer
Rob Hirscheimer is the co-founder of MyEvent.com. He has been helping people plan reunions since 2002 on his easy-to-use platform.
He recently helped plan his 40th high school reunion and shared some great insights into what worked and what didn’t along with other thoughts about why reunions still make sense in this age of technology.
“The reunion was so great for catching up with everyone. We really didn’t need to try so hard with activities, like Karaoke. People just wanted to talk to each other. One thing we screwed up was the timing. We called it for 8PM and told people there would be lots to nibble on. Most people arrived later than 8 having eaten already, so most of the food was wasted. We should have made it earlier and let everyone know to come for dinner or had a lot less food, if it was really just drinks and snacks! The venue we chose was very original and people liked that. It was in a music studio that was underground. The cool atmosphere really helped the vibe. The background music was great but it was important to keep the music low so we could hear each other. It felt like the right amount of time had passed since our last reunion 15 years ago and people were very excited to reconnect and share memories. Check out our reunion website myevent.com/bialik85.”
About MyEvent.com
MyEvent.com is an easy-to-use platform that helps manage everything you will need for your reunion including collecting and sharing information, accepting payments and building a buzz so that your reunion is well attended.
2. Shared history builds instant belonging
High school is one of the few experiences most people share at the same age and in the same place. It’s a formative chapter that shaped who we are. When you reunite with classmates, you reconnect with a community that remembers you before career titles, before family responsibilities, before adulthood. That familiarity creates a rare kind of belonging — a chance to revisit where your story began and reflect on how far you’ve come.
3. Digital “connection” isn’t emotional connection
Technology lets us communicate, but it doesn’t always let us connect. Scrolling through updates doesn’t replace laughing about an old inside joke or revisiting the place where your friendships were born. Reunions reignite the emotional connections that shaped your younger self. They remind you that friendship is built not just on messages, but on shared memories and genuine presence.
Sometimes people wonder why high school reunions still matter in the digital age. In an era where we can scroll through old classmates’ lives with a few taps on Instagram or reconnect through LinkedIn in seconds, the idea of a high school reunion might feel outdated. After all, if the internet already keeps us in touch, why dress up, book a flight, and walk into a gym full of people you haven’t seen in years? Because what we get from in-person connection cannot be replicated online.
1. Real presence beats digital perfection
Social media gives us a highlight reel. Reunions give us reality. In person, you’re not seeing filtered photos — you’re sharing laughs, body language, and genuine warmth. Old friends look you in the eye, not through a screen. Conversations flow naturally, stories wander and you remember not just who people were, but learn who they’ve become. Face-to-face moments remind us that everyone has lived a full life — messy, beautiful, unexpected — and that’s something no online profile can capture.
4. Reunions rekindle perspective
Life moves fast. A reunion is a rare pause — a moment to measure growth, not by comparison, but by reflection. You see how everyone’s path unfolded differently and it becomes easier to appreciate your own. The quarterback may be a teacher now; the quiet classmate might be running a company. Seeing those transformations up close inspires gratitude, humility, and often a renewed sense of purpose.
5. They strengthen real-world communities
Finally, in-person gatherings remind us that community isn’t just digital — it’s physical. Reunions spark local pride, support school initiatives, and sometimes even rekindle long-lost friendships or collaborations. They rebuild social fabric that our increasingly virtual world can easily fray.
The Bottom Line
Yes, we live online — but we live for connection. High school reunions are one of the few traditions that pull us away from screens and back into real, human moments. They remind us that while technology can keep us updated, only time together can make us feel truly connected.
In the end, a “like” can’t replace a hug.
Shared by Rob Hirscheimer, Montreal, Ontario, Canada.
Phrases to know when selecting your reunion event venue
Since many reunion committee members are first time reunion planners, we offer these definitions and helpful hints for common terms you’ll see as you begin deciding which venue will host your reunion event.
Tax & Gratuity (also known as plus/plus ++)
Tax & Gratuity can increase your food and beverage per person cost by 30%. But it is rarely mentioned when your venue sales person talks about the $26.99 dinner buffet.
$26.99 + 22% gratuity + 7.5% tax = $37.40 (the new per person cost)
Hint: Bring a calculator when you meet with the venue sales person so you can see the actual costs upfront.
Minimum
Minimum can be a dollar amount or an expected number of people. Often required — and included in your contract — by a venue. It is up to you to ask about the minimum, so make sure it is one of your first questions. If you are the one signing the contract, be sure you are willing and able to cover the cost, if the minimum is not met.
are passed to the Event Manager to coordinate the details. Although this is your point of contact throughout the reunion planning, you may or may not see this person the night of the reunion.
Hint: Send ahead, in writing, a list of everything you are expecting the venue to provide the night of your reunion, and request a written confirmation.
Banquet Manager/Captain
The go-to person at the venue the night of your reunion. This person is in place to help ensure your evening goes as planned and to help with any night-of needs (extra tables, turning down the A/C, etc.)
Arrive early enough to meet your banquet manager and introduce yourself. If your banquet manager provides exceptional service or helps you out of a bind by setting up 5 extra tables to accommodate your memorabilia displays, a $20+ tip is appreciated.
Ask your venue sales person to create a proposal so you can see exactly what is due after the event. Then, factor the number in when determining ticket price.
Venue sales person/ event manager
Venue sales person/event manager is your contact who will work with you to sign a contract, answer questions, and coordinate requests. This person may change after you sign the contract when you
Open/Host Bar or Cash/No-Host Bar
An open bar means all drinks are included in one set price, which you include in your ticket price. Be sure to add tax and gratuity. With a cash bar, no drinks, not even soft drinks or water, are included and must be paid on consumption by the classmates attending.
How to decide between cash bar and open bar? Check out cash bar prices. If one mixed drink per hour is greater than the per hour open bar cost, go with the open bar.
Wise counsel from Cyndi Clamp Varsity Reunion Services, varsityreunions.com and reunionticket.com/
Holidays are gathering time
Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Three Kings Day, Chinese New Year or any or all of the above, including family history can enhance the celebration. What better time to encourage storytelling to share family history with several assembled generations. Time to break out collections of pictures and videos or movies that illustrate your stories. Time to answer queries from younger members whose curiosity is whetted by revelations of stories from parents and grandparents.
You or the family genealogist should take this opportunity to talk about holiday traditions celebrated by your family. Where traditions started, how they’ve been celebrated throughout the years and the hope that they will be maintained as younger generations start their own families. Take advantage of storytelling to inspire the youngest family members to be curious about their family history and background. And to build on stories they will hear and be inspired by.
Plan ahead to share family heirlooms to describe and talk about. Try to collect some that can be gifted to family mem-
bers as treasures for their collections. Use the individual heirlooms as the source of history telling. Holiday decorations are particularly timely to talk about. But so many other heirlooms can be featured to inspire kids to be curious about family history. Get your family involved in family history by giving them ownership and helping them see the interesting historical assets in your family.
Cook family history together. Share stories about the history of ancestors’
Family trees at your reunion
Family trees can be a significant source of conversation at your reunion. FreePrintable.net has you covered with many family tree layouts to choose from as you record your genealogical findings. They have two through 12 generation family trees, family health history trees, ancestry forms and trees for kids among other designs. Layouts include poster-size charts, fan and bowtie charts.
recipes for special holiday meals especially sweets, cookies and cakes that are looked forward to and anticipated all year. It’s a great time to share the history behind food traditions. Why your family looks forward to seasonal food items that differ from other families. Describe who brought foods, recipes and traditions to this country.
Our very best wishes to you and your families for these holidays and a wonderful 2026. EW
There are new illustrated family tree designs. The newest ancestry forms include an inheritance tracker for items promised or received. More family memory prompts have been added, with topics to ask your relatives about such as: sports, fashion, goals, heroes, and neighborhoods. v
Opening of Olde Time Christmas celebration at Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri.
Love forms: a novel by Claire Adam (2025, Hogarth, Random House, hardcover, 274 pages, $28)
This is not a usual adoption reunion search story nor is it set in the United States. Dawn is a Trinidadian who delivers her baby in Venezuela and goes to medical school in England where most of the story is set. For much of her life, something had been missing. She is 58, a divorced mother of two grown sons busy with their own lives, and trying to settle into her new future. But she keeps returning to the past and to the secret she’s kept all these years. At just sixteen, she was sent away to have the baby and give her up for adoption. More than forty years later, Dawn yearns to reconnect with her lost daughter. But tracking down her child is not as easy as she had thought. It’s an emotional journey that leads Dawn to retrace her steps back home and to question not only that fateful decision she’d made as a teenager but every turn in the road of her life since. Love Forms is a moving story of a woman in search of herself. It’s a novel that rings with heartfelt empathy through the passages of a mother’s life, depicting the enduring bonds of love, family, and home. EW
Abandoned at Birth –Searching for the Arms That Once Held Me by Janet Sherlund (2024, Forefront Books, 245 pages, hardcover, $26)
Author/adoptee Janet Sherlund records her lived reality of adoption in this personal memoir.
Sherlund paints a portrait of detachment and longing as an adopted child and the lifelong quest to find her birth mother.
Like many adoptees of her generation, Sherlund was the offspring of teenage parents. Her mother was forced to have her baby in secrecy. She did not tell the father she was pregnant, and she wanted nothing to do with her baby and never even looked at her newborn.
Sadly, Sherlund’s adoptive mother was described as somewhat detached from the experience of mothering, while her birth mother never genuinely acknowledged Sherlund as one of her children even after they met. Yet there were three more adopted children in her adopted family and her birthmother went on to have five more children.
