May 2009
Dear Family, Important updates/New information!!
This is a bittersweet moment. In just two months, we will gather together, once again, to celebrate our kinship; however, it will serve as my farewell to organizing ten exciting years of family reunions. I’m not disappearing after this next event; I’m just going back to devoting my time to continue the family research that has mysteries still to be solved and I will continue to reach out to all of you for information. If you still have more to contribute, go through your storage chests, attics, basement boxes, photo albums—anything—and bring with you old Bibles, journals, wills, letters, birth and death certificates, newspaper clippings, old genealogies, church records, family photos (new and old), military records, naturalization papers, marriage certificates—anything that I can copy and enter into the history. I don’t expect original copies of information—I’ll be happy to copy what you bring! N.B. I don’t know how to say this any differently from how I’ve said it before--NOW is the time to book your accommodations AND send in your registration form! I cannot stress enough that there are two requirements to the process: #1: accommodations booking (hotel) #2:registration form (me)/payment (me or PayPal). This letter will again provide you with the details that will help you plan your trip to Philadelphia this July. Remember to check the blog for access to all of the sights you can take advantage of while you’re there. BIG NEWS #1: In the midst of the global economic crisis, the Holiday Inn Historic District is reducing the room rate! The information is listed below and I hope, in addition to the great airfares that are available right now, that you will find it easier to make plans to join us. If you’ve already booked, the rate adjustment has been made! Remember--other places on the East Coast are easily accessible by train (Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston) and this could be an all-inclusive American vacation. Philadelphia is the hub and we are fortunate to have a hotel booked that is within walking distance of virtually everything significant there is to see PLUS the joy of seeing each other! Going to the blog will provide you with more details.
As in the past, this letter is going out both through e-mail and snail mail. For those of you who do not have e-mail or internet access, I’m going to ask that you contact a family member who does to enable you to send in your registration form/payment for the 2009 Reunion and book your hotel reservations, especially those of you who live outside the U.S. Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars is prohibitive. Paying through PayPal will eliminate this.
Here is the website—www.SpellmanHylandReunion.blogspot.com. This will provide you with all information and will answer most, if not all, of your questions about the Spellman/Hyland Family Reunion. It is from this site that all information will be disseminated and where you will find links to book the hotel, register for the reunion, explore Philadelphia attractions (especially summer exhibit at the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Art Museum), book for those attractions, travel information, weather information, pictures, Christmas in July theme—you name it! If there’s something missing, you can always contact me and I’ll do what I can to help.
Now, here are some reminders: The next Spellman/Hyland Family Reunion will be held on July 24, 25, 26, 2009 (check-in Friday; check-out Monday) in Philadelphia, PA. Now is the time to plan and book! The place is the Holiday Inn Historic District which is located within easy walking to a host of historical sights and activities. Once you check in, let your feet take you wherever you need to go. Regardless of how you plan to get there (plane, train, bus, or car), getting to Center City Philadelphia is fairly straightforward. In making arrangements for 2009 and reviewing the potential bookings, I have reduced the block to 50 rooms. If it appears that we will need more than that, I can increase the block at the same rate. I did this to avoid having to pay for rooms that won’t be used. If I don’t guarantee 90% booking, I have to pay the difference and I don’t want to take that risk. I’m still optimistic about attendance so don’t disappoint! Here is the NEW hotel information:
Room rate (locked in) $129.00 per night (plus 15.2% tax rate)
Hotel will honor this rate 3 days prior and 2 days after the contracted dates.
Check-in 4:00 P.M. Check-out 11 A.M.
All reservations should be made by July 3, 2009
How to book:: www.holidayinn.com/phlhistoric OR call 1-215-923-8660.
!!!! YOU MUST REGISTER USING GROUP CODE SHR. whether you book
directly or through the blogspot to get our special rate!
The room rate does not include breakfast but there is a restaurant in the hotel and MANY restaurants close to the hotel that provide breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. There can only be 4 people in a room, but adjoining rooms can be obtained for large families. On the page where you enter your Guest Information, enter ‘adjoining rooms’ or any special need in the Comments section. This is a non-smoking hotel; smoking is not allowed anywhere on the premises. There is a rooftop swimming pool (with a great view!) There will also be a Hospitality Room off the Main Lobby that will house the family history books.
