Time is running out! Enter Reunion Capital USA’s Cyberhunt Sweepstakes before the December 31st deadline and you could WIN BIG!

This is the third time that one lucky person will be selected the Grand Prize Winner of a super reunion package worth over $20,000 for their special group of 40. This year,  it could be you!

The grand prize package includes luxury hotel accommodations for a long weekend, catering for a reunion dinner and reception, a day full of fun at Six Flags America, a genealogy workshop, transportation and t-shirts for your entire group, and more! Official rules and regulations apply.

Remember, there are only 4 more days to enter, so don’t wait! Tell all your friends and family to enter today!

After a rather tiring trimester, Christmas is finally here. I got my report card and my grades are pretty good I guess. I scored 93,1% on my English exam, to which my teacher quoted Tina Turner in the comments…

“Simply the best,”

Although I don’t mind her creativity, it really does NOT help decrease the pressure I have of living up to my reputation of being the ’smartest in class’. xD However there’s quite a few people who failed more than one class on their exams, and I wouldn’t like to see them go to a different class that focuses on different subjects. I know they don’t want to leave either, but still, wouldn’t be the first time our school forces someone to do this kind of thing.

Anyway, no school work for 2 weeks…It’s about bloody time. xD Unfortunately, I’ll be just as frustrated thanks to my family. Mixed feelings, hurray.

Before I start this post, the following list of family members (mum’s side) will make it alot easier for everyone to understand and for me to explain.

My grandparents (both deceased) had 5 kids (my aunties and uncles) called Rita, Marina, John, My mum and Mick. The children they had (my cousins) works out like this:

Rita – David
Marina – Sean (deceased) & Gina
John (deceased) – Kerry, Rebecca and Samanta
My mum – Me & Sharon
Mick – Dominic, Damian and Ben

Even when I was a child, none of our family were particularly close. The brothers and sisters very much went their separate ways when they were old enough to escape from the horrors of their household. Mick married young and lived in Turkey for a long time, Marina fled to Australia still a teenager, Mum married, had Sharon, divorced and then joined the JW’s, Rita distanced herself from the entire family and John tragically fell ill just after he married and had children, he was still pretty young.

Aside from my uncle John who I saw weekly when he became really very ill, I think I met the others once or twice during my childhood, the same goes for my cousins. We were never big on family gatherings, except at funerals. First my grandfather, then uncle John, then my nana, all within the space of 2 years. I think that was enough for us.

In complete contrast to the family I directly grew up with, my uncle Mick is in a wonderful marriage and despite his childhood, together he and my Auntie Maria have turned out a very well rounded, loving family which I was lucky enough to be accepted into with open arms after finding Damian and Ben through the magic of Facebook just over 3 years ago (it turns out social-networking does have its place).

As it happens, some of the cousins we thought had disppeared without a trace a long time ago have gone to great lengths to also track down uncle Mick just recently. The best (and perhaps the most un-nerving) part is that we all get to meet each other for the first time in around 15 years this Christmas. I imagine it will be like a particularly emotional episode of Oprah plus tinsel. I am not quite sure how to react to it all just yet, it’s a bit of a big deal.

The first ‘new’ cousin into the fold is Kerry. I haven’t seen him since his father’s funeral when we were both 13 years old. Sadly, uncle John developed MS and eventually died when he reached his early 50’s, blind and confined to a wheelchair. It was utterly heartbreaking for everyone to watch uncle John deteriorate like he did and after the funeral, the family sort of dispersed for many different reasons.  Meeting Kerry as an adult is going to be amazing, his younger sister is not quite ready for it yet which is fair enough really, but at least she knows where we are if she ever wants to find us. 

David is the second ‘new’ cousin to pop up (he actually called my uncle out of the blue last night). I don’t remember ever meeting him when I was small, although I’m sure I probably did (at a funeral I would imagine). He, like me has become quite separate from his immediate family and has gone through all sorts of methods to find uncle Mick, including tracking down ‘new’ cousin no. 3 Gina, who lives all the way on the other side of the world in Australia – I’m guessing it won’t be long before the rest of us hear from her too.

Slowly but surely, the next generation of our family is piecing itself back together, no matter how far flung we have been in the past and my uncle Mick is at the centre of all of it. What’s even more wonderful is that when we all eventually have children, they will all have parents and aunties and uncles and cousins to grow up with, right from the very start of their lives. 

What a Christmas its going to be, massive gaping pieces of the family jigsaw falling back into place for all of us.

This is what Christmas time is truly about. My heart feels all warm ‘n’ fuzzy *sigh*.

Business Directory for Brighton, East Sussex

Need reunion inspiration? This special family story submitted by Rebecca Roemer shows how a reunion can bring a special group together to reminisce, reconnect and create lasting memories.

One afternoon, a friend told the story of how one of her own family traditions was born, Christmas in May. Her father, forever free-spirited, popped into town from out of state and they arranged to get together for dinner. Her sister in Philadelphia didn’t want to be left out, so she drove home to Maryland.

Aunts and uncles suggested they come together at their house, which happened to be crawling with cousins, and the next thing you know, there was a party. As grandparents and more relatives were called, the backdoor continued to fly open, inviting hollers, and then hugs from the gathering crowd. Everyone just kept coming. They joked that it was their ‘Christmas in May.’

