Lots of Places

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Warm welcome plus cool costs = great reunions
by Jacky Runice

Like the cinematic formula of the perfect beau or babe who has been right there under your nose, Pensacola, Florida, may be overlooked as a reunion destination because the town’s flashy southern neighbors dazzle us. Sure, it has sugary white sand beaches and the Gulf of Mexico surf to lull us into relaxation, but this Florida hamlet also struts its rich history, museums and festivals, visual and performing arts, genuine Southern hospitality and advantages you won’t find in other spots in the state: little traffic, fewer crowds and open spaces at a lower cost to reunion groups.

The Florida Panhandle’s lush vegetation, thick with Spanish moss and the scent of magnolias, is more closely related to the Deep South than what we typically think of as Florida. Pensacola is just ten miles from the Alabama border. You won’t find unnatural smiles on the faces of “castmates” here, but an unaffected hospitality peculiar to America’s southern states. Pensacola’s settlement dates back more than 400 years, so consider taking your group to see Historic Pensacola Village for a taste of the city’s Spanish, British and French history. Fort Pickens, with its cannons and installations, tells the area’s Civil War story amid seven miles of unspoiled gulf beaches.

Visitors don’t commonly connect Florida with world-class museums. But, Pensacola is known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation” and is home to one of the world’s best air and space museums. The National Museum of Naval Aviation displays more than 170 aircraft, a re-created World War II town, a walk-through ship replica and an IMAX theater. It’s a fitting home base of the legendary U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Visitors can watch weekly practice just around the corner from the Naval Museum.

Pensacola’s rich and varied military history makes it a winning setting for a military reunion. From the mid-1700s when British and Spanish explorers established forts, to today’s personnel stationed at Pensacola’s several military bases, the city pays respect to those who have served. Veterans Memorial Park features the nation’s only permanent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Pencil in a visit to Fort Pickens, built in 1834 and in-use until 1947. A self-guided tour takes visitors through the fort’s history as a Civil War fort and prison for famed Apache leader Geronimo. Fort Barrancas, dating back to 1763, still stands at Pensacola Naval Air Station and is open to the public for tours. Call 850-934-2600 for information about both forts. The fourth tallest lighthouse in the nation also stands at the Naval Air Station and is open for tours. The Civil War Soldiers Museum houses a private collection of medical artifacts and hundreds of items soldiers used during the war. Call 850-469-1900 for details.
Pensacola is brimming with African American history, too. African Americans were among the first non-native Americans to set foot in the US in 1559 when they accompanied Don Tristan de Luna to what is now Pensacola Beach. A battalion of African Americans helped build Fort San Carlos. You can see the 1804 cottage of Julee Panton, a free African American at Historic Pensacola Village. Johnson Beach on Perdido Key is named for Rosamond Johnson, an African American Pensacolan who died in the Korean War. The area also produced the first African American four-star US Air Force general.

When it comes to the beach life, Pensacola boasts nationally ranked beaches reminiscent of American beach towns before rampant development. Pensacola Beach is part of the federally protected Santa Rosa Barrier Island and a happy, family-friendly area where water tower tops are painted like beach balls. There are chowder houses and beachside cafes, shopping opportunities and entertainment with minimum travel, traffic or cost. The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and Observation Post is the longest pier on the Gulf of Mexico, with views of emerald green water and lovely sand glistening in the Florida sunshine. Explore the different personalities of lively Casino Beach and Quietwater Beach, a calm sand beach on the bayside that’s perfect for little ones. A fleet of charter fishing boats await walk-on and private charter to troll for grouper or deep-sea it for sailfish. Kids can enjoy sport at Fort Pickens pier in the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Run by the National Park Service, the Gulf Islands National Seashore provides Pensacola 16 miles of shoreline without commercial development. Some areas, like Santa Rosa Sound, render perfect sailing and windsurfing conditions, with lessons and rentals available nearby. Plan a morning at Naval Live Oaks to enjoy 1,400 acres of dense woods, nature trails, picnic spots, animals, birds and a sense of old Florida. Rent bikes and enjoy all or part of a 40-mile path winding around the Santa Rosa Sound.

One wouldn’t think the first reunion of the Old Antarctic Explorers Association (OAEA) would choose a beach community, but Pensacola was first on their list. Pensacolan Bill Blackwelder, a group member who worked or served in the Antarctic, thought his town was a good bet because the plane that made the first Antarctic landing is on display at The National Museum of Naval Aviation. Perhaps it was also a coincidence a Pensacola Visitor Information Center’s employee who helped with the group’s November 2002 reunion was an Army guy who also spent time in the Antarctic. “The Visitor Information Center is made up of great people,” Blackwelder said. “Our reunion was Wednesday through Friday before Veterans Day,” he explained, “and we had a speaker from the National Science Foundation talk about present-day Antarctic operations and a Naval Air Station tour. We saw the Blue Angels perform, too.” Many of the 400 attendees stayed a day or two longer to tour Pensacola.

Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key (about 15 miles from Pensacola) offer an array of lodging alternatives at reasonable prices. The Hampton Inn, with 600 feet of pristine beach, is just four stories high and has two heated beachside swimming pools. The in-room microwave, mini-fridge and location near restaurants and family attractions make it a good family choice. Contact 800-320-8108, or www.hamptonbeachresort.com. Pensacola’s yearly average temperature is a mild 77 degrees and winter months hover in the mid-60s, so pack accordingly. The Pensacola Convention & Visitor Information Center is ready to help reunion groups find comfortable and affordable accommodations and suggest fun itineraries. Contact 800-874-1234; www.visitpensacola.com.
About the author
Journalist Jacky Runice pens the "Family Travel" column for Chicago's Daily Herald as well as hotel/spa and restaurant reviews for AOL. She is a member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and mother of three young adventurers who love travel as much as she does.

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Rocky mountain high
Donna Talabock, Loveland, Colorado, leader for the Cochran Family Reunion first visited the YMCA of the Rockies by happenstance when she passed it on her way into Rocky Mountain National Park. Her small detour introduced her to the Estes Park Center YMCA where she was amazed by the number of options available. Considering the interests of her diverse family, this seemed like a match made in heaven for the Cochran reunion. It was close to the Front Range and offered lodge rooms, facilities, dining choices, activities, proximity to the city of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Donna reserved space at YMCA of the Rockies three years ahead and began planning her family reunion. Working with the guidance of Sara Kleiber, Assistant Group Sales Director, Talabock was able to customize her family reunion to accommodate the needs of 165 different people of all different ages.

Family from Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, California, and Idaho drove, flew, and rented cars to meet near Estes Park, Colorado. They reserved forty-three lodge rooms and Donna arranged a meal plan. She could also have chosen reunion cabins with the option to cook their own meals. Donna said, " It was nice not to have to cook and clean up." The Continental plan permitted them free time during the day to explore. Dinner brought the family together for evening activities.

They had the freedom to plan their own activities and included such things as a reunion Olympics, a golf tournament and talent night. The family used a conference building to host most of their gatherings. During scheduled free time members took advantage of the many different activities at the YMCA including the indoor swimming pool, craft shop, library and horseback riding. Other adventurous family members took advantage of shopping in Estes Park and rock climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park.

When asked what was the most memorable part of the reunion, Donna said, "it was just being together with my family . . . it just made it extra special to be in a place that had such nice facilities and that was so beautiful." Donna and her family's wonderful experience at YMCA of the Rockies is just one result of a mission geared towards the guests who visit here.

YMCA of the Rockies accommodates groups of all sizes. The YMCA of the Rockies is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It is made up of Estes Park Center, near Estes Park, Colorado and Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park, Colorado. Contact 800-777-9622; info@ymcarockies.org; www.ymcarockies.org.

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Reconnect in New England
by Jacky Runice

If nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning, then there’s nothing better than getting your letter informing reunion go-getters that it’s fall in unfettered New England.

Fall is nature’s way of telling us good things — like summer— don’t last forever, but don’t fret — great things may be right around the corner. A fall or early winter reunion far from the madding crowd is more peaceful and economical. The explosion of scarlet and gold leaves, or the gently falling snow while snuggled in your favorite sweater is that much better when you can share it with your family. That’s not to say you shouldn’t consider New England for a spring or summer gathering – all seasons are glorious in the Northeast.

Maine Coast Experience (MCE) is the combination of a lovely resort on Eggemoggin Reach in Brooklin, Maine, and adventures as relaxing or invigorating as desired on the Atlantic shore. Reunion members may engage in activities from whale-watching expeditions to sea-kayaking tours, or simply relax and reconnect in the post-and-beam lodge with ocean views.

The Eggemoggin Lodge invites families and other groups to warm up by the fieldstone fireplace to share the day’s adventures or a lifetime of memories. Three full meals a day are served, created by the on-staff executive chef, scrumptious picnics are created for daily adventurers. Guestrooms are comfortably furnished in traditional New England style and many overlook the mighty Atlantic. Large enough for reunions, the lodge welcomes groups to Maine Coast Experience. You can fish for lobster, hike on beautiful outer islands, or enjoy the ocean and natural resources on Eggemoggin Reach’s picturesque shores. Have a family boat cruise or fishing charter, try birding, bicycling or mountain biking. Each season brings different festivals to the area — the annual Holiday Craft Market, scarecrow festival and harvest celebration are a few autumn treats.

Many groups enjoy this impressive stretch of land in early summer, when the crowds are also scattered. Doris Klauson brought her family of 13 to Eggemoggin. “MCE accommodated all ages, from 12 through 75 years,” she said. “This reunion was one of the better experiences we’ve had and we would recommend it to everyone. And the food was wonderful.”

Paul Spicer and his family were looking at locations around the world to have a special reunion. They researched Maine on the Internet and thought MCE would be “a cool place to go.” Last June they took the plunge and loved the lodge location because it was close to Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park and golfing, a favorite activity of many family members. Of all the activities, however, the lobstering adventure came in first on the enjoyment scale. Visitors glide on Blue Hill and Jericho Bays while lobster fishing with seasoned fishermen and US Coast Guard-licensed captains. You may discover lobsters, rock crabs, starfish and sea urchins among other creatures. Where else can you band and size lobsters while watching seals and sea birds try to snatch the bait?

The Spicer family liked having the lodge to themselves, relaxing and catching up with friends and family. “The service was excellent, the staff was terrific. We would certainly recommend MCE to anyone who is looking for a great place to have a family reunion.”

Becca Orchard and her crew came in on their boat and booked eight rooms at the lodge. While searching for bed and breakfasts on the Internet, they discovered MCE and locked in on it because it looked “different” from all the other places and the boat could be docked on property. Even though the trip wasn’t a particular occasion, the group was thrilled with the friendly, casual atmosphere and the fact they had the whole area to themselves. Orchard and crew recommend MCE for “large group functions and as a place where the purpose is to gather.”

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Eight years ago, David Bialoglow surprised his wife Jodi and daughter Lauren with a trip to Mystic, Connecticut, and the Inn at Mystic. “When we pulled up I loved it,” Jodi beamed, and she has been bringing family to the Inn ever since. It has become a tradition for a dozen or so family members to reunite at the Inn on Easter weekend and have brunch at the Inn’s Flood Tide restaurant.

