Monday, November 06, 2006

Final Numbers

We thought you might be interested in our final tally on the numbers. From my count, we had 58 people listed on our registration forms. The real number was probably higher than this, since in several cases kids weren't listed by name on the forms. We ended up collecting about $175 more than we actually spent on reunion expenses, which was over $1200 (not including our cabins and personal expenses, of course).

I'm amazed that we came this close to being right on with the pricing, actually ... that means the extra we collected was actually less than $3 per person. At this point we're talking about what to do with the extra money, and are leaning toward gifting it to Joe and Nancy to show our appreciation of all that they do for the reunions, and perhaps to help (in a small way) with future improvements to the loft.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Video Blogging!

Our new laptop has a built-in camera that records video, so last night I had some fun recording some of the meet & greet event and getting a few folks to record video "Hellos" to the Hilbers who are with us in spirit while physically located elsewhere around the globe.

I'm pretty new to the whole video recording/editing thing here, so with luck this works out OK. First up, I'm going to try just putting links to the files I uploaded just now:

http://michellenephew.com/hilberreunion/reunion103cropped.mov
http://michellenephew.com/hilberreunion/reunion102.mov
http://michellenephew.com/hilberreunion/VideoPostcards1.mov

Those links are in order of size. The first one is 1.4 MB, the second is 3.2 MB, and the monstrous third one is 7.2 MB (and is really several clips stitched together into one video). All these videos have been downsized in size and quality for easier internet downloading, but I still have the high-resolution versions...possibly for making a future reunion memories DVD.)

Monday, July 10, 2006

Last Minute Reminders

Anne Nephew reports:

"For those new to this resort business, you must provide (reg size) sheets, towels soap, and special cooking items you may need.

"Another mention is that the monument for the Lucier family (Eva, Del, & Sylvan) should be in place by next Friday if anyone traveling through Fargo might want to stop. I called them and asked that it be finished!

"At the registration I thought I would have a sign up for a day in Fargo to visit the grave sites our parents & Lucier's (I can take six passengers) and visit Aunt Mitz if she is feeling well, and maybe Uncle Bert. We could also visit Bananzaville the history site in West Fargo if anyone is interested."

Monday, July 03, 2006

Log Cabin Open

Jodi Roman reports:

"I had reserved a log camper cabin at Maplewood state park for tuesday thru friday, no water or elect... to rustic for me and we have gotten a camper from relatives so I am going to cancel the cabin at the state park unless anyone else wants it. I will need to know by thursday night."

You can contact her directly at jroman1@centurytel.net if you're interested.

Monday, June 26, 2006

Last Chance to Order Tshirts!

Be sure to order your Hilber reunion tshirts by the end of this week to get them in time for the reunion! In-stock items (like most of the tshirts) take 2 days to process and standard shipping takes 1 to 5 days, so you'll need to leave at least 7 BUSINESS days (don't count Sat & Sun) to make sure you get them in time, plus a few extra days for comfort never hurt. Anything ordered by this Friday (June 30th) should still arrive before the reunion.

Monday, June 19, 2006

Dorothy Lucier's Passing

Anne Nephew reports:

"Last Thursday, July 15, Dorothy Lucier, widow of our Uncle, Lanny Lucier, died in her sleep. She was 95 years old. According to Tom Lucier, the remaining sibling of Clarissa Lucier Hilber, she had a peaceful death at the nursing home where her son, Father Jude Lucier, had earlier helped her into bed and kissed her goodnight. Her mind was very good up to the end, with just infrequent memory loss. The rosary is Thursday night and the funeral is Friday, July 23.

"Tom Lucier who does not expect to be at the funeral (he lives in New Jersey) attended Lanny's funeral about five years ago and said the church was packed then because the Lanny & Dot had been extremely active with the church as Eurcharistic Ministers, etc. and Fr. Jude served two parishes (Vietnamese and Spanish) and those folks all attended. Lanny & Dot were good friends with Tom's family because they lived nearby for years.

"Uncle Tom, who is currently undergoing eye surgery, said that Dorothy saved Lanny's life because he was a real roprobate as a youth, smoking, gambling, drinking, carousing and he hated church! He used to say he needed a good woman to control his behavior and he really got one. One exploit of his in high school was to remove a life size statue of St. Joseph from its pedestal and put it into the bed of one of the nuns. The screams were heard everywhere in the convent that night!

"Dorothy, older in years than Lanny, had been the secretary for a North Dakota judge and was most wise. Tom said he never heard her make a judgmental remark about anyone but was very intelligent. She was the letter writer of the family and kept in touch with the other Luciers right to the end of her life. Her only child, Father Jude, has been on leave from his Wisconsin order for many years. Perhaps he will be reassigned in the future and then we could see him. Next Hilber reunion we must remember to invite him."

