SEASONS GREETINGS
WISHING YOU JOY IN THE WORLD AND PEACE IN YOUR HOME

USS AUGUSTA REUNION - GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN RAMADA INN - MONDAY MAY 7 THRU SATURDAY 12 MAY 2007

 ^{The 28th reunion of the USS Augusta Association will be held this year in  Grand Rapids, Michigan.}

FIRST TOUR DAY: (Tuesday) Our schedule Commences at the Fredrik Meijer Gardens -an indoor botanic garden and sculpture park featuring over 70 bronze pieces along with the largest outdoor nature trail in the state of Michigan. (A tram is provided for those that do not wish to walk) A 14ft. glass chandelier adorns the entry of the gardens- also a tall casting of Leonardo da Vinci's horse.

Time out for an upscale lunch in a Christmas themed environment.

We will then visit the Gerald Ford (38th President) Museum where you will find a wealth of information on his life, his VP, and the 1976 Presidential Campaign. This museum is not a monument to anyone man or any one presidency -it is a classroom of American Democracy, a place where everyone will enjoy privileged access to the innermost workings of this government.

SECOND TOUR DAY - (Wednesday) We will be honored with a costumed Festival tour guide as we drive thru downtown and historic areas with an in site look at Holland and the Tulip Festival. Teams of costumed Klompen Dancers -visit areas of tulips -tour the only Blue Delft Factory in the U.S. a Wooden Shoe Factory -visit the home of America's one and only 200 year old Dutch Windmill.

TIME OUT AGAIN FOR LUNCH -featuring -fiddling-dancing-singingalong with a variety of music sure to please everyone by the Evergreen Senior Center -"SING- SING- SING"

THURSDAY TOUR DAY - we will return to Holland where we will visit the Marktplaats- sure stop to shop -enjoy craft demonstrations, displays, and Dutch munchies (A good stop to pick up any munchies you may like to enjoy while watching the parade) We will be escorted to our bleacher seats to enjoy the parade from 2PM - 4PM. After this event we will then enjoy our dinner at Hope College -Buffet Style.

FRIDAY TOUR DAY - As our week continues - next visit will be in Battle Creek to the Cereal City Kellogg's Industry - a working simulated production line showing the entire cereal making process -beginning with grain receiving and storage through milling, cooking, baking and packaging the final product. We will then travel to Kalamazoo for a box lunch at the Air Zoo Aviation Museum - this is a unique collection of over 70 restored rare aircraft - many still in flying condition-Sr-71B Blackbird and much more. NOTICE -LADIES - since this may be a man's thing -let them rush through their lunch and you may sit and relax a bit -or when you feel you have seen enough aviation history return to the cafe and relax while waiting for the bus to escort us back to the hotel.

A full week packed with adventures and also our Annual Auction and possibly our bingo special -is in store for everyone. All this planning is very time consuming -so your help is needed to make it a success.
REMEMBER # BEWARE # SURPRISES are always my middle name

SATURDAY -BANQUET - MUSIC by Jackie Middleton during our banquet will help us cherish the wonderful memories of our great Association. And give thanks to all that contribute to keep it successful!

&&&&&& &&&&&&&& &&&&&&&&

THOSE WHO'VE LIT OUR LIVES WITH LOVE ARE NOT TRULY GONE-THEY WATCH OVER US FROM HEAVEN, WHERE THEIR SPIRITS STILL SHINE ON.

Our lost shhipmates since reunion of 2006: Roberdell Whitley, C. Russell King, George Gilbert, Morey Ross, Arthur Neild, Fred Norris

Share a moment of prayer and get well wishes for our Sick Bay patients The Blockers, Joe Miele, Dave Pascale, Harold Swanson, Pearl Weeks and a road to recovery to any that I have missed.

I personally give my thanks and cherish the good times of our reunions.
May God give us strength to carry on this tradition!

IDA MAE FORRY