June 19, 2009
'Come Home for the Reunion and Stay for a Lifetime' Extension
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- With family and friends located across the country and around the world, getting together to reconnect and reminisce is an important part of keeping relationships strong. Because reunions play a big role in West Virginia’s culture, we decided it would be a great opportunity to remind those that attend these reunions about the great things happening in our wonderful state.
In May, we launched the “Come Home for the Reunion and Stay for a Lifetime” campaign as part of an ongoing effort to encourage visitors and our citizens who have left the state to take a look at the positive changes and economic growth in West Virginia. To help us in this endeavor, we are offering to qualifying reunions “reunion kits,” which include hats, convention bags and in-state tourism and business highlights.
We have teamed up with more than 200 reunion planners, allowing us to reach m ore than 15,000 people, and counting. Due to the promotion’s overwhelming popularity and the number of requests for reunion kits, I have decided to extend this initiative to include family and school reunions that are taking place through October.
By extending the promotion into the homecoming season, we will be able to sponsor additional reunions and reach an audience twice our original goal of 10,000 kits. I’m thrilled about the excitement that has been generated for this campaign; it illustrates the collective dedication we all have in bringing our friends and family home.
Here is a sampling of just some of the reunions West Virginia will be hosting this year:
Kerby Family Reunion – Location: Tygart Lake State Park – Date: July 18
“We gather each year to see our loved ones from Ohio and various parts of West Virginia. Some have moved away only to return. They say they always wanted to come "home" to West Virginia. My cousins that were born and raised in Ohio say they feel more at home here in Grafton. We look forward all year long to our 1 day visit at Tygart Lake.” ~ Donna Colebank of Levels, WV
Cordle-Caudill Family Reunion – Location: Beckwith – Date: July 25
Fifty years and still going! After the older generations passed away, a cousin promised his grandmother he would continue the tradition and he has done a beautiful job keeping us in touch. Relatives come from many states as well as West Virginia. I am back home from Florida living my lifetime. ~ Sheril Debish of Montgomery, WV
Martin Cousins Reunion – Location: Tomlinson Run State Park, New Manchester – Date: August 8
"Martin Cousins by the Dozens." This will be the first family reunion for the 22 first cousins of the children of Joe and Marian (Moore) Martin of Hancock County. We will be coming from 14 different states with our children & grandchildren, many of whom have never seen the Mountain State. After all these years, we look forward to reconnecting with family once again at Tomlinson Run State Park where our families held many reunions way back in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. ~ Gerry (McConnell) Curtis of Ventura, CA.
I am so proud of our people and our state. It is such a privilege to showcase our business development as well as our natural beauty to so many former residents and new guests. This is a perfect opportunity for our residents who are so eager to bring their classmates, friends and loved ones home.
For those returning home for your reunion, and to those who are first-time visitors, I encourage you to take a look around and remember that West Virginia has the great quality of life you desire and the opportunities you’re looking for today. There is no better time to “Come Home for the Reunion and Stay for a Lifetime!”
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'Come Home for the Reunion and Stay for a Lifetime' Extension
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- With family and friends located across the country and around the world, getting together to reconnect and reminisce is an important part of keeping relationships strong. Because reunions play a big role in West Virginia’s culture, we decided it would be a great opportunity to remind those that attend these reunions about the great things happening in our wonderful state.
In May, we launched the “Come Home for the Reunion and Stay for a Lifetime” campaign as part of an ongoing effort to encourage visitors and our citizens who have left the state to take a look at the positive changes and economic growth in West Virginia. To help us in this endeavor, we are offering to qualifying reunions “reunion kits,” which include hats, convention bags and in-state tourism and business highlights.
We have teamed up with more than 200 reunion planners, allowing us to reach m ore than 15,000 people, and counting. Due to the promotion’s overwhelming popularity and the number of requests for reunion kits, I have decided to extend this initiative to include family and school reunions that are taking place through October.
By extending the promotion into the homecoming season, we will be able to sponsor additional reunions and reach an audience twice our original goal of 10,000 kits. I’m thrilled about the excitement that has been generated for this campaign; it illustrates the collective dedication we all have in bringing our friends and family home.
Here is a sampling of just some of the reunions West Virginia will be hosting this year:
Kerby Family Reunion – Location: Tygart Lake State Park – Date: July 18
“We gather each year to see our loved ones from Ohio and various parts of West Virginia. Some have moved away only to return. They say they always wanted to come "home" to West Virginia. My cousins that were born and raised in Ohio say they feel more at home here in Grafton. We look forward all year long to our 1 day visit at Tygart Lake.” ~ Donna Colebank of Levels, WV
Cordle-Caudill Family Reunion – Location: Beckwith – Date: July 25
Fifty years and still going! After the older generations passed away, a cousin promised his grandmother he would continue the tradition and he has done a beautiful job keeping us in touch. Relatives come from many states as well as West Virginia. I am back home from Florida living my lifetime. ~ Sheril Debish of Montgomery, WV
Martin Cousins Reunion – Location: Tomlinson Run State Park, New Manchester – Date: August 8
"Martin Cousins by the Dozens." This will be the first family reunion for the 22 first cousins of the children of Joe and Marian (Moore) Martin of Hancock County. We will be coming from 14 different states with our children & grandchildren, many of whom have never seen the Mountain State. After all these years, we look forward to reconnecting with family once again at Tomlinson Run State Park where our families held many reunions way back in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. ~ Gerry (McConnell) Curtis of Ventura, CA.
I am so proud of our people and our state. It is such a privilege to showcase our business development as well as our natural beauty to so many former residents and new guests. This is a perfect opportunity for our residents who are so eager to bring their classmates, friends and loved ones home.
For those returning home for your reunion, and to those who are first-time visitors, I encourage you to take a look around and remember that West Virginia has the great quality of life you desire and the opportunities you’re looking for today. There is no better time to “Come Home for the Reunion and Stay for a Lifetime!”
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
