2026 Reunion
Moose-Kittinger Family Reunion
Celebrations!
Baptiste Family Reunion
Richards-Biggs Family Reunion
Smith College Reunion
Vol 35 No 3 Virtual Edition Autumn 2026
A stroll down memory lane conjures up stories of the past that can be shared with future generations.
Don’t Let Your Memories Fade™
Your Memory Hub
Vivid-Pix.com
in this special issue DEPARTMENTS FRONT WORDS – 4 ALUM & I – 6 Review: The Mother and Daughter Book Club Smith College Alumnae Reunion study Civil Rights Movement by Lauren Briggs BRANCH OFFICE – 10
The Missing Child: The Life She Lived and a Life She Missed by Paul T. O’Connor The story of you: why it matters and ways to capture it by Helen Tovey Every family reunion needs a Cornerstone Story by Andre Kearns Don’t let the reunion end when everyone goes home by Brett Weiss SCRAPBOOK – 20 Reunion School Where does the family reunion idea come from? Hospitality Answerman by Dean Miller Autumn reunion activities MASTERPLAN – 26 The key to planning a successful reunion by Rob Hirscheimer Passing the Torch: How our family used history, technology and tradition to preserve its legacy by Pamela M. Jack Moose-Kittinger Family Reunion 91 years running by John Christopher Fine 160 years of Grosheks in America reunion 1866 – 2026 by June Czarnezki Garland Hubbard Shavers Family Reunion by Barbara Holloway Three generations by Karen Robertson Joseph Gilbert and Zelma Pryer 2026 Family Reunion by Melonie Pryeri FEATURES – 40 Back to the future — a reunion time capsule by Robert Allan Stevens MRN – 42 USS John Young 2026 reunion by Michael Trotta REUNION RESOURCES – 44 A directory of reunion-friendly places, services, vendors and products. ON THE COVER
Moose-Kittinger Family Reunion, Baptiste Family Reunion, Richards-Biggs Family Reunion, Smith College Reunion
Reunion Celebrations v Autumn 2026 Volume 35 v Number 3 PUBLISHER Rick Voight EDITOR IN CHIEF Edith Wagner
editor@reunionsmag.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Mary Thiele Fobian ART DIRECTOR Jennifer Rueth SALES Roberta McLoud, Account Manager
roberta@reunionsmag.com WEB WIZARDS Howard Ehrenberg • Chris Thompson HOSPITALITY ANSWERMAN Dean Miller REUNION WEB EXPERT Rob Hirscheimer CONTRIBUTORS Lauren Briggs • June Czarnezki John Christopher Fine Rob Hirscheimer • Barbara Holloway Pamela M. Jack • Andre Kearns Melonie Pryer • Karen Robertson Robert Allan Stevens • Helen Tovey Michael Trotta • Brett Weiss 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. Advertising information contact 414-467-8104 Reunions magazine, Inc., 2126 E Victory Dr, PMB 303, Savannah GA 31404: roberta@reunionsmag.com; 414-467-8104. www.reunionsmag.com. © 2026 Reunions magazine, Inc.
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FRONT WORDS
Be in touch! Reunion season 2026 is winding down
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Mail to
Reunions magazine
What’s new?
As you journey through this issue, you’ll encounter new section banners explaining what lies ahead. Comments welcome.
3657 Oak Tree Lane idn’t the reunion season just begin? Eau Claire WI 54701 Of course, but time flies and here we call 414-263-4567 are at the beginning of the 2027 reunion visit www.reunionsmag.com planning season! But first, it’s time to e-mail editor@reunionsmag.com APOLOGIA evaluate and report the 2026 season. It We have to make two corrections all looked pretty lively and wonderful to from the summer issue. First in the us. And, of course, we hope you’ll share your triumphs and article about the McCullah-Wasson Family Reunion we said successes with us. Send your report with photos and/ the bridge to their reunion site was built in the 1940s. It was, videos to editor@reunionsmag.com. We are eager to in fact, constructed in 1915. learn about your reunion. In the Scrapbook section, we shared a new resource added to Free Stuff online about factory tours. The correct What’s in this issue? site is FactoryToursGuide.com. As usual, we’ve managed to collect interesting content Celebrate your reunion in Reunions magazine to entertain, inform and inspire you as you plan your next reunion. Right at the top is an interesting 60-year reunion As kids go back to school, they’ll be told to write about of Smith College classmates who enjoyed a Road Scholar their summer adventures. We’d love to read what kids write trip. It’s a fascinating way to enjoy a reunion and learn about their summer reunions and, we’ll include them in an along the way. Several genealogists have added mightily to issue. We’d like to see it even if it’s not an assignment. the collection of ideas for how you’ll want to collect your Imagine the teacher’s surprise when the assignment shows family history to present at your next reunion. Andre up in a magazine! Kearns outlines a Cornerstone Story you’ll want to share There are no rules for sharing your reunion. Write the and build on for future reunions. story or report. We’ll eagerly review it. Don’t feel you must be a writer because we polish everything we use in the Rob Hirscheimer offers the key to planning a successful magazine. Report the facts, make sure names are spelled reunion to kick off the collection of family reunion reports. correctly, and we promise you’ll be proud of the outcome. All the family reunion reports are of long-time events Include pictures and/or videos to illustrate your story. Send enjoyed by generations of families. Read and be inspired! to editor@reunionsmag.com. Then, look forward to Then, vow to add your reunion story to a future edition. sharing your appearance with your reunion members and if Start now! you send it right away, it may be something to celebrate The feature in this issue may also inspire you to consider when you gather for the end of the year holidays. making that time capsule that’s been in your mind for a If you’ve set your next reunion date, add it to our list of long time. There are lots of details to review if the collecupcoming reunions. tion is something your reunion group wants to take up. Also, add that reunion picture you’re so proud of and Robert Allan Stevens has covered all the details for you to then, urge your members to see themselves in the picture get started. online. Finally, a report of the recent USS John Young reunion, we hope, will inspire other military groups to share their Stay in touch … meeting reports as well. We send two informative newsletters each month geared We hope this issue will inspire you in many ways. to where you should be in your reunion planning. We include news about reunion giveaways that often include DNA kits and other news that will interest you. If you’re not already a subscriber, it’s free. Sign up now! Our thoughts and wishes to you for a beautiful, productive autumn season. EW
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Free Virtual Family Reunion Workshop for Reunion Planners NATIONAL FAMILY REUNION INSTITUTE October 24, 2026 • 12-2 PM EST To register: admin@familyreunioninstitute.net; https://familyreunioninstitute.net
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The Mother-Daughter Book Club
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rom The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Susan and James Patterson (© 2026, Little, Brown and Company, an imprint of Hachette Book Group; 352 pages, $30) Four mothers became lifelong friends in college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (where I also earned my BA). After graduation, they scatter all over the country but regularly hold reunions, which they call book clubs, that later include their five daughters. We meet the group at a reunion in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, which ends dramatically, though we don’t learn the details until later. Between their busy lives and their far-flung residences, the MotherDaughter Book Club members more often discuss the books on their nightstands via 2 AM texts than at in-person meetings. So, it’s an emotional reunion when they gather again, this
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time on the spectacular shores of Italy’s Lake Como, the guests of Mariella, an opera singer with residences in San Francisco and Italy. Mariella has planned a tight schedule of sightseeing excursions, “Como-politan”-fueled reminiscing, and a hint of vacation romance, all building up toward the book club’s trademark “Night of Secrets.” These friends, and sometime rivals, are close readers — of novels, memoirs, and of each other. But as the years and the distance cast shadows and doubt, confidences and sympathies turn into surprising revelations. A sideline of each story frequently includes a detailed description of meals and snacks the group is enjoying. The final section of the book includes recipes so you too can enjoy what you’ve read about! EW v
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ALUM & I
Smith College Alumnae Reunion study the Civil Rights Movement
15 learners, one shared experience
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lmost 60 years ago, 15 students from Smith College’s Class of 1969 were looking forward to graduation, aware of — yet isolated from — the events of the Civil Rights Movement taking place across the country. Recently, a group of them gained a new perspective on the events together. Planning a private group experience with Road Scholar, they chose the program The Civil Rights Movement: Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham. These “Smithies” were drawn to the opportunity to gather with classmates in a setting outside of campus. But they also were interested in learning more about the Civil Rights Movement and its relevance to their lives. Three members of the group —Susan Bangs Munro, Evanston, Illinois; Janet Harrison, Dallas, Texas; and Linda Sosnowitz, Palm Beach, Florida — shared their Road Scholar experience. “When our classmate recommended this Road Scholar program as a reunion option, I think it really struck a chord with us because we lived together, at Group at statue of Simone Leigh’s Brick House, located at the the same age, when the Civil Rights Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, Alabama. Movement was taking place,” Janet explained. “I think that appealed to us as a way to revisit this experience Initiative in Montgomery and an exhibit at the National Center we had gone through together, but at a very different age and for Civil and Human Rights. For Linda, it was the National time. And it was important to go through it again.” Memorial for Peace and Justice. For this group, the events of Even though they all graduated at the same time, not the Civil Rights Movement were landmarks of their time in everyone knew each other prior to the program starting. “I college together. Visiting them was a way to connect with their didn’t know many of the people very well, and so being in a past while continuing their learning journey. small group like that, we could just be sitting next to someone “We really did live this, watching it unfold,” Linda said. “So, it and get to know them. That was a real plus of the program, too. made it extremely personal. We talked about that along the Of course, we did have a common theme within the group, so way — ‘I remember seeing this on television,’ or ‘I discussed this that made it easy. We all had a starting point for conversation.” with my parents.’ And seeing it now brings it back in a totally Says Linda, “I really think this Road Scholar program was different way from what we saw as young women.” Janet very well organized and presented.” Susan adds, “We agreed. “I feel like I was very far away from it in a lot of ways, specifically chose to do this program as a group. It was the being in Massachusetts for college. I was the only one in the theme that drew us in and made us interested in the program.” group who had grown up in the South, in Atlanta, and my Over eight days, the group traveled from Atlanta, Georgia, to parents were both from the South. Birmingham, Alabama. Along the way, they stopped at pivotal Linda said, “Bill Baxley, former Alabama Attorney General, Civil Rights Movement sites, including the Edmund Pettus Bridge came to talk to us. He prosecuted one of the men convicted of and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. For each the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. I think that made it woman, particular sites made the most significant impacts. even more real in many ways. For all of us to hear his quest to Janet was really struck by the work of the Equal Justice do justice was a very meaningful experience.”
