Family Reunions: Social Networking the Old Fashioned Way

By Paul Yamamoto and Kim Tachiki—It all began in 1989 with the simple goal of keeping an ever-growing family connected and renewing increasingly distant ties. Over 22 years and twelve family reunions later, that simple goal has become a treasured and activity-filled tradition enthusiastically called “The Endo Family Reunion.” Every two years during an extended 4th of July weekend, over 200 relatives from five interrelated clans travel from across the country and in some cases across the world to re-acquaint and recreate at planned indoor and outdoor activities in Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe.

“I remember at the first couple of reunions a lot of us cousins had forgotten each other’s names. Now we’re not just relatives, but relatives with close ties and that’s unique in a family of this size. Even our children’s children are becoming friends,” recounted Sharon Imazumi.

The Reno-Tahoe region has become an ideal setting that accommodates all of the family’s activities. The days are filled with interactive events like the bowling tournament, fishing derby, lakeside picnic (with all the classic picnic games), golf tournament, Taichi lessons, Texas Hold’em, slot tournament, and the semi-formal banquet that doubles as a talent show and award ceremony for the various competitions. It’s easy to spot family members wandering the resort casino since they all sport our favorite ‘Endo Apparel’ from the current and past gatherings embroidered or silk screen with the special reunion logo for that year’s event. Needless to say there are dozens of planned and informal opportunities for family and friends to meet, catch up with each other face-to-face and claim the all important tournament and derby bragging rights until the next reunion.

Organizing the get together is an event in its own right. Planning begins a year in advance with multiple formal and informal meetings over the course of the year. The best meetings take place at Sets Endo’s home over lunch or dinner. Set’s is both host and chairperson of the committee. The dialogue is always lively and brainstorming new ideas and improving the old ones has become a natural part of what the committee does. “The meetings are great. I think they take twice as long as a company business meeting would cause most of the time we’re eating, sharing stories, cracking jokes and laughing,” says co-chair Joanne Makishima. “The committee’s efforts are really a labor of love. It’s just so wonderful to see everyone smiling and enjoying each other’s company at these reunions,” says Sets Endo.

Though we’ve branded this family get together, The Endo Family Reunion, there are actually five interrelated families that form this unique gathering. According to a quote from the first reunion cookbook, there are two cookbooks so far, “There are deep ties between the Endo, Hirano, Iwamoto, Sugiyama, and Tachiki families from Kanagawa, Japan, which resulted in a unique pattern of intermarriages between several of their children.” These ties have grown even stronger and crisscross the western half of the U.S. with relatives in Oregon, Utah, Hawaii, California, Texas, and Japan. The family has become so large, it’s almost a certainty that you’ll run into a relative at just about any Obon festival during the summer season and it’s not uncommon to run into a perfect stranger who knows one or more of the relatives.

The first family gathering took place in 1989 in South Lake Tahoe encompassing three generations including 11 of the original 12 Nisei and Kibei brothers and sisters, children of Kikuhei and Nao Endo, affectionately known as “The Endo aunties and uncles.” The family tree has become so expansive that family historian, Tommy Endo, began using specialized software nearly two decades ago to record and track family members as the tree continues to sprout new branches. The reunion now includes four generations and though the many events of the weekend allow us to reflect upon those dear to us who have passed on and to celebrate family, friends, important updates and wonderful new additions to the clan.

Quite a few members of the family enjoy getting together so much that they can’t stand to wait the two years for the next bi-annual re-union and have begun to organize the ‘off year’ mini-reunion held in Las Vegas where about 60 or so family members get together for a buffet and fun filled Las Vegas weekend.

Needless to say, the family ties run deep, and in a time when access and communication through technology has become so widely used and helpful in keeping us all in touch, there are simply some things that can’t replace an enthusiastic hand shake from your cuz, a hug from auntie or that peck on the cheek from bachan…social networking the old fashion way.

Full story

 

Win a Family Reunion – Enter by January 31

Reunions not the same since Facebook

Long before her invitation arrived, Ashley Chilton knew she wouldn’t attend her 10-year high school reunion.

Since graduation, she’s kept up with most of her Millersburg, Ohio, classmates through Facebook. She knows who’s fat or thin, single or married, childless or baby crazy. She was in contact with her close friends, and Facebook satisfied her curiosities about nearly everyone else.

“In high school we had always talked about our reunions, but Facebook took away the excitement,” the 29-year-old Nashville resident said. “If you take away the mystery, it’s just a party you’re going to — and that just doesn’t sound very fun.”

With people in their late 20s and 30s gearing up for their 10- and 20-year class reunions, organizers say they’re finding it easier to locate classmates via Facebook. But those they find often cite Facebook and money as reasons they won’t attend — with a few clicks, they can connect without spending money.