A perfect place to gather with family and friends, the Inn at Mystic is about a mile from the famous Mystic Seaport and Aquarium and a brisk walk from downtown Mystic’s uncommon shops and famous pizza parlor (which made America’s darling, Julia Roberts, a star in her first film, Mystic Pizza). Choose one of five suites in the 1904 Colonial Inn (ask for the one where Bogey and Bacall honeymooned) or take over some or all of the Gate House’s five rooms. The Motor Inn, close to the pool and restaurant, boasts comfortable rooms individually decorated in Colonial style. During summer’s high season, rates range from $135 to $295, but start at $65 other times of year. Treat the family to proper tea and pastries (complimentary) every afternoon with accompanying views of Mystic Harbor and Long Island Sound. The Inn at Mystic offers free use of its boats, canoes, kayaks, tennis court, putting greens and walking trails. And you must dine at the awarding-winning Flood Tide restaurant. Old-fashioned tableside preparation of classics like rack of lamb and flaming bananas Flood Tide are memorable treats to top off a spectacular family reunion.

Connecticut boasts many picture-postcard towns with church steeples poking into the sky, charming inns and folks with thick Eastern accents. Mystic is not really a town with its own government, but a place packed with charm and history between its less famous neighbors, Stonington and Groton.

Your first stop should be Mystic Seaport, which is not only the nation’s largest maritime museum, but also holds the largest collection of boats and ships (500) and maritime photography in the world. A re-created 19th century whaling village complete with historians, musicians, craftspeople and storytellers, makes the Seaport worthy of exploration for all ages. Visitors can help set the sails on a tall ship, take a steamboat ride on the Sabino and hop aboard the Charles W. Morgan, the last American-built wooden whaling ship on the planet and a National Historic Landmark. Little cruisers head over to the Children’s Museum to swab the deck, dress-up as grizzled seafarers and cook in the galley. Learn to tie proper knots and sing a sea shanty at the Discovery Barn and visit Mystic Seaport’s Planetarium that explains celestial navigation basics. Other noteworthy stops include “Voyage to Freedom,” an exhibit about the Amistad (watch Speilberg’s movie before your trip) and “Voyages: Stories of America and the Sea” which explains the sea’s role in our national identity. Call 888-973-2767 or cruise over to www.mysticseaport.org for details.

The American characteristic of exploration and discovery continues at the fabulous Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration. Dr. Robert Ballard, the oceanographer who found the Titanic’s wreckage in 1985 and most recently discovered the remains of JFK’s PT-109, makes his research home right here. Ballard’s research and the exhibits help us understand sea life and the rigors of searching the ocean floor. The Aquarium is a delight with beluga whales, walruses and more than 6,000 fish and sea creatures www.mysticaquarium.org.

Stonington Borough, jutting into Long Island Sound, is awash with history and attractive for family and military reunions. Check out Cannon Square and its memorial to locals who fought off the British twice with the town’s two cannons. At the end of Tony Water Street, the state’s oldest lighthouse (1823) is now a museum illustrating the townsfolk’s spirit and bravery. You can also visit the home of Captain Nathaniel Palmer, the gallant captain who discovered Antarctica in 1820. And see the impressive Mashantucket Pequot Museum that traces the tribe’s history (the state’s first residents more than 10,000 years ago) through interactive exhibits, a re-created Pequot village and dioramas. Gamers will want to know that two casinos are within a 20-minute drive of the Inn.

Jodi Bialoglow, Ridgefield, New Jersey, escorts family members new to the Mystic experience to the aquarium and seaport as well as quaint shops in town replete with twinkling streetlights. “There are cute restaurants in town, a small-town movie theater with two screens and, of course, you have to have a slice of Mystic Pizza,” she explained. She gathers family and friends at the Inn at Mystic two to three times every year. “It’s cozy, with beautiful floors so spotlessly clean, each room is decorated with different florals and we love the white bedspreads fringed with fabric balls you haven’t seen since you were a kid,” she laughed. “You feel like you’re actually in a house, not a hotel, and prices are so reasonable.” During one family trip, Bialoglow’s sister-in-law had to bring her dog and the Inn at Mystic welcomed the pooch, too. Although they have visited Mystic in all seasons, Bialoglow is a self-described “cold-weather girl” and enjoys the cooler months at the Inn. “We were there one New Year’s Eve, I love the winter there and fall is just magnificent with the cool air coming off the water,” she explained. “ I’ve been fortunate to have traveled to all 50 states, but I love Mystic – it’s our place. They have the right name for it because there’s something really wonderful and different about it.”

Contact 800-237-2415 or stop by www.innatmystic.com for brochures, rates and information.

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All inclusive is all that
by Jacky Runice

During these insanely busy times, many fantasies involve others doing it all. If you’re the knighted reunion organizer, your dreams can come true: delicious meals served, close together accommodations, daily activities for adults, teens and children, nightly entertainment and shopping and sports excursions. You’re the brilliant organizer who chose an all-inclusive resort for the next gathering.

When you talk all-inclusives, Club Med, the grandmama of them all, is the best. Just over 50 years ago, Club Med invented the all-inclusive concept when 300 free spirits attended the first village’s opening. Since then, they’ve created 120 worldwide Club Med villages each with unique ambience, activities and offerings. There are adult exclusive villages and others with incredible children’s clubs. Some clubs offer specialized golf and tennis clinics while others teach scuba diving or snowboarding. Club Med activities vary by village so you’ll have to check your pulse if there’re not at least five things that would enthrall your group. Choose from archery, arts and crafts, biking, bocce ball, casino excursions, dance classes, deep-sea fishing, downhill and cross country skiing, fitness classes, golf, snow shoe walks, horseback riding, in-line skating, kayaking, spa treatments, night club, Ping-Pong, billiards, rock climbing, sailing, shopping, snorkeling, soccer, softball, tennis, trapeze, volleyball, water exercise and wind surfing! Club Med, the world’s largest sports school, offers more than 60 land and water sports. Of course, you can “veg” on the beach, taking time to get reacquainted while kids are occupied and dinner plans are a fait accompli.

When settling into a Club Med village, you’ll soon talk the language. “GOs” (gracious organizers) are the team of hosts and hostesses who teach classes, perform in nightly shows and run children’s programs. Guests are called “GMs,” (gracious members). No matter what the ages of your clan’s kids, Club Med has engaging programs with activities ranging from circus school (think Cirque du Soleil) to fashions shows. Children can show their talents at an evening show, making wonderful Kodak moments. GOs and GMs hail from all points of the globe making your Club Med experience multi-cultural as well as fun.
George Drake and family visited the Club Med village in Ixtapa, Mexico, for spring break and realized the location would make a wonderful reunion site. Over Christmas 2001, 19 Drake clan members celebrated the 80th birthdays of both parents at Club Med Ixtapa. George Drake, from Kenilworth, Illinois, wanted a convenient travel destination for family from across the US. As children, Drake and his siblings froliced in the waves of Lake Michigan, so water was vital. Drake requested clustered rooms in a building close to the beach and dining room with terrific views. Drake knew the ocean was perfect for sailing, kayaking, body surfing and reliving childhood memories as their parents watched.

“We wanted to go somewhere with something for everyone,” explained Drake. “Some kids went to the kid’s club and others wanted to go to the beach and lie in the sun. Teenagers found groups to hang out with. My parents loved seeing their kids grown and enjoying the water again.” Older folks relaxed in the sun, read books, walked along the beach and played golf. Drake and his wife took a cab to Zihuatenejo to poke around the Mexican markets. The extended family played beach volleyball. The 10 adults and nine kids reconnected for dinner and the nightly show “By chance, my Dad was chosen as an audience participant and we got great photos,” Drake laughed. His parents bought the clan baseball caps with “LXXX” emblazoned across the front – the Roman numeral for “80” – to commemorate the birthday celebration.

One of the most attractive aspects of an all-inclusive is dining. Three times a day, GMs “ooh” and “ahh” at famous Club Med buffets. Freshly baked breads and croissants, heaping bowls of tropical fruit, eggs any way plus local creations such as eggs scrambled with chorizo or chilaquiles for breakfast. Lunch and dinner could include sushi, fresh pastas, smoked salmon, international salads, continental entrees and heavenly desserts. There’s always pizza, hot dogs, mac ‘n’ cheese for younger palates. “Kids can eat alot or be picky,” explained Drake, “and there’s not a set eating time, but a two or three hour window, families can appreciate.” Club Med staffs its kitchens with classically trained, professional chefs and cuisine quality is superb.

Drake and his immediate family have stayed at Club Med villages in Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, Huatulco (Mexico), and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. He settled upon Ixtapa for the reunion because of the friendly ocean and easy village navigation. “I would absolutely do a reunion at Club Med again!” Drake declared. “For a lot of reasons but also good value. My VISA bill surprised me because little was charged for extras.” Guests pay one price up front for lodging, meals, beer, wine and soft drinks at meals and most sports.

The Drake family is returning to Ixtapa this year simply because they had such a great time. “The manager is magnificent and we truly enjoy the Mexican people,” Dr. Drake said. “The family tried a number of activities like kayaking and many trips to local towns.” The downside to the Drake family’s Club Med trip? “We all gained weight because the food was so excellent!”

Dr. and Mrs. William Lake of Jupiter, Florida, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Huatulco, Mexico’s Club Med. Twenty-four family members had such a fine time, 22 reunited the next year in Ixtapa. They’ll be back in 2002. “It gave the family an opportunity to get away from the humdrum and freed parents from kids for awhile,” explained Dr. Lake. The children, ages four to 20, found plenty to do in Club Med “mini clubs.” “Our rule was breakfast and lunch on your own, and then we met at night for dinner, Dr. Lake said. “We were treated by the Huatulco manager to complimentary champagne and a big anniversary ceremony.” Others chartered boats and caught mahi mahi, which the kitchen prepared for the family’s dinner.

Set on Florida’s St. Lucie River, Club Med Sandpiper is a great US destination. In addition to four swimming pools and many activities, the village offers Walt Disney World, Seaworld, Universal Studios and Kennedy Space Center excursions. Seven nights including airfare start at $990 for adults. There are also three and four night packages and frequent specials. Visit www.clubmed.com or call 800-CLUB MED.
Occidental-Allegro Hotels & Resorts chain is the largest all-inclusive resort company in the world. Occidental-Allegro has special group packages and currently discounts those traveling with children. Children 12 and under sharing a room with an adult stay free at the Occidental-Allegro resorts in Costa Rica, Mexico, and The Dominican Republic through December 21, 2002. A superior room at the Occidental Playa Real in Costa Rica starts at $56.

According to Occidental-Allegro spokesperson Sandra Montenegro, groups choose Occidental-Allegro Hotels & Resorts for many reasons. First is price. “You can leave your wallet at home because all taxes and gratuities are included.” Families enjoy unlimited non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, exotic cocktails, juices and soft drinks and dine at restaurants offering local and international cuisine.

The properties offer a variety water sports; kayaking, catamaran sailing, aqua aerobics, paddle boats and scuba clinics. The Kid's Fun Club supervises children. Occidental-Allegro has resorts in Aruba, Antigua, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico and St. Kitts. Two new properties open in 2002. Occidental Grand Flamenco Xcaret Resort is located next to Playa del Carmen, Mexico’s eco-archeological Xcaret Park. Occidental Grand Cozumel offers 90 person meeting facilities, making it an ideal reunion resort. For additional information, visit www.allegroresorts.com or call 800-858-2258.

