Hi Maryl, It seems to be working. I VOTE IN FAVOR OF TWO REUNIONS. One for the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corp and one for the 50th anniversary of Somali I, which can happen anytime in 2012.
I tried to set up a poll, as suggested by the Tedescos, to determine who would come to DC in September and who would come to NYC in April, 2012, but I wasn't successful setting it up.
I may be wrong but I think that Bob Kalian may be most savvy in managing the details of the blog. Am I right Bob? Carole and I also vote for two (2) reunions. My only limitation is that Carole and I may be in Asia for a couple weeks in April.
Business first - Jack Magri's e-mail address is boats@usa.net.net. Please add.
As to the reunion in Nuh Yawk (Ethan- you gotta be kidding) or DC., no interest here.
I have spent the years since the Bush Adm invasion of Iraq getting as far away from DC and the USA as possible. Have landed in Perth, Australia (drill a hole from Nashville through the center of the earth and you come out about 100 miles from Perth) where I have resident status and lots of business interests (contract drilling for mining companies and commercial real estate). Still have the house in Nashville, and spend about equal time each place. I figure that I got outa Dodge just in time!
A modest suggestion - if you all (yawl in tennesseeese) still have your travelin' shoes on, why not have one of the reunions in West Australia (Perth). I know it well, and can suggest accomodation, host functions at my house, and serve as a travel guide. After all, Australia (especially WA) boasts the best economy in the traditional western world. There's a labor shortage, privatised social security, almost no sovreign or state debt, rule of law, and english language. In short, they ain't broke, and it's the 21st century version of the Cal gold rush. Quite a change from the USA!
Best regards to all of you, and hope it goes well wherever it is/are held.
There are a few changes in the email address list, and
Jack Magri has been added: boats@usa.net.net
Please use the list at the top of this blog if you want to contact any of our group. I'm trying to keep it up to date so if you know of any errors, please let me know.
I like Greg's suggestion, it can't be more expensive than NY or DC. Perth is the wild west, so to speak. Anyway, while we ponder down yonder, here are some hotels near where I live and close to the metro in case we decide to do a DC and a NY reunion. My address is: 7700 14th ST NW DC 20012 tel: 202-758-2337.
Travelodge Silver Spring 8040 13Th Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910 More Hotel Information and Book Reservations Starting Rate: $72
Crowne Plaza Hotel Washington Dc-Silver Spring 8777 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 More Hotel Information and Book Reservations Starting Rate: $207
Days Inn Silver Spring 8040 13Th Street/I-495, Silver Spring, MD 20910 More Hotel Information and Book Reservations Starting Rate: $86
Courtyard Silver Spring Downtown 8506 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910 More Hotel Information and Book Reservations Starting Rate: $269
Comfort Inn Georgia Ave/Dc Gateway 7990 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4860 More Hotel Information and Book Reservations Starting Rate: $100
Hotel Opened in 2009 Hampton Inn Silver Spring 8728 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 More Hotel Information and Book Reservations Starting Rate: $199
Hotel Opened in 2009 Homewood Suites By Hilton Silver Spring 8728 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 More Hotel Information and Book Reservations Starting Rate: $249
Hotel Renovated in 2008 Wash Dc Silver Spring Hilton 8727 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 More Hotel Information and Book Reservations Starting Rate: $229
Thanks for setting up the blog. It's so much better than the scads of emails I was getting. Not sure I can make either reunion, cause I'm an adjunct teacher at a local community college, and they won't let adjuncts get substitutes for say a week out of a quarter. I would have to give up teaching a whole quarter, and that's too big a sacrifice. But good to hear from all of you. Greg, I would love to come to Perth someday. Sounds great! Just did a 10-day mission trip to Senegal working with World Vision, so I'm pretty involved with that. Best regards to everyone. John Bayer
Let me try and clarify the intent of my earlier comment (I realize all you octagenarians may find it difficult to listen to the young kid on the block, but if you don't behave, I'll post pictures of my 1-yr.old granddaughter). Let everyone congregate as she will; I just didn't want this year's doings to substitute for something next year. After all, "50" is a rather awesome number. As for the difficulties of NY, I'm aware of them, having tried to institute something at NYU some years ago,only to get a discouraging cold shoulder from an administrator, even though I had a daughter-in-law working connection. There are potentially, however, other possibilities, and I'm currently sending out some feelers, so don't reject it out of hand. With regard to the recent yawling comments from Down Under, I'd welcome the opportunity to visit (beer, tennis, blokes--what's not to like?), despite my uncertainty about what all that "drilling" is about (no need to invoke Freud here), but I do recall that Greg, 49 years ago, seemed to have little trouble greeting strangers on University Place (to the embarrassment of all of us natives)with a "How y'all doing?" At the very least, we could work on his spelling.
