Monday, May 20, 2013

2 months to go and we have updates...

This is Jeanne trying to help Jennifer out (although she seems to like being a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest :) by updating the blog...

As they say, the best laid plans... we called the Palisades the soonest they told us we could to book the lodge and camping spots but the lodge was already rented and most of the RV sites taken.  Not to worry, there are several alternatives to lodging and even one for an air conditioned spot to hang out on a hot afternoon.

Some of these have already been mentioned in previous blogs but just to elaborate and add additional information, this is what's available for lodging in Garretson at this time:

1.  The Davis Motel - it's about 2 blocks east of the location of  the former McDonald house.  There are 4 rooms (2 with double beds and 2 with a double and a single).  All rooms have their own bathroom but there is only one shared shower.  The hotel is pet friendly with no additional charges, unless there are damages.  Check in time is noon and she doesn't care when you leave :)
   
    The rate is $40/night

All 4 rooms are now reserved for the McDonald reunion but we'll need to let her know at least 24 hrs in  advance if they aren't going to be used, so if you plan to stay there you'll need to reserve a room by then.
   
     Contact person:  Sharon (VERY nice lady)
                               605-594-6770 (office)
                               605-553-6166 (cell)

2.  Split Rock Park has approximately 23 tent sites and 13 electric sites for RV's.  They do not have water or showers but have toilet stalls.  The nice lady at the Davis Motel has graciously offered to allow anyone staying at the Park to shower at the hotel at no or minimal cost (depending on the #).  We will bring extra towels for anyone needing them.  The Palisades also allows campers from Split Rock Park to use their showers.  For those of you familiar with the park, the tent and RV sites are alongside the entry road to the park between the river and the road.  There are also tent sites around the horseshoe.  Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table.  I was told the RV sites are large enough to accommodate almost any size RV.
Karen said the sites go fast once camping season starts (presumably when school gets out the last week of May), so if you plan to stay there recommend that you book ASAP. 
     
Camping Rates:
                $10/night per tent
                $16/night per RV site 

An added bonus to staying at Split Rock?  It's a block away from downtown Garretson with the bars and night life!

Split Rock also has the pontoon boat rides under the very skilled and entertaining guidance of skipper Bruce Rekstad.  The ride takes you from the dam to Jesse James Cave and back.  The cost  is $7 for   adults and $5 for children.  Lap children 2 and under ride for free. Reservations are required so please let us know at least a week in advance of the reunion if you are interested so we can book groups of us.

     Contact people for campsites and pontoon ride:  
     Bruce and Karen Rekstad
     605-594-6770 (office)
     605-323-5200 (Karen's cell)
     605-323-5031 (Bruce's cell)

3.  Palisades State Park may still have some tent sites available but again, they are going fast. The reservation information is on a previous blog.

Previous blogs have listed hotels in the Brandon and Sioux Falls area.

At this point the plan is to have a barbecue at the Palisades Friday evening and dinner at Annie's in Garretson on Saturday evening.

If the temperature gets unbearable on Friday or Saturday we may have to go to the bars in Garretson to cool off (darn!).  We're innovative McDonald's - we'll find somewhere to cool off, right?  Let's see, where did we go when we were kids on a hot afternoon?  Not our house, that's for sure!  I'd offer our RV but it's only a 25 footer - that would even be worse than when we all piled into the family car to go visit Grandma and Grandpa.

The Garretson Golf Course has an air conditioned back room that we could use on Sunday but it will need to be reserved soon.  They are already booked on Saturday.  The charge for the use of the room is $1 per person.  We can bring our own food or order from their limited menu (primarily sandwiches).  We can't bring our own drinks but they sell them there.  If this sounds like a good option to you, PLEASE text or call me ASAP.

If anyone is interested, they have a 9 hole golf course.  The cost is $17 to walk and $26 with a cart. Again, reservations are required.  The phone # to reserve a golf time is 605-594-6234 or, if you prefer, I could make the reservation for you.

I will continue to update the blog as new information is available and as we get closer to the reunion weekend.  If you have questions or to respond to any of the above questions, please contact Jennifer or me. Between work, 3 children, and school ending soon, Jennifer is a very busy lady so you may have better luck reaching old retired me.

Jennifer's contact info is already on the blog

Mine is:
769-241-5236 (home)
303-915-5662 (cell)
jeannemcdonald@msn.com

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!



Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Reminder

Hi All! 

