Reflections from 2009

I stumbled across the disk of Uncle Ted's pictures from the Gathering in 2009 the other day.  It was quite by accident as I was cleaning out a box of outdated photos and there it was.  Take a walk down memory lane...

Dining Hall

Dorm

Mennonite Heritage Museum, Steinbach

 

 

 

memory table

Most people really enjoyed the gathering and want to return.

A few were undecided...

The remainder, just wanted to be left alone.

Well, whichever camp you fall into, we want to know so send in your registration forms asap.  Hope this has peaked your interest and we will see you there!

Email #4 sent April 16, 2012

Email #4

Dear Family,   

Spring is here and after experiencing a ‘winter that wasn’t’, we are enjoying the beginning of a wonderful summer.  The Dueck Gathering 2012, at Providence College is about 3 months away and we would like to see all of you there, July 20 – 22, 2012.  We would like to begin determining numbers.

The Registration/Expense Form is embedded as page 2 of this email, and is also attached as a PDF.  Please REPLY to this email and complete the appropriate blanks, or print the PDF form, complete it as needed, scan and return via email to jedueck@gmail.com.  Although we need to have the numbers by June 1, if possible, return your registration sooner in order to help us plan.  Payment will be collected at the Gathering.

Providence requires a minimum number of 26 adults (18 and over) in order to get the group package price.

We want to encourage everyone to be at Friday’s 5:30 supper launch of the week-end.  Registration will begin at 3:00 pm.  Saturday afternoon will be a beach party (alternate rain plans) and in the evening it will be banquet time, show casing local family talent.  Sunday will be a family worship and memorial time.  More program details will be coming in later emails.

Family Pictures:  In Email #3 we requested pictures from each family.  These pictures are coming in but we still need to hear from more of you.  We are assembling a Family Tree complete with data and pictures and although the data is now complete, we still require more current family pictures.  In many cases we have older pictures in our files, however we would prefer to have current ones.  Also for our family picture slide presentation we would like to have a family shot, some favorite/interesting family activity, Christmas get-together, vacation, work, etc.  Email these (max 5) to (jedueck@gmail.com) ASAP.  We would appreciate having pictures from every family even if you may not be able to attend.

Dueck Recipe Cookbook:  In Email #2 we called for favorite recipes, “We are seeking recipe submissions for the Dueck Family cookbook.  Please submit up to three recipes from these categories, dessert, main course, soup or side/salad and a note about why your recipe is special.  We will compile the recipes into a booklet for each family to take home and taste the culinary diversity of our family.”  Although the response is somewhat underwhelming, we have been encouraged to continue with this project.  Please respond to Candice Dueck (candice.dueck@gmail.com) with your recipes.

Blog update:  http://dueckfamilygathering.blogspot.ca/  Although this is a ‘private’ blogspot, (ie. you cannot google it) we have had several hundred visits.  In case some of you have been disappointed with the lack of new activity on the site, don’t lose heart.  A new generation of techno savvy geeks has taken over the maintenance of the site and changes are happening – do visit again, and add your comments.

Guidelines for Breakdown of Costs   (taxes must be added to each item)

1.  Weekend package (meals & Lodge) – Friday supper to Sunday lunch

     Adults - $94.50 plus tax; Children- age 5 -12 - $47.25 plus tax (half price); under 5 free

2.  Weekend ‘meals only’ package (no Lodge) - $52.50 plus tax 

3.  One day meals & one night Lodge - $52.50 plus tax

4.  One day meal package only - $26.25 plus tax

     Individual meal prices, Breakfast $7.00; Lunch $10.00; Dinner (supper) $10.00

5.  RV/camper/tent $10.00 (non-elect)/day,  $12.00 (elect)/day

6.  Linens/towels - $10.00/set (includes sheets, pillows with cases, blankets, etc.)

Please note:  If you are coming for a portion of the week-end only please indicate when you are coming and when you will be leaving, as well as which meals you are planning to have at Providence.  We must have this information in advance to reserve the rooms and prepare the meals.  Please let us know of any food allergies.