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ALUM & I
At the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
The fifteen members of Smith College’s Class of ’69 may not have all started the program knowing each other, but they found connection in their shared learning journey. “What was wonderful about this was that many of us had seen each other from time to time, but we’re dispersed in different places,” said Janet. “So, to explore things from your past and your present and have concentrated time to sit together and talk about your experiences and what things meant to you — was really special. This was a way to bring us together over a meaningful subject
and to have time to discuss the topic with other people. That’s special at our age.” Road Scholar now offers two more civil rights programs, as well. They are Rhythm of Resistance: Civil Rights & Jazz in New Orleans and The Civil Rights Movement in Jackson, Memphis and Nashville. v Reported by Road Scholar’s Lauren Briggs, who was featured in the Spring 2026 issue of Reunions magazine as someone with fond memories of traveling with her grandfather.
The group in downtown Selma, near the Edmund Pettus Bridge, listening to a guide.
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The Missing Child: The Life She Lived and a Life She Missed by Paul T. O’Connor (Torchflame Books, 293 pages, paperback, $19.99)
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ust days after their mother’s passing, Paul T. O’Connor and his sister discovered an envelope among her private papers marked with a puzzling message: “burn without opening.” O’Connor opened it, generating a yearslong quest to solve the genealogical mystery surrounding his mother’s hidden past, her “adoption” and the life she never talked about. Through public records, private memorabilia, DNA results and conversations with those who knew her, O’Connor reconstructs his mother’s inspiring legacy in his new book, The Missing Child: The Life She Lived and the Life She Missed. Born to Polish immigrants in Hartford, Connecticut, Charlotte Frazier’s life was marked by early instability. At just one month of age, she was placed in a Catholic orphanage. Though later placed in a loving home, that sense of security was short-lived. Her adoptive mother died less than eight years later, and Charlotte was sent to live with relatives, where she often was treated more like a servant than a daughter. O’Connor said. “Every time my mother was knocked down, she found a way to move forward and build a meaningful life.”
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Through it all, Charlotte persisted, forging a life defined not by circumstance, but by quiet resilience. In retracing his mother’s life, O’Connor also explores questions of identity, ancestry and “found family” — and the truths people sometimes conceal to protect the lives they’ve built. Spanning decades and locations, The Missing Child is both a tribute to an unheralded life and the account of a search for answers long buried — revealing not only where Charlotte came from but also the unwavering strength that propelled her toward a brighter future. While this story is presented as an adoption history, I found the author’s narrative read more like a search that would intrigue a genealogist. He finds details that don’t always add directly to the goal of finding information about his mother, and because his mother’s background is Polish, some of the names add to the confusion. I admire how the author and his sister persevered and managed to find interesting information about their mother. But, as so often happens in adoption searches, unanswered questions still remain. EW v
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The story of you: why it matters and ways to capture it
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ow have your life experiences — good and bad — shaped you? How did and do you cope in your toughest times? What are the values you choose to live by today? The answers to these questions and more are what will make the story of you something worth capturing. Let’s begin. Genealogist Janna Helshtein is here to guide you.
Welcome to your story. It’s the best gift you’ll ever give Have you ever found yourself staring at an old family tree, perhaps tracing a line back to a name like “William” or “Elizabeth” from the 1800s, only to realize that beyond the birth and death dates, you know absolutely nothing about them? They feel like ghosts … shadows in old church records. As someone who spends my days blending the worlds of genealogy, psychology, and emotions, I’m here to tell you that you are much more than a future ghost. You are, in this very moment, the ancestor of descendants — the forebear of family members — who haven’t even taken their first breath. And when I say “descendants,” I’m not just talking children and grandchildren. I’m referring to nieces and nephews, greatnieces and great-nephews, and so forth. Hopefully you have experience to know how precious an aunt or uncle can be in your life, how they are a treasured close friend of the family. If you know this, you know how important your story is to the future, whether you have a direct descendant or not.
But here’s the thing: before we can decide what we
want our descendants — in that broadest sense — to know about us, we have to do the heavy lifting of figuring out who we actually are. This is where genealogy meets the soul.
Getting to know ourselves...
We often think of legacy as something we leave “at the end.” But a true legacy is built on self-awareness in the “now.” To leave a meaningful mark, we need to pause and look deeply into our own reflection.
• What actually makes us tick? • Why do we do things the way we do them? • How has our past influenced who we are today? Most of us move through life on autopilot, driven by patterns we inherited without even realizing it. Our childhood memories — the smell of a specific kitchen, the sound of a parent’s laughter, or even the pain of an early disappointment — aren’t just “past events.” They influence our current personality. Those early stumbles and quiet victories shaped how we handle stress, how we love, and how we dream.
How do we uncover our “inner blueprint?” When we take a moment to understand these roots, we gain a bit of a superpower: the ability to choose. We can look at our motivations and ask, “Is this the version of me I want to carry forward?” By understanding how our history shaped our present, we gain the clarity to decide which parts of our spirit are worth passing down. This is the foundation of an Ethical Will — not a list of properties or bank statements, but a rich, honest, and multi-layered map of our true essence.
Getting to know our relatives... Once you realize how precious your life story, your values and experiences are to the younger generations, you’ll perhaps look around and think — hey, the rest of my family need to be doing this Story Thing too! You don’t need telling that family get-togethers — whether the formal annual reunion, or a cozier gathering of just a few — are some of the most precious times we spend. They provide us with the chance to take that trip down memory lane, to remember our loved ones, and to look back at our own younger years too. Those bonds, those connections, those stories and experiences are precious to us now. They are so intangible in some ways. Yet in others they give such a clear and confident message to the younger ones in our family tree — we come from people who are determined, caring, who look out for each other, who make time for each other. Next time you’re having a family event — big or small — don’t let it pass by without capturing something now for the future.
You can do this! Y ou could keep it simple, and just ask each person present to pen a message to the future — advice that helped you through tough times perhaps, or a value that you feel is so worth living by. Carefully fold each piece of paper and store it in a homely preserving jar for the years to come.
•O r you could make the most of today’s technology, and set the same task — but record a short video message from each person present.
How easy it that? But you can’t deny it’s a treasure. Imagine if your parents, grandparents, great-aunts and uncles had done this. Wouldn’t you love it? One day future generations will wish the same of you. Too often we say that we wished we’d asked. Let’s begin writing or recording our life stories, and encouraging our loved ones to do so too, without any further delay. v Reported by Helen Tovey, Editor of the Family Tree www.family-tree.co.uk; Helen.t@family-tree.co.uk family-tree.co.uk/content-library/how-to-write-your-life-story/ 202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 11
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Every family reunion needs a Cornerstone Story … how one
unforgettable family story can transform your reunion from an event into a legacy
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After researching hundreds of families as a genealogist over the past two decades, I’ve become convinced that every family reunion should have a centerpiece that goes beyond games, meals, and group photos. Every reunion deserves what I call a Cornerstone Story, the one story that explains why the family, gathered in that room, exists at all. I was reminded of this while preparing for my own RichardsBiggs Family Reunion in Suffolk, Virginia. Like many reunion committees, we spent months planning every detail. We wanted everyone, from toddlers to family elders, to have a wonderful weekend together. As part of the program, I was asked to share a brief history of our family. As I prepared my remarks, I realized I wasn’t there to recite names, dates, or census records. I wanted to tell a story that explained who we are. That story centered on my great-grandfather, James Lee Richards, affectionately known by our family as “Daddy Son.” Nearly a century ago, his wife — my great grandmother — Annie Biggs Richards, tragically died at the age of 28, leaving him to raise six young children alone. Friends and relatives offered what they believed was a practical solution. They suggested that each child be taken in by a different household until the family could recover. Daddy Son made a different choice. Despite the James Lee Richards (1898–1986) and Sarah Annie Biggs (1902–1930) of Suffolk, Virginia. enormous financial and emotional burden he faced, he
hen people begin planning a family reunion, the checklist usually starts the same way: build the budget, reserve the hotel, order the t-shirts, book the caterer, plan kids’ activities, organize the banquet, and make sure everyone knows where to be and when. Those details matter because they help create a weekend everyone enjoys. But years later, few people remember the menu or what color the shirts were. They remember the stories. They remember the aunt who explained why the family left Georgia. They remember seeing a photograph no one had ever seen before or hearing, for the first time, about the ancestor whose courage and sacrifice made their own lives possible.