Parking rate (locked in) $20.00 per day (unlimited in/out privilege—right next to hotel)
Reunion schedule
Friday night, July 24, 2009 Meet and Greet Night in the Hotel Lounge (off the Main Lobby—Cash Bar) When you arrive at the hotel, you can check in, then register near the Lounge, have dinner and then meet everyone later in the Lounge! The Philadelphia Basket will be chanced off this night (lots of good stuff!).
Saturday night, July 25, 2009 Irish Night in the Betsy Ross Room with entertainment by our very own Sean McClorey who will begin singing around 9 P.M. We can get our drinks from the Hotel Lounge Bar which is right next to the Betsy Ross Room—Cash Bar.
Sunday morning, July 26, 2009 11:30 A.M. Reunion Mass at Old St. Joseph’s Church, the oldest Catholic parish in Philadelphia. Three block walk from hotel—family photo will be taken immediately following Mass.
Sunday afternoon, July 26, 2009 BIG NEWS #2: The Philadelphia Spellmans have made
arrangements for a block of seats at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia to see a Philadelphia Phillies game (you know, 2008 World Series Champions!). They’re playing the Cardinals. The game starts at 1:05 and getting there is as easy as the subway (driving NOT recommended). Tickets will be around $25. If you are interested, you are to contact Eileen Spellman directly at Spellman@BlankRome.com no later than June 1, 2009.
Sunday night, July 26, 2009 Farewell Night in Betsy Ross Room. Christmas in July will be the theme and all items donated by various family members and friends will be raffled off during this event. ! Read the blog to learn how to participate in this event. Room opens at 6:00 P.M. Hospitality Room will be available the entire weekend to view family history. Music arrangements by Marty Spellman’s kids!
It is ESSENTIAL that you complete the enclosed/attached Registration Form. This is required in addition to the payment. You may return the form to me via e-mail, fax, or snail mail. U.S. Citizens have the option of using PayPal (you must still send the form to me) or including a check for the total made out to me with the form. Anyone living outside the U.S. MUST pay using PayPal (through the blog).
This is my LAST Spellman/Hyland reunion to organize. Some have offered to help with the running of this one and when the reunion weekend comes around, I will be taking them up on their offers and accepting more for whatever needs to be attended to. I’ll need help setting up the raffle items and running the raffle on Sunday, so anyone who wants to help, let me know. In the meantime, please book your room(s) and send in your reservation form! See you soon!
Best regards,
Barbara
210 Cavalier Drive
Dickson City, PA 18519-1191
Phone and Fax: 570-487-1222
E-mail: Jmsbss@aol.com
Blog: www.SpellmanHylandReunion.blogspot.com
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Philadelphia Theme Basket
Check out some of the items for the basket drawing on Friday night!
PHILADELPHIA BASKET
A Philadelphia themed basket compliments of the Spellmans of Philadelphia area.
Two tickets for the Duck Tour or Philadelphia Trolley Works (guided tours)
Surprise DVD of movie filmed in Philadelphia
Surprise Restaurant Gift Certificate – Philadelphia is renowned for it’s fine restaurants
Chadds Ford Proprietor’s Reserve Wine (Chadds Ford Winery is the Delaware Valley
Six Pack of Philadelphia Pale Ale by Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Taste of Philadelphia Assortment (if available)
*Melrose Diner butter cookies (Yum)
*Asher Chocolate Pretzels
*Italian Market Coffee
*DiBruno Brothers’ Cheese
*Downey’s Liquor Cake
*Society Hill Toffee Nuts
*Tastykakes!
PHILADELPHIA BASKET
A Philadelphia themed basket compliments of the Spellmans of Philadelphia area.
Two tickets for the Duck Tour or Philadelphia Trolley Works (guided tours)
Surprise DVD of movie filmed in Philadelphia
Surprise Restaurant Gift Certificate – Philadelphia is renowned for it’s fine restaurants
Chadds Ford Proprietor’s Reserve Wine (Chadds Ford Winery is the Delaware Valley
Six Pack of Philadelphia Pale Ale by Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Taste of Philadelphia Assortment (if available)
*Melrose Diner butter cookies (Yum)
*Asher Chocolate Pretzels
*Italian Market Coffee
*DiBruno Brothers’ Cheese
*Downey’s Liquor Cake
*Society Hill Toffee Nuts
*Tastykakes!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
WHAT IS CHRISTMAS IN JULY?