The afternoon came together fast. Someone picked up a bushel of steamed crabs, while others fried buttermilk chicken, husked corn, whipped deviled eggs and brewed sweet tea. They laid layers of neighborhood news on the picnic table as a makeshift tablecloth, and carted out the bounty out like, well, like aunts to a picnic. Cracking crabs and passing paper plates they told stories of holidays past; when an ornery cousin dented their grandfather’s Chrysler one Christmas Eve, and how her great-uncle would eek-out holiday carols after dinner on his violin.

Even Grandpa chimed in with stories of being a child growing up in Baltimore with his four siblings. They sat around for hours. Everyone had a story to tell, his or her own piece of the family patchwork. No one rushed to clean up, there wasn’t much to do but roll up the paper anyhow. Her grandmother set the needle to old holiday records; she was a musician in her day and still had stacks of jazz from her time. Sitting back, listening and laughing, the group thumbed through vinyl and handed around newspaper clippings gathered through the years.

If we’re lucky, we all have days like these shuffled into our busy lives. It’s up to us to make these times memorable, to make our mess, to make our mark. Sometimes, there are no family birthdays, no major holidays, no real reasons to get together. So you make one up. That’s what family is about- making the time to be together.

There’s a reason Prince George’s County is all about family. It’s why we treasure traditions like ‘Christmas in May.’ It’s where families (just like yours) come together.

Want to win a reunion package of a lifetime worth over $20,000 to bring your family together and create your own special memories and traditions? Time is running out! Tell your family and friends and enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes today, the contest ends December 31st!

Went to a family get-together today. My mother and her sisters started a tradition with their girls and other female offspring plus daughters-in-laws which was to meet together on their deceased mother’s birthday, December 2nd, or some date near that time, to eat, mingle, sing with guitar accompaniment, and such like. I wasn’t in the mood for it, but it was held at cousin Sigrún Benedikta’s house and it was a really good event in terms of numbers and delicious spread. Sigrún’s black lab adores me, so we spent most of our time together. At one point I went downstairs where I found a few young cousins I haven’t met before playing with the dog, Apríl. Apríl jumped up to greet me and was rather overjoyed, and to try and minimise the embarrassment of her ignoring the two girls I said: Apríl loves me bc of my cats bc she plays with them sometimes, so she likes to be nice to me, haha. The girls really wanted to play with Apríl and were less than impressed with what I’d just said. “Why don’t you go upstairs then?” is what they said to me, and well, fair enough – they managed the situation just perfectly, eliminating the ‘threat’ to their play like that:) I was told for the umpteenth time how marvellous it is that I look like my mother’s deceased auntie Steinunn, a fat spinster seamstress with a 20000 Hz singing voice. She was a great human being, but I was always afraid as a child to turn out like her – fat, alone, though not a seamstress, thank goodness, haha  - and now that I have and they keep telling me, I am not amused. My insincere smiles to the aunties’ comments scared them off at a delightful pace.

Just watching a programme abt wee girls and boys in India with cleft palates, whose lives are altered if they are fortunate enough to have surgery, bc without they will never marry, not have boy/girlfriends, not finish education, and be outcast, for sure. What the why? Argh this world is driving me nuts, one ridiculous herecy and pointless tradition at a time. Perhaps once people died of cleft palates so shunning them and leaving them to die was better for all, them included, but now? Not so. So get over it, West Indians.

I bought a multifunctional dress today, they are the ‘in’ thing these days, and it looked okay when I tried it on. But I am too fat to carry it off gracefully, and I am sad over that. I know being fat is, by now, pretty much my doing, and my undoing should soon follow, but it just isn’t happening and I bogged down by it. When thin, skinny even, I felt fat, so if I still have the same wobbled mindset I feel fatter than I am, which must be the case, bc to me I look like a philly soon due to give birth to her twin foals. Philly, or any other female mammal due to give birth to multiples. And I am unconsoled by the fact that I can lose weight if I just do it (fðkojwcdmðfijadijfs so hard!) bc my arse will always look huge. Only once, no twice, has a guy lunged upon me with much interest due to my generous posterior, and I really didn’t appreciate it much. My ass is what it is, but I haven’t come to terms with it like some have. JLo, Beyonce and all that – there is no comparison – I am white, and taller than they, and yet I have this generous Latina/African American arse. Where did that come from? Actually, considering my lack of appreciation for the man who sired me I wouldn’t much mind finding my heritage to be from some Latino/African place, but alas, my colouring strongly indicates boring old Nordic-Germanic genes. Large arse is just an added ‘bonus’.

So what’s this blog about?

Noffing. Sitting here with painted nails, needing to tidy up and hoover so housemate doesn’t rant and rave about the cat sand spread around, but I can’t be bothered. Especially since he is likely moving. We shall see.

Oh the blog is about this: if someone is fat, boring, has halitosis, is bitchy, whatever – if you are not their partner, close friend, mother or other such similar significant person, do you need to let them know? If you know someone who looks like Marge Simpsons, do you have to tell them? If your niece looks like your deceased auntie from an other era, do you have to tell the niece?

No. Think of what the person would like to hear, and say that. Don’t be fake though. Just say nice stuff, if anything at all! Do we have to talk about looks, who looks like whom bla bla bla, all the time? These fam. things are always like that. People are like: you must be Björk’s daughter because yeah, and bla bla, and I think: why not talk about things real people talk about?

Like, “how’s the weather?”

