Howard Barrett, will be hosting the 2012 USS John W. Thomason DD-760 Association Reunion at South Bend, Indiana.
Dates
Wednesday, July, 25 through Saturday, July, 28, 2012Host Hotel
Magnuson Grand Hotel213 West Washington Street
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 232-3941
Room rate is $99.95 plus taxes
Please phone your reservation in.· Let them know that you are a part of the John W. Thomason Reunion. Please do not attempt to reserve your room by going online.· The hotel advises that it will be easier for them to keep track of the blocked out rooms if you make your reservations by phone.
The hotel is now accepting reservations, so please make them ASAP
Planned Events
- Trip to Shipshewana.
- Free day with many sites to see such as Studebaker museum and the NCAA College football Hall Of Fame.
- Many restaurants and jazz clubs within walking distance.
- Tour of the Notre Dame campus.
Details (updated 27 Oct.)
On Friday the 27th we will depart the hotel at 8:30 AM and head to Howard Park just three blocks away for the memorial service. After the service we will depart South Bend and travel just a short distance to Shipshewana, IN and stop at Jayco RV Corp. for a plant tour where everyone can view how towable trailers and fifth wheels are produced. We will be touring three different plants and will break up into three groups in order to speed things along. The three plants all make towable trailers and fifth wheels but each plant builds a different model name. Since this area is the RV capital of the world this will be a very interesting and informative tour. After this tour we have just a ten minute bus ride to downtown Shipshewana where all can have their lunch at the Blue Gate restaurant. I encourage all to try the delicious family style meal, which includes fried chicken, fresh vegatables, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy and remember do not forget the pie. After lunch everyone is free to walk around and view all the shops and do not forget to visit the Davis Merchantile. The third floor has the most amazing merry go round that you have ever seen. They have plenty of specialty shops that will have interest to every one. For those who do not mind walking several blocks is the Hudson Automobile Museum. This day will be fun for all. We will arrive back to South Bend in time for all to rest a little and be ready to have your evening meal at one of the many fine restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The cost for this trip will be $20.00 per person just to cover the bus expenses.
Reservations at the Magnuson Grand Hotel in downtown South Bend can be made starting immediately. You will need to call in your reservation at 574-232-3941. Let them know that you are a part of the John W. Thomason Reunion. Please call in your reservation in. Do not attempt to reserve your room by going online. The hotel advises, that it will be easier for them to keep track of the blocked out rooms if you call in your reservations. I have blocked out sixty rooms and if we fill three fourths of them the hospitality and banquet rooms will be free. The room charge will be $99.95 per night, plus taxes. This rate is good for Tuesday through Sunday of the reunion week. This is very comparable with the rates we paid at the previous reunions. There will be a free continental breakfast on Thursday and Friday with a free breakfast buffet on Saturday and Sunday.
Friday morning of the 2012 reunion in South Bend will be a fun packed day. Starting with the Memorial service at Howard Park. We will board the buses in front of the hotel for a three block ride to the park where we will spend some time along the St. Joseph River to honor our deceased shipmates and lay of a wreath in their memory.
After this ceremony we will board the buses again for a short trip of approximately one hour to Shipshewana. You will not want to miss this event. The busses will park across the street at the Davis Mercantile. The Davis Merchantile has three levels of specialty shops and snack shops. You won't want to miss the carousel on the third floor. There is something for everyone here. Shipmates, your wives will just love this place.
You will be free to roam around the area without having to walk more than three to four blocks. You will find specialty shops of all kinds from handcrafted furniture to antique shops and especially the quilt shops. There are several restaurants but you will not want to miss the Blue Gate Restaurant. Karen and I have eaten there and the food is fantastic. Try the family style meal with several couples, you will be served generous portions of fried chicken, dressing, vegetables, noodles and fresh baked bread. Don't forget the pie.
The plan is to leave Shipsewana at a such a time that those who may want to take advantage of one of the local restaurants downtown South Bend for your evening meal. You want to enjoy your evening at one of the jazz clubs for a few drinks and appetizers while you listen to the great music. They are only a few blocks from the hotel.
The Friday trip cost will be for the buses only. This will be a very inexpensive journey, unless of course you find many things to purchase in Shipshewana, that I cannot control.
Thursday morning and Saturday morning you will be on your own to roam around downtown South Bend. If you are driving to the reunion there are many places to site see within a very short driving distance. South Bend has a very intriguing zoo if that is what you like. I am still trying to make arrangements for a guided tour of the Notre Dame Campus but for those who are driving in, access to the campus is easy and parking is available so you can walk the campus, but you just may not have access to any of the facilities. We have a large mall only four miles from the hotel for those who love to shop. There are two museums in downtown South Bend that are within a short walking distance from the hotel. The South Bend museum of Art is very intriguing and only two blocks from the hotel. The NCAA Football Hall of Fame is only one block away and if it is still in town this is a very excellent site to visit especially for the college football fans. The Studebaker and Natural History museums are only five blocks away and are must see sites. Studebaker Car Company was South Bend’s largest employer up until they ceased business in 1963. You can still see some of the old factories from the hotel. Adjacent to the Studebaker Museum is the Oliver Mansion which can be toured. Oliver tractor and implements were made in South Bend too. The Studebaker Mansion is just a block away and is available for a tour but it is now basically a restaurant with very fine dining. You might want to treat your wife to a very good meal at the Studebaker mansion on Wednesday or Friday night.
Saturday morning will be our business meeting in the hospitality room and after the meeting you will be on your own until the reunion banquet which will be at the hotel and adjacent to the hospitality room. The menu is an all you can eat buffet.
The reunion cost will be announced at a later date once I have determined what the total costs will be. We hope it will be around $60.00 per guest plus the costs of the bus trip to Shipshewana and the ball game. The bus will be just the cost of the bus rental which should be around $20.00 per person.
A reunion reservation form will be available on line and will be mailed out to each shipmate later this year.
