Skelly Reunion 2024
Welcome!
Welcome to the Skelly family reunion 2024! The Steering Committee, Family Story Committee, Activities Committee and other family members have worked hard to make this weekend a success. Included with the packet you should get at the welcome table are:
· a schedule of events;
· a coded task list identifying the tasks to which you have been assigned;
· the group photo schedule;
· a physical map (for those of you not into GPS)
· a contact list in the event of scheduling changes;
This page is just repeating that information for people who prefer to see it on line.
Nametags
In your welcome bag you will find a nametag for each of your family members. Please wear them. They have been coded with colored stickers to indicate your line of descent and with numbers to indicate your generation (Michael and Esther are generation #1).
Orange Descendants of Bartholomew M. Skelly
Yellow. Descendants of William F. Ryan
Blue. Descendants of Esther E. Ryan (Bradley)
Green Descendants of Marion A. Ryan (Lynch)
Yellow Skellys from Ireland Descended from Michael’s first cousin John Skelly
5 Gen 5 (Great great grandchildren of Michael and Esther)
6 Gen 6 (Triple great grandchildren of Michael and Esther)
7 Gen 7 (Fourth great grandchildren of Michael and Esther)
If there is also an “A” on the sticker, it means that person is a spouse/partner of a Skelly descendant.
Communications
In the event of inclement weather or other circumstances that require a change in our plans, we have set up a chain of communications. Each family group has a designated contact person for their family. The list of contact persons, sorted by family group, is included in this welcome packet. If plans change you will receive a message through that person. If you have a question about whether the schedule has changed, contact your family contact person.
Group Photo Shoot
We have engaged Litchfield Hills Photography (Jill Davenport) to shoot a group photograph. Given the size of our group it is not feasible to take one photo of all of us at one time. Instead, Jill will take separate photographs of 11 family groups and then, through computer manipulation, merge the separate photos into one photo of the whole group. The family group photos will be taken during our time at the Hurd House from 9:15 to 11:15 on Saturday.
For this to work, it is important that everyone read the enclosed group photo schedule and that all members of your family are present and accounted for at the appointed time. The schedule indicates the time for you to assemble and the person in your family designated to assemble your group. Kathleen Wilson and Susie Bradley are coordinating the overall photo effort.
Getting Copies of the Photo:
Each family (defined as each Gen5 family unit) will receive a 16” x 24” copy of the group photo. Jill will also take candids while we are at Hollow Park Saturday afternoon. There will be no charge to you for the group photo and we will have a complete copyright release and digital file of all photos taken by Jill. If you want Jill to print a large, high-quality copy of just your family group, you can make separate arrangements with Jill.
Parking
We will start our day Saturday morning at the Hurd House. After a continental breakfast and group photo, we will ooze over to Hollow Park. The two locations are close together. Because there is very limited parking at the Hurd House and Hollow Road can be busy, we are asking people to park at Hollow Park in the morning and walk over to the Hurd House. If you have family members with mobility issues and want to either park at the Hurd House or drop someone off, this will be possible. We have arranged for a police officer to help direct traffic. Please let Don McCullough or James Savage know. They will be coordinating with the police officer.
Tasks
With possibly a few exceptions, each Gen5 member has been assigned one or more tasks for the weekend. Many, but not all Gen6 members have also been assigned a task or two. The assignments have been made based on information obtained via the surveys and, in a few instances, randomly based on the need to fill in a void. To sort out the tasks to which you have been assigned, there are two documents included in this packet.
· The Task Key: This lists the tasks, the leader of each, and a code for each. For example, staffing the welcome table Friday afternoon has been assigned code “F1”.
· Task Assignment List: This lists, alphabetically, all family members to whom tasks have been assigned. Find your name. If you see “F1” next to your name, you have been assigned to the welcome table. If you have not been assigned a task, please step up and volunteer!
Baked Goods
Many of you have volunteered to bring baked goods. We cannot serve the baked goods at the hotel dinners and receptions. Instead, all baked goods will be made available for dessert at our picnic at Hollow Park on Saturday. Please bring your baked goods to the park after we are finished with our time at the Hurd House.
Tournaments and Games at Hollow Park
We are planning several tournaments and games. Subject to the level of interest, we expect to have tournaments for cornhole and volleyball. We also will have kickball and wiffleball games. The basketball court is available (although others may be using it as well). In addition, we will have Bachi ball, croquette and spikeball available. If interested in any of these tournaments or games, please sign up at the welcome table.
Hotel Conference Room Space
We have the use of the Congress Room all day Friday and Saturday. Gathering to play games or music in this space is encouraged. We cannot bring our own food or beverages into the Congress room. [Drinks purchased in the pub can be brought down to the Congress room. If so inclined, please keep in mind that this is a family event. ‘Nuff said.]
Sales to Benefit the Old Woodbury Historical Society
When you check in at the welcome table, please notice the painting by Christine Savage that depicts the Hurd House as the members of Gen5 knew it in the 60s. The original painting will be sold at a silent auction. There will be eleven high-quality reproductions of the painting for sale at a price of $85. In addition, we have arranged for Skelly logoed tumblers for sale at a price of $20. All payments for the purchase of the painting, reproductions, and tumblers will be made directly to the Old Woodbury Historical Society.
Alcohol in the Park
We have assured our insurer and the town that we will not be serving alcohol during our time in the park. Please refrain from bringing alcohol to the park.
Medical Emergencies
In the event of a medical emergency at any time during the weekend, call 911 first. Then seek out assistance from family members trained in CPR/first aid. Those individuals are: Tom McCullough, Laura Lynch, Mary Shaw, Leo Landrey, Alison Landrey, Mary McQueeney, Melanie Muraca, Emilie Robinson, and David Shaw. Mary Shaw is bringing a fully equipped first aid kit that will be readily available at the Hurd House and the park.