Sorry that I've been slow to comment. Being retired we are flexible. I like the idea of Washington (or suburbs) in September and think a 2012 reunon would also be a good idea.
No problem. I just changed it. Thanks for letting us know.
Perth sounds great - - amazing to think of you there. With your invitation, you may get more of us there to visit than you ever imagined. A reunion there? I'm not sure, but if the group wants to do it, why not?
Sorry that I've been slow to comment. Being retired we are flexible. I like the idea of Washington (or suburbs) in September and think a 2012 reunon would also be a good idea.
The most complete, although not totally complete, list of email addresses can be found on the right side of this blog. Click on "Somali I Email List" and you should have it. Please send any additions or corrections.
To return to these Comments, Click on "Somali 1 PCVs Reunion - 2001" also on the right side at the bottom of the list.
Hope this works - - and I hope it helps. This is really an interesting experience!!!
My vote goes to New York. It's where we were hatched, where we made friends and bonded, and where we had a great good time. I read 20 years or so ago that the van Rennselaer stopped being a hotel and became apartments or condos or some such, so we'll have to pass up that pleasure.
Alternatively, if people are feeling rustic, there's Litchfield, CT, and Camp Columbia. Remember bouncing off cliff walls, wandering through the trees? Posted by George Bond
I'm going to compete with Greg and offer the beautiful Northwest as the perfect destination for a 2012 reunion. We live in the small town of Washougal, only 20 minutes from Portland and 10 minutes from a fantastic ranch in the Columbia River Gorge that can sleep 20, has a wonderful kitchen and family room, private bedrooms with baths, a lovely open veranda with a fire pit for campfires in the evening, plenty of places to visit including Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge with fantastic hiking, waterfalls, etc. I rented the ranch 2 years ago for a family reunion and only paid $1500 for an entire week. You can't beat it! John Bayer
What happened? Did everyone meet up with The Rapture and disappear? I think that those of us who favor going to Washington DC in Sept. decide on a motel/hotel that we can all stay at. We can still meet next year also.
Thanks Maryl for doing all this work. It is great hearing from everyone. Barry and I will be returning from Provence on Sept 20th and our tickets take us through Washington. We are flying on miles and hope to be able to change. Most probably we will be there and would love to stay in the same hotel as everyone else. Really looking forward to see you all. Diane Raleigh
It looks like we're pretty well decided that a large group of us want to reunion in DC in Sept. That is, at least the first reunion with another possible one in 2012. Ed, can you check out the hotels/motels that you suggested and recommend which one best fits our needs? We should discuss what price range most of us want to be in. If we agree in principal I could send a simple mass emailed form so that we can solidify dates, who's staying at the hotel, who's staying elsewhere in the area, etc. It think that we should make reservations ASAP to assure our success.
Aileen and I vote YES for-- > A Somalia I RPCV reunion in D.C. this fall sometime during the period of Sept. 22nd-Sept. 25th, and... >Another get-together sometime in 2012 in New York City. We hope that many of our esteemed friends who live to the west of us will be persuaded to come east for one or both of these reunions. -- Hal
Carole and I will definitely be in DC for the RPCV reunion in Sept. If we can work out a Somalia-I reunion in NYC-2012 we will most definitely be there also. Now we just have to decide if we'll stay with friends in Herndon, VA. or a motel as recommended by Ed.
Carole and I just made bookings at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. 4 nights, 09/22-09/25 @ $119. Even with my Marriott Rewards membership the rate would be $329/night. Did you all get Marty's email regarding the hotels and plans?
Unfortunately, we have travel reservations for a triip on the west coast which includes the dates of the PC gathering. We will not be able to attend. Give my regards to all.
