January 20, 2001 Newsletter No.1
2001: A REUNION ODYSSEY
Hello, again!! It's time to mark your calendar for our next Stietenroth Family Reunion. Here is a brief description for what is planned:
Who: All descendants of Nikolas and Anna Margrethe Stiedenrodt,
their families and special guests (See Note 1)
Where: Hilltop Lakes, Texas (See Note 2)
When: June 1-3, 2001 (See Note 3)
Why: Because we had a great time last year! (See Note 4)
Note 1:
All means all. We are even hoping to have a
few family members from Germany. Certainly, if they can come all the way
from Deutchland, you and your family can join us. We had sixty-four last
year. There were a few more at some of the activities and a few less at
others. This was a great turnout for our first (USA) reunion. We're
hoping for 80-100 this year.
Note 2:
Hilltop Lakes, Texas, is a "Resort City"
located about 130 miles (210 km) north of Houston or about 150 miles (240 km)
south of Dallas.
Hilltop Lakes was chosen as the site for the 2001 reunion for several reasons. Available facilities include:
GOLF available on a challenging course with sand and water hazards. Green fee is $17.00 weekdays and $20.00 weekends. Cart rental is $13.00 + tax for 9 holes and $20.00 + tax for 18 holes.
POOL AND TEEN CENTER featuring ping-pong, foosball, video games, a concession, and a swimming pool (no lifeguard on duty). There is a charge of $1.00 per person per day. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 10. This facility is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
PUTT-PUTT GOLF fun for the entire family. There is a charge of $2.00 + tax per person per game.
PADDLE BOATS $3.00 + tax per hour for a two passenger boat. Each person must wear life jacket. Passengers under the age of 12 must be accompanied by and adult. Riders under the age of 18 must have a liability release signed by parent of legal guardian. No fishing allowed from paddleboats or paddleboat pier.
TENNIS, ARCHERY, SHUFFLEBOARD, BASEBALL, VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL, BADMINTON AND HORSESHOES equipment is available for sign out with $5.00 deposit, refundable when equipment is returned in good condition. There is a charge of $2.00 each for broken or lost arrows and lost tennis balls. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by and adult to check out archery equipment.
TRAIL RIDES available Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m./1 p.m./3 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Rides are $12.00 per person and last approximately 1 hour. All riders under the age of 18 must have a liability release form signed by their parent or guardian. No riders under age of 7 years permitted. Maximum weight of rider is 250 lbs.
LAKES are available for fishing and water sports. There are several nice sized lakes for different activities. Life jackets are required for all boat and jet ski riders. Water skiing, jet ski, swimming and powerboats are restricted to Tonkawa Lake and Swan Lake. No rental boats are available, but launch ramps are available at Tonkawa Lake and Swan Lake. Trolling motors are allowed in the other lakes. No fishing license is required.
CONVENIENT at least for some of us. Hilltop Lakes is located less than 10 miles north of where I live!!
CAVEAT for this seemingly ideal place. Make your reservations early. There are only a limited number of rooms available. Twenty motel rooms have a maximum occupancy of 4 persons, have 1 queen size bed with queen size sleeper sofa or 2 queen size beds. Two motel rooms are handicap accessible and have only 1 queen size bed. One suite with a maximum occupancy of 6 persons has a sitting room... 1 queen size sleeper sofa and bath, and a bedroom with 2 queen size beds and bath. There is one 1-bedroom villa with a maximum occupancy of 4 persons and one 2-bedroom villa with a maximum occupancy of 6/7 persons. Each 1-bedroom villa has 1 queen size bed, 1 queen size sleeper sofa, 1 bathroom and a partial kitchen with stove/range top, refrigerator, microwave and coffeepot. Each 2-bedroom villa has 1 queen size bed, 2 twin beds, 1 queen size sleeper sofa and 1 roll-a-way bed. These villas also have a partial kitchen with stove/range top, refrigerator, microwave and coffeepot. In addition, there are a couple of 2 and 3-bedroom duplexes. Housekeeping cleans the rooms, villas and duplexes between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Includes fresh towels daily. Linens are provided, and the villas and duplexes have dishes and utensils for approximately 8 guests. Absolutely NO PETS ALLOWED in any of these rental units. Prices range form $50.00 for motel rooms to $95.00 for the 3-bedroom duplex. Check in time is 3 p.m. Check out is 12 noon. AS OF THE TIME I MADE THE ARRANGEMENTS BACK LAST SUMMER, THE ONLY SPACES AVAILABLE FOR US ARE 16 MOTEL ROOMS AND ONE 2 BEDROOM DUPLEX. Another family that has been having their reunion for years at Hilltop Lakes has the rest of the spaces reserved. As we approach the date, they may relinquish some of these spaces. If you are unable to get a space now, please check back with them regularly to see if anything opens up. See below for a list of alternate accommodations.
