Announcement

THANKSGIVING GATHERING IN INDUSTRY, TEXAS!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 24, to Sunday, November 28

Although it’s only the end of March, time flies, and for those of you who are using frequent flier miles, NOW is the time to be thinking about reservations.

Mary has procured a Bed and Breakfast in Industry, TX (pop 310) from Tuesday Nov. 23, to Sunday, Nov. 28. I realize that some of you may be there only part of that time, but we got the entire B&B at a better rate. The house is darling, much larger than the picture we are enclosing suggests; two bedrooms with 2 baths upstairs; two bedrooms with adjoining bath down. On first floor is a large kitchen, with all appliances, washer and dryer, dining room which seats about twelve. Also, a living room and large porch on back. It is surrounded by open spaces and only about five minutes on a very “unbusy road” to the “Farm”. I have the brochure which I showed the Chicago Truaxes, Helen and B.J. and Patty when we saw them in December, so only Richard’s and Tom’s families haven’t seen the brochure. Hopefully the enclosed pictures will help.


The Frappier Farm House	Bed & Breakfast (side view)

The farm has two log cabins. The one most of you have seen no longer has a hide a bed but a queen sized bed in main room, plus small kitchen and bath. The other has one large room and two double beds, plus a huge porch, heat, water, but an adjacent outhouse. It is much closer to the house. Could be used by a family. At the Frappier reunion, a lot of the kids slept there. The main house will sleep ten, but Mary’s family, if Taylor and Catherine come, will number 6. That will leave space for 4 more. But, with blow up mattresses, can sleep even more than that. There are four bedrooms and two baths there. The kitchen is being renovated as we speak and will be about twice the size, and the back porch was made much larger last year. The Frappier family was there last year over Thanksgiving and Mary had a buffet in dining room and tables for everyone on porch, and they numbered more than we do. Worked very well. Porch is not enclosed, but roofed and well protected.

We can have the whole B & B to ourselves for $400 per day, and of course the farm is being offered by the Frappiers. Regardless of where you opt to stay, it seems only fair that everyone share the cost of the B & B. Dad and I will stay wherever… it doesn’t matter. You all may have the preferences… and I’m confident we can work it out to suit everyone. I think we should omit the Frappiers when dividing the cost of the B & B, so we would divide that number by 7 (6 kids and parents). This would total about $230 for four nights per family. Not too bad for 4 nights lodging.


Log Cabin with Bath & Kitchen	Log Cabin with Outhouse

As you know it will be cool for swimming.. but we could get a warm spell.. lovely pool.. but there is a large pond for fishing, and also two small boats to paddle around in.. and some form of skeet shooting at back of property. They have 25 acres. Lots of fun places to hike and explore. Also available is a basketball court, and three vehicles (ATV) the kids can drive around in. Could even do a scavenger hunt or something like that, plus board games, card games etc. galore! These are “compliments" of the hosts.

Horseback riding is available about 25 minutes away at a ranch. Frappier family did the riding activity after Thanksgiving and had a barbeque there.. not everyone rode, but kids just ran around (younger ones).. all optional.. a little pricey, but then all riding is. Golf is also available for a possible “Truax Open Golf Tournament”. We all will chip in on the food as we did at the anniversary get together.

Hopefully everyone can be there by Wed so we can enjoy the whole of Thanksgiving. You can either rent a car , or car pool at airport, or Dad and I will be available to pick some up and then drive directly to farm.. it is about one and one half hours from either of Houston’s two airports.. Hobby and International.. can work those details out later.

For now just wanted to confirm dates, let you know what the options are and get some feedback as to where you might like to stay etc.. I don’t believe anyone will get bored. It’s a wonderful spot and just being together for Thanksgiving at a hundred year old plus farmhouse is sort of like “over the hills and through the snow (no snow), to no Grandmothers, but Aunt Mary and Uncle Frap’s farm we go”. Let’s hope it all works, and we all stay healthy and are able to convene.