Please find several announcements for the entire Peace Corps Community below. We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this information with your members via your website, listservs, newsletters, etc. 50th Anniversary Calendar Want to find an event near you for the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps? Need people to attend your event? Please visit the NPCA / Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Calendar of Events athttp://events.peacecorps50.org/ . Keep track of all of the exciting, meaningful, fun celebrations happening around the world during the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary year. Don't forget to add your own events on the calendar! Speakers Match With the Peace Corps' Speakers Match program, elementary and secondary school teachers can enhance their students' learning through classroom presentations by returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Interested classroom teachers and returned Peace Corps Volunteers can enroll in the Peace Corps' Speakers Match program by visiting http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/speakersmatch/ Peace Corps Offers Regional Career Events for RPCVS This year, Peace Corps' Returned Volunteers Services began offering FREE one-day events in cities where Peace Corps has Regional Recruitment Offices, to further expand support of returned Volunteers throughout the United States. RPCVs learn how to tell their Peace Corps stories in a way that highlights their professional qualifications, participate in hands-on workshops, and interact with potential employers. Visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.returned.carres.carevents to learn more. Save the Date: 50th Anniversary Regional Expos The National Peace Corps Association, in conjunction with the Peace Corps Regional Recruitment Offices and select Member Groups, is coordinating a series of 50th Anniversary Regional Expos nationwide in 2011. Each Expo will feature exhibits from RPCVs showcasing their work around the world, remarks from both Peace Corps and NPCA, and discussion sessions for interested applicants and RPCVs. Expos are free and open to the public. Visit http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/resources/peacecorps-50thanniversary/50thexpos/ to find out specific details about that Expo and to register – hope to see you there! Martin Kaplan
Hi Maryl. At this point you can as administrator (I think) add a gadget -- the poll for who wants which dates.
ReplyDeleteHi Maryl, It seems to be working. I VOTE IN FAVOR OF TWO REUNIONS. One for the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corp and one for the 50th anniversary of Somali I, which can happen anytime in 2012.
ReplyDeleteI tried to set up a poll, as suggested by the Tedescos, to determine who would come to DC in September and who would come to NYC in April, 2012, but I wasn't successful setting it up.
ReplyDeleteI may be wrong but I think that Bob Kalian may be most savvy in managing the details of the blog. Am I right Bob?
ReplyDeleteCarole and I also vote for two (2) reunions. My only limitation is that Carole and I may be in Asia for a couple weeks in April.
Maryl, Jan Taht's email is kdtaht@taosnet.com according to my list. Has anyone contacted Ken and Jan?
ReplyDeleteI sent Jan an email but haven't heard anything from her yet. Hopefully, we will.
ReplyDeleteIf Bob Kalian would set up a blog for us, that would be great. I would happily discontinue this one.
ReplyDeleteWould you Bob?
Thanks, Maryl,for setting this up. It should work better than the confusing blizzard of emails that has been going back and forth.
ReplyDeleteJohn Klima
Hi all . . . probably won't do a reunion, but it's great to hear from everyone. I get to look forward to something more than spam in my morning email.
ReplyDeletePlease try to come. It would be great to have everyone come to this reunion - - as someone said, it may be the last time that we'll all be together.
ReplyDeleteHi all
ReplyDeleteBusiness first - Jack Magri's e-mail address is boats@usa.net.net. Please add.
As to the reunion in Nuh Yawk (Ethan- you gotta be kidding) or DC., no interest here.
I have spent the years since the Bush Adm invasion of Iraq getting as far away from DC and the USA as possible. Have landed in Perth, Australia (drill a hole from Nashville through the center of the earth and you come out about 100 miles from Perth) where I have resident status and lots of business interests (contract drilling for mining companies and commercial real estate). Still have the house in Nashville, and spend about equal time each place. I figure that I got outa Dodge just in time!
A modest suggestion - if you all (yawl in tennesseeese) still have your travelin' shoes on, why not have one of the reunions in West Australia (Perth). I know it well, and can suggest accomodation, host functions at my house, and serve as a travel guide. After all, Australia (especially WA) boasts the best economy in the traditional western world. There's a labor shortage, privatised social security, almost no sovreign or state debt, rule of law, and english language. In short, they ain't broke, and it's the 21st century version of the Cal gold rush. Quite a change from the USA!
Best regards to all of you, and hope it goes well wherever it is/are held.
Greg Smith
Somali I Peace Corps Reunion 2001 said...
ReplyDeleteThere are a few changes in the email address list, and
Jack Magri has been added: boats@usa.net.net
Please use the list at the top of this blog if you want to contact any of our group. I'm trying to keep it up to date so if you know of any errors, please let me know.
I like Greg's suggestion, it can't be more expensive than NY or DC. Perth is the wild west, so to speak. Anyway, while we ponder down yonder, here are some hotels near where I live and close to the metro in case we decide to do a DC and a NY reunion. My address is: 7700 14th ST NW DC 20012 tel: 202-758-2337.
