Hello,

I  think using a blog to share memorial service ideas might be easier than using email.

Here are my thought:

I would like to see us have the memorial service outdoors, near the ocean, in the morning, on a day before the weather turns cold again. Any other ideas?

I think we should not try to combine it with Michelle's cookout of the family reunion. Those should be happy, not solemn occasions. There would be no reason for some reunion guests, Nancy's sons, for example, to attend the memorial service, and attending the service would require Paul to spend some of his reunion time away from his family.

I know Klaus has shared the news with Maureen's friends. Pam Selwyn in Berlin told me she received an email from Klaus. Perhaps we should send invitations to the memorial service to the same list of addresses Klaus used. Of course, since it's been about 30 years since Maureen lived in Massachusetts, I don't expect too many guests other than family to attend. Ginny from Maine? John and Sarah from New York?

At John Chapman's memorial service, which was held in a small theater in Manhattan, John's daughter Rebecca asked guests to share their memorial of John. She handed a wireless mike to everyone who spoke. I would like to do the same thing. Should we ask people to RSVP? Should we ask them to let us know if they plan to say a few words? Should we give them a time limit?

I would like to have music at the service. Perhaps we could ask immediate family members to suggest music they would like to have included. Anyone else?

Rebecca had a caterer supply food for guests to enjoy after the formal part of the service. I think we could do the same thing.

Any place we use must have restroom facilities. I think technology eliminates any need for electrical connections. A battery operated hand-held mike and a fully charged iPad or similar device with cellular data and a wireless bluetooth speaker ought to meet our needs.

I wrote to Tilman and Nikolas. I said to Tilman, "I am beginning to think about a memorial service. I heard from Kathleen that Maureen wanted us to have one and for you, Nikolas and Klaus to attend. Is that your understanding? 

"I think the first thing we need to know is when you might be able to come. Keep in mind that Michelle's family cook out is Saturday, July 19, and the family reunion on Cape Cod is September 6-7. I believe strongly that we should not combine the memorial service with these events, but we could have it shortly before or after if that works out. So consult with your father and your brother, let me know what you would like to do. Once we set a date, we can plan accordingly."

I also checked online to see if Stage Fort Park in Gloucester would be available. Here's what I learned. Does anyone have ideas about any other suitable place?

Group Permits

Groups of 25 or more looking to use Stage Fort Park or Wingaersheek Beach for a picnic, family outing, school field trip, catered events, etc., are required to make a reservation.  The cost of the permit is $25 for all Schools, YMCA's, and Summer Camps.  Family outings and non-catered events are $50 while Catered events are $200.  Commercial outings are available at a cost of either $250 or $400 depending upon the season.  Reservations can be made by mail by sending a check payable to "City of Gloucester" to Mark Cole, Parks Dept., 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930 or by email at mcole@gloucester-ma.gov.  If your group is arriving by bus there is a $35 parking fee for each bus.  Buses are not allowed to drop off groups within the park without first paying the parking fee.

*Please note that we cannot accommodate buses at Stage Fort Park or Wingaersheek Beach on the weekends during the summer.