2001
Collectors
Family Reunion:
Thursday,
October 4, 2001
Registration 2-6 PM
Registration
for the third Harbour Lights Collectors Reunion started at 2 PM and ran
until 6 PM on Thursday, October 4. Just over 800 collectors from around
the US got their 'documents' and welcoming hugs on the third floor of the
new Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore MD.
 During
registration, representatives of several Harbour Lights Collectors Clubs
helped staff the check in areas -- and had the opportunity to pitch their
own club as well. Above - Jim Johnson (seated).
Photos
With Bill and Nancy
 Once
through the registration line, collectors had the opportunity to have a
photo taken with Nancy & Bill Younger before returning to their hotel
room. The photos were ready for pick-up on Sunday at Brunch with Bill.
 A
few minutes to freshen up and enjoy the view of Baltimore's Inner Harbor
from the Marriott Waterfront Hotel. The white tent near the foreground was
an entertainment pavilion (not part of the Reunion.) Just above this is
the round Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse and to the right of the lighthouse
are additional tents that were used for the Saturday dinner. Two large
boats seen at the top of the harbor were the ones used for the Friday
cruise. They docked next to Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse for boarding.
'Thanksgiving'
Dinner and A Patriot Salute At 6 PM, all hands were
on deck in the Keeper's Headquarters while we enjoyed appetizers and got
to renew old friendships and make new ones.
Once the ballroom doors were open collectors made mad
dashes to find seats for the dinner and program. Collector 'Rip' Puls of
FL is the first one through the door.
On our bread plates -
a little blue velveteen pouch -- containing a thumbnail size sculpture of
Craighill Upper Channel Front Range light -- the first of four Collectors
will receive at the Reunion. |
 Strike
up the band! We enjoyed a patriotic salute to America once we were all
seated for dinner. Most collectors wore red, white, and blue -- and some
broke out their best stars and stripes outfits.
 Henry
Gonzales, Vice President of the USLHS Chesapeake Chapter spoke a few words
of welcome. 
The
"Comedy Sportz" group provided after-dinner entertainment with
topical high speed improvisational skits.
 The
Comedy Sportz skits got big laughs from Nancy and Bill and our gathered
family. 
Thurston
Bowden (left) managed to work a marriage proposal to Shelley Clark into
one of the Comedy Sportz skits. She said YES! Both are from California.
Coffee
and Getting Acquainted Following a traditional
Thanksgiving dinner -- to give thanks for all that we enjoy in America --
we enjoyed coffee in the foyer with time to again mingle with the over 800
collectors who attended the third reunion. 'Connected
Collectors' -- many of whom had only 'met' in forums and chats on the
Internet before the evening -- had made previous arrangements to finally
meet in person following dinner. Many used the time to contribute to a
10th Anniversary Scrapbook for Harbour Lights that was presented on
Sunday. On To
Friday
Photographs by Paul L. Brady
& John Chidester except as noted.
Copyright 2001 Harbour Lights
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