As you all may know, Sunday, August 26, 2008, we had our 10th Annual Gillenkirk Family Reunion.
For those of you who could of not attend, we wish you all the best wishes and hope you can make it next year to the 11th Annual Reunion.
Members went around taking pictures once I get a hold them I will upload them to the website.
Cory Gillenkirk (“The President”) held it at Munson Park, A lot people have mentioned good park and could have it their next year depending what is available.
Steve Gillenkirk (“The Presidents Father”) did the cooking of hotdogs, hamburgers and Italian sausage provided by Vince Gillenkirk (“Grandpa”).
Pretty good turn out, the weather was nice, and it actually did not RAIN! Thank god! – A lot more people than usual showed up but could have been due the fact it was the 10-year anniversary we have held it.
We finally put the sign up for the Gillenkirk as for the last 3 (three) years we haven’t done so as there was really no place to put it, we finally did. – (wonders if anyone got a picture of it. – if so, e-mail me [email protected])
Our 50/50 Raffle, Lenny asked about the 50/50 and wondered if he could do it of course I didn’t mind, I let him know the prices, $1 for 1 Ticket, $5 for 6 Tickets and NEW (by “The President”): $10 for 15 Tickets, It looked like the “NEW” was a hot deal, but I didn’t keep track from what Lenny had mentioned. – We picked a RANDOM kid that “LOOKED INICIENT” too have them drawn, as a joke “Your Mommy and Daddy is exempt from winning.” – The number was called, who won? It was Grandpa! (Vince Gillenkirk).
The total amount was $84 he had won, but we donated $50 of that back to The Family Reunion for next year, making it a “Free Will Donation” and known for donating back from his winnings!
Unfortunately we didn’t have any item raffle’s such as Grandma’s Blanket’s she made before she passed away, but Deanna and Dennis didn’t show up as they were the ones to bring them. (That is a whole another story)
As something different, I decided too do a Guessing Jar, where you put your name and guess how many was in the jar, Who ever was “On the dot” or closest (Lowest) would win that, the total amount was 271 pieces of candy, people were like “What, No Way!”, Well their was…and Phillip (Lenny and Nancy’s son) won the Candy his guess was 270 which was 1 (one) away from the actual amount.
Every year we purchase 4 gift cards, Youngest and Oldest each get one and too the winners of the Euchre Tournament.
$10 Meijer Gift Card:
Youngest: Drew Howard (Parents: Michelle and Shane)
Oldest: Pansy Gillenkirk
Euchre Tournament: Dian Livingston and Ruth Headrick
Lynette Gillenkirk did the Kids Games at the last minute as Heather didn’t show because at the time when she signed up, the family didn’t know they moved further upper Michigan and costs a lot of gas to come down, which is understandable and hopefully they may make it next year as long as gas is lower. (Yeah right!) – The kids prizes I purchased turned out to be ok, next year I’ll let Lynette pick the toys as I was having a big issue on deciding what too get for prizes, mainly unisex toys (meaning: For boys and girls)
As Lynette did the kids games, we had done our Reunion Meeting by announcing some ideas and voting for new president, vice president and game planner.
Hey! Guess what! I am the President again, yeah! – I enjoy planning and setting up the Reunion and/or other events, I like printing and making stuff on the computer for an easier breeze, nobody really wants too do it, usually who ever wants too and since I like too I’ll continue to do so…
My sister Stephanie Gillenkirk the former Vice President stepped down this year as she moved to West Virginia for her new job a dealer for a casino, she nominated our dad Steven Gillenkirk as Vice President.
Since Lynette did a good job on games this year especially at last minute, she volunteered for next year as well and with more planning.
After 3 years of owning the domain name www.gillenkirk.com – We finally announced it this year, I been trying to get it heard for those last 3 years but haven’t done so, but now it’s all out in the open.