One local reunion planner noted a 10 percent decrease in attendance in recent years, although she’s unsure why. Other industry professionals admit more people use Facebook as an excuse not to travel but say those people wouldn’t have come anyway.

via Reunions not the same since Facebook … ‘Why go?’ | The Tennessean | tennessean.com.

Will Facebook ruin high school reunions?

Facebook almost killed Emilee Schmur’s high school reunion.

The San Francisco resident and 2001 graduate of Aptos High was supposed to go to her 10-year reunion this month. Instead, it got postponed due to low ticket sales (a makeup date is pending).

“I definitely think (Facebook) made it redundant,” Schmur says. “I’ve had a couple of classmates tell me they didn’t buy tickets to ours because they feel like they already know what everyone is doing.”

The ways old friends reconnect and stay in touch has changed dramatically in the past decade, thanks to social media sites. So will high school reunions go the way of snail mail and singing telegrams? Not necessarily. There are actually two schools of thought. The first says Facebook has made reunions obsolete, since it’s now so easy to keep up with old schoolmates and organize less formal (and costly) get-togethers.

But others say Facebook is a boon to the time-honored tradition. Facebook helps you find old friends and classmates, so now you want to see them. Also, some high school reunions are better attended now than when organizers had to rely on phone trees and word-of-mouth.

Either way, high school reunions aren’t what they used to be.

“Facebook has made conversations at the reunions a great deal easier, especially since by the time we attend, we are already aware of most everything that others are doing, who they are married to, what their kids are like, etc.,”

Advertisement

says Jeff Ziegler, a Danville resident who this month is attending the reunion of his 1986 Acalanes High School class from Lafayette. “We can network and chat rather than deal with difficult small talk.”

Of course, the financial climate is having its own impact. Tight budgets don’t always allow for reunion tickets, not to mention travel expenses for alumni who moved out of the area. Factoring in that with the ability to keep in touch at the click of a mouse can make a reunion a tough sell.

Debbie Fitzgerald didn’t have the luxury of using Facebook to contact friends when organizing her first few class reunions. Now, she says, the site makes it easier to reach people but perhaps harder to convince them to come.

via Will Facebook ruin high school reunions? – San Jose Mercury News.

Reunion Workshop Workshop Scheduled for Atlanta, October 1

Planning a family reunion is a task often handled by someone who never has tackled an event that complex before, and that’s why Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has scheduled a family reunion workshop Oct. 1 in Atlanta.

“Planning a reunion, even a small one, can be a daunting task – or it can be a lot of fun. The goal of the Pigeon Forge Family Reunion Workshop and Travel Expo is making it easy and fun,” said Joy McNealy, who leads the group travel office in the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.

Pigeon Forge in East Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains is one of America’s top family vacation destinations, with more than 10 million visitors a year. Atlanta is annually one of its top three visitor origination markets.

Travel and hospitality consultant/trainer Jeff Mills will lead the workshop at the Holiday Inn in Dunwoody, Ga. (4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd.), Oct. 1 from 9 a.m.-noon. Mills is president of Mills Marketing Group in Lawrenceville, Ga.

The workshop will cover topics such as building a reunion database, scheduling, pleasing all members of the family, working with a hotel or cabin rental company, working with caterers and obtaining group rates at attractions.

The workshop includes entertainment from Great Smoky Mountains storyteller Mike Gwinn and the “Soul of Motown” production at the Grand Majestic Theater.

“There are many moving parts in a reunion, and there are many ways a reunion organizer can dramatically increase the odds of orchestrating a successful event,” Mills said. “Here’s a no-cost opportunity to learn.”

Mills noted that picking a destination that suits the reunion group is the most basic decision.

“Pigeon Forge is the site of many reunions simply because it has so much – Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood for theme park lovers, Dollywood’s Splash Country for water park fun, theater entertainment, dinner shows, restaurants that can handle groups and 10,000 hotel, motel and cabin rooms,” Mills said.

A travel expo featuring booths from almost three dozen Pigeon Forge businesses follows the workshop from noon-4 p.m. Admission is free.

The travel expo is open to workshop attendees, other group travel planners and individual travelers. Exhibitors include the Titanic Museum Attraction, Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, Old Mills Square, Eagles Ridge Resort, the Inn at Christmas Place, the Music Road Hotel and restaurants.

“The expo is a great way for group travel leaders to be brought up to date on what Pigeon Forge has to offer,” McNealy said.

Call 678-442-7281 for reservations for the Pigeon Forge Family Workshop. Reservations are not required for the travel expo. Admission is free for the workshop and travel expo.

