Good food, good fun, and good friends. They make a reunion! And the HK Reunion in Anaheim combined all three - food, fun, and friends - to make a nice evening for 230 people. Surprises abounded from the minute eager HK lovers walked in the door and received their "Passport." The HOP Passport guided everyone around to the various activities and club tables to receive a stamp. Once the Passport was full, a special blue HK Reunion lapel pin was awarded, compliments of HOP.
The event is actually a reception – not intended to substitute for dinner – but the hotel and the HOP organizers found a satisfying compromise. Attendees were treated to steamship round and turkey breast roasts, several types of pasta, and a cheese tray which completed the array.
Games included the Lucky Dip, sponsored by HOP, and a variety of activities at the independent club tables. There were fortune cookies at the Friends in Harmony table, while Jewels of the Carolinas gave out a "nose" pin in trade for purchasing a raffle ticket - everyone was a winner! Puget Sound Harmony opted for one raffle winner getting a host of prizes where other clubs had a host of winners. Tri-State Kingdom offered a basket full of frogs - all assorted items from baby rattlers to garden to singing frogs. Other clubs participating were San Diego, Devil Mountain Daydreamers, Harmony Florida Suncoast, Treasure Jesters of the West, Atlantic Kingdom Addicts, Harmony Northwest and Sonoran Harmony. Our clubs represented cities and states all over the US - from the East to West and North to South.
The evening ended with another surprise. A live charity auction was held to raise funds for the American Brain Tumor Association. This event began when Pamela Mills of HBC donated her Birthday Bash T-shirt and asked that HOP use it to raise funds in memory of her nephew, Scott Lougee. Other HK notables donated additional items to be auctioned. The result was $2,465 going to the Association. For our complete list of auction items and winners, click here.
Throughout the weekend other volunteers were seen sporting a red version of the HK Reunion lapel pin. Volunteers who helped make the HOP activities a success were given the special red pins to recognize their efforts. Sharon Yackey coordinated the volunteers for the weekend and the West Coast clubs did themselves proud.
Thanks also goes to Catie Leicester and Elaine Dowdin for handling pre-sales of HK Reunion and ICE Show tickets. A special thanks to Janice Cothern, who helped out wherever she was needed.
The organizers wish to thank all who enjoyed this special event and hope everyone attends the next event in Rosemont on Friday, June 29, 2001.
Coordinators:
Iris Harbert, Leanna Barron, Mary Chamberlain, Sharon Yackey |