Stoesz Reunion Meeting Minutes

April 20th, 2007 at Denis and Janice Stoesz's place

Attendees: Denis and Janice Stoesz, Ken Sawatzky, Lloyd and Pauline Stoesz, Carol Zacharias, Rod and Edna Stoesz, Ruth Penner, Joanne Kusiak, Janice Rock, Willy and Naomi Stoesz, Larry Stoesz, Helen Stoesz (by phone)
Absent: Roger Stoesz, David Stoesz, Elma Ginter
Chair: Ruth Penner
Secretary: Joanne Kusiak

Reports on Activities

Accommodations – Ken reported that he cannot book campground sites in advance. Some sites are already booked for that weekend. Those who wish to camp should call the Altona Recreation Department at 324-9005 to register themselves (cost $5 registration fee + $18/night includes electrical and water). Ken was able to block 10 rooms for us at the Altona Motor Inn (cost $69.95 - $79.95). Call 324-5241 to book. There are also hotel rooms available at Four Winds (324-5305). Rod Stoesz (324-8107) agreed to be the contact person for anyone who wishes to be billeted. Lots of local Stoesz's are offering to put up out-of-towners.
Action Item: Ken will find out the cost of rooms at Four Winds.
Done! Room rates (single $48.00; double $58.00)
Action Item: All out-of-town guests: Please decide where you want to stay and make arrangements now. Contact Rod Stoesz if you would like to be billeted or make your own hotel or camping arrangements.

Hospitality desk – Joanne reported that initially the hospitality desk will be a place for people to register and pay registration costs. Name labels (colour-coded-by-family) and a schedule of activities will be provided. Throughout the reunion, the hospitality desk will be open to provide information. A family tree will be set up near the hospitality desk. As well, a donation box will be available for those who want to contribute more than the minimum registration fee. The hospitality desk and area will be set up on Saturday morning. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.

Music – Carol reported, “We will have music!”. Roger Stoesz and Carol Zacharias are coordinating the music for the weekend. There will be an opportunity on Saturday evening for people to present music.
Action Item: The blog and group e-mail will invite attendees to bring their instruments and musical gifts and to contact Roger, 897-8363, roger_stoesz@excite.com or Carol, 857-8412 , czacharias@shaw.ca, if they would like to present something at the Saturday evening program.
Action Item: Ruth will confirm that the stage, two shelters, and all picnic tables are reserved for us. Done! Ruth has confirmed and all is in order: stage, two shelters with about a dozen tables are reserved. The Community Centre is on standby, which has costs of $50 deposit and $200/day, if used.

Children's activities – Roger was not at the meeting but Carol reported that he was willing to set up a game such as three-legged soccer but does not want to coordinate overall children's activities. We also discussed the fact that the pool will be open and lots of kids may want to spend the afternoon in the pool.
Action Item: Joanne will talk to Esther who also volunteered to participate in children's activities to find out what she has in mind and would like to do.

Power Point – Ken reported that a big Power Point presentation would be a lot of work to coordinate and put together. The suggestion was made that instead each family (from the aunt and uncle level) put together a CD of 20 current pictures of their families. We'll load all of the pictures onto a computer and we will have a video display running at the reunion. Joanne offered to assist if any family needs help putting their pictures onto a CD. These pictures would also be welcome additions to the blog.
Action Item: Janice will bring her flat screen television to the reunion.
Action Item: Joanne will combine the CDs into a presentation.
Action Item: Dennis will check into getting a PA system and a wireless microphone.

Golf – Lloyd reported that Albert agreed to organize golfing for Saturday morning. We agreed that Texas Scramble might be the best way to get lots of people involved with a minimum amount of time.
Action Item: All those who wish to golf e-mail Lloyd, lpstoesz@hotmail.com, to get on the list of golfers.
Action Item: Lloyd will find out if we can tentatively book ahead.

Family tree – Ken reported that he has discussed this project with Aunt Betty. She's eager to be part of it and he will be getting together with her in the beginning of May to discuss. Ruth asked if the family tree could be put onto a computer somewhere so that it is accessible to everyone. Ken agreed this was a good idea and could easily be done because Aunt Betty has collected all of the information.

Biography of Grampa – David was not available to report.
Action Item: Ruth will call Uncle Ed to find out if he's coming and whether he will be able to present something.
Done! Ruth called Uncle Ed and he is excited to do this. Telling the story was more important than the conference!

Other Activities

Baseball – Two ball diamonds will be available for baseball from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Action Item: Ken will book two ball diamonds.
Three-legged soccer game – likely will include both adults and children (Roger to coordinate)
Tennis is available for anyone who wishes to play
Swimming pool

Saturday evening 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. will include family tree activity (Ken and Aunt Betty), biography (uncle Ed), singsong/entertainment, open microphone (freiweileges).
Action Item: Everyone please bring your own lawn chairs and umbrellas (good for sun OR rain).

Late Saturday evening bonfire at Wendell's place for anyone who wishes to be there (byo knackzote;-!). Wendell has offered a hayride with horses.
Action Item: Ruth and Janice will discuss with Wendell.

Sunday morning worship service 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. will include pickup choir, congregational singing, short devotional. At end of service, someone will say grace for lunch and talk about the two 90th birthdays this year (Uncle Dave?)
Action Item: Dennis will contact David Stoesz, Roger Stoesz, and Bill Stoesz to work together on the service (emcee, worship leader, devotional) and he will ask uncle Dave if he would be willing to say grace and honour the two significant birthdays.

Food

(please see Planning Table document for details)
Saturday lunch – We discussed rollkuchen and agreed that it was too much to ask of the aunts and uncles. We just want them to come and enjoy themselves. Anyone who wishes to volunteer to bring rollkuchen would be very much appreciated. Bring as much as you can—if there isn't enough to go around, no worries.
Action Item: Rod and Edna will buy the watermelon
Action Item: Volunteers will make rollkuchen (and will be greatly appreciated by all!)

Saturday dinner – Denis has booked the barbecue. Lloyd, Pauline, Janice, Denis are responsible for purchasing and delegating.

Sunday breakfast – Joanne's family is coordinating (Naomi will bring the cheese).

Sunday lunch –
Action Item: Joanne will buy the veggies at Costco.
Action Item: Janice Rock will buy the birthday cake.

Number of attendees

We did a brief tally estimating how many people will come from each of the eleven families. Total=209!

We would like a more detailed number of attendees and which meals they plan to attend by June 30th.
Action Item: Each family representative to collect and provide the information to Lloyd and Denis by June 30th.

Registration fee

We agreed to price the reunion weekend as follows:
Kids under 10 and great grandparents = FREE
Full weekend price $20/person OR
Price per meal
Saturday lunch $5
Saturday supper $7
Sunday breakfast $5
Sunday lunch $5

Blog site

Everyone to send more family pictures and information for the blog.
Joanne will post list of attendees.

another planning meeting was held April 20th

From these pictures, you might think that all we do at the planning meetings is eat, but we accomplished a lot! Meeting minutes will be posted sometime this week.