Travelers Reveal Increasing Interest In Family Reunion Vacations
Among Them, More Than Two Million Choose Vacation Homes for Past Overnight Trips

 Family reunions have seen huge growth in the past year alone, with 23 percent of leisure travelers having named it as the primary reason for taking one or more trips during the past year, up a remarkable 13 percentage points since 2008.* As reunions increase in popularity, families are selecting vacation rental homes for a sense of privacy under one roof, rather than the stress of requesting adjoining rooms, remembering floor numbers, and designating “family” floor monitors to keep a watchful eye out for “tween” and teen members of the group. In fact, 2.45 million family reunion travelers who took an overnight trip of at least 75 miles from home in 2008 indicated staying in a vacation rental they rented or owned during the past year.

DiscoverVacationHomes.com  member companies have historically seen tremendous growth in the number of reunion groups who choose vacation rentals for their families’ accommodations over the traditional hotel,” explains Alex Risser, President of the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), whose professional members represent approximately 150,000 vacation rentals in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. “The vacation rental option often costs less than reserving multiple hotel rooms, and homes can even be rented side-by-side in the same neighborhood.”

Vacation rentals can range from one to upwards of 20 bedrooms underneath one roof with spaces to accommodate small to medium-sized reunion gatherings, including resort-style pools, barbeque areas, patios, restaurants on-property or in-home movie theaters. While staying in a professionally managed rental of any size, guests not only save on their overall cost of accommodations, but they can choose to cook meals in-home or using an outdoor grill, bring home leftovers from restaurants, cater meals using personal chef services or store ready-made meals and snacks. Most vacation rental management companies also boast partnerships with local vendors to offer guests discounts on tickets to area excursions, attractions, golf courses, as well as special rates on car and equipment rentals, to name a few.

The VRMA launched a “Discover Vacation Homes” awareness initiative this year as a tool for travelers to learn more about the vacation rental option,. The program aims to offer a variety of tools and resources for the traveling public, and links to more than 500 of North America’s most reputable professional vacation rental companies.

Looking to make your vacations even more memorable come visit Beach House Logos or Beachside Clothing Co to personalize your family reuinion just bit more

Planning your next reunion and looking for the perfect location for your special group…where better to stay then just outside our Nation’s Capital?

Prince George’s County, Maryland is the ideal location for any reunion, regardless of group size, price point or interests. From quality hotels, to historic museums, and fun attractions, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Gorgeous Prince George’s!

Looking for a high quality hotel for your group to stay? The Marriott Greenbelt hotel has won “Marriott Hotel of the Year” and is minutes from exciting attractions such as the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Six Flags America, downtown Washington, D.C., and within an hour from Baltimore and Annapolis.

Planning a reunion for a large group? Check out the National Harbor, Maryland’s newest dream gateway! It’s an incredible 300-acre waterfront destination just minutes from downtown Washington D.C., along the Potomac River. The cornerstone of National Harbor is the 2000-room Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the largest hotel in the Washington DC metro. The National Harbor features world-class dining, nightclubs, shopping and an amazing market, as well as special seasonal features and attractions for the whole family to enjoy!

There are a magnitude of unique and interesting historical sites, museums and cultural events to enjoy in Prince George’s. Go back in time and visit the Surratt House, home of Mary Surratt, the first woman to be executed by the United States government after being found guilty of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. The museum presents a variety of programs and events, recapturing the history of mid-19th century life and focusing on the fascinating web of the Lincoln conspiracy.

Check out a performance at the incredible Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, take in a professional sports game, or spend a day exploring Fort Washington and it’s 341-acre park offering an assortment of recreational opportunities, including hiking and biking trails and a playground.

There are plenty of great places to experience on your reunion in Prince George’s, making it the ideal reunion destination! Check out Reunion Capital USA for reunion planning advice, ideas and more!

Follow ReunionsUSA on twitter for daily updates!

Enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes and you could WIN a reunion package worth over $20,000 in Prince George’s! It’s only open until December 31st so enter your group today and you could be the next big winner!

So you’ve been crowned organizer of your reunion. Sure is different from hosting a small dinner party for a couple of friends, isn’t it? Don’t get overwhelmed; we can help ensure a successful reunion for all!

Reunions are a time to celebrate life’s milestones, achievements and renew old acquaintances. It’s also time to start losing the pounds, covering the grays and getting ready for some serious fun!

ReunionCapitalUSA.com is rich with resources and information that will help any Reunion Rookie plan an event to remember. Your reunion should be a fun, special event for all attendees, so here are some of the key points that will help you host a reunion like a PRO:

1. The first decision you’ll need to make is who to invite, and forming a reunion committee will certainly be helpful. The planning committee works as a team to make sure that all aspects of the reunion are taken care of, and that no details are left out. (It’s very hard for one person to be responsible for such a large task!). For more information about forming a reunion committee, please click here.

2. Develop a detailed budget. You’ll need to figure out how much each attendee will pay in order to cover the venue deposit, printing and mailing of invitations, long-distance phone calls, and any unexpected expenses you may come across. For more information on developing and sticking to a budget, please click here.

3. Start the search for a location as early as possible for the best rates and most choices. Deciding on a location can depend on group size, budget, time of year, geographic location, and the type of activities best suited to attendees. Select a date and start publicizing the reunion as early as possible so attendees can make travel plans. For more info on dates & location, please start here.

4. Stay in the loop! When the location, date, and facility have been confirmed, send out invitations to your reunion members. The invitations can be a simple e-mail, plain letter, or fun creation that goes along with a party theme. Ask attendees for information about their lives (including updated contact information). Compile it all into a booklet and mail this out to reunion attendees before the reunion, so they can be ready to pounce on family and old friends as soon as they walk through the door to catch up.