David Victor, President of Beach Travel in New Jersey specializes in arranging group travel packages for 10 to 1500 persons. He is enthusiastic about the Hotel Occidental Flamenco Beach in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. About 50 New York College of Podiatric Medicine Alumni Association members enjoyed their reunion in 2001, they will return in 2002. Located on Playa Dorada beach, the 582-room resort offers five restaurants, three bars and a beach club. Choose from a variety of water sports or relax by any of three, lake-shaped pools. Enjoy golf in the nearby par 72 golf course. “People are looking inexpensive, tropical settings and accommodations meeting the group’s need,” Victor explained. “I go to each resort I book, meet with staff and peruse the grounds. The Occidental-Allegro has phenomenal resort and quality group services are accommodating. At many other all-inclusives,” Victor continued, the service isn’t as good, staff doesn’t speak English and the food isn’t as tasty as the Occidental.” Contact Beach Travel at 877-506-5721; www.beachtravel-inc.com.

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Adventurous connections
by Jacky Runice

When people learn that I’m a journalist who specializes in travel, they invariably ask me one of two questions: "What’s your favorite place in the world?"("My bed," is the honest to God truthful response) or "Where was your best family vacation?" They expect to hear tales of African safaris, castle retreats or a journey on the Orient Express. My new acquaintances and readers may be surprised to know that the best family vacation of my life was a trip to Yellowstone Park in July 2001, one of the busiest months for the planet’s oldest national park. What could have been an exhausting, crowded and unenlightening trip turned out to be invigorating, profound and just plain fun. The magic ingredient was Austin-Lehman Adventures, a multi-sport adventure travel firm with a high commitment to serving families. If Austin-Lehman could deliver perfection in the middle of peak season, imagine what’s in store for you in winter, spring or fall.

Having never visited this immense wilderness area called Yellowstone nor undertaken an adventure travel trip, our family was excited but a bit apprehensive. Will the kids get bored and the adults get sore? The guidebooks clearly state, "Slow going in July and August because of crowds." (About 3.1 million people visit the park every year, about half of those in July and August.) As each day passed, we dumped more of our doubts into the park’s stinky thermal pools where they belonged. Our guides knew the least-traveled routes, the best areas to view wildlife and, most important, when to serve up delicious snacks.

After introducing ourselves to the two other families who would accompany us on our Yellowstone adventure, the Austin-Lehman guides assured us that the itineraries were flexible and that no one need be an Olympian to enjoy the upcoming adventure. (The company doesn’t rate trips for beginners, intermediates, advanced or death wishers. A hike or biking expedition can be modified, for example, for those who want more or less exertion.) Austin-Lehman has hosted adventurers from age 7 to 73, so there’s a pace for every age and fitness level. The company promises an intimate experience with maximum personal attention and it boasts the industry’s best guide-to-guest ratio: two guides per 12 guests and extra help and vehicles if children are in tow.

After a scenic drive through Paradise Valley, we undertook a 4.2-mile round trip hike to Bunsen Peak. The kids ascended with a smidgen of sweat and I swear I had a couple of heart attacks on the way up, but the 360-degree views of the park and the yummy lunch awaiting us on the summit were welcome rewards. All along the way, the knowledgeable and friendly guides explained geology, flora and history, and kept a special eye on the youngest children in the group so the rest of us could take in the glorious outdoors. Austin-Lehman owners Dan Austin and Paul Lehman are dads and as such they understand the special safety considerations when children are included. The guides took the schlep factor entirely out of the family travel equation, from searching for restaurants and snacks to hauling bags, resulting in better moods and more time to share in the magnificence of nature.

From Mammoth to Old Faithful, we toured the Norris Geyser Basin, and the young ones learned quite a bit from an IMAX show about the park and its origins. After a picnic lunch, we dipped into the Firehole River, warmed naturally from thermal areas upstream. Along the way, we were lucky to see a mother grizzly bear and her cubs, elk and bison in their natural habitats — our expert guides enhancing our encounters with information, safety precautions and lore.

We fished in Yellowstone Lake, watched Old Faithful spurt with double rainbows around her, and spent a day climbing to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with Ken Sinay, the most passionate and congenial wildlife biologist one could ever imagine. He made river flies and mud pots fascinating for everyone from the kindergartner to the teens and the older folks. Most visitors spend a day driving around Yellowstone, trying to eyeball an eagle or a bear, then head out thinking they’ve experienced the park. The fact is there’s something new to be discovered every moment, if you have connoisseurs of nature to lead you in the right direction. This wasn’t just a gathering of families, but a memorable sharing of wonder and the good Earth.

Everyone anticipated rafting down the Yellowstone River through the Yankee Jim Canyon, which was thrilling and extremely safe. As our soggy group emerged from the raft, our Austin-Lehman guides had hot pizza and cool salads waiting for an outdoor lunch. Afternoon brought an easy horseback ride along the Absaroka Mountains.

Austin-Lehman guides are teachers, geologists and chefs, and all are certified in Emergency Response and CPR . Dan Austin explained that biking wasn’t included in this Yellowstone trip because it simply wasn’t safe considering the crowds of cars veering to catch glimpses of wildlife. Sure enough, one afternoon as we drove to our next stop in the park, we noticed bike-riding clients of another well-known adventure travel firm desperately searching for their group leader’s van amid a continuous stream of RV’s and SUV’s. I was pleased we chose Austin-Lehman for our first foray into adventure travel.

During our Yellowstone family adventure the group dined and snoozed at park hotels such as the Mammoth Hotel, the stately Old Faithful Inn and the newly renovated Canyon Lodge. Austin-Lehman books accommodations and dinner reservations up to a year in advance, so we just waltzed by the hungry throngs to our tables. Kids sat at their own table, with guides helping with ordering and entertainment, so adults could relax, dine and engage in conversation. I’m at the 15-year mark of chowing with children, and I have another 10 years to go, so this seemingly small aspect of the trip was an undeniable treat. One evening, we took a wagon ride to a chuckwagon barbecue complete with cowboy legends and song. On our final night, the adults supped on a gourmet dinner at the historic Chico Hot Springs Inn, just outside the park, while the children munched at the poolside grill with a guide. A dip in the hot spring-fed pool was fun for youngsters and a relief for those of us whose prior horseback riding experience amounted to a spin on a carousel.

As a trained and experienced journalist, I’m not a gusher and my family travel standards are appropriately high. But don’t take my effusive word about Austin-Lehman Adventures. Peter and Matt Willms of Mequon, Wisconsin are adult brothers who signed up their respective families to a custom Austin-Lehman trip to Montana in 2001. "I searched the Internet and came across Austin-Lehman," explained Peter. "They had a long history of providing trips and it was the kind of trip our families, which include people in their 20s, teenagers and kids, wanted to try. We chose Montana because we had never been to that part of the country and Austin-Lehman tailored our trip in such a fashion that we were absolutely thrilled with the countryside," he said enthusiastically. "Austin-Lehman took care of everything, we were educated and exercised at a reasonable pace and laughed and kidded as a family." Matt Willms’ 11 year-old daughter couldn’t finish the first day’s bike ride, so the van was there to take her the remainder of the way. "There was a real peace of mind that if you did get tired or just didn’t want to do something – you didn’t have to. It was fabulous and we all had a great time," Peter continued. "If our trip was any example, it’s all about you – they want you to be happy. We would travel with Austin-Lehman again, without a doubt! I would recommend it to everyone who wants to have a reunion in the outdoors."

The Willms families have taken a number of trips together, reuniting in places such as northern Wisconsin and the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The Austin-Lehman adventure "turned out to be more than we thought it could be," according to Matt Willms. "The guides were outgoing and showed incredible customer service," he explained. "It was neat for the kids because the guides would skateboard and throw a Frisbee with the them after dinner. Montana’s beauty took care of itself but with the guides adding stories and information about the area, lore, geography and the people - that made it great." Some of the clan chose to fly fish on the Yellowstone River while others just hung out by the hot spring pool and sipped margaritas. "The physical aspect shouldn’t bother anyone because it’s totally flexible," reminded Matt. "On a scale of one to 10 it’s one of those things you’d give an 11. This was the best trip I’ve ever been on."

That said, are you ready to call Austin-Lehman Adventures ((800)) 575-1540) and set up your first active family reunion? The company offers trips for adults only as well as family adventures that include excursions to the Canadian Rockies, Grand Tetons, Montana and Yellowstone. There’s a winter Big Sky Getaway featuring skiing, snowmobiling, dogsledding and snowshoeing down Moonlight Basin. Austin-Lehman will create a custom trip for class, family or military reunions with a variety of activities tailored to different energy levels. Whet your adventurous appetite by visiting www.austinlehman.com.
If you go

Prior to our Austin-Lehman family adventure to Yellowstone, we decided to settle in Bozeman, Montana for a few days. A quick call to Travel Montana (800 - VISIT MT) got us in touch with a fine vacation home rental firm. Since we wanted to enjoy the cowboy charm and good eats of Bozeman, Mountain Home Montana Vacation Rentals (800-550-4589) suggested their "Southside Home," walking distance to downtown and Montana State University. The company sent detailed information, from directions from the airport to where to find the best cup of joe in town, which proved helpful in our short stay.

The three-bedroom, three-bath home was smack dab in the middle of a normal neighborhood, with lots of light and pretty decorative touches and a huge kitchen stocked with utensils. Mountain Home Montana Vacation Rentals boasts 40 vacation homes, farms and cabins. Imagine staying at Springhill Farm, a restored farmhouse with 30 acres of meadows, two ponds, a creek and a teepee at the base of the Bridger Mountains. Larger groups and reunions might choose Yellowstone Bluffs overlooking the Yellowstone River with its swimming pool, hot tub, three fireplaces and a pool room. For a better look at accommodations, from rustic to luxurious, visit www.mountain-home.com.

How much does all the spaciousness and privacy cost? Home rental can cost far less than hotel rooms, not to mention savings in preparing occasional meals and snacks in a fully equipped kitchen. Sharing a larger space with extended family or friends can make luxury affordable. In the case of Mountain Home Montana Vacation Rentals, summer rates range from $1000 per week to $6,500, depending upon guest capacity, with discounts during winter and off-season spring and fall dates.

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A wildwater expeditions tradition
by P. Stevenson
Wildwater Expeditions, Lansing, West Virginia, has traditions that run as deep as the New River Gorge. Throughout the years, we have been able to share in traditions of many others: Bob Grossman and Gary Allen have brought their friends and families (and Lucille, their mascot) rafting every year for over twenty years. Several local families, like the Dobsons of Summersville and the Gannons of Oak Hill, host their milestone reunions with us. Greg Ball of Ft. Wright, Kentucky, brought the inductees for the Red Knights to Wildwater for a weekend adventure trip during which the inductees met with many other members, both active and retired. Many college campuses have also begun traditions of bringing students and alumni to meet at our campground.

One of our favorite stories from our Wildwater family involves the Stewart family from Belleville, Michigan. Debbie and Dick Stewart have been bringing their children, Tom and Tracy, rafting for years. Their annual trip grew to include many friends and family. About four years ago, Brian Frink joined their party and we assumed Brian and Tracy were dating but it was not true. When Tracy fell in the water, Brian came to her rescue. After that rescue, Brian and Tracy began dating. The next year Brian had a surprise. He was planning to propose to Tracy in the rapid where he had ‘saved’ her the previous year. We chilled champagne and brought it to celebrate at the end of the trip. When we got to Surprise Rapid, Brian pulled a candy ring out of his PFD and asked Tracy to marry him. Of course, she said yes. The reservationists had organized an engagement party for after the river trip and everyone joined in the celebration. We were invited and some of the staff were able to attend the wedding. The Stewarts still come every year.

