Lots of Places - 5

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Where is your favorite reunion place? Should it be featured in Reunions magazine? Are the staff so spectacular that the whole world deserves to know about them? E-mail us. Thanks in advance!

BOOKS THAT’LL HELP
The Official Guide to American Historic Inns, Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns (7th edition) by Deborah Edwards Sakach. (2000, 518 pages, paperback, $15.95. American Historic Inns, PO Box 669, Dana Point CA 92629)

Historic inns offer a special historical perspective and are unique venues for smaller reunions. In fact, scanning through this book I found many places that specifically host reunions, so they're expecting you!

Historic inns were built mainly in the 17th, 18th, 19th, and a few in the early 20th century. Staying in one, according to the author, "promotes and supports the preservation of our nation's architectual and cultural heritage." That certainly puts new purpose on where you select to stay. Most of the inns are privately owned and have been restored by their owners. They infuse their inns with their own style and personality. It's like being a guest in their homes.

By definition a country inn serves both breakfast and dinner. While located in other regions, they are concentrated mostly on the East Coast. Bed and breakfasts focus on lodging but include just breakfast. Many innkeepers pride themselves in their culinary skill.

While this Guide does not have an index, each listing follows a specific outline and you'll have no trouble finding what you're looking for. A special "Inns of Interest" section includes everything from inns associated with the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to ones in former schoolhouses, taverns or jails. There's also a list of inns and the famous guests who slept there.

Innkeepers often live on premises so are available and are great resources about the richness of their area. Historic inns are certainly a way to make your reunion additionally memorable. EW

Campus Lodging Guide. ($16.95, B & J Publications, PO Box 5486, Fullerton CA 92838-0486; 800-525-6633; www.campus-lodging.com.)

We know the high cost of lodging makes traveling prohibitive for some. The 19th edition of the Campus Lodging Guide, might just be what you need to make domestic and international travel more affordable. This new updated book includes information about accommodations at colleges and universities, meals, prices, dates available, recreational facilities and phone numbers for reservations. Use this Guide to plan your itinerary and stretch your travel dollars.

Staying in college lodging is not limited to students or teachers. The Guide lists 609 colleges and universities where student rooms/apartments can be rented by the day, week, or month. Also included are Hostel Associations and 393 YMCA Hotels worldwide that offer lodging and, in most cases, economical on-site food service and recreational facilities for men, women, and families, plus conference centers. Student rooms/apartments can be rented by the day, week or month. Worth a look if this is the kind of reunion you're interested in. Facilities are well-managed, safe, clean, comfortable and usually include inexpensive food service and parking. EW

More about dormitories was found in Meetings & Conventions. They say these are not fancy spas with 24-hour concierge service or five-star dining. University and college campuses provide low-key meeting space for budget-minded groups according to Henrietta Cullinane, CMP, Conference Coordinator at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Renting Vacation Condominiums, A Suite Experience, by Rick Fisher and Dan Proctor, is a great new resource for potential reunion properties all over the US, Mexico, Canada and islands in the Pacific and Caribbean. Condos, villas and vacation homes are particularly attractive to reunion groups who want the convenience of homestyle settings and the ability to cook some of their own meals. Many of the properties have the added advantage of being on the beach! The book features 130 properties that will certainly get you thinking about some pretty exotic, yet affordable, reunion locations. For a free copy, call Condominium Travel Associates, 800-492-6636.

Motel 6 guide
If your destinations include National Parks, Outlet Malls or Amusement Parks, Aquariums, Zoos and Halls of Fame, you may be interested in Motel 6's Unofficial Guides. State-by-state, the guides tell you which Motel 6 is the nearest to your destination. Fold-out maps make locations even clearer. Write Motel 6, Attention: Unofficial Guides (specify which you want), c/o American Fulfillment Center, PO Box 218, Glenwood MN 56443-0218.

NC state guide
North Carolina has released a lavish new state travel guide. In addition to warm, sandy beaches, North Carolina is home to spectacular mountain ranges and sophisticated urban landscapes. Also rich in historical sites from America's Colonial days, North Carolina is steeped in heritage. To receive a free copy of North Carolina, A better place to live, call 1-800-VISIT NC.

Family Fun in Washington DC, is a guidebook for children of all ages. Neighborhood by neighborhood throughout the city there are countless great attractions, sights not to be missed and special offers. Heading to the nation's capital? Don't go without this treasure. District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Ste 309, Washington DC 20004.

On a budget
Another family enjoys conference center
Sybil Richardson, Canute, Oklahoma, organized the Brown Family Reunion of 185 members. They will occupy 36 (6 person/one bathroom each) rooms at Estes Park Center, YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. The Browns have chosen mid-week days (Tuesday through Thursday) so everyone has comfortable travel time from coast to coast.

Vacation homes
Choosing a condominium for your reunion gives you some freedoms other facilities do not. If you'd prefer to prepare most of your own meals, condos are ideal. Generally, you'll have more space than in facilities where you are occupying one room with meeting and activity space nearby. Just bring yourself, a change of clothes, your food and everything else is waiting for you.

