Comment Page

This is your place for comments or sharing ideas, etc.  Please feel free to contribute by sending such to reunion@leoandfrances.org .  No last names will be posted here.  If you would like to comment or suggest  something and do not want it posted, just mention that in your email.  (Information or whatever can also be relayed directly to an appropriate party if you would like.) 

Unexpectedly Wonderful! With warm appreciation to those whose work made the reunion possible, a big thanks to all who were able to travel and be a part of the wonderful time we all had together!
# 9
a.k.a. (wildbill) (9/13/08)

Thank You  From Betty T.

I wanted to thank you for keeping this website going.  I heard that everything was just perfect.  I deeply regret not being able to make the reunion.  Do you plan to post some pictures out on the website?  Sr. Betty mentioned that she has some pictures but not sure how to download them.  Do you know of anybody that could help her?  I can't wait to see some of the pictures. 

A little bird told me there was the slideshow of my father (Lawrence S.) and my mother Joyce going on in the background.   I think it is wonderful that they were remembered there.  I bet Aunt Joanne had some incredible food to be enjoyed by all.  I have delicious memories of the many goodies coming from her kitchen when I would visit every summer. 

Once again I am eager to see some of those pictures from last month.  Please don't think of me as pushy but I would love to enjoy them. 

Betty T.... (#4 child) (9/11)

•                Response:  We hope to have pictures up on this website soon - and we are hoping to be able to include the slide show of your folks, too. 

From Teri S.

Hi!  I just wanted to give you my email address to be added to the ... family contact list.  I enjoyed the reunion and meeting a bunch of people I had never heard of before.  :)   My place on the family tree is as follows:  Henry & Loretta -->  Jerry & Sharyl  -->  Robin & Teri.  I know Robin also enjoyed reconnecting with family members he had not seen in 15 or more years.  Thanks for all the hard work you put in organizing that event for everyone. (9/2/08)

 Pre-Event comments:

 From Rick H. - Planning on getting into Chippewa on Friday and staying at the AmericInn along with, what sounds like, many others.  Here's the deal...I may need to have an adult beverage or 2, just so I'm in the right state of mind for the BIG weekend.  Any ideas as to a public establishment that we could meet at? If anyone has any ideas...please share. :-)  Looking forward to catching up with everyone! (8/11)

  Response 1: (from Diane)  We are working on filling in the blanks on the "Schedule" page - that includes Friday night!  We have some candidates, but would like to hear from others. Here is what Chris S. offered earlier:

Dana's would be good - just went there for lunch a couple weeks ago.  Across the parking lot is Cancun's Mexican Grill - they have good food and a bar to hang out at, too.  The James Sheeley House downtown Chippewa is good too - good food, nice bar, nice old building/towny atmosphere.  Fill-Inn Station downtown is good too (excellent pizza, sandwiches and bloody mary's).  If you're looking for "supper club" sort of place, then I'd suggest Connell's, just outside of Chippewa, not sure how far you'd want to travel, good fish fry on Friday, excellent steaks/ribs.  If anyone's staying at the Avalon hotel, they have Bridgewater Restaurant - which has good food, etc, too.

Do we have any votes on any of these?  (If not, as web editor - I will just start filling in the blanks on the schedule!)  Since Carl also thought Dana's might be good - see below - I vote for "Dana's Bar and Grill" for Friday night!  (It is already on the "zoomable" map on the "Maps" page.)

From Sam L.: the AmericInn has a "baby pool" (for very little ones), so we'll be staying there. we know a few others with babies/toddlers who will be there as well. if your kid is in diapers and looking for buddies to hang out with, come join us! older kids are welcome, of course, but
don't blame us if they get roped into baby sitting. :)   looking
forward to seeing you all, and so impressed we're actually going to pull this thing off!
  laura sam, ken & levi L. (8/10)

From Fran S.: Hi to all my cousins....My sister Lois Sche... Du...l, my husband, Edward Se.., and I, Frances Sche... Se.. will be coming to Irvine Park to visit with many of you.  We are not coming for the meal but will try to arrive about 1:00 to 1:30 to meet and greet you. Thanks for the invitation.  Bye, Frances

From Lucy S.:  Hi [and a BIG thanks!] to the hardworkers 'behind the scenes' for this "Bigger & Better Than Ever, You Can't Miss It, and Totally One-of-a-kind" Event!    What do you think about maybe having a campfire or bonfire somewhere in the evening[s]??  Some fun memories of being part of a group sitting around a fire laughing, telling jokes, stories, singing, etc, popped up in my mind and I wondered if that might be a good suggestion,.........or not????  Quite possibly our group will be too large for it to work out........???  Anyway, just an idea...........see you soon, lucy (8/7)

From Bob and Bette M. :

I am sorry to say that we, the Ann Fa... family, will not be attending the reunion.  I had hoped we could work it out, but to no avail this year.  Perhaps another year, should you do it again we can attend.  We all wish you the best and please do have a good time.  It saddens me to think we have so many first cousins that remain unknown to us, and of course, the reverse is also true.  But, we can stay in touch.  Sister Betty thank you so much for the sympathy card you sent at Jim's death, and then the subsequent invitation to this event.  God Bless each of you.  (8/5)

From Donell P.