There seems to be no common denominator among those who choose to join our rafting family except the desire to have an exciting, fun and hassle-free event. Our reservation staff is pleased to assist with planning, our river and climbing staff take care of preparations for each adventure, and our caterer supplies all the food. Wildwater Expeditions offers camping and hotel packages, and rafting, climbing and kayaking trips. We can reserve horseback riding, mountain biking and ATV tours. Contact Wildwater Expeditions, 800-982-7238; www.wvaraft.com.

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Off the beaten path
Sometimes families have something else in mind for their reunion: they want to stay in different places, move around, visit different sites — like Holly Burch’s family. Burch of Rome, Georgia, her parents, along with her sister and brother and their spouses and kids, spent their family reunion exploring Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks.

"I imagine we were a challenge," Burch says. "We had everything from cribs to car seats, and an older person in our group required wheelchair access."
Burch and her relatives spent some of their time with their own private naturalist guides in Yellowstone. "We weren’t working on our PhD or anything," Burch says, "but we were full of questions."

The family also stayed in Jackson, Wyoming, where they went on a wildlife expedition, had a chuckwagon dinner, went whitewater rafting — the youngest and oldest members preferred a scenic float — and the men went fly fishing while the women went on a guided hike.
"The guys got their fishing trips, I got my hiking, Mother got her driving — everyone was happy," says Burch.

Planning a reunion that makes everyone happy may not be easy, "we take time to understand each group’s needs and get all the details right," explains Sarah Lundgren of Off the Beaten Path Travel.

Holly Burch’s note to Off the Beaten Path included these two sentences: "Trip still highlight of life experiences. Great memories!"
Contact Off the Beaten Path, 27 E. Main St., Bozeman MT 59715; 800-445-2995; www.offthebeatenpath.com.

Lumberjacks, loons & leaf peepers
(a Northwoods family reunion)
by Jacky Runice
Family life, especially for those with children at home, can be a noisy, stress-filled existence riddled with schedules, waiting, traffic and responsibilities. If you want your reunion to be the antithesis of this, rule out Las Vegas, theme parks, crowded resorts and big cities. Consider, instead, the favorite digs of belted kingfishers, 40+ inch muskies, black bear, ruffed grouse and friendly, hard-working folks with lots of spirit: the Northwoods of northwestern Wisconsin.

The Hayward Lakes area and, about 20 miles to the north, the Cable area, remain unspoiled and tranquil despite the fact that more people are learning about this nook of natural beauty. Anchored by the 850,000-acre Chequamegon National Forest, the region offers unparalleled outdoor recreation with 200 glaciated lakes and rivers and 600 miles of groomed trails, family-run resorts, fifteen golf courses, gaming, fine Northwoods dining and one heck of an autumn blast of color. Some of the lakes have 10-mph speed limits, adding to the peacefulness, while others are sanctuaries for fish and wildlife. At various times of year, the sleepy hamlets burst with activity and sports enthusiasts. Skiers arrive the last Saturday in February for the annual American Bierkenbeiner Ski Race and Cable's Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival attracts 2,500 mountain bikers a few weeks after Labor Day. Summer's Musky Festival reminds tourists that Hayward is the home of world record muskies.

An autumn reunion in the Cable/Hayward region promises cooler, crisp air amid spectacular foliage, perfect for easy to challenging hikes. (Peak color times are usually the last week in September through the first weeks in October.) Families with little ones may choose nature trails that feature interpretive stations that can be experienced in as little as minutes. Copper Falls State Park is a family favorite with well-graded trails and three waterfalls. If you'd rather drive, three self-guided, marked and mapped fall colors tours are available at the Cable Area Visitors Center. Or you can canoe the Namakagon River, part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, to snap photos of wildlife and listen to the calls of a myriad of birds.

Golfers experience nirvana when they hear there are 16 golf courses within an hour's drive or less from the reunion site. Courses range from family-friendly par threes to 18-hole championship varieties such as Forest Ridges Golf Course at Lakewoods Resort, just east of Cable. The lush Chequamegon National Forest surrounds the course, so don't be surprised if you must wait for a family of white-tailed deer to cross before taking your next swing. With the area's only on-cart G.P.S. system, Forest Ridges has a complete pro shop, driving range, bar and grill and teaching center.

In its fourth generation of family operation, the Lakewoods Resort staff works overtime to create unique reunions with many activities right outside the door on 3,400-acre Lake Namakagon. The full-service marina offers water bikes, pontoon and paddleboats, canoes, kayaks and water skis. Trophy walleye, northern, bass and panfish are some of the treasures awaiting fishing fans and the lake regularly produces 40+ inch muskies. Lakewoods will arrange fishing guides for both beginners and serious anglers. It's a good thing Lakewoods rents bikes: there are over three hundred miles of mapped and marked trails in the area, extending from Hayward to Iron River, following a variety of paths from ski trails to logging roads. If your group prefers to stick close to the resort, there are indoor and outdoor pools and tennis and volleyball courts for family competitions.

Lakewoods offers homey lodge rooms, cabins and condominium units with separate bedrooms and full kitchens. Condos are homey and that's why Rich and Doris Daniels, of Burlington, Wisconsin, prefer to get their clan booked into the units. You could say the Daniels love Lakewoods, but considering it's the 39th year of reuniting at the resort, that might be an understatement. "When the kids were little, we looked for a real family resort just to vacation and, since we had 13 children, there were a lot of us," explained Doris. "Over the years we met different families at Lakewoods, who became our friends, and now these friends and our families meet up there every year." The Daniels children literally grew up loving the place and today, with grandchildren numbering 43, the tradition continues to new generations. "We are a large group and the Rasmussens (the owners) are always so accommodating," Doris laughed. The reunion is casual with picnics, golf outings, some boating and entire days spent just lolling on the beach with a family barbecue at night. The atmosphere is so laid back, that one of the Daniels' friends, who is a priest, will conduct mass right in front of the condos! Some older family members stay for two weeks while others spend a week at the woodsy resort. "Our children still get excited about going to Lakewoods," Doris shared, "and we just love it."

The Rasmussens will do as little as booking rooms or get really involved in a reunion, arranging entertainment, speakers, comedians, doing all or some meals. "Our philosophy is to sit down with the reunion coordinator, and find out how much or how little they want our involvement," explained Kathy Rasmussen. "We know every reunion, like every family, is different," she continued. "If there are lots of little kids, we'll create family activities or if the group is older, we'll do something very different like setting up a room with cards and VCR, so they can sit and visit and be very comfortable in a quiet setting." Using the resort's facilities, families can schedule golf, tennis or volleyball tournaments or races with any of the non-motorized water equipment. Special activities for kids may include tie-dyeing, horseback riding, paddle boat races, golf and tennis lessons. Rasmussen takes digital photos and posts them throughout the week for reunion members to view and order. Plan a special end-of-the-week banquet to round out one terrific reunion.

Of the 20 or more reunions Lakewoods hosts every year, many stay for a full week and staff arranges day trips and transportation, if necessary. The small but imaginative Cable Natural History Museum recently unveiled a terrific exhibit about the most dominant group of creatures on the planet — insects. Anglers must visit Hayward, home of the colossal musky that doubles as the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. There are rooms full of outboard motors, trophy fish and antique lures and everyone should have their picture taken while in the mouth of the 4 story mad musky. The "Wilderness Walk" is a combination Western Town and zoo that’s fun to stroll and don’t leave without taking in Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show. The lumberjacks are young athletes who compete in speed climbing, log rolling, canoe jousting, sawing and axe throwing. A stop at Tremblay's Sweet Shop, for homemade fudge and peanut brittle, is a must. Try your luck at any of the four casinos within 45 minutes of Lakewoods. Lac Courtes Oreilles Casino is just 4 miles east of Hayward.

About an hour's drive from Lakewoods, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Bayfield makes for a wonderful day trip. Choose a cruise to see some or all of the 22 Apostle Islands and their much-photographed lighthouses. Eagles, loons and seagulls complete the picture. Lakewoods Resort can arrange to have a private cookout ready for you on return from Bayfield.

The O'Keefe's of St. Paul, Minnesota, prefer to stick around Lakewoods during their every-other-year reunions. "The food is excellent, boats are available and the live music on weekends is fun," laughed Elizabeth, who with her husband Robert celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the resort two years ago. "Some may go to one of the casinos, but mostly we talk and have meals together and catch up." The O'Keefe reunion, about 60-70 strong with kin from Arizona, Illinois, Alabama, the Dakotas, Minnesota and California converge on this northwestern Wisconsin community. "The family talks about changing venues, but we always come back to Lakewoods and it has become a wonderful tradition," said the O'Keefes.

Contact Lakewoods to work out a reunion package in the glorious Northwoods of Wisconsin. Contact 800-255-5937; www.lakewoodsresort.com.

Good to Know
Cable Area Chamber of Commerce
800-533-7454
www.cable4fun.com

Hayward Lakes Information Center
800-724-2992
www.haywardlakes.com

Apostle Islands Cruise Service, Bayfield
800-323-7619

Lac Courtes Oreilles Casino
800-526-2274

Scheer's Lumberjack Show
715-634-5010

National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
715-634-4440

Civil War depicted
Most visitors associate Petersburg, Virginia, with the closing days of the Civil War. Petersburg experienced the longest siege of any American city – ten long months. The city has been a strategic center of commerce, trade and transportation since before the Revolutionary War. You can study not only the ground on which Civil War soldiers fought and died, but also the world which they and civilians lived in and found worth paying the ultimate price to defend. By exploring the Petersburg area, visitors can begin to understand how Southern communities sustained, endured and emerged from the Civil War. Contact Petersburg Visitors Center 800-368-3595; www.petersburg-va.org.

How about including some western legends?
William F. Cody, fondly known as Buffalo Bill, was born in 1846 and experienced the Old West to its fullest. He herded cattle, worked on a wagon train, mined for gold, rode in the Pony Express, scouted for the Army and was a skillful buffalo hunter. His Wild West Shows traveled the world leaving a lasting vision of the American West. Many artifacts and objects from the Old West, Buffalo Bill's life and the Wild West Shows, Indian artifacts, Western art and firearms can be enjoyed at the Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum. Buffalo Bill is buried just 30 minutes away from downtown Denver on Lookout Mountain overlooking the Great Plains and the Rockies. Buffalo Bill Grave and Museum, 987 1/2 Lookout Mountain Rd, Golden CO 80401; 303-526-0747; operated by Parks and Recreation Department of the City and County of Denver.

Experience the Arch
If you thought heading west started with the Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, think again. Now there's the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument spanning I-80 at Kearney, Nebraska, where the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails all converged in the western movement that ultimately linked Americans coast-to-coast. It's on the way to lots of places and worth your visit.

Inside this only monument that spans an interstate highway, you can expect a state-of-the-art immersion, trail blazing adventure. Trek west with pioneers, get caught in a buffalo stampede, go for gold with 49ers, ride with the Pony Express, meet Mark Twain and hear the rumble of the Iron Horse. Here's where nostalgia can really grip you. The Monument is at 1 Archway Parkway, Kearney NE 68847; 877-511-ARCH; www.archway.org.

