ONE WEEK TO GO--YAY!

THE GARDEN STATE, July 11, 2008 - Wow, time is really flying now and the reunion is coming up fast.  Once again, I want to thank everyone for all your hard work in the planning for this momentous occasion.  I also think it's exciting that so many Ludwigs are going to attend.  I literally couldn't have done it without you!

Due to a couple of early departures on Wednesday, I have made a couple of  minor schedule changes.  Preston will be leaving Wednesday and for that reason I have swapped the Bob and John family whatchamacallits. 

In addition, Tim will have to leave around noon Wednesday and will be taking his projector with him...so our Wednesday evening program will be very "Low Tech" but "High Octane"--if anyone scheduled for Wednesday needs a projector let me know and I'll see if I can move you over to an earlier day instead.  As a last resort we can rent a projector for the last day if needed.

Final point--Due to lack of interest I have put the Children's Message and Children's Choir on "administrative leave" and taken them off the schedule for now.  If anyone wants to take charge of either of those events we can put them back on the menu--just let me know.

Let's make this a reunion to remember!  I can't wait to see everyone next weekend!!!!!!!

Love, The Don

STATE OF THE (RE)UNION ADDRESS

MY "HAPPY PLACE", May 22, 2008 - My 40th Birthday is coming up rapidly and the Reunion follows shortly thereafter, so on this momentous occasion I wanted to give everyone an update on where things stand thus far from my perspective. Here's my State of the Reunion Address:

First, I think we all owe Nate a huge round of applause for all his hard work organizing the reunion logistics. Getting 115 Ludwigs to gather together in one place is a major accomplishment and this will be the *GREATEST REUNION EVER!!!!!*  I'm certainly looking forward to it and from all the Ludnet chatter I'm sure the feeling's mutual.

Second, I want to thank everyone who has come forward to volunteer (or at least agree) to lead various events for the evening programs. Special thanks go out to Preston, cousin Steve, and an unnamed Co-Conspirator for agreeing to MC one evening each. It takes a load off of my mind knowing that I'll have such able Lieutenants out there keeping the trains running on time, and I know they'll all do a great job in their roles.

In other news, the "Big Skit" has gone the way of the Dodo and may never be seen again at a Ludwig reunion, but we have plenty of new and "super secret majorly cool and very very hot" events on tap, so there's nothing to worry about. Jon W. has graciously volunteered his services as our Group Photographer. Mark W. gets to wave a stick around and pretend he's leading our Ludwig Choir. We have a star-studded lineup of devotional leaders each day, and reliable sources tell me that Betsy will be leading a 10k "Fun Run" each morning at 5:30 around the park (ok, I made that last part up but you're welcome to do it if you want!) The latest schedule is posted here and I will be making a couple of small additions shortly. We do still have a handful of openings for children's message and children's choir, so feel free to raise your hand if you're interested. (On second thought, maybe you should send me an email)

What I still need are some volunteers for various events and activities, but rather than turning this into a formal deal I will leave this up to you. If you want to lead, oh, say a Pinochle Master's Tournament (here's looking at you, Lou) then pack your cards and come on down! Golf? If there's a course nearby and you want to set up T times, then what are you waiting fore! I'm sure we can fit you into the schedule. What, Justin, you say you want to lead a Disco Yodeling team? Sure, go for it. Same goes for any other events you'd like to lead. I'll try to set up a quick meeting the first night so we can all coordinate the various tournaments and activities.

*One final note: we are in sore need of some Audio Visual equipment for the reunion. I will have a laptop running Vista and Office 2007, but we will still need a video/laptop projector, DVD/VHS player and TV (unless we decide to project DVD's from the laptop--I'll have to check to make sure that would work). We can request a free projector screen and can rent the other stuff, but the prices are pretty steep ($85 a day for the projector for instance). If anyone has any special requirements for your family skit or other event, let me know and I'll see what I can do.*

[Editor's note:  The projector and DVD player are now taken care of--thanks Tim and Dave!]

YIPPEE! YAY! THE REUNION IS GETTING CLOSER EVERY DAY!!!

Love,
The Don

REUNION RATE INFORMATION UPDATED

FORT WAYNE, IN, April 17, 2008 — Nathan Fink has been communicating with Montgomery Bell State Park and has just released final room rate information (check out the Reunion Details page). Room rates include 3 meals per day, the conference room, and conference room snacks/drinks. By May 10, 2008, Nate needs to know what accommodations you need (number of rooms and how many people per room) and also needs 10% of your total cost to reserve the rooms.

REUNION SCHEDULE UPDATED

HOPATCONG, NJ, November 21, 2007 — Fearless Leader Don Wiening has established a tentative reunion schedule. Don will again be the Big Cheese, but he needs your help. He needs Team Leaders for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening progams. Team Leaders will participate in the planning and scheduling, and will act as the master of ceremonies (MC) for his or her evening. Don also needs volunteers to coordinate and lead many of the activities, such as the Family Skit, children's choir, devotions, tournaments, etc. Please let Don know what you can do to help make this reunion a fun and memorable experience for all. Please see the Schedule page for more schedule details.

BACK TO TENNESSEE

HUNTLEY, IL, August 1, 2006 — We're going back to where it all started... Tennessee, state of the first reunion so many years ago. Great thanks to Nathan and his crew for finding a location worthy of hosting the 12 Ludwig Clans. Some reunion details have been posted within, and more will be added as Summer 2008 draws nearer. Keep checking in periodically for updates, or to simply reminisce in the Photo Gallery or Archives.

BUSY BEAVERS BEGIN WORK ON 2008 REUNION

AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, September 2, 2005 — The summer of 2008 is years away, but many Ludwig beavers are busy thinking, searching, planning, and creating in preparation for the next Paul and Thekla Ludwig Family Reunion. A few of the younger generation are researching potential new locations for the large gathering and we will keep you up-to-date on any progress made.

Meanwhile, with the memory of the last reunion still fresh in mind and already eager anticipation for the next family gathering, dialog has begun regarding what the next reunion logo/slogan/theme should be. We have listed all suggestions in our Voting Booth which allows you to select your favorite and submit it via an email form where the votes will be tallied. Once the voting is complete, the winning slogan/theme will be announced and a new logo will be created and will be displayed above.

THE LATEST

The site of the next Ludwig Reunion is Montgomery Bell State Park. See the Reunion Details page for more information.

This will be our 10th family reunion! Let's make it the biggest and the best!