Libby’s Offers a Chance to Win a Family Reunion

American families believe they aren’t spending enough time together. According to a recent survey conducted by Libby’s Fruits & Vegetables, nearly two-thirds of Americans wish they could spend more time with their extended family.

This September, Libby’s Fruits & Vegetables will be celebrating ‘Get Back to the Table Month’ by encouraging families across America to pledge to reunite with their loved ones and offering a chance for one lucky family to win a reunion for up to 10 family members. The winning family will receive travel and hotel accommodations to gather for a reunion dinner, with the total prize value up to $20,000. To enter, families can submit a family photo and description of the role food plays when they gather with loved ones on the Family Reunion Contest tab at the Libby’s Table Facebook page.

“Through our recent survey we discovered that when American families get together, 59% of them do so to share stories. At Libby’s we believe there is no better place to share than around the dinner table,” said Bruce Wolcott, vice president of marketing, Seneca Foods Corporation. “We know the importance of family meal time and provide quality fruits and vegetables at an affordable price, to make it easier to plan meals for families of all sizes.”

Consumers looking to plan their own reunion can visit GetBackToTheTable.com for a reunion guide featuring tips on how to organize a gathering including recipes, table setting ideas, and more. Libby’s will also be partnering with Grandparents.com to raise awareness of the importance of family reunions.

“The Libby’s survey revealed that 53% of Americans say travel is an obstacle in reuniting. That information, coupled with the fact that older Americans are less likely to live within 100 miles of their extended family, makes the Libby’s family reunion program so important for our readers,” said Jeffrey Mahl, president of Grandparents.com. “We encourage all families to pledge to reunite and Libby’s Fruits & Vegetables makes preparing for the event convenient, affordable and nutritious.”

Entries begin today, Monday, August 29, and run through Friday, September 23, at 11:59 a.m. Libby’s will be selecting five finalists and asking America to determine the grand prize winner by voting on the Family Reunion Contest tab at the Libby’s Table Facebook page from Monday, October 3, through Friday, October 21, at 11:59 a.m. The winner will be announced during the week of October 31.

About Libby’s Canned Fruits & Vegetables

Libby’s, the nation’s third largest brand of canned fruits and vegetables, has been a staple on American dinner tables since the 1880s. With more than 110 different varieties and packaging options, it offers among the industry’s most complete lines of canned fruits and vegetables, including Jumbo Cups, Libby’s Naturals and Libby’s Organics. Since 1983, Libby’s canned fruits and vegetables have been produced and distributed by Marion, NY-based Seneca Foods Corporation, an independent, publicly-traded, fully integrated food processing company. For more information on Libby’s and Seneca Foods visit SenecaFoods.com. For information on Libby’s mission, visit GetBacktotheTable.com, follow @LibbysTable on Twitter or “like” Libby’s Table on Facebook.

Family celebrates centennial reunion

Not too long ago, having a family reunion was a tradition. It was a time to catch up on family news and gossip, a time to say hello to members of the family that live out-of-town, or just spend a day relaxing as family gathers to maybe play friendly games and to have a few laughs about life in general.

The problem is family reunions usually fizzle out after 10, 25, or if the interest remains, even 50 years; seldom do such get-togethers extend long enough to span a century. On Saturday, August 27, one of those rare 100th family reunions occurred – it was the 100th Singley family reunion in Zion Grove.

About 100 members of the Singley family attended the gathering, where they met at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, a tradition that dates back as long as the reunions, starting in 1912.

There, they take a family photograph and move on to the Paul Singley farm, a 93-acre parcel in Zion Grove, A place that has been kept in the family for generations.Just to put the first family reunion back in 1912 in perspective, consider that it was the year the Titanic sunk, the year the Detroit Tigers went on strike to protest the suspension of a ballplayer named Ty Cobb, and Arizona became the 48th state of the Union.

Direct descendents of a Revolutionary War soldier named Jacob Singley began having the family reunion at the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church back then, and it continued there until about three years ago, according to Mike Singley.

“I suppose we’ve averaged from about 75 to 100 family members during the last decade,” Mike Singley said at Saturday’s reunion. Mike currently lives in York, but heads back to Zion Grove each year for the reunion. He is originally from Dearborn, Mich., where his family still resides.The Singley family comes from places on the West Coast like San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle; as far south as Lillian, Ala., which is near Pensacola, Fla.; and as far north as Dearborn or Grand Blanc, Mich.

A few also traveled from Illinois.They travel each year from near and far to say hello, exchange family news and gossip, and to just enjoy each other’s company for a day. The reunion typically begins with a prayer, extends to a barbecue at the old homestead that wraps up with a corn roast, and – if weather permitting – a bonfire.A meeting takes place annually too, as family members go over their ancestral history, according to member Lois Revenaugh. She is also responsible for organizing the event.

via Family celebrates centennial reunion – News – Standard Speaker.