• ... a couple of ideas to run by you:  I have been taking Hawaiian Hula Dance for the past year and would be glad to do a little dance class for the kids/and adults with a very cute song called "Show Me How To Do The Hula" I can bring the music and anyone who would like to do the class can bring just a piece of fabric to wrap around their hips if they want.   I also make and design jewelry.  I was thinking I could teach how to make little earrings or a pendent. I could bring enough supplies if I had a sign up.  (Editor's note -  if  anyone is interested in these activities, please let us know at  the above email address.)
  
• Here is my flight info: North West Air -  Wed.  Aug 20  LAX 12:15am. Arrives 5:50am MSP Departs: Mon  Aug 25  MSP  7:05pm. ...if anyone may be coming or going on those dates.  I was wondering if anyone would like to go to The Mall Of America, on the Wed. I arrive or the Mon I leave??? Thanks. (7/21)

From Steve S. Just wanted to say thanks for adding the map info to the web site.Good job!!Now, I’ll have to find another excuse for getting lost!

From Brenda S.  Staying at the Ramada Inn Convention Center at 205 S Barstow.  Priceline @ $45.00 per night.  Anyone else staying there?(7/12)

From Chris S.: I can help with check-in and clean up.  I'd be happy to help with activities, just don't want the job to actually organize them.  :)  Face painting for the kids would be fun, or those temporary tattoos (for people like me who aren't artistic), just an idea.  I have a feeling my kids will be down by the water and the crayfish...  Oh and they put in a really nice water "fountain" that kids can run in.(7/1)

From Betty S.: We were wondering where is the clan staying?  Does anybody know?(6/28)

   Response 1 - (from Diane)  So far it looks like folks are staying at the Country Inn and a the AmericInn hotels in Chippewa Falls.  If anyone has other info and wants to share, let us know.  We're still hoping to find a good gathering place for Friday night and Saturday night - so if anyone has any suggestions, please let us know that, too. As soon as we get a little more information, we will be posting a very loose, tentative "schedule of events", in case folks want to coordinate activities with others, or just see what is going on, and where!.(6/29)

    Response 1 - (updated 6/29) (from Diane):  Good idea re: maps.  We have put some together to show where some of the activities will be. Check out the new "Maps" page.  The "zoomable" map shows where Irvine Park, Festival in the Pines, and the Steam Engine show are (be sure to "zoom in" on each). It also shows where some of the hotels, points of interest, golf courses, etc. are.  You might also try going to www.maps.google.com, type in "Chippewa Falls, WI", search, then click "Find businesses" and type in "hotels" or "golf" or whatever, then search to find more.  You will see red flags pop up on the maps showing where these are, and the descriptions are on the left side of the page.  As for cottages on Lake Wissota, there is a note on the bottom of the page under "Lodging" (on this website) regarding the "Wissota Lodge".  Others can be found via the Chippewa Chamber - Lodging link on that page.  If anybody else has info on this, please let us know at reunion@leoandfrances.org. 

Regarding color-coded t-shirts,  that would be neat but the plan seems to be to go with color-coded name-tags - less costly and no need to worry about sizes, etc. Anyone else have thoughts, ideas or where-withal to take the t-shirt idea on?  There is some talk of having lanyards with name of our event on it, to attach the name tags to.  These would make a nice souvenir.

From Steve and Pat: Hello all, Well, I did it!  Made reservations and bought tickets for the trip to the "leoandfrances gathering".  Pat and I will be flying into Minneapolis, MSP, on the 21st, will be staying at the Country Inn on Park Ave, and flying back to Raleigh, RDU, on the 25th.Hope you guys have good weather!  I'm thinking Pat would like to check out the craft stuff, while I would rather check out "old-iron".  Overall, at this time, we have no other definite plans/dates, so we should have plenty of time for chit-chatting.  See y'all at the "gathering",  (5/27)

From BetteAnn M. in Milwaukee: I was so pleased to get your invitation and want to participate and renew/meet some of my first cousins. I am going to (disseminate) this letter to all my siblings children in the hopes there will be interest for attendance. I know Jim would be there in an instant, but, unfortunately he is not available! :'( My daughter, Maureen, teaches at a University here and is concerned that the first day of school will be that Monday and she feels it is critical to be present on the first day. Don't know how we will resolve this. Will stay in touch through this system. Thanks Sister for making contact with your Aunt Ann's family: she would be very happy to have had us included. I will monitor this site with interest frequently.  Hi to all 13 of you (plus more, I suppose)! (3/21)

From Fran S:  Thank you to the (family of Leo and Frances) for the invitation to your family gathering.  I have passed this info on to my brothers and sisters.  I am hoping we will be able help you celebrate this August. (2/23)

From Carl:  Barbara and I have been talking and thinking about a "meet and greet" place for new arrivals.  Maybe a campfire, or something.  Anyone have any ideas????

    Note:  In April, Carl made a visit to Chippewa Falls to "check it out" for Lodging and potential meeting places.  Found "Dana's Bar and Grill" which might make a good meeting place.  It is described as "Casual family dining with a sports & northwoods atmosphere".

    Response 1:From Diane:  How about a roomy but good Pizza Parlor or something like that where folks could eat and hang out for a while on Friday night?

From Debbie: I think the idea of catering the meal is a wonderful idea.  I thought of one suggestion.  It would be nice to have some pictures of the event.  Is there an amateur/professional photographer who could attend the meal to take some pictures?  Most people will probably be too busy talking and eating to take many pictures.  The photographer could also get some group shots - like all the kids, grandkids, great-grandkids,great-great-grandkids, etc.  He/she could also take pictures of each family that attends.  We could then post the pictures on this website after the reunion.  Just an idea.