An example is the Outer Banks of North Carolina where the beach is focal to the destination. Vacation homes accommodate nice size families while renting several adjacent homes help expand to a large reunion. Nature preserves, wildlife refuges, state parks, hiking, hang-gliding and windsurfing are all choices that make the area intriguing. The season and size of your reunion will determine the price of lodging.

While most condos, villas and vacation homes are available Saturday to Saturday some can be let for shorter periods depending upon availability. In the Outer Banks area of North Carolina, Village Reality (places from Corolla to Nags Head) focuses each year on a family reunion in their brochure. This year the Tazewell Family Reunion is featured. Their 67 members have visited the Outer Banks area for generations. They enjoy the beaches, pools, golf, tennis and fishing. Contact 800-441-8533; sales@villagerealtyobx.com; www.villagerealtyobx.com.

Pointe Royale Condominium Resort on Lake Taneycomo, Branson, Missouri, reports about their satisfied reunions. The Hoertel Family Reunion appreciated the help in arranging their family reunion and were pleased with the accommodations. Reverend N. Garland in a testimonial said, "From the first encounter arranging the reunion, to the very last detail, you certainly did more than we could have ever asked to make our stay wonderful."

Pointe Royale features a large meeting room in their clubhouse ideal for receptions and banquets, an outdoor pavilion accommodates 100 people. Activities range from golf and trout fishing to playgrounds, two outdoor pools and a nature trail.

Contact Pointe Royale Properties, Inc., 158-A Pointe Royale Dr., Branson MO 65616; 800-962-4710; groupsales@pointeroyale.com; www.pointeroyale.com.

The Condominium Travel Associates, Inc. is a helpful resource for referrals to travel agents in your area who specialize in condo rentals around the country. Contact CTA, 2001 W Main St, Ste 140, Stamford CT 06902; 203-975-7714; info@condotravel.com.

A unique location
Down on the farm
How about a real country reunion? Farm associations are not new and offer a totally different scene from almost any other kind of reunion site. Members of the Pennsylvania Farm Vacation Association, for example, include farms who raise cows or cattle, poultry or sheep. They are all working farms located throughout the state with families who are eager to share their lifestyle and teach others about the culture and traditions of farming.

The farm vacation program was begun almost 40 years ago in Pennsylvania as a way to help the state's small family farmers develop an additional source of income. It allows them to preserve the rich heritage of small family farming.

For information contact The Pennsylvania Farm Vacation Association, c/o Weatherbury Farm, 1061 Sugar Run, Avella PA 15312; 724-587-3762; www.pafarmstay.com.

Some do's and don'ts for farm vacationers
* Do be willing to experience a new way of life.
* Do go to a farm with the expectation of learning a lot from the host family.
* Do live by the host's house rules.
* Do wipe your feet before coming in the house, and instruct your children to do the same.
* Don't keep the farm folks up too late.
* Do take old clothes and a few extra pairs of shoes.
* Don't be upset if your bedroom and bath are on different floors. At least they're both inside!
* Do plan to see the countryside.
* Do bring a supply of games and books, along with appropriate clothes in case of rain.
* Do make your vacation arrangements directly with the farm of your choice.
* Don't forget your camera. There will be plenty of 'firsts' to record for posterity.
* Don't take a pet unless you ask first. City and farm animals don't always get along!
* Do have a great time!

Thanks to the Pennsylvania Farm Vacation Association.

Head East
The 2000 edition of Destination Maryland is a must have guide for those planning trips to the nations' capital. The guide lists virtually every state museum, attraction, historic site and lodging choices. It is information that helps travelers make decisions about how they want to spend their time. The guide also includes an 18-page supplement detailing Maryland's outdoor opportunities. For a free copy contact Maryland Office of Tourism, 217 E Redwood St., Baltimore MD 21202; 800-719-5900.

Reunion groups interested in military history will be delighted with the northeast's military museums. In Manhattan, walking tours of the USS Edison and USS Intrepid are conducted daily. Veterans and teachers bring ID for reduced admission.

The New Jersey National Guard Museum in Sea Girt displays tanks, helicopters and other aircraft from WW II through Desert Storm and features military artifacts dating to the American Revolution. Open weekends, admission is free.

If you tire of driving, visitors to the popular beach and resort areas of New Jersey and Delaware can travel from shore to shore by riding aboard any of five Cape May-Lewes Ferrys. It's a seventy-minute trip across Delaware Bay in a ferry featuring three passenger decks, a 100-seat, glass-enclosed dining area, children's playroom and sun deck. For reservations call while 800-64-FERRY.

As long as you're in the neighborhood, why not turn toward Maryland and the Washington DC area? In addition to capital city's monuments and museums, Maryland offers a host of sights and activities. New this year are Port Discovery, a children's museum in bustling Baltimore, and the return of the USS Constellation, an 1864 sloop-of-war. After an extensive 31-month restoration, the last all-sail war ship ever built by the US Army – and the only remaining Civil War-era naval vessel – is ready to welcome visitors. To receive a free copy of Maryland Celebrates call 800-719-5900.