Plan Your Next Family Reunion with Confidence

Family reunion vacations can provide unforgettable memories and unique opportunities to grow closer to loved ones. For the planners of these events, however, they can also present a challenge when it comes to balancing the family’s needs. When it’s time for your next trip, consider these expert tips designed to guide the coordination process and even make it as stress-free as the vacation itself:

Choose a destination—Determine the destination based on how far you are willing to travel and the types of activities and attractions you are interested in. Families with smaller budgets looking for relaxation can take a road trip to a nearby beach or lake region while families with a larger budget searching for adventure might fly to Europe. Planning around prominent events, such as food and wine festivals, is also becoming an increasingly popular trend.

Determine “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves”—Work from your list of “must-haves” first, then add amenities as much as your budget will allow. Ocean views and access come with a bigger price tag but aren’t necessarily as critical to your vacation as accessibility for family members who may have trouble climbing stairs.

Select a type of lodging—Select the lodging type based on your family makeup. Rental homes such as those on Wyndham Rentals.com suit larger reunions well, especially ones with children, as they offer space for play, washer/dryer access, and kitchens to help cut down on the cost of food—some even come with hotel-like amenities.

Prepare for travel abroad—Remember to notify credit card companies, exchange money and come prepared with an emergency contact list. Be sure to also check your passport’s expiration date at least one month before traveling in case it’s time for it to be renewed.

Streamline packing—Coordinate with family members to lighten the load of packing by assigning items like toiletries and staple food items ahead of your trip. Creating a master schedule of meals is also very helpful for knowing who is making what and when.

Have fun—All planning aside, don’t forget to enjoy this time with your family and capture the special moments. Bring your camera, videotape your trip, plan a fun family portrait and make an online album to share the memories when you get home.

via PLAN YOUR NEXT FAMILY REUNION VACATION WITH CONFIDENCE.

Have a Family of Characters? They Could Help You Win a Reunion Vacation

Over the years, many iconic television families have taken their collection of unique personalities on vacation to escape from everyday life. Now Wyndham Vacation Rentals is giving 101 real-life families a chance to get away together as well.

Wyndham Vacation Rentals announces the Ultimate Family Reunion Contest/Competition, which offers families the chance to win one of 101 vacations good for travel in one of up to 100 countries. Winners can book at cottages in Ireland, villas in Italy, houseboats in the English channels, park lodges in Holland, beach condos in Florida, mountain escapes in the Rocky Mountains and thousands of other vacation rental options around the globe based on availability.

The Ultimate Family Reunion Contest/Competition commenced on July 11, 2011, by asking families to share one photo that captures the unique character of their family, along with a 100-word synopsis that expresses the theme “most enjoyable family gathering moments.” Wyndham Vacation Rentals will accept submissions for the grand prize through Oct. 14, 2011.

Entries will then be narrowed down to 20 finalists who will be selected in late October. From November 1 through December 30, 2011, the public will be asked to vote for their favorite family’s story, and those who place a vote will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes for a chance to win one of the remaining 100 vacations. The grand prize winner will be announced on or about February 2012 and will receive a reunion for up to 10 family members, which includes accommodations; roundtrip airfare; the choice of one activity and one $2,500 USD cash card — a total estimated value of $28,000 USD.

The remaining 19 finalists will receive one of the 100 Resort Vacation Certificates being awarded, which are redeemable for a seven-night stay. The remaining Resort Vacation Certificates will be awarded to voters selected at random.

via Have a Family of Characters? They Could Help You Win a Reunion Vacation – MarketWatch.

KELOLAND.com | USS South Dakota Memorial Reunion

World World II veterans recognized at a Sioux Falls memorial this holiday weekend felt pride and honor.

“It was great, it was the first time I’ve been to something like this and I had two navy captains come shake my hand, that’s unusual for me,” Conrad O’Heran said.Conrad O’Heran is just one of the service members paid tribute at the 22nd military reunion.

The Pearl Harbor survivor and his fellow vets came together to reunite with old friends and colleagues. Edward Rothmann was a gunsmen during the second World War.”It feels good to see old shipmates and the presentations they put on here,” Edward Rothmann said.

And while many people came out here today to celebrate the USS South Dakota memorial service they made sure not to forget those who have passed.

That’s how veteran Gerald Bailey feels.”It’s becoming pretty depressing to come because many of the guys that we know they’re not with us any longer or they can’t travel, so its not the party it used to be,” Gerald Bailey.And this could be the last year for the reunion for that reason. Still the memorial shows all veterans, here and gone, that their heroism isn’t forgotten.

via KELOLAND.com | USS South Dakota Memorial Reunion.

Next Page »