2019 Reunion
June 12th - 16th, 2019.
June 12th - 16th, 2019.
Was a fantastic success!!!
Was a fantastic success!!!
Many thanks to all whose contributions made this reunion the "best ever," as reported by everyone who attended.
Many thanks to all whose contributions made this reunion the "best ever," as reported by everyone who attended.
As soon as we recover, photos, etc. will be posted here.
As soon as we recover, photos, etc. will be posted here.
Please be patient, it took a lot of work and recovery will take time.
Please be patient, it took a lot of work and recovery will take time.
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The reunion fee, which covers food & beverages during group events – All Hands Meeting, Steel Beach Picnic & Farewell Dinner and various function costs, will be $80 per person for shipmates and $70 per person for shipmates’ guests.
The reunion fee, which covers food & beverages during group events – All Hands Meeting, Steel Beach Picnic & Farewell Dinner and various function costs, will be $80 per person for shipmates and $70 per person for shipmates’ guests.
Fees can be paid online with credit/debit card at our ship’s store or by check, made out to USS Duluth Crewmembers Association and mailed to 6474 Iroquois Trail, Mentor, OH 44060.
Fees can be paid online with credit/debit card at our ship’s store or by check, made out to USS Duluth Crewmembers Association and mailed to 6474 Iroquois Trail, Mentor, OH 44060.
A. Our 2019 Reunion Coordinators are John Adams and Mark Bowman. John and Mark can be reached at:
A. Our 2019 Reunion Coordinators are John Adams and Mark Bowman. John and Mark can be reached at:
john.adams@ussduluth.org (cell) 610-213-6379
john.adams@ussduluth.org (cell) 610-213-6379
mark.bowman@rbc.com (cell) 763-229-6369
mark.bowman@rbc.com (cell) 763-229-6369
B. Our "All Hands" meeting will be the evening of Thursday, June 13th in the Gooseberry Falls Room in the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), located just next door to the hotel.
B. Our "All Hands" meeting will be the evening of Thursday, June 13th in the Gooseberry Falls Room in the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), located just next door to the hotel.
C. Dan Streu, our resident shipmate, and former US Marine, who lives in Superior, across the river from Duluth, has said that the weather in early June is usually cool, windy and rainy. Since Duluth sits on Lake Superior, the wind coming off the lake is still rather cold. The lake temperature is in the low 40’s still, which affects the weather in Duluth. The average low and high in June is 48 and 68, and the rain average is 3.71 inches. For comparison, the month of September averages are identical to June.
C. Dan Streu, our resident shipmate, and former US Marine, who lives in Superior, across the river from Duluth, has said that the weather in early June is usually cool, windy and rainy. Since Duluth sits on Lake Superior, the wind coming off the lake is still rather cold. The lake temperature is in the low 40’s still, which affects the weather in Duluth. The average low and high in June is 48 and 68, and the rain average is 3.71 inches. For comparison, the month of September averages are identical to June.
D. The Suites Hotel at Waterfront Plaza Rates: June 17th, 2019, the day after our reunion ends, the rates will increase for the summer tourist season starting with the annual Grandma’s Marathon, sponsored by Grandma's Saloon & Grill, and stay that way throughout the summer. Our rates have already been established and are shown in the table above.
D. The Suites Hotel at Waterfront Plaza Rates: June 17th, 2019, the day after our reunion ends, the rates will increase for the summer tourist season starting with the annual Grandma’s Marathon, sponsored by Grandma's Saloon & Grill, and stay that way throughout the summer. Our rates have already been established and are shown in the table above.
All Room Rates include a full hot breakfast buffet each morning
All Room Rates include a full hot breakfast buffet each morning
(M-F: 6:30-9:30, S-S: 7:00-10:00).
(M-F: 6:30-9:30, S-S: 7:00-10:00).
Complimentary cocktail: Monday – Thursday 5 pm – 7 pm.
Complimentary cocktail: Monday – Thursday 5 pm – 7 pm.
Complimentary parking.
Complimentary parking.
Complimentary Wi-Fi.
Complimentary Wi-Fi.
Indoor pool, hot tub, sauna & fitness center.
Indoor pool, hot tub, sauna & fitness center.
We work very hard, to keep reunion costs to a minimum, as much as possible.
We work very hard, to keep reunion costs to a minimum, as much as possible.
