2009 Annual Meeting and Reunion in Williamsburg VA

 

                Our 2009 Annual Meeting and Reunion will be held in Williamsburg, Virginia, on Friday 19 June and Saturday 20 June 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Williamsburg at Fort Magruder.  Located at 6945 Pocahontas Trail (U.S 60), the Crowne Plaza is within three miles of Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Europe, and Water Country USA.  Situated on the site of a Civil War Fort, the venue is an excellent location for young and old to visit the many historic sights of Colonial Virginia.  Historic Yorktown, with the Yorktown Victory Center, a museum about the American Revolution, is located several miles to north. To the south is Historic Jamestown, settled in 1607. Nearby this historic site is the Jamestown Settlement that includes a to-scale replica of the Jamestown fort and a pier with replicas of the three ships that carried the Jamestown Colonist from England to the “New World.”  Along the James River are several river plantations that can be easily visited.

Getting there:

By car:  Williamsburg is located near I-64.  To get to the Crowne Plaza Hotel take exit 242A to Route 199. Drive 1.5 miles and take the exit for Route 60. At the stop sign, turn left on 60 West. The hotel is one mile on left.

By air: The closest airport is the Williamsburg/Newport News Airport (PDF) and is served by U.S. Air, Air Tran, Delta and United Airlines.  It is located about 15 miles south of the hotel.  Airport van service to the hotel is available.

By rail: Williamsburg is served by Amtrak.  There are two trains a-day (one day and one overnight) service from Boston and other east coast corridor points. Overnight rail service is available from Florida, and from Chicago and other Mid-west points.  Arrangements can be made with the hotel for transport from the train station to the hotel.

Reunion Advance Registration and Reservations:

To adequately plan and support the meals and other reunion events, we must have advance notice of those who plan to participate in each event.  Registration and Reservations should be made by 10 June 2009.

 

 

 

Accommodations:

We have blocked 15 guestrooms for Friday night 19 June, and Saturday night 20 June, at a rate of $119.00 plus 10% tax plus $2.00 or about $134.00 per night. This rate is $25.00 less than the rate we obtained for the 2008 Maine Reunion; however please note this rate is only available if you stay two nights since the rooms are blocked over part of a weekend. We have also blocked five guestrooms for early arrivals on Thursday 18 June at the same rate.  There will be an extra charge for additional adults in these rooms.  Individual guestroom reservations must be made prior to Thursday 28 May, 2009 to secure these rates.  We understand that we can expand the number of blocked rooms at the above rate provided we have notice well in advance of 28 May, 2009. We strongly suggest you call at your earliest convenience to assure obtaining a room at the blocked rate.  Please call the Crowne Plaza Williamsburg at Fort Magruder at the toll free number (800) 227-6963 or (757) 220-2250.  All guests should identify themselves as members of the DELANO KINDRED Family Reunion Group.  You will receive a confirmation number for your room reservation.  Room reservations can be cancelled without penalty if the notice of cancellation is received 72 hours in advance.  In the event you reduce the number of nights of your stay at the hotel after you check in there will be a $50.00 early departure fee unless you notify the hotel 24 hours in advance of your departure.

 

Reunion Registration:

Registration will be held near the Room assigned for the Friday Welcome Light Buffet from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  Registrants will receive a “Welcome Envelope” containing Reunion information and nametags.  Late registration will be held from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM Saturday in the room assigned for the Annual Meeting.

Events:

Because there has not been enough time available for genealogical consultations at past reunions,  we have scheduled additional time this year for a Genealogical and Informational Symposium for those interested on Friday morning, 19 June from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

The Friday night Welcome Light Buffet Dinner, will be held in the Generals Redoubt Room at 6:00 PM.  The Buffet will be served at 7:00 PM with a cash bar available starting at 6:00 PM. It will be a night of fellowship and pleasantries where one can meet and greet new members as well as visit with old acquaintances.  Genealogical consultations will also be available.  Other events may also be scheduled that evening.  The buffet menu will include: Assorted Sliced Deli Meats, Assorted Sliced Cheeses, Salads, Assorted Vegetables, Breads and Rolls, Desert and Beverage.

On Saturday at 9:00 AM, the 2009 Annual Membership Meeting will be held in the same or nearby room.  We plan to have the minutes and the committee reports available in advance at registration to reduce the overall time of the Annual Meeting as we did last year.  We plan to have the group photograph after this meeting.

Lunch and Tours: Lunch will be at each individual’s option to increase everyone’s flexibility. Because of the opportunity for visits to many different historical sites as well as several large amusement park areas, we have not yet scheduled any particular site as a “tour event.”  If there are a significant number of attendees who are interested in visiting a particular site on Friday, 19 June and Saturday, 20 June, we will attempt to make arrangements for a group rate at this site.  Please be sure to state your tour site interest on the Reunion Registration form.

The 2009 Banquet Dinner, Saturday, will be served at 7:00 PM in order to give those on tour time to freshen up after returning to their guestroom.   A cash bar will again be available starting at 6:00 PM. The Banquet Dinner includes an entrée choice of Roast Prime Rib of Beef with Rosemary Au Jus or Stuffed Atlantic Salmon with herb Bourisn cheese, baby shrimp, and chives; topped with Lobster Tarragon Sauce. Accompaniments include: Baked Potato, House Salad, Seasonal Vegetable, Rolls and Butter, Desert and Beverage.  Arrangements for our Banquet Speaker will be announced in the next newsletter.