It’s not hard to understand why Sherlund had negative feelings but she attached them to all adoptees which I feel is unfair. In her quest to reunite with her birth family, she had a loving relationship with her birth father and both paternal and maternal siblings. She was also close to her adopted father.
Sherlund was searching at a time when agencies were not able to share the information necessary to make the search easy. However, later when rules changed the agency was very helpful making Sherlund’s final steps easier. Plus, many agencies have requests from birthparents to reunite with children they gave up making reunion very easy.
For adoptees or persons interested in adoption, this is a book worth reading but I caution that it should be balanced with other books by adult adoptees recording their experiences.
Editor’s note: The descriptions of adoptee feelings and reactions are those of the author, though she often attributes them to the feelings of all adoptees. I am an adoptee and had no feelings of abandonment nor grief about my beginnings. Nor did I spend any time trying to find my birth family because I was comfortably part of an amazing adoptive family! A DNA match did locate my late birthmother. I also worked for years as an adoption social worker and felt most of those families were like mine.
Reunion School Is In Session
Reunion planning workshops and familiarization (FAM) tours are exciting opportunities for planners to learn about organizing reunions. Workshops and tours are ideal for beginners and experienced reunion planners looking for fresh, new ideas. Some workshops are held as conference calls and zoom meetings so you don’t have to leave home to participate. Most workshops are free but require pre-registration. FAM tours listed here are limited to military reunion planners.
Scheduled events are listed here in chronological order for those who have set dates. We add new workshops to the website as soon as we learn about them and announce them in our two monthly newsletters. The list online is followed by a list of organizations who have provided workshops in the past, but have not set new dates. Contact them to ask about plans for their next workshop.
Basic listings are provided free to workshop hosts. Between issues, see current list online
March 28, 2026 • 12-2 PM EST n NATIONAL FAMILY REUNION INSTITUTE FREE VIRTUAL FAMILY REUNION WORKSHOP FOR REUNION PLANNERS
To register: admin@familyreunioninstitute.net https://familyreunioninstitute.net
June 19-June 22, 2026 • 10 AM • Toledo, Ohio n THE MILITARY REUNION NETWORK
Join us for an action-packed two-and-a-half-day event tailored exclusively for military reunion planners. Connect directly with industry experts from across the country as they share the latest insights and best practices to support successful reunion planning. Register Online or download the event registration form here. https://militaryreunionnetwork.com/upcomingevents/#!event-list
Before your reunion! Add your upcoming reunion announcement.
After your reunion, continue the celebration!
Add your reunion picture. Make sure your reunion is memorialized for posterity. Send a report and pictures and/or video to editor@reunionsmag.com
Suzanne Vargus Holloman, director of National Family Reunion Institute, and Dr. Ione Vargus, founder of the National Family Reunion Institute.
HOSPITALITY ANSWERMAN
Q:We’ve been looking for a location for our family reunion next fall, and have found several hotels that we like in New England where we’d like to go, but the rates seem awfully high, and the hotels want to charge us “extra” for just about everything. When I mentioned to one hotel salesperson that we thought they should give us the rooms for our hospitality suite and our banquet free of charge, he said that these weren’t “realistic expectations.” Was he right?
A:It really depends. As we’ve discussed before, the pricing and amenities (including items and services provided for “free”) that a hotel or other vendor is likely to offer you will depend on several factors. Six of the most important ones are:
■ The season of the year you’re looking to meet.
■ The days of the week you’re looking to meet
■ Whether or not there is a special event taking place in the area at the same time
■ The size of your group
■ The “history” of your group (where you’ve met in the past, and the number of folks who attended) that you can document for the hotel
■ How flexible you’re able to be Let’s take a look at each one of these …
■ The season you’re looking to meet. Summer is a busy time in some areas (any beach town, any warm-weather resort, and any place with a theme park, an amusement park, or roller coasters). Fall is a busy time in New England, which is why the hotel salesperson you were talking with indicated that your request was unreasonable … for his hotel! In a “high demand” season, the hotel can sell the rooms and meeting space your group is interested in to another group at the same — or higher — rates. Thus, the hotel really isn’t inclined to reduce their rates or offer “freebies.”
The destination’s convention and visitors bureau (CVB) can tell you when their high, low and shoulder seasons are. In fact, the CVB should always be your first call when you begin planning your reunion.
■ Likewise, the days you’re looking to meet matter greatly. In some destinations, weekday nights (Monday through Thursday) are busy — and expensive! — and the weekend nights (Friday through Sunday) are deeply discounted. In other cities, the reverse is true. Again, the destination’s CVB is the place to ask about this.
Sometimes, simply by having everyone arrive on Thursday rather than Wednesday, a group can save $50.00, $80.00, $100.00 or more per night on their hotel rooms!
■ And of course, you’ll probably want to avoid meeting over the dates of any “special events.” Don’t expect any discounts or bargains if you’re looking to go to Louisville when the Kentucky Derby is being run, Daytona Beach during Spring Break, or Albuquerque during the week of the hot air balloon festival.
■ The size of your group. Bigger groups have more purchasing and negotiating power than smaller ones. This is a simple fact of life. But a smaller group can increase their leverage by talking with a smaller hotel. If your group needs twenty rooms for three nights, you’re much better off going to a hotel that has 85 rooms than a hotel that has 500 rooms. Why? Because you’re supplying them with a much bigger block of rooms, relative to the size of their property.
■ If you’ve met before, having your group’s “history” available — in writing — from hotel(s) you’ve used in the past is extremely valuable. What hotels value more than anything else is predictability. They need to know that your family is going to show up and use all the rooms you’ve indicated you will. If you can demonstrate that you’ve done
this in the past — and more than once! — then they’re much more willing to negotiate rates and throw in free stuff, because they know they can count on the guest room revenue you’ve promised them.
■ And finally, ask for — and negotiate — for the things that are truly important to your group. I see many groups make the mistake of asking hotels for anything and everything under the sun — for free! They’ll ask for free upgrades to suites, free breakfast for everyone, free parking, free shuttles to and from the airport, free welcome receptions, free meeting space, free audio-visual equipment, free fruit baskets delivered to their VIPs, and on and on and on … all for groups occupying fifty rooms or fewer! Their motto seems to be “If we don’t ask, we won’t get!”
Quite frankly, many of these requests are unreasonable in many instances. Hotels are “for profit” ventures, and if providing your group with a laundry list of concessions and freebies reduces the value of your business to the point that your group becomes unprofitable for the hotel, they’ll smile, thank you for your time, and walk away.
On the reverse side of the equation, some hotels may offer you concessions or extras that aren’t that important to you. For example, a certain number of complimentary rooms, or health club passes, or meeting planner “points.” If these things don’t truly matter to you offer to exchange them for some of the things that are important to your reunion — a suite for your patriarch/matriarch, free use of your meeting space, or a slightly lower room rate, as examples.
In short, going into your negotiations with reasonable expectations (knowing continued on page 11
More ways to celebrate you reunion
Before
Announce your reunion. Let your members know the date and details of your next reunion. Then, link it to your promotions.
AfterAfter your reunion, add your picture to our web photo gallery.
continued from page 10 how busy the hotel is likely to be, having your group’s history, knowing what’s important to your family members and what isn’t) will almost always result in a more successful negotiation and a better reunion. v
About the Hospitality Answerman
Dean Miller, national sales director for Visit Fairfax (www.fxva.com), the convention and visitors bureau in Fairfax County, Virginia, is a great friend of reunions. Contact him (dmiller@fxva.com; 703-790-0643) when you are planning a reunion in the Washington, DC, area. Fairfax County is nearby, affordable, and conveniently located to all the area has to offer.
Reunion winter planning timeline
3.3 Committee notes/progress
If your reunion is planned for the summer of 2026, these are early steps you should be considering leading up to your event.
Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) to determine what help they can give you, such as contacting hotels, attractions, parks for picnics, transportation and so forth. Many CVBs have a designated small meetings specialist available to work with you. That person can even arrange site visits for you. The CVB can be your best planning friend, just give them a chance. Some CVBs are listed at reunionsmag.com/reuniondestinations/
Reunion planning should never be done alone. Reunion planning should be done by a committee with everyone having designated responsibilities and a reporting system to make sure everyone is meeting their goals. An important responsiblity for the committee chair is to check regularly with members to make sure they are working on their assignments and meeting their goals. An example we learned about several years ago proved disastous to one reunion. The person charged with making hotel arrangements had done nothing, leaving the reunion without places to stay. That effectively ended the reunion plan for that year.
At least nine months to a year before your reunion, you should visit the hotel and meet with staff who are helping you now and, more importantly, will help during your reunion. Reserve your block of rooms based upon your best
estimate of attendance numbers. Then, check in with the CVB and hotel personnel from time to time especially when you need answers.
“In olden days” committee members had to all live in the same area to have in-person meetings. That is no longer necessary. Use ZOOM for face-to-face meetings and discussions. Committee members can make reports, have discussions, develop plans, and agree to future meetings.
Make a plan for regular communication with all your members to build excitement. Remember, attendance will depend upon building excitement for months ahead.
Maintain and use an email list of members for regular contact. Use your website and Facebook pages to communicate reunion details. Identify members who do not have email to be sure to mail or call them regularly. Make announcements and, if you are using the USPS to share information, mail updates regularly.
Add your reunion to Reunions magazine’s list of upcoming reunions. Include reunion name, date, place and contact info to reunionsmag.com/add-upcomingreunion/
Next you need to establish and work on a budget what will cover all your reunion expenses! v
Paying for your reunion REUNION
B*U*D*G*E*T
4.1 Reunion Budget
Contact
Membership dues
Fees
A budget should never be set in stone, but rather be seen as fluid and subject to change at any time.
