I have taken the privilege of posting this from all the emails that have come
in on the subject as of this day, June 11, 2009. I am starting from the first
one and going down in the order it was answered.
From Anna:
There
was a great turnout for the reunion and it was wonderful seeing
everybody! Aunt Kathy and I were talking about it today and she said, I
wish we had taken group pictures of every family. All of us
probably have some suggestion on what would make the reunion even
nicer, so let's all add our suggestions and put them in a folder (at each
computer) for the next reunion. Maybe we could do it on facebook or just
through these emails, or at cousinsclub.com. But, now is the time to make
notes on how to make it better and more memorable next time.
So,
here goes:
1.
Take family group pictures as well as one great big gathering picture
2.
Have each family introduce new family members since the last reunion.
3.
How often should we plan them?
4.
Did you agree or disagree that the pavilion was a perfect place? We can
reserve it very early
for the next one. (We had this one reserved for two years.)
5.
What is the very best time of year to do it?
Please
add your suggestions to the list and send to everyone.
BTW,
I got out the cookbook from the last one and it was on August 5,2006.
From
Angela:
In
general, just fewer organized activities so people don't find themselves
spending time during the reunion planning and preparing. It's nice to
have everyone meet for dinner and lunch, and to have time for people to do
things in front of the microphone, but otherwise I think it's okay to enjoy
visiting and doing things with each other spontaneously.
Everyone enjoys the beach at Rockport, it offers varied activity options, and
allows for an escape route for less interested yet well-meaning in-laws, and
even family members, to retreat from the crowd when overwhelmed by the sheer
fabulousness of us all. But it sure is dirty.
Every other year is probably good since most of us live in Rockport or visit
fairly often. And the other ones don't show up anyway.
Was there a group photo? I missed that if so. Of course there
should be.
I had a great time at the reunion and thank you for all your hard work.
It really was fun. I just wish I had time to talk with everyone - next
time I'll get there earlier.
Angela
From Aaron:
My thoughts:
Pavilion
was better than Kon-Tiki, but could we perhaps look at doing something at the
HEB retreat on Live Oak Point? Stephanie Reed would be the point of contact on
that. Or Goose Island? Or maybe that conference center back on the airport
road? I think it would be nice to be able to sit around a campfire, or a poker
table, or in a storytelling circle.
What
about doing it on a holiday weekend? The last weekend of June, a week before a
major holiday, was a little bit awkward.
Thanksgiving?
The weather is usually quite lovely in Rockport that time of year and maybe we
could stretch the reunion over two days. Plus, most everyone is cooking already
anyhow.
Can
we somehow get some or all of Junior's family to the next one?
Love
to all,
Aaron.
From Angela: I agree, Goose Island or HEB retreat would be nice, for something
a little more centralized and private, but still with plenty to do.
From Ray:
I don't know what else there is to do at Goose Island ... besides swat
mosquitoes and fish. There's no beach to swim, no sand to play. And the
mosquitoes are always bad. I haven't been to the HEB retreat. Is there a
website?
From Aaron:
Okay, here's a heterodox thought: we
could always do it somewhere else, like one of the Hill Country state
parks, or Foxfire Cabins near Lost Maples SNA, or Big Bend Ranch SP or on three
big houseboats in Lake Travis. Just a thought. Not that I don't like Rockport and all ....
From Patty:
What about every three years. Just like
this past reunion. That gives us 2012. I really loved
the Thanksgiving reunions we did in the early 90s. It w I believe there
was one official and one just turned into a whole lot of people. I may
even have a picture from one of them with a whole lot of us older cousins
gathered 'round grandmother. I don't think the Goose Island venue
is big enough for us now though. Stretching it out over more than
one day would be nice, and I think we sort of did that with Uncle Dicks
birthday festivities, like a night time official mixer and then "The Day".
Ray, I think the place out by the airport is
a children's camp again.
From Judy:
So,
here goes:
1.
Take family group pictures as well as one great big gathering picture
Yes.
2.
Have each family introduce new family members since the last reunion.
There
should be some way to do this.
I sense we could do more to create an atmosphere of
incorporation, relationship, and inter-action. Definitely introducing to
family members, or even old ones. We don't see each other very
often. The Family Trivia Game is an excellent idea, but we
should be working on it NOW. Activities planned to draw
people into conversation or at least direct facial eye contact. I heard a
fellow employee saying they usually play "Price is Right" at their
family reunion. I thought that sounded a lot of fun!
3.
How often should we plan them?
