25th Annual Reunion of Gabon Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
and their friends ( and their friends....)

This is one party you do not want to miss. Although it may have taken 25 years to perfect, we finally got it down. So for those of you who have been waiting for the right year this is it!! The setting is ideal, entertainment for all, accommodations to suit any taste, and superb food(....we're still working on the company)

Date: August 20th - 22nd, 2004
Location: Rock Point in Burlington, Vermont. Rock Point is a private prep school located on the shores of Lake Champlain. The fete will be held in the main building, a 19th century brownstone castle with all the space we need to gather, dance, eat, sit and enjoy the views. There is a game room, dining hall, full kitchen facilities, a library, many other rooms for private rendezvous, a great front porch and a rolling lawn with chairs. See it here on the web: http://www.rockpoint.org. (The lake is 200 yards behind the building) There is a 200 acre campus with hiking trails, ball fields, mountain biking, gardens, swimming beaches, boating and a 300 foot high peninsula that juts into Lake Champlain with stunning sunsets.
Lake Champlain: Lake Champlain in the 6th largest freshwater lake in the United States. Rock Point is a two minute walk to a large sandy beach that has excellent swimming with on-duty lifeguards and is perfectly safe for children. For the more adventurous, there are chartered sailing, charted fishing and cruises departing out of Burlington Harbor.

Burlington Vermont
Burlington is one of the greatest town in America. 40,000 people, 4 colleges, nationally recognized historic Main Street district. It is the most popular tourist destination in Vermont. Downtown Burlington is a really fun place to be, great shopping, lots of nightlife, museums, live music waterfront. You can bike there in 5 minutes along the bikepath that follows the Lake. It has received numerous accolades over the years including:
 Number one "City to Have It All"
 Best overall standard of living in the United States
 One of the seven best retirement areas in the country
 Declared one of the "10 Great Places to Raise a Family"
 Ranked one of the most livable cities in America
 One of Four Outstanding Get-Away Locations in the Northeast" (USA Weekday Magazine, May 1997)
 "Number One Place for Families that Love Outdoor Sports" ( Outdoor Magazine, June 1999)
 "Sixth Best Family Friendly Place in the Nation" (Reader's Digest, April 1997)
 "One of Ten College Towns Worth a Visit" (Princeton Review, 1999)
 "Number One Child Friendly City in America" (Zero Population Growth, 2001)
 "One of the 50 "Places of a Lifetime."National Geographic Traveler
If you are looking for a summer vacation location, this is the place. Think about tying the reunion into a longer stay. There are endless things to do in Vermont. For more information visit :http://www.vermont.org/visiting/

Accommodations
There is a wide range of accommodations.
Rock Point has 27 dorm rooms (some with great views of the Lake). Each have two single beds. (That can be squeezed together for those trying to rekindle something) Showers are a few steps down the hall. Rooms are available for $25 per night regardless of the number of people you cram in and comes with sheets and towels. You can make reservations with me, Book early!

Camping is available at a very nice campground that is walking distance to Rock Point. There are tent and RV sites for $29 and $21 respectively. Book that early too Check it out at : http://www.bpr.ci.burlington.vt.us/north_beach.htm

Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts are widely available. Try this: http://www.vermont.org/accommodations
There are also a few homeless shelters in town as well as many park benches for those of you who don't make it home at night. The back of my Subaru will also be available for those of you who want to experience how I used to travel.

Travel
Burlington is served by the Burlington International Airport. If you fly to Burlington you won't need to rent a car (unless you want it for traveling later). Rock Point is 15-20 minutes from the airport, someone will pick you up or you can take a taxi for 10 bucks. Jet Blue, Delta, US AIR, United, Continental and maybe a few others serve the airport. Southwest flies to Manchester, New Hampshire (3 hours). Montreal is 2 hours away which may be cheaper for you long distance travelers. Albany, New York is 3 hours. You can take a train to Essex Junction, Vermont (20 minutes outside of town). You can also sail right to Rock Point, via the St Lawrence seaway, from anywhere in the greater Atlantic Ocean region.

Entertainment
On Saturday Night there is a Dance Party with a live DJ spinning the tunes: Sponsored by Alison Tocci
The Second Annual Team Canoe Races: the reigning champions Joan Mathieu and Mike Crane are the team to beat (but you won't have a prayer)
Canoeing, Kayaking, Hiking and Mountain Biking (for those who actually get out of their chairs)
All-Night Poker Championships: sponsored by Bob Nicola and Doug Spatz (bring your own cigars)
Maple Tapping demonstrations: sponsored by Rob Merriam
Beer Keg Tapping demonstrations: Sponsored by Mark Willis
Live Acoustic Music "Jump -In": sponsored by Ed Molinero (first one to suggest Kumbya will be shot)
Field Games: volleyball, softball, basketball, horseshoes, croquet (sorry no paintball)
Chocolate-Chip Cookie Cooking classes: Sponsored by Sue Capozzi
Awards Ceremony Sponsored by Mike Crane: Awards will be given out to: (1) The farthest traveled (2) the latest COSed volunteer (3) the earliest COSed volunteer (4) those still serving but on AWOL. And Lots More!!!!!!!!!!!!

Children
The place is entirely kid friendly. Space can be reserved off for toddlers, there are game rooms for kids, safe beaches, and activities for teens.

Cost
This is the best part
1) $25 per head reserves the place, Rock Point, for the weekend (Friday 12:00 to Sunday afternoon) that includes the kitchen, dining room, library, dance hall, other rooms, playing fields, hiking trails, canoes, bikes etc etc... (sorry those with two heads will have to pay twice)

2) Food will cost $50 per head: Kids under 10 eat free, kids between 11 and 18 are half price. That includes (for vegetarians and meat-eaters):
a 3 course dinner Friday night
a full country breakfast featuring pancakes with real Vermont maple syrup
lunch with make-your own sandwiches, salads, and deserts
a serious hoe-down Barbecue on Saturday night with all the fixin's
late night snacks
a Vermont Sunday Brunch
snacks throughout the weekend

That's right, 5 meals plus in-between food for $50!!! (you do the math)

Vegetarians will be happy. Special accommodations can be made for kids on different schedules or others with dietary needs.

3) Accommodations: On your own. If you want a room at Rock Point that's $25 per night and you can reserve it through me

4) Alcohol: All alcohol is BYOB. I 'm buying the first keg however, and maybe the second.

5) Grand total is: $75 per head (plus $25 if you have kids between 11 and 18) for the whole weekend. This is the cheapest and most fun vacation you'll ever have.

Deposit: To secure your place in the fame and glamour of the 25th annual Gabon Peace Corps Reunion you'll need to send a $30 deposit by May 1st, 2004 (but send it now if you can) to your host. Make the checks out to: La Fete O'
Your Host: That's me.
Mike Crane
21 Ivy Lane
Burlington, Vermont 05401
802-657-3721
ivylane@adelphia.net
For those of you who don't know me (consider yourself fortunate)
But seriously I am looking forward to meeting new faces and can't wait to see some of those old ones.
Pass the word: I am sure many of these e-mail addresses will get bounced back so please forward this message to those whom you know... and bring a friend