Looking ahead from behind
If you are organizing your reunion for between 2003 through 2006 and your family has any connection to the westward migration (or even not), you might want to include some of the special events that will be included in the Montana Bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Many activities recalling the journey include re-enactments, encampments, displays and celebrations of all kinds in all the states Lewis and Clark traversed. For an interesting interpretive guide to special sites, Lewis & Clark, the Montana Journey, call 406-444-2654 or visit www.visitmt.com.

On July 28-29, 2001 attend the annual Clark Days. There will be some events at Pompey's Pillar, a distinctive landmark rock just designated a National Monument, where Captain William Clark scratched his signature. There will be campfire programs and free camping (which is normally not allowed at the Pillar. Other events include reenactments, interpretive stations, a buffalo feed lunch, a river float in which Clark and Sacajawea arrive at the Pillar and a bird walk. For info call 406-875-2233.

The Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery Descendant Project
To honor the permanent members of the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery that completed the trip to the Pacific Ocean, the Clatsop County, Oregon, and the Pacific County, Washington, Genealogical Societies are offering a "Corps of Discovery Descendant Certificate" to any person who can document they are a descendant to any permanent member of the 1804-1806 expedition. Data will be stored at the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc. Library in Great Falls, Montana. A book will be published after May 22, 2004, the official start of the 200th anniversary of the expedition and include all the accepted genealogical data.

For an application packet, contact The Lewis & Clark Project, PO Box 372, Warrenton OR 97146; www.pacifier.com/~karenl; Pacific County Genealogical Society, Washington, www.pacifier.com/~uniqhorn.

Big sky country
Billings, Montana — the gateway to America's western heritage, where rolling wagons carried early settlers, where the Iron Horse forged a solid passage for railroad barons, and cattle ranchers roped strays in the swirling dust of the open plains.

Billings, Montana — where Indian bead-work and hand-made cowboy hats are found side by side with the latest big city fashions. Where legends abound of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Teddy Roosevelt, George Armstrong Custer and Calamaity Jane.

Billings, Montana — the 24-page vacation guide, with information on Yellowstone National Park, Little Bighorn Battlefield and Pompeys Pillar, as well as a calendar of major events. Call 800-735-2635 or www.billingscvb.visitmt.com.

American history along coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail
The grand panorama of American history comes into focus with the launch of the American Discovery Trail (ADT), America's first coast-to-coast non-motorized trail. The ADT crosses 15 states and the District of Columbia over 6,356 miles from Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware, to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.

The ADT passes near the boyhood homes of five US presidents, traces the explorations of George Washington along the Potomac River, as well as the Lewis and Clark expedition. From St. Louis, Missouri, the ADT travels along the Pony Express routes through gold mining towns and crosses the Rockies and Sierras.

The ADT links small towns, urban areas, Appalachian Mountains, Great Plains, the Rockies and the High Sierras. It includes thousands of historical and cultural landmarks, old forts, historical monuments, grand homes and museums. The ADT is a multi-use trail permitting walking, running, cycling and horseback riding. It includes 14 national parks, 16 national forests, and an estimated 10,000 sites of cultural, historical and natural significance. Contact 800-663-2387 or www.discoverytrail.org.

Arsenal Island historical getaway
Step back in time and walk through history at the Rock Island Arsenal Island in the middle of the upper Mississippi River. The Arsenal has supplied troops during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam and Gulf Wars.

From beginnings protecting fur traders in the early 1800s, Arsenal Island now features a museum, Colonel Davenport home, the Mississippi River Visitors Center, the National and Confederate Cemetery, the Commanding General's Residence, tanks and artillery. The Commanding General's residence is the second largest single-family home owned by the US government. Only the White House is larger.

Narrated history of the island can be heard on the Historical Trolley Tours in Downtown Moline, Illinois. Contact Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-747-7800; www.visitquadcities.com.

History comes alive!
The American Revolution is happening again in Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park. Lights of Liberty is a new attraction that brings an important chapter in American history to life for a 60-minute, nighttime sound and light show.

The latest technology reproduces highly charged events leading up to the Revolution told the by real and fictionalized characters from colonial times.

Visitors are immersed in this revolutionary experience as they walk a route through the Park wearing 3-D headsets. Visitors look up at digital images projected onto the Park's historic buildings: Independence Hall, Carpenter's Hall, Second Bank of the United States and Franklin Court, the site of Ben Franklin's home. The audio track will be available in Spanish, German, French, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese and a special "Children's Channel." Contact 150 South Independence Mall West, Suite 714, Philadelphia PA 19106; 215-Liberty; www.lightsofliberty.org.

When fall arrives, Valley Forge National Historical Park becomes a 3,600 acre tapestry of autumnal splendor. If you're already in the neighborhood, call the park's visitor center for help in locating restaurants and hotels and to receive an informative visitor's guide. If you plan to visit the area, call 888-VISIT-VF for a trips and tours booklet, which directs you to thirteen driving tours and two fall foliage tours. Information can also be found at www.valleyforge.org. For up-to-the-minute events call the park's Funline, 610-834-8844 and all other area information call Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau office at 610-834-1550.

Serious fun
Q? What is by day a children's museum, but by night a reception hall for groups of 50-100?

A! The Louisiana Children's Museum, that's what. With more than 150 innovative, interactive exhibits and a 200-seat theater for presentations and meetings, the museum offers an interesting reunion alternative. Keep kids busy exploring the many interactive exhibits, such as the Plasma Ball, Gyromania, Wave Tower or Electric Zone. Let museum staff put you in touch with caterers and audio/visual rental suppliers. Contact the museum at 420 Julia St., New Orleans LA 70130; 504-523-1357; or visit their web site at www.lcm.org.

Great reunion places
The Kutztown (PA) German Festival annually (June -July) celebrates Pennsylvania Dutch culture. New this year will be a display and searching help from the Berks County Genealogy Society for ancestors from this part of Pennsylvania. Extensive records are also available at several area libraries. The Festival is very reunion friendly including special prices for groups of 25 or more. Call (toll free) 888-674-6136 or write PO Box 306, Kutztown PA 19530.

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Convention and Visitors Bureau is promoting Picnic in Our Parks in conjunction with the state's Sesquicentennial from May 22 to Jun 21, 1998. During that time visitors who stay at area hotels will receive picnic baskets filled with edible and non-edible Fond du Lac products. Visitors will be encouraged to explore the area with unique Talking Country Roads cassettes, four pleasurable half-day tours, which you can listen to in the privacy of your own vehicle. You can turn off the tapes and take a hike, picnic, or visit a Clydesdale ranch or cheese and sausage shop (yum). For more information call 800-937-9123.

Note: Historic Galloway House and Village, a turn of the century mansion and farmstead is one of many attractions included on Talking Country Roads tapes from Fond du Lac (WI) CVB.

A great success in a great place
Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, is always a fun-filled destination. That's especially true this year, when Circus World debuts new daily attractions, including Equine Encounter: Visitors are invited to get up close to circus horses The World's Greatest Showmen: a giant screen exhibition on Wisconsin's circus past Circus Playland: new circus-themed activities for kids
For more Circus World information call 608-356-0800.

Halls of game
Sometimes it seems the entire nation has gone sports mad. Especially kids. So on your way to a family reunion or for a refreshing pit stop, or those looking for fun activities at a reunion, consider museums dedicated to the heroes of sport.
For fans of the national pasttime, there's the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, established in 1939. Each year in late July or early August, Cooperstown's population swells for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which includes a game between two major league teams. The museum includes exhibits about the World Series, evolution of the baseball uniform, ballparks, umpires, the baseball card industry, the minor leagues and baseball sheet music.
The baseball hall of fame is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve. For more information contact 25 Main, Cooperstown NY 1326; 607-547-7200.
For those traveling west, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum recently opened its doors in Kansas City. The museum occupies 50,000 square feet, and includes a timeline of historical photographs and artifacts, a movie theater, interactive computer stations, and "Heroes of the Game," a tribute to the stars of the Negro leagues. The facilities also house the Kansas City Jazz Museum. Contact 1601 E 18th St. Kansas City MO 64108; 816-221-1920.
If you'd rather pass, punt and kick, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, is home to some of the most famous names in American sports history. All 189 members of the hall are honored with a bronze bust, an illustration back-lit behind Plexiglas and a brief biography. Members include the likes of Y.A. Tittle, Red Grange and Jim Thorpe. Contact 2121 George Halas Dr NW, Canton OH 44708; 330-456-8207; www.profootballhof.com.
The Midwest is also home to the new College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana, home to past pigskin greats such as Knute Rockne, the Four Horsemen and Frank Leahy. That's not all. South Bend also hosts the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, on whose field figures "Touchdown Jesus," the mural on the campus library picturing Jesus with arms raised, as if to signal six points.
While the pro hall tells the story of the game in modern times, the college hall looks back 2000 years, to when ancient Greeks played a game called "harpaston," in which players tried to pass, run or kick a ball over another team's goal line. Hmm. Sounds familiar. Contact 111 S St. Joseph St., South Bend IN; 800-440-3263; www.collegefootball.org.

source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Reunion ideas spring to mind
by Jacky Runice
As with everything in this life, we can look at Spring in two ways. I love writer Dorothy Parker's take on the season. "Every year, back come Spring, with nasty little birds yapping their fool heads off and the ground all mucked up with plants." I'm going to bet, however, that since you're reading Reunions magazine and are probably knee-deep in planning one amazing get-together, that makes you an optimist - the human personification of spring (Susan J. Bissonette). Spring is ripe with new life, pleasant temperatures and, let's be honest, off-season rates for reunions of all varieties.

About 180 miles from Chicago, Grand Rapids calls itself "the other side of Michigan," meaning while hordes of tourists swarm along the Great Lake, smarties like you enjoy a city undergoing a renaissance. For a fanciful reunion, consider Frederik Meijer Gardens, the largest tropical conservatory in Michigan, ten minutes from downtown. Indoor and outdoor landscapes are embellished with more than 60 sculptures such as bronze meerkats, a coyote in the arid garden or a mother and baby bear on a nature trail walk through wetlands and woodlands. The Gardens boast the Western Hemisphere's largest "Leonardo da Vinci's Horse" sculpture, a magnificent 24-foot-tall objet d'art. "Foremosts' Butterflies Are Blooming," the largest temporary butterfly exhibit in the nation, graces the Gardens from March 1 through April 30, 2001. You may consider Sunday Brunch at the Gardens for a reasonable $14.95 for adults, $6.95 for five to 12 year-olds and $3.50 for four and under (616-957-1580). Sally Littlefair, Marketing Director said, "I can't think of a better place than the Frederik Meijer Gardens for a reunion that offers gardens, spring flowers and sculpture for the party to enjoy. Our new expansion includes an 850 seat meeting space, gift shops and sculpture galleries. When a party rents space (from 30 to 850), the facility extends the rest of the public spaces for view. Reunions of 30 to 40, can rent and enjoy a garden setting, in special rooms, like the Victorian Garden Parlor and Seasonal Display Greenhouse.

Just for fun, try Pal's Diner, an authentic 1954 structure in all its pink and silver glory. Current owners discovered Pal's in New Jersey and moved the beautiful beast intact to Grand Rapids. Pal's seats 50 for hand-dipped shakes and malts, egg creams and phosphates at the fountain; classic dinner sandwiches and Mom's meat loaf and bread pudding that's made from scratch (6503 28th St. SE; 616-942-7257).

