We had a great gathering June 28-July 1, 2012 of 41 people.  It really felt like a family reunion or as Rob said "It was truly a “re-union.”  We arrived Thursday afternoon starting around 3pm.  After getting situated in our various houses we gathered again for what ended out being quite a weekend of eating, sharing, connecting, laughing, eating, talking, singing, and eating. Friday we had 2 groups who went to work on a Habitat for Humanity house.  The Servids cooked dinner Thursday night, Jody organized the meals the rest of the time.  The Fletchers did the pancake breakfast Saturday morning.  We ate very well. 13 of us went wine tasting on Saturday.  Saturday evening we had a sharing talents evening.  We have a very talented group.  So now "only two things" can happen.  We can think about another reunion or we can not have another reunion.  Start thinking.  

You are all an amazing bunch of people. I am glad that we reconnected.  

Missing: Gwenda (she had not realized that we were taking pictures), Terry & Jonathan Seaton had to leave early, and Fran & Chuck Emerick had only come for the Thursday night gathering.

Last Blast

Presby-Kodai-Miraj-Wanlesswadi-Sangli-Poona-Kolhapur-Vengurla reunion.

June 28-July 1 (Thursday-Sunday), 2012

Fort Worden State Park and Conference Center
200 Battery Way
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 344- 4400

Barbara Walker cell phone number: 503-329-4937

Yipee – only 3 more days.  Everyone is all paid up.  Thank you.  The sticky buns are made and frozen.  They are set to rise overnight and be baked Friday morning.  I hope this works.  I have never made so many. 

Jeri created a blog for us.  There are a few pictures on it at this time.  To look at the photos on the blog go to http://picasaweb.google.com use this email address: presbyreunion@gmail.com and use this Password: namaste2012.  Jeri will add more from our weekend.   Feel free to add some of your own pictures. 

CHECK IN: 3pm or later: When you check in at house 353 you will be given 2 keys – one for your room and one for the house and a parking sticker for your vehicle.  Bedding and towels are all provided. We have 8 houses and essentially 8 families (Donaldson, Emerick, Fletcher, Nelson, Ramer, Seaton, Seibert, & Servid (Margie – I am calling you a Servid)).  Each family is in their own house. 

Habitat for Humanity: We will have a sign-up sheet when you check in. There will be a morning and an afternoon shift on Friday with a lunch break.  We will figure out car pooling and lunch transportation when we all get there.

People who live locally - reminder  

1. Raid your kitchen/pantry: mayo, ketchup, mustard, cereals, peanut butter, jam, syrup, salad dressing, sugar, creamer.
2. Folding chairs for our main gathering area
3. “Camping type” plates, bowls, cups, glasses, utensils (or a set you don’t particularly care about).
4. Sharing snacks and sharing beverages (alcohol or other)
5. Some of you have indicated that you would bring extra cooking gear like large pots, skillets.  The kitchens are equipped but maybe not special items.
6. Extra tennis racquets and balls for those tennis players. Extra beach towels for those brave swimmers. Though looking at the weather I don’t think anyone will be going in the water.  But you never know.

GROCERY STORE: Safeway is at 442 West Sims Way if you want to buy any personal necessities.  It is not far if we find that we need something. Each kitchen is fully stocked with cooking equipment.  Linens and towels are provided. I will have a pot of coffee and decaf going at the main meeting area so you do not need to bring coffee until you want to.  The closest Starbucks in 3 miles away.

The Cafeteria in the Commons is open 7am-5pm, the Cantina by the beach is open noon-6pm for people who want to supplement what we provide. There is free WiFi in the Commons.

What to bring: It looks like the weather will be in the 60s, partly cloudy with a 10-40% chance of rain.  So be prepared. 

Leslie will bring a slide projector and screen if people want to bring slides to share.  Jeri will bring her iPad  so that we could do a slide show of digitized pictures.  Bring slides, pictures memorabilia, pictures on a thumb drive.  Jeri, maybe you would like to bring copies of your book for people to see.  Anyone else have a show and tell? 