Interested in some great planning resources such as a reunion timetable and checklist, as well as a FREE planning kit, check out Reunion Capital USA for all your reunion needs, regardless of size, type or extravagance, and follow us on twitter!

Enter to win a complete and FREE REUNION worth over $20,000 by entering the annual Cyberhunt Sweepstakes! You and your group could be our next big winners! The final entry date is December 31st, so get your group members to enter today!

Did you take on the exciting, but sometimes stressful task of planning your next reunion?

The key to staging a successful reunion is good time management and organization. Follow this timetable to manage your reunion planning and preparation every step along the way!

12 to 18 months before the reunion:
Create a database family names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses
Determine family interest, number of people that may attend
Assemble a list of relatives who will help with the event

11-12 months before the reunion:
Form reunion committee(s) and establish responsibilities and schedules
Create a budget/bookkeeping system. Keep records of everything you do related to the reunion
Site Visit – scout potential locations and facilities (if needed)
Set the date
Select the location
1st Mailing – Send out a reunion announcement w/tentative reunion date, schedule and plans
Arrange or hire caterer, photographer, etc.

6 to 9 months and counting:
Finalize reunion date and location
2nd Mailing – Send out reunion invitation
Reserve block of hotel rooms
Begin list of attendees

5 months and counting:
Confirm reservations, photographer, entertainment, caterer (if used)
Finalize the menu

6-8 weeks and counting:
Complete address/memory book
Draft checklist for reunion tasks
Coordinate volunteers and designate their assignments

2 weeks and counting:
Purchase last minute decorations and supplies
Confirm eating, lodging and meeting arrangements
Review final checklist

One day and counting:
Solve or Resolve any last-minute problems
Walk through all final details

Big day – no more counting – the reunion is here!
Get to the reunion site early
Coordinate day-of details, meet with volunteers, etc.
Decorate reunion area
Set up displays, rental equipment, and registration table

Done – What Now?
Evaluate – What worked and what didn’t work
Thank all the committee heads and volunteers
Settle all accounts; finalize bookkeeping
Set a date to starting planning for the next reunion!

Want reunion planning to be easy? Enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes and are elibigle to win a COMPLETE REUNION PACKAGE for 40 worth over $20,000! Enter Today!

Search to Benefit Holocaust Survivors Intensifies

• There are over 200,000 Holocaust survivors living in the U.S.
• The Red Cross has conducted 40,000 Holocaust tracing cases over the years.
• The Red Cross has created over 1,500 family reunions between Holocaust survivors.
• There are over 100 Red Cross Holocaust tracing cases currently pending in Palm Beach County. 

West Palm Beach, FL (October 29, 2009)—The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is redoubling its efforts to find answers for survivors who lost loved ones during the World War II era more than 60 years ago. From Thursday, November 4^th to Sunday, November 8^th, the local Red Cross will host distinguished guest Linda Klein, Director of the Red Cross Holocaust & War Victims Tracing and Information Center, which is located in Baltimore. Klein will travel throughout Palm Beach County, spreading word of the Red Cross’ free tracing service with a sense of urgency to community groups including Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Child Survivors/Hidden Children of the Holocaust, the American Red Cross, Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service, the Volen Center, and several area temples.

On Sunday, November 8^th, the Chapter is hosting an informal community-wide reception at the Count & Countess de Hoernle Service Center of the American Red Cross from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5820 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 33487). Holocaust survivors and their descendants; families of Holocaust victims; Veterans; and those with a general interest in war victims tracing and how it resonates in the mission of today’s Red Cross are encouraged to attend the free event, where they can connect over a light kosher lunch. A team of the organization’s volunteers will be available that day to begin search inquiries. Guests will also have the chance to meet local people who have successfully found answers regarding the fate of loved ones by utilizing Red Cross tracing. At the events’ close, Klein will leave for Baltimore.

About the Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center:

The Center for Information on Holocaust Restitution estimates that 5 to 10 survivors die each day. As time runs out for aging survivors, the Red Cross Holocaust Tracing Service offers to search for family members and document the fates of loved ones through personal services that are comprehensive, confidential and free of charge. The Red Cross tracing service has accessed resources and archives throughout the world, including the complete holdings of the International Tracing Service in Bad Arolsen, Germany, since the Soviet Union’s release of documents to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1989. That cache of documents, which included Auschwitz death books and hundreds of thousands of names of concentration camp victims, provided the single largest source of information made available since the end of World War II.

The Red Cross has operated this specialized tracing service for the past 19 years. Over the course of just a few months, the Tracing Center recently located 20 individuals and recovered information, such as date of death, on 400 others. Overall, the organization has found more than 1,500 survivors alive. In thousands of other cases, inquirers have discovered information about the circumstances of a loved one’s death. Others access this service for documentation of forced/slave labor or proof of internment.

To Begin a Search:

To access a search, survivors or their family members are urged to contact the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross anytime at (561) 833-7711, visit the Red Cross on the web at www.redcross-pbc.org, or attend any Ms. Klein’s upcoming presentations. Inquirers will need to gather the following information about sought person: relationship to inquirer; first and last name; date of birth or approximate year or range of years of birth; country of birth; country last resided; and last contact with sought person. 