The 103rd Infantry chose the Crowne Plaza in Grand Rapids for what may be its final gathering in September 2001. Willis Gavitt, son-in-law of Infantry member Harvey Ellsworth who passed away six years ago, said this might indeed be the last of reunions originating 36 years ago. "This division which General Patton commanded in Europe, had its first reunion in Michigan and it will wind up in Michigan" he explained. At last count, this year's group should number between 400-500.

Why Grand Rapids? "Grand Rapids offered the best package deal for us," Gavitt laughed. Some of the men, women and spouses have a golf outing and others take bus trips to different attractions. "We always have a big banquet on Saturday night and sometimes have a speaker," Gavitt said, mentioning a French general who spoke to the group about Europe's liberation. In addition to the annual gathering, some of the Infantry members travel to Arlington National Cemetery to place a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Grand Rapids' Holiday Inn East recently hosted members of the USS Hunt, checking in at 130 alumni. 500 members of the 3rd Armored Division are expected to storm the Amway Hotel in 2002. The Michigan Military Air, Land and Sea Museum breaks ground this spring near the entrance to Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. The museum will be both a historical and educational facility with exhibits, seminars, workshops and lectures providing future generations an opportunity to learn about how our country's freedoms have been won and maintained.

Some of your group may choose to wander Grand Rapids' Van Andel Museum Center, an interactive history and science treasury located downtown on the Grand River. Marvel at the 75-foot Finback Whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling or take advantage of Kodak moments on the 1928 carousel that extends over the water. Astro-nuts will want to visit the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium and others delight in the permanent exhibit that features 500 pieces from the museum's doll collection. "The Furniture City" is an expansive exhibit of the some of the styles and pieces that made Grand Rapids known worldwide as a leader in the production of fine furniture (616-456-3977).

Grand Rapids downtown has experienced a renaissance recently with $200 million tapped into cultural, recreational and sports facilities. The Grand Rapids Children's Museum, geared to two to 10 year olds has plenty of interactive displays and seasonal programs (616-235-4726). While family members with youngsters are enjoying the Children's Museum, art lovers can walk two blocks to the Grand Rapids Art Museum, home to more than 6,000 works of art (616-831-1000). Hometown prez, Gerald Ford, has his own museum that contains surprisingly interesting artifacts and exhibits. Exhibits allow visitors to attend a White House State Dinner, eavesdrop on the Oval Office, stand on the floor of the 1976 Republican National Convention and return to a 1970s disco.

A ride to Veldheer Tulip Gardens & De Klompen Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory in Holland, Michigan (616-399-1900) makes a unique day trip. The US' only Delft Factory making Dutch pottery and Holland's finest Wooden Shoe Factory also boasts America's largest commercial tulip garden. Factory tours are free! Holland's Dutch Village has attractions for all ages; Dutch folk dancing, wooden shoe carving, movies, museums, rides for kids and specialty shops featuring imported gifts (616-396-1475). The park is open late April to early October but Queen's Inn Restaurant and gift shops are open year round.

Golfers' tees get all atwitter at the prospect of choosing a course in Grand Rapids that ranks high in number of public courses-to-population with new courses added every year. If golf is a reunion focus, you may opt for a West Michigan Golf Getaway package, with tee times prearranged by participating hotels. Contact the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau (800-678-9859); www.visitgrandrapids.org for details.

If flowers set your heart aflutter, how does a 14,000-acre botanical display garden and resort located in the foothills of the Appalachians riffle your roses? Located in Pine Mountain, Georgia, an hour southwest of Atlanta, Callaway Gardens has welcomed families for over 40 years with southern hospitality and wholesome activities. Warm mineral springs have attracted thousands seeking healing, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Then, visit the grounds and interior of FDR's "Little White House" in nearby Warm Springs, Georgia.

Callaway Gardens is a horticultural haven for gardeners and nature nuts. Want to get the scoop on sunflowers, herb and vegetable gardens and perennials? Free programs at the Sibley Horticultural Center raise your rhododendron to new heights.

Georgia's largest park, FDR State Park, borders Callaway Gardens for hiking and horseback riding. Hunt for antiques in Warm Springs or the town of Pine Mountain. A 30 minute drive to Columbus offers military museums, a fine art museum and southern restaurants featuring Brunswick stew, collard greens, pulled pork and tart barbecue slaw.

Since 1986 Dr. W.D. Moorer's clan, now numbering 81, has chosen Callaway Gardens every other year except one and the family unanimously decided to return after that detour. "The people at Callaway are very cooperative," he explained in an easy Alabama drawl. "We have our little routine and they help us plan it. For example, we always picnic on Friday night in the garden. We meet at dusk for drinks and a good picnic supper." On Saturday, the Moorers disperse; some play golf, others take advantage of terrific tennis programs and naturalists tour the gardens. Of course, there's plenty of action for children including the "Flying High" Circus from Florida State University. "We have a photograph session in the courtyard late in the afternoon," Dr. Moorer continued, "then cocktails and dinner. We reminisce and tell old stories about father and mother and how they came up the hard way, suffered in the depression and raised three sons who served in WWII. There are three admirals in our family," the good Dr. beamed. Dr. Moorer finds Callaway convenient for members who fly from around the country, with Atlanta just an hour away.

As far of the nuts and bolts of organizing the Moorer Family Reunion, a chairman is appointed for each one. The chairman nudges each family to submit a list of their family's activities and events the previous year. The information is bound in a little booklet that tells the Moorer story. "We pass those out on Saturday night and everyone has fun checking up on each other," Dr. Moorer chuckled. "We'll be back in 2002. Each successive reunion is better than the one before."

Cottages feature a living/dining area, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, screened porch, color TV and private bath with each bedroom. Two, three and four-bedroom villas are another possibility. Contact Callaway Gardens at 800-225-5292 or visit www.callawaygardens.com.

Reunions mean revisiting the past, so why not go all out and blast back to 18th century America at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia? A spring reunion delivers cooler temperatures, smaller crowds and the 55th Garden Symposium, April 22-24, 2001. Virginia's 68th Annual Historic Garden Week takes place April 21-29, too. Nature lovers will get their fill of lectures,tours and clinics that explore gardening in an ever-changing world. Contact 800-603-0948.

Colonial Williamsburg offers a daily dose of special attractions, events and tours along famous Duke of Gloucester Street in the Historic area. The fact that many buildings are original or restored and the British did not send air conditioning to its colonies is another vote for spring reunion. Some members may choose to experience the "Raleigh Tavern Evening" where you interact with the typical 18th century townsfolk and travelers. The Raleigh Tavern was a magnet for politicians, students, intellectuals and gamblers in the Colonial Period (800-HISTORY for program reservations). Nearby attractions include "Carter's Grove," on the James River, where you can walk through an outdoor reconstruction of slave quarters and King Carter's plantation home with period furnishings as well as the "refusal room." Allegedly, Washington and Jefferson proposed marriage to young Colonial ladies in the drawing room and both were refused. Art aficionados will want to tour the DeWitt Wallace Gallery, an outstanding collection of English and American antiques.

While there are plenty of budget and mid-priced motels in and around Williamsburg, lodging at one of the "official resort hotels" offers advantages such as free shuttle bus service (which precludes driving during your stay), free package delivery to your room, special programs for children and more. Because there is a wide range of rates, from the inexpensive Governor's Inn to the stately Williamsburg Inn, choosing one of the "official" hotels is an intelligent choice for reunions. Permutations of packages are extensive depending upon the length of your stay, month, number of members, etc. Call 800-822-9127 to ask about special 2001 group rates.

Day trips include the theme park Busch Gardens Williamsburg, a short drive from the Historic area, Atlantic Ocean beaches, Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown and tons of outlet stores for shopping.

About the author
Jacky Runice is a Chicago broadcaster and journalist penning the "Families" column for the Daily Herald as well as a weekly syndicated feature called, "Family Travel." She is a member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and mother of three young adventurers who love travel as much as she does.

Color your reunion wonderful
by Jacky Runice
When I was a teenager, summer was my favorite season, heavy with the scents of sun block and fruity lip-gloss; the hissing of cicadas at twilight and frantic disc jockeys emanating from the old transistor AM radio. The beach was hot and crowded with yearning for tans and a potential summer love. I'm rarely nostalgic about the high-pitched activity of my summer youth because now I fully appreciate the relaxed pace of fall. Consider your next reunion amid the sensuous harvest of autumn: a taste of warm apple cider, the sound of crackling leaves underfoot, snuggling on a hay ride to the pumpkin patch and drinking in the glorious colors of the season with friends and family.

When Americans think about autumn's palette, New England naturally comes to mind. It seems one needs a degree in meteorology, however, to determine when to arrive for a peak color show. Rainfall, temperature, elevation and the angle of the sun affect fall foliage. Shoot for the second and third weeks of October for the best odds of great color over the widest possible area of New England.

The Mount Washington Hotel & Resort is poised at the base of the highest peak in the northeast and New Hampshire's 18,000 acre White Mountain National Forest surrounds the National Historic Landmark. New England's largest wooden frame building, the Mount Washington Hotel opened in 1902 as a lavish summer resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, a three-hour drive from Boston. Saved from the wrecking ball, renovated and winterized, the grand old gal hosts guests year-round offering two golf courses and an 18-hole putting green, red-clay tennis courts, horseback riding and carriage rides, indoor and outdoor pools, fishing, biking and hiking. The largest area of alpine ski terrain in the state attracts skiers when the snow begins to fall.

The resorts two golf courses date back to the early 1900s with the 18-hole Mount Washington course designed and personally supervised by legendary Scottish architect, Donald Ross. The historic Mount Pleasant Golf Course, opened in 1895 and restored in 1989, offers 9 holes of challenge. Imagine swinging on the same courses that challenged the likes of Babe Ruth, Thomas Edison and Bobby Orr. The resort offers golf packages, private lessons and three-day swing schools for golf and tennis. The Conference Sales Staff and Resort Golf Pro will help coordinate a golf event or tournament to complement your reunion (603-278-8813.)

Autumn brings colorful weekend events to the resort and its environs: Bavarian food and music permeate Octoberfest, October 13-15; "A Swingin' Good Time" is slated for October 20-22 with swing dance lessons, contests and demonstrations; and a costume ball in the Grand Ballroom during the Halloweekend, October 27-29. In addition to fishing opportunities in nearby lakes and streams and 100km of marked biking trails, the resort offers a daily activity program and a "King of the Mountain Kids Kamp." Some reunion members may choose to ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the world's first mountain climbing Cog Railway, just six miles from the resort or shop at over 200 outlet and specialty stores in nearby North Conway/Glen.

