We not only appreciate receiving reunion newsletters but carefully read them all and always find great ideas. The Utley Reunion Update is edited by Jackie Utley, Jackson, Tennessee. She reports that the Utleys have a long history of reunions starting when out-of-town relatives came to visit and everyone gathered for potluck. In the 1970s and 1980s the family met at Uncle Abe and Aunt Beulah Utley’s farm near Medina, Tennessee. During the 1990s they moved to hotels with themes including this year’s “island cruise” complete with decorations and a luau-style meal prepared by hotel caterers. Utley makes her pleas for reunion help in her newsletters.
Here is Utley’s newsletter list of things to do in anticipation of the reunion.
1. Send your reservation for the Utley Family Reunion.
2. Make hotel reservations.
3. Get out your Hawaiian shirt.
4. Find island vacation photos to share at the reunion.
5. Plan crafts to take for the “Crafts Corner.”
6. Gather family photos for “Show and Tell.”
7. Collect goodies for goody bags and door prizes.
8. Encourage grandchildren to enter the Children’s Talent Show.
9. Collect items for the time capsule.
10. Practice the limbo.
A very effective reunion brochure
The Seventh Biennial Cauthorne-Brooks Family Reunion sent a three-fold brochure made from a 9×16” paper for eight panels of information. The 2002 reunion theme was Engaging the Generations: The Key to our Family’s Future. The brochure’s cover displayed two Adinkra symbols from the Akan people of Ghana. The Akokonan is the parental protectiveness symbol, and Ese ne Tekrema represents the principle of training children for productive adulthood and responsibility. The other seven panels provided short family and reunion history about the three Brooks sisters who married two Cauthorne brothers and a first cousin. A schedule of events precedes explanations of a parade of families (introductions), a family history bus tour (fare included in registration), auction (to support the reunion) and youth activities. A description of Windmill Point Resort and two panels of directions for nearby metropolitan areas completed the brochure.
Shared by Bessida White, Richmond VA.
Finishing touches
- Never underestimate proofreading nor give it short shrift. Make and take time for thorough proofreading. It’s well worth the effort.
- Double-check content for clarity. If it doesn’t make sense to you, it surely won’t make sense to your readers. Correct spelling, punctuation and usage errors.
- Keep in mind: the cheapest changes are made before your newsletter goes to the printer.
- Credit everyone who writes, contributes information or photos, edits or helps in any other way.
Does your reunion have a newsletter?
We read all those that reach us and would be very interested in seeing yours.
Send to Reunions magazine, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727; or if it’s an electronic newsletter, e-mail us.