This is just a reminder about RSVPs.  We know that July is still a long way off, but we are hoping to be able to start contacting our "venues" to confirm some details.  If you are planning to attend but haven't contacted us yet, we'd really appreciate it if you could do so with approximate numbers.  Our contact information is jpaasch94@gmail.com
, jenpaasch@hotmail.com or tntdynamite89@yahoo.com
Most importantly, though, if anybody requires cabin reservations at the Palisades, those need to be made by April 1. 

Palisades State Park6 Cabins (sleeps up to 5 people)
 $37-$47 per/night
*No running water / kitchens in the units / linens
*Air conditioned/Electric hook-ups







If anybody wants to stay here, we need to be on the phone the morning of April 1 making those reservations. 

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing everybody this July!!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Additional Hotel Info!

Hey all, we just got this message from Leah and wanted to spread the word!

"Hi guys, just booked the hotel in Sioux Falls. I got it on Hotwire and I picked the one that had 3.5 stars, and it was $55 plus fees and tax and it turned out to be the Sheraton." 

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=392

It is about 25 miles or just over a 1/2 hour drive to Garretson.

FYI!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Updated Info!

As the title would indicate, we have updated information! 

Friday
Friday night will be a relaxed affair.  The plan is to gather at the Palisades Lodge around 4:00 or whenever you can arrive.  Supper will pot-luck in nature. 

Saturday
Plans for Saturday afternoon are in the works -- to be finalized Friday night at the lodge.  We have spoken to Bruce Rekstad, and he willing to work with us to make Jesse James Pontoon Rides available.  Once we get closer to the reunion and have an idea of what the head-count will be, he will be able to give us a quote on costs.  Saturday night, there will be a "social gathering" at 4:00 at Annie's Coffe House & Wine Cafe, 525 N Main Street in Garretson.  Supper will be at 6:00; the buffet menu will be finalized at a later date.  Entertainment will be provided around 7:30 by The Allen Goodroad Band. Obviously, everybody is welcome, but for those who have little ones who might not weather a long evening of festivities well, babysitters will be available at the lodge.  We would appreciate knowing in advance, though, how many people would like to do this, so an appropriate number of sitters are on hand.

Sunday
For those interested in attending, Mass is at 10:30 at St. Rose of Lima (do we need to insert an address here?!).  After Mass, we are planning to do a pot-luck brunch at the lodge.  It is reserved until Monday morning.  We will have bean bags, badminton, and other yard games to play that day as well. 

On a side note, in deference to Dean who insisted this be included, there IS a beautiful, inexpensive golf course right across the street.

This is what we have so far, and we are continuing to plan and finalize. We would really appreciate an RSVP (with number attending) by April 1.  Please send your responses to jpaasch94@gmail.com, jenpaasch@hotmail.com or tntdynamite89@yahoo.com

We look forward to hearing from you!!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Start Making Your Plans!

We have updated lodging and dining information!  Hopefully you will all be able to attend; we will need to have a estimated attendance by Dec. 15 in order to make accurate reservations.  An RSVP would be greatly appreciated so plans could be confirmed.  Please leave a comment here or send a message to jpaasch94@gmail.com.  Our tentative schedule is to gather at 4:00 on Friday, July 26 at a location to be determined (this will be decided by arrival dates and times).  On Saturday, around noon, we will gather for food, fun, and games (again, at a location to be determined) and will continue through the evening with supper and entertainment at Annie's Coffee House & Wine Cafe, downtown Garretson.  A rustic supper, not including beverages, will be around $6 / person. 

Lodging: These reservations are in place for Friday, Saturday & Sunday -- July 26, 27 & 28.  If earlier and / or later reservations are required, again, please leave a comment here or send an email to jpaasch94@gmail.com

In Garretson:

Davis Motel -- Mom & Pop-Style Motel
4 Double Rooms
$40 / Night plus tax
805 4th Street
605-594-3834
*Images to follow

Palisades State Park
6 Cabins (sleeps up to 5 people)
 $37-$47 per/night
*No running water / kitchens in the units / linens
*Air conditioned/Electric hook-ups





1 Lodge (sleeps 12 people)
 $225 per/night anything more then 12 people is +$15 person a night.
*4 bedrooms
*2 baths
*Air conditioned
*No linens



In Brandon:

Brandon Holiday Inn Express
5 Double  Queen Bed Rooms
5 King Bed Rooms
$149.99 / Night plus tax
1103 Splitrock Blvd
605-582-2901
http://www.brandon-express.com/hi_bradnon_sd_flash.htm


Monday, July 16, 2012

July 26, 27 & 28



In honor of Grandma McDonald's 100th birthday, the McDonald family (close to 100 of us!) will be getting together to celebrate what Joe and Miriam started. :)