Simplicity

Sure we could dwell on who's not gonna be there but why do that when we can enjoy the company of the one's who are attending. Most of the attendee's are local or fairly local so let's have a picnic with some pool time and if there's other interest arrange them on the fly. All I need is an address to send my money to.
Let's limit /minimize the required accessories to accomidate everyone and center around just a picnic / pool party and whatever happens after that ....happens. So September 2nd @ 10 am the grills will be set out and the beer, I mean the soft drinks, will be iced down and the music will be crank'in. Bye 12:01pm the hambugers n hotdogs will go on and the crowd will be starting to loosen up and bye 12:30 pm the parking will be limited to first come first served. Locals please bring your pot-luck covered and whoever made the noddle salad please come, emmmm.
BYOB or BYOP as always I'm sure. Bring your own pop....dixie . Don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray . Kids and pets optional but be sure their occupied with some kind of activity and supervision or leashed properly.
It maybe alittle low key this time but understandable under these conditions so let's get this party confirmed and under management for the 3rd bi-annual CPCC Reunion started. Times o waste'n. Hugs to all.

My Conclusion

From what I have read of these various posts is the locals are worried about those who aren't local finding accommadations.
From the majority of those who live out of state, the sentiment is the same, family is family - the reunion will happen. If these folks are willing to travel 1000's of miles, and sleep on the couch in a family member's living room, then we in state sure owe them every effort we can to make it happen!

Pauls reprieve

I'm thinkin we've got each other so alls well.Who really needs the bars,We have our picnic grounds and its been a condensed wknd for most all along,Most of us still have enough friends and family in the area to get by.So will it be okay,Sure,And those who can make it this round will get by,I'll be there 8-25thru9-4 and am wishing I 'd been there sooner to show my real level of concern.So,Mom,Get the back yard ready if need be,My employer has let Me up for air,And yes I'll do,"Honey Do's".Can't wait to see You all.PLyons

Doris' take

In response to query about whether to have reunion 2006. It will be very hard for people coming in from out of town, unless they family they can stay with. Hotel-Motel accomodations are almost impossible. Also all entertainment spots are full with locals and relief helpers in most areas where they exist. My opinion is it would not be prudent to have a reunion this year. Doris Lyons

More ideas....

The beach is NOT cleaned up enough to have anything there. The Y in CP is probably one of the best places in town. Bayou Bluff would be good, too --if you can get a member to book it -- I am not a member. Denise may be able to give more info on Bayou Bluff. They do cater and serve alcohol there.

Another posibility is Cabana on Courthouse Rd. It is at the old tennis club-- has a pool, small bar, and limited burger type menu. There's lots of shade and tables around the pool area. Don't know if they do private parties. They make great bushwackers and stay open late!

Don't know how to access the CP web site or "do" blogs. I'm still computer challenged.
Alicia Carr.

Feedback tells me -

that if nothing else, we will have the picnic.

Hopefully, we may be able to pull-off some other activities. The wheels are turning - we'll keep you posted on those possibilities.

Some reunion ideas

I'd like to attend but share your concerns. My family and I can stay w/my
Mom but probably not much for 8-10 yr olds to do. From blog postings, I
sense the regulars (1st & 2nd CPR attendees) might overlook some of the
Katrina inconveniences for a weekend but not sure how their families would
fare beyond a picnic. With everything else going on this summer, chances
are I'd attend w/o family at this point. Wish I could be more definitive.

My last trip there was Xmas, still pretty grim along Hwy 90 but CP looked
pretty good relatively speaking. I don't see infrastructure improving
dramatically by Labor Day wknd. Not having attended past CPR's I can only
offer ideas. What if this year's reunion was scaled down, tradition could
continue and the diehards will party on regardless? Picnic at CP YMCA,
bonfire at the beach (if permitted), don't sweat bands etc; local watering
holes (some exist ?) may better accomodate fewer attendees than in the
past... enjoy their entertainment. Any chance of an informal gathering at
one of the Casinos? I think the workday, though commendable, would probably
work best for those families/friends of those that participate. Again I
don't know the people that well so I could be wrong. Living in TX it's hard
to come up with anything better at the moment.

