MCJ 2018 is Getting Closer

Hello Fam, hope all is well. It's almost July and that means that summertime is here and very soon we'll be rounding the corner heading to Labor Day and MCJ 2018 New Orleans Party Gras! If you haven't done so yet, please send in your family reunion dues right away.

MCJ New Orleans is definitely an event you don't want to miss. By now, most attendees have already booked your hotel rooms but just in case you haven't our main hotel is Courtyard/Marriott (504) 366-1010.

We've already reserved all the rooms in our hotel block (over 80 rooms booked already) at Courtyard but if you call in they might still allow you to book a room at our very special MCJ rate of 119.00/night. If not, don't worry because we have a few rooms left at the Homewood Suites (504) 619-9800 - just literally steps away across the parking lot from Courtyard. If neither of those options work out, a third option not far away is Federal City Inns & Suites (504) 366-7408. And, as soon as you book your hotel room, send in those family reunion dues right away!

Remember our three step process for making sure you're straight for MCJ 2018 in New Orleans. Step 1, book your hotel room, Step 2, send in your family reunion dues, and step 3, complete your transportation arrangements to get here. Here's a reminder on sending in your dues.

You can send checks, money orders, paypal, quick pay, many different options. Send dues to:

Ernest Collins

1508 DeBattista Place

New Orleans, LA 70131

ecollinsemg@gmail.com

(504) 717-9824

Seniors - - (65 and over) - - 50.00

Adults - - (18 - 64) - - 65.00

Children - (13-17) - - 40.00

Children - (6-12) - - 20.00

College Student - - 50.00

When sending your dues make sure you list the exact amounts and names you are paying for.

We've just about completed our planning for the three day schedule of reunion activities and it's packed with excitement! Here's a few highlights of how you'll spend your time in New Orleans.

Friday August 31st - Meet & Greet 6:00 p.m.- Hotel check-in starts at 3:00 p.m., Meet & Greet officially starts at 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Our MCJ 2018 Host Committee will have a check-in table in the hotel lobby beginning at 4:00 so feel free to get checked-in early, receive your Goodie Bags and wristband and be all set for a serious New Orleans style opening party. Also, tee shirts will be available so you can get yours right away and have that checked off your list. We have the hotel meeting room set-up for our event plus the rear patio area all decked out as MCJ Central. Get ready to sample some fierce New Orleans style cuisine and refreshing beverages to kick things off in style.

Saturday Sept. 1st - Breakfast 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Our MCJ New Orleans Host Committee is sponsoring a deluxe breakfast from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. for the entire family so whether you're staying at the Courtyard or not make sure you pay attention to your scheduled breakfast group since we had to split up the breakfast servings into (2) groups to accommodate everyone based on room size. After we finish our delicious breakfast, stick around for the Family Business Meeting in the very same room just as soon as the staff can clear away the breakfast set-up and ready the room for the MCJ Business Meeting set-up.

MCJ Business Meeting 10:00 a.m. - We have a lot of items to discuss so please make sure you're present as we go through a packed agenda including locations for future reunions, decisions on finances, scholarships, fundraisers and many more items.

MCJ 2018 New Orleans Tour 12:30 p.m. - We've arranged (2) 55 passenger buses (a small transportation fee of 10.00 per rider required) plus a caravan of personal vehicles that will visit pre-selected destinations of interest around New Orleans. Highlights will be Armstrong Park/Historic Treme, French Market Flea Market, French Quarter/Jackson Square, Riverwalk Shopping Mall, plus many other sites of interest around New Orleans. Tour departs The Courtyard Hotel at 12:30 and returns there at approximately 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Many of the stops on the tour offer food, you're on your own concerning meals for the afternoon/evening.

Party at the Shamrock 8:00 until - For the young folks, (and the young at heart) we're organizing an outing to a local venue that's a large game room/bar/nightclub that offers all kinds of games, pool tables, ping pong, electronic games, food and drinks etc. along with live music later in the evening. For those interested, we'll have competitions for the best with entry and cash prizes for the winners. It will be a ton of fun!! Transportation will be car pool. Directions provided.

Sunday Sept. 2nd. Church Service 8:30 a.m. - Our very own Pastor Larry Steib & First Lady Delores (Dee Dee) Steib will host us at their church for a very special family reunion worship service. Let us know if you need transportation as our 15 passenger van will be available for transporting family members to the church which is nearby the hotel.

MCJ 2018 Banquet It's an All White Affair 1:00 p.m. - Don't forget to pack your snazziest all white outfit to wear for the banquet as MCJ will show up and show out for an amazing afternoon of food, fellowship and fun! We're decking the hall out in our MCJ finest as we gather for the culmination of MCJ New Orleans 2018 Party Gras! Our custom catered meal will be one for the ages as we sample some of the finest New Orleans style cuisine. We'll have a jam packed program which includes entertainment, raising and distributing funds for our MCJ Scholarship, and just being in the moment with our family and friends. Please, please don't leave early because we have a very special New Orleans style treat for the end of the banquet.

That's it for now, we'll hit you back a few times between now and reunion time to leak a few tidbits about the amazing menu of food, the exciting itinerary of activities, and how much we're anticipating your arrival very soon. Please, please, if you have not done so, send in your dues!

Much Love,

MCJ 2018 New Orleans Host Committee