Thursday, June 24, 2010

Some Carnival Details...

...please add water wings to the 'What to Bring' Reunion Checklist!
Yes, just to confirm, that all is still well for the upcoming Gomke Reunion at Longfellow Hall, despite the recent flooding conditions.


Also, as the date draws closer, families are likely starting to think about their Carnival Game...(but hopefully not stressing?!). To make it a bit easier, I've compiled an 'inspiration'/idea list that can hopefully help with the planning process...


  • Think birthday party..."Pin the Tail on the Donkey" (or any variation there-of).

  • Do you have a kitty pool? Place bowls in the water to toss something (pennies?)--points for how many end up in a bowl, etc?

  • Duct tape hoola hoops to the top of chairs--make a frisbee course--a 'win' if you get it through all hoops?

  • Are you a golfer? Do you have a little home putting green? A win when you sink the putt in less than ? hits? (or whenever you sink the putt?)

  • Squirt guns and ping pong balls--use the squirt gun to maneuver the ping pong ball through a table-top course? 2 people at at time...first one to the end wins? (have a pail of water handy to refill squirt guns).

  • Bouncy Ball or Baseball toss--use a case of sealers or pails and toss 3 bouncy balls, etc. A 'win' if you get one in (or all 3?)

  • Ring toss, kids horseshoe toss, lawn darts and a ring, etc.

  • BINGO

  • Musical Chairs

  • and anything else?....hope this helps give you some ideas...

See photos from a recent School Carnival.



How the Games Work

At the Carnival "Kick-off" (11:00), kids will get a Carnival Passport where they will collect a stamp for each of the 9 games (named after each primary member--the intent is to help generate some awareness of these members to the younger generation):
  • A stamp is earned after a 'win', so it may be possible that the game has to be played a number of times to earn the 'win' (i.e. certain number of points, a competition win, a successful feat, etc.).

  • Design the game to include what the participant must do to 'win' (earn a stamp).

  • Stamps will be provided with a Sign designating your primary family member.

  • All 9 stamps collected entitles the participant to collect their loot bag and enter the draw for a additional prizes.

  • Participants can continue to play games to collect another 9 stamps to enter the draw again.

  • Families are requested to submit their game plan at Friday Registration (so any instructions can be included during the 'Kick-off').

  • Carnival Game set-up is the responsibility of each family group prior to the 11:00 start on Saturday, July 3rd.

Who Knew?...

"Largest dinosaur graveyard found near Hilda, Alberta."

Who would have ever guessed that Hilda's claim to fame might be from an era 76 million years ago! It is doubtful that Charlotte and Reinholdt Gomke realized the archeological treasures that lay beneath the very land that they were farming. According the the article below, "Scientists in Alberta have discovered the largest dinosaur bonebed ever documented--along with evidence of massive carnage--near Hilda, 50 kms north of Medicine Hat". It is believed that tropical storms flooded the area and caused great herds of land-dwelling dinosaurs to perish. Well...the tropical part is a bit hard to imagine, but certainly not the flooding!

The Centrosaurus (along with other horned dinosaurs), believed to have lived in the Hilda area at one time.


http://news.ca.msn.com/local/calgary/article.aspx?cp-documentid=24612294

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Baby Boy

Colin & Chelsey Fischer
announce the arrival of their Baby Boy
Gavin James Fischer
on May 9th, 2010 (Mother's Day)

Congratulations!!

Friday, June 18, 2010

June Flooding

"It never rains, but it pours!"
Yes, farmers always want rain...but perhaps this is a bit more than anyone wished for? Seems Southern Alberta is being hit with flood warnings and excessive precipitation this June. Here are some photos taken by Geoff and Amanda Roth near Schuler, Alberta. Fortunately they are on higher ground, although it seems not everyone is so fortunate.





Click on the link below to view the Calgary Herald article:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Flooding+causes+home+evacuations+southern+Alberta/3172824/story.html

Monday, June 14, 2010

Reunion Reminder


It's almost here!!
The 2010 Gomke Reunion

July 2, 3, & 4th!!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming reunion at the Longfellow Hall (near Medicine Hat) and having fun at the first ever...

Gomke Carnival!
Directions: Trans Canada Hi-way East 6.7 kms from Dunmore Rd instersection / South on Eagle Butte Road 7.8 kms / West 1.4 kms at Longfellow Hall sign.

Remember:

Reunion Checklist:

-lawn chairs
-plates / cutlery (reusable)
-Saturday potluck item
-Sunday breakfast item (fruit, muffins, or other)
-Carnival Game, one per primary family member
-Homemade item for doorprize draw (jam, canning, pickles, other) optional
-Sunscreen (hopefully!)
-Bug spray / umbrella (hopefully not!)
-$ for concession and souvineer items
-Camera

Do you have other items to bring?
-extension cords
-baseball equipment
-horseshoes
-portable canopy
-cards or other games

Get ready for a weekend of family fun!
Don't miss it!


Sunday, June 13, 2010

Grad--Two Years Ago

It was today, June 13, two years ago (2008) that was my Master's Grad Convocation at the University of Calgary (Masters of Educational Leadership). It was one of the happiest days...partly because my family was there to celebrate with me, and especially my Grandma Roth (Olga--who passed away one year later, nearly to the day, June 5, 2009). Remembering this day with gratitude and warm memories...
. Pam Zollner & Olga Roth (Grandma!), June 13, 2008
Darlene Knight (aunt), Jeannette Zollner (mom), Me (Pam Zollner), Olga Roth (nee Gomke--grandma), Cindy Straub (aunt), Karli & Jessica Schnell (nieces).

International Gomke Reunion

HOWDY!
INTERNATIONAL GOMKE REUNION
JULY 22, 23, 24 in 2011 at Longfellow Hall
(That's next year, Thurs, Fri, Sat of Stampede Week.)
YIPPEE!!
Us Canadian Gomkes are hosting this. It's our chance to show our relatives from United States and Germany the WESTERN sport and the western Canadian spirit.

western clipart boots


To help with the Reunion, you will be given opportunities to be involved:
-you can be on a planning committee e.g.registrar, secretary/treasurer, tour
coordinator, host coordinator, plan western activities, etc.
-you can host a family at your house
-you can host a tour to help guests see our part of the country

contact me, Jeannette Zollner at 403-529-6384 (jmzollner@hotmail.com)
(or see me at this year's Gomke Carnival Reunion, July 2, 3, 4th)