The Planning of a Huge Get Together!!!
Well Folks, here is the scoop...
I am not very sure where to start on this, but I will begin by saying that I really want to pull our family closer together.
I am not very sure where this crazy idea started, whether it was at Charlie and Velma's during the Moore 2000 family reunion, or if it was at my close friend George Want's (Taylor) family reunion, or even if it happened when I recieved the GEDCOM file from Jess Jr. with over 300 names of family members in the Moore and Davis family line. Perhaps it is just cause I am growing up and want my children and their children to know their heritage and feel that they are part of a much larger thing. It may even have to do with the fact that the world (population) is getting larger, and people are growing farther and farther apart, and knowing less about their own families.
I want to change that. We don't have to grow up knowing only a few close cousins, our parents and grandparents and that is it. I am sad that I didn't sooner get to know more of the family, and I fully intend on getting to know more of the family now! What I am proposing is to pull together (perhaps in the not to distant future) a very large family (and friends) get together which will bring together as many people as we possibly can from all stretches of the family. I want for the Moores, Davises, Watsons, Cholaks, Bitkers, Savarinos, Everyone etc... and their spouses, and their family members to be welcomed and invited to a huge Party/Celebration/Get together that we have allowed enough planning time for so that everyone can have time to plan on being there, and help with the plans. This get together will require the help of everyone on sharing the plans and getting the word out to all stretches of the family. Each family member will be encouraged to invite as many people from those close to them (friends and relatives) that they feel are close to the family (even if just to them!). The purpose of that is to celebrate those relationships that make our world work for us be that ever so tangled of a web.
I have some pictures and links below that will reference some of what I am talking about here, but for now I will discuss some more about the idea that is brewing in my head.
Where: Based on current knowlege, many of our family live in the SW region, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, with a few in Washington, Oregon, Minesota, Tennesee, Kansas, and Iowa. But predominantly SW. The reason I say this is because there are about 16 plus families in Arizona, 6 plus in California, 2-4 in Utah, 8 plus in Nevada, a couple in Oregon, a few in Washington, A few in Iowa, A couple in Kansas, Unknown number in Tennessee, and so on. This amounts in quite a large number already nearby in the southwest, so we will probably do it somewhere out here. Not sure if it would be in Nevada, Arizona, California, or Utah, just somewhere centrally located so all would not have too far to go.
Place: We need to have it at some place large enough to hold 100+ people. We would probably overfill anybody's place who has less than 5 acres, so we might have to plan to rent a large place or if somebody would donate the use of their farm/ranch for a weekend, that might work.
When: I would like to plan for as many people as possible, and I understand that no matter when we plan it it will probably interfere with somebody's schedule, so I will only try to accomidate best as I can. I think it is very important to schedule so that those in school can come without conflict, and for that I would say that either winter break or summer break would probably be best. I will not expand on that further for now.
Why: Please read the above paragraphs...
How: I for one am willing to play an active part in the planning of this reunion. I don't think now that we need to hire a professional reunion organizing company, instead, we can experiment with the first one, and if it works well, we can decide if we would like to have it on a scheduled recurring basis. Say every 5, 10 perhaps some other increment of years.
I am sure that many would be willing to donate 10, 20, 50 or even 100 dollars towards the fund to put together a big party. Please see the "What" to get an idea of what will be going in to the big party.
I intend on gathering together whatever cash, food or other beneficial donations to use for the celebration, and an accounting log will be kept to make it as clear to everyone as possible.
I plan on trying to get as much as possible donated either by business sponsorship, or family and friends donation as possible.
The planning and communication will happen largely by email, phone calls, and meetings among family members.
What: A big party where tons of friends family, en-laws, out-laws and others are encouraged and invited to attend. RSVP's will help in the planning process, and are strongly encouraged, but last minute changes show ups, and no shows are to be expected to a certain extent.
The event in total will probably last about 3 days, with a pre day of setting up, gathering, perhaps eating out at a restaurant, then a full day of partying and celebration, then a final day for cleanup, perhaps a trip to the waterpark or similar, and the goodbys.
The celebration needs will be:
A large place to hold the event, preferably near to a hotel/motel, or other place to stay, room for campers (tents or RV's, and plenty of shade if summertime, or building space if winter. (such as a large barn or meeting hall).
Porta johns or bathrooms,A large bouncing inflateable for the kids,Space to display the family tree information and family photo's,Games for the teens such as Horseshoes, Voleyball, etc.,Food, Drink, and snacks, (watermelons, breads, and the likes) Some type of large food to barbecue, and the large barbecue to barbecue it in. Some cakes and banners and party type stuff, Large Icechests, and lots of ice,Large water coolers, for water, coolaid, lemonaid and the like,Tables, Chairs, and means by which to keep the hot food hot and the cold food cold, Plates, utencils and cups (disposable) Garbage and recycleable containers.
Anything else that makes a good party a party like door prizes, gifts, pinata's, and that sort of stuff!
That is the plan as I have it in the starting stages... any ideas, coments, suggestions, supportive or not are welcomed. Please let me know if you are in the sharing possesion of any of the needed items to help put together a party of this scope. be it ice chest, land, cooler, livestock, giant BBQ, ideas, or connections for sponsorship, and would like to help out.
Thank you all in advance for your help and support,
Sam - Email me with the provided link buttons on the contact list.
These two photos are from the Want, Taylor family reunion June 2000 in Anthony, NM just north of El Paso.
The party took place just after the alphalpha had been bailed, and there was plenty of shade up under the pecan orchard on Jerry Want's farm.
Check out the links below to see the reunion mentioned in the above text and some other parties we have thrown... I just feel it is time to get us all together at once... ~sm~