3 years sounded good. I like the Thanksgiving
Weekend Reunion idea. Most people have at least part of that time
off. It's already a natural time for families to be together. And,
starting 3 years in advance, if "the other side" of the couples'
families need to have their holidays fitted in, there is time to plan for that,
if we start planning now.
4.
Did you agree or disagree that the pavilion was a perfect place? We can
reserve it very early
for the next one. (We had this one reserved for two years.)
I don't like to say the pavillion was NOT the perfect
place, because if it had not been reserved by caring family members, it
wouldn't have happened at all. So for the times we've done it, it was
perfect.
In the future, my preference would not be
the beach. It is sandy. It is hot. It is up stairs. Out
of neccesity we all sit and face the stage area or food area,
and that's not conducive to inter-relating. If the reuinion weekend
is over 2-3 days, we could plan a beach gathering during that time.
In response to Aaron's idea of another place, the
Presbyterians have a great facility in Kerrville, or nearby, scheeze, the name
escapes right now, but all the rest of you will remember. Big meeting
lodge, lots of apartments and dorms. River, activities and places to
roam. MO Ranch?
5.
What is the very best time of year to do it?
My other suggestions would be:
Committees formed this year for Games,
activities, food, souviners etc. One person at least from each family
should be on at least one committee. Planning should start now, so by the
year before, we will all know the exact date, place and money. A couple
of people to hold position of co-treasurers.
More family history. A short worship/devotion to
honor the One Who Brings Us Through, and those who have gone on to the next
Reunion.
For me, I like the Thanksgiving weekend idea. I am
absolutely positive not everyone will like that.
Well, that's all for now. ......Judy
From Anna:
Great suggestions,
Judy. All interested parties for committees, please step up and
claim your seat!
From Judy:
The conference centers
in Aransas counties that others have mentioned are o.k. to check, too.
What about Goose Island, HEB, the Copano Cove retreat, The Lighthouse Inn,
Fulton, Paws and Taws......
From Teresa, July 11:
1. Take family
group pictures as well as one great big gathering picture Yes, I was very disappointed to realize I
didn't have any of my family together - once I got home. And I love the large
one of the whole family taken at the one before. It is a lovely testament to
our whole family.
2. Have each
family introduce new family members since the last reunion. Think this is also a good idea, I know, for
instance, I had no idea who Scott and his girlfriend were!!! (they were
obviously together, I thought I should have known one of them!!) Patty filled
me in. Thanks Pattycakes.
3. How often
should we plan them? I think that 3 years
is nice, 5 is a little too far apart. I'm not sure that 2 is too soon, but am
willing to give it a go.
4. Did you agree
or disagree that the pavilion was a perfect place? We can reserve
it very early for the next one. (We had this one reserved for two
years.) Like Judy, I don't want to say that it wasn't
perfect... but I think that we've outgrown it. There wasn't enough room for
everyone to be inside comfortably, it was unbearably hot outside, and it is
messy. One bathroom for that many people can get rough! There were quite a few
good suggestions made, Making a choice and getting it booked should be done by
one of those committees
5. What is the very best time of
year to do it? I'd love to have the next one at Thanksgiving.
But don't think we need to lock ourselves into one specific time of the year
for all of them.
I enjoyed this last reunion. But - I worked too hard, (and was way too tired),
and so did a lot of the rest of you. I didn't get to visit, hardly got to speak
to quite a few of you. I think that we need to look at two or three days, and
have meals catered. Snacks, sitting around, going off together, small
groupings, getting to visit all those relatives we're there to celebrate, that's
what we need to do. I don't feel like that really happened (at least for me
personally) this time around.
As to where, well, I'm partial to Rockport, it is our home port, and I do have
a sense of homecoming, even tho I never really lived there. It restoreth my
soul. :o)
But I'd still be there if we have it elsewhere.
I think that the suggestions Judy had are all excellent. I think that we should
get the committees formed and get to work. Stared now, and shared out, it isn't
that hard.
And also like Judy, I'm sure not all of us will agree. ;P
Love ya,
Teresa
From Kathryne:
I've enjoyd all of these suggestions and they are good. The
only places that I can think of that are bigger are the pavillion that is at the south end of the beach and the Paws & Taws
bldg in Fulton. I do not know there rental prices but P & T
is booked very far in advance.
I think it would be a good idea to have a questionaire that
each heads of household could print out, fill out and then mail
in to the committee so that we could have a really good
idea of what is wanted.
Of course, I don't want to do the form but I thought Judy Reed
or Janine might do that or Ray or Judy Torres, Eileen, just
whoever could and would.
Teresa, your hard work was very much appreciated and thank
you to every one who delved in and there were many in that
generation. Thank you, thank you. Love, AK
