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We believe reunions have the power to nourish and strengthen families of all races and ethnicities. Reunions can encourage healthy extended family relationships, provide a sense of belonging, restore family pride, nurture and respect all generations, and impart wisdom, knowledge and a shared purpose. Our goal is to strengthen, inspire and support family reunion planning; share useful information and resources; and advocate for the teaching of family and reunion history, values and experiences.
- Dr. Ione Vargus
In July we welcome independence by remembering the past and building opportunities for the future.
July is best known for family reunions, Fourth of July celebrations, barbecues, ice cream, water ice, sunbathing, beaches, boardwalks, fireworks, baseball, outdoor concerts, water plugs, water-and-amusement parks—and whatever else your family’s favorite July activity is.
Summer is in full swing this July with vacations to be enjoyed, beaches to lay up on, sunsets to watch, barbecues to savor, and plenty of daylight to appreciate. If you’re looking for things to do, July is loaded with lots to enjoy and observe. We’ve listed plenty in this month’s FAMILY TIME including Parents Day, Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day, National Father-in-Law Day, Aunt and Uncle Day, Cousins Day, National Air Conditioning Appreciation Days, National Grilling Month, Ice Cream Month, Clean Beaches Week, International Reggae Day, Fried Chicken Day, Chicken Wing Day, Chicken & Waffles Day, Strawberry Sundae Day, Slurpee Day, Social Wellness Month, Compliment Your Mirror Day, Cheer Up the Lonely Day, Simplicity Day, and so much more. Nelson Mandela Day is also observed this month, and we commemorate him by sharing some of his quotes in WORTH REPEATING. We also provide a few Summertime Quotes to help you pass the time while lounging by the pool. This month’s REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH is directly related to the 2024 Summer Olympics, and PRACTiCAL FAMiLY REUNION PLANNING is linked to Social Wellness Month.
Aaahhhh July, full of reunions, fireworks, family, fruit, food and fun. Here’s hoping you find time to relax, savor what summer has to offer, and enjoy your reunions and family. Stay safe and be well.
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NEW NOW:
- Reunion Tip of the Month
- Family Time
- Nelson Mandela Quotes
- Worth Repeating (Summertime)
- Happy Birthday Dr. Vargus
NEW LATER:
- Practical Family Reunion Planning
- Sticky Reunion Situation
Planning a family reunion? Click below for tips on:
NEED HELP with a Sticky Reunion Situation?
- Check the SRS Archives (CLICK HERE) -OR-
- Contact us (CLICK HERE).
Reunion planners are always looking for something interesting, appealing and amusing to keep the family engaged during the reunion. This year you can pay homage to the Summer Olympics by reviewing the list of 32 sports* that will be on display, selecting a few that your members can duplicate, and creating your own Summer Olympics and awards. It’s good competitive fun for the entire family (whether they’re actively participating, judging, or just viewing). Gets folks off their cellphones (except to get sport rules and regulations). It’s an easy change-up in your reunion routine and who knows, it may inspire a family member or two to get involved in sports and/or the actual Olympics.
*32 Sports for the Summer Olympic 2024: Aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, breaking, canoeing, cycling, equetrian, fencing, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, handball, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing, rugby sevens, sailing, shooting, skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.
In July we celebrate reunions, greet the heat, demonstrate outdoor culinary skills, savor cool eats, favor the fresh air, and observe Parents Day, Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day, National Father-in-Law Day, Aunt and Uncle Day, Cousins Day, National Air Conditioning Appreciation Days, National Grilling Month, Ice Cream Month, National Parks and Recreation Month, Clean Beaches Week, International Reggae Day, Fried Chicken Day, Chicken Wing Day, Chicken & Waffles Day, Strawberry Sundae Day, Slurpee Day, Give Something Away Day, and don’t forget about your family’s birthdays, anniversaries, and other special celebrations.
Nelson Mandela Day is July 18th, his birthday
“I never lose. I either win or learn.”
“It always seems impossible until it's done.”
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated.”
“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return.”
“Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely daydreaming, but vision with action can change the world.”
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.”
“Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.”
“It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build”.
“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” – Van Morrison
“Ah, summer – that long anticipated stretch of lazy, lingering days, free of responsibility and rife with possibility. It’s a time to hunt for insects, master handstands, practice swimming strokes, conquer trees, explore nooks and crannies, and make new friends.” – Darrell Hammond
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” – John Lubbock
“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability”.
– Sam Keen
“It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do”. – Walter Winchell
“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” – James Dent
“In Summer: Hair gets lighter. Skin gets darker. Water gets warmer. Drinks get colder. Music gets louder. Nights get longer. Life gets better.” – Unknown
Family Reunion Planning isn’t just about the date, venue, activities and food. It should also include getting to know the family better. It’s interesting that we find out so much about relatives while reading their obituaries, and that our repasses are full of conversations about what we didn’t know, and what we would have done, or said, or asked had we known. One thing we can do during reunions (and during reunion planning) is find out more about our family members while they are here to answer questions. Their responses can be encouraging to others, especially family youth.
How many family members have served in the military? How many are teachers, principals, counselors, tutors? How many work for the government—and in what capacity? How many handymen, gardeners, farmers, poets, nurses, doctors, lawyers, tutors, mentors, cooks, bakers, entrepreneurs, gamers? How many went to college, what school and college did they attend? Did they pledge? Do they travel? What do they do for fun? Make your family reunion more than just a picnic with mere chit-chat and gossip. Find out who you all are—and what you have in common. Every family member has a story to tell. All we have to do is ask.
Oldie but Goodie:
WE HAVE NO FAMILY TREE
My maternal and paternal grandparent’s families are very big and very close. There are lots of aunts,
uncles, and cousins, and lots of combined family gatherings. However, no one has taken the time to create
family trees. We really have a good time when we get together, but it bugs me that I don’t have a clear
understanding of where everyone fits in the family. Whenever I mention it they wave me off, and one of
my cousins has even said I was “meddling”. How can I convince them that putting together a family tree is
a good thing—or should I just leave it alone?
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