ACTIVITIES:.  Wine tasting anyone?  I would be interested in checking out Fair Winds Winery http://www.fairwindswinery.com/pages/contact.html Saturday afternoon.  There are 2 tennis courts..  Any other geocachers out there?? Jeri and Dan maybe would lead a geocaching hunt.  J I think there are a few geocaches at the Fort. There are walking trails, water activities, several small museums at the fort and of course the gift shop.  I don’t think we will be doing any water sports.   If you have an idea of what you want to do then suggest it.  My main goal is to connect, to eat, to laugh.  Basically to have fun.  I hope you all will help me with that.  J For the list of activities available at Fort Worden go to http://www.parks.wa.gov/fortworden/activities.aspx.

MONEY: Once the people who are purchasing food turn in their receipts I will be able to calculate what we owe for the food.  At this point it is hard to guess how much extra it is likely to be. I have factored some food money into the rent but since I was just guessing we may have to do some adjustments.  At this point we are looking at 41 people – 7 meals (I think both Thursday night and Sunday morning will be reduced numbers, so I am counting them as 1 meal). 

CHECK OUT: When you leave remember to take every thing you brought with you.  If you are flying and purchased food that you don’t want to take with you then maybe someone who lives locally will take it.  Make sure you leave your keys with me or at the front gate when you leave. If you leave them at the front gate please let me know that you are doing that so I don’t have to look for it.   Check out time is 11am on Sunday.  That is just when you need to be out of the house and the keys turned in.  You can hang around the park as long as you want.  The clean-up for your house – take out trash/garbage and make sure dishes are clean. 

See you all on Thursday. 

Presby-Kodai-Miraj-Wanlesswadi-Sangli-Poona-Kolhapur-Vengurla reunion.

June 28-July 1 (Thursday-Sunday), 2012

Fort Worden State Park and Conference Center
200 Battery Way
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 344- 4400

Barbara Walker cell phone number: 503-329-4937

First off, thank you very much to those of you who have sent in your checks.  That is very helpful.  A reminder to the rest of you – it is $126 per person payable to me.  Barbara Walker, 9955 SW Cypress St Beaverton, OR, 97005. 

Thursday dinner.  Leslie and crew have volunteered to fix dinner for whoever wants it Thursday night but they need a head count so that they can purchase food.  Please e-mail me or Leslie (leslie.servid@gmail.com ) if you want Thursday dinner.  Are you arriving late?  Do you need dinner held for you?  If we do not hear that you want dinner then Leslie will assume you do not. 

Attached are several documents. I hope that you do not have problems opening any of them.  I have them in *.pdf format so hopefully they will open ok. 

1. Directions to Fort Worden
2. Map of Fort Worden showing our houses
3. Larger map of Fort Worden
4. tentative menu plan

CHECK IN: When you arrive, come to building 353.  Come in the main entrance to the park.  Turn left right after the theater and before the guard house.  Turn right at the ticket booth.  353 is the first house on the left.  That is where I will be with all the check-in information.  For those of you who have not paid – you can pay at that time.  Please let me know when you expect to arrive so I can be there when you want to check in. 

Habitat for Humanity: on Friday June 29.  When you arrive at check in there will be a sign-up sheet for either the morning or the afternoon shifts.  We will have a joint lunch for both shifts.  Lunch will also be provided for those not doing the H4H.  We will coordinate transportation/car pooling when we know who is doing what.  Tools are provided but if local people want to bring very basic things like a hammer, tape measure, possibly a power drill, that would be fine.  We will want to car pool so if you are willing to drive you can indicate that as well.