Stephanie announced about starting a Family Book with information about our Gillenkirk Family in a year book style, we offered 2 options – 1. Each family created their own collage and information or we form a committee that will do all the work and once completed they will be bound and sold to family members who wants them. It will be a somewhat fundraiser but it is meant for everyone that wants them, theirs currently no set price for this.
We gathered all the Births, Deaths Marriages and Graduations;
Births: Drew Howard – 3 Months old.
Deaths: Norma Gillenkirk – Grandma
Marriages: None, but Engaged: Eric Gillenkirk to Jessica Gonzalez.
Graduations: Roger Thomas Gillenkirk – Son of Roger Gillenkirk, Roger also too be known as Tom doesn’t ever show up but he’s always has been part of the family and he’s always invited but again never shows…
This year we tried something different with the signup forms, I created a registration and survey form so we can get everyone’s current address and their opinion of this years reunion and ideas for next year and the next few paragraphs I’ll be reading some requests and letting you know if it’s a good or not.
Location Ideas:
• Detroit Beach Bear Park – Reason: Plenty of room and it is shaded.
• Air-conditioned building.
• Park
• Nike base – Reason: It is FREE, Call setup time and date.
• State Park
The following above are what people have requested to have a Family Reunion at its next/future reunions and their reasons why.
Detroit Beach Bear Park: —
Air Conditioned Building: Yes this would be great and I tried too look for a decent reasonable one, but when the family reunion is on a budget its kind of hard to rent a building as its most of the time required for a Non-Refundable amount plus a security deposit, Most places once you turn the key in and the place is clean the security deposit will be returned too you.
Park: Over the years including this year we always have the Gillenkirk Reunion at a park as it’s affordable and theirs usually a playground for the kids, The only pitfall is some parks don’t have electricity, lights and/or bathrooms, 10th Reunion was all those hence why we chose it and many people have said great place and we could more than likely have it their again.
Nike base: Never had a chance too check it out but a family member recommended it and if it’s FREE it could be worth checking it out and it would save us from renting a hall and/or park, but every place has it pitfalls, I will have an update for you once I do.
State Park: This could be ok as theirs swimming and sand, but the main reason people prefer a public and open place cause they don’t have to “pay” to get in, Unless State Park change their polices and can pay a “one time fee” and have a password to get into the park than it would be worth it. (Password Ex. Gillenkirk Reunion) and if not this would not be a good choice unless the people who recommended it is willing to pay “per” car.
Best time of year:
• August
• May
• July
• June
• September
May: This totally out of the question, Kids are still in school!
June: This is a bad idea because the kids would be just getting out of school and they would want to enjoy their summer vacation, plus if we have any kids in summer school it will usually starts a week or two after school lets out and we don’t want to interfere with their schedule and waking up late if they need to go.
July: Again kids like to enjoy their summer, but at the end of July beginning of August it’s usually the Monroe County Fair and sometimes kids may and go have fun and don’t want to interfere with that if they do go. (In addition, we are not going to call everyone to ask.)
August: People have mentioned Early and Mid August, Yes it wouldn’t be that bad to do so…but if anything Mid as the Monroe County Fair is usually over and I usually work during the fair week help building rides or a concession stand and after it’s over I’m usually tired so I don’t feel like doing anything for a week. – We always have planned the reunion the 3rd Sunday of August or whatever is available and the reason for this is it’s about a week or two before school starts and it’s done and out of the way and kids don’t have an excuse.
September: Well as I stated for August school would be starting and would not be good as kids like to make excused, “but we were at the family reunion that’s why I didn’t get my homework done!” – That is how some kids can be, hence why we have it at the end of August.
We plan the reunion on mostly the kids schedule because they like to make excuses well they don’t have one when we make an available date and as I’ve stated before we usually plan it on the 3rd Sunday of August.
Food Ideas:
• Burgers and Hotdogs
• Chicken
• Steak
• Beans
Burgers and Hotdogs: We have done this over the last few years as it is cheaper and people like a good cook out of burgers and hotdogs.