Postage
Supplies
Other
Online registration (% of charge)
Tips/gratuities
Fundraising
Down payments /deposits
Donations/contributions
Sales
Taxes
Accommodations
Other
Venues
T-shirts/caps/totes
Picnic site rental
Mementoes/keepsakes
Cookbooks
Post reunion expenses
Printing; reunion report/newsletter
Rentals; A/V, tents, bounce house
Photos/videos/CDs
Caterer
Food
Food/beverages
Tours
Auction/raffle
Volunteers
Other
Postage
Pictures, videos
Other
Photographer/videographer
Motorcoach for tours
Mementoes, t-shirts
Printing (newsletters, program … )
Other
*volunteer time, donated goods or services
EXPENSES
Purchases
Name tags
Decorations/signs/banners
Games
Pre reunion expenses
Bank fees
Communication
Long distance/fax/email/web
Promotion
Activity expenses (crafts, Awards; plaques, certificates, trophies, prizes, other awards
Program and other special handouts
Picnic supplies
Other
Online/web expenses
Printing; mailings, programs (# of mailings x # on mail list)
Reunion day expenses
Venues
Meals (# days x # meals)
Transportation: Rides to/from airport
Motorcoach for touring
Caterer
Photographer/videographer
DJ, band or professional story teller 4.1 - 1 INCOME In kind*
2016 Reunions magazine 4.1 - 2
Designate someone as treasurer or keeper of the budget who will stay on top of details, income and expenditures, so that at any moment you know exactly where your finances stand. Also establish a system for requesting and distributing funds. Requests are best made in writing to aid in your record keeping. There are many examples of online budgets that make it easy to share details with other officers or committee members at any time.
Also keep in mind that you should include a budget report as a part of the business meeting at your reunion. And if your reunion is like most reunions, one of the first questions you’ll get is “tell me how you used my contribution.”
Once all the potential expenses are determined and prices known for each, how to pay for them becomes the serious consideration.
The word budget does not typically generate excitement. In fact, if anything, for most of us it generates dread. But a well-developed, thoughtful reunion budget is essential for a well-organized reunion. Both income and expenses are serious considerations, but until you get started, both can be mysteries. Start out by imagining what you want your reunion to include and look like. But, be aware, as you explore costs and prices, your wants and needs may have to change. 4.1 - 3
The budget pages illustrated here may not include all the details you need, but they touch on the most common reunion expenses and sources of income. These budget pages are available for you to copy or print out from Reunion Planners Notebook (pages 7, 8 and 9). Also see fundraising ideas on our website for many more opportunities to consider to pay for reunion expenses.
A reunion is a special undertaking which, unless any or all expenses are a gift, a budget is required to determine how much every member will contribute. Some family reunions have a charge per family and some charge per person. Within those decisions, there will be variations. For example, children under a designated age may be free as will elders over a designated age, thus they will be guests of the entire family. For class and military reunions, costs are for individuals or couples since attendance is usually one or two people, not larger groups. v
“Remember
That’s what people say after a successful family reunion. Just north of Chicago is beautiful Lake County. We offer so many places for the perfect family event; 75 lakes, forest preserves and picnic locations. You can also enjoy some of the area’s best attractions including Six Flags Great America, Hurricane Harbor water park and the incredible Great Wolf Lodge. We also offer wonderful restaurants, hotels, entertainment and fun. For a truly unforgettable reunion, make it Lake County, Illinois. Contact reunion expert, Kimberly Ghys, Kimberly@LakeCounty.org to start your planning!
Lake County, Illinois: the go-to destination for friends and family to come together
When you plan to reunite with family you want the experience to be easy to plan, relaxing and most of all, memorable. That’s exactly what Lake County, Illinois, delivers time and time again – unforgettable experiences that groups come back to for years.
The backdrop of outdoor beauty
Some of the most popular destinations in Lake County are the parks and forest preserves. Lake County Forest Preserves span more than 31,000 acres of fun and natural beauty. Families can spend the day outdoors at Independence Grove Forest Preserve with miles of hiking and biking trails. The main attraction is a 115-acre lake surrounded by prairies and woodlands. Concerts are hosted there in the summer and there are beautiful picnic areas offering panoramic views.
Admire nature along the picturesque Lake Michigan shoreline at Illinois Beach State Park Encompassing over 4,000 acres, the park provides ample opportunities for swimming, boating, picnicking, hiking, camping and fishing.
Amazing attractions
Spending time together is the goal so why not have fun doing it? Lake County is filled with attractions that will dazzle adults and kids alike.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is a beautiful location to relax and enjoy exotic foliage with 27 gardens and four natural areas across 385 acres. Another popular destination is Volo Museum, packed with classic cars, TV/movie cars, and exciting exhibits. For a truly unique experience, visit Lambs Farm, a farmyard which features a sheep and goat petting area, greenhouse and an Old World carousel all while benefiting people with developmental disabilities. Plus, Six Flags Great America, one of the country’s premier theme parks, features 16 coasters and fun for all ages!
Play all day, stay all night
Lake County has a variety of hotels for every taste and budget – from resorts to suites to fit the whole family. Explore Illinois Beach Hotel, The Ten Hotel, Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, Great Wolf Lodge, Hyatt Deerfield and many more. Centrally located in the Midwest, Lake County, Illinois is a unique destination rich with fun attractions, beautiful forest preserves and family-friendly hotels. No matter what you enjoy, you will have an unforgettable reunion just north of Chicago in Lake County, Illinois. v
“All of our family said it was the BEST family reunion we have ever had. I don’t think they realize all the hard work that went into the planning, and that Kimberly really started the ball rolling on what became the BEST family reunion ever!”
– Ann Hall-Jones, Jones-Ellis-Sykes Family Reunion
Bell-Ransom Family holds 47th annual reunion
The 47th annual Bell-Ransom Family Reunion was held in August 2025. The weekend events opened on Friday with a fried fish dinner at 51 Sycamore in Weldon, North Carolina. Families gathered from near and far to “meet and greet” relatives and friends, socialize, take photographs, and share family news while enjoying a delicious meal.
Kirkwood Adams Community Center in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, was the setting for the annual reunion program on Saturday afternoon. Attendees received family reunion souvenir gift bags, programs, and calendars as they entered a room with tables beautifully decorated in red and white by Freida Wellman of Decor4Joy. Displays depicting 47 years of BellRansom family reunion history, including an exhibit from Rev. Dr. Florine Bell about the Edward Cheek House Museum in Halifax, North Carolina, made it a festive
of abiding faith, commitment to excellence, and dedication to service; deeply rooted in love.
Valencia Turnage of Roanoke Rapids welcomed family, friends, and guests to the reunion. David Bell read Scripture and Bishop Curtis Ransom prayed. Margaret B. Hawkins of Weldon, North Carolina, spoke about the importance of the reunion and read a poem with family as the subject as part of her occasion remarks.
reunion setting. Ralph Bell, Sr. photographed families, and Emma Smith assisted families with taking “selfies” using their own phone cameras.
Margaret McGee of Roanoke Rapids and Crystal Belfield of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, presided at Saturday’s program which concluded a year of Bell-Ransom Family News, and things talked about honoring the Bell-Ransom family heritage. The emphasis was on continuing a legacy
Wanda Owens and her daughter Ivey Owens of Charlotte, North Carolina, presented awards for achievement, community service and family support to Emma Smith, Claudette Belfield, Dr. Brian Gardner, Beatrice Bell Gardner, Jeanette Bell Richardson, Terry Bell, Jacqueline Bell Pyatt, Linda Bell Strickland, Erika Person, and Angela Bell.
Bonita Bell of Marlton, New Jersey, presented a certificate of excellence to Toni Rawls-Darden who earned her
Erika Person and Terri Jo Hayes host the Bell-Ransom reunion welcome table.
Bell-Ransom 47th reunion cake
and great-granddaughter of the late Dr. James and Doris Person, graduated from Cumberland County Schools’ SeventyFirst High School and earned a CNA from Fayetteville Technical Community College. MyLeah will attend WinstonSalem State University School of Nursing. Elijah Branch, grandson of Freida Wellman, graduated from Nash Central High School and has enlisted in the United States Air Force.
Claudette Belfield of Durham, North Carolina, presented Certificates of Excellence to high school students. Sandra Rosser of Raleigh presented Certificates of Achievement to Middle Schoolers. NyAsia Dawson of Weldon presented certificates of achievement to third through fifth graders. Certificates and medallions were presented to pre-k to second graders by Emily Pyatt of Bryans Road, Maryland.
master’s degree in biomedical science from Meredith College.
Evelyn Dawson of Weldon announced the Bell-Ransom Scholarship recipients. They are De’Vance M. Purnell, son of Vance M. Purnell and Kenwanna L. Alston and grandson of the late Deborah Ivey, who graduated from Roanoke Rapids Early College and Halifax Community College. He will attend North Carolina A&T State University to pursue a degree in computer engineering. Gizelle De’Asia Jerman, daughter of Dr. George and Sheena Jerman, who graduated from Eastern Guilford High School in Gibsonville, North Carolina, will attend North Carolina A&T State University to major in Liberal Studies as an Honors student in the Accelerated Pathway to Law School program. This will allow her to acquire an undergraduate and law school degree in six years. MyLeah Nicole
Clement of Fayetteville, North Carolina, granddaughter of Jewel Person James
Margaret B. Hawkins, Sandra B. Rosser, Jeanette B. Richardson, and Beatrice B.