CAMPGROUND with full hookups and tent sites are available. Pets are allowed only if they are kept on a leash at all times. Rate is $13/night for full hookup and $11/night for tent site.
Note 3:
The date for the 2001 reunion was established in
late August 2000. June 1-3 was the only weekend date open from May
through September at Hilltop Lakes. Since Memorial Day will be celebrated
on Monday, May 28, you might want to come on the 29th and stay through the
weekend. I say the 29th because they are booked up for the Memorial Day
weekend. A preliminary schedule for the reunion activities is below.
Note 4:
Anyone who took part in the 2000 reunion knows
why. I didn't hear a single complaint. Let's make the 2001 reunion
even better!! We need your participation to make it work!!
All prices quoted are
subject to change!!
PROPOSED SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 29-31 - - - Early birds vacation period
Friday, June 1, 2001
3:00 p.m. -
midnight Open house at home
of Conrad and Joy Stietenroth (snacks and your choice of beverages served)
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Fried Catfish or Fried Chicken Supper (all you can eat)
Saturday, June 2, 2001
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Buffet (all you can eat) Breakfast at Old Country Buffet, College Station
9:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tour of the George H. Bush Presidential Library, College Station
1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Free time
6:00 p.m. -
midnight Buffet (all you
can eat) Barbecue Dinner, Tonkawa Room, Hill Top Lakes
Sunday, June 3, 2001
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Buffet (all you can eat) Breakfast Buffet, Tonkawa Room, Hill Top Lakes
11:00 a.m. -
noon
Church Service, First United Methodist Church, Normangee
noon -
Head for home or continue your vacation
ALTERNATE ACCOMMODATIONS
The following list is offered in no particular order, without any recommendation or endorsement:
Craig's Inn (Best
Western)
Buffalo,
TX
903-322-5831 35 miles
800-528-1234
Economy
Inn
Buffalo,
TX
903-322-4202 35 miles
Days
Inn
Centerville, TX
903-536-7175 28 miles
800-329-7466
Madisonville Inn Madisonville, TX 936-348-3606 30 miles
In addition, there are at least forty motels in
the Bryan/College Station area, including most national chains. Driving
distance is 35-45 miles.
COST ESTIMATES
CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS
OLD
FREE
4 TO 9 YEARS
OLD
$30.00
OVER 9 YEARS
OLD
$50.00
These figures include the Friday Open House and Supper; Breakfast and Dinner Buffets on Saturday; Breakfast Buffet on Sunday; and admission to the George Bush Presidential Library on Saturday. All taxes and gratuities are also included. Any overages will go in the kitty for the next reunion.
LAST YEAR'S EXPENDITURES/INCOME
In case you are wondering, here is how we came out last year:
EXPENDITURES
Post
Office
70.40
Postage by JCS
Talley's
Expenses
60.00
Postage, Stationery, etc.
