A note from Launi

Dear Grand Family,

    Another year in the books!  Our 56th year of celebrating our family together, and it was a success!  Lots of hard work, yet an amazing turn out and lots of fun.

    I want to say:  Denise said she passed the torch to me in taking charge...well, she worked just as hard as she always does and has, which I am so grateful for.

    A big thank you to Denise's mom, Kathy, for steppin' up and donating her tables and chairs for us to enjoy with no cost to us.  Thank you, Willie, Jimmy, and Walt, for manning up and handling the cooking of two amazing meals.  Thank you to all who stepped in to help without being asked.  I needed all the help I could get!

    We did well with the auction, bringing in about $1700.00.  You can help yourself to the website to see expenses & revenue (click the State of the Reunion tab).

    With all this being said - I am looking forward to next year!  Thank you again and we'll see y'all in 2026!

Launi

2025 Reunion Updates

 Updates and notes from Launi:

Thank you to all that have RSVP’d and paid in advance.

If you haven’t yet done so, please do it now!  We need a food count.

This year, at the Old Town Ranch, the camping in your own

RV is only $25 but no hook-ups.  It’s only $125 each for the last two

wagons available.  Go online and check them out, they’re pretty cool.

Please remember:  NO PETS ALLOWED!

Our goal is to start the auction immediately after eating.  So please

don’t forget your auction items.  When you bring your auction items you

will receive one ticket per person to win a Grand prize.

Please be mindful to keep the camp clean throughout the day to avoid

a hefty fine from the venue.

Hoping your plans are to stay into the evening to enjoy the games,

campfire, etc.  Please remember to bring cash to get in on the games.

Also, Denise and Launi have scanned over 200 of Jerry Stewart’s Grand

family photo collection.  We will be selling the collection on USB drives for

only $10.

2025 Grand Family Reunion

Hey Grand Family!  Happy New Year!  It's that time of year again, even if it is a little bit earlier this year, it's time to get ready for the 56th Grand Family Reunion.  Launi has been busy organizing a wonderful reunion for all of us.  It's been fun seeing the different venues and this year is no exception.  Old Town Ranch has six Conestoga wagons for guests to stay in and RV's and tents can camp around them.  Contact Launi if you're interested in staying in the wagons.  All the information is on the invitation below.  PLEASE REGISTER AND PAY EARLY.  It makes a huge difference for the organizers. Also, please plan to bring an item for the auction (see the note on the invitation).  Hope y'all can come. 

Click HERE for a printable version of the invitation.

Click HERE to register online.

Thank you!

Just a quick note to say "Thank you" to Denise (and Larry too) for a wonderful 2024 reunion.  The location was wonderful, and the smoked brisket and pork were delicious.  Thank you for all the effort you put into making it so fun for the rest of us.

Also, we were super speedy getting all of the paperwork done this year, so the totals for this year's reunion are already posted on the State of the Reunion page. Check it out!

It came to our attention again this year that some folks don't understand the concept that paying the price for the meal is not just to pay for the meat.  It doesn't matter if you're vegan or carnivore, or if you only eat what you brought.  The funds that we receive should probably be called an attendance fee.  The fee covers the meat, the venue and any other expenses.  the Auction has also been a good way to pay for the expense of the reunion.  The organizers try to break even each year but as you can see on the State of the Reunion page, some years we have a profit and some a loss. So, please don't come to the reunion and not pay the full price - it hurts all of us.  Heck, even the organizers pay.  Hope that clears things up.

Have you Registered?

Have you registered for this year's reunion?  

If not, please do so NOW!  

Registering BEFORE the actual event makes it so much easier for the organizer to plan how much food and supplies to purchase.  This will keep costs down and eliminate waste.  The organizers plan for months to make it a pleasant and fun filled weekend for you - the least you can do is register before you come to the reunion.  We've made it super easy for you.  Just scan the Venmo or Zelle links on the invitation or here on the Reunion Registration page or mail your registration form (bottom of the 2nd page of the invitation) Super easy!  Heck, at the very least you could text, email, or message us here, to let us know you're coming.  Oh, and I should say a huge THANK YOU to everyone that has already taken the time to register, we greatly appreciate it 😊

55th Grand Family Reuinon

Hey Grand Family!  It's that time of year again.  Time to make arrangements and plan to come to the reunion.  It's a little bit earlier this year and the location looks like a wonderful place to have a family get together.  A printable invitation is below, just click the link.  Register early!

Thank you, Denise McKinney, for taking it on this year.  For the rest of you, PLEASE consider organizing it next year. We'd hate for this family tradition to come to an end.

PRINT your invitation CLICK HERE

Register and pay by April 30th through Venmo and Zelle or 

cut and mail the bottom portion of the invitation along with your check.

Visit our Reunion Registration page HERE.

 

2023 Thanks and 2024 Reunion

 A special thanks this year to Randy Jr. & Carmen Opperman for providing and donating the wonderful venue, the meat and hospitality at the 2023 reunion in Palmdale, CA. Your property was the perfect place to hold the reunion.

We still need a family to organize and host the 2024 reunion.  Again, if nobody steps up to the plate and shares the responsibility of overseeing the next reunion, there is a possibility that we may not have one next year.  If you're interested call Denise.  Get a group together - siblings, cousins, etc. - and get in on the fun of providing the next generation with a link to their past and future - VOLUNTEER TO ORGANIZE THE 2024 REUNION.

Forest Powell

 Cindy wanted us to let you all know that Forest had a heart attack yesterday.  It was followed up with a ride to the hospital and open-heart surgery to clear a blocked artery.  He'll be in the hospital for a bit but cannot have any visitors.  We'll be praying for a quick recovery.

Thank you, Opperman Family.

 Just wanted to convey a special THANK YOU to the Opperman family for all their hard work and attention to detail in planning and executing this years Grand Family Reunion.  A great time was had by all who attended.

The 54th Grand Family Reunion

 The reunion is this weekend!  

As you can see below, we have a wonderful new logo this year.  Since the reunion is held in Palmdale, the Oppermans thought it was only fitting to have a Joshua Tree on it.  They did a great job on the design.  This logo is available as a black, 9"x 9", iron-on for $3.00.  If you'd like one, just bring a clean, white or colored (the black logo will show up best on light colors), t-shirt, sweatshirt, etc.  Denise will have her heat press machine to press the logos on for you. 

Also, although Landcaster's temperature is forecast to be 90 degrees on Saturday, it's been windier than usual, and the evenings are brisk.  It's a good idea to bring a jacket and sunscreen.