The reunion turned out better than expected. John and Renee Wiesner and kids, Tom Ginski, Mary Wangler, Mike and Mary Murphy and kid, Karyn O'Neel and kid, Fr. Jim Isaacson and I were in attendance. Not a big crowd but we had a good time, ordered some pizza, had a Q&A session with Fr. Nicholas Callaghan on the phone. Fr. Jim gave us a tour of the Church. We had some lively discussions around the table.
John and Renee were celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary. They were married in St. John Cantius on that very day. John is now a Risk Management Strategist to the Chicago Board Options Exchange.
I think this will work in the future if people keep in mind that all it takes is for one kid to have a fever or a soccer tournament for a family to drop out. So don't expect a large turnout. If I hadn't 'cancelled' the event, we would still have had a medium turnout. I advised people coming in from Wisconsin and Michigan not to show up because I didn't want people driving for hours and saying 'where is everybody?'. As it is we had a small turnout and a good time.
I can't thank Fr. Jim enough for letting us use his parish hall. The most difficult part of a reunion is finding a place, which can be very expensive, and he came through for us.
Sorry you had to cancel, Alistair. It would have been great.
10/12/09 4:18 AM
Paula Gotthardt(Maybe)
Would like to hear how it went. Sorry we missed it. Thank you, Alistair, for working so hard to plan this event. I hope that there will be similar events in the future. Paula
10/11/09 11:18 PM
Fr. James Isaacson (1988) came through for us. Thank you, Father! We'll be holding it in St. John Cantius Parish Hall in Chicago proper.
These reunions seem to be a challenge to coordinate. John Damiani & I tried one 2 years ago, but it never got past the initial planning phase.
Perhaps we should consider a reunion at a place one might go for vacation- Disney, Mackinaw Island, Cedar Point, Williamsburg, etc. Has anyone tried anything like that yet? Our biggest obstacle seems to be conflicting events and alumni lack of commitment. If the family vacation was planned around it, people would be less likely to back out. (Of course, perhaps this has already been tried... I have no idea.)
I would have a pretty good venue here in the Detroit area with various religious, historical and sport/entertainment venues, but driving around the Great Lakes seems to put people off.
Happy to discuss reunions anytime.
10/9/09 6:05 PM
Thea Melillo(No)
I won't be able to make it this weekend. I hope every has a great time!
10/9/09 5:52 PM
Kerry Lawlor(No)
Sorry this didn't get off the ground very well for this date. I have decided to stay home and take pictures of my teens going to Homecoming. Jenny Donovan and I are interested in getting alumni and TAC students together in the Milwaukee area some time in the not too distant future. Anyone interested in such a gathering, respond here or send me an email at lalermk10@aol.com
10/9/09 2:14 PM
JohnAlicia van Hecke(No)
I'm afraid we're not going to be able to come after all as my oldest just came down with the flu yesterday and I expect it to run through the other kids as well. Bummer!
10/9/09 11:08 AM
Erika Klemmer Gray(Yes)
Well, we have a hotel now, so Chicago here we come!
My cell is 248-835-9233, but I don't have access at work.
What time is Sat mass at this church?
Perhaps those who still wish to come should plan to get together around that?
My husband Kenneth can check this site during the day, or be reached at 248-835-9234.
(We've also have promised an 8yr old we'd pick up something at the American girl store......)
I've been on the phone and have had too many families either cancel or are 50/50. I'm afraid I'm going to have to cancel. If some of you are still interested and want to have a very small reunion, I'm game. We still have the hall and can order some pizza and meet for an hour or two from noon. Call me on my cell 402 541-3972 or email me at alistairs@cox.net. The church is really worth visiting and Fr. Jim should be around.
10/9/09 5:16 AM
John Wiesner(Yes)
Ok Alistair, what should we bring.
You can call my cell 312-618-7179 or my wife, Renee, at home 630-801-1778
10/9/09 12:45 AM
Christel Kelsey(No)
Can't do it this year - football and soccer playoffs!