Sam's Club
289.35
Beverages, paper goods, coolers, slaw, potato salad
Office
Depot
84.87
Stationery
Staples
283.56
Name Tags, Software (Door Prizes)
Magnolia
Hills
476.00
Breakfast
Magnolia
Hills
1,120.00
Barbecue
Magnolia
Hills
250.00
Usage Fee
Tax
129.00
Sales Tax (at Magnolia Hills)
Bus
Terminal
450.00
Buses
Turbo
Ice
7.00
Ice
Piggly
Wiggly
9.52
Ice
Piggly
Wiggly
135.52
Chicken & Sandwiches
Piggly
Wiggly
9.96
Cups, spoons, Cokes
Hammer's Package
Store
39.12
Liquor
Plantation
Pecans
20.00
Watermelons
Telephone
Expenses
187.55
Long Distance
Althea's
Expenses
150.00
Friday Hospitality
Amer. Business
Forms
200.00
Pens
Reimburse
Meek
70.00
From Personal Account
Mark and Debbie
Stietenroth
45.00
Door Prizes, CDs
_______
$ 4,086.85
INCOME
Collections
$
2,046.00
Collected from Attendees
Ralph and Dorothy
Garrard
450.00
Underwrite Cost of Buses
Conrad and Joy
Stietenroth
476.00
Underwrite Cost of Breakfast
John and Billie
Stambulic
300.00
Cash Contribution
Agnes Louise
McGehee
100.00 Cash
Contribution
Software
Rebates
170.00
Rebates from Staples Purchase
Thomas and Louise
Talley
60.00
Underwrite Cost of Postage, Stationery, etc.
Mark and Debbie
Stietenroth
45.00
Underwrite Cost of Door Prizes, CDs
Sam
Davis
200.00
Underwrite Cost of Pens
________
$ 3,847.00
Shortfall = $ 239.85
The major part of this shortfall is because of a
misunderstanding with the manager of Magnolia Hills. She had told me by
telephone and by e-mail that the prices she quoted were inclusive of taxes and
gratuities. She never mentioned a usage fee to me. I told her on
the phone that we were not dealing with some of the other places in Natchez
because they charged a usage fee and she assured me that her quoted price was
all-inclusive.
Thanks, again, to all who donated for your
generous contributions.
When you arrive, each
person over three years old will be given a packet of five tickets. You will
use these tickets to "pay" for the meals listed above and for
admission to the Bush Library. The tickets will be color coded according to age
group.
Please don’t ask me to
explain the exact scheme because the age grouping varies for the different
meals and events. For instance, Hill Top Lakes gives reduced meal rates for
ages 4-5 only, 3 and under are free. The Old Country Buffet gives reduced rates
for ages 3-12, 2 and under is free, and they also give a discount for over 60.
The Bush Library has a special group rate for everyone 17 and over, 16 and
under is free. Rather than have umpteen different costs, I have narrowed it down
to the three ranges as shown above. If you have any gripes about this, I’ll
figure the cost for each individual and then add a $5.00 surcharge for my time
and trouble. Just kidding!! As usual, no alcohol will be served to anyone under
21 years old.
Here’s the group from
last year on the steps of Magnolia Hills main house. I hope to see all of these
smiling faces and many more at our 2001 reunion.
Here’s what you need to
do:
- Call (936) 855-2222 and make reservations for
the dates you want at Hill Top Lakes. Be sure to tell them you are with
the Stietenroth Reunion. Try the alternate locations if necessary.
- Complete the enclosed form and return it to me
by March 1, 2001. You can cancel and get a full refund if you let me know
on or before May 1, 2001.
- My phone number is (936) 396-2201 and my e-mail
address is w5mn@txcyber.com . The web page is www.puppups.com
, then click on Family and then click on 2001 Newsletter No. 1.
If I haven’t heard from
you by March 1, you will not be getting any more mailings. I will assume you
are not interested in the reunion. Don’t miss this one!! Hope you can make it.
Gotta go …ran out of space!!
Conrad
Stietenroth