REUNION 2008 - Branson, MO.
Watch this page for details as the 2008 RAFINO/RAFINCO Reunion Team puts this reunion together. This is as of July 2008:
Reunion 2008 will be in Branson, MO from 2 to 5 Oct. The committee is planning for a great time where we can share our memories and renew old friendships. Jerry and Russ have been making visits to Branson in the pretense of planning the reunion, however it is well known that Branson is one of the world’s best playgrounds. Make your plans to participate in this gathering.
Henry HOWE from the Finance Corps Museum will be our guest at the reunion. Henry has asked that we be prepared to assist in his project to record Finance history and experiences in audio/visual form. Henry is preparing questions for the interviews that he expects to take between one and two hours each. Hopefully Henry will be able to select willing candidates for the interviews and to prep them for the session before we get to the reunion.
At this writing we have 106 reservations (73 RAFINO, 27 RAFINCO & 6 Surviving Spouses) for a total of 194, counting guests. It is not too late for the rest of you to get your forms in.
Early Friday morning 27 hearty golfers will motor 3 miles east of Branson to the
Holiday Hills Golf Course to try their luck at chasing a little ball around with the
objective of getting it into a small cup on a beautifully manicured
green. If you look closely you can see that they need 1 more volunteer to
round out the 7th foursome. For more see URL:
http://www.holidayhills.com
Another 19 less-hearty souls will retire to the game room for the bridge tournament at a more decent hour of 10:00 AM. This fine group of simi pro gamblers need 1 more risk taker to round out the 5th table.
Then at 3:30 PM 180 of us
will move to the lake for a memorial service which will be followed by a boat ride with
dinner and entertainment on the paddle boat “Showboat Branson Belle”.
We have reserved 200 tickets and simple math tells me there are 20
seats left.
You can find out all about this fun outing at: http://www.showboatbransonbelle.com/default.aspx.
SHOWS IN BRANSON are first class, but it takes time to see any of them. It is a cinch that you would enjoy an extra day or two in Branson. Think about it! Information about all the shows can be found at http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/show-schedule-2008-10-October.htm . The reunion committee has seen several of the shows and recommends the following:
Shoji Tabuchi
Dick Clark Theater *
Jim Stafford
Spirit of the Dance*
Andy Williams*
12 Irish Tenors*
And museums---Titanic
Those marked * are within a short distance of the Radisson.
Dixie Stampede may interest cowboy-type folks and the
"Ducks" are a ride on the water in a WW II vehicle.
All of the above may be booked through the hotel and we will attempt to make group discounts apply.
TRANSPORTATION:
· If you drive to the reunion in your car or a rental the parking at the Hotel is free.
· If you fly the closest airport is Springfield, MO which is 55 miles north of Branson. I will shortly prepare a report on all the transportation alternatives from the airport to the hotel.
· Branson is on US HWY 65 which runs North & South from Conway, AR to Des Moines, IA. The terrain around Branson is mountainous and the side roads are very slow routes.
Sunday at the business meeting we will:
1. Elect Officers for the next two years.
2. Select the location for the reunion 2012. And,
3. Select the Cruise for 2009.
4. Get a report from Bill Tolbert of plans for the 2010 reunion in Tacoma, WA.
5. Hopefully we will get an update of today’s Finance activity from COL. Stephen Riviere, the new School Commandant and Chief of the Corps.
This is as of June 2007:
When: Thursday 2 October – Sunday 5 October.
Where: The Radisson Hotel in Branson.
Room Rate: $90.00 + tax.
Extended days: This rate will be honored 3 days before and 3 days after the reunion.
Included: The price includes a continental breakfast and can be upgraded to a full breakfast for $3.50.
Details: The rooms have been renovated to include a "sleepnumbers " bed system are will be either all non-smoking or restricted smoking floors. Some suites are available if requested.
See It: An on-line visual at www.radisson.com/bransonmo.
Tentative Schedule:
1 October: EARLY ARRIVAL DAY: Registration (Opens at Noon) Hospitality room open; Shows, shopping, tours (on your own)
2 October: REGISTRATION DAY: Hospitality room open; Shows; Shopping; Tours (Reunion committee will obtain tickets, as requested);
RECEPTION
3 October: TOURNAMENT DAY: Hospitality Room open; GOLF Tournament; BRIDGE Tournament; Shows; Shopping; Tours (As desired) GROUP SHOW--Showboat Branson Belle (Highly recommended by the Committee).
4 October: BANQUET DAY: Hospitality room open; Shows, Shopping, Tours (as desired) FORMAL BANQUET.
5 October: FINAL DAY: Business Meeting, Hospitality room closed.
SHOW SCHEDULES will not be final until after January. We will update what is showing and, if possible, give recommendations. Shows are morning, afternoon, and evening. It is HIGHLY recommended that attendees consider an extended stay.
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help with several committees: (Registration, hospitality, Shows/tours, Bridge, Transportation). If you will help, contact Jerry Heard at heard@cybrtyme.com or Russ Dowden at rhd3876@aol.com. All are invited to help.
NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS: Members are reminded that any nominations for awards should be in accordance with procedures established by the school house/ Regiment. These are time-sensitive as they have to pass a panel judgment.