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refused to separate his children. Through determination, sacrifice, and faith — and with the invaluable help of his oldest daughter — he kept the family together until he was eventually able to remarry. As I looked around the reunion banquet that weekend, I realized something profound. Every cousin, aunt, uncle, and child gathered in that room was there because one grieving father had made a single, courageous decision nearly a century earlier to keep his family together. His decision became our family’s Cornerstone Story because it explains why every one of us was sitting in that room that day. Over the years, I’ve found that the most memorable reunions have five things in common. Whether your family gathers every year or every decade, these five ideas can help transform your reunion from a fun weekend into a lasting legacy.
1. Find your family’s Cornerstone Story Every family has a story like that. It may be the ancestor who immigrated with little more than hope. It may be the grandparent who was the first in the family to attend college, the veteran who returned home determined to build a better future, or the entrepreneur who created opportunities where none had existed before. These stories become more than family lore. They shape a family’s identity and explain where its values came from. As reunion organizers, our job isn’t simply to gather relatives in one place. It’s to help them understand what binds them together. Before you begin planning activities or ordering souvenirs, ask yourself one
Andre Kearns tells his family story
Descendants and relatives of James Lee Richards and Sarah Annie Biggs Richards at the 2024 Richards-Biggs Family Reunion in Suffolk, Virginia.
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question: What is the one story every person should leave knowing? The answer to that question may become the emotional centerpiece of your reunion.
capture memories that may otherwise be lost forever. The reunion doesn’t simply celebrate your family’s history. It expands it.
2. Tell the story, not the family tree
5. Leave everyone with a mission
That’s why I encourage reunion organizers to think differently about genealogy. Rather than making family history a side activity, make one powerful story the emotional centerpiece of the reunion. People connect with stories far more readily than they connect with pedigree charts or timelines. Instead of reading names from a family tree, introduce an ancestor as though you were introducing a character in a great novel. Who were they? What challenge did they face? And how did one decision change the generations that followed? A well-told story invites listeners to imagine themselves in their ancestor’s place. It creates empathy, curiosity, and conversation in ways that a list of dates never can. By the end of the presentation, family members shouldn’t simply know more about their ancestors—they should understand themselves a little better.
Before everyone leaves, give the family a mission to complete before the next reunion. Encourage each household to interview an elder, digitize old photographs, identify the people in unlabeled pictures, write down the story behind a treasured heirloom, or preserve one important family document. These assignments don’t have to be complicated. Small contributions accumulate over time and ensure that each reunion builds upon the last. Instead of starting from scratch every few years, your family creates an ever-growing archive of memories, stories, and artifacts that can be shared with future generations. When everyone contributes, preserving family history becomes a collective responsibility rather than the work of one enthusiastic genealogist.
3. Invite every generation into the experience One of the greatest strengths of a Cornerstone Story is its ability to engage every generation. Children may not remember an ancestor’s birth year, but they’ll remember the father who refused to let his children be separated. Teenagers may not become excited about historical records, but they begin to understand that their family’s resilience, determination, or entrepreneurial spirit didn’t begin with them. Adults often see their own lives differently when they recognize that many of the values they cherish were first modeled generations earlier. Consider creating opportunities for every age group to participate. Invite elders to share memories after the presentation. Encourage teenagers to interview grandparents. Encourage children to draw a picture of their favorite ancestor or retell the story in their own words. When every generation has a role, the story becomes a shared family experience rather than a lecture.
4. Capture the stories that surface Perhaps the greatest benefit of sharing a Cornerstone Story is what happens after you’re finished speaking. Someone almost always raises a hand and says, “I remember hearing something else about that,” or “I think I still have a photograph,” or “Grandma used to tell us...” Those moments are priceless because they bring new pieces of family history into the light. For that reason, every reunion should include someone whose job is to preserve these newly surfaced memories. Record conversations with elders. Scan the photographs relatives bring from home. Collect recipes, military papers, letters, newspaper clippings, family Bibles, and handwritten notes. Today’s smartphone is one of the most powerful family history tools ever invented, and reunions provide a rare opportunity to 14 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
The greatest reunion keepsake Over the years, researching families has taught me something unexpected. People rarely become emotional because they discover one more name to add to a family tree. They become emotional because they discover a story. Stories transform ancestors from historical figures into people we know. They help children understand where their resilience came from, remind adults of the sacrifices that created today’s opportunities, and reassure elders that the memories they’ve carried for decades are among the family’s greatest treasures. That is why reunions matter. They are among the few occasions when multiple generations gather in one place to celebrate, reconnect, and pass something meaningful from one generation to the next. A Cornerstone Story gives that gathering a deeper purpose by reminding everyone that they are part of something much larger than themselves. Someday another generation will organize your family’s reunion. They may not remember who reserved the hotel, designed the t-shirts, or planned the banquet. But if your reunion helps preserve the story that explains why your family exists — and why your family remains connected — they will remember something far more important. They will remember who they are. And they’ll know why. v
About the author
Andre Kearns is the author of Finding Cornerstone Stories: Uncovering Inspiration in Your Family’s History (American Ancestors, ISBN 978-0-88082-458-3; Softcover, 144 pages. Available September 2026). He is the founder and CEO of Black Ancestries, a genealogy and storytelling firm dedicated to uncovering, celebrating, and preserving African American family histories, and serves as Vice President of the National Genealogical Society.
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Don’t Let the Reunion End When Everyone Goes Home Your family gathering is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Here’s how to make it last for generations.
A Professional Photographer Is Worth Every Penny
he invitations go out. The RSVPs trickle in. Someone volunteers to make Grandma’s potato salad, and before you know it, forty people who share a last name are laughing together in the same place for the first time in years. Then, just like that, it’s over, and all that’s left is a few blurry phone photos and a memory that fades a little more each year.
Most families hire a photographer for weddings. Few think to do it for reunions, and that’s a missed opportunity. A professional photographer can capture the big group shot, yes, but also individual family portraits, candid moments, and activity shots throughout the day. Since photographers typically charge a half-day minimum, you can get far more than you might expect for a reasonable cost. Consider letting family branches know in advance that individual family portraits will be available, many will happily chip in on the fee, and they’ll leave with photos they’ll frame and keep for decades.
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It doesn’t have to be that way. With a little forethought, your family reunion can become the foundation for generations of gatherings to come.
The Interview Nobody Gets Around To Ask anyone who has lost a grandparent: the stories go with them. Family reunions are exactly when those stories are at the top of everyone’s mind, and exactly when no one thinks to record them. A professional videographer can change that. Beyond event footage, set up a simple interview space where family members introduce themselves, share what they remember about older generations, and pass down the stories they’ve been carrying. Mixed with footage of the Cornhole championship or the kids’ nerf gun war, those interviews become something extraordinary.
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“
People come to a reunion with these stories ready to tell,” says Brett Weiss of YourLegacyYourStory, which specializes in exactly this kind of documentary-style family video. “It’s the perfect moment to capture them, and it almost never happens without someone intentionally making it happen.” When hiring a videographer for this purpose, ask to see examples of projects that included live interviews. The editing is what transforms raw footage into a keepsake.
Make It Count Just outside Zion National Park, one family did all of this right. The patriarch, turning 80 and hosting what he called his last reunion, rented a house large enough for 35 people, arranged professional photography against the backdrop of the forest, and sat down for filmed interviews alongside dozens of family members. The result was a beautiful edited video, equal parts laughter, legacy, and love. Your reunion is that kind of moment. Some of the people in that room may not gather again. Capture them while you can, for the family members who come next and have never met them, and for the reunions that will follow because of the one you hold today. YourLegacyYourStory provides photography, videography, and memory book services for family reunions throughout the United States and Canada. They also offer planning guidance for families working with local professionals. www.yourlegacyyourstory.com
The Memory Book That Anchors the Family Tree For families willing to invest more deeply, a reunion memory book, built around the family’s ancestry, can become one of the most treasured objects a family owns. These books take planning, sometimes covering 100 to 200 years of history, but the result is a keepsake every branch of the family will want.
A smart tactic: ask guests to bring old family photos to the reunion and set up a quality scanner on-site. Name and organize the digital files as you go, and you’ll have the raw material for both the book and a shared family archive.
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Where does the family reunion idea come from?
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hen we started the magazine (36 years ago), we did a survey to learn how various families’ reunions started. A majority of people surveyed said that as their oldest generation was dying, people at the funerals insisted they needed to meet under happier circumstances. Reunions were the obvious answer, often starting soon, while some of the oldest generation were still alive so they could be recognized and celebrated. About 25 years ago, I assigned a staff member to call reunion planners and ask what had inspired them to hold family reunions. Most gave the same answer that we had heard 11 years earlier: a family funeral. Another common initiator was the family genealogist who had worked for years gathering family history and needed to share it with family members. That meant, of course, that the genealogist would be making a major presentation at the reunion to share the findings in a program, displays, and/or workshops. How did your reunion start? Send your response to editor@ reuionsmag.com. We always look forward to hearing from you.