Dr. Curry Price and her mother, Mattie Cheek, PhD, presented a plaque to Ms. Dorothy Jordan of Seaboard who was the Bell-Ransom Honoree. Ms. Jordan, the daughter of the late Sallie Jordan, is the only living descendent of Douglas Ransom. Ms. Jordan is a retired educator and has given many years of service to the Seaboard community and Bethlehem Baptist Church. Other recognized family members included Fred Belfield of Rocky Mount for his years of service as a Nash County Commissioner and Louis Belfield for his service to the city of Edenton.
Family reunion paper weights were presented to the Bell-Ransom Gold Stars who had attended all 47 reunions. They are (left to right) Melvin Branch, Catherine Bell, Beatrice B. Gardner, Sandra B. Rosser, Beverly Underdue, Jeanette B. Richardson, Margaret H. McGee, Margaret B. Hawkins, and David Bell, Sr.
Gardner conducted the memorial service honoring deceased family members. Sophia Pyatt sang and played guitar in a musical tribute to conclude the memorial service.
Michael Bell of Marlton, New Jersey, introduced the Bell families in attendance; Evelyn Dawson of Weldon introduced the Ransom families and Andrea Whitaker Cheek of Raleigh introduced the Cheek families in attendance. Pastor Quincy L. Hawkins, Jr. gave the blessing before the Parker’s Barbeque buffet was served.
After dinner, Dr. Lori G. Moore of Woodbridge, Virginia, Anjanette Ballard of Montogomery Village, Maryland, Claudette Belfield and Beatrice B. Gardner of Fort Washington, Maryland, awarded door prizes and Jeanette B. Richardson of Jackson gifted each student with school supplies.
Margaret McGee, Emma Smith, and Terry Bell hosted the talent, karaoke and dance with DJ VA 321, courtesy of Melvin Branch, providing the music.
The reunion weekend concluded Sunday with family members attending services at area churches. v
Reported
by Jacqueline Bell Pyatt, Fort Washington, Maryland.
Slightly edited from an article published in The Bell-Ransom Family News and The Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
Photos by Ralph Bell, Sr.
Editors note: The Bell-Ransom Family News is only one of many newsletters you can enjoy at reunionsmag.com/newsletter/. A great place to get ideas for your reunion newsletter!
Bell-Ransom logo. The tree in the logo was drawn by Tyrus Few for our first reunion in 1979.
Bell-Ransom 2025 Family Reunion
More than t-shirts and barbecue: Why family reunions keep our stories alive
As summer winds down and the last backyard barbecues fade into memory, many families are already thinking about school schedules, cooler weather, and the shift into fall. But for African American families across the country, the end of summer signals something else: the closing chapter of another season of family reunions and the perfect time to start preparing for the next one.
These gatherings are more than a fun weekend or a chance for matching t-shirts. They are sacred traditions rooted in our culture, history, and identity. I was reminded of that truth during my own family reunion, the Burney-Burnett Family Reunion in Birmingham, Alabama. This summer, there were three unforgettable days of food, games, worship, and laughter. But beneath the joy was something deeper: the sharing of stories,
the teaching of life lessons, and the strengthening of generational bonds.
Family reunions in the Black community are a legacy born from separation. After the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865, countless newly freed African Americans began searching for loved ones torn away by slavery. Those early reunions were not about vacations or who has the best t-shirts or what theme will the reunion be this time but, they were about finding wholeness.
During our own weekend, we learned some of our ancestors changed their surnames after Emancipation, reclaiming their identities and starting new legacies. That revelation was more than historical fact, it was a source of pride, a reminder that we are descendants of people who fought to stay connected, whether they remained in the South or moved North in search of better opportunities.
According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, family reunification gained renewed attention after the 1976 release of Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The book and television series sparked a movement for tracing lineage and reconnecting with relatives.
Today, reunions remain vital for passing down oral histories, honoring traditions, and celebrating milestones. They are moments to remember those we’ve lost, welcome new life, and strengthen the family story. Just this year, we discovered that Annie Lee, the artist behind Blue Monday, is part of our family tree, a discovery that brought pride and inspiration to all of us because, many family members have this portrait in their
Patriarch Isom and Marie Burney (3rd great-grandparents)
Burney-Burnett Family Choir singing during Sneaker Ball Gala.
homes and others who have seen it and just have an appreciation for it. We never knew that this iconic modern African American art piece was created by a family member of ours.
My own family’s journey mirrors that of many African Americans. During the Great Migration, my greatgrandmother, Lela Burnett-Funderburg, and some of her siblings left Alabama for Michigan to escape Jim Crow and find opportunity. While the move created distance, it made reunions all the more necessary to maintain our Southern roots because that’s where some of her other siblings remained.
Now, we gather from across the country from the Deep South to the Midwest, from the West Coast to the East Coast and even from overseas, with one cousin serving in the US Navy in Japan.
As the 2025 reunion season comes to a close, we’re already thinking about 2027 and 2029. Planning ahead ensures more relatives can attend, more stories can be shared, and more memories can be made.
William H. Burnett, 78-year-old, member of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., and our family patriarch, said it best: “It is important to keep the family together, and to maintain the family lineage. The more people get involved, the more togetherness you have, and the stronger the family structure becomes.”
So, if you’ve never been to a family reunion, or it’s been
years, take this as your reminder. Don’t wait until next summer to think about it. Start making calls, booking venues, and creating committees now. If by chance your family doesn’t have a reunion tradition, maybe you’re the one to start it. Because reunions aren’t just about who shows up. They’re about honoring those who came before us, preserving their stories, and making sure future generations know the power of where they came from. Summer may be ending, but the work of keeping our families together never stops. You owe it to yourself and to all that will benefit from it to make it become a reality. You can do it!
Reported by Clifton Kirkman II, Detroit, Michigan. This very slightly edited article was first published by The Telegram Newspaper a local metro Detroit newspaper.
Thanks to Clifton’s cousin Kathy Hunter for alerting us to this article.
Cousins, L to R, Clifton Ray Kirkman II and Seconies
“Connie” Kirkman, mother and son, and family reunion lead organizer, Orlando Robinson.
4th generation of cousins, Austin Hunter, Chris Chester, Camille Chester, Chloe Chester (18 mos), Clifton R. Kirkman II, Rachel Maxwell, Olivia Maxwell (15 mos), and Omari Maxwell.
Gilliam-Grant Family Reunion
The bi-annual 2025 Gilliam-Grant Family Reunion was held with heartfelt joy and profound gratitude during a July weekend in beautiful Louisville, Kentucky. This year’s theme, Rooted in Love, United in Legacy, echoed throughout every smile, every hug, every laugh, and every shared memory. Our family colors, gold and black, were proudly worn as symbols of strength, unity, and the rich legacy that binds us together.
This year’s location was chosen with love and intention. Louisville, Kentucky, has long been home to our family pillars, Aunt Fannie and Uncle Bobby. To ensure they could fully participate in the celebration of family without the burden of travel, we brought the reunion to their doorstep — a gift of honor and gratitude to those who’ve held our family together through the years with love, wisdom, and unwavering presence.
Over 125 family members traveled from near and far — from Connecticut, Alabama, Florida, California, Michigan,
Robert (Bobby) and Fannie Randall receiving the Family Pillar award “In recognition of your unwavering love, strength, and enduring dedication as the pillars of the Gilliam-Grant Family. Your guidance, wisdom, and deeprooted values have laid the foundation on which our family stands tall. We honor and celebrate your legacy with heartfelt gratitude. With love and appreciation from the entire Gilliam-Grant Family.”
Illinois, and Georgia — to answer the call of legacy and gather in fellowship. We were blessed to welcome first-time attendees and to embrace familiar faces who’ve journeyed with us through generations of reunion weekends.
Friday: Meet & Greet & Fish Fry
The weekend opened with laughter and love at the Sawyer Hayes Community Center, where we held a joyful Meet & Greet and Fish Fry. This casual evening was filled with warm embraces, shared
Family Comedian Award Winner - Grady Liddell Inscription on the award reads, “In celebration of your perfect comedic timing, contagious laughter, and unmatched ability to light up every room you enter. Thank you for reminding us that joy is powerful, laughter is healing, and family is always better with a good punchline. Your humor is the heart of every gathering, and your spirit keeps us smiling long after the jokes are told.”
Gilliam Grant Family Reunion
stories, and new connections. As music played and plates were filled, the energy in the room was unmistakable — we were home, no matter where we came from. We welcomed new family members, some attending for the first time, and celebrated each person’s presence. For the first time in our reunion history, we hosted a heartfelt Family Awards Ceremony, where we recognized individuals for their unique gifts — be it humor, prayer, service, or spirit. These awards reminded us of the beauty of diversity within our unity.
Saturday: Family Fun Day & BBQ
Our second day brought us outdoors to E.P. Tom Sawyer Park for our Family Fun Day and BBQ. Although the sun blazed above us, it could not outshine the love shared beneath the pavilion and across the fields. From games and laughter to storytelling and soul food, this day embodied everything our reunions stand for —joy, connection, and generational love. Children ran freely while elders looked on with pride, and in
Memorial to our ancestors, centered is Willie Dudley Gilliam
those moments, we witnessed the living legacy of Dudley and Arnell Gilliam come alive.
As we closed the weekend, we paused to remember and give thanks to our ancestors — the shoulders upon which we stand. Through heartfelt prayer, shared song, and warm farewells, we honored the past and gave thanks for the present. We prayed over each family member’s journey home and looked forward with hope and excitement to our next gathering.