ReplyDeleteTravelodge Silver Spring
8040 13Th Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910
More Hotel Information and Book Reservations
Starting Rate: $72
Crowne Plaza Hotel Washington Dc-Silver Spring
8777 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
More Hotel Information and Book Reservations
Starting Rate: $207
Days Inn Silver Spring
8040 13Th Street/I-495, Silver Spring, MD 20910
More Hotel Information and Book Reservations
Starting Rate: $86
Courtyard Silver Spring Downtown
8506 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910
More Hotel Information and Book Reservations
Starting Rate: $269
Comfort Inn Georgia Ave/Dc Gateway
7990 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4860
More Hotel Information and Book Reservations
Starting Rate: $100
Hotel Opened in 2009
Hampton Inn Silver Spring
8728 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
More Hotel Information and Book Reservations
Starting Rate: $199
Hotel Opened in 2009
Homewood Suites By Hilton Silver Spring
8728 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
More Hotel Information and Book Reservations
Starting Rate: $249
Hotel Renovated in 2008
Wash Dc Silver Spring Hilton
8727 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
More Hotel Information and Book Reservations
Starting Rate: $229
Thanks for setting up the blog. It's so much better than the scads of emails I was getting. Not sure I can make either reunion, cause I'm an adjunct teacher at a local community college, and they won't let adjuncts get substitutes for say a week out of a quarter. I would have to give up teaching a whole quarter, and that's too big a sacrifice. But good to hear from all of you. Greg, I would love to come to Perth someday. Sounds great! Just did a 10-day mission trip to Senegal working with World Vision, so I'm pretty involved with that. Best regards to everyone. John Bayer
ReplyDeleteLet me try and clarify the intent of my earlier comment (I realize all you octagenarians may find it difficult to listen to the young kid on the block, but if you don't behave, I'll post pictures of my 1-yr.old granddaughter). Let everyone congregate as she will; I just didn't want this year's doings to substitute for something next year. After all, "50" is a rather awesome number.
ReplyDeleteAs for the difficulties of NY, I'm aware of them, having tried to institute something at NYU some years ago,only to get a discouraging cold shoulder from an administrator, even though I had a daughter-in-law working connection. There are potentially, however, other possibilities, and I'm currently sending out some feelers, so don't reject it out of hand.
With regard to the recent yawling comments from Down Under, I'd welcome the opportunity to visit (beer, tennis, blokes--what's not to like?), despite my uncertainty about what all that "drilling" is about (no need to invoke Freud here), but I do recall that Greg, 49 years ago, seemed to have little trouble greeting strangers on University Place (to the embarrassment of all of us natives)with a "How y'all doing?" At the very least, we could work on his spelling.
Ethan
What's wrong with my speling?
ReplyDeleteSorry that I've been slow to comment. Being retired we are flexible. I like the idea of Washington (or suburbs) in September and think a 2012 reunon would also be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteBurt
Maryl -Don't know how I got Jack Magri's email address wrong, but did. It is boats@usa2net.net Sorry for the trouble. GregSmith
ReplyDeleteNo problem. I just changed it. Thanks for letting us know.
ReplyDeletePerth sounds great - - amazing to think of you there. With your invitation, you may get more of us there to visit than you ever imagined. A reunion there? I'm not sure, but if the group wants to do it, why not?
Maryl
Sorry that I've been slow to comment. Being retired we are flexible. I like the idea of Washington (or suburbs) in September and think a 2012 reunon would also be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteBurt
Who are gattopardo120@gmail.com and egolog@aol.com??
ReplyDeleteegolog is ethan. Gattopardo is a real cool cat!!
ReplyDeleteHi All,
ReplyDeleteThe most complete, although not totally complete, list of email addresses can be found on the right side of this blog. Click on "Somali I Email List" and you should have it. Please send any additions or corrections.
To return to these Comments, Click on "Somali 1 PCVs Reunion - 2001" also on the right side at the bottom of the list.
Hope this works - - and I hope it helps. This is really an interesting experience!!!
My vote goes to New York. It's where we were hatched, where we made friends and bonded, and where we had a great good time. I read 20 years or so ago that the van Rennselaer stopped being a hotel and became apartments or condos or some such, so we'll have to pass up that pleasure.
ReplyDeleteAlternatively, if people are feeling rustic, there's Litchfield, CT, and Camp Columbia. Remember bouncing off cliff walls, wandering through the trees?
