I appreciate everyone's input and responses on setting a date for the 1999 Union Reunion. Looking at some of the responses received of late, everyone must be retired and able to travel whenever. I envy each of you, but look forward to that date I can join you. If only I didn't have to work to support my genealogy habit. :-) I've thought long and hard about this and the suggestion does not come lightly. I would have very much liked to hold the reunion the same weekend as the Shiloh celebration. But I fear that we would conflict too much. Also given the date of Shiloh's celebration, there are probably too many who may not be able to attend because school had not yet let out. I also took into account the summer heat. My preference would have been in July because it is a time when I would already be in Union Parish for my own family's reunion. But I remember well last year and how unbearable it was to visit the cemetery next door to the church. The reunion was fine because we were in Shiloh's air conditioned fellowship hall. Just couldn't get that cool air outside though. Thought about a fall date, but concluded that school could again pose a problem. Enough, already you say. Just give us a date! Okay. I'm suggesting that we have the Union Reunion '99 on May 29th and 30th at Shiloh Baptist Church. This would fall on Memorial Day weekend and could give out of town guests an extra day to travel home. I suggest the following agenda. Saturday, May 29th at Shiloh 9 a.m.-'til sign in and registration Swapping of information from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. (maybe even later is interest warrants) Have two copy machines available for making copies of shared data. Email will work wonders; however, I know that I have tons of documentation that can't be emailed and will never be computerized. Lunch of fried chicken and sides/fixings (to be catered by one of the places in Farmerville) Dinner at the catfish restaurant suggested by one of the members on the list whose name (I'm sorry) I can't remember at this time. Would be open to whomever wanted to attend and by reservation. Sometime during the afternoon, a tour of the Shiloh Cemetery. Sunday, May 30th Morning Suggest attending church of your choice--possibly one that an ancestor attended Afternoon 1:30 begin afternoon of cemetery tours to include (suggestions only--could change based on desire of group). Travel would be by caravaning--could share rides to cut down on number of cars. Maps would be available for those who didn't want to attend the full tour. Farmerville Cemetery Mt. Tabor Cemetery Mt. Patrick Cemetery Evergreen Cemetery Bernice Cemetery Pine Grove Cemetery Pisgah Cemetery Springhill Cemetery Marion/Concord Cemetery Others??? Suggestions of things to be done--volunteers?? Secure Shiloh's fellowship hall for May 29th (if for some reason not available, possible move to Bernice Clubhouse) Announcements Arrange for copiers to be loaned (suggest that use of copiers be donated--charge possibly 10 cents a copy--proceeds to cover excess cost of reunion; extra go to Shiloh's cemetery fund or possibly the Bernice Historical Society.) Determine registration fee, if any. Suggestion $5 per family attending. Cover costs of paper goods, postage, drinks. Should do as much pre- registration as possible to determine number of attending. Certainly wouldn't turn any one away though. Lunch--determine per person cost and collect at time of registration. Gauge the interest of the Bernice Historical Society's involvement in the event. Determine if the Union Parish Library in Farmerville would stay open late on Friday to allow out of towners the opportunity to use the library's genealogy materials. Say until 9 p.m.? Would have to be a very special request and a very understanding librarian. See if the clerk of court's office would do the same. T-shirts/caps/mugs??? Some other souvenier?? No speakers. So, how does this sound?? I'm off to Charlotte, NC for a couple of days. Will check my mail on Saturday, 12/19th. Don't flame me too badly. :-) Please give me your input. Remember the above are my suggestions only--this will be a reunion for all of us, so let's make sure we try to accomplish what you want to get out of it. Roy L. Austin Descendant of Austin, Ferguson, and Feazel families who were settlers living Union Parish at the time of its formation in 1839. Descendant of Edmonds, Lee, Moore, McIntosh, Rea/Ray and Shaw families who followed in the 1840's and 1850's. Kin to practically everybody else.