I appreciate your efforts. Please keep in touch and let me know how things
progress.

Thanks,
Charlie

Yes the coast is a mess but why shouldn't we try to contribute in our own little way?
Katrina cost me our business but life goes on and as jay so aptly put it a tradition is a tradition
lets do it.
Richard Pascale and family
pascales@netdoor.com
hattiesburg, MS

It's not a tradition if it doesn't happen...

Les bon temps roulette! It ain't healthy to roll around in the post-storm hurt. Let's have a party! In spite of the many practical reasons not to have the reunion, I vote to have at least a weekend event with a Saturday picnic and a night of revelry, and possibly a community cleanup event on Sunday. I have already booked a flight. And if other out of towners want to attend, they certainly know what they'll be facing. If anyone local reading this has extra bedrooms (even a tent or a FEMA trailer) to accomodate some folks, please leave a comment.

I was there for Katrina and am very interested in seeing how things are going one year later. And I want to see all my neighborhood buds, not to mention my family still there on the coast.

Not the only reunion in question -

We are supposed to be having our 30th class reunion this year. Don't think it will happen. The coast is a mess, nowhere to stay, no facility to have anything in. Things will be better in a few years. Not really a good time. Hate to sound so negative but there is a tropical storm out in the gulf already in early June! One more summer to finish recovering and I think attitudes will be much improved. Thanks for all you do to keep everyone together!
Love ya,
Denise Pitre Galloway

Pat Collins says -

Not much to do 'round here...see ya' next year...

Maybe justa picnic?

I'm leaning towards there not being a reunion for those who are hundreds to thousand of miles away unless they just want to come visit during that time. I think we should still have a picnic/gathering of the locals and those thatcan make the trip to 'boost' moral so to speak. It breaks my heart to seethe devastation and I don't even live there anymore so I know those that domust find it difficult and sometimes a gathering of old friends and family is just 'what the doctor ordered'. Even if I just drive over for a picnic from Mobile, I will, to spend the day with friends. Who can pass up thatand a b-b-que?

Dixie O'Connor Smith

Mr Greenjeans

I accept that title and bummyrabbtt and family will be on vacation that week in Mobile/Gulf Coast no matter if you decide to postpone. We'll be available or I will be just let me know. Kids don't work well in cleaning up. Their hands are soo small and can't grab enough to really make a difference. Hugs to all. Peter

Martha Collins

I would love to see the crowd, however, it would be difficult to break away from rebuilding and children to really enjoy a long weekend. Maybe next year.

Martha Collins LeTard

P.S. If anyone just is in town for whatever lunch would be fun. Also, I could use a little help sanding floors and painting and cleaning the yard...you get the hint.

Polito/Newsome/Glazier bunch

I can tell you that Maria and Lidia already have airplane tickets. I like the idea of whatever size group shows up to volunteer somewhere, anywhere, and call in the newspaper hounds and get some publicity for the coast and College Parks reunions. My kids have no problems with a place to stay and I offer two more bedrooms for anyone who may need them. After that I have air mattresses we can put in dining room and family room. I would love to see the people of the coast as helping their own. If we publish it to the web site and do some promoting maybe we could drum up a large work crew for that Sunday and Monday. My husband and I will be there with gloves on ready to pitch in. Hope this makes you feel better about the reunion.

Kennedy Family

This is Pat Kennedy (the swimmer, Jim's Mom). I know Jim has a family wedding in Boston on the reunion date this year. My daughter Kim had thought about going to see her friends but has a really busy schedule this year, too. I would love her to see it when it is a bit more restored. It is a haul from san Francisco and Las Vegas. Please keep us posted on next year. I think that is a great idea and I would make every effort to come.(If Jimmy promises me he won't think about the Ship Island swim again).

Good luck,
Pat K.

Won't be a good weekend for ...wedding

This is Bitsy and just want to say that I would not be able to attend the reunion. My daughter Ashley is getting married on the 2nd of September. Would like to get down at some point in time but, but have no idea when. If you do decide to hold off a year maybe then.
The blog is great and the Pete even looks like Mr. Green Jeans a little. Take Care all. Bitsy
bitsy0663@hotmail.com