Before departing, the family reached a unanimous decision to host our 2027 Family Reunion in Connecticut, continuing our tradition of honoring every branch of our family tree by traveling to the places where our roots run deep.
This reunion was more than an event — it was a homecoming, a spiritual recharge, and a reminder that no matter the distance, our family is forever rooted in love and united in legacy.
Shared by Patricia Johnson, Stratford, Connecticut.
Welcome letter and proclamation from the mayor of Louisville.
Chad Young playing chess and Lee Gilliam.
Groshek Chicks Reunion
This year marked the 23rd year the Groshek Chicks gathered at the farm house of their grandparents to celebrate grandma Regina’s 109th heavenly birthday. Inside, the table was surrounded with laughter and chatter as dishes of homemade desserts and snacks filled the table, from banana cake and rhubarb custard bars, to ham and rolls and taco dip to old fashioned fruit salad. There was something to satisfy any palate.
Although rain made sporadic appearances, the sun shone brightly as the chicks gathered outside for the traditional group photo. This year’s special honors went to Angie who turned 60 and Tara who turned
50. The youngest chicks in attendance were Regina’s great-great granddaughters Charlotte, Olivia and Maddie!
Back inside, the chicks laughed so hard they cried ... almost blowing the roof off. A tradition which started last year (the chicks roundtable) the gals gathered in a circle in the living room and took turns sharing recent events within their families and/or funny remembrances involving grandma.
And was that grandma’s spirit when the light flickered or when a loud thump on the ceiling startled the group? Hmmm … we will never know.
Shared by June Groshek Czarnezki, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Groshek Chickfest cousins
Cousin Tara celebrating milestone birthday 50 at Chickfest in Marathon County, Wisconsin. In the background is the farm of her grandparents Ray and Regina Groshek, now run by their son Fred.
90 years of family tradition
Sunday afternoon saw family members gather for their 90th consecutive Moose Family Reunion at the Harney Volunteer Fire Company Hall in Taneytown, Maryland. “It’s really 91 years, we missed one year because of COVID,” Linda Moose of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, said.
The family started with three brothers who immigrated from Germany with an almost unpronounceable name probably spelled Museganuck. “One of the brothers settled in Pennsylvania. We’re descended from that branch of the family,” Linda explained. Linda, wife of prize-winning Santa Gertrudis cattleman Gene Moose of Chapel Ridge Farms, is the founder of Adams Abstract Company in Gettysburg. Linda and Gene were also the longest married couple at the reunion celebrating 63 years.
The Moose Family Reunion began on September 2, 1934, at the home of John D. Moose and his wife in Westminster, Maryland. 52 attended the first reunion, babe in arms Enola Moose Briggs was present. “I’m the only surviving member of that first reunion,” 92-year old Enola said. “She’s not the oldest here. I am 93,” Jacque Moose declared, posing for a picture seated with Enola, Linda and Gene Moose.
The youngest member of the clan was sixteen-month old Millie Heath, granddaughter of Alan Moose, reunion moderator. Little Millie climbed up on Linda Moose’s lap to pose for a special picture of the oldest and youngest in attendance. Emotional asides were everywhere among the families.
Through marriage Kittinger became part of the clan, although it was pointed out that no living Kittinger has attended a reunion in many years although for sentimental reasons the group voted to continue the traditional reunion name Moose-Kittinger.
Homemade desserts were offered and judged. Chris Wilson won first prize with her strawberry shortcake dessert, Linda Moose won second prize for her chocolate cake and
Moose Family Reunion
Sharon Goldstein offered bottles of specially labeled Moose-Kittinger Reunion wine prepared by the Adams County Winery for the event.
(l to r) Enola Moose Briggs, Linda Moose holding Millie Heath, the youngest attendee, Jacque Moose and Gene Moose. “Gene started coming in 1941, the year he was born,” his wife proclaimed. Gene wore a new cowboy hat, a prize-winning stockman belt buckle adorned Gene’s jeans and purple cowboy shirt.
third prize went to Audrey Shryock for her lemon pretzel dessert. Homemade specialties were brought for the pot luck dinner. The event concluded with the hymn, sung since the beginning of this family tradition: ‘God be with you ‘till we meet again.’ v
Shared by John Christopher Fine, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The reunion is combined two families by marriage Moose and Kittinger. While no living Kittingers have attended in years, the family voted this year to keep the name so it’s officially Moose-Kittinger reunion with 90 consecutive years
Making memories together
The Burton Family Reunion has been a cherished annual tradition since it was first sparked by Rosa Ella Burton Varner’s vision in 1976. What started as a simple cookout in a park in Lanett, Alabama, has grown into a living testament to our family’s unity and strength. The reunion is held during the last weekend in July each year and rotates among various cities across the United States.
As our family has grown and spread across the country, these reunions offer an opportunity to unite, worship, and bring back fond memories. We believe the family is the foundation laid by our ancestors—offering strength, love, comfort, and pride in our shared heritage.
This year’s reunion took place in Broward County, Florida (Plantation), where we continued to honor our past and celebrate our future under the theme: Making Memories Together
As host of the 2025 family reunion, I inherited a family reunion binder from my aunt, who documented keepsakes and gatherings over the years. I’ve added to it and plan to make a copy and
pass it on — ensuring this legacy continues. This year, we introduced a video corner to collect oral history at the reunion. We invited all generations to share their stories, memories, and wisdom so we can preserve our voices and experiences for those yet to come.
2025 Burton Family Reunion video.
Burton family members were asked to connect thumbs and spread fingers like a bird, which symbolized unity, freedom, and togetherness as we lifted each other up while making memories.
I also requested local, state, and national government proclamations recognizing the Burton Family Reunion and its contributions to family unity, strength, and cultural heritage. We remain devoted to keeping our traditions alive, rooted in love, and growing stronger each year.
My inspiration for writing this article began with a presentation by my fellow board VP, Rob Stevens, of the Genealogical Society of Broward County, Florida, on “Connecting through family reunions,” which truly energized me. Hosting a reunion is a lot of work, but the support and shared enthusiasm by fellow board members and family gave me the boost I needed and lit the fire for me to submit this piece. v Shared by Tamara Bell, Oakland Park, Florida.
Florida State District 32 Honorable Senator Rosalind Osgood recognizes the Burton Family Reunion’s 49-year reunion tradition. City of Plantation Mayor Nick Sortal declared July 26, 2005 Burton Family Day. The following representatives also recognized the Burton Family Reunion: Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick 20th Congressional District, Broward County Board of Commissioners and Florida House State District 98 Representative Mitch Rosenwal.
Editor’s note: Connecting through family reunions, by Rob Stevens, Tamara is referring to by the Genealogical Society of Broward County, Florida, can be heard on our podcast page
taking it back to the country: Foster Roundup 2025 – Boots, Hats & Family Ties
More than a reunion, the Foster Roundup was a living legacy under the country stars.
When the Foster Family calls for a Roundup, it means more than just a reunion —it’s a return to where it all began. This year’s theme, Taking It Back to the Country, brought generations together in Sparta, Georgia, to celebrate our roots, honor our past, and create new memories to carry us forward. With boots on, hats tipped, and hearts full, the 2025 Foster Family Roundup was one for the history books.
Leading up to the reunion, the family shared in the fun with a weekly Name That Cowboy or Cowgirl game on our Facebook page. Members identified elders in AI-generated cowboy and cowgirl images. This pre-event excitement carried into the reunion itself, where the western theme continued in every detail. Our reunion shirts and SWAG bags echoed the theme as well — designed as “wanted posters” showcasing the faces of our beloved elders.
Day One: tacos, tequila and togetherness
We kicked things off with Tacos & Tequila Night, setting the tone for a weekend of food, fun, and fellowship. To make sure everyone — from the youngest cousins to the oldest elders — felt included, we launched a Selfie Scavenger Hunt. Teams roamed, posed, and laughed their way through challenges, ensuring that no one stayed on the sidelines. The energy was contagious, reminding us that family joy multiplies when shared.
Day Two: country living and the hoedown
Saturday was a “choose your adventure” kind of day. Some swam, some fished, some revved up four-wheelers, and others
just enjoyed porch conversations and sweet tea. But when evening came, it was time for the much-anticipated Foster Family Hoedown. Thanks to the artistry of Decorum Events, the space was transformed into a rustic Western wonderland, draped in twinkling lights and country charm. Every detail was perfect, from the hay-bale accents to the barn-style décor.
Dressed head-to-toe in cowboy boots, denim, and hats, the family two-stepped the night away, proof that the Fosters know how to celebrate in style.
Day Three: roots and remembrance
The most powerful moment came during the Rock Garden Dedication. Each family member inscribed their name on a stone and placed it in the garden, symbolizing our permanent bond with the land and each other. Standing together in that moment, we felt the strength of generations past and the promise of generations yet to come.
Foster Family Reunion
Sunday was spent at the home house, constructed by our great grandfather on land owned by the Foster family since the 1800s. Here, we honored our elders and remembered those who paved the way.
A Living Legacy
The 2025 Foster Family Roundup wasn’t just a weekend in the country — it was a journey back to the heart of who we are. We laughed, we cried, we danced, and we remembered. And when the last song played and the final rock was placed, one truth was clear: the Foster family’s boots, hats, and ties of love will always bring us back home. v
Shared by Anika Foster, Jonesboro, Georgia.
Willow Hudson proudly displays her catch!
Foster welcome door!
Four Foster elders, Marie Foster, Annie Lois Devero, Addie Foster and Joyce Foster.
Lodge Foster, April Foster, Brittany Foster, Shiloh Foster and Elijah Foster.