MEALS: Jody and Rob Ramer are coordinating the meals.  There have been a lot of people saying that they would be willing to help in whatever capacity needed.  So please just show up to help or ask Jody and Rob how you can best help.  We will be cooking in possibly 5 houses.  So coordinating the meals may be interesting.  They will let us know meal schedules.  We will be eating and gathering in house 353.  People who live locally please bring things from your kitchens like mayo, ketchup, mustard, cereals, peanut butter, syrup, sugar, creamer? So food shoppers don’t buy any of these things. Jody and Rob need to know as soon as possible if they should do a non-Indian choice for Friday and Saturday nights. (robramer@mm.com or Jody.Chrastek@Childrensmn.org).  Check the menu.

OUR HOUSES: Look at the map of houses.  We have been assigned 8 houses: 5E and 5W (duplex), 16D (this is one apartment that is part of a building with 4 apartments).  These 3 houses all have free Wifi anyone else wanting Wifi can go to the Commons or cafeteria.  We have 332S and 332N (duplex), 333S and 333N (duplex) and 353.  These 5 houses are the closest together.  Since 353 is where we will be meeting to eat, the cooking can take place in any of these 5 houses. It will be easy to transport food to 353.  Each house has a complete kitchen and at least one bathroom. You will get 2 keys – one for your room and one for the house.  Bedding and towels are all provided.

THE HUB: Building 353.  This is where you check in.  This is where we will gather for meals and group gatherings.  The front door will be open from 6am-11pm.  Coffee and Decaf will be available.  Bring your sharing foods/beverages here.  You are welcome to keep food in your own homes as well.

GROCERY STORE: - There are several grocery stores you pass on Hwy 20 or Sims Way on your way to Fort Worden.  Safeway is at 442 West Sims Way if you want to buy any personal  necessities, wine, beer, pop, other beverages and sharing snacks.  The Fort has a great cafeteria and Port Townsend has a lot of restaurants.  Each kitchen has a coffee pot so if you want your own coffee/tea or whatever you will need to purchase that.  I will try to have a pot of coffee and decaf going in the main meeting area. 

The Cafeteria in the Commons is open 7am-5pm, the Cantina by the beach is open noon-6pm for people who want to supplement  what we provide. There is WiFi in the Commons.

What to bring: Port Townsend has quite a range of temperature so bring layers.  If it is warm enough there is swimming, there are trails for walking.  But we could just as easily have rain.  So be prepared.  Bedding and towels are provided.  But if you want to go to the beach – bring your own beach towel. Bring slides, pictures memorabilia, pictures on a thumb drive.  Jeri, maybe you would like to bring copies of your book for people to see.  Anyone else have show and tell? 

ACTIVITIES: Leslie will bring a slide projector and screen if people want to bring slides to share.  Jeri will bring her iPad  so that we could do a slide show of digitized pictures.  Does anyone have a portable Mic? Do we need one? Wine tasting anyone?  I would be interested in checking out Fair Winds http://www.fairwindswinery.com/pages/contact.html Saturday afternoon.  Anyone else interested?

MONEY: Once the people who are purchasing food turn in their receipts I will be able to calculate what we owe for the food.  At this point it is hard to guess how much it is likely to be.  Whatever we figure out it will be one flat rate.  It is too complicated to make exceptions.  I have factored some food money into the rent but since I was just guessing we may have to do some adjustments.  In any case it will be less than $50 per person.  Food purchasers – do try to watch for bargains.  At this point we are looking at 41 people – 7 meals (I think both Thursday night and Sunday morning will be reduced numbers, so I am counting them as 1). 

CHECK OUT: When you leave remember to take every thing with you.  If you are flying and purchased food that you don’t want to take with you then maybe someone who lives locally will take it.  Make sure you leave your key with me or at the front gate when you leave.  Check out time is 11am on Sunday.  That is just when you need to be out of the house and the keys turned in.  You can hang around the park as long as you want.  The clean-up for your house – take out trash/garbage and make sure dishes are clean. 