Start a reunion plan If you are thinking about planning your very first reunion, learn about reunions from the many examples you can review in Reunions magazine. The current issue is online and dozens of back issues are also available. Read about the kind of reunion you’re planning. There are special sections for each kind of reunion; Alum+I are class reunions, Masterplan is family reunions and MRN is military reunions. Of course, from time to time there are other kinds of reunions and they will be found either in Scrapbook or Features. Then, explore our website, which features many reunions classified by subject. Some even are linked to videos. If this is your very first reunion, there are some important 20 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
steps for you to consider … and don’ t consider them alone. For a family reunion, you’ll benefit from participation from every branch and every generation. The best way to guarantee that is to have every branch included in your decision-making. A cardinal rule of reunion planning is “never do it alone.” A reunion should not be a surprise party. It should be anticipated over a fairly long period of a time. A year or two of advance preparation is not unusual for a first reunion. See the suggested timetable, but do not be overwhelmed by it, as it represents planning over a period as long as two years. It includes things that may not pertain to your plan. The symbols indicate further information in podcasts on our website.
Choosing a reunion date When choosing a reunion date, you’ll not want to clash with other important dates. For example, is your family anticipating any graduations, school schedules, weddings, anniversaries, retirement, a special birthday, travel plans, or other important or special events? Those are occasions that can look a lot like reunions when many family members gather. Once a reunion date is chosen, you’ll want to announce it early and widely so no one schedules an event that can clash with your date. Reunions often are planned to celebrate a significant event, such as an ancestor’s or grandparent’s milestone birthday or anniversary. Then, what often happens after a very successful first event, members will want to continue meeting and accept that a subsequent reunion may be scheduled for the same date one or more years later. Schedule the reunion as far in advance as possible so that your members can note it on their calendars and avoid scheduling other obligations on those dates. Also keep in mind that many members may need as much time as possible to save the money to cover reunion expenses.
SCRAPBOOK
Where to hold the reunion Where you hold the reunion is also an important decision, as it should be accessible to as many members as possible. Will it be at or close to the homes of senior family members? Or will it be some place roughly equidistant from family members? Will its headquarters be at a hotel, resort, ranch, Airbnb, campsite, or even on a cruise ship? Some families who have large concentrations of their members in a particular location will hold every reunion in that area to make it convenient. Others use the reunion as an excuse to visit places everyone is curious about, such as a state or national park, theme park, island, or foreign country where their ancestors came from. The possibilities are endless. You just have to narrow down the choice to a location that members are interested in and can afford. These decisions about time and place can be made and announced, but to garner greater commitment to attending the reunion, consider surveying your members by phone, or by sending a questionnaire via regular mail, email, and/or online. Review sample questionnaires from our Reunion Planners Notebook. These can be printed from pages 2 and 3.
How long will your reunion be? The goal is to have as many members as possible attend each reunion. What will be the length of this reunion? One day, a weekend or a week? This decision will depend on many factors. A one-day reunion may make members who live far away
wonder whether a long trip is worth it. If the reunion is longer, however, you must consider where members will stay overnight. Most reunions lasting two or more days will be headquartered at a hotel, resort, ranch, or campsite. If everyone is staying at the same place, much of your programming can be centered there as well. continued on page 23
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SCRAPBOOK
HOSPITALITY ANSWERMAN
Q:
I came to one of the reunion planning workshops you hosted a few years ago, and I remember you saying that there were certain items that should definitely be in any contract we sign with our reunion hotel, and certain items that we definitely would want to have the hotel take out or modify. I’ve misplaced my notes from the workshop … can you provide the list of “Definitely Want In” and “Definitely Want Out” contract terms?
A:
Happy to! Contract clauses are one of the areas in planning any reunion or similar event where you’ll definitely want to take the time to review everything … several times over. Having certain clauses included in -- or excluded from --your contract before you sign it can save you substantial headaches and/or money later on! Let’s start with the basics: A sales contract is a legally binding document. Both the hotel (the seller) and you (the buyer) are promising each other that you’ll do certain things that you’ve agreed to. The language in any good contract should be clear, concise, and unambiguous. If you’re not sure of what something means, ask to have it explained. If you’re still not sure, ask to have it taken out. Any financial terms noted should be in dollars and cents, not percentages. Any dates / times noted should be specific dates and times (for example, “5:00 pm on August 10, 2027,” not “three business days prior to the start of your event”). Six clauses you’ll definitely want to have included: ■ a Cancellation Clause. This should indicate what you would owe the hotel if you cancel your event once the contract is signed, and what the hotel would owe you in the event they cancel your event for whatever reason. Try to negotiate a provision in the clause that if you do have to cancel your event, you would have a certain time period (for example, up to a year) to rebook your event at the hotel without penalty. Or, if the hotel does require payment of a cancellation fee, try to negotiate that the amount of the cancellation fee can be applied toward the cost of a future reunion (again, within a year). ■ a Management Change Clause. This clause should allow you to cancel the reunion (at your option) without penalty if the hotel undergoes a change in ownership, management, or “brand” (for example, from a Holiday Inn to a Comfort Inn) between the date you sign your contract and the date of your reunion. You very well may not need or want to cancel, but this will allow you to do so if you find that the hotel is substantially different under their new ownership / management. ■ a Renovation Clause. This should clearly state that there will be no major renovations taking place at the hotel during your event, and allow you to cancel (or provide you with predetermined relief) if there are. ■ a Miscellaneous Fees Clause. Any fees that you’ll be required to pay during your group’s reunion should be clearly noted in the contract. A miscellaneous fees clause should note
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that the existing fees cannot be raised, nor any new fees applied, without your prior written consent. Hotels have a host of miscellaneous fees that are charged for various services, and new ones seem to pop up all the time. These could include fees for parking, health club and pool usage, mandatory gratuities to housekeepers, resort fees, fees for daily newspapers, fees for receiving packages, and on and on. ■ a “No Charge” Clause. Many hotels provide certain services “without charge” or “complimentary” to their guests. These may include free parking, free use of the pool and/or health club, free breakfast, and so on. If your hotel currently offers certain things “for free,” you’ll want a clause included noting what they are, and noting that your attendees will receive them “for free” at the time of your reunion, even if the hotel begins charging for them in the interim. ■ an ADA Clause. This should confirm that the hotel complies with all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which provides for access to public facilities for individuals with various physical limitations.
Two clauses you’ll want to have the hotel take out: ■ any clause that prevents you from contesting charges posted to your credit card if a dispute over billing should arise. ■ any clause that allows the hotel to put your events in different meeting rooms without your permission. Be sure that the contract clearly notes which rooms your group will be using. A clause that you’ll want to consider carefully: ■ an Attrition Clause. The hotel may insist on this, so you may not be able to get it removed, but in many cases you can get it modified, if you ask. This indicates the amount you will pay the hotel if you use fewer rooms than the number of rooms that you’ve told the hotel you’ll need. This is why it is always wise to be very conservative in the number of rooms you commit to. Far better to ask the hotel for additional rooms, if you should need them, closer to the date of your reunion, than to contract for too many and have to pay for unused rooms that sit empty. ■ as an alternative to an Attrition Clause, you can ask for an “Early Release” Clause, which allows the hotel to release any unused rooms in your block for sale to the general public earlier than they would do so otherwise, and to do so without penalty or obligation to you. By giving them back the rooms your group likely won’t be using, with additional time to sell them to someone else, the hotel may be willing to forego any attrition penalties that you’d otherwise have to pay.
SCRAPBOOK
And finally:
About the Hospitality Answerman
■ the Sanity Clause. This is a very funny scene in a truly funny movie, A Night at The Opera, starring The Marx Brothers. You can find a DVD copy of the movie online, and it makes a perfect choice for a family movie night at your reunion. It’s certain to have everyone in your group – from kids to seniors -- laughing out loud! v
Dean Miller retired in 2026, following a 36-year career in the hospitality industry; a good portion of that time was spent assisting reunion planners in organizing their reunions. He was last seen having coffee at a diner somewhere in Virginia. You can contact Dean with questions regarding your reunion at dean.miller115@gmail.com.
Autumn reunion activities
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Easton Holmes enjoys pumpkin carving!
f your reunion is in autumn, everyone will enjoy these seasonal activities. Outdoor activities include apple picking, getting lost in a corn maze, going for a hike, collecting colorful fall leaves, visiting a pumpkin patch and picking pumpkins and watching birds flying south for the winter. Visit a farmers market to explore the abundance of fresh produce. Then, with your farmers market finds make apple or pumpkin pies, butternut squash soup, spiced apple cider, or candy apples. Bob for apples, carve the pumpkins, or make mulled wine. Tour a local brewery or winery. Plan a friendsgiving potluck dinner. Host a cozy wine and cheese night. Take a ghost tour or visit an old cemetery. Celebrate Oktoberfest with beer and sausages. Grab a blanket and go stargazing. Favorite kids’ activities include: visit a petting zoo, make a pinecone bird feeder, or have a nature scavenger hunt acorns, pinecones, orange leaves. Make a scarecrow, make s’mores. Write a list of what you’re thankful for. v
continued from page19
Where to get planning help In preparing to choose a location for your reunion, an important first planning step is to contact the local Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Many CVBs have a specialist assigned to work with reunions and they have a very good idea of how to help you. They can help develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) to send to their member hotels, including what price range you are willing to consider. They also know all the resources available in their area to make your reunion a success, including park sites for picnics (which may need to be reserved well in advance), restaurants with banquet facilities, equipment suppliers, photographers, florists, baby sitters, musicians and much more. They may think of things that haven’t ever crossed your mind! They often have welcome souvenirs and discount
coupons for eating and shopping. CVBs are the experts on their locations and even if it’s where you live, you’ll want to work with them from a very early time to take advantage of all they know and can access for you and your guests. Before the pandemic, many CVBs held regular reunion planning workshops that answered lots of questions you may not have thought to ask, explained their services and introduced planners to their resources. A few still do workshops. Look for workshops in the Scrapbook section of the magazine and a workshop page on the website. All of these steps are essential as you start to plan your reunion. Take advantage of all the help that is out there and available to you and your reunion! EW 202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 23
“Remember when we all met in Lake County, Illinois?”