In addition to the 200 guest rooms and suites in the historic Mount Washington Hotel, accommodation choices include the 1869 Bretton Arms Country Inn, Bretton Woods Motor Inn and the Townhomes at Bretton Woods, one to five bedroom fully furnished quarters. Carl and Beverly Siemon's group chose the Mount Washington Hotel because of its historic nature and the 33-member family wanted to be in one building. "Every other year, for the past 13 years, we do something special," explained Beverly Siemon of Sanbornville, New Hampshire, " and early this summer, the 17 grandchildren, their parents and a family friend gathered at this amazing place." (According to Carl, the 15-year-old family friend from England endured the rigors of a Yankee Independence Day very well.) "We enjoyed the traditional things like golf and tennis," she continued, "and the grandchildren, ranging from infancy to 17-years-old, had plenty to do. They played board games and just felt very safe to explore the grounds. The staff bends over backward to make it comfortable and it's a very complete resort – there's something going on all the time and the food is fabulous. We didn't have to leave the place for a week!" The Siemons are nature-lovers and encourage the family to get outdoors. "The kids loved jumping off these natural ledges into a pool and the falls eroded the rocks to make natural slides," Carl explained. Beverly noted that "It's what the water parks are trying to create but this is what God created – absolute gorgeous scenery!" The clan celebrated Grandpa Carl's birthday and the grandchildren put together a little show: the boys parodied popular songs and the girls did a rendition of "We are Family" using family members names. Beverly explained that the mothers in the group loved not having to cook all the time. "The women realized this is how a man goes on vacation and we may never have a reunion with kitchenettes again," she laughed. Contact Mount Washington Bretton Woods reunion, 800-258-0330.

The Beach family, the fourth generation to welcome guests to the Basin Harbor Club, hosts groups on the shores of Lake Champlain, Vermont. Along with unparalleled displays of nature's artwork, autumn ushers in calm, clear nights and the fragrance of birch logs in the fireplace. Explore Lake Champlain on the 40ft. Dynamite II, canoes, kayaks, Sunfish, outboards or a Daysailer or pull up a Basin Harbor Adirondack chair and read by the shore. Anglers can count on nibbles by perch, northern pike, salmon, bass and trout while bird watchers revel in the many migratory species that use the Champlain Valley as their flyway. For guests who prefer terra firma, the 18-hole golf course designed by Geoffrey Cornish (4 1/2 Star Rating from Golf Digest's Best Places to Play), tennis courts and colorful gardens (the largest collection of annuals in Vermont) offer more reunion Kodak moments.

You'll discover Vermont marble hearths and mantles in most of the 77 unique one to three bedrooms cottages. Seven are fully accessible for handicapped guests. Choose to room in the Main Lodge, the Champlain House or the historic Homestead, the first structure built on the Harbor in 1792. The Stormont clan, 36 strong, especially liked staying in the Homestead because they occupied all of the 16 rooms as well as the communal areas. Some Stormonts, who hailed from Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, Georgia and New England states, took in tennis and golf while others made a side trip to a teddy bear factory. Joan Stormont delighted in Bob Beach's lecture on the history and lore of Lake Champlain and the Basin Harbor Club.

The Miller Family has been coming to Basin Harbor Club for over 16 years and Mrs. Bette Miller has watched her children, nieces and nephews grow to bring their children to the yearly gathering. Last year, Mrs. Miller celebrated her 89 3/4 birthday, carefully calculated to the day, with the whole family, who couldn't be with her for the 90th celebration. She says one of her fondest memories was her 10 year old great-grandson said, "Grandma, I can't wait to bring my grandchildren here!" In 2002, she plans on flying in with her grandson piloting the plane and landing on BHC's grass airstrip.

Miller family members, some from as far as California, enjoy a very competitive golf tournament each year with prizes and awards, nightly cocktail parties and the annual costume party when everyone dresses in wacky formal wear.

Call about special Fall Golf Escapes and Couples Escapes, fall Pastel Workshops for artists in your group and the homey Fall Fest Weekends, September 22-24 and September 29-October 1, 2000. Afternoon tea, hayrides, evening jazz concerts or a family pumpkin-carving contest make exceptional memories. The Basin Harbor Club is featured in the Johansens North American guide – a travel guide to independently owned and operated, unique accommodations. Contact 800-622-4000.

If you can't find fun at Woodloch Pines, a family-owned four-season resort Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, check your pulse. Since 1958, the Kiesendahl family has entertained guests with everything from aquanastics to walleyball along the 250 acres fronting a private lake. All vacation packages include meals, nightly entertainment and activities. There are 160 guest rooms and 60 guest rental homes in the country club community and the resort has been honored three times by Better Homes & Gardens as "one of America's favorite vacation resorts." Golf Digest has awarded the golf course. Consider an "Autumn Splendor Weekend" with horse-drawn hayrides and a country caravan to an apple orchard or family olympics and scenic boat rides during the Columbus Day holiday. Woodloch Springs guest homes, accommodating from six to 12, may be rented on a full-American Plan package or without meals. Contact 800-572-6658.

It's not New England, but you won't be disappointed in the crimson, gold and deep purples dappling the rolling countryside of Granville, Ohio, 45 minutes east of Columbus, Ohio, where Cherry Valley Lodge hosts scores of reunions. 2000 marked the fourth year in a row the Calabrese family met at the Lodge. As I write this story, Cherry Valley Lodge is hosting a 400 person Peaks-Staunton family reunion complete with a barbecue, banquet and pizza party. Each person received a fruit and food basket at check-in and the family set up their own retail area to sell family logowear: t-shirts adorned with either a family crest or a reunion logo.

The lodge has floors especially designed for reunions with access to a private courtyard. Construction is underway on the new outdoor two-acre reunion area which will feature a fire pit, room for sing-a-longs, chuck wagon dinners, cowboy music and more. Cherry Valley Lodge strives to maintain a premium "Country Inn" experience while offering groups a full range of services such as theme parties, barbecue tent parties, golf outings, murder mysteries, baby sitting, cooking demos and transportation. There are 200 spacious guestrooms, including 16 suites, which feature refrigerators, coffee makers, VCRs and cable TV. Wander over to the game room for pool, board or video games and the large screen TV in a family room atmosphere. Swim a few laps in the indoor or outdoor pools, challenge members to a game of basketball, volleyball, horseshoes or shuffleboard or grab a bike for a scenic trail ride. Contact 800-788-8008.

Just try to choose among the three villages of Shanty Creek in Bellaire, Michigan. Spread over 4,500 acres, each offers fully furnished homes, chalets, condominiums and guest rooms as well as its own golf course. With the grand opening of Cedar River Golf Club, Shanty Creek boasts four of the finest courses in Michigan. As a matter of fact, Golf Magazine named it one of the Top new courses in the country! Golf Magazine named "The Legend" one of the Top Four Courses in the country and Golf Digest rated it the top resort course in the Midwest. Enroll in a half-day tune-up session or an in-depth three-day class at Shanty Creek Golf Academy. Guests have access to six lakes, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, jogging paths and mountain bike trails, horseback riding and babysitting services. Ron Garbinski and his family produce a Shanty Creek after Labor Day reunion every year and guests enjoy the variety of activities. In addition to everything going on at the golf and ski resort, gaming opportunities are a mere 20 minutes away at Turtle Creek in Traverse City or try your luck at Victories in Petoskey, a 45-minute drive.

Autumn is so awesome in Northern Michigan that you'll see tour buses of leaf peepers trying to take in the glories of the season. The vistas from Shanty Creek's Summit Village overlooking Lake Bellaire are the stuff of picture postcards and the chairlift at Schuss Village insures a bird's eye view of nature's splendor. Take the feeling of the northwoods indoors if you stay at The Lodge at Cedar River, Shanty Creek's new suite-condominium hotel. The interiors feature fir, pine, birch, oak and cedar and other materials imitate clay found along the river while the carpeting simulates the colors and patterns of the forest floor. Call 800-678-4111 to design a golf reunion or visit www.shantycreek.com.

Mountain Lake Resort lies in the lush Allegheny Mountains of southwest Virginia, adjacent to a federally designated wilderness area and the Appalachian Trail. Atop one of the highest peaks, the rustic mountain retreat provides a dramatic vantage point for leaf peepers and plenty of options for activities and accommodations. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, lawn games, a wilderness camp for kids and game-show style trivia contests keep the smiles coming on site and golf, canoeing, caving and white-water rafting excursions are nearby. Avid outdoorsmen may be interested in Mountain Lake's three-day hunts in October and November.

The 2000 reunion of the Hunter clan of Birmingham, Alabama, marked the 46th at Mountain Lake and the Woody family has met there every year since 1980. It's no wonder that Southern Living Magazine named Mountain Lake Resort one of the South's most popular family reunion destination.

Settle in one of the 50 rooms in the landmark hotel or the 16-room Chestnut Lodge featuring fireplaces and living areas. You may prefer one of the 13 turn-of-the 19th century cottages that were featured in the film "Dirty Dancing." New for 2000 is the "All in the Family" reunion package: three nights lodging; three breakfasts per person, one disposable camera per unit; one customized t-shirt per person and an "Afternoon Family Reunion Party in the Gazebo." Rates begin at $410 for a three-day package. For more information, visit www.mtnlakehotel.com or call 800-346-3334.

About the author
Jacky Runice is a Chicago broadcaster and journalist penning the "Families" column for the Daily Herald as well as a weekly syndicated feature called, "Family Travel." She is a member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and mother of three young adventurers who love travel as much as she does.

Special Autumn Places
New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington DC
by Jeff Perso
Ah, autumn. Cool nights and colorful days, summer's sensuous greens turning to fall's fabulous reds, yellows and burnished browns. For those organizing or attending family reunions in the northeast, along the eastern seaboard or in the nation's capital, the sights, sounds and smells of autumn can be especially invigorating.

Very small reunions looking for a thoroughly different and unique location, a farm in Pennsylvania holds interesting promise. The Pennsylvania Farm Vacation Association offers a brochure of twenty-four farm families who enjoy sharing their country lifestyles. From cattle to poultry, fruit to Christmas trees, each farm is unique. Accommodations include farm house rooms, and private cottages some secluded cabins are available year round. Call 888-856-6622; www.pafarmstay.com.

Descendants of the Synder Forney family are one group to take advantage of Pennsylvania's historical attractions. Allegra Sanner expected over 100 relatives to attend the family's first reunion, organized to celebrate her mother, Mary Synder Forney's 100th birthday. Held outside Ephrata, deep in rural Pennsylvania Dutch country, the reunion planned tours of the original family homestead built in 1790.

Families looking for something special for the kids will find it at Sesame Place, a water park offering fourteen water rides, slides and a family roller coaster. Only thirty minutes outside Philadelphia, Sesame Place's special fall schedule includes "Elmo's Lowdown Hoe-down" and in October "Count's Halloween Spooktacular." Open weekends from 9 AM-8 PM in September and October, admission is $29.95 per person. Sesame Place is closed November through April. For discounts and lodging information, call Sesame Place at 215-752-7070.

An intimate tour of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and environs
by Beth Gay
Did you hear about the family reunion planner, stranded on a desert island, who found a glass bottle on the beach? Removing the cork from the bottle, the planner was amazed to see a turbaned, bejeweled genie escape from the narrow neck of the container.

"Ah, my reunion planner, as a reward for my freedom, you may have anything you wish for. Riches beyond comprehension; a pirate's hoard of rubies, sapphires, diamonds, gold, pearls and silks; a palace, fine horses...anything is within your grasp. Only wish for it....."

The reunion planner thought only for a few seconds and said, "Oh, genie, all I wish for is a place for my family to gather. It must be centrally located, have facilities for a group of most any size, have plenty to do for the youngsters, have plenty to do for the adults and restaurants to suit any appetite and budget. I wish for shopping and music and art...and museums..."

The genie, with a frown upon his brow said, "Ah, my reunion planner, you ask a lot..."