We are looking forward to a great time together this summer.

The committee, 

Jake & Eleanor,  James & Elfrieda

Looking for pictures...

I am currently working on the Family Tree display. This is that we have been collecting names, dates and pictures for.  Thanks to all who have responded so far.  We have pretty much completed the names and dates part but I am still looking for some family pictures.  Please continue to send them either to my dad or me.  My goal is to have everybody identified with a current photo beside their name and birthdate.

So as I was working on this, I came across some pictures and was inspired to make another entry to the blog.  I thought it might be interesting to hear some of the memories that surface when you see them.

This is the old farmstead.  Sorry the upper picture is kind of fuzzy but it's what I had.  The lower photo is Jan 1962.  I have no recollection of this place even though I must have been several years old when they moved into the city.  Anybody know the exact year that they moved?

Now this place holds memories for me.  From the swingset and the well kept garden in the backyard to all of the grandchildren crowding into the tv room watching Walt Disney.  The adults all sitting around the table in the dining room and the kids goofing off in the kitchen.  Neopolitan ice cream, those awful sugar coated jelly candies (personal opinion - my husband still buys them) in the Christmas bags every year, the clothes washer that looked like R2D2 from Star Wars and the exercise bike.  Makes me wonder what my kids are going to remember from my parents place eh?

Once again I invite thoughts, memories, comments.  If you have a picture to add, not sure if you can post it in the comments section (I'm new to this remember?) send it to me and I'll post it with your comments.

Have a great Easter Weekend

Matthew 28:6   He is not here! He has risen, just as he said he would! Come and see the place where he was lying. 

Dana

Woo Hoo... Are you all Coming?

Email #3 sent March 21, 2012

Dear Family,

The Dueck Gathering 2012, at Providence College is less than 4 months away and we would like to see all of you there.

Date: July 20 – 22, 2012

We want to thank you for your responses to the Family Tree update request. Most of the data is now current to this date. If any changes occur please email same to us ASAP (jedueck@gmail.com). Now we need someone who has an idea of how to create an interesting Family Tree display. (any volunteers)

Our request for this month is for some Family Pictures (max 5 pix). They could include a family shot, some favorite/interesting family activity, Christmas get-together, etc. especially recent ones taken after the last gathering in 2009. Email these to (jedueck@gmail.com) as soon as possible so that we can begin the compilation into a presentation. We would appreciate having pictures from every family even if you may not be able to attend.

The third item of this email is a ‘heads-up’ on the registration which will be requested in April. The current, 2012 costs are as follows:

Breakdown of Costs

1. Three day package (meals & lodging) – Friday supper to Sunday lunch

Adults - $94.50 plus tax; Children- age 5 -12 half price ($47.25 plus tax); under 5 free

2. Three day ‘meals only’ package (no lodging) - $52.50 plus tax

3. One day meals & one night lodging - $52.50 plus tax

Individual meal prices, Breakfast $7.00; Lunch $10.00; Supper/Dinner $10.00

4. One day meal package - $26.25 plus tax

5. RV/camper/tent $12.00 (elect)/day, $10.00 (non-elect)/day

6. Linens and towels - $10.00 per person for the week-end (includes all sheets, pillows with cases, blankets, etc)

A required number of 25 adults (18 and over) are needed to get the group package.

Recap: Again, the purpose of this email is to request some family pictures, and to give you information regarding the week-end costs.

In April we will email an official registration form for you to complete and so indicate your intention to come.

We are looking forward to a great time together this summer.

The committee,

Jake & Eleanor, James & Elfrieda

Email #2 sent November 10, 2011

Dear Dueck Family,

We want to thank everyone who responded to our email of March 20, 2011. It was great to see your commitment to making our next Dueck Gathering (July 20 – 22, 2012) a success. Your committee (Jake & Eleanor and James & Elfrieda,) met for the second planning meeting in Abbottsford and discussed many of your suggestions. Excitement grew as we reviewed our time together in 2009, and looked forward to the Gathering in 2012. It would be great to have everyone at this gathering, so we hope you will keep this weekend open on your calendar

.

