2010 NDA Reunion

 

Reunion Update -- 05-12-2010

 

The reunion is history. Had approximately 95 divers register and entertained about 135 to 150 total. Seemed like everyone liked the NDA coin. Auction took in approximately $6,300. A great time.

 

Will post more later with better numbers.

 

Reunion Update -- 04-21-2010

 

Well, the count-down has begun. Looks like we are going to have a great turnout.

 

SPECIAL FOR BIKERS -- Jim Phalin, John Ennis and Rick Bedard have planned a Diver’s Motorcycle Ride to coincide with the Reunion and WDC on Friday morning the 7th of May. I would love to have as many former divers and friends join us as possible. I have a lot of the local active guys contacted and will have it put out at the WDC but l’m lacking the emails of many of the former DVs. They can use me for sign up. I know it would be too short notice for most of the out-of-towners but I’m sure there are local divers that have bikes that may be interested. Rick Bedard has developed an outstanding route planned for the ride.  He will be our leader because he has lead groups many times before. It will take about six hours total but anyone can break off anytime they want.

 

ROOMS -- I still have about five rooms that I have saved on my credit card at the reduced rate of $98 a night, If anyone still needs a room, please let me know ASAP. I have to let these go by Wednesday of next week.

 

THINGS TO DO -- Chuck & Sparkles Gross found discounts for site seeing trips around San Diego at the Military PX. You can go to their web site ahead of time to choose your site seeing trip. Plan ahead as you must pick up with your military ID card. Chuck said they really enjoyed the 2.5 hour Trolley tour and the Harbor tour.

 

GOLFING -- Joe Medina is checking out the local golf courses. So, if you have clubs, bring 'em.

 

RV PARKS -- There are several RV parks and I've listed below:

 

Chula Vista Marina RV --  800-770-2878

Military:  Admiral Baker RV Park  619-556-5525

Military:  Fiddler’s Cove RV Park 619-522-8680

Bernardo Shores RV Park  (Imperial Beach)  619-429-9000

San Diego Metropolitan KOA  800-562-9877

Campland on the Bay  800-422-9386

 

See you all in San Diego in a little over a week.

 

Reunion Update -- 02-06-2010

 

The 2010 Navy Divers Association (NDA) Reunion will be held Sunday through Wednesday, May 2-6, 2010, at the Handlery Hotel & Resort www.handlery.com in San Diego, CA.

 

I’ve checked the menus and prices for the two events we have every reunion.  This reunion will be no different.  The information below is preliminary and approximate just to give you an idea of what we will be having this year and what the costs will be.  Pretty close, but still approximate.

 

The March newsletter is out and lists many that have already committed to coming as well as additional information.

 

Place:  Handlery Hotel & Resort, 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA    www.handlery.com/sd

 

Dates:  Sunday, May 2, 2010 to Thursday, May 6, 2010

  • Hotel check-in begins after 3:00 P.M. Sunday or any day thereafter.

 

Room Rates:   $98 per night plus 12.5% tax.  This rate will be honored three days before and three days after.  If you are planning on staying a week, ask for a weekly rate.  You may save a few bucks.

  • $6 per night parking fee, if you are driving

 

Reunion Charges:  No registration fees.  Only pay for the events you attend:

 

  • Monday 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M (approximate)  --  Get reacquainted with old friends and shipmates amidst heavy hors d’oeuvres.  This event is for everyone to get together to plan their week and renew old friendships  --  Approximate cost per attendee is $16.00

 

    • Garden Vegetable Display w/ Dip
    • Panache of Seasonal Fruits
    • Assorted Domestic Cheese Display w/ Crackers
    • Chicken Drummettes
    • Spanokpita  -- see Wikipedia link     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanakopita
    • Party Mix

 

  • Wednesday 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 (approximate)  --  Annual buffet dinner with fund raising auction  --  Larry Stokes, auctioneer. --  Approximate cost per attendee is $42

 

    • Crisp Garden Salad w/ Two Dressings
    • Sliced Tomatoes, Buffalo Mozzarella and Chopped Basil Drizzled w/ EVO
    • Panache of Seasonal Fruit
    • Roast Turkey Breast w/ Apple Chutney
    • Grilled Salmon w/ Lemon Beurre Blanc
    • London Broil w/ Cabernet Mushroom Sauce
    • Herb-Roasted Red Potatoes
    • Penne Pasta Pomodoro w/ Vegetables and Marinara
    • Market Vegetables, Rolls & Butter, Coffee, Tea, etc.
    • Chef’s Dessert Table

     

    These menus may be subject to slight changes as I am working from their 2008 menus and these were the latest they had six months ago.  Things may change a little and I will pass these changes along as they come up.

    We have our annual auction to raise funds for the newsletter mailings and whatever charity we pick to donate to, etc.  Larry “Doc” Stokes, retired professional auctioneer, will be our esteemed auctioneer for the evening.  We generally hold our auction after our dinner, but this is subject to change if Larry thinks we can do it at a better time.

 

  • Hospitality Suite (HS) will be open daily from 7:00 or 8:00 A.M. until the last person leaves in the evening.  We will have pretty much anything you want to snack on and drink (soft, hard & beer).  It’s all based on the HONOR system.  We have a can on the counter and you put in whatever you think you should. The pool shots are looking from the HS out onto the pool area. You’ll have to excuse the inside pictures as I had a cheap camera.

 

    You can start getting into "NDA Reunion mood" by looking at some of the pictures of the HS where I am certain you will spend considerable time hoisting a few brews with your shipmates. Like, if you want to stay out of the San Diego sun, you can sit in the suite around the bar area or over in the corner. Or, if you'd like to pull up a few tables and sit around the pool right outside the suite, you can. Or, you can just swim in the large pool.

     

    • Hotel Management has assured me they will set up tables for us immediately in front of our suite as well as at the pool edge and anywhere else we desire.

 

I recommend you all start making your reservation at the Handlery now.  You can call Group Reservations at 1-619-298-0511 or toll free at 1-800-676-6567 between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 12:00 Midnight Pacific Standard Time (PST) and reference the promo code NAVY and the Group: NAVY DIVERS REUNION.   You will need to give them your credit card number to guarantee your reservations. The Handlery accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and most other major credit cards.

 

That’s it for now.  I’ll keep you all posted.

 

Attendees may begin checking in on Sunday, May 2, 2010, at the Handlery Hotel & Resort