For comparison, here are the room rates for August 2019 and September 2019:
For comparison, here are the room rates for August 2019 and September 2019:
AUG 2019
AUG 2019
· $179.00 plus tax for Studio Queen/King or Double Suites
· $179.00 plus tax for Studio Queen/King or Double Suites
(interior rooms w/ no windows)
(interior rooms w/ no windows)
· $225.00 plus tax for One Bedroom King Suites
· $225.00 plus tax for One Bedroom King Suites
· $265.00 plus tax for Two Bedroom King Suites or
· $265.00 plus tax for Two Bedroom King Suites or
Whirlpool One Bedroom King Suites
Whirlpool One Bedroom King Suites
· $315.00 plus tax for our Two Bedroom Condo Suites
· $315.00 plus tax for our Two Bedroom Condo Suites
SEPT 2019
SEPT 2019
· $145.00 plus tax for Studio Queen/King or Double Suites
· $145.00 plus tax for Studio Queen/King or Double Suites
(interior rooms w/ no windows)
(interior rooms w/ no windows)
· $189.00 plus tax for One Bedroom King Suites
· $189.00 plus tax for One Bedroom King Suites
· $219.00 plus tax for Two Bedroom King Suites or
· $219.00 plus tax for Two Bedroom King Suites or
Whirlpool One Bedroom King Suites
Whirlpool One Bedroom King Suites
· $255.00 plus tax for our Two Bedroom Condo Suites
· $255.00 plus tax for our Two Bedroom Condo Suites
E. In the past we have held our reunion in August (2015) and September (2013, 2017). In 2019 we are scheduling in June because of the more expensive room rates for August and September.
E. In the past we have held our reunion in August (2015) and September (2013, 2017). In 2019 we are scheduling in June because of the more expensive room rates for August and September.
F. July 20th – 21st, 2019 is the annual Duluth Air Show. In 2019 the Blue Angels will be performing. Room rates are at their highest during this time frame, so unquestionably this is out for our reunion.
F. July 20th – 21st, 2019 is the annual Duluth Air Show. In 2019 the Blue Angels will be performing. Room rates are at their highest during this time frame, so unquestionably this is out for our reunion.
G. In the past we have provided one meal each full day of the reunion.
G. In the past we have provided one meal each full day of the reunion.
· Thursday: We have had catered hors d’oeuvres and buffet
· Thursday: We have had catered hors d’oeuvres and buffet
before or after our Business Meeting. (2019 -
before or after our Business Meeting. (2019 -
before the meeting)
before the meeting)
· Friday: We have had an afternoon picnic and an evening
· Friday: We have had an afternoon picnic and an evening
dinner at the hotel. (2019 - lunch, see J below,
dinner at the hotel. (2019 - lunch, see J below,
then dinner on your own)
then dinner on your own)
· Saturday: We have had an evening dinner cruise and dinner
· Saturday: We have had an evening dinner cruise and dinner
at the Clyde Iron Restaurant. (2019 - see K
at the Clyde Iron Restaurant. (2019 - see K
below)
below)
H. Meetings will be held to one business meeting. Total meeting time will be reduced to no longer than 90-120 minutes. The first two reunions we had two meetings – One on Thursday evening and one on Saturday morning. This past reunion we had one meeting, but it ran too long. Next reunion we plan on holding one shorter business meeting.
H. Meetings will be held to one business meeting. Total meeting time will be reduced to no longer than 90-120 minutes. The first two reunions we had two meetings – One on Thursday evening and one on Saturday morning. This past reunion we had one meeting, but it ran too long. Next reunion we plan on holding one shorter business meeting.
I. We are exploring options and are hoping to implement new procedures, whereby association officer nominations and voting will be conducted via mail/email beginning several months prior to the reunion.
I. We are exploring options and are hoping to implement new procedures, whereby association officer nominations and voting will be conducted via mail/email beginning several months prior to the reunion.
J. There will be a steel beach picnic on the Former USCGC Sundew, catered by Kurtz Catering. Jeff Foster of Jeff Foster Trucking, Inc. is the owner and operator. Because we served in the Navy, aboard the ship named for the City of Duluth, Jeff will put on the needed crew of 15-20 to take us to sea for the afternoon on Friday, from 1300 to 1700, as a courtesy to us, to thank us for our service.