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,
at Kimberly@LakeCounty.org to start your planning!
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VisitLakeCounty.org 800-LAKE-NOW
SPONSORED ADVERTORIAL
Lake County, Illinois — the go-to destination for friends and family to come together
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hen 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 destina-
tion 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 17 coasters and fun for all ages! Inside the park you’ll find Hurricane Harbor, a 20-acre water park with 25 splash-filled attractions, including the world’s tallest water coaster.
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. No matter what you enjoy, you will have an unforgettable reunion just north of Chicago in Lake County, Illinois. v Contact: Kimberly Ghys, Senior Account Executive | 847-662-2700 kimberly@lakecounty.org | visitlakecounty.org
“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 202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 25
The key to planning a successful reunion
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hether you are organizing a class reunion or a family reunion, one of the best decisions you can make is to start planning early. Reunions bring people together, but creating a successful event involves much more than simply choosing a date and sending invitations. The more time you give yourself, the more choices you will
have and the more likely it is that people will be able to attend. Early planning also can improve attendance significantly. Classmates and family members may need to request time off from their employers, arrange childcare, book flights, reserve hotels, or coordinate their schedules with other relatives. The
Plainfield (New Jersey) High School, Class of 1974 26 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
MASTERPLAN
Cheyenne (Wyoming) High School, Class of 1976 50th reunions
sooner people know about the reunion, the easier it is for them to make the necessary arrangements. Early announcements also build excitement and give attendees something meaningful to look forward to.
A reunion should be more than one day
and payments, share schedules and accommodation details, post photos, recognize committee members, honor classmates or relatives who have passed away, and create interactive content that builds excitement. Because the website remains available after the event, it can continue serving as a place to preserve memories, post future updates, and begin planning the next reunion. MyEvent has helped people create reunion websites since 2002. The platform is easy to use, requires no special technical skills, and provides the tools needed to organize the event while helping attendees reconnect in a meaningful and lasting way.
Reuniting begins before the event, and lasts long afterward. A reunion can become the beginning of an ongoing connection between classmates, relatives, and friends who may not have communicated in years. Likewise, connectCheyenne (Wyoming) 1976 ing early before the reunion builds momentum High School, year book cover. that guarantees success. A MyEvent reunion website makes it easy to Now available for military reunions create a private online community before, during, and after the MyEvent is also proud to offer reunion websites for all event. Organizers can share announcements, event information, branches of the military. Veterans, service members, units, photos, memories, polls, updates, registration details, payment squadrons, ships, regiments, and military organizations can use options, and other important content in one central location. the platform to reconnect, share service memories, honor those Attendees can reconnect, learn what others have been doing, who have passed, manage registrations and payments, and participate in conversations, and continue sharing long after organize upcoming gatherings. Just as with class and family everyone has returned home. reunions, a dedicated military reunion website provides a This creates a private social network built specifically for your private and focused place where members can stay connected group, not a public social media feed filled with advertisements, before and long after the reunion itself. For more information, unrelated posts, and distractions. It also avoids relying on please visit myevent.com/military-reunions. platforms such as Facebook, since not everyone has an account, uses the platform regularly or feels comfortable Begin today sharing personal information. With a dedicated MyEvent A great reunion takes time, organization, and communication. reunion website, your group has its own organized space where Starting early gives you better options, reduces stress, improves the focus remains on the people, memories and relationships attendance, and allows excitement to grow naturally. Most that matter. important, a reunion does not have to be a single event that
Everything in one convenient place
Managing a reunion through scattered emails, text-message chains, spreadsheets, payment apps, and social media groups can quickly become confusing. A MyEvent website brings the essential parts of reunion planning together in one place. Organizers can keep attendees informed, accept registrations
ends when the last guest leaves. With a MyEvent reunion website, it can become an ongoing community where classmates, family members, and military colleagues continue reconnecting, sharing memories, and strengthening relationships for years to come. v Reported by Rob Hirscheimer, Montreal, Ontario, Canada. 202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 27
MASTERPLAN
Passing the Torch
How our family used history, technology and tradition to preserve its legacy
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Baptiste Family Reunion
he most important event of our reunion lasted only a few minutes. As our 2026 Baptiste Family Reunion in New Orleans drew to a close, we invited members of the next generation to come forward and volunteer to help lead future reunions. One by one, they stepped forward and accepted illuminated batons during our Passing the Torch ceremony. As we watched younger family members raise their illuminated batons, my cousin and co-coordinator, Yvette Batist Daily, and I realized that our year of planning had accomplished something much larger than organizing a family gathering. We had connected the past, celebrated the present, and entrusted our family’s future to a new generation. That was exactly what we had hoped to achieve.
never seen their faces. One of the greatest joys of the reunion was finally putting faces to names. As family members arrived, we immediately began noticing similarities—smiles, expressions, voices, and mannerisms that had somehow traveled through generations. Family history suddenly became real.
“Through blood or love we are family” For more than a year, we planned our reunion around a simple but meaningful theme: “Through blood or love we are family.” One hundred forty-eight family members traveled from California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas to gather in New Orleans, Louisiana, where much of our family’s story began. Planning a reunion from hundreds of miles away required organization, patience, and teamwork. Throughout the process, Yvette and I worked from registration lists, family trees, spreadsheets, and countless emails and phone calls. But there was one thing we couldn’t prepare for. Many of the people attending were relatives we had never met. We knew their names. We knew where they fit on the family tree. But we had 28 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
Family tree, reunion program and wrist bands
MASTERPLAN
It was on Saturday that we introduced the interactive family tool. Family members could scan a QR code and ask how they were related to another family member. We also presented the Baptiste Family 2026 Family Book by QR code, so that each family member could download a copy and print as they wished. The weekend concluded with an all-white family brunch that celebrated our family’s history, including recognizing our family’s contributions to military service and our ancestors’ role in the founding of this country as America approaches its 250th There are three QR codes: One Anniversary. We honored achieve- that will access the family book that includes the descendancy ments, and reflected on the chart, one that allows you to ask importance of preserving how are we related and another that allows you to access the our legacy. family slide show. Each event was intentionally designed to encourage family interaction and storytelling, because stories are where family history truly lives.
coworkers into cousins. Moments like these reminded us that family history is not just about the past. It continues to reveal itself in surprising ways and often brings people together in unexpected circumstances.
When coworkers become cousins!
A living classroom
One of the most memorable moments of the reunion occurred when two attendees discovered they were related. They had worked together at the same local drug store without knowing they shared family ties. Our reunion transformed
Bringing family history to life Genealogy and family preservation became the heart of our reunion. Over the years, our family had accumulated photographs, documents, stories, and records that deserved to be preserved and shared. We compiled this information into an extensive family history book and created a family tree that attendees could access through QR codes. We also introduced a digital family companion that allowed participants to ask a simple question: “How are we related?” The interactive tool helped family members explore relationships, identify ancestors, and better understand where they fit within the larger family story. Technology became a bridge connecting generations. Younger family members embraced the digital resources, while older relatives appreciated having decades of family research preserved and easily accessible. For many attendees, it was their first opportunity to fully understand their place in the family tree. Family members of all ages were soon pulling out their phones, scanning QR codes, and asking questions about parents, grandparents, cousins, and ancestors they had never fully understood before. Throughout the reunion, we watched grandparents, parents, and children gather around photographs, family trees, and historical exhibits. Older generations shared stories while younger family members listened and asked questions. The reunion became a living classroom where family history was no longer confined to books and records but was being shared face-to-face across generations. One of the most rewarding sights was watching family members stand before our genealogy displays and realize that the names and photographs represented real people whose lives and sacrifices had shaped our family.
Honoring service and sacrifice
Family members explore the Baptiste Family Tree, discovering relationships and deepening their understanding of their shared ancestry. Lois Richardson Bertrand and her son, Wallace O. Bertrand IV, viewing the family tree.
One of our most meaningful exhibits celebrated our family’s military heritage. The display honored relatives who served in every branch of the armed forces and included custom-designed challenge coins presented to family veterans. Among the most treasured items displayed was a Civil War-era sword that has been preserved within our family for generations. For many attendees, it was the first time they had seen an artifact that had literally passed through the hands of their ancestors. 202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 29
MASTERPLAN
Honoring service and sacrifice One of our most meaningful exhibits celebrated our family’s military heritage. The display honored relatives who served in every branch of the armed forces and included custom-designed challenge coins presented to family veterans.
Family history came alive as older and younger generations explored the Baptiste family’s military heritage and shared stories of service and sacrifice. Here Ronald G. Baptiste, Jr., is sharing military history with his granddaughter Skyy Baptiste.