Tentative Sign-Up Sheet Costs

The sign-up sheet for Hilber reunion activities and meals will be available at the Meet & Greet Dinner, which is at 6 pm on Saturday, July 15th -- the first night of the reunion. Cash or check will be accepted at that time. We thought it might help everyone to see in advance what the prices will likely be ...
  • Saturday Meet & Greet Dinner: $7 per person
  • Saturday "Past Reunions" DVD Slideshow: FREE
  • Sunday Adult Golf Tourney: $6 per person
  • Sunday Kids' Golf: $2 per child
  • Sunday Pizza Dinner: $8 per person
  • Sunday Hilber Trivia Game: FREE
  • Monday Baby Shower: FREE
  • Monday Catered Banquet: $15 per adult, $8 per child under 12
  • Monday Games Night: FREE
  • Tuesday Noon Picnic: $7 per adult, $4 per child (plus face painting and piñata: $2 per person)
  • Tuesday Hilber Sisters' Tea: $5 per person
  • Tuesday Evening Talent Show: FREE
  • Wednesday Outdoor Games: FREE
  • Wednesday Potluck Dinner: FREE; Bring a dish to share!
  • Wednesday Poker Night: FREE
  • Thursday Horseback Riding: TBA
  • Thursday Treasure Hunt: $3 per person
These costs cover food, beverages, and supplies at meals, and prizes at events. Beer is available and should be paid for as you drink.

Marie's Baby Shower

Are you a female Hilber relative? You're invited to a baby shower for Marie Nephew at the Hilber family reunion!

Marie and Adam are expecting on October 15th, and are registered at Target.com; they're keeping it a surprise whether the baby is a boy or a girl.

We'll be playing games and sharing good company on Monday morning July 17th at 10 am in the Lida Greens loft. Feel free to invite anyone we may not have been able to find information for. RSVP at evite.com. We hope you can join us!

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

All the COOL Kids Will Have Reunion Tshirts!

I just checked on the sales numbers for the Hilber Reunion Shop. I'm pleased to report that so far Hilbers have bought a total of 25 items! The most popular item seems to be the Women's Pink T-shirt, oddly enough, with the Fitted T-shirts close behind. We've also sold bunch of the other shirt options, and even a few mugs and a cap. Looks like we'll definitely be showing off our Hilber pride this summer! :)

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Loft Renovations

Anne Nephew reports:

"Al and I were at Lida Greens a few weeks ago. There is now a wonderful new open deck that is behind the barn/proshop, facing the second green. We also noted the new dinner plates Joe purchased and remodeled serving area in the loft. Perhaps the reunion banquet will be formal with real dinner plates. Also new since last reunion is the bathroom in the loft and a completed alcove near the stage called "The Conference Room". I see it as a possible giant playpen for the toddlers, but then, others would have to join them inside the fence. The Loft is the coolest spot in July!"

Monday, May 29, 2006

Final Menu for Banquet

The most recent Hilber reunion news is the decision on the final menu for Monday night's catered banquet. Here's what we have planned:
  • Pork Loin with Béarnaise Sauce
  • Oven Roasted Baby Reds
  • Glazed Carrots
  • Mixed Green Salad with Strawberries, Walnuts, and Gorgonzola dressed with a Raspberry Vinaigrette
  • Fresh Breads
  • Mini Cheesecakes
We expect the cost to be only about $12.95 per person plus tax, and well worth it!

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Uncle Tom & Monument UPDATE

Anne Nephew reports:

"I received a very nice letter from my Uncle Tom Lucier thanking us for inviting them to the reunion. They were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary as he wrote! His son Greg is giving them an anniversary gift of a trip to Italy in early August. Greg's wife is from Italy so it will be avery special event. Tom is afraid that Anne would not be able to do two trips so close together. He regrets that they can not come. However, I think we might get them to come in the future, and even stay longer so more Horner cousins and more Deibert cousins can visit with their uncle and aunt. I am going to work on making that happen in the future.

"The Lucier monument has been ordered and will probably be ready for viewing the week after the reunion. So anyone wanting to visit Dad & Mom's grave can also find it. It is the same size and type of stone as our parents' monument and has etchings of a rosary and the Five Star Mother flag on the front. On the back are glider wings, a picture of a WACO CG-2 glider, and Sylvan's name and rank. It also says, Africa, Sicily, Normandy and Holland. My research is bearing more fruit as I find exactly what he did in the liberation of France and Holland. Mother created the Blue Candle Birthday for Jesus in memory of her brother Sylvan and this monument will forever protray the courage and sacrifice of the Lucier family and the "great generation" our parents were part of and which influenced us in our growing years."

Al Nephew adds:

"Tom sent us a plastic model kit of a British Horsa glider of the type Uncle Sylvan also was trained to fly as well as, of course, the American Hadrian. Horsa was a Dane from the 400s who invaded England, while Hadrian built a wall there. Curious names for gliders."

