It has been two hundred years since the start of the “Corps of Discovery” Expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Their adventures led them through what is now Idaho, along the Missouri and Snake Rivers, on their way to Oregon. We want to enter into the spirit of the bicentennial by recounting tales of our own adventurers and explorers, both modern and ancient.

Thursday: This is our check-in day. Anytime after 1:00 PM, come on down and sign in at the Community Center Building, Stanley, Idaho, and site of our 2004 family-reunion. Dinner is planned for that evening in the Community Building around six.

Friday: We are fortunate to have in our very own family, explorers who were part of an expedition to the South Pole. Bill Long has graciously consented to our request that he tell us about his adventures into one of the most remote and least hospitable places on earth. His lecture is tentatively scheduled for after dinner on Friday, June 18, in the Community Building.

Going deeper into the past, Patricia Long Houston, our family historian will give an informal talk. On Friday morning, immediately following breakfast, she will take us on “A walk through the Long Family Tree.” Imaginatively, we will travel with her through time to the clumps of Quakers who were our forefathers. We’ll check out our family’s earliest American farmer, and call upon our forefather who decided he’d rather come to the colonies with his adventurer son than stay behind in the ancestral home to put up with his cranky daughter-in-law.

Attention Folks with Photographs: After Patricia’s talk would be a perfect time for all of you to put up your family photos for others to enjoy. There will be genealogical information as well for your perusal.

Notice to Our Present-day Adventurers: The schedule for the rest of the day before dinner is loose or tight as you would like to make it. Stanley is nestled between the Salmon River and the Sawtooth Mountains. One can simply gaze at the fabulous scenery and perhaps take in lunch at one of the local restaurants. Or you can raft, ride horses or get involved in a host of other activities. There are professional outfitters in the area to help you have both an exciting and safe time. The arrangements for rafting and horseback riding are up to those who want to participate in them.

Or if you are in the mood to stretch your legs on a gentle group walk, join leader Teresa Long Kern, at the Community building at 2:00 o’clock for the start of we are calling: A Walk about the Town. Teresa has been commissioned to choose a route that will accommodate people who like to stroll and chat, but not climb hills. She may tell you a little about the history of the town, take you into its antique shop or perhaps for an ice cream cone, so bring some change or the all important credit card.

Dinner will be at the community building around six o’clock, immediately followed by the South Pole presentation.

Saturday:  For those of you who want to exercise a bit before breakfast: Here is your chance. Sabra Long Ambrose will conduct a forty minute Tai Chi exercise session in the Community Building starting about 8:00 A.M.

Calling all hardy souls for the first annual wiener roast and picnic. The setting will be at a reserved picnic site that overlooks the beach at Red Fish Lake. The time will be 1:00 O’clock-ish and the dress code is casual/warm. The forest service advises us to arrive with hat, gloves, water proof jacket and a warm sweatshirt for good measure. The weather in Stanley can still be a bit chilly in June, so come prepared.

We are limited as to the number of vehicles that are allowed at the camp ground so we will be organizing a shuttle to and from Red Fish. We will be calling on volunteers to help with the driving.

Dinner will be served at the Community building around six o’clock.

After dinner, in keeping with the theme of adventure, we have the great good fortune to have a talk by Veronica Long. She will share with the group some of her research experience on Bali. Then, while our minds are still refreshed by images of beautiful Bali, we’ll take care of important planning for our next reunion, and other business.

Sunday:  If you are game for another exercise session, feel free to join Sabra Long Ambrose for a low impact belly dancing class. The forty minute session, includes a warm up and cool down, with the actual exercise portion being only about twenty minutes. Meet Sabra at the Community center at 8:00 a.m.

Next: we want you to bring your appetites and come to the Father’s Day/Farewell Breakfast. Breakfast is scheduled about 9:00a.m. After breakfast, Mark Long, our Chairman, will give his closing address.

Afterwards it will be time to clean up the hall and say farewell.

Additional Information:  Veronica Long and Katie Long Myers are going to be coordinating some children’s activities. Check with them after breakfast each morning to see what they have planned.   We want every child who comes to have a good time, whether the sun shines or the rain falls.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS!
--Reservations: Be sure that you get your reservations made. Please refer to our last letter for a list of hotels or camping facilities. You can also contact Mary Jane Ramsey for a list. Write to her at 21886 Dee Drive, Bend, Oregon 97701 or E-mail her at emjaybend@aol.com. Or call 541-383-3018.

--Chores: Mike and Lynn Lindsey are the food honchos. They will be organizing all of our breakfasts and dinners and making sure food is available for our usual self serve lunches. They will be needing teams of helpers to cook, and clean up afterwards. This is a great way to get to know some of your cousins.

--Special Needs: In case you have specific menu requirements, please contact Mike and Lynn Lindsey, at 297 Canyon Acres Dr., Laguna Beach, Ca 92651. Their telephone number is 949-497-2686. If you prefer E-mail: you can reach them at mklinzey@hotmail.com. Or Lindsey@truskowski.com.

--Final Chores: We could use a few people to help clean the hall at the conclusion of the reunion activities.

Last, but perhaps most important, we need to know if you are coming so we can have enough food on hand to take care of your needs. Please advise Mary Jane Long Ramsey, at 21886 Dee Drive, Bend, Oregon, 97701 (541-383-3018) emjaybend@aol.com.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Long Family 2004 Reunion in Beautiful Stanley Idaho.

The Reunion Committee:  Mark Long, Mary Jane Long Ramsey, Mike and Jo Long, Mike and Lynn Lindsey, and Patricia Long Houston.