J. There will be a steel beach picnic on the Former USCGC Sundew, catered by Kurtz Catering. Jeff Foster of Jeff Foster Trucking, Inc. is the owner and operator. Because we served in the Navy, aboard the ship named for the City of Duluth, Jeff will put on the needed crew of 15-20 to take us to sea for the afternoon on Friday, from 1300 to 1700, as a courtesy to us, to thank us for our service.
K. Our Saturday evening farewell dinner will be a catered dinner at The Depot, with access to the railroad museum and, of course, our USS Duluth exhibit & ship's bell. Ken Buehler, the Executive Director of the railroad museum and operations, has been very generous in helping us with our railroad tour in the afternoon and farewell dinner in the evening. This too, will be catered by Kurtz Catering, with whom we have an excellent working relationship.
K. Our Saturday evening farewell dinner will be a catered dinner at The Depot, with access to the railroad museum and, of course, our USS Duluth exhibit & ship's bell. Ken Buehler, the Executive Director of the railroad museum and operations, has been very generous in helping us with our railroad tour in the afternoon and farewell dinner in the evening. This too, will be catered by Kurtz Catering, with whom we have an excellent working relationship.
L. There is a great restaurant connected to our hotel - the "Old Chicago" and a short walk down the road, is "Grandma's." Red Lobster is next door and there are a number of other great restaurants very close to the hotel, within walking distance.
L. There is a great restaurant connected to our hotel - the "Old Chicago" and a short walk down the road, is "Grandma's." Red Lobster is next door and there are a number of other great restaurants very close to the hotel, within walking distance.
L. Free Time Opportunities: Duluth has many interesting and affordable things to do. It is a very diverse community and has many different possibilities for having a great experience. Here are just a few things that are available.
L. Free Time Opportunities: Duluth has many interesting and affordable things to do. It is a very diverse community and has many different possibilities for having a great experience. Here are just a few things that are available.
· Shopping
· Shopping
· Air Tours by Float Plane
· Air Tours by Float Plane
· Bob Dylan Way – Self Guided Tour
· Bob Dylan Way – Self Guided Tour
· Fat Biking
· Fat Biking
· Stand Up Paddle Boarding
· Stand Up Paddle Boarding
· Kayaking on Lake Superior
· Kayaking on Lake Superior
· Mountain Biking
· Mountain Biking
· Great Lakes Aquarium
· Great Lakes Aquarium
· Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad
· Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad
· Helicopter Tours
· Helicopter Tours
· Lake Superior Railroad Museum
· Lake Superior Railroad Museum
· Lake Superior Zoo
· Lake Superior Zoo
· The Lakewalk
· The Lakewalk
· Northshore Scenic Railroad
· Northshore Scenic Railroad
· The Rose Garden at Leif Ericson Park
· The Rose Garden at Leif Ericson Park
· S.S. William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum
· S.S. William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum
· North Shore Scenic Drive
· North Shore Scenic Drive
· Paul Bunyon Scenic Byway
· Paul Bunyon Scenic Byway
· Fitger’s Museum
· Fitger’s Museum
· History & Sightseeing Tours
· History & Sightseeing Tours
· Tom’s Logging Camp
· Tom’s Logging Camp
· Commemorative Air Force Museum - Superior
· Commemorative Air Force Museum - Superior
· Fairlawn Mansion Museum - Superior
· Fairlawn Mansion Museum - Superior
· Old Firehouse & Police Museum - Superior
· Old Firehouse & Police Museum - Superior
· Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center - Superior
· Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center - Superior
· Split Rock Lighthouse - Two Harbors
· Split Rock Lighthouse - Two Harbors
· Charter Fishing Tours
· Charter Fishing Tours
· Adventure Sailing
· Adventure Sailing
· Segway Tours
· Segway Tours
· Golfing
· Golfing
· Tennis
· Tennis
· Boat Rentals
· Boat Rentals
· Miniature Golf - Superior
· Miniature Golf - Superior
· Whitewater Rafting - Cloquet
· Whitewater Rafting - Cloquet
· Skydiving - Superior
· Skydiving - Superior
· Glass Blowing
· Glass Blowing
All this and more can be found at the Visit Duluth website (www.visitduluth.com). Representatives from Visit Duluth will be present during our reunion, to answer any questions and help people find and make arrangements for interesting activities.
All this and more can be found at the Visit Duluth website (www.visitduluth.com). Representatives from Visit Duluth will be present during our reunion, to answer any questions and help people find and make arrangements for interesting activities.