Chicken: The 10th Family Reunion some people did chicken as a dish to pass and that is fine, but I am assuming maybe as the main meal.
Steak: Are you bringing it as a dish to pass for aprox. 100 people than I’ll be all for it, Let’s see here, About 4 to a pack that’s about $10 per Package, 100 People divided by 4 = 25 Steaks x $10 = $250 in steaks but that’s avg. and depending on the deal you get and how many is in the package.
Beans: Well of course, we do have a motto but it’s not official, “It’s not a family gathering if theirs no baked beans”, Well Josh and Jimmy would of brought them but they didn’t show up as they assume they’re disowned from the family, It will eventually blow over because it’s a self-centered reason.
Activity ideas:
• Games for Kids and Adults
Games for Kids and Adults: Mostly everyone mentioned more Kids games, I do agree but as I’ve stated before and it was last minute Lynette put some things together for them and she’ll planned on doing again next but with a little more time.
Ideas: Potato sack race, 3-legged races, Limbo, Karaoke, Badminton, Croquet, Softball, Dodge ball and Horse Shoes.
This year we had little to go on as parents complained about the egg toss and water balloons so it was out of the question because I need to respect their wishes plus the former game planner Heather had to step down as she moved up north (I think) and it’s a long drive too Monroe and at the time of 9th Annual Reunion the family didn’t know they were moving up north, so it’s understandable and hopefully they will make it next year. (Hopefully gas prices will go down.)
Additional Ideas:
• Pictures of Family that is deceased.
Personally, I think that is a great idea, I am surprised I did not think of it myself. – We may do something for the 11th Reunion, As stated before we’re planning a Family Book with all information about families and will be putting a memorial page in their once we form a committee to do so.
What would be the reasonable cost per family?
• Free
• $5
• $10
• Other
Free; People did not answer this question, shame on you but it is your opinion and I assume your answer is FREE. – Total: 5 People
$5: 6 Total People think this would be the best option.
$10: 7 Total People think this would be the best option.
Other: 1 person said $15 and 2 people said $20.
For those of you didn’t understand the question this isn’t meant for food and stuff this a cost per family to enter plus a dish to pass but that would defeat the purpose and we not sure if we’re going to do this or how we would do this as of right now it’s in brainstorming stages. – Dish to pass fits fine and we usually have a Free Will donation.
Would you pay to be in a Tournament (Euchre / UNO)?
• Yes: 9
• No: 7
Majority said Yes and more than likely will be doing this next year, Here’s why I want people’s opinion every year we purchase $10 Gift Cards well give them a better chance.
Let me use this years game for an example;
Teams:
1. Connie and Cheryl
2. Steve and Sue
3. Dian and Ruth
4. Pansy and Roberta
5. Vince and Steph
6. Frank and Judy
The average people said $5 per player so that would be $10 per team.
We have $10 per team x 6 teams = $60 / 2 (half) = $30 to Reunion and $30 to the winner but divided in half to each player $15 each so they would make win $10 + their original 5 back, it’s a plus.
Fundraising Ideas:
• Car Wash
• Bake Sale
• Rummage Sale
• Family Dinner
This could be a good idea but I don’t know how this would go, do it “after the fact” or like “a week before”, If I were to do this, I would do it a week before as I can announce the amount collected and we could have a rummage and bake sale at the same time and maybe 2 weeks after the reunion we could family dinner but I don’t know how it would raise money as we would more than likely pay for our own meal unless we pass around a hat for a free will donation before and/or after we’re done eating.
Bake Sale: I’m guess some of our family members can bake some stuff up and drop it off to a relative but we don’t have to be their.
Rummage Sale: Our Famous Auction has been crap over the years, this year went ok but if we sell all that there than we wouldn’t have anything for our auction as it would be like a yard/garage sale.
Any comments are welcome.
I hope you enjoy my review as its 6 pages long and our website, I’ll soon have our Family Reunion pictures uploaded soon.
