2003 Organizing Committee!

Photos show TJ Haynes Johnson at left, and Ora Lee Haynes Fowler at right: chair & co-chair of the 2003 San Diego ReUnion. (see Haynes link).

Other committee members: TJ's son Michael; Ora’s son Cavitt Fowler & daughter Cassandra Fowler Mullen; our sister Zelma Dean Haynes Russell and her husband Roman; their daughter, Bonnie Russell Sutton and her husband Chris; my brother Garry Newell Haynes and his wife Sebrena; our Aunt Elizabeth (Babe)Collins Simmons, and her daughter Jonnie B. Crayton Fisher.

The reunion began on Thursday, June 26, 2003. Just like any committee, we went back and forth with many ideas for fun things to do at the San Diego ReUnion weekend. We planned several bus tours and a golf game, a beach party for the teenie boppers, shopping for mammas, a day at a local casino, etc, most of which were cancelled because of low participation. But even though there were not many people in attendance, those who did come had a really good time. There was comraderie and an intimacy we might not have experienced if we had been a large crowd of partyers.

We had storytelling, (even after we went to bed, into the wee morning hours); we went sight-seeing; some went to Old Mexico at Tijuana; some went to the casinos, there was plenty of shopping at the swapmeet right across the street from our hotel. And let me tell you, the hotel attendants assigned to our reunion group did everything they could to make our gathering a successful one. The kids enjoyed the swimming pool and jaccusi, parking was free, restuarants were in abundance and in close proximity, and we had our own private hospitality hall to meet, eat, and greet each other. 'Thanks, Holiday Inn'!

Our big picnic event took place on Saturday at the San Diego Embarcardero South Park at Seaport Village. We were located right on the waterfront, and could have gone fishing if we'd had our fishing poles! The food was great; the visiting and catching up with family was invigorating, and the view absolutely breathtaking. There was a crowd of about 75-80 people. The reunion photograph turned out really good--those digital cameras are really something. If you'd like an 11 x 14 copy, send me $17 dollars and I'll put one in the mail to you, (includes shipping).

The next reunion is being planned for 2005 in Rockdale, Texas. Start saving your money up, and making your plans now. It should be cheaper to travel and stay in Rockdale than it was for San Diego. Sure hope to see a lot of you there. Love You, tjjohnson