Another intriguing area is Lancaster County's Pennsylvania Dutch Country where bountiful harvests and tours of Amish areas add a lively flavor to any reunion. For their Group Planners Guide call 717-299-8901; www.800padutch.com.

Because of its history and cosmopolitan flavor, the Robinson Family Reunion selected Washington, DC, for a recent gathering. They especially liked the close proximity of historical, entertainment and cultural attractions. They even used the Capitol Building as their logo on T-shirts, booklets and other items. They used the Liberty Bell as their symbol for this year’s reunion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their theme, Robinsons Bringing in the Millennium, was suggested by a thirteen-year-old according to organizer Ben Robinson, Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

They warmed up for an evening banquet on the boat ride scheduled when the "captive audience" had no choice but to talk to each other. On the boat they had a Black History contest and awarded prizes. They set up a VCR and TV in the banquet hall playing videos from previous reunions. The Washington chapter made a scrapbook and passed it along to the other host cities to add to.

Whatever your reunion desires or needs, be they heated city excitement or calm country cool, when September and October roll around there's a common phrase that still brings everyone together: Ah, autumn.

Follow the Black-eyed Susan Trail
Maryland Scenic Byways is a delightful full color guide. Travelers can enjoy Maryland's rich history and spectacular views by exploring the 31 recently designated scenic byways, marked by brightly-colored Black Eyed Susan trailblazing signs.

The book was created by several Maryland state agencies (highways, tourism, natural resources) so it's very comprehensive. It's not just a "drive through and look at pretty buildings" guide. There are suggestions for things to do out of the car, as well as some historical background; why something is worth pointing out along the road. Routes were created around themes that have historical or cultural significance such as the National Road or the Underground Railroad.

Arkansas – a state of reunion
Conveniently located just south of center for reunion groups with members coming from directions of the four winds, Arkansas is a surprising location choice. It offers everything from camping to luxury housing options and "essential" activities such as golf and things of interest to children. Consider the possibilities!

Already one unique tour of Arkansas is called the "President Clinton Trail" which includes the four Arkansas cities where Bill Clinton lived and worked. In southwest Arkansas, Hope is where the president was born, at seven his family moved to Hot Springs where he graduated from high school. Later he taught at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he began his political career and later moved to Little Rock, the state capital as attorney general and governor.

The president's interest in golf started in Arkansas where availability is universal and weather cooperates much of the year. Pursuit of all outdoor activities is well served by the simple beauty of the state including the Ozark Mountains in the north and the Quachita Mountains covering the southwest and in between all the pine trees, rivers and natural springs. There are many choices of beautiful locations.

Accommodations in Arkansas are varied and affordable - ranging from bed and breakfasts and country inns to large hotels and lavish resorts. DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Bismarck, offers family reunions a unique combination of an island lodge and campsites along the lakeshore in the Quachita Mountains.

Nature and natural settings, lakes and rivers abound in The Natural State (its slogan). Hiking, biking, camping and fishing are easy to find through its regions (ask for Arkansas Camper's and Hiker's Guide or Arkansas Floater's Kit; 501-682-777).

History preserved
There is also much for history and preservation buffs. Museums throughout the state include those that will be of particular interest to the youngest members of reunion groups; the Children's Museum of Arkansas in Little Rock, Discovery Place in Texarkana, Miles of Musical Museum in Eureka Springs and the Arts and Science Center in Pine Bluff.

Throughout Arkansas, preservation has been important to provide examples now of Antebellum, Victorian and pioneer treasures.

The frontier era remembered at Fort Smith National Historic Site features the remains for two frontier garrisons; a recreated 19th-century town can be visited at Pioneer Village in Rison; Arkansas's Confederate Capitol is only part of a preserved 19th-century town at Old Washington Historic State Park near Hope. Important Civil War sites are Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park (where battle re-enactments are held every other December) and Pea Ridge National Military Park.

How about a real flash of the past with a ride on the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad? Ride in 1900s cars from either Springdale or Van Buren to the top of Boston Mountain and down through tunnels and over high trestles.

Ozark Folk Center
Truly unique among Arkansas's state parks is the Ozark Folk Center, a "living museum" that takes visitors back in time to re-create music and skills of the last century. It depicts life in the Ozarks from 1820 to 1920. These opportunities to experience life in simpler times can be the special activity for reunion members of all ages. Adults remember what some of them experienced or their grandparents talked about and children can be awed by things being handmade; quilting, furniture making, blacksmithing, pottery, woodworking and 20 more! Located in Mountain View the Center is in an area rich in surviving Ozark heritage. It is preservation of lives, places and skills in action. Music is a very important aspect of the Center's program with regular live performances by area musicians and nationally known guests.

The Center is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 1998 with special tributes to American country music pioneers influenced by the music of Ozark heritage. Festivals throughout the season will include music, folk humor, storytelling, dancing, fiddle playing, cowboy music and poetry gathering. Contact Ozark Folk Center, PO Box 500, Mountain View AR 72560; 870-269-3851; www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.

It's easy to plan your reunion in Arkansas. A planning kit is available at 800-NATURAL (628-8725). You can ask for a Tour Guide, Calendar of Events, guide to State Parks, state highway map and special materials highlighting African American things to do and events.

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