ATTEND A PRESENTATION:

Thursday, November 5, 2009:

• Eat & Schmooze, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Join Linda Klein over lunch at the Volen Center in Boca Raton as Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service, Next Generations and the Volen Center partner to meet the unique socialization needs of Holocaust survivors. Free kosher lunch for seniors and transportation available; call Genevieve Mosley at (561) 395-8920 before 12 p.m. no later than one day in advance to RSVP. The Volen Center is located at 1515 West Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton.
• Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Boynton, 5 p.m.: Linda Klein will participate in a presentation at 10655 El Clair Ranch Road in Boynton Beach.
• Temple Beth Tikvah Cultural Series, 7 p.m.: Join Linda Klein for Temple Beth Tikvah’s cultural series kick-off presentation at 4550 Jog Road in Lake Worth.

Friday, November 6, 2009,

• Red Cross volunteer & staff address, 9 a.m.: Learn more about Red Cross Holocaust & War Victims Tracing at local Red Cross Headquarters (825 Fern Street, West Palm Beach). Immediately followed by a Holocaust Tracing Volunteer Workshop where individuals can share stories and register to volunteer. RSVP to Brittany Jo Miller, (561) 650-9114.
• Temple Shaarei Shalom, 8 p.m.: Linda Klein will speak at Temple Shaarei Shalom’s service, 9085 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach.

Saturday, November 7, 2009, Temple Beth El presentation, 9 a.m.: Linda will make a presentation during services at 2815 North Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach.

Sunday, November 8, 2009, Reconnect Holocaust Survivors, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Holocaust survivors and their descendants; families of Holocaust victims; Veterans; and those who have a general interest in war victims tracing and how it resonates in the mission of today’s Red Cross are encouraged to attend and connect over a light kosher lunch at the Red Cross in Boca Raton (5820 North Federal Highway). RSVP to Brittany Jo Miller, (561) 650-9114.

More About Linda Klein:

Linda Cauthen Klein was appointed Director of the Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing and Information Center in April, 1994. Before that, she was the Communications Director for the Red Cross Central Maryland Chapter and Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region. As director of the tracing center, Ms. Klein is responsible for its day-to-day operations. In 2002, she traveled to Israel to help Magen David Adom establish a tracing office in Tel Aviv. Ms. Klein has also developed capacity building programs with tracing departments in Canada and Poland.

Before joining the Red Cross, Ms. Klein was the Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. She has written numerous articles and reviews for the Baltimore Jewish Times, and she served as president of the Baltimore Public Relations Council in 1996 and 1997. Ms. Klein holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and a Masters from Towson State University. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Edward A. Myerberg Senior Center and was the recipient of the 2006 Gloria Harris Award for outstanding volunteer service. She lives in Reistertown, MD with her husband, Yale.

# # #

About the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross:

For over 90 years, the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, taught lifesaving skills, and supported military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at  www.redcross-pbc.org.

Does planning a reunion seem overwhelming? Stress no more! This list will ensure that you are on track every step of the way to ensure a smooth, enjoyable reunion for all without any major issues or reunion woes.

Reunion Checklist

• Appoint a coordinator for the even and form a Reunion Committee
• Create a reunion notebook to track progress
• Make a master list or file of members and guests
• Poll your guests on possible reunion activities, location, time, etc.
• Set reunion date(s)
• Choose/reserve a reunion location
• Choose menu for reunion meals and casual get-togethers
• Set/finalize reunion budget
• Send first mailer – notify members of tentative reunion plans/schedule
• Arrange entertainment and activities
• Arrange for a photographer or videographer
• Send second mailer – invitations to all invited guests
• Reserve/confirm/block accommodations and/or hotel rooms
• Reserve/confirm entertainment and activities
• Reserve/confirm caterer/dining options
• Purchase souvenirs, t-shirts, hats, etc.
• Assign day-of-event responsibilities
• Decorate reunion location
• Arrange for ample number of chairs, tables, etc.
• Arrange for special needs of elderly or disabled
• First Aid Kit (and medicine cooler if event is outdoors)
• Set up registration table with registration/guest book
• Distribute and collect reunion evaluation forms
• Set tentative date for next year’s reunion while everyone is together
• Post-Event review, survey and follow-up

This is just a list to get you started. Check out a full reunion resource, ReunionCapitalUSA for extra help planning a a successful reunion for family, military, fraternity or sorority, alumni or church groups!

What would make your Reunion event better? Winning our 2009 Cyberhunt Sweepstakes Grand Prize Reunion Package worth over $20,000! Enter today!

…how tiring it is now to be going on long drives, especially when you don’t expect to be caught in traffic jams so early in the morning and sizzle under the sun.

It was our annual family reunion on my paternal grandmother’s side. Dad, while still recovering from surgery, was insistent on going to Laguna to attend the gathering set for Sunday.

To accommodate him, we had to leave at 6 a.m. of Saturday supposedly to beat the traffic and avoid the sun’s glare and heat. We almost made it but a stalled vehicle along a road made narrow by road construction threw our schedule off.  That, plus my little niece taking her sweet time to eat pancakes, and another traffic log in Los Baños, had us arriving past 9 a.m.  Still, fresh farm air was most welcome.

Unlike the last time when I was able to nap after the drive,  I had no such luxury. Four-year-olds get very excited and I was the only one to watch over her.  We also needed to get some supplies.  An overcast sky would have been wonderful, but Mr. Sunshine had other plans.  We never made it to the town market, which they said had been inundated by Ondoy, and customers now needed to take a boat ride to do their marketing.