This is the theme for our 2009 Reunion. To help defray incidental expenses that always seem to pop up at reunion time, family members (this includes spouses) who choose to participate can donate an item to be chanced off on Sunday evening, July 26, the last official night of the reunion.
The item doesn’t have to be a Christmas item; it can be from any time of year, from a particular location, or have its own theme. It can be homemade or not; individuals may contribute or family groups may contribute. It can be jams/jellies, breads, wines, or coal—anything—you can put a basket (or some container) together or even just a single item to be chanced off!
Like what? If you sew, quilt, embroider, cross stitch, crochet, or knit, you can make something to contribute. For example, I have already done a “special” counted-cross stitch project for the occasion and had it framed. It will be unveiled that night. I’m currently working on counted cross stitch ornaments and will also be contributing calico egg ornaments, Easter eggs, and other miscellaneous needlework. My mother has made a Christmas wall hanging and pillows and is working on another wall hanging as well as Christmas angels. Other family members are crocheting an afghan; a child’s Aran sweater; and embroidered pillowcases.
If you are “crafty” and make items that are decorative and/or usable, do it! One family member has made cigar box purses! Another family member and her daughter have written a cook book and they’re donating one to be chanced off. Other items have also been offered. If you’re an artist, writer, musician, or have any favorite interest, you can create something.
The possibilities are endless and all items will have a personal meaning for each of the contributors. Your personal touch is the real value here. For those who aren’t in a position to make/sew/compose/write/record something, you can put a basket together of items you think could be enjoyed by a variety of ages and tastes. If you choose to do this, its value should be a minimum of $25.00.
For those of you who would like to participate, just let me know your idea so I can have a complete survey of all that will be available over the course of the reunion weekend. All contributors’ names will be mentioned on the description. When you’ve finished or put your item(s) together, please take a digital picture of it and send it to me with a written description so I can put it on the blog! Then, everyone will have a chance to view the item before the reunion! If, for some reason, you don’t have it ready until just before you arrive, I’ll just add it to the collection that weekend.
I’m asking that everyone hang on to your item(s) until Sunday of the reunion for safekeeping and then you can give it to me that day so I can have it for the display Sunday evening.
Any questions? Please e-mail me.
The item doesn’t have to be a Christmas item; it can be from any time of year, from a particular location, or have its own theme. It can be homemade or not; individuals may contribute or family groups may contribute. It can be jams/jellies, breads, wines, or coal—anything—you can put a basket (or some container) together or even just a single item to be chanced off!
Like what? If you sew, quilt, embroider, cross stitch, crochet, or knit, you can make something to contribute. For example, I have already done a “special” counted-cross stitch project for the occasion and had it framed. It will be unveiled that night. I’m currently working on counted cross stitch ornaments and will also be contributing calico egg ornaments, Easter eggs, and other miscellaneous needlework. My mother has made a Christmas wall hanging and pillows and is working on another wall hanging as well as Christmas angels. Other family members are crocheting an afghan; a child’s Aran sweater; and embroidered pillowcases.
If you are “crafty” and make items that are decorative and/or usable, do it! One family member has made cigar box purses! Another family member and her daughter have written a cook book and they’re donating one to be chanced off. Other items have also been offered. If you’re an artist, writer, musician, or have any favorite interest, you can create something.
The possibilities are endless and all items will have a personal meaning for each of the contributors. Your personal touch is the real value here. For those who aren’t in a position to make/sew/compose/write/record something, you can put a basket together of items you think could be enjoyed by a variety of ages and tastes. If you choose to do this, its value should be a minimum of $25.00.
For those of you who would like to participate, just let me know your idea so I can have a complete survey of all that will be available over the course of the reunion weekend. All contributors’ names will be mentioned on the description. When you’ve finished or put your item(s) together, please take a digital picture of it and send it to me with a written description so I can put it on the blog! Then, everyone will have a chance to view the item before the reunion! If, for some reason, you don’t have it ready until just before you arrive, I’ll just add it to the collection that weekend.
I’m asking that everyone hang on to your item(s) until Sunday of the reunion for safekeeping and then you can give it to me that day so I can have it for the display Sunday evening.
Any questions? Please e-mail me.
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