Zarria Foster and Carolyn Smith-Foster display Roundup Menu.
Dancing Fosters!
Taste of reunions!
Who doesn’t look forward to the wide array of wonderful smells and tastes of reunion potlucks, picnics and banquets? Do these pictures remind you of wonderful memories and make your mouth water? Add these to why you can’t wait for your next reunion!
Best Western Cocoa Beach – Port Canaveral: Where Families Reunite at the Crossroads of Space, Fun, and Sun
On Florida’s Space Coast, where rocket trails streak the sky and ocean breezes roll across soft sand, generations of families have gathered at one special place: Best Western Cocoa Beach - Port Canaveral.
More than just a hotel, it’s been the backdrop for countless family stories. Perfectly located between Kennedy Space Center, the Cocoa Beach Pier, and Port Canaveral’s dining and cruising hub, Best Western Cocoa Beach is the ideal setting for reunions filled with laughter, connection, and memory-making.
A Place Where Traditions Take Root
The Cooper Family has gathered here for 24 years.
“Don’t bother looking anywhere else. We’ve tried other places but always come back to Best Western Cocoa Beach,” they share.
Their reunions are simple but meaningful—Friday night cookouts, morning swims in the two heated pools, breakfasts together, and sunset strolls on the pier. With the hotel’s sales team handling the details, they spend less time planning and more time enjoying each other.
Growing Together by the Sea
For 25 years, the Schmidt Family has made Best Western Cocoa Beach their tradition. What began with three rooms has
grown into seven as more relatives join each year.
“The staff goes above and beyond to fit your needs,” they say. “The location is perfect—right on the beach, with restaurants, the pier, and even a grocery store within walking distance.”
Their days are filled with laughter and ocean breezes—grilling together, gathering around the fire pit, and unwinding with drinks at the Blue Flip Flop Bar.
The Perfect Backdrop for Fun
Few destinations offer so much in one place. Just minutes away, Kennedy Space Center inspires visitors with rocket launches and space exploration history. Port Canaveral offers cruise departures, fresh seafood, and lively nightlife. Right outside the hotel. Cocoa Beach and its iconic pier invite you to play, dine, and relax.
Best Western Cocoa Beach brings it all together with spacious suites, complimentary breakfast, two pools, picnic areas, and a new Play Zone with bocce ball, comhole, and Connect Four— perfect for friendly family competition.
A Setting for Generations
Families return not just for the location, but for the memories created here—moments that turn reunions into milestones and traditions into legacies. v
Rodgers, Rogers, and Bobo Family Reunion History
The Rodgers, Rogers, and Bobo Family Reunions began in 1983. The idea for a formal family reunion was first discussed by the late Flonnie Moore of Memphis, Tennessee, and her cousin Alexander Bobo Sr. Unfortunately, Flonnie passed away before the first official reunion, which was held in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1983.
Since that first gathering, our family has come together every two years to celebrate our heritage and strengthen our bonds. Over the years, reunions have been hosted Tennessee, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, and Michigan.
In the early years, representatives from each state were asked to coordinate family member attendance and assist with fundraising efforts. In more recent years, planning committees have been formed to organize and coordinate each reunion.
Our most recent reunion was held in Tampa, Florida, and was well attended. The event took place at the Embassy Suites in Tampa, featuring a weekend full of family, fellowship, and fun.
Friday night: Meet and Greet
Saturday: Family Picnic and Dance
Sunday: Family members were encouraged to attend online church services, as we were unable to coordinate with a local congregation in Tampa. The day concluded with a formal banquet, during which we voted on the next reunion location and elected new committee representatives.
Monday: Farewell breakfast and prayer for safe travels home
The Rodgers, Rogers, and Bobo Family Reunions continue to honor the vision of our founders by celebrating our family’s unity, faith, and enduring legacy. v
Reported by Tamerlin Barner, Westerville, Ohio.
Rodgers, Rogers, and Bobo Family Reunion in Tampa, Florida.
from setback to blessing How faith led our 10th family reunion to an unexpected gift
What was meant to be a joyful and milestone celebration — our 10th Gillyard-Johnson-Mahoney Family Reunion — nearly came to a halt just days before the big event. With only four days remaining, the planning team received word that our original venue had suffered a sudden electrical outage, making the site completely unusable. Months of preparation were suddenly up in the air.
The team which had prayerfully chosen “We’ve Come This Far by Faith” as our theme, decided to lean not into panic — but into prayer.
Holding tightly to Romans 8:28 — “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” — our team moved into action. Phone calls, messages, and prayers were sent out in full force.
In what can only be described as God’s divine provision, one of our team members suddenly remembered that her local church converted their old church building and youth gymnasium into an event center. We met with the church’s designated staff and they actually had two available rooms that could accommodate our needs. With all team
members in agreement, we now had a new venue. The space was beautiful, spacious, and more than accommodating — and the cost was even less than our original venue because we were able to use our team member’s discount. The team took to emailing, texting, phoning and posting to social media the updated information to reunion attendees. This was the church already on our itinerary for Sunday Worship Service. What first seemed like a setback became a setup for
something greater.
Thanks to the savings, our family came together to give back. During the Sunday worship service where we were already programmed to give a brief presentation, we presented a donation of over $1,000 as a token of love and heartfelt thankyou. The moment was deeply moving, and a powerful reminder of Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
This reunion was more than a gathering—it was a testimony of God’s provision, timing, and goodness. We celebrated, worshiped, and embraced one another with full hearts. Through the experience, we were reminded of Proverbs 3:5–6:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Thanks to the vision and unwavering faith of our team, our 10th GillyardJohnson-Mahoney Family Reunion wasn’t just saved—it was elevated. Truly, we’ve come this far by faith—and by faith, we know we will go even further. All praise to God. He is worthy to be praised! v Shared by Bettie Gillyard Griggs, Compton, California.
Gillyard-Johnson-Mahoney Family at church on Sunday.
Willie A. Hopkins, City Manager, Compton, California.
Gray Family Reunion 2025:
Lakeside Memories at Table Rock Lake
The Gray family, scattered across the Midwest, hadn’t gathered in full force since before the pandemic. With 28 members ranging from toddlers to great-grandparents, planning our 2025 reunion felt daunting at first. We wanted a destination that offered natural beauty, outdoor fun, and enough space for everyone to bond without feeling cramped. Kimberling City, Missouri, on the shores of Table Rock Lake, emerged as the perfect spot—its clear, deep waters carved into the rolling Ozark hills, with over 800 miles of shoreline, quiet coves, and forested bluffs that turn gold in the evening light.
The key to making it all work? GroupRentals.com. As the planner, I needed accommodations for our group of 28, and the platform made it incredibly easy. Their search tools let me filter by dates, number of guests, and—crucially—multiple houses in close proximity. Within minutes, I found three spacious lakefront properties just a short walk from each other: a 6-bedroom cabin with a private pool, a 5-bedroom home with a game room, and a cozy 4-bedroom lodge with outdoor grills. Booking was seamless—one cart for all three, with clear pricing and availability. No juggling multiple sites or emails; the
total setup took under an hour. We arrived in late June to perfect Ozark weather. The rentals were a hit—kids splashed in the pool, while adults sipped coffee on decks watching sunrises over the water. Mornings started with family breakfasts, then we headed out on Table Rock Lake for boating and kayaking from the Port of Kimberling Marina. The lake is famous for its crystal-clear depths and abundant bass, so afternoons often turned into fishing contests (we caught enough for a fresh group fry-up on the dock). A short drive took us to Talking Rocks Cavern, where guided tours through glowing underground chambers left the kids wide-eyed and the adults marveling at nature’s architecture.
Evenings were for barbecues and storytelling around fire pits, with the sound of crickets and gentle waves in the background. One night, we took a sunset
Photos courtesy of Group Rentals
cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle, an authentic paddlewheel steamboat—pure magic as the sun slipped behind the hills, painting the sky in pinks and oranges. Another day, we explored Table Rock State Park, hiking shaded trails to scenic overlooks, playing mini-golf, and picnicking under ancient oaks. For lighter moments, we grabbed ice cream at The Funky Twig and sandwiches from local delis. The proximity of our rentals meant no one felt isolated; we could wander between houses for card games, late-night talks, or just to borrow a cup of sugar.
By the end, bonds were stronger, with promises to reunite sooner. Table Rock Lake gave us more than a backdrop—it gave us shared wonder, laughter, and memories that will outlast any photo. v
Shared by Sarah Gray, St. Louis, Missouri.
Miller Family Reunion
While Frederick S. Miller
and his wife, May Evelyn Huddleston, are credited with starting our reunions on their East Guilford, New York, homestead, the story begins much earlier. A sign on the barn noted that the Miller Homestead was founded in 1819. It was once a working farm with cows, hayfields, cornfields, large outbuildings, and hired hands to help with the labor.
For generations, the house and
grounds were likely the setting for weddings, funerals, holiday gatherings, and summer picnics. Photographs and family stories, however, focus on Frederick and May’s descendants rather than their siblings. Of their seven children, two died young or left no descendants. Today’s reunion attendees represent four surviving family lines.