While lunch was a hodge podge of food, dinner was made from scratch using everything from the farm.  Caretaker had to give up one of her native chickens, then dug up ginger, plucked raw papaya from the tree, and gathered leaves of sili from the bush.  And after hours of boiling to make the chicken tender, we had hot, steaming tinola.  And fish, which auntie brought from Manila, fried in olive oil. Yummo!

Burp! Burp! When everything was cleaned up, it was time to sit around the table and exchange tales.

I stepped out under the evening sky, and was greeted by Luna — a beautiful crescent — made more dramatic by a thin layer of clouds that absorbed her diffused glare. The stars appeared bigger, but were not as plentiful as before. Time stood still for me, albeit briefly. It was just wonderful to breathe deep and be thankful for the blessings throughout the day. A safe journey. Food on the table. A roof over our heads. The company of loved ones. And the hope for a better day ahead.

There was nothing grand about the reunion the next day, because the host family said it did not seem appropriate given the calamities and tragedies that people are still recovering from.  What was important was to reconnect with the clan.

It was a long, hot day because the event was held outdoors. Even with the towering coconut trees that dotted the property, and a smattering of other fruit bearing trees, it was difficult to ward off the harsh glare of the sun. We kept moving around in search of the shade, and that was half the fun of it.

We hied off to Liliw — the slipper capital of Laguna — late in the afternoon. It was another long drive, but an enjoyable one nevertheless. What’s one more adventure, after all… I so admire little niece because she held up like the rest of us and got herself two pairs of footwear — slippers and sandals.

When we got back to the farm, it was mayhem because there were more than a dozen people in the house!!!! They were getting ready to drive back home. We would be leaving early the next day because Dad needed to rest after the long day. The kids, while raring to go home, had already expressed their desire to come back and stay overnight.

Finally, all was back to normal. Peace reigned in the house. We had a quiet dinner, with little niece barely able to keep her eyes open. She went to the room, went under the tent- (mosquito net) covered bed and was out like a light in two minutes.

The bed was calling to me, too. But I had get niece washed up and in her jammies, pack up and get things ready for the drive back the following morning.

When I finally lay down to rest my tired self, I realized it was still all a blessing. Everything was an experience given by God. It was up to me how I would take it all in. Every chance I get to live life to the fullest is a miracle. And I am most humbled…

Want a chance to win an amazing full reunion package for your special group of 40? Enter Reunion Capital USA’s Annual Cyberhunt Sweepstakes and you could be our next BIG WINNER!

Don’t be deferred, this is a Sweepstakes you can actually win! Chances are not a million to one, and we have a lucky winner every year for a reunion of a lifetime in Gorgeous Prince George’s County, MD—located just outside of Washington D.C. making it the perfect reunion destination.

The grand prize package includes luxury hotel rooms for a long weekend, catering for a reunion dinner and reception, a day full of fun at Six Flags America, a genealogy workshop, transportation and t-shirts for your entire group, and more!

Need reunion inspiration? Meet our past winners, Kendie Reich and Yolawnda Rogers and experience their reunion stories for yourself! You and your family or friends could be next!

It is a fun and easy to enter the Cyberhunt, don’t miss out on an incredible prize and memories with those you love! For extra chances of winning, forward the link to all your friends and family, and have them enter today! The contest runs through December 31st, 2009, check out our official rules and regulations if you have questions.

For daily reunion tips, inspiration, and helpful hints, follow ReunionsUSA on twitter!

We are always looking to hear about your reunion experiences, unique ideas, and what makes your family or group so special!

Does your family have a reunion tradition that has gone on for years, like the Zubick family’s 71 year annual summer camping and rapids trip? Did you finally bring the whole gang together recently to celebrate a special day, like great-grandma’s 100th birthday? Do you have fun reunion themes or games and activities that have brought everyone closer together, or know the key to keeping the kids happy and occupied?

Please share all your favorite memories, unique traditions, or even favorite reunion recipes, and check back for inspiration!

Sharing stories can give others that little boost they need to start planning their reunion they have always talked about, or your creative ideas can help make their next reunion great–whether it be a large family gathering, to bringing their fraternity or sorority pledge classes back together for a weekend of fun!

Check out inspiring stories from people who have already submitted their memories, leave one of your own, or leave reunion ideas, suggestions or fun memories by commenting on this blog!

If you are interested or are planning a reunion follow ReunionsUSA on twitter for daily updates on all things reunion! And don’t forget to enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes today for a chance to win a complete reunion package for 40 worth over $20,000, and read about past winner’s experiences!

Enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes between July 1 and December 31, 2009, then check back to find why Gorgeous Prince George’s is your home for every kind of reunion possible… family, military, fraternity, sorority, church and alumni– we do it all! Check out our Grand Prize information!

Looking for a delicious recipe to impress your friends and family? Welcome fall and enjoy the wonderful produce of the season by making our crowd-pleasing apple crisp or sweet potato pie!

Apple Crisp Recipe submitted by Roger Brow:

To make this all time favorite recipe you need the following ingredients:

4 cups sliced, pared, tart apples
Dash of Salt
¼ cup orange juice or lemon juice
½ cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg

Mound apples in buttered 9” pie plate; sprinkle with juice. For Topping: combine sugar, flour, spices, and salt; cut in margarine until mixture is crumbly; then scatter over apples.

