Info, RSVP for 50th-reconciled

Event Details

Friday, October 4, 2024
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Links to Detailed Information (click or scroll down):
Why a Reunion Now? It's been 50 years since the mission was established in 1974.  Besides that milestone to commemorate, so much has happened in the five years since our 45th reunion in 2019, including:
  • The Pandemic came and went - we're back!
  • Sendai is back! Japan Sendai was re-established as a separate mission on 01 Jul 2024 after 5 years of being realigned, split and merged half each into the Sapporo and Tokyo North missions.
  • We're not getting realigned (well, perhaps our shapes, hairlines and hair color are changing), but:
    • we are all getting older, and
    • we have a lot to catch up on! 
  • Senior Missionaries - Many Sendai RMs and their spouses are currently serving Senior Missions - we'll miss you!
  • We lost four more RMs (that we know of) - see "In Memory" link at upper left.
  • Temples in Japan!
    • Tokyo Temple rededicated Jul 2022
    • Osaka Temple announced Oct 2023
    • Okinawa Temple dedicated Nov 2023  
Okinawa Temple
 
6PM Evening Reunion
Location:
Capitol Hill Ward
413 N West Capitol St, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103 (map & directions)
 
This historic 'rock church' is located 4 blocks north of The Conference Center at the top of Main Street, just west of the Utah State Capitol and north of the Pioneer Memorial Museum, the same location as the past two reunions - many thanks to Yuriko Arakaki Rees for reserving her meetinghouse again.
Parking Note: This meetinghouse has no parking lot; see MAP for suggested adjacent street parking - green highlight is angled parking, yellow highlight is parallel parking (it has worked fine in the past) - carpooling is encouraged.
 Picture note: click on any picture here to enlarge to see the old, yet distinguished folks depicted. 
 
Reunion Particulars:
  • 6PM start time (kangei (welcome), sanbika (hymn), kaikai o-inori (opening prayer), shokuji-kai (potluck dinner)
  • 3PM setup, informal earlybird gathering If you're able/interested, come early to help set up and/or just to start visiting
  • Sign-in/Registration - Please check in at our registration desk & pick up your nametag lanyard
  • Business Casual Dress - slacks/sweaters - 'Aloha wear' suggested to honor our Teruya legacy
  • 50-Year '50/5' Pot Luck Guideline - If you live within about 50 miles of SLC, and you're able, bring a favorite dish for ~5 people (plates, cups & utensils will be supplied). Feel free to bring either a Japanese or non-Japanese favorite dish, and if your favorite dish is fruit plate, salad or dessert, sure, bring that - we need those too!
    • How far is 'within 50 miles'? (let's say Perry on the north, Spanish Fork on the south and Heber on the east.) If you live further, you're good-just bring an appetite.
    • The 50-mile guideline obviously exempts out-of-state and international guests from bringing anything; thank you for just bringing yourselves!
  • ~7:30PM Group Picture - as at the 45th, some talented spouses will help line RMs line up and take a commemorative picture
  • 2 familiar Natsukashii videos will be playing in adjacent classrooms - always fun to watch (again)
  • 9:30 curfew - if you are able, please help clean up
 
Share Your Pics!  Bring your smartphones and take lots of pictures! After the reunion, please email your very best favorites to japansendaiteruya@gmail.com (photo credits from 45th here: Kathy Folsom (McGhee), Ann Inouye (Takasaki), Todd Ogaard, Marv Reep, Clark Shurtz - click on any picture here to enlarge. See 45th Reunion Photo Gallery to identify faces)
 
 
Reunion Format: We've learned from past reunions that most folks just want to reminisce and catch up casually with those with whom we served. It's an open-house (cultural hall) setup with pot luck buffet and dining tables; we'll also set up several 'conversation circles' where people can visit informally. Please plan on arriving in plenty of time before 6PM and stay as long as you wish, but at least until the group photo at 7:30PM.
 