This Motel has rooms available Fri and Sat night:
Motel 6 chicago west - villa park #1268
10 w roosevelt rd
i-355 at roosevelt rd/sr 38
Villa park, IL, 60181
Phone: (630) 941-9100 | Fax: (630) 941-1167
10/4/09 10:47 PM
mariepittpayne (No)
Have to back out, guys. Our parish Gala is the following day and Jeremy has to make hundreds of cookies on Saturday....
10/4/09 7:01 PM
MikeMary Murphy(Yes)
We're there - Me, Mary and little Magdalene!
10/4/09 11:19 AM
Erika Klemmer Gray(Yes)
My husband Kenneth will come too!
10/4/09 7:52 AM
JohnAlicia van Hecke(No)
Looking forward to it, thanks much for planning this! Do you have any guidance on potluck items for people who are driving a distance? For example, can we warm food up in a kitchen?
10/3/09 9:51 PM
Lora McClamrock(No)
I have a schedule confict after all. Maybe next year?
10/3/09 2:40 PM
Grace Gleason(Yes)
My husband, Michael, and I (and our seven children) just moved to the Milwaukee area this month. We are looking forward to this day....It's been a while since we've visited with any of the Midwestern alumni!
Grace
9/23/09 2:01 PM
Luke Hobbs(No)
I won't be able to make it.
9/17/09 9:19 AM
Rosie Nazeck(No)
Wish we could come. We hope all goes well!
9/16/09 10:50 PM
Juliana Vazquez(No)
Wish I could make it, you guys are awesome for setting this up! :) Have a great time!
9/3/09 8:39 PM
lreilander (No)
I'm sorry I'm busy that date. I hope that it's a success and that a 2nd reunion is scheduled!
8/13/09 10:35 AM
Lora McClamrock(No)
Depends upon whether we still have two mortgages! My husband and I are both alumni;
if w could stay overnight with someone it would help. It's four hours back to Fort Wayne. My children are all grown except for my 13 yr old son.
8/11/09 6:38 AM
Antonia Summers(Maybe)
We may be out of town that weekend but if we aren't, we'll try to come.
8/10/09 7:46 PM
Angela Colarelli(Yes)
We'll all be there! Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Responding to the previous comment - there is only one date going forward, October 10. To get the ball rolling I had to enter a date into Socializr so I put in Sept 5 but I made it clear it was an open date till we came up with something definite.
8/8/09 3:21 AM
Erika Klemmer Gray(Yes)
I am also responding for Clare Kalian - Hable- who likes the Oct 10 date, Sept 5 would have been difficult. Not sure on number of people in her group.
For me- either day is ok.
8/7/09 8:32 PM
Kerry Lawlor(No)
I will try hard to make it! Jenny, you can ride with me. My daughter Teresa and my husband, Chris might also attend.
8/6/09 9:27 PM
lreilander (No)
Yes, I am willing to drive 4 hours to Chicago for a reunion. Sorry, I can't make Labor Day weekend, though another weekend in the fall may work.
8/5/09 6:31 PM
meg halpin(Maybe)
might be on vacation the weekend of the 5th.
8/3/09 6:37 PM
Jonathan Perrotta(No)
I will come if the date works.
7/27/09 12:10 PM
Jennifer Donovan(Yes)
probable, but alone since my husband is working
7/27/09 10:44 AM
John Pfeiffer(Maybe)
I would like to do so, if I can make it on that date.
7/27/09 9:48 AM
Joseph Bulcher(Maybe)
If possible, I will be there!
7/27/09 12:06 AM
Nick Blaha(No)
We are on retreat that week, and classes start the 7th. I just don't know if I'll be free, though it's just a hop down the road.
7/26/09 3:31 PM
Jamie Baugh(Maybe)
Not in October at all. Baby coming.
7/25/09 2:06 PM
MikeMary Murphy(Yes)
There is a good possibility we will attend with our little daughter, Maddie
7/25/09 10:03 AM
Christel Kelsey(No)
Sept. 5th doesn't work for us, but we'd love to come another day. We are in South Bend, IN.
