Forever Young Magazine

June 2006
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Section: Travel

Reconnecting at Your Family Reunion
By Georgia Burnette

The Balcerak family, at the Freas family reunion,
Christmas, 2004, Tonawanda, NY.
Photo by Adrienne Freas.

Reunions are the ties-that-bind, times to connect with long lost cousins, uncles and aunts, or even an out-of-touch sister or brother. Our elders left their native lands to seek a better life, while those in the United States may have sought work elsewhere in the country during the great Depression, and World War II. Today, with families living and working throughout the world, a return to the old homestead has become a valued, memorable experience.

According to Edith Wagner, Editor-in-Chief of Reunions Magazine, “as families spread out, with travel both difficult and time consuming, homecomings often coincided with special events or death. As members migrated even farther away, however, reunions often became the major reason families returned to visit.

Celebrations run the gamut; some simply to visit family and have a good time, others to honor parents, commemorate a birthday, an anniversary or a death, or memorialize a special occasion. The birthday of an elderly parent is often the catalyst to gather.

“Once a minister, forever busy, best describes my dad,” says Janet Kala, of Lockport, NY. “Although retired for 15 years, we finally managed to slow him down just long enough to celebrate his 80th birthday. To ensure that it would truly be a day of remembrance for him, we also invited parishioners from the several churches he headed over the years.” To commemorate that splendid day, Janet is now preparing, “Reverend Wood’s Special Book of Memories.”

Summertime graduations are also a favorite time to celebrate family. A June 2006 gathering is planned by Susan Van Buren, Voorhees, New Jersey to celebrate the graduations of nephew, Damon from high school and niece, Nicole from Wellesley College, MA. This will be an especially joyous occasion because Great Aunt Phoebe, age 95, family matriarch and raconteur will also be able to attend. Relating fascinating tales of glamorous times while living in Washington D.C is a favorite pastime, and she says, “It keeps me young!”

Adrian Freas of Wheatfield, NY, has kept several families in the reunion mode for the past fifteen years by hosting both a Christmas and a summer bash. The numbers increase on Father’s Day, when her husband’s family joins the primary group. But, she has lots of help with everyone bringing a dish, plus assisting with all aspects of the gathering. Then there’s fabulous Uncle George, who prepares pork chops and home-smoked sausage for the holiday happenings. But, Adrian says, “My family has always asked, ‘What can I bring, to help you?’”

Whatever the reasons for gathering, good organization is the key to a successful reunion. According to a survey by Dr. Laurence Basirico, Professor of Sociology and Dean of International Programs at Elon University in North Carolina, “interviews and early results of the study suggest that structure, organization and planning are the keys to success at family reunions.”

Need Help?
•Check out the Family Reunion Institute @215-204-6244,

or e-mail: ivargus@.temple.edu.

•Plan to attend the Family Reunion Conference, March 2007 in

Philadelphia, PA.

Information is available through the Institute or Reunions Magazine.

•Request complimentary copy of Reunions Magazine, 414-263-4567

or visit www.reunionsmag.com. Subscriptions are just $10 per year.

•Talk to experienced reunion planners who are usually eager to help.

Check out the local Conventions and Visitors’ Bureau for suggestions

and assistance at 855-5555, or visit www.buffaloconvention.com. And,

if planning a WNY reunion check out Buffalo’s newest celebration,

The New Old Home Week, set for August 24-27.