Update your Site Profile, Please! Why? Many of you have retired, have moved, have a new email address, have new grandchildren, etc. Under Member Functions at left, "Edit Profile" or "Edit Contact Info"
 
RSVP if you can join us: - We hope you can join us, but we need to know (and others will want to see) if you'll be there:
  1. So we can gauge meetinghouse set-up requirements and prepare (larger-than-ever) nametags in advance, if you will be attending please RSVP:
    1. RSVP Online
      1. Use the 'Ticket/Activity Registration for Events' box at the top of this page
      2. Enter/adjust 'quantity,' then click 'continue' to successive pages to complete registration
      3. You'll receive an email acknowledgement and you'll be listed in the RM List as 'attending,' with a  icon next to your name.
    2. or, RSVP by text to 801.556.0200
      1. If you're having trouble registering, change your mind or you want to change your 'quantity,' text Todd Ogaard so we can manually update your registration.
      2. You'll receive an email acknowledgement and you'll be listed in the RM List as 'attending,' with a  icon next to your name.
  2. The optional 10AM Golf event is not a tournament, just another informal reunion get-together.
  3. If you're not planning on attending, "Edit Profile" at left - we've added a question at the bottom there ("I won't be able to join everyone for the 50-Year Reunion, but instead I'll be..._________"). This is where Senior Missionaries can tell us about their mission, for example. We understand some folks will have conflicting plans and we also realize reunions aren’t for everyone, so even keying in, “choosing not to attend” helps.  Thanks.
We will also welcome the few of you who may be last-minute spur-of-the-moment or sit-on-the fence folks, whether or not you RSVP'd/registered. C'mon and join us!
 
Reunion FAQs
  1. How Can I Help?  Please help us find RMs on the 'Missing List,' and whose email addresses bounced (see 'Fix Email' link).  If you’re in touch with any of these folks or with a little effort you can track them down (are you Facebook friends with them, for example?), please take the initiative to do so - remember that you may be the only connection back to them!  Please make it your 'mission' to contact them yourself and request they join/update their profile here at japansendai.org. 
  2. How Can I Tell Who's Coming to the Reunion? Login, click 'RM List' (upper left menu) and click on a reunion event to generate a list of RSVP'd RMs. Note: numerical totals there tally only RMs, and don't include a count of spouses/guests. Every week or so we'll tally both types of RSVPs on the home page. If you're coming and don't appear on that event list or have a icon next to your name, it simply means you haven't registered yet at the top of this page. Please try again or Contact Us - we are happy to manually enter or update your RSVP/registration upon request.
  3. What about homestays? If you're traveling from out of town and haven't already arranged for or need a place to stay, or if you're a Salt Lake-area local and would like to be a homestay host,  please Contact Us - we'll do our best to get you together. 
  4. I'm not really very sure I want to attend the reunion.  What if I:
    1. never married, or
    2. got divorced, or
    3. gained 80 (or more) pounds, or
    4. am bald, or
    5. am not really into the Church?
Get a grip—we’re all old and it doesn’t really matter. It's a chance to see old friends, meet some new ones, and strengthen the ties that bind us. Step out of your comfort zone and get off the (as we used to say "reekin'") fence - just do it and join us!
Questions/Need Site Assistance? Don’t hesitate to email our Site Administrator Todd Ogaard directly at japansendaiteruya@gmail.com or text 801.556.0200 Thanks.
 
 
 
RSVP Requested if you can join us- 1 slot remains!
RSVP using the 'Ticket/Activity Registration for Events' section at the top of this page, or by texting Todd at 801.556.0200. You'll be emailed a registration acknowledgement. If you're having trouble or have questions, text Todd at 801.556.0200. 
  • Where?  We've reserved tee times at Bonneville Golf Course (map, directions). Costs will be paid by you at check-in at the course. ($29 - 9 holes, includes 'senior' green fees and cart - they accept credit cards. Non-senior fees are more.)
  • New! Driving Range: Unfortunately, effective starting the day before this event, Bonneville's driving range will be closed for maintenance.
  • What?  This is NOT a tournament; just another informal reunion get-together event.
  • Why?  Why not? We've done this the past two reunions, remembering how President Teruya loved to golf and chat before reunions. We had a blast - good times! 
  • Who? Anyone who is a golfer is welcome to join. 
  • When? We currently have two 9-hole tee times starting at 10AM. Arrive by 9:50 and we'll arrange the groupings on site.