Among the most treasured items displayed was a Civil War-era sword that has been preserved within our family for generations. For many attendees, it was the first time they had seen an artifact that had literally passed through the hands of their ancestors. The sword created an immediate and tangible connection to our ancestors. For younger family members especially, it transformed history from something written on a page into something they could see with their own eyes. The exhibit became a gathering place where stories of service, sacrifice, and patriotism were shared across generations.
A Civil War-era sword preserved by the Baptiste family for generations provided attendees with a tangible connection to their ancestors and military heritage. Phillip George Daily III, Ronald Gerard Baptiste, Jr., and Dennis Luke Jack, Sr., displaying the Civil War-era sword.
Unexpected challenges Like every family reunion, our weekend included a few unexpected challenges. Yet those moments only reinforced the importance of family and community. During one difficult and emotional situation, family members immediately came together to support one another and provide assistance where needed. It became a powerful reminder that reunions are not simply celebrations, they are communities of care. Families gather not only to celebrate life’s happiest moments but also to support one another during its most difficult ones. 30 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
MASTERPLAN
Members of the next generation accept illuminated batons during the Baptiste Family Reunion’s Passing the Torch ceremony, symbolizing their commitment to preserving family traditions and leading future reunions.
Passing the Torch As our reunion came to an end, we invited members of the next generation to step forward and help lead future reunions. The illuminated batons they accepted symbolized much more than volunteer service. They represented responsibility. They represented continuity. Most important, they represented hope. The future of our family story now rests in the hands of another generation that understands the importance of preserving our history and maintaining our connections. As organizers, we left New Orleans knowing that our greatest accomplishment was not the schedule, the decorations, or even the events themselves. It was creating opportunities for people to discover where they belong. When the weekend ended, family members certainly talked about the fantastic food and fun activities, but mostly they talked about the stories they learned, the relatives they met, and the connections they discovered. The 2026 Baptiste Family Reunion reminded us that preserving our history is one of the greatest gifts we can give future generations. Family reunions are more than events. They are legacies. And now, that legacy has been passed forward. v Reported by Pamela M. Jack, Suwanee, Georgia.
Reunion co-coordinators Pamela M. Jack and Yvette Batist Daily welcomed relatives from across the country after more than a year of planning and preparation.
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MASTERPLAN
Moose-Kittinger Family Reunion 91 years running
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“
eople stayed talking late into the afternoon. It was a terrific reunion,” Gene Moose said. Descended from German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania, Gene, a cattle rancher outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has been attending since his first days as an infant in 1941. It is now family tradition with his wife of 64 years, Linda, and their daughter Sue Moose White, her husband, Doug, and granddaughter, Rhianna. Family roots run deep, Gene and Linda Moose. Gene has been even as the difficult to attending reunions since 1941. pronounce German family name Museganuck became Moose. The first reunion was held at the farm of John D. Moose in Westminster, Maryland, on September 2, 1934. Only Enola Moose Briggs survives, having Homemade desserts are always enjoyed. attended the very first Moose reunion as a child. The oldest family member attending this year’s event was
91st Moose-Kittinger Family Reunion 32 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
94-year-old Jacque Moose, from Littlestown, Pennsylvania. The reunion celebrated not only the oldest attending, but also the youngest, two-year old Millie Heath from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, granddaughter of Alan and Tricia Moose. The clan was joined by the Kittinger family through marriage, and retains the joined-named reunion, although no members of the Kittinger clan attended the 2026 reunion. Oldest family member, The venue for the gathering was the Jacque Moose Harney, Maryland, Volunteer Fire Station. Food was plentiful, as family members provided trays of deviled eggs, ham, fried chicken, pasta salads, and traditional franks and beans, along with German potato specialties. Family members challenged each other in an annual contest for the best-judged homemade dessert. Cakes, pastries, Tricia Moose holding Millie Heath, the brownies, apple strudel youngest member at the reunion. and chocolate-cherry treats graced the dessert table. Family members related their days together from long ago. Elder members passed on traditions shared over the years. Heartfelt love and respect, evident in a family held together by maintaining close relationships for almost a century, was cemented by permanent ties and dedication to keeping this reunion celebration alive. Reported by John Christopher Fine, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
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here’s nothing reunion planners like more than freebies. So, we collect as many freebies as we can and are always looking for more. If you know of any to share with other planners, please don’t keep it a secret: we’d love to add more to our lists. Explore the substantial freebie section on our website. There are freebies from Reunions magazine, dozens of freebies from other sources, and a list of free travel information from around the country. The free stuff from Reunions magazine includes printable planning forms illustrated in Reunion Planners Notebook, planning podcasts, planning timetables, links to giveaways, list of free workshops, evaluation forms, leads for stuff to fill goodie bags and sources for free rooms for planners. Our treasure trove of freebies from other sources is way too long to list here, but these are some of what you’ll find: planning kits and reunion planning materials from other sources, activities for adults and kids, genealogy and health sources
including some with speakers who can come to your reunion, travel and touring ideas and much, much more. If you know of more freebies that would be helpful to reunions, please send to editor@reunionsmag.com.
But wait! There’s more! We also offer three giveaways to help you plan and stage your reunion. A quick fact sheet called Hot Tips For Reunion Success is a chronological list of ideas and facts to keep in mind as you’re planning your reunion. It’s a helpful timeline that new planners or committee members can follow during the days, weeks and months leading up to your reunion and on Reunion Day. Finally, we offer several last-minute icebreakers and games you can assemble fairly easily if you find you don’t have enough activities to engage your members. All of these are free for the asking. Simply email editor@ reunionsmag.com, specify which giveaway you’d like, and we’ll email it to you. v
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 202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 33
MASTERPLAN
160 years of Grosheks in America reunion 1866 - 2026
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hile America celebrated its 250th birthday, the Groshek clan celebrated the 160th anniversary of the arrival of the first Grosheks in America. In early spring 1866, Peter and Mary Groshek departed the port of Bremen, Germany, on the S.S. Hermann. They arrived in New York June 5, 1866. Although several of their adult children remained in Poland, Peter and Mary Groshek brought several children with them including 10-year-old John. The family eventually settled near Princeton, Wisconsin. Within ten years, however, Peter and Mary both perished in a diphtheria epidemic. However, John survived, married and went on to become the father of 15 children.
2026 celebration With smoke from Canadian wildfires easing up for a beautiful sunny, albeit hazy, day in central Wisconsin, the descendants of Peter and Mary and John took time to celebrate with a reunion at the Galloway Community Center. People in attendance were mostly descendants of John’s grandson, Raymond and Regina (Stroik) Groshek and their 12 children. This year cousin Tara Wojnowiak was the main planner, with help from Jennifer Zick and Beth Groshek. There were games of baseball, volleyball, corn hole, and frisbee, plus 160 years of Czarneczki reunion history an enclosed children’s playground with swings and slides. In the large indoor hall, a history table was set up age of seven paid $10 for the meal and facilities reflecting the 160-year anniversary and also rental. Water and milk were provided. framed First Communion photos for each of At 2:30 PM, cousin Ramona Wenger gave a Ray and Regina’s children. The Catholic faith Power Point presentation detailing not only the is very important to the Groshek family. There history of our ancestors in America, but also her were grandma’s rosaries and bibles printed in 2007 trip to Poland with her dad. They met Grosheks Polish, along with other Polish statues, who had “stayed behind” in the Old World. plaques and other memorabilia. Grandma Cousins Chris Groshek, June Czarnezki and Regina Groshek’s wedding and communion Karen Eben presented a noncompetitive Groshek dresses were also on display. There was even trivia quiz to help people learn more family history. a photograph of the S.S. Hermann, the ship Then the family retreated outdoors to take the on which the Grosheks arrived, courtesy of a traditional “bleacher” photos of the family generaNew York historical society. tions. There was lots of talking, laughing and A buffet meal included pulled pork, reminiscing until the sun began to fade. All felt the chicken rolls, potato salads, crab salad, 160th anniversary reunion was a great success. vegetable salad and a multitude of desserts. The day always goes by fast. v Some of the dishes were catered, and others Reported by June Czarnezki, Cousin Ramona’s Power Point were potluck. Each family member over the South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. presentation
First communion photos for each of Ray and Regina’s children 34 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
MASTERPLAN
First cousins
Second cousins
Third cousins
202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 35
MASTERPLAN
Garland Hubbard Shavers Family Reunion
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he Garland Hubbard Shavers 2026 reunion was held in Dekalb,Texas, and Elliott Lake at Red River Army Depot in Hooks, Texas. The intent for the reunion met our mission statement: We are a family bound by love, faith, and purpose. We show up for one another without reservation, give generously to our communities and country, and face every challenge with courage and tenacity. We honor where we came from. We utilize what we have learned. We invest in where we are going, and believe that together there Family crest developed is nothing we cannot overcome. by our cousin Dr. At the Saturday night dinner in the Elliot Lake Frances Shavers. Conference Center our numbers exceeded 250. We
Past t-shirts make grand raffle prize.
literally had standing room only. An heirloom quilt made by Sandy and Michael Shavers featuring past-shirt designs was the grand raffle prize. The photo booth was a hit. We did not have time to take a large group picture. Sunday services were held in Dekalb at Mt. Pisgah Baptist and Mt. Pisgah CME Churches, and in Hooks at Cedar Grove Baptist Church. The family zoom group voted to host the 2028 reunion in Dekalb and Hooks, where our ancestors grew up starting in 1848 and raised their families. v Reported by Barbara Holloway, Oakland, California.
Hubbard Family in front of Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Hooks, Texas.