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

NEW: Hilber Reunion Guest Book

We're looking forward to a fun-filled reunion this summer! Help us plan for it by telling us whether you'll be able to attend ... sign the NEW 2006 Hilber reunion guest book now and let us know!

Monday, May 01, 2006

Uncle Tom May Come to Reunion

Uncle Tom and wife Anne -- Grandma Hilber's only living sibling -- is very interested in coming to the reunion. I talked to him this evening and he brought up the subject! Al and I had a wonderful two days with them at Hilton Head island in February and mentioned how much folks would love to see them, including the Deiberts in Fargo and the Horners in Twin Cities. He said he had no more relatives in Fargo, and I said we disagreed with him!

I called Tom about getting permission to purchase an upright monument for Grandma and Grandpa and Sylvan Lucier. He thought it was a good idea and wants to help with the purchase. I'm now working on getting details about ordering. The design would be for the usual names, a rosary because Grandma gave each son a black rosary when they left for the service, a little five star flag (she was something rare, a mother with five sons in service), and a picture of a glider or insigna for Sylvan's role as a glider pilot who was killed in the line of duty. Not to leave grandpa out (the rosary would be his symbol as well) perhaps a music symbol for his incredible voice!

The three are buried in adjoining plots and their small ground markers are disappearing into the sod and are very hard to find. Joe & Nancy tried today and couldn't find them! So, this may be accomplished by the reunion. Joe is looking into putting the date of death on Dad's side of the folk's monument. Birthdays, death, marriage, weddings, we have much to memorialize and celebrate.

BTW, Uncle Tom is an avid golfer! And he is very fit and full of fun and laughter! A real Lucier! I hope everyone can get to know the youngest son of Eva and Del.

Tom went away to high school just after Sylvan died, joined army as soon as he turned 18 in 1945, was stationed in Bavaria -- occupied Germany -- with the Third Infantry Division. He wrote for their newspaper, called Frontline. Some of his stories about vets in the Third Infanty (those who survived were few) got reprinted in the Stars and Stripes newspaper.

Uncle Tom was a Fargo Forum journalist after his military service and wrote award winning stories about the Fargo tornado, (part of a team winning the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism) which landed him a job with a firm in the East. He then started his own company. A successful business man, Joe & Nancy visited them and they were great friends with Uncle Lanny and Aunt Dorothy, all of whom lived in the East for some time.

Anne Nephew

Saturday, April 15, 2006

We Need Digital Photos!

Do you have digital photos from past reunions that you'd like to share? Send them to John Nephew at john@atlas-games.com ! John has volunteered to put together a DVD "slideshow" for the reunion ... the photos we receive will be combined with background music and a "Ken Burns effect" that zooms in and out on the photos to give it a sense of movement. Really nifty! If everything works out, we hope to show the DVD at the reunion, and give FREE copies to everyone!

Wonders of Technology!

Did you know that you can subscribe to these Hilber reunion notices so that they're automatically delivered to you? It's just like email but without the spam! Our blog is set up so that you can access it automatically through Atom or FeedBurner.

To learn about Atom check out the Blogger.com help page, and download one of the many software programs available at AtomEnabled.org

To find out more about FeedBurner, visit their "About Feed Syndication" page at FeedBurner.com. Suggestions on software are listed with links under "How Do I Read RSS Feeds?"

A link to our Atom and FeedBurner feeds are also permanently located at the bottom of this page.

Tshirts and Mugs and More!

Now available at www.cafepress.com/hilber ... fun stuff for the Hilber 2006 reunion! Show your family pride this summer with these Hilber-themed items, featuring this year's official logo ...

  • Tshirts and sweatshirts in a variety of colors for men, women, teens, kids, infants, and even dogs!
  • Also for baby ... bibs, creepers, and teddy bears.
  • Tired of tshirts? Check out the golf shirts, baseball hats, tank tops, baby doll Ts, hoodies, ringer Ts, track suits, raglans, and long-sleeved Ts.
  • And you'll also find a variety of items for the home, like coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments, coasters, mousepads, custom postage, aprons, tote bags, calendars, buttons, journals, and messenger bags.

All items are listed at the base manufacturing cost; no profit will be made by the reunion planning committee. However, you do also need to pay for shipping. These items must be purchased in advance, as they will not be for sale at the reunion.

Special requests for logo changes can be directed to Michelle Nephew at michelle@atlas-games.com . Generally we can help with requests for a logo to be removed, for one logo to be replaced with another, or for the logo to be resized.

Enjoy!

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Revised Schedule Posted

A new version of the schedule for the Hilber reunion is now up. You can find it in the left column of the Hilber reunion webpage. Changes will no doubt be made as the date gets nearer, but this should give an idea of all the plans we've been working on for this summer!