The planner interrupted, "Oh, genie, that's not all! My place must be located so that we may study our genealogy and where we can pursue our own ethnicity."

The genie, with a deep frown, said, "Wouldn't you just like a ton of gold?"

"No," replied our intrepid reunion planner. "I only wish for a family reunion Mecca...a place perfect for my aunts and uncles and sisters and brothers, cousins and children and kissin' kin to gather for a time they will never forget. I wish for all this and wish the magical place to be safe."

The genie sat with his eyes closed and thought. He thought some more. He sighed and thought. Finally, with a grin so huge, he said, "I've got it. I've got it. It's the perfect place for you to go with your kinfolk many....it's Fort Wayne, Indiana!"

Fort Wayne began as a crossroads because it is at the confluence of the St. Mary's, St. Joseph and Maumee Rivers ... and continues as a crossroads in the Midwest.

Early on, whomever controlled the land that became Ft. Wayne controlled a key place in the wilderness of North America. Today, Ft. Wayne is still right in the center of things... less than one day's drive from Chicago, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville and Indianapolis.

Ft. Wayne is a safe city where you may enjoy the big city amenities in an atmosphere of small town friendliness and charm.

The Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library is the second largest genealogical library in the US, the largest east of the Mississippi with about half a million books and documents and an equal amount of microfilm and microfiche. No matter your ethnicity, this library will have much to keep you working for as long as you can stay.

Contact the library through their web site: http://www.acpl.lib.in.us or call 219-421-1225. The library is located at 900 Webster Street. You may write PO Box 2270, Ft. Wayne, IN 46801.

Adults and children alike will enjoy The Lincoln Museum. This site will take you through 11 galleries, 4 theaters and 18 interactive stations, and original Lincoln family documents and personal items. Lincoln researchers can access a library of rare Lincoln books by appointment.

The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory with three 'gardens' under glass is downtown and a great place to start a museum tour. Within easy walking distance to the Cathedral Museum, Firefighters Museum, Old City Hall Museum and the Museum of Art. Plan your reunion around exhibits at the Museum of Art and concerts performed by the Ft. Wayne Philharmonic.

Your family reunion may join the half million people who visit the Ft. Wayne Public Gardens each year. Lakeside Garden is nationally recognized as an All America Rose Display Garden. Glenbrook Square and Glenbrook Commons are the largest shopping destinations in Indiana.

Rivergreenway Consortium, a linear park along the banks of Ft. Wayne's rivers, extends from county line to county line. There are natural vistas and scenic overlooks...a perfect place for a few quiet hours during the midst of a hectic reunion.

Plan your reunion around The Johnny Appleseed Festival that celebrates the life and times of John Chapman.

Science Central is fun for all ages! You can experiment with the laws of science and technology. Scientific demonstrations show how science affects our every day lives...and how much fun it can be. Ride the indoor high-rail bicycle twenty feet in the air, or defy gravity in the moonwalk exhibit.

The Children's Zoo is - according to Travel America magazine - "quite simply the nation's best children's zoo" where exhibits, contrasting climates and 1,0000 different species with theme rides for an educational...and fun experience.

Ft. Wayne has been also called the City of Restaurants. You'll find glorious food for every taste and budget. From Cindy's Diner (where the "Garbage" is great for breakfast), to the most elegant French cuisine. The Window Garden Restaurant on the 13th floor of the NBD Bank Building offers stunning views of Ft. Wayne and Indiana...and delicious food.

Here are some of the out of the ordinary reunion venues! The Old #3 Fire House Cafe built in 1893 is available for parties, buffets and receptions and is a great place for reunions. The chemical engine, one-hose wagon and six firefighters were stationed in what is now a charming Firefighters Museum. Mallory's, in The Guesthouse Hotel, and the Ft. Wayne Hilton & Convention Center, downtown, will bring your family reunion back again and again.

Ft. Wayne is home to DeBrand Chocolates - enough reason to crawl from Timbuktu to Ft. Wayne. DeBrand Fine Chocolates and Dessert Cafe can accommodate up to 25 people and is the perfect place for small reunions! See their web site for details: www.debrand.com.

Plan your own reunion around one of Ft. Wayne's summertime ethnic festivals. Downtown, Headwaters Park houses huge Festival Tents, which, in turn, house celebrations of heritage. Germanfest in June, the Indiana Highland Games about Celtic heritage in July, Berne Swiss Days in July, or Berne Heritage Days in September.

Accommodations? You'll find memorable places to stay no matter your budget or no matter your needs for one room or hundreds of rooms!

Bed and Breakfasts abound in Indiana! The Carole Lombard House - where the famous movie star was born - is located right on Ft. Wayne's River Greenway.

The Guesthouse Hotel on West Washington Center Road has conference facilities with all of the "perks" you need. The Signature Inn offers free amenities not found at other mid-priced hotels. There's a room with an eighty-five-person capacity that might be perfect for your reunion.

The Holiday Inn Northwest has a two-story adventure play area, the indoor recreation center is like nothing this country girl had ever seen before! It surely answers the question, "Where can we stay so that the kids will have plenty to do?" Newly renovated, this hotel has everything you need for a reunion...with room for a gathering of up to 300.

The Ft. Wayne Hilton and Grand Wayne Center offer two of the best reasons to plan your next event in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, with the ultimate surroundings and complete support system for your family reunion. Located in the heart of the downtown area, the hotel can accommodate meetings of up to 100 people. The Grand Wayne Center has banquet space for up to 1,800 people!

The genie made a great choice! Ft. Wayne, Indiana is the answer to any reunion planner's greatest wish for the perfect reunion city. For details and brochures contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau Ft. Wayne, Allen County at 1-800-767-7752 or write 1021 South Calhoun,

Nearby Ft. Wayne
For the old car buffs in your family, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum will offer an hour or a day of wonder. It's just a short drive away in Auburn, Indiana.

Just a short drive will take you to the Hurshtown Reservoir for fishing, picnicking, boating,sailing, and windsurfing.

Grabill, Indiana, fifteen minutes northeast of Ft. Wayne, is nestled in the midst of a large settlement of Old Order Amish. Grabill offers history, culture, wonderful restaurants, and unique shops. It is a glimpse of another way of life. If you are a horse-lover as I am, you will thrill to see the magnificent draft horses at work in the fields and light horses clip-clopping down the roads with their Amish buggies.

Celebrate your Swiss Heritage at Berne, Indiana, settled in 1852 by a group of Mennonite immigrants. You'll find, in Berne, a Swiss pioneer village and the world's biggest cider press!

About the author
Beth Gay, DCTJ, FSA Scot is editor of The Family Tree, a wonderful bi-monthly newspaper for genealogists, The Claymore and By Sea By Land. She lives in Moultrie, Georgia, when she's not leading enchanting tours of Scotland. She was a torch bearer on the way to the opening of the 1996 Olympics.

Reuniting in the Upper Midwest
by Jeffrey P. Wallman
Imagine how I felt. I was on assignment for Reunions magazine, attending the Wolf family reunion. Nothing unusual about that. A reunion like any other except for one small thing; the wolves were real. I wasn't prepared for this. Needless to say, when I attended the Bear family reunion the next day, I was even more surprised when thirty black bear arrived! This was all part of my assignment to evaluate reunion sites in the Upper Midwest.

For two years we've visited a number of vacation areas to develop a feature about reunion locations. We will introduce five great locations; Lake Geneva and Door County in Wisconsin, Ely and Brainerd Lakes in Minnesota, and Galena in Northern Illinois. Each area features extensive lodging facilities, from campgrounds to resorts and a variety of family activities.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Just an hour from Chicago's O'Hare airport, Lake Geneva is a tiny town that turns into a tourist mecca every weekend during summer. Long the summer home for many of Chicago's wealthiest families, it's full of cute shops and restaurants.

While a reunion at high season can be expensive, with planning you can save thousands during midweek or in the off season. A number of area properties do a great job for families.

The Grand Geneva
Most of their business is corporate. That's no surprise considering its extensive meeting facilities and two championship golf courses. However, the property is loaded with amenities that appeal to families: a full spa, lap pool, snowboarding hill, petting farm, hiking trails, and more. In addition, with three restaurants the Grand Geneva can please nearly every palette.

If you wish to dine in Lake Geneva, there are a number of options. For casual family and small group dining, the Lake Aire Restaurant provides good basic fare. Nick's Restaurant on the outskirts of town serves a great steak and Greek salad and can comfortably accommodate larger parties.

Door County, Wisconsin
Located four hours north of Chicago, the Door County peninsula is one of the most interesting reunion sites you can find. Driving along the peninsula is a pleasant adventure, evoking memories of New England lighthouses, sand beaches, limestone bluffs, and farms. However, this is not New England, as any Door County resident will tell you. Door County has more miles of shoreline than any county in the United States. The most state parks, too. And lighthouses? The most.

Summer is high season. It starts late and ends early. Weekends can be crowded. However, from October to May there are fewer people and prices are lower. A number of resorts in the area cater to larger groups; The Landmark, Bailey's Harbor Yacht Club, and The Alpine are examples.

The Landmark Resort offers a number of amenities. It's a complete resort with swimming, hiking and golf. It's a very comfortable resort with a tasteful, contemporary decor. One, two and three bedroom units are available; each unit contains a living room, dining room, and kitchen.

The White Gull Inn in Fish Creek has just five rooms, each sleeping two adults. Each room is different and prices vary from around $100 - $150 per night. All five rooms can be rented for about $724 per night. The price is the same year round. But with a two-night stay in the off-season the room includes two breakfasts and one dinner in their famous restaurant.

Ely, Minnesota
Every family should visit Ely, Minnesota at least once. Located four hours from Minneapolis, Ely features a number of beautiful lakes. It's a little wild. Ely is home to the International Wolf Foundation, the geographical center for the largest wolf population in the United States. Nature, not man, holds claim to this land. Overall, Ely is one of the most peaceful places on earth, except perhaps in the middle of the night, when you are likely to hear wolves howling in the distance - evidence of nature's claim.

However, in the town of Ely there are many signs of civilization, such as Pizza Hut and Subway. There are about a dozen outfitters who will arrange the details for your wilderness journey. There is a lot of lodging available, particularly during the off-peak fishing season. Most of the lodges are small, family places.

The Timber Trail Lodge is located just outside Ely, on Farm Lake. The Lodge features a variety of modest cabins. The mostly family staff is very friendly. They have expertise in setting up fishing and canoeing expeditions into the Boundary Waters area. Canoeing and fishing are fantastic.

Timber Trail features large cabins appropriate for groups. One cabin sleeps eleven for $1,055 per week. Another sleeps fifteen comfortably for $1,380 per week. These prices are restricted to certain times, so call for details.

The Burntside Lodge is a little more expensive, but features more amenities. Some people rough it elsewhere for a few days first, then check in at the Burntside for a little vacation within a vacation.

There are a number of interesting things for groups to do. The International Wolf Foundation in Ely is fascinating. A small number of wolves actually live on the foundation grounds or take a short drive to Vince Shute Wildlife Refuge and see dozens of bears in their own environment.

A variety of dining options are available in Ely including a few national chains. Among local restaurants The Chocolate Moose accommodates small groups.

Galena, Illinois
This tiny mining town is a charming reminder of days gone by. President Grant lived there. Lincoln visited. In