The largest group of attendees at Mt. Pisgah CME in Dekalb, Texas. 36 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
MASTERPLAN
Three generations What’s a Matriarch?
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y daughter, Jodi, and granddaughter, Bailey, are visiting from Montana, and it got me thinking … I’m the Matriarch of our family. There are only nine of us, so my kingdom isn’t too impressive. But after more research I discovered that being the matriarch is more far-reaching. According to AI “being a matriarch is an honorary, flexible role that often naturally extends to your wider family—including your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings, and the broader community. It is defined by the wisdom, care, and guidance you provide.” By that definition, as the oldest daughter of my parents, who are both deceased, I am the matriarch over my two kids and their spouses, my three grandkids, my younger sister, her two sons, their wives, and their five children. Wow! That’s eighteen people. Now here’s the rub. I don’t know where that leaves my husband. I asked AI whether my second husband to whom I’ve been married for 54 years, but who didn’t sire my kids — would be considered the Patriarch? Here’s the AI answer: “Yes, your second husband can still be considered the patriarch. Because ‘patriarch’ generally translates to ‘father of the race’ or the leading male figure of a family, the title is traditionally defined by his role as the senior male head of the household, his age and experience, and his presence as a leader, rather than strictly by his biological lineage.” Wow, who knew? Well, I imagine that back in the day when families stayed together, the positions of matriarch and patriarch meant something. I’ve been a Matriarch for twelve years and I had no idea what the expectations were. I have failed miserably.
What a Matriarch Does Fosters Connection: Unifies extended family members by organizing traditions, gatherings, and communication. (We do have a reunion every three years, but it is for the more expanded family of cousins. Not just for my realm.) Nurtures and Empowers: Offers emotional support, empathy, and encouragement to help family members thrive. (I have attended some plays, sports events, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, graduations, hospital stays, and Christmases. We’re kind of spread out, with some in Southern California, some in the Fresno area, and some in Montana.) Leads Collaboratively: Promotes shared decision-making and mutual responsibility rather than strict top-down control. (I haven’t taken a leadership position in any of their lives, and I doubt that any of them would think to come to me for advice or wisdom, even though I would be blessed if they did. Some of the great nieces and nephews hardly know me.)
Daughter Jodi Higgs, Bozeman, Montana, Karen Robertson, granddaughter Bailey Higgs, Billings, Montana.
Preserves Values: Passes down stories, cultural heritage, and life lessons to the younger generation. (I’ve written books, Christmas letters, and cards that express my values, but to my knowledge most of my subjects haven’t taken an interest in my work.) Now I ask myself: is it too late to have an influence over grandkids who are all in their mid-twenties, or great nieces and nephews who are mostly college age? My sister, and my nieces and nephews live five hours away. One of the requirements mentioned is planning zoom meetings. Interesting. I have done that, but I didn’t include the younger generation. And I doubt that any of them see me as their source of wisdom. In fact, a standup comedian and a cowboy, horseshoeing firefighter may not be perceived as eligible for such an honor. “Daily Resolve,” and it has really stirred me up. Dating back to the first century, older women in the church held the position of deaconess. They were honored and respected for their wisdom and position in the church. Phoebe was mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Romans as one of the first deaconesses. By 1960, deaconesses had been replaced, their position eliminated, and since that time older women often feel insignificant. Matriarchs were pushed aside and forgotten. A great movie titled War Room told the story of an older woman who created her own “war room,” where she went to pray each day for those who had various needs. Her consistent prayers touched the heart of God, and people’s lives were changed. I’m thinking about starting my own War Room where I can actively talk to God about the lives of the eighteen people in my kingdom, and others in need. I can write some letters of encouragement to each of them and call down God’s blessing on each of them. Now that I’ve realized the responsibilities of the Matriarch, I’ve got to get going. This is serious business! Who is the Matriarch in your family and does she know of the expectations? v Reported by Karen Robertson, Wildomar, California; planner of the BROLRA Family Reunion. Find Karen’s entertaining articles on Substack at KarenRobertson@substack.com. 202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 37
MASTERPLAN
Joseph Gilbert and Zelma Pryer 2026 Family Reunion
“The Greatest Show on Earth”
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Gilbert and Pryer video
Gilbert and Pryer poster 38 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
he Gilbert/Pryer Family Reunion was a two-day celebration that began with Meet and Greet on a Friday in June. Family Reunion Day followed on Saturday at the Civic Center Auditorium in Plaquemine, Louisiana. Friday, ºthe family gathered for a Hawaiian-style Meet and Greet from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. The program began with the presentation of banners representing past reunions held in 1996, 2003, 2006, 2018, 2022 and 2024. The evening also included a candle-lighting ceremony, a photo swap activity, and family activity time, including bingo. Saturday, Family Reunion Day was celebrated “Under the Big Top,” with each family wearing colorful T-shirts representing the nine family branches of Joe Gilbert and Zelma Pryer’s children. The program began at noon and included the candle-lighting ceremony, banner presentation, family history, family roll call, family tree workshop, food and fellowship, and family activity time. Activities included a line dance competition, karaoke, photo swap, cards, dominoes, bead making, and a poetry writing contest. Children enjoyed popcorn balls, cotton candy, snow cones, and a table filled with toys. Later in the day, the family celebrated achievements and recognized several members, including the oldest and youngest family members, those who traveled the greatest distance, the largest family represented, the Family Spirit Award recipient, and the Reunion MVP Award recipient. The celebration concluded with more than 30 raffle prizes. More than 300 family members attended. Attendance was lower than in previous years due to three funerals, including the passing of the family matriarch, 95-year old Odelia Pryer-Lewis, who passed away two weeks before the reunion. Attendance was also affected by one wedding and another reunion scheduled the same weekend. Thanks to President Kenisha Thymes and Vice President Sharonda Joseph, this year’s reunion was a tremendous success. The next reunion will be held in 2028 and hosted by the family of Gracie James. v Reported by Melonie Pryer, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
MASTERPLAN
Joseph Gilbert and Zelma Pryer Family Reunion
202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 39
Back to the future — a reunion time capsule
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llan Cornelius and I are both past presidents of the Captain Joseph Hayes Family Reunion. We were privileged to serve this group of families, who have held a reunion every first Sunday in October since 1904. We helped publish a book to commemorate our 120th reunion, with essays, reminiscences, and a genealogy with over 10,000 names covering 300 years of family history. For years we have talked about creating a Hayes family time capsule. What better way to share our family pride and legacy with future generations? Alas, we were unable to find an institution, facility, or locale to host the artifact. Various public and private libraries, archives, and organizations lauded our project but could not commit to holding the items for even a decade. Recently the Dearborn County Historical Society (DCHS)in Lawrenceburg, Indiana,
America 250th time capsules 40 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
19th-century relics such as a decided to create a time gold pen, inkstand, and capsule in recognition of the photographs of political Sesquicentennial of the figures. This capsule was signing of the Declaration of opened in 1976 by President Independence. Our Hayes Gerald Ford during the family has deep roots in that nation’s bicentennial county, and the Society is celebration. That year in turn enthusiastic about including saw the creation of an our book and other artifacts official Bicentennial time in their project. Wellcapsule, which is stored at endowed with county funds, the National Archives and the DCHS owns the historic Hayes Family 120th will be opened in 2076. 1818 Vance-Tousey House reunion history The Detroit Century Box, and will hold the time a brainchild of Detroit mayor William C. capsule there for 50 years! Maybury, was created on December 31, The concept of planned time capsules 1900. It was filled with photographs and gained popularity in the 19th century. letters from 56 prominent residents The term “time capsule” was coined in describing life in 1900 and making 1938 by George E. Pendray, a public predictions for the future. The capsule relations consultant, for a capsule buried by the Westinghouse Electric Company at was opened by city officials on December 31, 2000. the 1939 New York World’s Fair. The The Crypt of Civilization (1937–1940) is oldest known time capsule in the United a large 2,000 cubic feet time capsule built States is dated to 1795 and credited to between 1937 and 1940 at Oglethorpe Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. It was University in Atlanta, Georgia. Designed temporarily removed in 2014 from the to preserve a comprehensive record of cornerstone of the Massachusetts State human life and knowledge, the Crypt House in Boston. Previously opened in contains microfilmed documents (over 1855, it was ceremonially reopened in 640,000 pages), artifacts such as a cash January 2015 at the Museum of Fine Arts register, a Donald Duck doll, a sample of Boston and then reinstalled in the beer, sound recordings of figures like original location. Adolf Hitler and Franklin D. Roosevelt, In 1876, Anna Deihm assembled the and innovative tools (at the time) “Century Safe” at the U.S. Centennial including microfilm readers, projectors, Exposition in Philadelphia, filled with