SCHEDULE:  This will be a free floating weekend.  We will have a better guess of times when everyone has arrived

Thursday – arrival day – dinner available for those who want it. Settle in

Friday

–        breakfast – casual grab as you want

–        habitat for humanity morning shift

–        lunch at H4H site or back at the fort, self serve

–        habitat for humanity afternoon shift

–        tea time

–        yak time

–        dinner

–        more yak time

Saturday

–        breakfast – Bob’s pancakes and self serve

–        yak time

–        lunch

–        yak time

–        tea time

–        yak time

–        dinner

–        more yak time and goodbyes

Sunday

–        breakfast – French toast for those who are still around, self serve for those people who need to leave early

–        check out by 11:00am

–        possibly lunch at the cafeteria 

Thursday night dinner

Servids have volunteered to fix dinner Thursday night June 28, 2012 but they will need a head count so please let Leslie know if you plan to be there for dinner.

Presby-Kodai-Miraj-Wanlesswadi-Sangli-Poona-Kolhapur-Vengurla reunion.

June 28-July 1 (Thursday-Sunday), 2012

Fort Worden State Park and Conference Center

200 Battery Way
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 344- 4400

Barbara Walker cell phone number: 503-329-4937

Habitat for Humanity on Friday June 29. When you arrive at check in there will be a sign-up sheet for either the morning or the afternoon shifts. We will have a joint lunch for both shifts. Lunch will also be provided for those not doing the H4H. We will coordinate transportation/car pooling when we know who is doing what. Tools are provided but if local people want to bring very basic things like a hammer, tape measure, possibly a power drill, that would be fine.

MONEY: I will be doing the check in for everyone so it would be helpful if I got your check for the remaining amount sometime before June 28^th. It will be $126 per person. If not, my friendly neighborhood leg breaker will be standing by to collect at the door. J Some of you have already paid some of that so I will contact you separately what you owe. That amount will pay for your room and also for most meals. If you want to purchase snacks and food on your own from the cafeteria or the grocery store like coffee and tea, sharing foods, wine, beer – that is not included. Depending on the final count there maybe be some last minute adjustment to the amount owed.

Meals: We have a team planning meals. Jody and Rob can not get there early enough to do something for Thursday night. SO:

1. . Anyone want to volunteer to do the planning for something for Thursday night. (you will be reimbursed for your food purchases). People will be arriving at different times so something simple that can just be on the back burner.
2. . We could plan an evening meal in the Cafeteria in the Commons
3. . Everyone could do their own thing for Thursday dinner.

The Cafeteria in the Commons is open 7am-5pm. There is WiFi in the Commons. House 353 will be the main Hub for check in and meals and meetings.

What to bring: Port Townsend has quite a range of temperature so bring layers. If it is warm enough there is swimming, there are trails for walking, could just as easily have rain. So be prepared. Bedding and towels are provided. But if you want to go to the beach – bring your own beach towel. Bring slides, pictures memorabilia, pictures on a thumb drive. Jeri, maybe you would like to bring copies of your book for people to see. Anyone else have show and tell? There is a Safeway in Port Townsend on the way to the Fort for any last minute shopping of sharing foods, beverages (beer/wine/etc), snacks.

CHECK IN: We have 8 houses. Each house is complete with fully stocked kitchen (coffee makers, utensils, dinnerware and cookware, not food) at least one bathroom and bedrooms with either 1 queen bed, 2 twins or single twin. You will have to share the bathroom(s). I have tried to assign people by families where possible. Check in is after 3pm on Thursday June 28. I checked with the Fort and they said I could get there at 2:30 to check everyone in. So when you get there go to House 353. I will send out detailed directions next blast. At check in you will get a key to your room which also works on the front and back doors of your house. House 353 also has the largest living room area so it will be our main gathering area for meals and evenings.

It would be helpful for the check in people to know approximate arrival times so we can make sure that someone is around when you get there.

Check out is 11am on Sunday. That is just when we need to be out of the houses. We can hang around the Fort for however long we want. Maybe have lunch in the Commons.

