Dear Cousins:
The Junkins Family Association (JFA) 2010 reunion committee is happy to announce that the 2010 JFA reunion will be held in Northampton, MA from Thurs., July 15 to Sun., July 18, 2010.
This weekend was chosen because the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival is Sat., July 17th at Look Park in Northampton. The JFA will be part of the festival with it's own tent and table space. As it says in a letter from the clan coordinator: Please join us for a full day of Scottish heritage. We always seem to have a beautiful day for Glasgow Lands and Look Park is a beautiful and kid-friendly park. More information on the festival and its events can be found at their web site. It is a fun, exciting event with lots to see and do all day long.
Northampton, dubbed "the Paradise of America" by the Swedish Nightingale, Jenny Lind, is located along the scenic Connecticut River in Western Massachusetts. It is recognized as a top-rated town for its distinctive downtown including many shops, restaurants and music venues, arts and culture, education, historic preservation and outdoor activities. You can check out Northampton and the surrounding area at the web site.
Of course, we cannot see everything in a few short days but the committee has been working very hard to put together a fun, interesting and relaxing agenda for all JFA members. Free time to relax, shop and explore will be provided.
Rooms have been reserved for you at 2 area hotels. Please mention the Junkins Family Association when making your reservations to ensure you have the best rates. Please make your reservations by June 16 to ensure you have a room. Take a look at the hotels at hotel web site.
Hampton Inn - located 2 miles from downtown Northampton
$89 Thursday and $139 Friday & Saturday. Room rate includes Hampton's On the House Breakfast buffet, use of the indoor heated pool and fitness room and high speed wireless Internet access. This Hampton Inn is currently ranked #1 among all Hampton Inns in New England. For reservations call 413-586-4851 or 1-800-Hampton
Comfort Inn - located 4 miles from downtown Northampton
$79 Thursday and $119 Friday & Saturday. Room rate includes Comfort's Sunshine breakfast featuring hot fresh waffles, use of the indoor heated pool and fitness room and high-speed wireless Internet access. For reservations please call 413-584-9816.
We are hoping that although the cost is a bit more for the Hampton Inn, you will choose to make your reservations there. As you read above, it is closer to Northampton (and other activities). It's also nice to have everyone at the same place. The Hampton Inn is located just over the river from Northampton, off Rt. 9. The Comfort Inn is on Rt. 9; closer to the mall, movie theaters and chain restaurants. It is also closer to Amherst and UMASS, which is hosting a girl's Lacrosse tournament that weekend (in case you're a lacrosse fan).
Itinerary
Thursday, July 15th
- Settle in at the Hampton Inn, web site check-in time is 3:00, hotel reception at 5:00, in the area next to the lobby. Directions, additional information and tickets given at reception.
- Eat and meet at Union Station, Northampton web site - Arrive at the restaurant at 6:00 for drinks and appetizer, supper and meeting to follow. Our supper comes from the Spaghetti Freddy’s menu. The cost is $27.50 per guest, including tax and gratuity. The meal includes an appetizer sampler, salad, breadsticks, choice of entrees, cookie platter, coffee and tea.
- Wander Northampton web site or web site (First stop, interesting Tunnel Bar downstairs from Union Station) Northampton, dubbed "the Paradise of America" by the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind, is located along the banks of the scenic Connecticut River in Western Massachusetts. Northampton is recognized as a top-rated town for its distinctive downtown, arts and culture, families, education, historic preservation, and outdoor activities. An idyllic community to live, work, do business, and visit! There are so many restaurants, shops, music and art venues, etc. that you have to go online and check them out!
Friday, July 16th
- Continental breakfast 6:00 - 10:00 - Hampton On the House® hot breakfast each morning includes juices, cereals, muffins, eggs, make your own fresh waffles and freshly brewed coffee and tea!