Bake at 375° for 45 minutes or until apples are done and topping is crisp and lightly browned. Serves 6.

Sweet Potato Pie submitted by Yvonne Ways:

Ingredients:

3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled & cooked until tender
2 pie shells, unbaked
1 stick butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon

Mash sweet potatoes, combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour pie mixture into unbaked pie shells and bake 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes 2 pies.

Enjoy!

Interested in other Reunion approved recipes? Have one of your own you would like to share? Check out ReunionCapitalUSA!

Reunions can bring families together and help you rediscover the ones you love. This story will touch your heart, and help you see the fun memories and connection a reunion can bring. This story was sent in by Stephanie Perry from Maryland.

My mother told me that she always wanted to have a reunion. My cousin said, “I am tried of us getting together for weddings and funerals.” I was tired of it too. My mother said that she wanted to do this but she needed help. I called family members in Baltimore, Prince George’s, Philadelphia and California. They all agreed to  have Maryland as our reunion home state.

The planning process was not easy, and took a lot of time, but every bit of it was worth it. At our first family reunion, we planned to have another every year. The first year was awesome and the second year was better. We had games, moon bounce, food, drinks and more food.

Seeing the joy on my mother’s face to have her family all together, laughing, hugging, sharing memories gave her so much joy, she continues to reflect on her memories with a smile on her face. The joy of having a family and being together.

We would love to hear about YOUR reunion next! Enter our Cyberhunt Sweepstakes today for a chance to win amazing reunion package worth $20,000!

Is there a message here? You go to a family reunion and there are more trucks in the yard than there are trucks on the truck dealers lot a block away.

Not everyone knows everyone because it’s just been too many years so you spend half of the time trying to figure out who belongs to who. One little girl about 8 years old is sitting in the middle of the group, several individuals try figuring out who she belongs to without success. Finally, one family member asks her who she belongs to and she gives her parents first names and it didn’t cause anyone to figure it out. So someone else asked her who her grandparents were. She told but everyone was as confused as ever. About that time the host of the reunion walked into our conversation. A family member finally asked the host how this little girl was related, to which he replied “She’s the daughter of our next door neighbor, and unrelated.” That just proves almost anyone could crash a large family reunion and no one would know the difference.

With hundreds of church attendees, it can be difficult to connect with all your church members and catch up with church friends every Sunday morning.  In today’s busy world, creating meaningful connections and relationships at your church community can be difficult. Church is a spiritual place where we are inspired by our pastors and the words of the bible, a place where we realize the importance of friends and family, and a place where bonding and the connection to God creates a connection to others–everyone from all types of backgrounds, races, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses.

How often, though, do you take the time to get to know those people who surround you each Sunday in the pews of your church?  How often do you talk and catch up on their lives and what is happening?  How often do you share in simple celebrations and laughter, bonding time that is priceless?

It’s time to celebrate your special church and bond with your fellowship.  It’s time to share in the spiritual bonds that unite everyone in the community.  It’s time to celebrate the joys of everyday life with those who appreciate and understand your gratitude and enthusiasm for life.  It’s time to plan a church reunion!

Fall is the perfect time to start organizing a grand church celebration! You can celebrate with your current fellowship, and also invite past church members who may have moved away for a weekend of fun and faith.  At ReunionCapitalUSA.com, we have the most up-to-date and helpful planning information.  From time lines to venues, from activity ideas to accommodations, the web’s #1 source for Church Reunion Planning has it all!

Check out our 2009 Cyberhunt Sweepstakes for your chance to win our GRAND PRIZE REUNION package worth over $20,000 in reunion prizes!!!

We do custom shirts and all sorts of goodies such as Banners, Posters, Window Graphics, Vehicle Graphics. Fleet Graphics, and Outdoor Signage and lets not forget Wall Pigs.

Custom, t-shrits, tee shrits, t-shirts, designs, silk, screen, teeshirts, screen-printing, embroidery, printed tshirt, custom hats, shirt design, family reunions

How long has it been since your entire family reconnected and spent quality time with one another? Planning a reunion is a great way to celebrate someone special in your family, from honoring your great grandmother’s 100th birthday to celebrating a uncle’s safe arrival home from the military.

Birthdays and Holidays are perfect times to have an excuse to plan a reunion and bring the entire family together. Start by picking the time and date, then work on reunion details. A reunion doesn’t have to be a huge event, it can be anything from a fun filled weekend of activities to just a big dinner at someone’s house.

Family members will be thrilled to have an excuse to come together and see relatives they have not been able to spend much time with, as well as creating lasting family memories and bonds. Reunions are a great way for the generations to connect, create friendships for the younger family members to continue a strong family relationship for years to come, and make special and lasting memories.

You and your family could be this year’s lucky winner of our annual Cyberhunt Sweepstakes and win an amazing reunion weekend in Prince George’s County, Maryland just outside of our Nation’s Capital! Enter the sweepstakes today and win a complete reunion package valued at over $20,000!

For more reunion planning advice, ideas and plenty of helpful links and resources, check out Reunion Capital USA and follow us on twitter for help every step of the way!

Following the passing of the former South Korean president, North Korea has taken positive steps towards peaceful discussions for the first time in a few years.  Some have speculated that this has been fueled by a doubt in the future leadership of the country.  As Kim Jong Il grows older (and after suffering a stroke last year), it is unclear how North Korea will continue after he steps down or passes away.

While this may be a contributing factor, there are larger issues at stake.  Yes, issues larger that the leadership of any individual country.

