Good evening, listmembers! Recently, our fellow lister (and my Mertz cousin) Pat Wion Hammond of Michigan sent me a fascinating idea. She suggested that we consider having a PACENTRE list reunion here in Centre County sometime during the coming summer. Pat, our cousin Diane Rice from Michigan, and my cousin Fred Houts from Minnesota, will likely all be in the area at the same time, providing a great basis for the beginning of such an event. I think that it is a wonderful idea, although it will require some leg-work to accomplish this endeavor. This comes at a very appropriate time for me, as I am currently awaiting the results of my law school applications for the fall semester of 2007, and this shift will begin a new chapter of my life. It would be very exciting for me to celebrate the accomplishments of this list which I created back in the Spring of 1999 -- how the time has flown -- and to meet so many of you with whom I have become closely acquainted along the way! Pat suggested, and I agree, that it focus around our researching and genealogical heritage here in the county, as well as our camaraderie. To that end, a picnic gathering would be augmented by organized car-pooled trips to local cemeteries and sites of interest, as arranged beforehand, as well as an introduction to our fabulous research facility, the Pennsylvania Room of the Centre County Library and Historical Museum. Some limited guidance could be given for research in this and neighboring counties as well -- anyone who has followed the discussions on this list will note the intimate connections between Centre and surrounding counties, particularly her daughter county of Clinton. The date of this adventure is tentatively set for the period beginning around June 18, 2007, and it may last 1-3 days, depending on interest, and circumstances. There are individuals who are interested in making arrangements for this to happen, but to that end, it is imperative that we have a general idea of the interest at this point, and the types of things people would like to see/do -- visit cemeteries, old homesteads, research at the library, etc. Recommendations would have to be made for places to stay and places to eat, given the level of interest. For those of you with an interest in this county, and who have desired to come here in order to research and experience your heritage, I propose that there is no better opportunity to maximize your experience. Obviously, with the many demands on my schedule, I cannot pull this off alone, but I am willing to do what I can to make this happen, and to be present as much as possible, to celebrate with you all the accomplishments of this list. Please let me hear from you concerning your interest. Justin