Reunion photos online

In case I missed e-mailing you yesterday, I've posted my favorite photos on Shutterfly.
Please let me know if you have photos you'd like to add or want copies of photos you see there.

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to say how wonderful it was seeing you all. I think Marjorie, Rachel & Gene, Ronald & Doris would have been very pleased to see the family together. It should be a regular event.

Also wanted to say thanks to Carol & Mike for suggesting a get together & to Rhonda for making it happen. The photos & momentos are truly wonderful.

I plan to stay in touch with everyone & hope you do as well.


Love,

Bob

Less than two weeks to go . . .

I finally got around to checking on neighborhood copy shops and, sadly, none of them are open on Sundays. I'll bring the originals, so whoever wants photos can just take them to copy later and distribute to others who also want them.
Also, here's what I'll bring to the park:
watermelons and ginormous knife
trash bags (of course there are cans in the park, but who knows how often they're emptied)
toilet paper and Purell (restrooms nearby, but they may not have enough supplies)
insect spray and sunscreen
spare key to my apartment (in case anyone needs anything or wants to nap)
copies of:
a photo of my parents' headstone in Cripple Creek
Bea and Elmer's marriage license
Bea's obituary
a "narrative" my parents wrote in 1980
Plus, a whole bunch of the aforementioned photos
maps to nearby restaurants/fast food joints

Tent Rental

Hi Everyone,

After a conversation with Phil about time, cost, logistics and interest, it was decided that a tent for the reunion is not feasible this year. We'll rely on the years of good weather to come thru again-what could go wrong?



Love,

Bob

online photo album

Hi -
I picked up my mom's collection of photo albums on Sunday and really hit the jackpot with the Shugart Family one - lots of old photos I've never seen, and maybe it'll be the same for the rest of you.
I've scanned about 100 of them (oy!) and have them in an online photo album (click on "album" and it'll take you there).
I had been thinking I'd ask everyone what printouts they want, then I'd take copies to the reunion, but then I realized that would cost a lot. So I've decided I'll take the copies arranged on 8.5 x 11 printouts, and everyone can decide during the reunion what printouts they want. There are several copy shops not too far from the park and it wouldn't take very long to run copies. It's not ideal, but on the other hand, we'll have a great time looking through the printouts.
I may also put photos on CD for anyone who wants one, especially if you've got a long trip home and won't want to deal with papers.
Of course, I'll also take the originals (except of my dad) to the park and you siblings can decide who gets what. For a small fee, I'll "dispose" of certain photos with embarrassing hairstyles. Joke!

tent rental

Hi Everyone,

Phil & Erma have checked into the the rental of a tent for the reunion-thanks for doing that-it would cost $275.00 for Sunday. Phil would pick it up on Saturday, go the park early Sunday to set it up, take it down and reurn it Monday. I think it's a good idea in case of rain + it would provide shade. The rental company needs to know 2 weeks ahead of time, so if you can let Phil know your thoughts and if you can contribute to the cost, it would be very helpful.

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Bob

back-up plan

Paula and I were talking and concluded that we need a back-up plan in case of bad weather - somewhere more roomy than my apartment. I've been checking out neighborhood restaurants, but they all require reservations and deposits. Ideally, we could have someplace that we could go if needed but that would not be a big deal if we didn't. And of course, restaurants wouldn't be happy about us showing up with our own food.
Sadly, I don't belong to any club with its own headquarters. It may be that we'd have to come to my place and call around to see where we could get in.
I'll keep thinking and researching and, in the meantime, let's all pray to the weather gods and cross our fingers for good weather.

