Roanoke Reunion Information Updates

We have almost used up our block of 70 reduced-rate rooms at the Hotel Roanoke. There are other rooms available, but the rate will be $129-$159 per night, instead of $95. But you’d better hurry, because these will not last either.

If you are unable, or choose not to get a room at the Hotel Roanoke, we have made arrangements with The Holiday Inn Tanglewood Resort as an alternate. They have offered us a group rate of $89 per night. This upscale hotel is 5 miles from the Hotel Roanoke, and is located at 4486 Starkey Road in Roanoke . Amenities include: high-speed internet access, microwave, fridge, pets allowed, and self-service laundry.

Both hotels have shuttle service to the Roanoke airport, and we are working on a shuttle arrangement between the two hotels during the weekend.

Regardless of which of these two hotels you choose to stay at, please remember to tell them that you are with the Orleans American High School Reunion group, and use their direct lines to make your reservations. For the Hotel Roanoke, the number is 540-985-5900, and you should call between 0800 and 1730 Eastern Daylight Savings time. For the Holiday Inn, the number is 540-774-4400

If you have any questions or problems, you can call Pat Green 24/7 at 1-866-522-5268. He'll find someplace for you to stay, so don't use this as an excuse not to come.

A reminder to all...bring a piece of trash or treasure to be auctioned. Everybody will get a numbered bid card when they register. Auction items will be on display for bidding in the Hospitality Suite from the afternoon of Friday, September 8th, until 3:30 p.m., Saturday, September 9th. High bidders will be announced in the ballroom that evening.

Pick up and payments of items can be done Saturday evening or Sunday morning after 9 a.m. in the Hospitality Suite. If you want to cash out Saturday evening, find Rusty Ralston, Val (Conlin) Dussor, or Gudrun (Clem) Blackmon. One of them will go back to the Hospitality Suite with you. Cash and checks will be accepted for purchased items.

If you are bringing something to be auctioned off, please leave it at the Registration Desk on your arrival.

The Auction Team asks that you write a short provenance for each item. Is it a treasure from your past? How old is it? Where did you get it? Surely there is an interesting story attached to everything you bring.

Rusty Ralston, our auctioneer, has volunteered to store items should you want to send them early. His address is: Mr. Russell Ralston, 214 Ann Street , Staunton , VA 24401 . If you decide to do this, please send him an e-mail (gritman@ntelos.net) and give him a heads-up.

Just saw a calendar of events for Roanoke for this year. In browsing through September events during "our weekend" these two events caught my eye:

8-10 Sep Taste of the Blue Ridge Blues & Jazz Festival (Elmwood Park)
9 Sep Black Dog Concert (12-5 pm) (Chateau Morrissette Winery)

For those of you who may want to travel to the reunion in an RV, and for those of you who may have pets you want to bring, this might interest you:

Roanoke has 16 hotels/motels which will accommodate pets. Information can be found on www.petswelcome.com. Once on the website, just
click on "Lodging Listings" and follow the links to Roanoke, Virginia.

        There are five campgrounds near Roanoke. All of them have trailer sites with hook-ups. More information can be found on
        www.visitroanokeva.com. Once on the site, click on "Where to Stay" and select "Camping" from the pulldown menu, or call
        Gudrun at 910-822-1030.