- JFA Board meeting 8:00 – 10:00
- Eric Carle museum 11:00 - 1:00 web site - Founded in part by Eric Carle, the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is the first full-scale museum in this country devoted to national and international picture book art, conceived and built with the aim of celebrating the art that we are first exposed to as children. Through the exploration of images that are familiar and beloved, it is the Museum’s goal to provide an enriching, dynamic, and supportive context for the development of literacy and to foster in visitors of all ages and backgrounds the confidence to appreciate and enjoy art of every kind. We will purchase tickets at the museum. Admission: (AAA – Receive 25% off admission rates with membership card, 1 card per transaction); Adult admission $9; Youth (under 18), Student, Teacher and Senior Admission $6; Family Admission (2 adults and 2 youth) $22.50.
- Luncheon at Atkins Farm 1:00 - 2:30 web site - Atkins Farm is a New England apple orchard and country food market nestled against the scenic Holyoke Mountain Range in the historic Pioneer Valley. The farm has been growing apples for over 100 years. Our lunch includes a deli sandwich, a salad serving or chips, fruit, dessert (cookies, brownies or squares) cider, soda or milk. ($10.50 each)
- Drive to the Summit, Mt. Holyoke 2:30 - 3:30 web site - J.A. Skinner State Park is more than 400 acres of forest on Mount Holyoke, at the western end of the Holyoke Range. It offers breathtaking views of the Connecticut River Valley. The summit is accessible by road from April through November, and by hiking trails year-round. The Summit House, a popular mountaintop hotel in the 1800s, is not open at this time due to repairs. The park is named after Joseph Allen Skinner, a wealthy businessman who donated the hotel and land to the state in 1940.
- Cruise on the Connecticut River at Brunnelle’s Marina 3:30 - 5:45 web site - See one-of-a-kind sights of the Connecticut River aboard the 49 Passenger Cruise Boat THE LADY BEA. Daily Cruises are narrated and are 75 minutes in length. The cruise departs at 4:00 PM. There is a bar and restaurant at the marina. Refreshments are also available on the boat. Adults – $15; Seniors- $14; Children (4-11) – $10 (under the age of 4 are free)
- Eat and meet at Mt. Holyoke College, Willits-Hallowell Conference Center 6:00 - 9:00 web site - Arrive at the center at 6:00 for drinks, appetizer, supper and general meeting to follow. The cost is $30 per guest, including tax and gratuity. Our supper is catered by Mount Holyoke College. We are having: Fruit Orchard with Cheese and Cracker appetizer during cocktail hour, Herbed Crusted Chicken as our entree and Ice Cream with Homemade Cookie for dessert. (All dinner entrees are served with Field Greens Salad, Chef’s Selection of Vegetables, Rice or Potato, Baked Rolls with Butter, Freshly Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Select Teas.) There is a vegetarian option, if needed.
- Free time in Northampton (see web sites above)
Saturday, July 17th
- Continental breakfast 6:00 - 10:00
- Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival 9:00 – 9:00 web site - We will have a tent space for the JFA display and use of Look Park facilities including pavilions and picnic tables. A picnic lunch will be provided at noon; supper is on your own at festival vendors. Enjoy the Haggis! ;)
Note: The festival hours are 9:00 - 9:00. Clan/group members arrive between 6:30 and 7:00 to set up. David, Kevin, and Mary will be there early. Any help from other JFA member will be appreciated. We'll have a to-go breakfast (doughnuts, coffee, etc.) available at the park but you will have time to eat "continental" and get to Look Park by 7:00. The first people "manning" the tent should arrive before the festival officially opens.
Look Park web site, consisting of over one hundred & fifty acres, is located on the Berkshire Trail (Route 9) in the Florence section of Northampton, Massachusetts, in the heart of the Pioneer Valley. It hosts attractions, concerts and several special events. Open 365 days per year for all to enjoy.
Sunday, July 18th
- Hotel's continental breakfast, 6:00 - 10:00, check out time - 11:00 - We will meet after breakfast, next to the lobby area at 10:00… with goodbyes to follow.
We hope to see you all at this year's reunion. Come for a day or stay for the long weekend. It will be great to see you in Northampton!
Your 2010 JFA Reunion Committee:
Mary & David Junkins
Ann H. Cheney & Bill Jacobik