A drawing created by an in-law captures a lively summer day at the homestead in 1941 — lawn games, chores like mowing and caring for livestock, and water sports. Cousins remember running through the fields, taking turns pulling the old buggy, and “helping” the farm workers with milking and gathering. Nearby Buttermilk Falls was a favorite swimming hole in summer, while winter brought sledding and 38 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
skating. Photos also show family dinners followed by long card games.
sought reunion locations that echoed those rich traditions. Today, more than eighty descendants from the United States, New Zealand, and Australia gather every other year at the Basin Harbor Club on Lake Champlain in Vermont. The spirit of the homestead continues with modern activities—pickleball, cycling, swimming, cardboard boat races, and, of course, big family dinners. was a favorite swimming hole in summer, while winter brought sledding and
skating. Photos also show family dinners followed by long card games. When the farm was sold, the family sought reunion locations that echoed those rich traditions. Today, more than eighty descendants from the United States, New Zealand, and Australia gather every other year at the Basin Harbor Club on Lake Champlain in Vermont. The spirit of the homestead continues with modern activities—pickleball, cycling, swimming, cardboard boat races, and, of course, big family dinners.
This year’s reunion brought something new: a living family tree. While genealogists usually work backward in time, showing present generations how they connect requires working forward. Using obituaries, social media, and contributions from every branch, we’ve built a tree now two feet wide and seven feet long, with each of the original children’s lines shown in a different color. FamilyChartmasters.com designed it from a GEDCOM file downloaded from Ancestry. com, and it will continue to grow as relatives add details at each reunion.
Frederick and May Miller
The homestead.
Photo credit: Frederick
“Fritz” Miller, Jr.
Drawing.Photo credit: Frederick “Fritz” Miller, Jr.
The effort has paid off—this year, children gathered around the tree, pointing at names and cousins, proudly declaring, “We’re second cousins once removed!” (a relationship even genealogists sometimes find confusing). We’ve also moved from paper albums to Forever.com digital collections, making it easier to share reunion photos across generations.
Our reunion is not just about remembering the past, but about making connections today — and ensuring the next generation knows the joy of belonging to this ever-expanding family. v
Shared by Maureen Taylor, Providence, Rhode Island.
Editor’s note: Maureen Taylor is The Photo Detective®; photodetective@maureentaylor. com. Work with her to identify faces, date images, preserve collections, and bring your ancestors’ stories to life. Whether it’s one photo or an entire archive, Maureen helps you organize, interpret, and protect your visual family history.
The living family tree chart
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Walk in George Washington’s footsteps just minutes from the Nation’s Capital
No visit to Washington, DC, and the National Capital area would be complete without a visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, located on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Visiting Washington’s stately home, which has been meticulously preserved for future generations by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, is a delight for history lovers, architecture buffs, those fascinated by art and antiques, or those simply wishing to pay tribute to the Father of Our Country.
After touring the mansion and standing in the rooms where Washington lived and entertained visitors, guests can enjoy a museum dedicated to his life and accomplishments. In one gallery, his genius as a military strategist during the
Photos courtesy of Visit Fairfax
Revolutionary War is highlighted; visitors will feel the snow fall during the crossing of the Delaware River and experience cannon fire at the Battle of Yorktown, which sealed the American fight for independence.
Walking the estate grounds is recommended in any season; younger children in particular will enjoy seeing the livestock which are still raised at Mount Vernon, just as they were more than two hundred years ago!
Washington resided at Mount Vernon for 45 years, from 1754 until his passing in 1799, and entertained guests throughout this time. He and his wife Martha are buried together on the grounds of the estate. Many military reunion groups arrange to lay a wreath at their tomb — always a very impressive and meaningful ceremony.
Visitors can enjoy a leisurely meal at The Mount Vernon Inn (the peanut soup is a special treat!) or a quick bite in the food
court. The gift shop features a wide variety of books, toys, gourmet foods, and home décor items, all pertaining to Washington’s life and times.
Mount Vernon is open to visitors every day of the year; discounted group tickets are available online at www.mountvernon.org
Many guests combine a visit to Mount Vernon with a trip to the National Museum of the United States Army, less than 15 minutes away at Fort Belvoir. Additional information about both Mount Vernon and the National Museum of the United States Army is available at www.fxva.com v
No matter the crew size, Fairfax County makes reunions easy – and unforgettable. Great food, great stays, and experiences for every age, every vibe, and every budget. You bring the family. We’ll handle the fun.
let us help you plan your family’s reunion. go to FXVA.com or call 703-790-0643.
Photo by Bernard Johnson.
The Highground’s Vietnam Veterans Reunion hosts over 250 Veterans
Honoring, remembering and respecting those who served in the Vietnam War was the founding mission of The Highground near Neillsville, Wisconsin. Forty-one years ago, to enhance awareness and funding of what was then known as The Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project, Inc. (later renamed The Highground), Tom Miller rode his bicycle an epic 1,244 miles around Wisconsin. That feat is commemorated annually as the Heroes Ride. On August 3, 2025 The Highground hosted the Annual Vietnam Veterans Reunion and an opportunity for them to welcome home the ride’s bicyclists.
The Highground’s Vietnam Veterans Reunion hosts over 250 Veterans Honoring, remembering and respecting those who served in the Vietnam War was the founding mission of The Highground. Several reunion exhibits included the “Wisconsin Remembers: A Face for Every Name” banner exhibit honoring the men from Wisconsin who were killed or remained missing in action during the Vietnam War; the “Vietnam Experience” exhibit by Carl Bogar Jr, owner of Historic Military Impressions in Kenosha, Wisconsin; The Highground’s Big Map of the Vietnam War for veterans to sign for themselves and for lost battle buddies; and several Vietnam War
The Huey has landed.
Vietnam Veterans reunion lunch.
Waiting for the Huey.
memorabilia items and personal stories of Vietnam Veterans which have been donated to The Highground Museum.
A very special visit, that has become a reunion tradition and highlight, was the arrival and presentation of a UH-1H Huey helicopter courtesy of Combat Helicopters LLC. The landing and visit by the Huey and crew has always been one of the most powerful moments of the year at The Highground. For many Vietnam veterans, the sound of the Huey is an unforgettable memory of their service. Most veterans say it is a welcome sound, a sound of protection and aid. Don Anibas added to the day’s exhibits with the display of his two military Jeeps.
Rounding out the reunion was the
showing of Honor in the Air, a film about the service of Wisconsin Vietnam Veteran Huey pilot, Captain Scott Alwin. Capt. Alwin served five tours of duty during the Vietnam War as an Army helicopter pilot, first flying slicks and later, gunships. The film connected with many veterans as it covered personal aspects of serving in the Vietnam War and of returning home.
Over 400 Vietnam veterans, guests and Heroes Ride participants gathered for the reunion. Planning is already underway for Vietnam Veterans Reunion, August 2, 2026.
Visit The Highground at W7031 Ridge Rd, Neillsville WI 54456. Visit their website, thehighground.us, Facebook page Facebook.com/TheHighground VeteransMemorial. v
VetsForever, a VA-accredited law group is dedicated to helping veterans successfully navigate the VA claims process. Co-founded by US Navy veteran Trinidad Aguirre, VetsForever is a veteran-run law group that brings expert legal representation to service- disabled veterans seeking VA benefits. Since its inception in 2022 the Dallasbased firm has helped thousands of clients access a cumulative $5 million in total backpay, delivering results in months rather than years. The firm has more than 25 employees and over 90% of the staff are service-connected disabled veterans who bring empathy, insight, and first-hand experience to every case.
They are the only VA-accredited law firm that helps all veterans, regardless of disability status, and supports clients with VA claims and military discharge upgrades. Since receiving VA accreditation over a year ago, the firm’s growth has been rapid, assisting over 1,500 veterans and delivering $3 million in backpay in just the first 6 months post-accreditation. VetsForever is currently on track to serve over 2,500 veterans by the end of 2025. Contact vetsforever.com/
Highground reunion display.
Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Tribute “Fragments.”
USS Ranger Reunion
The USS Ranger Reunion was held at the Hyatt Regency Dulles airport which has shuttle service from Dulles airport and treats military veteran reunions like family. They go over and above to make sure veterans feel at home.
Registration was on Wednesday and then a Welcome Aboard reception was held in the hospitality room.
Thursday was the first tour day. We hired professional tour guides recommended by Dean Miller at Visit Fairfax to escort us around the Manassas Battlefield with all its Civil War history and then on to the Bull Run Winery for some great wine tasting.
Friday was another tour day with the same great escorts we had on Thursday. We did a Washington highlights tour with stops at the Washington Cathedral, and, of course, the Memorials.
Saturday was for business meetings, individual/squadron photos and the banquet with great entertainment. Comments
were that this was one of the best banquet meals they had ever experienced.
The reunion highlight was that the members got a chance to tell their stories to interviewers from the United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service program in Washington, DC. The Service sent teams to do video member interviews free of charge. Interviews will be added to the Navy Log and archived at the Navy Memorial Heritage Center in Washington, DC. They were so happy to have their stories now in perpetuity. v
Reported by Brian Forrester, Event & Group Specialist, Scottsdale, Arizona; Holiday Cruises and Tours, holidaycruisesandtoursaz.com
USS Ranger Vietnam Veterans
National Guard and Navy Veterans at the Vietnam wall.
Ranger couples married in 1971: Pat and Fred, David and Linda, Leigh and Jim.
REUNION RESOURCES
Welcome to Reunion Resources!
We encourage you to tell the listings you contact that you learned about them from Reunions magazine. Notify us immediately at editor@reunionsmag.com if you find any info that is inaccurate or e-mail or web links do not work; or write us at PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727. And by all means, feel free to comment and/or suggest changes and additions you’d like to see in this section.
Reunions magazine will not be held liable for information presented as facts in these ads.