and pictograph guides. It was sealed on May 28, 1940, with an opening date of May 28, 8113 A.D. The 1939 New York World’s Fair time capsule was created by Westinghouse as part of their exhibit. It contained everyday items such as a spool of thread and a doll, a description of the capsule and its creators, a vial of staple food crop seeds, a microscope, and a 15-minute RKO Pathé Pictures newsreel. Microfilm spools condensed the contents of a Sears Roebuck catalog, dictionary, almanac, and other texts. That was followed in 1965 by a second capsule at the same site. Both capsules are buried 50 feet below Flushing Meadows Park, site of the Fair. Both 1939 and 1965 Westinghouse Time Capsules are meant to be opened in 6939. An intergalactic capsule was attached to Voyager 1 and 2, space probes launched by NASA in 1977. They are the most distant human-made objects from Earth, having crossed the heliopause and entered interstellar space. Both space probes carry identical gold-plated audio-visual discs called the Voyager Golden Record, a compilation meant to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth, for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form that might find them. On Saturday, July 4, 2026, while millions of Americans celebrated the nation’s 250th Independence Day with fireworks and parades, another tribute to the country’s history was quietly placed underground in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park. The nearly one-ton waterproof time capsule includes a carefully curated collection of nearly 200 artifacts from all three branches of the US federal government and submissions from each of the 50 states, Washington DC, and five territories. It is also packed with modern-day items such as a Coca-Cola bottle and an iPhone. It is expected to be opened on America’s 500th birthday in 2276. A project of America 250, a national, congressionally appointed nonpartisan organization, the time capsule was developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Library of Con-
Dearborn County Historical Society Time Capsule legacy outline
gress, and the National Park Service. A list of the contents is available online at america250.org/time-capsule/contents/. This is a global phenomenon. The International Time Capsule Society (ITCS) https://www.itcsoc.org/library estimates there are between 10,000 and 15,000 time capsules worldwide. The group was founded in 1990 at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, where the Crypt of Civilization is located. The NotForgotten Digital Preservation Library based in Princeton, New Jersey, operates in partnership with ITCS, maintaining a global registry of time capsules. The ITCS is currently digitizing all of the time capsule records in its holdings into the International Time Capsule Registry, and preserving the records in the NotForgotten Library depository. An estimated 95% of time capsules are lost track of by the fifth anniversary of their burial. Your family reunion can create a unique time capsule. It’s not that difficult! There are lots of websites with suggestions about creating time capsules and, as usual, lots of products to buy! One example is Heritage Time Capsules heritagetimecapsules. com/. Whether your budget is large or small, here are some things to consider:
■ Determine the opening date (doesn’t have to be 50 years) ■ Contents. Historians recommend items which describe the daily lives of the people who created them, such as personal notes, pictures, videos and documents. ■ Preservation of the contents. Moisture and heat are the enemies! Acid-free paper is recommended. Silica gel packets or oxygen-absorbing packets are helpful. Archival quality plastic sleeves can help preserve documents and photographs. ■ Preservation of media. Issues include the obsolescence of technology and the deterioration of electronic and magnetic storage media. Photographs are susceptible to heat, light and moisture. ■ Location. Family keepsakes can be buried, stored indoors, or even sent into space. Burials are least recommended, due to moisture and the risk of losing records. Finding a place that can be expected to still exist decades from now is a challenge. ■ Container. The container should be large enough for all the contents and able to protect against pests, dust, light and handling. Use durable, chemically inert containers like stainless steel, aluminum, or high-density plastics, stored in stable, dry, and cool environments. These can be expensive. The Smithsonian Museum suggests repurposing a large polyethylene terephthalate (PET) jar, like the kind pretzels and cheese balls come in! ■ Capsules should be labeled with the date of sealing and intended opening, and records of location should be maintained. Libraries, local and state historical societies and archives are good candidates. Family reunions serve to maintain relationships, celebrate milestone events, and preserve the stories of past generations. What better way to give our descendants a tangible connection to a shared past than to create a time capsule? You and I probably will not be around to see our descendants’ faces as they open their “gift” decades from now, but we can create a legacy that bridges the generations. v Reported by Robert Allan Stevens, Hayes Family Reunion, Longmont, Colorado. 202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 41
USS John Young 2026 reunion
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ver 70 veterans attended with their families and invited guests attended the USS John Young reunion in Norfolk, Virginia, recently. The program featured two guest speakers. Captain Rosie Groszinski, whose first command was as communications officer on the USS John Young. She is currently assigned to the USS Kearsarge. STS1 Aaron Skelinger (Ret) who served on the USS Pasadena, gave a speech about the USS John Young’s final
42 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
hours and how the ship was utilized for weapons testing and its final hours. Thursday “The quarterdeck” opened at 3 PM for check-in and guest registrations. The meet and greet began at 5 PM with opening welcome received from the Hampton Roads Museum. We were also greeted by the USS Wisconsin ship’s historian. Friday “Liberty Call” was announced so the group could enjoy the Norfolk area and self-guided tours. The group was provided with tickets for Harbor Park to enjoy a Norfolk Tides baseball game. At the game the USS John Young’s Veterans Association received recognition on the stadium scoreboard. Saturday the group enjoyed the veterans breakfast before departing for a waterfront tour of the Norfolk waterfront and Navy Base onboard the Victory Rover. The group returned to tour the Hampton Roads Museum and the USS I. Sunday the group held its annual veterans association meeting and announced departure for all guests. The USS John Young group plans
to meet again in Tampa, Florida, for the annual Veterans Association meeting and to discuss the 2028 reunion in San Diego, California, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ship’s commissioning! Visit the USS John Young website at www.dd973.net. v Reported by Michael Trotta, Tarpon Springs, Florida.
Fairfax County, Virginia –
Where Every Generation Finds Its Own Adventure
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For younger reunion attendees, Frying Pan Farm Park and NOVA Wild bring barnyard visits and safari drive-throughs where you can feed llamas straight from the car. And the fun doesn’t stop outdoors — at Hershey Super Sweet Adventure, kids dash through a KISSES-scented plume tunnel, stuff a custom candy bar, and pull, twist, and combine their way through hands-on chocolate play, while LEGO Discovery Center sends families on an indoor dark ride through an oversized brick world, then into a 4D cinema and a Mini World built from 1.5 million LEGO pieces. Families can also enjoy outdoor entertainment together in creative ways, whether it’s a round of mini-golf beneath skyline views at Perch Putt, or ropes courses and zip lines at Go Ape!
Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Virginia
amily reunion planners keep coming back to Fairfax County, Virginia, and it’s easy to see why. Just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, the county blends scenic parks, hands-on attractions, and interactive family fun with the convenience of accessible hotels, dining, and gathering spaces. Whether your crew numbers a dozen or a hundred, there’s room — and something for every generation — to spend real time together, doing more than just catching up. Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
For quieter moments, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens offers beautiful gardens, walking trails, and year-round seasonal programs and events that appeal to both children and adults alike. Round it out with iconic attractions like George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the National Museum of the United States Army, and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Fairfax County makes it easy to build an itinerary filled with outdoor adventures, discovery, and quality time together. v
For more information visit fxva.com or call (703) 790-0643.
big family. big plans. zero compromises. 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.
Photo by Bernard Johnson.
let us help you plan your family’s reunion. go to FXVA.com or call 703-790-0643. 202 6 REUNION CELEBRATIONS! v REUNIONS 43
REUNION RESOURCES
Welcome to Reunion Resources!
COLORADO
We encourage you to tell the listings you contact that you learned about them from Reunions magazine. Notify us immediately at
2939 N County Road 31D Loveland, CO 80538 970-667-3915 ranch@sylvandale.com SylvanDale.com
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
44 REUNIONS v www.reunionsmag.com
SYLVAN DALE GUEST RANCH
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/ 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.visitpanamacity beach. 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. 315 S. Calhoun, Ste 830 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 DAYTONA BEACH Daytona Beach is the perfect place to bring people together for reunions of all kinds. From family and school reunions to military and social gatherings, groups can enjoy 23 miles of beautiful beaches, affordable accommodations, dining, attractions, and activities for every age. With convenient venues and a welcoming atmosphere, Daytona Beach makes it easy to reconnect, create memories, and celebrate together. Shannon Echemendia, Sales Manager (386) 255-0415, ext. 117 www.daytonabeach.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 Experience the West the way it was meant to be. At Red Horse Mountain Ranch in North Idaho, your week includes guided horseback rides, hiking, kayaking, and chef-prepared meals, all surrounded by quiet forests and open sky. Unplug, reset, and reconnect with the people who matter most. Reunion Weeks bring families back together for fun rides, familiar faces, and a full week of shared adventure! 11077 East Blue Lake Road Harrison, Idaho 83833 Phone Number: 208-689-9680 info@redhorsemountainranch.com www.RedHorseMountainRanch.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 6.
REUNION RESOURCES 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 24 & 25.
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
NEVADA
GOLD COAST HOTEL AND CASINO 4000 W Flamingo Rd | Las Vegas , NV 89103 702-367-7111 https://goldcoast.boydgaming.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 7. ORLEANS HOTEL AND CASINO 4500 W Tropicana Ave. | Gateway, MT 59730 702-365-7111 https://www.orleanscasino.com/ SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 7.
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 Chris Colvin, our reunion specialist, will go to work for you! ccolvin@fxva.com | www.fxva.com SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 43.
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 40 ½ | 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.
CONFERENCEKEEPER
CONFERENCEKEEPER.ORG is a completely free, comprehensive online calendar dedicated to helping family historians of all levels. Whether you are planning a family reunion or researching your lineage, ConferenceKeeper connects you with thousands of free webinars, seminars, conferences, and workshops from societies and libraries worldwide. Discover step-by-step educational programs, expert advice, and valuable resources to learn how to trace your family history, preserve memories, and create valuable connections to both living relatives and ancestors. Tami Osmer Mize Manager, ConferenceKeeper.org website: conferencekeeper.org LINK: https://conferencekeeper.org/ email: info@conferencekeeper.org SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 15.
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