GETTING TO FORT WORDEN: If you are flying into Seattle and are not planning on renting a car please give Jonathon Seaton jrseaton@centurytel.net the information – he will either pick you up or arrange for pick up. We have quite a few people coming from the Seattle area so arranging transportation should not be a problem.

People coming to the reunion at this time:
Donaldson – Barbara (George), Debbie, Jim (Pam), Rachel (Andy)Emerick – Jeri (Dan), Gwenda (John), Sher (Ron & Jennifer or Jordan), Chuck & FranFletcher – Bob, Don (Carla), John (Gwenda), Jim (Nancy)Graham – MargieNelson – Paul, Martha, Tim, KathyRamer – Jody (Teresa – friend of Jody), Rob (Debbie & Anil and maybe a grandchild)

Seaton – Terry, JonathanSeibert – Ann, Karl (Gyni), Mark (Betsy)Servid – Leslie, Laura, Carolyn

Check out our photos. Add your own. It would be great if everyone would post a current picture of themselves – not that anyone has changed, right?

Point your browser to: http://picasaweb.google.comEmail: presbyreunion@gmail.com
Password: namaste2012

More details to follow the end of May. Further details of check in/check out will be included in the next blast along with maps, schedule, meals, etc.

I sure am excited. Should be great fun.Barbara

Pictures, pictures, pictures

Hello everyone (from Jeri Emerick Marler),

I volunteered to set up a central site for us to share photos before, during, and after the reunion. I settled on this solution because it seems to be the easiest method and it doesn't require that you join anything. Everyone will use the same login name and password for this Picasa account. It's based on a gmail account I set up for this purpose. You'll see my name associated with the account because I set it up, but please think of it as the GROUP's account.

Point your browser to: http://picasaweb.google.com

Email: presbyreunion@gmail.com

Password: the password was sent out in an email. Contact barbara.d.walker@gmail.com if you forgot it.

Anyone can comment on any photo.

If you have any questions or concerns, holler! I sure hope this works. If you can suggest a better way, please, please speak up. I want this to be as useful and easy as possible.

Watching Slides at the Reunion

Leslie Servid Williams has kindly offered to take a slide projector and screen to the reunion. So dust off those boxes of slides and bring ‘em along!

Has anyone started packing yet? J

Warmly,

Jeri Emerick Marler

Reunion Update

Presby-Kodai-Miraj-Wanlesswadi-Sangli-Poona-Kolhapur-Vengurla reunion.

June 28-July 1 (Thursday-Sunday), 2012

Fort Worden State Park and Conference Center
200 Battery Way
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 344- 4400

I am organizing a reunion of Presby-Kodai-Miraj-Sangli-Wanlesswadi-Poona-Vengurla and Kolhapur-ites. We will be at Fort Worden State Park which is in Port Townsend, Washington in the Olympic Peninsula. It is about a 2 hour drive from Sea-Tac airport. We have some people who live in the Seattle area who will help coordinate transportation if you do not want to rent a vehicle. The facility has a cafeteria with very good food but we will be staying in houses with full kitchens if anyone wants to grocery shop and cook. There are a lot of things to do at Fort Worden or we can just gather and talk.

Initial cost - $63 per person to hold a spot. This covers the first night. I will not know the exact amount of the balance owed until we know how many people will be attending. But it will be close to $63 per night but that will not be due until we arrive. We are renting 8 houses. If we get more people than we have made reservations for there are several close hotel/motel/B&Bs. I will send out a list closer to the time. People who live close can just drive in to join us. There is a day use fee. Please send your check to:

Barbara Donaldson Walker, 9955 SW Cypress St, Beaverton, OR 97005

Please contact me if you have any questions: barbara.d.walker@gmail.com or 503-643-4937

It sure would be great if you could join us. So far we have representatives from the Fletchers, Ramers, Emericks, Nelsons, Servids, Grahams, Donaldsons, Seiberts and Seatons.

Barbara Donaldson Walker