Another reunion's in the books

[CG6468]

I attended our Rheem ex-employees reunion yesterday. (100s of people were laid off when Rheem moved operations to Montgomery, AL, and Nuevo Laredo, MEX, and closed the Chicago plant in 1991.)

We had over 70 people who attended, and a GFT was had by all!    It's always a pot-luck, and it's always at the same location, always on the Saturday following Labor Day, always under a pavilion in one of the village parks in Tinley Park, IL. It's been going for 21 years now. Beer and soft drinks are provided by the reunion committee.

(I almost HAVE to attend, since I'm one of two people who comprise the reunion committee!  )

Now for the Coast Guard reunion next weekend! (Have to attend that one, too, since I'm also on THAT reunion committee  ) This will be the 50th year the reunion will be held. My wife will also be going with me, and she'll spend Saturday morning kayaking. Last year was the first time she went with me, and she ended up closing the bar with other wives! 

[marv]

I gave up on reunions after my 50th highschool in '06 and 50th USAF in '08.

At the HS reunion committee meeting, I found 68 year old highschool kids still in the 50 year old cliques. No thanks. The Air Force guys heading the USAF reunion wanted the most expensive hotel in San Antonio. Most of the veterans couldn't afford the price.

Oh well..........

[CG6468]

I gave up on reunions after my 50th highschool in '06 and 50th USAF in '08.

At the HS reunion committee meeting, I found 68 year old highschool kids still in the 50 year old cliques. No thanks. The Air Force guys heading the USAF reunion wanted the most expensive hotel in San Antonio. Most of the veterans couldn't afford the price.

Oh well..........

Our 50th HS last September turned out fine. A classmate and I selected the location, and everyone was very pleased with how things turned out. No cliques, and we kept it as reasonable as possible. But those people are really getting old!  

The Rheem reunion costs nothing, but many people shove some money into the cash jar we keep for expenses, like stamps, etc.

The CG reunion costs $25 per person, plus the room and meals. We keep it as inexpensive as possible, getting the government room rate, often using the same hotels on a rotating basis. Works out fine. We always have a guest speaker; this year it is a retired Captain from the USCG. I work the check-in table to ensure that addresses are still good, and to keep a list of attendees. The raffles and the 50-50 always get superb support. The reception on Saturday afternoon lasts from 1200 to 1630 hours, with a free keg of beer, other drinks, and snacks. The Great Lakes CPO organization is held on the same day, and all of those folks attend the reunion. Friday evening I take a couple of carloads of Coasties across the bridge to Menominee, MI, which has a GREAT American Legion post! At least 80% of the people at the bar are former Coasties, and we almost never have to pay for drinks or the meal!