ALABAMA
GREATER BIRMINGHAM CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
950 22nd St. North, Suite 550, Birmingham, AL 35203 Birmingham is becoming one of the most celebrated reunion cities in the southeast. The success of your reunion depends on its early groundwork. The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau is here to help. For more information regarding reunion services, please contact the Convention Bureau at 205-458-8000 | 800-458-8085 Email info@inbirmingham.com inbirmingham.com
ARIZONA
RANCHO DE LOS CABALLEROS
1551 S Vulture Mine Road Wickenburg, AZ 85390 928-684-5484 info@ranchodeloscaballeros.com ranchodeloscaballeros.com
STAGECOACH TRAILS GUEST RANCH 19985 S Doc Holliday Rd Yucca , AZ 86438 928-727-8270 vacation@stgr.com StageCoachTrailsRanch.com
CALIFORNIA
MARBLE MOUNTAIN RANCH 92520 Hwy 96 Somes Bar, CA 95568 530-469-3322 guestranch@marblemountainranch.com www.MarbleMountainRanch.com
COLORADO
SYLVAN DALE GUEST RANCH
2939 N County Road 31D Loveland, CO 80538 970-667-3915 ranch@sylvandale.com | SylvanDale.com
DELAWARE
SOUTHERN DELAWARE TOURISM
Looking for the perfect place for your next reunion? How does this sound – 5 Star beaches. Comfy accommodations to fit every budget. A jam-packed events calendar. Lots of group activities on land and on the water. A huge variety of visual and performing arts & entertainment. Scenic and historic sites, events, and venues ideally suited to group events. Exceptional Culinary Coast™ dining. Southern Delaware is a great place to gather! 827 E Market St, Georgetown , DE 19947 800-357-1818
SouthDel@VisitSouthernDelaware.com www.visitsoutherndelaware.com/
FLORIDA
BEST WESTERN COCOA BEACH-PORT CANAVERAL HOTEL & SUITES
5600 N Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931
Phone: 850-233-5070 | Toll Free: 1-800-722-3224
Nestled at the intersection of space, sun, and surf, the Best Western Cocoa Beach-Port Canaveral offers the perfect launchpad for your next adventure. Steps from the world-famous Cocoa Beach Pier and minutes from Port Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center, guests enjoy oceanfront views, modern amenities, and warm hospitality. Whether you’re catching a rocket launch, or riding the waves, this iconic beachfront retreat put you at the heart of Florida’s Space Coast excitement.
Contact Cheryl Gromlich | 321-783-7621
Cgromlich@oceanpartnerscb.com www.bestwestern.com/
SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGES 32 & 33.
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 www.visitpanamacitybeach.com
Known for its sugar-white sands and turquoise waters, Panama City Beach is the ultimate reunion destination. Visit www.visitpanamacitybeach. com/groups/reunions to plan your trip now to PCB, the Real. FUN. Beach.
VISIT TALLAHASSEE
Experience the warmth and hospitality of Tallahassee, Florida offering a perfect blend of history, culture, and outdoor adventures for your next reunion. Explore scenic parks, visit fascinating museums, and enjoy delicious Southern cuisine with friends and family. With a range of accommodations and plenty of family-friendly activities, Tallahassee provides the ideal setting for creating lasting memories. Take advantage of special incentives for reunions occurring May through August 2026.
918 Railroad Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32301
P: 850.606.2320
Janet.Roach@VisitTallahassee.com
VISIT TAMPA BAY
Planning a reunion is easy in Tampa Bay, where sunshine, adventure, and laid-back vibes create the perfect setting for reconnecting with family, classmates, or lifelong friends. With hotel deals, vendor referrals, welcome perks, and expert
support from Visit Tampa Bay’s Convention Sales and Services Teams, every detail is covered. Whether it’s a small gathering or a large celebration, the tools and resources you need are ready. Start planning at TampaMeetings.com
Sherri T. Brown, M.A.
Vice President of Multicultural Sales and Development 813.342.4062 | SBrown@VisitTampaBay.com
GEORGIA
ALPHARETTA CVB
Want to plan an AWESOME reunion in metro Atlanta? Don’t know where to begin? Worry no more and gather your group in Alpharetta! Attend our free workshop for a collection of insider tips from our reunion planning specialist. Contact Alpharetta CVB at 800-294-0923 or visit www.awesomealpharetta.com
IDAHO
WESTERN PLEASURE GUEST RANCH
1413 Upper Gold Creek Rd Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-263-9066 stay@westernpleasureranch.com www.WesternPleasureRanch.com
RED HORSE MOUNTAIN RANCH
1413 Upper Gold Creek Rd | Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-263-9066 info@redhorsemountainranch.com www.RedHorseMountainRanch.com
ILLINOIS
LAKE COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Visit Lake County Illinois
Plan an unforgettable reunion in Lake County, Illinois, offering a convenient, centralized location close to Chicago. We’ll work together to plan an event that lets you explore all the excitement of Lake County and enjoy your time with family and friends. From our county’s natural beauty and scenic picnic areas, to entertaining attractions like Six Flags, there are so many reasons to choose Lake County for familyfriendly fun. For FREE Reunion Planning Assistance call or email us with your questions. 5465 West Grand Avenue Suite 100 Gurnee, IL 60031 | 847-662-2700 kimberly@lakecounty.org www.visitlakecounty.org
SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGES 14 & 15.
VISIT CHICAGO SOUTHLAND
Great memories start with great locations. Reunions of all kinds can find superior facilities conveniently located to anywhere in the Midwest – and across the country. With our true Midwestern hospitality, the Chicago Southland feels like family. We offer complimentary services to ensure your reunion’s success. Call 888-895-3211 or visit www.ReuniteInChicagoSouthland.com
MARYLAND
TURF VALLEY RESORT
2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 410-465-1200
Turf Valley Resort wants to help you create a lifetime of family traditions and memories. For more than 30 years, we have had the pleasure of being a part
of the grins and giggles, milestones and merriment, simple times and celebrations that make up a truly great family reunion. Many family reunions take a lot of work: lighting up the grills, asking everyone to bring a dish, and cleaning up afterwards. At Turf Valley Resort, we have culinary experts ready to prepare fantastic meals for you and your family so that you can relax; leave the work to us! turfvalley.com | Info_sales@turfvalley.com
MISSOURI
EXPLORE BRANSON Missouri — your new favorite Midwest Destination! Surrounded by the beauty of the Ozark Mountains, Branson offers world-class entertainment and exciting attractions for all ages. Whether your reunion is family, military, or a graduating class, the Explore Branson team is here to assist you in securing the perfect lodging and creating an itinerary that the whole group is sure to enjoy. Served up with a generous side of authentic southern hospitality, Branson will have your group creating memories that are worth repeating! Feel free to reach out and request our complimentary Welcome Bags or our comprehensive Group Travel Planner Kit.
Contact: Yvonne Long, Assistant Director of Meetings & Conventions | 417-243-2121 Email: ylong@bransoncvb.com or Visit: ExploreBranson.com/groups
LAKE OF THE OZARKS
Offering over 1,150 miles of shoreline, Lake of the Ozarks is the premier family reunion destination in mid-America. Readers of USA Today and 10Best voted this scenic spot as the Best Recreational Lake in the nation. Centrally located just 175 miles from St. Louis, 165 miles from Kansas City and less than a day’s drive from anywhere in the central United States. The affordable, family-friendly Lake area offers outstanding activities for visitors of any age. Lake of the Ozarks Group Business Development Manager jen@funlake.com 573-348-1599
MONTANA
BAR W GUEST RANCH
2875 Hwy 93 West | Whitefish, MT 59937
406-863-9099
info@thebarw.com
TheBarW.com
ELKHORN RANCH
33133 Gallatin Rd | Gateway, MT 59730
406-995-4291
reservations@elkhornranchmountain.com
ElkhornRanchMontana.com
TENNESSEE
PIGEON FORGE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE — We’re a gold mine for reunions. Need attractions? Try Dollywood, TITANIC Museum Attraction, mountain coasters and the action-packed Parkway. Want nature? Great Smoky Mountains National Park is next-door. Want entertainment? More than a dozen theaters await you. Hungry? We’ll feed you well. Details: 1-800-251-9100 or visit pigeonforgereunion.com
VIRGINIA
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
12150 Monument Drive Suite 600 Fairfax, VA 22033
Enjoy everything that Northern Virginia has to offer. From the monuments and memorials of nearby Washington, DC to the Smithsonian’s 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 open and welcoming visitors.
Call Visit Fairfax at 703-790-0643, and Dean Miller, our reunion specialist, will go to work for you! dmiller@fxva.com | www.fxva.com
SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGES 40 & 41.
WYOMING
DUDE RANCHERS ASSOCIATION
1122 12th Street | Cody, WY 82414
307-587-2339
duderanch.org
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.
THE HIDEOUT LODGE & GUEST RANCH
3170 County Rd 40½ | Shell, WY 82441
307-765-2080
info@thehideout.com
TheHideout.com
COOKBOOKS
MORRIS PRESS COOKBOOKS
Preserve treasured family recipes and family heritage with a custom family reunion cookbook. Create a unique keepsake that can be handed down for generations. Everyone can enter their own recipes online and save 25¢ per cookbook. A family cookbook can also be used to raise funds for future reunions. Morris Press Cookbooks, the nation’s oldest and most trusted Cookbook Publisher!
Visit morriscookbooks.com for information and FREE samples. 800-445-6621
www.morriscookbooks.com/RMAG1224
GROUPRENTALS.COM
GroupRentals.com is the leading online marketplace specifically geared for group vacation rentals. Through GroupRentals.com, members are able to view and instantly book their perfect vacation bundle! Members simply input your key travel points (location, dates, number of travels and amount of homes) and they are able to book their perfect package of vacation rentals, all within their desired distance from each other.
SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGES 36 & 37.