Prior to the decision to resume family reunions and slightly relax tensions on the Korean peninsula, North Korea had been uncooperative and dangerous with their approach to sanctions from the U.S. and its allies.  They even went as far as to threaten nuclear retaliation if they felt it was a just reason.

This week those threats paint an unrealistic picture, but just last week experts were scrambling to figure out if North Korea actually had the capability to deliver a nuclear warhead.

The overall consensus was that North Korea has yet to develop an efficient means of delivering such weapons (though there is a general fear that North Korea could miniaturize their warheads over the next few years).  Still, these threats produce (and reinforce) a number of issues.

1. If North Korea does have the capability to deploy a nuclear warhead, this is a grave threat to every country in Asia as well as the United States.

2. North Korea has the fifth largest standing army in the world.  Estimates vary, but some believe that if necessary, Kim Jong Il could double or even triple his army’s size.

3. In the event of any type of attack, South Korea’s capital Seoul is well within range of North Korea’s ground based artillery.  The U.S. has pledged to shoot any weapons aimed for Seoul down, but this would take some level of advanced warning.  Additionally, 2 million soldiers currently line the Demilitarized Zone separating the two countries.  Experts have predicted that if a war were to start, as many as 70 million people could die within the first few hours.

4. North Korea is the most secretive country on the planet.  They often jam information moving out of many of their bases, and many of their most important facilities are built underground so they can escape satellite detection.

5. Most importantly, should relations turn sour once more, the surrounding countries would have every reason to want to increase their military wherewithal.  Particularly, South Korea and Japan could look to become nuclear capable nations.  While they are currently under an agreement not to develop such weaponry, a nuclear threat from North Korea could easily prompt them into forgoing that agreement.  Both nations have the technological capabilities and the scientists to become nuclear threats in a short amount of time.

If this kind of arms race starts, China, Russia, and the U.S. will have big decisions to make.  China, the local superpower, would have to decide between intervention (at their own risk) or attempting to remove themselves from the struggle.  Russia, in their attempt to realign themselves with the title “superpower” would undoubtedly join in the struggle on one side or the other, probably on the side of P’yongyang.  And the U.S. would need to seriously consider their support of Seoul.  Simply abandoning them isn’t an option, but hopefully we learned from the disaster of the first Korean War.

A large scale regional conflict could even prompt interest from countries like India or, if they continue their success against the Taliban, Pakistan.  With this many million lives at stake, lets hope North Korea continues to slowly back down.  But don’t put all your chips in one basket.

- “Demosthenes”

85

Goofy fun on the road (touring the Wyoming Frontier Prison)

84

Family reunion!

83

My sister, Robyn, with one of her grandkids

82

Babies!

81

Smart kids — Sarah giving computer advice to my sister

80

Playing games and beating these guys!

79

Some of my sister’s grandchildren

Ah, summer. You roll in all seductive and lazy in early June and spoil us with rain, greenery, bursts of sunlight and the desire to barbecue everything in sight. You treat us well, and then seemingly overnight you abandon us to the moodiness of fall. We didn’t know what we had until we lost you.

Summer’s end is certainly weighing heavily on me these days. Not that I can’t handle the cold — it’s that I can’t handle the torrid pace of life. September: it’s next week. My God.

It’s been a snap-happy time for me and my shutter release. There was the trip to Steamboat Springs for the Balloon Rodeo, the remarkable reunion of the Reitzugs, a portrait session with Michaelanne Dehner, and three weddings (only one of which I’ve had time to post just yet). In the midst of it all, I managed to go backpacking zero times. I’m fairly certain I won’t even get a chance next summer either, but “woah is me.” I live in Colorado, one of the world’s most beautiful places, and I’m healthy and so is Hailey, and the future: oh, it couldn’t be brighter.

So, without more rambling, here are summer’s loose ends of photographs — little spare bits that didn’t quite fit into the story line of any blog posts, whether past or future. At the top, glacier lilies near Buffalo Pass. In early July, I went hiking with Tim Lamberton (below right) and bagged my 21st wilderness area — the midway point to bagging all of them in Colorado.

At left is me at my favorite place in Colorado — Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. We stopped there en route to New Mexico for the family reunion. My cousin Nick, his wife Guilia and their adorable son Lorenzo (below) paid us a visit for a few days before hand, and since they were coming from Rome, well, how could you not see the Great Sand Dunes? We had to go, and Lorenzo had to fulfill his playing-in-the-muck quotient for this trip to America.

Once in New Mexico, we did countless things — among them the ambitious white seamless project, but we also did a half-day bug hunt with the fourth generation. That’s my nephew Isaiah (below right), pointing at the grasshoppers. The Nuggets jersey? His favorite piece of clothing. He doesn’t know who the Denver Nuggets are, let alone the first thing about basketball. He loves it because his favorite food is chicken nuggets. I love that boy.

And finally, a few golf shots from our recent trip to Idaho for Adam Huggins’ wedding. That’s Adam (below left), teeing up on the eighth at Sun Valley’s amazing golf course.

The views from the course — like this one from the second tee — were astounding. I love Idaho. Plan to go back when we have kids.

And as for golf course photography … yeah, I could definitely get into that.

Thanks for letting me have an indulgent and aimless blog post. Coming up: more from Adam and Tess’ wedding, a trash the dress shoot with Jodi and John, and a whole slew of great shots from Jacqie and Ken’s wedding.