Update Letter for Upcoming Family Reunion

Please start paying your Family Reunion Dues. None of This will happen if we don't have your money in the Treasury as soon as possible.

Dear Family Members:

Happy New Year! 2007 has arrived and we are just 6 months away from seeing each other again!

July 19-22, 2007 is going to be a fantastic weekend and here are the details so far:

Uncle James has chosen our Theme for this year:

“Ye shall know them by their fruits…” Matt. 7:16
This will be printed on our T-shirts (color to be determined)

Radisson Hotel
5991 Rivers Avenue
North Charleston SC 29406
Reservations: (888) 201-1718 USA
Telephone: (843) 744-2501 Fax: (843) 744-2501

The hotel rate is $84.99/night. This price does not include breakfast but the hotel has a breakfast buffet.

30 rooms have been reserved. Please make your reservations as soon as possible.

Thursday, July 19, is the day we will expect everyone to arrive at the hotel. We will host a Meet and Greet at the hotel that evening.

Friday, July 20th, 10am – 4:30pm
Wannamaker County Park & Whirlin' Waters Adventure Waterpark (Char
Bus transportation will be provided to take the family to the park. This will be an all day affair.

Entry to the park is $1/person and free for children 2years old and younger.

Entry to Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark is $13/person. This is just for water activities.

12:30pm
We will have a family picnic while at the park.

7:30/8pm-10pm Miller Family Idol Contest
Hotel Ballroom

Saturday July 21 (9:30am-2pm)
Tour of the Avery Normal Institute and other areas in Downtown Charleston, SC. (to be decided)

About Avery:
Avery Normal Institute came into existence in Charleston, SC, with the aid of the American Missionary Association. In addition to offering "common" courses (farming, sewing, cooking, millinery, laundry, housekeeping, etc.), Avery offered its students a classical education based on the missionaries' beliefs in the importance of such an education. Students took course in history, government, economics, languages and literature, methods of teaching, natural philosophy, and physiology.
In the early 1880's, Avery served as the only educational institution in Charleston which prepared "promising" blacks for college, playing a role in the development of the professional class of blacks. Avery students managed to become doctors, lawyers, businessmen, and teachers, participating in a movement of upward mobility not only of the black elite, but also of former slaves and working class blacks. The developing aspirations of blacks during this time period experienced the heavy influence of the ideals set forth by the northern missionaries, placing a good deal of importance on the notion of progress.


6pm-10pm
Family Banquet at The Park Circle Community Center

Sunday July 22 (8:30am-until)

We will have services in Summerton, SC with the members of Mt. Zion A.M.E Church. We are believing to have buses for transportation to the church. Please, believe with us and pay your dues!!!

The order of the Church service will be conducted by the Pastor; Dr. Higgins. However, the pastor has generously allowed us to add to the service. We will have a few of the family ministers as speakers for the service.

We will have 3 speakers from the family deliver a message during the service based on our theme for this year: “ye shall know them by their fruits…”

Each speaker will be given 15 minutes with 1 min for overflow. Dr. Higgins will ensure that each speaker sticks to the time limit. We want to be sure to respect their time and maintain good fellowship with the members. They are not used to being in church all day. The speakers will all be notified before May 30th. This should give each of them enough time to prepare their teachings.

The church will provide a brunch for the family after the service (paid for from the reunion fund).

Then we will drive over to the old homestead for a visit.

Ok, that is the whole weekend.

There may be some variation in the activities by the time July comes around. A lot of them depend on how successful the Executive Staff is in collecting the dues.

I am looking forward to this family reunion being just as exciting as all of the others. Again, everyone, we need you to pay your dues.

I believe most of us are challenged with paying because we wait until the last minute. This year I have been more diligent and have already paid my dues. I encourage all of you over 18 (and not in college) to do the same. Let’s show love and respect to our family by making this the year that everyone who enjoys the fruit has contributed their fair share in the planting.

These family reunions cost us about $8000, but we can do it! When everyone pays their dues, the only additional expense per family is transportation and lodging. You could just show up and have fun if you help me encourage everyone to pay their fair share.

Please feel free to contact me or a member of the Executive Staff if you have any questions.

You know I Love You!!!
Tonya (510) 396-3145