random thoughts

Phil, Erma, Bob, Paula and Mike came to Colorado Springs last weekend and we went to the park on a scouting expedition. We wanted to get in the area close to where we used to meet, so see map below.
Here's what we're thinking:
Tables: There are two large picnic tables chained down near some evergreen trees that would probably seat eight people each. Paula and Mike have a foldout table that would seat eight, and Phil and Erma have two that would seat 10 each. So we're still a little short on room, although some people could sit in lawn chairs or on blankets on the grass. I don't have lawn chairs (since I have no lawn) and don't have any appropriate blankets, so if someone in-state has those, please bring them.
Bob will check on renting a tent for additional shade.
Food: Everyone said it would be too much hassle to bring a grill and charcoal, so we'll just hit KFC, Subway, etc. I'll work on a map showing the neighborhood restaurants, and there's a good grocery store off Uintah west of the interstate. It's a state law that all picnics include watermelon (JOKE), so I can bring a few of those and my machete. I'll also bring large trash bags.
"Silver"ware: I found a bunch of plates, knives, forks, spoons, cups and napkins in my mom's house and Phil and Erma kindly offered to keep the big box at their house until the reunion. They also said they'd bring some more plastic cups and Bob will get more forks.
Timeframe: Carol and Mike plan to get to the park about 9:30 Sunday the 26th and stick around until 4 or 5 p.m.
That's all I can think of for now.
Later!

map

You can get off Interstate 25 at Exit 143 and head east (right) on Uintah. In less than 1/10 of a mile, you'll see the sign for Glen Avenue. Turn south (right) and go straight, then follow the street as it turns right and then left. Another straightaway and you'll get to a parking lot after about 3/10 of a mile from the turn off Uintah. We will meet between the parking lot and the tennis courts (bottom center of map).

If you click on the map, you should be able to see it larger.

Family Reunion

Hi,

Just a note to say that I'm very excited about the reunion-it will great to see everyone. I tried to reserve the pavalion( they only have one) at Monument Valley Park but it was not available. Thought about trying another location but, after speaking with Carol, decided to go with Monument as it was the sight of every get together. We can put up a canopy for shade. Someone will need to be at the park as early as possible to get a spot-I'll be happy to do that.

Thanks to Carol & Mike for the idea of getting together.


Bob

Hello to everyone in my dear family,

I'm so excited about getting together with everyone after at least 34 years. I think it's longer than that, even.

Last week, I left a message for Uncle Boyd, but haven't heard back. Also, Marolyn was making plane reservations. Bob's sister lives in Ft. Collins, so they'll include visiting her in their visit to Colorado.

Rhonda, thank you so much for setting up the blog. If we all post any new info on it, and check it fairly often, it'll be so easy for everyone to keep updated on plans and changes in plans. I'm sending the blog address to everyone here.

So far on our end, Michel, Mark, Annabelle and Jackson will definitely be there. Joe, Jennifer and Alivia may be there, and also our adopted son, Sam, and his family, Cathy, Caitlynn, and Justin may be there.
(The story on that is that Joe and Sam have been best friends since first grade. Both boys called each other's parents "Mom and Dad", and thought of each other as brothers. When they grew up, they married sisters, Jennifer and Cathy. After Sam's Dad and Mom died, we were blessed that he continued to think of us as his adopted parents, and has let us be grandparents to his and Cathy's kids. If they can come, they want to meet you all.)

Won't it be wonderful to see everyone? It will do me a world of good to be with you all again.
This reunion is just making my year. I love you all.

Reunion in July 2009

Carol and Mike Robson will travel from Missouri to Colorado in late July, and are inviting everyone to join them for a family reunion.
Here's what we've planned so far:
We'll meet for a picnic on Sunday, July 26, in Monument Valley Park, Colorado Springs. This is the same park where we met for reunions in the "good old days," although it's changed a little.
Here's a link to information about the park:
http://www.undercovertourist.com/united-states/colorado/colorado-springs/attractions/monument-valley-park.html
Bob Peck is checking on reserving space (probably a pavilion) in the park.
For anyone who will need a place to stay, here's a link to a nearby hotel:
http://www.clarionhotel.com/hotel-colorado_springs-colorado-CO025?promo=gglocal
I live less than 10 minutes away from the park. My apartment is small, but I have a futon in my living room if anyone can't get into a hotel. I also have two cats, so allergies may be a problem.
I'll clear out space in my refrigerator for anyone who needs to store food and beverages for a while. Let's all remember our food safety rules! I speak as someone who once suffered greatly from potato salad I ate at a summer party. ;-(