Posted by George Bond
I'm going to compete with Greg and offer the beautiful Northwest as the perfect destination for a 2012 reunion. We live in the small town of Washougal, only 20 minutes from Portland and 10 minutes from a fantastic ranch in the Columbia River Gorge that can sleep 20, has a wonderful kitchen and family room, private bedrooms with baths, a lovely open veranda with a fire pit for campfires in the evening, plenty of places to visit including Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge with fantastic hiking, waterfalls, etc. I rented the ranch 2 years ago for a family reunion and only paid $1500 for an entire week. You can't beat it!
ReplyDeleteJohn Bayer
Sounds like a great place, but what about sleeping more than 20? I would expect more than 20 of us getting together.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened? Did everyone meet up with The Rapture and disappear? I think that those of us who favor going to Washington DC in Sept. decide on a motel/hotel that we can all stay at. We can still meet next year also.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maryl for doing all this work. It is great hearing from everyone. Barry and I will be returning from Provence on Sept 20th and our tickets take us through Washington. We are flying on miles and hope to be able to change. Most probably we will be there and would love to stay in the same hotel as everyone else. Really looking forward to see you all. Diane Raleigh
ReplyDeleteJust trying this out to see if I can post. Have never "blogged" before.
ReplyDeleteD.C. in September is best for me, but I am flexible anywhere stateside.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like we're pretty well decided that a large group of us want to reunion in DC in Sept. That is, at least the first reunion with another possible one in 2012.
ReplyDeleteEd, can you check out the hotels/motels that you suggested and recommend which one best fits our needs? We should discuss what price range most of us want to be in.
If we agree in principal I could send a simple mass emailed form so that we can solidify dates, who's staying at the hotel, who's staying elsewhere in the area, etc. It think that we should make reservations ASAP to assure our success.
Aileen and I vote YES for--
ReplyDelete> A Somalia I RPCV reunion in D.C. this fall sometime during the period of Sept. 22nd-Sept. 25th, and...
>Another get-together sometime in 2012 in New York City.
We hope that many of our esteemed friends who live to the west of us will be persuaded to come east for one or both of these reunions.
-- Hal
Carole and I will definitely be in DC for the RPCV reunion in Sept. If we can work out a Somalia-I reunion in NYC-2012 we will most definitely be there also. Now we just have to decide if we'll stay with friends in Herndon, VA. or a motel as recommended by Ed.
ReplyDeleteCarole and I just made bookings at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. 4 nights, 09/22-09/25 @ $119. Even with my Marriott Rewards membership the rate would be $329/night. Did you all get Marty's email regarding the hotels and plans?
ReplyDeleteWe just received a new or corrected email address for Hank Dalleave
ReplyDeletehdalleave@avenuebroadband.com
so please update your email list for our group.
Maryl
Jack Magri wrote:
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we have travel reservations for a triip on the west coast which includes the dates of the PC gathering. We will not be able to attend. Give my regards to all.
Jack Magri
Please find several announcements for the entire Peace Corps Community below. We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this information with
ReplyDeleteyour members via your website, listservs, newsletters, etc. 50th Anniversary Calendar
Want to find an event near you for the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps?
Need people to attend your event? Please visit the NPCA / Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Calendar of Events athttp://events.peacecorps50.org/ . Keep
track of all of the exciting, meaningful, fun celebrations happening around the
world during the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary year. Don't forget to add your own events on the calendar!
Speakers Match With the Peace Corps' Speakers Match program, elementary and secondary
school teachers can enhance their students' learning through classroom presentations by returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Interested classroom
teachers and returned Peace Corps Volunteers can enroll in the Peace Corps' Speakers Match program by visiting
http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/speakersmatch/
Peace Corps Offers Regional Career Events for RPCVS
This year, Peace Corps' Returned Volunteers Services began offering FREE one-day events in cities where Peace Corps has Regional Recruitment Offices,
to further expand support of returned Volunteers throughout the United States.
RPCVs learn how to tell their Peace Corps stories in a way that highlights their professional qualifications, participate in hands-on workshops, and interact with potential employers. Visit
http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.returned.carres.carevents
to learn more.
Save the Date: 50th Anniversary Regional Expos
The National Peace Corps Association, in conjunction with the Peace Corps Regional Recruitment Offices and select Member Groups, is coordinating a series of 50th Anniversary Regional Expos nationwide in 2011. Each Expo will feature exhibits from RPCVs showcasing their work around the world, remarks from both Peace Corps and NPCA, and discussion sessions for interested
applicants and RPCVs. Expos are free and open to the public. Visit
http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/resources/peacecorps-50thanniversary/50thexpos/ to find out specific details about that Expo and to register – hope to see you there!
Martin Kaplan