A QUICK RECAP

Location:

Providence College, Otterburne, MB

Date:

July 20 – 22, 2012 (Siblings, plan to begin celebrating on Thursday, July 19)

Cost:

Approx. $200 for a couple, full service, meals, linens, add $50 per child (2-12) / Camping available at reduced cost

Schedule:

A balance of interactive structured and unstructured events to encourage total participation and visiting

** For more detail, please refer to the March 20^th email or visit our blog .

Blog Introduction

To keep building family connections, we have started a blog www.dueckfamilygathering.blogspot.com that will provide the latest information, updates and occasional features about the Dueck Family. Already we have posted the July 2009 Family Gathering photo and will be adding new material regularly so check in often.

Recipe Feature

Calling all cooks! We are seeking recipe submissions for the Dueck Family cookbook. Please submit up to three recipes from these categories, dessert, main course, soup or side/salad and a description of why your recipe is special. We will compile the recipes into a booklet for each family to take home and taste the culinary diversity of our family.

Official Registration

Forms will be out by mid-March and we will call for a response by mid-May.

What’s ahead!   We’ll be asking for some data after Christmas.

1. Update to the family tree with full names (including spouse) and birthdates.
2. A picture glimpse into your family activities, (max 5 pix) especially since the last gathering in 2009.
3. Get to know your family by reading of little known facts about individuals in the family.  Only available on the blog!

 

If anyone wishes to help with assembling/presenting some of the planned projects please contact us.  

Questions or responses could be sent directly to this email address jedueck@gmail.com or to any committee member.

We have sent an ‘open address’ email since all responses indicated agreement with this policy. Please report any errors or omissions.

  

The Committee,

Jake & Eleanor, James & Elfrieda

Calling All Cooks!

So the recipe for THOSE jalapeno poppers that EVERYONE is always asking for?  It's time to dish and spill your secret recipe to the family!

We are seeking recipe submissions for the Dueck Family cookbook.  Please submit up to three recipes from these categories: apetizer, dessert, main course, soup or side/salad and a description of why your recipe is special.

We will compile the recipes into a booklet for each family to take home at the 2012 Family Gathering.  

So cook away and I can't wait to see what kind of creativity is in the kitchen!

Where's ______?

Here is our Dueck Family photo from July 2009 that was kindly taken by Dave Stobbe, Stobbe Photography.  Don't be left out this time around!

Group Photo of the Dueck Family, at Gathering July 2009

Email #1 sent March 20, 2011

Dear Dueck Family,

Trust you have all had a good winter and are looking forward to the first signs of Spring to appear. This is our first email communication regarding the Dueck 2012 Family Gathering.

Committee:
At the Dueck Gathering in 2009 those present asked us, Jake & Eleanor and James & Elfrieda to form the planning committee for the 2012 Dueck Gathering.  We had our first planning meeting in Winnipeg on February 24, 2011 with Jake as the committee chairman and Elfrieda as the secretary. 

February Brainstorming Session:
On Sunday, February 20, at the Trinity Baptist Church we had a mini Dueck gathering after Tim & Alli’s wedding at which time we did some brainstorming about the 2012 Dueck Gathering with those who were present.  We talked about the date and location.  Pinawa and Providence were named as options and it was suggested that we also check out camps like Winkler Bible Camp, Arnes, etc. The discussion seemed to lean in the direction of Providence as the location for 2012.

Welcome!

Henry & Sara Dueck, 1980's

Hi Dueck Family, 

We have created this blog to communicate with our family on another level.  We hope you will be able to help us discover what has been happening in our family and in this way keep in touch.  Please send us anecdotes about you or your family, including pictures, announcements, trips, etc. 

The first and prime reason for getting this blog started was to promote and prepare for the Dueck Family Gathering, July 20 – 22, 2012.

Can’t wait to hear from you!  

-Jake & Eleanor